issue no. 10

Second Term: A new phase to face

The ten weeks of the first term gave us a very challenging task to hurdle. It was a great leap from the vast stereotyped activities caused by the two-month vacation, an immense soaring from the traditional beliefs and practices in academic processes of the new ( and even old) pupils and parents), an enormous effort to establish routines on discipline and mind setting. All of these were confronted by the teachers with uncompromising conviction to carry-out their tasks. Learning experiences served their purpose and some points of improvements were noted down to improve the systems and procedures.

This week is the start of another term, the second term, which is far more challenging for it’s heading towards a more difficult lessons, more complicated concepts, more cerebral activities that will train and develop our pupils’ intellect.
The pupils will be laid open to possibilities for the development of not only the intellect but also the enhancement and refinement of the heart and the will. As the school activities pose an opportunity to learn, they also educate the heart and the will--- the spirit and the moral fibers that define the personhood of the individual.

Second term is another cosmic responsibities, a new phase, that TEAM HCEC will face.
The school firmly holds on to its principle that education is not static and unchanging.It is progressive, developing and advancing. New educational trends need to be practiced in order to make our pupils far along which will make them more competitive and acceptable to the standards set by the academe. There are tried and tested teaching strategies and pedagogical techniques but we also need to look into innovative and fresh systems.

This second term, HCEC re-commits to the core of its vocation-the pupils, to carry-out the expected processes and systems to bring forth the welfare of the HCECians. TEAM HCEC is a self-regulated entity that establishes a mechanism that evaluates, checks and corrects its systems, policies and procedures being implemented.

2nd Term PIK out this week

The 2nd Term Parents’ Involvement Kit is now on hand. The lessons to be covered for the second term are all indicated together with the references pertinent to the topic.

Have you ever asked why these pages that contain the lessons for the term is called Parents’ Involvement Kit? Why not just a plain,” List of Topics” or maybe “ Syllabus” or “Course Outline”. These pages of lessons are called PIK mainly because it intends to encourage parents’ participation and involvement in the studies of their children. How does it happen?

1. Parents may assist their children in practicing the skills of scanning and skimming through the pages of their books, finding where the topics are written (scanning & skimming are learning skills that are being taught in English-Reading Class);

2. Parents, together with their children (a must), can do the research on the suggested references;

3. Parents with their children can outline the concepts from the book based from the nomenclature of the topics.

There are still a lot more ways to make the HCEC-PIK more beneficial to both pupils and teachers. Convenience is not really a consideration here. The use of PIK is part of the learning process the school wants to instill among our pupils. HCEC-PIK is patterned in the college syllabi where pages of the book are not specifically indicated, only the references and the expected output are included. Come the time that our grade schoolers are in high school or college they are already familiar and skilled in the use of the syllabi, course outline, etc. Maybe for some parents, the HCEC-PIK doesn’t serve them well, but the school believes on its benefits and usefulness to MOST of the pupils and parents as per informal survey and evaluation.

The school appreciates and looks into some suggestions forwarded but the base of the decision to be made is the rationale behind the creation of such program, policy or practices.

If there will come a time that the HCEC-PIK deems to be not beneficial anymore, the school itself shall be the one to discontinue its issuance. For the mean time, let us all benefit from this. Appreciate its beauty, it is only in HCEC that you can find a PIK for grade school in Rinconada or in the Region. (Big schools in Metro Manila have their own version of the PIK where we benchmarked this practice.)

Pangwakas na Palatuntunan para sa Buwan ng Wika idaraos sa ika-4 ng Setyembre

Ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika ay tutuldukan ng isang Pangwakas na Palatuntunan sa umaga ng ika-4 ng Setyembre, 2009. Itatampok sa araw na ito ang iba’t-ibang anyo ng Panitikang Filipino na bibigyang buhay ng mga mag-aaral sa iba’t-ibang baitang na siyang nagwagi sa pagtula, pag-awit at talumpatian. Ang mga mag-aaral na sumasailalim sa Dance Workshop at ang mga Dance Academy Dancers ang siyang magbibigay ng pamalit-bilang na sayaw, gayundin ang mga HCEC Bamboo Flutist ay lalahok din sa palatuntunan.

