Xavier School is pleased to announce this year’s Xavier Philippines Explorations (XPlore) summer trip — XPlore Bohol-Cebu. The program will be on April 1-6, 2017 and open to all Grade 7 – Grade 11 students.
Application forms will be available starting Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the High School Principal’s Office.
Should you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Ms. Perps Cuevas (HS Filipino) at perpetuaacuevas@xs.edu.ph or 7230481 loc. 340.
Luceat Lux!
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo M. Año ordained new ranks to the members of the military, Friday, January 13, 2017. The ‘donning of ranks’ ceremony of the Generals, Flag Officers and Senior Officers of the Regular and Reserved Force was held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club.
Among the honored officers were Xaverians Marine Colonel Ernesto V. Ravina, Jr. of XS ’79 and Reservist Officer Peter C. Suchianco of XS ’83.
XSKEA 2010 Awardee Marine Col. Ravina, Jr., now a Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Reservist Officer Peter C. Suchianco donned as Brigadier General, January 13, 2017 at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club
Col. Ravina, Jr. is the current Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, while Reservist Officer Suchianco is the Group Commander of the 1st Technical & Administrative Services Brigade (Reserve).
Congratulations and Luceat Lux!
Source : Mr. Richard Sy-Facunda (XS ’83), AFP News.
Last January 14, 2017, the Ai Xin Educational Foundation conducted the 24th annual search for the Outstanding Chinese-Filipino Student Award. The names were released at 5:00pm that day. The following are the awardees:
Rosaline Joy S. Wang ( 王吟思) of Uno High School
Kent Louie Y. Wong (王萬益) of St. Stephen’s High School
Sanielle Meliz Ong (王瑩楹) of St. John Institute in Bacolod
Jinger S. Chong (李尚祝) of St. Jude Catholic School
Gerrick Spencer C. Limsiy (林文昱) of Grace Christian College
Sandy J. Wu (施怡怡) of Philippine Cultural College Main
David Samuel V. Ang (洪德威) of Hope Christian High School
Sedrick Scott S. Keh (陈金鑫) of Xavier School
Eva Sonia Paredes (陈愈翊) of (Davao 龍華)
Trisha T. Huang (黃诗蓉) of Chiang Kai Shek College
Vicente Rafael Chan (曾煥海) of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School
Kimberlee S. Say (刘錦莉) of Philippine Tong Ho Institute in Lucena City
The initial list of 33 representatives from different Filipino-Chinese schools nationwide were asked to go to Fortune Hotel in Binondo, Manila. The contest commenced at 9:00 that morning. The students underwent a 50-minute written examination followed by one-on-one interviews. The interviewers/judges were the following: 颜長江 黄美真 張為舜.
After the serious rigorous screenings and a review of the submitted requirements, including their academic grades, resumes, and good character certifications, the judges came up with a final list of 8 students from NCR and 4 students from provincial schools. Rosaline Joy Wang will represent all the awardees in giving an acceptance speech.
The awarding ceremony of the Outstanding Students will be held on 11 February 2017, Saturday, 9:30am again at the Fortune Hotel in Binondo, Manila. Each awardee will be receiving P24,000 in cash, a trophy, a medal, a certificate and other prizes. The rest of the participants will be receiving P3,000 in cash.
Congratulations, Sedrick! Luceat lux!
May this Chinese New Year of the Fire Rooster
be more positive, more productive and more prosperous!
新年快乐 恭喜发财 万事如意 身体健康 年年有余
The Racing Stallions, Xavier School’s Athletics (Track and Field) Team dominated last Sunday’s Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) Newcomers’ Meet held at the Philippine Sports Complex in Pasig City.
