HIGHLIGHTS

Xaverians Bag Awards Left and Right
Ms. Aimee Apolinario, HS Assistant Principal for Academics

Photos courtesy of Joseph Cheng, Stallion Photographer

Posted Monday, 11-Dec-2006 12:18 PM

      After almost the one-week break from the usual school schedule, the High School community gathered last December 5, 2006 for a special general assembly at the HS gym.

      The morning began with the blessing of the advent wreath and the lighting of its first candle. Fr. Guy Guibelondo, S.J., Campus Minister led the simple rites. This was followed by a brief opening speech by the Principal reminding the students of the changes to come due to the disrupted schedule.

      The highlights of that morning came in the form of a barrage of awards and achievements were announced in the assembly. First on stage was Ms. Grace Manatad (HS Math) to announce the winners in the recent Mathinik Contest held the Ateneo where our team won third place. Ms. Donalyne Lampa (HS English), Stallion moderator also announced two victories from Laurence Go (H4B) for bringing home 3rd runner-up honors in the recently concluded Regional Press Conference, and Alexander Ang (H4H) who bagged the first prize as well as Php10,000 in The Advocates for Youth essay writing contest.

      Mr. Larry delas Penas, Athletics Coordinator, had the spotlight focused on several varsity teams starting with the swimming team that won 1st runner-up in the boys division (all age group) of the Rev. Fr. Peter Yang Memorial Invitational Swimming Championships last November. Individual swimmers were also recognized for their outstanding performance. These boys were: (boys 15 yrs. old & under) Alister Lusuan (H2C) - most outstanding and most valuable swimmer, Carlo Yao (H2G) - 2nd placer 400 meter relay, Kevin Sy (H2G) - 2nd placer 400 meter relay medley and Kevin Chuahiock (H2G) - 2nd placer 400 meter relay medley. Incidentally, Raphael Ibaviosa (H3G) was also awarded most outstanding and most valuable swimmer in the 16 yrs. old & under boys division in the same swim meet.

      Next to be called were the members of the Xavier Football club who bagged 3rd place honors in the Alaska Football Cup 2006 (boys - 14 yrs. old/ born 1992 – 1993 division) last November at the Alabang Country Club.

      The Juniors basketball team was also called for grabbing the title from two-time champion San Juan National High School last November 22 in the concluding game of the San Juan Inter-High School Basketball League. This is the team’s second championship for this school year.

      Finally, the HS volleyball team was given recognition for winning 2nd place in the Interscholastic Sports Association (ISSA) volleyball tournament.  Furthermore, the team also won championship in the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) volleyball league. This makes them back-to-back champions in the said tournament.

      Apart from sports, journalism and academics, a couple of Xaverians also shone in the field of debate. Peterson Poon (H3A) and Patrick Cocabo (H4E) competed in the final round of Inquirer 2bU! Inter-School Debating Championship, a national debate competition that ran from November 6-10. aside from being in the finals, Xavier also got the Best Speaker Award, which was bestowed upon Peterson Poon of H3A.

      Just when the body thought that awarding time was over, another Xaverian was called this time to be recognized for winning first place in a Chinese Singing Contest. Christopher Ong (H4F) bagged this victory last December 2.

      As for the climax of this long list of awardees, Dance X came bouncing and tumbling to their beat as they performed their winning routine in the Skechers Street Dance Contest held at the Araneta Coliseum last December 2. It was a first in Xavier history and the energetic team danced with might showing everyone why they beat 12 other high schools and bagged the championship. Moreover, they brought home Php100,000 from the said contest. In addition two of them were given special prizes. Raynard Yu (H3F) was awarded the Skechers Style Award. While Jon Chris Genato (H2E) was given the Skechers Free Style Award from among 26 contestants from both HS and college divisions.

      In the same assembly, the winners in the Xtreme Classroom Makeover Contest were also announced by the Likas Gilas Committee head, Ms. Aimee Apolinario. Furthermore, as fitting end to the Likas Gilas celebration in the previous week, she said, “Ang mga parangal at gantipalang nakamit natin sa iba’t ibang larangan ay tanda na likas ang gilas ng mga Xaverian.”

      In his closing remarks, Fr. Johnny Go , S.J., school director, reminded the students that one cannot simply rely on their natural talent that lies within; everyone needs to work hard in order to develop it. Moreover, these are gifts from God that need to be shared to others. On that note, Fr. Go urged the student body to get organized to help the typhoon victims in Bicol. On a lighter note and to the delight of the students, the director confirmed that Friday, December 8 remains as a holiday in observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

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