From the humble beginnings of Tagum Catholic High School in 1948 to Holy Cross College along Rizal St. where the wonders structures had been the seat of Christian foundation to hundreds of graduates, today, St. Mary’s majestically graces the national highway with concrete and modern edifice symbolizing the steady growth of knowledge, Christian leadership and service.On her golden year (1948-1998), SMC with her own satellite disk and IT Laboratory gets into the super information highway integrating information technology into the instructional program at the same time serving the community through the SMC Net (Information Center).
THE SMC SEAL“AM” stand for “Ave Maria” in praise of our Blessed Mother, patroness of the RVM Congregation.
The Rays signify the light and wisdom which emanate from the Virgin, the Mother of Christ ,light the of the World. The sampaguita beneath the book, being the national flower, is symbolic of the RVM being a Filipino Congregation. The stars represent our Lady’s Mary virtues.
At the center of the seal is an open book bearing the Latin Inscription “Initium Sapientiae Timor Domini” (the fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom). The SMC motto signifies filial fear, love and profound reverence for the Divine Source of wisdom, grace and life.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIFE OF MOTHER IGNACIA DEL ESPIRITU SANTO – RVM FOUNDRESSIgnacia del Espiritu Santo was born of a Chinese Father, Jusepe Iuco, who was from Amoy, China, and a Filipino Mother Maria Jeronima of Binondo, Manila. She was born when the Philippines was almost a century old as Spanish colony. It was an age when Christianity had hardly begun to take root in the hearts and lives of the people and when the social climate was characterized by racial prejudice and discrimination.
Ignacia was baptized on March 4, 1663 at the Church of the Holy Kings of Parian by the Dominican missionary, Fr. Alberto Collares. OP. It was customary among pious parents of the time to give their children devotional names at baptism, so “del Espiritu Santo” truly became real in her life, she was filled by the Holy Spirit. Every action and decision she did in her lifetime was a fruit of prayer and constant seeking of God’s will.
She was reared by loving and affluent parents. As a child, she could have everything she had wanted especially education, but women during her time were not given equal opportunity as persons to improve their social standing. But this did not hinder her from obtaining an education which gave her lifetime learning. Her home became her school and her parents were her teachers. She was taught by them through examples. She had her share of work both in their house and in their business. There was no idle moment for her. She imbibed her father’s hardwork, humility, patience and endurance along with her mother’s strong faith in God, courage and simplicity. Ignacia grew up as a young lady imbued by the values of her parents. Her love of God was nurtured through prayers, receiving the sacraments and devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Saints.
She was living a comfortable life and when she reached the age of twenty one, her parents wanted her to marry a good young man of their choice. At this stage of her life, she prayed to God invoking the Holy Spirit to guide her to the path she should tread. Her decision was not done in haste. In prayer and solitude she went on a retreat with the guidance of Father Paul Klein, a Jesuit priest. From these she resolved to live by the sweat of her face, despite the fact that she still had parents who could support her. She courageously told her parents of her decision to live a life of service to the Lord. She broke the custom observed by the women of her time to get married and stay at home.
In 1684 she started to live a solitary life, which attracted other young women. This was the start of the foundation of a group of women, known as beatas.
They lived an exemplary life of prayer and penance and devoted themselves to the service of God as a community of religious women. Mother Ignacia led the beatas to be involved in the education of children and women. They did not confine themselves to prayer; they were aware of what was happening outside. The social climate during time was characterized by racial prejudice and discrimination. Living under such a climate Mother Ignacia together with her beatas started to seek the Lord’s will in the situations confronting them, she dreamt of a generation that is free, living the truth, and not enslaved in their very own native land. This was also a radical move, because religious life then, was in many ways monastic, protected by convent walls and cloister grills. Mother Ignacia and her beatas did not conform their ways to what was expected of religious women at that time. Mother Ignacia listened to the spirit, who directed her every action.
While doing her work outside, Mother Ignacia and the beatas continued living a frugal life. They existed almost only on rice and a little salt, eating under the moonlight to save oil for their lamps. With deep humility and full trust in God’s loving Providence, coupled with their ingenuity and the resourcefulness of God’s poor, they survived the challenges of life. In all these difficulties Mother Ignacia exhorted her companions to bear with constancy and make penance to move God to have mercy on them. Complete trust in God made them bear everything; in joy and in sorrow they praised God.
