MIRACLE AMIDST THE STORM

by: Christine C. Ruedas, MM-IHSM DIP PE

Typhoon Haiyan heralded the birth of baby Jay-R. His mother braved the storm of epic proportions, literally crawling through uprooted trees and debris, leaving behind her husband and 3 sons (in Leyte) just so Jay-R could receive medical help. You see, this little one was born with myelomeningocele – a rare and severe form of spina bifida. It is a neural tube defect wherein the bones of the spine do not form completely, causing the spinal cord to stick out of the child’s back. He also has (bilateral) congenital talipes equinovarus, otherwise known as clubfoot.

Jay-R and his mother have been here in Cebu ever since with no one else to turn to except for the staff at Mactan Air Base Hospital where Velez PT alumni and student body donated medicines, clothing and food items to other victims of Yolanda.

Driven by compassion and empathy, the staff took it upon themselves to welcome baby Jay-R into the Christian world…

Let’s take a break from all the madness to celebrate this little miracle from Heaven.

Photos taken and posted with consent.

COLLEGE OF NURSING IN A NIGHT OF FUN IN FICTION AND FANTASY

Imagine a night where you get to meet your favorite fictional characters up close. Imagine getting introduced to them and shaking their hand. Now imagine actually talking, dancing and mingling with their crowd. Sounds super, doesn’t it?

The College of Nursing actually got to do all that and more at Mandarin Plaza Hotel last July 12, 2014. Everyone—from the students to the teachers were dressed to the nines in their best impersonation of their favorite fictional character. There was Jack Frost, Alice in Wonderland, Wonderwoman and even Audrey Hepburn. The atmosphere was bursting at the seams from everybody’s excitement—especially the freshies who were giddy with the thought of making new friends. With that giddiness was also a sense of nervousness, but the chill vibe within the venue helped cool their apprehension.

The program started with an introductory video about everybody’s favorite fiction and fantasy characters, signalling the start of the night. As the night deepend, several performances entertained the audience, warming them up. Each year level had a video presentation and a dance presentation starting with the freshies to the seniors, respectively. The Lipschitz and the Whitecaps members also wowed the audience. What really got everybody’s attention was the Clinical Instructor’s dance presentation.

There were also several games played where students from different levels were either paired with a student from another section or level or with a Clinical Instructor. The game, The Apple of My Eye seemed to hold everybody’s attention as the contestants hilariously tried to balance the apple between themselves. Laughter filled the room and soon, everybody was enjoying themselves and talking to each other.

Eventually, every night had an end. Unlike Cinderella though, the students’ curfew wasn’t midnight. It was eight PM. That night wasn’t just an ordinary night. It was just the start of something new; a night that they would never forget.

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SCOLIOSIS SCREENING @ PARKMALL

On June 28, in observation of the International Scoliosis Awareness Day, the Community Extension Service (CES) in cooperation with the College of Physical Therapy and the CWTS students and faculty, participated in the Scoliosis Screening at Parkmall.
Interested mall visitors and spectators were taught scoliosis preventive exercises and were screened for scoliosis.
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Welcome to the launching of the official Velez College website!

After years of planning and development, the school now has its own space on the internet!

To get things started, let us give you a short summary of what you will find in the site:

  1. The latest news and events happening at Velez College
  2. School calendar which lists all the important dates for the school year
  3. Information about the Velez College; its history, mission and vision, and the people behind it.
  4. The different colleges: Nursing, Medical Technology, Physical and Occupational Therapy, and College of Arts and Sciences and everything you want to know about their course offerings.
  5. Admission policies and requirements for getting in.
  6. Alumni news and activities, and inquiries
  7. Contact numbers and emails for all the important people in Velez College
  8. Student organizations links, activities, and announcements
  9. Links to official social media sites on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

We will be adding more content as we go on. Our goal is to keep everyone updated on what is happening and for the site to be a part of your Velez College experience.

Please also add us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The links can be found on the main page of the website.

The site is still a work in progress so we hope you can give us your feedback and comments. Please feel free to email us and let us know what you think at info@velezcollege.com.

 

VELEZ COLLEGE: Changes to Expect

Phoebe Lao, Vital Signs Publication

Velez College amplifies its zeal for excellence. Fueled by the coming of PAASCU (Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities) on the 29th to 31st of January 2015, Velez College is gearing up full force for drastic changes. PAASCU is an accrediting body recognized by many countries. Alongside the recent construction of a six-floor school building and a modern food park, this year is a continuity of the progress that has kicked off. “I would like Velez College to evolve since we’ve pretty much been left behind,” addresses Mr. James Louis Ting (Vice President of Administration/School Administrator of Velez College). According to Mr. Ting, this year holds a series of revamping: all access to E-books and E-journals, stronger Wireless Fidelity connection and air conditioning of the school library. “I hope that we can catch up, and we will catch up,” he adds.

