Start of Christmas vacation kicked off with incessant parties

Parents, employees, and students of Divine Word College of Urdaneta made December 14 an event worth remembering via activities like Social Bingo, Class Christmas Party, and the culminating event of the day, the DWCU Employees Christmas Party.

Before the students and their advisers had their own Christmas parties, the community took this day as an opportunity to gather and celebrate a different kind of party at St. Michael Gymnasium through the Bingo Social, an activity sponsored by the PTA. Led by no other than Mr. Julio Parayno III, PTA and Alumni President, the PTA went all-out in giving something in return by

Mr. Julio Parayno III - DWCU-PTA President

giving the proceeds of the Bingo Social to the teachers and non-teaching personnel of DWCU. Different prize money was given for each round of the game, the highest which was 5,000 pesos. The second year high school students provided the entertainment part of the event with their Christmas-themed intermission numbers.

Sir Louise Lorian served as the Game Master of the said affair.

The end of the said gathering begins with the start of another celebration and that is the Homeroom Christmas Party of the different departments of DWCU. Each group had their parties in the different areas of the campus. It was a great opportunity for the students and teachers to savor the foods they brought to feast upon and a great moment to cherish the memories they impart to each other from the time they had their parlor games, skits of ala-Boy Pickup in proportion up to the time they hand out their gifts not only to their monito or monita but also to their friends and teachers as well. At the end of the day, the students left for the start of their Christmas vacation anticipating the coming of 2012 with high hopes.

DWCU - PTA Officers

If for the students the party was already over, for the DWCU employees, it was just about to begin.

All the hustle and bustle from morning till afternoon of December 14 won’t keep the teachers and non-teaching personnel drained of all their energies. They still have until evening to enjoy the party which was exclusively for them.

Each department: elementary, high school, college, and non-teaching had the chance to show their competitive dancing prowess through different novelty songs. That was just the beginning because it was not only a competition in dancing talent but also in parlor games adeptness. It was all a worthwhile moment to enjoy the company of each other breaking from the routines that each employee was used to. Even the SVD Fathers led by Fr. Gil T. Manalo, the school president, took the stage to present their own song number. During the party, a photo montage of the employees with their families was also presented as a tribute and symbolism of the community coming together to be united in celebrating this special day as a family.
Prizes given by different sponsors were also raffled during the party. Some were somehow lucky to be picked while others were so much lucky for the prizes they have won. To end the evening, gifts were exchanged, community singing transpired, and greetings were exchanged with each other.

As each employee go home to their real families, they brought something to impart to them with what they had about December 14, be it food, gifts, or something like a story – an experience they had with parents, students, and their colleagues of this eventful day.

DWCU Employees having fun during their Christmas Party

Book Giving Outreach Program

Last October 27, 2011, DWCU conducts BIGAYAN: A bookgiving outreach program in line with its 45th Founding Celebration, with the theme, DWCU @ 45: Dreaming, Witnessing, Celebrating and Upholding the SVD Core Values, to public elementary and high schools in Urdaneta City. The said event is a project of the DWCU Library in cooperation with the College Student Council.

The recipients of this Bookgiving Outreach Program are Nancalobasaan Elementary School, P.T. Orata Elementary School, Cabuloan Elementary School, Badipa Elementary School, P.T. Orata National High School, Cayambanan National High School, Nancalobasaan National High School, Cabuloan National High School and Badipa National High School.

750 books were distributed to these recipient schools that aim to share to them reference books from the school library which will help public school students in enriching their knowledge and also to give gratitude to educational institutions that helped DWCU grow for the past 45 years.
The institution will again conduct another bookgiving outreach program this upcoming January 2012.

The recipients of the Book Giving Outreach Program of DWCU

Symposium on Sexuality

“Is it ok to have pre-marital sex?” That is a common question among teens and engaged couples. Perhaps, some are in a relationship that is progressing in that direction, but are not sure what to do. In many aspects, there are probable weighing of pros & cons of pre-marital sex. On the positive side of the scale, there is acceptance from your peers, hope for pleasure, and fulfillment of sexual desires. The negative side of the scales carries the weights of morals, fear of pregnancy or disease and guilt. How do these scales balance? What is the right decision?

