by Patricia Blessy Gonzales
SSC-R Manila launched the International Year of Educational Apostolate (IYEA) last September 8 at Bulwagang Diego Cera. The launching started with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Rev. Fr. Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR with other OAR priests as concelebrants.
The celebration of the Eucharist was followed by a parade of flags of the different countries where the Order of the Augustinian Recollects are present such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Spain, Sierra Leone, Taiwan, United Kingdom of great Britain, United States of America, and Venezuela. OAR school banners were also part of the parade: Colegio de San Nicolas de Tolentino – Recoletos, Talisay City, Negros Occidental; University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; University of San Jose – Recoletos (Main Campus, Basak Campus, and Balamban Campus), Cebu City; San Pedro Academy – Recoletos Valencia, Negros Oriental; San Pedro Academy – Recoletos Caidiocan, Valencia Negros Oriental; Colegio de Santo Tomas – Recoletos, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Cavite, Cavite City; San Sebastian College – Recoletos, Canlubang, Laguna; and San Sebastian College – Recoletos Manila.
The eight Provinces of the Order of the Augustinian Recollect were also acknowledged during the event: Provincia Santo Tomas De Villanueva, Porvincia San Nicolas de Tolentino, Provincia Nuestra Señora De la Candelaria, Provincia de San Agustin, Provincia de San Jose, Provincia Santa Rita, Provincia Nuestra Señora De La Consolacion, and Provincia De San Ezequiel Moreno.
As part of the event, performances from the San Sebastian Jammerstags, the San Sebastian Recollect Dance Troupe, and students from different departments were showcased. Rev. Fr. Nemesio D. Tolentin, OAR, SSC-R Manila President gave the welcome remarks while the Provincial Secretary of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Rev. Fr. Jose Ernil Faraon Almayo, OAR gave the historical background and rationale of the gathering.
An audio-visual presentation of the members of SSC-R community was played during the event which showed the effects of the Recoletos education in their life. Among the persons interviewed were current students, faculty members, and successful alumni from different fields.
Rev. Fr. Julius M. Marcos, OAR, President of the Recoletos Educational Apostolate of the Philippines, gave his words of gratitude and asked the audience to stand up and pay respect to Rev. Fr. Cornelio E. Moral, OAR for his contributions to the formulation of the Recollect Graduate Attributes.
The event was concluded with a community dance and singing of “Our Greatest Deam” led by members of the Recoletos Education Assistance for Deserving Students (READS) and the singing of the SSC-R Hymn.
