“One Pride, One Glory”
Xavier School San Juan celebrated this year’s first Spirit Week entitled Nexus, Sept. 21 to 23. The Spirit Week culminated on the 23rd with the annual Pep Rally entitled Rendezvous.
This year’s Pep Rally is the first to be held onsite since August 2019, with the last two being held online. Rendezvous was held in the high school gym which was embellished with banners featuring Xavier alumni batches and the different sports teams. Given the COVID restrictions in place, the Pep Rally was attended physically by students belonging to the Gold and White groups, varsity members, and certain faculty and staff, while the Blue and Online groups students attended through Zoom.
Blue and Gold Committee Head Andre Tan (G12C) led the opening prayer. During the prayer, a short moment of silence was offered for the memory of Baron Coyiuto, a Xaverian. After the prayer, Yani Mayo, a courtside reporter and segment producer for the UAAP and PVL, was introduced as this year’s guest host. Afterwards, the high school principal, Mrs. Ma. Theresa Ladrido, gave the opening remarks praising the sports culture Xavier School has. She also introduced Antonio Putzolu, an exchange student from Italy who will be staying until the end of the school year.
There were some performances from the students. The first being from a Grade 10 band called Thermo. After their number, Xavier’s varsity teams, including DanceX and XDL, were introduced with their own short skits. DanceX performed after all sports teams had been presented to the community.
Continuing with the Pep Rally traditions, a cheer competition was held among the batches. The competition brought back the atmosphere of the Pep Rally, which students felt was missing in the two years when the program was held purely online. Everyone saw the students’ enthusiasm evidenced by their loud cheers.
The lighting of the cauldron was conducted with the help of the batch representatives. After that, the athletes recited a pledge led by student athlete representative Lorenz Tortona (G12E). To conclude the Pep Rally’r program, Fr. Philip Yohan, SJ prayed for and gave a blessing to the athletes as they go through various competitions and tournaments this school year. Following this was the last performance of the day from a Grade 12 band called Gagamboys.
School president Fr. Ari Dy, SJ delivered his message thanking the people behind the success of the program. He also mentioned the advantage of bringing the Pep Rally back to its usual onsite format. Afterwards, the high school community sang the Xavier School song with the B&G committee core members leading onstage.
At the end of the Pep Rally, four exhibition games were held for the students, teachers, and guests to watch. These games covered Basketball, Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, and Football.
