Zamora Memorial College

History

Zamora Memorial College was founded as Zamora Memorial Institute on October 24, 1948 by a retired supervisor of the Division of Albay, Crispin Bermas Vergara Sr. This was in response to the growing need for secondary education of Bacacayanos. The first campus of the institute was a rented building located in the corner of Bes and Barrameda Streets in Bacacay. A typhoon struck and the building was destroyed.

Several parents and benefactors helped in reconstructing the school. For its new site, Mr. Vergara purchased a 1.5 ha parcel of land from Dona Beatrice Alparce which to this day is the present site of the school. The first school building constructed was made of bamboo and nipa. Through the years, this building was replaced by concrete building to withstand typhoons which frequently visit the town. Additional concrete buildings were subsequently constructed to accommodate the growing number of enrollment.

In 1996, with the growing clamor for access to tertiary education in Bacacay, the Board of Trustees responded with the opening of the college department. At the time of its opening, it was fully recognized by the Commission on Higher Education. It started with two students and part-time faculty with classes in the evening.

In 1998, ZMC celebrated its 50th Founding Anniversary and renewed its commitment to continue educating generations of Bacacayanos.

Zamora Memorial College Hymn

The Zamora Memorial College Hymn was composed by Dr. Victor M. Belgica and the lyrics was provided by Dr. Ricardo M. Belgica. Both of them are professors at Bicol University and alumni of Zamora Memorial College.

Zamora Memorial College Hymn

This is a school of a humble birth

Yet was conceived from a grandeous dream

Reared on a lofty aspiration

And was nurtured with the sacred end.

Within her bossom lies a fountain

That bathe our soul with enlightenment

Showers our hearts with lights of hope

And quenches our spirit thirst for truth.

Zamora Memorial College

Thy name will always remember

The precious moment that we have shared

In our heart will remain forever.

Academics

The College Department offers the following degree courses:

1. Bachelor of Elementary Education

2. Bachelor of Secondary Education with majors in Technology and Livelihood Education, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan and Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health.

It also offers a non-degree course named Certificate in Teaching.

The High School Department offers K-12 and Basic Education Curriculum.

Scholarship Grants

Various scholarship grants are available for both college and high school students. These grants are listed below.

College Department

1. Department of Social Welfare and Development Scholarship

2. CHED-STUFAPS

3. Student Assistantships

4. CSCDI Scholarships

5. CFCA Scholarships

High School Department

1. DepEd-FAPE Educational Service Contracting Program (GATSPE Law)

2. Edgardo V. Lawenko Scholarship

3. Scholarships for the Best and Brightest Students

4. CSCDI Scholarship

5. CFCA Scholarship

Facilities

College buildings include The Cora Vergara Hall, provided by Corazon B. Vergara, a former U.S. clinical psychologist and Fulbright Scholar, and daughter of the founder. It also has the Arsenio B. Vergara Gymnasium, library, science laboratories, workshops and botanical gardens.

The College was hit twice during the 2006 Typhoon Season; by Typhoon Milenio in September, and Typhoon Reming in December, causing considerable damage.

Achievements

The school produced graduates who have excelled in their respective fields. Many of its alumni rose to executive position of their respective companies. Many have become successful entrepreneurs.

One notable alumna is Christine S. Bellen, a professor at Ateneo de Manila University who authored the illustrated anthology of "Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang."

It also produced alumni who were recognized as Ten Outstanding Teachers of Albay. They were:

1. Marcial Bellen (10 Outstanding Teachers of Albay 2009)

2. Ruben Cenita (10 Outstanding Teachers of Albay 2010)

3. Rommel Marquez (10 Outstanding Teachers of Albay 2012)

It is also the alma mater of several municipal mayors of Bacacay, namely:

1. Atty. Alberto B. Lawenko (1989 to 1992)

2. Tobias Betito (2010 to present)

It also produced so many priest-alumni among others are

1. Msgr. Crispin C. Bernarte, Jr.

2. Fr. Diogenes B. Barja

3. Fr. Bernard B. Banares

4. Fr. Arsenio B. Bermillo

5. Fr. Jonathan Calleja

6. Fr. Eric B. Marigondon

7. Fr. Ruben B. Barrameda

8. Fr. Benjamin R. Belgica

9. Fr. Jose B. Barranda Jr.

10. Fr. Ofeuro Stephen Balana

11. Fr. Seraph Balmadres

12. Fr. Roberto Barcelona

13. Fr. John Barro

14. Fr. Ferdinand M. Quiambao

15. Fr. Raul D. Balute

16. Fr. Rogelio B. Barcelona

17. Fr. Alex V. Barnedo

18. Fr. Reynaldo B. Bea

19. Fr. Alejandro B. Bellen

20. Fr. Richard V. Benavente

21. Fr. Alex Bercasio

22. Fr. Henry B. Bercasio

23. Fr. Avelino Bermundo

24. Fr. Alex Callada

25. Fr. Teodulfo B. Medina

26. Fr. Hercules Sambajon

27. Fr. Wilfredo B. Villanueva

The school consistently produce winners in Secondary Schools Press Conference, Mathematics Olympiad and other student competitions.

It is consistently evaluated by Fund for Assistance to Private Education as above standard.