Johnians Online Network

August Activities

admin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:49:52 +0000

August 12,2008

To All SJI ALUMNI:

Jubilee Greetings on the 50th year of SJI!

Part of the celebration of our Golden Jubilee is a series of forums,
two of which are scheduled during the Linggo ng Wika celebrations. The
talks to be delivered by interesting and internationally acclaimed
speakers, will center on our heritage and citizenship.

Please take the time to attend the talks on the following schedules:

How To Become a Good Filipino Citizen August 19, 2008,
2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Atty. Alex Lacson

Author of “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country `
Venue: St. John’s Activities Center

Discovering our Heritage August 21, 2008, 2:00 p.m.,
Speaker: Ms. Chin-Chin Gutierrez
Famous Celebrity and internationally awarded advocate of environment
and culture.
Venue: St. John’s Activities Center

We eagerly look forward to your presence and usual support. Do extend
this invitation to class representatives and other fellow alumni.

REV. FR. NOLY QUE, LRMS, Ph.D.
Chairman
SJI Golden Jubilee Celebration

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Eight (8) years ago, our speaker and his wife seriously thought of
leaving the Philippines and migrating to the U.S. or Canada. At that
time, Philippines was very chaotic and seemed hopeless. Around that
time, many of their relatives and friends were also leaving the
country for greener pastures abroad. One sister and two of his
brothers, with their respective families, migrated to America and
Canada. As such, our speaker and his wife were also tempted to leave
the country at that time.

But after seriously thinking about it, our speaker and his wife
decided to stay in the country.

However, our speaker was always worried whether their decision to stay
was the right decision. What if Philippines does not progress in the
next 20 years? To help ensure that their decision to stay was the
correct one, our speaker and his wife decided to do the little things
that they could do to help the country.

One these little things came in July 2004. At that time, President GMA
publicly announced that our country was facing a serious financial
crisis. Then she called on every Filipino to help the country. A
number of Filipinos took that call seriously. Our speaker was among
them. He asked himself what he could do to help the country. After
thinking about it for a few days, our speaker decided to contribute
his best talent – which is writing.

And in the following days and weeks, he buried himself in writing.
Seven months later, he finished this book entitled “12 Little Things
Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.” The book was edited by his
wife.

In less than 6 months from its publication, the book became a
national bestseller. The book is now on its 8th printing, as many
companies, schools, organizations and individuals order copies of the
book in bulk. The author himself became busy in giving talks and
speeches in different parts of the country, including abroad. In 2006,
he was invited to give almost 300 talks and speeches. In 2007, he gave
more than 200 of them. This year, 2008, our speaker continues to
receive 3 to 4 invitations a week to share his book’s message.

Truly, the book is like a good virus that has infected so many
Filipino people.

Our speaker is a lawyer by profession. He finished law at the U.P.
College of Law in Diliman, and has taken post graduate studies at
Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He also studied at the
Philippine Military Academy in Baguio for 3 years. At present, he is a
partner at the Malcolm Law Office in Makati. He is also a columnist of
the BusinessWorld Newspaper but is currently on leave. He was a former
legal counsel of the United Nations Development Programme (or UNDP) in
the Philippines for 7 years. He is a champion debater and a
sharpshooter. He is an awardee of the Galing Pilipino Award for 2005.
He is also an awardee of the Young Filipino Achiever’s Award for 2006
given by Global Pinoy.

Our speaker is 43 years old, married to a beautiful wife, father to 4
wonderful children.

