SPU Manila INTER-OFFICE BULLETIN - St. Paul University Manila

SPU Manila INTER-OFFICE BULLETIN
Vol. IV No. 48 19 September 2011
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PAULINIAN NAMED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
Another feather has been added to the cap of St. Paul University Manila with President Benigno
Aquino’s appointment of Estela Perlas-Bernabe (High School 1968, BSC 1972) as an Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
The news release on the appointment states:
Perlas will take the post vacated by Conchita Carpio Morales who retired early this year.
Morales has since been named Ombudsman.
"We congratulate Justice Bernabe for her appointment as the new associate justice of the SC,"
presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing.
Justice ESTELA M. PERLAS-BERNABE completed her Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in
Banking and Finance, magna cum laude, in St. Paul College of Manila and earned her law
degree from the Ateneo College of Law, graduating as Class Salutatorian in 1976. She passed
the bar examination in 1977 with a bar rating of 85.156%.
Prior to her appointment as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals on March 9, 2004, Justice
Perlas-Bernabe had served the Judiciary as Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati City from
January 2000 to March 2004; as Metropolitan Trial Court Judge in the same city from March
1996 to January 2000; and as Technical Assistant in the Office of the Court Administrator,
Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1977 to 1979. She also worked in various private and
government offices: as Legal Assistant, Legal Department of China Banking Corporation (1979-
1980); Senior Manager, Legal Department of Paramount Finance Corp. (1980-1987); Legal
Manager and Corporate Secretary/ Legal Consultant of the National Home Mortgage and

Finance Corp. (1990-1993); and Senior Partner of Bernabe Perlas Morte and Associates (1993-
1996).
In 1999, she received the Best Written Decision Award for the Municipal/ Metropolitan Trial
Court Level given by the Philippine Women Judges Association. In October 2001, she
represented the Philippine Judiciary as a scholar in the 5th International Workshop on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Seoul, Korea, where she delivered reports on the
''Effective Administration of Criminal Justice'' and ''Probation Law in the Philippines.'' Moreover,
in recognition of her exemplary service, Justice Berlas-Bernabe was given the distinction of
''Natatanging Babaeng Hukom'' by the Municipality of Plaridel, Bulacan on March 3, 2003.
Born on May 14, 1952 in Plaridel, Bulacan, Justice Perlas-Bernabe is married to Atty. Ricardo C.
Bernabe, Jr., a lawyer/ businessman from Malolos, Bulacan, with whom she has two children,
Ericia and Ricardo III.
CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF CHARTRES BLESSED
September 12, 2011, feast of the Holy Name of Mary, was a red letter day for the St. Paul
Center for Renewal (SPCR) and its owner, St. Paul University Manila. It marked the blessing of
the new Chapel of Our Lady of Chartres, where religious services for those who go to SPCR for
retreats, recollections, conferences, chapters, etc. will be held.
The Most Reverend Antonio Luis Tagle, Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, Cavite, presided
over the Eucharistic Celebration and solemn blessing of the chapel. He also delivered the
homily. He was assisted by the Most Reverend Jesse Mercado, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and
Bishop of Parañaque; the parish priest of Alfonso, Cavite; and other priest friends of the
Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres. Some male campus ministry volunteers of SPU Manila served as
acolytes. The fifth year Junior Sisters, who are preparing for their Perpetual Profession, led the
singing, with Sr. Remedios Sandalo, SPC on the organ.
Sister Lilia Thérèse Tolentino, SPC, President of SPU Manila,
opened the celebration with her opening and welcome message.
After the post communion prayer, Sister Emily Louise del
Castillo, SPC, Provincial Assistant for Formation, delivered the
message of Sister Zeta Caridad Rivero, SPC, Provincial Superior of
the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres. Gracing the occasion were
Sisters from different SPC local communities, friends, and
benefactors of the Sisters.
After the Mass and blessing, guests had a sumptuous
merienda-cena in the dining hall of the Conference Building.
The new chapel is the latest addition in the infrastructure
development program of SPCR. Work on the construction of the
chapel began at the start of 2011 after approval by the Board of Trustees of SPU Manila during
its meeting on 03 December 2010. The chapel was designed by Architect Edison Laxa and built
by Engr. Romeo Bagain.

