The Premier Post

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | CCI Unveils Restored Zambal Museum to Preserve, Promote Provincial Identity

The Columban College, Inc. (CCI) community gathered to explore history and time as the newly restored Zambal Museum officially opened its doors, marked by a formal blessing from the new College President, Rev. Fr. Eric E. dela Cruz, held at the CCI grounds this Monday, June 1.

The opening was attended by CCI administration, faculty members, and non-teaching personnel, all of whom gathered to witness the museum's restoration and celebrate the province's cultural heritage.

With the new leadership of Fr. dela Cruz, the Zambal Museum, under the program of the Libraries and Instructional Media Center (LIMC), opens its doors to Columbanites to promote the province's identity through the years.

Under the Museum's Curator and Research Assistant, Mrs. Eva M. Montemayor-Cruz, the Zambal Museum was established in 1999 and overseen and supported by the Diocese of Iba, and was restored this year.

The Zambal-Cultural Museum was also recognized as a member of the Central Luzon Association of Museums (CLAM) in 2019.

In an interview, Mrs. Eva M. Montemayor-Cruz expressed joy over the museum's restoration, looking forward to the community visiting its Zambal history.

"There's no other college in Olongapo that has this vast collection. Not even the local government," she added, hoping that the museum greatly contributes to the identity of the province.

Aside from artifacts featuring Zambal culture and heritage, the museum also showcases pieces of CCI and its history.

The Zambal Museum will remain open to the CCI community starting this academic year at the institution's Main Campus.
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✏ Angustia Juelle Danao | Features and Literary Editor
📷 Kier Laguatan | Staff Photojournalist

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | New CCI Prexy Urges Open Dialogue in Leadership Transition

The Columban College Inc. (CCI) community opened the month of June in gratitude as it celebrated the Welcome Mass for the institution’s new College President, Rev. Fr. Eric E. dela Cruz, held Monday at Convery Hall.

The Mass was attended by the CCI Main Campus administrators, faculty, and non-teaching personnel, who gathered to formally greet Fr. dela Cruz as he begins his term of leadership effective June 1.

The homily centered on the themes of leadership, service, and stewardship within both the institution and the Church community.

"A good shepherd would care for them, reprimand them, and ensure that they become the best version of themselves," Fr. dela Cruz added, emphasizing the importance of service, faith, and open communication in leading both the school and the Church community.

In an interview, Fr. dela Cruz reflected on his assumption of office, describing it as a humbling and challenging responsibility.

"I cannot say na it’s surreal but rather I would say na parang it’s already very challenging, na unang-unang araw," he said, stressing that leadership must always remain anchored in stewardship.

Fr. dela Cruz also cited the danger of strict adherences in leadership, noting,
"Because there is that danger, constant danger na eventually we say this is ours, and we forget that we are Christ' and not our own.”

The President also emphasized his intention to foster open communication within the institution, underscoring the value of community and collaboration.

"Lakad ito ng pamilya, lakad ito ng isang community. And kapag nakita natin na lakad ito ng isang community, makikita niyo we walk stronger, kasi sama-sama tayong naglalakad, sama-sama tayong umaabot doon sa pangarap," he said.

Under the new term, his assumption of leadership is expected to help shape CCI over the next seven years.
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✏ Angustia Juelle Danao | Features and Literary Editor
📷 Kier Laguatan | Staff Photojournalist

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 | A Mission Anchored in Wisdom and Faith

In the light of dawn, tranquil parish chambers are filled with the faint whispers of prayers of parishioners. As Rev. Fr. Eric dela Cruz prepares his services, celebrating mass, addressing parishioners’ concerns, shepherding a faithful community, all the while balancing his duty to the educational institution. Guiding young minds to better futures, with people throwing him warm greetings this way and that as he passes by the school corridors.

For him, this path of faith has been clear from a very young age. While most children learned to read and write, a young Eric, no more than 3 years old, had tiny hands already learned to grasp rosary beads and recite prayers. Brought up by a Chinese mother and a Filipino father, he grew up in the disciplined walls of a Chinese school and was taught in the strict Catholic Faith.

