OCTOBER 2013

my was commissioned to paint Cory's portrait to be unveiled by her son, President Benigno S. Aquino III, to mark the opening of an exhibit dubbed, "A Gift of Self." The show was all about a very personal collection of President Cory Aquino's paintings given to family and friends. It was held on July 29, 2013 at the Lobby Lounge of the Manila Hotel. Three canvases were prepared by Emy to interpret the very special client. The first canvas saw a quiet, serene face covered with the flower blooms that Cory loved to paint. The second canvas illustrated Cory as an aproned artist, deep in concentration, giving just a split second to acknowledge one's presence. The third portrait was a public figure, a formidable leader attired in her symbolic yellow dress. Behind her was the world's golden map to indicate the international fascination with "People Power." It is this third painting that was unveiled.

Emy Masigan-Mercado (HS-63) Paints Cory Aquino

During the opening night, Emy was introduced to the President of the Philippines. He showed satisfaction and delight, so overwhelmed that he invited Emy to unveil the portrait with him. Since an artist never unveils his/her art work, Emy politely declined and said, " Please, give us the honor, Mr. President." Emilina Masigan-Mercado (HS-63) began painting at the age of 3. She is a product of the UP College of Architecture & Fine Arts and California College of Arts and Crafts. She launched her career as an Art

educator at the University of the Philippines, PJJ of San Francisco, National University, Temple Hills International School, and for 21 years at the International School Manila. She also took up Drama courses at the Yale University and produced/directed several school plays often using her own stage, costumes, props and background designs. This year, Emy found herself to be the force behind CHS's Feb.3 Centennial Gala presentation, "Journey of a Hundred Years.“

After retiring from teaching, Emy has concentrated on portrait painting. She uses colors and textures with whimsical effects. Most of her portraits are costumed men and women revealing the subjects’ emotional character.

Contents: 1 l Cover Story 2 l From your Alumnae Board 4 l Events 6 l Feature 8 l Centennial Outstanding Alumnae 11 l From Across the Seas 14 l Snapshots 15 l Our E-mail Connection 16 l Obituary

Perhaps it is in Emy's characteristic brushwork and adjusted relationship of colors that her paintings open up and "breathe." Perhaps this is what drew Malacanang and the exhibit’s organizers led by Deedee Sytangco to choose Emy as Cory’s portraitist.

Perhaps they knew that through Emy's art, President Corazon C. Aquino will be lovingly remembered.

Left to right: Emy Masigan, President Noynoy Aquino, Balsy and Viel

Aquino, Manny Pangilinan, Joey Lina and Deedee Sytanco

Ma. Victoria B. Anastacio (HS-63/AB-67) Ma. Roxana Mendoza-Belardo (HS-55/AB-58+/BSE-59+) Victoria Torres -del Rosario (HS-77)

Remedios “Tita” Dizon (HS-63) Riziel Fajutag-Icaro (AB-11) Virginia P. Macaso (BSChem-63)

Maria Corazon B. Parco (AB-63/BSE-64) Sr. Victricia Pascasio, S.Sp.S. (HS-53/AB-57/BSE-64) Ma. Belen Elvira S. Tiongco (HS-77)

WE, The Alumnae Editorial Board

From Your Alumnae Board

2

Spirituality is not religiosity. It spells

who we are as persons. It is a statement

of what values we treasure and live by.

Spirituality defines our regard for God.

When He created us, He breathed His

life-giving Spirit to us. The Holy Spirit, dwelling in us,

speaks to us thru our conscience.

A workplace, on the other hand, can refer to homes,

businesses, schools, media, governmental organizations

(GOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), faith-based

organizations, environment, community and country.

With what is happening today, more than ever, there is a

need for everyone to revisit their sense of spirituality.

Furthermore, the call to bring spirituality into

workplaces must reverberate.

In the book ISQ: Living One’s Values in the Workplace,

which I wrote for the Bishops-Businessmen’s

Conference for Human Development, and, which was

published by Anvil Publishing in 2005, I crafted a

definition for workplace spirituality.

I said workplace spirituality is “talking the talk; walking

the talk; and, walking the walk”. We must say what values

we stand for; we must live them consistently; and, we

must stay faithful to these values even at great personal

costs.

In the book, I conjectured that workplace spirituality is

observable and measurable. I crafted the Institutional

Spirituality Quotient (ISQ), which I defined as the degree

of congruence between VVMOR and PSSPP.

I shared an observation that spirituality is a process, a state

of becoming, a journey. We should not get dismayed if we

do not achieve a perfect score. What is important is to stay

focused on the goal - a perfect score in Godliness.

ISQ: VVMOR = PSSPP. VVMOR stand for Values which

are universally cherished and which define our Vision.

Vision deepens our sense of Mission. Objectives make

alive our Vision and Mission. While Vision, Mission, and

Objectives are everyone’s concern, their upholding are

assigned to particular custodians. These custodians are

given Roles and are held accountable.

Continued on page 3

BOARD BONDING IN TAGAYTAY

Now, More than Ever By: Sabsy Sy-Palanca (HS-68)

Last July 20, 2013, the CHSAF Board and Sisters Victricia, Guada

and Cora, went for some bonding time at the Little Souls Sisters

Convent and had lunch at Maribel Cabrera's home in Tagaytay.

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS AT STRUMM’S After a long Board meeting last August 3, 2013, July-Aug celebrants

Sabsy Palanca and Viqui del Rosario treated current and former Board

members Angie Madrid, Grace Mascenon, Menchu Padilla, Geepers

Pascual, Lahla Laforteza at Strumm's in Makati.

