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ALL ABOUT NDMC

Study Guide to the Vision-Mission and Hymns,
History of Notre Dame of Midsayap College
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VISION
➜ We envision to bring the best of the
Notre Dame Spirit to Asia and the rest of
the World.
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MISSION
➜ As a Filipino academic community,
Notre Dame of Midsayap College
commits herself to empower each person
to lead a meaningful life and to make a
positive difference through quality,
relevant, and liberating education.
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NOTRE DAME, OUR MOTHER (HYMN)

Intro: Notre Dame, Our Mother we give our hearts to Thee

Notre Dame Our Mother, tender strong and true,

proudly in the heavens gleams thy gold and blue,
glory's mantle cloaks thee, golden is thy fame,
and our hearts forever praise thee, Notre Dame,
and our hearts forever love thee, Notre Dame.
NOTRE DAME MARCH (HYMN) 5

Hail hail to our Notre Dame

Open your heart and praise be
We stand today for our Notre Dame
Her name
Loyal and true will always remain
And as the clouds come rolling by
And as the years go passing by
We know that a smile can keep as high
We'll keep high our banner in the sky
 
 
We'll fight our best to win overall
We'll work for God and our Philippines
Trying to lead in big things and small
Proud of our flag and all that it means
Win or lose we'll hold your name
And always love the glorious name
With honor to Notre Dame
Of our country and Notre Dame
 Core Values 6

Inspired by the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod, Notre Dame of Midsayap College formulates core values that serve
as the faculty, staff and students’ guide towards quality education.
DARES
D – Driven by Faith
We strive to serve with dignity inspired by Mary as our model and St. Eugene de Mazenod as our guide, and to be
courageous to take on the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world.

A – Agility
We make sure to be flexible to take on the challenges and adapt to the changes of the 21 st century by anticipating change,
generating confidence, initiating actions, liberating thinking, and evaluating results.

R – Respect
We foster a high regard for the environment, diversity of religion and uniqueness of each person to promote the culture
of peace and dialogue.
 Core Values 7

Inspired by the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod, Notre Dame of Midsayap College formulates core values that serve
as the faculty, staff and students’ guide towards quality education.
DARES
E – Excellence
We strive to be molders of the holistic development of learners for them to be globally competent by conforming to the
highest standards of performance.

S – Service
We take pride in providing noteworthy assistance to others and the poor in their many faces by providing exceptional
service with passion and commitment.
 History of NDMC 8

When the Missionary Fathers came to Mindanao in 1939, they were confronted with
the predicament on how to reach out to the people to spread the word of God. After
much consideration, Fr. Gerard Mongeau, OMI and his Oblate brothers thought that
the best way to reach as many people as possible was through the establishment of
schools. They therefore decided to open the first high school in Midsayap because
the system of highways at that time made Midsayap the crossroads of the province.
The experiment was at the same time intended to test the reaction of the people to
the idea of a Catholic school.
 History of NDMC 9

Since the Philippines and Oblate congregation are both dedicated to

our Lady, it was natural that the school should be placed under Her
protection. It was Fr. Joseph Boyd, OMI who suggested the name
NOTRE DAME. Hence, in July 1941, the NOTRE DAME
ACADEMY in Midsayap opened its doors. It was the first link in the
long chain of the NOTRE DAME schools which today numbered 194
and from the Notre Dame Educational Association.
 History of NDMC 10

Fr. Edward Gordon, OMI was appointed the first Director and Mother
Ma. Isabel Purification, RVM was the first principal. The school
opened two first year and two second year sections in a four-room
building made of wood, sawali and bamboo. Fr. Gil Beaudoin, OMI,
Mrs. Rosario Medina and Mrs. Milagros Penson completed the
teaching staff. The outbreak of World War II on December 8, 1941 put
an end to this project.
 History of NDMC 11

The Oblate Fathers, being Americans, were placed in internment in

various places. Those in Santo Tomas talked about the Oblate
commitment to education. The opinion prevailed that the Oblate
should not expand into education, for it was felt that parochial work
was more important and fulfilled the purpose for which the Oblate
came to the Philippines. They agreed to re-open only the Notre Dame
Academy in Midsayap since it was already started. Later events
showed that the people of Cotabato thought otherwise.
 History of NDMC 12

Notre Dame Academy was reopened in 1946 with Father Robert Sullivan,
OMI as Director and Mother Belen Tolentino, RVM as the principal. There
were 302 first and second year high school students. In 1960, it was renamed
Notre Dame of Midsayap College and has the distinction of being the first
Notre Dame School in the Philippines. It continued to grow and succeeding
Notre Dame Schools were established in the neighboring areas of Pikit,
Pigcawayan, Libungan, Edcor (Alamada) and extending throughout the
Philippine archipelago.
 History of NDMC 13

A big leap forward was taken on June 13, 1960 with the opening of the collegiate
department with Father Charles Prass, OMI, as the first Rector. On June 11, 1961,
the Elementary Training Department started operation as the laboratory school of the
college. Another milestone was the offering of Night High School on July 1, 1961 to
serve those who work during the day. This was the contribution of OMI Fathers
Thomas Lenert and Ernest Sylvester. In 1966-1967, the Notre Dame High School for
Girls was turned over to the RVM Sisters.