STI College Iloilo

By LLOYD CELIS, Career Adviser

The great writer, William Shakespeare, once said, “All the world is a stage and all men and women merely players. They have their entrances and their exits. And one man in his time plays many parts.”

Months ago, we began academic year 2011-2012 in a bigger, better, and brighter STI College Iloilo stage. This academic year was marked with continuous upgrading of college facilities and equipment, and a cavalcade of improved academic delivery system and one of a kind experience in all college initiated co curricular activities.

When June and July said hello for the first time.

Who would ever forget our Party Rock themed STI Acquaintance Party at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center? The numerous song and dance numbers and the all night after event parties became a key which broke the ice between old and new STIers and formed new friendships and foster bonds and cliques.

June and July also marked a breakthrough in our student politics with the introduction of a Bi-party system – the birth of VOICE OF THE STUDENTS (VOS) and GROUP OF ACTIVE LEADERS (GOAL), not to mention, the realization of our first ever automated election. We also witnessed the rebirth of academic organizations such as the ICT Club, the GE Council, the Performing Arts Club, among others. All these breakthroughs were featured at ARANGKADA of GMA TV6 Iloilo.

August Rush

We experienced August rush as the college hosted the Regional Tagisan ng Talino- Socials at SM City Iloilo. The Western Visayas Cluster Competition paved the way for STIErs from around the region to showcase their flairs in various social competitions like Battle of the Bands, Singing Idol, Hataw Sayaw and the highly anticipated Search for Mr and Ms STI Western Visayas 2011. In these competitions, STI College Iloilo dominated the stage with JAAKS Band as Battle of the Bands Champion, Kathy Luto as STI’s Ultimate Singing Idol, and John Joseph Dela Fuente and Carleen Stephanie Ramirez bagging the Mrs STI Western Visayas First Runner up and Ms STI Western Visayas 2012 respectively.

August also marked the 28^th National Anniversary of the STI Network. We at STI Iloilo is proud to have participated in the celebration held at ENCHANTED KINGDOM in Sta Rosa, Laguna. The celebration also gave us the opportunity to meet other STIers from our 87 network of schools in the Philippines.

On the local scene, NSTP students also made a difference as they subjected themselves to a Leadership Training and Team Building Workshop, facilitated by NSTP Adviser Andren Cordero and the TOSP Western Visayas Alumni at Nes’n Tats Beach Resort at Oton, Iloilo.

The newly organized General Education Council, headed by Ruby Bagatilla, added more charge to every STIer’s August rush as they spearheaded the month-long BUWAN ng WIKA Celebration.

September to Remember

Indeed, September was a month to remember when we celebrated our 23^rd Foundation Day. ILOILO STIers from four different teams, The GREEN Metamorphosis, YELLOW Angry Birds, RED Dragons, and the BLUE Eagles battled for supremacy and the much coveted Championship CUP thru a series and athletics, academics and social competitions.

Merry December
Before we bid goodbye to the Year 2011, we have our last hurray as an academic community thru our annual STI Christmas Party and the Search for the 2011 Miss Universe Reverse held at Pirates Bar and Restaurant at Smallville Business Complex.

Start anew January

We welcomed January 2012 with a new level of fun, excitement, and one-of-a-kind remarkable joyride when we travelled all together to Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington, Aklan to attend the 17^th National Youth Convention and to participate in the Ati atihan Grand Salvo.

Not to mention, we also filled the streets with STI colors yellow and blue as we joined the city and province of Iloilo in devotion to Senior Sto Nino and in merriment to the sights and sound of the world famous Dinagyang Festival 2012

All for Love February

It’s love month, and indeed we celebrated the V-day the STI way. NSTP students spent a day with Elderly at ASILO DE MOLO and children from the SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE in Zarraga, Iloilo.

Also in this month, STI wizards convened and gave all their best during the Regional Tagisan ng Talino Cluster Competition at STI College Bacolod. Our team reigned supreme in Stand Up and Deliver and made history as the THINK QUEST SENIOR LEVEL CHAMPION FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

March-ing towards success

Marching towards academic excellence, we take pride as the regional Champion in Think Quest Senior Level and Stand Up and Deliver. Our Regional champions competed and battled head-to-head with STIers from around the Philippines in solving ICT problems and impromptu speaking that boast STI students’ academic aptitude, ingenuity and analytical abilities.

And of course, the second semester celebration will never be completed without the STI Grand Ball. The annual college soiree went rainbow this year. STIers sashayed in the red carpet sporting their best rainbow collection.

Finally, we ended the semester thru a Nature Hug. NSTP Students together with other course organizations conducted Mangrove Planting at the Island Province of Guimaras .

It’s curtain call!!!

And now that the year is almost over, and as we prepare for the final curtain call, the STI Academic Community yells and cheers the STIERS of AY 20111-2012. In the few months, and years of your stay here at STI College Iloilo, we have seen how you grow, and embody the ideals of a true blue Citizen STI - an agent for positive change.

Through thick and thin, you never lose hope. In difficulties and triumphs, you lead as exemplars that despite our differences, there’s always a way to be one in mind and heart towards success.