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.

MC Rocks SM Clark with DancExercise and Dance Fests

MC invaded the Events Centre, SM Clark, Pampanga as it hold its first ever DancExercise and Dance Festival on October 15, 2009. The production was a huge success and a major crowd drawer, kudus to leadership of its organizers, Mr. Mario C. Felipe, P.E. Coordinator, and Mr. Gedeon G. Gamboa, Humanities Instructor.

DancExercise was the culminating activity of the Physical Education classes. It is a contest of synchronized group physical exercises among freshmen. Choreographed by Mr. Richard John W. Hernandez, EDUC I-A’s wonderful execution of exercise moves and awe-inspiring group formations won for them the first place plum. Section HRM I-A, under the artistic direction of Mr. Arvin B. Sandig, won second place while EDUC I-C, under Mr. Benjamin D. Alonzo, won third.

The Dance Festival was the culminating activity of the Humanities classes. It is a Dance sport of remixed production numbers of Folk, Modern and Ballroom dances. Again, section EDUC I-A won first place.

            The panel of judges included Mr. Mario C. Felipe (Chair), Mr. Joven V. Salas, Mr. Alexander Dula and Mr. Rolando M. Baluyot. The program was hosted by Mr. Christian Allan C. Cagano.