St. Theresa’s College sued!

[tonioyantao]

It is about time people start suing establishments like these. School is primarily academics and that's it. They can only suggest or influence behavior and beliefs, not force it to people.

That's why I love my Alma Mater. Christian ways and modern teachings. Ateneo and more specifically Xavier all the way.

Correct! that is why im proud to be one. learn to evolve, change rather than tighting up ones spincther or any other orifice. and hope nothing will come against it. foolish out dated hypocrital logic and teaching.

is the phrase "digging their own grave" be fitting for the actions they have done?

[chadzkie]

if you read it carefully ... graduate man sila as in tagaan ug diploma di lang sila apil sa graduation rites. That is small price to pay for their violations.

Personally if I committed a shameful thing like what they've done why would i bother to go to that graduation rite? Im sure it would be a media frenzy and then maapil pa akong family ana.

bwahahaha kana maoy worst kay walay due process

magkatawa lang pud ko ba.. harsh jud diay na dli kapaso noh? mas grabe man cguro ang expulsion oi kay murag dli na jud ka ma-take sa skwelahan palayason naman jud ka

btw, the girls can get their respective diplomas. the only issue here is they were not allowed to join the graduation rites. this means graduate na jud sila sa high school but wala lang sila nakaapil sa ceremonyas sa paghatag kunohay sa diploma.

Oops sorry my bad. But still that's a very big punishment oie. Memorable day gud kaayo na sa tanan den ma miss nimu. Nig dako atong mga bataa they would remember how awful high school for them was. For me lang ha ok ra unta to lain na punishment suspension would be good but not being able to attend graduation rites? that's still too far for me.

[Sand Man]

PALIHUG KO NINYO UG BASA ANI PARA DLI MO MAGPATAKA UG ISTORYA DHA.

The Other Side of the Coin: St. Theresa's College Cebu Speaks Out | Facebook

SALAMAT.

The Other Side of the Coin: St. Theresa's College Cebu Speaks Out
by Tara Rose Preston Donayre on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10:24am



Having just graduated from St. Theresa’s College last week made me think that all my obligations have now been extinguished since I am no longer enrolled in the institution. But after this issue broke loose and have spread faster than wild fire, I felt the need to protect my alma mater. Which leads me to attend the school’s press conference, just to hear out what they have to say and being a graduate of Mass Communication, I just can’t keep a shut mouth about it.

For days, it has always been the side of the complainants who have been heard. The complainants have been noisy, saying this and that. But now it is time for the whole world to hear what the administration of St. Theresa’s College Cebu has to say. It is their time to break their silence.

If you have been following the news, you would now know that the issue is about these five graduating students barred from attending their graduation rites because of bikini photos uploaded online. If you have read the papers, you would have known that the complainant had said things like “there was no due process” and “they were called names like sluts and addicts”.

Yesterday, RTC Judge Wilfredo Navarro filed a TRO to let these five students attend the graduation rites today. To their dismay, the five students were not allowed to enter the school premise.

At 8pm this evening, an hour after the graduation rites, a press conference was held at the STC College Conference Room attended by the media, some teachers and the five speakers: Alan Trani, STC’s HR, Atty.Romeo Balili, STC’s legal councel, Fr. Ernesto Javier, Chairman of the Board, Sr. Purisima Pe, STC Directress and Lilu Alino, Internal Planning Officer.

At the press conference, they dealt, one at a time, the different issues, concerns and questions the media and the public had been wondering.

DUE PROCESS

Contrary to what the complainant has stated, the school said to have given due process to these five young ladies. First step was that they asked the five to write, in their own words and penmanship, what had conspired in the said photos. These written accounts were then read and assessed. The school then called the parents to tell them what had happened; they explain the violations made by their children and the corresponding consequences of their misconduct. The parents, after the explanation, were then asked to sign if they were to conform to the said sanctions, to which they did.

The school even gave the five a separate whole-day recollection and where asked to talk to the guidance councillor.

TRO

Although a TRO was given the day before the commencement exercises, the guards at STC still did not let the young ladies enter the school and attend the rites.

According to Atty. Balili, the TRO issued by Judge Navarro did not comply with the requisites making it defective. The said TRO had no bond to signify damages. Without the bond, the TRO is invalid.

“SLUTS AND ADDICTS”

One of the five students allegedly said that they were called names such as “sluts” and “addicts”. They said to have been verbally bullied.

Sr. Pupe, the school directress, only had this to say, “They are putting words inside my mouth. I never said those things.”

