The Administration
FR. NESTOR B. REMASOG, STL, PhD
Fr. Nestor B. Remasog was born in Upper Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, on February 26, 1975. He holds a master’s degree in Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s Theologate, which is Affiliated to Immaculate Conception College, La Salle Ozamis City. After his religious courses, he pursued his PhD program in Education, a Major in Educational Leadership and Management at St. Paul University in Manila, Philippines.
He finished his Licentiate in Moral Theology at the Accademia Alfonsiana Rome, Italy with a Magna Cum Laude award. He was ordained a priest on December 07, 2004 and is now a superintendent of Diocesan Schools, Diocese of Pagadian. Following his ordination, he serves as the private secretary of the Bishop of Pagadian Diocese and was a former rector at Holy Infant Seminary.
He served as a parish vicar of Sto. Niño Cathedral, Pagadian City and recently appointed as a New School President at Saint Columban College.
Dr. Mary Jane B. Omandam, RGC
Dr. Mary Jane B. Omandam, RGC, is frequently associated with commitment and dedication in her work. She completed her Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) with Values Education major in 1995 and her Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling in 2013, both from Saint Columban College, Pagadian City. She enrolled at Silliman University in 2016 to pursue her PhD. in Clinical Psychology, which she finished in 2019. Her drive for career progress was motivated by the desire to become more effective and relevant to her profession.
Dr. Omandam is actively involved in civic organizations and serves as the President of both Career Guidance Advocates in the Philippines, Zamboanga del Sur Chapter, and ZDS Family Welfare Program. She also serves as the treasurer of Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Zamboanga del Sur Chapter, and Chairperson of the Social Action group in the Saint Joseph the Worker Parish. She also actively promotes native tree planting and mental health activities.
During the National Schools Press Conference in Bicol, she received the award as one of the outstanding school paper advisers in the Philippines, demonstrating her continued excellence in the field of Journalism. Recently, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Columban College appointed her as the new vice president for administration, another career milestone in her life.
Dr. Mario F. Alayon
Saint Columban College welcomes Dr. Mario F. Alayon, the new Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Mario F. Alayon, the newly appointed Saint Columban College (SCC) Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). Considered a pillar of the institution since 1994, he delightedly offered his passion in serving the school. He had a remarkable and challenging journey from being a teacher to becoming a dean, a campus ministry officer, back to being a dean, then to a Vice President. His almost 3-year decade of service in SCC started as a teacher in algebra, trigonometry, geometry, physics, philosophy, and religious education for 3 years. Later on, he became the dean of student affairs for about 7 years. He was also a religious officer of the campus ministry for 6 years.
An astonishing life history shows Dr. Alayon’s success today. Looking back at being born into an unprivileged family in Santa Lucia, Pagadian City, he was blocked out of visualizing the courses that were considered appropriate for him. “When I was a child, I worked as a laborer, I used to earn money for personal income”, he shared, expressing the difficulty in life of being the 6th child among his 13 siblings. Nevertheless, it was never a handicap for him. He was also a working student and worked as a staff in city hall.
The Catholic institution, SCC, is one of the indices of Pagadian City and it does not only aim to gain income but also for the betterment of the community. Dr. Alayon committed his passion towards the fulfillment of the mission of the school for almost 3 decades of service in SCC. Academic excellence is his priority to complete his challenge as the current VPAA by meeting the demands of the society of producing quality graduates. “Excellence is not only mental, excellent in terms of behavior”, he stated.
“My message to the students is to be faithful. Be faithful with your studies. If you are here in SCC to study, study with faithfulness. Grades are only the consequences with your faith in doing your work as a student. If you are faithful, you are responsible even if no one is looking at you,” Dr. Alayon added.
– Dr. Alayon, Saint Columban College Vice President for Academic Affairs
Virginia A. Ruben, CPA
Virginia A. Ruben is currently the Vice President for Finance at Saint Columban College. She was formerly the Dean of the College of Business Education from 2018 to 2020, an Accounting Coordinator for 13 years, School Accountant, Instructor, Bookkeeper, and Office Clerk.
Mrs. Ruben is a Certified Public Accountant where she finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy and her Masters degree in Business Administration at Saint Columban College.
Sr. Agnes Y. Suarin, CB
Exemplary of having consistent spirituality, devotion, and commitment to Christianity, her story is full of devotion as she dedicates her life to serving and fulfilling the works of faith. Facing life with bravery and immense faith, Sr. Agnes entered the life of a sister immediately after she graduated with her bachelor’s degree from SCC in 1998. She later took her master’s in the same year she followed through with a consecrated life as a sister.
She was first assigned to a BEC in a cathedral in Davao. Later, she went back to Manila and was a voluntary part-time catechism instructor in a public school. Before she got her final vows, she joined a one-year international program in the congregation. The highlight of her Christian faith in action was her assignment in Dumalinao, where she assisted an NGO program in a Muslim community for three years while advocating adult literacy specialized for women in particular.
As one of the columns of the institution, her role is not limited to the spiritual development of the students but also to achieving excellence. “I want to build emphasis regarding the core values of the school,” she stated. She is convinced that edificing this by heart means more than just a school passage. Extending activities to build friendship, camaraderie, and spiritual unity, from recollection to enhanced module learning, helps to engrave the true essence of teaching spirituality to the students. Together with administrators, they desire a wide range of students to use their knowledge, both inside and outside academic matters, to the fullest extent while nurturing their spiritual selves.
Sr. Agnes emphasizes the establishment of our spiritual self by looking back at our life values and practices, as this paves the way for the future it holds. Understanding spirituality provides enlightenment for the visions of the future, giving everyone a sense of relief, as having spiritual learning allows us excellence in all aspects.
“In soulful thought to the students, what we’re living now affects our tomorrow. So, if you are not careful, if you go to the wrong path, what will your future be? Therefore, live the present, but think about your future.”
-Sr. Agnes Y. Suarin, CB, Saint Columban College Vice President for Spirituality
