“The Man Behind Metro-Manila College”
April 28, 2010
Novaliches Academy in the 50s
I am currently halfway through in the making of a biopic about “the man behind Metro-Manila College,” Dr. Mamerto S. Miranda, Ka Mentong as he was fondly called. He was the founder and first president of Novaliches Academy [NA] which later became the present Metro-Manila College [MMC]. Historically speaking, NA was the first high school, and MMC, the first college in Novaliches. They were thus, the first community high school/college of Novaliches in Quezon City. [To see 2011 photos of Metro-Manila College, click avp-shooting-can-be-fun; To go to MMC website, click index.html]
Shooting MMC 2011 AVP
Metro-Manila College_LMM Bldg_2010
The film was suppose to focus on Ka Mentong alone—as a pioneer in the field of education in Novaliches, as a man and soldier, and as a loving but disciplinary father. But with the death of his wife, Dr. Ligaya Medina Miranda, second vice-president of MMC, [my eldest sister actually], the film eventually has had the twist of becoming about “the man and women behind MMC. The women included not only my sister but their daughters as well. It has shaped and formed to become a film about the Mirandas of Novaliches, the thread being my sister as we have been fortunate enough to get her to relate about their story including their courtship days, how our strict father reacted when they eloped, their dream [a Metro Manila University] and wishes. Being in a way a part of the family, and knowing them all, it has inevitably a tinge of being kind of personal as well to me.
DVD Cover of their life in film with MSM & LMM during their 50th Wedding Anniversary
It was in 2005 when I started shooting for the film. I was commissioned to make two films for MMC but I only finished the short avp in time for the 60th celebration of the school two years ago. Since there was no pressure from the Miranda family for me to finish the film, and while waiting for four of their children to come and interview them while on vacation, I got busy with other film works. I finally managed to interview them all, except Junior whom I met after so many years during the wake of my sister in 2008. Unfortunately, he did not want to be interviewed.
My sister passed away without seeing their story in film. Anyhow, their children and grandchildren would I am sure cherish the days when they were around, and would definitely be immortalized for as long as the film I am doing for them would exist.
The structure is done, the sound bed more or less in place. I am left with a few more search and research for existing pictures, video, or documents if needs be. Timeline is from prewar days [1940s] to 2008 [my sister’s death] covering nearly 70 years of their lives.
By the way, “The Man Behind Metro Manila College” is the title of the book my sister wrote about Ka Mentong and their school.
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Incidentally, last week August 12 or four months after I posted the above, my nieces (Erlin, Nory, Even and Oying) finally decided that the film’s title would also be “The Man Behind Metro Manila College.” Good enough! My sister in the midst of the film brags about it, and how appreciative and grateful she was to her husband, Ka Mentong for encouraging her to pursue her studies towards doctoral level. I am to present the film on her birthday come August 27 with the final title in, as well as the complete acknowledgment end credits.
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I finally managed to show the final copy last September 30 coinciding with the birthday of Ka Mentong, not August 27, birthday of my sister. [ I am writing this note today Oct. 20, incidentally, birthday of Even who is now in Canada].
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For copies of MMC logos, click avp-shooting-can-be-fun
Advocacine's Blog 
i am a high school graduate of then novaliches academy in 1975. since then i have moved to other places. i would like to know if there is any forthcoming alumni homecoming. would appreciate your reply.
I have forwarded your concern to MMC authorities. Will ask about it when I meet them next week.
i graduated in 1972 in novaliches academy and iyay miranda was my classmate. my 4 sisters also graduated from NA. pls inform me of any alumni homecoming
Iyay is my niece. She lives in Chicago. I will tell her about you, and your alumni dept. as well so that they can inform you should there be any homecoming being organized by, and/or for your batch.
I am very very thankful to Ka Mentong for we also become a beneficiary of such a Spirit-inspired educational valuing. Through Ate Nory, the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament has been offered slot/s for scholarship of deserving students, through our recommendation; and to wit, we have such graduates like, Zandro Sto. Domingo, Elsa Falcatan, Jomar Gabito, to name a few. We are truly grateful to the family and perpetrators of Education in our land. KUDOS MMC!
