SR BERNADETTE EUGENIE CASAS, R.A.

It was in the late 1960s that we had our first introduction to Sister Bernadette. She was a postulant then and would occasionally be on duty in the dorm while we boarders were getting ready for bed. Sister Bernie was very quiet and prayerful holding on to her Rosary but would smile at everyone.

It was during an Old Girls Day in San Lorenzo in 2006 that Sister Bernadette and I coincidentally met again. She was then based in San Juan Nepomuceno School in Malibay and our conversation centered on the environment and their school grounds. That started a collaboration.

Sister Bernadette inspired by the words of Mother Foundress St. Marie Eugenie that “”The Earth is a place of Glory for God”” wanted to beautify the school grounds with nature and introduce zero waste management so they can “”truly share with the children an Oasis in the desert of garbage in Malibay.””” She wanted to teach the students zero waste in their classrooms which they could implement in their homes many of whom live along the esteros of Pasay. Two Compost pits were built to process their waste to be used as fertilizer. Landscaping and consistent and practical garden maintenance were made possible. Field trips by their Eco Club for hands on experience were arranged. This was about the time more classrooms were built as the student population grew to 459 students.

In 2009 Typhoon Ondoy destroyed the school and a major rebuilding had to be done through the generosity of many donors. Once again Sister Bernadette focused on the natural landscaping of the school grounds, the rear garden of the altar, and the facade of the main building using the original tiles turned into mosaic saved from the OLD CHAPEL to preserve a part and a reminder of the schools history. This was over and above her other responsibilities as an educator, organizer of prayer groups, parents meeting, the students choir and her involvement with Maryville-GK Village in Cavite.

Over the years Sister Bernadette had a way of reaching out personally whether to check on your well being, give you an update or seek assistance on various matters including their need for flowers, Eco Club field trips, R&R in Tagaytay or Davao, or schedule a home visit for their Christmas caroling.

 It was during the Covid pandemic in 2021 that I received a text message from her regarding SJNS’s pantry that they were planning for the Malibay community. This led to CLASS 70 Herran’s active participation which eventually became a ONE Class ’70 project of Herran, San Lorenzo and Iloilo. As Sister Lerma mentioned this was the first time ever in the history of Assumption that the same batch of 3 Assumption schools got united for a mission school. A month later, Class 70 Herran once again actively participated in the school’s Scholarship Program.