Catherine Elaine Alcorin-Ellacer volunteered her service and expertise on vocal pedagogy to the music faculty and students on December 7-10, 2006. “Inee” (BSN ’94, BM Music Education, Voice, and piano ’97) as she is fondly called took MA classes in music at the University of the Philippines but left for the States with her husband Elmer Restie Ellacer (BSN ’91) where she continued her musical studies graduating with a Master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Holy Names University in Oakland, California.

The vocal seminar workshop was very enlightening, and clarified seemingly conflicting views on vocal technique. Prof. Ellacer stressed the importance of being an effective pedagogue and the lifetime influence of a teacher on each of his/her students, lasting even for eternity.

Citing her own experience, she proves that with proper vocal training and determined efforts, anyone could develop his/her voice. Deserving very much to be able to sing well, she decided to pursue vocal studies despite her teacher’s evaluation that she had no hope for a successful vocal career, let alone to be able to sing well. Trusting however that God would help her master the vocal art and be used in the music ministry, she spared no effort to achieve her goals. She demonstrated the same confidence to succeed having proven the unfaltering power of God in her undergraduate studies that made her graduate summa cum laude.

That vesper service at PIC following her seminar as her voice rang so beautifully, offering two songs to the Lord, our hearts thrilled and glorified our faithful God who indeed, blesses His children who are willing to be used unreservedly for His honor and glory.

SMACS 2006 is the third meeting organized by the Computing Society of the Philippines, which aims to provide a venue for teachers, researchers and graduate students of Computer Science, Computing and Mathematics to share and upgrade knowledge on areas of Computer Science which are mathematical or theoretical in character. The first two meetings were held on 1997 (then UP College Baguio, Baguio City) and 2004 (UP Baguio).

SMACS 2006 was held at the Adventist University of the Philippines in Silang, Cavite from October 16-20, 2006. The symposium is divided into two parts: a workshop and seminar. The Workshop ran from 16 to 18 October 2006 and consisted of lectures by Henry Adorna (Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science), Felix Muga II (Implementing Discrete Mathematics), Jaime Caro (Topics in Algorithmic), Pablo Manalastas (Problem Solving) and Edwin Balila (Application of SPSS). The seminar was held in the last two days, 19-20. October 2006.  It consisted of paper presentations on researches in the mathematical aspects of computer science. There were invited talks on the current and still potent areas of symposium topics.

The organizing committee is chaired by Edwin Balila [AUP CAST Dean] assisted by the members of the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science of AUP and UP-ITTC Staff.

The Program Committee of SMACS 2006 consists of Henry Adorna (UP-Diliman) (Chair), Eliezer Albacea (UP Los Banos), Edwin Balila (AUP Cavite), Jose Maria Balmaceda (UP Diliman), Jimmy Caro (UP-ITTC), Caslon Chua (DLSU Manila), Mark Encarnacion (USA), Cedric Festin (UP Diliman), Raymond Melton (ADMU), Eduardo Mendoza (CeNS-LMU, Germany), Pablo Manalastas (ADMU), Felix Muga II (ADMU), Rafael Saldana (ADMU), Caesar Saloma (NIP), and Allan Sioson (ADNU) It has selected 10 out of 16 paper submitted in response to the call for paper. The papers came from all over the country. Each submitted paper has been evaluated by at least two members of the Program Committee. All the 10 selected papers together' with the abstract/extended abstract of the invited talks are in this present volume. This volume is divided into two. The first part is consisted of the abstract/extended abstract/paper of the (7) invited talks and the second part is consist of the contributed papers.

Myrna Novilunio Dial is not only a seasoned clinical practitioner but is also an experienced nurse educator and nurse administrator, having served in both capacities as school dean and nursing service director. She has an international background in nursing having served in the Philippines, Central America, the United States and U.S. territories.

While in the United States she has taught in several colleges and universities in California including Loma Linda University. Throughout her stay in the United States, she had conducted nursing reviews for the U.S. NCLEX-RN candidate. She also serves as consultant in me U.S. and Asia for curricular development in higher education in nursing.

For two years, she was a member of the hospital accreditation team of me Southern Asia Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. On several occasions she has served as resource speaker for seminars and gave research presentations at international conferences, 2005, she received the excellence in research award

Mrs. Dial is completing her PhD in Nursing at Loma Linda University and has a Master's degree in Nursing from the University of the Philippines. She got her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Adventist University of the Philippines. She also serves as one of the editors of the CyberLink newsletter, a U.S.-based AUP alumni newsletter that serves its readers globally. She has her research study published in the British Interna-tional Journal of Nursing Studies. Currently she has just completed a research study on Aging Filipino Americans.

Mrs. Dial and I share the same passion for books, poetry, and music. She is married to Dr. Daniel dial, current president of Mountain View College. They have 2 daughters and 1 grandson.

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Mrs. Myma Dial, a childhood friend, college classmate, and a colleague in nursing.

The Young Voices (YV), one of the children’s choirs on campus composed of pupils from AUP Elementary won First Place in the Himig Harana 2006 choir festival held in St. Scholastica’s College in Sta. Rosa Laguna on December 9, Saturday night. The YV bested 5 other choirs, in the elementary division, coming from the area of Cavite and Laguna. The group was required to sing two songs: one Christmas song of choice and one contest piece. The songs were Deck the Hall and Hosana, Laging Masaya respectively. This is the first choir contest the group has participated in. The YV have been singing together in Sabbath services in campus and off campus for outreach ministry under their choir director Joel Punay since the summer, 2006. Aside from practices twice a week the members have been engaged in voice workshops once a week under Joel’s training. According to Mrs. Julie Golosino one of the parents and officers of the YV, the choir is looking forward to another contest in February, 2007.

After the successful presentation of the Noel, Jesus is Born cantata at PIC during Education Week, the Academy Choir and String Ensemble were invited to present in Pasay English Church and Chinese Church in Manila. The outreach was held on Sabbath afternoon on December 9. After singing a few songs in Pasay the group proceeded to the Chinese Church for the Cantata. In the evening the Choir and Ensemble together with the Academy faculty proceeded to the house of Mr and Mrs. Solidum, to conduct a funeral service for the death of Mrs. Jewel Solidum's father-in-law. Jewel Bitco-Solidum is AUPA choir director and Music teacher.

A parade around the campus started the affair followed by a devotional service with Mrs. Flor Marticio, director of the Guidance Services Dept. conducting a lecture on the importance and role of the family; as the Academy Choir and String Ensemble rendered musical numbers. Eight games were played in the morning. After lunch there was picture-taking by families. Immediately awarding of prizes followed with the following results: Champion- Pink; First runner-up- Apple Green; Second runner-up: Mint Green; Third runner-up- Lavender; Consolation Prizes: Yellow, Dark Peach, Light Peach, and Orange Special awards were given to Early Birds, and parents that came from the farthest area (this year it was from Bicol).

Games played were water balloon catching, single sack race, family sack-race, bring me, bamboo centipede, food –eating relay, and tug-o-war. Academy teachers wearing red t-shirts served as staff and judges of the games. Last was the awarding of certificates to achievers of the second grading period (students who achieved grades not lower than 86% in all subjects). For the last four years parents would be invited every December before the Christmas break for the annual Open House. It is only this year when the name was changed to Family Day thus emphasizing the need for family members to be present and join the activities during the occasion.