St. Anne Academy welcomes the Apostolic Nuncio

WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
HIS EXCELLENCY, ARCHBISHOP EDWARD JOSEPH ADAMS
APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO THE PHILIPPINES

July 26, 2009, St. Anne Academy of Piddig and the whole parish will receive a special gift on the feast of St. Anne: the presence of His Excellency, the Most Rev. EDWARD JOSEPH ADAMS, DD, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.

Preparations are underway... specially prayers in the classrooms. The academic life is also intensified by participating at the physical preparations and in the novena to St. Anne. The school community will host all the "treasures of the Church" who are senior citizens for the San Lorenzo Ruiz Medical-Dental Charity Clinic on July 22, 2009. Hot soup will be offered to all those who come to the medical mission.

THE BURSE OF ST. JOACHIM

Last year, SAA lived within her means: that is, finances were put in order, facilities were improved, no solicitations done, no fund raising. Voila! We survived and enjoyed the surpluses of good financial management. Incentives and benefits were given to teachers. Students who had financial difficulties were taken cared of. We tilted the gravity towards "the Church of the poor!" They were our treasures. When many of them could not pay the tuition or other fees, the good God always gave us a way to help.

We remain grateful to many alumni who offered to help. We declined however, because we wanted to see whether SAA academy can survive financially by putting in order the system of accounting and auditing.

This year we open the scholarship fund from any generous person: THE BURSE OF ST. JOACHIM. The scholarship foundation will be duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All donations will be properly receipted. Only designated cashier and school treasurer can receive donations and an audited financial report will be given to those who sponsor our students.

So, the BURSE OF ST. JOACHIM is now open!

NEW HORIZON: GOD'S LOVE AND PROVIDENCE

The school year 2009-2010 opened with so much hope and prayer that it will be a NEW EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S LOVE AND PROVIDENCE. The costs were high in improving facilities and in improving classroom instruction: syllabus were reviewed, textbooks distributed, academic equipments purchased, plus 100 PERCENT TRUST IN GOD'S LOVE AND PROVIDENCE. We are just at the beginning.. the end is not in view. What we see unfold before us is GOD'S LOVE AND PROVIDENCE for our 420 students and 17 teachers.

NEW ACADEMIC YEAR OPENED SMOOTHLY

The New Academic Year at St. Anne Academy opened smoothly last June 1, 2009 with the BLESSING OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS and the SALUTE TO THE PHILIPPINE FLAG. The more than one hundred freshmen were then welcomed by their advisers and a series of orientation meetings were given. After recess of the first day, classes were in full swing.

St. Anne Academy this year takes pride in having new teachers who were alumni of SAA and who excelled in their college years as cum laude and the like. Officialy, all freshmen, transferees and new teaches will be welcomed in SCHOOL CONVOCATION ON June 26, 2009.

Laurent at Jamie Ann, itinanghal na Ginoo ant Binibining Wika 2008

Panlabas at panloob na kagandahan, pagkakaroon ng tiwala sa sarili, katalinuhan at pananalig sa Diyos ang naging batayan nina Laurent Pascua at Jamie Anne Pascua, kapwa III – Faith upang makamit ang titulong G. Lakandula at Bb. Lakambini 2008 na ginanap noong ika – 30 ng Agosto, taong kasalukuyan sa Saint Anne Academy.

Bukod sa titulo, nakamit din ng dalawa ang Best in Talent.

Sina Maria Luiza Viernes ng I – Charity at Romar Calzada ng I – Justice ang mga nahirang bilang G. at Bb. LUZVIMINDA.

Sina Yacelyn Garcia ng II – Honesty at Jeric Puńo ng I –Justice ang mga nahirang bilang G. at Bb. MINDANAO.

Gayundin sina Mae Cristine Soria ng I – Justice at Erwin Malate ng IV – Peace ang mga nahirang bilang G. at Bb. VISAYAS.

Sina Apple Jean Tońacao ng II Loyalty at Julius Caesar Madamba ng I – Charity ang mga nahirang bilang G. at Bb. LUZON.