I will relay your message to Nory…Am planning to visit them soon! Am sure they will be happy to hear your message.
where can we get a copy of these?MMC alumni homecoming this dec hope to hear from you soon….here’s our facebook page,,,,,,,,,,,http://www.facebook.com/groups/242094880417/
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From the Miranda family…Ask for permission from them as the film treatment was originally intended for the family members only. There is however, a short AVP about MMC which was made for MMC students and the general public as well, I think that would be easier for you to borrow.
I wonder why they don’t want to share this historical film to the public, especially the students. This will help them understand and value the harships people in the past had done in order to establish a selfless institution that aims to provide quality education to students regardless of their socioeconomic status. I graduated in this school in 2013 through their 100% free tuition fee scholarship and I am forever thankful.
The film is too personal… A family film you may say. It even included the funeral of my sister (Ligaya Miranda). However, just last month, for the launching of Gawad Metronian Educational Foundation Inc. (GMEFI), I made one focusing on the historical importance of the school, the role of its founders and the continuance of their legacy — through GMEFI—-in helping, especially indigent students and, hopefully soon, even persons with disabilities who are deserving. If you were one of the scholars then, maybe you can help us out in our effort to carry on with as you say, “providing quality education to students regardless of their socioeconomic status.” Pls.visit gawadmetronian.org to know more about the foundation and our current activities. You are most welcome to help us spread the word about GMEFI. Thank you!
Good day po, We are going to have our 40th Grand Reunion MMC High School Batch 1980 in the coming months of this year 2019.
Inquiry po sana as to where can I contact you like your email. The reason is if somehow you have old pictures of Novaliches Academy as well as the building in Bayan Proper dated 1970s up to 1980s may I have some copies too ?
Your reply is highly appreciated. TIA.
You contact MMC directly, Tel No.4180084 and 9391162. Yes! There are pictures of NA and the building at Bayan Proper. Ask the receptionist to connect you to the Librarian. I used some in my documentary about MMC. Tell the librarian that I referred you to her. My name is Mirana (yna) Medina. If not, ask directly the VP for Admin, Dr. Evelyne Dominguez. She will be able to help you.
@mamYna thanks po, now ko lng na open whewwsss. Tomorrow am gonna go there po. Salamat muli madam God bless
Ok! Ingat-covid!
Good Day Ma’am Yna. I am a 3rd year college student of Metro Manila College and a part of GMEFI Scholar for about 3 years. I would like to inform you Ma’am that we, in behalf of my research Leader and co-members we will be conducting a research for the partial requirement of our course entitled ” The Founding of Metro Manila College”.
In line with this Ma’am, we would like to ask a permission if you would allow us to interview you for the data gathering of our research. We would appreciate your response Ma’am. God bless and stay safe.
Hi! I’m sorry… just read your message today. For gathering information about the founding of MMC, the best resource person is Mrs. Naty Villano. She was the first principal of then Novaliches Academy which later became MMC. As she is still around, she would love to tell you stories about your college, then and now. I’ll tell Mrs. Dominguez about your concern. Hope it is not too late!
Hello Ma’am Yna, thank you so much for your response we appreciate it. Don’t worry Ma’am, it is not too late and im sorry for the late notice of your reply. Anyway, we would like to inform you Ma’am Yna that we are looking forward to interview you if you would allow us so for our data gathering. We are also planning to interview Ma’am Vaty Villano but the problem is, we do not have contact for her to reach out. We had already sent a letter to the MMC President, Dr. Eleanor M. Agapito asking for a permission to conduct an interview with you and it was already signed and approved by her.
Ma’am Yna, we would also like to inform you that we want to watch the AVP you made titled “The Man Behind Metro Manila College” because it would be a great help for our study. We are hoping that you will allow us and hope you will see this message as soon as possible. Thank you so much Ma’am Yna, Godspeed! 🙂
Hello Ma’am Yna, thank you so much for your response we appreciate it. Don’t worry Ma’am, it is not too late and im sorry for the late notice of your reply. Anyway, we would like to inform you Ma’am Yna that we are looking forward to interview you if you would allow us so for our data gathering. We are also planning to interview Ma’am Vaty Villano but the problem is, we do not have contact for her to reach out. We had already sent a letter to the MMC President, Dr. Eleanor M. Agapito asking for a permission to conduct an interview with you and it was already signed and approved by her.
