| Philippine Women's University | |
|---|---|
| Pamantasang Pambabae ng Pilipinas | |
| Motto | The First University for Women in Asia, Founded by Asians |
| Established | 1919 |
| Type | Private, Non-sectarian, University |
| President | Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez |
| Academic staff | Approx. 500 |
| Undergraduates | Approx. 10,000 |
| Location | Manila, Philippines |
| Colors | Maroon and White |
| Affiliations | ASAIHL, SMIIC, PACU, COCOPEA. WACE, IAUP, IAU, ACUCA, WEW, WCC, WCCI |
| Website | www.pwu.edu.ph |
The Philippine Women's University (PWU) is a non-sectarian academic institution for men and women in the Philippines, founded in 1919 as the Philippine Women's College by Filipino women who envisioned a school that would prepare young women for leadership and service. PWU is located along one city block in the district of Malate in the City of Manila bounded by Taft Avenue and the streets of Malvar, Nakpil and Leon Guinto. The school was granted in 1932 its university status, is recognized as the "First university for women in Asia," and is renowned for its civics-related courses with emphasis on training women in child care and social work.
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A group of visionary women in the Philippines in 1919 sought to further empower women of the country by allowing them access to quality education. Under the American administrative oversight from 1900 to July 4, 1946, education and democracy were the core of America's goal in "developing" the Philippines. Among the first, and perhaps more important, American legacy is the recognition of equality of women in the Philippine islands, years before mainland America embraced the concept.
Seven women who were prominent members of then Manila's social elite—Clara Aragon, Concepcion Aragon, Francisca Tirona Benitez, Paz Marquez Benitez, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera and Socorro Marquez Zaballero—founded the Philippine Women's College (PWC) with the assistance of then prominent lawyer, Jose Abad Santos, who drafted the university's papers: its constitution and by-laws. Abad Santos was appointed by President Manuel L. Quezon to the Supreme Court of the Philippines just before the Japanese occupation as the fifth Chief Justice of the Philippines.
The American colonial government gave Philippine Women's College its recognition as a university in 1932, 13 years after the school opened its doors. From 1932 up to the outbreak of the Second World War, Philippine Women's University opened its Department of Child Development; in 1938, a course in Social Civic training was incorporated into the curriculum. The academic programs of the university were based on the founder's objectives to train Filipinas in civic responsibility.
Established families from all over the Philippines who could afford higher education sent their daughters to PWU. Most institutions offering higher education at that time were exclusively for young men, like PWU's neighbor, De La Salle College. Schools for women offering higher education were operated by secular or religious sisters of the Roman Catholic Church, including PWU's neighbor, Santa Isabel College, also on Taft Avenue.
The Japanese occupation of the Philippine islands from 1942 to 1945 did not intimidate the PWU community to continue with its operations. For a time, classes at the PWU (like in most academic institutions of that time) were held intermittently due to the extraordinary conditions imposed by the Japanese. The PWU campus, a building occupying an entire city block, was converted to a hospital, known as the "Pagamutan ng Maynila."
The university sustained major damages during the war and barely survived the siege during the start of the American and Philippine liberation of Manila on February 9, 1945. The school resumed its academic programs a few months before the Philippines became a free and independent republic on July 4, 1946.
PWU contributed to many historical events in the country. The university opened its doors to fire-ravaged communities of Manila in 1969 and later in 1980.
In less than 50 years since the university's founding, PWU opened similar campuses for women in parts of the country, such as Iloilo in the Visayas and Davao City in Mindanao.
The university opened its doors to elementary and secondary education when it founded the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) in nearby San Andres Bukid Street. Another JASMS is in Quezon City.
PWU is recognized as a launching stage for those pursuing the performing arts. Through the efforts of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, the university organized and developed the world-renowned Bayanihan Philippine Folk Dance Company. Benitez, with Philippine National Artist for the Music and the Arts, dean emeritus Lucresia R. Kasilag (who served as Bayanihan's president and musical director), have pioneered and effortlessly promoted the Filipino culture, particularly folk dance.
