The Catalyst - STC of Cebu

The Catalyst - STC of Cebu Be a bearer of truth, be a CATALYST! The official student publication of St. Theresa's College of Cebu

Do you want a CATATOON Caricature Booth Tour, Theresians? ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ–Œ๏ธCome and visit us at the hallway of the Accounting Office t...
23/09/2025

Do you want a CATATOON Caricature Booth Tour, Theresians? ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ–Œ๏ธ

Come and visit us at the hallway of the Accounting Office this Pakiglambigit 2025. Bring your friends and get a customized caricature photostrip and polaroid. Donโ€™t forget about the limited edition stickers we especially made for you~!

Stop by and feel at home at CATATOON ๐Ÿฏ๐Ÿ’™

Caption by Cheska Rivera
Layout by Therese Olmedo

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚ ๐—๐—ผ๐—ถ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฃ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ผ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜†๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฐ๐—ตOn the Sunday afternoon of September 21, 2025, the busy Fuente Osmeรฑ...
23/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚ ๐—๐—ผ๐—ถ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฃ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ผ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜†๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฐ๐—ต

On the Sunday afternoon of September 21, 2025, the busy Fuente Osmeรฑa Circle turned into a sea of prayer and protest as crowds gathered for the nationwide โ€œTrillion Peso March,โ€ a peopleโ€™s movement initiated by civil society, the Church, and various groups calling for an end to corruption in the country.

Among the voices that rose in unity was that of STC of Cebu. Invited by the Confraternity of the Lady of All Nations, ICM Sisters, teachers, students, and their families and friends came not only to march, but to pray.

They began their journey at the Mango Gate where the first decade of the Rosary was solemnly recited. Carrying the school flag high, the group walked together, their prayers blending with chants and slogans from other protestors. As banners and placards condemned corruption, protestors waved flags, shouted for change, and urged corrupt politicians to turn away from greed.

The rosary was followed by an exorcism prayer, symbolizing the communityโ€™s desire to cast out the evils of dishonesty and greed. The message of the Gospel seemed to echo through the crowd: โ€œYou cannot serve two masters.โ€ The priestโ€™s reflection was striking; corruption, he said, is a form of idolatry. It bows not to God but to the god of wealth, making leaders betray and break the greatest commandment.

Beyond the prayers and placards, the rally was a call to discernment. Filipinos must learn to stop repeatedly voting the same surnames into the same positions, but instead vote with conscience, choosing leaders who are honest, just, and servants of the people.

The rally ended peacefully, but its spirit lingered in the hearts of those who walked, prayed, and hoped together that in the fight against corruption, truth and honesty will triumph.

Article by Jewel Son and Mathea Sosmeรฑa
Layout by Therese Olmedo

๐—™๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—จ๐—ฅ๐—˜ || ๐—” ๐—ก๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—œ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ž๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐˜€: ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ผ๐˜€ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น๐˜† ๐˜ƒ๐˜€ ๐—”๐—ป๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜€On September 21, 2025, the streets of Fuente Osmeรฑa Circle ...
23/09/2025

๐—™๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—จ๐—ฅ๐—˜ || ๐—” ๐—ก๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—œ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ž๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐˜€: ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ผ๐˜€ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น๐˜† ๐˜ƒ๐˜€ ๐—”๐—ป๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜€

On September 21, 2025, the streets of Fuente Osmeรฑa Circle to Colon echoed with chants of dissent as students, workers, and advocates marched in unity to denounce corruption and demand accountability from the countryโ€™s leaders.

The protest coincided with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., a date etched in Philippine history for its widespread censorship, brutality, and human rights violations. Demonstrators carried banners calling for truth and justice, condemning not only present-day corruption but also the efforts to revise history and downplay the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship.

Organizers framed the event as both protest and commemorationโ€”a reminder of the thousands silenced under military rule and a warning against the reemergence of tyranny. Protesters declared that corruption, impunity, and authoritarianism have no place in a democracy still grappling with the wounds of its past.

By marching from Fuente to Colon, demonstrators symbolically reclaimed the streets as spaces of resistance. For many, the rally was more than a political act; it was a collective vow that the struggle for truth, freedom, and justice endures in the hands of the people.

