Manila Central University

The Manila Central University (Pamantasang Sentral ng Maynila in Filipino, commonly abbreviated as MCU, formerly known as the Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila) is a private, non-sectarian, non-stock educational institution situated in EDSA, Caloocan City, Philippines. It was founded and first directed in 1904 by Dr. Alejandro M. Albert.

MCU is "the first Pharmacy school run by Filipinos", and the "first Nursing school that offered the 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the Philippines."

The patron of the university is Minerva.

MCU is one of the former member universities of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, from 1952 to 1962.

Facade of the MCU

Colleges

• College of Medicine
• College of Nursing
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Dentistry
• College of Optometry
• College of Medical Technology
• College of Physical Therapy
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business and Technology
• Graduate School
• High and Grade School Department

History

The Manila Central University had a very humble beginning. In 1903, at the request of several students from the University of Santo Tomas and others, Dr. Alejandro M. Albert organized a private review class.

This review class developed into the Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila in 1904, with Dr. Albert as the founder and director. Later on, due to the steady increase in enrollment, it was transformed into the Manila College of Pharmacy, with Dr. Leon Ma. L. Guerrero, Antonio C. Llamas, Feliciano P. Paterno and Atty. Filemon D. Tanchoco, Sr. as the incorporators. It was the first educational institution of its kind established and managed by Filipinos. Its success demonstrated the undoubted capacity and ability of the Filipinos managing their own affairs in the education field, especially then. Its initial organization was barely four years after the establishment of the Philippine education system.

The Manila College of Pharmacy became one of the leading institutions of higher learning of its kind. It produced many prominent pharmacists. Stable and secure in its position, the college expanded in number in 1929. Its Board of Trustees, answering a long-felt need for the training of the youth for dental services, opened the college of Dentistry. Manila College of Pharmacy became then the Manila College of Pharmacy and Dentistry in the pre-war era.

Open and dedicated to give the best education for youth, the college maintained its leading position in the education field. Unfortunately, the Second World War closed its portals in 1941.

During the Japanese occupation, the enemy systematically looted its extensive facilities, laboratory, equipment, museums and many more. During the liberation period, it was further looted of everything but the shell of its two buildings.

After the liberation of the Philippines, the Board of Trustees reorganized the college into Manila Central Colleges.

In addition to Pharmacy and Dentistry, the reorganized institution offered courses in Liberal Arts, Education, Commerce, Business Administration and postgraduate courses in Pharmacy. And in 1947, the College of Medicine was added. In 1948, it became the Manila Central University after opening the College of Nursing and Graduate School, and met more than the sufficient university requirements.

In 1949, the MCU inaugurated its 10-hectare campus in Caloocan City. The colleges of Optometry and Midwifery, and the High School and Kindergarten departments were opened. Expansion projects and development programs for the university, and individual colleges were continuously drawn to meet education demands and the objectives of the University.

Dalit ng MCU

Pamantasan nating ito,

Magiting na MCU.

Pag-asa nitong bayan,

Sandigan man din ng karangalan.

Ang bandila nating mahal,

Sagisag gintong aral.

Sigla at lakas natin,

Alay sa kanya habang may buhay.

Chorus:

Ang awit, tinig na ito,

Likha ng diwa at puso ko.

Isamo natin at ipagdasal,

Katarungan ay kamtan.

Laging handa, lagi kaming laan,

Ipagtanggol kanyang ngalan.

University logo

Elements in the university logo:

• Torch of Knowledge: Symbol for Learning
• Minerva: The Goddess of Wisdom
• Caduceus: Symbolizes the Science Courses offered by the University
• Book: For Education Courses
• Mortar: Pharmacy Logo (First College Founded)
• Academic Freedom: Circle (Strong Foundation) Triangle (Justice and Equality)
• Mercury: Fast Delivery of Service
• Laurel and Leaves: Prestige and Honor

