Nasipit, SMCC, Angel Festival, Punta, Pictures: 2010

Saint Michael College of Caraga

History

In 1948, NASIPIT was still a part of the Parish of Buenavista, whose Parish Priest was the late Fr. Martin Westeindi, a Dutch MSC. As the town progressed, population also increased and business gained momentum with the start of the logging industry of the Nasipit Lumber Company (NALCO). Fr. Martin and his co-adjurer Fr. Atanacio de Castro saw the need of putting-up a secondary school. Fr. De Castro was made in charge of the school. In a matter of three years time, recognition was granted.

It started its operation on July 1, 1948 on a permit to operate. Fr. Francisco Van Dyke was the first Director. He was succeeded by Fr. Geraldo Blewanus, Fr. Enrique Van Ma-anen, Fr. Vicente Portillo, Fr. Mateo van Santvoord, and Fr. Anthony Krol was the last Dutch priest who Blewanus, Fr. Enrique Van Ma-anen, Fr. Vicente Portillo, Fr. Mateo van Santvoord, and Fr. Anthony Krol was the last Dutch priest who served as the School Director.

The school site is beside the rectory with an area of 1,630 sq.m. Fr. Gerard Cruisjen, one of the subsequent Directors converted the nipa-wooden structure into a concrete two-storey building with 16 classrooms.

When the Filipinization Law was implemented in 1975 a layman (now deceased) Mr. Gregorio Orias, became the first layman School Director until he retired in 1977. He was followed by Mr. Antonio L. Suarez, the first layman Director/Principal of the school. Faro Gatchalian followed until 1985 then Mrs. Necita Lim took the helm of the Directorship until 1991 while acting also as the Principal of St. James High School of Buenavista, an adjacent town of Nasipit . In 1991, Fr. Achilles Ayaton became the School Director until 1993. In 1994, Msgr. Cesar L. Gatela took over the School’s Directorship until 1999 when he succumbed to a cardiac arrest in Cebu City. In his term, he opened the Pre-School Department with Sister Minah B. Hijada as the Administrator and he bought 19 computers integrating the Computer Technology subject to all levels of the High School Department. In 1999, after the sudden death of Msgr. Gatela, Msgr. Juan de Dios Pueblos, the bishop of Butuan appointed Msgr. Bienvenido A. Betaizar as the School Director who was later on promoted as School President until at present.

The present administration has insisted in improving the school not only on the repairs of the building but on its instructional standards, facilities, laboratories, an services. June 2000, Msgr. Betaizar opened the Grade School Department with Mrs. Minda R. Cocon as the first Principal offering Grades I-IV and the College Department with Technical Courses Offering with Mr. Antonio L. Suarez as the first College Dean who was later on promoted as the College Administrator until he died on February 2002 due to cardiac arrest. Mr. Dennis P. Mausisa was appointed as College Administrator at the same time the Head of the Planning and Development Center.

February 16 of the same year, the name Saint Michael’s Institute was replaced with Saint Michael College of Caraga, the name was suggested by Mrs. Vanica P. del Rosario during the 1st SMI General Assembly. The name was duly approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In June 2001, Baccalaureate Programs were opened with Bachelor of Elementary education specialization in English, bachelor of secondary Education major in Technology and Home Economics later on changed to English, Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in finance, and Bachelor of Arts in English Language.

In 2002, Mr. Mausisa, unveiled the SMCC’s Vision 2020 with flagship program “Magbayanihan Tayo”. SMCC’ Vision 2020, is a long range master plan of SMCC with seven key areas: Personnel, Instruction and Development, Community Involvement, and Research and Accreditation. This year also, within three years of operation the College Department was named a One of the Top Three Performing Schools in the Caraga for the Kabalikat Award 2002 of TESDA. Additional courses opened like 2 Year Computer-Based accounting technology, 2 Year Tourism Technology, and 2 Year Computer Technician. Speech subject was introduced in all departments complete with the state of the art speech facilities.

2003, additional computer units were bought applying the one is to one hands on training in computer to students. A one a kind in the region video projector was bought for wide screen showing and discussion applying the system of ETV multi-media instruction to students. Nursery classroom was air-conditioned.