Article by Mari Padmos of The STAR
Layout by Therese Olmedo

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐——๐—ฆ๐—ž ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ธ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ฝ ๐—ฆ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ฃ๐—ต๐—ผ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ต๐˜† ๐—™๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—น๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ถ๐˜ '๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฑ-โ€˜๐Ÿฎ๐ŸฒThe fourth Dilaab sa Kinaadman session on spor...
21/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐——๐—ฆ๐—ž ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ธ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ฝ ๐—ฆ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ฃ๐—ต๐—ผ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ต๐˜† ๐—™๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—น๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ถ๐˜ '๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฑ-โ€˜๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฒ

The fourth Dilaab sa Kinaadman session on sports photography led by Ms. Chloe Veloso was held in the afternoon of September 21, 2025, at the Publication Office in preparation for the upcoming Pakiglambigit 2025-2026.

Veloso is an award-winning filmmaker and experienced photographer, best known for her short films "Ang gugmang ti-unay ni Daniella" (2013) and "Pahiyom alang kang Evelyn" (2015), the latter of which won the Third Best Film and Best Story Awards at the 2015 Sinulog Short Film Festival.

The workshop covered various photography fundamentals for using Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras, highlighting recommended Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, and Focus Mode settings that can be applied in different situations and environments.

Furthermore, Veloso emphasized that in the art of sports photography, one must not merely capture a photo, but also tell a story and show emotion in the pictures they take.

"Sports photography isn't just about freezing action. It's about capturing emotion in motion," stated Veloso.

Publication photographers were then given the opportunity to apply the knowledge they had learned as they captured photos of selected students who were tasked with demonstrating sports-related activities and actions before officially concluding the activity.

Article by Rhovimary Yongot
Layout by Therese Olmedo

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ข๐—ณ ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚ ๐—ฃ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜€ ๐—™๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—–๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐—œ๐—ป ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—Ÿ๐—ฎ๐˜„ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—บ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ปSt. Theresaโ€™s College of Cebu commemorated Martial Law...
21/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ข๐—ณ ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚ ๐—ฃ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜€ ๐—™๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—–๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐—œ๐—ป ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—Ÿ๐—ฎ๐˜„ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—บ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป

St. Theresaโ€™s College of Cebu commemorated Martial Law on September 19, 2025, during morning assembly at the school quadrangle.

The program began after the singing of the national anthem and Pilipinas Kong Mahal, with students wearing black ribbons on their arms and school personnel in white with black ribbons pinned to their chests. A prayer service followed, calling for a just and true Philippines, which included a Gospel reading from Luke about setting the oppressed free.

During the reflection, students recalled the abuses of Martial Law, noting that decades after its end, the dictatorshipโ€™s legacy still persists through corruption. Theresians were urged to speak the truth and live with courage and compassion, stressing that the past must never be forgotten, the present demands action, and the future depends on todayโ€™s choices.

Students walked across the quadrangle carrying flowers and placards as prayer intentions were offered for the Church, the government, Martial Law victims, the Filipino people, and the STC community. The program ended with the song Kapangyarihan by Ben&Ben, after which students returned to their classrooms.

Alongside the assembly, STC launched a Martial Law gallery at the Lourdes Reynes Quisumbing (LRQ) Hall, featuring pledges for the nation, stories of Filipinos, historical accounts, and artworks. The exhibit, contributed by students from grade school to senior high school, called on the youth to uphold integrity, resist complacency, and act against abuses of power.

Article by Louise Ardiente
Layout by Robin Caburatan

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—›๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฌ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—น๐—ผ๐˜„: ๐—œ๐—”๐—–-๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ผ๐˜๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐— ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—›๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜๐—ต ๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€The Interact Club of St. Theresaโ€™s College of Cebu (IAC-...
20/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—›๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฌ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—น๐—ผ๐˜„: ๐—œ๐—”๐—–-๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ผ๐˜๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐— ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—›๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜๐—ต ๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€

The Interact Club of St. Theresaโ€™s College of Cebu (IAC-STC) officially launched the โ€œYellow Ribbonsโ€ project this week, a two-day campaign dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and su***de prevention among students.