From Your Alumnae Board

PSSPP, on the other hand, stands for carefully-

defined Policies which get implemented

consistently thru clear and clean Structures and

Systems. Structures are simple. Systems are

exhaustive and synergistic, not overlapping and

confusing. These Policies, Structures and

Systems are ingrained in life-giving Programs

and Processes.

ISQ: VVMOR = PSSPP. Integrity. Wholeness.

Spirituality. Godliness.

More than ever, we need workplace spirituality.

More than ever, we need God.

Let us start with ourselves. How faithful have we

been to our avowed values? How refreshed is the

Spirit dwelling in us?

On a scale of 1 – 5, 5 being the highest, what is

the ISQ quality of our relationship with our

families, our business partners, associates and

employees, our school co-workers and friends,

our media and/or government engagements,

advocacy work partners and supporters, our

Church pastors and faith companions? How will

we rate in environmental protection and eco-

system preservation? Most important, what will

be our rating in our care for the lost and the least.

Now, more than ever, we, the alumnae of the

College of the Holy Spirit, must witness to our

circles of influence Veritas et Caritate. Let us

release the Spirit in us, and, keep it ablaze!

… continued from page 2

Now, More than Ever

3

Events

ONE BRIGHT BLESSED NIGHT: A Nativity Collection By: Gloria (Dodit) Ocampo-Reyes (HS-64)

This is the Plaque of Recognition from the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) awarded to the College of the Holy Spirit Manila "for having dedicated its whole school community for 100

years to the realization of the evangelizing mission of Catholic Education by giving witness to integrity and dignity; faithfully integrating the Gospel values in the curriculum; being steadfast in its commitment to the holistic formation of the Filipino youth entrusted to its care." The plaque was received by Dr. Felina Co-Young, President of CHSM during the CEAP 2013 National Convention in Cebu City on Sept. 25-27, 2013.

CEAP Awards CHSM

4

The centennial

mass on June 20,

2013 held at

CHSM was a

concelebrated

mass with His

Eminence Luis

Antonio Cardinal

Tagle, as the

main celebrant.

t all began with a "Hummel" German nativity set bought by my mother in a quaint village along the Rhine river in Germany, Bacharach. This nativity set was always brought out for Christmas in our ancestral home in Quiapo. This was something she passed on to me and, which found its niche in our family home in Quezon City. A dear friend, Gigi Carlos, happened to host an open-house Christmas merienda at her home where she had on display in every nook and corner all kinds of nativity sets from here and abroad...this somehow opened my interest in this type of collection. Thus, almost half a decade of countless adventures, chance encounters, thoughtful gifts and pasalubongs from friends and relatives led to this interesting collection. Initially, this was for private viewing only for visitors, guests, or during Christmas gatherings at home.

As a meaningful contribution to our school's centenary closing and our HS Class '64 Golden Jubilee, I am very happy to be able to share this nativity collection with the school administration and staff, students, and visitors from the surrounding schools. This is being made possible through a network of assistance, both financial and professional, which I will acknowledge during the opening of the exhibit, scheduled on November 15, 2013.

The provenance of the various sets is from all over the world: Australia, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, U.S.A., Venezuela, and Vietnam. The pieces are made of bone china, wood, capiz shell, bamboo, clay, eggshell, fabric, foil, gourd, leather, paper, plant fiber, polymer clay, resin, and other materials. Sizes are from miniature thumb size to medium-size heights. Continued on page 6

The SVD concelebrators with Cardinal Tagle posing

outside the Paraclete Auditorium entrance.

CHSM's

100th Year Celebration

CHSAF Holds 2nd Family Bingo Bonding

Wow, Tomorrow na! That was the spirited declaration of the Bingo2 ticket holders on the eve of the Family Bonding Bingo2 that was scheduled on September 14. To prepare for this big day, the Committee met at the CHSAF office to see to it that everything was at the ready.

“Let’s roll up our sleeves,” Grace Mascenon enjoined the committee members. “Bring out the ladders, spread and fill up the halls with buntings,” she begged as she paused from non-stop telephone calls to her classmates to buy more bingo tickets and indeed they responded positively to the delight of Grace.

“Please sort correctly and count the cards carefully,” warned Angie Madrid to the group of Riziel Fajutag-Icaro, Cora Parco, Lorraine Sylianteng, and Maribel Cabrera who, from piles of color-coded cards, stapled together batches of ten cards corresponding to one ticket.

“Label the prizes and line them up properly” was Viqui del Rosario’s reminder as she typed the list on her computer. Crystal desk clock, leather purse, appliances, boxes of chocolates, bottles of wine and many more made up the array of gifts and prizes donated by our alumnae. Final check in the evening and the next morning was …

desserts, and drinks. Packs of meals and goodies bought from the booths were passed around to classmates and volunteers, acts of endless generosity from Ging Ong and Geepers Pascual.

The games resumed after a hearty meal, and excitement grew again and stronger as the game neared its conclusion where the top prize of P50,000 was waiting to be won. Black out and Bingo! The prize was won by Shirley Tubon and Cristalyn Ancla.

And finally it was time to say goodbye. Truly it was a day of unalloyed happiness of meeting former classmates, teachers, nuns and friends, retracing the good old days while walking through the corridors and reminiscing moments once spent in familiar rooms and places.

"In our hearts, you are all winners. Thank you!" cheered the scholars, the event's beneficiaries.

Kita-kits tayo next year.

By: Virginia (Benjo) P. Macaso (BSChem-63)

Bingo Day - now na! Colorful buntings at the Freinademetz Hall and walkways swayed and danced as guests arrived. The bazaar vendors came early to set up their tables and display their goods. Tess Llave had a good line-up of food and non-food vendors that varied from the Centennial DVDs, mementos, and ladies’ accessories to quiches, pies, and paella.

