Three years away from Centennial Celebrations
by Jacquiline Pagaduan Mendoza
This Foundation Anniversary year 2020 of Northern Luzon Adventist College which has the theme, “Enliven @ 97” is actually a three-lightyear away to centennial celebrations from 1923-2023. This current founding anniversary comes simply with no much bunting decorations seen on campus and minus the much-awaited and anticipated field demonstration-presentations yearly as brought about its absence this time by the cautious rampant spread in public of the so-called Corona virus respiratory disease.
However, the rest of the celebrations continue such as the Thanksgiving service that took place early this morning with Pastor Arnel Gabin, executive secretary of North Philippine Union Conference, serving as the guest speaker. In his message, he emphasized the significance of altruistic spirit for unfailing love and commitment thus letting true love rule the heart and mind and all things follow in unity and cooperation. Other parts of the Thanksgiving included the supposedly felicitation of former Sison Sangguniang Bayan member, Jose Opilas, NLA Class ’78, but he didn’t make it for a valid reason instead following immediately the flashback as delivered by Dr. Arnulfo Castillo, director for Student Services. There were also testimonies presented as represented from Alwyn Luaya in the elementary, Hezron Agdeppa in high school, Richard Sardual in college, and Ms. Marites Salvador from the faculty. The Thanksgiving ended with the giving of each one the liberal love offerings for dear NLAC.
Immediately after the Thanksgiving was a free breakfast served at the college cafeteria as sponsored by NLA Class ’88 where one college faculty member, Ms. Clarence Martinez-Esteves, belongs. Parlor games in form of the “Palarong Lahi” were played in the morning following ball games in the afternoon.
Upcoming events include a special midweek prayer meeting tonight as sponsored by the elementary department under the supervision of the principal, Mrs. Tinee Decano. Tomorrow morning, Thursday will be the administering of Interscholastic Test to incoming grade 7 in the high school. In the evening will be the P. E. (Physical Education) and the cheering squad Night as will be participated by each department in the college. Ballgames championship comes on Friday morning.
A special Friday vesper service comes in a musical offering with the theme, “How Great Thou Art” by the Music department of the church with Ms. Elvie Padua as coordinator of the program.
The culmination comes on the whole Sabbath day starting in the morning with a special Sabbath School presentation by the Masterguide trainees under Ms. Ervie Failma and Mr. Raenel Manangan following the divine worship with NLAC president, Pastor Nepthali Manez, as the speaker and the celebrations continue until afternoon for the Adventist Youth program. And lastly, on Saturday night will be the College Chorale gala concert for a cause geared towards the Boys’dormitory project.
This ongoing 97th Foundations Anniversary celebrations is under the chairmanship of Prof. Vicelyn Joy Par-Donato, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences in the college.
HAPPY FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY NLAC! All glories to the Almighty God.