The HARP Publication

𝐒𝐂𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫, 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

In the pursuit of further enhancing the institution’s commitment to quality education, Saint Columban College’s (SCC) teaching faculty gained meaningful insights and broadened their perspectives as educators during the Faculty Seminar held on August 20, 2026, at Kalikasan Hall, Hotel Guillermo.

Bearing the theme, "Applying Cognitive Science and Thinking Routines for Effective Teaching and Learning," this event aimed to help faculty members learn practical strategies and techniques that encourage classroom engagement, foster deep learning and thinking in students, and provide a more conductive educational environment in class.

The guest speaker, Dr. Roy Mirafuentes, imparted his knowledge and wisdom to the attendees, giving them profound advice on how to hone their instructional abilities, understand students' minds and attitudes, develop practical teaching strategies, and become more reflective and effective in their teaching.

The seminar offered the faculty members the opportunity to further optimize their way of teaching and establish a better learning experience for the students which encourages them to think critically and reflectively about the world around them and enable them to effectively apply lessons and concepts in their future careers and daily lives.

Captioned by Rhea Jane Sabado

𝐓𝐇𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 | 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐂𝐂 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

Saint Columban College (SCC) welcomes the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office IX technical panel and Regional Quality Assessment Team during the ocular monitoring and evaluation of the college’s graduate teacher education program offerings on August 17-18, 2026. The two-day visit brought together CHED evaluators, SCC administrators, and Graduate School faculty to review the institution’s academic programs, faculty qualifications, student support services, learning resources, and quality assurance practices.

Captioned by Rehan Maruhom
Captioned by Cathy Untolan

𝐒𝐂𝐂 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office IX conducted an ocular monitoring and evaluation visit of Saint Columban College’s (SCC) Graduate Teacher Education Program offerings on August 17-18, 2026, as part of the continuing assessment of compliance with national standards and updated policy frameworks.

The two-day engagement focused on the review and validation of the Graduate School’s academic programs, faculty qualifications, student support services, learning resources, institutional practices, and quality assurance initiatives.

In her welcome address, Dr. Mary Jane Omandam, RGC, Vice President for Administration, emphasized the college’s commitment to the continuous improvement of its graduate school offerings in Zamboanga del Sur.

“We deeply value this opportunity to showcase our programs and many accomplishments and our best practices where we are receiving your insights for more development in our graduate school programs,” Dr. Omandam said.

Dr. Gilbert A. Celesio, dean of the Graduate School, presented the SCC school administrators and graduate school faculty and provided an overview of the institution’s graduate school programs.

Dr. Joe-An G. Cuaresma, Supervising Education Program Specialist of CHED Regional Office IX, introduced the members of the technical panel and Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) and explained the rationale and process of the monitoring and evaluation visit.

Dr. Cuaresma said the visit forms part of the shared mandate of higher education institutions and CHED to ensure access to quality education across the Philippines and beyond.

The monitoring team included Dr. Joseph G. Refugio and Dr. Elizabeth Jane P. Sebastian, RQAT members for the Graduate Education Program, and Dr. Levi E. Elipane, CHED Technical Panel evaluator for the Graduate Education Program.

The visit proceeded to the inspection and assessment proper, where the panel reviewed the graduate teacher education programs and their implementation based on prescribed standards and requirements.

The activity provided the Graduate School department with an opportunity to validate its existing practices while receiving feedback from CHED evaluators for the continued development of its graduate teacher education offerings.

Captioned by Rehan Maruhom
Captured by Cathy Untolan

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 | 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠

Another person walked out of the room, crying. Laughter filled it after someone made fun of her work. She never came back…

Without anyone knowing, she stayed up late and made extreme efforts to finish her work to her satisfaction. Yet, no one appreciated it. It was mocked. All her efforts crumbled when she turned it into ridicule.

The statement was spat out carelessly. One that is easily forgotten by the person who said it, but is already carved in the mind of the victim.

“Words are sharp as swords.”

A mere metaphor for others. It bears nothing until one experiences it. Wounds cut by swords heal fast, but words etch deeper and longer than those cut by swords.

I have read somewhere that they hope people could taste the words they spit before they say it, so they can taste how bitter it is.

Hopefully, its bitterness may bring them to consider what to say to other people. Many now suffer from battles we cannot ever see. Yet, many still insensitively spit words like it means nothing. Well, maybe it means nothing to them. But that nothing means something heartbreaking for other people.

In every face we see each day, despite the smiles and laughter, there are stories behind them, unseen. People tend to do that. We never know how one actually feels. One wrong word can break the façade they try to show. Even one word can break a strong person. And that word leeches off of confidence and energy; it even changes how people see themselves.

The world is already harsh as it is, and kindness costs nothing. The words that leave a bitter taste should rather be replaced with sweet ones —words that uplift. Because while words may be invisible, the wounds they leave behind are not.

