MCC Opens the Academic Year 2013-2014 with Ceremonias de Apertura Academica

The MCC Administration with the CHED Regional Director Dr. Virginia D. Akiate at the portals of the College awaiting the grand entrance of the freshmen. 

Mabalacat City College opened the Academic Year with festive Ceremonias de Apertura Academica (Apertura) on July 5, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. The Apertura is a repertoire of ceremonial activities geared at formally opening the Academic Year. It includes, among others, the Freshmen Walk, Misa Apertura, Lector Apertura and the Freshmen Night.

During the Freshmen Walk, the newly matriculated students were formally welcomed by Mayor Marino P. Morales and the whole Academic Community at the portals the Alma Mater. To open the gate, the Mayor ceremonially broke the chains which also symbolize poverty and ignorance. A freshman representative made an enquiry to formally petition for their reception to MCC community. Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas granted their admission. Then, the freshmen entered the campus with glee. The other students cheerfully met them.

Then followed the Misa Apertura. This year, the mass included the Blessing of Fire and Lumina Pandit where the faithfuls lighted candles and renewed their commitments. After the mass, a program to introduce the members of the Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors, Administration, Faculty and Staff followed. During the program, Mrs. Rowena Macapagal, ITE faculty, was recognized as this year’s awardee of the coveted Lector Magnificus Award. This award is given to any member of the Administration, Faculty or Staff who published an outstanding research relevant to their fields of expertise.

The day was capped with a Freshmen Night. The event is a grand party where freshmen from the different Institutes show off their talents. The party’s guest of honor was the dashing Brian Poe Llamansares, a young model and son of Senator Grace Poe Llamansares. He did not only mesmerize the crowd with his charm, he also impressed us with his wit and dance moves.

While each academic year at MCC opened with a Mass of the Holy Spirit, this simple celebration had evolved into a series of ceremonies. Lumina Pandit and Lector Apertura were added in 2012. This academic year, the Freshmen Walk and Freshmen Night were added and the program was repackaged as Ceremonias de Apertura Academica.

          The Ceremonias de Apertura Academica 2013 is a brainchild of Mr. Raymund John D. Vergara, Atty. Robert John I. Donesa and the MCC Supreme Student Council. Its execution was under the able direction of Mr. Eduard D. Ramos. On July 13, 2013, the Board of Trustees, through resolution 26, s. 2013, included the Apertura as one of the college's heritage activities.

MCC Closes the Academic Year 2013-2014 with Ceremonias de Clausura Academica

Mabalacat City College (MCC) closed the Academic Year 2013-2014 with a grand repertoire of ceremonial activities dubbed as Ceremonias de Clausura Academica (Clausura) on April 3 and 4, 2014 at the MCC Quadrangle. A sui generis event, the Clausura featured the Baccalaureate Mass, the Hooding Ceremony, Crème de la Crème, Graffiti, the Commencement Exercises and the Seniors’ Departure.

The Clausura premiered on April 3, 2014 with a Baccalaureate Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Florentino G. Lavarias, D.D., a proud son of Mabalacat City who is now the Bishop of Iba, Zambales. It was followed by the Hooding Ceremonies where the parents donned the graduands with academic hoods symbolizing their entry into professional life.

Then followed the Crème de la Crème, a special ceremony organized to award the members of the Administration, Faculty, Staff and Student body who brought honors to the College. Of special mention was the MCC Sepak Takraw Team who won gold during the 2014 National ALCU Games.

The night was capped with the Graffiti, a ceremonial defacement of the graduands’ College uniforms, symbolizing their parting away with student life. Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, the College President, endorsed this tradition as he himself had his barong defaced by Mr. Niel P. Rigdao, the President of the College Student Council.

The next day, April 4, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., MCC held its 3^rd Commencement Exercises. This year, 451 graduates were installed. Mr. Renz Q. Rosario, BSHRM Magna Cum Laude, in behalf of the batch, delivered the petition for the conferment of their respective degrees. Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, by virtue of MCC Board of Trustees resolution 1, s. 2014, granted the petition and declared them graduates.

After the recessional march follow the Seniors’ Departure where the new graduates were formally sent off by the academic community at the portals of the Alma Mater. Mayor Marino P. Morales unlocked the gates which symbolized the opening to the world of opportunities. Dr. Caridad O. Abuan, the CHED Region 3 Director, delivered the Admonition – a sincere warning to the graduates of what awaits them. Vice Mayor Christian Halili delivered the Serviam – a promise that MCC will always be a place to come home to when times get rough. Then, the graduates left the College with joy. Their parents followed suit. Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, the College President, officially closed the Academic Year with the sounding of the gong.

While each academic year at MCC closes with a Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises, these solemn celebrations had evolved into a series of ceremonies. Graffiti was started in 2013. This academic year, the Hooding, Crème de la Crème, and the Seniors’ Departure were added and the program is repackaged as Ceremonias de Clausura Academica.

The Ceremonias de Clausura Academica 2014 is a pet project of Mr. Raymund John D. Vergara, Atty. Robert John I. Donesa and Mr. Eduard D. Ramos. The Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, the College President fully supported the activities and expressed he wanted the Clausura to be included in the college heritage resolution.

MCC Officials Attend Global Peace Convention 2013

College and Institute officials of Mabalacat City College attended the Global Peace Convention 2013 held at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last December5-8, 2013.College Officials Dr. Eriberta T. Maglaqui, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mrs. Carmelita P. Sotto, Vice President for Administration and Finance and Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, College Secretary represented Mabalacat City College at the conference.

They were joined by Institute officials Dean George Granados, Institute of Computing Studies; Dean Dino Fabriccio P. Arenillo, Institute of Arts and Sciences and Dean Reynaldo C. Laxamana, Institute of Business Education.MCC intends to integrate peace education in all its programs.

The peace convention gathered together world leaders, advocates, philanthropists and beneficiaries to share the success stories of their peace initiatives in their respective countries. It is also a venue for like-minded citizens to take part in any of the peace movements around the world. The convention was sponsored, among others, by Global Peace Foundation, Department of National Unity and Integration, Prime Minister’s Department and University of Malaya.