This annual event saw athletes from 10 other schools participating. These schools are Philippine Academy of Sakya, Philippine Cultural College, Pasig Community College, St. Stephen High School, Chang Kai Shek College, Grace Christian College, Hope Christian High School, Chen Kuang High School, Makati Hope Christian High School, and Sun Yat Sen High School. Below are the various individual and team awards the Racing Stallions amassed.
| Category B (Male 13 – 18 years old) | |
| Villareal, Jose Miguel
G12H |
Gold – 100m, 110m Hurdles, Long Jump, 4x100m, 4x400m
Silver – High Jump Most Valuable Athlete |
| Atienza, Ralph Kevin
G10E |
Gold – 200m, 4x100m
Silver – 100m |
| Meguizo, Luigi Alfonso
G12A |
Gold – 400m, 4x400m |
| Bartolome, Andrei Juaquin
G12G |
Gold – 400m Hurdles, 4x400m |
| Lao, Bradley Neil
G12C |
Gold – Javelin Throw, 4x100m |
| Perez, Enrique Mariano
G12F |
Gold – 800m
Silver – 1500m |
| Laurena, Javier Francisco
G12H |
Gold – Shot Put |
| Ong, Matthew Mcray
G10B |
Gold – 4x400m
Bronze – 400m |
| Lu, Morris William
G10I |
Gold – 4x100m
Silver – 200m, Long Jump |
| Gatchalian, Arthur Deiniel
G11C |
Silver – 800m
Bronze – 1500m |
| Tan, Paulino Nathan
G9B |
Bronze – 400m Hurdles |
| Category D (Male 10 years old and younger) | |
| Benitez, Vito Emilio
G4G
|
Gold – 100m, 200m
Silver – Softball Throw Bronze – Long Jump Most Valuable Athlete |
| Over-all Champion in Track events
Over-all 1st Runner-up in Field events |
|
Congratulations and Luceat Lux!
For more action photos, click here.
This February 4 and 5, Xavier School San Juan will have its annual school fair. This year’s fair is entitled, “Odyssey.” The theme of the fair is journeys and adventures. Come and enjoy various game booths and attractions run by the students from Grade 8 to 12. To add to the excitement, we also have catching and marriage booths. We have various events and musical performances. Finally, we will also have rides, like the caterpillar and ferris wheel at the football field.
The school fair runs from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. You may enter through either Gate Gate 9 and exit through Gate 8 or Gate 9. An entrance ticket costs P50 and is good for both days. To avail of the game booths and attractions, you will need to exchange money for chits. It’s P100 for 100 chits.
You are also invited to the annual variety show on Feb. 4, entitled COALESCE: Every Voice Matters”, from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM at the Sports Center. The concert promotes acceptance and the involvement of each and every person within the society. It will feature performances by The Ransom Collective, Oh, Flamingo!, Junior New System, and many other amateur and professional performers. Highlights of the show include a performance from our very own Singing Ensemble and the much anticipated Fashion Show. Entrance to the show is at Gate 4. Variety show tickets cost P350 each.
Just a reminder, Xavier School San Juan will be enforcing a dress code.
We hope you and your family and friends will join us in this grand adventure celebrating 60 years of Xavier School. May the school fair strengthen our community and passion to let our light shine!
The following homily was delivered by Xavier School President Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ last 27 January 2017 during the institutional celebration of the Lunar Chinese New Year 2017 in San Juan and on 30 January 2017 in Nuvali.
When we ushered in the lunar new year last January 28, popular media told us it was the year of the rooster, but in the Chinese language, we actually only say that it’s the year of the chicken—雞年。The chicken can be a hen or a rooster but I suppose in popular culture, the male still dominates so the rooster gets all the attention even if it’s the hen that lays the eggs. Much of our culinary delights come from chickens and eggs rather than roosters.
Well, in a Christian context one might wonder if chickens are ever mentioned in the Scriptures. There are in fact two instances when Jesus mentions them. First, in Matthew 23 (37), when Jesus laments over Jerusalem, he says, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks, but you weren’t willing.” Then a bit later in Matthew 26 (34), Jesus tells Peter that “before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Then Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
These two incidents have to do with the Passion of Jesus that culminated in his death on the cross. He entered into this very painful experience where, after a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his closest friends would betray him and he would be crucified. During that most difficult experience, he used the image of the hen and the rooster to show mercy to his friends. He wanted to gather Jerusalem like a hen gathers her chicks, showing love, tenderness, and protection.
And then when Peter professes total commitment to him, making it sound like he would do anything for the Lord, Jesus predicted that before the rooster crows as Friday dawns, Peter would deny him three times. Peter was there accompanying Jesus in his final hours, but when confronted by the authorities, he denied that he knew Jesus. The Friday rooster is a reminder to us of our weakness; a reminder of all the times when we forget about Jesus and do as we please; a reminder of the times when we make bad choices; a reminder of the times when we are proud and arrogant instead of humble and kind.
