Rooted in Christ, Built for His glory: HCHS 79th Anniversary
Seventy-nine years ago, a seed of hope was planted among the ruins of post-war Manila. This seed grew into a tree that gives shade and refuge to everyone who rests in it. Since 1946, Hope Christian High School has nurtured generations of fruitful lives for God and Man. Thus, as we mark this year’s celebration, we marvel at how HCHS has grown rooted in Christ to continually thrive for His glory.
Roots Grounded in God’s Word
Planted not in might but in faith
From a seed, roots sprout that run deep into the soil. These roots are firm, holding steady against the shifting ground. Even so, Hope’s roots are stronger than these. It is not firm through its own might, though, for it is rooted in faith in Jesus Christ.
That same unshakeable faith was the focus of Hope Sunday this year. Sharing the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel, School Chaplain Rev. William Jonathan Ong encouraged everyone to cultivate such faith by showing obedience to God.
Such faith has rooted HCHS over the years. By going deeper through the Word of God in chapel services, Bible studies and lessons, Hope’s roots stay deeply grounded. The ground may turn as dry and hot as the fiery furnace Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown in, Hope’s roots will not burn and wither. Strong winds and rain may try to break its hold, but it will not be pulled up, for it is rooted in unshakeable faith in God.
Hope Sunday
Trunk of Vision, Branches of Action
Built not for status but for service
When planted firmly and tended with care, the roots shoot a sapling that eventually thickens into a trunk and branches. This trunk is sturdy, and the branches are stable, which both support the weight of the growing tree. Hope’s trunk and branches are its leaders and staff. Their decisions and actions are vital in upholding the school’s mission.
In his opening remarks in the founding anniversary program, Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Jimmy Sy mentioned their decision to construct a new building, which is not a symbol of status but a service to accommodate the IB programs the school offers.
Opening message of Chairman Jimmy Sy
The administrators, faculty and staff carry Hope Christian High School like a tree’s trunk and branches, so it is well-deserved that their steadfastness and loyalty were honored at the founding anniversary program. School personnel who have rendered service and loyalty for five, 10, 15, 20, 30 and above years were recognized.
Recognition of Personnel Loyalty Awardees
The service of the personnel to HCHS does not end in their respective offices. They branch out towards bigger stages. Sometimes, they show their service in stages, literally. To delight the audience, an ensemble of Hope faculty set up a band and delivered a cover of “Speechless”.
Hope Faculty Ensemble’s special number
Vibrant Leaves that Thrive
Nourished with His favor
Firmly supported by the trunk and branches are the leaves that display a tree’s vitality. Hope’s leaves are its students that flourish as they are nurtured. The vitality of Hopeans is shown not just in their academic achievements but in their talents and skills enriched by the sunlight of learning experiences.
In God’s favor, Hopeans are gifted with exceptional talents that they can share. The audience of the anniversary program witnessed a showcase of these talents as they were graced with a number of special performances.
With devotion and reverence, Handbell Ringers performed Great is Thy Faithfulness. The harmonies of the bell rang praise and worship to God’s faithfulness. Like young leaves swaying with the gentle breeze by the river, the special number of Kindergarten students truly radiated joy as they danced through the song, “River of Joy”. Filling the air with gratitude, the Hope Chorale lifted their voices with hymns of praise and thanksgiving. Honoring their cultural roots, select Chinese students also recited some Chinese choral pieces. The Hope Ballerinas, on the other hand, embodied the leaves’ lightness and grace through dance interpretations of an instrumental piece and the song “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord”. The Hope Dance Troupe concluded this series of captivating performances with a remarkable dance number of several Chinese songs.
The performances showed more than just talent; it is a testament to the nourishment provided by God’s favor and the nurturing of the school. Collectively, these leaves of students form a thriving canopy that gives an inviting and refreshing shade to the entire Hope community.
