About the Holy Land

 

Last Saturday, May 17, Giam Umil gave a short get-together on the Holy Land. Using pictures of her family’s Holy Week pilgrimage to Jordan, Jerusalem, and Egypt, she painted us a picture of the Way of the Cross. She shared a lot of stories about the different places she visited, and many of the insights she gained along the way. Since you don’t hear about the Holy Land every day, many of us in the audience were surprised to know how well these places were preserved, and how many devotees flock there each year. We were very much struck by all her pictures, because they helped us imagine more vividly the scenes of the Passion, and helped us understand the circumstances of Gospel more deeply. For example, it was interesting to know how far Jesus had to walk to Calvary, all the way outside the walls of the city. Giam showed us a picture she took outside the city, where her tour guide showed them the route from Gethsemane to Calvary, all through the winding streets and alleyways of Jerusalem. Jesus’ walk to Caiphas’ house must have been difficult, especially after praying for a whole night in agony – Giam showed us pictures of the stairs and the rough terrain leading there.

 

Giam’s stories and the sharing of her experiences helped us to be somewhat closer to the Holy Land, though not many of us may get the chance to really go there. It’s good that the get-together helped us keep the Holy Land in mind, as well as Saxum, which is still being constructed.

 

At the end of her get-together, she showed a short video on the life of soon-to-be Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, one of the inspirations behind Saxum. Her get-together was a mini-Saxum, in that it helped us (as the description of the Saxum Conference Center reads) “enter into the life of Christ so that ‘we can close our eyes and contemplate His life, watching it like a movie.’”

 

 

Bianca Maranon

An incoming Freshman at the University of Asia & the Pacific who attends and helps organize activities at Narra Nueva Study Center.

 

#HackingLife

Less is Less

A few weeks ago, I attended a talk about “life hacks” or tips that we incoming college freshman could use in order to aid in our adjustment to the new chapter of our academic life. The speaker, Celine Miranda, talked about the different aspects in college survival so as to help us maintain physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Using videos, pictures, and a power point presentation, she explained how despite having heavy workload, it’s possible to squeeze in time for exercise or social activities. I learned that college is not only just about focusing on your education to aim for Latin honors, but also experiencing new things that high school never taught me. I say Celine would be a reliable source for this information because being a WR alumna too, she can relate to us more than anyone else. Her tips have been a great help and will be applicable once I start school in June. Hope to hear more from her and hope the younger batches will be helped by these life hacks too.

 

Monica Belen

Monica Belen is a College Freshman who regularly attends the College Activities of C.S.I.

for more information regarding the speaker, check out her blog at http://themakedoer.wordpress.com/

To Lead is To Serve

by: Iya Oracion

 

Last Saturday, I attended a college preparatory talk on the connection of leadership and service. The talk was entitled, “To Lead is to Serve”; being a Woodrose girl, I immediately recognized the phrase as it was part of the school’s vision mission. I knew that Margaux Antonio, the speaker, was also a Woodrose alumna so I was quite interested to see how she would use the phrase during her talk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaux Antonio starting her presentation with a catchy line

 

Listening with much concentration

 

One of the more striking photos that displayed the difference between being a boss and a leader

 

She talked of her own experience in the student government of UA&P, and encouraged us to be leaders in college. But then she began to talk about the difference between a leader and a boss. She said that a leader knew his people and motivated them to do their tasks while he did his, but a boss merely told others what to do. This struck me because I’d never really separated the words “leader” and “boss” before. I realized that leaders are not just those with high positions. Leaders are found everywhere. The separation of the two made the phrase clear: to lead really is to serve. The talk ultimately made clear what Woodrose had been teaching me about leadership, and I’m glad I was able to attend this CSI session.

 

All of us take a picture after the talk

 

About the Writer

Iya Oracion is a College Freshman at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is taking up BS Community Nutrition and attended activities at Narra since she was in High School.

Recap of 2013: Tea for Teachers

This 2013, we had a new addition to our activities under the group, “Tea for Teachers” . Composed of mainly Teachers, this group had such successful activities. Just to show you all some of them, here are some invite posters and photos from their activities last 2013.

 

1. Flower Arrangement

If you ever wondered how to beautify your house or your room, try flowers! Fixed up with the best arrangements, they’ll always manage to brighten up the air.

Some well done flower arranging!

 

2. Home Remedies

Teaching a bunch of children is already something that needs to be well thought of and studied, but what about the things at home? Ever wondered about the different Home Remedies there are out there?

