RSC's 90th Founding Day highlights RoSCCA Ground-Breaking Rites; P150T released as start-up fund
By Eddie G. Fetalvero

The dream is about to turn real!

January 22, 2004 marked the 90th year celebration of Romblon State College as a prime institution of learning in the archipelago. It opened with a parade around the town participated by the administration, faculty and staff from various campuses and the more than 3,000 students enrolled in the Main Campus.

Highlight of the opening ceremonies was the ground-breaking rites of Romblon Studies Center for Culture and the Arts (RoSCCA), a proposed project of the College approved and supported by RDL-CLEAR. Mr. Ismael F. Fabicon, one of the founding members of this US based tax-exempt NGO, on his speech in the Asi tongue challenged the audience to carefully handle the things of the past because these are tangible memories of cultural significance and pride of our local heritage.

"Ka mga nagtutulay nak hanrumanan it ato mga maguyang ay indi dapat nak ato pasipalahan it pagdamhak ag matilong pagbanrog…" Fabicon quoted a man dear to him. So unfathomable were the Asi terms Fabicon used in an elegant rhetoric it created giggles and laughter among the audience. In like manner, RSC President, Dr. Idella G. Formilleza responded with so much joy and excitement for the role RSC will play in the preservation of the local culture and the arts.

Amid the crowd at RSC Gymnasium, the agreement for grant eligibility was signed between RDL and RSC and the initial seed money of P150,000.00 was released. The lap top computer donated by a Jewish fellow was also turned over to the Dean of the Institute of Business and Accountancy.

Located west of the Main Gate sandwiched between the College Library and the Graduate Studies Building, the RoSCCA perspective was unveiled. The rites was officiated by Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon, Odiongan Baptist Church Inc. minister. Among the dignified guests and visitors who signed the commitment form and the blue-print and eventually took part in the ground-breaking ceremonies were: Mr. Ish Fabicon, Cong. Perpetuo B. Ylagan, Dr. Idella G. Formilleza, SP Andrew Fondevilla, SP Amading Martinez, the President of Northern University of the Philippines, Mayor Alice C. Fetalvero, Mayor Diday Famatiga, Heather Kilgour of Summer Institute of Linguistics, RSC Vice President for Business Affairs Prof. Eduardo F. Fadallan, Dr. Romeo F. Faeldan, Mr. Mario Fetalino, Board Secretary Mr. Nelson F. Fedelin, Mr. Tom T. Faminial, head of the RoSSCA Team and RSC Campus Directors.

Today RoSCCA is housed in a small building previously occupied by RSC Multi-Purpose Cooperative at the Institute of Business and Accountancy. The Center has started gathering artifacts that are of cultural significance among our people and identifying historical sites and landmarks within the province. The non-material culture of our forebears are also sought for preservation and display. The Center will remain in that building until the proposed Center is constructed.

EVERYTHING is set to accommodate our provincial treasures and artifacts. The table on the right serves
as a reception and information area for visitors. Entrance is on the far right.

BARE but not quite. Two artifacts are displayed upon entry. A wooden post recovered from the burned Church in Odiongan and a Christening Bowl that dates back to 18th Century. Notice the reception desk on the foreground.

A Touch of Spanish Influence. The Romblon Studies Center for Culture and the Arts as conceived by an
artist. With the selfless drive of every Romblomanon to help build this dream for the next generation,
a haven for our rich culture and artistic works will find a long way even beyond our repose.
Let us "sanrok" our commitment to preserve our cultural heritage.