Senator Benitez, who became the first alumnae president of the university, has been at the helm of PWU for more than three decades and, in 1980, became chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
The university had its first male president in 1993 with the election of Dr. Jose Conrado Benitez who had set a vision on a strategic plan to diversify and to use information technology to transcend distance and bring functional education to everyone.
In the 1990s, PWU opened its doors to male enrollees and became a co-educational institution.
PWU has proven itself to be an enduring institution and, in the 21st century, remains committed to serving men and women from nursery to graduate school. The Philippine Women’s University system and its affiliate schools for men and women laid the foundation for its vision of corporate entrepreneurial university, market-driven in partnership with business and industry, government and non-government, through modern technology.
In 2003, Dr. Amelou B. Reyes became the eighth university president. She holds a double cum laude from the Philippine Women’s University: Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology and Bachelor of Science, major in guidance and counseling.
In 2009, Dr. Amelou Benitez's son Alfredo "Freddie" Benitez Reyes, became CEO and head of the Finance and Comptrollership Office of the Board of Trustees in March 2009. In February, 2011 Alfredo, became the Vice President for External Affairs and Linkages.
In 2011, Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez the Son became the Ninth and second Male President of the University. He is the son of Seventh President and first male President of PWU Dr. Jose Conrado Benitez.
The PWU: A University that develops individuals through excellence in teaching, dynamic and relevant research and responsive service supported by evolving technology for global competence.
An enduring commitment to prepare the learner to continuously search for knowledge through a holistic education which treasures heritage, imbued with the core values of personal integrity and spirituality, family solidarity and community participation.
I
Hayaang magsialay
Kanilang pamantasan (pamantasan)
Nang papuri't pagdakila
Paaralan nilang Lahat
Ngunit sa aming puso
Iisa ang sinusuyo
Ang mahal naming kolehiyo
Kayamanang walang hanggan (kayamanan)
Chorus
Halina at ating tupdin
Alay niya'y ating sundin
Masayang ipagkapuri
Ating Philippine Women's University
II
Iba't-ibang kulay at damdamin
Nagpapahayag ng diwa (ng diwa)
May abo pula't bughaw
Puti't maroon ang sa akin
At saan man magsitungo
Kahit sa iba mang dako
Aral niya ay isaisip
Sa Diyos bansa't lahi (bansa't lahi)
Repeat Chorus
Coda
Philippine Women's University[1]
I
Let other sing Their Praises
Of their Alma Mater Fair (Alma Mater)
Let Them Ponder on the Graces
of their college Great and Rare
II
But my Heart Beats true Forever for the
college I Love Best
I Shall Cease to Treasure Never Mem'ries of
her in My Breast (In My Breast)
Chorus
Loyal May we Ever be
May We Learn Her Lessons Right
Proud May we Ever be
of the Philippine Women's University
III
Other Hues Thrill Other Bosoms
Red, Blue and Gray in Other Sight (Other Sight)
Are the Fairest tints of Bosoms
But For Me Maroon and White
IV
Wherever we may Wander
and Wherever we may Roam
On Its Message Let Us Ponder
Love of Country, God and Home (God and Home)
Chorus
Loyal May we Ever be
May We Learn Her Lessons Right
Proud May we Ever be
of the Philippine Women's University
Coda
Philippine Women's University
PWU is a member institution of Philippine Association of College and Universities (PACU), Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) as well as the International Association of Universities and the International Association of University Presidents.
PWU is currently active in the Women's National Collegiate Athletics Association (WNCAA) and Women's Collegiate Sports Association (WCSA). The official school moniker is the PWU Patriots. According to Dr. Amelou Benitez, the Patriots "reflect the PWU Brand of Education."
As of 2008:
Table Tennis
Swimming
Basketball
Futsal
Volleyball
Badminton
Taekwondo
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