Bukod dito, naging tampok din na bahagi ng palatuntunan ang paligsahan sa pag-awit (song solo) at katutubong sayaw. Nagkamit ng unang gantimpala si Bb. Donalyn Domingo ng IV – Peace sa nasabing pag-awit at ang mga UNANG TAON naman ang nanalo sa paligsahan ng katutubong sayaw.

Ang mga naging hurado ng mga nasabing paligsahan ay sina Gng. Sheila Ann M. Agustin, G. Dominador Benjamin G. Bernabe, Jr. at G. Gerden Rey Padamada.

by Maria Frances A. Raquiza

Wika Mo, Wikang Filipino, Wika ng Mundo, Mahalaga

Isang napakagandang kasabihan na nagbibigay inspirasyon sa bawat tao. Ito ang nagsisilbing gabay tungo sa pagkakaroon ng matagumpay na bansa. Ipinapakita nito ang kahalagahan ng isang wika sa bawat mamamayan. Inilalayon nitong patatagin ang pagkanasyonalismo sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng ating pambansang wika tungo sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa.

Ang paggamit ng iba’t-ibang lenguwahe o dayalekto sa ating bansa ay isang patunay na mayaman tayo sa kultura. Ipinapahayag natin ang pagkakaroon ng kalayaan sa paggamit ng wikang kinabibilangan at kinasasanayan. Alam nating lahat na ang bansang Pilipinas ay nahahati sa tatlong pulo; ang Luzon, Vizayas at Mindanao. Lubhang napakalaki kung susuriin ang ating bansa kung kaya tayo’y nagkakaroon ng iba’t-ibang dayalekto tulad ng Iloko, Cebuano, Pangasinense, Ibanag at iba pa. Mahirap abutin ang pagkakaroon ng pagkakaisa kung tutuusin, subalit dahil sa pambansang wika – ang FILIPINO- ating makamit ang walang dudang kaunlarang pangkabuhayan, kapayapaan at pambansang pagkakaisa na ating minimithi.

Tignan na lamang natin ang bansang Hapon. Kung ating ikukumpara sa ating kabuhayan walang dudang mas angat sila pagdating sa kabuhayan. Sila ay isa sa mga bansang nangunguna sa mundo sa larangan ng teknolohiya. Bukod sa sila ay masipag at malikhain, lubos nilang ginagamit ang NIPONGGO ang kanilang pambansang wika. Kahit na Ingles ang pangunahing lenguwahe sa mundo kanilang pinagyayaman ang wika nila upang lubos na mapagpatibay ang kanilang pag-uunawaan na siyang nagsisilbing isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan ng kanilang pag-unlad.

Kung tutuusin, kaya nating higitan ang mga Hapon. Higit na masipag at malikhain ang mga Pilipino. Bukod pa rito, sagana ang ating bansa sa mga likas na yaman. Pero dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo ang ating bansa, tayo ay nahuhuli pagdating sa pag-angat ng ekonomiya. Pero hindi ito nagiging sagabal sa pagkamit ng kaunlaran bagkus nagsisilbi itong inspirasyon sa atin para pag-ibayuhin ang wikang Filipino. Pagsikapan natin itong patatagin at pahalagahan sapagkat ito ay MAHALAGA. “WIKA MO…WIKANG FILIPINO…WIKA NG MUNDO…MAHALAGA.”

by Mark Anthony C. Pascual

Thoughts on the Christ the King Celebration

November 23, 2008, S.A.A., headed by the school director and parish priest Rev. Joel Reynold P. Castillo, joined the Cristo Rey Celebration at Baresbes, Dingras, Ilocos Norte, together with the teachers and students who untiringly devoted themselves to the long and winding road to St. John Bosco, Parish Church at Baresbes, Dingras.

The Cristo Rey celebration was attended not only by students of the different catholic schools of the Diocese of Laoag but by hundreds of devotees and faithful coming from the different parishes. The parish of St. John Bosco in Baresbes, Dingras showed to the pilgrims their hospitality and their greatness of character by preparing well the three barangays comprising the parish. The people of the church help each other so that the celebration is to be done successfully. The many devotees appreciated the preparations made by the people—a showcase of unity and cooperation in faith.

