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Rogationist College
July 2007
Going strong after 20 years
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
he Rogationist College traces its beginnings with the foundation of the Saint
Anthony’s Boys Village (SABV). The SABV in Barrio Lalaan II, Silang, Cavite is
the first “Anthonian Orphanage” of the Rogationists in the Philippines. It is
a religious charitable institution which houses indigent boys willing to
pursue higher quality education. It looks after the material and spiritual
welfare of the underprivileged. It is a real home, school and church for the
youth, providing them with well-rounded and basic human-Christian education.
The construction of the SABV Complex started in February 1985, under the
supervision of Fr. Salvatore Ciranni, RCJ. The late Bishop of Imus, Felix
Perez, blessed its cornerstone on March 2, 1985. A handful of civic, religious
and government representatives attended the event wishing success for the
Rogationists in their charity work.
The first phase of the complex was completed in two years and was inaugurated
during the feast of St. Anthony of Padua – June 13, 1987 by two outstanding
church figures: the Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Bruno Torpigliani, and His
Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin. Sponsoring the affair was the President of San
Miguel Corporation Mr. Francisco Eizmendi. One of the distinguished guests
during the occasion was His Excellency Mario Crema, the Ambassador of Italy to
the Philippines. As Rector of the nascent Institution the Superior General of
the Rogationists, Fr. Pietro Cifuni, elected during the General Chapter in
August 1986, appointed Fr. Carmelo Capizzi who, few months later, became also
the first Superior of the newly established Philippine-Indian Delegation.
In order to meet the educational needs of the Institution, the Rogationist
Academy was established in 1987. It got later formal approval from the
Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS), as a co-educational
learning center, offering the four levels of secondary education. At the same
time, due to its social impact, the Security Exchange Commission recognized
the SABV as a foundation. The objectives of the foundation are concretized in
the promotion of educational development of the youth, especially those who
are coming from the underprivileged sectors of the society. It is believed
that in order to achieve real economic recovery in the country, it is
necessary to educate first each Filipino. Only when the young generations
become aware of their potentiality and social role will they become in a
position to work in harmony with others for the renewal of the Philippines.
It has been 20 years since the SABV – Rogationist Academy (now Rogationist
College) opened its portals to the first batch of 35 interns boys. At present,
it has 120 enrollees who are staying in the Youth House constructed through
the generosity of benefactors from Misereor (Aachen, Germany), who previously
were providing the institution with the carpentry shop as means of training
and self-generating income. Msgr. Manuel Cruz Sobreviñas, Bishop of Imus,
solemnly blessed the first building of the Housing Facilities on June 13,
1993, feast of St. Anthony of Padua. One of the honored guests was Mrs.
Margrit Messmer of Switzerland, representing those who contributed to improve
the facilities, like Mr. Ernesto Escaler of PHINMA, Bacnotan, Euro Tiles and
Royal Tern. In 1997, an additional Youth House was financed by the same German
Catholic Agency (Misereor) in order to accommodate the growing number of
interns.
High School Department
The RC-High School Department is the first secondary school owned and operated
by the Rogationists in the Philippines, as part of the Saint Anthony’s Boys
Village and located in the same compound at Barrio Lalaan 2, Silang, Cavite.
As a Catholic private school legally approved by the DECS, it provides
first-rate holistic basic human Christian education. The school accepts pay
students who avail of their secondary and tertiary formation, allowing the
institution the edge to provide the same quality education to those who are
poor. It offers secondary courses for both male and female students. Special
fields like Computer Programming, Drafting and Practical Electricity form part
of the high school curriculum.
High School enrollees at the Rogationist College began in 1987 with its first
batch of 75 students from two sections of first year high school. At present,
there are 1,100 students making up the four years in high school.
The Rogationist College, it motivates all students to become a whole person,
obedient and a living witness to the divine command of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that is, to pray for more laborers for his Holy Church as exemplified by
Blessed Hannibal Mary Di Francia, Founder of the Rogationists of the Heart of
Jesus and the Daughters of Divine Zeal.
The SABV master plan goes back to September 1988 with the vision to offer post
secondary education to the students enrolled in the Rogationist Academy. At
that time, the Government of Italy, one of the first countries to support the
Philippines after the EDSA revolution, included the Rogationist Technical
Training Center proposal under the 1988 Protocol of Understanding. After
positive backing from the local authorities, endorsed by Cardinal Jaime Sin
and the Italian Minister Giulio Andreotti, the project was approved in
December 1988. Due to political reasons, it took almost four years before the
go signal to start the implementation came.
