The Model Crucian
To his friends, he is known as Vicing, but to the Holy Cross College community, Dr. Vicente Balatbat is known as the model student of the school with a heart.
He set the standard of what or who a Crucian should be. He has etched his name in the history books of HCC.
Dr. Vicente is one of the most notable medical doctors in Central Luzon. But before he has accomplished all these things, little Vicing was a simple boy from a simple family. Despite the difficulties in his life, Vicing was already a very bright and intelligent kid. Since he was young, he already believed his only ways out of poverty and towards success are a good education, hard work and passion.
He spent his first years in secondary education in Pampanga High School, where he garnered the highest general weighted average of 94% during his time. When Holy Cross Academy opened, he was asked to go back to his hometown to continue his schooling.
This was the highest GWA during his time.
“The head director and head of Holy Cross College interviewed and appealed to us to transfer. We believe before that any school except Pampanga High School is inferior, so we are afraid to transfer to an inferior school. That’s how I felt. But for the sake of the town, we would like to give some prestige and importance, so we transferred,” Dr. Balatbat recalled.
To heed the call of his hometown, he supported the establishment of Holy Cross Academy. He is among the first six students of the school, which was originally located at the convent of Sta. Ana Parish Church
In 1946, he graduated from HCA as valedictorian. From then on, Vicing has been known to be HCC’s first valedictorian.
Dr. Balatbat has always said he owed many things to HCA, but one of the biggest lessons he will not forget is how he was trained to be articulate and speak in public. This helped him gain confidence, not only in speaking the English language but also in many aspects of his life. For this, he thanked the former school head, Mr. Marcus Esquivel.
“He taught me how to speak in public. He taught me how to behave. HCC made tremendous advances in the instructions of students. It gave me poise, self-confidence. Before enrolling in Holy Cross College, I could not speak in public; I had nervous tension. But Mr. Esquivel said, ‘You don’t have to worry. Just think of your diction, and if your diction is good, they will listen to you’,” Dr. Balatbat emphasized.
Ever since he was young, Dr. Balatbat has always been a dreamer. With the lessons HCA taught him, he pursued a college degree at the University of the Philippines. Now, he is a well-respected doctor.
Amid his success and achievements, and despite his old age, the little Vicing in him is still very much alive. He went back to Sta. Ana – to Holy Cross College – to serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors; a piece of evidence that somehow, history repeats itself… because much like his younger self, Dr. Balatbat heeded the call to raise the standard of education in his hometown.
Now, he is a pride and honor of Holy Cross College and the entire town of Sta. Ana.