Retreat 2007

Every year when the school year is about to end, fourth year students of UP High School in Cebu and some faculty members conduct retreat. It is advantageous not only to the part of the students but to some teachers and some parents as well. It is beneficial because it allows us to relax for a while, forget pressure on studies, problems, and many more.

Being a fourth year student, I took this opportunity of joining the retreat last March 24, 2007. Before eight o’ clock in the Saturday morning, we, fourth year students who wanted to join the retreat met at our UP High catwalk. When I saw some of my classmates and their bulging bags and plastics, I really got excited that I accelerated my pace to meet them. When I saw all of us, I thought to myself that that was like stargazing, only madam Gallo will not be with us and examining stars and constellations and planets and moon were not our primary business anymore.

Our retreat started right away after registration. The first topic we had was dealing with the possible outcomes if we did this and that. Every number started with “if” and we would complete the sentence. Some of the statements to be completed were, “if I get pregnant,” “if I got my girlfriend pregnant,” “if I were caught shoplifting,” and many other “to-be-finished” statements. At first, I saw those statements stupid and impossible, but then I realized that all those were possible and it can happen to anyone of us seniors. After answering religiously, we formed a group of four and discussed our answers within the group. We ended up realizing some points like being careful and prepared whatever happens.

After discussing “possible outcomes,” we did the “positive stroking.” We formed two groups. The first group was the first to sit down with eyes closed. Every member in the second group told each member of the first group words of encouragement, thanks, strong points, and other positive things. After each of the second group talked to each in the first group, we changed places. It was a nice activity because it helped us to see some goodness in us through the words of our classmates.

After that activity, madam Maglasang, the one facilitating the retreat, taught us some house rules in the monastery. We went to Saint John Mission to continue our retreat.

There were games and talks. The first thing we talked, and even debated on was about loving one’s self. In that talk, we learned that it is all right to love yourself and you should take care of yourself but not to the point of narcism. There was also a talk that said something that was true to me. In life, we are so fast and we always seem to be chased by a dinosaur that we come to point that we do not know our direction. There were many talks but my most memorable part was the open forum. It was the first open forum where both sections are present. It helped heal some broken bonds and strengthen them.

There were many things to remember in our retreat. I hope we will do it again sometime.