Magkakaroon din ng Parada ng mga Katutubong Damit ang mga mag-aaral na nagnanais makilahok. Sino mang makikilahok ay bibigyan ng ISANG ARA POINT bilang pakikibahagi sa palatuntunan. Mangyari po lamang na magparehistro gamit ang “Reply Slip” na matataggpuan sa huling pahina.

Magkakaroon din ng Salu-salo Pinoy Style ang mga mga-aaral na kung saan ang mga mag-aaral ay magdadala ng mga pagkaing Pinoy na kanila ring pagsasaluhan pagkatapos ng palatuntunan.
Mangyari po lamang na gawing gabay ang mga sumusunod:
Oras Gawain

7:15-7:30 Morning Ritual

7:30-8:30 Paghahanda sa Palatuntunan

8:30-10:30 Palatuntunan

10:30-12:00 Salu-salo Pinoy style

12:00 UWIAN NA .....

Kasuotan:

Mga di-kalahok- ARA T-shirt

Mga Kalahok – Costume na itinalaga

Ang attendance ay mahalaga, kaya hinihikayat ang lahat ng mag-aaral na pumasok sa araw na ito.

Agosto 31: Isang Pag-alala sa ating mga Bayani

Sa lunes, ika-31 ng Agosto, aalalahanin ng buong sambayanang Pilipino ang ating mga Bayani. Bilang pagkilala sa kanilang kagitingan at mga ginawa para sa bayan at sa kapwa, patuloy silang ipinagbubunyi at kinikilala. Sa paraang ito, patuloy nating maaalala ang mga mabubuting halimbawang kanilang ginawa na kinakailangang tularan at gawing gabay ng ating mga kabataan sa ngayon. Mula kay Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, Diego Silang, Apolinario Mabini hanggang kay Ninoy Aquino, ang damdaming makabayan ay dumadaloy at patuloy na dadaloy sa ating mga kabataan sa ngayon kung sila ay bibigyan ng sapat na gabay at turo para sa wastong landasin tulad ng ating mga bayani.

Ang bayani ay isang tao na nagpakita ng tapang at lakas na manindigan sa mga bagay na wasto at katanggap-tanggap para sa kanyang bayan at sa kapwa na hindi nag-iisip ng anumang kapalit na materyal. Sila Bonifacio, Rizal, Mabini, Aquino ay pawang mga patay na, nag-alay ng buhay para sa bayan. Sa kamatayan lang ba makikita ang pagiging bayani? Di ba pwedeng maging bayani habang ikaw ay buhay pa? Marami sa kasalukuyan ang nagtataglay ng mga katangian nila Bonifacio, Rizal, Mabini, Aquino. Kilalanin natin ang ilan:
• Si titser- maghapong nakatayo, matiyagang nagtuturo sa mga bata na kanyang inaasahang magiging pag-asa ng bayan;

• Si Mang Oca- ang magsasaka na nagtatanim ng palay para sa pagkain ng bayan;

• Si Dok at si Nars- mga manggagamot ng baryo na tumatawid ng bundok at ilog makpaghatid lamang ng kanilang serbisyo;

• Si Tatay o si Nanay na OFW – na nagsasakripisyo malayo sa pamilya para sa pamilya at magpasok ng dolyar sa baya

May kilala ka ba na bayani sa inyong lugar? Kamayan sya sa Lunes at batiin sa kanyang magiting na gawain! Ikaw? Pwede ka bang maging bayani? Paano?

A Week-end Treat on Contemporary Dance

One once-in-a life-time opportunity that was brought to Iriguenos was the chance to watch the Dance Concert by the Power Dance Company of Mr. Douglas Nierras, the famous international choreographer. The dance genre that was brought to the awareness and consciousness of the Iriguenos was far different from the dance genre we are exposed to thru media which is more on the entrertainment side. The Dance Concert held last August 22 & 23 at the Iriga Convention Hall gave a new dimension to dancing. It is called by Mr. Nierras “Contemporary Dance”.

