The New Clarion Publication

𝑶𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑩𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒆𝒂r𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭2𝑭 𝑹𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
By:Trisha Anne Iglesia

We close a door to open another.

Now, January 12, 2026, we tuck in our crisped uniforms feeling neat, fresh, and beautiful again. We hid it for months, maybe did the laundry just yesterday, ironed the creases today, or we simply lost the skirt or slacks. Nonetheless, we condition ourselves for another fight---the fight for that degree despite the aftershocks anxiously seeking for attention. This is the second semester where we must prove ourselves guilty of being ambitious, to crawl back on top after the 2.1 grade, and to go berserk if anyone dares to stop us from achieving the goal---to graduate dignified and humbled.

Last semester was wild, but we're even wilder; we go rampage mode because we know how the survival of the fittest works. We went through remote learning during the pandemic, and have to go through it again last year. Tino and company came after a dormant earth awakened last September, as some joked, from PHIVOLCS to PAG-ASA. Those disasters were basically disruptions in our barely surviving learning during those uncertain times. Of which, thank God, most of us made it! We went through different dilemmas that demotivated us in our college journey, but such circumstances are not strong enough to shatter our resolves. We want the diploma that bad---and we mean bad enough to kill; kill depression, kill trauma, kill everything hindering us from a sane self!

We hate the past for breaking us and shattering the opportunities that could've been held last semester. It felt as if the rapture was about to happen and the Lord's glorious return will take over. We were devastated and online classes just felt off. It felt off because we were bombarded with many assignments and due dates; surprised with oral recitations while feeling sleepy during the lecture; being cut off with our weekly allowance through which we planned to pay for our parcels ; and being forced to be distant from the people who's been spicing up our college life---our classmates and instructors. We, as humans, simply missed the supposed-life-of-a-college-ranter which was about to take place during the new, year level. But here we are in our second semester, although missed the face-to-face fun of the first one, we are grateful for managing to be versatile and relentless against the odds. (Admit it though, we enjoyed the free time during the online learning.)

However, from what we, and our school went through, we should be proud for making it---we made a name, and we had a legacy that will continue on. Moving forward, we have the experiences strengthening us and increasing our adaptability skills for our present and future use. It turns out, the past did not completely break us, but made us into human beings capable of being resilient, adaptive, and initiative. We had our regrets, mistakes, and losses that we coped up as we endured those shaky and stormy times. But we also had our lessons, realizations, and epiphanies to hold us through this another unraveled chapter we enrolled ourselves into.

Banzai, CRMCians! May the odds be ever in our favor.

Another year has thumbed through its pages, and now we find ourselves recollecting the things that slipped through our fingers—looking back at the life we’ve lived, the moments that shaped us, and the things we chose to leave behind in pursuit of growth.

Dearest CRMCians, as we welcome this new year, may we continue to carry the lessons learned through risk and uncertainty; the relationships strengthened by bonds forged in challenge; and the moments of happiness that guided us toward new beginnings and opportunities.

It has been a long journey with all of you—a road of survival and choices that has shaped us into people who are stronger, more joyful, and more fluent in the quiet grace of holding on through change.

As this new year begins its first chapter, may we step forward with steadier hearts and higher hopes, guided by memories that remind us of who we are and where we have been. May this year be gentler, yet braver—filled with growth that feels purposeful and beginnings that feel welcoming and certain. May we move ahead in the calendar not empty-handed, but full of stories, courage, and faith in what is yet to come.

Onward to the next chapter, together. May we remember to move forward with bravery—believing that no matter the choices we make or the uncertainties we face, the life we deserve is already waiting for us, with a proud gaze upon our hearts.

From the Clarionista family, we greet you a Happy New Year and wish you a good life ahead!

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗥𝗠𝗖𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀,

Life in 2025 seems to have unfolded in a storybook fashion. Like the tales we grew up with, we have been tested and tried in myriad ways. We fell, we cried, we were shaken—and just as everything seemed dark and hopeless, light and bliss quietly crept in. In every noble storybook, the heroine hopes and stands.

Yet reality reminds us that there is no sounding of brass or trumpet for every dragon we have slain. More often than not, victory is followed not by applause, but by another set of tasks, new responsibilities; often heavier than the ones before.

As the world continues to change and as we grow along with it, we may find ourselves wondering why Christmas no longer feels as miraculous as it did in our childhood. Darling, dearest—lest the ghosts of the three Christmas spirits visit us in our sleep—we should not be too quick to arrive at such conclusions. Not all miracles arrive loudly, you know; some come quietly, in survival, in endurance, and in simply making it through.

