The Manuela Q. Pastor Auditorium of St. Bridget College in Batangas City was inaugurated last September 14.
His Eminence Gaudencio B. Rosales, archbishop of Manila, and His Excellency Ramon Arguelles, archbishop of Lipa, led the list of priests and alumni of St. Bridget College who graced the occasion.
Good Shepherd Sisters from SBC and other communities in the Philippines were also joined by students, alumnae, alumni of the college, friends and benefactors as the new auditorium was blessed. The Manuela A. Pastor Auditorium stands on the same ground where the old auditorium was inaugurated in 1953. After more than five decades of existence, the auditorium needed major repairs and friends, sisters and benefactors dreamt of a new one in preparation for the centennial of Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines in 2012 and the centennial of SBC in 2013.
The dream became a reality three years before the celebrations.
Students from the elementary, high school and college departments of SBC rendered music and dance numbers inviting the guests to gather at the auditorium in time for the blessing.
Priests, religious, RGS and department heads and members o fhte SBC executive team also joined Cardinal Rosales and Archbishop Arguelles in blessing the parts of the auditorium and the assembly prepared for the Eucharistic Celebration.
During his homily, Cardinal Rosales, also highlighted the day's feast, the Exultation of the Cross, and what it meant to all of us. He also narrated that in 1953, the Eucharistic Celebration was also the first activity or performance that was celebrated in the auditorium. He pointed out the importance of the paschal mystery of Christ and our participation in it.
During the Prayer of Thanksgiving, and Dedication of the Auditorium, Sr. M. Lydia Ebora RGS, president of SBC, enumerated the people who helped and supported the project. The auditorium was named after Manuela Q. Pastor Auditorium in gratitude for the amount given to the project from the sale of her land facilitated by Atty. Antonio Pastor.
Sr. Lydia and Sr. Cecilia Torres RGS, province leader of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines and chairperson of SBC Board of Trustees, also handed awards to three persons in recognition of their valuable service in the completion of the project. Sr. Natividad Lucero RGS, local leader of SBC community, read the citations. The awardees include: Mr. Rofiel V. Kabatay of Grade School 1974 and HS 1978 who was project officer of the auditorium; Architect Lily A. Pio Roda, of HS 1953 who shared her skills in construction project management; and Atty Antonio A. Pastor, an able administrator and who assisted in the sound financial management of the auditorium fund.
Immediately after the ceremonies, a short performance featuring the pride of Batangas followed. The performers were Seven Arts and AVP of Audi, Dangal ng Lungsod Batangan Choral with Nonong Palmares as Conductor; Agot Espino, piano; Gina Medina, violin; PAO folkdance medley; Lionel and Cynthia Guico, tenor and soprano who rendered 1 solo each and 1 duet; Atty. Antonio Pastor also played the piano. The finale was Gaano Kita Kamahal performed by all the cast of the night's show.
After a memorable performance guests and performers proceeded to the school grounds for a light meal.
View Photo Gallery: SBC Blessing of Auditorium