SPU Manila INTER-OFFICE BULLETIN - St. Paul University Manila
SPU Manila INTER-OFFICE BULLETIN - St. Paul University Manila
SPU Manila INTER-OFFICE BULLETIN - St. Paul University Manila
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<strong>SPU</strong> <strong>Manila</strong> <strong>INTER</strong>-<strong>OFFICE</strong> <strong>BULLETIN</strong><br />
Vol. IV No. 48 19 September 2011<br />
____________________________________________________________________<br />
PAULINIAN NAMED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE<br />
Another feather has been added to the cap of <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>Manila</strong> with President Benigno<br />
Aquino’s appointment of Estela Perlas-Bernabe (High School 1968, BSC 1972) as an Associate<br />
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<br />
The news release on the appointment states:<br />
Perlas will take the post vacated by Conchita Carpio Morales who retired early this year.<br />
Morales has since been named Ombudsman.<br />
"We congratulate Justice Bernabe for her appointment as the new associate justice of the SC,"<br />
presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing.<br />
Justice ESTELA M. PERLAS-BERNABE completed her Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in<br />
Banking and Finance, magna cum laude, in <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong> College of <strong>Manila</strong> and earned her law<br />
degree from the Ateneo College of Law, graduating as Class Salutatorian in 1976. She passed<br />
the bar examination in 1977 with a bar rating of 85.156%.<br />
Prior to her appointment as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals on March 9, 2004, Justice<br />
Perlas-Bernabe had served the Judiciary as Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati City from<br />
January 2000 to March 2004; as Metropolitan Trial Court Judge in the same city from March<br />
1996 to January 2000; and as Technical Assistant in the Office of the Court Administrator,<br />
Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1977 to 1979. She also worked in various private and<br />
government offices: as Legal Assistant, Legal Department of China Banking Corporation (1979-<br />
1980); Senior Manager, Legal Department of Paramount Finance Corp. (1980-1987); Legal<br />
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-<br />
1996).<br />
In 1999, she received the Best Written Decision Award for the Municipal/ Metropolitan Trial<br />
Court Level given by the Philippine Women Judges Association. In October 2001, she<br />
represented the Philippine Judiciary as a scholar in the 5th International Workshop on Crime<br />
Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Seoul, Korea, where she delivered reports on the<br />
''Effective Administration of Criminal Justice'' and ''Probation Law in the Philippines.'' Moreover,<br />
in recognition of her exemplary service, Justice Berlas-Bernabe was given the distinction of<br />
''Natatanging Babaeng Hukom'' by the Municipality of Plaridel, Bulacan on March 3, 2003.<br />
Born on May 14, 1952 in Plaridel, Bulacan, Justice Perlas-Bernabe is married to Atty. Ricardo C.<br />
Bernabe, Jr., a lawyer/ businessman from Malolos, Bulacan, with whom she has two children,<br />
Ericia and Ricardo III.<br />
CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF CHARTRES BLESSED<br />
September 12, 2011, feast of the Holy Name of Mary, was a red letter day for the <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong><br />
Center for Renewal (SPCR) and its owner, <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>Manila</strong>. It marked the blessing of<br />
the new Chapel of Our Lady of Chartres, where religious services for those who go to SPCR for<br />
retreats, recollections, conferences, chapters, etc. will be held.<br />
The Most Reverend Antonio Luis Tagle, Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, Cavite, presided<br />
over the Eucharistic Celebration and solemn blessing of the chapel. He also delivered the<br />
homily. He was assisted by the Most Reverend Jesse Mercado, Auxiliary Bishop of <strong>Manila</strong> and<br />
Bishop of Parañaque; the parish priest of Alfonso, Cavite; and other priest friends of the<br />
Sisters of <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong> of Chartres. Some male campus ministry volunteers of <strong>SPU</strong> <strong>Manila</strong> served as<br />
acolytes. The fifth year Junior Sisters, who are preparing for their Perpetual Profession, led the<br />
singing, with Sr. Remedios Sandalo, SPC on the organ.<br />
Sister Lilia Thérèse Tolentino, SPC, President of <strong>SPU</strong> <strong>Manila</strong>,<br />
opened the celebration with her opening and welcome message.<br />
After the post communion prayer, Sister Emily Louise del<br />
Castillo, SPC, Provincial Assistant for Formation, delivered the<br />
message of Sister Zeta Caridad Rivero, SPC, Provincial Superior of<br />
the Sisters of <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong> of Chartres. Gracing the occasion were<br />
Sisters from different SPC local communities, friends, and<br />
benefactors of the Sisters.<br />
After the Mass and blessing, guests had a sumptuous<br />
merienda-cena in the dining hall of the Conference Building.<br />
The new chapel is the latest addition in the infrastructure<br />
development program of SPCR. Work on the construction of the<br />
chapel began at the start of 2011 after approval by the Board of Trustees of <strong>SPU</strong> <strong>Manila</strong> during<br />
its meeting on 03 December 2010. The chapel was designed by Architect Edison Laxa and built<br />
by Engr. Romeo Bagain.
