St. Anthony's College (SAC) of Sta. Ana, Cagayan, recently concluded a significant two-day Synodal Strategic Planning Workshop on June 25–26, 2025, to revise and strengthen its Philosophy, Vision, Mission-Goals, and Core Values (PVMGO). This essential undertaking, which involved the SAC administration and key stakeholders, lays the foundation for the college's direction over the next three years.
The Core of the Change: A New PVMGO
The revised PVMGO is a Christ-centered, Franciscan response to the current needs of the Church and society, moving beyond traditional academics to embrace a more holistic and transformative role:
Philosophy: SAC is firmly positioned as a Christ-centered journey of integral human formation, committed to nurturing individuals "towards the fullness of life in the service of God, others, and the whole of creation."
Vision: The college envisions itself as a Christ-centered Franciscan educational community focused on forming servant leaders who will drive positive social transformation globally.
Mission-Goals (The 'SACRED' Framework): The mission is now organized around six key areas, using the acronym SACRED, which reflects a clear focus on both spiritual and societal responsibilities:
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- Selfless Love (Focus on the poor, marginalized, climate change, and social displacement).
- Academic Excellence (Addressing learning gaps, teacher shortages, and integrating Christian formation).
- Communio (Promoting solidarity, advocating for policy reforms, and strengthening family engagement).
- Responsible Citizenship (Guided by the CEAP's JEEPGY framework, tackling corruption, fake news, and embedding service-learning).
- Ecological Stewardship (Mitigating environmental degradation and countering the "throwaway culture").
- Digital Literacy (Teaching ethical media use and upholding academic integrity in the age of AI)Core Values: The values—Living Faith, Unifying Interdependence, and Life-giving Service—underscore the practical application of their Christian and Franciscan identity in the community.
Charting the Roadmap: The Synodal Workshop
The workshop itself was a highly structured, collaborative, and discerning process, with the objective to review past achievements, listen to new challenges, and prayerfully discern the Spirit's call for SAC's future.
Day 1 focused on Recollecting our Graced History and Reflecting on the Signs of the Times, including developments in the Archdiocese, regional/national society (post-elections), and the Philippine educational landscape. A key session involved Rediscovering our Identity and Mission through a "Conversation in the Spirit" to identify issues and conduct a comprehensive SWOT analysis.
Day 2 was dedicated to Responding in Concrete Action. Participants spent the morning crafting a Strategic Roadmap for the next three years. The afternoon included a crucial review to align the new strategic plan with PAASCU recommendations, ensuring the college's development meets both its spiritual mission and its commitment to quality education.
The success of the workshop, presented by Ms. Mary Ann Cruz, signifies SAC's proactive commitment to not just educating students, but forming purpose-driven individuals ready to serve the global community. The revised PVMGO serves as a guiding light, ensuring that "in all things, God may be glorified!" 🙏
