The Catholic Educational Association of Caceres and Libmanan (CEACAL) hosted the annual General Assembly of the Bikol Association of Catholic Schools on 12 September 2022, with the Ateneo de Naga University serving as the host venue. This was also the first major face-to-face event of the association after the social distancing protocols had been loosened early this year.
To formally open the event ADNU President Fr. Roberto Rivera, SJ welcomed all the participants and guests, citing the occasion as a reunion and catch up session for everyone (the last f2f assembly was in 2020 in Masbate, while last year was held online). This was followed by the presentation of delegates through Fr. Arnel Cabangunay, SchP and a pre-recorded message from the CEAP President Sr. Ma. Marissa R. Viri, RVM. To elucidate the current challenges, CEAP Executive Director Jose Allan Arellano provided a detailed situationer and some recent statistics in Philippines education. Continuing the status updates were the annual report of BACS President Fr. Odine Areola and the association’s financial report of BACS Treasurer Sr. Celine Saplala, OSB. Fr. Domingo Florida, then presented the Bicol Priests Security System.
The theme for this year’s general assembly is “Pilgrims of Hope, Moving Forward in Synodality”—Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria, president of CEACAL served as keynote speaker. In his segment, Fr. Tria took note of the social problems, injustices, and inactions faced by the country, from the aftermath of the previous administration, to current and future problems. He emphasized the matters of solidarity and action among Catholics as well as several critically important views on social justice, with education as key to a peaceful and progressive change.
In the afternoon, to further discuss matters related to the theme, plus to share some best practices in modern pedagogy, the participants were divided into several concurrent sessions, namely: Quality Assurance for PEAC Certification, Guidance & Counselling for GenZ/Positive Discipline, matters on Historical Distortionism, Learning E-Registration, and Best Practices of Library Programs & Developing E-Research.
After the sessions, the participants gathered back inside the university gym for the closing keynote speech delivered by for Vice-President Atty. Leni Robredo, who provided concrete responses and stories from her office in solving various challenges in education. She also encouraged the participants to not just focus on merely solving to the problem, but to also understand their roots, to know the baselines, context, and available resources. She took note of the government’s critical role in solving the current education crisis, and inspired the participants to do their best in working together.
Wrapping up the event was the Eucharistic Celebration with Archbishop of Caceres Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD serving as Mass Presider and Preacher. After the mass, an oath taking of the new BACS officers was held.
