SPU Manila INTER-OFFICE BULLETIN Vol. VI No. 30 17 June 2013 SPU MANILA HOSTS CEAP-NBEC NATIONAL SEMINAR ON KEY FEATURES OF K TO 12 PROGRAM Contributed by Ivy P. Coronel The recently concluded three-day Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines-- National Basic Education Commission (CEAP-NBEC) National Seminar on Key Features of the K to 12 Program was held in the Fleur-de-lis Theater of St. Paul University Manila on 29-31 May 2013. In her welcome remarks, Sr. Lilia Thérèse L. Tolentino, SPC, SPU Manila President, said, This national seminar-workshop is a macro example of one hand holding another and drawing strength from each. We, representatives from CEAP schools, will learn from experts in the fields of math and science, language teaching, and education, and we will echo this learning in our respective institutions; so that, together, we will meet the challenges of K to 12, take them by the horns, so to speak, and transform them into opportunities. The three-day seminar for administrators, coordinators, and subject teachers was organized by the CEAP-NBEC in partnership with the Department of Education, UP National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, and the Philippine Association for Language Teaching, Inc. (PALT). Comprehensive discussion of the theoretical and pedagogical framework and the lively workshops walked the participants through a detailed analysis of the strategies, materials, and other expectations in the implementation of the three features of the K to 12 program: Mother Tongue-Based-Mutilingual Education (MTB-MLE), Spiral Progression Approach, and Standards- Based Assessment. Emphasis was given on how schools may respond to the challenges of implementing the three identified features without losing sight of their respective vision-mission and goals. Sr. Lilia welcoming the organizers Participants listening attentively
The participants from the Visayas Region... First Presidential Council Meeting for AY 2013-14 Held Contributed by Ivy P. Coronel Sr. Lilia Thérèse L Tolentino, SPU Manila President, held her first Presidential Council Meeting for AY 2013-14 in the President s Council Room (formerly Board Room) on 14 June 2013 with the new Vice Presidents in attendance: Sr. Ma. Evangeline Anastacio, SPC (VP for Academic Services); Sr. Dahlia Corazon Dabalu, SPC (VP for Administrative Services); Sr. Jesusa Taccad, SPC (VP for Christian Formation); and Mrs. Myra Arañas (VP for Student Services). Sr. Angely Malan, SPC (VP for Finance Services), who is not new to the University and to the Council, was tasked to take the minutes. Sr. Lilia started the meeting by welcoming the newest additions to the SPU Manila Community. She then briefed the Vice Presidents on the conduct of the monthly President s Council Meeting and gave some recommendations on various issues and concerns they may encounter as religious and as managers of their respective divisions. Part of the agenda was to orient the new VPs and the new Human Resource Manager, Dr. Rosel Fonacier, who was also invited to the meeting, on the status, plans, and directions of the following units: Research Center, International Relations and Language Development Center, Marketing and Promotions, Community Development Center, Information and Communications Technology, and Planning and Quality Assurance, reported by Dr. Nieves Medina; Sr. Flordeliza Deza, SPC; Dr. Arsenio Bignotia; Ms. Elvira Manalansan; Mr. Emmanuel Ampong; and Mrs. Ma. Encarnacion Dychangco, respectively. Updates on special projects were presented by Mrs. Lalaline Mallari on the Corporate AVP of SPU Manila and the Theater Development Program for Students, and Dr. Grace Leongson and Mrs. Amelia Butial, on the proposal of the CIBT School of Business and the Australian Skills Institute.
