Right On target | The Manila Times

MICHELLE AGUILAR-ONG, President, Mabalacat City College

“The title of president is just a fancy title, but the truth is, at a community college, we are social workers and community builders; this is how our team sees itself.”

BEING young means holding the world in your hands and having the courage to follow your dreams.

Michelle Aguilar-Ong has done just that, making the most of her youth and talents.

At 41, Aguilar-Ong is one of the youngest higher education presidents in the Philippines, heading Mabalacat City College (MCC) in Pampanga.

In just a few years, she transformed MCC into the first community college in the country, setting it as a benchmark for other institutions.

An innovator since the beginning of her career at the Academy of Performing Arts, Aguilar-Ong is constantly innovating to benefit the education sector. Under her leadership at MCC, she reformed the curriculum to improve workforce development and launched programs and policies that advocate for gender equality, inclusiveness, accessibility and sustainable development.

Aguilar-Ong is credited with starting MCC Pro Plus, a pioneering program that equips students with both programming and technical skills, preparing them for careers in business process outsourcing.

The college, in partnership with the city government, has also been commended by the Human Rights Commission for its “Juan at Work” policy, which offers flexible working hours and assistance to women. In addition, MCC opened a boutique where graduates can exchange old clothes for food.

Aguilar-Ong acknowledges the contributions of her team in developing these bold, creative approaches to providing quality education and training for the Mabalacat community.

The opportunity to lead MCC came to Aguilar-Ong when she was still the executive director of a state-owned corporation.

“I knew the state of the school because I worked in the local government,” she said.

“It was a typical public school: green and yellow buildings, a few plants, chipped paint, old equipment, wooden chairs and graffiti—what everyone imagines when they think of public schools. I left the position of executive director and took on the role of director president.”

Her first mission was to demonstrate that Filipino students could have the best public schools. As a behaviorist, she believes that a better environment leads to better results. “Believe it or not, my first project was the reconstruction of comfort rooms. I truly believe that you can judge a place by its bathrooms. Then there was a library, rooms for teachers and offices. It all started with giving everyone a professional space to work, and then came the student-oriented programs.”

Although being a teacher was not her first dream, Aguilar-Ong embraced the role.

“Honestly, I never wanted to be a teacher. My aunts and uncles, professors and deans, always had stacks of papers and thick glasses. But maybe fate prepared me like that, so why not? after all, it’s an adventure, and it should be filled with good deeds.”

Although she manages more than 300 employees, including part-time instructors, Aguilar-Ong maintains a small personal team of two secretaries and a cleaner who also doubles as her driver. Her leadership style is empowering.

“I have never had the style of creating a separate team under my control that would do the work of senior management. I work with them, even though I can be pushy at times, because I know they can achieve great things. I have the best team.”

Aguilar-Ong’s leadership style is flexible and adaptable.

“Authoritative is my choice because it’s the most effective for transformation, but the pace-setting and affiliation style also works with people and circumstances.”

When asked if her age has ever been an obstacle, she confidently replied, “Age has never been an issue. Before entering the public service, I promised that whatever duty God gave me, no matter how small, I would strive to make it an Example of the Philippines. I choose to work with people who share my ideals and the age of our vice presidents has never been a point of contention, the best idea always wins, and sometimes it’s not even mine.”

Her youth has brought fresh energy to MCC, but Aguilar-Ong humbly notes that the title of president is just a name.

“At the community college, we are social workers and community builders—that’s how our team sees itself.”

Reflecting on her journey, Aguilar-Ong recalls many sleepless nights because she was not in academia.

Her impact on research was limited to her previous role as guest lecturer. She studied books and attended colleges around the world, searching for the perfect model to fit the unique profile of the Mabalacat community. The answer was the community college model, which she adapted and refined to make MCC better.

Her efforts did not go unnoticed. Aguilar-Ong was nominated for a scholarship from the US Department of State for the Community College Administrator Program at Florida State University. Upon her return, she fully embraced the community college framework.

MCC is now the only local college to be included in both the World University Rankings for Innovation and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024. The community college also won the Outstanding Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards Asia 2024 and was included to the 200 best scientists and universities in the world in 2023.

The Higher Education Commission has also named MCC for its internationalization programs.

Aguilar-Ong stressed the importance of understanding the mission.

“The mission is not just education; it’s a community. Build a team that believes in this mission and they will become experts in getting the job done. Your attitude towards your position matters. I don’t cling to titles, so I’m not afraid to make changes.”

Ways forward

Looking to the future, Aguilar-Ong and her team plan to launch more certificate and diploma courses, including pathways to other colleges and universities, giving students the opportunity to join the workforce, continue their education or pursue higher education elsewhere. This will provide more opportunities for community members, regardless of age and life circumstances.

“My vision is a larger, aesthetically pleasing, fully equipped campus because Filipino students deserve the best,” Aguilar-Ong said. She added that not all students are created equal — some need extra help to succeed.

As a young trailblazer, Aguilar-Ong encourages her team to work hard and celebrate their achievements.

She values ​​quality time with her family, even if it’s virtual, and meaningful conversations.

Whenever things get tough, Aguilar-Ong reminds herself, “Till it’s done.”

She remains committed to her mission, knowing that one day it will be accomplished.

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QUICK QUESTIONS

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?

To never see my family again.

WHAT REALLY MAKES YOU MAD?

Treason.

WHAT MOTIVES YOU TO WORK FULL TIME?

That we can do something better for the country.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU MOST TO LAUGH?

My children, I want to live long for them and see my grandchildren, so I laugh a lot to keep my heart healthy. Every time my family gets together and jokes with each other. The best time!

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE KID?

I wanted to be a doctor.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTO?

Leave until retirement.

IF YOU COULD SHARE A MEAL WITH ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Princess Diana or Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

WHAT IS THE BRAVEST ACT YOU’VE EVER DONE?

Put someone on loudspeaker to prove that someone in the room is lying.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

Etterath by Shiloh Ong. Here I am proud of my mother.

WHICH OF THE CELEBRITIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET OVER A CUP OF COFFEE?

Hugh Grant because he was my high school sweetheart.

WHAT WOULD YOU NEVER DO AGAIN?

I will never do that again: put someone on speakerphone to prove that someone in the room is lying. I was young and impatient then.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?

Maybe I’ll go back to corporate work, or maybe I’ll try something completely new and different. I’ve never stayed in one place for long, so you never know. After all, to learn, you need to move.