Appreciation--such a common word and yet it is one of the best acts a person can do for another. More often than not, appreciation touches directly the heart of the appreciated. According to psychologists, the secret of many long-lasting relationships is founded on this precept which can range from a tap on the shoulder to a financially-rewarding promotion.

    Last Friday, I experienced my first taste of "A-day" in Xavier School. The timing was perfect, coming at the heels of both the Grade School and High School visits of the PAASCU. I did not know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised and elated over the turn of events.

    The day began, quite normally I thought, with a mass-a fitting beginning, I said to myself. Aside from Appreciation Day, we were likewise remembering St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino Saint. But as I joined the faculty and staff which paraded into the High School gym and saw the Grade 3 to 7 students, on their feet, clapping and cheering, I started to feel my hair stand. I guess this was because I was also told that the Grade School students were "police-ing" themselves for the morning to allow all their teachers to join the parade and enjoy the program which would follow. Indeed, this was not going to be an ordinary Friday for me.

    After the meaningful mass concelebrated by our School Director and Grade School Campus Minister, the Xavier School faculty and staff were treated to an entertaining program by the Grade School student body. Many boys from different grade levels participated in the skits, songs, dances and slideshow. It was clear that the boys practiced and worked hard to come up with a good, presentable program. Anyway, it was for the people they cared for, the faculty and staff, their second parents! To close the program, the students handed each faculty and staff an Appreciation Day booklet, a collection of messages showing their love and gratefulness. I felt a mixture of emotions, good emotions: laughter, elation, admiration and appreciation.

    Following the program, each class headed back to their rooms to have their own small celebration and merienda with their teachers. After this, the Grade School and High School were dismissed to allow the faculty and staff to have their own get-together in the afternoon.

    The faculty and staff celebration was equally entertaining and was another eye-opener for me. The emcees gamely hosted the event making sure there were no dull moments. To kick-off the festivities, eight extremely worthy contestants joined the Lip Synch cum Survivor competition eventually won by Mr. TJ Agulto of the High School. It was actually a pity to see seven "very game" participants lose. (The other contestants were : from the Grade School : Mr. Delson Balance and Ms. Dorothy Gonzales; from the High School : Mr. Christian Bumatayo; from Central Administration : Mr. Logan Chiam and Ms. Jane Cacacho; from Physical Plant Office : Ms. Carina Maravilla and Mr. Ed Ingua)

    The Grade School and High School teams came in first and second, respectively, in our second game, the Sing All You Can. In this game, each team had to come up with songs recorded by a particular artist. The chosen artists were The Carpenters, Madonna and Michael Jackson. Of course, I was part of the Central Admin team that came in third. Oh well, at least I tried my best-"Kung Beatles iyan, mananalo kami!"

    Perhaps, the highlight of the afternoon was the "Gaya-Gaya Puto-Maya" contest. Once again, four very worthy contestants participated. Parokya ni Edgar's "Mr. Suave" by the Grade 7 team ran away with the unanimous vote of the judges. The Grade 7 band was composed of Mr. Rey Aude on vocals, Mr. Edge Gutierrez on drums, Mr. Vanni Marte and Mr. Jay Perez on guitar, and of course, Mr. Alex Santos as Mr. Suave himself. The group had the whole MPC singing "Hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy!", including the Grade School Principal, Dr. Eve Baquirin as well! Other contestants were Ms. Ivy Encinares, who sang "What's Love Got to Do With It?" by Tina Turner, the group of Mr. Lance Magpoc, Mr. Josy Agoncillo, Mr. Caloy Marquez, Mr. Gani Marcorde, Ms. Jane Agcaoili, Ms. Bel de Jesus and Ms. Josie Edades who did a fine rendition of the Stylistics' "You Make Me Feel Brand New", and Mr. Fred Faulve with his version of Englebert Humperdinck's "Release Me". I was kidding Fr. Go that he may have preferred to see the Engelbert Humperdinck impersonation win because "kapanahunan niya iyon".

    I salute the organizers led by the Personnel Office as well as the XSPA and AAXS which donated the prizes. "Pahingi naman ng Mascot Pillow?" The afternoon event allowed me to see a different side of the faculty and staff--they are multi-talented and they know how to have fun. Everybody went home with a smile on their face!

    I went back to my office to shut-off my computer and end my day (week). But before I could, I heard a knock on the door. The entire Accounting and Finance team came in full force to greet me. It touched me and made me feel so good inside. "Ganoon pala dito sa Xavier School", I said to myself. I mentioned to Fr. Go that I had a fun-filled "A-day". More than the fun, however, itcertainly felt great to be appreciated. Happy "A-day" to all!

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