CHINESE NEW YEAR:  SACRED HEART SCHOOL–                      HIJAS DE JESUS

Written by:  Mrs. Helene Yu
                                   

          Happy Chinese New Year!  Let’s welcome the Year of The Ox, the symbol of solemn hard work and prosperity, an animal that is aptly symbolic for these difficult times.  Still it is good to remain optimistic and celebrate, albeit in a simpler way, another tradition of Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus.  And to help create an awareness and appreciation of the Chinese culture among the students, the Parent’s Association, in cooperation with the Chinese area spearheaded the celebration of the Chinese New Year last Friday, the 23rd of January.

Pupils excitedly watch the fireworks

          The whole student body, faculty and staff came to school in Chinese costume or red attire.  There was a verse choir, group singing and dance number by our own students, as well as a cultural dance and a martial arts exhibition by guest performers.   Of course the celebration would not be complete without the Lion dance, fireworks display and the Chinese Mascot!

Parade of the Best in Chinese costume

          The most exciting event was the awarding of the Best in Costume.  Every grade and year level had their winners, who were made to parade around for everyone to appreciate, after which the best four were chosen, prizes courtesy of the Parent’s Association. 

 

  

Pupils share their potluck of Chinese delicacies

          Finally, food sharing followed which was another vivid expression of filiation, as everyone partook of a simple snack of oriental delicacies.  Everyone went home FULL  and joyFUL!

          There is much to look forward to the year 2009.  With frugality and careful management of our resources, it can still be a productive and prosperous year.  Like the hardworking, persevering, and faithful Ox, let us all continue to embrace this year with renewed spirits and enthusiasm to labor with love.                      

 

                                                                                                                                                               

SACRED HEARTERS WIN IN LITERARY COMPETITIONS
Written by:  Kathleen Alexandra Yu

 

Fourth Year Student Kathleen Alexandra Yu and Mentor Mrs. Florilou Pantallano

          Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus gets gold, silver and bronze in the recent CEAP – CETA Press Conference and Speech Festival last January 9, 2009 with Sarah Mae Tiu winning bronze for sports writing, Madeline Mae Ong - silver for feature writing, Jane Eliz Flores - silver for Photo Journalism, and Kathleen Alexandra Yu bagging the gold for news writing.

Last minute instructions before the contest

          The conference, which was held at the University of San Jose Recoletos, Basak Campus, started at 7:30 in the morning and ended at 4:30 in the afternoon.  The competition, divided into different categories, gathered about 200 delegates who came from fifteen Catholic schools in Cebu City and Cebu Province as a whole. Along with teacher coach, Mdm. Florilou Pantallano, the other delegates from SHS-HDJ were the following:

Charmaine Kaye Chan – Copy Reading and Headline Writing
Jeena Megan Tanco – Editorial Writing
Lilith Carmel Villarante – Editorial Cartooning
Arielle Kristie Arcenas – Logo Designing
Noelle Santiago – Extemporaneous Speaking

          The Cebu English Teachers’ Association (CETA), an organization under the umbrella of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and Cebu Secondary Schools and Principals Association (CEAP-CeSSPA), sponsored the competition with the theme, “Strengthening the Bond Among Catholic Secondary Schools in Cebu through Campus Journalism and Public Speaking”.  Indeed, this was a wonderful opportunity to hone our public speaking and journalistic skills, and bring honor to our dear Sacred Heart School.  Mother Foundress would surely be happy seeing us girls not just growing spiritually, but also in the ability to express our thoughts, opinions and ideas with heart and conscience.  As true Sacred Hearters, may we continue to let our voices be heard, and may our stand, especially on moral and social issues, always be based on what is true, what is good, and what is just.

   

Sacred Hearters take a pose with contestants from fifteen other Catholic Schools