St. Theresa's College

Infobox_University
name = St. Theresa's College, Quezon City


motto = "Let your light shine. Be a blessing to others."
established = 7 January 1947
founder = Mother Marie Louise de Meester
type = Private, Exclusive ICM Elementary Secondary School
grades = K1 to 4th year H.S.
free_label_1 = distress
free_1 = Sr. Josefina Nebres, ICM
campus = Urban, 5 blocks in Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City
city = Quezon City
state = Metro Manila
country = Philippines
patroness = St. Teresa of Avila
colors = Gold and blue

St. Theresa's College, (also called STC), Philippines, is a Catholic private school for girls run by the Missionary Sisters of the "Immaculati Cordis Mariae" or Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM).

St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City (STCQC) offers programs from the preparatory level through the elementary and secondary levels. As an ICM school, its whole educational program draws inspiration from Mother Marie Louise De Meester, Foundress of ICM.

Its students are called “Theresians”, from the name of its patroness St. Teresa of Avila. Heading the school for the ICM sisters is Sr. Josefina Nebres, the school directress.

History

Mother Marie Louise De Meester (born on April 8, 1857 in Roesalare, West Flanders, Belgium) and her novices arrived on the shores of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur on June 21, 1910. Tagudin became the foundation of the ICM missionary work throughout the Philippines which gave birth to ranking institutions of learning in the country including the different campuses of St. Theresa's College.

Mother Marie Louise De Meester founded St. Theresa's College, Manila (STCM) in 1915 at the expressed invitation of the Most Reverend Jeremiah James Harty, the first American Archbishop of Manila. When World War II wrought havoc on the St. Theresa's College in San Marcelino, Manila, leaving it in ruins, little hope was left for the rebuilding of its physical structure. While St. Theresa's College Manila was re-built, re-opened and continued to be run by the Belgian Sisters until 1980 (over a two-year phase out; STCM property was eventually sold to Adamson University), steps were taken after WWII to look for a property which would be larger than the San Marcelino Compound.

In January 1946, a contract was signed for the purchase of a property consisting of five (5) blocks, in Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City. The US Army, which previously occupied the place, left a rudimentary make-shift building, later to be utilized temporarily for the classrooms of St. Theresa's College, Quezon City, and for the quarters of the Sisters.

January 7 1947, marked the establishment of STCQC. However, the school was officially opened only in June 1947.

The institution, from the first days of its foundation, had consistently stressed at all levels of instruction, the wholistic formation of the Theresian into a committed Christian upholding the highest standards of excellence, leadership, character and nationhood.

St. Theresa's College, Quezon City is a member of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP), and the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) and avails itself of the services of the institutions and groups working for the reorientation of education in the Philippines.

The original certificate of St. Theresa's College, Q.C. was issued on February 19 1947.

STC campuses

St. Theresa's College Manila (STCM), 920 San Marcelino Street, Manila (1915-1980 phased out)

St. Theresa's College Cebu (STC Cebu), Don Ramon Aboitiz Street, Cebu City (1933-present)

St. Theresa's College Quezon City (STCQC), 116 D. Tuazon Avenue, Quezon City (1947-present)

St. Theresa's College Baguio City (STC Baguio), Navy Road, Baguio City (1953-1973 phased out)

Major School Traditions

*College hymn
*Annual Family Day
**Field Demonstration (Grade School Department)
**Dance Production (High School Department)
**Bingo Raffle Promo
*Annual Bandfest
*Drives and Other Activities
**Newspaper drive

**Christmas Drive
**SINOP
**Speak English Campaign
**Children's Book Day
**Linggo ng Wika
**Quarter Theme Launchings

Institution

Grade School Department

The STCQC Grade School is an elementary school for girls. It has facilities and classrooms for students from the preparatory level to the sixth grade.

tudent Council

The Grade School Student Organization (GSSO) is the official student council of the Grade School department, promoting an enriching spirit of cooperation, solidarity and loyalty among students, faculty and administration.

Practicum

The practicum emphasizes experience-based learning. Theories are learned and applied to practical situations or vice-versa, through observation, practice, workshops, team research, media demonstrations and educational trips.

The practicum is called SAMAHAN, meaning "organization." It stands for the spirit of belongingness, guided by the theme “Sa Diyos at sa kapwa, maglingkod ay handa” (In God and to others, always ready to serve). Students from the fourth to sixth grade experience actual interaction with the sectors, while students from first to third grade stay in campus doing dynamic games, interview-research, film viewing and live interviews.