“No matter how wise a man, he still will need counsel to make right decisions.” This proverb marked the noble purpose of the event happened last 13th of October, 2011. A symposium on Pre-marital Sex, wherein students attentively listened and participated actively and managed to behaved properly for almost four hours of lecture. The said event was organized by the AB Psychology Students – Ms. Nika Paula L. Paulo, Sheena Isvet T. Castro and Mr. Joseph R. Gonzales with the guidance and support of their dynamic instructor in Psychology, Mrs. Marissa T. Sanchez. This is an information service being rendered by the Guidance Office that aimed to make everyone aware about this current menace in our country. The do’s and don’ts once confronted into situation on state of dilemma especially on love and sex, through the shared knowledge of the very able resource speakers who were invited to discuss and share something about their point of views in the following areas; a) Parental Side – Mrs. Ma. Corazon O. Bustria b) Medical Side – Dr. Cecilia D. Tolete, M.D c) Psychological Side – Mrs. Marissa T. Sanchez  and d) Spiritual Side – Frt. John Ferdinand M. Cruz, SVD

Sex is pleasure, but in God’s view, the primary purpose of sex is not recreation, but rather re-creation. In other words, sex is for reproduction. God does not limit sex to married couples to rob pleasure from those who are unmarried. Rather, God commands against pre-marital sex in order to protect unmarried people from unwanted pregnancies, from children born to parents who do not want them, and protect children from parents who are not prepared for them. Imagine for a moment, a world without premarital sex. There would be no sexually-transmitted diseases, there would be no unmarried mothers, there would be no unwanted pregnancies, no abortions. The bottom line of this, according to the Bible is, abstinence is God’s only policy when it comes to premarital sex. Abstinence saves lives, protects babies, gives sexual relations the proper value, and most importantly, abstinence honors God.

By: Nika Paula L. Paulo,IV-Psychology Student

The staff of The Vine, the school publication of Divine Word College of Urdaneta took home the 1^st place overall in Elementary category and 2^nd place overall in Secondary category in the recently held Division Schools Press Conference last October 12 and 13 at the Urdaneta City National High School.

The staffers composed of campus journalists from both high school and elementary of DWCU acquired some of the major places in the different events of the said contest. In the High School Department, the Broadcasting Team in Filipino won as champion in Radio Broadcasting (Filipino). Meanwhile, in the elementary, Jennifer Louisse D. De Leon and Raphaell B. Ridao both stood up as champion in Editorial Writing (Filipino) and Editorial Cartooning (Filipino) respectively. The same goes with the Radio Broadcasting Team of Elementary who won the Radio Broadcasting (English) in the Elementary Department.

The winners of the DSPC, the top seven in the individual writing contests and the first place winners in the Radio Broadcasting in Filipino and English, earned them the right to participate in the Regional Schools Press Conference that will be held some time later on December or January.

Other winners from DWCU for the said event are listed below this article.

DWCU BAGS SECOND RUNNER-UP OVERALL

IN ENGLISH FESTIVAL

Divine Word College of Urdaneta students never faltered to impress as they walked off as second runner-up overall in English Festival last October 10 at Lananpin National High School. Included in their takings are first places in Oratorical Contest and Essay Writing.

Despite postponements of the event due to typhoon and conflict of schedules with other academic contest, the English Festival was finally conducted at the said date with DWCU participating in different contests namely; quiz bee, poem recitation, oration, declamation, dramatic monologue, news reporting, essay writing and choric speech.  The participating students of DWCU along with their coaches led by Mrs. Merly Dela Cruz did their best as representatives of the school.

Jamiah E. Tablada and Princess Ashley S. Tomas, both students of IV-St. Arnold, won their contest in Oration and Essay Writing contest. DWCU also got two second placers in News Reporting and Dramatic Monologue, third place in Poem Recitation, 5^th place in Declamation, 6^th place in Choric Speech, and 7^th place in Quiz bee, thus, earning them the points to acquire the second runner-up overall in the said contest.

