Rev. Fr. Aresio S. Astorga
Catholic Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte

“Be not afraid. For I, Yahweh your God, am holding you by the right hand. Be not afraid, I will help you.” (Isaiah:41:10-13)

Dear graduates, your transition from High School to College is a time of anxious searching. Psychology defines it as that period in your life when you are part child and part adult. At your age, you notice with bodily growth a sexual awakening and a heightened sense of life. Childish feelings of love and hatred, affection and alienation, take on a different meaning outside the family circle, especially during your “puppy love” stage.

Obedience to authority, at this stage, becomes harder to take, even from the most reasonable of parents and elders. And knowing, deep inside, how they really care, I know, it hurts you just as much as it hurts them – when you rebel. Later on in life, you will realize that this is God’s built-in device to help you find out your real self. Be consoled to know that all of us, without exception, pass through this critical stage. I just hope and pray you pass well.

This is also the time of the “very curious” in you. Remember how often, in the past, you strayed far and wide to sample everything life can offer? Your experimentations ran the gamut from good to bad, the bizarre to the crazy, in taste and fashion. Sample these: earrings for the boys, peroxide blond hair for the dark of skin, leather jackets in the dead of summer, and, oh yes, pink sunglasses for watching the eclipse.

To sample new relationships, you walked life with new companions. Chummy you became with complete strangers, even with a lunatic or two. Even further than that you strayed. For you oftentimes thrilled to do wrong; yes, even to commit sin, for the sake of knowing how it feels, no matter the consequence.

Dear graduates, you remind me very much of the chrysalis or puppa in its cocoon, a fat green worm, awkward and ungainly in appearance, painfully struggling out of its prison cell. But with a good amount of encouragement and not much interference from outside, this ugly thing can evolve into one of the most beautiful of creatures this side of nature – a shimmering, irridescent butterfly.

In your painful process of growth, be thus consoled with the words of prophet Isaiah: “Be not afraid. For I, your God, am holding you on the right hand… I will help you.”

Remember when you were yet a child? One fine evening, you were walking home with either Papa or Mama, then suddenly the dark pall of a brown-out engulfed you. Instinctively, you clutched at your parent’s hand. And then you felt safe amidst the encircling gloom. No harm could come to you, for that strong and steady hand would bring you home safe.

At your age, it will not only look ridiculous to hang on your parent’s hand in public; it is even a sure sign of immaturity. But to hold on to God’s hand, no matter what your age, in complete trust and confidence, is a sure sign of maturity in life. And this is done simply by a regular life of prayer and the frequent reception of the sacraments. You are thus priveleged to study in a school which fosters such a good life-time habit.

Strive thus, dear graduates, never to lose hold of God. Keep always in touch! For, if ever, there is parting of hands later on, some way or another, it is we who always let go first. But looking back in pain and confusion later on, that Divine Hand is always there with us to return to and cling to.

In conclusion, our liturgist initiated today’s graduation as a bittersweet affair, Sweet, for its achievement and joy of celebration. Bitter, for it means separation from friends and familiars. Maybe, to the extent of studying school next year, or simply being separated from one another by another section or class in college.

A quote thus seems appropriate to round off our thoughts for today. And I best quote from Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”. “If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; If not, why then, this parting was well made.”

EVENTS:
20 – Registration and Karaoke Night (Tata’s Residence)
21 – Sports Day (SPC Grounds) and Disco Night (Swing Disco, Don Felipe)
22 – Beach and Prom Night (Sabin’s Hotel)

CONTRIBUTION:
Philippine-based: Php 300.00
Abroad: USD 100

COMMITTEES:
Local Organizing Committee:
    Tata, Jovie

Treasurer:
Tata (Phil)
Holly (US)

Photographer:
Marlon Matiga

OTHER ACTIVITIES:
1) Yearbook Update (c/o Portia Salvo)

WHO WILL BE COMING: (as of March 18, 2008)

Ladies:

1. Jovie Alfaro-Aviles
2. Gina Amistad
3. Mary Jane Aseo
4. Nora Gay Aparis-Paloma
5. Coleen Basilio-Martinez
6. Laila Caballero
7. Maricris Cabreros-Pulvera
8. Sofia Caparuso
9. Josephine Capuyan-llanera
10. Angeline Catan
11. Lorena Cimafranca
12. Mary Jane Codilla-Alvarez
13. Bella de Leon
14. Glenda Donabel Diez
15. Arlene Donghil
16. Angeline Fiel-Balce
17. Ma. Chona Jabilles-Gonzalez
18. Serena Judilla-Poliquit
19. Lalaine Kelly
20. Carla Lasam-Abella
21. Maria Lynda Laurente Castano
22. Genebeth Luna
23. Stella Maglasang-Penserga
24. Hollie Mercado
25. Tisha Morilla
26. Edna Napari
27. Michaela Omega
28. Judith Pabines-Asensi
29. Ma. Leonora Paca-Pagobo
30. Ma. Cynthia Parilla-Perez
31. Ma. Cristina Perez
32. Surmae Poniente-Salazar
33. Analiza Quiapo-Parilla
34. Rhizza Romero-Cabagnot
35. Portia Salvo Saucelo
36. Tata Sia-Gidayawan
37. Ellen Simblante
38. Christine Solano Ty
39. Bernadeth Suico-Angulo
40. Hazel Sultan
41. Sarah Trinidad Kobayashi
42. Cristina Yu

Gentlemen:

1. Baggy Bagarinao
2. Paul Cadelina
3. Evaristo Cardente
4. Lito del Rio
5. Nicolito Gianan
6. Robert Liu
7. Jasper Lucero
8. Edwin Lumanta
9. Marlon Matiga
10. Ranilo Nepomuceno
11. Arvin Pacaldo
12. Teody Padecio
13. Jayzar Pastor
14. Dohn Perez
15. Gilbert Perez
16. Jake Perez
17. Lionel Eric Roble
18. Gregorio Sabando
19. Mikhale Selidio
20. Andres Tortugo
21. Herbert Tugunon
22. Pitoy Venezuela
23. Rolando Villasencio
24. Eduardo Yap
25. Melchizedic Yap
26. Leonardo Ygnacio
27. Sammy Yrastorza

Please visit this page for more updates!

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I have also started transferring the files from our website at geocities. The transfer should be complete before the end of February.