by Namnama Rosimo
Mrs. Mayeth T. Valdez, a College Instructor and a part-time High School Teacher joined other five teachers from the Philippines for the Teacher Exchange Program in Indonesia last February 2017.
The Exchange Teacher Program is between the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Church- Related Educational Action Towards Empowerment (UCCP-CREATE) of the Philippines and the United Evangelical Missionaries (UEM) of Indonesia.
The program was participated in by six teachers- one each from Abra, and La Union and two each from Tabuk and Ifugao. The teachers stayed in North Sumatra, Indonesia for one month where they are assigned to six different schools.
The purpose of the program is to bridge differences in language and culture and to discover and introduce Teaching Strategies in English Language. Mrs Valdez says, “I thought motherhood is the biggest milestone one could have but I found out it is more overwhelming to discover proofs of the relationship between our Philippine culture to that of the lineage we were taught we have come from-the Indo-Malay.”
After the program, Mrs. Valdez re-echoed her experiences and learning to her co-workers in Saint Tonis as part of the dissemination.
By Jhardine Fe Awoy
In the morning of July 6, Saint Tonis College Inc. (STCI) celebrated as it welcomed its new President. Bishop Elorde Sambat, a native of Pampanga was inducted at United Church of Christ (UCCP) Capitol Church as the second President of the School.
The program started at around 8 o’ clock in the morning where many people attended to congratulate and witness the big event. Huge local personalities such as Hon. Ferdinand Tubban, the City Mayor , Hon. Jocel C. Baac, Governor, Representative from DepEd, CHED, TESDA, Hon. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Representatives from the Ecumenical Circle, NGO’s, the Manila North Conference and Mr. Keith Arleigh Quebral, the Chairman of the UCCP General Assembly showed up to give their warm greetings and support to the new President.
His family members likewise travelled a long way to attend and show their support to Bishop Elorde.
Among the promising visions of the new president are Unity despite Diversity, Strong Values Formation, Transparency, Commitment to Academic Excellence and the phrase “I will do my best by the Grace of God to fulfill my duties and responsibilities”- virtues which represent the acronym UCCP-STCI.
The ceremony lasted for almost 3 hours and ended with an inspiring and valuable speech from the newly inducted president. After that, it was followed by a grand lunch prepared to be shared by everyone.