2004, SRA was introduced. A silent reading activity for pupils and students. Diagnostic test for reading was implemented (CEM) and IQ test given to all students in all departments, Curriculum Re-engineering was made in all departments, Libraries (Elementary, High School, and College) were air conditioned. College Department became the provincial champion and regional finalist in Information Technology Skills Competition of TESDA.

2005, A four storey concrete building was inaugurated in June 2005. The elementary department was transferred from the Montinola building to the main campus where the new building is situated. The new building housed the offices, Pre-school, 6 high school classes, College Library, Mini Hotel, AVR and Faculty Room.

2006, SMCC College Department became the Over-all Champion in the 2006 Provincial and Citywide Skills Competition of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, held at Otis Mall, Butuan City.

At present, SMCC is containing its committed service to offer quality education to Nasipit Community and neighboring towns and cities.

Milestone

1947 – Fr. Martin Westeide, a Dutch MSC and Fr. Atanacio de Castro saw the need of putting-up a secondary school.

1948 – July 1, 1948 permit to operate was granted with Fr. Francisco Van Dyke as its First Director. Mr. Gregorio E. Orais was the principal, cashier, and librarian all together at the same time.

1949-1952 – Fr. Gerard Cruijen, one of the subsequent directors converted the nipa-wooden structure into a two-storey concrete building with 16 classrooms.

1961-1963 – School quadrangle was constructed through the effort of Fr. Cruijen who was re-appointed School Direction for the second term.

1975 – Filipinization Law was implemented and Mr. Gregorio Orais became the first layman school director until he retired in 1977.

1977 – Mr. Antonio L. Suarez became the first layman Director/Principal in concurrent position.

1978 – Mr. Faro Gatchalian became the Director/Principal until 1985.

1985 – Mrs. Necita Lim too at the helm of the administration and became the last layman director until she was replaced by Fr. Achilles Ayaton 1991.

1994 – Msgr. Cesar L. Gatela was installed as new director and parish priest. In here, he bought 19 computer units and offered computer classes in high school. Pre-school Department was opened with Sister Minah B. Hijada as the administrator.

1997 – Roofing of the quadrangle making it the SMI mini gymnasium through the efforts of the alumni, teachers, parents, and Msgr. Gatela.

1998 – Golden Julibee Celebration attended by prominent personalities. A week-long celebration worth remembering.

1999 – Due to the sudden death of Msgr. Gatela, Fr. Bienvenido A. Betaizar was appointed as the new School President at the same time parish priest.

2000 – Elementary and College Department opened with Grades I-IV and Technical Courses as starters. HRM Department won in the provincial, regional champion, and national finalist in restaurant services category of the TESDA Skills Competition.

2001 – February 16, 2001 was the launching of the new school name, from Saint Michael Institute to “Saint Michael College of Caraga”. Academic courses opened such as BEEd, BSEd, BSC, and AB English Language. The Planning Center unfolds the SMCC’s Vision 2020 with the “Magbayanihan Tayo” as the flagship program.

2002 – College Department was awarded as one of the Top Three Performing Schools in the Caraga for the Kabalikat Awards 2002 of TESDA. High School Department became the champion in MS Word and MS Excel Categories in RATSADA SA AMA, Butuan- Agusan del Norte wide competition and the College Department became third placer in the provincial wide information technology competition. The Planning Center introduces the Speech Subject in all departments complete with the state of the art facilities, one of its kind in the country.

2003 – College Department became the provincial champion and regional finalist in electronics technician application competition of TESDA. Nursery classroom was air-conditioned.

2004 – The Planning Center introduces the Scientific Research of America (SRA) – a silent reading activity. Diagnostic test for reading by the Center for Educational Measurement was introduced and IQ Test in all departments is being implemented. College Department became the provincial champion and regional finalist in Information Technology Skills Competition of TESDA. The High School Department regained its title as the Champion in the MS PowerPoint Category and 1st Runner Up in Ms Word Category in the Ratsada sa AMA I.T. Skills Competition.

2006 - College Department became the Over-all Champion in the Provincial and City-wide Skills Competition of TESDA.