• 

  Minerva

• 

  Caduceus

• 

  Mercury

University Timeline

• 1904 A private review class for pharmacy students was institutionalized as the Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila, the first school of Pharmacy run by Filipinos, with Dr. Alejandro M. Albert as the founder and director. Classes were conducted in the building later occupied by Avenue Theater in Rizal Avenue, Manila. Dr. Albert held the school directorship until 1908.
• 1908 The Escuela produced its first batch of graduates. Among them were Filomena Francisco Guerrero and Matilde Arquiza Arroyo, the first Filipina pharmacists.
• 1913 Atty. Filemon D. Tanchoco, Sr. (Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 1910) placed second in the Pharmacists Licensure Examination.
• 1915 With a steady increase in enrollment, the Escuela was transformed into Manila College of Pharmacy, with Dr. Leon Ma. L. Guerrero, Antonio C. Llamas, Feliciano P. Paterno and Atty. Tanchoco as incorporators. The school was authorized to confer postgraduate and doctoral degrees in Pharmacy. The college was housed in a new building at the corner of Oroquieta and Zurbaran in Manila. With Dr. Guerrero appointed as the country’s representative to the Panama Pacific Exposition, Dr. Albert became the school director.
• 1917 Francisco Casas (BS Pharmacy, 1917) placed third in the Pharmacy Board Exams.
• 1918 The Pharmacy profession reached new heights with around 1,000 registered drugstores, boticas, and farmacias, in the country; 229 of them in Manila and suburbs. Many prominent pharmacies were graduates of the MCP.
• 1920 In a landmark case that put the integrity of the nascent pharmacy industry on the line, Atty. Tanchoco took the cudgels for the Filipino pharmacist. He defended a group of pharmacists accused by the American government of selling adulterated preparations based on the United States Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary, and of violating the Drug Law. Shortly thereafter, the Philippine Pharmaceutical Association was established.
• 1926 Construction began on a new building at the corner of Mayhaligue and Felix Huertas in Manila.
• 1929 The College of Dentistry was founded in response to a long-felt need for the training of the youth for dental services. The institution became the Manila College of Pharmacy and Dentistry. Dr. Genaro Felizardo, who organized the college, served as acting head of college until appointment of Dr. Jose Francisco as the first dean. The opening of the College of Dentistry was the first step in the founders’ program of expansion and in affording the youth as institution devoted solely to the teaching and development of science courses.
• 1936 The college started developing competencies in mineral analysis with the creation of the mineral assaying department.
• 1937 Bella P. Cruz–Nicolas (B.S. Pharmacy) placed first in the Pharmacy Board Exams.
• 1938 The college began offering secondary education through Albert High School. The college started making laundry soap and later produced medicated soap.
• 1941 The college closed its doors as the Second World War breaks out. Japanese forces occupied its buildings and systematically looted its extensive facilities, laboratory, equipment, museum, among others, leaving only the shell of its two buildings.
• 1945 The demise of two founders and the incapacitation of two others leave Atty. Tanchoco with the awesome task of reviving the College. Mustering their savings and energy, he and his wife Purificacion Gallego-Tanchoco, reopened the school with a new wing — the College of Liberal Arts. Classes started with tables and chairs made of bamboo and pine from crates. With Dr. Alfredo Guerrero as dean, the school was renamed the Manila College of Pharmacy and Liberal Arts.
• 1946 Further expansion followed with the setting up of the College of Education, the Normal Department and the Elementary Department. The Board of Trustees reorganized the College into the Manila Central Colleges with Atty. Filemon Tanchoco as chairman and Dr. Alfredo L. Guerrero as the dean of the College of Pharmacy. The Liberal Arts and Education colleges and the Normal Department were grouped under the Allied Colleges. Acting Dean Magdaleno Arellano was succeeded by Dr. Eugenia Reus-Beucler, an alumna, a year later.

