All things must their beginnings, so with Philippine Computer College.  It was in the year 1986 when Mr. Gordon Torres considered himself a neophyte of having the idea in establishing a school.  But there was a man named Lt. Binon Lucas, who encouraged Mr. Torres to build a school in one of the places here in Bukidnon.

In 1987, Mr. Gordon Torres and his wife, Mrs. Fe Torres, established a school in Kibawe- The Cultural Mission Academy.  Since then, they would always pass by Maramag.  They would often see the places around especially the spot where the Emergency Hospital before was situated.  The building was painted white, and it had caught the attention of Mr. Torres every time they would pass by the place.  One time then, Mr. Torres uttered a wish by passing to his wife saying, “That’s the building I wish to have.  How I wish we could have a school like that.”  He further said, “One of these days, we will be there.”  That impossible wish seems to banish in air.  He really knew that the building was quite impossible to theirs because it was used as a government hospital.  Though that wish seemed to banish away, but that wish was registered in the thoughts of Mr. Torres that this building was really an ideal one for a school.

Time went by.  The couple continued to operate Cultural Mission Academy in Kibawe, Bukidnon.  However, later on, there was a sort of miscommunication between Mr. Torres and one the Board of Trustees of the school.  Mr. Torres, who did not want more trouble, left Cultural Mission Academy and established Philippine College Foundation in Valencia, Bukidnon.  It was a school operated by several incorporators with Mr. Torres as the nucleus of the founders.  Mr. Torres served there as a School Director and Mrs. Fe Torres, as the Registrar.  While they were there, they wanted to establish a school that would only be run by the family - The Torres’.

The couple applied for several schools to be opened.  One in Cagayan de Oro, then in crossong Linabo, also in Malaybalay, in Dologon, Maramag.  They even applied one in Ozamis, Pagadian, and even in Palawan.  However, there was not even one that was approved because of lack of funds.  There were some people who wanted to join Mr. Torres but he hesitated because he believed that it was more manageable to operate a family corporation thatn that of having companions.

In 1995, Mr. & Mrs. Torres told Ms. Daisy Llagas-Daing, the secretary of Mrs.Torres that they’ll be going to Palawan.  Ms. Llagas in return sincerely volunteered to go with the family wherever they would go.  In December, 1996, Mr. Torres made up his mind to establish a school here in Maramag.  But as if he was dreaming.  It was quite impossible to open a school when in fact, it was already December.  There were about a few months left before classes would start.  With that decision, he started looking for a piece of land here in Maramag.  Mr. Tuban owned the first piece of land he found.  Mr. Torres negotiated with the owner but wa not able to get it because again, lack of funds.  Mr. Torres found out that his plan seemed not to prosper, but he was so determined to open a school.

There was a certain woman named Mrs. Ayco from Valencia came to help Mr. Torres in looking for a piece of land.  However, there seemed to have none.  Time became shorter with the approaching of the school opening.  So with that, Mr. Torres told Mrs. Ayco to look for vacant building spaces instead.  They started to scout for one.

They found the building previously accommodated by the Rural Bank.  It was very old and dilapidated.  Later, they also found the old Capitol Hotel.  Its appearance was almost the same with the first building.  They went and looked for more.  They have negotiated about the buildings but they have not chosen one.  If the building was not old and dilapidated, the rental was too high.

Later on, Mrs. Torres and Mrs. Ayco went on around Maramag and had come over to the area over the Municipal Highway.  They were over DXAM.  Mrs. Ayco suggested to Mr. Torres to rent DXAM instead.  However, as if there was a force that compelled Mr. Torres to proceed to the place formerly occupied by CMIST.  He came over and saw that the building was already dilapidated.  It was no longer occupied by the Emergency Hospital.  It looked like a haunted house.  It was the den of some illegal activities - both emotionally and biologically.  Mr. Torres thought it was still occupied by CMIST.  But then he learned that CMIST had left this building a year ago.  Without any delay, Mr. Torres asked Mr. Ayo where to go.  Mrs. Ayco answered, “Let’s go to Mayor Antonio Doromal.”  Mr. Torres said,” It’s not yet time.”  But Mrs. Ayco forced Mr. Torres to go with her.  She insisted, Mayor and I are friends.”  Mr. Torres could sense that she did not want to refuse her offer.

