SCPS scholarship fund

One of Pasay City’s premier private schools, Sta. Clara Parish School (SCPS) has uncompromisingly been a proponent of quality Christian education true to its thrust of mirroring the Christ of faith, hope and love.  Numerous of SCPS graduates  have become productive and dynamic partners in the various sectors of business, public service, academe and above all the religious.

In recognition of this valuable legacy, the SCPS Alumni Association (SCALA) spearheads fundraising  projects for the benefit of the school, including the  “SCALA Scholarship Fund”.  Your valued contribution will not only help ensure the success of the fundraising events but more importantly also help support qualified but  financially disadvantaged students through a year of free education.

The Fund basically comes from the following source: (a) the fundraising events like the annual homecoming affair;  (b) the alumni fee collected from the graduating batch;  and (c) voluntary donations from the alumni.

The Fund is  given to the SCPS administration in support of  deserving  student beneficiaries.

All contributions received will be acknowledged.  Kindly make your contributions payable to SCALA and the same shall be properly receipted. 

Speech of Sr. Annie during the 2011 SCPS reunion

 Note: After the death of Msgr. Caoiliin 1981,  the Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, then Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, became the Parish Priest of Sta. Clara de Montefalco. He solicited the services of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) to attend to the operation of the school. Sr. M. Annie Balatayo, RVM was appointed as Directress of the Sta. Clara Parish School  (SCPS) in Pasay from  1981 until 1985. She died of pancreas cancer last October 16, 2011 and was buried October 18. Below are excerpts of her speech during the April 30, 2011 Alumni Homecoming at the SCPS grounds.

Good evening.   Alleluia to all!.  It is difficult to put into words what my heart wish to say to you this evening.  Only the Lord, will be able to comprehend this feeling of mine at the moment.   As the saying goes: “when the heart is full, the mouth is silent”.  I am in this predicament now.  However, it would be against the norm for this activity to keep my mouth closed.    Allow me then to say anything under the stars for the purpose of this occasion.

            I am very happy.  Extremely very happy indeed.  Your initiative in allowing this occasion to happen, for us to come together again, on Easter Season 2011, is overwhelming.  We would sing alleluia to the Lord, for the wonders he has done for us.  Praise the Lord.  What shall we say to the Lord at this point in time, “SALAMAT PO PANGINOON”.  The main purpose of having reunion is to give thanks to God for all the blessings He has poured upon us through the years, successes and gift of ourselves.  We should all rejoice and make this occasion a happy and an unforgettable even in our life.   All joys and sufferings in life are blessings from the good Lord.  Naniniwala ba kayo dian?

            Many things that happen to us are announcements from God, telling us He is involved in our lives and cares for us.  Many events bear God’s fingerprints.  Everything that comes into our lives has meaning and purpose, and can be understood in the life of faith.  It depends on how open we are to the spirit, how willing we are to see God’s bigger plan, and how humble we are to notice it.  Maganda diba?  It affects heavy hearts and joy takes over.  Food for our souls.  Baon ninyo yan ha?

            When my Mother General told me I would assigned here in Santa Clara Parish School, my instant gesture was, “ayaw ko”.  All boys, what will I do with these boys, I am not trained to handle boys”.  It was almost at the same time I was pulled out from Pagadian City, was involved in community organizing on one of the remote barrios there.  I encountered NPA supporters in this area.  As soon as Mother Josefina, (my general at that time, may she rest in peace) notice my negative gesture, spontaneously she told me on the spot in her office,  “kaya mo man ang NPA-bakit ang mga boys sa Pasay? napatawa ako, at na challenge ako.  Kaya from her office, I packed my things for St. Mary’s Pasay Community, to report to Santa Clara the following day.  What made happy when I entered here, the students were very happy for the first time, may MADRE sa Santa Clara Parish School.  Ako na ang muse.  Nainggit ang iba sa inyo.  Hehe!  The students welcomed me and how they did  it, by going to my office in groups or individually.  The students and I had so many underground secrets and movements.  In spite of the odds in those days, hindi ako nag  give up , almost 4 years ako dito.  In fact, ayaw ko ng umalis, if not obedience – my vow.  Grabe and story of love namin dito makulay.  The teachers and personnel learned to like me after 2-1/2 years.  This is understandable – adjustment is a long process.  All those happenings inspired me during my stay with you.  Many things that happen to us are announcements from God, telling us he is involved in our lives and cares for us.  Many events bear God’s fingerprints.  Everything that comes to our lives has meaning and purpose and can be understood in the life of faith.  It just depends on how open we are to the Spirit, how willing we are to see God’s bigger plan, and how humble we are to notice it.  See the realization.

           

            My greatest advantage as far as intimacy is concerned, I had two (2) jobs in the school.  Directress and Christian Living Teacher for the 3^rd and 4^th years class.  It was quite a heavy bag on my shoulders, but I had to do this because no lay Christian living teacher would handle the higher years.  This arrangement was again a contributing factor in my closeness with the students.  It was a blessing in disguise.  Our negative experiences in your Alma Mater were a learning process.  We were teching each other in the journey.  I learn from you and you also learn from me.  Our journey was full of pains and joys, kaya matinik at Masaya talagang samahan, the reason for after sometime, missing each other.  I know some of you missed me a lot.  Naniniwala ba kayo diyan?  The graduating class that time were very much involved and affected by the signs of the times.  We became tight to each other in principle because of the events that went through in the journey to wholeness. Hindi ba malaking inspirasyon yan? Salamat, before I left, there were signs of improved camaraderie.

