Los Baños celebrates 165th birth anniversary of Rizal with 'future classrooms'

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — In a historic celebration marking the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on June 19, 2026, the Municipality of Los Baños formally launched the Rizal Classrooms of the Future (RCOF) at Los Baños Central Elementary School in Brgy. Timugan.

The program commenced with an invocation led by Pastora Imelda Dela Viña, followed by a warm welcome from Dr. Soledad S. Villanueva, Public Schools District Supervisor of the Department of Education (DepEd) Los Baños Sub-Office. In her remarks, she welcomed the guests and stakeholders on behalf of the Los Baños Sub-Office, which serves 18,541 learners and comprises 851 teaching and non-teaching personnel.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Vice Mayor Marlo PJ A. Alipon reaffirmed the Sangguniang Bayan's unwavering commitment to educational initiatives that will help shape the future of the youth and the municipality. He emphasized that the Municipal Council fully supports programs that invest in the next generation of leaders and nation-builders.

Messages of support were delivered by distinguished partners and stakeholders who recognized the transformative potential of the Rizal Classrooms of the Future.

Engr. Grace Bondad-Nicolas, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Los Baños, highlighted the importance of investing in children's education, stating that today’s learners will become tomorrow’s professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and public servants. She emphasized that investments in education lay the foundation for a stronger Los Baños and a stronger Philippines.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Jannette Arceo, MNSA (GSC) PA (RES), Chairman and Chief Vision Officer of the Impact Solutions Institute of the Philippines, shared that the initiative reflects a long-standing vision of Mayor Nocon to address the literacy crisis identified in the EDCOM II Report.

Representing Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr., Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Atty. Eric Paul D. Peralta, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, commended the municipality for its visionary initiative that empowers communities through knowledge, fosters excellence among learners, and creates pathways toward sustainable development.

Expressing the support of the Masonic community, RW Ruel S. Rivera, Deputy Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, speaking on behalf of MW Robert Joseph S. Moran Jr., underscored that education remains the greatest equalizer in society. He assured the municipality that more than 3,000 Masons stand ready to support the goals of the RCOF program.

Rizal's legacy through education

Hon. Jay G. Rolusta, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Education, remarked that the occasion celebrated two significant milestones, the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal and the birth of the Rizal Classrooms of the Future.

He emphasized that Rizal’s teachings and ideals continue to inspire efforts to provide quality education and opportunities for the youth of Los Baños.

Adding historical context to the event, Mr. Alvin R. Alcid, Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Projects of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, noted that the launch coincides not only with Rizal’s birthday but also with the 70th anniversary of the Rizal Law enacted on June 12, 1956.

He praised Los Baños for responding to the demands of the modern age by embracing innovation and technology in education and expressed hope that the initiative would be replicated by other municipalities across the country.

PD Jay Beltran, Provincial Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Laguna, lauded the local government's leadership and commitment to investing in the future of the youth. He highlighted the challenge of functional illiteracy in the Philippines and stressed the importance of programs such as RCOF in creating opportunities for future generations.

Los Banos Mayor Neil Andrew Nocon shared that the inspiration for the program came from the learners enrolled in the ARAL Program, emphasizing that the initiative seeks to enhance the educational landscape in Los Baños and expand its impact across Laguna through the support of various partners.

“The inspiration behind RCOF is the kids enrolled in the ARAL Program. We equip them with tablets to enhance the educational landscape in Los Baños and replicate this in Laguna with the help of our partners,” Nocon said.

He further underscored that while the program incorporates technology, its primary goal is to strengthen literacy, critical thinking, innovation, and values formation among learners.

“It took a Jose Rizal to shatter the walls of our minds that were placed by colonizers. Rizal’s problems 165 years ago are also the same problems we encounter now. We draw inspiration from Rizal to meet the challenges of the future,” he added.

A key message emphasized throughout the launch was that the Rizal Classrooms of the Future are not a technology program but a literacy program that responsibly uses technology when it adds value to learning.

Guided by the belief that Rizal became a great reader before he became a great thinker, the initiative seeks to develop more readers, critical thinkers, innovators, and future nation-builders. The program harnesses emerging technologies while promoting the values that Rizal championed: critical thinking, lifelong learning, scientific curiosity, civic responsibility, and nation-building.

During the turnover of the classrooms, a keynote video message was delivered by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, who described the initiative as a model of innovative and creative solutions to the challenges faced by the education sector.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Editha M. Atendido, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education–Laguna, expressed her gratitude for the Rizal Tablets entrusted to DepEd.

She described the tablets as “new Noli and El Fili,” opening windows to information, creativity, and opportunity while providing students with equitable access to 21st-century learning.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lourdes Bermudez, speaking on behalf of Dir. Carlito D. Rocafort, Regional Director of DepEd Region IV-A CALABARZON, emphasized that there could be no more fitting day to launch the initiative than Rizal’s birth anniversary.

She underscored that education remains the key to personal transformation and national progress and affirmed that the program aligns strongly with DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda and ARAL Program.