The complete awards taken by DWCU for the English Festival are listed below:

DIVISION ENGLISH FESTIVAL

Quiz Bee (7^th place):  

Jessica Bren Cezar
Dexene Lopez
Erika Francheska Omanito
Kyle Grace Dela Cruz
Coach: Mr. Romeo Laforteza

 Poem Recitation (3^rd place):

 Nicole Bristol
Coach: Mrs. Merly S. Dela Cruz

Oratorical Contest (1^st place):   

Jamiah E. Tablada
Coach: Mr. Raymond Lopez

                  Declamation (5^th place):              

Raiza Esther Paul Moreno
Coach: Mr. Raymond Lopez

                  Dramatic Monologue (2^nd place):            

Ruby Rose Moreno
Coach: Mr. Raymond Lopez

        News Reporting (2^nd place):       

Lesley Ablan
Coach: Mr. Romeo Laforteza

            Essay Writing (1^st place):            

Princess Ashley Tomas
Coach: Mrs. Merly Dela Cruz

       Choric Speech (6^th place):           

  Patricia Ganigan
Nikka Tablada
Niña Charisse G. Evangelista
Hazel Joy Estigoy
Johara Egar
Kimvirly Zayat
Kezel Ann Eugenio
Tiffany Nicole Itchon
Geralyne Calica
Krisna Mae Venenciano
Kyle Shean Armas
Tristan Parayno
Sarah Mortela
David Bruce Enrile
Kimberly Maglaqui
Elybenz Toreno
Rikki Alecs Landingin
Sofia Abdul Latiff
Gio Tolentino
Samuel Abad

Thanks to You Ma’am & Sir!

The community of the Divine Word College of Urdaneta observed and celebrated the “Teachers’ Day” on October 4, 2011.   It was held at 1:00 in the afternoon at the Saint Michael Gymnasium. It was done to appreciate the new heroes of our generation.

The program was hosted by two of the school’s students as Emcees. The first part was the displaying of the “WE LOVE AND THANK YOU TEACHERS” sign. Each letter was held by the class mayor of each class. And one by one, they fetch their advisers from their seats to bring them up the stage to give them tokens like ribbons and a BIG LETTER OF APPRECIATION for each one of them. If we talk about teachers’ day not only teachers are recognized. Fr. Gil T. Manalo, as the father of DWCU community was also recognized. People like Fr. Gil also contribute in shaping lives, not through books but by inspirational messages they endow especially to the students. The High school faculty staff members were the first to be given recognition followed by the Elementary and College teachers. Every time a person was called to be given tribute, cheers and applause can be heard inside the gymnasium.  It made the event even more dramatic especially that each teacher called is happy for they know that many people appreciate their efforts.

After the recognition part, a song was presented by the St. Arnold class as a piece of thankfulness to the teachers and other important builders of the student’s life in DWCU. Then, a speech was rendered to the students by the High school Principal, Mr. Reynald Mamasig. He gave a message about the appreciation of teachers.

After that part, many presentations were presented to honour the teachers and their efforts.  These presentations served as appreciation for the unending support of educators in the students’ lives.

The program was finished by a prayer at 2:50 in the afternoon. While the teachers and students are taking their break, a cloud of joy emanated after the program.

As a one of the students, I can say then, to my teachers, “THANKS TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!”

Thanks to you our dear teachers!!!

By: Samuel Edrian P. Abad

the Month of Holy Rosary

October 3, 2011, the Divine Word College of Urdaneta started the celebration of the “Month of the Holy Rosary”. The students gathered exactly at 7: 40 in the morning in the school gymnasium for the said celebration.

The gathering started with the praying of the rosary and ended with the Para-Liturgy. The praying of the rosary was led by the “Legion of Mary” members. Each decade was accompanied by a song at the end of it. After the rite of the rosary, the Para-liturgy was given which was led by Fr. Edgar L. Calunod, SVD. Then Frt. John Ferdinand Cruz gave a message about caring and helping other people.  The ceremony went on until the closing prayer and the giving of blessing for those who attended.

This whole month of October, the whole community of DWCU joins the whole world in praying the Holy Rosary every day at a certain time. As Catholic, it also serves as a way of uniting every Filipinos as one family of deep faith.

