“Balai Alumni will always be the home of every Marian alumni all over the world. May this marker increase the awareness of the alumni that we still have a special place here in Saint Mary’s University (SMU).”

This was how Mr. Gerald Mart B. Gamboa, outgoing President of the SMU High School Grade School Alumni Association, Inc. (HSGSAAI), described the newly built Balai na Alumni Marker during its unveiling ceremony held on February 19, 2023 at the SMU main Campus.

During the ceremony, Gamboa mentioned that the facade signage was initially conceptualized last 2022 in one of their monthly meetings.

“It is an emblem of gratitude and loyalty by countless alumni whose lives have been deeply touched by SMU. Most of all, may Saint Mary’s University continue to thrive and shine, in pursuit of the mission that the missionaries have set almost a century ago,” Gamboa added.

Gamboa also urged his fellow alumni to reach out and show their love to their alma mater by supporting its mission through various ways.

“Our school’s gates are still open for us, we can still contribute something for our alma mater, no matter how old we get. Our Marian identity is the invisible tie that binds us all,”

He reflected, “The way we look, the way we live and countless other things may change over time. But the core values sowed by this noble institution will always be in our hearts.”

Finally, he also thanked the incoming president of the association, Dr. Patrice Gay M. Pagtulingan, for her time and effort in completing the marker ahead of time.

“May this marker inspire all students to become active alumni after they graduate. Whenever people see the list of names on this marker, may they understand that this institution is much loved by the former students she has molded.” #