Jesus knows us intimately. He knows our weakness and he wants us to be aware of it too. The Friday rooster crows to awaken us. But the rooster makes other reminders too. The second reminder is not explicitly recorded in the Bible, but we know that ever since God created roosters, they have taken it upon themselves to remind the world that a new day is dawning.
In fact, before alarm clocks were invented, the rooster was the alarm clock! When the rooster crows, it is time to get out of bed! The rooster starts crowing when it is still dark, literally at the break of dawn, and it is at such a moment that Mary Magdalene and the other women get up and go to the tomb of Jesus, wanting to anoint his body. The Sunday rooster crows and calls them to their task, but when they arrive there, they find an empty tomb and the angel tells them to go and proclaim that Jesus is risen. He is alive!
Jesus has endured suffering and death to redeem us from all those times when we have sinned and denied him. By rising to new life, he offers us the gift of reconciliation. We know that Peter, after hearing the good news, rushes to the tomb to see for himself that Jesus is no longer there. After denying Jesus three times, Jesus gives him the chance to redeem himself by asking him to declare his love three times as well (John 21). Peter is then given the mission of taking care of the Church, God’s flock, as the first Pope.
For a Christian, the rooster’s crow is a reminder not only of our sins, but also of the new life that dawned on Easter Sunday. Between the Friday rooster and the Easter Sunday rooster, the choice is obvious.
Because of this idea of the Easter rooster, a Pope in the 9th century decreed that all churches should have a rooster displayed on top of their buildings. This became a popular custom in Europe and over time, the rooster became part of the weather vane design. A weather vane lets one know the direction of the wind—north, south, east or west. People just had to look up to see which direction the rooster was facing to know the direction of the wind.
During this new year, let the Easter rooster be our guide. Let us remember to look upon the Risen Christ and take our direction from him. We may be living in very uncertain times, but God gives Jesus to us as our companion and friend, there to provide direction and meaning.
Photos by Ian Chua and Ramon Tan Climaco of the Grade School Media Team
Photos by Marco Millan (12E), XS Media Team
Photos by Mr. Luke Santos, XSN HS Social Science Teacher
The institutional programs of the Lunar New Year of the Rooster were held after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist last 27 January 2017 at San Juan and last 30 January 2017 in Nuvali.
Photos by Andre Sevilla, Ethan Chua, Ian Chua and Nicolai Ong of the Grade School Media Team
Photos by Marco Millan (G12E), XS Media Team
Photos by Mr. Luke Santos, XSN HS Social Science Teacher
7 February 2017
Admissions at Xavier School Nuvali for School Year 2017 – 2018 is still open for Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 7. Kindly access the admissions policy, procedure and documents here.
Please be guided accordingly. Thank you.
Date: 10 February 2017
To: The Xavier School Community
From: The School President
Re: Jesuit Statement: Standing Up for Life
———————————————————————————————————————————
I would like to share with you a statement made by Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, on behalf of all Jesuits in the Philippines. As a Jesuit and Catholic institution, we stand behind this as well as recent statements from the Archdiocese of Manila and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in support of a consistent ethic of life in our society.
I invite you to read and reflect on the attached statement and take appropriate action.
To the Whole Province, Standing Up for Life, 2017
Thank you very much.
(sgd.)
Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ, Ph.D.
School President
Last February 4, the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild (MTG), Philippines, a non-stock and non-profit organization of Math teachers, and the DepEd NCR conducted the 2017 MTG-Sharp-DepEdNCR Math Trail and Problem Solving Competition finals at The Skydome, SM North Edsa, Quezon City.
One of the main objectives of the competition is to provide an in-depth experience to students to learn mathematics in a collaborative manner.
Four high school students from Xavier School, all members of the Xigma Club, participated as a team. These students are Matthew Shawn K. Tansiongkun (G8B), Steven Gabriel K. Chua (G9A), Ryan Mark L. Shao (G10A), and Kimmayong T. Ayahao (G11A).
