SFAS Sportsfest 2015

The St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City held its Sportsfest 2015 last December.  The opening ceremony on December 13 started with each grade level marching off  the hallway bearing their banners.  Everyone loudly cheered as they watched the Cheerdance competition of each high school level.  

This week long activity, from December 13-17,  was filled with different sports competitions from volleyball, basketball, football, chess and track and field.  Both the grade school and high school students competed on these and the Grade 10 bagged the over-all championship title.

Sportsfest Opening Ceremony photos, click here.

Sportsfest 2015 photos, click here

Cheerdance Competition photos, click here.

"Francesco"

Last December 4, the Grade 8 to 10 students and the faculty and staff  of St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City watched a theatrical play entitled "Francesco" depicting the life and works of Saint Francis of Assisi at the John Paul II Cultural Center of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Bacolod City.

Saint Francis of Assisi is known for his love of nature and all creation.  So the play emphasized on recovering and restoring the beauty of mother Earth.

For more photos, please click here.

Faculty and Staff Advent Recollection

The faculty and staff of St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City and Tapulanga Foundation attended an Advent Recollection last December 2, 2015 at the Marians Missionaries of the Holy Cross in Silay City. It was facilitated by Brother Froilan De Atras and Brother Lawrence Maria. 

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Nathaniel Duran.

"The recollection increased my faith in God, on how faithful He is in blessing us of His wonders everyday."  by Ms. Edna Taganile

"After the Advent recollection, my understanding of preparing myself for His coming improved and one way to prepare ourselves is to participate on the Sacrament of Confession."  by Ms. Elena Coja

"It reminded me on how to give importance on preparing myself for His coming, not only for myself but also for my family."  by Ms. Rose Iglesia

For more photos, please click here.

Preschool Field Trip to Pizza Hut

St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City Preschool students went on a field trip last November 27 at the Pizza Hut, Robinson's Place, Bacolod City.  Each of the students got to make their own Hawaiian pizza!

For more photos, please click here.

Rotary Club of Silay Celebrates Boys and Girls Week

Rotary Club of Silay City celebrated the 2015 Boys and Girls Week last November 16-22, 2015. It's goal is for students to witness how government leaders fulfill their daily tasks and duties in their respective offices.  Secondary schools like St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City, Sta. Teresita's Academy, Silay Institute, DADDJIS, Guimbala-on High School and HPCo-Dona Monseratt Extension High School sent student leader representatives to participate.

Grade 10 students Marlyn Bernasol, Danilo Villanueva, Jr, Oliver James Boiser and Kreizel Ann Tiongson represented SFAS.  Kreizel was assigned under 7th Councilor Jimmy Mayo and Oliver under 10th Councilor Aileen Javier.  Marlyn was assigned in the City Health Office while Danilo in DSWD.

Marlyn Bernasol with the Silay City Health staff

Danilo Villanueva, Jr. with the DSWD staff

It was a learning experience for the students as they attended and observed the weekly meeting sessions of the Silay City Mayor and the City Councilors. They witnessed how resolutions and plannings were being deliberated.  They were also tasked to make their own resolutions and plannings for the youth of Silay City.

A closing ceremony was held Friday, November 20, at the Silay Civic Center, with each participant receiving a Certificate of Participation.

Then the students attended the final evaluation of the 2015 Girls and Boys Week at Patag Eco-Tourism Center in Barangay Patag, Silay City over the week-end.

Osaka Rotaract of Japan representatives joined the week-end activity in Patag.

"It was a nice experience because we had the chance to know the work of government officials.  It was also exciting because we saw how the officials argued among each other on the resolutions being presented." by Marlyn Bernasol

"I learned a lot.  I witnessed how much paper work there is and it's very hard.  The staff were very friendly and I felt very welcomed."  by Danilo Villanueva, Jr.

"I learned that being a government official is not easy.  You need to make decisions on how to make a city work." by Kreizel Ann Tiongson

"I learned that a good leader must be honest and is responsible for the community.  It is not easy to make resolutions and one should not keep in mind the negative feedback which others may say." by Oliver Boiser

For more photos, click here.

More photos from Rotary Silay Facebook page, please click here.

Search-In Circles 18 - 20

Last October 23-25, I attended the Search-In Retreat with my fellow 9th grade students and we were Circle 19.  Nineteen students joined the 3-day retreat program adopted by St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City from La Salle Greenhills in Manila.  The retreat teaches students to have more growth in one's spiritual life and to have closer bonds between fellow students.

Our facilitators were alumni from SFAS and fellow Search-Inners from previous Circles.

Search-In Circle 19

I always keep in mind a saying from an unknown author, "Scarred people are beautiful."

Circle 18 had their Search-In retreat last September 25-27, 2015.

The Search-In retreat of Circle 20 was last November 27-29, 2015.

written by Steve Rotelo, Grade 9

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.