SPC builds small caring communities

San Pedro College (SPC) was founded in 1956 by the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity from Quebec, Canada. It began as a school of nursing of the San Pedro Hospital, the first Catholic hospital in Mindanao, which the religious sisters have been operating since their arrival in 1948.

Today, SPC stands as one of the premier schools in Davao City offering a wide range of K to 12 and college courses. Yet, more than the academic excellence and quality it offers, the school through its San Pedro College Spirituality Center (SpiCe), is intensifying its program in building small caring communities.

A follower of St. Dominic and former student director, SpiCe in-charge for Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) Belindo Aguilar said that the office is trying to build school-based support groups to promote the 4 Pillars of Dominican Spirituality. “We see it as strategic approach to promote the Dominican community. If you build a community of faith, only then you can form people. It is a mandate that all shall undergo formation to the Dominican spirituality. It is part of who we are,” he added.

As one of the strongest student services inside the campus, SpiCe ensures that everyone in the school will be reminded to embrace the Life of Prayer, Community, Study, and Mission/Apostolate this year.

SpiCe consultant Sr. Bonifacia Tecson, OP shared, “Dominican is a community person, thus, we want to guide each worker, each student to become a good leader.”

A former school directress in the 1970s, Sr. Tecson envisions that students from Ulas and Main campuses go out and become good teachers, good barangay workers, good medical professionals, and good citizens of this country.

With the current administration’s war against drugs, SPC is working closely with the San Pedro Hospital and other government agencies concerned in drafting durable measures to rehabilitate or assist drug-dependent students. Drug Awareness Seminar in partnership with the Community Engagement Program is also being conducted periodically.

With the school’s motto: “Love Serves,” SPC will surely celebrate its 60th foundation anniversary this October grounding itself on mercy and compassion for others, guided by its patron — St. Dominic.

The senior high school has been opened last June while the college department will open on August 8, Feast of St. Dominic. Read SPC’s history and existing programs via http://www.spcdavao.edu.ph