Long Range Plan Towards SCQC Golden Jubilee

Siena College, Quezon City (SCQC) celebrated its Ruby Anniversary (40 years) in 1999 which historically coincided with the advent of the new millennium. To carry out the objectives of the millennium SCQC, under the guidance of then school President Sr. Ma. Sofia Taguinod, OP, developed and implemented ten special institutional programs.

Sr. Ma. Sofia. OP once again took on the reigns as the school's president after five years to celebrate SCQC's Golden Jubilee which will culminate on December 19, 2009.

Sr. Ma. Sofia, OP revived discontinued programs and activities that are relevant to the "Moving On..." segment of the Golden Jubilee theme which signifies hope.

The Diwang Pinoy project aims to promote the Filipino culture and heritage by integrating Filipino values into the lessons, to uphold nationalism by wearing Filipiniana attire, to give emphasis on the beauty of Philippine cuisine by teaching students local receipts and to preserve local traditions and rites by performing them on stage. The Tahanang Madre Sebastiana Facility which houses an exhibit showcasing the photos of the beginnings of the Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena was renovated and is now open to the public.

The Cleaning, Greening and Beautification Program, now appropriately titled the Integrity of Creation Program, aims to showcase SCQC as a clean, orderly, well-maintained and beautiful school.

The purpose of the Free Home Study Program is to provide out-of-school youths and adults the opportunity to finish their basic education at home if they cannot attend school.

The Vocational Home Arts Program will grant institutional recognition to existing vocational home arts courses offered at the M. Francisca Skills Training Center by providing certificates.

The Pro-Life, Pro-Family and Pro-Catholic Marriage Program will promote the Christian values of life, mariage counseling, seminars, etc. The program will also work towards setting up an active advocacy program particularly on issues that threaten the sanctity of life, marriage and family like legislative acts on the legalization of euthanasia, abortion, absolute divorse, etc.

The Advocacy Program aims to encourage students and personnel to participate in activities pertaining to the good and welfare of the church, government and the people.

The Speak English Campaign Program is born out of the need for students to know and speak proper English. The program will make the language the lingua franca between and among the members of the school community thus making the students and personnel confident in their English-speaking skills.

The Hermitage Program intends to inculcate a strong sense of communion and love for the Lord. Thus leading the personnel and students to discover how God has been present in their lives.

In 2000, the Socialized Cancellation of Debts served as an avnue for Sienans and SCQC personnel to experience the sacrament of reconciliation as a big source of personal and communal peace, joy and love. The program also implemented a socialized cancellation for debts for personnel and students.

All of the programs and activities are in conjunction with the objectives of the Golden Jubilee Celebration; to fully establish the identity of SCQC as a Catholic Dominican Filipino and Congregational Institution; to arrive at a field of specialization for which the school will be nationally known for: Catholic teacher training school and extension services; to aim at being awarded as a center of excellence and to work towards the expansion of other courses for global competitiveness.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pondo ng Pinoy: A little act of kindness, A step to Heaven

This year, in celebration of its Golden Jubilee, SCQC renews and strengthens its commitment to actively support and participate in the program Pondo ng Pinoy. This program was initiated by the Church in the Philippines under the leadership of Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales and was launched on June 12, 2004 during the first Manila interdiocesan general pastoral assembly. Although it is initiated by the Church, it is a community foundation registered with the Securities and Exchange commision as a non-profit organization that will evolve into "potential mechanism to consolidate efforts at local poverty alleviation". (Paper on Pondo ng Pinoy Movement).

Responsive to the needs of the Filipino people who are living in the desperate condition of poverty, the program's main objective is to lead every Filipino in all walks of life to a "new mindset, a new way of becoming and a new way of living" (Homily of Archbishop Rosales) which is towards love of God and neighbor. This love is translated into concrete acts of sharing and giving to the last, the lost and the least in our society. The little act of love which is done often and consistently through our daily offering of 25 centavos transforms every individual to be compassionate thus bringing about hope to every Filipino who are in dire need of help.

The theology behind the Pondo ng Pinoy is the “Theology of the Crumbs” as illustrated in the Gospel (Luke 16:19-31), the story of Lazarus and the rich man. It reminds us that the little acts of kindness we do out of love can lead us to heaven. Thus making alive the axiom “Anumang magaling, kahit maliit, bata’t malimit ay patunong langit.”

The program is now on its fifth year and His Eminence Archbishop Rosales in his homily reminds us never to be complacent. Our little act of kindness must be constant and never seasonal. It is indeed a challenge for all of us to be renewed and transformed into Sienans who are Maka-Diyos at Maka-Tao.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explaining the Jubilee Theme

BEING BLEST… BLESSING OTHERS… MOVING ON captures the very essence of the grace-filled existence of Siena College, QC for 50 years. As a Catholic, Dominican, Filipino and Congregational school, its reason for being is centered on the Triune God. It is an institution deeply rooted on the three theological virtues of faith, hope and love.

