𝐉𝐇𝐂𝐒𝐂 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬’ 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲

JHCSC officially opened the PHELEMET 2026 Sports and Socio-Cultural Festival and Employees’ Sports Festival on August 24, 2026, at the Maceda Grounds, JHCSC Main Campus in Mati, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur, gathering students, employees, officials, and guests for one of the major activities of the College’s 25th Founding Anniversary celebration anchored on the theme, “PADAYON JHCSC @ 25: Pride, Achievement, Diversity, Advancement, and Youth Oneness Into New Frontiers.”

Held under the leadership of JHCSC President Dr. Edgardo H. Rosales, the festival received support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through initiatives facilitated by Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. Members of the JHCSC community attended the opening ceremony, along with representatives from the Municipality of San Miguel and a representative of Dr. Nelson P. Cabral of Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU).

In her opening remarks, Dr. Venus Avenido, Dean of Student Affairs and Services, reminded participants that the festival’s value goes beyond winning competitions, emphasizing the experiences, memories, and values developed through active participation. “Winning or losing will not matter. What is important is the experience that you have gathered in this particular event, the memories we create, the values we develop, and the person you become because you actively get involved and participate,” Avenido said.

President Rosales, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to the PSC for supporting the College’s sports activities for the past three years. He described the festival as one of the most anticipated events in the institution and highlighted the role of sports and socio-cultural activities in providing students with opportunities for growth beyond academic instruction.

President Rosales emphasized that learning should not be confined within the four walls of the classroom, noting that participation in institutional activities helps develop discipline, teamwork, confidence, camaraderie, and other values that contribute to the holistic formation of students. He concluded his message with his signature singing performance, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience.

Speaking on behalf of Senator Angara, Mr. Nuñez commended JHCSC for sustaining programs that promote sports, youth participation, and institutional unity. He also conveyed the senator’s continued support for initiatives to strengthen sports and youth development programs in the coming years.

The opening ceremony featured the hoisting of the JHCSC banner and delegation banners, the oath of sportsmanship, and the lighting of the friendship flames, symbolizing unity, camaraderie, and fair play among participating delegations. The program culminated in the formal declaration of the PHELEMET 2026 Sports and Socio-Cultural Festival and Employees’ Sports Festival, officially opening a series of athletic and socio-cultural competitions that embodied the anniversary theme of moving forward together toward new frontiers.