Hardships did not diminish the love and courage of the beatas to go on serving God through their service of the people. Their community even became bigger, as more young women wished to live the exemplary life of prayer and penance. Mother Ignacia herself bore heavy cross on her shoulders. Sometimes she frustrated on the ground for others to step on her. She extended her arms in the form of a cross under the heat of the noonday sun. Her examples moved others to follow her. Every night they used the discipline slept very little and spent most of the night in prayer. But she advised them to be moderate in their discipline upon seeing that the rigors of their penance weakened them. Indeed, Mother Ignacia’s concern for them was felt and seen. She was also a model of humble servanthood. She relinquished to Mother Dominga del Rosario the leadership of the foundation, and she took her place among the ranks several years before she died.
Mother Ignacia died on September 10, 1748 at the age of eighty-five. At the time of her death she received the honor and recognition which was denied her during her lifetime.
Today, Mother Ignacia lives in the Spirit and heart of the RELIGIOUS OF THE VIRGIN MARY (RVM), a Religious Congregation of Women which started from her humble foundation. The sisters are actively participating in God’s mission of proclaiming the Good News through various apostolates: education, pastoral and social ministry, retreat movements, seminary and dormitory apostolates in the Philippines and foreign mission. Cardinal Pironio, on December 8, 1983 wrote the Superior General… “The present fourishing state of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary not only testifies to God’s blessings on your Institute are giving witness of a truly religious life, as well as fulfilling the service to the Church intended by Mother Ignacia.”
Now her life is a source of inspiration to all people who have shared and continue to share in her charism, the Religious of the Virgin Mary, and the people whose lives they touch. She is truly the light that illumines our way – the way which leads to God.
THE SMC SEAL“AM” stand for “Ave Maria” in praise of our Blessed Mother, patroness of the RVM Congregation.
The Rays signify the light and wisdom which emanate from the Virgin, the Mother of Christ ,light the of the World. The sampaguita beneath the book, being the national flower, is symbolic of the RVM being a Filipino Congregation. The stars represent our Lady’s Mary virtues.
At the center of the seal is an open book bearing the Latin Inscription “Initium Sapientiae Timor Domini” (the fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom). The SMC motto signifies filial fear, love and profound reverence for the Divine Source of wisdom, grace and life.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIFE OF MOTHER IGNACIA DEL ESPIRITU SANTO – RVM FOUNDRESSIgnacia del Espiritu Santo was born of a Chinese Father, Jusepe Iuco, who was from Amoy, China, and a Filipino Mother Maria Jeronima of Binondo, Manila. She was born when the Philippines was almost a century old as Spanish colony. It was an age when Christianity had hardly begun to take root in the hearts and lives of the people and when the social climate was characterized by racial prejudice and discrimination.
Ignacia was baptized on March 4, 1663 at the Church of the Holy Kings of Parian by the Dominican missionary, Fr. Alberto Collares. OP. It was customary among pious parents of the time to give their children devotional names at baptism, so “del Espiritu Santo” truly became real in her life, she was filled by the Holy Spirit. Every action and decision she did in her lifetime was a fruit of prayer and constant seeking of God’s will.
She was reared by loving and affluent parents. As a child, she could have everything she had wanted especially education, but women during her time were not given equal opportunity as persons to improve their social standing. But this did not hinder her from obtaining an education which gave her lifetime learning. Her home became her school and her parents were her teachers. She was taught by them through examples. She had her share of work both in their house and in their business. There was no idle moment for her. She imbibed her father’s hardwork, humility, patience and endurance along with her mother’s strong faith in God, courage and simplicity. Ignacia grew up as a young lady imbued by the values of her parents. Her love of God was nurtured through prayers, receiving the sacraments and devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Saints.
She was living a comfortable life and when she reached the age of twenty one, her parents wanted her to marry a good young man of their choice. At this stage of her life, she prayed to God invoking the Holy Spirit to guide her to the path she should tread. Her decision was not done in haste. In prayer and solitude she went on a retreat with the guidance of Father Paul Klein, a Jesuit priest. From these she resolved to live by the sweat of her face, despite the fact that she still had parents who could support her. She courageously told her parents of her decision to live a life of service to the Lord. She broke the custom observed by the women of her time to get married and stay at home.
