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Mater Dei College
January 2008

Providing a holistic Christian education to the poor rural youth…

Humble Beginnings

It was in the year 1983, during Mayor Eufrasio Mascarinas’ term, when the local government of Tubigon invited prominent educators to lead the founding of a College in the community to help specifically the economically disadvantaged students obtain college education. Some local residents could not afford to send their children either to Tagbilaran or Cebu City, after these students graduated from high school.

Through the initiatives of the Sanguniang Bayan Secretary, Mr. Cesar Mascarinas, with the help of the Parish Priest at the time, Msgr. Camilo V. Auza, Fr. Josemaria S. Luengo, Ph.D., the town’s famous historian and prominent educator, was invited to lead a group of selfless and generous educators to invest in founding a College. Resolution no. 78 series of 1983 of the Sanguniang Bayan paved the way for this realization.

The Founders

Fr. Luengo, in turn, asked Dr. Lourdes H. Torrefranca, a native of Clarin, Bohol who is also a prominent educator and the Dean of USJR Graduate School at the time, to join him in this project. Then Dr. Rose Alfafara, a popular optometrist from Tubigon, who is also a known benefactress of seminarians and other church related activities, was the next one invited. Finally, the trio succeeded in soliciting the initial investment of around P100,000 from pro-poor local patrons. These original investors became the first set of members of the Board of Trustees and incorporators: Rev. Fr. Josemaria S. Luengo, Ph.D., Lourdes H. Torrefranca, Ph.D., Most Rev. Felix S. Zafra, D.D., Benjamin L. Mejorada, Ph.D., Msgr. Camilo V. Auza, H.P. (deceased), Rose P. Alfafara, O.D., and Cesar C. Mascariñas, M.A.

After a series of meetings, the rites and laying of the foundation stone for the construction of Mater Dei College building led by Msgr. Auza was finally done in February 1983. The first wing of the M structure of the building was constructed by obtaining credit lines from various sources. Although the funds were very low, the first modest Mater Dei College building stood proudly.

The first biggest problem encountered by the founders was the difficulty of securing a government permit to operate. The Secretary of Education and the Director of Private Schools at the time disapproved its application for permit because of a moratorium on the opening of new college. Fortunately, a boatman from Tubigon, Mr. Gulayan, was discovered to be an effective bridge to facilitate fast approval by his seeing then President Ferdinand Marcos, whom he helped escape from the Japanese through his boat. A brief scribbling of President Marcos to release the permit handcarried by Mr. Gulayan cut short all red tape for approval.

The First Batch and Curricular Offerings

The pioneering students and staff attended the first flag raising ceremony on June 18, 1984. On the first year operation, MDC had a total of 170 enrollees. The first curricular offerings were Bachelor of Arts (AB) and Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC). Three more courses were added in June 1985: Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED), Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED), and a two-year Junior Secretarial Course (JSC). The College held her first commencement exercises with 10 pioneering graduates in AB and BSC in March 1988. Dr. Eladio Dioko, Asst. Regional Director at the time, was the first commencement speaker. From then on, Mater Dei College continued and continues to turn over to the world graduates equipped with sturdy wings to fly all over the world wherever fate would take them.

The Pioneering Administrative Staff and Faculty

On the first year of existence of Mater Dei College in 1984, the institution needed persons to be entrusted with some particular positions. The following are included in the list of the “Firsts” in the organization: Rev. Fr. Josemaria S. Luengo, Ph.D.-Founding President; Lourdes H. Torrefranca, Ph.D.-Executive Vice President; Mr. Cesar C. Mascariñas, M.A.-College Dean; Mrs. Corazon F. Hordista, Registrar; Miss Victoria A. Luengo, Cashier; Miss Elizabeth Espenido, Librarian; Msgr. Camilo V. Auza (deceased), Campus Minister; Miss Florecita T. Rama, Guidance Counselor; and Mr. Rolando Balauta, Supply and Property Custodian. Among the first full-time instructors were Mrs. Nelda G. Geyrosaga, Mr. Noeh Z. Rabadonia, Miss Elizabeth Espenido, and Mr. Garciano Gillamac. They taught English, Filipino, History, Science and Commerce subjects, respectively.

These people contributed much to the formation of the students as well as the development and progress of the school. They trail blazed the road to excellence which inspired the people who succeeded them.

Courses offered

The founders of Mater Dei College envisioned providing a holistic Christian education to the poor rural educands. With this vision in mind, they came up with a rallying mission to be able to share what they have, human and material resources, to provide the underprivileged youth the education they aspire for. Hence, the founders advocated the three corporate values for their goals, viz namely Sapentia: WISDOM, Caritas: CHARITY THROUGH SERVICE, and Oratio: PRAYER-LIFE THROUGH LIVING THE GOSPEL.

