The Miriam Adult Education (MAE) celebrated its 50th anniversary last Sept. 4 with the launch of the book, Kinang. The book features 50 inspiring stories of success of the graduates of the unit since it was established in 1967. These graduates, along with the Maryknoll Sisters, MAE partners, volunteers, supporters, benefactors and the 13-strong team that make up the unit were honored through a program held at the MC-Henry Sy, Sr. Innovation Center.

MAE Principal Glenda Villanueva opened the event by sharing the unit’s evolution from that of a school borne from the Maryknoll Sisters’ strong sense of service and mission to a self-sustaining one that has emphasized on inclusive learning today. “We celebrate the culture and heritage handed to us by the Maryknoll Sisters, while at the same time we want to convey a message that we are adaptive to change in order to continue the legacy for the next generations,” she said.

Miriam College President Dr. Rosario Lapus, in her welcome address, also emphasized on the Maryknoll Sister’s legacy, referring to their creation of MAE as a revolutionary step. “At that time, [the creation of MAE] was a brave and courageous one,” she said, adding that “our nuns never suffered from lack of courage.” Dr. Lapus also introduced the keynote speaker for the event, Sen. Grace Poe.

In her speech, Senator Poe recognized the impact of MAE in nation-building. She shared that it is her fervent wish for every person to live life with dignity and emphasized on the need for education to achieve that. “Alalahanin natin na ang edukasyon ay isang karapatang pantao kaya’t kung kinakailangan ibaling yung budget sa ibang pinaglalananan, gawin natin ito. Bigyan ng tunay na suporta and kahalagahan ang edukasyon. I pray that we will always have compassion and courage. As our society moves forward let’s not leave anyone behind.”

Poe then took the time to personally greet the MAE students and graduates, indulging them in selfies with her.

MAE also honored the 50 graduates whose personal stories were shared through the book Kinang. Some of these graduates include Lauro Convencido, owner of the famous Mang Larry’s Isawan in UP; Mharwin Cabangon who worked his way up as manager for Cravings Events Place; Jessica Solano who always dreamed of working in the food industry and is now a manager of a popular food chain; and Ramil Pacheco who now manages Stone and Concrete Restoration company and Kindell Jewelry shop and teaches financial literacy to people who want to make it in life like he did.

Behind the production and editing of Kinang are 26 faculty members from MAE and from the lower, middle and high school units. Dr. Edizon Fermin, director for Innovation Development, served as editorial consultant.

Copies of Kinang are available for sale at MAE. Please call loc. 3513 for inquiries.