CONSOLACION, Philippines — In compliance with a denominational mandate to unify institutional identities, the Central Visayan Conference has officially granted full denominational status to the Town Central Adventist Learning Center, Inc., and has formally renamed it Adventist Elementary School – Town Central Consolacion, Inc.
The transition, marked by a formal turnover and acceptance ceremony at the Consolacion Seventh-day Adventist Church on June 24, shifts the school from independent governance to official alignment with the global Seventh-day Adventist identity. According to the governing agreement, the institution will now operate strictly under the working policies of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), the East Central Philippine Union Conference, and the Central Visayan Conference (CVC) Education Department.
The ceremony, themed “Committed to reflect the mission of Adventist Education in nurturing students in faith, knowledge and service,” drew about 70 attendees. The audience included members of the board of trustees, school board officials, church members, benefactors, faculty, parents and local stakeholders.
The transition marks a milestone for the institution, which began in 2008 after Joven T. Arcelo, his wife Hazel, and their son Haven returned to the municipality from South Korea. Finding no local Adventist school, the family enrolled their son in a Catholic institution. The situation prompted Engr. Rudy I. Reuyan, head elder of the Consolacion church, to establish an educational alternative rooted in their faith.
The school opened in 2010 with 16 pupils. It currently employs eight teachers, including school head Mae Den C. Romanillos, and serves 140 students across seven grade levels. Over the years, facility expansions were funded largely by Dr. Janet Tanghal and the Horn family, and supported by the Central Visayan Conference.
The core of the event featured the signing of an agreement between the Central Visayan Conference and the learning center. Reuyan, acting as chairman of the board of trustees, executed the transfer of operations, which was formally accepted by Pastor Berdandino C. Maniego, CVC president; and Justice Ken C. Francisco, CVC treasurer.
Church leaders emphasized the evangelical framework of church-supported education during the program.
“Adventist education places Christ at the center of learning, builds Christlike character and trains pupils for Christ,” Maniego told the audience.
Pastor Isaias S. Guisando, education director for the conference, said the curriculum’s ultimate objective extends beyond standard academic or professional instruction.
“Adventist schools are evangelistic centers,” Guisando said. “Every classroom becomes a mission field, every teacher becomes a missionary, and every lesson becomes an opportunity to lead children to Jesus.”
School officials highlighted the school’s historical impact on the community, citing the case of local grandmother Marites Remulta. After spending two years visiting the campus as a guardian for her grandson, LHiam Xhander M. Cabanes, Remulta joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church through baptism in 2016. Her grandson was baptized four years later.
During the ceremony, administrators presented plaques of appreciation to past leaders who managed the school during its formative years. Honorees included Joy Del Rosario, Luciana S. Yncierto, Joven T. Arcelo, and the late Leah Manatad, who was represented by her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Manatad.
Local leaders and faculty expressed optimism about the institutional changes.
“The turnover ceremony is meaningful and important because both the local church and the leadership of the worldwide church have come into an agreement for full cooperation, adherence to established standards and to obtain harmonious actions,” Reuyan said.
Cherry Mae E. Lovero, a teacher at the school, said the event reflected institutional resilience. “It was far more than a formal ceremony; it was a testament to God’s faithfulness in sustaining His institution through every season,” Lovero said.
Diomedes Jurado, a parent of a student at the school, spoke in Cebuano to express gratitude to the outgoing school board and the incoming conference officials. Jurado noted that the event represents a continuation of the school’s mission to prepare youth for religious service and expressed hope that the new leadership would improve both academic quality and spiritual growth.
Following the operational transfer, school leadership announced plans to pursue accreditation from the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, colleges, and universities. The credential will formally align the Consolacion curriculum and facility operations with global denominational standards.
Lyn Lucero ⎸ East Central Philippine Union Conference Communications