JEDDAH, 26 March — The International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) feted in commencement rites held over the weekend some 280 pupils and students who graduated from the high school, elementary and pre-elementary departments.
Ambassador Rafael E. Seguis, the guest speaker, urged the graduating classes to ‘hitch their wagon to the stars’ and make ‘value-added’ contributions to society.
The other eminent speakers who perked up the three-day celebrations were Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, president of the World Muslim League and former vice chairman of the Saudi Shoura Council; Mansour Ghazzali, director of Foreign Education-Ministry of Education Saudi Arabia; Vice Consul Angelo Victor Amonoy and Vice Consul Ezzedin Tago. Vice Consul Tago is an alumnus of IPSJ.
Topnotchers among this year’s graduates from the three departments were Hosneya Mangotara and Arjaenelle Caro (high school); Kristine Marie Marzo and Kristine Nengasca (elementary); and Catherine Lora and Feronic Anne Avila (pre-elementary).
Awarded certificates of recognition as ‘Outstanding Parents of the Year’ were Mr. and Mrs. Mar Marzo, Mr. and Mrs. Eldrid Nengasca, Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Mangotara and Mr. and Mrs. Alberto Caro, Jr.
Prior to the commencement ceremonies, the newly constructed IPSJ gymnasium was formally inaugurated and opened by Ambassador Seguis and Dr. Nassef.
They were assisted by IPSH Board of Trustees chairman Efren Rodriguez, members Bobby Mapandi, Alex Macabanding, Ed Alcantara, Norby Manapat, Lino Natangcop and school principal Dr. Reinita Respicio and assistant principal Fatima Natangcop.
Towering over the all-white compound of the school, the IPSJ gymnasium was built courtesy of Pepito Gavieres and his company Alfa Laval. Gavieres’s three children are honor students at IPSJ.