CHIN-CHIN GUTIERREZ has become equally renowned for her work as an
advocate for the environment. In 2003, she earned the distinction of
being named one of Time Magazine’s “Asian Heroes”, appearing on the
cover of this prestigious publication where she was cited for using
her celebrity stature to further the cause of ecological awareness.
She also received the 2004 The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service
(TOWNS) Award for environmental advocacy.
Today, she is a highly sought-after resource speaker and lecturer for
Environmental Education, lending her expertise to a broad range of
issues related to ecology and conservation, like Ecological Waste
Management, Sustainable Development, Ecology and Spirituality, The
Integrity of Creation, Sustainable Consumer Lifestyles, Women and the
Environment, among others. Her talks have been attended not only by
youth and NGOs, but also corporate and civic leaders, educators, local
government officials and community workers.
Among the institutions/ organizations that have invited Ms. Gutierrez
to speak or conduct workshops on issues related to ecology are: the
Asian Social Institute, Institute for Spirituality in Asia, Maximo T
Kalaw Institute for Sustainable Devt, Management Assoc of the Phil,
Ayala Young Leaders Congress, the Diocese of Novaliches, DepEd YES
Camps, the Phil Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Assoc, National Kidney
and Transplant Institute, MCU-FDT Medical Foundation,Medical and
Health Librarians Assoc of the Phils, Shumei Phils, Supply Oilfield
Services Inc, several Rotary Club chapters, to name a few. She has
also been invited to speak before the religious, faculty and students
of St. Theresa’s College (Mla and Cebu), University of Regina Carmeli,
Christ the King College- La Union, St Paul’s College Paranaque,
Trinity College, La Consolacion College, UST, St. Scholastica’s
College Manila and DLSU College of St Benilde.
She was a speaker for the 2005 Karangalan Festival at the CCP and
conducts ecological solid waste management training for LGUs as Vice
Chair of Mother Earth Foundation.
Twice awarded as one of the finest actresses in Asia, CHIN-CHIN
GUTIERREZ has become equally renowned in the entire region for her
work as an advocate for the environment. In 2003, she earned the
distinction of being named one of Time Magazine’s “Asian Heroes”,
appearing on the cover of this prestigious publication where she was
cited for using her celebrity stature to further the cause of
ecological awareness. She also received the 2004 The Outstanding
Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award for environmental advocacy.
Today, she is a highly sought-after resource speaker and lecturer for
Environmental Education, lending her expertise to a broad range of
issues related to ecology and conservation, like Ecological Waste
Management, Sustainable Development, Ecology and Spirituality, The
Integrity of Creation, Sustainable Consumer Lifestyles, Women and the
Environment, among others. Her talks have been attended not only by
youth and NGOs, but also corporate and civic leaders, educators, local
government officials and community workers.
An actress for cinema, stage and television, Chin-Chin has appeared
in over 20 feature films including six foreign productions. She was
awarded Best Actress at the First Asian Television Awards in 1996, and
Best Supporting Actress for the same international competition in
1999. She was also adjudged Best Supporting Actress of the Gawad Urian
for her very first movie, “Maala-ala Mo Kaya” in 1994. She continues
to appear in choice projects, and is currently a main cast member of
the ABS-CBN drama series, “Maging Sino Ka Man”.
Likewise, Ms. Gutierrez has been named a “defender of Philippine
heritage” for her work in preserving cultural integrity among the
indigenous peoples through her efforts as an artist and independent
record producer. Her musical project, “Uyayi: A Collection of
Philippine Lullabies”, received the 2004 Catholic Mass Media Award
(CMMA) as Best Secular Album, with a special citation for its
artist-producer for her unique contribution in preserving Philippine
indigenous culture and music.

MOA Signing Press Release

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:57:23 +0000

PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF
MR. WILLIAM CHUA
SJI-AA PRESIDENT
SJI-AA Launches 50 Houses Project

The St. John’s Institute Alumni Association formally launched the Msgr. John Liu & Msgr. John Su GK Village Handumanan sang Hua Ming in simple ceremonies held yesterday, June 24, 2008, at the SJI Activity Center, to coincide with the Feast Day of SJI’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist, and the birthday of Msgr. John Liu—the founding father of SJI.

The Memorandum of Agreeement for the project was signed by SJI-AA President William Chua, SJI Chairman Dennis Coo, Queen of Peace Parish Priest Fr. Noly Que, and Gawad Kalinga Provincial Chairman Roberto Magalona. The signing was witnessed by Mrs. Rosita Uybico, Mr. Nelson Señoron, Mr. Marlo Montelibano, Dr. Arneil Chua, and Handumanan Brgy. Captian Ricardo Danoy. Montelibano is the president of SJI Batch 1981—the batch who gave a total of 9 houses among the 50.

