Himamat 2011- the Southern Mindanao Academy (SMA) Alumni Homecoming, July 29-30, 2011 at South Philippine Adventist College, headed by Mr. Zacarias Escobidal, Alumni president; and Mr. Arwin Ranola, Alumni Relations officer.
South Philippine Adventist College (SPAC), formerly known as Southern Mindanao Academy (SMA), held a 2-day celebration of the Himamat 2011. The event was participated by the alumni from batches 1960-1994. Furthermore, the faculty and staff, including the students of the institution also joined the celebration.
On July 29, Friday, the registration and billeting started at exactly 8:00 o’clock in the morning, assisted by the Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA) students of SPAC. Some of them were Sweet Elizanne Jugalbot, Al Ray Lazado, Rosaly Maratas, Famela Grace Balmera, and Angiely Ibot. At exactly 1:30 in the afternoon of the same date, the motorcade parade started with its route from SPAC campus going to Digos, then to Bansalan, going back to SPAC. It was participated by the seven departments of the college. Prior to that, teachers and students exerted efforts to make a float to represent their department. The parade lasted for almost two hours and at 3:30 in the afternoon, everybody arrived back at SPAC campus.
The opening ceremony commenced at 3:56 in the afternoon, a few minutes after the arrival. It was started by the invocation and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by “My Redeemer’s Symphony” (MRS), a group consisting few of the faculty members of SPAC. Meanwhile, honorable Neri V. Obedencia, Barangay captain of Camanchiles, Matanao, and an alumnus batch 1983, welcomed everyone who joined the celebration especially the alumni. After, which the College president, Dr. Arceli Heyasa-Rosario stated her keynote address. She further emphasized that Himamat means “retracing your step from the present to the past”. The declaration of the opening of Himamat 2011 celebration was also done by her.
The vespers meeting on the night of July 29, started at 7:00 o’clock with hymns of praise led by Ms. Grace Pansacala-Jondonero of batch 1990. Afterwards, Dr. Wilepr T. Generato of batch 1984 delivered God’s Words.
On July 30, Saturday, the Sabbath school program started at 8:30 o’clock in the morning with the alumni as participants. Prior to that, a very special talk show was prepared to reminisce the past of the alumni and the unforgettable experiences at SMA. Furthermore, the show was hosted by Mr. Sioricar S. Ortizano, SPAC Boy’s dorm dean,alumni batch 1993; and Ms. Mauren Dumalaog-Banasing, SPAC instructor and alumni of batch 1993.
Former SMA principals: (l-r) Dr. Benonie Llanto; Dr. Rogelio Aguadera; Dr. Jimmy Faderogaya
In continuation with the Sabbath worship, the Divine service then proceeded at 10:15 am. Ms. Winnie Daugdaug-Tambalque of batch 1976 led the singing of the opening song. The special message in song was offered by the Advent Capelle. Meanwhile, the speaker for the hour was nonetheless one of the originals of Southern Minstrels, the official singing group of SMA then, Pastor Jimmy V. Adil Jr., batch 1982. In addition, the speaker finished his Bachelor of Arts in Theology at the Adventist Institute of International and Advance Studies (AIIAS). Furthermore, he was a professor of the Schools of Theology and became a part-time Guidance Counselor at Mountain View College (MVC). His message particularly focused on “remembering” with the key text found in Ecclesiastes 12:1-6. He further emphasized that “remembering makes us humane” and “forgetting is sin”. The program was closed with the benediction by Ms. Egie Mae Ofiasa-Suson, SMA-SPACAAA Auditor, batch 1982. (Real Joy Revilla/CampusMedia)
Note: Pictures of Himamat 2011 are available at www.facebook.com/SPACollege