Philippines: SVD College Marks Feast of St. Arnold Janssen, Launches 80th Anniversary
The SVD-run Divine Word College of Calapan (DWCC) in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. marked a threefold celebration on January 15, bringing together faith, academic excellence, and institutional heritage as it commemorated the Feast of Saint Arnold Janssen, honored a national topnotcher, and formally launched its 80th founding anniversary.
The celebration opened with a solemn Eucharistic Mass at the DWCC Gymnasium, presided over by Fr. Thomas M. Priela, chancellor of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan. Concelebrating were SVD priests and a diocesan priest from Oriental Mindoro, together with DWCC administrators and novices from the vicariate.
In his homily, Fr. Priela underscored the importance of fidelity to mission, a guiding principle of DWCC since its founding in 1946. He noted that the college’s sustained commitment to quality education, community extension, and faith formation mirrors the missionary vision of Saint Arnold Janssen, founder of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).
“DWCC’s 80 years of service reflect the same missionary spirit lived by Saint Arnold Janssen—rooted in faith, expressed in service, and directed toward the transformation of communities,” Fr. Priela said.
Saint Arnold Janssen (1837–1909), canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003, founded the SVD and two other religious congregations. Recognized as a patron of missionaries, he tirelessly promoted evangelization through education, intercultural dialogue, and social engagement. His feast day, January 15, is observed by SVD institutions worldwide as a moment of renewal and recommitment to mission.
Honoring Academic Excellence
A highlight of the program was the recognition of DWCC alumna Ms. Kimberly H. Cabral, who placed Top 1 nationwide in the October 2025 national level Police Entrance Examination with an average score of 89.93 percent.
A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cabral received a plaque and token of appreciation during a ceremony led by to Fr. Renato A. Tampol, SVD, DWCC president; Br. Hubertus Gurus, SVD, vice president for academic affairs; Fr. Vicente D. Castro Jr., SVD, vice president for administration; and Dr. Christy Melo, SBHTM program chair, together with her parents.
In her message, Cabral expressed gratitude to DWCC, recalling her years as a student worker, assistant, and contributor to the DWCC Gazette. She shared that these formative experiences helped instill discipline, responsibility, and a strong sense of service.
Speaking to Radio Veritas Asia, Fr. Tampol said her achievement affirms DWCC’s mission of forming competent, principled, and socially responsible graduates who contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
Launch of DWCC@80
The celebration also marked the official launch of DWCC@80, signaling the start of the college’s octogintennial journey under the theme “DWCC Octogintennial: Mission-Infused Excellence.”
An opening audio-visual presentation traced key milestones in the institution’s history, highlighting its foundations, growth, and continuing mission as a Catholic educational institution in Mindoro. It also introduced the series of activities and programs prepared by various committees leading up to the anniversary.
DWCC announced that the main anniversary celebration will be held from April 10 to 18, 2026, with preparatory and selected activities beginning in March.
Founded in 1946, DWCC has been described by its leaders as a “beacon of light” in Mindoro, integrating science and faith while remaining faithful to the SVD charism of being “Witness to the Word.”
As DWCC enters its 80th year, administrators called on the Divinista community to embrace anew the missionary spirit of Saint Arnold Janssen—serving with compassion, pursuing knowledge with purpose, and advancing faith-driven excellence for the good of Church and society.
In an online interview with RVA, Wyndell S. Gaspan III, head of the DWCC Marketing and Media Affairs Office, remarked, “The celebration weaves together DWCC’s journey—honoring its roots in St. Arnold Janssen’s mission, affirming its present excellence through a national topnotcher, and boldly embracing the future as it moves forward into its 80th year.”