The New Vice Presidents Sr. Lilia giving the orientation; Sr. Angely recording the minutes Dr. Nieves Medina presenting the status and plans of the Research Center FROM THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND THE PERFORMING ARTS SPU Manila CMPA: School Year Starts with Center of Excellence in Music Award Contributed by Marlon Fernandez College of Music and Performing Arts Student Council President Passion for music gave birth to the award, Center of Excellence in Music, from the Commission on Higher Education, which was formally given to the College of Music and the Performing Arts of St. Paul University Manila on 4 June 2013. The college started in 1940 as the Conservatory of Music with faculty members who were among the best in the field at that time, such as Julio Esteban Anguita, Maria Mota, Antonio Molina, Victoria Lobregat, Liwanag Cruz, Lucio San Pedro, and Stella Goldenberg- Brimo. When Sr. Marie Vincent Llamzon, SPC (photo right) headed the Conservatory of Music, it became known as the proponent of choral music in the Philippines through the St. Paul Glee Club. The choir performed in several places around the country and sang with the Harvard Choir and Cornell Choir
when they visited the country. The conservatory established the first all-girls String Orchestra. It participated in the musicals directed by Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J., which earned for the school the sobriquet, Broadway of Herran. The conservatory advanced in the field of performance education and in spiritual development. Many graduates and students served the Church. BM Performance students won in competitions sponsored by the Manila Symphony Orchestra and the National Music Competition for Young Artist (NAMCYA). Mrs. Mercedes Agravante-Isleta (photo left), who became Dean of the Conservatory, established the Kodaly Society of the Philippines. Sr. Lilia Thérèse L. Tolentino, SPC (photo right) succeeded Sr. Tarcisius in 1979 and stayed on until 1990. Sr. Lilia revived the conservatory amidst the rise of other programs that catered to the stronger material demands of the times. She put order in the department--organizing its files; expanding the collection of the music library with books, records, and tapes; setting up the collection of Philippine and Asian music instruments; and monitoring the development of graduates capable of facing the challenging problems of the modern times. Progress became the focus when Sr. Maria Anunciata Sta. Ana, SPC became Dean in 2004, the same year that St. Paul College of Manila became St. Paul University Manila (St. Paul University System) and the Conservatory of Music became College of Music and the Performing Arts. Sr. Anunciata succeeded in increasing the number of enrollees by 67.5% and gaining an impressive number of 73% of faculty with Masters in Music degrees. At the same time the students were encouraged to join both curricular and extracurricular activities and be involved in competitions on the national and international levels. Music students brought home awards from competitions like the NAMCYA, Piano Teachers Guild of the Philippines, Opusfest, and Kundiman Competition, sponsored by Miriam College. Two alumni were chosen to perform abroad: John Jerry Ginon, BM Violin graduate, performed as representative of the Philippines to the Russian Symphony Orchestra in Indonesia; and another graduate, BM Voice, Russel Indab, was chosen to join the opera season in Singapore twice. Instrumental groups were established, such as the Guitar Ensemble and SPU Manila Chamber Orchestra, which performed in places like the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, Paco Park Presents, and Concert at the Park and also participated in the open-house concert of CCP, the Pasinaya. Another group that has had a successful record is the SPU Manila Chorale, which performed in four places in China in 2006; participated in a joint concert with Coro San Antonio on St. Paul Oratorio and excerpts of the Messiah with Ernest Hoetzl as the conductor; performed in the World Youth Day in Manila; and served as lead choir in big affairs of the Church, such as the Installation of the new Archbishop of Manila, Pope s Day, the celebration
of the Year of St. Paul held in Araneta Coliseum, Congress of Priests in the World Trade Center, and the Funeral Mass of Cory Aquino, to name a few. Focusing on music performance, the CMPA has produced concerts and is the only school that has provided opportunities for young artists of the Philippines to perform in three different annual festivals in SPU Manila s Fleur-de-lis Theater: the Piano Festival, now on its 9 th year, since 2005; the Music Festival and Choral Festival, at present on their 4 th year. Aside from joining yearly performances of the Concert at the Park and Paco Park Presents, the CMPA has had concerts held in the Fleur-de-lis Theater, such as Memories of Broadway that started in 2012, and in the same year the Kundiman Concert, followed by its sequel in February 2013, an All Abelardo Concert, commemorating the 120 th Birthday of one of our greatest Filipino musician, Nicanor Abelardo; three years ago, the series of Night at the Opera; and miniconcerts started in 2011 entitled Thank God It s a Musical Friday, featuring two or three music students in a concert on Fridays. We are grateful for this award. We thank the Lord for this great privilege; at the same time we are challenged and inspired to pursue excellence and maintain the status. To God be the Glory. FROM THE ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE High School 1963 Mini Reunion in Kailua-Kona L-R: Betty Lee Gantan, Sol Balda-Ilagan (HS 65), Pinky Dalsfoist-Miranda, and Babes Cariaga-Banatao High School 1964 Lunch-Meeting Residence of Lydia Yabut-Ochoa 15 June 2013