Delegates showcase talents in cultural night

RECOLETOS 4TH CENTENNIAL GYMNASIUM – Students from different parts of the country convened at the Cañacao Campus on November 12 to showcase the different traditions and festivities of their regions in the Cultural Night of the 29th Students Congress of Recollect Schools (SCORES).

In his opening remarks , R e v . F r . J a m e s D e x t e r R . T a n q u i s , O A R , d i r e c t o r o f t h e S S C - R d e C a v i t e B a s i c E d u c a t i o n D e p a r t m e n t , e n c o u r a g e d t h e delegates to serve as role models to others. “Be a good example of Recollect youth,” said Tanquis, s p e a k i n g a b o u t the cultural pride exemplif ied by the participants. P e r f o r m e r s i n c l u d e d e l e g a t e s from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, San

Pedro Academy-Re cole tos , and San P e d r o A c a d e m y Va l e n c i a , w h e r e i n t h e l a t t e r s h o w c a s e d t h e s o -c a l l e d R a m b o n e s F e s t i v a l t h a t t h e i r s c h o o l i n i t i a t e d i n t h e i r munic ip a l i ty. M e a n w h i l e , Colegio San Nicolas Tolent ino-Recoletos and Univers i ty of S a n Jo s e - R ecoletos (Balamban Campus) gained applause from the audience with their dance performances of songs especially made for their places. E n e r g i z i n g the audience, the

University of San Jose-Recoletos (Basak Campus) brought the Cebu spirit to Cavite by encouraging everyone to dance the Sinulog theme. Putt ing a u n i qu e t w i s t i n t h e s e t o f c u l tu r a l p e r for m an c e s , S an S ebast ian C ol lege-Recoletos Mani la showed a modern dance per formance. Lastly, Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos and San S eb ast i an C ol lege-R e c o l e t o s d e C av ite , exempl i f i e d a reenactment of their undiscovered

gem, the Pintaflores festival, and presented a hero-inspired act, respectively. S p e c i a l performances were also staged by guest participants from the Cavite National High School’s Special Programs fwor the Arts, Teatro Baile de Cavite, and Teatro Baile de Recoletos, showcasing the highlights of the Caviteño culture. SSC-R de Cavite is hosting the SCORES for the third time this year; the first in 2004, and the second in 2008.

by Rani Isabel Cajigas

Photo by Essa Guisihan

Priest calls youth as evangelizers

CAVITE CITY, Philippines – Delegates and student-hosts of the 29th Students’ Congress of Recollect Schools (SCORES) gathered in the Cañacao Campus auditorium on November 12 for a symposium entitled “Recollect Youth: Sent forth as witnesses of new evangelization.”

In the symposium proper, Fr. Nemesio D. Tolentin, OAR, parish priest of San Nicolas de Tolentino in Quezon City, lectured about the importance of preaching the gospel to bring God closer to people, and the people closer to God. A c c o r d i n g to Tolentin, new evangelization has never been a new message for there is no new message in evangelization. F u r t h e r m o r e , preaching the gospel must always be a work of love — for God and the people.

“The work of evangelization is the duty of the people of God. We need not only to be evangelized but also to evangelize,” Tolentin said. The speaker encouraged the students to follow the rivalry of Christ of influencing others for the purpose of sharing the faith given to them by God with others. “God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of His love is no longer felt and the desire to do good fades,” exclaimed the priest, challenging the youth to spread the Word of God.

“I always felt that I had to live my mission in life whatever purpose God has given me” – these are the inspirational words that Ms. Ilsa B. Reyes, one of the guest speakers, stated during the symposium for the delegates of the 29th Students’ Congress of Recollect Schools (SCORES).Following the topic on the Five Love Links of Leadership, Ms. Reyes willingly and whole-heartedly shared experiences that establishes a new mindset and gives advice towards a better life.Despite being a published author and a singer, she doesn`t fail to recognize God. She continues to make it a virtue of setting it as her inspiration to write and to live more.When it comes to dealing with roadblocks, she brushes it off and states that “there are always problems that we will face in our lives” for we have to look at them as opportunities and mere lessons that we could learn from.At the end of the day, Ms. Reyes serves as an example that in life faith and hope are the necessary ingredients to reach the finish line.

by Rachel Eileen Macalindong

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Cavite’s queen honored in

SCORES day 2 SAN ROQUE, Cavite City – A celebration of the Holy Eucharist was held in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga on November 12 at San Roque Parish Church in Cavite City to mark the opening of the second day of the 29th Students’ Congress of Recollect Schools (SCORES). Presided over by Caviteño priest Rev. Fr. Rel lyric G. delos Santos, OAR, the Holy Mass commemorated the post f iesta octave celebrat ion of Cavite’s patroness. “Ang tunay na nagli l ingkod sa Diyos ay tahimik na [nagdurusa] at nagbibig y ng kanyang kalooban [para sa Diyos],” Delos Santos said, contemplat ing on the peaceful scene depicted in the image of the Virgin. Known as the oldest exist ing Marian painting in

the Phi l ippines, the image of Our Lady of Solitude was found in the shores of Cavite Puerto in the latter part of the 17th centur y. In the image, the Blessed Virgin Mar y is seen in deep sorrow after the crucif ixion of her Son, Jesus Christ . After the Mass, the tradit ional Karakol procession joined by the SCORES delegates and Sebast inian Karakol dancers was held from San Roque to the Cañacao Campus.

by Rani Isabel Cajigas