Co-curricular Activities

Students inclined in Sciences, Arts and Writing are invited to join an exlusive organization for enthusiasts, called Bitaw. In this organization, the students' talents and skills in a particular field are cultivated and developed. SINAG or Socialized Instructional Activities for the Advanced Group in Science, Mathematics, Art, and Creative-Writing helps students enhance their potentials in various subjects.

These are the SINAG categories: SINAG Math SINAG Science SINAG Creative Writing SINAG Sining Pandulaan (a.k.a SINAG SP) SINAG Art SINAG Volleyball SINAG Choral SINAG Lyre and Drum SINAG Computer

Other:Junior Librarians

High School Department

The High School Department is a Catholic preparatory school for female students.

The campus features various facilities such as a Library, the Instructional Media Center, Biology Laboratory, Chemistry Laboratory, Physics Laboratory, Computer Laboraties, High School Chapel, Cooking rooms, Canteen and Cafeteria, Clinic and the Covered Court.

Theresian Student Council (TSC)

The Theresian Student Council is the official student council and representative of the students of the High School department. One of the most awaited project of TSC is the annual Bandfest, where high school students perform in a variety show through music (bands) and dance numbers.

Practicum

Practicum provides students direct experiential interaction with the poor and their social realities through exposure/immersion of students and facilitators in depressed communities, followed by social analysis, reflection, awareness-raising on current situations, etc.

Done in workshop style, the High School practicum is name PALIHAN, meaning Pabrika ng Likhaan at Kakayahan (Creative Workshop).

tudent Enrichment Groups

The academic program of the high school is supplemented by a co-curricular program which is geared to enhance and expand classroom instruction. A variety of enrichment groups provide activities aimed to develop the students’ special talents, skills and potentials, habits and interests through vicarious experiences. It enables its students to gain self-fulfillment and self-growth as they encounter opportunities to be of service to the community.

Enrichment groups are divided into 10 clusters:
*Religion
*English
*Filipino
*Social Studies
*Science and Technology
*Mathematics
*Technology and Livelihood Education/Computer
*Psychology
*Physical Education/Music
*Learning Resource Center

The Theresian

The official school publication is The Theresian. It serves as a training ground for budding writers and journalists. The magazine offers students with literary and journalistic talents and interests a chance to practice their literary and art skills. The Theresian is splitted in to two parts: The Grade School and The High School. Students need to pass 2 screenings before being an official Theresian Staffer. The students are divided into 3 parts namely writers, artists and lay-out artists. Writers write the news and features. Artists draw pictures about a certain event. Lay-out artists re the ones in-charge of the backgrounds, fonts and the cover page.

chool traditions

eal

On a field of gold and blue are imposed the cross and three stars. The blue stands for faithful courage, and the gold proclaims jubilant victory - always - through love. The Latin cross within the seal stands for the victory with Christ over evil. The gold of the cross stands for the love for Christ who died on it and rose from the dead. The three stars stand for the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity.

The inscription around the seal reads "Virtute, Scientia, Artibus Floreat" - which is Latin for "education in and through virtue, science, and the arts."

The seal is a badge showing the mountain peak of Carmel, linked with the school's patron saint, St. Teresa of Avila, the first woman doctor of the Church, whose life and writings are a reflection of the virtues of love of God and for others.

Motto

The school's rallying cry is "Let your light shine and be a blessing..."

Colors

Blue and Gold, which stands for courage and love.

College Hymn

The lyrics of the College Hymn was written by Aurea Carballo-Gonzalez (STCM HS '31, COL '34) while music was composed by Angeles Rodriguez (STCM HS '26, COL '33).

Lyrics of the Hymn:

Come Theresians and acclaim St. Theresa's glorious name Grateful hearts their tribute bear Loving lips shall sing for her For she stands among the Rest As a leaven for the quest

Chorus:Dearest home, we stand for you! (we stand for you) Far or near our song rings true (our song rings true) And our theme for'er shall be (for'er shall be) St. Theresa, hail to thee And our theme for'er shall be St. Theresa, hail to thee St. Theresa, St. Theresa, Hail, hail to thee

Come let's sing our sweetest song Sing it well and loud and long For the dear old college walls For the old familiar halls For our Alma Mater's sake Bright and Glad Our song will make

Repeat Chorus

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The line "as the leaven for the quest" was originally "as the greatest and the best" because back in the 1915-1972 era, students who are not only intelligent, given the school's reputation for high quality education, but also from well-to-do families are the ones that can go to STC. The nuns realized that espousing to be "the greatest and the best" goes against the grain of their missionary work. It also does not convey an act of humility according to God's Word nor the quest to be according to the likeness and being of God. Thus the meaning of the new line "as a leaven for the quest" was born.

