Tracing the Roots of SPAS (A Tribute Program for the SPAS Pioneers)

 吃水不忘挖井

 chī shuǐ bù wàng wā jǐng rén

         One great source of inspiration for our School Director, Rev. Fr. Emilio A. Ascaño, LRMS to initiate the tribute program for the SPAS Pioneers  is the Chinese saying  above translated in English as “When you drink the water, think of those who dug the well!” Who will be against to such noble idea of giving recognition, acknowledgement and honor to the people whose advocacy to found a school, and zealous actions to its fruition led to a worthy success?   The theme “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Envisioning the Future” is just as perfectly fitting for such affair in the commemoration of the 47th Founding Anniversary of the school. 

         The second day of the week-long celebration of the 47th Founding Anniversary of St. Peter the Apostle School was devoted to a very significant event- a Tribute to SPAS Pioneers. This day, February 16, 2023, started with a Thanksgiving Mass presided by the School Director, Rev. Fr. Emilio A. Ascaño, LRMS and was followed by the tribute program held at the Center for Entrepreneurship.  The occasion was graced by the presence of the school administrators, several personnel whose years of service to the institution is 20 years and beyond, the non-teaching personnel, and the officers of SPAS Alumni and SPAS Parents Associations.   Everyone present in the program was delighted to meet the SPAS pioneers face-to-face because for the first time in the history of the school, an activity that acknowledges and honors those who took part in the beginnings of the institution happened. The current community of SPAS educators and support staff were in awe listening to the testimonials of the pioneers as to how the founding of St. Peter the Apostle School began.

         It was clearly gleamed from the sharing of the stories of the pioneers such as Mrs.  Conchita Y.  Gan, Dr.  Flora O. Go, Mrs. Linda L. Bautista and Mrs.  Marietta F. Yuching that the values of optimistic thinking, steadfast belief in the advocacy to found a school for the parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Church and Filipino-Chinese youth in the area, wisdom about humble beginnings, unity and volunteerism towards a noble cause and above all, solid faith in God were their powerful instruments in achieving their goal to found St. Peter the Apostle School.  Evidently, all these values are ties that strongly bind them together through time, other than what were common in them as servants of the Catholic Church and close associates of Fr. Vincent Liu, the brain of the founding of St. Peter the Apostle School, and the succeeding priests who were responsible in the significant initial developments of the school.

         The testimonials and the precious moment they shared were like a walk through the history of the school in about 2 hours.  It made the listeners imagine how it all started in 1976 to how the school is now in 2023, and possibly in our minds, how it will become more successful with the alpha generation that the school serves. Dr. Flora Go quoted, “ The school met many challenges but with determination, courage, patience, hard work and the moral and financial support of benefactors, parents and teachers and the Monday group of backers, St. Peter the Apostle School sailed steadily.” True enough, without these people, our stakeholders, who heartwarmingly joined hands and were united for a common aspiration, the institution would have not produced thousands of graduates who are now successful in various fields of human endeavors.

         The event was highlighted by the giving of plaques of appreciation to the pioneers, distributed by the School Director who was assisted by the presidents of SPASPA AND SPAAA.  The plaques symbolize the gratitude and recognition that the institution cradles for the immense contribution they had for St. Peter the Apostle School.  But more than this, it is the indelible mark of involvement they had in the history of the school that leaves imprints in the heart of SPAS community. 

         The other pioneers including Mrs.  Sally C. Dee, Mrs. Eva Cuatico and Mr. Maximo L. Tan Sr. who, though for their very personal reasons were not able to make it, still made their presence felt through sending a representative and through video calls.  Indeed, the SPAS  pioneers were the epitome of brave heart, strong spirit and the fortress of willpower. Salute to them whom SPAS will forever be grateful!