In 1684 she started to live a solitary life, which attracted other young women. This was the start of the foundation of a group of women, known as beatas.
They lived an exemplary life of prayer and penance and devoted themselves to the service of God as a community of religious women. Mother Ignacia led the beatas to be involved in the education of children and women. They did not confine themselves to prayer; they were aware of what was happening outside. The social climate during time was characterized by racial prejudice and discrimination. Living under such a climate Mother Ignacia together with her beatas started to seek the Lord’s will in the situations confronting them, she dreamt of a generation that is free, living the truth, and not enslaved in their very own native land. This was also a radical move, because religious life then, was in many ways monastic, protected by convent walls and cloister grills. Mother Ignacia and her beatas did not conform their ways to what was expected of religious women at that time. Mother Ignacia listened to the spirit, who directed her every action.
While doing her work outside, Mother Ignacia and the beatas continued living a frugal life. They existed almost only on rice and a little salt, eating under the moonlight to save oil for their lamps. With deep humility and full trust in God’s loving Providence, coupled with their ingenuity and the resourcefulness of God’s poor, they survived the challenges of life. In all these difficulties Mother Ignacia exhorted her companions to bear with constancy and make penance to move God to have mercy on them. Complete trust in God made them bear everything; in joy and in sorrow they praised God.
Hardships did not diminish the love and courage of the beatas to go on serving God through their service of the people. Their community even became bigger, as more young women wished to live the exemplary life of prayer and penance. Mother Ignacia herself bore heavy cross on her shoulders. Sometimes she frustrated on the ground for others to step on her. She extended her arms in the form of a cross under the heat of the noonday sun. Her examples moved others to follow her. Every night they used the discipline slept very little and spent most of the night in prayer. But she advised them to be moderate in their discipline upon seeing that the rigors of their penance weakened them. Indeed, Mother Ignacia’s concern for them was felt and seen. She was also a model of humble servanthood. She relinquished to Mother Dominga del Rosario the leadership of the foundation, and she took her place among the ranks several years before she died.
Mother Ignacia died on September 10, 1748 at the age of eighty-five. At the time of her death she received the honor and recognition which was denied her during her lifetime.
Today, Mother Ignacia lives in the Spirit and heart of the RELIGIOUS OF THE VIRGIN MARY (RVM), a Religious Congregation of Women which started from her humble foundation. The sisters are actively participating in God’s mission of proclaiming the Good News through various apostolates: education, pastoral and social ministry, retreat movements, seminary and dormitory apostolates in the Philippines and foreign mission. Cardinal Pironio, on December 8, 1983 wrote the Superior General… “The present fourishing state of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary not only testifies to God’s blessings on your Institute are giving witness of a truly religious life, as well as fulfilling the service to the Church intended by Mother Ignacia.”
Now her life is a source of inspiration to all people who have shared and continue to share in her charism, the Religious of the Virgin Mary, and the people whose lives they touch. She is truly the light that illumines our way – the way which leads to God.
Mission Statement
In order for us to go nearer in our vision, we herby commit to live by the following values; Maka-diyos -pro-God Maka-buhay -pro-life Maka-tao -pro-people Maka-bayan -pro-country Maka-kalikasan -pro-environment Maka – Dukha -pro-Poor Alagad ng Pagbabago -catalyst for change Sariling pagsisikap -self-Reliant Maka-Teknolohiya -pro-Technology |
Vision
We envision ourselves as a community of integrated persons, witnessing to Christ in the spirit of Mary, as lived by Mother Ignacia, fully human and alive for others. |
SCHOOL FACILITIES
SMC New Building
Where you can find
Where you can find
- President's Office
- Registrar Office
- Cashier's Office
COLLEGE BUILDING
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
ELEMENTARY BUILDING
STUDENT SERVICES
- Guidance Service Center
The guidance Service Center is an indispensable center and is one of the important service agency of an Educational Institution. This is where the clientele will be given help and assistance whenever choices are to be made and where help is needed in making intelligent decisions, adjustments and in solving problems.