Those who walked the roads for the procession remember that we are a community on a pilgrimage to the Father and we proclaim Jesus as our King. Thus, as subjects to His Kingdom, we ought to live and work for peace, justice, honesty and love so that people on earth may live “as it is in heaven!”

by Clarence Marie A. Domingo

The School Logo

CHRIST is the reason and the center of Catholic education and evangelization. That is why the “Chiro” monogram of Jesus Christ is found at the center and upper most part of the coat of arms. The uppermost section of the logo is also dominated by a “book” which symbolizes the HOLY BIBLE. The writings on it read this way “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life!” It is the source of evangelization and catechesis which is the primary reason of catholic education. On the right side is the EUCHARIST, the “source and summit of Christian life and worship.” At the center is a picture of Saint Anne as she is enshrined in the main altar of the Catholic Church of Piddig.

The lowermost section is dominated by two cultural symbols: the harp on the left and the “burnay” earthen vessels on the right. The harp is a reminder of the cultural riches of Piddig, where Saint Anne Academy is located. The harp reminds the young people of the talents of their forefathers - one Claro Caluya, musician and composer of Ilocano ballads. The “burnay” (a container where local wine called basi, made of sugarcane is kept) reminds the young people of the bravery of the Piddigueños during the Basi Revolt.

The Latin transcriptions read: A.D. 1965 is the date when the school was founded “in the year of the Lord two thousand and sixty five.” Pro Deo Focis et Patria means for God and country. This is taken from the vision-mission of the school.

The colors: BLUE stands for the Blessed Mother and RED for Saint Anne. YELLOW is the color commonly associated with the Roman Catholic Church.

Aking Aklat

Ang aking aklat ay napakahalaga
Binabalot ko pa ito ng pangangalaga
Inaalagaan ko ito ng may paghanga
Dahil aral dito ay kumukuha.
Maraming bagay akong natutunan
Kapag binasa ito at pinagyaman
Marami akong matutuklasan
Na hinding-hindi ko malilimutan.

by Dianna Raquel Fabian, II-Hope

Mundo ng Basura

Sa mundong puno ng basura puno rin ng pangamba.
Taong walang tiyaga, kapaligiran ay baliwala.
Ngunit hindi alintala, sa basura'y makikita,
Bote, karton at lata, mga bagay na may halaga.
Ang mga taong maralita, ang buhay ay basura.
Madilim pa ay tulak na ang kariton sa kalsada.
"Bote! Dyaryo!", ang sigaw niya, tinig na parang musika.
Bote, lata ang gitara, karton naman ang tambol niya.

by Ransie Grace D. Plaza, IV-LOVE

Kapaligiran

Ang ating kapaligiran ay biyaya ng Diyos
Ating pagyamanin at mahalin nang lubos
Ingatan natin baka ito’y maubos
Dahil baka sa huli tayo’y maging kapos.

Iwasang magputol ng puno sa gubat
Huwag magtapon ng basura sa ilog o dagat
Maglinis palagi na siyang nararapat
Ating bigyang suportang lubos at sapat.

Oh, kapaligiran kay rikit mong panoorin
Simoy ng hangi’y kay sarap langhapin
Tinig ng ibo’y kay tamis dinggin
Kasabay ng tubig na kay lamig sisirin.

Kaya mahal kong kababayan
Ating igalang at huwag hayaan
Kapaligiran nating ubod ng yaman
Tungo sa ikauunlad n gating bayan.

by Rosalyn Jaballa, II-Hope

SAA Intramurals 2008

The SAA Intramurals ’08 is one of the most awaited events of the campus. This is to show the talents of the students in their respective line of sports. All players (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors) did their best to win all the games they joined, but then, the reality is “ in every competition there is always a winner and a loser.”