• 1947 Responding to an appeal from students and community to continue operating the affable College of Medicine and Surgery after the death of its founder, the MCC acquired its facilities. Thus was born the MCC’s College of Medicine, with Dr. Alfredo Guerrero as the first Dean. The College of Nursing was also opened after the Bureau of Private Schools granted MCC the permit to operate the first year of a four- year course. Permit to operate subsequent years of the course were secured after. The Graduate School in Business Administration was also established, the only of its kind focusing on scientific management, to offer the degrees of Master in Business Administration and later, Master in Public Administration. Dr. Leon Ma. Gonzales is the first Dean.
• 1948 With a diversity of approved courses, the MCC was granted the authority to become a bona fide university. Henceforth the institution was known as the Manila Central University. Atty. Tanchoco is the first MCU president.
• 1949 MCU acquired the Novitiate of San Jose in Caloocan with the goal eventually relocating the entire university there. The former novitiate building was renovated to the house of College of Medicine. The 10-hectare campus was inaugurated the same year. Not too long afterward, the MCU Hospital, Nurses’ Home, gymnasium and auditorium were constructed there as well. Germanico Carreon (MCU College of Dentistry, 194?) topped the June Dental Board Exams, while Rufino Achacoso (MCU College of Dentistry, 1948) placed fifth, establishing a tradition of excellence school. MCU conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Pedagogy on Dr. Luther B. Bewley, adviser on education matters of the Office of the President.
• 1950 Nelda Delgado (BS Pharmacy, 1950) placed second in the Pharmacy Board Exams.
• 1951 The College of Nursing was authorized to offer full four-year nursing course.
• 1953 The Graduate Pharmacy building was erected. It housed the Industrial Pharmacy and Research Laboratory, the only one of its kind in Asia. MCU conferred the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy honoris causa to Primo Arambulo.
• 1954 MCU’s Industrial Pharmacy and Research Laboratory was featured on the cover and editorial of the July 1954 issue of the American Journal of Pharmacy as well as in the August 1954 issue of Pharmacy International. President Ramon F. Magsaysay received the degree of Doctor of Sciences in Public Health, honoris causa.
• 1955 The School of Midwifery was established.
• 1956 Conrado Gonzales Atendido (MCU College of Dentistry, 1956) placed sixth in the June Dental Board Exams.
• 1957 MCU College of Dentistry Class 1957 graduates Felicitas Medina and Ma. Concepcion Llanes placed fourth (June) and seventh (December), respectively, in the Dental Board Exams.
• 1958 Edna Del Rosario (MCU College of Dentistry, 1958) placed fourth in June Dental Board Exams.
• 1959 The College of Optometry was established, opening a new avenue of excellence in health science-based education.
• 1962 The MCU Medical Alumni Association was formed to foster fellowship and to promote the school spirit and camaraderie among the university’s medical graduates. Dr. Manuel S. Dijamco served as first MCUMAA president.
• 1963 The MCU family mourned the passing of the patriarch, Atty. Filemon D. Tanchoco.
• 1964 Purificacion Gallego-Tanchoco became MCU’s second president. In line with the trends of the time, MCU started offering BS Medical Technology as a subsidiary to the College of Pharmacy.
• 1966 The Graduate Education Division offered masteral studies in Education. Luningning Tanchoco-Estanislao assumed post as Administrator of MCU Hospital.
• 1970 Dr. Filemon G. Tanchoco Jr., MCU executive vice president and comptroller, organized the project Lingap sa Nayon (LINA) of the World University Service, Philippines. This MCU project became the model for the government’s Youth Civil Action Program (YCAP).
• 1971 The MCU Hospital and the College of Medicine were converted into the Filemon Dionisio Tanchoco Medical Foundation (FDTMF).
• 1974 The Out-patient Department and Emergency as well as the medical auditorium and an audiovisual room were added to the hospital. MCU’s Freddie Cabanilla (College of Medicine, 1974) landed among the Medical Board Exam topnotchers.
• 1975 MCU College of Medicine Class 1975 graduates Lemuel Medina, Henry Go and Joaquin Guzon made it among the topnotchers of the Medical Board Exams. MCU Awarded the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa to Finance Secretary Cesar Virata
