It was heartening to know that Bridgetines wholeheartedly supported the project by agreeing to sell tickets for the movie and offering to help in anyway they can.

Our beloved RGS sisters led by Sr. Lydia C. Ebora, the current school president were on hand to lend support to the project. Also present were some members of the SBCAA Board of Directors, fellow Bridgetines and alumni who eagerly awaited the showing of the movie. They showed up not just to show support for the project and enjoy the movie but it was also an occasion to once again mingle and catch up with fellow alumni.

The project was a success and the dream of restoring the auditotrium to its previous grandeur is becoming more and more a reality.

It was heartening to know that Bridgetines wholeheartedly supported the project by agreeing to sell tickets for the movie and offering to help in anyway they can.

Our beloved RGS sisters led by Sr. Lydia C. Ebora, the current school president were on hand to lend support to the project. Also present were some members of the SBCAA Board of Directors, fellow Bridgetines and alumni who eagerly awaited the showing of the movie. They showed up not just to show support for the project and enjoy the movie but it was also an occasion to once again mingle and catch up with fellow alumni.

The project was a success and the dream of restoring the auditotrium to its previous grandeur is becoming more and more a reality.

• All drivers of service jeepneys and private vehicles will park / or drop the children / students at the alternative parking lot located at Cuta Journal.

• Only students who commute or walk to school will use the front gate at M.H. del Pilar Street.

Thank you for your cooperation.

SR. MARY LYDIA EBORA, RGS
President

Still Standing Strong at 95

On the morning of January 5, the streets leading to the Provincial Capitol was a buzz with anticipation. People doing their early morning chores hurriedly looked out to the streets at the first sign of commotion outside, at the glimpse of multicolored hubub that was parading the normally busy streets of Batangas City.

Those that missed the odd commotion wondered afterwards what had just passed by; and those who saw it, were met with grandiose portrait of the young and old wearing colorful shirts and slowly traversing the roadway. Perhaps the onlookers didn’t know it, and perhaps they did- nevertheless, one could visibly surmise that they were Bridgetines.

And so was the start of the second day of the much-anticipated Grand Alumni Homecoming last Janury 4 - 5 in the St. Bridget College campus.

Spearheaded by Grade School Batch 1983, the festivity was themed, “Let Your Light Shine Towards 2013…….. and Beyond”.

The day before the grandiose parade took place, the event had already started with a medical mission at the SBC Grounds from 8:00AM to 12:00 NN. Dra. Myleene Lat, Dra. Dina Lucero and Dra. Regina Blando headed the alumni doctors in giving free consultations and check-ups and medicines.  A “Bingo For A Cause” followed afterwards in the Batangas City Quadrangle headed by Mrs. Popo Tan Abrahan, Mrs. Vanesa Balmes Aquino and Mr. Renato Maligaya, proceeds going to the fund for the SBC Auditorium Restoration Project.

By 7:00 AM the next day, January 5, the Alumni had already assembled at the Batangas Capitol wearing color-coded shirts imprinted with an image of the school mascot ” Bulak the Sheep”. They paraded through the city and arrived at the SBC campus by 9:00AM, when socials have been scheduled to begin. Important guests, Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez, HS 1954, and Lipa Diocese Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, GS 1957, delivered inspirational messages. Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, also a distinguished alumnus, concelebrated a thanksgiving mass with other alumni priests. To consumate the celebration, a retro - themed gala event was held at the SBC gymnasium, where the Alumni danced their hearts out well into the night.

The election of the 15-member Board of Directors of the St. Bridget College Alumni Assocaition of the about 1,000 alumni homecomers was a highlight of the day. Those elected were: Atty. Marlo Arcinas, Kristine Balmes, Dr. Emilio “Jun” Berberabe, Eduardo Borbon, Celia Joyce Caedo, Dra. Jocelyn Malaluan Cruz, Benia de Chavez, Atty. Victor Reginald Dimacuha, Consorcia “Cora” Magboo Gonzales, Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez, Dra. Belinda Soriano- Kalaw, Sonia Velasquez Mayo, Eloisa de Loyola- Portugal, Vice- Mayor Jose “Joe” Tolentino, and Luis “Chito” Uy.

