To set up an educational institution and make a name for itself by producing only the best and the brightest is something. But to keep ticking a century and a decade later despite the obstacles is another story.
San Beda’s success lies in its centuries-old core values of Ora et Labora (prayer and work) and value for community life, which have been handed down from generation to generation. Combine this with the dynamism to keep up with modern times, and you have something Swatch has successfully captured in a limited-edition design.
Time to recognize success
For San Beda, which proudly heralds its history of sports excellence, things peaked before midyear—and got even hotter.
In May, at the 2nd Philippine National Games Cheerleading Competition, the all-girl San Beda Alabang Jr. Red Lions cheerleading squad placed third in the open team cheer category against college-coed teams, and was given the distinct honor of competing in next year’s Cheerleading Asia International Open Championship in Japan. This positions the squad as a major game-changer on its level.
Team captain Kristine Joyce Go attributes this success to seizing each moment. “I believe time should not be wasted, if you want to achieve everything you want.”
Her teammate Anna Iremedios shares the reward of hard work. “An effective way to honor your Alma Mater is to bring home the gold. What better way to celebrate than to win?” she says.
John Kristel Gan, who belongs to the male high-school pep squad who went to the competition to support the female team, relishes the victory as a call-to-arms to strive for the best even more. “Keep moving forward; you live only once.”
In the 88th NCAA Season, more miracles are made, this time in basketball. The decorated Red Lions, one way or another, are always up for the win.
We’ve turned to three of the team’s prolific stars. There’s the 6-ft-3 Art de la Cruz, whose inclusion in the celebrated “Super Six,” despite the odds, helped steer the team to victory in this season’s June 24 opener against a full line-up from Arellano University. And who could forget point guard Baser Amer’s spectacular three-pointer shot buzzer-beater with .09 seconds left in the game versus University of Perpetual Help Rizal?
These affirmed the Bedan spirit’s relentless quest for success.
Then finally, there’s Carmelo Lim, one of collegiate sport’s few visionaries who believe in perseverance. “Time is everything in sports—game time, practice time—the time you put in for extra work and the time you sacrifice for the betterment of your career,” he says.
More success stories abound—and we’re just halfway through the season.
Golden moment
San Beda and San Beda Alabang welcome their 111th and 40th birthdays, respectively. San Beda, with its core values, embraces the future by growing along with it.
Swatch captures and celebrates this spirit. Every school community member can easily slap on his wrist the San Beda watch.
“It’s creatively cool—and very comfortable to wear,” Lim says. “It reflects the personality of Bedans as it radiates that Red Lion Pride,” Go adds.
Bedans believe that each and every one plays a vital role, no matter how small, because of San Beda’s belief in camaraderie and family. That is why, with the help of Swatch, the San Beda Alumni Association of Mendiola, and San Beda Alabang high-school batch ’97, proceeds of San Beda Swatch sales will go to the San Beda Alabang High School Jr. Cheerleading Squad, as they prepare to compete in the all-female Cheerleading Asia International Open Championships (CAIOC) in Tokyo, Japan, in May 2013.
We dedicate this article to the loving memory of a staunch San Beda supporter and alumnus, Mr. Joey Lim.
The San Beda Swatch is available at the San Beda Alumni Association office in Mendiola, Manila. E-mail sanbedaswatch@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page San Beda Swatch.