A fresh start; Ignacian Marians’ return

Photo by Kelly Pamintuan, Jeyelor Fundales

Marking the first day of the School Year (S.Y.) 2026-2027, the Opening Ceremony occurred on June 8, at 7:25 A.M.

The day unfolded the way any regular day in St. Mary’s College of Baliuag Inc. (S.M.C.B.), beginning with a morning offering to God, followed by a gospel reading and a prayer for the beatification of Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo.

Upon the conclusion of the morning prayer came the entrance of colors, accompanied by the Baton Blazers, as well as the newly instated Drum and Lyre of S.M.C.B..

Subsequently, Ms. Ma. Gloria Bulan, the Student Government (S.G.) moderator, served as the host and officially started the program.

She called onto the stage the Integrated Basic Education (IBEd) Principal, Mr. Perfecto T. Austria to give his welcoming remarks.

Once his remarks were finished, Ms. Bulan called the two partylists running for the Student Government (S.G.), namely, the Young Optimist on Uplifting Responsibility (Y.O.U.R.) partylist and the Sidhaya partylist, to the stage, wherein they performed their respective dance performances.

After the performances of both parties, the alumni band, “This Generation Band”, performed “Liwanag sa Dilim,” “Same Ground,” and “Kanibalismo.”

Following this, Mr. Jhonny Lajom, Mr. Vic Gerome Dela Cruz, and Mr. Jig Boncillo performed a song number.

Afterwards, Mr. Lajom commenced his introduction of the Non-teaching Personnel Support Services, the Maintenance, TDEVS, and the Canteen Personnel, followed by a joint performance between the Baton Blazers and the Drum and Lyre upon its conclusion.

After the performance, Mr. Lajom introduced the S.M.C.B. teaching personnel, coordinators, administrators, and the Religious of the Virgin Mary (R.V.M.) sisters who are responsible for the school’s operations.

Upon the introduction’s end, the transferee students were called on to the campus grounds to conduct a ceremonial march, known as the “Sakay Ng Kanibalismo,”  which aims to help the transferee students to be familiarized with the S.M.C.B. community. 

These students were then given a commemorative token by the S.M.C.B. Family Council, under the leadership of Mrs. Nory Puno.

Once the march of transferees had ended, multiple consecutive performances and dance numbers were enacted by the Kinder and College students, Baton Blazers, Jollibee, newly hired teachers, and the Salindayog.

Wrapping up the first half of the program was a joint dance number between the Baton Blazers, Sidhaya and the Y.O.U.R. partylists, which was followed by a 30 minute recess upon its conclusion.

As the recess period ended, the magic show began for the Kindergarten to Grade 2 students.

Meanwhile, introductions for the clubs were held for the Grades 3 to 12 students, with each club moderator giving a clear statement regarding the club’s purpose, often accompanied by a memorable one-liner.

Upon the completion of each club moderator’s introduction, the club launching was officially commenced, with students eagerly signing up for their chosen clubs. Throughout the activity, the “This Generation Band” and the “Has-band” provided ambience to the community through their song performance.

Once all students had signed up for a club, the program gradually came to a close, which ended at 12 noon, followed by the subsequent announcement of the lunch break.

Following lunch, the students of S.M.C.B. returned to their classrooms, in order to further know their advisers and classmates, with whom they will spend their school year with.