The joint project of the Saint Anthony’s Boys Village Foundation and the
Italian Government through the NGO “Giuseppe Tovini Foundation” was ratified
and signed on October 27, 1993 by the Italian Ambassador Serafini Alessandro
and Mr. Cielito Habito as Director of NEDA. At the MOU official signing were
Mr. Luciano Silveri and Mr. Giulio Maternini on behalf of the NGO Fondazione
G. Tovini, Fr. Gaspare Gallitto as PID Major Superior, the technical
consultant Mr. Giovanni Latini, the new SABV Superior Fr. Bruno Rampazzo and
Fr. Carmelo Capizzi who were responsible for the project implementation.
Technical Department
In 1991, thanks to the Italian benefactors Andreina and Giuseppe Cassetti who
donated the first Computer laboratory with capacity of 40 students, the school
started offering a two-year computer course and in April 1993, the first batch
of students obtained the Diploma in Computer Management Technology.
In 1994, with the completion of the modern technical school facilities
designed by the architect Mr. Benjamin Joson and built by Posada-Moya &
Associates, the Rogationist College opened its doors for short and long-term
courses in the field of Electronics Technology, Telecommunication, Electrical
Technology, Graphic Arts Technology and Crafts. All courses were duly
authorized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and are
providing young people the preparation to work as skilled manpower in the
local industries.
1995-2002
The succeeding years were marked with several blessings from the Belgian,
Spanish and German NGOs, all partners of the Rogationists in the noble mission
of forming potential leaders from the less privileged sectors of society.
In 1987, major undertakings were accomplished. After the soccer field, two
basketball and volleyball courts were built. The Rogationists were thus able
to build an ambitious sport complex with better facilities for the students
and the communities around. The construction of the multi-purpose structure,
designed by the Architect Benjamin Joson and built by Vidal M. Jaurigue
Const., took several years to complete. The fulfillment of the dream, beside
the initial contribution of the Congregation, required the involvement of
local and Italian benefactors, as well as small donations coming from the same
students. Memorable was the intervention of Caritas Italiana with 40 tons of
parmesan cheese and the Balestra fashion show organized by Mr. Ernest Escaler
to complete the facilities. Today, the 2.400 square meter covered area,
suitable for physical education, cultural programs and youth gathering, is
considered one of the biggest in the entire Cavite Province.
In 1997 a new milestone was set up for the Rogationist College with the
Mechanical building financed by the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (SECIPI)
and Manos Unidas from Spain. The modern extension of 2,200 square meters. with
classrooms, laboratories, workshops and state of the art educational
equipment, strengthened the bridge between the Spanish NGO Manos Unidas the
St. Anthony’s Boys Village. Such relationship goes to the beginning of the
Rogationist journey in the hills of Silang, when more than ever the SABV was
relying on God’s extraordinary interventions. One of these arrived through the
President of Manos Unidas, in that time Doña Carmen de Miguel, who donated the
first encyclopedias for the school library and a small tractor whose arrival
in the Village was a memorable event. Five years later, the new president of
the Spanish NGO, Doña Ana de Felipe, visited the SABV in order to reiterate
the commitment of Spain to collaborate with the Rogationists in the field of
the education and promotion of the youth. The inauguration of the Mechanical
Technology Project marked with special joy the 20th anniversary of the
Rogationists in the Philippines and the SABV 10th Foundation Day.
Three years later Manos Unidas, together with the Agencia Español de
Cooperacion Internacional, once again offered their financial support, adding
new facilities and equipment, in order to open vocational courses in
Automotive Technology. The Superior General of the Rogationists, Fr. Giorgio
Nalin and the Bishop of Sideia-Alotau, Papua New Guinea, Msgr. Francesco
Panfilo, blessed the extension of the previous mechanical shop.
PRESENT TIMES
At present, the Rogationist Technical Department is recognized as a College by
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and, beside the three-years courses
in Office Management with Computer and several fields of Technology, it offers
four-year Courses, such as Bachelor of Science in Information, Electrical
Technology, Mechanics, Automotive, Graphic Arts and Printing Technology. Part
of the educational system is the “Dual Training Program” which combines theory
at the school and training in the industry or partner company. The training
plan contains a synchronized schedule of the skills the trainees have to learn
in the school and the exercises to be performed in actual work situations in
the factory. Lately, it opened a new course for Caregiver, Religious Science
and Education.