At 10 o’clock, Sister Victricia opened the games with a short prayer. Sabsy Palanca extended her warm welcome and wishes of good luck followed by the introduction of the CHSAF Board of Directors.

Excitement was palpable as the first bingo ball was drawn. All eyes were fixed on the bingo cards. Loud silence as the players waited nervously for the much awaited winning ball to be called. A shout of Bingo! from a possible winner or winners broke the silence. Sighs of disappointment, applause, jokes and laughter followed. Raffle prizes were drawn in between games while our scholars hopped from table to table offering tickets for sale.

After six games, the Bingo Master announced, "Take a break and enjoy your lunch," The players and guests stood up and walked hurriedly to the booths and feasted their eyes on the scrumptious selection of dishes,

Game 1 – Geepers Pascual, Dan Paolo Yema Game 2 - Benjo Macaso, Vivian Yang, Cynthia Soqueno Game 3 - Tony Maronilla Game 4 - Lahla Laforteza, Cristalyn Ancla Game 5 - Francisco Soriano Game 6 - Geepers Pascual, Milagros Lorete Game 7 - Angelou Pabunan Game 8 – Elsie Yang, Rubin Cesar Game 9 - Cynthia Cheng Alejo, Illuminada Payongayong Game 10 - Shirley Tubon, Cristalyn Ancla

Family Bingo Bonding2 Winners

Events

5

An Exceptional Experience as a Portraitist

The organizers and producers of the "Gift of Self," an exhibit of President Corazon C. Aquino’s personal collection of her paintings, decided that in place of the usual ribbon-cutting as an opening ceremony, the unveiling of President Cory Aquino’s portrait would be more appropriate. The exhibit was held on July 23, 2013 at the Lobby Lounge of the Manila Hotel, and it displayed a precious collection of her paintings given as gifts to family and friends during her lifetime. When Deedee Sytangco, the exhibit’s organizer, asked me to interpret in a portrait our loving president, I literally got into a 24-hour coma. After the initial catatonic state of " I-can't-believe-this"/"How-do-I-start," I went into a frenzied research on Cory Aquino. I prepared several canvasses and sketched with big arm movements as ideas flowed through my brain. After a week and dozens of studies, I spread out all the canvases and picked out those illustrations that best convey her personality, her thoughts, and her leadership. Alas, all of us wear different hats and Cory Aquino is not an exception. I discovered that she was at her peaceful best when surrounded by nature, its trees, and its blooms. This is where she would go for her spiritual inspiration. Nature's beauty overwhelmed her. It was her insatiable desire to share what nature conveys to her.

Painting was her chosen mode of communication. Here, she made nature’s beauty breathe and live.

I could not take away the fact that Cory Aquino was our formidable leader. She took the world into an international fascination With "People Power" and the return of democracy to our country.

From these three hats that Cory wore, I derived my final portraits of her: as a nature lover, an artist, and a dynamic political figure.

As my painting progressed I needed a third eye, someone to give me feedback on her artworks. Who else would know President Aquino but the people themselves? So I invited my neighbors, the gardeners, janitors, plumbers, guards, and domestic helpers to view and critique my paintings. As they stared and analyzed, behold, out of nowhere, an old gentle plumber moaned with tears in his eyes and cried, "Ah, ang bait na pangulo nating si Cory Aquino. Mahal ko siya.” He was staring at the third painting of Cory in her symbolic yellow attire with the golden map of the world behind her. Then I knew I can be proud of the portraits.

I submitted the three portraits to the exhibitors. Cory's family and the organizers decided to officially display Cory's portrait in her yellow attire. I was asked to stand beside President Benigno S. Aquino III as he unveiled the portrait. Before he did, he looked at me with bright, excited eyes and said the words which meant the world to me . . . "Thank you!"

Feature

…continued from page 4

One Bright Blessed Night …

6

I have not yet gone - nor intend to, at this point - to the life-size models as these will be a nightmare to store! It is my hope that these pieces will elicit in the viewers' minds, spirits, and hearts, not only appreciation for what precious gifts the good Lord has bestowed on the artists and makers, but more importantly the mystery of the Incarnation and the real message behind the Christmas story... Christ become man, to save us from eternal damnation and to teach us all the real meaning of what love is all about.

May this exhibit somehow impart this meaningful message to all who witness it: then the exhibit will be well worth it all!

By: Emilina Masigan-Mercado (HS-63)

Note – the announcement of the passing of well-loved Spanish teacher, Milagros Gomez-Torres, that we sent to her former students, brought a deluge of messages expressing their appreciation for the good teacher that she was; remembering sweet memories of long ago, and conveying a deep gratitude for the ways she touched their lives in meaningful ways. Following are some excerpts from those messages:

REMEMBERING “LA SENORA DE TORRES” … A TRIBUTE

Feature

From: Angela Murillo-Grand-Guillaume-Perrenoud (AB-76), Switzerland, October 5/13

I was her student when I took Spanish class for two years. She was a strict teacher but I had fun in her class with her side stories and humor. She was also the one who interviewed me as I was applying as Freshman. I thought she was pleasant and made me feel comfortable during this interview. I was shocked, of course, like the rest of the students, when on the very first day of the Spanish class she was very impersonal and started laying down her rules. We all thought she was a terror. But when we got to know her, we found out that she was a warm and appreciative teacher who commended without reservations when a commendation was due. To get to her good side, we had to be prepared for class, have complete homework and keep our notebook neat and with legible handwriting. She inspected our notebooks! Even after graduating from CHS, I had thoughts about her teaching method and her style of dressing. I will always associate the Spanish language with Senora de Torres, as she called herself.

