First Place in PRISSAAP's English Language Festival!

The Private Secondary School Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISSAAP) has initiated this year the Private Schools' English Language Festival for all private schools in Silay City. The literary contest was held at the Department of Education Hall in the Division Office of Silay City last November 20.

The school's representative was 3rd grader, Anne Marie Gulmatico.  She was coached by teacher Lovelyn Villanueva (an SFAS alumnus) and she won first place in the English Declamation category. The English Language Festival is intended for primary graders from Nursery to Grade 3 to enhance the exposure of students at an early age to these kind of competitions.

Anne Marie Gulmatico with Mrs. Leda Ibugan, English teacher.

SFAS Joins Green Earth Crusades

One of the core values of St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City is the love for nature.  Saint Francis loved all of God's creatures from plants to animals and he referred to them as his brothers and sisters. 

Last November 6, imitating the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, high school students of SFAS participated  in the Green Earth Crusades supervised by the Catholic Women's League of the Diocese of Bacolod and the San Diego Parish of Silay City. 

A parade started the day going to the church, then Rev. Fr. Dimitri Gatcha, parish priest of the San Diego Parish, shared about the Word of God (taken from Genesis 1).  He shared that God created a very beautiful and perfect world which can sustain all the needs of mankind but because of man's pride, the world was ruined and lost its original beauty, unable to provide the needs of men. He challenged us youth to do something good for the environment to restore her beauty.

Rev. Fr. Rosello Villarosa, Youth Director of the Diocese of Bacolod, discussed Pope Francis' encyclical letter, the Laudato Si,  which stresses about the care of environment. He shared that God wants us to repair His house which we saw falling into ruins as Our Lord revealed it to Saint Francis of Assisi in a vision. Atty. Wilfredo Ramon Peñalosa, Provincial Environment Management Officer, shared about climate change. He reminded us to reduce waste, reuse things rather than throw them away and recycle old things rather than buying a new one. He challenged the youth to plant trees: if every young person around the world would plant at least 20 seedlings of trees, we could save the world. 

Rev. Fr. Rickyboy Attilana also gave a talk, interpretative dances on the environment were presented by the Doña Monserrat Lopez Memorial High School, Sta. Teresita's Academy and Silay Institute, and our very own Yorika Jaud did a song number.

Subdue the earth and bring it under your control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. (Genesis 1:28)

Written by Lord William B. Pacurib, Grade 9-Sincerity

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