Natalie Basquez gives the ladies a run down of the tips and tricks there are to do to solve problems and get this, at the convenience of your own home.

 

3. Rurals and Outreaches

Of course, we would never forget to give back to society and help out in the different schools nearby!

Some of us in action. Teaching beyond the schools that you’re already teaching in helps us to give back and also to gain a lot more.

Art Class with the kids. Time to be creative!

 

4. Overnights

Let’s not forget about bonding time and team building – which we did right here in our Overnight

 

5. Quality Time with the Family?

 

It gets difficult to spend time with the family, the more involved you get in work, are we right, ladies? We had a wonderful speaker who is both a mother and a teacher and loves being so! Talk about handling so much children

 

6. Ms. Right?

For Valentine’s Month, we found out what it is to be Ms. Right and that it’s not JUST about finding that Mr. Right.

 

7. Cultural Trip

Hablas español? Well, neither do we so we had this cultural experience, todo Español!

 

Basking in the sun and having some Spanish food created that perfect Spanish aura that we were all talking about.

 

The activities were all fun-filled, exciting, and a great tea-time break for everyone in the business of the last school year. We were able to stay in the comfort of Narra, and some rest houses nearby. Surely the next school year will be a greater one and if you join us, it might just leave you asking stressed colleagues of yours – “Tea, anyone?”

 

 

Tea for Teachers Group

 

 

 

Some announcements

Summer is finally here, for those who are still studying and that means that we all have that well-deserved vacation! For those who are working, summer means hotter days but lesser traffic.

These coming days, Narra will be launching their calendar of activities for High School to Yuppie girls. Stay tuned for these on the website!

The Bulletin Board at Narra

We will also be posting some  entries about the different activities by participants along with their photos so that you will be able to see what has been transpiring these past days.

Easter is fast approaching and the Lenten Season is reaching it’s peak. Have a blessed Lenten Season and an even greater summer ahead!

 

Post-Valentine’s Celebration

 

Last February 22, C.S.I. along with The Coffee Break Club celebrated Valentine’s Day with what we called,  Post-Valentine’s Day. We invited 3 speakers to talk about Love and Relationships from their points of view.

 

Newly married Clarisse Tiu was the first speaker who shared with us her TOP 3 tips in a relationship:

Your number one is still yourself. You have to improve yourself and although relationships help one to be fulfilled, you have to fulfill yourself.

Choose well. They say that you can’t choose your family, but you can actually choose your spouse who will be your partner for the family that you’ll have.

There is a need for prayer. God has a plan for each one of us so draw that strength and inspiration from prayers.

Our next speaker was the mother of five children, Amy Miranda.

She told us that God really works in mysterious ways. That he always has plans for you wherever you are in life and that you will learn no matter where you are.

Our last speaker was Rosie Luistro, mother of 2 and grandmother of 2 grandchildren.

 

It’s not easy to change a man so her advice to know how to choose one’s partner based on one’s goals and lifestyle. That all of these are important for future life together. She says that women know how to love a man especially if he’s such a nice man so we should use our head and take our time.

 

Each of the speakers told the audience a little about their own experiences and their present marriage and our host, Monica Fernandez was able to sum the talk up with these last tips gathered from all speakers:

That the man MUST love you more than you do towards him.

and that God really is NUMBER ONE in any relationship.

DIY Gift Wrapping

Come and take a break! Prepare for the Christmas Season and learn how to personalize your gifts with a little bit of wrapping paper!

Brought to you by The Coffee Break Club

Wardrobe Essentials

Got problems shopping? You think you need to revamp your closet again? Join us for this talk on Tips of Wardrobe Essentials. On what to purge and splurge on.

Ciao Bella

A C.S.I Journal Entry 

 

Writer: Margaux Antonio

UA&P Humanities III

        

 

            Last July 7’s CSI activity entitled Ciao Bella (Hello Beautiful!) was reminiscent of the team’s earlier get-togethers which were centered on beauty. Fresh grad and Narra Nueva’s very own Isha de Vera shared with us her experiences in the 2011 UNIV Congress in Rome as well as her little trips to other cities in Italy. 

         Isha happily recounted to us being among countless other university students from all over the world who, despite long hours of travel, were very much eager to see the Pope and to impart their understanding of beauty and its various aspects. Gaining more than just insights, bella Isha also had the opportunity to interact with the mix of nationalities present and at the same time learning to love the Roman culture.