Held just as the school prepares for Pakiglambigit, the project was a timely initiative from the organization as intramural preparations often carry added academic pressure, busy schedules, and demanding practicesโ€”highlighting the importance of mental well-being during hectic seasons like this.

Throughout its two-day campaign, a booth was set up under the principalโ€™s office where students could write uplifting messages, participate in the โ€œSpread the Sparkโ€ initiative by fulfilling a good deed from a jar, and pick up yellow ribbons to wear as a sign of support. The booth also featured posters and information boards on recognizing warning signs, ways to provide emotional support, and tips for coping on difficult days.

Through this two-day campaign, IAC-STC sought to provide students with a supportive space where they can lift each other up, while also finding the courage to ask for help when needed. By aligning the campaign with the busy intramural season, the organization hopes to create a more supportive environment that acknowledges both the pressures and the importance of mental health.

Article by Samantha Tion
Layout by Therese Olmedo

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—”๐—” ๐—ข๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ง๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ฒ ๐—ข๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฆ๐—ฌ ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฑ-๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐ŸฒThe executives of the St. Theresaโ€™s Alumni Association (STAA) offici...
20/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—”๐—” ๐—ข๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ง๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ฒ ๐—ข๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฆ๐—ฌ ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฑ-๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฒ

The executives of the St. Theresaโ€™s Alumni Association (STAA) officially assumed their posts during a solemn induction ceremony held in the morning of September 13, 2025, at the Audio-Visual Room (AVR).

Dr. Teresa G. Pinili, the school directress, addressed the assembly, formally acknowledging the incoming officers and offering prayers for their guidance and success in their new responsibilities. She emphasized the importance of alumni leadership in continuing the legacy of St. Theresaโ€™s College and strengthening the bonds between past and present Theresians.

The induction proper followed, where the new officers pledged their commitment to uphold the Theresian values of service, truth, and servant-leadership. Each officer took their oath with solemnity, signifying their readiness to carry out their duties. The following are the newly-appointed members of the STAA.

President: Mrs. Anne Kathryn Anos-Ordona
Vice President - Internal: Archt. Germain Maraya-Ang
Vice President - External: Ms. Christina O. Sy
Corporate Secretary: Mrs. Rhea Cahutay-Quisumbing
Treasurer: Mrs. Maria Teresa Geraldina Varela-Atienza
Auditor: Atty. Riza Lynn Montevon-Ocampo
Public Relations Officer: Mrs. Liza Mellado-Gabriel

Administrators Mrs. Angeles Generale and Mrs. Estrella Godinez then presented the officers with tokens representing their individual roles and responsibilities. These included an image of Mother Mary, symbolizing faith and guidance; a heart-designed phone, representing public relations and communication; and a lit candle, signifying leadership, light, and inspiration.

The ceremony concluded on a joyful note, as guests and officers shared a catered meal together. Laughter, conversations, and photographs filled the room, capturing the spirit of unity and excitement for the new chapter of the STAA.

Article by Cheska Rivera
Layout by Therese Olmedo

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฃ๐—ต๐˜†๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜ ๐—œ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ง๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ธLast September 10, 2025, STC of Cebu invited Dr. Fritz Diorico to ho...
19/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฃ๐—ต๐˜†๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜ ๐—œ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ง๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ธ

Last September 10, 2025, STC of Cebu invited Dr. Fritz Diorico to hold a talk about his over a decade-long journey as a physicist to the senior high school students at the audio-visual room.

Dr. Diorico started his talk with a brief overview of his experiences in learning quantum physics, photonics, and laser technologies. His journey began with enrolling at the University of San Carlos in Applied Physics before getting accepted as an international student at the University of Ghent. This experience of going abroad in another country and witnessing their different culture and scenery, along with his other international classmates, opened his world.

He pursued his PhD and Postdoctoral Training in experimental physics at the Austria Technical University, where he got interviewed by Anton Zeilinger, 2022 Nobel Prize laureate, and learnt the first principles approach. He continued his Postdoctoral Training with Onur Hosten at the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria that inspired him to start up his own laser company,Tulon Photonics.

Following that, Dr. Diorico gave out helpful advice to the students, especially to the ones that are in the STEM strand, with some quotes including, "Understand to learn, learn to understand, and memorization becomes natural," and "You don't need to be a genius, you just need to be curious."

Students engaged with Dr. Diorico, asking questions regarding his PhD research and the concept of time travel. He explained that his research involved developing processors for quantum computers and noted that while time travel to the future is theoretically possible, traveling to the past is not.

Following the talk, students left inspired and with new insights into potential career paths in science and technology.

For more information on Dr. Fritz Diorico, visit https://www.fritzdiorico.com/

Article by Mathea Sosmeรฑa
Layout by Therese Olmedo

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚ ๐—•๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—น๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ถ๐˜ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ฎ๐—ฏThe auditorium halls were filled with enthusiasm as Theresi...
19/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—– ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐˜‚ ๐—•๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—น๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ถ๐˜ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ฎ๐—ฏ

The auditorium halls were filled with enthusiasm as Theresian student-athletes took part in the annual Sports Clinic last September 13, 2025, a one-day event aimed at orienting and aiding athletes prepare for the upcoming Pakiglambigit.

The clinic featured a comprehensive orientation covering key factors of Pakiglambigit. Students received guidelines on game procedures and cleanliness, were introduced to tournament managers, officials, and teacher coaches. Moreover, students took part in the Oath of Amateurism to uphold sportsmanship throughout the competition.

The event concluded with athletes proceeding to their respective breakout rooms for each sport, where they received detailed instructions and sport-specific guidelines. These sessions allowed players to practice with their teams, foster camaraderie, and build friendly connections with their future opponentsโ€”setting the tone for a spirited and sportsmanlike Pakiglamibigit.

Students left the institution filled with waves of excitement and anticipation, feeling more prepared and eager for the start of Pakiglambigit. With the opening day just around the corner, the entire school community looks forward to the spirited and competitive games overflowing with camaraderie

Article by Samantha Tion
Layout by Imma Cortes

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—”๐—น๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ป๐—ฎ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ข๐—ฐ๐—ฐ๐˜‚๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐˜† ๐—ง๐—ผ ๐—ฆ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐˜€Last September 11, 2025, the Grade 12 STEM General Bi...
16/09/2025

๐—ก๐—˜๐—ช๐—ฆ || ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—”๐—น๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ป๐—ฎ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ข๐—ฐ๐—ฐ๐˜‚๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐˜† ๐—ง๐—ผ ๐—ฆ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐˜€

Last September 11, 2025, the Grade 12 STEM General Biology classes held a forum with a special guest, Ms. Dechantal Catherine V. Montaรฑo, OTR/L, OTRP, a proud alumna who has earned global recognition in the field of occupational therapy.

With nearly two decades of professional experience both in the Philippines and United States of America, Ms. Montaรฑo has established herself as a pioneer in her discipline. She currently serves as the Clinical Rehabilitation Supervisor at RCM Health Care Services and RCM Treatment Center (PT, OT, and SLP) in New York City. Previously, she held the role of Associate Program Director at the International Academy of Hope (iHOPE), the pioneering research-based private school dedicated to students with traumatic brain injury and brain-based disorders.

During her talk, Ms. Montaรฑo gave the STEM-B students a glimpse into the daily realities of her work. Much like teachers, her schedule revolves around students, but instead of lecturing, she spends her day observing, assessing, and providing one-on-one interventions. On average, she works with twelve children each day, pulling them out of class for focused sessions. Her main mission, she emphasized, is to ensure that each child feels supported, understood, and capable of overcoming challenges that may hinder their growth or well-being.

Beyond professional insights, Ms. Montaรฑo made her visit deeply personal and heartfelt. When one STEM-B student expressed concern for her younger brother, she offered words of encouragement and guidance, showing the same compassion she extends to her patients.

Her presence left a lasting impression on the Theresians, highlighting that therapy is not confined to clinics or hospitals but is woven into everyday life in subtle yet powerful ways. By sharing her journey, Ms. Montaรฑo not only shed light on the critical role of occupational therapy but also inspired students to see how empathy, science, and service can come together to make a profound impact on othersโ€™ lives.

Article by Cheska Rivera
Layout by Therese Olmedo

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