By Kim Varga

LOREGA, Cebu – Volunteers from prominent colleges and universities in Cebu in partnership with Gawad Kalinga converge at this “GK build” site to aid in the construction of a dwelling complex which would provide free housing for poverty- stricken residents of the community.

A heartwarming congregation of professionals and students mostly from the University of San Carlos, Saint Theresa’s College, Cebu Institute of Technology and our very own Velez College composed the building squad for this half- day activity, which began at 7:00 am and ended 12:00 noon on a Saturday, August 13, 2011.

The site located behind the old Sacred Heart Jesuit campus is in the heart of an evidently destitute section of the city. The ground originally served as a public cemetery prior to excavation. As it was found, residents of the area relieved the tombs of their coffins and inhabited the interment chambers for themselves.

The condition, nonetheless, called for a community outreach and Gawad Kalinga Cebu spearheaded the project. The two- storey complex, once established, will provide a home to twenty families in the area. Day to day construction supplemented with regular volunteer work from various individuals and groups organized together with core members of GK Cebu ensures the destitute inhabitants of this area the home they shall finally call their own.

[for more details on the project visit: GK Cebu on facebook]

By: Jiri Othello Gabrillo Dinsay & Gladys Marie Lugtu

It was a majestic day for all athletes and sports fans as CESAFI season 11 opened last August 7, 2011 with the theme: “Reviving ecology through sports and academic excellence”. Each school thundered the Cebu Coliseum with cheers and applauses in support for their representatives. The program started off with a holy mass with the intention for “True sportsmanship and clean and honest games”. After which, the athletes paraded gallantly around the big dome with a great sense of pride as they waved emblems of their alma mater.

The athletes recited the pledge of sportsmanship in unison as the symbolic torch pass took place. The athletes shook each other’s hands with humility and wished each other all the best. The activity commenced immediately starting with the Mr. and Ms. CESAFI 2011, which was proudly represented by our very own Ms. Jonnie Rose Wee and Mr. Lyrey Yves Campos, who later on bagged the title of Mr. CESAFI 2011. The two Velezians competed against the beauties and the handsome men of other schools and exhibited poise and composure amidst the screaming fans. The Best Smile award for both the Male and Female category was given to the University of San Carlos (USC); 2nd runner up for the college male category was bagged by USC, and University of Cebu (UC) for the female category; 1st runner up for the male category was from University of Visayas (UV), and Cebu Doctor’s University (CDU) for the female category; and finally the title Mr. CESAFI was of course awarded to Velez College, and his counterpart, Ms. CESAFI, was from Cebu Institute of Technology- University (CIT-U). Velez was also very well-represented by the 3rd year nursing students who showcased their talents in the dance presentations.

As the season stretched on, each participant displayed a healthy competitive drive, mastery of their craft and creativity in the use of strategy. There were numerous events and activities but it was very commendable of the winners to have remained magnanimous in their victory and how those who tried their best exemplified humility in defeat. It was also obvious that trophies, recognitions and awards only came second to what was important which was to play for the love of the game.

At present, the tournament is still reaching its peak and the competition is getting more exciting as ever. But at a glance, the CESAFI 2011 will be remembered as an amazing event. The organizers, athletes and fans are already looking forward to the bigger and more exciting season next year.

By Kim Varga

Velez College, Cebu – Velezians answer the call for a bloodletting activity in a cooperative effort to provide a solution towards the depletion of the Cebu Velez General Hospital’s blood reserves.

The activity, organized by three of the headstrong Velez College organizations: the Supreme Student Council, Vital Signs and L.F.S. 1925 took place on September 29 to 30, 2011 at the CVGH laboratory. The ceremonies respectively falling on a Thursday and Friday were greeted with favorable air as numerous blood donors of each of the adjoining colleges from Nursing to Physical and Occupational Therapy along with proxies and walk-ins gradually poured in.
As agreed upon, the planned quota for this project is 60 blood-bags of 450- 500 ml that has passed thru the requirements of CVGH. The final tally of the bloody two days was by all means an accomplishment: 61 persons screened and 50 successfully bled in either of the ABO blood groups.

Free snacks and excused leaves on classes were provided as common courtesy to donors. All parties present were briefed on a known fact that one blood bag can save up to four human individuals; this ratio together with this project gives us all a reason to start counting lives and keep in mind that it takes all types to keep the beat going!

By Kat Arriola

When school year 2011-2012 has started, fresh meat came to bay. I mean, fresh faces come to school! As a new school year started so did new subjects, lessons, new shoes, new ball pens and the most exciting of them all are new relationships; new friendships between students of the same year level, of higher or lower years, maybe same courses or between different ones. It may as well be between teachers and students. Friendship is important. Just imagine going through the whole school year without friends? Even if you planned not to have any, I bet you’ll always meet one along the Velez grounds. So as to help with these budding relationships, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and the Velez College Administration had a general assembly for the freshmen on June 17-18, 2011 at the Epiphania Mendoza Velez Memorial (EMVM) hall.

The first year students were assembled according to their respective courses to foster acquaintance together with the different faculty members, guidance councilors, the different school organizations, and to the rules and regulations of Velez College.

During the assembly, the faculty members of their respective departments were presented. The students were oriented to the proper protocols of the administration, such as enrollment and the like. They were also told about the rules and regulations observed within the institution. An example would be wearing of the complete and proper uniform, the proper haircut and accessories allowed, and other things that are written in the students’ manual which they were given on the event. Matters concerning extra fees during the enrollment intended for the different organizations in school were explained.

The assembly was geared to familiarize the students with the school policies, to guide them in this new collegiate journey and also a chance to get to know each other by playing games and having fun, which could help them establish the camaraderie that makes this adventure more worthwhile.
At the end of the day, the students gained a lot of “new” things. New information, new mentors, new friends which heralds them to this new world that is college.