To fulfill the objective of the Rogationists of providing quality education to
the underprivileged youth of the country, the School extends its Financial
Assistance Program to students in the form of scholarships, discounts and
income-generating projects for those deserving. Beneficiaries of the programs
must maintain good scholastic standing in all their respective courses. With
the approval of TESDA, courses are offered to home students in the technical
field. It is not surprising that since its opening, the number of enrollees in
these courses have increased to 1,024 students this year alone.
As a Catholic school, the Rogationist College motivates the students to
develop not only their technical skills but also their human and Christian
values, according to the education style of Blessed Hannibal Maria Di Francia.
The power of knowledge
Knowledge is power. It is a force that will propel a person to realize your
deepest aspirations, the wisdom that will give a complete satisfaction for
achievement and a foundation that can withstand the test of time.
The Rogationist College aims to help and develop among its graduates that
power!
With its ideal location, the Rogationist College is an ideal place for
learning and prides itself as one of the best school campus in the entire
Cavite Province. Situated in the midst of tree-covered gardens and lush
greeneries, it provides fresh air and a serene atmosphere that gives a sense
of well being to everyone who enters it. Its buildings with its spacious
classrooms and laboratories are interconnected to each other by covered
pathways. This makes the access to each facility very convenient, all over in
the almost 11 hectares of school property.
Striving for academic excellence, the college carefully plans academic
activities and the proper selection of qualified faculty members, which
assures the quality of the graduates. The Rogationist College encourages the
development of the students’ quality as a person. To accomplish this, renowned
guest lecturers are invited to the school every now and then to update the
skills of the faculty.
With its state-of-the-art facilities, the college is an amiable place for
learning. The college boasts of modern and spacious classrooms, fully
air-conditioned library with computerized catalogue system, fully
air-conditioned auditorium, two spacious canteens, an big multi-purpose
gymnasium for concerts, sports and other outdoor school activities; the school
clinic with modern dental and medical equipment, five basketball courts and a
soccer field with daylight electrical system for evening sport events, an
Internet café, a coffee bar and kitchen for HRM courses, a “Cassetti” or
Mini-Hotel, fully equipped laboratories (mechanical and automotive
laboratories with equipment imported from the US and Europe, electrical and
electronics and telecommunication laboratories, audio visual and speech
laboratories, computer laboratories, chemistry and physics laboratories); and
printing and graphics facilities.
The college also offers other services, including transportation (three
air-conditioned buses and other light vehicles) for students, faculty and
staffs’ use. An international link and cooperation with countries such as
United States, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Poland where the Rogationists are
present. Its industry links includes ABS-CBN, Amkor Phils., Analog Devices,
PHINMA Group, Hitachi Industrial Phils., IIRR, Castem Phils., MAXIM Phils.,
Nissin Universal Robina, ROHM Electronics, Visteon Phils. Inc., Nissan Motors,
Sonico Steel Corporation, National Panasonic, San Miguel Corp., to name a few.
Its sports, cultural and religious activities include the PRISAA, SCAA,
concerts, out-of-campus competitions, periodic recollection and retreat,
school fairs, academic and non-academic programs, summer camp, family days,
educational tours, media exposures, etc. Full scholarship with boarding and
lodging for underprivileged students are available together with PESFA TESDA,
PESFA CHED, DOST, student assistance, adoption at a distance program, Study
Now Pay Later Program, private and public sector sponsorships, academic
scholarships and NGO scholarships.
On job placements the school conducts a periodic job fairs which introduces
the student to the various industrial sectors. The companies invited to the
jobs fair are considered the best in their field. The school is active in
assisting its graduates for employment .
With its service and commitment, the Rogationist College values Catholic
education, that is why it considers the importance of the person more than
anything else. It is a non-profit organization. It is an institution committed
to provide quality formation and education at the least possible cost. Its
profits are used to finance the education of deserving, but poor children.
That is why, being with the College is like sharing blessings to others.
For value formation, the Rogationist College is run by the Rogationist
Fathers. As part of the Rogationist Family, the College aims not only to
educate its students academically. It believes that education is of no value
if it cannot teach the person the importance of the Christian values. It
believes that education plays a vital importance in the formation of a man’s
character that will guide him in his life. The Rogationist College, strives
for the education of children. Moreover, at the Rogationist College, you can
expect that it goes beyond academic excellence!
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
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