15/12/2025
NEWS | SMU celebrates 97th Founding Anniversary despite rainfall, nears centennial celebration
Despite the rainfall, Saint Mary’s University (SMU) marked another milestone towards the 2028 centennial celebration, celebrating its 97th Founding Anniversary on December 8.
In his homily, Most Rev. Jose Elmer Mangalinao, D.D. encouraged everyone to live out their faith through good character and acts of kindness and love to other people.
“How could we live up Mary's caring, guiding, and loving heart? By serving others with kindness and generosity. When you start and end the day by love, you start sharing the faith. You start living out the faith,” he said.
Due to weather conditions, the Junior High School, Senior High School, and first-year college students showcased their ground demonstration at the university oval while the elementary pupils’ performance was suspended.
In an interview with The MARIAN, Ronna Vidal, Physical Education instructor, praised the students for showing their best to perform the playground demonstration despite the weather.
“As the PATHFit teacher, something new and memorable for me was seeing how our students showed so much energy, unity, and dedication even under the unpredictable weather,” she said.
Meanwhile, Yhesia Abas, first-year Accountancy student, shared in a separate interview with The MARIAN that performing amid the rain was her most memorable moment.
“Pinaka-core memory ko [ito] kasi first time ko maranasan ‘to ay ‘yong sumayaw talaga nang umuulan. Kasi, last year, I think it was cancelled kasi sobrang lakas ng ulan pero this year tinuloy pa rin natin,” she said.
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Report by Mexinelei Magudang
Photos by Avril Rombaoa, Kate Balauag, Mikaela Robino and Maverick Ramos