Now that we pause to reflect, however we choose to spend this season—whether in reminiscence, in jubilant celebration, or in silent gratitude—Christmas calls each of us to tend to the longings of our hearts. We have been through much this year, be it storm or quake, and we owe it to ourselves to receive even the smallest measure of merriment.

There will always be changes in life—of seasons and of phases. Yet one truth remains unchanged: we will always find what we are willing to seek. Christmas, then, becomes a time to reclaim what we may have lost along the way, and perhaps, too, a time to let go of what was never meant to be found.

Dearest CRMCians, Merry Christmas to all of us. May you invite joy into your hearts, and allow healing to flow from yourself to your nearest neighbor. Kindle the fire. Speak kindness and gratitude. Give yourself the grace, and the time, to be merry.

This is your time. This is your gift.

Written by Foreword

From you
and your family,
Merry Christmas to us.

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔: 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗞𝗔𝗛𝗔 𝗦𝗜𝗬𝗔𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗛𝗔?

CRMC has long been recognized for its competent and premium education in the north since the summer term of 1947. It has brought knowledge, excellence, and pride to the north as its legacy carries on throughout the years. But beyond classrooms and academic distinctions, a legend has also shaped campus culture—Laura, the iconic ghost believed to roam CRMC’s hallways, visit all floors, and casually reserve certain classrooms for her midnight "self-study sessions," as whispered in countless student stories and campus lore.

After the earthquake left the main campus in ruins and ongoing renovation, many questions still linger—not only about reconstruction, but also about the legends tied to those very walls. And now, as Christmas Day draws near, one question rises above all others: 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿? Will she attend Simbang Gabi? Lurk near the Bogo Plaza lights? Or finally take a break and haunt google classrooms instead.

This Christmas, we invite all CRMCians to put their creativity (and insanity) to the test! 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻 ₱𝟭𝟱𝟬 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗣.𝗠. 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Now, go wild. Make Laura proud. Just don’t forget to say “tabi-tabi pooooo” so you won't find her in the table during Noche Buena.





Words by enolà & Dorothy
Layout by Tijana

"𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲" – Romans 8:28

Ms. Mary Joy Oplas, a CRMC alumna who ranked Top 5 nationwide in the September 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers – Elementary Level, received a ₱50,000 monetary reward on December 20, 2025. The award was given by the institution and CRMC President Mr. Victor Elliot Lepiten III in recognition of her remarkable achievement. Her accomplishment brings immense pride to her alma mater, the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges, and serves as an inspiration to future educators.

Once again, CRMC extends its warmest congratulations to Ms. Mary Joy Oplas. She truly embodies faith, perseverance, and excellence, inspiring countless students to pursue their dreams.

Written by Jellie Babe Ycot

“𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝘂𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹: 𝗖𝗥𝗠𝗖 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗝𝗼𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲”

Even in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the province of Cebu—leaving a particularly detrimental impact on the CRMC Main Campus and prompting the shift to online classes—the spirit of Christmas at CRMC remained unshaken. For the first time, the annual Christmas celebration of the faculty and administration was held at the Elementary Grounds, marking an unexpected yet meaningful change in tradition. What could have been defined by loss and disruption instead became a powerful testament to resilience, as love, joy, and hope were shared among faculty members and administrators who continue to serve with steadfast and devoted hearts.

The year’s closing celebration was filled with laughter through games and presentations, a heartfelt thanksgiving message from the Vice President herself Ms. Christina Lepiten, and the gracious presence of CRMC President Mr. Victor Elliott Lepiten III, whose generosity and leadership fostered a deep sense of familial love across the entire institution.

As the evening concluded with a bountiful boodle fight, one truth becomes even more apparent: in the face of adversity, hope endures. Nothing dims the light of Christmas—especially in hearts devoted to service. CRMC remains a family, united in faith, gratitude, and the promise of brighter days ahead.

For access to higher-resolution images, please see the attached Google Drive link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1csLAZLekCgxWTTmlvR-BqRW7VQqHw0Cn

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | CRMC Produces Topnotcher and High Number of LET Passers

CRMC DID IT AGAIN!

Mary Joy G. Oplas, a graduate of Bachelor of Elementary Education from Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges, made history by placing in the Top 5 nationwide in the September 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) – Elementary Level, with an outstanding rating of 93.20%. She is CRMC's third LEPT topnotcher, continuing the school’s history of remarkable performance established by previous topnotchers from the CTE Department.