 

         Apart from Rome, the cities of Siena, Florence, Assisi, and Loreto were places that Isha adored because of their gorgeous structures. Some of them include the Cathedral of St. Catherine, Dante Alighieri’s house in Florence, and the holy house of Mary in Loreto. She shared with us photographs of paintings and statues of our Lady that decorated the cities. Like our speaker, we were left in awe looking at them. Her photographs coupled with detailed descriptions of her Italian food encounters certainly left our stomachs grumbling for Nutella gellato and other Italian specialties.

         With the upcoming 2013 UNIV Congress, Isha invites us all, especially the university students, to take hold of the opportunity to become more aware of many important cultural issues as perceived by our generation from different parts of the world. In interacting with other cultures, it is all the more important to keep an open mind in order to see what is truly beautiful. Beauty is everywhere but to see it, you must look at all that is around you. Culture is the best place to find it. But then again, you don’t always have to travel half-way across the world to experience these cultures. CSI is here precisely to bring these amazing little parts of the world by imparting to you our takes on major issues that affect our society today. Hoping to see everyone over the next few get-togethers so that we can discover and experience what is truly bella! 

 

 

Photos care of

Zarina San Jose

 

 

In case any of you UNIVERSITY STUDENTS are interested in the UPCOMING UNIV FORUM, for more details please visit UNIV CONGRESS 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

The One Where the University Students Tell All

written by Gushi Montes

(4th Year UP Diliman)

On a past activity on June 16, 2012

   University life undeniably brings about many significant changes and realizations to those who decide to undertake it.  Entering the university thus remains to be a daunting prospect, even in the Philippines, where going to college is deemed a routine step after high school. For college freshmen, in particular, entering a university can become a stressful and difficult experience, as they get their first actual taste of what real life has to offer.

 Hence, to welcome the freshmen and ease their anxieties about the university, college veterans from the major universities in the Philippines were invited to speak in an open-forum discussion on issues and concerns about university life. College freshmen, high school seniors, teachers and mentors were likewise invited to participate in the discussion. The forum, which took place in the Narra Nueva living room, served as the activity hosted by the C.S.I. to hail the start of the school year.

The discussion was free-flowing and lively, with moderator Ina Capulong opening the forum by asking the speakers to give their general impressions about their respective universities. Coming from the University of the Philippines (UP), I talked about how diversity and competitiveness in University of the Philippinesbecome key concerns that UP freshmen should be prepared to deal with. Another UP student, Zarina San Jose, similarly noted that the diversity of professors in the University of the Philippines can lead to make-or-break situations in the academic life of a UP student.  For the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), moderator Ina Capulong described how UA&P effectively prepares its students for their professional careers in the workforce. Margaux Antonio, also a UA&P student, likewise listed the advantages and disadvantages of her university’s relatively small size.  Ateneo de Manila (AdMU) students Kamille Vera and Ingrid Calub debunked popular myths about attending their university, while former De La Salle University students Celine Miranda and Mia Olivares talked about the challenges of balancing academic and organization life within a trimester set-up.

As the speakers gave their impressions, the audience contributed to the animated discussion by raising intriguing questions. Chiqui Agoncillo, a freshman at the University of the Philippines, asked if freshmen were “being unnecessarily paranoid” upon entering the University, based on what several upperclassmen have told her.   I answered her question by discussing how “being paranoid” is a trait that freshmen may need sometimes, especially since freshmen have to deal with many things that upperclassmen do not need to adjust to. Carmela Vertido, a mentor of several college students, asked for more details on how students can deal with professors. Zarina San Jose then talked about how professors can come in all shapes and sizes, but they nevertheless generally treat students as equals within the university setting. Other audience members also asked how college students can handle balancing their faith and religion amidst influences in the university which may oppose them.  Kamille Vera answered the question by explaining that it is very possible for college students to be open-minded about other viewpoints and perspectives but remain firm in their own religious beliefs and convictions within the university.

 Although the discussion gravitated towards serious topics, there were many laughs and light moments as the speakers shared their own experiences as freshmen, from getting lost in their respective campuses to meeting all sorts of friends from different places. The forum also ended abruptly with the cheerful announcement of a “college-style” merienda, wherein pizza, potato chips and s’mores were served to all the forum’s participants.

As they went their separate ways, both the college veterans, refreshed by recalling their past days in the university, and the freshmen, now armed with advice and cheerful support from their ates, felt more than ready to tackle head-on the challenges that await them in their universities during this coming academic year.

Photos care of Zars San Jose

An activity of: