Blitzkrieg: Color, Unity, and Solemnity

Posted on August 5, 2014 by admin

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

Posted on August 4, 2014 by admin

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

Another Year of Velez

Posted on July 31, 2014 by admin

By Decka Letigio

Time moves clockwise. But there are things that remain, like the pointers of the clock.

Velez College is gifted with another academic year to produce world class graduates. As the school year opened last June, the institution welcomed the students with the same best of the best quality education and a handful of surprising improvements within its premises.

Velez once again opens her door to the fresh faces of the freshmen. This year’s bunch of freshies is certainly hip and fun. Everyone looks forward to the development of these freshies from guinea pigs to scientists. With the application of the new I.D sling and improved facilities, this year’s freshmen are certainly fortunate to have a good start in college.

The freshmen aren’t the only new faces in the Velezian community. A number of new teachers are here to mold the students to become the best. These teachers make up the spine of the quality of education in Velez College. The knowledge and expertise they impart to the students are the foundation of the future professionals who can make a change in this world. Although students may look at their teachers as metaphorical monsters, only these monsters can make the students the best fighter. So no matter how difficult their exams can be, a true Velezian is grateful for the mentors who gave their time, effort and knowledge in the academe.

Studying in Velez isn’t always a battle. This is still a college, the melting pot of a generation of youths. The Student Body has prepared many activities for student to enjoy their college lives. Acquaintance Parties are traditions that shall never be forsaken at the opening of the year. Intramurals is lurking in the corner, which all students enthusiastically look forward to. All teams are full in practice waiting for that one week in a year where they can play. Founder’s Day shouldn’t be forgotten as well. A new reign will take over once Mr. and Ms. Velez 2014 takes the stage.

A sense of belonging can never be ignored. This year in Velez, student organization are more active and present than ever. Study isn’t the only development in this institution. The interests, talents and skills are also honed in the different organizations that are open to all bonafide Velezian students.

The improvements within the premises of the school provide the students a more conducive space for learning. Students now have more places to sit around the campus. The facilities are further within reach for the benefits of the students. Systematic processes are now refined. All of these were possible through the hard work of every Velezian, student or not.

A lot of things will be happening this year. In each and every life of the students, events will come that would be forever engraved in the memories. The clock never ceases to move leaving the time that passed in the past forever. But just like the pointer that remains constant, Velez College and the people behind her will remain in the years to come.

Velez College Steps into the Matrix

Posted on July 30, 2014 by admin

by: Mc John C. Ybañez

Time has been a great and loyal companion for our famous institution. Years have gone to pass and Velez College had paved its way to glory and fame in the name of excellence and service. But in a larger vision, it is not only in academics where the institution had carved its name out of. The school has been pretty much busy making its way to popularity in different aspects labeled by the people.

Being known to be one of the oldest schools in the city is a fact and perhaps the Velez College Library proves this truer than true (not to mention the Extension Area which backs everything up). Yes, the school could be up for a vintage auction but you can never question the quality of education it provides.

To match the level of academic quality, the institution has slowly built and upgraded the facilities vital to the learning of its children. The change may have taken years to befall but time was kind enough to show it.

In this modern day, every Velezian will be proud to know that the institution has taken another great step towards development. Velez College steps into the Matrix as it utilizes the ingenious invention of man – the internet. Velez College launches their official school website as a way of communicating to everyone who has walked in and out of the school halls and to those who are yet to come.

The Official Velez College website is an initiative instigated by the Velez College Administration headed by Mr. James V. Ting in collaboration with the SSA Team supervised by Ms. Kathyrine Cabatingan with the purpose of connecting Velezians all over the world in the advent of technology. News and updates are up online and the students and alumni will never again miss another event about their beloved institution. It has been almost 60 years since the institution had its first graduates from the College of Nursing. In a way, the thread of connection between the school and its products has been reinforced breaking through the fabric of time. The website is also a way of marketing for it reaches out to other aspiring students who are enthusiastically curious about the school.

The website is manned and run by the brilliant brains of Drawingboard Creative Studios Inc. providing us with the best service the company has to offer. It ensures a secure and stable server and provides an interactive user interface not only for internet whizzes but also for the newbies of the net.

Is this the start of the automation where grades will be posted online and enrollment is up, paperless? Are we seeing a possible development of a hassle-free, wireless integration to the school? Possibly yes and these are the baby steps that we take towards that progress. This may not be the Matrix we’re all thinking about where slow motions and bullet dodging are in hype but this is a sure shot that the Official Velez College website will be a conduit for the past, present and future. Time will be smiling again to this new growth because we are keeping up with the fast pace of change. When time thought we’d still be stuck in old school, it would be proud to say, “Well played Velez, well played.”

33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

By: Kat Arriola

As July came, the students and faculty from the Physical and Occupational Therapy prepared for the annual National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week. This year it focused on “Making the Rights for the Filipinos with disabilities” as its theme.

Last July 17-23, 2011, the 33rd NDPR week was celebrated and it was officially opened with a mass held at the North wing area of SM which was followed by a parade inside the mall. There was also a gallery displaying different artworks of talented PWD’s (people with disabilities). A forum and a job fair were also held for the PWD’s. Other activities during the week were the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Plaza Independencia, Medical and Dental missions in Mabolo.

They also had activities at the Cebu City Sports Center. They had their Fun Walk and Larong Pinoy which were conducted by the 3rd year students and faculty of the PT department of Velez College. They played games like day and night, tug of war, sack race and etc. Although the games were meant to be enjoyed by the PWD’s, the students were able to play with them as well. On the other hand, the 3rd year OT’s had their feeding in Sambag II. There was also an activity held in Velez College. The scoliosis screening was conducted by the 4th year students and interns from the PT department.

The goal of this celebration was to stimulate the awareness on the disability issues and strengthen the involvement of the government and non-government organizations. It also aims to encourage the Filipino citizens to take active responsibility on the upliftment of the economic and social conditions of the persons with disabilities.

As students of the allied medicine, we should take our responsibilities in making people realize that there are still other people besides us who are in need of attention. We should help in changing our fellow citizens to be more understanding of our surroundings. But in changing other people we must always start the change within ourselves.

Blast to the Past

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

MedTech Acquaintance Party
Denise Maranga, BSMT-2F

When the word ‘retro’ is said, what usually comes to mind are spandex clothes, big hair, platform shoes, bell bottoms, and the like. The Seventies, as it will – a time of good music and bad clothes (with emphasis on the clothes). How, then, would teenagers of this present day and age pull the true ‘retro’ look off without looking silly or outdated?

The MedTechs, however, were able to rock the retro image quite well at the MedTech acquaintance party held last July 9, 2011, at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). Decked out in bright colors and loud prints, the students of all year levels got to know each other over food, drinks, and the ever-present dance floor. Music was also a big part of the event – a good number of student bands and performers showcased their music and dance skills and entertained everyone throughout the night.

One of the main highlights of the program (emceed by Claudine Uy, Gilbert Cabataña, Jr. and Ralph Mission) was the annual MedTech pageant. Leslie Go and Gabrielle Velasco emerged victorious as Mr. and Ms. MedTech, respectively. Following closely behind at 1st runner-up position were Aldwin Latoga and Jessa Tagle; Benito Lantin and Christine Torralba came in at 2nd runner-up.

The MedTechs ended the event dancing the night away to loud music, dry ice clouds and multicolored klieg lights – a disco dance floor, as it will – as others took pictures and videos all over the venue, capturing the remaining moments of the party. The night ended on a good note, with everyone either going home or heading to afterparties with their friends, which proved one thing to be true. Despite the busy schedules and tons of schoolwork to attend to, MedTechs know how to unwind and have their fun, too.

Nurses Survival 101: Financial Fitness and Entrepreneurship

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

By: Deva Christine T. Tojong

Ever heard of the adage, “nursing and numbers often don’t mix?” Apparently, it’s the opposite.

Last July 23rd, the VNAA (Velez College Alumni Association) sponsored the 3rd Annual Liliosa Lumbab Memorial Lecture at the Cebu City Sports Complex. The graduating batch from the College of Nursing had served part of the audience along with Velezian alumni dating back to Class ’76. The event was in line with the late Dean Liliosa Lumbab whose ideals aimed to produce globally competitive nurses. Nurses per se who are particularly flexible with whatever task that is given of them.

In response to this, the speakers during the seminar were those gifted with an astute analytical sense of dealing with money. Mr. Dino Estorgio, from IMG (International Marketing Group), fulfilled the conditions by citing various solutions to change the marketing world. Another had been Ms. Nicole Acriche who is from batch 2008 and founder of Bullyshanty, expressed her sentiments with the ups-and-downs of starting a personal business. There had also been Mr. Fritz Climaco, an alumnus whose 3-business venture opened a door for numerous opportunities. And lastly, Mr. Eric Hugh Vincent Lim, also a nursing graduate who shared how he faces financial challenges as he juggles his being the assistant branch manager of SM. Overall, the affair was a success. One in which students bear witness to yet another strategic option of opting for entrepreneurship but still applying the values and skills of an excellent nurse.

Vintage: Origin of Styles

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

By: Tonette Gambito

What would fashion be without it’s fore-runners. Grace Kelley, Marlon Brando, & Audrey Hepburn (only a few to name) – Style icons of the 1940’s & 50’s. In honor of their legacy in fashion the PT Aquaintance Party was dubbed Vintage : Origins of style.

Why Vintage? – purely the love for fashion.

On July 1 , 2011 at the Sinulog Ballroom of the City Sports Club. We were a transported back to the days where everyone dressed up just for the fun of it, as everyone came in their best Vintage attires. There was a Pre-Aquaitance Party gathering the day before at the EMVM where the faculty introduced themselves. Everyone had the chance to get familiar with the different levels.

With a venue that is that is constantly fully booked, it needed much organizing and planning to pull out such an event especially with the fast growing number of Freshmen each year. The Seniors right after class would be busy preparing from the ambiance of ballroom to the last detail of the night. After 2 weeks, their hardwork had finally paid off.

“Good food, well attended, accessible venue and kept to schedule as planned” as quoted from Ms. Tine Reudas.

Being new to a College Acquaintance Party a Freshman said, “ Having a test the next day ruined it. But the event, generally was great. Seeing people in their own concept of vintage was delighting!”

Awards were given to the deserving few as Best dressed of the night. Presentations from each year level entertained everyone in between the social games. And what would the night be without a movie montage wall – where everyone posed in their best outfits. Everyone tagged along a customized handy bacterial gel as a token for the night.

VC Celebrates Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2011

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

By: Andrea Marie Tortugo

Velez College celebrated Buwan ng Wika at the EMVM Hall last August 26, 2011 at around 2:00 in the afternoon.

The said celebration focused on the theme: “Ang Filipino ay Wikang Panlahat, Ilaw at Lakas sa Tuwid na Landas.” The program started with a prayer led by the president of BSMT 1B, Mhizelie Jave F. Gonzaga which was followed by the Philippine National Anthem and Velezian Hymn done by Mr. Leo T. Zosa and Ms. Charmine T. Sayawan ,respectively.

Beulah Eloine Soria, president of BSN 1A gave the welcome address and a tribute to the father of Filipino language was presented by Frenzy Tadle of BSMT 1A. Intermission numbers and presentations of the songbirds of Velez from BSOT 1B, BSMT 1B, BSN 1B and BSMT 1E were showcased. Cristelle Aton of BSMT 1E then formally ended the program with her closing remarks.

The celebration of Buwan ng Wika 2011 was made possible by the following persons: Velez College Administration, Dr. Carmen Velez- President of Velez College, Engr. Jocelyn Rosielfa Gonzales- Dean of CAS, Mrs. Jovian Rizarri- Chairman, Dr. Celestina Minerva- Department of Language, Dr. Josephine Rosos who prepared the program, teachers, students of Filipino 1 and the emcees of the said celebration, Angelen Escatron and Cleve Ughoc of BSMT 1D and BSMT 1I ,respectively.

The Pearls Reunite: Batch 1981 Homecoming

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

By Gladys Marie Lugtu
Contributor: Christieanne Mantalaba

July 29, 2011 marked a very memorable event for the Nursing Velezians of batch 1981 as they celebrated their 30th anniversary after having graduated from our Alma Mater. The event was formally started with a Eucharistic Celebration at the Velez College Chapel. The Reverend Father shared his homily based on the parable of the seeds, and asked questions to the Alumni present about their experiences and successes after graduating from the college. Our very own Dean from the College of Nursing, Mrs Carol R. Kangleon, RN MN DSCN(c), took the liberty of relaying her own experiences, and said that she was very thankful for having graduated from Velez College. She also mentioned that her service now as the Nursing Dean is a way of showing her deepest gratitude. Her fellow alumni followed suit and talked about their individual experiences. After the mass was concluded, the batch proceeded to the EMVM Hall for the real celebration of the program.

When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things – not the great occasions – that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness. – Bob Hope