Divine Word College of Legazpi

Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL)
Location
Bicol Region
Legazpi, Albay 4500
Philippines
Information
Motto Duc in Altum (Latin)
Denomination Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s) Arnold Janssen
Joseph Freinademetz
Established 1947
Founder Juan Carullo
Status Open
President Crispin A. Cordero
Color(s) Gray (General uniform), Green (High School), Blue (Grade School)
Song DWCL Hymn
Nickname DWCL
Newspaper The Dove (G.S.)
The Divinian (H.S.)
The Channel (College)
Website www.dwc-legazpi.edu

The Divine Word College of Legazpi or DWCL is a Catholic-affiliated college run by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in Legazpi, Albay, Philippines.

History

Early history

The Divine Word College of Legazpi was originally Liceo de Albay, a diocesan parochial school for boys owned and managed by Rev. Fr. Juan Carullo, a retired Army Chaplain and a native of Malinao, Albay. When he left the military service, his retirement pay and other personal wealth was invested in a school which he founded. At the beginning, the school was an exclusive high school for boys (St. Agnes was the exclusive high school for girls).

In 1952, a very strong typhoon hitting Albay badly damaged the Liceo de Albay. Around this time, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) was looking for a place to put up a school in the province. Fr. Joseph Bates, SVD, negotiated with the Bishop of Albay for the SVD acquisition of the Liceo de Albay, amidst the school's financial difficulties.

In 1959, the formal transfer of ownership and management was effected for around Php 30,000.00. Reconstruction of the school began with Fr. Bates' personal funds as well as money from his family and friends and from the United States of America. With the SVDs and Bates now in Legazpi City, many people from his old assignment in Bohol were brought to help him build and run the Liceo de Albay.

When the Bicol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS) was formed, Bates was chosen as its chairman. Bates met Fr. Honesto Moraleda, who was then parish priest of St. Michael Parish in Oas, Albay through the activities of the BACS. He invited Moraleda become the first high school principal of the school with the permission of then Bishop Flaviano B. Ariola. Bates was the director.

The 1960s

In 1965, Divine Word High School became Divine Word College of Legazpi. Its formation was made possible with the combined efforts of Bishop Nestor C. Cariño, Msgr. Jose Molina, Msgr. Jose Diokno, Msgr. Ralph Salazar and Msgr. Honesto Moraleda. Its recognition as a high school was given by the Bureau of Private Schools. The school first director was Fr. Joseph L. Bates, SVD, while the first principal was Fr. Honesto A. Moraleda.

The faculty members included Protacio Borlagdan, Ruperta Ungay (later Altabano), Lydia Platon and Jun Peñalosa, Antonio Laurora, Arnulfo Cabredo, Arles Navara, Miss Ongcoy, Trinidad Navea, Josaphat Clidoro.

In 1965, the first college courses were opened with the following enrollment:

Total: 239 students

In 1969, it produced its first batch of graduates in Commerce, Education, High School and Elementary.

The 1970s

In 1971, a tie-up with St. Gregory the Great Seminary was forged to enable the graduates from its Minor Seminary of Tabaco to pursue the college level. The AB Department, thus, offered A.B. Philosophy. In 1974, a two-year Accounting Aide and Salesmanship was offered followed by the Civil Engineering course in 1976. In 1978, the Graduate School opened with a Masters in Business Administration course.

The 1980s to 1990s

In 1981, the first batch of Civil Engineering graduates passed the Board Examination with a passing score of 91.6%. In 1983, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) Region V recognized the DWCL as the "Center for Commerce/Business Education." By school year 1983-1984, computer subjects were integrated into the Commerce curriculum. By 1984, the DWCL produced its first topnotcher and 4th placers in the Junior Geodetic Engineering Board Exams. By SY 1984-1985, DWCL became the pilot center for "Associate in Commercial Science - Government Accounting and Auditing," a three-year course. In 1985, it became a CPA Review Center. By 1987, the two Education courses, BEED and BSE, which were temporarily closed were re-opened. In 1988, the College again produced a first placer in Civil Engineering given by the PRC. In 1989, an award was bestowed by the DECS region V as "Center of Development of Commerce and Business Education."

By 1993, the bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Computer Secretarial Courses were opened. In 1994, the Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Administration (BSSA) was likewise opened. Due to the clamor for new offerings, in the second semester of school year 1995-1996, DWCL offered Masters in Public Management (MPM) and Master in Business Education (MBE). In 1997, the Commerce Department added Entrepreneurship as one of the majors for B.S. Commerce. In the same year, the Accountancy Department produced a 9th placer in the CPA Board Exam. By the end of 1999, DWCL had produced nine Board placers.

Recent history

Mercy Rebua was adjudged one of the "Ten Outstanding Rizal Model Students of the Philippines of the Millennium." The award was given on December 23, 2000 at the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in Manila.

Various students had also received multiple recognitions and awards from different local, national and international organizations and events.

Administration

Presidents of the
Divine Word College of Legazpi
Rev. Fr. Joseph L. Bates, SVD, 1916–1970
Rev. Fr. Donald Malrenan, SVD, OIC, 1968–1969
Rev. Fr. Florante S. Camacho, SVD, 1970–1973
Rev. Fr. Valentino D. Darunday, SVD, April 1973 – 1979
Rev. Fr. Alfredo A. Reyes, SVD, June 1979 - 1985
Rev. Fr. Eleuterio S. Lacaron, SVD, October 1985 - 1989
Rev. Fr. Alfredo Reyes, SVD, June 1989 - 1990
Rev. Fr. Restituto A. Lumanlan, SVD, June 1990 - 1993
Rev. Fr.Joel Thomson Ll. Maribao, SVD, May 1993 - June 1994
Rev. Fr. Jose M. Calucag, SVD, June 1994 - 1998
Rev. Fr. Ignacio C. Joaquin, SVD, OIC 1998 - 1999
Rev. Fr. Michael O. Padua, SVD, June 1999 - 2002
Rev. Fr. Francisco T. Estepa, SVD, May 2002 – 2008
Rev. Fr. Crispin Cordero, June 2008 – present

DWCL Notable Graduates

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