by Minnie JaureguiAlmost twenty-five years ago, high school girls clad in white ruffled blouses, blue jumper skirts and good ol’ leather shoes, stood witness to one of the greatest milestones in Philippine history. And close to 25 years after, sans the signature school uniform and now donning fabulous garb and stilettos, the students of St. Scholastica’s College, Manila has joined forces to bring forth another event that will be rendered timeless in Scholastican history.
Last September 10, 2010, the much awaited dream project of SSC High School Batch ’86 saw its fruition at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center in Makati City. The St. Scholastica’s College Watch by Swatch was finally unveiled to the public.
On that holiday Friday, Scholasticans came in droves and shared cocktails while the all-violin quartet from the Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS) played in the background. Attendees registered and of course, busses and hugs were exchanged as hearty chit-chats among Scholasticans filled the posh venue. Animated on the video wall was the 2011 homecoming theme of the sponsoring batch, SSC High School Batch ’86. Next year’s silver jubilee slogan is “REVOLUTIONIZE,” a catchphrase that perfectly epitomizes the Scholasticans of that time and characterizes the dominant fever of our nation’s history.
Gracing the special occasion was St. Scholastica’s College Manila President Sister Angelica M. Leviste, OSB, Gift Gate President Mrs. Virginia Ramos and P-Noy’s sister, Mrs. Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz. Distinguished guests such as His Excellency Nguyen Vu Tu (Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Indonesia), His Excellency Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Philippines) were also in attendance along with the Benedictine sisters, selected guests from the media, plus prominent SSC alumnae like seasoned singer & comedienne Mitch Valdez and former Akbayan Party-List Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquiel to name a few.
As the clock struck six, the national anthem was beautifully performed by PREDIS and an invocation was led by Sr. Mary Placid, OSB, Dean of the St. Scholastica’s College’s School of Music. Handling hosting chores for that event was popular television personality Reema Chanco, also an SSC alumna (HS Batch ’93).
Mayet Amora-Yam (SSC HS Batch ’86 Homecoming Vice President) took on the mic and shared with the audience a short backgrounder on the makings of the St. Scholastica’s College Watch by Swatch project and elaborated the principle behind the commemorative watch.
The exclusive timepiece was designed to carry “Ora et Labora” which means “Prayer and Work” – a constant mantra instilled in every Scholastican. These were the same values and ideals that the late President and Scholastican alumna, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino lived out throughout her public and private life.
The keynote speaker of the event was Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB who delivered a moving speech that noted how St. Scholastica’s College has always taken pride in molding young ladies to become God-fearing individuals. The SSC President also extolled President Cory Aquino as being a true Scholastican. She even noted that the occasion was made more auspicious given that sponsoring batch graduated at the dawn of a renewed democracy under the leadership of President Aquino, and has duly undertaken a worthwhile endeavor for the cause of educators in the name of a true beacon of democracy. She extended her gratitude to the High School Batch ‘86 and Mrs. Virginia Ramos for her generous donation in realizing this dream project for the benefit of the St. Scholastica Research and Development Foundation.
Another highlight of the event was the establishment of the Corazon C. Aquino Professorial Chair, a program established to help advance the education of educators by granting supplemental resources in their teaching endeavors. For every purchase of the St. Scholastica’s College Watch by Swatch, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the seed fund of the said scholarship seat.
A trip down nostalgia lane then followed as a video clip of Cory’s last visit to her alma mater in 2007 during which her eldest son Noynoy Aquino, now our current president, was with her to open a museum of her paintings.
Presenting gifts and a token of appreciation to the night’s guest of honor, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz was Miss Chinky de Leon (SSC HS Batch ’86 Homecoming President), AC Legarda (General Manager, Greenbelt Complex and SSC HS Batch ’86 alumna), Mrs. Virginia Ramos and Sister Angelica Leviste, OSB. Afterwhich, a short speech was delivered by the eldest daughter of our beloved President Cory.
Then, host Reema Chanco paraded with pride the kulasa’s commemorative watch on her wrist and encouraged the attendees to claim their reserved watch or to buy the exclusive timepiece after the program. Blue, white, and silver balloons in cluster with the batch insignia were strategically placed along the corridors leading to the Swatch Store in Greenbelt 5. The said store even went back in time as it decked its walls with swatches that were in fashion during 1986. Swatchaholics would truly welcome an interesting trivia that swatch guards (those plastic protector thingees we attached to our beloved swatch) were launched that particular year.
As early as July this year, reservations for this unique timepiece have been placed in various Swatch outlets and kiosks all over the Philippines. Only 500 pieces have been produced. Those who have made reservations for the St. Scholastica’s College Watch by Swatch but failed to attend the launch are advised to claim their watch at the store where the reservation was made. Simply present your claim stub and the yellow copy of the acknowledgment receipt attached to it. The balance should be paid in cash or straight charge to your credit card.
It was only a matter of time when St. Scholastica’s College High School Batch 1986’s silver jubilee celebration would happen, and what better way to revolutionize the way we look at time that has passed and the great times that lie ahead, but with a special commemorative watch from a brand that kulasas have happily grown up with.
