March 15, 2017 was a memorable and festive day for the Senior High School Department as the students and faculty celebrated the 1st Odyssey of a Stag 2017. The event started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7:30AM at St. Ezekiel Moreno Chapel. It was followed with Cheerdance competition, Quiz Bee and Sports Tournaments in Basketball and Volleyball. Ms. Jaivie del Socorro served as the emcee of the opening program.
Students from different strands were randomly divided into four (4) teams and the senior high school faculty members were assigned to lead each group. The four (4) teams were named: Achievers headed by Mr. Jayson Caalim; Believers, headed by Ms. Ana Manabat, Changers, headed by Mr. Lord Allan Montaño and Defenders, headed by Fray Jorr Rabacal. The celebration commenced with the parade of four (4) teams followed by the opening program and cheerdance competition at the quadrangle. Ms. Marianne Nicole Bibal of ABM11 and Ms. Carmela Acosta led the prayer and Philippine National Anthem, respectively. A very inspiring opening remarks was given by the Basic Education Director, Rev. Fr. Rene Paglinawan, OAR. In his message, he emphasized the importance of the students’ journey and the challenges that they met along the way. He likened the Sebastinians’ journey to the journey of the Apostles with Jesus to Emmaus. Before the announcement of winners of the cheerdance competition, Ms. Angelica Jordan delighted the audience by coming up with her own rendition of Jessie J’s Domino.
The entire morning was filled with fun and excitement as each team competed for the cheerdance competition. Ms. Martha Nicole Bibal was tasked to present the mechanics of the competition while Dr. Michelle Punzalan, Ms. Cecilia Hernandez and Rev. Fr. Gideon Antolin Lagrimas, OAR were the judges. Dance choreography, formation and routines of the four (4) teams brought joy to the delighted audience. The Team Believers emerged as the champions followed by Team Achievers, Team Changers and Team Defenders as runners up. During the Quiz Bee competition held at the Bar Review Center, Team Believers emerged as the champions. Team Achievers were hailed the second placers while Team Changers and Team Defenders landed in the 3rd and 4th place, respectively. A simple yet sumptuous lunch through a boodle fight was served to the students at the Annex Building.
The afternoon was spent in ball games competition. The four (4) teams competed in Basketball and Volleyball. Team Believers emerged as champions in Basketball and second in Volleyball. Team Changers finished second place in Basketball and emerged as the champion in Volleyball. Team Achievers finished third in Basketball and fourth place in volleyball, whereas, Team Defenders finished fourth place in basketball and third place in volleyball. The points acquired by each team were tallied. Team Believers was proclaimed as the Grand Champion with a total of 8 points; 1st Runner-up, Team Changers with a total of 9 points; 2nd Runner-up, Team Achievers with a score of 11 points and 3rd-runner up was Team Defenders scoring 12 points.
The 1st Odyssey of A Stag was initiated by Mr. Lord Allan C. Montaño, Ms. Aisa Arlos and Ms. Jaivie del Socorro and was carefully planned and organized by the Senior High School department under the leadership of the Senior High School coordinator, Ms. Aisa Arlos. The primary objective of this event is to strengthen the relationship and camaraderie among the Senior High School Department students and faculty. It was indeed a remarkable event for the Senior High School Department. Through this activity, the Department fortified the Sebastinian identity by opening the minds and forming the hearts of every member of the community. For God and for our country, Bravo Baste!
By: Lord Allan Montaño
