Imus, Cavite – De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ), in the presence of its distinguished guests from Ayala Vermosa Estate, Ayala Land Inc., The Sage Group, Teodoro Construction Corporation, BN Project Teknik Project Management Consultants Trainers (BNPT), and the Local Government Unit of Pasong Buaya 2 broke ground on October 22, 2021, to mark the start of the construction of the DLSZ-Vermosa Campus Ichthus Chapel. Mr. Rafael A. Reloza, DLSZ Executive Vice President, kicked off the ceremony by officially welcoming the distinguished guests. Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC, DLSZ President, together with Br. Martin Seller FSC and the School’s President’s Council, were present to witness the event.
Rev. Fr. Antonio Laureta, Rector of Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary (Diocese of Imus),
led the blessing of the articles.
Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC, DLSZ President, lowers the time capsule where the ICHTHUS Chapel will be constructed.
Leading the Groundbreaking Ceremony are (L-R) Br. Ray Suplido FSC, Chairman of the DLSZ Board of Trustees, Mr. Rafael Reloza, DLSZ Executive Vice President, Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC and Br. Martin Sellner FSC, DLSZ Brother Animator.
The ICHTHUS CHAPEL is the main chapel of the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Vermosa Campus. It has a 600 seating capacity and can comfortably accommodate an additional 100 people using stackable chairs. This will be located at the west side, Cultural Zone of the DLSZ Vermosa Campus, accessible via the West Gate entrance and beside the future Community Center.
The ICHTHUS, in the Greek language, means “Jesus Christ, Son of God The Savior.” He is referred to by the early Christians as “The ICHTHUS” with fishers of men as the followers of Christ.
The ICHTHUS Chapel was conceptualized and designed by Architect Duke Sage of The Sage Group and the initial structure was donated and will be built by the Teodoro Construction Corporation Inc. Both companies were also in charge of the design and construction of the following buildings: a) The Spark Building, b) Senior High School Building, c) Engineering Center, and d) the newly-constructed Grade School and Junior High School Building.
The initial construction works for the ICHTHUS Chapel which shall commence by November 2021 and is expected to be completed by July 2023 include a) partial structural works, b) preparatory works for the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and FirePro. One of the goals of DLSZ is to comply with the commitment as stipulated in the Deed of Donation with Ayala Land Inc. to provide a Church and make this available to the public by the end of 2023. The succeeding phases of the chapel are expected to be completed with the help of various stakeholders through The ICHTHUS Chapel Donation Program. Selected members of the schools will be in charge of ensuring that the funding for this noble project will be in place. Thus, we highly encourage every member of the community to help us make this dream a reality.
MOA signing between DLSZ and Teodoro Construction Corporation.
In photo are (L-R) Br. Ray Suplido FSC, Br. Bernard Oca FSC, Engr. Federick Teodoro, CEO/ President of Teodoro Construction Corporation, and Mr. Rafael Reloza.
To learn more about the different ways on how you can donate, please visit this link.
The DLSZ-Vermosa Campus, is DLSZ’s second campus that began its operations in Academic Year 2017-2018. It is located in the Archers’ Drive of the Vermosa Estate in Imus, Cavite. The campus initially offered Senior High School in 2017and then Junior High School in 2018. Once face-to-face classes resume, it will start offering Pre-Kinder to Grade 2, and Grade 7 to Grade 12 classes.
The De La Salle Brothers, DLSZ President’s Council and Administrators pose in front of the DLSZ Vermosa Campus’ Senior High School Building, together with representatives from Ayala Vermosa Estate, Ayala Land Inc., The Sage Group, Teodoro Construction Corporation, BN Project Teknik Project Management Consultants Trainers (BNPT), and the Local Government Unit of Pasong Buaya 2.
Similar to its first campus in the Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, the DLSZ-Vermosa Campus will continually pursue Lasallian excellence in education and provide holistic formation to its students. True to the mission of its founder, St John Baptist de La Salle, the DLSZ-Vermosa Campus hopes to make Lasallian education more accessible to a greater population base in the Cavite area.