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Tertiary Schools greet new faces and welcome back old ones

Written by Luis Gabriel R. Santiago & Researched by Alisandra Sophia M. Untalan | August 3, 2025

THE Tertiary Schools’ first week of back-to-school classes began with welcoming orientations as a reception for both incoming freshmen and returning upperclassmen, held at the Multi-Purpose Hall last July 28 and at the St. Maur Auditorium last July 29, respectively. These orientations served as a primer for the newcomers and a refresher for the returning students, answering any queries or concerns of the student body. 

Beginning the orientation was an opening message from Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, Director of Tertiary and Graduate Education. He mentioned how respect for all individuals, regardless of social status and rank, is given importance in SBCA, evident in how people greet and interact with one another. 

He reminded the students to be in tune with the Bedan Culture, rooted in discipline, concern for others, and integrity.  “These are not just ideals that we say, but rather principles that we live by,” he added.

Following his opening message was an introduction to the campus by Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, SBCA Rector-President. He shared that SBCA’s vision for excellence lies not just in academic standards but also in being responsive to the needs of the Bedan community and to society as a whole.

The Rector-President emphasized how technology in this modern age has become so ingrained that schools need to evolve constantly to meet this standard and stay relevant. He gave examples of the efforts that SBCA, as an educational institution, has made to come into terms with the advancement of society, such as integrating modern technologies and employing new teaching methods.

“Together, we will build a future that is not only academically outstanding but also, perhaps even more importantly, deeply rooted in faith and service,” he concluded.

Then, Prof. Carl Michael Dela Cruz, RGC, Dean of Student Affairs, introduced the school administrators, both continuing and newly appointed, for this academic year

Afterwards, Engr. Dexter Joel I. Umil, Prefect of Discipline, discussed student discipline and character formation. He delved into discipline as a whole, but first gave a disclaimer to the students that all policies he would discuss were in the 2014 student handbook, simply stating that he would “strictly implement” them in the school year. 

He presented the various offenses, how each violation is distinguished, and the severity of the punishment related to the said offense. 

Dr. Precy G. Baluarte, Prefect of Activities, briefly touched upon the guidelines and function of her office, differentiating the student organizations within the tertiary schools and the processes required to complete before proceeding with an event.

She stated that college is their “final training ground,” urging the students to join special interest and extra-curricular organizations, not only for the skills that will benefit them in their professional lives, but also the connections they will build.  

Following orientations for the Counseling and Career Development Services (CCDS),  Health Services, and Information and Communications Technology Services (ICTS), there were discussions regarding General Services, Security Protocols, and Traffic Scheme. 

Then, Dr. Rosario Mielmia C. Aquino, Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, expounded upon the academic affairs and policies concerning the tertiary schools. She reminds the students to “face reality” — an increase in the degree of difficulty as they progress in their college years is to be expected. She advises students to learn how to cope, as higher education has no free pass. “The world does not adjust to us, we adjust to the world,” she asserted.

Tertiary Schools’ first week of back-to-school classes began with welcoming orientations as a reception for both incoming freshmen and returning upperclassmen, held at the Multi-Purpose Hall last July 28 and at the St. Maur Auditorium last July 29, respectively. These orientations served as a primer for the newcomers and a refresher for the returning students, answering any queries or concerns of the student body. 

Beginning the orientation was an opening message from Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, Director of Tertiary and Graduate Education. He mentioned how respect for all individuals, regardless of social status and rank, is given importance in SBCA, evident in how people greet and interact with one another. 

He reminded the students to be in tune with the Bedan Culture, rooted in discipline, concern for others, and integrity.  “These are not just ideals that we say, but rather principles that we live by,” he added.

Following his opening message was an introduction to the campus by Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, SBCA Rector-President. He shared that SBCA’s vision for excellence lies not just in academic standards but also in being responsive to the needs of the Bedan community and to society as a whole

The Rector-President emphasized how technology in this modern age has become so ingrained that schools need to evolve constantly to meet this standard and stay relevant. He gave examples of the efforts that SBCA, as an educational institution, has made to come into terms with the advancement of society, such as integrating modern technologies and employing new teaching methods.

“Together, we will build a future that is not only academically outstanding but also, perhaps even more importantly, deeply rooted in faith and service,” he concluded.

Then, Prof. Carl Michael Dela Cruz, RGC, Dean of Student Affairs, introduced the school administrators, both continuing and newly appointed, for this academic year. 

Afterwards, Engr. Dexter Joel I. Umil, Prefect of Discipline, discussed student discipline and character formation. He delved into discipline as a whole, but first gave a disclaimer to the students that all policies he would discuss were in the 2014 student handbook, simply stating that he would “strictly implement” them in the school year. 