The check for P3,250,000.00 was also turned over to Gawad Kalinga to fund the construction of the 50 houses that will make up the legacy village. The SJI-AA has thought of reaching out to the poorest of the poor families in Bacolod City as a way of practicing their faith for their golden jubilee celebration, hence the GK Village was born. The village will be developed in the honor of the founders of SJI, namely, Msgr. John Liu and Msgr. John Su.

The launching was graced by Negros Occidental Vice Governor Dino Yulo who solicited P500,000 from Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri for the construction of the multi-purpose hall in the village.

The event was hosted by alumni Andre Palanca and Aileen Chua. They announced that a groundbreaking ceremony and tree planting activity will be held at the site in Purok Mabinuligon, Brgy. Handumanan when weather permits.

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between SJI, SJI-AA, Gawad Kalinga, and Queen of Peace Parish. From left: Handumanan Brgy. Captain Ricardo Danoy, Mrs. Rosita Uybico, Fr. Noly Que, Mr. William Chua, Mr. Roberto Magalona, Mr. Dennis Coo, Mr. Nelson Señoron, Dr. Arneil Chua, and Mr. Marlo Montelibano.

SJIAA officers So Ha Uy, Nelson Señoron, and Precy TanKit turn over the check facsimile worth P3,250,000 to Gawad Kalinga representatives Joe Gatuslao, Roberto Magalona, Gerry Lacson, and Ricky Lacson.

GK “unity in building” (Community) Logo and Our Alma Mater Seal

admin — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:03:07 +0000

Here are the Concepts for our GK Village

Rationale:

I have come up with a symbolic composition of a marker…it is a combination of the GK “unity in building”(community) logo and our alma mater seal… with a variety of accent such as the roof that symbolizes shelter or the famous arch of “QUEEN OF PEACE Church” that also serves not only as an aesthetic piece but a stabilizing frame for the whole sculpture… The text signage will be on a concrete precast background…material may vary from stainless, to plain gi carved and painted, or bronze plate (depends on the resources)… location will be landscaped with carabao grass and a few local creeping plants such as lantana or peanut plant…

i have diverted from chinese motiff since the presence of chinese characters in the seal is evident presence of our School’s identity. this sculpted composition is contemporary and arranged in a simple use of shapes making it very easy to understand upon arrival

Roger Andre Aguilar

The SJI Alumni Association would like to know what you think. You can cast your vote through the poll located on the side panel of this page. If you have comments and/or suggestions, kindly send us a note using the Contact Us form. You may also Click Here.

2nd Interbatch Basketball Golden Jubilee Edition

elizte — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:54:12 +0000

Dear All,

The 2nd Interbatch Basketball Golden Jubilee Edition kicked off last April 19, 2008 at St. John’s Activity Center. A total of 10 participating teams and Queen of Parish team as the guest team. Games are played every Tuesdays, Thursdays ,Saturdays at 6:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm. This activity is being sponsored by the ST. John’s Alumni Association.

Let’s come watch and cheer for our batch team in action.

Bizmen, Actress Lead SJI Golden Jubilee

elizte — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:40:44 +0000

St. John’s Institute (SJI), popularly known in the Bacolod Chinese community as ‘Hua Ming’, is celebrating its 50^th golden jubilee from March 27 to February 11, 2009.

In yesterday’s gathering of students, alumni, board of directors and members of the media, SJI principal Father Noly Que described the institution as “reaching the prime age of 50 years but she is far from retiring.”

SHI, through one of its active alumna Marivic Rio, disclosed its line up of activities highlighted by the presence of Dr. Lucio Tan, entrepreneur Lance Gokongwei, book author Atty. Alex Lacson and actress Chin-Chin Gutierrez.

These activities were designed holistically as it synergize “credibility, spirituality and culture,” and will be posted in various media outlets and opened to the general public.