From: Aurora Tan-Abanilla (BSC-63), California, USA, October 5/13

"Miss Gomez" was our Spanish teacher and I remember her as being both a terror and a fun teacher. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.

From: Ma. Corazon Mendoza-Akol (BSPhys-69), Quezon City, October 5/13

I was lucky to have had Ms. Gomez as my teacher in all my Spanish subjects. Although she was labeled as a 'Terror' I found her a very nice and cheerful person, strict but good and reasonable. She loved the language and wanted us to appreciate it. She taught with passion and dedication;

she abhorred mediocrity and exacted excellence... and taught us more than just the Spanish Language... she helped mold our personalities in some way. In life we meet hundreds of people, but some stick out, influence us, and leave a mark. Ms. Gomez was one such person.

From: Emilia Ong-Co (ABC-68), California, USA, October 5/13

I was one of her students. She was my teacher in Spanish for about 3 years (first to third year).

I remember that this was also the time when she went to Spain for further studies and came back with amazing stories. She was a lively and enthusiastic teacher and had a nickname for most of her students. She was a great teacher and a great person.

Lord, please welcome your daughter Mila. May she rest in peace.

From: Agnes Santiago-Gutierrez (ABC-68), California, USA, October 6/13 She was still Ms. Gomez when she handled our class in Freshman Spanish in 1963. She was strict, but compassionate. Personally, I experienced her as being interested in me as a person, and not just a number in her class. I will definitely pray for her.

From: Leonor Aldaba-Umali (U), New York, USA, October 6/13

I had four semesters of Spanish with her. On my last one (1974), I told her that I was going to shift to BS-Nursing and will need to transfer to St Paul's. She looked me in the eyes, paused, and said "I think you will be a very good nurse. Go ahead." Those words meant so very much to me because at that time I was not even sure if I was making the right move. (Since high school, I always wanted to be a nurse but my parents thought that I would be better off being an accountant; so, I enrolled in AB-Commerce.)

Now, almost 40 years later... I'm still HAPPY working as an ER nurse here in New York. Time and again, I will

remember Mrs. Torres and her kind words to me (a confused teenager, who was also hesitant to leave her dear friends behind)... and gave me additional strength to pursue what was in my heart. Then when I think of her kindness, I will also think of her, saying, "OY! Silencio del cementerio!!" whenever she asked us a question and we did not know how to answer it in Spanish... and that will put a smile on my face. May she rest in eternal love and peace with our Lord.

From: Emma Lim-Rodriguez (BSC-75), Cubao, Quezon City, October 6/13

She was one of the few teachers I really admired. She was demanding (others called her a terror) but also funny and affectionate.

Although I am still not good in speaking Spanish, I was inspired to make good in her class, just because she had high expectations that we should not take Spanish lightly.

I can still remember how happy I felt when I got exempted from taking the final exams in her subject.

She was always an ideal teacher to me.

From: Merle A. Arizala (BSHE-64), Angat Bulacan, October 6/13 Yes, she was my teacher in Spanish and I hold her in high esteem. In fact she was my favorite teacher. Had I known it earlier I could have attended the wake.

I have kept her in my prayers all these years. Will say a special prayer for her now. Continued on page 15

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Feature

CENTENNIAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE Continued from the July 2013 issue

TENNIAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE Continued from the March 2013 Centennial Newsletter The SPIRIT

ABLAZE!

CENTENNIAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE Continued from the July 2013 issue

It has been months since I

received an award as one of the Outstanding Alumni of CHS but up to now there is emptiness and depression in me.

It is humbling and nice to be recognized for your good deeds, but sometimes it is depressing because I don’t have the financial capability to sustain my Dagdag Dunong Project at San Andres Manila. Sometimes I tell myself. . . If only I can sell and pawn all these plaques, medals and certificates, then I can feed 1,000 hungry children; purchase a van for a mobile library; go to far-flung areas where children do not know what a storybook looks like nor have they heard stories of Mariang Sinukuan, Pilandok, Pagong at Matsing, Langgam at Tipaklong, and many others; renovate our Reading Center with more books, tables, chairs, and bookshelves for our weekly read- along activities.

Our Vision at Dagdag Dunong is to develop a community with children who are knowledgeable, love to read, have excellent reading comprehension with verbal and listening skills, and have access to a reading center. Our Mission is to promote literacy through reading advocacy and other relevant educational activities.

The establishment of the Dagdag Dunong Reading Center is part of the Millennium Development Goal No. 2 which is for all children to achieve Universal Primary Education or to complete a full course of primary education. Education is one way of improving the quality of life, and elementary education.

Ana Maria Aceveda-Bacudio BSMT-83

(Humanitarian & Apostolic Service)

Lydia G. Tansinsin HS-50

(Health and Science)

I thank Our Lord for the

success I have received and experienced. Our parents inculcated in me, together with my sisters and brothers, the value of education

and the value of excellence which is doing our best in all activities within the scope of the situation on hand. They emphasized to us to be true to ourselves, to be trustworthy, to uphold integrity, and to be charitable. Their teaching was reinforced by the education imparted to me during my student days at the Holy Ghost College, Manila (now, College of the Holy Spirit, Manila).

