Filamer Christian University | |
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Pamantasang Kristiyano Filamer | |
Motto | Intellectual, Physical, Spiritual |
Established | August, 1904 |
Type | Private, Christian |
Religious affiliation | Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches |
President | Dr. Expedito A. Señeres |
Location | Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines |
Former names | Capiz Home School (1904-1952) Filamer Christian Institute (1952-1985) Filamer Christian College (1985-2010) |
Hymn | Halls of Filamer |
Colors | Blue, White, and Yellow |
Nickname | FCU |
Affiliations | ACUCA, CHED |
Website | www.filamer.edu.ph |
Filamer Christian University or the FCU is a higher education institution established 1904 by Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Robbins with the help of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. The college is located in Roxas City, Capiz, "Filamer" is the combined name of Filipino and American (Fil-Amer) who ventured together in providing Christian education in the Philippines.
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At the turn of the century, a major historical transition took place in the country. After 300 years of Spanish domination, a new superpower asserted and situated itself in the emerging new world order.
The United States of America took over Spain as a colonial power and with that was the attendant element of education and other aspects (aside from its political stranglehold of its newfound colony).
By the early 1900s, Protestant missionaries arrived in the Philippines. By a comity agreement of major Protestant denominations, the Philippine Islands were divided into mission territories. Western Visayas went to the American Baptists, hence we see major Baptist institutions such as Filamer Christian University, Central Philippine University, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital – major institutions of tremendous influence in the region.
The early American missionaries were never political nor power-hungry. There was a wide delineation between state and church, unlike the Spanish friars who welded both political power and dominance over the soul. This new arrangement dominated the American regime and many were converted to Protestantism because this detestation over the friars’ too much meddling in worldly affairs.
The American missionaries came to preach the gospel and their own band of salvation. But they did not forget the human body which needed nourishment through education. They also brought with them the skills for healing and nursing (that time, advanced in their own country). They did not only open schools for learning reading, writing, and arithmetic. They brought with them to these frontiers hospitals and schools to train doctors and nurses.
They brought with them a new dimension in learning, and that was to question and form one’s ideas, and critical thinking.
They introduced tolerance and taught values dear to their hearts ---- respect for human rights, respect for privacy, the value and ethics of hard work. These, together with the skills to heal, to communicate, and to build. Many critical thinkers and activists of later generations formed their capacity for critical, thinking through through American tutelage.
As we can see in the province of Capiz, Filamer Christian University, which was then known as the Baptist Home School was one of the earliest institutions of learning in the province. It started as an orphanage, evolved into a high school (then known as Filamer Christian Institute, then to Filamer Christian College, and now Filamer Christian University).
From the time it was established to the present, Filamer has produced thousands of alumni who have taken positions of leadership, or respected in their own fields of profession – and they are all over the country and abroad.
Filamer, even while still a high school institute and a college, was already a haven of students from other provinces.
But Filamer does not only stand for the liberation of the human mind. It represents historical epochs very significant to Filipinos. It is very gifted with this capacity very few others have.
In the history of Capiz, it will always be there as a recognized institution that has helped form the province to what it is now. In this history, Filamer stood as a witness and never failed in its mission even as it has surged forward to its esteemed status now.
The coming of the Americans and the establishment of missions were one major episode in our history. The growth of Filamer in the 1900s is so rich with historical materials. Going back to its records gives us a perspective of how life was in those generations.
This was followed by a major historical epoch – the World War II. Then came the Martial Law years and the period that followed.
Filamer just went on. It grew and flourished. And this is one of the functions of the great institutions: to be pointed to as landmark in history, not only as an institution of learning but as a part of the struggle of man to make a humane and just society. In its annals are interwoven the various forces that shaped the community where it is located and where Filamer stood in these significant events.
But institutions like this have a bigger mission to undertake. They have assumed a new and elevated character and therefore their mandates become manifold. For Filamer, over anything else, it is to teach and stand for the truth. For it is only by teaching what is true and just will institutions survive the test of time.
Filamer Chrsitian University has become a part of the growth of Capiz and it contemporary history. It is not only a landmark of history. It is for truth – a complete and liberating truth.We welcome today (February 19, 2011) Filamer Christian University President Dr. Expedito Seneres, Rev. Eliseo Fantilaga (Chairman, Board of Trustees), Atty. Mariano Dioso, Board of Trustee; Jessie Contreras, Board of Trustee; Lucy de la Fuente, Board of Trustee; Violeta Barredo , Vice President for Finance; Dr. Salvio Llanera, Dean, Graduate Studies; and our good friend former Central Philippine University President, Atty. Juanito Acanto.
Filamer Christian University was a home for orphans and poor children.[1] In August 1904, Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Robbins were entrusted with care of three little children. This situation of neglected homeless children touched their hearts which led to the establishment of Capiz Home School, with the first building as a gift from the American Baptist Foreign Mission society. Miss Margaret Suman joined the work and he school which was designed for girls, had 26 children at the beginning. After the construction of the New Baptist Home School building, it started to admit boys. The school made progress and the year 1920 was notable for its record in high enrollment of 80 pupils.
In 1949, the school was raised to the high school level. The Capiz Home School became Filamer Christian Institute in 1952. The unusual name of "Filamer" is a combination of Filipino and American in establishing and running this joint venture in Christian education and cooperation. Filamer Christian University had a complete training up to the College level. Since then, there was no stopping its progress and expansion in terms of its population, the increase in number of professional courses offered, and the acquisition of properties and new buildings. Year 1983-1984 were trying years, as the institution faced financial problems. With God's help Filamer emerged strong again as it came under an interior management by Central Philippine University.
It was in 1985 that Filamer Christian Institute became officially known as Filamer Christian College. Associated with the early history of the school are such unforgettable missionaries as: the Misses Celia Sainz, Margaret Suman, Freida Appel, Emma Nicolet, Mabel Stumpf, Mayme Goldenburg, Irene Dolby, and Arcola Pettit. Then we had Miss Winnifred Stanford who faithfully served the school from 1963 up to 1998. She served as the "spiritual fortress" of these halls for almost 36 years. Ms. Stanford is now serving as Baptist missionary at Minnesota, USA. Even with the changes in leadership through the years Filamer Christian University has still maintained its three-pronged promise of student development - intellectual, physical, spiritual.
The Outer Circle Official Seal of Filamer Christian University represents the holistic programs and services that Filamer offers to ensure quality and excellent education. The Inner Circle symbolizes the development of the total well-being of an individual for a well-rounded personality. The Equilateral Triangle inside the circle stands for the three balanced components of human potentialities: the spiritual, the intellectual, and the physical with the spiritual aspect as the base. The Cross represents the victorious Christ as the center and the real foundation of this institution. This symbol emphasizes the encompassing love of God by which FCC is reaching out to individuals for them to experience the abundant life in Christ Jesus. The Sun represents the illuminating light and eternal hope for every person who search for truth and wisdom, and the real meaning and fulfillment in life. The Figure 1904 stands for the year the school was founded.
Vision: A dynamic Christian institution committed to quality and excellent education.
Mission: To provide a relevant, quality and holistic education for the pursuit of academic excellence and the development of the total well-being of individuals in society.
Goals:
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