About Us

Historical and Academic Overview

Saint Anthony Mary Claret College (SAMCC), formerly known as the Claret Formation Center, was established on June 17, 1985. Led by the late Fr. Domingo Moraleda, CMF, who served as the Provincial Superior of the Claretians in the Philippines, along with Fr. Angel Ochagavia, CMF, and Dr. Beulah D. Nuval, Ed.D., the academic program was initiated during that academic year.

Initially located in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, SAMCC later relocated to its current site in Sanville Subdivision, Culiat, Q.C. on November 30, 1988. The college was recognized by the then Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and is currently regulated by the Commission on Higher Education.

It offers an undergraduate department that grants a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, supplemented by Psychology courses. More recently, the 2021 Enriched Curriculum has introduced Education units into the program.

Academic Formation and Faculty

Throughout the four-year academic journey, SAMCC lays the necessary foundation to prepare students for their future roles as priests and missionaries.

In its early years, SAMCC had a Memorandum of Agreement with the nearby University of the Philippines, allowing faculty members from the university to teach at the seminary college.

Over time, in addition to graduates from U.P., faculty members (both lay and religious) also joined from institutions such as:

  • Ateneo de Manila University
  • Pontifical University of Sto. Tomas
  • Miriam College
  • Adamson University
  • Other local and international educational institutions

These educators contributed significantly to the intellectual formation of the students. In recent years, graduates of SAMCC themselves have become part of the academic staff.

Inclusive Missionary Education

Originally established exclusively for Claretian seminarians, SAMCC now accepts student seminarians from other religious congregations and dioceses as well.

As a Catholic college, SAMCC aims to provide a comprehensive and robust Catholic education, fostering intellectual and holistic formation for a missionary life. It equips students to be responsive and attuned to the pressing and timely needs in an effective manner.

Mission and Service

Many students, having embraced their vocations as priests and religious brothers, are now dedicatedly serving the Church and society through various esteemed institutions, communities, ministries, and organizations in the Philippines and other parts of the world.

Claretian students are currently assigned to diverse missions in:

  • Basilan
  • Zamboanga City
  • Zamboanga Sibugay (southern/southwest Mindanao)
  • Ormoc (Eastern Visayas)
  • Saranggani (southeast Mindanao)

Others are serving in Claretian institutions in Quezon City (CSQC, IHMP, CCFI), formation houses (including the novitiate in Ormoc City), and ICLA. Additionally, many have been sent to other countries for mission work and further studies.

Their dedication and service contribute significantly to the mission of the Claretian community in spreading the Gospel to the whole world.

Lay Vocation and Values

Those who have embraced their vocation as lay persons remain dedicated Christians, actively contributing to the transformation of society and the revitalization of the Church.

They champion values-based families and excel across various professional domains, embodying their faith through practical actions, alongside those who pursue priestly and religious paths.

Guided by the missionary ethos of St. Anthony Mary Claret, they wholeheartedly embrace the school’s motto:

“Knowledge is best with virtue (Scientia Maxime Cum Virtute)”

—integrating wisdom and character in their pursuits.

organizational chart samcc office web
Vision Statement

Embracing Claret’s missionary spirit, SAMCC is cultivating a nurturing academic community that prepares students for missionary life as priests, religious, and laity through holistic education, personal growth, and a strong sense of mission, all rooted in a deep commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel, aiming to make a transformative impact on the world.

Mission Statements and Goals
SAMCC is dedicated to fostering a school of philosophy that upholds the pursuit of right reason within a strong Catholic Christian tradition.

1. Pursuit of right reason

a. Cultivate a Strong Foundation in Philosophy

SAMCC aims to provide students with a comprehensive education in philosophy, fostering right reason, critical thinking, and a strong Catholic Christian tradition.

b. Foster a Spirit of Intellectual Exploration

SAMCC fosters an environment for intellectual exploration, promoting open-mindedness, dialogue, and truth-seeking.

c. Promote Integration of Faith and Reason

SAMCC fosters a harmonious relationship between faith and reason, emphasizing their compatibility and interplay.