The team initially ranked 5th during the elimination round held last January 25, making them advance automatically to the finals. Out of the 21 schools participating in the final rounds, the XS team was victorious in winning first place. The team worked closely during the entire contest, going from one checkpoint to the next, arranged in ascending difficulty. The team received a cash prize of Php 7,500.00, medals, and certificates, and a 16″ Dowell stand fan for the school.
Xavier School congratulates these hard working students for a job well done! May they continue to nurture their passion for Math and excel in everything they do. Luceat lux!
Photos by Mr. Francis Angeles, HS Math dept.
Last January 21, 2017, the national finals for the 19th Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO) was held at the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (NISMED) Building at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. PMO is the oldest and most prestigious nationwide mathematics competitions among secondary school students and the breeding ground for the country’s representative for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). Among the twenty-two national finalists was Xavier School’s very own Sedrick Scott S. Keh of Grade 12A. Sedrick passed through the qualifying stage and area stage of the PMO before making it to the finals.
The first part of the national finals was a written test with four questions given for 4.5 hours. The second part, on the other hand, was an oral competition where fifteen easy questions–ten average questions and five difficult questions,–were asked.
The day ended with the awarding of the national finalists and the top three scorers for the national finals, together with a formal dinner with the parents and coaches of the finalists. The awarding ceremony was also graced by members of the Mathematics Society of the Philippines (MSP).
During the awarding, Dr. Richard B. Eden, team leader of the 2016 IMO Philippine Team, gave a report on the Philippine participation to the 2016 IMO. He also talked about the process that the national finalists will go through this coming May to determine the country’s representative for the IMO on July of this year.
As one of the national finalists for this year’s PMO, Sedrick received a medal and a certificate. He will also be part of the roster of trainees for the IMO. Aside from this, he will also be joining the Asian Pacific Mathematical Olympiad on March 14, 2017.
Congratulations, Sedrick and luceat lux!
for Others, The 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Concert was held last 11 February 2017 at the Meralco Theatre in Pasig City.
It was the 6th of June, 1956, when Xavier School (then known as Kuang Chi School) took in students for the first time using makeshift facilities in Echague (now Carlos Palanca Street), Quiapo. The Founding Fathers of Xavier School, led by the indefatigable Fr. Jean Desautels, SJ, had been exiled from China but put their missionary zeal to work by turning their attention to the evangelization of the Chinese in the Philippines. They started small, with only 170 students, but by December of 1960 the school had moved to its present location in San Juan and after 60 years of continuous operation, has produced more than ten thousand graduates (to be exact: 10,206).
With the concert, dubbed for Others, the school brings to a close its 60th anniversary or Diamond Jubilee celebration. The concert title is taken from the Jesuit educational vision of forming men and women for others, an idea that also found expression in the 60th anniversary jubilee tagline, “Xavier For Others Forever”. This show, which features the best of our homegrown talents, highlights the self-offering of Xaverians who are sharing their talents in music and dance for causes greater than themselves.
Resources generated from this concert will contribute to financial aid for deserving students at our San Juan and Nuvali campuses, and empowerment of the poor at the Fr. Pierre Tritz Institute-ERDA Tech, Xavier’s adopted school.
Let me take this opportunity to thank the Chairman of our XS60 Jubilee Committee, Mr. Jacinto Ng, Jr. (XS ’86), for his passion in inspiring the community to give back as a fitting way to mark our anniversary. I also thank Mrs. Zsa Zsa Yu for spearheading the organizing committee of this concert on top of her many duties at our Nuvali campus, where two new buildings are about to be constructed.
As we say at Xavier School, Luceat Lux! Let your light shine!
Aristotle C. Dy, SJ
President
Xavier School
DRAGON AND LION DANCE
Xavier Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe
CHINESE SWORD DANCE
Grade 1 Students
CHINESE CULTURAL RIBBON DANCE
Xavier School Nuvali Students
CHINESE CULTURAL FAN DANCE
Xavier School Nuvali Students
MAN IN THE MIRROR
Peter Caimbon
BRAVE
Grade School Children’s Choir
WHEN YOU BELIEVE
Casey Copengco
YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
Christopher Ong
OUT THERE
Marvin Ong
HERE COMES THE SUN
Angklung Ensemble
GO THE DISTANCE
Christopher Yu
IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
De Novo
XAVIER MEDLEY
Peter Caimbon
Marvin Ong
Christopher Yu
De Novo
Palan Reyes – Accompanist
NGAYON AT KAILANMAN
NAIS KO
Basil Valdez
IPAGPATULOY MO, GALING NG PILIPINO
Peter Caimbon
Casey Copengco
Christopher Ong
Marvin Ong
Christopher Yu
TAGUMPAY NATING LAHAT
Grade School Children’s Choir
HIP HOP DANCE MEDLEY
Dance X
BRAND NEW DAY
Entire Cast
Last 15 February 2017, the high school unit celebrated the Feast of St. Claude de la Colombiere. In the same Mass, Bro. Cosme Carlo A. Lacang , S.J. pronounced his “Renovation of Vows.” Below is the homily he delivered.
