Fr. Eking Celebrates 16 Years in the Priesthood

Rev. Fr. Enrique Thadeu N. Balongag, COSCA President, joyously celebrated a Holy Mass yesterday, May 26, to thank the Lord for his blessed sixteen years of priesthood. The momentous occasion was attended by Fr. Eking's family, his COSCA family and few close friends in the community who, one way or another have been helping him persevere and prosper in this sublime vocation.

It has been known throughout the community that Fr. Eking is one of those exceptional school presidents who, not only has impeccable academic credentials but also has these enormous dreams and strong compass of discipline which steered COSCA back onto a steady course after he became president.

He promoted higher academic standards of the school and the growth of each faculty member and staff as well as those of the students.

At present, COSCA has acquired various modern facilities such as; the computer laboratory and the computer study/training center fully equipped with wide flat-screen LCD's as monitors, the reading/conference room, and the latest acquisition of the school, the newly-blessed Chemistry and Human Anatomy laboratories. These facilities are for the utilization of the entire school to enhance its academic standards and improve learning conditions of students. Furthermore, Fr. Eking materialized the ideas of expanding the school's computer studies as well as the offering of Radiologic Technology course and the Online Courses-- first ever here in the province.

In the past two years, through his encouragement and undying support, the school rose to the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics. COSCA's athletes have been winning competitions here and there, bringing home golds, silvers and bronzes.

In his warm and down-home way, Father makes everyone else as part of his decisions by holding student assemblies and conducting faculty and staff meetings every now and then.

Although at times misconstrued as strict, Fr. Eking is a staunch faculty ally who laboriously worked to find finances to send some faculty members to further studies and trainings to increase salaries and to raise mission-boosting morale of employees.

To all these, Fr. Eking never sought the limelight nor seize credit. That is why he is well-loved and respected by all at COSCA and the rest of the community.

To Father Eking, Cheers to another milestone!