Jocelyn Pabalan Narciso Balatbat, also known as “Iding,” was born on March 13, 1934, the eldest of the four daughters of Atty. Alfredo A. Narciso and Agustina Pabalan Narciso.
A native of Barangay San Juan, Sta. Ana, Pampanga, Iding’s affection for Holy Cross College was nurtured by her father, Atty. Alfredo A. Narciso, the first President and Executive Director of what was then Holy Cross Academy.
Her fondness for the institution grew when she graduated as one of its alumni in the year 1950. She then pursued AB Chemistry at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. After completing her AB Chemistry course, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at the College of the Holy Spirit, where she graduated with honors, and placed fourth in the Pharmacists Licensure Examination.
Together with her husband, Dr. Vicente A. Balatbat, Holy Cross College’s first valedictorian, they provided medical assistance to Kapampangans and the townsfolk of Sta. Ana, Pampanga, often offering their services free of charge.
Iding also served as a director and later as Vice President of the Board of Directors at Holy Cross College, where she personally enriched the community culturally by inviting various artistic groups to perform.
Additionally, she is renowned for her charitable endeavors through Soroptimist International, where she became an active member.
She also dedicated her time to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Pampanga Council.
Among all of her accomplishments, she is best known for being a loving mother to her seven wonderful children, all of whom graduated with degrees.
Her fifth child, Engr. Gervacio Alfredo N. Balatbat, Holy Cross College’s current Chairman of the Board of Directors, fondly remembers Jocelyn as a loving mother who valued education.
“Sabi niya, hindi man tayo mayaman, ang edukasyon ang pinakahalagang maibibigay namin sa inyong magkakapatid. Pito kaming magkakapatid, may nag-aaral ng medesina, law, at engineering so malaking sakripisyo iyon. Pero ibinigay nilang lahat sa amin iyon para matapos kami.”
Iding passed away on May 2, 2006 while attending a Girl Scout activity in South Korea.