NOT JUST BIKINIS

All over the media, it was reported that they were not able to attend the rites because they posted photos of themselves wearing a bikini in a social networking site. Most of the public were shocked and even condemned the school for posing such a “harsh sanction just because of a bikini photo.”

STC emphasized today that it was “not just bikinis.” The photos posted were “sexually provocative” and had “gross disrespect to a woman’s dignity.” When asked by the media to further explain what it meant, the school did not comment to protect the minors.

HACKED?

There were rumours spreading that the photos were private and they were seen by the administration because they hacked the student’s accounts.

“STC is not a hacking institution,” Alan Trani, STC’s HR said.

The school rest assures the media that they did not hack any accounts. The photos were given by a source that they will not name. All they said was it was a “friend in Facebook.”

HARSH SANCTION

Not being able to attend the graduation rites where viewed by many to be a “harsh sanction.”

The school had to disagree. For every offense done, there is an equivalent sanction for it. For the four major violations made, the sanction was simple: the students were barred to attend any school activities. At the time the sanction was made, the school activities referred to where: senior’s bash, graduation practices and the graduation rites.

The school made it clear that these students were to graduate and get their diploma but without going through the rites.The school even at first gave them a D for conduct, but with the pleads of the parents, were then given a C instead, which is a passing mark for conduct.

Father Javier said that the institution is democratic and it has academic freedom, which means they have the right to impose sanctions to students who have violated rules and regulations.

He also added that people nowadays no longer find the true meaning of a commencement exercise.

“Commencement exercises are more than just social gatherings. They are to show the products of the school who have completed all their requirements and have lived up to the values that the school stands for.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mme. Alino has said that it is not a light matter. It is more than just bikini photos. It is about responsible use of social networking sites. What the students have done does not only demoralize the name of the school but also themselves. They have misused the power of the internet. The issue now is about protection and security in regards to social networking.

“One photo can cause them their jobs in the future.”

WHO’S SAYING THE TRUTH?

As a mass communication graduate, I am entitled to be fair and just. I have to look at both sides and side with no one, well that is if I’m writing this for a paper, which I am not.

Now that I have heard both sides, there is still that question of, “who’s telling the truth?” We can never know. But one thing is for sure, never keep your minds closed. Yes, I do have my biases but I do not close my eyes and ears from the other party. Let us have critical mind that makes judgements not prejudices.

LESSON TO ALL THERESIANS

Just because we do not wear our uniforms or have graduated already, our mark as Theresians can be erased. It is forever etched in our hearts and spirits. We will always have in us the values that the Theresian community has instilled in us for the past years we have been in their institution of truth, justice and integrity. Let us not forget where we came from and what we have learned. Let us always remember that we are Theresians 24/7.

[ilovedogs]

kung dili sila kauyon sa dinalhan, ipatransfer nila ilang anak. kasayon ra ana. tuga2x paenroll unya dili musunod sa patakaran. mao ni problema sa pinoy, sigeg enter2x unya magbuot ug ilang gusto, dili musunod sa patakaran. paghimo mo ug inyong eskwelahan nga makapatuyang mo sa inyong gitawag na "freedom" kay dili na pwd iapply ug established na nga institution that has their own set of rules and regulations. isip ginikanan, niuyon ka nga musunod sa ilang patakaran, kng dili ka gnahan, pwd mna nimo maraise sa school admins, pro kng dili gihapon sila, wla nakay right nga magbuot uy, patransfer nana imong anak. kay dili mn tnan ginikanan mao na ilang gusto. mao gani mugasto ug dako kay gnahan sila sa reputation sa school and part na ana ang pagkaSTRICT nila.

[Sand Man]

even if naa ni sila na violations, always remember na once outside na sa school, a person can do anything. An establishment can only uphold their own rules if you are in their property or grounds. The terms the school wants is simply unconstitutional and unacceptable in the court of law.

Always remember if it is legal under philippine law, it is perfectly legal. Simple.

LOL!
I think you got your perspective mixed up....
Please step away from the keyboard and think hard before posting anything.

[tonioyantao]

WHO’S SAYING THE TRUTH?

As a mass communication graduate, I am entitled to be fair and just. I have to look at both sides and side with no one, well that is if I’m writing this for a paper, which I am not.