Rio said Lacson, Gutierrez and Gokongwei already confirmed their participation to the year-long event. Lacson and Gutierrez will be at SJI in August in line with the school’s ‘Lingo ng Wika’ symposium, where Lacson will speak on “How to become a Good Filipino Citizen” while Gutierrez will speak the topic: ‘Discovering True Heritage.’

Gokongwei would be the main speaker in a symposium entitled ‘Entrepreneurship in a Wired and Wild World,’ scheduled December 19.

Rio said Tan has not sent his word of confirmation yet but he would be the special guest during the opening of the golden heritage exhibit on October 30 at the SJI Heritage Hall, High School Building.

Two other main program highlights were also presented. One is the search for 50 preeminent SJI alumni (deceased or living), which was launched yesterday and dubbed as the ‘Search for SJI Golden Jubilee Awardees.’ The search would culminate on January 26 in a program titled ‘Honoring our Best Awards Night.’

There would also be the groundbreaking of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Handumanan on June 24, where 50 homes would be constructed and dedicated to the two SJI founders, Msgr. John B. Liu and Msgr. John Su.

Other events include the all original reenactment of ‘A Thousand Lives,’ the life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, launching of the coffee table book about the history of SJI, service awards for retired personnel and administrators and the Foundation Day on February 11.

Hua Ming/SJI Celebrates Golden Jubilee Year

elizte — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:56:29 +0000

Formerly Hua Ming Catholic School now St. John’s Institute (SJI) founded in 1959 by the two priests in collaboration of their evangelistic mission, Fr. (now Msgr.) John Su and Fr. (now Msgr.) John B. Liu, SJI is now 50 years in the field of education. Thanks to their pioneering efforts and the generous heart of the late Don Alfredo Montelibano, Sr. for donating the half hectare lot at the Capitol Shopping Center, which became the place of Chinese Catholic laity. There, they converged and bonded, which led to the establishment of Hua Ming Catholic School building. The first enrollment was only 372 as a mission school. But inevitably, it has gained ground, and grown into what it is now today. Of course, Msgr. John B. Liu has greatly contributed to the soaring development of the school having burned his eyebrows to realize the mission.

SJI has made waves in various areas of educational sports, culture and academic competitions, both in the region and national levels.

Not only that, it has penetrated the international atmosphere in the field of music having set its Children’s Choir and performed in Taiwan in 1975. There were numerous laudable accomplishments that SJI has brought honor to the Negros community. One of its alumna Beth Ong was chosen one of the Ten Outstanding Filipino-Chinese Youth of the Philippines in 1994. She was followed by Jennifer Ong – 1999, Ma. Christina Ham – 2000, Jasmin Cordova – 2001, Alissa Barcelona – 2003, Emilio Lopue, Jr. – 2005, Jermaine Sy – 2006, and recently, Jeanie Karen Uy. Expanding its horizon, under the able leadership of Fr. Noly Que as school head, SJI has received another blessing with the donation of 5 hectare lot by the Ayala Land Estate in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. This will be utilized for the pre-school education which is expected operational by Year 2010, and later, the construction of a Sports Complex and Information and Technology Center.

The golden jubilee celebration which kicked off yesterday, series of activities until February next year will be undertaken, all focused on community services.

SJI pillars are confident that all their visions will be realized because GOD WILL PROVIDE.

UPDATE: Change of CMS for johnians.net

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:02:56 +0000

The recent decision to make johnians.net the official website of St. John’s Institute made us feel the need to create a facility for contributors. The migration into a CMS (Content Management System) will help us in achieving the goal for a less time consuming voluntary work. Unfortunately, we failed to migrate the old registered users so one must have to re-register again to be able to fully utilize the site. Registration is simple and it will take only a few minutes of your time. A series of changes will be happening in the next few weeks so please bear with us.

Thank you and we hope that Johnians.net will be useful to the majority, if not all, of Hua Ming’s Alumni.

Gawad Kalinga Updates

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

DEAR ALUMNI,

We,the SJI Alumni Assn. are looking forward to receive your financial support for the Msgr. John Liu and Msgr. John Su GK Village.