During breakfast time when the family members were gathered together, it was time to exchange views on what we have done or read the previous day. For instance, since we read the newspaper comics, my father and we children tried to

predict what will happen to the characters and the next action to be presented in the next issue. This was the training for our mental capabilities especially in analyzing the situation with the help of our imagination and logic and was the prelude to the complicated exercise of our intellectual skills resulting in improved problem definition, research design, and problem solving. On the other hand, my mother who was not a comics addict, made it a point that we did not neglect our studies by encouraging us to be strong, determined, and committed in

Continued on Page 10

Continued on Page 10

8

CENTENNIAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE Continued from the July 2013 issue

TENNIAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE Continued from the March 2013 Centennial Newsletter The SPIRIT

ABLAZE!

CENTENNIAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE

Ma. Isabel Z. Cabrera HS-64/BSChem-69

(Health and Science)

tHE pursuit of primary

education was arduous for me because of almost yearly school transfers due to my father’s numerous provincial “destinos.” In 1959, our family settled in the BIG CITY and I got accepted in Grade 7 at the HGC. I left CHS in 1969, with a degree in B.S. Chemistry.

Board-certified, I started my career journey. While enthusiastic, I was apprehensive over what awaited me in the real world. As a chemist at the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), I was involved in an ASEAN Research project funded by US-AID. I felt challenged by the agency’s mission, “To fight malnutrition with accurate and current information,” but was taken aback to know that I was going to handle RATS! For love of the work that to me was God-given, I learned to give my experimental rats caressing strokes before picking them up from their cages to accurately weigh them, feed them, and even to gently massage their

tails to obtain good blood samples.

The job also entailed statistical analysis of data collected as well as submitting write-ups of our studies’ results for Terminal Reports and publication.

After some 5 years, I was promoted to head the Metabolic Ward to do studies on human subjects and subsequently was sent as United Nations University (UNU) Fellow for advanced training and research on Hunger and Health, with focus on protein requirement studies on toddlers, at the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama in Guatemala. I had qualms about going. It meant being away from the family and living in a non-English speaking country. With prayers, encouragement of colleagues, coaxing of bosses and the blessings of my parents, I accepted the fellowship. In Guatemala, the basic Spanish I learned in CHS helped me to get by.

The training was also in preparation for the Philippines’ participation in a multi-country coordinated research program of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNU. Study results were published and used world-wide by researchers doing protein requirement studies. The book served as basis for the review of Recommended Dietary Allowances, particularly for protein, in many countries including our own. The Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) is used by the government as well as some private sectors to assess and plan the food consumption and adequacy of intakes of individuals and populations, food labeling, food production targets, and food fortification. The Philippines thru the FNRI also led the harmonization of recommended dietary allowances for Southeast Asia, where I served as Secretariat. In 2002, I join the WHO/FAO (Food and Agriculture)/UNU

Expert Consultation on Protein and

Amino Acid Requirements in Human Nutrition in Geneva… a dream come-true.

A lot of academic preparations had gone into the fulfillment of my career goals. I pursued M.S. Nutrition while working and struggled to balance work and care of my aging parents. Knowing well how my Papa regarded work as a sacred obligation, I presented my paper on “Harmonization of RDAs in the Southeast Asian Region” in 1999 in Korea, when Papa was in the ICU and joined an FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation meeting in Geneva in 2002 when he was very close to dying. Emboldened by work ethic that my Papa upheld, I whispered to him, “Papa, I know you share my pride and joy in being part of this Expert Consultation Meeting to which I am already committed … so please wait for me.” Indeed, our Faithful God allowed Papa to wait for my return. Two days after I arrived from Geneva, he breathed his last.

In 2006, I retired seven years short of 65, to supervise and care for my mother who was then over 14 years wheelchair-borne for brain stroke. I stayed with her practically 24/7 until she passed away from urinary bladder cancer.

Now retired, I continue to find my hands full. I serve FNRI as Consultant, and happily serve as Member of the Board of the CHS Alumnae Foundation. It is a welcome chance to give a form of “pay-back” to CHS for the education that has so much influenced my work … my life!

Theoretically retired, for me WORK has acquired an even higher meaning - and a greater value, not only for self-esteem, but more importantly for the glory I may be able to render my God…thru it!

9

CENTENNIAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE

everything we do and if possible to be leaders in our own right.

My mother had a very strong character and was a calculated risk taker. She was a business person. In fact, she practiced local outsourcing in her business of making uniforms. She was good in mathematics and could do computations fast without the help of paper and pencil. My father was the professional in the family engaged in the practice of law. He was very honest with his clients,

rich or poor, by telling them if he thought their case would not prosper if brought to the court. He did this to save these clients from unnecessary expenses and mental anguish. If possible he tried to make the parties enter into a compromise agreement so that they could enjoy peace of mind and early enjoyment of the items they intended the court to decide.

In addition my parents told us that the best inheritance they could give us is our education and our sense of good values which cannot be taken from us by anybody except by Our Lord.

Furthermore, they advised us to be always on time for work and appointments and always to remember to give our best with integrity and to be honest in our dealings with people. They told us to immediately resign if an employer or supervisor makes us perform illegal, immoral, and irregular activities.

With such character building in our home, I have carried the values imparted to me by my parents in my dealings with people especially in my work place. Not only in my work place but also in the professional organizations where I have been a member and an officer.

Lydia G. Tansinsin Continued from Page 8

The WE, the Alumnae invites other centennial awardees to share their life’s ambitions and motivations to serve as inspiration to others. Please send your email to kitanaslolita@aol.com

Education is one way of improving the quality of life, and elementary education is vital to the attainment of higher levels of study. Through the establishment of the reading center, children will be motivated to read and study because the environment is conducive to learning.

