Marikina Polytechnic College celebrated its 79th Founding Anniversary on July 20, 2026, marking its journey from a small post-war high school to soon becoming the country’s National TVET University. The day-long celebration was jam-packed with institutional milestones. The college launched a student-run water refilling station, opened a gender-responsive childcare facility, signed community partnerships, and recognized the college’s long-serving teaching and non-teaching personnel in a culminating activity titled “2026 P.R.A.I.S.E. Honors’ Night”.

Following a solemn Thanksgiving Mass at the Academic Building Lobby, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ma. Arra Bava-Santos formally welcomed the MPC community to the celebration. She recalled how the school was born on July 18, 1947, as Marikina Junior High School out of a simple municipal resolution to educate post-war youth. The institution later evolved into the Marikina School of Arts and Trades in 1957, the Marikina Institute of Science and Technology in 1978, and finally achieved state college status on April 14, 2004, under Republic Act 9289.

Ribbon-Cutting and Inauguration of Facilities

The college held consecutive ribbon-cutting ceremonies to formally launch the MPC Pure Water Refilling Station, situated behind the Food Service Management Building, and the MPC-Aruga Child Minding Facility, housed in the Old Administration Building.

Developed through a comprehensive feasibility study, the MPC Pure Water Refilling Station will operate during weekdays, targeting an approximate market of 14,300 local consumers. Meanwhile, the MPC-Aruga (Accessible Resource Unit for Growth and Advancement), a project led by the Gender and Development Office, provides a secure, campus-based care space for children aged five and below belonging to MPC employees, and offers as an intervention to absorb displaced young pupils from the Barangay Tañong Day Care Center.

Memorandum of Agreement Signing with Community Partners

The celebration moved to the Events Center on the fifth Floor of the Academic Building, where Executive Vice President Engineer Sheila I. Villanueva delivered the welcome remarks, followed by a strategic extension briefing from Extension Services Office Director Lester M. Abaratigue. These community partnerships were established to boost local livelihoods and technical skills.

MPC partnered with Barangay Calumpang Chairman Honorable Mario M. De Leon and TODA President Normita Canicula to launch the “START” (Small Engine Training for Automotive Repair and Tricycle Maintenance) program, aimed at reducing repair costs and stabilizing worker livelihoods.  The college teamed up with its own Alumni Association President, Dr. Christian Canlas, to establish the “TEACH” (Targeted Examination Assistance for Career Headway) board exam mentoring network for future educators. Additionally, the college reached across regions to help Oriental Mindoro Mayor Hon. Karen Ponce-Miranda develop a CHED-compliant master plan for the San Teodoro Heights Community College through “Project TEODORO”  

MPC also rolled out educational and vocational initiatives across local schools and neighborhoods. Malanday National High School adopted the “MATH-RISE” tutoring model to close learning gaps, while Barangay Fortune and the KAMAO (KAbabaihang MAabilidad at Organisado) started the “SINULID at BARO” dressmaking program. Barangay Tañong executed the “BUILD FOOD” food safety and preservation training, and Marikina High School formed “LIKHA ROBOTIKA” Arduino STEM clubs  alongside the “STITCH” (Shoe Training Innovation Technique and Crafting Help) shoemaking heritage program. The Rizal High School Alliance created the “S.A.F.E.R.” network in partnership with San Isidro, Mayamot, Silangan, and Montalban Heights to train canteen operators in safe food handling and DepEd nutritional guidelines, and BJMP-Marikina City Jail activated the landmark “Eskwelahang Bakal” rehabilitation program, deploying professors to teach full degree programs to Persons Deprived of Liberty. Through this project, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship or a Bachelor of Industrial Technology major in Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration.

Launching of the MPC History Book

The morning program also featured the formal cover unveiling of the very first MPC History Book, a project led by Dr. Maychilou L. Fabellar, Head of the Center for Marikina Valley Studies and Creative Works, alongside scholarly consultant, critic, and editor Dr. Jaime B. Veneracion. During the launch ceremony, MPC President Dr. Rene M. Colocar delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of historical perspective in shaping the college’s identity.

“Knowing the past makes it easier to understand the present and less difficult to visualize the future,” Dr. Colocar stated, highlighting three core pillars for the 79th anniversary: history (kasaysayan), excellence (kahusayan), and relevance (katuturan). “Wala pong naging matagumpay na organisasyon, institusyon, o indibidwal na hindi kinilala ang kanyang kasaysayan. This book is proof that we can achieve greatness.”

Hosted by Professor Maria Criselda R. Santos and Prof. Myla D. Saladaga, the morning program concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Joemel V. Bautista, Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF). Afterward, the participants gathered for a fellowship session in the Educational Technology Room.

