An array of activities provided a fitting starting to the 60th Foundation Anniversary, which kicked off last September 9, 2008.

For the college students, invitational games marked the start of the diamond celebration. They featured a basketball match-up between the SMC varsity team and the UIC (University if Immaculate Conception) varsity team at the MIMP Hall. The later rallied back from a 10-11 deficit by the end of the first quarter, and eventually won the game against the SMC varsity. Meanwhile, the SMC volleyball varsity team also played a match-up against selected QACS' (Queen of Apostles College Seminary) seminarians at the Grade School grounds.

After the invitational games, the first and fourth year college students then proceeded to the Old Christ the King Cathedral to participate in the institutional mass. Msgr. Ulysses Perandos, Vicar General of the Diocese of Tagum, was the mass celebrant. During the homily, he stressed that it was necessary to conduct thanksgiving celebrations like the Foundation Anniversary, especially after surpassing those 60 years of successes and obstacles.

A torch parade that was participated by the Marian community then took place after the Eucharistic celebration. The parade started at the afore-mentioned cathedral and ended at the P.E. grounds inside the SMC campus. While walking, the students held lighted candles and torches.

The opening ceremony soon followed. It began with the serenade to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Mother Ignacia Band. A liturgy took place thereafter.

Afterwards, the Mother Ignacia Bust was then unveiled at the P.E. grounds. S. Ma. Bernardita Zatarin, RVM, Provincial Superior of Southern Mindanao, and S. Ma. Magdalena Monteza, RVM, Local Superior of the RVM Community of Tagum and SMC-T Academic Consultant, led said event. S. Ma. Preciosa M. Rusiana, RVM, School President, then gave a speech regarding the significance of the bust. It was then followed by the blessing of the said bust by Msgr. Ulysses Perandos.

The opening ceremony also gave way to the unveiling of the Foundation day logo by S. Ma. Bernardita Zatarin, RVM and S. Ma. Magdalena Monteza, RVM. This signaled the formal opening of the 60th Foundation Anniversary as headed S. Ma. Preciosa M. Rusiana, RVM who formally opened the celebration.

Aside from the events mentiond, the opening ceremony also showcased songs and dances by the "lumad" (indigenous people) and the selected grade school pupils who performed as little angels. (Percival Adonis Casino III)