In order to deliver the global promise to provide all children with quality primary education by 2015, we took the initiative to help these children improve their reading and comprehension skills and attentiveness in class. Children who read early usually belong to the top

of their class because they fully understand their lessons. Developing the culture of reading as a habit leads to better learning and a better future.

Some books at the center were damaged by the recent typhoon Maring. More children are coming not only to read but to feed. Some already beg, others may go into drugs if we do not act now. We need more financial resources to save them.

The award I received last Feb 2nd is a humbling experience and just a start of more responsibilities on my shoulder. I believe that much is required of those who were given much and much is expected of

those who were entrusted much. Please help me in doing the task that the Lord wants me to do. I need more resources to be able to do my mission for the poor children of Singalong.

ana_bacudio@yahoo.com Project Leader-Storyteller Dagdag Dunong Project, San Andres 0932-880-8133.

Ana Maria A. Bacudio Continued from Page 8

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CHSNAF Centennial Reunion / Conference October 2013 Las Vegas, Nevada

Conference Program Friday, October 18, 2013

Moderated by Violeta Vergara-

Alcantara, HS-74; Invocation by Ilo

Echeverria-Wallenstein, HS-65,

ABC-70, Executive Board Advisory

Committee Member; Welcome

address by Ellen Young-Gomez,

HS-68, CHSNAF President.

Conference topics are:

“I don’t need God….I know how

to multi-task…” by Sr. Therese

Improgo, O.S.F. Sr. Therese,

BSHE-60 is a Spiritual Director at

St. Clare’s Retreat Center, CA

“Raising your Emotional

Intelligence… Fast Track to Inner

Peace and Happiness” by Ellen

Young-Gomez, a licensed Marriage

and Family Therapist; Mediator,

Los Angeles Superior Court

“Feathering the Empty Ne$$t”: Time

to Take Stock” by Jennifer Shydler,

Vice President, Wealth Management

Advisor, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner

& Smith

“Strategies for Alumnae in North

America…on Retirement, on the

Philippines as Retirement Destination,

on Retirement Enriched by Purposeful

Giving” by Lina Suarez-Umali, HS-68,

CHSNAF Southwest Chapter President;

Principal & Actuary, RTU & Associates;

Board Chairman, People-Helping-

People Foundation, International

To be shown is “Journey of 100 Years” –

the CHSM Centennial Presentation at

the Feb.3, 2013 Gala night.

The College of the Holy Spirit North America Foundation

(CHSNAF) is a non-profit Foundation founded by and for

alumnae in North America to help CHSM and other

worthwhile charities, and to address the needs of alumnae.

Conference Program Saturday, October 19, 2013

Additional Conference topics:

”State of the School Address &

Sustainability Projects” by Felina Co-

Young, PhD, HS-65, BS Math-70, CHSM President

“Technology comes to CHSM:

Classroom Without Walls (CWOW) by

Victoria B. Cajipe, PhD, HS-73,

Senior Licensing Officer, Technology

Transfer Office, UC San Diego, CWoW Founder Ratification of Election Results and

Introduction of Incoming Board by Ellen Young-Gomez “I Pledge… We Pledge…” by Deanna Go Bio, AB-58, BSCom-59 02:30 pm: Anticipated Mass

Concert Friday, 5:00 pm

Concert Emcee: Vivian Zalvidea Araullo, HS-82

Performing Artists:

Molly Vivian Huang, BM-72

Carmen Dayrit-Padilla, HS-60

Linda Montesa-Pio Roda, HS-57

Socorro de Castro-Landsberg, HS-67

Louie Reyes, HS-68, BM-72

Gala Dinner 6 pm

Entertainment Director: Louie

Reyes, HS-68, original member of

the Minstrels, Jazz Singer,

Multiple Award-winning Stage

Singer/Actress, Voice Coach

Emcee: Vivian Zalvidea Araullo,

HS-82, Award-winning Journalist,

Communications Consultant,

Independent Producer

Keynote Speaker:

His Excellency, Jose L. Cuisia,

Jr., Philippine Ambassador to

the U.S.A.

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Project/Event, Payment and Contact Details

From left to right: Susana Co, Sabsy

Palanca, Baby, Carmelita Roman,

Josefina Cacnio, Christina Fenix,

Lina Suarez, and Cynthia Perez.

HS-68 Visits the Ikebana Exhibit at Glorietta 4

The theme of the exhibit is "Pilipino Artistry in Ikebana". Christina Fenix-Abalos (HS-68) used an unfinished fan from Bicol Region with some flowers.

Odelia Gregorio-Arroyo (HS-57), Ambassador of

the Sovereign Military Hospitaller, Order of St.

John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta,

recently presented her letters of credence to his

excellency, President Benigno Aquino.

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Appasionata Exhibit Opening Reception Artists at the Appassionata exhibit opening. L-R:

Rosario Bitanga, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya with

Lenore R.S. Lim (via Skype), Susan Fetalvero-

Roces, Deanna Ongpin-Recto, Cid Reyes and

Mav Rufino.

The "Appassionata" Group Art Exhibit ran from September 18 – October 4, 2013, at Altromondo Gallery, Greenbelt 5, Makati City. Three from the 100 CHS Outstanding Alumnae in the Field of Fine Arts were involved in the exhibit. Deanna Ongpin- Recto, as the curator and Imelda Cajipe- Endaya and Lenore Raquel Santos-Lim are 2 of the artists in the group of 5.

Spirit Ablaze for ONE BRIGHTER WORLD

Sabsy Palanca, CHSAF President (4th from

left) poses with next year’s golden jubilarians

HS-64 and planners for next year’s celebration.

