Ten (10) Junior High School students graced the International Festival Day of St. Paul’s International College in Moss Vale, New South Wales, Australia, last May 10, 2019. The said event is the highlight of the fourth season of SPUP’s educational and cultural immersion for the Basic Education Unit. Fostering nationalism, the group performed with elegance and grace two Philippine Folk Dances- Carinosa and Jotabal.
The participants, who were accommodated and fostered by the same school under the administration of Sister Angelina Fong, spc from May 6-17, 2019, were Krizel Ann L. Lagundi, Hyacinth Marie S. Mazo, Bettzel Faustine D. Tan, Lorenzo N. Combate, Kin T. Furigay, Ralph Anthony J. Valenzuela, all from grade 10; and Elijah Joseph C. Pobre, Vincent Tyrone Raul E. Combate, Sofia Gabrielle Hornachos, and Jenna Denise G. Dee, all from Grade 8. Dr. Janette T. Fermin, a faculty member accompanied the said students.
The two-week cultural program provided the participants a wide array of curricular as well as co-curricular activities which enabled them to socialize with the international and local students and teachers, while experiencing the rich culture and unique educational system of Australia. The students attended classes in Mathematics, Science, Geography, Religion, Arts, and Mandarin language.
Exploring Sydney, the students gazed in awe at the sceneries of the place which include: the Sydney Opera House, a multi-venue performing arts center dubbed as one of the 20th century’s most famous and distinctive buildings; Sydney Harbour Bridge, a heritage-listed steel through arch bridge nicknamed as the “coathanger” because of its design; Circular Quay, the main ferry terminal and the most central point for visitors; Manly Wharf, a passenger terminal wharf and recreational area serving guests and tourists; and Manly Beach, a bustling beachfront and surfing destination surrounded by tall trees and a variety of shops and eateries.
Touring Canberra was very educational for the students as they visited the New Parliament House which is the meeting place of the Parliament of Australia and the Royal Australian Mint, the sole producer of all of Australia’s circulating coins.
The students, experiencing more of Australia’s best, had their adventurous trips to the world-famous Kiama Blowhole, a sea-cliff cavern that spouts seawater skywards and the award-winning Fitzroy Falls, a spectacular waterfall where tourists can enjoy bushwalking, bird watching and lookouts.
As part of strengthening Paulinian Spirituality, the students toured the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, commonly known as Penrose Park, a renowned place of veneration of the replica of the Icon of Our Lady of Jasna Gora or the Black Madonna. The Shrine features International Chapels which are almost as many and varied as the nationalities of the thousand pilgrims visiting the park.