A dance that speaks and expresses a message. A dance that mirrors the sentiments of the people in a particular culture. It does not have a dance literature that should be followed and interpreted. It is a creative dance, a product of imagination, sensitivity and understanding of a certain issue or a practice or a belief that the culture is felt and seen. When you watch this kind of dance, you might be dissapointed if you expect dances that goes with the music. This kind of dance is not dependent on the music itself, it does not interpret the music, but the movement itself depicts and emulate what life is all about. The music here is secondary, it only adds the drama and play. I call it a cerebral exercise, intelligent watching I may say, for you need to understand the meaning of every movement, of every step. I also call it baile de corazon, for it is a dance that expresses what is in the heart.

I had the chance to watch the group not only once, not twice but thrice. The show was not glazed with loud and familiar hip-hop song or ballroom music but the feeling of excitement and enticement to every segment was consistent. You won’t get bored with almost 3- hour show- all dances and movement, you always ask for more. The 6 Pm mass last Sunday, August 23 was given a new element. There were prayer dances done in some important part of the mass. The Power Dance Company holds this prayer dance or the Panalangin Dance Concert in some churches in Europe and America to encourage more catholic devotees to renew their vows and beliefs in the catholic doctrines. A magnificent dance drama on how Jesus suffered during His passion and death was creatively shown though dance and intricate body movement. That was a great privilege given to the Iriguenos for FREE.
It was indeed a great show for Iriguenos. I just hope that all HCECians were able to watch it, for it was really an opportunity for the growth of the intellect, the heart and the will.
Special Children of Iriga as beneficiaries

The money paid for the dance concert ticket will all go to the construction of the building for the special children of Iriga City who are attending their school in a not-so complete classroom.
It was through the initiative of the Honorable Madelaine Alfelor- Gazmen with the help of Mr, Douglas Nierras, the choreographer-founder of the Power Dance Company, that the project to construct the dream of the Special Education Teachers to build the school for the children who need special learning assistance made to realize, at least to start-up the project. According to Mayor Gazmen, it is high time to get involved and realize that it is not only the responsibility of the local government unit to provide the faculties needed by the people. All of us have this social responsibility to be aware and get involved in making life a little better for others.

It was also an effort not only to provide the roof that will shelter these children, but also an opportunity to change the way people see and treat these children. Awareness that they are also part of the society that can make things possible for them if given the help and assistance needed. They are special in the eyes of God, for they have the pure intentions and untainted motives in lives. The Php50.00 or the Php500.00 for the ticket you paid will go a long-long way that will surely help these kids have a better life today and in the future. Thank you to all HCECians- pupils, parents and teachers who took time to get involved.

Congratulations to Sir Jerickson and Sir Arjay; Iriga as the Center for Artistry

Our very own Sir Jerickson Getizo and Sir Arjay Dimanarig made up to the final day of the eight-day Douglas Nierras Dance Clinic. Congratulations to our HCEC Dance Mentors for hurdling the difficult and challenging time during the dance workshop. Being trained by Mr. Nierras was an immense learning experience. Finishing the eight-day clinic made our two thespians better performers and new mentors with renewed perspective in life. Bravo to the two! You made us, HCECians proud and honored!

The dance clinic was conceptualized and planned by the City Mayor to train the city’s local dancers and choreographers, to bring them to a higher level of creativity that responds to the call of globalization. The city is finding its own niche and identity that will become the hallmark of every Iriguenos, that will serve as legacy to the next generation. Informally, the Mayor declared that Iriga is the Center for Artistry in the Bicol Region. Iriga has the best majorettes, internationally renowned singers, par-excellence street dancers, high caliber choreographers, brilliant writers, etc. that contributed to the cultural development of the city. The creative fiber and nature of the Iriguenos must be honed, developed and zoomed its potentials. With this, Iriguenos should not settle for less, aim to be better if not yet the best.

In HCEC, we started the mind-setting in doing things at its best long-long way before. HCECians always go for quality and excellence in every thing we do. Our motto: Ite ad excelentia, go for excellence.