SFAS joined the 1st NOPSSCEA (Neg. Occ. Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association) Week last Sept. 23 - 28, 2007. We joined the following cultural events: Filipino Declamation and Vocal Solo in both levels. In sports, we joined badminton boys (GS) and boys/girls (HS), table tennis boys and girls (GS/HS), and volleyball girls (GS). We were 1st runner up in table tennis boys and girls (HS) and volleyball. We were champions in table tennis boys and girls (GS).
Aubrey Sobrepena (1st year) and Danica Mae Dimanalata (3rd year) are members of the Kabataang Silay Ensemble Rondalla. The group presently has 26 student-members from different schools in Silay, including SFAS. Danica shares that they have daily practices when they have a performance or a content to join. She says “Even if we are tired, the music that we are playing makes us alive and we don’t stop until we perfect our pieces.”
The KSE Rondalla has performed in different schools like St. John Institute and Silay Institute, in different cities during their fiestas, and in the
The Homemakers' Club of SFAS went on a field trip last Sept. 11, 2007 to Bong Bong's bakery shop in Bacolod City. Bong Bong's is known for making different Bacolod snacks for "pasalubongs" (for tourists or balikbayans), e.g. piyaya, pinasugbo, etc.
The SFAS Preschool students went on a field trip last Sept. 12, 2007 to a beauty parlor in Bacolod City. They were taught on how to take good care of their hair and a couple of students got an actual hair-cut. This was part of their lesson in personal hygiene in their Religion class.
It was in the year 1987 when I first enrolled at SFAS as Prep. My teacher was Ms. Cañal. She was an effective teacher and was very kind. I also found my classmates very friendly. Since then, I liked and enjoyed schooling until I graduated in Grade 6. Ms. Elena, my grade 3 adviser and Ms. Melit, my grade 6 adviser, are still of dedicated service to the school. I finished my college degree at Colegio San Agustin- Bacolod as a working scholar. There I took Bachelor in Secondary Education.
Right now, two of my siblings are studying here in SFAS, my younger sister in Prep and my younger brother in Grade 6. Even if we were poor, I persevered to study. My mother took care of us and my father was a company driver. This has been my fourth year of teaching in SFAS. At first, I was a substitute teacher until the school hired me as a regular teacher. This year, I am the Grade 5 adviser and am teaching Language 4 and 5, Reading 4 and 5 and PE 4 -10. Teaching the kids is enjoyable though its tiresome often times but its compensated when I see my kids learning, eager to learn, and show positive attitude towards education.
Sir Armando Gayatenia, Jr.
Watching the SFAS’ “After 40 Years” video, I felt so emotional. It was a sentimental journey back in history . . . having started my elementary education with SFAS in 1972 and completed it in 1978. I was my Class valedictorian then.
I would like to highlight very familiar faces in that video . . . foremost, the late Inday Maret (Ledesma), Ms. Teresita Mallorca (our Grade II Teacher) and Mr. James Ledesma who vividly narrated “the making of SFAS”. Admittedly, transforming SFAS into an ever fortified institution in the service of farmer’s sons and daughters was a noble mission by the Ledesma’s. Hence, I give tribute to them, SFAS, my Teachers, Classmates and old Friends who became part of my entire person of today.
I grew up in Hda. Lonoy and spent my first 20 years in that farm. Born to ordinary farm workers, I dreamed that one day, I enjoy the simple comforts in life. Finishing my elementary education – 100% free at that - was my top priority. I made it! That paved the way for me to pursue further on – finishing highschool and college with the highest honors until I made it to the employment world. That dream became a reality!
I am a product of the Ledesma’s and SFAS’ investments on me. Every penny of that investment resulted in a good yield.
For now, I can only try to emulate the value that SFAS and its patron Saint, St. Francis of
I am currently working with The Boeing Company based in
“Madamo gid nga salamat!”
A note to SFAS Students: “Poverty should not be a hindrance for success. It’s an inspiration!
- Rene Sellado, Class of 1978
Last Sept. 4, 2007, Sr. Joy Luz and Dr. Herminia Torres of De La Salle Philippines visited our school, a supervised school of USLS. Shown in photo (from left to right): Ms. Doris Dumaran, high school level Vice Principal of USLS Bacolod and La Salle Supervisor to St. Benilde School; Ms. Tina Navarro - La Salle Supervisor to St. Francis of Assisi School; Dr. Herminia Torres; Sr. Joy Luz and Mr. John Cabalo, LASSO coordinator of Visayas.
