Mabalacat City College (MCC) President Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong celebrated the 334th Bastille Day on 14 July 2024 at Fairmont Makati. The event was attended by representatives from the Embassy of France to the Philippines, including Attaché for Cooperation Sylvain Lamourette and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel.
Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, which symbolized the end of absolute monarchy and the birth of the sovereign nation. It is a national holiday that honors the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity that emerged from the revolution and shaped the modern French Republic. Ambassador Fontanel also highlighted the similarities of these principles and values between France and the Philippines.
It can be remembered that the French Embassy, headed by Mr. Sylvain Lamourette, visited MCC on 17 January to discuss strategic collaboration in sustainability, diversity and inclusion, culture and arts, and hospitality and tourism. Additionally, Vice President for Global Opportunities and Workforce Development Raymond John D. Vergara attended the inauguration seminar last 14 May on developing student exchange programs with France alongside nine other colleges and universities from the country.
President Ong expressed her enthusiasm on future collaborations with France as it sponsors MCC’s participation in the upcoming Education Week in Toulouse, France this September. This underscores the college’s commitment to internationalization that will enhance educational opportunities and global connectivity for students.
