More Than Bricks and Mortar: Inside the Plans of MGCNLCA’s Expansion

From its humble beginnings in a small house in Paco to operating  in a five-story-building on Dela Rosa St. in Makati City, and then expanding to a fully functional campus in Taguig, and now soon welcoming a second branch in Alabang—MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) has indeed come a long way.

In the past, the school’s name was unfamiliar to many, but now the name “MGCNLCA” is renowned not only for its students’ remarkable performance in sports and academics but even more for its strong commitment to upholding character and spiritual development.

“We just go, as history [has] dictated, wherever God sends us, by faith,” Board of Trustees Chairman James Tioco said.

Thus, in the spirit of ministering to more students and families, MGCNLCA will be expanding to Alabang Global City (AGC) in about two years, a long-standing vision of the school that was officially put into action last January. 

Rationale

The decision to open a new branch was driven by several key factors, including the fact that the MGCNLCA Bonifacio Global City (BGC) campus has reached full capacity.

“The long waitlist of applicants [whom] we’ve had to turn away—not because they didn’t meet academic standards, but because there were simply no more slots—has deeply motivated us to seek God's leading,” School Director Helen Villanueva said. 

Aside from the increasing enrollment numbers, the school is expanding in hopes of reaching more individuals outside the Christian community. “We’re looking at it through the lens of what the Lord might be looking through—which is more people, more young people, coming to know Him,” Tioco said.

Moreover, the expansion will help the school achieve its goal of providing high-quality education, promoting character development, and enriching spiritual growth across several communities. 

“There is an undeniable and growing demand for educational facilities,” Villaunueva said, “and opening a new branch now will help meet this need while continuing to uphold our commitment to excellence in education.”

Planning

According to Tioco, the vision of opening a second branch was actually decided on many years ago: “The goal [was] to expand yesterday.”

This decision was meticulously conceptualized by the Board of Trustees, headed by Tioco, the School Leadership Core, strategic partners, educational consultants, and community leaders. Meanwhile, State Properties Corporation, a real estate subsidiary, has been developing the 45-hectare master plan in AGC where the second campus will be situated.

The development and construction phases have already begun, and are being closely monitored by the committees under the School Leadership Core. These include the Innovative and Design (ID) Committee, the Resource Development (RD) Committee, the Building & Construction Committee, the Prayer Committee, and the Finance Committee.

The ID and RD committees will be in charge of planning the architectural side of the school and sourcing the materials, respectively. 

Location

The location of the upcoming campus was selected for its accessibility and the growing demand for quality education in the area. “Alabang is a vibrant area, and many families are seeking a reputable school option,” Villanueva said. “We feel that this new branch is a natural step in fulfilling our mission and serving the needs of these families.”

MGCNLCA Alabang is scheduled to begin operations by 2028, starting with a soft opening for a limited number of students, then followed by full enrollment in the succeeding years. 

Students & Teachers

The Alabang branch will start with enrollment with the lower years first and then gradually offer additional levels as the students progress.

Students who are currently enrolled in the BGC campus may have the option to transfer to the Alabang branch depending on convenience, capacity, and specific needs. The school plans to offer a transition program to help families decide whether to stay in BGC or transfer to the new campus in Alabang.

As for teachers and staff, the initial plan includes a combination of hiring new personnel from the Alabang area, transferring current staff from the BGC campus, and recruiting educators who align with the school’s values.

“The decision to transfer teachers from Taguig would depend on staffing needs and the skill set required for the new branch,” Villanueva said.

About the New Branch

The MGCNLCA Alabang branch will uphold the same rigorous and well-structured curriculum as the main campus. “The new branch will follow the same curriculum and educational philosophy as the original school, with a similar focus on academic rigor and personal development,” Villanueva said. 

As for establishing an International Baccalaureate curriculum, the new campus would need to earn its own merits and accreditation. Tioco mentioned, “Whatever we have here, we hope to replicate there.”

The 5,000-square-meter lot in Alabang is set to include essential facilities such as an auditorium, gym, and library. “There may be differences in the facilities based on location, with each campus having its own unique amenities,” Villanueva said.

The increase in outdoor space is one of the main priorities of the second campus. “We would love to see some greens and open space,” Tioco said. “The dream would be having a soccer field [and a] swimming pool.”

The development of these facilities has yet to be finalized and would highly depend on the space and construction plans. The construction of a second auditorium in the new branch, however, will be highly prioritized to potentially host the Makati Gospel Church services every Sunday. 

Funding 

Funding for the new branch will come from a combination sources: the school reserves, potential donors, and fundraising initiatives. 

“We believe that God will provide all the resources needed, and we trust in His provision and guidance every step of the way,” Villanueva said. “We are stepping out in faith, knowing that He is the ultimate source of everything we need.”

As part of the fundraising efforts, proceeds of the worship concert Resounding Praise, the Business Ethics and Social Responsibility project of the current Grade 12 Accountancy, Business, and Management, Humanities and Social Sciences, and General Academic Strand students, will be donated to support the expansion.  Resounding Praise was held on March 30 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater.

The expansion of MGCNLCA will mark a significant milestone in the school’s ongoing commitment to striving for character and excellence across all borders. “From a ministry standpoint, we are expanding because we want to reach out to more families who do not know the Lord yet,” Tioco said.

For the school leaders, the expansion project has been a long-time calling from the Lord. As Tioco said, “All these years, we knew we needed to look elsewhere.”