The Classroom of 1906.  Present were SSC President Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB and Mother Prioress Mary John Mananzan, OSB

The “Classroom of 1906” was formally opened last Thursday, December 7, 2006.  The simple ceremony started with a Prayer led by Ms. Nancy Manuel and followed by the Welcome Remarks of Ms. Adelaida Villegas, Principal of the Grade School Unit.  Mrs. Florina Castillo, Chairperson and Artistic Director of the Project, gave a background of the concept and of its special features.  The classroom will stay as such until December of 2007.

The Cutting of the Ribbon was graced by Mother Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Prioress, assisted by Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB, President of SSC, Mrs. Louie Paraan, SSC Centennial Committee Head, Ms. Adelaida Villegas and Mrs. Florina Castillo. 

Five Bazooksy (Drama Club) Members dressed as the First Five Benedictine Sisters who arrived in the Philippines and some GS Teachers ushered the guests in.  They went through a blown up picture of the first school in Tondo and sat to observe a scheduled Reading Class conducted by Ms. Cecille Valenzuela and the Music Class of Ms. Simonette Feria, where one would hear the song “Come Children, Dear Children” (an English version of a German Christmas song) being taught.   

The classroom carried the German traditions of the Advent Wreath, a simply decorated Christmas Tree with gifts for the poor under it, the empty manger with a sacrifice box and hay to line the crib each time one makes a sacrifice. 

As the guests moved to Barrion Hall for brunch prepared by the HRM students, they were handed a brochure featuring the SSC schools in Tondo, San Marcelino and Pennyslvania (now Leon Guinto), the recipe of LEBKUCHEN (German cookies) and a small brown bag with German cookies and two gold coins as tokens. 

The classroom is located on the right side as one enters Gate 6.  This is the Grade Three St. Withburga Classroom.

More Photos of the Opening of The Classroom of 1906: