JUDGMENT DAY: Are you prepared?

“We may not believe in the predictions, as we only believe that God alone knows everything, but we should believe in the fact that there will be an end, as there is no such thing in this world that is permanent”

Religion is one of the many aspects that we value the most, especially the Filipino people. Perhaps, our religion is one of the evidences that we – the Filipino once a upon a time invaded by the Spaniards, our Christian-catholic faith is the living proof that our innocent minds has been filled with the rich culture of the Spaniards. But our religion is our own choice depending on our perspective in life, we are free to choose from various existing religious sects in our society. Consequently, each of them has their own claim for authenticity, some claiming that they are the truth, some claims that they are the authentic religion, and along that claims, they even inform people about what they perceived in our future. They even predicted the end of the world.

Last May 21, 2011, along my way going to my On-The-Job-Training (OJT), my eyes was caught by some tarpaulins and bus stickers which says “Judgment Day on May 21, 2011”. It was Saturday then, when I got my mobile phone and looked for the date, its already may 21, the exact date that is written in the posts. I just got confused, but at the same time it sounds funny for me, I even thought that who’s false prophet will ever thought and declared that the end of the world is exactly may 21, 2011, but looking outside, observing the people and the surroundings it seems  normal. So true enough that whoever predicts that false idea is a false prophet and unbelievable in anyway. Probably he/she’s just seeking for sympathy and famousness, which for me an act of stupidity, making fun with serious matter. When I got home, I searched in the net that false idea, and I found out that it was a global issue, it has been cascaded all over the world, and I also found out that the man behind this false and implausible idea was Mr. Harold Camping an American Christian broadcaster in the station named Family Radio, he is known for his bible passages interpretation using numerology, which became his basis and ground to predict and declared the may 21, 2011 as the judgment day. He also asserted that the universe will be rapture and no one can survive, and no one be left. But after the said date, nothing happened, life in earth is still going on, everybody still enjoying their lives. But according to him, the spiritual judgment has been occurred, only that the physical rapture will be happened soon.

But somehow, there was a time, when I reflected the judgment day along with the end of the world, I asked myself, “Am I prepared for the judgment day”?, my mind was filled with various questions, asking what would happen to the world, to my family and friends? Is Camping prediction really happens, which the universal rapture by god will occur? Probably, weird as we think, but how if camping predictions are true that the end of the world is forthcoming? Are we prepared to be judge? To be persecuted or to be rewarded? But I ended up with the fact that God is a loving God, for he even inspired us when he say “Do not be afraid, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10. God is our father, he created us according to his image and likeness, he care for us, he is concern to us, and he loves us, therefore, he will never forsake us and he will not let us to be judge the way camping predicted.

We may not believe in the predictions, as we only believe that God alone knows everything, but we should believe in the fact that there will be an end, as there is no such thing in this world that is permanent, but not as horrible as camping perceived. Remember we will be judged not according to our accomplishments, our rewards and famousness even our richness, God will measure and judged us according to our heart, we may not famous, rich and powerful, but our heart alone will be the best measuring tool to judge us. So when someone ask you, if you are already prepared, pause for a while, don’t look at the mirror, but instead examine your heart and flashback your mind with every good deeds that you have made, and let your heart tell if you are already prepared and worthy to be saved. Now, when someone asked me, if I am prepared for the judgment day, I will confidently say yes, for as God is my Lord and Savior.

THRMI on its first ever General Assembly

By Rowel C. Alcaide

After the official separation of Tourism and HRM programs from its former department the SBMA (School of Business Management and Accountancy), Last April 01, the two aforementioned programs found its new home named “Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Management Institute” headed by Director Alex Cecilio, current HRM professor and former HRM chairman. 

Last August 10, the first ever General Assembly of THRMI as a new department of the colegio was held at the Fra. Angelico Hall (Letran gymnasium) which attended by Tourism and HRM students. The said event was spearheaded by Dir. Cecilio along with the THRMI-CL and THOMASS. The event started 1:30 pm which was commenced by a inspirational presentation prepared by THOMASS, followed by the prayer (Dominican Blessing).

DIR. Alex Cecilio a.k.a DADDY ALEX - Director of THRMI

Dir. Cecilio formally opened the program by stating his inspirational message, which he also mentioned that his heart belongs to the THRMI and he considered them as family, for he spend times more than in his real family,  he even requested the attendees to addressed their seatmates as brothers and sisters as they call him “Daddy Alex”. His inspirational talk focused on the future plans of the department and for developing a sense of conviction as Tourism and HRM professionals, thus he even mentioned that as such, all students must observe their proper and good grooming all the time, he focused. He ended his talk with the acknowledgement for the effort of the attendees. 

After the talk, the Master’s of Ceremony named Harold Alvea and RG Ulan presented the set of officers of THRMI Council of Leaders which headed by President: Larz Milton Bustria, Vice President for TOR: Kristine Aguilar, Vice President for HRM: Jose Ranel II Tuscano, Secretary: Angelo Miguel Casubha, Asst. Treasurer: Roxanne Carla Hallig, Auditor: Julyann Entredicho, PRO: Carla Joy Valentino, Asst. PRO: Karl Baroro, 4th Year Representative: Rose Kathlene Paula Angeles, 3rd Year Representative: Kath Zamayla Dayrit, 2nd Year Representative: Ma. Ellaine Lebrilla, Mr. Bustria as president of the organization, encouraged everyone to continue to support the THRMI_CL and its upcoming projects and participate for the upcoming activities that they will prepare for them. Then, the new set of THOMASS officers also presented during the event which headed by President: Angela Recto, Vice President: Benedict Lo, Secretary: Elaine Reaviles, Treasurer:        Nikola Daduya, Assistant Treasurer:Jam Bayani, Auditor:Mel De Leon, Public Relations Officers: (HRM) RG Ulan, (TM) Sugar Indicio,4th year Representatives(HRM) Micon Sauquillo, (TM) Regine Cruz, 3rd year Representatives(HRM) Leih Contemplacion(TM) Gladys Macaraig, 2nd year Representative(TM) Lorraine Ramirez . Ms Recto promised that they will serve and give their best for the betterment of all hospitality students. She also encouraged her fellow TM and HRM students to follow the new rules of the department which is a proper haircut for men and no hair dye for men and women.

THOMASS OFFICERS FOR A.Y 2011 - 2012

THRMI COUNCIL OF LEADERS

In the said event , the presentation of TM and HRM old and new uniforms was made. including the 2009, 2010 and 2012 organizational shirt, along with the Chef’s and Bar uniform for HRM,  Flight Attendant (FA) uniform for tourism  and the most awaiting new corporate uniform for HRM and Tourism, the new set of uniforms for both courses was made in order to distinguish the TM and HRM students  among the rest. 

New HRM corporate Uniform

New Tourism corporate uniform

Bar uniform

chef's uniform

2011 ORG SHIRT

2009 ORG SHIRT

2010 ORG SHIRT

The winning piece of the winners for various TM and HRM competitions held last year were also presented, the sarsiadong lapu-lapu for the on the spot cooking competition a winning dish by Miguel Casubha and his partner, the fabulous table skirting design by the group of Ms. Kathryn Altoveros and her co-members won in the catering Olympics competition last year, along with attractive cake decoration by the group of Mr. Marlon Aseoche won in the cake decorating competition. And the last and the most awaiting for all the exciting flaring of bottles which presented and performed by the two winners for bottle flaring competition last year  named Mr. JV Dela Rosa which a 3^rd placer and the champion Mr. Patrick Pasamba, the exciting and heart breaking act of bottle flaring roused the attendees mood and turn the bland afternoon with a fun and exciting one, the attendees keep on shouting and enjoyed the act. The presentations of the past winners is evidently that TM and HRM students has a great hidden talents and skills to be proud of and the talents that can showcase internationally.

Mr. Dela Rosa in his Flaring Moves

As the program goes along, the Letran gym was filled with the applauses and screams as the TDT (THRMI Dance Troupe) performed on the stage, a new established Dance Group in the Colegio under the THRMI department, the said group is composed of talented TM and HRM dancers, as the performance ended, the TDT leader encouraged all aspiring dancers and talented TM and HRM students who are willing to showcase their dancing skills that they are very much welcome to the group. On the middle of the event, the representative from OSA and Guidance Councilor of Letran-Calamba, took the stage, as they remind the attendees for the DO’s and DON’T’s while inside the campus, they also mentioned that their office must not be the office to be scared of as the notion we knew about them, they even encouraged all to let them know what ever problems they may have in their study or even their security over the campus, their office will be always open for all students concerns, Ms. Villorente added (OSA, Director), she also congratulate the THRMI for the successful General Assembly and looking forward for its success, as she ended.

Ms. Cecilia Mercado, (an Alumna of the Colegio) a new THRMI instructor and a current THOMASS adviser, laid out the upcoming programs, events and competition for the THRMI, she even mentioned the forthcoming BAFBEX (Batangas Food and Beverages Exposition) competition on September 14. , which Ms. Mercado encouraged all interested students to participate in several areas of competition such as, Bed-making, Table skirting, Catering Olympics, Bottle Flaring, Cake Decorating, and Hospitality Quiz Bee to be held in De La Salle-Lipa, Batangas. In addition, she also mentioned the THOMASS Cup, the event for TM and HRM students which will be on August 30 – 31.


PHOTOS CREDITS TO: Sapu Canucula and Thommas FB account.