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!

 

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:

Of Ziplines and Muddy Shoes!

Experience of a Rural-ER in Bukidnon

…from May 10-16, 2012

written by  ISA ABOLA

            In life, there will always be people around us who learn things very fast. These people never fail to impress us with their IQ, awards, and wisdom. This causes the rest of us to throw up our arms in exasperation and shout “Kayo na! You already!” These are the scholars, intellectuals, and professors and they claim all the glory because now, they know that they may make good use of their talents. They live no ordinary lives. In the meantime, the rest of us try to make our own lives less normal and we do this by attending the Rurals trips organized in the Study Center of Narra Nueva nearby.

Narra Nueva Study Center at Tierra Nueva Village

A little sneak peak at the Rural Team!

           Before taking off, we had to prepare. This consisted in planning the Catechism and other subjects we would be teaching in Bukidnon, as well as packing materials, learning how to handle a class, and listening to talks. In one such talk given by one of our moderators, we learned that the ones who would really learn from this trip were ourselves; not the children we would teach, not the Church we would help out in, not the families we would visit, but we, ourselves.

Here we are resting and regaining our strength…

            Each day in Bukidnon, from the moment we met up in the airport, may have been tiring but all of us were too pumped up and excited to notice. To quote one fellow “rurals-mate,” who would brush her teeth in a bathroom where the lights did not work, “It’ll be an adventure!” Indeed, those four words did seem to describe our whole trip in Bukidnon. From walking in mud when visiting families to trying our best to teach children despite the slight language barrier and to trying the 840 meter zipline in the Dahilayan Adventure Park, every single experience was an adventure on its own. 

Pleasure to Teach you!

The Kids at Work

Teaching Ballet to the Kids!

Dahilayan Adventure Park!!

Some boys try out FRISBEE!

Roasting some Marshmallow by a heartwarming FIRE

OF MUDDY SHOES!

The Beautiful Scenery right behind us

Setting up the POSTERS

To end it with “daghan” the GIRL’S give a loud and written “Daghang Salamat!” PHOTOS CARE OF  Gabbi Tablante A Rural Activity held by

A Sip in the Land of the Rising Sun

   by Kitin Miranda

Last Saturday gave us the rare opportunity to taste a sip from the Land of the Rising Sun without having to leave the Philippines or the comfortable confines of Narra Nueva. For one whole hour, we were transported to Japan as we were able to witness an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstrated by one of our resident experts on all things Japanese- Margaux Antonio! 











The living room was prepared well by the college girls who organized the event. Instead of chairs and tables, we were encouraged to sit around a mat with a small kettle, Japanese tea cups, green tea leaves, and plates with various chocolates.

 

The Kettle and 2 cups, the Audience with Margaux, and the chocolate-filled platter

Margaux started of the tea ceremony by bowing to us. She then passed around a plate with various chocolates. Sweets are usually taken before drinking the tea in order to prepare our palates for the bitter taste of the green tea. She also explained that tea ceremonies are part of the Buddhist Zen religion, and that traditionally, the participants drink from one bowl. The main purpose of the tea ceremony is really for the zen of the person preparing the tea and the zen of the person who is preparing the tea gets passed on to those drinking the tea, thus making sense that everyone usually drinks from one bowl, or chawan. Most of might think that sharing from one bowl isn’t exactly a great idea, but Margaux explained that another reason why the Japanese are okay with sharing one cup is that beforehand, the Japanese wash their mouths in a stone basin, making it a little bit more hygienic.

Margaux as she explains the sophisticated start of the TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CEREMONY

She prepared the tea by placing some green tea leaves in a bowl with hot water. With a whisk, she mixed the tea leaves with a technique called “noh,” which is a Japanese character that is strategic as you can start mixing from the middle, and then go around. Other participants, such as Chiqui Agoncillo were able to try it out for themselves. After the tea was pronounced as ready, the liquid was placed in the small kettle to be heated before serving. Here, we also learned how precise the tea ceremony really is. In serving the tea, the bowl or chawan is picked up with the RIGHT HAND and placed on the LEFT HAND. The chawan is turned counter clockwise three times before handing it to the recipient who receives it with the left hand, and places it on the right hand. We were also surprised to learn that an actual ceremony takes around  3whole hours!

First step! Mixing the green tea leaves into the HOT water

She also explained that tea ceremonies are usually done for sophisticated and elegant people, and the conversation during an actual ceremony isn’t just small talk, but deeper things like politics. These tea ceremonies are also usually held in honor of someone, or usually to celebrate a new season, very apt as most students are gearing up for the new school year, and others are starting to anticipate the rainy season. Then the tea ceremony ends when the chawanreaches the host of the tea ceremony. The host then bows deeply to the participants, who also bow to the host. 

See CARMELAas she RECEIVES the cup and drinks from it the traditional JAPANESE way!

It was a fun one hour of learning, culture and tradition, eating delicious chocolates, and drinking healthy green tea. It was also a great way to say goodbyeto the SUMMER, and welcomethe new school year ahead! 

They all enjoyed the BEGINNING and OUTCOME of the activity that The Land of the Rising Sun had in store for them!

Photos

© Zars San Jose

A C.S.I. Activity

Stay tuned for the NEXT ISSUES of C.S.I.and don’t forget to take a look at the NARRA NUEVA Facebook Page!!

Beating the Heat with a Summer Treat

By Margaux Antonio

In the heat of last of April 28, the Narra Nueva college group hosted the much-awaited Summer Treats activity. This summer, the group decided to take a break from the usual intellectually stimulating Culture Stuff and Issues (CSI) activities and we tried something a little more hands-on. 

A good way to forget the Summer Heat is to watch a “Baking Master” make a chillin treat!

Baking master, Mari Barretto shared her easy Mango Cream Pie recipe and made her demo just like a cooking show right there and then with the aid of candid host, Regina Capulong. With just a pack of crushed graham crackers, a cup of butter, cartons of cream and a couple of sweet mangoes, this pie definitely gave everyone a taste of the ultimate summer chill experience. I think that those of us who went for seconds and thirds can’t deny that!

Mari lays down the prepped  ingredents for baking.	Ready for mixture!	Finally! The finished base!

Who knew that a lemon-lime  carbonated drink and grenadine mixed together would make such a refreshing and  eye catching drink!

 
 

Summer would not be complete with the occasional refreshing drink in place of our favorite mineral water. Our audience oooh-ed and aaah-ed as Celine Miranda introduced the mocktail Shirley Temple which was made with a simple glass of 7UP and a splash of Grenadine or strawberry syrup. This mocktail was invented around the 1930’s when allegedly the child actress Shirley Temple requested for a cocktail drink and the genius bartender concocted this non-alcoholic beverage for her instead.

The finishing touches of the drink is a little bit o’ grenadine	Easy for anyone to make!

 

 

 

Thanks to this activity, everyone had the chance to do some hands-on food preparation while certainly having tons of fun at the same time. With all the free time that we have this summer, finding ways to beat the heat with cool and easy desserts is without a doubt a great way to use our leisure time.

Stay tuned for the next, of many, CSI activities!

Audience toasting to the well-made Shirley Temple and cool Mango Cream Pie.

Photos care of

Monica Lee	Ina Capulong

 

A C.S.I.  Activity