• 1976 Malania Cano (MCU College of Dentistry, 1976) placed 10th in December Dental Board Exams, as Eduardo Castor and Roy Amador of the MCU College of Medicine Class 1976 joined the ranks of Medical Board Exam topnotchers.
• 1977 Dr. Filemon G. Tanchoco, Jr. initiated the contest on the Interdepartmental Case Report and Scientific Paper presentations. During a visit to a LINA project area in Batangas, he met a tragic road accident. Lualhati Tanchoco Gonzalez assumed the post of MCU executive vice president. Renato G. Tanchoco was tapped to take on the role of MCU vice president and treasurer. Reynaldo Rillo (MCU College of Dentistry, 1977) placed seventh in June Dental Board Exams, as Rosario Dela Torre (MCU College of Medicine, 1977) made it among the Medical Board Exams topnotchers.
• 1982 Ma. Socorro Gozar (MCU College of Dentistry, 1982) topped the December Dental Board Exams.
• 1984 The MCU Medical Alumni Association in America was organized to strengthen bonds among U.S.-based alumni and to raise funds for education resources, research and patient care/community services in the Philippines. MCU awarded Atty. Amado Dizon, prolific educator and former MCU acting president, the title of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa
• 1985 The MCU Bagong Silang Health Center "under the tree" started as a community extension program. MCU would acquire a lot and build a permanent health center two years later. Daniel Veneracion (MCU College of Dentistry, 1985) placed 10th in May Dental Board Exams.
• 1986 The formal Committee on Research was created to coordinate all scientific researches of the College of Medicine and to publish the College’s Philippine Scientific Journal. Cesar Magsino of the MCU College of Medicine Class 1986 placed second in the Medical Board Exams, and classmate Rogelio George Magnaye joined him among the ranks of topnotchers.
• 1987 Lucito Sison (MCU College of Dentistry, 1987) placed 10th in May Dental Board Exams.
• 1988 MCU’s Viannely Berwyn Flores (MCU College of Medicine, 1986) made it among the Medical Board Exam topnotchers.
• 1989 Emmanuel Linchangco of the MCU College of Medicine Class 1989 topped the Medical Board Exam, and classmate Lourdes Quinto joined him among the topnotchers.
• 1990 Evangeline Franco-Fabian (MCU College of Medicine, Class 1988) was among the topnotchers in the August Medical Board Exam.
• 1991 MCU launched the University Integrated Community Extension Programs and Services (UNICEPS) in Barangay Portrero, Malabon. Involving seven colleges and later expanding to other areas, UNICEPS adopted a holistic approach to community development that blended medical, dental, optometry, and laboratory services with literacy, sports, livelihood, health education, environmental sanitation, mothercraft and feeding programs. Pinky Grace Varilla (MCU College of Dentistry, 1991) placed second in December Dental Board Exams.
• 1992 The College of Medicine adopted a competency–based curriculum. MCU College of Medicine Class 1990 valedictorian Glen Manalo ranked among the Medical Board Exam topnotchers. Renato G. Tanchoco died. Monalisa Marcia (BSN, 1992) and Val Lomuntad (MCU College of Dentistry, 1992) placed fifth in the Nursing and Dental Board Exams, respectively while Jesse Cagiuao (MCU College of Optometry, 1991) placed seventh in the Board Exams for Optometry.
• 1993 A Research Unit was organized in the College of Medicine. Ma. Peachy Tiongson (MCU College of Optometry, 1992) placed fifth in the Board Exams for Optometry.
• 1994 Gallego-Tanchoco died and was succeeded by Dr. Lualhati Tanchoco-Gonzalez as MCU president. The College of Physical Therapy was approved. Jennifer Requino (BSN, 1994) placed seventh in the Nursing Board Exams and Antonio Ambas Jr. (MCU College of Dentistry, 1994) placed ninth in May Dental Board Exams.
• 1995 The MCU College of Medicine adopted an innovative curriculum, anchored on "problem-based learning" (PBL) as teaching strategy. Sustaining its high standards, MCU College of Optometry celebrated a banner year at three of its Class 1994 graduates landed in the top ten of the Optometry Board Exams: Marianne Mance (2nd), Michael De Castro (2nd), Hilda Perez (9th).
• 1996 All the colleges were consolidated in one the campus. All the programs in the Manila campuses in Zurbaran and Mayhaligue were transferred to Caloocan City. Rolando Marcelino (MCU College of Optometry, 1996) placed 6th in Board Exams for Optometry, Vesna Lea Ferrer (MCU College of Dentistry, 1996) placed 7th in the December Dental Board Exams. Florendo Palma Samonte (MCU College of Medical Technology, 1996) placed 10th in the Medical Technology Board Exams.
