Henry Sy Foundation signs MOA to refurbish Cebu school auditorium

A new, fully-furnished auditorium for Sacred Heart School (from front, left): Sister Lorna Genovate, FI; Sister Emelinda Falsis, FI; Sister Joji Silorio, FI; Jose Sio; Lydia Echauz; and Attorney Marianne Guerrero (back): Attorney Stephen Lao Yu; Elizabeth Sy; and Sister Rosario Justinian, FI.

The Henry Sy Foundation signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and deed of donation with the Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus (SHS-HDJ) last July 23 to support the refurbishment of the school’s auditorium in Cebu.

The SHS-HDJ was established in 1956. Amongst its sister schools are Manresa School in B.F Homes, Parañaque City and Nazareth School of National University in Sampaloc, Metro Manila.

Present during the signing was Elizabeth T. Sy, SM Investments Corporation Adviser to the Board, an alumna of SHS-HDJ.

Sy recounted the fond memories of her time in SHS-HDJ and the auditorium where she took part in a play during her high school days.

“I’ll always remember that auditorium,” Sy said. “It’s very beautiful. We want to preserve the design since it has always been well-kept.”

Sister Superior Lorna Genovate, one of the signatories, added that it was Sy herself who reached out to the school and offered to renovate the auditorium.

The 810-square meter auditorium—with a seating capacity of 850—is estimated to cost Php 20 million to refurbish. This includes new seats, lighting fixtures, a sound system as well as a generator set. The new auditorium will be renamed to the Henry Sy, Sr. Auditorium.

Signatories of the MOA include SHS-HDJ representatives Sister Lorna Genovate, FI; Sister Emelinda Falsis, FI; and Sister Joji Silorio, FI; and Henry Sy Foundation representatives Jose Sio and Lydia Echauz.