UP Ibalon Bicol: Ateneo de Naga Univeristy

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AdenCSI HS'73 Reunion in Naga City, September 12, 2009

9/20/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

by Roy C. Fernando, M.D., Art Villamor, Marive Roco-de Guzman, Lian Ragragio-Bolivar & Totie Mesia, M.D.

On September 12, 2009, the Ateneo de Naga University and Colegio de Sta. Isabel High School Class 1973 came together for a memorable reunion marking the 299th devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia, the patroness of the Bicol Region.

The joyful fellowship brought batch members, friends, and supporters from the city and out of town to attend the thanksgivng mass at the Ateneo de Naga Campus church. Fr. Antonio de los Santos of the Parish of Calabanga officiated the solemn celebration. (Photo Credit: Dr. Roy Fernando; Marive R. De Guzman; Lian Ragragio, Art Villamor, KaiyanWong ) =0=

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Labels: 2009, AdenU-CSI'73, Ateneo de Naga Univeristy, Colegio de Sta Isabel, Dr. Roy Fernando, Fr. Antonio de los Santos, Marive Roco-de Guzman, Nini Ragragio, Penafrancia 2009, reunion, Totie Mesia

BACS Meet revival in Naga City

8/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Those who studied in Catholic school about 50 years ago in Bicol cannot forget the Bicol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS) meet----a dazzling sports and socio-cultural event that brought schools, students, teachers and parents in a merry celebration of Catholic education. In a week, activities that included parades, academic contests, and sports were held to instill pride, competitiveness, and teamwork among the young.

For reasons that include budget constraints, BACS Meet was discontinued. But through the years, many clamored for its restoration. After 30 years, Bicol Mail reported the event’s come back on August 13-15, 2009 in Naga City under the leadership of the new BACS president, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ of the Ateneo de Naga University.

“More than a thousand college, elementary and high school students from the six catholic educational associations of Virac, Caceres and Libmanan, Daet, Libmanan, Sorsogon and Masbate are expected to take part in this biennial event. “---Bicol Mail (08/07/09)

The BACS Meet is certainly a part of the education and formation of Bicolanos. Coordinators of the activities include is Mr. Joseph Eric “Jec” Claro, Athletics Director of Ateneo de Naga University. Mr. Marcelino Lagoda of Naga Parochial School, Mr. Silver Caoili of Universidad de Sta. Isabel and Mr. Bong Plantado of St. Joseph School. More information can be obtained from Ateneo Athletics Office at 495-5069 or e-mail at jeclaro@yahoo.com. (Photo Credit: www.adenu.edu.ph) =0=

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Labels: Academic Festival, Ateneo de Naga Univeristy, BACS Meet, Catholic, Colegio de Sta Isabel, competitiveness, Education, Fr. Joel Tabora, Naga City, Naga Parochial School, St. Joseph School, Totie Mesia

Penafrancia Fiesta 2007: Wilma Rojas’ Voyadores

9/15/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The day before the Thanksgiving Mass at the Penafrancia Basilica which marks the end of Ina’s September feast, the fluvial procession in Naga River brings the voyadores---the all-men boat crew of the Patroness of Bicol tasked to bring the image of Nuesta Senora de Penafrancia to its abode in Balatas village.

UP Ibalon’s Wilma Rojas shows her interesting collection of river scenes showing the men who brave the murky river in 2007’s river parade. It gives a preview of the religiosity, reverly, and merriment of the procession's reenaction on Saturday, September 20, 2008. Uniquely absent are the women who are asked to just watch at the side with the children. Traditionally, the women are disallowed to be in the boats where only men are privileged to be with the Virgin's icon as she courses home to be in her shrine. =0=

Labels: Ateneo de Naga Univeristy, Caceres. Naga City, fiesta, fluvial procession, Penafrancia 2007, UP Ibalon, Virgin of Penafrancia, voyadores, Wilma Rojas

Taking Responsibility and the Kaya Natin Movement

8/06/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

“Be not afraid!”is the wise counsel of Pope John Paul II to a world troubled by uncertainties. We need a moral figure like him who is not stranger to suffering to assure us that we’re not alone. What better memory can we have than recall Pope John Paul II, in the fading days of his life, displayed his harrowing battle with age and infirmity. Seeing him as a suffering human being makes us understand our own life’s vexing contradictions. We think what we can do about them.

