By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
Alma Mater’s Call: Revisit the Halls of a Century of Excellence – St. Joseph College
As the calendar pages turn, we’re reminded of a milestone that’s worth celebrating – the 100th anniversary of our beloved alma mater, Saint Joseph College, now known as Holy Spirit School. The celebration kicked off on December 8, 2025, and will culminate on December 8 this year. This is a momentous occasion that calls for a reunion of sorts, a time to reminisce about the good old days, and to reconnect with the memories that shaped us into the women we are today.
Located in the heart of Dao district, the new campus presents the school’s commitment to providing quality education and fostering growth. Many batches have already conducted their reunions and are pledging monetary donations to support the school’s mission. As we gather to celebrate this milestone, we’re reminded of the countless memories we’ve made within the school’s walls.
The academic offerings in college were Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Science in Education, and Associate in Music major in Voice and Piano.
I can still remember the winding stairs leading to the parlour and the cloisters of the nuns – a place that was totally off limits, but held a certain allure that only added to its mystique. Alas, that part of the building is now gone, a casualty of the widening of CPG road.
Standing (from L-R): Bobong Yap, Trudes Dologuin – Bernaldez, Mila Calope – Galvan, Carolina Zapatos, Sarah Sumodobila, and Virgilia “Daya” Yap. Seated back row, L-R): Teresita Pernia- Reyes and Remie Racho; Seated (front row, from L-R) are: Andresa Malanog – Melecio and Erlinda Pamaong – Francisco.
The tribute to Ma’am Ekit Butalid held last week brought back a flood of memories, transporting me back to my high school days at St. Joseph College. I’m not alone in feeling this sense of nostalgia – many of us are grateful to the school for shaping us into the women we are today.
Music and Humanities were the cornerstone of our education, and we were fortunate to have dedicated teachers who instilled in us moral values, discipline, and a passion for learning.
Who can forget the likes of mother Deolendis, Ms. Aurora Termulo, Ms. Ganade, and Ma’am Ekit, who taught us the intricacies of piano, and the late Ma’am Lumayag, who guided us in voice? Music is still very much a part of our lives, and even now, passing by the school, we still seem to be serenaded by the sweet sounds of do re mi fa so la ti do.
Speech choirs were another forte, thanks to Ms. Candida Vale and Ms. Ibaya. And who can forget the school play that captured the hearts of the entire Tagbilaran community and the province of Bohol – Louisa May Alcott’s “LITTLE WOMEN”? The four sisters who played the lead roles were: Amy (Ardy Araneta – Batoy), Jo (Gloria Relampagos – Marapao), Beth (Mildred Bernido, the daughter of then Governor Esteban Bernido), and Meg (Marilou Simbajon-Sevilla). Their thespian skills are still etched in our memories.
As we look back, we’re reminded of the many dedicated teachers who made a difference in our lives – Ms. Corie Pernia, who taught us Chemistry and Physics with flair, earning her the nickname “Debbie Reynolds of our time”; Ms. Caparas, who introduced us to the world of Pilipino literature and the works of Francisco Baltazar Balagtas; and Mother Soledad, our beloved kindergarten teacher.
It’s not just the teachers who come to mind – it’s also the friends we made, the laughter we shared, and the memories we created. Virgilia Lim Yap, our class president, and her husband Dr. Bobong, used to gather us together, and those were truly special moments. Now, as we’re left with just a few of our batchmates, Myrna Trabaho and I are planning to gather the 1961 to 1971 batches of alumni in the middle of the year. We’re working on a program, with Gardy Labad, the nephew of mother Dteolendes, and Odoni Gilay Pestelos, an alumnus of Holy Spirit School, on board. And who better to emcee the event than our very own queen of media, Ms. Ardy araneta-batoy?
As fellow alumni, we invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone. Let’s come together, share our memories, and contribute in whatever way we can – our presence, memories, pesos, dollars, etc. Let’s keep ourselves posted and make this celebration a memorable one!