ABRE KLASE 2026

HTC Welcomes Trinitarians at ABRE KLASE x STUDENT’S DAY 2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Holy Trinity College of General Santos City officially welcomed its freshmen, transferees, and returning students during ABRE KLASE x STUDENT’S DAY 2026, held on August 7, 2026, at the HTC Trinidad Complex, Purok Malakas, General Santos City.
Anchored on the institutional theme for Academic Year 2026–2027, “Heart Through Change: Building Resilient Futures,” the celebration brought together students, school administrators, faculty, staff, student leaders, socio-cultural groups, and varsity athletes in a day filled with performances, messages of encouragement, leadership transitions, and activities that strengthened the spirit and identity of the Trinitarian community.
The program opened with lively performances from HTC’s socio-cultural groups, setting an energetic atmosphere for the annual celebration. In his opening message, Dr. Rey T. Albano, School President, warmly welcomed the students, especially the freshmen who are beginning a new chapter of their academic journey at HTC. He also expressed his appreciation to the performing groups, administrators, deans, program heads, faculty, staff, student leaders, volunteers, and the Office of Student Affairs and Services for their efforts in making the event possible.
Dr. Albano described Abre Klase as an HTC tradition that serves as a meaningful way of welcoming new Trinitarians and reconnecting with returning students. He also acknowledged the challenges experienced by the community following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which led the institution to hold the event at the HTC Trinidad Complex. Despite the circumstances, he expressed hope that the coming weeks would allow the gradual return of face-to-face classes, giving students the opportunity to meet their classmates and teachers personally and once again make use of the school’s facilities.
On behalf of the Board of Founders and Members of the House, Dr. Albano welcomed the students to the “wonderful world of HTC,” officially recognizing the freshmen and transferees as Trinitarians and HTC Wildcats. He also emphasized the significance of the familiar Trinitarian greeting, “GoodHoly,” noting that it is more than just a greeting but a reflection of HTC’s identity and culture.
He encouraged the students to live by the Trinitarian Rays and become reflections of the institution by embodying HTC’s core values of Honor, Truth, and Character. Dr. Albano also shared the symbolism of an APPLE, which represents knowledge, health, and love while serving as a guide for students throughout their academic journey: A for Attendance, P for Participate, P for Pray, L for Learn and Leadership, and E for Enjoy. He assured the students that everyone in HTC is committed to giving them a meaningful and memorable “GoodHoly Experience.”
Following the opening performances, the traditional Freshman Walk was held with the accompaniment of the HTC Marching Band. The procession included the Supreme Student Council (SSC), Department Student Councils from the College of Engineering and Technology Education (CETE), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA), College of Teacher Education (CTE), and College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), followed by the freshmen and transferees of Academic Year 2026–2027. The walk symbolized the beginning of their journey as members of the Trinitarian community.
One of the highlights of the event was the formal transition of leadership within the Supreme Student Council. In his outgoing message, Virgilio R. Celestial, Outgoing SSC President, reflected on a leadership journey that began unexpectedly. He shared that he had originally planned on simply becoming a regular student, but after deciding to run for office, he eventually found himself elected as SSC President. He admitted that at first, he did not know exactly what to do, but emphasized that growth often begins from uncertainty and from having the courage to take the first step. He thanked the Trinitarians who trusted and supported him and ended his term with a heartfelt reminder that people may forget many things, but they will always remember how someone made them feel.
Celestial then formally passed the symbolic key of leadership to newly elected SSC President Crystal Kaye E. Viray, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management. In her acceptance message, Viray expressed her sincere gratitude for the trust given to her by the Trinitarian community. She emphasized that even during challenging times, the students and the institution continue to choose to move forward together.
Viray highlighted that leadership is not merely about titles or positions, but about dedication, responsibility, and the trust placed in a leader by the people they serve. She also introduced the word “SALIG,” an Ilonggo term meaning “trust,” as an important principle that reflects the confidence shared between student leaders and the students they represent.
Meanwhile, Ms. Joana Gene T. Patling, LPT, OSAS Coordinator and SSC Adviser, introduced the different student organizations that help make campus life more active and meaningful. These included the Supreme Student Council and the Department Student Councils of CAS, CBMA, CETE, CTE, and CCJE. She also introduced HTC’s new Socio-Cultural Coordinator, Marich Hernandez, MBA,LPT, who will help guide the institution’s cultural and performing groups throughout the academic year.
The event also gave recognition to HTC’s student-athletes as the different varsity teams were formally presented under the leadership of Sports Director Coach Apolinar Torrijos, MM. The varsity players later entertained the crowd with a special dance performance, showcasing not only their athletic abilities but also their energy, teamwork, and school spirit.
The celebration concluded with remarks from Atty. Josemar T. Albano, School Provost, who expressed his appreciation to the school administrators, School President, deans, program heads, faculty members, staff, SSC President, OSAS Coordinator, performers, varsity teams, and everyone who contributed to the success of the event.
Connecting his message to the institutional theme “Heart Through Change: Building Resilient Futures,” Atty. Albano reminded the students that while people cannot always control what happens around them, they can control how they respond to challenges. He emphasized that resilience is about continuing to show up even when things become difficult.
He reminded the Trinitarians that they do not have to be perfect, earn the highest grades, or always be the best. What matters most is having the determination to keep going despite difficulties and setbacks. He further emphasized the value of character with the message, “Grades open doors; character keeps them open.”
Atty. Albano described true resilience as the ability to rise again after falling and still choose to stand up and move forward. He concluded his remarks with the spirited declaration, “Ang Trinitarians ay walang kinakatakutan,” reinforcing the courage, unity, and determination of the HTC community.
More than an opening-of-classes celebration, ABRE KLASE x STUDENT’S DAY 2026 became a reflection of HTC’s collective strength and resilience. Amid change and recent challenges, the event showed how the Trinitarian community continues to move forward through trust, perseverance, leadership, and shared purpose.
As Academic Year 2026–2027 begins, freshmen, transferees, returning students, student leaders, educators, and staff move forward together, carrying the values of Honor, Truth, and Character and embracing the call to build resilient futures with a true Heart Through Change.