She accompanied him to Mayor Doromal and opens his proposal.  Mr. Torres was accepted and was assured by the mayor that his school will be accommodated in this building.  He was instructed to write his proposal, and wait for the legislator’s approval.  Mr. Torres told his wife about it.  Without any delay, he followed up the mayor’s assurance by sending his proposal to the Sangguniang Bayan Office.  Mr. Torres kept on following it up.  There was an assurance but it seemed hopeless because it was already January.  But he was so optimistic that his proposal would soon be approved.  He was so busy with it.  On the other hand, something unexpected happened.  He always believed in a saying, “History repeats itself.”

When the Members of the Board of Trustees of Philippine College Foundation in Valencia had a meeting one afternoon, Mr. Torres had mentioned about the school he would be opening here in Maramag.  Far from his expectation, he received a very surprising, unexpected and quite unpleasant reaction.  He was ordered to leave Philippine College Foundation by the next day.  It was quite a heart-throbbing experience for him and for the whole family.  He wished to finish his term until March but he was compelled to leave.  He couldn’t do anything but left.  That experience was quite a terrible one.  However, it was a blessing in disguise.  With that, Mr. Torres devoted his time here in Maramag in preparation for his new school.

Sometime in February, Mr. Torres came to Mayor Doromal and told him that it was already legislated.  Mr. Torres and the family were very happy.  But at that time, the family had only limited funds.  However, Mr. Torres was just very optimistic that could really open a school.  Mrs. Torres, in return, did cooperate with Mr. Torres.  She remained patient.  She did not question and grumble about anything Mr. Torres would do to carry out their plans.  However, they run out of funds.  The family experienced the toughest times.  One time, the family had only bagoong and camote tops in the morning.  Then the next meal there was the same viand again.  One of Mr. Torres children complained while eating.

Though they don’t have enough funds but God helped them.  Because of their good record and relationship with Trader’s Royal Bank, Valencia Branch, they applied for a loan.  On February 17, 1997, they asked Mayor Doromal to start renovating the building with the little money they have.  They started the work with only four carpenters with the job, which was quite impossible to be finished.  There were a lot of works almost anywhere.  This building had no light, no water, and it was full of rubbish here and there.  Later on, Mr. Torres and Mrs. Torres were given a loan guarantee and was bale to get materials from some of the stores in Valencia City.  That money helped a lot.  Not only that money but also to Mr. Torres’ parents who contributed much to the on-going renovation of the building.

Financial resources did not only help.  Human resources did too.  Mr. Nick Patalinghog and Peter Baliton came and were the first one to clean the building.  They were not paid, they only volunteered.  They even started painting it.  Mr. Elmer Rosa and Mrs. Esther Relente also volunteered to campaign students to enroll here in PCC.  There were some teachers too from Philippine College Foundation who showed their trust and confidence to Mr. Torres by joining him in this school in spite of the fact they have not seen the building yet.  They were Mr. & Mrs. Willie Villas, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Baliton, Jovelyn Catane & Mrs. Missi Ortega.

Some people were also part of the success of Philippine Computer College.  Mr. Caltalino Rama, the composer of PCC School Song.  Others gave their financial and moral support too.  They were Mr. Leonardo Dayo, Mrs. Tely Doromal, Engr. Cipriano, DILG Abetona, Engr. Senit, Engr. Macalam, Engr. Colegio, the Sangguniang Bayan Members, and the barangay captains of the surrounding barangays.  Parents, students and our teachers who were in one-way or another have also contributed much to the success of the school - PCC.

During the first year of PCC’s operation, there were 28 faculty and staff all in all and 51 students.  On the second year of PCC’s existence, the Lord blesses them with more students.  Not only that, but we were able to open the first and second year level of the high school department with 40 students.  The following year, another level was opened, the third year.  Finally on school year 200-2001, our high school department has been completed from 1st to 4th year.  The 1st Commencement Exercises, High School Department was held last March 28, 2001.

One student - wise we are not only processing but our faculty and staff has been coming up to what’s been expected for us to deliver quality education.  Three more men are added to us.  Prof. Wenely Cuares, our Dean of Computer Science Department, Prof. Jun Taban, the dean of the Business Administration Department and Dr. Rigoberta T. Hebron, Dean of Academic Affairs and Senior Vice President.

In addition to our increasing manpower, we also process in terms of academic development.  Two courses being offered last year.  We have opened another bachelor’s degree course- the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Entrepreneurship, the first of its kind in the whole Region X.  Aside from that, we have opened Computer Programming Course, a two-year course under TESDA.

In terms of technology, PCC also progresses.  The long been waited Internet connection of our computers was finally realized.  This school year is the 6th year of PCC serving the municipality of Maramag and its surrounding municipalities too.  The Lord has been so good to us from then up to this time.

It’s a dream come true.  Philippine Computer College- the school that provides globally competitive education.