P.R.A.I.S.E. Honors’ Night

Dressed elegantly in Barong and Filipiniana attire, the participants convened at the Academic Building to honor outstanding personnel, faculty, and administrators whose contributions have been vital to the college’s success stories. Dr. Glen R. Mangali, Vice President for Planning, Research, Extension, Linkages, Quality Assurance, Publications, and Alumni Relations, opened the event by thanking those whose daily, behind-the -scenes efforts to cultivate institutional excellence.

President Colocar, who marked his personal milestone of 20 years in public service, then spoke affectionately about the community’s evolution.

“Together, we will dream bigger and reach higher. As your president, and as someone who has dedicated two decades of public service in education, I can only say with all sincerity, MPC is not just a college; it is a family, it is a home. And though I may have arrived here only recently, I am so incredibly grateful to be celebrating this 79th anniversary and my 20th in public service with the people who make this home worth coming back to every single day. Let us continue to serve with inspiration and pursue excellence that endures,” Pres. Colocar said.

As a beautiful touch to the celebration, Mr. Adrian Bernard V. Rumbaoa serenaded the awardees during the formal processional. President Colocar, alongside the college’s vice presidents, presented plaques of recognition and tokens of appreciation to the following loyalty awardees: Dr. Rowena C. Mande (35 years), Dr. Wilma A. Balbarais and Dr. Rene M. Colocar (20 Years), Dr. Renylin M. Udaundo, Ms. Angelia C. Paras, Mr. William C. De La Rama Jr., Ms. Maria Angelina Rosario B. Ramos, Prof. Angelo B. Jabilles, Dr. Maricel R. Mojica, Prof. Marcela M. Bungag, Prof. Marlon C. Altiche, Prof. Arvie D.C. Tolentino, and Prof. Nelwin D. Lumacang (15 years), Ms. Ma. Fe A. Zamora, Ms. Nanette Bettina M. Oliveros, Mr. Niño Orlando S. Bendicio, Ms. Czarina Paola P. Dela Llarte, Ms. Kleo Jane A. Marco-Carlos, Mr. Mark Anthony F. Relox, Dr. Rechie R. Tadora, Prof. Joana Marie T. Llagas, Dr. Christian S. Canlas, Prof. Airene R. Gayanes, and Prof. Krestel Jones D. De Taza (10 years).

Special awards were presented to outstanding personnel, recognizing Dr. Maricel R. Mojica as Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the Technology Category, and Professor Jonathan P. Diokno as Outstanding Researcher of the Year. Professor Alfie Dilag was recognized as the Best Implementer of Design Thinking, while Engineer Francis F. Aranaz received the award for Best Implementer of Sustainable Development. For the non-teaching staff, Employee of the Year awards were given to Ms. Marilou F. Almocera for the permanent category and Mr. Rogelio C. Salamida, Jr. for the non-permanent category.

Dr. Alex O. Cervera, Professor Rizalina S. Lineses, Prof. Rolando P. Lineses, Prof. Sherwin P. Pamulo, and Prof. Michelle F. Ponce were recognized with Perfect Attendance Awards.

Human Resource Management Office Director and Graduate School Dean Engr. Sheila I. Villanueva, College of Instruction Dean Dr. Medardo B. Bombita, College of Engineering Dean Engr. Marie Luvett I. Goh, and College of Technology and Lifelong Learning Dean Dr. Rudy James D. Tabasa awarded the Best Dressed titles to Dr. Adrean O. Manalo and Dr. Rowena C. Mande for the teaching category, and Mr. Aldrin A. Boholano and Ms. Jessica Busa for the non-teaching category.

MPC kicked off its year-long countdown to its 80th anniversary by unveiling the upcoming celebration’s theme, calendar of activities, and a logo and song competition. President Colocar noted that the countdown bridges the college’s roots with its future as the country’s premier National TVET University. That ambitious path received a nod of approval from Atty. Marco Cicero F. Domingo, the Regional Director of CHED-NCR. Making his first-ever official visit to the campus, Atty. Domingo challenged the school to keep leading the way in technical training, research, and community service.

“The future belongs to those who are prepared, and MPC will continue to be a place where dreams are transformed into achievements,” Atty. Domingo stated. He also said that MPC was the final state college in the region on his itinerary list to visit,  expressing CHED’s eagerness to return for next year’s milestone celebration.

Providing the festive mood were the MPC Dance Troupe and the MPC Chorale, conducted by Mr. Lazaro Gallarpe. Dr. James Rey M. Aponte and Dr. Menere R. Nasiad served as the master of ceremonies.

By: Media Bureau