With the theme, “Harnessing One’s Inner Power to Face the Challenges of the ‘Better’ Normal,” Pines City Colleges (PCC) commenced Academic Year -2202-23 with its Annual Convocation on the 31st of August at the Pines City Doctors’ Hospital (PCDH) Amphitheater with its teaching and non-teaching employees.
Students Affairs and Guidance Services Office Head – Mr. Jayson P. Belino opened the event with his powerful rendition of Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi by Ryan Cayabyab as an invocation. To formally start, the College of Nursing Dean, Ms. Buna B. Racal, welcomed the participants with an inspirational message that highlights the continued achievement of the vision of PCC through the oneness of its stakeholders.
With much excitement, a creative video introduced the speaker— Training Consultant and Psychologist, Dr. Rolando “Dem” M. Mamaat. Revolving around the theme, Dr. Mamaat touched the hearts of the employees through his witty yet meaningful talk. His topic began with the challenges that the country has faced in the last two years up to the present time. He continued by giving mind-stirring advice about harnessing one’s inner power to gain happiness and peace in difficult times. Dr. Mamaat, says that silence is one way to maintain one’s peace and energy. He left a useful tip about having a quick rest even during working hours. Having a minute of silence while listening to a peaceful or meditation sound can help relieve stress and tension within the workplace.
At the end of the talk, Dr. Mamaat received a Certificate of Appreciation handed by PCC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Marian Grace A. Gascon, and Vice President for Administration (VPA) Ms. Ma. Regina S. Prats.
The convocation proceeded with Dr. Gascon rendering a heartfelt demand for action from the PCC’s teaching and non-teaching employees about the services that are given to the students. As she continued, Dr. Gascon gave a brief yet informative update about the institution’s compliance with CHED guidelines regarding the limited face-to-face of the PCC students. In addition, events to be anticipated were also mentioned, namely: Foundation Day, Medical Mission, Fair Booths, and accreditation of the College of Nursing and College of Respiratory Therapy.
Ms. Prats then presented updates and data on the rising number of students in the college, comparing the number of students from 954 in the year 2017 to 1344 in the year 2022. In addition, she also gave an update on upgrades on the facilities, ICT systems, processes for transactions and/or communication, equipment, maintenance, and services for the students’ and employees’ use. The VPA also introduced and welcomed the new sets of employees of different departments from the AY 2020-2021 to AY 2022-2023.
To close, Ms. Prats gave the word of the year: thrive. Looking back on all the challenges that the institution has gone through, she reiterated that PCC should not just survive but also grow and flourish vigorously