Dodit Ocampo-Reyes, (3rd from left) of the

Golden Jubilarian is the Centenary

Homecoming chairperson. Flanking her (from

left) are program committee members Nellie

Lee-Alvarez and Enya Cruz-Ylagan, Charlyn

Alfonso-Cabañero, Jojie Garcia-Alfonso and

Maribel Cabrera.

(Ed.’s Note — This section contains messages/information

received through our e-mail address: chsaf.mla@gmail.com)

From: Lydia L. Tiosejo (HS-54/BSPharm-59), Oceanside, California, USA, July 26/13: I am always so giddy and excited every time I receive a copy of the “WE”. I read it page to page and won’t skip anything, even the obituary. Interesting to look over this section, since I get to know who is no longer with us. Keep up with the news! And thank you all so very much for your effort to keep the newspaper/bulletin going around for every one to enjoy!

************ From: Ma. Victoria Pineda-Garchitorena (HS-60/BSPhys-64), Makati City, August 22/13 Here’s a beautiful post from Maoi Arroyo, the adopted daughter of Joker Arroyo. She has set up a tech company that does a lot of work with the Philippine government and a number of business clients. She teaches part time in AIM. She posted this on Facebook: Ninoy Aquino famously said: "the Filipino is worth dying for".

I believe the Filipino is worth living for - and worth living *here* for.

I got my MPhil degree from Cambridge and took classes at MIT and Harvard Medical School. I can work anywhere, teach anywhere, and make a lot more money.

I chose the Philippines.

I chose it because it chose me. Despite all the corruption, Filipino taxpayers paid to care for me through DSWD when the department gave support to the orphanage I was adopted from. Your taxes paid for my education in Philippine Science and UP Diliman, without which I would never have gotten a scholarship to the UK.

I have always felt a profound sense of honor and gratitude. There are so many problems here, but I'm willing to slog through them. I just can't do it alone.

Be good citizens. Pay *all* your taxes, even if only 0.01% will get to others. Don't bribe gov't officials. If that minuscule amount will only produce me, and all my imperfections, imagine what we could be as a nation if we stamped out corruption.

"Lupang Hinrang" means "Our Chosen Land". Choose the Philippines. Whatever the weather. Everyday.

************

Be part of our E-Mail Connection… be sure to check out our

newly-updated CHSAF Website at: http://chsaf.faithweb.com

Our E-mail Connection … continued from page 7 REMEMBERING “LA SENORA DE TORRES” … From: Elvira Ablaza-Sison (BSBio-72), Pasig City, October 07/13

She was not my Spanish teacher in college, but I got to know her well when I joined the college faculty soon after graduation. Tita Mila was a very strong personality, and I recall that many people were intimidated by her. However, what they didn't know was that she was so funny, warm, and caring. God bless her soul. From: Ana Marie Arcenas-Sanchez (BSChem-68), Pennsylvania, USA, October 9/13

Miss Gomez, as we knew her then, was one of my beloved teachers and, later on, became my co-teacher in CHS. She was a disciplinarian inside the classroom but a totally wholesome and joyful and naughty person outside of the classroom. Thank you very much, Tita Mila, for being a shining example of a beloved teacher and a true friend to all CHSians. We love you and we will truly miss you.

Lenore R.S. Lim’s daughter, Marie Claire Lim Moore, successfully launched on September 17, 2013, at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue, New York, her first book “Don’t Forget the Soap.” As an e-book, it became one of Amazon’s hot new releases and quickly shot up to the number one spot in Amazon.com's Parenting and Adult-Child Relationships category.

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Marie Claire could have attributed Yale University for her ascent up the corporate ladder and her success as one of the top female bankers in global finance but instead credits her achievements to none other than her own “fabulous Filipina mother”, our fellow alumna, Lenore R.S. Lim. Lenore in turn credits most of the values and lessons she passed on to Marie Claire to “lessons she learned from my parents and my school - HGC / CHS.”

A Daughter Honors her Mother By: Viqui del Rosario (HS-77)

Jul. 03 - Ramon Palma Gil, husband of Socorro Consunji-

Palma Gil (d) HS-63/BSFN-77;

Jul. 10 - Juliana Carmen Desiderio-Villareal (HS-51/CSC-

52/AB-54);

Jul. 09 - Elvira Abuel-Columna, mother of May Josephine

C. Navoa (HS-55); grandmother of Martha Belinda N.

Magcalas (AB-85);

Aug. 3 - Elisea Elvena (BSPharm-62), sister of Sr. Ancille,

S.Sp.S., former president of CHSM;

Aug. 24 – Angelita Lucila Ty-Brabante (HS-65);

Aug. 25 - Leticia Valenzuela-Anstey (HS-48), sister of

Virginia Valenzuela-Manalac (HS-41), Lydia Valenzuela-

Reyes (+), HS-45, Constancia Valenzuela-Niland (HS-

52/CSS-54), and Shirley Valenzuela-Alzar (BSC-56);

Prayers

Through our "Alumnae Prayer Community," let all of us, alumnae-sisters, pause for a minute and storm heaven with our prayers for:

- for Julius Labrador, the husband of Carmen Contreras-Labrador (HS-57/BSC-61), who was recently diagnosed with a prostate problem; - for the healing of Jesusa Gabriel-Sison (HS-57); - for favorable results re. diagnostic tests that she is undergoing and the complete healing of Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles, daughter of Norma Lavina-Cruz (HS-50); - Alice Lorenzo-Kawachi (HS-55), that she may be able to sell her house In Caloocan soon; alumnae who are interested in looking into this flood-free community can call her at 962-1588 or 0917-839-4140; For our HS-57 classmates/relatives: - Forecita Lazo-Hoersh, grown quite weak as she battles cancer; she is now confined in a hospital in Australia; - Peggy Aquino-Jaeger who is suffering from severe alzheimers; - Linda Guison-Miranda, who is getting better after undergoing chemo for her lung cancer. - the recovery of Lourdes Papa-Cruz (HS-55/BSHE-59), who was recently confined due to an acute asthma attack

