320-member Audience Graces ICCM 11th Graduation Ceremony; Shifts to Higher Gear for the Next Ten Years

17 March 2012, ICCM Campus, Antipolo City - Over 300 guest-brethren and friends from all over Luzon converged today at the campus of the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM)to witness, among others, the conferral of Bachelor of Theology graduates among 16-member ICCM Class of 2012. This attendance is over and above the 120-member ICCM family, and is considered one of the most attended ever. As usual, this year's graduation ceremony is simple as if just another Christian fellowship a la Praise and Worship program.

The major partakers in the Ceremony were College president Prof. Arthur M. Santiago (who did the welcome remarks, presentation of the graduates, and the offertory challenge), Carizza Arevalo (Scripture Reading and Prayer), Gina Reyes (Introduction of the Commencement Speaker), Prof. Ross Wissmann (Graduation Message, who elaborated the theme "Called Out" from Jeremiah 1:1-10), and Velinda Montallana and Jann Ryan Cordoves (who both delivered speeches on behalf of their Class). This reporter as ICCM-BOT chair made the conferral of degree among the graduates.

This class of graduates is the 11th since ICCM started its operation in 2001, but only the 4th since the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) accredited the College's granting of Bachelor of Theology degree, with majors in Christian Education, Ministry, Outreach and Worship (Music).

The graduation "fellowship" was capped through photo-op and lunch for everybody.

Meanwhile, ICCM has just renewed the lease contract of its campus for the next ten years. Thus, it will continue its operation for the next decade in this campus of the resort city of Antipolo. Buying the property has been an option, but funding is not ready as of yet. Campaign for Filipino funds among local donors is on-going as counterpart fund of foreign donors. More facilities are being upgraded to accommodate more students in the coming years.

ICCM is supported mainly through Kingdom's Ambassador - Philippines. The current college president is Arthur Santiago and the Academic Dean is Ross Wissmann. This reporter sit as chairman of the Board of Trustees. (JSF reports)