FIRST CLASS, A NEW TRADITION
by Jose Felipe Gaerlan

This school year marked the dawn of a new era in Enderun’s brief history. Throughout the year, many changes and developments were being made to further enhance the quality of the school. Within this period, the school also established new traditions that will definitely be continued throughout the succeeding years. We saw the induction of the first Student Government and the Council of Leaders,the appointment of the new provost, Dr. Lance Masters and the recent celebration of Enderun First Class.

“March 13, 2009 marked the beginning of a new tradition in the school’s history,” said Student Government President Jared Sto. Tomas. It was at this day that the fifth Enderun First Class observed a more formal and more ceremonial feel to the biannual event that gives honor and recognition to deserving students who worked hard to earn a place in the semester’s Dean’s List. It was held at the Blue Blue Leaf Events Place in McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The program, hosted by English instructor Mr. Allan Roi Roño, started with the procession of faculty and awardees. It was a procession to remember, with a classical cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” playing while the students and faculty were walking to their seats.

The program, hosted by English instructor Mr. Allan Roi Roño, started with the procession of faculty and awardees. It was a procession to remember, with a classical cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” playing while the students and faculty were walking to their seats.

The procession was followed by the national anthem and an invocation led by Management faculty member, Dr. Angel Espiritu. Afterwards, Mr. Roño welcomed to the stage Dr. Masters, who shared his message about the global economic status and its effects, his experiences with his mentor, management guru Dr. Peter Drucker, and the importance of showing honor to the deserving awardees. This was then succeeded by the most awaited part of the program, the awarding of Dean‘s Listers.

From the previous semester, a total of 70 students qualified for the Dean’s List and were rewarded for their perseverance and hard-work. All were called onto the stage to be awarded with their own certificates of recognition for their outstanding scholastic achievement throughout the first semester of school year 2008-2009. Dr. Masters, Dean Lorraine Villanueva, and Dean Arnold McKenzie were present to award the certificates.

A brief intermission number was done after the last student was awarded. The host introduced Carla Pua, who sweetly serenaded the audience with a performance of the song “Only Hope” made popular by Mandy Moore.

After the intermission, all the awardees were again called up to the stage for pictorials. A few words were said on behalf of the student body by Mr. Sto. Tomas, who mentioned that this ceremony would be a tradition that will be continued for the succeeding generations of students.

The program ended with the recessional of the students and faculty, and refreshments were made available to the guests. The food was prepared by the students under the supervision of Corporate Culinary Head, Chef See Cheong Yan, and service was also provided by students under the supervision of Food and Beverage faculty, Mr. Alex Jureeratana and Mr. Chad Davis. Students, parents, guests, and faculty all mingled among themselves while indulging in the food and beverages provided.

The program ended with a tour of the school premises, showcasing Enderun’s rapid progress and revealing the bright future it has in store.