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| (Image Source: The Beat Publication/Alona Myka Balbastro) |
It all started with a dream of a city to have its own school that can cater to poor but deserving students which was eventually realized in the city of Lipa in 1994. Thirty years later, what is known as the City for All Seasons' Gift of Free College Education to All remains committed to serve the economically underprivileged youth from different parts of the city and nearby towns across the province. On the celebration of its 30th Founding Anniversary, the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa (KLL) is poised to become a beacon of excellence and advocate of change in the continuing fulfillment of its vision, mission and goals towards the future.
With the theme "Embracing 30 Years of Excellence, Beacon of Knowledge - Advocate of Change", KLL kicked off its 30th year anniversary celebration last February 13, 2024 with students and even non-students enjoying different booths set up by the institution's departments surrounding the College of Communication Arts (CCA) grounds in its main campus in Brgy. Maraouy-Dagatan. CCA introduced a Karaoke Booth, a unique platform for students to showcase their singing talent inspired by the popular television show The Voice while the College of Teacher Education (CTE) establishes a Photo Booth that unleashes students' creativity and captures memorable moments with the inclusion of frames, props, and a thoughtfully designed booth. The College of Computer Studies (CCS), on the other hand, prepared a "Harana" booth where live music performances provided students a chance to relax and enjoy soothing tunes amidst the daily excitement. A selection of dishes including Mix Rice, Iced Coffee, Pastil, and refreshing Lemonade was offered in a Food Booth set up by the College of Business Administration (CBA). Lastly, the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) launched a Dedication Booth, offering students a charming way to express their affection to someone special at an affordable price rate, considering that it is held prior to Valentine's Day which happens to be the exact date of KLL's founding anniversary. Various games were organized for the students on the said day including Human Binggo where the Computer Professionals Union emerged as the winner, Longest Chain where the College of Teacher Education claiming victory and Dodgeball dominated and triumphed by the College of Computer Science.
The second and last day of the celebration, held inside the Lipa Academy of Sports, Culture and Arts (LASCA) Convention Hall, started with an Ash Wednesday mass followed by a morning program initiated by Councilor Ralph Umali and SK Federation President Angela Antonette Bautista who delivered encouraging messages to welcome Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa's 30th founding anniversary. Also gracing their presence and delivering their remarks for the celebration were Lipa City Mayor Eric B. Africa and Councilor Nilo Catipon, who was the main author of City Council (Sangguniang Panlungsod) Ordinance No. 04-94 leading to the establishment of what was formerly known as the Lipa City Public College and is considered the 'Father' of the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa. Different colleges participated in the said event, showcasing their talents and skills in dancing, and kept the audience engaged and entertained. The ceremony also featured exciting question and answer activities on blind dates and speed dating which were enjoyed by the participants while Miss Georgia added to the lively atmosphere, drawing cheers from the crowd with her undying chemistry that led to an unexpected match. The day followed with CTE's Jenybel Recio from College of Teacher Education (CTE), Bachelor of Secondary Education and CCA's Niel Canilao crowned as KLL Model Students.
Recio secured her position with her winning answer, emphasizing that leadership is her calling. She made clear that one of the traits of a good leader is the soul for leadership. "For me, the characteristic of a good student are: First, student who have integrity, commitment, and willing[ness] to excel and learn more about our lives. Aside from that, resilient -- the resiliency -- and efficient. And also, the soul of a leader because I do believe, it is my calling. Now, I can say, it is my definition of a good student. If you are willing to have a mindset of a leader, to touch each other's heartbeat, to lift other students, encourage them, and give them inspiration to pursue their dream," she said during the question and answer portion, answering the question, 'What are the characteristic of a good student?' On the other hand, Canilao gave three reasons why he deserves to be a model student, namely, his honesty, motivation, and dedication. His answer is simple and concise, which evidently appealed to the audience. "If I were to give three reasons why I deserve to be a model student: first, I am honest; second, I am motivated; and third, I am dedicated to my work. First, I am honest because honesty is the best policy; second, I am motivated because I know that motivation is a key power to success; and the third one or the last one, I am dedicated because I want to be successful in my life," he stated when he was asked to give three reasons why he is deserving to be a model student.
The evening portion of the celebration was also the opportunity for the teachers to showcase their talents in dancing, leaving the LASCA in awe and applause. Of course, the best performance among the faculty goes to the CTE, followed by CBA in second place and CCS in third. The evening portion also included a fireworks display and concluded with a all-night-long rave party where students enjoyed a great time with blinding lights and upbeat music playing until the midnight. The two-day celebration of KLL's 30th founding anniversary is not just a manifestation, but also a testament to the city's undaunting commitment to help fulfill the dreams and aspirations of its youth towards the future through free college education that will continue to promote the pursuit of excellence and the total development of its students as human beings with fear of God and love of country and fellowmen. This is the trubitastic journey of the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa.
(With words by James Andrei Dioneda, Shemiah Azrael del Mundo, and Michelle Angeline Villanueva of The Beat, the official student publication of the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa)