Good morning.
By now, I’m sure, you have watched the three Jolibee commercials that have left the entire country crying and tweeting and posting and even debating. Maybe some of you have had enough with these videos, but let’s talk very briefly about them.
The first to be released, of course, is about two people who, sharing the same liking for spicy fried chicken and pineapple juice, become best friends. And despite the man’s showing of great care and affection for the girl, he ends up being just a guest at her wedding. We can deeply love without expecting to get anything in return, we are told.
The second commercial has a happier ending. The boy who leaves behind burgers with sweet messages for the girl he has a crush on ends up spending the rest of his life with her. Don’t give up on love, we are told.
The third, for me, is extra special and a little unique. Here we do not see blossoming love—we see instead what real love might more realistically look like. In this story, we see love not as an act of possessing, not as a glowing feeling that comes with “happy ever after”—we see love as an abiding presence that assures and never abandons. It might help if we watch this short video again. (video)
The father, who had passed away maybe months before that scene, makes it a point to still remind his wife, through their son, of his undying love for her. See, fleeting love wants to posses; real love stays, real love assures. We stay with people we truly care for. We always feel the need to assure them that they are OK, that things will be fine, that they have nothing to worry about.
I don’t know about you, but when my parents call me and tell me that things are not fine at home or that one of them needs to go to the doctor for check-up, I always grope for words that would allow me to reach out to them and offer them assurance. Assurance is a fundamental need of the human heart.
The Jesuit vocation of St. Claude de la Colombiere, whose feast we celebrate today, can best be understood when we link it to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
A few years after his ordination, the young and promising Claude de la Colombiere was missioned to a little-known faraway village in eastern France. This puzzled many and led people to believe that his Jesuit superiors wanted Fr. Claude to be the spiritual director and companion to a Visitation nun, Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who was gaining some prominence because of her claim to seeing Jesus in private visions. Alacoque at that point was greatly suffering because people did not believe her, and some members of her local community even persecuted her and made her feel unwanted and isolated. With the guidance and careful spiritual accompaniment of Fr. Claude, Sr. Margaret Mary felt assured in her desire to make the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus known. The once timid and hesitant nun was transformed (by St. Claude’s gentle assurance) into a tireless propagator of this great devotion. Assurance of other people’s worth—to tell them that they are good, that they’re doing well—can go a long way. When was the last time you strengthened someone with a kind work or your assuring presence?
What is the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus all about? Simply put, it is us, broken people, coming near to Jesus who promises to give the overflowing richness of his open heart. It is God reaching out to us, offering his heart, assuring us that no matter how far we run away from him, no matter how often we choose to let go of him, he is there, waiting to receive us back with forgiveness. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is God’s supreme assurance that nothing can ever separate us from his love.
How do I understand my act of “renovating” my three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Society of Jesus? I see it as way to renew my part in this very important ministry of assurance. I want to continue being an instrument of God in his work of assuring people—that they are loved, that there is a way to see hope in every situation, and that life is beautiful. It is to people like “John” (a former student of mine, not his real name) who yesterday (Valentine’s Day) posted on social media: “Hi, I am John and no one loves me” that you and I are being called to do the work of assurance.
I ask, too, for your prayers: that this God who has called me to Jesuit life may continue to assure me along this path.”
Make this year’s Lent more meaningful and relevant by following the “Lenten Carbon Fast Calendar”, a 40-day Lenten calendar from the website of Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, that will make you take part in Pope Francis’s invitation to preserve, love and care for God’s creation through daily acts of reducing your carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide (CO₂), produced to directly or indirectly support human activities.
