St. Scholasticans Are Not Plastic

One sunny morning last week I found myself on the grounds of the beautiful St. Scholastica campus on Leon Guinto Street in Manila. It was my very first time to visit the famous St. Scho and I was simply in awe of the serenity that filled the air in spite of its being located right smack in the middle of bustling Malate. I was simply blown away by the architecture and the entire campus that was so rich in character and history.

I was there as a guest of some Junior college students majoring in Broadcast Communications. Together with Adel Licos of the Ayala Foundation, Inc., we were there to speak about our advocacies regarding the environment. Adel talked about AFI's initiatives and I was there to speak on behalf of our small company, Edgy Ecology, Inc,. since my partners Chica and Carisse are now in San Francisco.


It really warmed my heart to see these young women so passionate about saving the environment and passionate about their studies as well. That is another thing that impressed me about the Kulasa's (St. Scho students) - their devotion to education, and how well-behaved they were. The quality of St. Scholastica students is simply outstanding.

After the radio program, we were invited to the opening of the Developmental Communication students exhibit on saving the planet. The Kulasa's have their reusable bags which is cute and handy. Made by recycled flour sacks and dyed in bright hues of orange, pink and yellow and are quite eye catching. I bought one for P to use even if she is not a Kulasa.
The slogan for the reusable bags, celphone holders and pencil cases reads "Kulasa Saves" - very catchy :) I hope the whole school community supports this cause by purchasing these products. According to Ms. Marquez, their Devcom professor, the students are set to make presentations to the grade school and high school students within the next few weeks. Ms. Marquez said that more than just a final project, she hopes that the students will carry the lessons they have learned long after they have left the halls of St. Scho and make it a way of life.

It's always a joy for me to return to the world of the academe and even if I have no drop of Kulasa blood within me, I really felt that I belonged there that morning. I was enamored with the campus, impressed by the quality of edication and warmed by the students reception. St. Scho, known for having produced generations of women who dedicate their lives in pursuit of social change by achieving excellence in their chosen field of work. I think of my TOWNS (The Outstanding Women In The Nation's Service)sisters the multi-awarded journalist and writer Paulynn Paredes, Dr. Emy Villar who is our current TOWNS president, Anvil book publisher, the equally multi-awarded Karina Bolasco who all spent a major chunk of their lives within the hallowed halls of St. Scholastica. Then of course there is President Cory Aquino, herself a St. Scho alumni. After a hundred years in the Philippines the Kulasas continue to live up to their heritage, doing their school proud, always sensitive to the much needed changes that need to be implemented in society, leading the way and being at the forefront of that much-needed change.