The institution also achieved strong results in the September 2025 LEPT across both levels. In the Elementary Level, first-time takers from CRMC recorded an impressive passing rate of 89.47%, with an overall passing rate of 58.62%, surpassing the national passing rate of 51.04%. Meanwhile, the Secondary Level showed even higher performance, as first-time takers achieved a 92.11% passing rate and an overall passing rate of 87.80%, both well above the national passing rate of 72.62%. This further proves that CRMC continues to produce exceptional educators who not only excel in the LET but also achieve top rankings, upholding the institution’s legacy of academic excellence.

Congratulations to Ms. Mary Joy G. Oplas and all of CRMC's newly licensed professional teachers! You all brought pride and honor to your alma mater and inspire future educators to aim high.

Via Jellie Babe Ycot

𝗡𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗛𝗜𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗛𝗜𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗡?!

Howdy, CRMCians! With only six days left before Christm—este—finals week, we are officially entering what we unexcitedly call "hell week" or the academic purgatory that wraps up our first semester of the academic year. As we all spiral down together, frustration is normally felt, caught between reviews, collective procrastination, and manifestation.

Manifestation?!

Speaking of manifestation, no worries—Baby M. and Sahara Desert send their good luck, as if they are your Mhie and Dhie cheering and bending your fortune from their offices. But really, who wants to be a nepo baby walking into an exam with confidential funds in their pocket? Exactly. So instead of accepting these two labubu before finals, say "𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗮, 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘆'𝗲𝗱" and remember not to vote for them again in 2028.

While it is essential to study for finals, it is just as relevant to stay informed about the politics shaping our country in the present. Because in this economy—economy?!—being academically prepared but politically unaware is a treat only the clueless enjoy.

Goodluck sa finals mga nay!

“𝗔𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗮” — towards better things.

A short Latin phrase, but a powerful reminder that our lives are constantly moving in the direction of the good we decide to believe in.

And that’s why I hold on tightly to this hope: this time next year, we’ll be living the life we always talk about having. The life we dream about with our friends during those cold, late-night conversations. The life we planned in our minds when no one was watching, and the life we prayed for when our hearts felt heavy. A life with less pressure, more opportunities, and a version of ourselves that can look back with pride—not because everything was easy, but because we kept going.

Right now, progress might feel slow, unsure, or maybe things aren’t turning out the way we want. But that’s the heart of ad meliora—trusting the process even when the path isn’t clear. Believing that every small step, every lesson, and every challenge we get through is bringing us closer to the life we’re meant to live.

Keep going, even when it’s tiring. Keep choosing your future over your fears. Keep working toward your goals, even when some days the confidence is low. Growth is rarely loud or spectacular; sometimes it is quiet discipline, small habits, and a decision not to abandon oneself.

For one day, sooner than we might expect, we will wake up and say:

We made it.
We are living that very life we once dreamed of, planned, and spoke into existence.

So, here’s to better days coming...
To answered prayers…
To doors at last opening…
To dreams that no longer seem out of reach…

Here’s to us, moving ad meliora — toward better things, toward our future, toward the life we’ve always wanted. 🍀✨

-enolá

Layout by Tijana

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: 𝗖𝗥𝗠𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗨𝗖𝗢𝗔’𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗟𝗬 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗦

During the 52nd Founding Anniversary and 36th Annual General Assembly of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA), Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges proudly received PACUCOA’s Welcome Citation for New Accredited Institution/Programs. The event was held on December 5, 2025, at Novotel Manila Araneta City in General Aguinaldo Avenue, Quezon City. On behalf of CRMC, the citation was received by Dr. James H. Samillano, Dean of the College of Teacher Education; Dr. Ariel Tinapay, Head of Quality Assurance; and Dr. Shiela L. Tirol, Head of Research and Institutional Planning.

PACUCOA has granted Candidate Status to all programs under the College of Teacher Education, namely the Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science, Mathematics, English, Filipino, and Social Studies, as well as the Bachelor of Elementary Education. Under Associate Status, the accredited programs are the Master of Arts in Education major in Mathematics and the Master of Arts in Education major in Educational Management under the Graduate School, the Bachelor of Science in Criminology under the College of Criminal Justice Education, and the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology under the College of Computer Studies.

The citation formally acknowledges CRMC’s newly accredited programs as recognized by PACUCOA. This will be reflected in the official records and documentation of accredited programs maintained by the commission. With this recognition, CRMC further strengthens its commitment to ensuring that all programs continue to uphold the highest standards of quality education.

via Jellie Babe Ycot
Layout by Tijana