UNEP Celebrates Santacruzan 2010

The University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) conducted its own version of Santacruzan inside the campus with its faculty members, personnel and students as its stunning reyna elenas and konsortes. Now on its 4^th year, the Santacruzan festival became an annual event for UNEPians in celebration of the Month of the Holy Cross.

The event also coincides with the feast of UNEP's patroness, Our Lady of Remedies.

This year's crowned Reyna Elena is Mrs. Cyril E. Castroverde who represented the Department of Maritime Education. Mrs. Marites Tomenio representing the College of Nursing and Midwifery was proclaimed as Reyna delas Flores while the crown as Reina de las Virgenes was bequeathed to Ms. Vanessa Bernales from UNEP's College of Education .

Also part of the colorful Santacruzan entourage were Mrs. Nilda C.Dilla as Reina Paz ( Graduate School , Law); Mrs. Edna Felisa M. Ibarrientos (Registar, CBED); Ms. Leonor Barra as Reina Ester (Accounting, Criminology); and Ms. Margie Monte as Reina Sheba (Pres, VPF, Checker).

Ms. Karen Bohemia M. Moran representative from the High School Department and CEATD was this year's Reina Justicia; Mrs. Elena Tranquillo as Reina Caridad, Ms. Ronalyn Rialdo (PAD) as Reina Esperanza and Ms. Jennifer A. Salamanque as Reina Banderada.

The said religious exercise inside the campus was influenced by the university matriarch's deep religiosity.  Dr. Remedios Rigoroso-Alfelor's devotion to Our Lady of Remedies was well known inside the campus and even outside the university's community.  The religious fervor that she has instilled remained unceasing through the years.

UNEP Executive Vice President, concurrently the university's VP for Finance has given her all out support to the said religious endeavor. "This is also our way of thanking the Lord, specially our patroness, Our Lady of Remedies, for continually giving UNEP all the blessings.  We are so blessed that is why we feel that we have to give back to the Lord all the gifts that He has given us. This is our simple way of saying thank you."

Meanwhile, UNEP was also chosen as a venue for the 3-day formation activity of the altar servers which started on May 3 and ended on May 5. More than 600 participants coming from different schools and parishes in the archdiocese attended the said event.

Msgr. Peter Beriña, Director of the Commission on Liturgy of the Archdiocese of Caceres spearheaded the said event.  "This formation is also our way of encouraging students to appreciate the vocation of priesthood and made them understand how it feels to serve the Lord."

He also thanked the management of UNEP for allowing them to use the facilities of the university and for accommodating the participants.

These religious endeavors are indeed living testimonies of UNEP's spiritual commitment to their community.