Pasig Catholic College
Kolehiyong Katoliko ng Pasig | |
| Motto | Noblesse Oblige |
|---|---|
Motto in English | "Nobility Obligates" |
| Type | Private, Roman Catholic, Diocesan |
| Established | 1913 |
| President | Rev. Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, Ed.D. (since 2004) |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Malinao, Pasig City |
| Nickname | PCCians, The Red Crusaders, (previously) Kumbento Boys |
| Website | [1] |
Pasig Catholic College (PCC) is a private sectarian college located at the heart of Pasig City, Philippines. It was founded in 1913 as a small school managed by the CICM Fathers headed by Fr. Rouse Stephen Cebreros inside the "convento" (convent) of the then Immaculate Conception Parish (at present, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City). Moreover, it is considered as the central Catholic educational institution of the Diocese of Pasig.
The History of Pasig Catholic College
CICM and the Founding of the Pasig Catholic College
Pasig Catholic College, founded in 1913 by the CICM fathers, was determined to accomplish its major task: to provide students quality Catholic education. Thus, with an initial enrollment of 28 pupils (Grades 1 to 3) and with Maria Consuelo Agustin as the appointed teacher, PCC was born - out of the desire and determination of the Belgian CICM Missionaries.
CICM, or Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae in Latin (or Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary), is a group of Belgian diocesan priests led by Theophile Verbist in 1862. He wanted to help orphans in China. The Founding Fathers never imagined that many would follow their footsteps, notwithstanding the cost of traveling by sea and the hinterlands of China in the second half of the 1800’s. A congregation was born not knowing exactly what lies ahead. Their only assurance was their missionary zeal and God’s providence.
The first CICM Missionaries came to the Philippines in 1907. Right away, they settled in the Cordilleras and served its people. In the missions, the CICM missionaries served the local churches, but the focus of their apostolate is centered on justice, peace and integrity of creation, dialogue with other regions and witnessing the Good News in the world today. This was the mission that was in the mind of its founder, Fr. Cornelis de Brouwer (1881-1960) when they arrived here in 1910 with his aide, Fr. Remigio. They promptly went to Pasig Central Elementary School and Pasig Secondary School to teach catechism. Three years later, PCC was born.
The "Convento"
No time or effort was spared in advertising the school and the Catholic education it offered. Almost every year from 1914, one class was added. Soon, there was a need for more classrooms. In response to the growing population of the school the convento was converted into classrooms. When these rooms became inadequate, the Fathers made five rooms of the convento available for the school. At one particular time, even the greeting rooms and convent lobbies were being used as classrooms so that practically the whole convento had become a school.
Expanding Horizons
On January 15, 1916, the Amarican government finally recognized the primary school. Then on September 4, 1920, the intermediate levels got approval for operations. As the population grew in 1931, Rev. Fr. Victor de Klerk saw the urgency of constructing the first school building composed of eight classrooms in the Church patio.
In 1939-41, the Urbano Building was constructed under the administration of Rev. Fr. Urbano Timmermans. During World War II, many buildings were destroyed by the bombings in 1941. The next five years was a period of reconstruction. In 1950, ten more classes were added. This building was extended in 1952 by adding four more rooms.
Incorporation
Pasig Catholic College was originally incorporated in accordance with Philippine Laws on August 24, 1915. After World War II, the Articles of the Incorporation were dully reconstituted on August 12, 1948 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The transcript of these amended articles of incorporations was issued on February 3, 1949.
The Legacy of the Belgian Fathers
When Rev. Fr. Roger Tjolle arrived in Pasig in 1951, he introduced the American brand of education. It was also during his time that the secondary and tertiary levels of the school were recognized and was later known as Pasig Catholic College. Fr. Tjolle also initiated the "barrio chapel instruction program" that aims to teach basic cathecasis and instill the Catholic Faith in the youthfull minds of the town.
The efforts of Fr. Joseph, Fr. Carlos and Fr. Smits really showed the dramatic physical changes in the young school. During the years 1957-62, high standards of education and deportment were enforced. Soon, Pasig Catholic College had more than 1500 students enrolled with a yearly growth of a hundred more in the succeeding years. It was also during their time that a handful of buildings were constructed. Due to all of their hardwork and aspirations, their love and flourishing dream can still be felt by the students as they pass through the corridors of present-day PCC.
