To our dear fellow Theresians, our dear ICM sisters, welcome to our Centennial Celebration at 920 San Marcelino.
This is not an ordinary place but a very special place where we were not only academically honed but most of all,
trained and disciplined to bring out the best in ourselves. These make us very proud of our Theresian education.
Before anything else, I would like to acknowledge and thank the former president of Adamson University,
Fr. Greg Banaag of the Congregation of the Mission, who facilitated this event for us. He said that this is the home
of the Theresians, who are always welcome to visit.
This event would not be possible without the valuable time and effort of the STAA Manila Board of Directors.
Allow me to introduce them: Lita AMPIL-Morales, Tet AQUINO Elomina, Mayenne ASUNCION-Varua,
Mariros BULAON, Utchie CARINO-Angeles, Tess FAJARDO, Maret FOLLOSCO-Bautista,
Cecile MACAM-Perlas, Pia MANALASTAS, Katrina MILO-Yatco, Annabelle MORALES-Ramiscal,
Josette NAVARRA, Lea PASCUAL, Ondie SIANGHIO-Recio, and yours truly,
Menchu VIOLA-FERNANDO-Serina, working with our secretary Essle Lopez.
Your STAA Manila Board is at your service. We now have our official website, www.staa-manila.com,
and we are encouraging everyone to please visit the website for the latest news/announcements.
Please take note that our next activity is the Annual Recollection which will be held on November 21 at the
Makati Sports Club with Fr. Emmanuel “Nono” Alfonso, SJ, who is the Executive Director of The Jesuit Communications.
Our theme is Mercy and Compassion. Registration is at 8:30 AM and we will start the Recollection at 9AM.
The fee is P800 and this includes the Recollection Kit, the lunch and snacks. The anticipated Mass is at 4PM.
For more details, please visit our website.
Our Annual Homecoming is on February 20, 2016 and this will be held at the Sofitel Harbour Garden Tent with the theme,
“Theresians Just Wanna Have Fun”. Starting 2016, we have included the Grade School Jubilarians and the
Sr. Redempta Boys to join us in our homecomings.
Please join us in our Jubilarian sponsored first Friday Masses at 12 noon, at AIM on November 6, December 4 and
February 5. These are the first Fridays before the Homecoming.
The idea of coming back to STC Manila created mixed feelings….sadness and happiness. Going back is nostalgic…
sadness for others because our very good school was phased out totally gone. Happiness because we reminisce
our fond memories of our school days, the College Day, the required neatness, specially in writing, under the bridge,
the acacia tree, the dirty ice cream, our volleyball games, and our encounters with our teachers, the ICM sisters,
the manangs, Mr. Blanco and most of all the long lasting relationships with our classmates . Since then, there has
been a lot of changes….
Perhaps the phase-out had an impact on our lives. We cannot accept why a very good school such as STC Manila
was phased out. But let us keep this in mind…The only thing that is permanent is change and we have to have an open
heart and mind to welcome changes…learn to let go and continue to have a positive outlook in life.
We learn to forgive….According to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, there is no future if there is no forgiveness.
Changes will always be a part of life. To illustrate some changes:
- If Mother Marie Louise de Meester decided to stay in Belgium, there will be no Philippine mission nor a
St. Theresa’s College, Manila. We won’t be here to celebrate. There was a change in their mission objectives.
- If Adamson University weren’t here, this could be a university of the INC. What would you prefer? Somehow,
we should be thankful for this Catholic University, who continues to fulfil its mission to some 16,000 students…
and still expanding.
There will be always changes. We are intelligent Theresians. We were trained to have an analytical mind.
Let us move forward and make a difference. Let us be thankful for these changes. Let us get involved for the good
of all. Let us keep the Theresian Spirit alive. Let us enjoy the rest of the day reminiscing our good old days.
Salamat po!
CARMEN VIOLA-FERNANDO SERIÑA
STCMAFI President