The guidance staffs are always available in giving assistance to the students in making intelligent choices and adjustments and for the effective utilization of the guidance services. - Library
The Library as a system of functions and services exist primarily to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff, administration and other related clientele for resources essential to the teaching-learning programs of the institution.
The school library occupies the second floor of the New College Library & Science building comfortably structured to lend much to the academic atmosphere necessary in a school library.
Over 15,000 volumes of both texts, references books and periodicals are available for use for every conceivable discipline of human endeavor including the new computer science books. - Registrar
The Registrar’s Office aims to provide students with assistance in their academic needs with regards to the implementation of the policies and guidelines of the Commission on Higher Education and that of St. Mary’s College. Use the management process of the Office for the effective delivery of service to the studentry and public. And assist parents by providing information on the academic standing of their children. - Cashier
The office of the cashier is located at the ground floor of the administrative building. The cashier collects and receives the students’ tuition fees and other fees. - Medical and Dental Clinic
As required by our educational system, this service unit caters to the medical and dental needs of the students. As a school clinic, it only dispenses medicines on primary less serious cases of medical attention. Physical and dental examination is periodically conducted to update the health status of the students. Health education program is provided through health information by posting health articles on the bulletin board. A doctor and dentist who serve on scheduled basis can be consulted, but more serious medical and dental cases have to be referred clinic or hospitals outside of the school. A full-time nurse is assigned to serve from morning until evening. - Canteen
The school canteen serves the mid-morning, mid-afternoon, lunch and evening needs of the students and faculty. Food and snacks needs are sold at reasonable prices. - Bookstore
The school bookstore provides for the school material needs of the students. It also serves books on purchase for use of the elementary, high school and college students. - Campus Ministry
The Campus Ministry creates the climate of religious celebration in the community that provides opportunities for liturgical, para-liturgical and devotional exercises. It is also responsible for the spiritual guidance, the fostering of religious vocations, encouraging spiritual reading, prayer and thoughtful reverence in the form of retreats and recollections.
The catechetical instruction which enlightens and strengthen the faith, nourishes life according to the spirit of Christ, leads to intelligent and active participation in the liturgical ministry and gives motivation for apostolic activity. - Laboratory
The College Laboratory constitutes one area of the student services, which enhances and develops skills of students. It is classified into: - Marian Voice Publication
The Collegiate Marian Voice is the official student publication of the college department. It brings up issues concerning the students and the entire Marian Community. The publication comes up with at least two (2) papers released every semester. - Athletics
The development of an integrated person is the objective of all educational institutions. As such SMC is aware of the existence of a high correlation between physical health and academic performance, a sound mind in a sound body. The athletics program of SMC aims to assist students to develop a healthy attitude towards environmental sanitation, acquire necessary competence and skills for sports competitions with the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, teamwork and cooperation and live a life free from health problems. Sports facilities and equipment are well provided. - Security Services
The security force is responsible for the campus security. The security guards maintain peace and order in the campus and protect the security, life and property of the school. To this end, the security guards help enforce the rules and regulations of the school particularly the proper use of ID and school uniform. They check the coming in and coming out of visitors. The security guards may apprehend students and other people who commit serious misconduct/misbehavior in the campus. - Print and Maintenance
The print and maintenance office takes charge of the reproduction of computerization, mimeographing and RISO duplicating of documents. The office serves as the booking center for the use of facilities duly verified and approved by the Finance Officer and the President. Repair of facilities and equipment is taken cared of by this office. - Mother Ignacia and Research Development Center Non-Formal Education Department
The Mother Ignacia Research and Development Center-Non-Formal Education Department (MIRDC-NFED) serves as the community service arm of St. Mary’s College. It has its functions: to link St. Mary’s College with a community at the village (barangay) level; to link SMC with the Business Resource Center; to integrate these two linkages with the academic curriculum of SMC to make the empirical education of students and faculty more relevant, responsive and effective to the institutional needs of the community.
The different Programs and Services are: Village Development Program, RVM-Technical Vocational Education, Business Resource Center, Munting Paaralan ni Madre Ignacia and Direct Intervention Program.