            Marami pa ang mga inspirational instances, but you know recalling stories in the past knows no end.  No amount of time can accommodate stories of the past.  It continues to pop up and becomes more interesting as we go on.  We shall never be able to this – limited time we have.  Important is to realize and remember that we have been together once in a lifetime and we tried our best to become an inspiration to each other for better or for worst till we meet again tonight.  Le us continue to praise God for what has been and will be – Santa Clara will stand forever in our hearts.

            We should acknowledge that the most significant inspiration for us all is the fact, until up to this time, the RVM Sister are still herein your beloved Alma Mater, to continue the ministry of education entrusted to them in this institution.  Let us give them a warm of applause.

                   

TAKLA/ SCPS History

Takla history

STA. CLARA PARISH SCHOOL HISTORY


1962-1963> As extension to the Boys Department of St. Mary’s (just on the other side of the street), Sta. Clara Parish School in Pasay City started with 32 boys entering Grade V, Rev. Fr. Severino Casas was, then, assistant parish priest of Sta. Clara de Montefalco. In charge of the education of the boys were Mother Remedios Enriquez, RVM and Mother Fermina Casino, RVM.

1963> Grade VI Class was opened in addition to the Grade V Class and two male teachers were taken in to help the RVM sisters. Through the effort of Rev. Fr. Casas, SCPS was granted a permit by the Department of Education to open a high school department to accommodate the first batch of Grade VI graduates. With the granting of the permit, SCPS came to its own and Rev. Fr. Casas became its first director.

1964> Three new teachers were added to the faculty. The first group of highschool students was housed in the building in front and to the left of the church opposite the first school building. In 1970, the building was destroyed by a strong typhoon and was replaced with a two-storey building which stood until 1994.

1965-1966> Eight new teachers joined the faculty. In 1966, a new three-storey building was constructed on the right side of the church. This remained unfinished until 1980.

1966-1967> RVM Sisters administered the school until this school year. Sr. Ma. Celina Marquinez, RVM was the last of them.

1967-1968> Under the first year of principalship of Ms. Mercedes U. Gallardo, 21 High School Seniors together with 72 elementary graduates, became the first graduates of the school. The memorable event was graced by the presence of Rufino Cardina Santos.

1969> On July 7, SCPS was granted Government recognition.

1975> When Rev. Fr. Casas became the Parish Priest of Pinaglabanan, San Juan, he was replaced by Rev. Fr. Pastor de Guzman who served as Assistant Parish Priest and Director of the school for one year.

1976> After Rev. Fr. Augusto Ignacio retired as Parish Priest of Sta. Clara de Montefalco, he was replaced by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Laureano Caoili who, at the same time, took over the position of Director of the school.

1976-1977> The intermediate level of the elementary course was gradually phased out.

1978-1979> The school stopped accepting applicants to Grade V.

1980-1981> SCPS became the only secondary school exclusively for boys in Pasay City. Msgr. Caoili remained Director of the school until his death in 1981. Mr. Merlito B. Garcia who was the Vice-Principal, became Principal after Ms. Gallardo.

1981> After the death of Msgr. Caoili, the Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, then Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, became the Parish Priest of Sta. Clara de Montefalco. He solicited the services of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) to attend to the operation of the school. Sr. M. Annie Balatayo, RVM was appointed as Directress, Mr. Antonio U. Suarez came in as Vice-President.

1985> Sr. Ma. Herminia Gornes, RVM came as replacement of Sr. Anne Balatayo RVM, Mr. Garcia decided to return to full-time classroom teaching and resigned as Principal.

The year saw the return of Sr. Ma. Celina Marquinez, RVM to SCPS as Directress and Principal. She stayed until 1992.

Mr. Suarez resigned from the school.

Sr. Ma. Julie Advincula, RVM came after Sr. Celina but stayed only for a year. She came with Sr. Ma. Virginia Hallazgo, RVM who took the functions of the School Treasurer with the retirement of Ms. Tomasita Villanueva.

1993> Msgr. Severino G. Anatalio was installed Parish Priest of Sta. Clara de Montefalco. He has also assumed the Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the school. Sr. Ma. Lidivina Cabrera, RVM became the new Directress-Principal.

1996-1997> The school year marks the end of a generation for the school with the graduation of the last batch of the all-boys department.

1997-1998> Sr. Virgilia was replaced by Sr. Fortunata Odullo, RVM as School Treasurer. A five-storey building has been completed behind the oldest school building which provides 12 additional classrooms and a mini-auditorium on the fifth floor. One of the existing rooms in the oldest building was turned into an air-conditioned and an AV room was made available beside it. The faculty room, the Registrar’s and Cashier’s offices were also air-conditioned and provided with restrooms close by.

1999-2000> The Parish Office and Sto. Niño Building at the back of the church were turned over to the school in exchange of St. Joseph building to house the administration offices, the faculty room and four classrooms. The construction of a five-storey building has been completed. It was named after the building which was exchanged with the parish.

2000-2001> This was the eighth and last year of Sr. Ma. Lidivina Cabrera, RVM with the school since she was reassigned to St. Mary’s Academy – Yakal, Manila A. Insigne took her place.

2001-2002> Even while feeling her way and adjusting to the school system, Sr. Marina started making plans for the restructuring of the organization of the school faculty and personnel for a more effective and efficient service to its clientele.

2002-2003> The reorganization of the school personnel was fully implemented. Sr. Marina was reassigned to St. Mary’s Academy – Nagcarlan Sr. Ma. Corazon Agoncillo became the new Directress-Principal.

2003-2004> In the first year of Sr. Cora, she emphasized the importance of inner direction and reflection to the school personnel. The Revised Basic Education Curriculum (RBEC) was implemented for the first time. The initial phase of the construction of a new building in place of the old Administration Building started.