On July 14, 2022, the 1st Commencement Exercises of the Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community College - Garchitorena was momentously held at the Pamhi Multi-Purpose Covered Court, Pambuhan, Garchitorena.
A total of 80 students graduated with degree in Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education Major in Automotive, Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education Major in Computer Hardware Servicing, and Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness.
Paving the way for students without resources
In 2017, the GMVCC-Garchitorena was formally recognized and began its operation as one of the provincially-managed colleges of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, and the very first college built in town. GMVCC-Garchitorena, being located at a geographically-isolated and disadvantaged area, targets the youth with limited, if not without, access to free quality tertiary education.
“GMVCC- Garchitorena is my first choice of school because my family is here, I grew up in here, and everything is here! So why would I enroll to other school if there is already a community college here in our town? ”said Kristine Joy Aguilar, a 22-year-old graduate of GMVCC- Garchitorena.
Aguilar added, “Studying at GMVCC- Garchitorena was a huge benefit for us students, who don’t have the means and the chance to study in other colleges or universities. Today, we are very privileged to be the first batch of graduates and successful youth claiming our diplomas with the great aspiration of becoming professionals someday. GMVCC gives nothing but a genuine inspiration to all of us!”
Aguilar, who graduated with a degree in BTVTED Major in Computer Hardware Servicing, dreamed of becoming a teacher someday. “I really want to be a teacher. It’s my ultimate dream profession. But for now, I want to volunteer as an Instructor at GMVCC-Garchitorena to be able to give back all the sacrifices that the school has rendered.”
No need to travel far for good education
Since major colleges and universities in Camarines Sur are mostly located in Naga City, Pili, and Goa, students from Garchitorena will need to exert more time, efforts, and expenses for transportation if they will spend their tertiary education in schools located there. Thus, the establishment of GMVCC- Garchitorena was a big help to students in the area.
For a transferee like 28-year-old Gherson Escobal, enrolling to GMVCC-Garchitorena is one of the best decisions he made. Escobal first studied BS Civil Engineering at a private university in Naga City. However, financial constraints hindered him from continuing his studies. He transferred then to a university in Goa but a revision in the school curriculum pushed him to stop school.
“Because of the new curriculum, I was forced to take another course. Unfortunately, no course suits my interest. There was also a huge monetary need because my mother suffered a heart attack. I faced financial problems with my food allowance, apartment rent, projects and assignments, everything in between,” he shared.
Escobal went home to Barangay 4, Garchitorena to finally take a break and be with his family. Until one day, his aunt shared that there will be a college that will soon rise in their town. While savoring his time off, Escobal decided to work as a construction worker at the school being built which is the GMVCC.
From a temporary laborer, Escobal decided to pursue his studies this time, without having to travel away from his hometown. He enrolled at GMVCC-Garchitorena and finally graduated with a degree in BTVTED Major in Computer Hardware Servicing and also received awards for Academic and Service.
“I never imagined that the foundation I was building years ago will also become the foundation of my dreams. Little did I know that I would benefit from the school I had helped construct,” Escobal shared.
Learning knows no age and boundaries
Learning is a continuous and life-long process. It never stops. Staying true to this, the GMVCC- Garchitorena always adheres to the system of education that is inclusive and accessible to all. Regardless of age, social status, disability, and other factors, everyone is entitled to free quality tertiary education.
For 46-year-old Marializa Bien, mother to 23-year-old, Marc Charles Bien, graduating together from college is their proudest moment. They both earned a degree in BS Agribusiness.
It was on 2011 when Marializa started her piggery business. She used to attend different activities and seminars to widen her knowledge on piggery. She then decided to seek a scholarship, continue her studies, and take Agribusiness course along with her son.
“It took courage to pursue my studies. I realized that there is really no age in learning. It was a great satisfaction that I fulfilled the dreams I set for myself and, most especially, for my son. I was inspired to study along with my son because I know that he will be molded more when I’m with him,” shared Marializa.
As an only child, Charles is immensely proud of his mother who juggled her studies, her business, and, most importantly, her being a mom.
The mother-and-son graduates now plan to prepare for the Licensure Examination for Agriculturist on October 2022.
Meanwhile, for 27-year-old Sandra Bracero, who is a single parent, pursuing to finish her studies has never been plain sailing. She took time off school when she got pregnant, lost her hope of graduating from college. But GMVCC gave her positive outlooks in life.
“I really lost my interest in school. But, as a single parent, I wanted to support my kid by first finishing my studies and achieving my dreams, which will be made possible through the community college,” Bracero said.
She added, “The school made me realize that anybody who perseveres can reach his or her dreams. Thank you to Governor Luigi Villafuerte for showing kindness and generosity and for continuously supporting the youth by providing a college that offers free quality tertiary education.”
While Bracero initially wanted to be an Architect, she embraced her course of Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness at GMVCC-Garchitorena.
“Agriculture is a very important sector. We cannot survive without agriculture. After finishing college with a degree in BS AB, I now dream of becoming an Agriculturist. In fact, there is already a job offer for me at the farm of Bounty Fresh,” shared Bracero.
Free tertiary education to uplift the community
Susy Martirez, newly-designated College Administrator of GMVCC-Garchitorena, shared her amusement towards the graduates. “I really believe that there’s beauty in dreaming. I get a feeling of contentment seeing the first graduates of GMVCC-Garchitorena, helping turn them intoprofessionals, and creating more job opportunities through this institution.”
For the administration of GMVCC-Garchitorena, the journey towards excellence has first gone through many rough patches as they were greatly affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
Martirez shared, “There were lots of challenges and difficulties especially during the pandemic. First and foremost, because of the geographical location, students are hard to reach and the transportation is very expensive. What we did was to organize and create leaders in every barangay who are assigned to collect and release modules for the students.”
Apart from this, students also faced difficulty on internet connectivity, gadgets, and other requisites for online learning. However, students believed that every cloud has a silver lining. Their determination, passion, and dedication enabled them to conquer those hurdles positively.
GMVCC-Garchitorena started with just two programs, both with board courses, namely, BTVTED with two majors, particularly Automotive and Computer Hardware Servicing, and BS Agribusiness. Fortunately, just this year, the school started its third non-board program which is the BS Entrepreneurship.
As of writing, the GMVCC- Garchitorena has a growing population of over 500 students.
“I believed that a community will be economically developed if there are more educated people. I envision GMVCC-Garchitorena to create more opportunities for the locals. That they themselves will be the future employees of the community college. Creating professionals is one of the great impacts of the school,” Martirez said blissfully.
She added, “We are very thankful to the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, especially to the Villafuerte family, for bringing colleges to far-flung communities. This initiative speaks volumes on the immense support of the Provincial Government to further develop the community by providing free tertiary education to the people of Camarines Sur.”