• 1997 MCU’s Jude Ganzon (BSN, 1997) topped the year’s Nursing Board Examinations.
• 1998 The Tanchoco Family Council was organized, creating a regular venue for the second and third generation clan members to participate formally in setting policy directions and in making major management decisions for MCU, consistent with deeply held values and standards
• 1999 Darryl Picar (MCU College of Dentistry, 1999) placed 2nd in May and Catherine de Guzman (MCU College of Dentistry, 1999) placed 6th in December. The same year sees Ernesto Cabiling (MCU College of Optometry, 1998), placed 9th in the Board Exam for Optometry.
• 2000 Eileen Gonzales (MCU College of Optometry, 1999) placed 10th in Board Exams for Optometry.
• 2001 MCU-FDTMF engaged The Denver Group, a management consultancy organization, to took the key officers through a process of setting strategic directions for the university in the 21st century. Intensive workshops yielded the Leading Education through Alignment and Responsible Navigation (LEARN) in the Creating the Unique and Revolutionary Endeavor (CURE) change management interventions for MCU and FDTMF, respectively. Noted economist and former Finance Secretary Jesus P. Estanislao was conferred the title of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa. Dental Board Exams yielded a bumper crop of topnotchers for MCU: Pol Pagsanjan (College of Dentistry, 2001) 3rd (December); Marvin Andaya (College of Dentistry, 2000) 10th (May); and Helen Jagmis (College of Dentistry, 2001) 10th (December).
• 2002 MCU scored big in Board Exams for Optometry as Jimmy Juan (College of Optometry, 2000) and Jocelyn Lim (College of Optometry, 1999) placed No. 2 and No. 7 respectively. The year also sees Darwin Tualla (MCU College of Dentistry, 2002) clinch 10th place in the May Dental Board Exams. Romeo Tacorda and Rogelio Mateo (College of Business Administration, 2001) placed 16th and 21st, respectively, in the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination.
• 2003 The Commission on Higher Education selected MCU among the universities and colleges deserving of the grant of autonomy and deregulated status due to academic excellence, outstanding overall performances of their graduates in licensure exams, and their long tradition of integrity. Autonomy entitles MCU to, among others, financial incentives and the privilege to prescribe curricular programs to achieve global competence. Janice Beltran (MCU College of Optometry, 2001) placed 3rd in Board Exams for Optometry and Frederick Brigino (BSN, 2002) placed 8th in Licensure Exam for Midwifery.
• 2004 MCU celebrated 100 years of Commitment to the Filipino through Excellence in Education. MCU College of Optometry Class 2004 graduates Raegan Ludovick Bartolome and Mauro Carlo Aquino placed 7th and 10th, respectively, in Board Exams for Optometry. The University conferred upon Dr. Josette Talamero Biyo, internationally award educator and scientist, the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa.
• 2006 MCU College of Optometry Class 2006 graduates Katherine de Mesa and Donnie Saludes placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in Board Exams for Optometry.
• 2009 MCU marks its 105th founding anniversary with the installation of Dr. Aristotle Tanchoco Malabanan as the university's fourth president on March 25, 2009 at the school's Centennial Gymnasium. The year's theme was "Unity in Overcoming the Challenges" — the same theme used for its 104th anniversary in 2008.
• 2010 MCU launches its new tagline. The tagline underscores the University’s key objective that is to mold selfless individuals that will contribute to society’s growth and prosperity. The MCU graduates’ track record of success and excellence is a testament of the mission that we in MCU have bestowed upon ourselves.
• 2010 MCU's Marco Kwan (BSMT, 1986) became the first Filipino Medical Technologist to successfully passed both the IRCA (International Register of Certificated Auditors, UK) ISO 9001 Quality Management System lead auditor's course examination in 2007, and the IRCA 22000 Food Safety Management Systems lead auditor's course examination in 2010.
• 2011 Dr. Nila Gonzales Franche, MD (MCU-FDTMF College of Medicine batch 2009) placed 5th in the February 2011 Physicians Licensure Exam.

See also

• List of universities and colleges in the Philippines

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manila Central University.

• MCU Website
• MCU Alumni Website
• Old photograph of the Liceo de Manila at Flickr