Like may Filipinos, of the most exciting event played was basketball. It went up hard for the seniors to win against the juniors in the elimination rounds with the score of 74-71. After beating the juniors, the seniors faced the sophomores in the finals. It took up an overtime period for the seniors to beat the sophomores. However, still the true spirit of sportsmanship ruled, and the seniors were declared champion.



After 3 days of battling to become the overall champion, seniors who got 41 golds, 15 silvers, and 36 bronze emerged as the champions. The freshmen who got 6 golds, 8 silvers, and 9 bronze were the 4th placer; 3rd placer sophomore got 9 golds, 49 silvers, and 6 bronze, while the juniors got the 2nd place with 36 golds, 20 silvers, and 41 bronze.
Seniors, as they are, proved that they have the spirit and the heart to win.

by Romeo D. Malana

SAA Multi-Purpose Hall groundbreaking ceremenory

December 8, 2008, at nine o’clock in the morning, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, was a very timely date and time for SAA’s Multi-Purpose Hall ground breaking rites which was officiated by the School Director and Parish Priest, Rev. Joel Reynold P. Castillo.

The said ground breaking rites which was led by Rev. Joel Castillo, was witnessed by the members of the faculty, students, parents and alumni representatives. Formally and officially, after the ceremony, the construction of SAA Multi-Purpose Hall began.

The hall will be used primarily by SAA students during school days and on other days by parishioners who are interested to enjoy the fabulous service of the hall like group reading; learning activities; party reception activities; seminar/workshops; outside the church religious activities; canteen services; etc.

by Julius Caesar Madamba

Bishop Utleg spearheads Bike for Ecology 2008

Novermber 15, 2008. Bishop Utleg spearheads the Bike for Ecology through biking from Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Cadaratan, Bacarra to St. John Bosco Parish in Baresbes, Dingras, Ilocos Norte on the occasion for the Cristo Rey Celebration for the year 2008. There are more or less than 150 bikers who joined the activity. The group passed through St. Andrew Parish, Bacarra; St. Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Vintar; Sta. Monica Parish, Sarrat; St. Anne Parish, Piddig and St. James the Greater Parish in Solsona. St. Anne Parish and Saint Anne Academy served cooked bananas, ripe bananas, biscuits, water and coffee to the bikers when they passed by said parish/school. After the snacks, they continued biking going to Baresbes, Dingras passing through St. James the Greater Parish, Solsona, Ilocos Norte.

This sctivity has been done for seven years now with the Commission on Social Action of the Diocese of Laoag as the frontrunner. The purpose of this year’s activity is to promote ecology awareness among our people. It was written in the invitation they gave to us, from Lao Tzu: “If you plan for a year, plant rice; if you plan for ten years, plant trees; if you plan for a hundred years, educate mankind.”

by Mark Anthony C. Pascual

Fr. Joel Castillo leads waste management campaign

Waste creates many problems like floods, pollution and it is one of the reasons of global warming. “Waste is not a harmful thing if we know how to properly dispose,” said Fr. Joel , “yet it is neglected by many people.”

So here at SAA, Fr. Joel Castillo leads the waste management campaign. He teaches everyone to be responsible enough to clean our environment. Segregation is conducted by students as well as teachers. This is one way to show our respect for creation. At SAA, we say NO to ANYTHING that destroys creation: our forests mountains and rivers. We support the Church's program on ecology: “HEAL OUR LAND, SAVE MOTHER EARTH” .

by Crisanto Pascual

Ildefonzo-Lorenzo crowned Mr. & Ms. Instrams 2008

The annual search for Mr. and Miss Intramurals was held last October 8, 2008 at the Gaki Theater of Piddig. There were 15 beautiful and talented ladies and 15 handsome and gorgeous guys who joined the said search.

The candidates were excited and felt nervous as they waited for the fruit of their sacrifices. When the chairman of the board announced the winners, everybody held their breath and Paul John A. Ildefonzo, a III-Faith student under Mrs. Janette C. Villaluz, and Jonna Marie L. Lorenzo, a I-Charity student under Miss Suerte Famela C. Lorenzo were declared Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2008.