Send us your prayer requests and let our “Alumnae Prayer Community” gather through this section in his name for you. Call Riziel at Tel. No. 735-5986 or e-mail us at chsaf.mla@gmail.com

Obituary

Apr. 04 – Conchita F. Cosgayon, mother of Carmen C. de Arellano (HS-62/ASS-64); Emilia Conchita C. Arriola (HS-67); Haydee C. Gabutina (HS-63/ AB-67/BSC-68); Jun. 12 - Atanacita Buencamino-Sinco (HS-49/BM-53); Jul. 03 - Marilyn Yu-Sumulong (AM-62/MT-63), who died of lung cancer in Las Vegas, Nevada; she is the sister of Lynette Y. Noche (d) MT-63/BM-65; Jul. 03 - Ramon Palma Gil, husband of Socorro Consunji-Palma Gil (d) HS-63/BSFN-77 Jul. 10 - Juliana Carmen Desiderio-Villareal (HS-51/CSC-52/AB-54); Jul. 09 - Elvira Abuel-Columna, mother of May Josephine C. Navoa (HS-55); grandmother of Martha Belinda N. Magcalas (AB-85); Aug. 03 - Elisea Elvena (BSPharm-62), sister of Sr. Ancille, S.Sp.S., former president of CHSM; Aug. 03 – Diana U. De Mesa-Santamaria (BSHE-60); Aug. 24 – Angelita Lucila Ty-Brabante (HS-65); Aug. 25 - Leticia Valenzuela-Anstey (HS-48), sister of Virginia Valenzuela-Manalac (HS-41), Lydia Valenzuela-Reyes (+) (HS-45), Constancia Valenzuela-Niland (HS-52/CSS-54), and Shirley Valenzuela-Alzar (BSC-56); Sep. 06 - Milagros Hernandez-Navarro (HS-64/AA-66), sister of Ma. Teresa H. Garcia (HS-67); Sep. 09 - Angelita Baizas-Alvendia (HS-63), sister of Editha B. Custodio (HS-54); Sep. 09 – Luis Jimenez, husband of Esperanza Sarthou-Jimenez (HS-57/AB-61); Sep. 18 – Noel McRae, brother of Marina M. Lugay (HS-57/ BSChem-61) and Lydia M. Woods (HS-64) Sep. 21 - Jose L. Silva, husband of Eleanor Visaya-Silva (HS-64); brother of Jesusa S. Rivera (HS-69/BSC-73) and Lourdes (HS-77);

Sep. 24 – Ignacia Rosas-Arcenal, 92, mother-in-law of Adelaida Fabella-Arcenal (HS-55/CSS-56/BSHE-59); Sep. 24 - Sr. Celerina (Elisa) Luz, S.Sp.S. (ETC-53/ BSEEd-65), sister of Olivia Luz (BSE-58); Sr. Celerina was a former teacher and principal at the grade school department of CHS during the seventies and early eighties; Oct. 03 - Ms. Milagros Gomez-Torres, faculty member of CHS Mendiola during the sixties up to the eighties, teaching Spanish to freshmen and sophomore students; Oct. 05 - Celia Lim-Diy (HS-40), mother of Rosario D. Gantioqui (HS-64), Corazon (+), HS-66, Ana Marie D. Lirio (HS-67), Cynthia D. Perez (HS-71/ABC-76), Elizabeth D. Ludovico (HS-76/AB-80), and Sandra D. Morales (HS-78/BFA-82); Oct. 15 -Fabiana J. Patag, mother-in-law of Celedonia Padilla-Patag (HS-64) MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

I would like to renew my active membership to the CHS Alumnae Foundation. Enclosed is my payment (cash/check) as follows:

_______P500.00/US$10.00 (One-year membership) _______P1,000.00/US$20.00 (Two-year membership)

Name: ________________________________ Address: ______________________________ Tel. No. _______________________________ E-Mail Address: _________________________

Note: Pls. make your checks payable to: CHS ALUMNAE FOUNDATION, INC. and mail c/o The Alumnae Office, 163 E. Mendiola, Manila.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WE, THE ALUMNAE

The WE, the Alumnae is a newspaper for and of HGC/CHS alumnae;

we would also like it to be a newspaper by HGC/CHS alumnae. Thus,

we welcome your contributions to the different sections of the WE, such

as ALUMNEWS (just got married, or had a baby, moved out of your

house or the country, got a new job, etc... share the news with us),

FEATURES (your memories of a classmate or a teacher; let us know your

insights about yourself, tell us about the lessons that you have learned

from life, your experiences, etc.), IN THE MAILBAG (drop us a line from

your travels or new home... share a friend’s or a teacher’s letter with us),

FAMILY TALK (send us your family picture and let us know all about

yourself and the VIPs in your life). Be a part of the WE... let it truly be

“your” newspaper.

Send your contributions to: The CHS Alumnae Office, 163 E Mendiola,

Manila or e-mail to chsaf.mla@gmail.com

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Erratum: In the April issue of WE, a photo caption on Page 11

erroneously identified the alumna as Hidelisa Renee Jacinto-Lopez (AA-

37/ BSHE-39). The alumna on the photo is Modesta Barrios-de Arellano

(HS-37). We apologize for the error.