0

            Northern Christian College’s Alumni Association together with NCC administration through its president, Dr. Caesar I. Agnir, initiated and brought the graduates back to their alma mater in a grand alumni homecoming on February 7, 2009 at NCC New Auditorium.

           The grand homecoming with the theme “Panagkikinnamayet: Silaw ti NCC Parangrangen,” aimed to strengthen the bond among alumni since 1945 to 2007. Further, it tried to foster camaraderie between the school and among its graduates, promote fellowship between and among the alumni and the school, and develop a feeling of pride in the accomplishments of their alma mater.

            The homecoming welcomed back the graduates to see for themselves how NCC has transformed in terms of physical structures, financial stability, academic performance and students’ achievements. NCC also wanted to know the successes of its graduates and their contributions to the communities they serve both locally and internationally. 

             The first activity was a worship service with Dr. Caesar I. Agnir as the speaker.  He focused his message on “The Global Financial Crisis: Coming Back Home to God”. He said that there two human failings: greed and hubris. Greed is the lust for money and other material wealth while hubris is the winning pride. He also mentioned that the collapse of Wall street in the U.S is the punishment of God to U.S.A’s false idolatry. Money, according to him, is the primary competitor of Jesus Christ in our lives, therefore, we must know how to handle our money because it has a great impact to our relationship with God.  

             Mr. Fidelino S. Andres, the president of NCC Alumni Association, welcomed the participants and expressed his gratitude to see a great number of alumni who made it to the homecoming.

             All the alumni participants were presented and distinguished alumni were recognized. Medallions of recognition were awarded to: the oldest participants (who graduated in 1945), an alumnus of the College of Teacher Education (CTE); the second oldest (Batch 1951), another alumna of CTE. Graduates from 1955-2008 were also recognized.

             The business meeting, presided over by Mr. Andres, elected new set of officers of each department. The elected officers of each department discussed a project which they planned to implement.

            During the lunch break, NCC Theater Guild entertained the visitors with a cultural presentation which were choreographed by Mssrs. Jefferson Pre, Ihmer Rivera, Esdras Arzadon and Ms. Princes Infante.

            When the business meeting was adjourned, the alumni participants toured around the Campus. They toured around the Science and Technology (ST) Building, Founder’s Hall (FH) and EZE Building, and saw how NCC has transformed. They were assisted by several faculty members and staff. The finale of the program was the Alumni Night and Presidential Dinner-Ball. It started with an invocation followed by another cultural presentation of NCC Theater Guild.

             Dr. Mary Lu Magno, chairperson, NCC Board of Trustees, and Dr. Caesar I. Agnir recognized and awarded the golden and silver jubilarians, followed by the response of a representative from the awardees. Other awards were also given out. The awards and the awardees include the: Early Bird Award-- Mrs. Visitacion Caridad, BSHE graduate of 1970; Oldest Alumnus--Felipe Bagasao, BSE graduate (the first BSE batch) in 1945; Oldest Alumna--Lourdes Julian, ETC (Elementary Teacher Certificate) 1951; The Biggest Group Award--College of Business Education; Coming from the farthest (from San Diego, California)—Ms. Erlinda Batuyong, BEED 1968; Loyalty Award (Alumna)--Ms. Katrina Quintos; Loyalty Award (Alumnus)—Mr. Alex T. Ildefonso; Topnother Board Exam—Mr. Christian Buduan, who placed third nationwide in the Social Work Licensure Examination.

             Dr. Virginia Duldulao, dean for Academic Affairs, introduced the speaker, Dr. Caesar I. Agnir.  Dr. Agnir’s message was on how NCC has grown. He said that, a school doesn’t need an educator to manage it, neither a Christian school need a priest to manage it. Schools like other businesses need an experienced businessperson to run it, and that was what he did to NCC. He runs NCC like a business. Moreover, with that kind of management, he was able to turn NCC the way it is now. The night was filled with dances and ended with the singing of NCC Hymn. The whole day affair was filled with memorable activities that fortified the good relationship between the institution and the alumni.           

            Mr. Benedicto C. de la Cruz of the College of Nursing, and Prof. Joyce Castillo of CASSW were the masters of ceremonies. # Edward Dufourt. Uploaded by Nelson S. Lacadin