What have you missed during NDJC Palaro? Have you missed the parade? Or was it the cheers from the different teams? Perhaps it was the time when your crush waved at you from the basketball court? Or… maybe the time you slipped by the pathway with so many witnesses? Uhmm, don’t worry! We’re here for some amazing flashbacks and a trip down the memory pathway, not the one where you slipped.
So that’s it. Yes, that’s it. We’re only reminiscing something we couldn’t go back to, yet. In line with the numerous activities NDJC has been in these past few days, we also would like to commend the amazing and creative school administration and student leaders for coming up with something to commemorate the annual Notre Dame Day and the celebration of Palaro despite the limitations brought by the pandemic.
The institutional team building of NDJC employees commenced alongside the Notre Dame Day celebration on September 8, 2021 with the theme “Strive and THRIVE”; the activity was held at Mang Sali Resort, Parang, Sulu and had started with prayers and an opening remarks was then given by the College President, Fr. Eduardo M. Santoyo, OMI, PhD. The event was followed by the joyful participation of NDJC employees in various intermission numbers, games and competitive activities such as “Let’s Dance!” the ramps and modeling of “Beachyful People” “Beachy Concert” and many more. The activity included an outreach program headed by NDJC’s Community Extension Services (CES) to senior citizens of Brgy. Tumangas, Parang, Sulu.
Following the day’s festivities, the ND Night Live commenced via Facebook. The first ever event rolled with messages from NDJC alumni across the globe, a greeting message from the Governor of the Province of Sulu, Hon. Abdusakur M. Tan, a message from Fr. Eduardo M. Santoyo, OMI, PhD, Bishop Charlie M. Inzon, OMI, DD, the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo, Sr. Cleopatra M. Moreno, OP, the Directress of the Notre Dame of Jolo for Girls – Kasanyangan, Br. Mark Roberth R. Laurea, FMS, Principal of the Notre Dame of Jolo High School Kasulutan.
The rest of the Night Live consisted of raffle and games of “Guess that Tune”, rearranging “Jumbled Words” and dance presentation of selected NTP and SHS faculty members.
Following Notre Dame Day, the student leaders of NDJC or commonly called as the Mahardika Student Government, conducted its Mini Palaro Fundemic on August 17, 2021 to September 12, 2021 at their Facebook Page “NDJC Mahardika Student Government”. An exclusive online event that is open to all NDJC students which consist of various contests, games, and raffle with lots of exciting prizes.
The online contests consist of 7 including: Street Photography, Tausug Foodtography, Beautiful: Inside and Out, E-Dance Competition, Singing Sensation, NDJC Barkadahan, and Vlog: TravDemic. To join any among the mentioned contest, students must submit their single entry via Gmail and shall be posted after the deadline of submission. The most number of “Wow” reacts declare the Winners, and placed either 3rd, 2nd, or 1st Placer ranked by its highest total number of reacts.
For the online fun games, the MSG’s Q&A exactly started at 7:30pm in the evening. The winners will receive a PHP100-250 cash prize. Students are tasked to comment their answers regarding questions such as “What team hailed overall champion in last year’s palaro?” “What is the full name of our very own school physician?”, and “What is the scientific name of the Cat?”, “Who are the 3 Vice Presidents of NDJC (VP for Administration, Finance, and Academic Affairs)?” and “What are the Core Values of NDJC?”.
On the other hand, students who were luckily chosen in the Fundemic Raffle won prizes including 1-unit Laptop and 2 units Cellphone (for major prizes); and 5 units Globe at Home Wi-Fi and 20 pieces PHP500 Load Card (for minor prizes). The names were randomly drawn through Facebook Comment Picker. The winners were announced on September 13, 2021 to September 14, 2021.
As the MSG President, Jeobince P. Rentutar stated, “Conducting such event in the middle of the pandemic is still a must because it is an avenue for the students to have a diversion from their studies for a while. Hence, the main purpose of this event is to mimic the actual Palaro but with limited activities, making it possible for the students to participate and join in virtual contests organized by the organization.”
Showcasing their talent and participation is also one of the ways to hone the skills of the students during this pandemic. It is indeed that MSG never failed to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as student leaders, as they strive and thrives to conduct this exclusive virtual event for the NDJC students with their valuable efforts and dedication amid the pandemic.