The First Lay Administrators
"The Big Three"
In 1965, when Fr. Carlos Van Ooteghem was the School Director, he appointed Mrs. Engracia Lara-Ibanez as the Grade School Asst. Principal, Mr. Antonio Bonifacio-Cruz as the Asst. High School Principal and Mrs. Teresita Birco-Gomez as the Asst. Dean of College. Often dubbed as The Big Three of their generation, their legacy can still be felt in PCC as they stayed in their positions in a span of more than a decade.
In 1972 Mrs. Ibanez took control as principal of the Grade School department the same way with Mr. Cruz in the High School Department. As Fr. Carlos retired from office, Mrs. Gomez as Dean of College had a steady increase of enrollees. However, it was short-lived due to the political constraints of the 70's and massive student rebellion during the Marcos regime. Due to the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 the rate of College enrollments was pulled down but the Lower Levels of the school were not affected and continued to grow.
The Filipino Clergy Takes Over
PCC Under the Archdiocese of Manila
1977 was the year that marked the institution's submission to the Archdiocese of Manila. This was due to the compliance for Filipinization. In 1979, Most Rev. Bishop Manuel Sobrevinas the first Filipino Priest to reside in the Immaculate Conception Parish was given authority as school director of Pasig Catholic College.
In 1980 the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary gave Sr. Josefina delos Reyes as representative and began toco-administer the school. It was also in this year that the college department had a population of nearly 2000 students. Also a new program in the teacher training courses was introduced.
When Mrs. Teresita Gomez went off to America with her family in 1982, The school chose Ms. Emerita G. Magsajo as the New Dean of College. A stunning 2134 College enrollees welcomed the first semester of '82.
In 1984, Mrs. Ibanez retired as Principal of the Grade School Department. She was succeeded by Mrs. Rosario Uson-Gonzales.
And the next big tree in the coming year 2010 are Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce.
The Construction of New Buildings
The New College Building
The new college building was completed in 1987. It boasted a very spacious multi-purpose hall, state of the art laboratories and libraries for the three departments. An auditorium was also built on the fourth floor of the new edifice.
1987 was also the year when Sr. Adelina Segismundo of the Order of St. Augustine took over Vice Directress of the School.
In 1991, High School Principal Mr. Cruz retired and Mrs. Dolora Cruz Romero took over the reigns as the new Principal for the department.
In 1993, Msgr. Emmanual Sunga assumed directorship of the school. He was assisted by the parochial vicar, Rev. Fr. Alfredo Ramos as vice director.
In 1997, Msgr. Manuel Gabriel became director. Two years later, he created the Office of the President, and appointed Mrs. Virginia Cruz-Cacananta as the first Executive Vice President of the institution.
The Diocese of Pasig was established on August 21, 2003, thus giving way for Pasig Catholic College as the center of quality Catholic education in the entire diocese. Msgr. Gabriel stepped down few months later. In January 2004, Msgr. Gerardo Santos, Catechetical Director of the Archdiocese of Manila, was appointed new President. The Bishop of Pasig, Most Rev. Francisco San Diego, is enrolled as the institution's Honorary Chairman.
In 2003, Mrs. Corazon Arnedo died while serving as principal of the Grade School Department. She was succeeded by Mrs. Maria Lourdes Cumpas. She was succeeded by an acting principal, Danilo Villanueva.
Mr. Carlos De Guzman was principal of the High School Department from 2000 to 2002. He was succeeded by Dr. Nenita Tandingan, who served from 2002 to 2003. At present, the principal is Mrs. Asuncion Cansana, who later earned her Doctorate in Education in 2005.
The Administration Building
In 1994 the old wooden college building was replaced by a conrete five-storey Adiministration Building. The building housed the High School and College Classrooms as well as Administrative offices. At the same time, a new school cafeteria was constructed in front of the High School Building.
The following year, a co-educational program was offered to the first two years of grade school and high school levels.