Vibrant @73: HCDC’s Fiesta & Founding Anniversary

The Holy Cross of Davao College, Inc. (HCDC) marked its 73rd Fiesta and Founding Anniversary with a series of vibrant celebrations, reaffirming its longstanding commitment to faith, academic excellence, and community service. The institution, which was founded in 1951, continues to be a beacon of education in the region, shaping thousands of young minds and fostering strong community bonds. This year features the theme “HCDC Trailblaze @73: A Pilgrimage of Hope on Integrity of Creation as a Synodal Church.”

Last September 14, 2024 during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at 9:00 am, the Pontifical Mass was held at the HCDC Gymnasium with Most. Rev. Romulo G. Valles D.D., Archbishop of Davao and Chairman of the Board of Trustees presiding. Concelebrating with the archbishop were the following: Rev. Fr. Louis Jasper Alfeche HCDC Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Calumpong HCDC Corporate Treasurer, Rev. Fr. Jose Junar dela Victoria Parish Priest of Sta. Ana Shrine and member of HCDC Board of Trustees, Rev. Fr. Soren Abellanosa, HCDC Alumnus and Parochial Vicar of St. John Paul II Los Amigos Parish and Rev. Fr. Amiel Arado, Parochial Vicar of Sta. Ana Shrine Parish. Students, teaching and non-teaching staff, and faculty members attended the Holy Mass with joy and thanksgiving.

Archbishop Valles shared in his homily the brief history and background on why we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He said that the relic was found by St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land about 326. The Chapel of St. Helena inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built by the Crusaders in her honor, and below it lies the Chapel of the Finding of the True Cross, in which the cross of Christ’s crucifixion was discovered.

Abp. Valles stated that Christ saved us, He loved us, made us precious to His eyes before we could love Him, before we are worthy to be loved. The archbishop also added that the institution will always have that confidence and joy because it has God’s love and, in every end, victory will be ours because it has already won in Christ. Thus, inspiring and reminding the students and the employees that they must not falter in carrying our own crosses because the Lord will always be journeying with them each and every day.

HCDC President Bro. Noelvic Deloria, SC expressed his gratitude towards the archbishop and to the concelebrating priests for their presence and for administering the Holy Mass. He also proudly shared to the archbishop that the HCDC family continues to grow as the institution currently has almost 11,000 students in the academic year 2024-2025. He also encouraged everyone to follow the Way of Jesus so that the HCDC family will become Peace seekers, Peacemakers, Peace builders, Peace weavers

and Peace-Blazers thus leaving and making a Peaceful Legacy.

After the Holy Mass, the Official Opening of the “Raising the Sails: De Navigatione Exhibit” was launched at the Main Entrance Lobby. Other activities such as the Fiesta sa Nayon and the Culminating Activity also followed thus completing the events for the weeklong Fiesta and Founding Anniversary of HCDC.

Arise, Hail Holy Cross! Happy fiesta!

(By Allyza Hope Tabigue, 1st Year BA-COMM JB Student)