Starting this Lent, be concerned with the environment and reduce your contribution to global warming by lessening your carbon footprint and reducing global warming. “Give up” some conveniences and engage in the suggested activities to help you strengthen your relationship with others and Mother Earth and develop more sustainable and environmentally friendly habits.
To view the calendar, click the link below:
Lenten Carbon Fast Calendar 2017
Resources:
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/
http://timeforchange.org/what-is-a-carbon-footprint-definition
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science
http://timeforchange.org/cause-and-effect-for-global-warming
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/carbon-footprint.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/carbon-offset.htm
http://timeforchange.org/responsibility_and_carbon_footprint
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.com/2017/02/24/pope-francis-message-for-lent-2017/comment-page-1/
http://www.ecojesuit.com/what-must-i-do-to-reduce-my-co2-equivalent-emissions/5814/
http://www.dailyworld.com/story/opinion/2017/02/16/19-things-give-up-lent-arent-chocolate/98005614/
http://w5.xs.edu.ph/2015/03/03/fasting-from-polluting-a-proposal-for-lent-2015/
http://icm.org.uy/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Pope-Francis.jpg
Last February 1, 2017, the Department of Science and Technology–Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) held its annual Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). YES awards is a special ceremony held to honor students for winning Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals in recognized international Mathematics and Science competitions.
Three grade school and eleven high school students from Xavier School were recognized during the YES awards. These students are:
Shaun Jacob Cua of 2G (Math)
Aaron Gabriel Chua of 3H (Math)
Yuan Manolo Ramirez of 4A (Math)
Sean Eugene Chua of 7C (Math)
Richwyn Cedric Ong of 8C (Math)
Matthew Shawn Tansiongkun of 8B (Math)
Ryan Mark Shao of 10A (Math)
Kimmayong Ayahao of 11A (Math)
Alexander Bernard Go of 11A (Math)
Xuanye Li of 11A (Math)
Steven Justin Sy of 11A (Math)
Robin Christopher Yu of 12A (Informatics)
Jose Benito Tinhay of 11H (Robotics) and
Philippe Miguel Wee of 9G (Robotics)
Xavier School congratulates these students for bringing pride and glory not only to Xavier School but to the Philippines as well. Luceat lux!
The following photos were provided by parents of of Yuan Manolo Ramirez, Shaun Jacob Cua, and Aaron Gabriel Chua:
The following photos were obtained from the from the Facebook account of the Science Education Institute–DOST:
Last February 13, 2017, the University of the Philippines Mathematics Majors’ Circle (UP MMC), a non-sectarian, non-partisan, academic organization duly recognized by the Institute of Mathematics, College of Science, UP Diliman, held its 29th Annual Inter-high School Mathematics Competition, MATHirang MATHibay.
Living up to the name of the competition, MATHirang MATHibay has several rounds until only one team remains. It started with a written elimination round where out of 47 teams only 25 teams proceeded to the oral round.
At the oral round, the 25 teams went through a more tedious screening. This round was divided into 12 tiers. At the first two tiers, no team was eliminated. However, in the third tier, teams began to get eliminated, two teams per tier. The oral round ended with the last four surviving teams.
The final round of the competition became more exciting and challenging. Five waves were given with an easy, an average, and a difficult question for each wave before the final winners were announced.
Xavier School was represented by two teams. The first team was composed of Ryan Mark Shao (G10A), Mark Christopher Uy (G12A) and Sedrick Scott Keh (G12A) Their team won 2nd place (Mas Mathibay) with a 0.5 difference from the first place team. The team received Php 15,000 cash prize, a medal, and a trophy.
The second team was composed of Xuanye Li (G11A), Alexander Go (G11A) and Matthew Johann Uy (G12D) who reached Tier 10 and ended at 9th place. They received a certificate.
The achievement of these teams is another record for Xavier School as the last time Xavier School entered the final round was last 2006’s Mathirang Mathibay.
Xavier School congratulates the teams as they worked hard and persevered to excel and survive in this prestigious competition. Luceat Lux!
The Xavier School Athletics Department announces the 2017 Summer Sports Program!
Get kids into sports this summer! Great opportunities to learn new skills, improve fitness levels, and develop self-confidence and character.
