The ELITES Club, the official organization of the English majors at the College of Education (COED), held a weeklong celebration of the English Week with the theme “Rebuilding and Empowering English Language Society in the 21st Century Amidst the Pandemic “ via Zoom and Facebook Page live streaming, Nov. 15-19, 2021.
An opening ceremony was held to usher in the 5-day celebration. Ms. Miya Paloyo, The ELITES Club president officially opened the event, followed by Dr. Rosemarie D. Sabado, Dean of the College of Education who delivered an inspirational message. Mr. Redmond Flores, the club’s secretary- general, gave the closing remarks.
The high point of the opening ceremony was the panel discussion via Zoom featuring three international resource speakers who were asked questions by a panel of student- moderators composed of Mr. Charles Daniel Flores, Ms. Marilene Baltazar, and Mr. Carlo Joquino, all English majors and club officers. Topics ranging from “how to become a global educator” down to “the best practices the speakers implement in their respective classrooms and learning institutions” were raised and answered in the 2-hour long webinar attended by the university faculty and students.
Two of the speakers, Ms. Hannah Kris L. Fallaria who is now an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Vietnam and Ms. Mary Ann E. Bornales, an elementary teacher in Taiwan, were homegrown professionals, having finished their bachelor degrees from the Laguna University College of Education in 2016 and 2019 respectively. Completing the 3- person panel of experts was Mr. Florieto G. Alano who is executive director of a training school in San Jose California, USA.
Contests Held
Highlighting the weeklong celebration were contests such as Storytelling, Poetry Writing, and Book Character/ Costplaying participated in by COED students. All contest entries in all categories were uploaded onto The ELITES Facebook Page for public viewing days before the awarding ceremony on Nov. 19.
The following were declared winners in each category:
Storytelling Contest:
Champion: Princess Anne Reyes – BSED English IA
First Runner-Up: Joey Marie Salvador – BSED English III
Second Runner-Up: Nicole Molde – BSED English IV
Third Runner-Up: Sunshine Esguerra – BSED English 2A
Poetry Writing Contest:
First prize: Archie Garin – BSED English 2B
Second Prize: Claire Ann Gonzaga – BSED English 2B
Third Prize: Maria Teresa Ludovice – BSED English 4
Book Character Contest:
First Prize: Jeanne Ravenlei Oca – BSED English 3
Second Prize: Samantha Mendoza – BSED English III
Third Prize: Kyla Marie Alipar – BSED English 2A
Virtual Kumustahan
In the early evening of Nov. 18, midway through the week celebration, the club organized a pajama party dubbed “Virtual Kumustahan” held exclusively for COED students under its English program. The event featured student performers who sang songs of support, encouragement, and empowerment for the members present. The evening was capped by an informal sharing session aimed at giving the attendees an avenue to express their thoughts and support for one another as they pursue their dream of becoming professional teachers someday. The kumustahan likewise carried with it a message of hope with an appeal for everyone to continue to persevere amidst the unprecedented challenges that COVID-19 pandemic brings.
Mr. Rydelle Vallejo, Ms Samantha Mendoza, Mr. Jaylord Perlas, Ms. Joanna Sombillo, Ms. Joey Marie Salvador, and Mr. Charles Daniel Flores alternately emceed the different events held through the week; while Mr. Christian Uriel Mendez and Mr. Vincent Dela Cruz provided the technical support.
Panelists share via Zoom their thoughts and expertise as student attendees listen (L-R : Mr. Florieto Alano, Ms. Mary Ann Bornales, Ms. Hannah Kris Fallaria at the bottom center).