By: Samuel Edrian P. Abad

FOOTBALL TOURNEY

Crowds of football enthusiasts gathered in Baguio City to compete in the Baguio City Charter Day Football Tournament held last September 25 in Baguio City Athletic Bowl. Football players from different parts of Northern Luzon took the trip to Baguio to test their mettle and skills in football against Cordillera’s finest.  Among the participants of the said event are teams from Tarlac, Dagupan City, Vigan, Pangasinan, and the Urdaneta Divinians of Urdaneta City.

The competition was categorized in different groups namely, the age groups (8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, and 16 and under), Ladies Open and Men’s Open in a 7 a-side battle. In spite of the bad weather condition and the typhoon Pedring’s threat of entering the country, the festivities went on in a slippery and muddy pitch.

The Divinians, enthused in their second time to compete outside Urdaneta City since its establishment as a team last June, participated in the 14 and under category. Composed of players 14 years of age and below from Divine Word College of Urdaneta, the team went on to represent Urdaneta City as ambassadors in promoting the beautiful game of football.

 In the said tournament, Divinians competed against teams other teams from Baguio and Benguet. After three games in the eliminations, Divinians, who stood up to their ground giving their best in their every game, eventually lose the in the semifinals against Benguet State University – SLS.  Although the Divinians did not take home the championship trophy, the Fair Play trophy was awarded to them.

Results of the tournament are listed below:

 BAGUIO CHARTER FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
RESULTS

under 10
Champion GOSHENLAND TEAM
2nd place BONIFACIO Elem
3rd place LAUREL Elem
FAIR PLAY MELVIN JONES FOOTBALL ACADEMY

under 12
CHAMPION BONIFACIO
2nd place BSU ELEMENTARY A
3rd place QUEZON
FAIR PLAY MIGHTY OAKS (DAGUPAN CITY)

under 14
CHAMPION BCNHS SPS A
2nd place BSU SLS
3rd place BCNHS SPS B
FAIR PLAY URDANETA DIVINIANS

under 16
CHAMPION BCNHS SPS A
2nd place BSU SLS
3rd place BCNHS SPS B
FAIR PLAY MAGSAYSAY TEAM

Ladies Open
CHAMPION BAGUIO LADIES TEAM
2nd place BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY LADIES TEAM-A
3rd place BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY TEAM B
FAIR PLAY PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY LADIES TEAM

Men’s Open
CHAMPION VIGAN KUGTALEROS
2nd place BAGUIO UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
3rd place TARLAC FOOTBALL TEAM- A
FAIR PLAY TARLAC FOOTBALL TEAM- B

The DWCU Football Team

INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE

The whole community of Divine Word College of Urdaneta is in a jovial mood as the Intramurals commences for four days of festivity pageantry, intellect, and sports. The event kicks off on September 6 starting with a Para-Liturgy led by Fr. Tanysun Sunico. The parade of the personnel, teachers, and students within Barangay Bayaoas came next and ended with the saludo of the Families, the Integrity and Excellence, formed by the division of students from the elementary, high school and college.

In the opening ceremonies, Fr. Edgar Calunod, DWCU Finance Officer, gave the opening remarks while Mrs. Marina Elizabeth M. Domingo, Grade School Principal, introduced the Guest Speaker,

Mr. Elmo Bernardino

Mr. Elmo Bernardino, officer-in-charge of the Private Schools in the Division of Urdaneta City. Mr. Bernardino gave a very significant speech about the purpose of Intramurals and of man having multiple intelligences. He emphasized that a person can excel not only in academics but also in other fields like sports. After the speech of the guest speaker, Christopher D. Garcia, CSC Sports Coordinator, gave the Oath of Sportsmanship for all the students to state. Jaezer B. Ferrer, SSC Sports Coordinator, then led the lighting of torch while riding a mountain bike and ended it with a yell of “Let’s Go Divinians, Let’s Go!” After that, the banners of Integrity and Excellence were hoisted by representatives from both families. Fr. Gil T. Manalo gave his message to all participants and declaration of officially opening the Intramurals. The opening ceremonies ended with a ceremonial toss led by Fr. Manalo and Mr. Bernardino.

