Adventist College Palawan celebrated its first founding anniversary and welcomed Dr. Bienvenido Mergal as its newly elected president on Sept. 5, marking a new chapter for the young Adventist institution while joining churches across the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) in the launch of OneVoice27.
SSD President Roger Caderma, Treasurer Jacinth Adap and other division and church leaders joined administrators, faculty, staff, students and guests for the celebration in Palawan, Philippines.
Held under the anniversary theme “Grace Beyond Challenges,” the gathering reflected on the college’s first year of operation and the experiences that have shaped its development. The celebration also provided an opportunity for the college community to look ahead as Mergal begins his leadership.
New Leadership for a Growing Institution
Mergal assumes the presidency as Adventist College Palawan enters its second year and continues developing its academic programs, campus community and institutional mission. He succeeds Pastor Eliezer Barrientos, the college’s founding president, who helped guide the institution through its transition from Palawan Adventist Academy and its establishment as a higher education institution.
Barrientos served as interim president during the college’s inauguration in August 2025. Church and institutional leaders welcomed Mergal and expressed their support as he takes responsibility for guiding the college through its next stage of growth.
‘Grace Beyond Challenges’
The college’s first anniversary theme, “Grace Beyond Challenges,” reflected on the institution’s journey through its inaugural year.
For administrators, employees and students, the anniversary provided an opportunity to recognize the progress made since the college’s establishment while acknowledging the challenges involved in developing a new educational institution.
Rather than viewing those challenges only as obstacles, the celebration focused on God’s sustaining grace throughout the college’s first year and the faith that continues to guide its future.
As the institution begins another year, leaders encouraged the college community to remain united in its educational and spiritual purpose while strengthening its service to students and communities in Palawan.
Palawan Joins OneVoice27 Launch
The celebration coincided with the Sept. 5 launch of OneVoice27, allowing Adventist College Palawan and church members in the area to join the wider Adventist Church in a coordinated emphasis on mission.
During the program, leaders and members participated in the OneVoice27 initiative, joining Adventists across SSD and other parts of the world in committing themselves to use their influence, relationships and digital platforms to share the hope found in Jesus.
The initiative encourages church members to recognize mission as a responsibility shared by the entire church and to use opportunities available to them — including social media and other digital platforms — to share personal experiences of faith and connect people with local Adventist communities.
For Caderma, the convergence of the college anniversary, leadership transition and OneVoice27 launch provided an opportunity to connect Adventist education with the church’s wider mission.
As Adventist College Palawan celebrates its first year and welcomes new leadership, we are reminded that every Adventist institution exists for mission,” Caderma said. “Our schools are not only places where students prepare for a profession; they are places where young people can encounter Jesus, discover their purpose and become part of His mission. Through OneVoice27, we want our students, faculty and church members here in Palawan to know that everyone has a voice, everyone has a story to share, and everyone can take part in introducing Jesus to others.”
The gathering reinforced the idea that Adventist campuses can serve not only as centers of academic learning but also as places where students and employees are equipped to participate actively in mission.
Beginning the Second Year With Mission
The three elements of the celebration — the college’s anniversary, Mergal’s installation and the OneVoice27 launch — placed the institution’s next chapter within a broader mission context.
As Adventist College Palawan enters its second year, the institution seeks to continue strengthening its academic programs while nurturing students who understand education as preparation for service.
For the college community, “Grace Beyond Challenges” therefore represented more than a reflection on its first year. It became an invitation to move forward with faith and purpose as the institution continues developing its role in Adventist education and mission in Palawan.
With new leadership in place and its first year completed, Adventist College Palawan now begins another chapter focused on growth, service and preparing students to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
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