St. Mary’s Academy – Pasay officially launched the opening of classes on the 19th of July, 2024 through a program that took place on the school’s quadrangle led by the Masters of Ceremonies, Ms. Angerica M. Fesariton and Mr. Rovience M. Francisco. It involved various activities that marked the beginning of the school year 2024 to 2025, such as Serviam being formally introduced as a new response to greetings, the opening of Nutrition Month, and speeches from the school administrators.
With the start of a new school year, it also marks the beginning of new traditions for SMA-P. The school principal, Mr. Juanito B. Tan formally introduced Serviam, which means “I will serve”. Serviam represents the school’s vision of forming persons of faith through service – it acts as an oath, a promise that the Marian students and the school’s faculty will be committed to serving others spiritually. As Mr. Tan has said, like Jesus, we will serve. Through being of service to the community, such as participating in clean-up drives and outreach programs, we embrace Serviam and create individuals who are rooted to faith, committed to excellence, and dedicated to service. In honor of Serviam, Ms. Marites A. Boces introduced Isang Bag, Isang Pangarap, a program to help less fortunate students, where the SMA-P community donated school supplies to its partner Barangay, igniting the spirit of love and education.
Serviam is also represented by SMA-P’s athletes, whose efforts and contributions have made the SMA-P community proud. In light of Palarong Pambansa 2024, swimmers Ceanna Gabrielle C. Mitra and Kobie Briel R. Rivera have both won medals in various categories, showcasing their talents and earning themselves a scholarship. These athletes have committed themselves to excellence, representing Serviam by inspiring Marians and showing them that through hard work and dedication, they can achieve great things.
Along with the introduction of Serviam, July was also introduced as Nutrition Month. The TLE area prepared activities for the Marian students to enjoy and participate in. We have the poster-making contest, a quiz on air, and a wellness dance called ginhawa. Ginhawa was led by teachers from the MAPEH area. As they danced on stage, students from the grade school level up to the senior high school level followed and grooved along.
Finally, to quote S. Ma. Salvacion R. Borjal,RVM the school directress in her welcoming remarks, “Let’s work together, be the best, and allow our core values of faith, excellence, and service to be the prime movers of our actions”. Marians, as we start this school year, let us keep Serviam close to our hearts and minds – let us remind ourselves to be Ignacian Marians who are of service to the community. All together we say, Serviam!