By: Narciso D. Valeriano Jr., MCM
San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila mounted a successful 5-day festivities from March 18 – 22, 2024 to commemorate its 83rd Founding Anniversary with the theme, “Roots Renewed: Celebrating Augustinian Recollect Identity in Today’s World.” A plethora of activities showcased the uniquely vibrant spirit, diverse talents, passion for excellence and solidarity of the Sebastinian community.
The celebration kicked off with the opening salvo followed by the opening of booth fair and the talent competitions of Prince and Princess, King and Queen and Mr. and Miss San Sebastian 2024. The day concluded with the Students’ Night participated by college of and senior high school students. On day 2, the community witnessed the coronations of Prince and Princess, King and Queen and Mr. and Ms. San Sebastian 2024. Roshanne Chaya A. Amigos (Grade 1) and Kaiden Ronn F. Macasu were proclaimed Little Princess and Little Prince of San Sebastian 2024. Victoria Rose D. Rosete (Grade 4) and Kirk Elijah Panganiban (Grade 5) emerged as the Princess and Prince of San Sebastian 2024 while Princess Chaina T. Robias (Grade 10) and Luigi O. Olazo (Grade 10) bagged the Queen and King of Sebastian 2024 crowns respectively. Meanwhile, the titles of Mr. and Miss San Sebastian 2024 went to Mr. Denzel Joseph H. Sabang and Ms. Gwyneth Margaux G. Narca of BS Hospitality Management respectively.
Day 3 of the celebration was filled with dazzling display of colors, remarkable performances and cultural presentations as students from Grade School to College showcased their dancing prowess at the parade, street dancing and Recoletos Dance Festival 2024. This year’s dance showcase paid homage to some of the most celebrated festivals in the Philippines that include Moriones, Ati-Atihan,
Kasanggayahan, Penafrancia, Pintados and Masskara festivals to name a few. The students were grouped into three clusters. Cluster 1 was composed of Grades 4-6 and Junior High School, Grades 7-10 with a total of 3 groups. Cluster 2 was purely represented by Senior High School Students comprised of 5 groups. While Cluster 3 was composed of 4 groups from the College Department. At the conclusion of the 3-hour dance extravaganza, “Kadagatan” performed by Grades 9 and 10 students bagged the top prize for Cluster 1. “Kasadyaan” of STEM 11B, “Ati-Atihan” of HUMSS 11 and 12 and “Katadungan” were proclaimed first, second and third placers for Cluster 2 respectively. For Cluster 3,
“Masskara” performed by Psychology, IT and Legal Management students brought home the first-place honor and “Bambanti” of Psychology1, BAC and BAB students placed second. Day 4 was an extraordinary showcase of musical talents as the best of the best of the community battled at Sebastinian Got Talent 2024 held the Bulwagang Diego Cera. Ms. Jielia Clare Eugenio clinched as the title while Ms. Liana Marie Y. Venus, Ms. Nathalie Grace T. Nunez and Mr. Ethan Michael K. Parayno were the big winners for the song writing category.
The 5-day festivities was punctuated by honoring 45 lay collaborators from the Manila and Canlubang campuses at the SCC-R Service Awards 2024 held at the school quadrangle. The elegant ceremony provided a fitting occasion to celebrate the men and women who have served the institution for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 years and 35 years. It was a night of glitz and glamour as the awardees and attendees graced the event by wearing Filipiniana attire. Ms. Merlie E. Salmorin, our sole 35-year Service Awardee delivered a heart-felt speech encapsulating her appreciation to the institution and for the friendships she was able to forge throughout her stint in Baste.