Nobody could have predicted that SBC would be waht it is now. What once started as St. Bridget Academy established by Irish missionaries in 1913 has become one of the most prestigious schools in the region, emancipated by the desire to learn and to let our light shine. St. Bridget College has produced 28 RGS, 15 priest and 32 Sisters who joined other Congregations.

They flocked back to what they call home- to the classrooms that once were their playgrounds; to the hallways that once were thier pavements; to the blackboard and armchairs that somehow still bear the semblance to years past. The envoys of the Bridgetine spirit recalled and reminisced, with tears and with laughter; with regret and satisfaction, with a sort of nostalgic embrace that enveloped the campus and the silent whisphers of ” Let your light shine”.

Mass

Mini-band exhibition

Field Demonstration by grade/year level

Friendship Game

Volleyball Games

Women Program

• Reorganization of women group including the SAVINGS AND LOAN PROJECT
• Regular Saturday Value Formation Sessions facilitated by Sr. Mary Catalina Santos, SBC President
• A total of 70 mothers registered for the new program and actively participated in Saturday Sessions.
• Savings and loan still on progress
• Rummage sale earned additional income for their group

Child And Youth Welfare Program

• Reach out activities successful from Ms. Carol Banawa, Mr. Seño, Ms Perez and from Holy Child Catholic School
• IGP education program started 2nd semester of the SY 2002-2003 FIVE of the youth partners enrolled and able to finish the 1st semester for night classes.
• Sr. Alona Aguila facilitated the youth value formation including the Lenten recollection.
• Three days training for Food Processing completed sponsored by TESDA
• Adoption case referred to Caysasay Orphanage in Taal, Batangas

Social Work Practicum Students

• For this School Year (2003 - 2004), six (6) 3rd year students accepted and helped for fieldwork instruction 1 & 2

Walk In Client

• A total of 28 clients served.
• The center able to answer there transportation, medicines, food, clothing and referral.

Donations

• Cash donation from Elementary Dept. P27,164.00
• Noodles, old clothes, toys and kitchenwares received from concern individual.

FIRST QUARTER PLAN (SY 2003 - 2004)

Networking
(LGU, City Halt Office, Barangay Officials, Bar owners a managers, DSWD, police and pimps)

Program Preparation

• Child and Youth welfare program
• Women Group (community base)
• Special Group of Women (FSW / GRO)
• School Outreach Program

PCNC Training

Preparation for LGU (Local Government Unit) Accreditation

Program Implementation

• IGP Youth partners Scholarship program
• Opening of the center for the special group of women
• Seminar for Women working in the entertainment
• Establishment every Tuesday and Thursday.
• Children activities every Saturday in SBCC facilities.
• Area Identification for School Outreach Program and other related initial activities

SBCC Staff Development and Staff Meeting

Others

• Social Work Students Fieldwork exposure training group.
• FSW Cruising areas visitation.
• Communities, Home, schools visitations
• Clerical Works / New office set up

The success of the outreach program last December 2002 was gained because of the material and financial support extended by students and teachers. The outreach activity was our way of giving light and hope to the families of Kumintang Ferry, Batangas City.

The Scholarship Program starts its implementation on October, 2002. The first batch is now taking up Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in Saint Bridget College Evening Session. The second batch will enroll next school year. Beneficiaries of this program will also be given training on Food Serving, Computer Technology, Business Management and Value Formation.

The Child Development Activities with the children of Barangay Malitam, Cuta and RR Station in Batangas City are being done every Saturday by the Social Work Students of Saint Bridget College. The project aims to develop the child’s personality and his /her relationship to others.

The Saving and Loan Project of Group of Mothers in Barangay Malitam, Cuta and RR Station managed by trained leaders and officers is still in operation.

In connection to this celebration the school is putting up a school museum so all alumni are also requested to donate whatever important materials or school documents that they have like class pictures, pictures of activities, report card, school records, medals, trophies, uniforms, costumes and other things which they acquired during their stay in SBC.

Please get in touch with the Alumni Office for your donations.

Other updates are posted at the Alumni Articles Section.