The SPC local community assigned in SPCR at the time of the construction and blessing
of the new chapel is composed of Sister Maria Milagros Amos, SPC, superior and administrator,
Sister Linabeth Abaleña SPC, and Sister Ofelia Ga, SPC.
Left: the chapel facade
Below: the altar crucifix
Left: the interior of the chapel
Below: the concelebrated Mass

EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION OPENS CHRISTIAN FORMATION WEEK
Contributed by Michelle Sto. Tomas
Considered an important tradition in St. Paul University Manila, the Christian Formation Week
2011 was officially opened on 12 September 2011. A Holy Mass, presided over by Fr. Stephen
Mifsud, MSSP, gathered the Paulinian community in remembering that “we are not here for
anything, but for the Lord.”
The crowd was inspired by a procession of young saints and their short life stories. Fr.
Stephen stressed in his homily that “we are never worthy,” a thought taken from the gospel
about the centurion who sees himself unworthy to come to the Lord to ask for healing.
As “Spirituality of Excellence: Deeply Rooted in Christ” is the theme of this year’s
Christian Formation Week, Fr. Stephen stressed that what makes us close to God is our faith.
The Lord puts in us the gift of Faith. “I am not worthy. Only the God who is in me,” he added.
After the Mass, there was a short opening ceremony. The Paulinian animators lively
danced to the song “I Will Sing Forever,” after which, Sr. Josephine Ramada, SPC, formally
opened the Christian Formation Week.
The SPU Manila Chorale and Paulinian Animators reminded the crowd of the World Youth
Day Local Celebration in Ateneo de Manila, where SPU Manila led the Pre-Program Ceremony.
The Paulinian community all together joined in singing praises to the Lord, shouting out
loud, “I am counting on God!”

SHARING … SHARING… SHARING
From the Religion Faculty
Dr. Gerardo Guiuan shares that he attended an international conference: Asia-Oceania
Mariological Conference (AOMC) 2, with the theme, “Mary and the New Evangelization of Asia:
A Perspective of Human Development,” in the Capuchin Retreat Center, Lipa City, Batangas on
8-12 September 2011.
The idea of this conference was conceived in Lourdes, France in 2008 when Archbishop
Socrates Villegas of Dagupan and Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Batangas were invited to talk
on Marian Apparitions of EDSA and Our Lady of Mediatrix respectively during the 150th
anniversary of the Lourdes apparition.
AOMC 1 was held two years ago in 2009 in Lipa and in the St. Paul Renewal Center in
Alfonso, Cavite. In this year’s conference, international and local speakers and delegates
shared Marian reflections in the context of Asia and Oceania and the call for a "New
Evangelization." The group also had common prayers and Masses in the Cathedral of St.
Sebastian in Lipa City to include the local Church.
As a Marian devotee with great interest in Mariology, Dr. Guiuan was allowed to join this
relevant conference and be actively involved in the Mariological Movement in the Philippines.
A souvenir photo of participants, including Dr. Guiuan, 4 th from right, 4 th row.

From the Student Services Division
SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
“THE POWER OF DIALOGUE”
27 August 2011
8:00 A.M. – 12:00 NN
Contributed by Zena Magana
The seminar-workshop was facilitated by Ms. Milorie Ellazar, RGC (Paulinian Peace Builder (PPB)
Moderator) and co-facilitated by PPB members, Vienalyn Gonzales (BSP2) and Miguel Simpao
(BSED 2).
Nine Education grantees, seven student assistants, one Paula Pilipina scholar and one
PD451 scholar joined the activity, which aimed to build a community of people who will choose
a mindset of listening and understanding, rather than debating. This activity is sponsored by
the Conflict Resolution Group Foundation, Inc.
Unfreezer activities of scholars
Ms. Ellazar, (PPB Moderator) as she introduced herself
and facilitated the getting-to-know-you activity for the scholars.

Activity on “Debate vs. Dialogue”
A simulation session was facilitated by PPB member, Ms. Vienalyn Gonzales (BSP2).
The topic, “Internet Use: Source of Stress or Source of Relaxation,”
gave the scholars an experience of a peaceful dialogue.
It gave them chance to express their stand
on whether internet usage is a way to be stressed or relaxed.

Ms. Fatma Manlulu (SAP Officer)
awarded a Certificate of Appreciation
to Ms. Ellazar (right).
Scholars, with Ms.
Ellazar, facilitator
and PPB Moderator
(far right)
Vienne and Miguel of
PPB,
and Ms. Magana,
SAP Coordinator
(far left).
From the Alumni Relations Office
High School 1965
Lunch and Wellness Lecture
on growing one’s own vegetables
by Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan,Jr.
11 September 2011
Lulu Carrasco’s residence
Condolences
The Paulinian community condoles with the family
of Leonor Tripon-Rosero, High School 1962,
who passed away last week.