Special performances of HCHS students
Flowers of Inspiration
Blooming with excellence
When blessed with sunlight, some leaves flower. These flowers do not just bloom to enhance a tree’s beauty, but they also bud with harvests. Hope alumni achievers are these flowers that blossomed with excellence. Their dedication did not end when they completed their time at Hope but continued to bloom beyond their high school years. As they graduated from their respective disciplines with Laude honors and academic achievements, they went back to Hope, recognized as an inspiration to the next generation. The flying colors of these flowering alumni attract bees of opportunities not just for themselves but also for Hope and the society beyond.
Recognition of Alumni Achievers
Fruits of Labor
Bearing generosity
While not every tree that flowers bears fruit, HCHS does. Its fruits are even sweet with generosity. At Hope, the Alumni Association represents these fruits. They are generous in giving back to Hope through their mentorship and support.
Returning to Hope as the program’s guest speaker, HCHS Alumna Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng generously shared her insights through a special talk entitled, “Roots that Help You Soar: Life Lessons from Where It All Began”. In this special message, Dr. Shangkuan-Cheng recounted that the lessons she learned from Hope helped her in adjusting to life abroad.
“I remember the lessons from Hope, not the lessons that were written on the blackboard but those that were printed on my heart. What were they? How to work with people you don’t understand, how to deal with failure, how to lead others but of course, before you can lead others, how to follow—those were the things that I remembered from the time when I left the country,” she said.
Dr. Shangkuan-Cheng also noted that one can only soar high if his roots grow deep. Comparing the growth of bamboo and regular grass, she encouraged everyone to grow their roots like bamboo; its growth is invisible in its early years, but it will shoot up fast and tall when the roots are strong enough. She also explained that one can grow roots by practicing consistent habits that build character: “Show up on time, say thank you, follow through. When you say you’re going to do something, be a person of your word…Look at the people beside you. Look at them. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, not just people who make life easy for you or tell you what you want to hear.”
Ultimately, Dr. Shangkuan-Cheng assured everyone that those roots matter to God’s individual calling. She said that God can use difficult seasons of life to deepen their roots.
Special message of HCHS Alumna Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng
Hope alumni are not just generous with mentorship; they are also fruits with long-lasting provision. In celebration of their golden jubilee, Vessels of Hope 1975 donated 500,000 pesos for the Diamond Scholarship Fund. For their silver jubilee, Valiance 2000 pledged an LED TV wall to be mounted on the Theater Hall stage. Meanwhile, Achievers 1983 also donated 200,000 pesos for school repairs and another 200,000 pesos for the scholarship fund. These fruits of token and gratitude fortify the continuing growth of HCHS. They are new seeds of hope that ensure the lasting legacy of Hope.
Gifts and tokens from HCHS alumni jubilarians
Rings of Legacy
Thriving for His glory
The rings of a tree tell its age. It shows the stages and seasons that shaped it. Hope’s rings are its years of service. It reflects the rich history of the school and gives a glimpse of its future.
Through a closing message, School Principal Dr. Angeline Tan traced the roots of HCHS from its establishment after World War II, which symbolizes the first ring of Hope. She expressed her gratitude to the school’s founders, boards of trustees, the missionaries and alumni who ministered at Hope, “I would like to thank the United Evangelical Church of the Philippines and the Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association for supporting all the [endeavors] of Hope Christian High School all through these years.”
Each year, HCHS adds a ring that reveals experience and God’s guidance. It records the school’s resilience and victories despite various undertakings. One of which is becoming an IB School. To complement this accomplishment, Dr. Tan reiterated the vision of building a multi-purpose center, a legacy that will empower generations of future Hopeans.
School Principal’s closing remarks
As HCHS adds more rings in the future, it will continue to carry out its mission— “to continually provide world-class Christian education relevant to the changes and challenges of the times for the glory of God.”
Conclusion
The seed of HCHS has grown into a sturdy and reliable tree of hope. With its roots grounded in faith, trunk and branches built for service, leaves nourished with God’s favor, flowers blooming with excellence, fruits that bear generosity, and rings inscribed with legacy for God’s glory, Hope Christian High School will continue to grow taller, stronger, and more fruitful in the decades to come. Seventy-nine years down, more to go!