Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges
Type | Private |
---|---|
Established | 1957-present |
Founders | Atty. Eugenio M. Millado Doña Aurora G. Millado |
Accreditation | PACUCOA |
Affiliation | Bahia Del Sur Football Academy |
President | Dr. Kristoffer Franz Mari R. Millado, M.A. |
Colors | |
Sporting affiliations | PRISAA |
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, also known by its acronym RMMC, is a private, non-profit, co-educational, and non-sectarian educational institution located in General Santos City and Koronadal City, Philippines.
The institution is governed and managed by the Millado Foundation, a private, family-led non-profit organization committed to the principles of public service, educational access, and community development.
History
Atty. Eugenio M. Millado and his wife, Doña Aurora Garcia-Millado, established the Mindanao Vocational School (MVS) in 1957. In 1960, it achieved government recognition and was granted college status. The institution was renamed Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (MMC).
The 1970s and 1980s marked a period of strategic expansion. MMC established satellite campuses in Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in the 1970s, which were later donated to local institutions—demonstrating a spirit of regional partnership. In the following decade, satellite campuses were opened in South Cotabato, solidifying the institution’s presence across the region.
After the death of Atty. Millado in 1978, leadership passed to his son, Hon. Florante G. Millado. Seeking to strengthen the institution’s identity and values, he obtained formal permission from Mrs. Luz Magsaysay, widow of President Magsaysay, to officially incorporate the President’s name into the college. Thus, MMC became Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC). Under Hon. Millado’s stewardship, RMMC further expanded its footprint by acquiring Southern Island Colleges (SIC) and the Bernabe Coliseum (the latter was later divested), enhancing both its academic portfolio and physical infrastructure.
Legacy and Leadership
Following the death of Hon. Millado in 1992, the leadership of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges was entrusted to his wife, Elda Regner-Millado, and their four children.
In 2008, RMMC established Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges - Marbel in Koronadal City.
Academics and Accreditation
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges a diverse array of academic programs that are accredited by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA).[1] The institution ensures educational quality and compliance through alignment with national regulatory standards set by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),[2][3] and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Student Life
Performing Arts
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges is renowned for its performing arts programs, which include several groups such as Teatro Ambahanon,[4] Indak, Sinig-laya Folkloric and Rondalla Dance Troupe,[5] Bughaw Folkloric Dance Troupe, Himig Chorale,[6] Lingen Chorale, Helobung Scholars. The institution is a regional partner of the Kaisa Sa Sining (KSS)[7] of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and a member of the Arts Education Network of the CCP.
Arts Festival
Pasigarbo is an annual arts festival hosted by Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, which serves as a platform for showcasing a wide array of artistic expressions through workshops, performances, and exhibitions. This festival is part of broader celebrations organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Athletics
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges is home to two athletic teams: the Bluefins and the Blue Phoenix. These teams compete in intercollegiate sports events through the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA).
Global and Institutional Partnerships
Academic Collaborations
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges has forged partnerships across multiple countries, including Indonesia,[8] Japan, the United Arab Emirates,[9] France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America.
Healthcare Collaborations
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges has developed strong partnerships with local and regional healthcare institutions, including St. Elizabeth Hospital (SEHI)[10] and Mindanao Medical Center (MMC), to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Educational Diplomacy
On 23 April 2025, Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Alfonso A. Ver,[11] paid an official visit to Rabdan Academy in Abu Dhabi as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key sectors. The visit focused on exploring academic partnerships in Safety, Security, Defence, Emergency Preparedness, and Crisis Management (SSDEC).
Ambassador Ver was received by H.E. Salem Saeed Al Saeedi, Vice President of Rabdan Academy, along with senior institutional officials. He was accompanied by a delegation of Philippine educators of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges and Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges - Marbel.
Community Engagement and Social Responsibility
Kalilangan Festival
The Kalilangan Festival is an annual event that marks the founding anniversary of General Santos City.
In 2015, RMMC played a central role in launching the 26th Kalilangan Festival, with the theme "Ano Ang K Mo?"[12] — a tagline designed to encourage reflection on the key values that have shaped the development and identity of General Santos. The letter "K" in the theme stands for Kapayapaan (peace), Kasaganaan (prosperity), and Kagandahan (beauty), values that resonate deeply with the city’s cultural ethos and aspirations.
Access to Quality Education
To improve access to education, RMMC has implemented a scholarship program in collaboration with Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Regional Director of the SOCCSKSARGEN Police Office (PRO-12). This initiative aims to support students from Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), helping underprivileged families pursue higher education.[13]
Inclusive Sports
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges was designated as the official host of the 7th Mindanao Peace Games (MPG) in 2025, underscoring its role as a regional hub for inclusive sports and social development in Mindanao. In line with its advocacy for gender equity in athletics, RMMC held a strategic dialogue with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Olivia Coo. The meeting focused on strengthening collaborative efforts to increase women’s participation in the MPG and to advance gender-inclusive athletic programs throughout the region.[14]
See also
- Education in the Philippines
- Higher Education in the Philippines
- List of Colleges and Universities in the Philippines
References
- ^ "PACUCOA Accredited Programs and Institutions". Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA).
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges". Commission on Higher Education (CHED), a government agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges - Marbel". Commission on Higher Education (CHED), a government agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges Teatro Ambahanon". The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Online Performing Arts Directory.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges Sinig-laya Folkloric and Rondalla Dance Troupe". The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Online Performing Arts Directory.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges Himig Chorale Performs at Philippine Embassy Flag-Raising Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur". Department of Foreign Affairs Philippines (DFA), Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, Charles C. Jose.
- ^ "Kaisa Sa Sining Regional Arts Centers". The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines.
- ^ "Indonesian Higher Education strengthens academic diplomacy in Southern Philippines through partnership with Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges and CHED Region XII". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemlu), Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City, Dr. Achmad Djatmiko, MA.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges signs MOUs with UAE-based academic and industry partners". Department of Foreign Affairs Philippines (DFA), Consulate General of Dubai and Northern Emirates, Paul Raymund Cortes.
- ^ "RMMCxSEHI Partnership". St. Elizabeth Hospital Inc. is a private and an ISO-accredited tertiary hospital located in General Santos City.
- ^ "Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Explores Bilateral Cooperation in Safety and Security with Rabdan Academy". Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, Alfonso A. Ver.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges highlights cultural heritage through participation in the 26th Kalilangan Festival". SunStar Davao Publishing, Inc. part of the SunStar news network in the Philippines.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges launches scholarship program with PRO-12 to support students from disadvantaged areas". Philippine News Agency (PNA) is a web-based newswire service of the Philippine government under the supervision of the News and Information Bureau (NIB) of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges named host of 7th Mindanao Peace Games to promote gender-inclusive athletics". Philippine Sports Commission, Olivia Coo.