Now that I have heard both sides, there is still that question of, “who’s telling the truth?” We can never know. But one thing is for sure, never keep your minds closed. Yes, I do have my biases but I do not close my eyes and ears from the other party. Let us have critical mind that makes judgements not prejudices.

fair and just she said, yet admit being biased. WOW

[ReikoChan]

@reikochan


did I post my reply in English?

di ba ang punto nisamot ang trauma kay ni konsente ang ginikanan?

walay question ang TRO nga desisyon sa judge. ang punto dire nidako ang trauma kay konsintedor ang ginikanan by filing a case nga unta makapasar man ug gisabotan man kaha na nila closed door, though dili lang makapaso. unsay wala nimo nakuha diha?

Agoy, magbuot naman hinoun nganung nagpasaka ug kaso, tsk3x.

Everyone has a right to pursue justice, bai, if he feels that his/her rights are being violated - in this case, being banned from joining the graduation exercises. They DID try to talk it out it within a private setting, but no settlement was reached - hence, the lawsuit. Many times people have filed cases and lost to their own embarrassment. This case is different since the judge granted the plaintiff's favor already.

_


You know, I just can't help but notice, but maybe the reason why the pro-STC folks here blame the parents for suing the school is because they don't want this issue to be discussed out in the open. Reading it from a non-sectarian-school graduate's stand point, it's almost like some of us here wanted to HIDE this issue and keep it in the dark.

This case is like watching how a respected mother punishes her child severely for misbehaving. To some it may seem harsh, to others it may not. Some of us here want to talk some reason into the mother, others just want to push away the curious on lookers and tell them to mind their own business.

If this is the reason, then I guess these people are just concerned of how that publicized punishment would affect the reputation of the mother - a symbol of authority. Perhaps these people are affectionate to the mother as well and want to protect her image. (Maybe because these people also believe that in some way the mother was wrong, and didn't want to make it so obvious. Why else would they want to quiet the fuss down?)

They keep saying "Serves the kid right, she misbehaved," but then the real issue here is not about what the child did anymore. It's how the mother PUNISHED the child. Was it fair? Was it legal? Was it fit to the child's offense?

This is understandable, but sometimes it distorts one's judgment of right and wrong. If this is indeed the case, try to reevaluate yourself on how much you lean on to either side of the story. Er, coin.

[Queen Mojitos]

luoya wa kapaso sus one of the best happen in your life nga makapaso ka igka graduation unya gibabagan pa gyud sayopa pod ato niya wui nya na unta to niya gipost ang pics after sa graduation suko nuon ang madre

[xinevirtucio]

mao nani ron...

too harsh...too traumatic....too everything...

so unsa nmn lang...let us be lax and lenient?

should we let our children and future children do as they please...

should we let them run around at night...

should we let them get intoxicated publicly and clean after their vomit?

should we do that?

we spent more time at school...shouldn't the school at least do something to influence our behavior and future behavior?

anywhere you go there are rules and regulations...and there are sanctions must you break any of these set rules...

if one cannot adhere to the rules of an academic institution can you expect that someone to adhere to any rules, regulations whatsoever?

students are expected to know the rules and regulations of their academic institution....therefore, why resort to such actions?

technically, they dug their own grave....for crissakes it is FACEBOOK it is a social networking site...of course..someone...friend or foe will see whatever foto you posted there...and obviously, it will find its way to the school's admin...

the sad part is...naa nmn unta d.i cla nasabutan...nano gpadako paman ug maau?

with regards to trauma...should we spare every single child who committed a mistake from punishment so that they will not end up traumatized?

[splendid moonlight]

The parents already agreed to the sanction kuno. Kamo ba kunoy mana ug istorya/sabot unya mo kalit lang ug ka lami ang pikas party. Unya naay mo kalit abot nga media exactly on the day of the graduation. Di ba na matawag nga coercion?

The parents were the ones who brought their kids into the limelight. Kinsa may nag sugo sa ilang mga anak nga pa unipormehon on their graduation day, unya pa adtuon sa school para mo barog atubangan sa gate? Ang parents/guardians, no?

I notice that a lot of people are mad at the school for not letting the students graduate. Gipa graduate lagi na, wala lang gipapa paso, okay? Of course harsh kung dili pa graduate-on oi.

I'm not even a religious person, but I'm all for not revealing too much on the internet and putting yourself in a position where people can take advantage of you. The fact that there was a "traitor" nga ni sumbong should have been reason enough for the parents to be wary of social networking sites. And of course, if the children indeed smoked or drank alcohol, then that's a more serious issue than not being able to walk on stage.