MC Faculty Members Sit as Judges at SAITE ‘10

MC Faculty members at SAITE '10

       Members of the Faculty of Mabalacat College join the Student Assembly on IT Education 2010 (SAITE '10) as judges on September 2-3, 2010 at Paskuhan Village, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The MC junior IT students also attended the assembly as observers and for future full-blast participations in its events.

Many of the judges of the competitions are members of the MC Faculty. Ms. Maria Blesila P. De Lara, instructor of Education courses, served as a judge in the singing, dancing and extemporaneous speaking contests. Mr. Cezar G. Lumanog, Jr., instructor of English, served as a judge in the singing and extemporaneous speaking contests. Mr. Mario C. Felipe, MC P.E. Coordinator, served as a judge in both the singing and dancing competitions. Mr. Mark Paolo Cruz and Mr. Michael T. Villanueva judged desktop publishing contest.

            
            The activity was organized by the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE) Region III. This year’s theme is Information Technology Changes Lives Through Innovation Creativity Knowledge and Skills (IT CLICKS). The activity is participated by IT students from around the region. Besides a seminar on various topics related to IT, there were several competitions where students exhibited their prowess in academic and non-academic fields.

MC Off to Baguio for Rest and Recreation

         After an exhausting academic year, twenty-seven (27) members of the faculty and staff of MC went to Baguio City on April 30 to May 2, 2010 for a much-desired rest and recreation. The group was headed by Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, the College President, and Prof. Carmelita P. Sotto, the Vice President for Administration and Finance.

         The group left Mabalacat at 6:30 a.m. on April 30, 2010 and reached Baguio City before lunch time. They immediately visited the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary where quick earth-friendly lectures were delivered and tours made. In the evening, Dr. Canlas called for a year-end Academic Council meeting to discuss the achievements and challenges of the academic offices.        

MC Staff in Baguio for rest and recreation

          The next day, they strolled around the famed gardens of the Philippine Military Academy. After much fun, frolic and hearty laughs on cheap jokes, the group headed for Camp John Hay. Heavy rains and traffic, however, cancelled the Camp John Hay itinerary.

          On the third day, the group visited the picturesque strawberry farms of La Trinidad in Benguet. They then rummaged through Baguio city’s markets and bazaars for souvenir shopping. Before heading home, the Group prayed at the shrine of the miraculous Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan.

MC Garners Top Plums in Inter-Collegiate Academic Contests

Selected students of Mabalacat College (MC) participated in a series of inter-collegiate competitions sponsored by the Republic Central Colleges (RCC), Angeles City on February 9, 2010 in celebration of RCC’s 64^th Founding Anniversary and Intramurals Kaunlaran 2010. The contests include Inter-School Academic Quiz Team Competition and Literary Competitions – Oratorical Contest and Panggagagad/Doble kara (impersonation/janus-facing).

The Inter-School Academic Quiz Team Competition tested the students’ aptitude in Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Humanities and Current Events. The MC quiz team, composed of Stephen Aries D. Bagsic, Rachellyn Marie Vego and Melvin G. Basco, emerged 2^nd while the team from HAU and PAC placed 1^st and 3^rd respectively.

The impersonation/janus-facing was a show not only of the students’ talent in imitating national figures but also of their gift of gab. MC impersonator Daniel D. Sulam posed as Boy Abunda on one hand and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the other. He won 2^nd place while PAC and SACT garnered 1^st and 3^rd respectively.

The oratorical contest was an exposition of the youth’s thoughts on the 2010 elections. With the theme “How Intelligent and Mature are the Newly-Registered Filipino Youth Voters on May 2010 Elections,” student orators amazed the crowd as they exhibited optimism and faith in maturity of the young voters. MC orator Zarex A. Liangcungco, won 3^rd place while PAC and JCFC garnered 1^st and 2^nd respectively.

Other participating higher education institutions include Holy Angel University (HAU), Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC), Systems Plus College Foundation (SPCF), Jose C. Feliciano College (JCFC), St. Anthony College of Technology (SACT) and Dee Hwa Leong College (DHLC).

            Mabalacat College, indeed, had started to make waves in the academic community of the province of Pampanga. Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, MC President, is very pleased with the achievements of the students.

Pioneer Batch Completes National Service Training Program (NSTP)

With the theme Onwards to Responsible Volunteerism, MC held its first NSTP Closing Exercises on December 3, 2009 at the Xevera Clubhouse B. During the ceremonies, MC conferred Certificates of Completion to 24 Education students who completed the Literacy Training Service (LTS) and 23 IT students who finished the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS). As of March 2009, these conferees have successfully complied with the program requirements of NSTP as confirmed by the MC Board of Trustees in Resolution 23, series 2009.

Hon. Rogelio Q. Yumul, ABC President, was the Guest Speaker for the simple ceremonies. Vice Mayor Prospero T. Lagman, Hon. Christian Halili and Dr. Oscar Aurelio graced the occasion with their presence. College officials, Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas and Mrs. Carmelita P. Sotto also attended the ceremonies. The event was facilitated by Mr. Mario C. Felipe, P.E. and NSTP Coordinator.