Written by Rhona Marie Mijares
Illustration by Ralph John Garrata

𝐓𝐇𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 | 𝐒𝐂𝐂 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝟓𝐊 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐧

With 284 participants from the alumni, student, and open-to-all categories, the SCC 5K Fun Run highlighted unity, active participation, and the lasting connection of the SCC community under the theme, “One Batch, One Legacy. Forever Connected.”

Captioned by Christine Alfeche
Captured by Cathy Untolan, Earl Sinajon, and Jack Calamba

𝐒𝐂𝐂 𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝟓𝐊 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠

The Saint Columban College (SCC) Alumni Association conducted a 5-kilometer fun run on August 16, 2026, at the Alumni Sports Center as part of its fundraising campaign for the institution’s upcoming Founding Anniversary in November, bringing together SCC alumni, students, and participants from the open-to-all category.

With the theme “One Batch, One Legacy. Forever Connected,” the activity brought together 284 participants from the SCC community and the general public, highlighting the alumni association’s continued involvement in supporting the institution and its anniversary activities.

Of the 284 participants, 103 were SCC alumni, 48 were students, and 133 came from the open-to-all category. The participation of different groups reflected the event’s aim of strengthening the connection among alumni, current students, and community members through a shared activity.

The event formally opened following a warm-up session, setting the tone for the 5K run. Welcome remarks were delivered by Dr. Genette M. Garcia, Batch 2001 President of the SCC Alumni, who welcomed the participants and underscored the significance of the gathering.

The runners then took part in the 5-kilometer route, turning the activity into an avenue for promoting physical fitness while fostering camaraderie among participants. Alumni from different batches were able to reconnect with former classmates and friends, while students and members of the public joined the activity in support of the initiative.

The fundraising activity forms part of the SCC Alumni Association’s efforts to contribute to the preparations for the school’s Founding Anniversary celebration. Through the event, the association also sought to strengthen alumni participation in activities that support their alma mater.

The 5K fun run concluded with participants coming together at the event venue, marking another alumni-led initiative that highlighted the continuing relationship between SCC and its graduates.

Through the theme “One Batch, One Legacy. Forever Connected,” the activity emphasized that the Columbano identity continues beyond graduation, with alumni remaining connected to the institution through community activities, shared experiences, and collective support.

Captioned by Christine Alfeche
Captured by Cathy Untolan, Earl Sinajon, and Jack Calamba

𝐓𝐇𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 | 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐠𝐬𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The College of Computing Studies (CCS) officially opened Himugso 2026, bringing students together through house presentations, chant or yell showcases, student recognition, and other opening activities under the theme “Rising Anew: Towards Sustainable Solutions for the Next Generation Stronger Than Before, Driven by Innovation.”

Captioned by Rehan Maruhom
Captured by Cathy Untolan and Daniel Duran

𝐂𝐂𝐒 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐠𝐬𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔; 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

The College of Computing Studies (CCS) of Saint Columban College (SCC) officially opened Himugso 2026 on August 14, 2026, at the Youth Development Center (YDC), with the theme “Rising Anew: Towards Sustainable Solutions for the Next Generation Stronger Than Before, Driven by Innovation.”

The opening celebration began with a Mass presided over by Fr. Rey L. Caterbas, followed by a performance from the SCC marching band.

The program continued with the entrance of the faculty members, local officers, and academic club officers, before welcoming the four houses representing each year level. The House of Nexus represented the first-year students, the House of Helios represented the second-year students, the House of Synapse represented the third-year students, and the House of Forge represented the fourth-year students.

The four houses then showcased their house spirit through teasers of their respective yells or chants.

The CCS Grand Student Council officers delivered the opening salvo, setting the program in motion before Mr. Rey Mark G. Lapaz gave his opening remarks.

The program then recognized the Dean’s Listers for the second semester of Academic Year 2025–2026.

The opening activities marked the start of Himugso 2026, with more activities scheduled to continue the celebration and bring together the CCS community.

Captioned by Rehan Maruhom
Captured by Cathy Untolan and Daniel Duran

𝐓𝐇𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 | 𝐉𝐏𝐈𝐀 𝐀𝐂𝐋𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The Saint Columban College (SCC) Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) held their semestral Alternative Class Learning Experience (ACLE) on August 14, 2026, at the SCC Alumni Sports Center, with the theme "GRAND PRIX: Driven by Numbers, Racing Toward Accounting Excellence."

Hosted and handled by the local chapter officers, the event encouraged peer connections and unity, making the event a breather during the academic strain.

The event concluded with JPIAns' proof of commitment to balancing academics and recreation through friendly rivalry, sharing laughter with one another.

Captioned by Yvonnie Apas
Captured by Angel Borongan and Yvonnie Apas