AS I walk through the bustling corridors of Tagbilaran City College (TCC), I am struck by the palpable sense of energy, hope, and determination that fills the air. Here, within the walls of this growing institution under the Tagbilaran City government, lies a vibrant tapestry of dreams, ambitions, and stories waiting to unfold.
TCC, which has flourished since its inception in 2019, is a beacon of opportunity for students pursuing degrees in BS Tourism Management, BS Entrepreneurship, and BS Office Administration. When I first set foot on this campus, it consisted of just two-storey buildings. Today, four-storey structures stand tall, bustling with activity, a testament to the college’s rapid growth and its commitment to expanding educational horizons.
Technology has become an integral part of our teaching, bridging gaps and connecting minds. Through Microsoft Teams, we share learning resources, transforming our classrooms into hubs of innovation. It’s thrilling to see how these digital tools bring our lectures to life, allowing us to engage with students in new and meaningful ways. I am particularly excited about the screens in each classroom, which let me extend my laptop for PowerPoint presentations, making the learning experience more interactive and visually engaging.
The excitement on campus is contagious, especially on days like August 14th, when we celebrated the grand opening of the new academic year. The air was filled with anticipation and the vibrant chatter of students eager to begin their journey at TCC. Last Monday’s seminar on achieving success was a hit, inspiring many to envision a future full of possibilities. This series of seminars will continue, with the next one scheduled for August 30th, promising another dose of motivation and inspiration.
My students are mostly scholars, many of whom face significant financial challenges. They remind me of my younger self, a young dreamer from Bohol who journeyed to Iloilo to study at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas on a scholarship. I know firsthand the grit, perseverance, and courage it takes to chase one’s dreams, often against all odds. I share my story with them not just to inspire but to empathize, to let them know they are not alone in their struggles and that success is within reach with patience, diligence, and faith.
Although TCC is a government, non-sectarian institution, I believe in the power of starting each class with a prayer, embracing a non-denominational approach to acknowledge the diverse beliefs of our community. This simple act of reflection and gratitude fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose, reminding us of the larger mission we serve in educating the youth and preparing them for the challenges ahead.
Introducing myself to my students is more than a formality—it is an invitation to connect. I come with over two decades of experience teaching business subjects at Central Philippine University and Holy Name University, where I have also been deeply involved in research and community extension. My journey has taken me from authoring numerous academic papers and completing extensive research projects to organizing cultural programs for indigenous communities. I have had the honor of leading multiple research initiatives funded by grants, such as those from the Central Philippine University research program, focusing on topics ranging from innovativeness in teaching to industry linkages and the well-being of staff members. My work has also explored academia-industry collaboration and the rich artistic traditions of the Ilonggos and Boholanos, revealing the transformative power of education and culture in society.
In addition, I have been privileged to be a trainer and resource person in various workshops and seminars, empowering educators, students, and artists to harness their potential. These experiences have shaped my approach to teaching at TCC, where I aim to enrich the lives of my students and the broader community by sharing my knowledge and skills.
Writing, for me, is not just a passion but a means to contribute to academic discourse and cultural preservation. My studies on art and business management have been published in both local and international peer-reviewed journals, further underscoring the significance of academic research in advancing our understanding of these fields. I have also been fortunate to serve on the editorial boards of several international journals, where I have had the opportunity to guide and influence scholarly work globally.
At TCC, I see endless possibilities for using this craft to engage with the community, whether through training sessions on writing business plans or creating compelling sales letters and promotional materials. As I look out from the fourth floor of our campus, I see a city brimming with potential. Tagbilaran unfolds beneath me like a vivid tapestry, each thread representing a student’s dream, each stitch a step toward a brighter future. This vision is captured in my poem, “The Inheritance of Dreams,” where the dreams of today’s students become the reality of tomorrow’s Bohol:
THE INHERITANCE OF DREAMS
BY LUCELL LARAWAN
From the fourth floor,
I gaze down upon a city of dreams,
Tagbilaran unfolds like a vivid tapestry,
Calling its heirs to claim their birthright,
Where children laugh and play
Under the golden embrace of sun-soaked trees,
In the close-knit arms of a neighborhood.
Today, more than two thousand dreamers
Are enrolled in this school of hope,
Reaching out to catch stardust
In the eager clasp of youthful hands.
I want to whisper to them,
Their dreams have the power to transform Bohol,
To shape it into a vessel of answered prayers.
Here, children grow up to own the rooms
Where local and foreign guests find rest,
Beneath the azure sky,
Where the sea mirrors heaven,
As they bathe in waters, pure and clear,
Turning the dreams of a city
Into the living breath of its people.
At TCC, we are not just teaching; we are building a future. We are nurturing the leaders, innovators, and visionaries who will shape Bohol into a vessel of answered prayers. This is more than education—it is the inheritance of dreams.