The following are the members of the first batch of NSTP graduates:

Literacy Training Service Balangue, Glenn M. Canlas, Maureen S. Castillo, Jessica D. Catacutan, Rachel C. Cudia, Jenny-Lyn P. David, Rowena D. Dela Peña, Jaecel Ann O. Dimatulac, Renato C. Dizon, Juliet P. Dollente, Jennylyn D. Fajardo, Ma. Cristina R. Garcia, Armando Diogenes A. Garcia, Dianna T. Guevarra, Elaine C. Magat, Rio G. Mallari, Jayson Andrew G. Miranda, Alma L. Nucum, Angelie Marie C. Pangan, Gorvachev C. Perez, Janine M. Pineda, Arlyn G. Pineda, Given G. Rivera, Rosamia D. Tañedo, Sarah Jane T.

Civic Welfare Training Service Aboy, Kimberly P. Arago, Alexander R. Aviles, Reynan E. Bagsic, Stephen Aries D. Calilung, Zane Jose D. Campos, Anna Katrina C. Capili, Melody I. Dela Cruz, Fee Jay L. Dela Cruz, Shanenalyn Garcia, Michelle G. Laxamana, Josel D. Manasis, Santhy Paul G. Pangilinan, Angeline C. Punsalan, Jay P. Quioc, Darwin M. Reyes, Clifford Clay M. Sicat, Junel T. Sicat, Karen Cate S. Sicat, Siery Ann Joy P. Tolentino, Lorence M. Tomalon, Joan M. Tuazon, Christine Joyce V. Turqueza, Franz Jerell T.

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) is a mandated course (R.A. 9163) aimed at developing civic consciousness and defense preparedness of the youth. MC offers two (2) of the NSTP components – the Literacy Training Service (LTS) and Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS). Literacy Training Service is a NSTP component designed to train students to become teachers of literacy and numeracy skills to, among others, school children and out of school youth. On the other hand, Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) are sets of activities designed to contribute to the general welfare of the community.

MC Holds In-House Seminar on Holistic Evaluation

MC Faculty Members attended an in-house seminar entitled Holistic Evaluation: a Better Choice for Instructional Effectiveness on November 10, 2009 at the multimedia room of Doña Asuncion Lee Integrated School, Xevera, Tabun, Mabalacat. The activity aimed to equip the faculty members with a new approach in evaluating student learning.

The event was graced by Dr. Maura Consolacion D. Cristobal, OIC Director of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office III, who lectured on the importance of holistic evaluation. Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, President of Mabalacat College, on the other hand, tackled on the preparation of holistic assessment tools.

Prof. Carmelita P. Sotto, Vice President for Administration and Finance, in her closing remarks, challenged the members of the faculty to make use of the educational research outputs in order to maximize the learning of the students. The in-house seminars for the members of faculty are part of the Faculty Development Programs of the College.

MC Visits SEAMEO Regional English Language Center

The executive officials of Mabalacat College, headed by Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, visited the Regional English Language Center (RELC) of the South East Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) on October 29, 2009.

The purpose of the visit is to look into SEAMEO’s program offerings to be availed by the MC members of the faculty with an end view of enhancing the quality of English language instruction at the College. Dr. Christopher S. Ward, the Center’s Deputy Director, personally gave an orientation about the services of the RELC. Ward said that the Center can customize a program for MC to suit its purposes, needs and budget. The MC delegation also toured around the RELC facilities which include an impressive library, speech laboratories and dormitory accommodation for foreign students.

MC delegation to SEAMEO Regional English Language Center include: Councilor Tomas P. Manalo, Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, Prof. Carmelita P. Sotto, Dr. Rosalinda G. Luna, Dr. Eriberta T. Maglaqui and Prof. Telesforo Luna.

MC Benchmarks with the National University of Singapore

The executive officials of Mabalacat College, headed by Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, visited the Center for English Language Communication (CELC) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) on October 28, 2009. The purpose of the visit is to look into NUS’ effective approaches in the teaching of English language to Asian students.

            Lee Kooi Cheng (KC Lee), the Deputy Director of the CELC, is optimistic that MC and NUS can explore possible areas for collaboration. She is also interested to know the meaning of “English proficiency” in the Philippines so that both institutions may settle the language proficiency “predictors.”

            Through a roundtable discussion and facility visit, MC delegation observed that CELC is a student support unit of NUS. Upon determination of the English language proficiency of a student, CELC may either require him to take remedial courses or recommend his enrollment in regular classes. The remedial courses are delivered by module and the students are free to take these modules at their convenient time during their stint at NUS. CELC has course coordinators or tutors who evaluate the students’ progress.

            Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, for his part, gave a short history of Mabalacat College. He explained that the College aimed to produce globally competitive graduates. This is the reason behind the benchmarking.

             The MC delegation also visited the SEAMEO Regional English Language Center for the same purpose. The MC delegation included: Dr. Eriberta T. Maglaqui, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, College Secretary. Vice Mayor Prospero T. Lagman and Councilor Tomas P. Manalo of the Municipality of Mabalacat also join the delegation.