His mornings began before the early light and would return home when dusk settled in. And throughout the years, his mother’s reminders linger within him; to never let go of the religion she taught him.

With years of strict discipline and rigid routines, life was quite difficult for him. However, as the rigid routines of his childhood quietly shaped him, he was prepared for a life that demanded endurance and devotion.

Hence, when the time for seminary life eventually came, his sacrifices no longer felt unfamiliar and had made life easier. Even then, his journey of faith had more awaiting for him. As he grew into a young man, Rev. Fr. dela Cruz asked his mother for permission to join a minor seminary, eager to walk the path of the priesthood. His mother hesitated, hoping he would first enjoy the experience of an ordinary high school life beyond the church walls.

But his call to the church persisted. Before entering college, he insisted on asking his mother once more, despite his mother’s hesitation and insistence on a normal college life. This time, he comes with a promise that he’d at least try seminary, and if the vocation does not work out, then he could always leave at any time. And with that, he never did.

As years pass before his presidency of CCI, Rev. Fr. dela Cruz now walks through the school grounds, spending his days as a deacon and an educator. Traversing between classrooms, visiting the school now and then from far-off church duties. He was simply another face attending campus ministries.

Inside his office, there are reminders that his work extends far beyond administration, a conversation about values, discipline, and services that often coincide with academics. And displays of faith he never let go.

During his earlier parish assignments, he opened opportunities every chance he could for those who were willing to learn back in his earlier days of parish assignment. Hiring individuals with little experience but strong determination. His hand even extends to the community that lies outside the school walls, facilitating help for the indigenous people. And actively lending a helping hand to those who truly need it. For all his observations, most people who are in the direst need tend to be the quietest of voices.

Students who once sat intently in classrooms eager to learn have since then grown into successful individuals with careers, achievements, and gratitude shaped by the lessons that have extended beyond textbooks. Many have even returned years later, bearing success stories, along with their own families they could now support on their own.

He recalls many of his former students greeting him years after their graduation, still carrying with them the values he once taught them during his time in campus ministry and formation in faith. In those warm moments, he understands that the true outcome of education is not in awards, titles, or status, but in the transformation of a life.

And it is within those instances that stay with him the most and fulfil him with accomplishment, not for the recognition, but for the memories of him that remain among the students.

Becoming one of the institution’s lead figures certainly was not a part of his thoughtfully built vocation. “If I were to talk to the young Eric,” he mused, “he never in his wildest dreams would have believed he would be where he is today.”

His later years, once spent as an ordinary seminarian, now walk through the present-day school grounds where students, teachers, and staff all stop to give him a welcoming greeting. Yet behind the title and authority is a person who still regards himself as an ordinary educator and a humble servant of the Church.

And the values he learned both from faith and Chinese education became a core part of his guidance: To him, fostering a Filipino-Chinese community meant that “you excel, you do what is right, and you do everything in transparency, accountability, and collaboration.” This passion is something that is integral to the work done by Rev. Fr. Dela Cruz, as he believes that anything done with a lack of passion becomes “half-cooked.”

For him, his mission was never about building a career, an insinuation of a fickle commitment; if such a thing were to end, what would become of a person? To him, it was always about answering a vocation to both the Church and the people. Transforming young minds leads to a change within society. Even with a strong faith, one needs an educated path to uplift themselves and their loved ones, as he has stated: “Your passion for education will make or break society”.

As the day ends, church pews empty and campus halls quiet down, Rev. Fr. dela Cruz remains at work addressing concerns, expanding school plans, and continuing his responsibilities that stretch far beyond the lively classrooms. And the parish lights dim once more in the tranquil evening, ready to be lit for another day.
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✏ Ma. Denise Aballe | Staff Writer
📸 Steven Kurt Florentino | Staff Photojournalist
💻 Angustia Juelle Danao | Features and Literary Editor