Siena College, QC @ 50 recognizes its being blest. It is reminiscing its past blessings: from a school that was built in a place that looked like a “God-forsaken country” to the hub of educational institutions, business enterprises, government and non-government agencies that it is today. This is our Planning Phase. Remembering our past makes us appreciate the legacy left to us by our forebears and imitate their strong FAITH in Divine Providence.

Siena College, QC @ 50 is blessing others. It is the outpouring of love through our services which we continue to share to others as an institution, a community and individuals. St. James the Greater has said so well, “faith which is kept alive is dead without action.” This is our Missionary Phase. Blessing others is doing our ordinary works with extraordinary LOVE.

Siena College, QC @ 50 is moving on. It is living the charism of St. Dominic, following the apostolic courage of St. Catherine of Siena; reaching the ideals of M. Francisca del Espiritu de Fuentes; and realizing the directions of the Church and the Congregation. In line with all these are our continuing pursuit to underscore spiritual and values education, achive academic excellence and be strong agents of social transformation. This is our Visionary Phase. As we journey towards greater heights we find ourselves “scaling a mountain range of possibilities both peaks and pits.” But we will be guided and strengthened by the virtue of HOPE.

Our being blest is the fruit of steadfast faith;

Blessing others is the sharing of selfless love;

Moving on is relying on unwavering hope.

To the Triune God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, we offer our praise and thanksgiving for all that we have been, are and will be. Amen.

Explanation by Sr. Ma. Sofia Taguinod, OP, school President

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Golden Jubilee Logo

The Golden Jubilee Logo defines graphically the very essence of what we are celebrating this year.

It bears texts and images symbolical of the identity and uniqueness of this great milestone in the history of our dear school Siena College, Quezon City.

The circular shape – symbolizes the on-going and unending task of realizing the Vision-Mission of Siena College, Quezon City.

The Golden Color and the very prominent 50 – express SCQC’s pride and gratitude for turning 50 in the performance of its apostolate and for the far-reaching impact of its presence in the national and global communities through its graduates.

The Dominican-St. Catherine of Siena Seal – This means that SCQC is a member of the network of schools of the OP-Siena Apostolate of education.

The Ribbon – Our school is truly a gift to the community it has been serving. It was conceived in response to the growing educational needs of what seemed, fifty years ago, as a “God-forsaken” area, the then rugged fields of San Francisco del Monte. Now, after fifty years of responding to the needs and demands of the time, of being an agent of change, and of participating in the evangelizing mission of the Church, Siena College, QC. is indeed a gift not just to the country, but also to the world, and to the universal Church.

The above logo was designed by:
Mr. Tony Zamora and the explanation was done by Mrs. Judith Obusan.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCQC Celebrates Grand Alumni Homecoming

As Siena College of Quezon City turns 50 this year, the institution successfully celebrated its Grand Alumni Homecoming last July 25 at the lower quadrangle and Siena Hall, making the revelry “one of the most significant highlights of the year.”

Colorful rides, game booths and food stands filled the lower quadrangle to cater to the needs of alumni, students and teaching and non-teaching personnel who attended the event.

Fr. Mhandy Malijaan, OP, along with Fr. Ricardo Ganisi, OFM and Fr. Edgardo Viscarra, BSE-RE program alumni, was the main presider in the Eucharistic Celebration at SCQC Chapel. Following the mass was the start of the vibrant program held at Siena Hall.

Religious Education students led the Philippine National Anthem and Siena Hymn. Welcome remarks delivered by school president Sr. Ma. Sofia Taguinod, OP followed after. Mrs. Judith Paliza, Alumni & External Affairs Coordinator led the presentation of the Siena College, QC Alumni Association Officers. There were several entertainment numbers during the homecoming. High School batches ‘62 and ‘63 presented dance numbers. The multi-awarded dancers of the Shirley Halili-Cruz School of Ballet performed world class numbers to the delight of the audience.

SCQC Alumni Association president Mrs.. Rosita-Sioson Orbos of HS class ‘67 presented a report on the alumni’s plans and accomplishments. External vice-president of the association Mr. Leo Riingen of GS class ‘76 then presented the alumni logo and batch roll call.

A sumptuous buffer dinner was served afterwards. After dinner, the Sisters and teachers were asked to go up the stage to be acknowledged by the group. There were loving cheers and applause as each one was presented.

The program ended with an inspirational speech given by Mother Teresa Examen, OP, the Prioress General of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena.

As the evening went on, none of the alumni wanted to leave Siena Hall. There was the spirit of nostalgia and excitement to be in each other’s company. The group danced the night away to the tune of the upbeat live band.

This is an occasion every Sienan will remember and proudly exclaim, “HAIL BELOVED SIENA!”