The Baao Community College (BCC), one of the managed colleges of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur with a remarkable number of student-graduates, proudly celebrated its 23rd Commencement Exercises on July 3 to 4, 2025 at the Iriga Sports Center.
Over 1,300 graduates earned their degrees in Bachelor of Secondary Education with majors in English, Science, Filipino, Values Education, Social Studies, and Mathematics; Bachelor of Elementary Education; Bachelor of Science in Information Systems; Bachelor of Engineering Technology with majors in Automotive Technology and Electronics Technology; Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with majors in Automotive Technology and Electronics Technology; and Associate in Computer Technology.
Ryan Boncayao, a 25-year-old graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Values Education from Buluang, Bato, recalled how he started his journey before entering college.
“Na-delay po ako sa [college] dahil dumaan yung pandemic, nagkapatong-patong na yung problema, kaya nag-stop po ako ng isang taon. Para makapag-aral [ulit] ako, namasukan po ako bilang isang katulong— tagalaba, tagaluto, at nagtu-tutor para lang mairaos ko ang pag-aaral ko. Yung amo ko po, siya yung nag-push sa akin na mag-aral sa BCC kasi sabi niya libre [dito] at ngayon masasabi ko ring quality yung education dito. I am very proud na product po ako ng BCC!”
Boncayao also shared what he is most proud of at BCC. “Ang maipagmamalaki ko sa BCC is yung administration, yung mga instructors. Kung titingnan mo sa labas, ang BCC ay maliit. Pero yung instructors dito ay magagaling talaga, mahuhusay sa kani-kanilang field. Hindi lang sila nagi-impart ng mga valuable lessons, kundi nagi-impart rin sila ng mga realities ng buhay.”
Another graduate is 55-year-old Cynthia Botor from Buluang, Baao, who earned her degree in Bachelor of Elementary Education and has proven that age is just a number. As a single mother with 2 children, including one with special needs, her journey to achieving this milestone was an uphill battle.
“Grabeng sakripisyo po ang inagihan ko, dipisilon na maray na igwa po akong PWD na pig-aataman and sa malungkot na pangyayari, mayo na po siya,” she shared.
Despite facing immense challenges, including the loss of her daughter due to viral encephalitis, Botor’s determination and resilience, along with the support of BCC, helped her achieve her goal of finishing her study.
“Dakulang tabang po sakuya ang BCC bilang sarong ina na may mga aki na gustong matupad ang pangarap na makatapos ning pagklase. Because of BCC, this is it! Nangyari na. Sobra po akong naoogma na nangyari ngani itong haloy nang panahon na pangiturogan kong makatapos ning pagklase. Ang BCC palan ang dakulang paagi tanganing matupad ito.”
Botor also shared that she benefited from the educational assistance program of the Provincial Government, which proved to be of great help in covering her school expenses, like projects and allowances, and, more importantly, enabled her to provide for the medication and therapy of her PWD child while she was still with her.
BCC remains the community college in CamSur with the largest number of students, boasting over 8,000 students in the previous semester and having a workforce of more than 100 full-time and part-time staff. With the passage of House Bill 9314, converting BCC into Rinconada State College, it is expected to attract more students and create more opportunities for the community college. The said bill already passed its third and final reading in the Senate and is now awaiting transmission to the Office of the President for final approval.
“Sa conversion ng BCC naman po, for sure, napakaraming opportunity na maibibigay nito sa mga instructors lalong lalo na po sa mga estudyante. [Kaya], taos puso po ang pasasalamat ko sa Provincial Government of CamSur headed by Governor Lray, together with Congressman Luigi and Congressman Migz Villafuerte. Dahil po sa kanila, marami tayong natutulungan na mga mag-aaral, [pati na] mga magulang na gustong matupad ang pangarap po nila na makapagtapos ang kanilang mga anak sa pag-aral. Salamat po sa inyong liderato,” shared Maria Celina Naron, one of the faculties of BCC.
She added, “With the quality of education, makikita po natin na napakaraming produkto na ang BCC. Last LET exam pa lang, napakarami na ng nakapasa, meron din pong mga TESDA passers from BCC. Napakalaking tulong po na meron tayong ino-offer na community college in Rinconada kasi nabibigyan ng opportunity ang mga estudyante po natin na walang kakayahan na makapagbayad po ng kanilang tuition.”
As the graduation theme says, "Life Champions and Future-Ready Professionals of the 21st Century," the Provincial Government is confident that BCC has empowered the graduates to conquer the next chapter of their lives and become active members of the community.
