By Vergel Labesig

THE Mandaluyong City government held its second college fair at the event center of the SM Megamall.

The “Be Academically Aware: A Scholastic Guide to Shape Our Future” is a project of Mandaluyong City Mayor Ben Abalos, Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos, and the office of Councilor Benjie Abalos which is open to all Grade 12 students regardless if they are studying in or out of Mandaluyong.

The project started in December of 2022 with the goal to gather colleges and universities in one venue and showcase their course offerings to potential Grade 12 students who will enter college next school year.

Last year, the college fair was participated by more than 30 colleges and universities around Metro Manila.

For this year, the number of school exhibitors reached 40, including Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines-Manila, San Beda College, De La Salle University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Mapua University, and the newly-opened Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology.

Councilor Benjie Abalos, the brainchild of the program, said before he graduated high school he experienced travelling to several universities before landing at the right school and college course.

To avoid students from spending a lot of time and money to commute or travel to search for their preferred college, he proposed the college fair program to Mayor Abalos.

In response, Mayor Abalos approved the idea since he believes a person who had gained an education has a better edge in life.

On Saturday, October 14, the Mandaluyong City Government hosted the 2nd Be Academically Aware (BAA) College Fair, themed “BAA: A Scholastic Guide to Shape Our Future,” at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The event saw the active participation of 40 colleges and universities, all coming together with the common goal of providing valuable insights into the diverse courses they offer to prospective Grade 12 students looking to pursue their college education for the academic year 2024.

Distinguished figures from Mandaluyong City were prominently featured in the event, including Councilor Elton Yap, Christian Mathay, AVP for Operations at SM Megamall; Councilor Benjie Abalos, Menchie Abalos, Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor, Councilor Mike Ocampo, and Dr. Aurelio Alfonso, the Superintendent of Mandaluyong City School Division Office.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)