Today , the start of our Institutional Orientation, ushers us to another fruitful school year to look forward to. We are still within the year of a year-long celebration of the 125th Foundation Anniversary of Sacred Heart College, and we have one and many reasons to rejoice, and consider ourselves lucky to have witnessed this significant event in the history of this institution. To have reached 125 years of fruitful existence is a proof and testimony to the Providence of God who has given us so much in the past and therefore we need not fear the future.

The 125 years of fruitful existence of Sacred Heart College had been characterized by changes down the years under the able leadership of our predecessors, and one could not simply quantify the achievements they have contributed to this institution.

Looking back to where we had been, this institution had proven itself capable of meeting the demands and challenges of its time in terms of curriculum offerings, infrastructures, manpower, financial capability and other requirements demanded of this institution.

In our desire to respond to the challenges of evangelization and social transformation, we are prompted to courageously search for creative, innovative, challenging and more life-giving alternatives to what we have now. Sacred Heart College had made daring leaps and have gone beyond superficial accommodation to the demands of challenging times. It has and still continue to move on, shifting to new paradigms to be relevant and to meet global demands of our time. It has to let go and traditional, safe and comfortable ways of doing things, to give way to innovation, creativity, inventiveness and experimentation. Nowadays, learning is no longer limited to classroom instructions. As mission partners, may I invite you to be open to learn new approaches and ways of doing things because it will keep us closer to the realization of our transformed vision and fulfillment of our mission.

Today, our country and our society is confronted with issues involving public trust, moral degradation, systemic corruption and other issues as seen among people who are supposed to be models to our young generation. Issues on dishonesty, insincerity and insensitiveness to what is true and ethical had gained access into our doors. As a Catholic Institution, this is an added challenge to us. Let us face this challenge with fortitude coming from the Holy Spirit whose feast we have celebrated yesterday.

The administration, faculty members and support staff are truly dedicated and are working hard to provide the best opportunities for our students to make learning enjoyable and this will ensure a bright future for them. All together, let ask the intersession of the Blessed Mother and the Holy Spirit so that we will always be guided in all our undertakings and that like Hermana Fausta, we too will remain faithful to the Lord in the mission He had entrusted to us. Again, WELCOME to this orientation!