The SPC local community assigned in SPCR at the time of the construction and blessing<br />
of the new chapel is composed of Sister Maria Milagros Amos, SPC, superior and administrator,<br />
Sister Linabeth Abaleña SPC, and Sister Ofelia Ga, SPC.<br />
Left: the chapel facade<br />
Below: the altar crucifix<br />
Left: the interior of the chapel<br />
Below: the concelebrated Mass
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION OPENS CHRISTIAN FORMATION WEEK<br />
Contributed by Michelle <strong>St</strong>o. Tomas<br />
Considered an important tradition in <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>Manila</strong>, the Christian Formation Week<br />
2011 was officially opened on 12 September 2011. A Holy Mass, presided over by Fr. <strong>St</strong>ephen<br />
Mifsud, MSSP, gathered the <strong>Paul</strong>inian community in remembering that “we are not here for<br />
anything, but for the Lord.”<br />
The crowd was inspired by a procession of young saints and their short life stories. Fr.<br />
<strong>St</strong>ephen stressed in his homily that “we are never worthy,” a thought taken from the gospel<br />
about the centurion who sees himself unworthy to come to the Lord to ask for healing.<br />
As “Spirituality of Excellence: Deeply Rooted in Christ” is the theme of this year’s<br />
Christian Formation Week, Fr. <strong>St</strong>ephen stressed that what makes us close to God is our faith.<br />
The Lord puts in us the gift of Faith. “I am not worthy. Only the God who is in me,” he added.<br />
After the Mass, there was a short opening ceremony. The <strong>Paul</strong>inian animators lively<br />
danced to the song “I Will Sing Forever,” after which, Sr. Josephine Ramada, SPC, formally<br />
opened the Christian Formation Week.<br />
The <strong>SPU</strong> <strong>Manila</strong> Chorale and <strong>Paul</strong>inian Animators reminded the crowd of the World Youth<br />
Day Local Celebration in Ateneo de <strong>Manila</strong>, where <strong>SPU</strong> <strong>Manila</strong> led the Pre-Program Ceremony.<br />
The <strong>Paul</strong>inian community all together joined in singing praises to the Lord, shouting out<br />
loud, “I am counting on God!”
SHARING … SHARING… SHARING<br />
From the Religion Faculty<br />
Dr. Gerardo Guiuan shares that he attended an international conference: Asia-Oceania<br />
Mariological Conference (AOMC) 2, with the theme, “Mary and the New Evangelization of Asia:<br />
A Perspective of Human Development,” in the Capuchin Retreat Center, Lipa City, Batangas on<br />
8-12 September 2011.<br />
The idea of this conference was conceived in Lourdes, France in 2008 when Archbishop<br />
Socrates Villegas of Dagupan and Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Batangas were invited to talk<br />
on Marian Apparitions of EDSA and Our Lady of Mediatrix respectively during the 150th<br />
anniversary of the Lourdes apparition.<br />
AOMC 1 was held two years ago in 2009 in Lipa and in the <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Paul</strong> Renewal Center in<br />
Alfonso, Cavite. In this year’s conference, international and local speakers and delegates<br />
shared Marian reflections in the context of Asia and Oceania and the call for a "New<br />
Evangelization." The group also had common prayers and Masses in the Cathedral of <strong>St</strong>.<br />
Sebastian in Lipa City to include the local Church.<br />
As a Marian devotee with great interest in Mariology, Dr. Guiuan was allowed to join this<br />
relevant conference and be actively involved in the Mariological Movement in the Philippines.<br />
A souvenir photo of participants, including Dr. Guiuan, 4 th from right, 4 th row.
From the <strong>St</strong>udent Services Division<br />
SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM<br />
“THE POWER OF DIALOGUE”<br />
27 August 2011<br />
8:00 A.M. – 12:00 NN<br />
Contributed by Zena Magana<br />
The seminar-workshop was facilitated by Ms. Milorie Ellazar, RGC (<strong>Paul</strong>inian Peace Builder (PPB)<br />
Moderator) and co-facilitated by PPB members, Vienalyn Gonzales (BSP2) and Miguel Simpao<br />
(BSED 2).<br />
Nine Education grantees, seven student assistants, one <strong>Paul</strong>a Pilipina scholar and one<br />
PD451 scholar joined the activity, which aimed to build a community of people who will choose<br />
a mindset of listening and understanding, rather than debating. This activity is sponsored by<br />
the Conflict Resolution Group Foundation, Inc.<br />
Unfreezer activities of scholars<br />
Ms. Ellazar, (PPB Moderator) as she introduced herself<br />
and facilitated the getting-to-know-you activity for the scholars.
Activity on “Debate vs. Dialogue”<br />
A simulation session was facilitated by PPB member, Ms. Vienalyn Gonzales (BSP2).<br />
The topic, “Internet Use: Source of <strong>St</strong>ress or Source of Relaxation,”<br />
gave the scholars an experience of a peaceful dialogue.<br />
It gave them chance to express their stand<br />
on whether internet usage is a way to be stressed or relaxed.
Ms. Fatma Manlulu (SAP Officer)<br />
awarded a Certificate of Appreciation<br />
to Ms. Ellazar (right).<br />
Scholars, with Ms.<br />
Ellazar, facilitator<br />
and PPB Moderator<br />
(far right)<br />
Vienne and Miguel of<br />
PPB,<br />
and Ms. Magana,<br />
SAP Coordinator<br />
(far left).<br />
From the Alumni Relations Office<br />
High School 1965<br />
Lunch and Wellness Lecture<br />
on growing one’s own vegetables<br />
by Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan,Jr.<br />
11 September 2011<br />
Lulu Carrasco’s residence<br />
Condolences<br />
The <strong>Paul</strong>inian community condoles with the family<br />
of Leonor Tripon-Rosero, High School 1962,<br />
who passed away last week.