“We are very lucky and fortunate that the administration has already approved of the school clinic,” states Dr. Cecilia Lepon-Capatoy (dean of the College of Medical Technology). Dr. Capatoy envisions for an “Earning and Learning” students’ laboratory which will work hand in hand with the school clinic. Working together, the school clinic and students’ laboratory will offer tests (Urinalysis, Fecalysis, Hepatitis B screening, Complete Blood Count) and centralized vaccination for all Velezian students. Furthermore, the department of Clinical Chemistry is awaiting the arrival of a newly purchased fume hood while the department of Microbiology/Parasitology also awaits for a new biosafety cabinet. “These may be little things but these are improvements. I am (very) positive about it,” the dean adds.

Renovations are expected later this year as Velez College upgrades its facilities. One of which is the revamping of the school gym. Mr. James Ting mentions of more sports activities to be catered for the benefit of everyone. Beautification projects and new landscapes are also anticipated for this school year. Putting up of kiosks and gazebos will compose a new Students’ Area by second semester.

As for the academe, the school has a Five Year Development Plan in order. The teachers are bracing themselves for a change: Outcomes-Based Education. “We (faculty) will have yet to learn,” Dr. Capatoy expresses her openness to refine what needs to be refined. “I think we all know that the school is never going to compromise its quality of education,” as articulated by Mrs. Carol R. Kangleon (Dean of the Department of Nursing).

“We will have a new development in the future,” says Mr. Ting as he reveals of a plan for a new campus after the years K-12 will affect (2016-2018). He also tells us of the school to offer new courses by that time. “We are ready to invest on it,” he declares. With the coming waves of development we will be facing soon, there isn’t any doubt that a blend of history and modernity will paint the walls of Velez College a few years from now.

@OSSA

Are you a Velez student who needs help with something?

Are you a teacher wishing to learn more about how to help his/ her students?

Perhaps a parent who would like to know more about partnership with the College?

Or are you a visitor who would like to learn more about Velez College?

Come to the Office of Student Services and Affairs. We might just be able to help you.

The Office of Student Services and Affairs (OSSA) commits itself to the holistic development of students through the balanced, integrated and coordinated student assistance programs and services that complement the professional academic programs of Velez College.

 

OUR SERVICES

  • Student Welfare Services

Information and Orientation
Guidance and Counseling
Career and Job Placement
Student Handbook Development

  • Student Development Services

Student Activities
Student Organizations
Leadership Training
Student Council & Government
Student Discipline
Student Publication

  • Institutional Services

Admission Services
Scholarships
School Clinic & Student Medical Benefits
Safety & Security Services
Cultural, Arts & Athletics Programs

Reach us using the following contact information:

Telephone:       +63 32 253 2018
Email:              ossa@velezcollege.com

College of Arts and Sciences Flashbacks on Summer Vibe, James Bond Style!

By: Honey Mixdon

The College of Arts and Sciences celebrated their annual Acquaintance party with a bang! Dressed in hawaiian get ups equipped with state of the art water guns, the biology students and CAS teachers alike attended the hawaiian themed pool party held at Metropark Hotel, Lahug last friday, July 18.

The fun ambiance drew the perfect mood for welcoming the new faces in the biology department. Students, teachers and technicians all joined and participated in the games formulated by the masters of the ceremony making the event a blast.

A series of song and dance numbers were presented along with the highlight of the night, the selection of Mr and Ms Biology 2014.

After the program ended, all anonymity was completely eradicated. With water guns, water balloons and swimming pool at arms’ length, it was impossible not to get wet! You either get wet alone in the corner or run after the mate that splashed you. Truly it was an unforgettable evening!

Harnessing the joint efforts manning up the whole department, it was definitely a mission accomplished! Thanks to our very efficient SBO officers headed by SBO President RTJ Española together with SBO Adviser Mrs. Jovian Rizzari and the whole biology ohana.

Photos by Honey Mixdon

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RED CARPET OBLIVION

By Ruchin Polancos

Notwithstanding the recurring downpour of rain, the College of Occupational Therapy traversed their way to Paradise Garden Events Pavilion for an unforgettable “RED CARPET” night of fun and excitement during their annual Acquaintance Party held last July 26, 2014.

 As one of the school year’s most awaited affairs, the aforesaid event gathered the student populace and the OT faculty as they reestablished bonds and welcomed the new members of the community. The students’ impressive metamorphosis marked one of the highlights of the event as they paraded through the place wearing their exquisite and fancy ensembles with dazzling smiles and sophisticated grace.

