San Pedro College celebrates 60th founding anniversary

Before it became as one of the top performing schools in the Philippines, the San Pedro College had its humble beginnings in 1956 eight years after the first 5 Dominican Sisters of the Trinity from Quebec, Canada arrived and operated the first Catholic Hospital in Mindanao through the inspiration of Most Rev. Clovis Thibault, PME then Bishop of Davao.

The dawn of San Pedro Hospital paved the way to the opening of the School of Nursing of San Pedro Hospital (SNSPH) in year 1956 and from then on, it started offering various medical-related courses, liberal arts, and business.

This year marks the Diamond Jubilee or 60th Founding Anniversary of San Pedro College as an academic institution that pursues excellence, service, and commitment as its legacy. Just last October 1, 2016 on the feast day of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the SPC community and the alumni gathered in the opening program. A celebration of the Holy Eucharist was presided by the Archbishop of the Metropolitan Davao – Abp. Romulo Valles, DD together with Bishop George Rimando, DD and other diocesan and Dominican priests. Abp. Valles reminded the SPC community that through the celebration of the Eucharist and remembering the journey of the five pioneering Dominican Sisters, SPCians are reminded of their identity and mission. Abp. Valles also emphasized that the Lord who guided the pioneers of SPC is the same faithful God who is with it as time passes until today.

As part of the celebration, the teachers of the different departments, the non-teaching personnel, and selected students of San Pedro College showcased their skills and jubilations by performing various Philippine folk dances and coming together as community through a “pista sa nayon” themed lunch. Also, a Color Fun Run was also organized last October 2 wherein SPCians, alumni and non-SPCians joined the said run. Last October 3 and 5, 2016 a thanksgiving and Gala and Awards Night were held at the SMX convention center. Various partner industries and religious congregations were invited in the celebration of SPC’s success. Alumni of SPC who excelled in the different fields such as medicine, education, entrepreneurship, and in public service were given recognitions. The SPC emphasized its mission as provider of quality health and medical practitioners as it also had its medical mission last October 4 at Biao Guianga Elementary School in Tugbok, Davao City.

At present, San Pedro College continues to evolve as a higher education institution with high credibility and esteemed reputation not only by the exemplary performance of its graduates in licensure examinations, awards and recognitions from the government and other reputable organizations and agencies but also through accreditation of programs by peers in the academe and the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines.

(Courtesy: SPC’s Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Program 2016) (Jecy Opada and Kaye Patricia Alimbuyao)