Ma’am Yna, we would also like to inform you that we want to watch the AVP you made titled “The Man Behind Metro Manila College” because it would be a great help for our study. We are hoping that you will allow us and hope you will see this message as soon as possible. Thank you so much Ma’am Yna, Godspeed! 🙂
Hi Loren! I already talked to Mrs. Evelyne Dominguez re your need to interview Tia Naty. She will be the one to facilitate your meeting with Mrs. Villano. So go and meet Mrs. Dominguez and tell her that I sent you to her. Tell her what you are doing and what you actually need. You may also ask for the permission to watch the AVP. As I told you earlier, it’s not me that should be interviewed about Ka Mentong. Interview his children and Tia Naty. They are your primary sources of information. I just happened to make a documentary on them. The fact is, I only used to meet Ka Mentong once or twice a year during reunions. Take my suggestion: Interview direct family members! Good luck to your work!
Hello Ma’am Yna, I’ve already noticed your reply last monday and fortunately, it happened to be that we are in school to interview some of the tenured employees of MMC. I was not able to talk personally with Dr. Dominguez because she was not around so we decided to comeback nextweek to meet her but, we are able to talk with Dr. Agapito and address our concern to interview them, the MMC Board of Directors.
Thank you so much for your time on giving us response Ma’am. Know that you are highly appreciated and we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude. We also take your suggestions to interview the direct members of the family well in fact, they are a part of our primary sources. Thank you so much Ma’am Yna, God bless and stay safe always! 🙂
Ok. Good luck! By the way, Dr. Dominguez is waiting for you… She already talked to Tia Naty re your intention to interview her. Stay safe too!
We’ll be meeting Dr. Dominguez today Ma’am. Thank you so much po Ma’am Yna :)) God bless you all the more! :)))
Good day Ma’am Yna. We are currently working out our paper and we already interviewed Maamy Naty Villano as well as the MMC Board of Directors… Ma’am Yna, we would like to ask permission from you if you would allow us to get a copy of some of the clips from the film “Nova’s Pioneer Institution” you made because we are going to make a video documentation for our presentation. Rest assure that your name will be acknowledge as you are the owner of the film. Hoping for you response Ma’am. Thank you and God bless.
Hi! You may ask for a copy and permission to view it from Dr. Dominguez. I think there are copies in the library…pls check! I hope you exhausted all the questions that you wanted answered from them.
@Loren Manatad: Good day po Madam. If it’s not too much to ask, pls share some of the old & legendary photos that you might obtain during your interview. Pictures from the old N. A. bldg, new site as well as the Benita’s for example po.
I am now abroad so pls send here thru my email: albertvcabrera@gmail.com
FB acct: Yobs. Cabrera
Last year I was there for picture gathering in time for our MMC High School Batch 1980 Grand Reunion. But I only collected what was published in some books stacked in our MMC Library.
Your generousity is highly appreciated mam loren.
PS
Thx po ulit @MamYna God bless
Good morning!! The Library should have copies.. Ask Librarian Mrs. Balulot.. Or, you may look for Dante Locsin, formerly with the Library. He assisted me in some production work for MMC videos. I think he is connected with Marketing Dept now. You may also ask Buboy Dominguez, son of Even. If I remember it correctly, he was the one who provided me with the materials that I have asked for the MMC background history.
Good day Ma’am Yna, thank you for exerting your time and effort answering my inquiries. Regarding the film that you’ve made which I already told you about it, can I ask for your email address so I can send you a formal letter asking permission to use some clips of said film. We have already told Dr. Agapito that you already give the consent yet for formality, she advised us to provide a formal letter in respect with your intellectual property. Thank you Ma’am and we are looking forward to your positive response… This is my gmail, manatadloren@gmail.com you can send your gmail address so we can send immediately the letter. Godspeed!