Guided by this year’s Founding Anniversary theme, “Embracing Heritage, Building Connections, Sharing Dreams,” St. Bridget College Batangas marked a historic moment on February 4 with the solemn blessing of its newly established Heritage Center – one of the key highlights of its 113th year celebration.
Unlike a traditional single‑site ceremony, the blessing unfolded in a processional, stop‑and‑explore format. Sr. Ma. Ananita Borbon, RGS, PhD, College President, led the prayer and blessing in every section, assisted by Mrs. Maria Soccoro Lalap, Center for Formation and Praxis (CFP) Officer.
Dr. Imelda B. Vergara, Institutional Research Planning and Publication (IRPP) Officer, serving as museum guide, provided clear and engaging explanations of the artifacts and displays in each area.
Guests – including Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Sisters from various local communities, members of the Executive Committee, midlevel administrators, officers and members of the Institutional Faculty and Staff Association (IFSA), and alumni – were given time to explore each section before moving to the next, creating a rich, immersive journey through the ten curated spaces that together narrate SBC’s history and legacy.
The tour opened at the Grand Entrance, which introduced SBC’s founding story through the school seal, a timeline wall of major milestones, and the institution’s vision, mission, and core values.
This led to the TV/Projection Room, where a television features a 13-minute SBC historical video, with NEW SBC and Bridget Schools: One Heart, One Mission clips.
The room is also enriched with by images of patron saints, antique chairs, a vintage map of Batangas, RGS staff, and the original 1950s windows from the old RGS Baguio convent, all framing the school’s evolving identity and heritage.
The walkthrough continued to the Main Exhibit, showcasing photographs, accreditation documents, artworks, academic artifacts, student projects, old office equipment, typewriters, porcelain kitchenware, and travel chests used by early RGS Sisters.
Municipal council records referencing the establishment of a Catholic school were also prominently displayed.
Guests then moved to the section on Media and Publications, which featured old issues of The Beacon, Binhi, Sulyap, Lumière, and Sibul, alongside yearbooks, research journals, and graduation programs.
The Mock-Up Room followed, displaying historical uniforms, symbols, and the institution’s first dental chair.
The faith and cultural heritage gallery highlighted SBC’s spiritual foundations with the old RGS tabernacle, kneeler, religious icons, and preserved Stations of the Cross frames.
The tour likewise featured SBC’s musical legacy in the Music Room, which displayed old pianos, instruments, vinyl records, and photos celebrating RGS and student contributions to music and arts. This section also included a dedicated area honoring the Religious of the Good Shepherd, where portraits of Provincial Leaders and Superior Generals were prominently placed. Alongside these were framed photographs of SBC administrators – from the earliest leadership of the RGS Sisters to the present lay partners in mission – showcasing the steady line of stewardship that has guided the institution across generations.
The procession concluded at the Grand Exit, where trophies, medals, and photos of recent achievements were blessed, followed by a viewing of the mural of the Good Shepherd, RGS timeline in the Philippines, and handcrafted benches made from one of SBC’s historic trees.
The event emphasized not only the institution’s storied past but also its enduring mission of compassion, faith, culture, and educational excellence. The Heritage Center now stands as a living narrative of SBC’s identity – honoring its history while inspiring future generations of Bridgetines.
During the celebration’s opening program in the morning, Sr. Anya welcomed the community and emphasized the center’s purpose of preserving significant artifacts, documents, photographs, and memorabilia that reflect the school’s journey and mission. She noted that the Heritage Center embodies the anniversary theme by strengthening connections across generations and inspiring a renewed commitment to shared dreams for the future. The blessing of the Heritage Center followed in the afternoon.
The SBC Heritage Center will soon open to the public, offering students, alumni, and guests the opportunity to explore the institution’s storied past. To support the preservation of its collections and the continued development of its exhibits, a minimal donation will be collected from visitors. This contribution will help sustain the Center as it extends its educational and cultural services to the wider community.
The establishment of the SBC Heritage Center was made possible through the work of the Heritage Center Team headed by Mrs. Kristine P. Jabat, with Sr. Anya, serving as consultant throughout its development.
By: Mrs. Kristine P. Jabat, College Faculty