All courses are open to boys and girls(including non-Xavier students). Please note that the following terms and conditions shall apply to all courses:
Enrolment for the summer sports program starts on March 6. You may secure additional registration forms from the Cashier’s office. Please follow this link for program details 2017 Summer Sports Program.
March 4th will go down in Xavier history books as a glorious day. It was not your average game played on the beloved Xavier Lower Field. However, it was the day the blue and gold brought pride and glory home once more.
This team endured an eventful journey, to say the least, as the first phase saw heartbreak when it mattered most. The second phase brought about real promise as somehow, the team found itself in a game for the finals. From what looked like the end of the line for a team that consisted heavily of seniors going out on the pitch for one last run of a season, the great field to which many call home, to finally giving back to the team that poured its heart and soul into the game. With the team given one last chance to close at the season with a bang and end a four year drought of trophies, seizing the finals was all that was left to do after a convincing 6-1 win in the semi-finals. The Stallions were once again treading the well-worn road to the finals trail blazed by generations of Xaverians before them to see if this team had one more game in it. The journey was still very much underway as the team came face to face with the only other unbeaten team in the league, the ever formidable Claret School of Quezon City.
Even a light shower could not dampen the hopes of HS Selection A as they took to the field to fight for the crown as RIFA Champions. It was an incredible day for the team as they were able to emerge on top on home soil in front of an energized crowd of supporters after a hard-fought 4-3 win against fierce competition.
The game was truly championship-worthy as onlookers were treated to an incredible 7 goal thriller with the game going down to the wire. Xavier was able to take an early lead thanks to an early goal by Gab Noel. However, Claret was able to reply swiftly with a quick goal of their own to even out the score and set the tone for the game.
Soon after, another pair of goals were traded between the teams as Nico Anonas rose high to meet a well taken corner kick. At this point, both teams seemed evenly matched and would be able to go on forever in a pound for pound fight. However, an inspiring run saw Carlos Roleda rifle in a shot from the near post to leave the opposing keeper with no chance whatsoever. And even then, the opponent was able to answer back with an incredible effort by their forwards to even up the game for the third time. Not wanting to be outdone, Xavier called upon the services of Carlos once more as he dominated his defender to slot in the game winner to seal the game.
It was the perfect capping off for an otherwise, long and arduous season that saw the team lose star players to injury and endure heartbreak after heartbreak. Thankfully, the team was able to overcome these challenges and emerge on top and end an undefeated second phase on a positive note. Most importantly however, they were able break the 4 year curse that has plagued the school’s senior teams and give the school a chance to properly send off these seniors with a championship and an undefeated season for the record books.
Special thanks is in order for the coaches who poured their heart into this team, parents and their unwavering support ‘til the very end, the opponents for a great game, for the fans who came to support the team, and most importantly God who gave us, and most especially the seniors, one last chance to bring pride and glory to the school in the famed yellow jersey. #Champions #OnePrideOneGlory
Photo courtesy of Xavier School Media Team and PORQFOLIO
We adore you O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world
Scripture:
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1 Cor 11: 23-26)
Reflection:
The only time I ever got to witness someone die right before my eyes was when my aunt slowly succumbed to cancer. We had months to prepare for that sad event, but it was still painful to see someone you love slowly fade away. We tried to offer her help, asking her what we could do to relieve her of her physical pain. She did not ask anything for herself. Instead, she just mentioned one request: that everyone in the family come together and see her for the final time. This we all did promptly, and the minutes we spent assuring one another with words of support and love form part of my best childhood memories.
It is often said that what a dying person does and what she says before she dies speak a lot about who she is and what is important to her. This is very understandable: when you have certain death before you, your most natural instinct is to affirm what it is in life which for you is most important and most beautiful.
Jesus knew he was about to be put to death. What does he do hours before his death? He does not preach to a crowd or perform more miracles. Instead, he gathers friends to a meal where he tells them that they are his friends and that even after this night, they ought to celebrate this friendship.
This is what is important to Jesus, the summary of his three-year ministry, the spirit with which he celebrated the first Eucharist during the Last Supper, and the very heart of the Lenten season: to gather the lost, the least, and the last in friendship with God and with one another.