Students from the High School Department, namely the participants of the Juicy contest gave an intermission number. Also, the pupils in the Pre-School Department gave a very entertaining special presentation together with their teacher, Ms. Elvira Cayabyab.

The Ceremonial Toss

Immediately after the ceremonial toss, the contest proper for Calisthenics for the Elementary and Cheerdance for the High School began. Fourth Year students gave an amazing performance that wowed the crowd giving them the distinction as winners in the Cheerdance competition.

After the break, the contest in Declamation and Quartet for the High School Department commenced. Ruby Rose Moreno from III-Genesis won the declamation while the students from I-St. Matthew won the Quartet Singing Contest.

In the Mister & Miss Intramurals pageant of High School Department, Huan Nicolaz G. Sumera of II-St. Cecilia and Kristine Conly M. Cabigting of IV-St. Francis bagged the crowns as Mr. & Ms. Intrams respectively.

The closing program and awarding of winners was held on September 9 at St. Michael Gymnasium. The Excellence Family was declared as the Over-all Champion. Congratulations!!!

Below are some of the highlights of the Intramurals celebration. Just click the pictures for more.

Fourth-Year Students on their Cheer Dance

I-St. Matthew - Quartet Singing Contest - 1st Place

Huan Nicolaz G. Sumera of II-St. Cecilia and Kristine Conly M. Cabigting of IV-St. Francis

Mr. and Miss Intramurals 2011

AUCSOA commends The Vine Staffers for their Outputs

The staffers of THE VINE, the school organ of Divine Word College of Urdaneta, from both elementary and high school, took part in the recently held Division Campus Journalism Seminar Writeshop sponsored by Association of Urdaneta City School Organ Advisers (AUCSOA) last September 2-3 in Catablan Integrated School. School paper advisers and campus journalists from different schools took the opportunity to hone their skills especially the first timers, in preparation for the coming Schools Press Conference.

The training aimed to develop, assess, and equip the teacher-advisers and their campus journalists with the much-needed skills in the field of journalism. By having the writeshop, outputs of the campus journalists who participated in the different events were assessed by the resource speakers themselves. In this year’s photojournalism, changes were made according to the rules being used in the National Competition at present. From using manual or film-loadable cameras, digital photography is now the standard being followed.

At the end of the said event, best outputs were announced as being chosen by the resource speakers, who themselves are renowned in their field of specialization in journalism. Some of the DWCU staffers from both elementary and high school took home awards of commendation in their respective events. The following campus journalists’ who came up with best outputs are the following:

BEST OUTPUTS

Elementary

FEATURE WRITING (English)

9^th place – Jennifer Louisse D. De Leon

6^th place – Janssen Roselle T. Obusan

5^th place – Mary Angel O. Casaclang

3^rd place – Jomar P. Zayat

2^nd place – Alison Faye Rafanan

1^st place – Angel Leila L. Marron

FEATURE WRITING (Filipino)

6^th place – Jessa Mae B. Parayno

PHOTOJOURNALISM (Filipino)

5^th place – Trixcia Mae G. Leal

EDITORIAL CARTOONING (Filipino)

2^nd place – Raphaell B. Ridao

SPORTS WRITING (Filipino)

2^nd place – Raphaell B. Ridao

EDITORIAL WRITING (English)

2^nd place – Angel Leila L. Marron

EDITORIAL WRITING (Filipino)

2^nd place – Jennifer Louisse D. De Leon

High School

FEATURE WRITING (English)

9^th place – Alyssa Mae M. Garcia

8^th place – Gildolf Ray D. Cabanilla

5^th place – Jessica Bren S. Cezar

3^rd place – Ruby Rose Faith G. Moreno

FEATURE WRITING (Filipino)

10^th place – Mary Joyce Academia

5^th place – Ronafe G. Villar

COPY READING & HEADLINING (English)

3^rd place – Princess Ashley S. Tomas

NEWS WRITING (English)

3^rd place – Jessica Bren S. Cezar

NEWS WRITING (Filipino)

2^nd place – Mark Darwin C. Sampilo

SPORTS WRITING (Filipino)

2^nd place – Mark Darwin C. Sampilo

EDITORIAL WRITING (English)

2^nd place- Gildolf Ray D. Cabanilla