The first part of the program, hosted by the third year students, Charmaine Tan and Alyza Miole, commenced at eight o’ clock in the evening beginning with an opening prayer by Charilyn Lopez which lead to the feasting of the banquet meticulously prepared by the organizers.

The emcees for the night entertained the students with a game of “Guess Who” by showing an array of throwback pictures of the OT faculty. As the night wore on, a series of dance and song demonstrations were presented by the students and showcased the magnificent skills and talents of the Occupational Therapy students.

Zoids, the PTOT dance troop, blew our minds away with a hair-standing and jaw-dropping dance number that not only anchored us to our seats but spurred us to action with loud and energetic howls and cheers and thunderous applause.

At the end of the night, an accolade of awards were given out to the students and teachers who stood out like a diamond in a sea of pearls.

Photos by Ruchin Polancos

Blitzkrieg: Color, Unity, and Solemnity

By Jan Fernandez

As you step in the Family Park, you encounter upon yourself a wave of confusion. Why? For a certain reason, the vibrant colors will surprise not only you but also perhaps your untrained eyes, and yes, it, by all means will leave you in a state of utter less motion. Feasting on the sights unseen before and the glamour of the décor, left all, especially the first years, in a humbling awe. Then another phase of the “transition” kicks in, we Velezians, like all human beings are social creatures; By the justification of the just, we just have to search for our dear friends, now don’t we? But before we go rushing in and saying, “hey-ho” and other whatnots, we realize that we first have to register and therefore must decide, either pink or blue if not both of the face paint.

As we scan the environment, in our minds it is captured, processed, and to be reacted in a moment, a snapshot of everything that is to come; blitzkrieg of joyous colors of the festival, unity of the ever-excited first years through forth the energetic fourth years, and finally the solemnity and quaintness of momentous silence in the melting pot of energy, excitement, and pure fun.

The morning is kick started by splashes of water from who knows where. It is a give off to a watery day, trust me. And without even announcing of the start of the party, you can feel the emanation of the essence of the party itself: smiles, laughter, and grins of those who wish to splash water to their fellow friends. I remember the rush of adrenaline in my veins. A month and three days of hard work and perhaps even sleepless nights for us and most especially to our third year fellows, it is right and just that we dance the whole day away, and indeed we have done so successfully. We can hear “Ahh’s, woo’s, and yeah’s”, booming the atmosphere as we students and faculty members dance the early morning to the up-beat dance led by the pros. We would not even care if we are sweaty, hair all messed up, or even our clothes being stained by a concoction of colors. Yes, that’s how much fun we had.

But deep inside, amidst of the clash of chaotic mix of color, fun, and dance, we realize and ponder to ourselves, “All would not be in place if not for the faculty, SBOs, and volunteers”, in a conclusive realization of what I graciously call as unified effort of all kindred spirits for the beneficiary of the collective, assuring myself that you agree too of this conclusion amid of the opinions and facts.

After a multitude of absolute fun and games, like all good things in life, it too must come to an end. With faces that of a new born baby, smiling and ever ready for the future, we enclosed the day with a heighten determination in face of trials and of grieve failures and that we shall stand strong for the coming future, well acquainted with the Med-tech Velezians, together we rise as a community and as one embodied spirit. And as goes for my personal best quote for unity, “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”- J.K. Rowling.

Vital Signs

By John Marc B. Abarquez

It has been through the years the inconspicuous yet solid voice of the Velezian people— a lifeline and a means of information dissemination. The organization holds a promising collective roster of writers and leaders alike set to define the vague bylines of writing and transform it into a pure work of art in words.

Its primary goal not only lies in addressing what needs to be known but also to encourage more people to take part in the broadening web of contemporary writing and rekindle the dying fire of literacy.

To put it simply, from the organization’s name per se, one can idealize that the school paper of Velez College is an integral part of the institution as we provide the means to inform the people with the events that occur within or out of the campus no matter what the circumstance. Here we prefer quality over quantity, equality over supremacy, and the truth over lies. We are the pulse of the people.

“The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.”
-W.H. Cass

Editor-in-chief:
John Marc B. Abarquez

Internal Associate Editor:
Jayson Steven G. Elizalde

External Associate Editor:
Delta Dyrecka C. Letigio

Managing Editor:
Earl Patrick E. Dosdos

Copy Editor:
Ruchin L. Polancos

Feature Editor:
Phoebe Grace I. Lao

News Editor:
McJohn C. Ybañez

Head of Photojournalists:
William Henri E. Tan