Christian philosophy teaches that the highest faculties of man, the rational animal, are his faculties of intellect and will. These faculties are envisioned to be exemplified by the MDC graduates. They are to be persons steeped in WISDOM; searching for the truth through difficult scholarly studies. They are to be imbued in charity as well, borne of unselfish living by the giving of themselves through service. The students cannot acquire wisdom and charity, however, if they do not practice them in life. This is expressed in the third corporate value, which is the pursuit of a PRAYER-LIFE through living the Gospel.

Since 1984, these three corporate values, actualized as visions through the years, have given Mater Dei College not only the impetus to survive but also the meaning and inspiration to pursue a quality existence, worthy of the best efforts of the Board of Trustees and Incorporators, administration, faculty, staff and students.

In its Graduate Programs, the College offers Master of Arts in English Language Teaching (MAELT), Master of Arts in Mathematics Teaching (MAMT), Master of Arts in Educational Management (MAEM), Master of Arts in Business Management (MABM), Master of Arts in Public Services Management (MAPSM), and Master of Arts in Values Education (MAVED).

The College’s Baccalaureate Programs include Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), Bachelor of Science in Information Management (BSIM), Bachelor of Science in Tourism (BS Tourism), Bachelor of Arts in Economics (AB Econ), Bachelor of Arts in English Language (AB Engl), Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED), Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) with majors in English, Filipino, History, Mathematics, and Values Education, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA), Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) with majors in Management and Management Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS), Bachelor of Science in Criminology (BSCRIM), Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM), and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (BS Math).

Its Pre-baccalaureate Programs include Associate in Computer Technology (ACT) and Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management (AHRM).

Mater Dei College also offers Pre-Elementary and Elementary Laboratory School, Kinder I and II, and Grade School.

Mater Dei College turns 25

By February 2008, Mater Dei College shall have turned 25 years old.

The coming grand celebration reminds everyone of the profound story of sacrifice, fortitude, and unconditional dedication the original founders has manifested two and a half decades ago. The official Silver Anniversary will be celebrated on February 13 - 16, 2008.

The first day will be opened by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. A grand floral parade with street dancing follows the Mass. There will be exhibits in campus featuring what Mater Dei College has been through the years and what Mater Dei College is now. In the evening is the salvo of fireworks, field demonstrations, and coronation for MDC King and Queen and Prince and Princess packaged in a beautiful drama.

In the morning of the second day is some nourishments for the mind. A symposium for teachers and another one for students will be simultaneously conducted. In the afternoon, it will be devoted to literary, and musical arts in a contest. While ballroom dancing has… its share in the evening in a contest, too.

The third day is Community Day. The mass wedding, the Baptism, and the Confirmation events will be in the morning to give the community a part in the grand celebration. The feeding program in cooperation with DSWD for the children of the three neighboring barangays: Cabulijan, Tinangnan, and Macaas will be facilitated in the afternoon.

The fourth day will all be for the Alumni of MDC. A list of activities is also lined up for them.

Looking back, MDC gradually took shape throughout the years. After ten years from the time the original M-shaped building was constructed, Mary’s mini hotel was put up as a practicum venue for the HRM trainees and also as the second home of visiting professors. More and more professors came each weekend as part time teachers. Then in 2000, the huge Activity Center was born through the initiative of Bishop Felix Zafra. In 2002, the Information Technology Systems Complex was constructed.

The physical plant has kept up technological modernity with the expansion of the Computer Labs and the installation of the Satellite dish for the Internet. Then the four-storey Nursing and Related Arts Complex followed suit. A state of the art Nursing Skills Lab was installed in the building along with the airconditioning of the classrooms. To refine the teaching skills of the College of Education practicumers, the pre-elementary and Elementary department was opened after the construction of the new Elementary building for them.

The latest acquisition of the school is the modern Speech Laboratory complete with monitors and videocams to enhance the English program of the school. Its Reading Program is considered its strength. A special enriched English curriculum was designed and is now on its first year of school wide implementation.

MDC’s achievements in the academic field are crowned by several board passers in the different courses she has produced and the many graduates she turned over to the country. The year 1996 was the peak of her glory when an MDC graduate, Mrs. Christine Villordon Cubillo, topped the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

The school’s commitment to serve the community as articulated in her VMG is exemplified through her scholarship program for the economically disadvantaged but deserving students. At present, there are 138 students enjoying free tuition from various categories of scholarships. Also, the school has sponsored livelihood programs such as organic farming, water irrigation, and goat raising in the neighboring barangays.

Indeed, MDC has gone a long way since 1983. With her numerous achievements, she can be likened to a vintage wine which becomes tastier as it ages. Truly, Mater Dei College, from her modest beginnings, has been vibrantly growing as she keeps herself open to all forms of service to the least of her brethren in this part of Bohol.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online