In a related development, a week before the final search, all the candidates showed their talents at the Saint Anne Academy Social Hall. As the candidates performed their talents, the audience filled the hall with laughters, joys and excitements. The judges were hard up in selecting the best in talent because all the candidates have different and unique talents. As a result, Eleazer Agustin and Rhonelia Dela Cruz, both IV-Wisdom students under Mr. Marvin Q. Abara (their adviser), garnered the title of Mr. and Miss Talent.

by Haima Chelzea M. Domingo

23 brand new computer units purchased

One of the educational concerns of SAINT ANNE ACADEMY is for the students to become computer literate so as to train them to be globally competitive individuals. For this, the administration recently purchased 23 brand new units of computers now properly installed in the refurbished Computer Room. The new computers are available for SAINT ANNE ACADEMY students during class days. The computer lab boosts also of a router that connects several units to the world wide web. Such internet connection is readily available for the students’ research work. According to Mr. Dominador G. Bernabe, Jr., computer teacher: “there is a plan of the Administration to connect all units to the server.”

With these units of brand new computers plus a refurbished room , the students feel more comfortable and relaxed while enjoying hands-on activities. On the other hand, some of the old computers had been discarded while some are still functioning well.

by Angelica M. Bautista

Themes of Friendship and Sacrifice, Not Prejudice, Come through Shakespeare Play

December 11, 2008 LAOAG CITY - High-school student Sharmaine Mata was among more than 1,000 people laughing and chattering as they watched William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice staged in Filipino at a local college.

The 15-year-old Santa Rosa Academy student was filled with "excitement" and "curiosity," she said, because it was her first time to watch a live play.

Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte province, is 340 kilometers north of Manila.

Mata remembered vividly the character Antonio, who was willing to "sacrifice his life" to help his friend, Bassanio, who needed a large sum of money. Antonio was able to borrow the money for him from Shylock, a greedy moneylender, by agreeing to give a pound of flesh if he failed to pay it back.

Fellow student Jan-Jan Decano, 14, another person UCA News interviewed in connection with the play, was also impressed by Antonio's commitment to his friend. The boy told UCA News it was hard for him "to imagine someone would sacrifice his life just to help out a friend."

Actors' Repertory Theater staged the play on Nov. 29 at Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City, in collaboration with local tourism and education officials. The Manila-based theater group has been touring cities and towns outside the national capital region to promote appreciation of Filipino culture and Christian values through stage plays.

Group member Don Umali said he hopes students in areas where the medium is not popular will deepen their appreciation of theater arts.

The Merchant of Venice, written in the late 1590s, has stirred debate over the Jewish identity of its villain, Shylock. The U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League provides on its website (www.adl.org) a discussion guide for educators on anti-Semitism and The Merchant of Venice. The website says the league seeks to stop defamation of the Jewish people, and secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike.

However, Father Joel Castillo, superintendent for Catholic schools in Laoag diocese, noted that the local audience found the nature of the characters "more important" than their religion and did not express any prejudice."

In Ilocos Norte, people of all religions live in harmony and without prejudice," the school superintendent said on Dec. 11.

Laoag diocese serves Ilocos Norte province. Roughly 67 percent of 658,454 people are Catholics, according to the 2005 Catholic Directory of the Philippines. Most of the rest are other Christians.

Santa Rosa English teacher Mercy Reyes told UCA News teachers appreciated The Merchant of Venice as well. She said it showed students values "we have been teaching them in the classroom."

According to provincial education department records, there are about 20,000 high-school students in Ilocos Norte.

Catholic schools require students to take Christian Life Education where values are taught. The public high-school curriculum integrates values education in Filipino, English literature and other subjects.

On Dec. 8, Father Nolasco Pacua Jr., Laoag's catechetical director, told UCA News each parish provides optional weekly catechism classes for students in public elementary and high schools in their area that have values formation in their curriculum.

The director said about 140 catechists teach 15,000 students.

by Leilani Adriano, UCAN News