DEAR ALUMNI,

We,the SJI Alumni Assn. are looking forward to receive your financial support for the Msgr. John Liu and Msgr. John Su GK Village. For a minimal gift of Php65,000.00, you can provide a house for a family of four for eternity. So far 30 houses have been committed by 22 individuals and 8 SJI Batches the youngest of which is from Batch 2008. A multi purpose gym has been committed by Senator Zubiri. We are still looking for generous entities for the Day Care Center and Training Center. We hope to have all donations by May 15, 2008.

The groundbreaking will be on June 24, 2008 with the actual turnover of the houses to the beneficiaries on January 26, 2009. The team is now busy working with the site development plans. Pretty soon they will be organizing the actual construction team to be participated by alumni teachers, students and parents.

We seek the technical expertise of our beloved alumni for the purpose of this project. We welcome civil engineers, architects, electrical engineers to contact Finance Head Nelson Senoron at 09189002253 or SJIAA President William Chua at 09173008877 if you willing to spend a little time to this worthy project.

With your help and support, we hope to provide the 50 homes for 50 underpriveleged families in honor of Msgr. John Liu and Msgr John Su, the founding fathers of our esteemed alma mater, in the spirit of 50 golden years of Johnian existence.

Thank you

2nd SJI Interbatch Basketball Friendship Cup

jubert — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:59:24 +0000

6-May Tue 1st 1999/00 vs 96
2nd Legends vs 2001/02

8-May Thur 1st 94/95 vs 90/91/92
2nd 97/98 vs 2006/07

13-May Tue 1st 93/03 vs QPP
2nd 2001/02 vs 97/98

15-May Thur 1st 94/95 vs 1999/00
2nd 97/98 vs Legends

17-May Sat 1st 2001/02 vs QPP
2nd Eighties vs 94/95

18-May Sun 1st 97/98 vs 93/03
2nd Legends vs 2006/07
3rd 96 vs 90/91/92

20-May Tue 1st 96 VS Eighties
2nd 2006/07 vs QPP

Bracket A
94/95
96
90,91,92
19999/2000
SJI Eighties

Bracket B

93/03
2006/07
97/98
Queen of Peace Parish
Hua Ming Legends
2001/02

Tue/Thu/Sat 1st game 6 pm, 2nd game 720 pm

Sun 1st game 3 pm, 2nd game 420 pm 3rd game 545 pm

A LETTER of GOODBYE to my FRIENDS

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

This was retyped from the original scanned version posted on one SJI Alumni mailing list.

Dear Friends,

Saying goodbye to you with whom I have been living for more than fifty years here in Bacolod is indeed very hard. As I Prepare to leave for my home town I feel the pain in my heart, as all humans do.

Then why should I leave? As you know my character, I am always on the go, I never am idle or stagnant. When I was the Principal seldom do I sit in the office. After having done the important communications and correspondence, I would go around the classrooms and watch the activities of the students especially at recess time.

Now, I cannot walk without a wheelchair. Day in and day out in my room I feel like a caged dragon who seldom see the blue sky. Like a prisoner in the prison, all the time I think of all the ways to change the environment, to make things better. but most of all to escape from theis restricting prison. Recently, I decided to go to my home town. As people say “Falling leaves return to the roots”. There in my hometown I may not be able to do much, however, I may help the parish priest to hear confessions and to give homily.

To leave the Queen of Peace Church and St. John’s Institute is piercing my heart. For more than fifty years, I have helped to nurture them and watch them grow. Now, I have to leave them. how will I not be able to feel the pain in my heart?

My dear friends, in conclusion, I have contributed a share in the glory of Queen of Peace Church and the achievements of St. John’s Institute. It is thorugh the grace of God and a gift from all of you.

I earnestly pray and ask the Lord to continue to bless the administration of the two institutions. Fr. Noly, Fr. Gary, Fr. Juerl. With your continued cooperation my dear friends, everything in the campus will continue to progress and soon to be recognized as a premier school of excellence ……. after the Golden Jubilee.

Goodby, my friends, take care

Yours in Christ,

Msgr. John Su