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Family Council

The Family Council is the official organization of the parents of the students of St. Theresa’s College.

ambayan Educational Foundation, Inc.

The Sambayan Educational Foundation, Inc. or SEFI was organized in 1972 by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM) and a group of STCQC parents and alumnae which called forth the school to make available the educational program to deserving families from the lower-middle-income group by way of socialized tuition fee. Its main objective is to make available quality education for less privileged but deserving students.

The SEFI program is not a scholarship program. It is a reduced tuition fee scheme for eleven years of schooling from Prep until High School for qualified lower-middle-income groups. It is perhaps the only such program in existence in the Philippines today. Applicants have to pass a rigorous set of criteria as well as entrance exams to qualify. Once a student has been accepted into the program, a social worker regularly monitors her progress and checks on the family environment. The privacy and confidentiality of this arrangement is also assured.

The initial seed money was provided by the ICM congregation. STCQC parents, alumnae and friends have made substantial contributions to the fund through the years.

ome Notable Alumnae

*Lydia B. Echauz - President, Far Eastern University
*Chitang Guerrero-Nakpil - Historian/writer
*Gilda Cordero-Fernando - Multi-awarded writer, Publisher
*Marilou Diaz-Abaya - Multi International awarded movie director
*Mel Tiangco - Newscaster
*Minerva M.B. Ambrosio - Lawyer
*Jessica Zafra - Fiction writer, columnist
*Joan de Venecia - 2006 bar topnotcher
*Lisa Macuja-Elizalde - Prima Ballerina
*Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng - Vice-President of the Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University
*Linda Cruz-Tuason - Lawyer
*Trina Yujuico-Kalaw - Model
*Margie Moran - Miss Universe 1973 winner
*Laurice Guillen - Multi-awarded movie director
*Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc - Journalist
*Gemma Cruz-Araneta - Miss International 1964 winner; former Philippine Secretary of Tourism
*Ingrid Sala Santamaria - Concert pianist
*Leah Navarro - Singer and socio-civic member
*Susan Serrano-Villar - Civic Leader
*Loida Nicolas-Lewis - Philanthropist, Lawyer
*Patricia Evangelista - Writer, Host
*Korina Sanchez - Newscaster
*Veda Banez-Alonso - Dance Director & Choreographer
*Ivy Almario - Architect, Interior designer
*Cynthia Almario - Architect, Interior designer
*Millet Martinez-Mananquil - Journalist
*Thelma Sioson-San Juan - Journalist
*Erlinda Sibal - Publisher
*Sr. Pilar Versoza, ICM - Sociocivic leader
*Lorna Kalaw-Tirol - Journalist
*Agnes Assunta Manalo - Musical Arranger, Sound Engineer
*Katski Flores - Director, Writer, Producer of "Still Life", a Cinemalaya 2007 entry
*Sr. Sol Perpinan - RGS Sister, teacher, and writer
*Jannelle So - Journalist
*Jocelyn Valencia-Glorioso - Coloratura
*Maria Joana Resurreccion - RN, CEO, Entrepreneur
*Pinky Aseron - Radio Broadcaster, College Professor (U.P. Diliman), former National President of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)
*Noelle de Jesus Chua - Editor, Journalist
*Emmeline Versoza - Executive Director, Commission on Women

ources

*Remembrance St. Theresa's College Manila 1915-1980, published by the STAA Manila, 1st edition 1991, 2nd edition 2004
*Esprit de Corps, published by St. Theresa's College Manila

ee also

St. Theresa's College, Cebu City

External links

* [http://www.stcqc.edu.ph/ St. Theresa's College, Quezon City] official site
* [http://www.stcqc.ph/ STAA QC] - St. Theresa's College Alumni Association Quezon City

* [http://www.af-usa.org/projects_list.asp?type=organization&value=SAINT%20THERESA'S%20COLLEGE%20MANILA%20FOUNDATION,%20INC.] - St. Theresa's College Manila Foundation, Inc.

* [http://www.icmphilippines.org/our_story.htm] - Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Philippines

* [http://www.tagudin.gov.ph/historycicm.html] - The Arrival of the ICM Missionaries in the Philippines