Mabalacat City College celebrated batch 23-24 as the 13th Commencement Exercises with the theme "Vision to Action: Inspiring Sustainable Impact" was held on 29 August 2024 at Royce Hotel and Casino, Clark Pampanga. This year’s graduation coincided with the celebration of World Teacher’s Day making it more symbolic and significant.
MCC President Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong formally opened the ceremony as she welcomed the graduates, where she noted, “With the kind of determination these graduates have shown us, I have no doubt they’ll be successful anywhere, just as MCC envisions you to be from the day you started with us.” Dr. Aguilar-Ong emphasized that as a community college, MCC must provide services that will impact both the students and entire community.
Despite being unable to attend, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” E. De Vera III and Mabalacat City Mayor Hon. Crisostomo Garbo extended their greetings and felicitation through an AVP message. Both of them encouraged the graduates to move and serve their communities and the nation. Mabalacat City Vice Mayor Hon. Atty. Gerald Aquino also graced the graduation.
Graduates were joyous and sentimental as they earn the fruits of their hard work and sacrifices. "I feel fulfilled and challenged because it's the next step of my journey as a professional," Erika de Leon from IHTM said.
As Keynote Speaker, House of the Representatives Speaker of the house Hon. Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez, represented by 1st District Representative of Pampanga Hon. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, congratulated the graduates. He also encouraged them by saying “The diploma you will receive is a proof of this (sacrifices), when you get tired, rest for a while, do not quit.”
The proclamation of graduates came after, which was done by Dr. Aguilar-Ong. Followed by the distribution of awards & diplomas, Valedictory Address by Giselle O. Santos, Magna Cum Laude from the IAS, pledge of Loyalty to Alma Mater and Oath of Affiliation to MCC Alumni Association.
