The Xavier School community woke up early Sunday morning on the 14th of March 2010 to travel to the site of Xavier School Nuvali for the auspicious start of construction for the new campus. The school is situated in the heart of the Nuvali development, a joint development of Ayala Land and the Yulo family, located in the former Canlubang Estate in Calamba, Laguna.

The program began with an invocation given by Fr. Guy Guibelondo, SJ, campus minister and board trustee. The welcome address was given by Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, president, followed by a message from Ayala Land, delivered by Ms. Meean Dy, SVP for Strategic Planning.

Before the laying of the time capsule, Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ (chairman of the board) read aloud his letter to the future students and graduates of Xavier School Nuvali. The original handwritten note was placed in the capsule, alongside other school memorabilia.  After the blessing by Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ (provincial superior), the Jesuits, together with Gov. Teresita Lazaro, Ms. Dy, and Jose Rafael Yulo, representing the Yulo family, lowered the time capsule.

After the capsule was buried, the group was joined by other guests for the ceremonial groundbreaking, including Amb. Bienvenido Tan, Jr., (chairman emeritus), Mr. Jun Bisnar (VP and Nuvali gen. manager),  Arch. Bong Recio, Eng. Art Carlos pPresident of Constech), Eng. Melito Cruz (VP of Makati Dev. Corp.), Mr. Miguel Tan, trustee and fundraising committee member, and Mr. Art Dy, representing the working committee.

This was followed by the tree planting, symbolizing the community’s commitment to nurture future Xaverians in the Nuvali campus. It also represented the  school’s thrust for the environment and the principle of sustainability. Planting the tree seedlings were Ms. Jane Cacacho (HS principal), Ms. Arlene Choo (GS OIC principal), Jeremy Cua (HS SC president), Percival Lao (GS SC president), Mr. Arnold Velasco (AAXS president), Mr. Lawrence Cobankiat (XSPA chair), and Fr. Art Borja ( board trustee and school chaplain), who planted a mango tree. The mango tree references the mango tree in the pre-development San Juan campus, under whose shade the founding Jesuit fathers envisioned and planned the present school.

The program ended with the singing of the school song and the release of doves by all alumni present, led by the Jesuit fathers. The dove release symbolizes the school’s collective prayer for future Nuvali Xaverians to go forth and lead and serve for the greater good wherever God may lead them in the fullness of their lives.

The release was greeted by a rousing lion and dragon dance. After the short program, the guests proceeded to the adjacent Treveia clubhouse for a lunch buffet hosted by Alveo Land, an ALI affiliate.

Xavier School Nuvali is set to open in June 2012. For inquires or more information, email xsnuvali@xs.edu.ph.

(Photos courtesy of Karol Yee)