St. John’s Institute (SJI), popularly known in the Bacolod Chinese community as ‘Hua Ming’, is celebrating its 50th 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.
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.
elizte | 
05 15th, 2008| 
