South Mansfield College was my parents’ school of choice for me. South Mansfield College was my parents’ school of choice for me. And in due course, South Mansfield College becomes my second home.
I started schooling at SMC in 2008. I was a timid 3-year old girl then, but SMC provided me and its I started schooling at SMC in 2008. I was a timid 3-year old girl then, but SMC provided me and its students with opportunities to explore and learn beyond the classroom setting. As a byproduct, a student as young as a preschooler, becomes more confident, assertive in a polite way, and self-reliant. I was accelerated in school and penetrated the halls of the basic education at age5 – very young and agitated, but SMC made the transition calm and plain sailing.
In grade school, SMC has the most effective curriculum in the core subjects – English, Math and In grade school, SMC has the most effective curriculum in the core subjects – English, Math and Science. As a grade school student, I have joined a number of interschool and regional academic Olympiads. My grasp and depth in academics has propelled me to win APSAM academic trophies for our school. And in my childhood years and juvenescence with SMC, exposure to visual arts and performing arts also created a huge impact in my growth. SMC made me build better, brighter, deeper dreams for myself, more than anything else. The opportunities they gave me plunged me to perceive my potentials, allowed me to believe in my dreams, and ushered me to slowly achieve them all.
Come Junior High School, SMC introduced to me the value of being a “mover of the society”. It Come Junior High School, SMC introduced to me the value of being a “mover of the society”. It was a great privilege to be appointed as a student ambassador. And I have embraced the role of exuding my school’s vision and mission. I got active in leadership trainings and programs, most notable of all was the YMCA Youth Leadership Seminar in Baguio City which I attended for3 consecutive years. I was blessed also to be part of the Philippine delegation to the Oxford Model UN Convention in Singapore in 2019. Involvement in the Student Council instigated amore purposeful essence of being a Gen Z youth. I have learned the gravity of being socially relevant through leadership and community service. I have fully understood the accountability of being well-versed on the conditions of my society.
Also, it was with SMC that I have been further exposed to performing arts – particularly with Also, it was with SMC that I have been further exposed to performing arts – particularly with dance, and also with sports – volleyball in my case. It was with great pride to represent SMC in dance competitions and also in volleyball tournaments for 4 straight years. And I am grateful for my school for lighting up in me that passion to constantly and ably perform, whether on stage or in the court. Participation in sports and dance trainings highlighted the value of time management, discipline, strategic development and the champion spirit. But also, it instilled in me the substance of grace and humility of an honorable competitor.
As I grew up in and with SMC, I have grown to love other aspects of being a student. I learned As I grew up in and with SMC, I have grown to love other aspects of being a student. I learned how to debate and write essays for international writing competitions. Notably, with immense dignity but with all due modesty, I take honor the chance to have represented my school in the World Scholar’s Cup in 2019, especially in the Tournament of Champions in Yale University. I was animated to be there. It was a once-in-a-lifetime mind-blowing exhilarating experience for any student, to fly abroad for a competition, to represent school and country. And SMC made that dream come true for me. The 13 medals I brought home to SMC from the WSC, are proof of excellence of the faculty and the school administrators. It was a well-deserved profit and reward for the collective effort of all my trainers. Therefore, it was an honor I will perpetually share with them.
My last year with SMC was a rollercoaster ride. It was a struggle to balance school work with My last year with SMC was a rollercoaster ride. It was a struggle to balance school work with volleyball varsity, Performing Arts Guild, Student Council, MTAP training, community service, and local-international academic competitions. And we even end up spending the last few months of the schoolyear in a global pandemic and lockdown. Nonetheless, SMC provided me with enough guidance to get through the challenges. They say “Dreams + Diligence + Sacrifices +Dedication = Success” , and that exactly sums up my SMC journey. I concluded my SMC life with a feat in the search for 10 Most Outstanding Students of Muntinlupa for 2020. I was ranked 3rdoverall, and it was an achievement I hand out to my SMC family. The 10MOST2020 success is a sweet finale to my SMC journey, something I will cherish my whole life.
Equipped with its innovative learning system, and bound by commitment, South Mansfield Equipped with its innovative learning system, and bound by commitment, South Mansfield College is truly capable of honing students who are smart, diverse, dynamic, motivated, compassionate, consistent, gracious and purposeful.
12 years with South Mansfield College is undeniably a wonderful journey.
SMC – my second family, my lamp of knowledge and skills, my bright path, and my warm heart. SMC – my second family, my lamp of knowledge and skills, my bright path, and my warm heart. Thank you and I appreciate you. It is an honor to be a Royal. A proud Royal Gayeth Tapac will always be.