He presented the various offenses, how each violation is distinguished, and the severity of the punishment related to the said offense. 

Dr. Precy G. Baluarte, Prefect of Activities, briefly touched upon the guidelines and function of her office, differentiating the student organizations within the tertiary schools and the processes required to complete before proceeding with an event.

She stated that college is their “final training ground,” urging the students to join special interest and extra-curricular organizations, not only for the skills that will benefit them in their professional lives, but also the connections they will build.  

Following orientations for the Counseling and Career Development Services (CCDS),  Health Services, and Information and Communications Technology Services (ICTS), there were discussions regarding General Services, Security Protocols, and Traffic Scheme. 

Then, Dr. Rosario Mielmia C. Aquino, Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, expounded upon the academic affairs and policies concerning the tertiary schools. She reminds the students to “face reality” — an increase in the degree of difficulty as they progress in their college years is to be expected. She advises students to learn how to cope, as higher education has no free pass. “The world does not adjust to us, we adjust to the world,” she asserted.

Photographed By Luis Gabriel R. Santiago

The second portion of the freshmen orientation concluded with the first-ever freshies welcoming walk, wherein different organizations welcomed the new faces into the Bedan community, which was then followed by their respective departmental and co-curricular orientations.

In an interview with THE BEDAN HERALD, Bea Talayaratne (III-BAIS), Student Executive Council President, expressed that the goals for the event include making the freshmen’s first day on campus memorable. 

Talayaratne wished that the freshmen had positive takeaways from the orientation week. “I hope that they see the beauty of our community and the values that we want each student to possess. I hope when they went home, they felt happy and welcomed on our campus and realized that they made the right choice in picking SBCA for their college journey!” she said.

THE Tertiary Schools’ first week of back-to-school classes began with welcoming orientations as a reception for both incoming freshmen and returning upperclassmen, held at the Multi-Purpose Hall last July 28 and at the St. Maur Auditorium last July 29, respectively. These orientations served as a primer for the newcomers and a refresher for the returning students, answering any queries or concerns of the student body. 

Beginning the orientation was an opening message from Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, Director of Tertiary and Graduate Education. He mentioned how respect for all individuals, regardless of social status and rank, is given importance in SBCA, evident in how people greet and interact with one another. 

He reminded the students to be in tune with the Bedan Culture, rooted in discipline, concern for others, and integrity.  “These are not just ideals that we say, but rather principles that we live by,” he added.

Following his opening message was an introduction to the campus by Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, SBCA Rector-President. He shared that SBCA’s vision for excellence lies not just in academic standards but also in being responsive to the needs of the Bedan community and to society as a whole.

The Rector-President emphasized how technology in this modern age has become so ingrained that schools need to evolve constantly to meet this standard and stay relevant. He gave examples of the efforts that SBCA, as an educational institution, has made to come into terms with the advancement of society, such as integrating modern technologies and employing new teaching methods.

“Together, we will build a future that is not only academically outstanding but also, perhaps even more importantly, deeply rooted in faith and service,” he concluded.

Then, Prof. Carl Michael Dela Cruz, RGC, Dean of Student Affairs, introduced the school administrators, both continuing and newly appointed, for this academic year. 

Afterwards, Engr. Dexter Joel I. Umil, Prefect of Discipline, discussed student discipline and character formation. He delved into discipline as a whole, but first gave a disclaimer to the students that all policies he would discuss were in the 2014 student handbook, simply stating that he would “strictly implement” them in the school year. 

He presented the various offenses, how each violation is distinguished, and the severity of the punishment related to the said offense. 

Dr. Precy G. Baluarte, Prefect of Activities, briefly touched upon the guidelines and function of her office, differentiating the student organizations within the tertiary schools and the processes required to complete before proceeding with an event.

She stated that college is their “final training ground,” urging the students to join special interest and extra-curricular organizations, not only for the skills that will benefit them in their professional lives, but also the connections they will build.  

Following orientations for the Counseling and Career Development Services (CCDS),  Health Services, and Information and Communications Technology Services (ICTS), there were discussions regarding General Services, Security Protocols, and Traffic Scheme. 

Then, Dr. Rosario Mielmia C. Aquino, Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, expounded upon the academic affairs and policies concerning the tertiary schools. She reminds the students to “face reality” — an increase in the degree of difficulty as they progress in their college years is to be expected. She advises students to learn how to cope, as higher education has no free pass. “The world does not adjust to us, we adjust to the world,” she asserted.

Volume 31 | Issue 2

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