To be pessimistic and afraid are likely reactions to the Kaya Natin movement---that group of well-intentioned, ethical and hardworking Filipinos formed by Jesse Robredo, Sonia Lorenzo, Eddie Panlilio and Grace Padaca in order to unite and save the country. They have a dream to improve our lot. In our most difficult time (now that inflation has steeply climbed to 12.2% last month,) they ask us to join ranks in helping save the nation. They are campaigning for accountability, honesty, integrity, and hard work to change the pernicious ills we have in our government.

Surely, attempts to make our country move forward encounter setbacks. It’s no different with Kaya Natin. Faced with herculean problems, we wonder what will come out of this movement. We question the credibility of the people who lead us. Our discouragement must be overriding considering our doubts. Many see a dreary landscape ahead. There’s this looming darkness in our future. This might have bothered Joe (not his real name) who wrote me his reaction to my blog entitled “The Challenge of Kaya Natin: Sabi baga ni Mayor Jesse Robredo, Kaya Ta!”

“Unfortunately, Grace Padaca is not the mayor of Isabela. She's the Governor.
I just have a little concern about "basic education." I do not know if I understand it completely, as we have leaders who were educated in the exclusive schools from the Philippines, the best even here in the US… but look! Why? As they say, "There is no value in education without education in values. Thanks!" ---Joe

This is how I answered Joe:

"Calling Gov. Padaca "Mayor" is underserved and I need to say sorry for my error. Thanks for the correction. It afforded me a chance to make a revision on the blog I posted.

Well, I think there's truth in your quote "There is no value in education without education in values." I presume all of us have some kind of value formation when we were in school. However, there must be some variability on the hierarchies we place on the values we learned. We imbibe and apply them at different vantage points in various periods of our lives.

Except perhaps for Jesse Robredo whom I know a bit because of Naga Parochial School, Ateneo de Naga, & UP many years back, I don't know the people who spearhead the Kaya Natin Movement. I take their word with a grain of salt just as I listen to Barack Obama's message which surely needs validation. Though they aren't perfect, the remarkable thing about them is their hopeful outlook and their willingness to take responsibility and do something about a problem. Isn't this part of the cornerstone of the values we desire? Whether Kaya Natin will be successful is something we reserve for the future.

I wonder if you have your misgivings about those Filipinos educated in the best schools. If you do, I share your feelings. Despite my exposures to those exclusive schools in RP plus my US education, I basically have a plebeian background. And I have a lot to desire for our leaders, including those in the FilAm community. I thought one way of helping is to post this blog and share my commentaries (maybe better than attending those induction balls, conventions and reunions of the associatons.)

So if one desires to help RP, there are many ways depending on one's time, commitment, and talents. Our "values" will be mirrored by what we do, just as we judge the plants around us by the fruits they bear... Hopefully, by starting with ourselves, we can make the world better.

I appreciate your input. I welcome you to visit the UP Ibalon Bicol Blog where I make my posts: http://upibalonbicol.blogspot.com/ "

N.B. You can join Kaya Natin! A Movement for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership by sending an email to kayanatin@yahoo.com or you can reach us at (02) 426-5657.
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Labels: Accountability, Ateneo de Naga Univeristy, Change, Eddie Panlilio, Grace Padaca, Jesse Robredo, Kaya Natin, moral values, Obama, Philippines, Pope John Paul II, Sonia Lorenzo, Totie Mesia, UP Ibalon

UP Ibalon Bicol

AdenCSI HS'73 Reunion in Naga City, September 12, 2009

BACS Meet revival in Naga City

Penafrancia Fiesta 2007: Wilma Rojas’ Voyadores

Taking Responsibility and the Kaya Natin Movement

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