By Communications and Promotions Office

(L-R VP for Basic Education Dr Dulce R Dawang, XU Board of Trustees Chair Mr Frank F Guerra III, XU President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, former XU President Fr Roberto C Yap, SJ, XUSHS Principal Dr Rogelio L Gawahan)

The Xavier University Senior High School Complex was blessed and inaugurated on the symbolic eve of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier on December 2, 2022 after the senior high school community began using it with the resumption of face to face classes this school year. XU Pres Mars P Tan, SJ led the blessing of the buildings and the unveiling of the markers of those who made significant contributions in the completion of the complex namely Manuel Andres and Teresita Boniao, Henry Howard, Hong See, Oro Integrated Cooperative, Parasat Cable, XUHS Batch 1970, and  XUHS Batch 1980.

XU President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ gives his message during the SHS blessing and inauguration

 

Former XU Pres Roberto C Yap, SJ assisted Fr Tan in the blessing of the new campus. Fr Yap initiated the plans for the construction of the SHS Complex in 2013, with the members of the Board of Trustees. Also present during the ceremony were Jesuit priests led by Fr Ismael Jose III Villarino Chan-Gonzaga, SJ, Rector of the Loyola House Jesuit  Community; Fr Raymond  Benedict Q Hizon, SJ, Basic Education Head Chaplain, who presided over the blessing rites; and, Fr Joel E Tabora, SJ, President of Ateneo de Davao University. Other guests included the XU Board of Trustees headed by the Chair Mr Frank F Guerra III; the President’s Council; XU administrators; SHS administrators with Dr Dulce R Dawang, VP for Basic Education, and Dr Rogelio L Gawahan, SHS principal; SHS faculty and staff, SHS students and their parents, and the benefactors and their families.

Dr Dulce R Dawang welcomed everyone to what she describes as a much awaited event and thanked those present for “making yourselves available to be with us.” She highlighted the special features of the SHS buildings - that they reflect the colors of the university and have a recurrent feature of letter A, which stands for Ateneo.

In his speech, XU President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ also warmly greeted all guests and thanked Fr Yap and the Board of Trustees for “being the main implementers of the project,” the donors and the benefactors for “making the project a reality,” the parents and guardians telling them that the new buildings are “testament of XU’s commitment to quality education,” and Dr Rogelio Gawahan, SHS Principal, and those involved in the committees for a successful ceremony and event. The president was in awe of the new campus saying that the buildings are impressive and assured the students that the university is dedicated to providing them with “much better rooms for their academic and physical activities “ as he emphasized that “physical structures are important in building relationships.”

Expressing his delight on the completion of the SHS buildings during his turn to speak, Fr Roberto C Yap, SJ said he is glad to be back and “see how handsome the building is,” and declared that the SHS complex should be “a place where students experience excellence.” He said that it was a privilege for him to see the building nine years after it was conceptualized. “My heart is full. I’m glad to come home.”

Fr Mars, Fr Bobby and Mr Guerra with the special guests, the benefactors of the SHS Complex and their families

As the ceremony came to a close, Dr Rogelio L Gawahan delivered a message conveying his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the completion of the new buildings and to those behind the success of the blessing. “I believe school facilities have a profound impact on the success of students and the delivery of instruction.” He also reiterated that SHS adheres to Xavier Ateneo’s pursuit for excellence and MAGIS as a way of life seeking to form Christ-centered, competent, compassionate, committed, and culturally-integrated Ateneans and their “deeper commitment” to be the senior high school of choice in Northern Mindanao.

XUSHS is the excellent choice offering the following strands in the academic tracks: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), and the TVL track through the Andrew L Gotianun Sr Center for Integrated Technologies (ALGCIT) with specializations in Machining Technology, Instrumentation Technology and Mechatronics Technology.

 

Communications & Promotions Office
Photo Credits: Valentino Martinito and Marlowe Chan, XU-DevCom