2. Shaping and developing future missionaries and servant leaders

SAMCC serves as a pathway for shaping and developing future missionaries and servant leaders of the Church and society.

a. Form Future Missionaries

SAMCC’s goal is comprehensive formation, preparing effective missionaries through spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral development. We nurture a deep relationship with God and instill a missionary mindset rooted in love, compassion, and service.

b. Cultivate Servant Leadership

SAMCC shapes servant leaders with humility, integrity, and selflessness. Through mentorship, training, and experiential learning, students lead with compassion, dedicated to their roles within the Church.

c. Foster Vocation Discernment

SAMCC fosters an environment for students to discern their vocational callings in the Church. We support individuals in exploring and understanding their unique roles as priests, religious, or lay leaders, empowering them to serve the Church and the world with their gifts and talents.

3. Nurtures a holistic program of spiritual, intellectual, and human formation

SAMCC creates an environment that nurtures a holistic program of spiritual, intellectual, and human formation, honoring and celebrating diverse vocations, charisms, and cultural persuasions, fostering a sense of joyful fellowship and unity.

a. Nurturing holistic Formation

We create opportunities for personal growth, deepen spiritual lives, and foster intellectual development, preparing individuals for their chosen vocations and dedicated service.

b. Embracing Diversity and Celebrating Vocations

We embrace and celebrate diverse vocations, charisms, and cultural backgrounds within our community to foster an inclusive environment that appreciates unique gifts, promoting respect and unity among different backgrounds, vocations, and cultures.

c. Cultivating Joyful Fellowship and Unity

We foster joyful fellowship and unity among students from diverse backgrounds. Through communal activities, prayer, and shared experiences, we build strong relationships, encourage collaboration, and nurture a supportive intercultural community dedicated to living out Gospel values.

The Formative Character

SAMCC serves as a College of Philosophy and a Formation Center, meticulously prioritizing both intellectual training and nurturing Christian vocation, where each aspect mutually supports the other. The inseparability of intellectual life and religious formation is emphasized, fostering a harmonious relationship between faith and reason. As a center of studies with a strong formative focus, SAMCC employs prayer and study as dynamic elements deeply intertwined in the Claretian tradition, representing the distinctive feature of Claretian missionary vocation.

Inspired by St. Anthony Mary Claret’s example, the Claretian Congregation has consistently embraced the conviction that philosophy holds utmost significance in the initial period of
academic formation for future missionaries and priests. The value of philosophy as an academic discipline within the seminary studies’ formative program is indispensable in nurturing individuals who wholeheartedly strive to follow the heart of God, contributing to their intellectual formation as they embark on their sacred vocations.

Core Values: CHEERS

At SAMCC, we uphold core values that guide our actions and shape our community. These values hold immense importance and significance in our pursuit of personal and collective growth.

Compassion: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) We demonstrate empathy and care to all, especially for the marginalized and vulnerable.

Humility: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) Following the teachings of St. Anthony Mary Claret, we cultivate a spirit of humility in our interactions with others. We recognize our own limitations and value the inherent worth and talents of every individual.

Excellence: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23) We pursue intellectual and academic growth, aiming to develop our full potential. We also embrace the development of character and virtues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Empowerment: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) We empower individuals to reach their full potential by promoting active participation, inclusive decisionmaking, and collaborative teamwork.

Respect for life: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). This inspires us to pursue justice, peace, and integrity in all creation, becoming responsible stewards of God’s gift for a sustainable and harmonious future.

Service to Others: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Embracing a service-oriented mindset, we recognize that our purpose extends beyond ourselves. We actively seek opportunities to contribute to the well-being of others, championing justice, peace, and the responsible stewardship of creation.

By upholding the core values of compassion, humility, excellence, empowerment, respect for others, and service to others, SAMCC strives to cultivate an environment that nurtures personal growth, fosters ethical leadership, and instills a profound dedication to the betterment of society. Through these values, we seek to inspire individuals to make a positive impact in the world, embracing their unique talents and virtues while actively serving others with empathy, humility, and a commitment to excellence. Together, we aim to create a community that embodies these values and contributes to the holistic development of individuals and the greater good of society