The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern Luzon celebrated another milestone in education with the inauguration of Manila Adventist College (MAC) – Mindoro, an extension campus of MAC in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines.

The institution was officially opened on September 5, 2025, becoming the first and only school in the province to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

The new campus brings Adventist higher education closer to communities in Mindoro, particularly for young people aspiring to enter the healthcare field.

The inauguration ceremony received strong support from both church and government leaders. Local government officials, representatives from district hospitals, and private institutions came to affirm their partnership and support.

Church leaders from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (SLPUM), the Mindoro Island Mission (MIM), and the Adventist Medical Center and College Manila (AMCM) Board also attended. Community members, prospective students, and faculty also witnessed the event.

Messages of Support

During the program, Roger Caderma, SSD president, emphasized that the school’s ultimate purpose is to serve God and the community. He pledged financial support on behalf of the division.

Mayor Walter Marquez of Sablayan, who is also a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, praised the establishment of the college as an answer to prayer, recalling how two hectares of land had been donated for the project. He pledged local government funding to match SSD’s contribution in 2026.

Governor Eduardo Gadiano, provincial governor of Occidental Mindoro, recounted how the site was secured for Sablayan rather than another location. He assured his full support for the project, including agreements for seven district hospitals to serve as clinical training centers for nursing students.

Land donor, Fraterno Mendoza, Jr., expressed gratitude for being able to contribute to a project of lasting value.

“Helping does not choose any color or belief,” he said, noting that the donation honored the legacy of his father. “Helping does not choose any color or belief.”

AMCM president Elias Apacible, Jr. shared future plans to expand the curriculum, possibly adding medical technology courses within two years and a hospital within five years. He welcomed the first group of 22 students, with 10 more completing enrollment, and emphasized that the college seeks to combine professional training with Christian values.

How It Began

The project began in 2022, when Gadiano met with AMCM leadership to explore establishing a campus in Mindoro. Shortly after, Mendoza donated land for the school. Following groundbreaking ceremonies in 2022 and 2023, construction began in February 2024 and was completed by August of the same year.

The facility now includes classrooms, science and skills laboratories, a library with more than 3,000 titles and digital resources, faculty and support offices, and a student canteen. After government evaluations and a final review in August 2025, the Commission on Higher Education granted recognition for MAC – Mindoro to offer its BSN program beginning Academic Year 2025–2026.

As the new campus begins operations, local and church leaders expressed hope that AMCM will provide quality education, strengthen healthcare services, and positively impact the community.

The original article was published on the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Misson Facebook page. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.