Last December 08, 2010 (Wednesday) was a non-academic day for the high school community. The High School Campus Ministry headed by Mr. Honey Rod Alfaro prepared activities for the said day.
08:00 – 09:30 – Eucharistic Celebration (Celebrant: Fr. Francis Bustamante, SJ) – Venue: HS Lobby
09:30 – 10:00 – Recess10:00 – 11:00 – Students will go back to their classrooms
11:00 – 12:00 – Students will decorate their classrooms
12:00 – 01:30 – Lunch
01:30 – 04:00 – Contest by Year Level
The high school faculty and staff club sold some foods and beverages for snacks and lunch at the high school lobby after the Mass.
The class moderators have the time to decorate their classroom or conceptualize and plan for their Christmas Party.
Contests for the afternoon session:
First Year – Christmas Card Making Contest
Theme: My Extra-Ordinary Christmas Experience
“Christmas, therefore, is an extremely important and revered holiday for most Filipinos. It is a time for family, for sharing, for giving, and a time for food, fun, and friendship.
To most Filipinos, Christmas is the most anticipated fiesta of the year and is celebrated accordingly. The splendid climate of this tropical island nation, the abundance and beauty of its flowers, and lovely landscape, its multitude of culinary delights, and above all its warm-hearted people with their true devotion to family and faith all contribute to a holiday celebrated in the true Philippines fiesta tradition.”
“Some families have a talent show during Christmas Eve celebration. Children are asked to perform. One might sing a Christmas song, others might play a musical instrument, or others may recite a poem or do a dance. The celebration continues until about 6 o’clock in the morning. Those who cannot attend Mass the night before will go to the morning Mass on Christmas day.
Christmas day is a popular day for children to visit their uncles, aunts, godmothers, and godfathers. At each home they are presented with a gift, usually candy, money, or a small toy. Food and drinks are also offered at each stop. It is a day of family closeness, and everyone wishes good cheer and glad tidings.”
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/philippine_christmas.htm
What other way can be best captured the experiences of our students than to allow them to express it through art?
Materials:
- The size of the Christmas Card will be 1/8 illustration board.
- Coloring Pens and materials
3 winners from the entire entry. Class will receive 200 pesos.
Second Year – Parol Making Contest
Theme: My Wish List for Christmas
“The bamboo parol (pah-role), or star lantern, is the symbol of Christmas in the Philippines, representing the guiding light, the star of Bethlehem. It emits a warmth unparalleled among holiday adornments and is unique to the Philippines.”
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/philippine_christmas.htm
Most of the time if not all the word wish and pray are used interchangeably. Fr. Ramon Bautista, SJ once said that we become what we pray and so I also believe that we become what we wish. We are what we are wishing for. Just like the Father of Pinocchio who once wished that Pinocchio will one day become human just like anybody. As long as our wishes are pure and from the heart, believe that you have already received it.
Materials:
- All materials should be indigenous or those materials already to be recycled
- Campus Ministry will provide the skeleton.
2 Parols for each class.
3 winners. Cash Prize: 3rd place = P 300 2nd place = 400 1st place = 500
Third Year Classes – Christmas Tree Making Contest.
Theme: My Prayer as I prepare for the coming of Christ
The Meaning of Christmas Tree by William V. Rauscher
“The Christmas tree comes to us from Germany. Martin Luther is credited with being inspired by the starry heavens one night, and expressing his feelings to his family by bringing a fir tree into his home, and attaching lighted candles to its branches. Fir meant fire, and fire is an ancient symbol for spirit. The tree also pointed toward the heavens.
Evergreens were thought to represent the ever-burning fire of life. The color green signified the life force through the year. Eventually decorative balls represented the planets, while the star that radiates from the top reminds us of Bethlehem. The entire tree and decorations teach us that the universe is witness to the Incarnation.
Red at Christmas reminds us of the fire of the Spirit. Green affirms nature, and the ongoing life. And in the Incarnation, Spirit unites with nature.
In fact, the Christmas tree symbolizes to us a further appreciation of Jesus’ birth. It is a means of retelling a miracle in a colorful and beautiful way so that we can further understand and appreciate Jesus’ entering our world.
Actually, the tree is a reinterpretation of pagan rites, along with the use of other greens and decorations to commemorate in ancient times a celebration of the feast of Saturnalia – the birth of the Sun in the sky at the Winter Solstice. Along with the giving of gifts, the feast was later Christianized with the selection of December 25th to announce the birth of the Son of God to the world.
The tree also tells the story of a cosmic event – a mystery. In personal celebrations of Christmas the tree begins its use in the 16th century, and is later brought to America by German immigrants.
The heavens and earth rejoice in the coming of the Lord of Life. Our decision must be either for our Christmas tree to represent the celebration of the birth of Christ, or simply an acknowledgment of the pagan festival of the Winter Solstice.
What does the beauty of the Christmas tree say to you?”
http://www.mysticlightpress.com/index.php?page_id=123
From the Christmas Tree we will see what are the prayers of our students, what are their aspirations for their family, friends and school. As they see, hear and read on papers what is going on around us today – the many killings, injustices and poverty.
Materials:
- All materials should be indigenous or those materials already to be recycled.
- Campus Ministry will provide the skeleton.
- The class will provide the greens and another necessary decorations according to the theme.
3 winners: Cash Prize: 3rd place = P 300 2nd place = 400 1st place = 500
Fourth Year – Christmas Diorama
Classes will do the following:
a. The Announcement of the Birth of John
b. The Announcement of the Birth of Jesus
c. Mary Visits Elizabeth
d. The Birth of Jesus
e. The Presentation in the Temple
f. The Finding in the Temple
Fourth Year classes will draw lots as to who will do one of the choices above.
Theme: JAM – Jesus and Me
One the most important characteristics in the Ignatian Spirituality is our quality relationship with our God. We cannot say we love our God and have a deep relationship with Him if we don’t even know Him personally. As we prepare for the coming of the Christ, 100% divine 100% human, it would be good to discover and/or re-discover who God really is in our life.
In doing the diorama, the students will have the opportunity to be immersed in the infancy narrative. Most if not all know the story of the birth of Jesus but I am pretty sure that very few know the story behind the scene of the coming of Jesus Christ.
Criteria:
Creativity of Concept (Swak ba sa tema?): 10 points
Presentation (Nakakaakit ba ang presentasyon?): 10 points
Materials Used (Gaano ka indigenous ang mga ginamit na materyal?) 10 points
Materials:
- All materials should be indigenous or those materials already to be recycled.
- Characters in the diorama should stand 1 meter tall.
3 winners: Cash Prize: 3rd place = P 300 2nd place = 400 1st place = 500