I learned a lot from the two seminars I attended on Physics and Safety Measures in the Laboratory. The speakers were very good because they explained the topics very well. I also met and became friends with teachers in other schools. We shared ideas about our subjects and the school where we work. I am happy and thankful that I was chosen by the school to attend the seminars.
Mrs. Edna Taganile
High School Science teacher
One of the highlights of the Buwan ng Wika celebration was the Lutong Pinoy contest. The parents of each grade level from Kinder to 4th year high school was assigned a Filipino dish to prepare: Chicken inasal (Kinder), Escabeche (Prep), Tinolang Manok (1), Pangat (2), Adobo (3), Bicol Express (4), 
Sinigang (5), Pinakbet (6), Batchoy (1st), Kare-kare (2nd), Mongo (3rd) and Dinuguan (4th). 
The school ended the Buwan ng Wika (the month of celebrating our national language) with many activities from Aug. 29 to 31, 2007. A variety of contests were held like: bulletin board display, vocal solo singing of original Pilipino music (OPM), Filipino declamation, chorale tula (poem), folk dance, pop dance to the tune of OPM, lutong Pinoy, and parlor games (e.g., planting rice, crab race, sack rack, tug-o-war, bunot (coconut husk) race, and tomato relay).
I am Elthon Buensuceso. My friends call me "Ton." I am now in Grade 9 (3rd year high school) at SFAS. I was born on Nov. 19, 1992 and am now 15 years old.
My parents are Antonio and Elena Buensuceso. My father works as one of the field managers (“kabo) in Hacienda Tinihaban while my mother works in the farm office as cashier. I have one brother who studies in SFAS also. His name is Marc Dence. I am the youngest.
During my free time, I like to play basketball and listen to music. My favorite subject is CLE (Religion) because I like to know how God loves me.
I dream of becoming a nurse someday because I want to help my family and other people. And like my sponsor who is now helping me achieve my goal, I’d like to help others one day to achieve their goals, too.
Ms. Edna Taganile (Science teacher) will attend a seminar-workshop organized by the Department of Education Regional Office on High School Physics in Iloilo City.
Ms. Emily Sales Diaz (Guidance counselor) will attend a seminar organized by he NOPSSCEA on “Healing through the Developmental Stages” in Bacolod City.
Ms. Edna Taganile (Science teacher) will attend a seminar organized by the Department of Education Regional Office on “Orientation on Safety Measures in Science Laboratory” in
Mrs. Haydee Casiple, Mrs. Janice Caspe and Sir Matthew Ledesma will attend the seminar organized by NOPSSCEA on Instructional Learning Competencies in Bacolod City. Resource speaker is Dr. Allan de Guzman.
Ms. May Santillan (Librarian) will attend a seminar-workshop organized by the PRISSAAP (Private Secondary Schools Administrators Association of the
Mrs. Sheila Buenconsejo and Sir Armando Gayatenia, Jr. will attend a seminar-workshop on Cheer Dance Techniques organized by the PE Department of the Univ. of St. La Salle-Bacolod City.
The week isn’t over yet but so much has happened in school already. We just finished our First Quarter Examinations (Monday and Tuesday). Yesterday, thanks to the help of our USLS Supervisor, Ms. Tina Navarro, who facilitated these 2 activities, the members of the Young Explorers’ Club and the Book Lovers Club went on a field trip to
I spoke with the moderator of the Young Explorers’ Club today and she shared that the students enjoyed a lot and learned some interesting things that we can follow in school. For example, they learned that flowers can be preserved! This will be their next project!
In the same afternoon, the Campus Ministry members visited the elderly of Hda. Tinihaban. They entertained the “lolos” and “lolas”, shared some snacks with them and got to know them.
Today, the 2nd year students together with their adviser, Ms. Edna Taganile, attended a recollection for the day at the
SFAS was represented by 3 students (Ydsan Dongon Grade 6, Raquel Medina 3rd year, and Juan Cesar Lim 4th year) in the SM City Bacolod Poster-Making contest last August 11, 2007 as part of their celebration of Buwan ng Wika. The theme was “Maraming Wika, Matatag na Bansa.” Of the 110 participants, Ydsan and Raquel made it to the top 20! Incidentally, Ydsan’s and Raquel’s groups won 1st prize in the school’s own on-the-spot poster-making contest held last Aug. 1, 2007.
We’re so proud of all of you!
Last May 31, the SFAS faculty held a baby shower for fellow teacher, Ms. Leda Ibugan, who is due this June. She is having a baby girl.
