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History

The University's history, since its founding in 1912 has been characterized by a pioneering spirit, driven by the tranquil daring reflective of its founders, always committed to living out Christ's love through its educational endeavors.
1911 - 1924
June 25, 1911

The Novitiate, a training center for young Filipino women wishing to become Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, was blessed and opened.

1912

The Kindergarten Department was opened, with an enrollment of six, upon request of families in the neighborhood. The school was named St. Paul Institution.

1913

Grade I was opened with one higher grade opened each year and boys accepted up to Grade 2.

1919

The government recognized the Grade School Department.

1924

The High School Department started with three students.

1927 - 1940
Jan. 24, 1927

The Chapel, which was built through the efforts of Reverend Mother St. Xavier, the Provincial Superior, was inaugurated. The maiden issue of the school paper, St. Paul’s Echo, was published.

1928

The first High School Graduation was held.

1930

The Novitiate was transferred to Quezon City.

1932

The Alumnae Association was organized.

1936

The College Department opened with First Year Education, H.E. major; Two-Year Normal College; and One-Year Secretarial Course.

1940

The Conservatory of Music, with majors in Piano Forte, Violin, and Voice, was opened. St. Paul Institution was renamed St. Paul College of Manila.

1941 - 1950
Sept. 13, 1944

The Japanese occupied the school compound.

Feb. 27, 1945

The Japanese Army bombed the school; the chapel’s façade with the crucified Christ surviving.

1946

The government recognized the High School Department.

1947

Mother Anna de Jesus, SPC, was installed as Superior of St. Paul Manila. Education, Liberal Arts, Junior Normal, Secretarial Science, Elementary, and Junior Teacher’s Courses in Piano were recognized by the government.

1948

The government recognized a one year CSS and additional Music courses.

June 27, 1948

The rebuilt chapel was blessed in solemn ceremonies presided over by His Grace, the Most Rev. Michael J. O’Doherty, D.D., Archbishop of Manila.

1949

Mother Socorro Angela Reyes, SPC was installed as Directress/Superior of St. Paul Manila. The PAULINIAN bagged 1st Prize, School Press Red Feather Award.

1951 - 1960
1951

The String Orchestra was organized.

1952

The new Administration Building was blessed.

1953

The Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) was recognized by the government.

1954

St. Paul College of Manila won the First Place in the nation-wide examination on the Marian Catechism. A college freshman scored 99%. The prize, a lovely statue of the Blessed Mother, is now in the St. Paul Manila Museum.

1955

Mother Gabriel McGrath, SPC was installed as Superior and Mother Socorro as Directress. Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED) was recognized.

1957

The Liberal Arts, Commerce, and Education programs were accredited by PAASCU. St. Paul College of Manila joined the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) as Charter Member.

Dec. 21, 1957

The Fleur-de-lis Auditorium was blessed.

1957

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) was opened with five-year BSN, four-year BSN, two-year Supplemental Course.

1961 - 1970
1961

The government recognized the BSN program.

1962

BSN began an unbroken chain of 100% passing rate in the Nursing Board Exams in the next 25 years from 1962 until 1989.

1963

The government recognized the Supplemental Course in BSN.

1965

PAASCU Accreditation was granted to the High School Department.

1966

Sr. Benjamine de Jesus Ponce, SPC, was installed as Directress of SPC Manila.

1970

The Kindergarten Department was moved to Ortigas, Pasig. The High School Department underwent PAASCU Re-accreditation. The government recognized the AB-Communication Arts Program. The Board of Trustees was re-organized, from five to 15 members.

1971 - 1980
1972

Sr. Benjamine de Jesus Ponce, SPC, was installed as 1st President of SPCM. The Grade School Department was moved to Ortigas, Pasig.

1974

Sr. Milagros du Rosaire Ycazas, SPC, was installed as 2nd President of SPCM. Approval of AB Economics and Two-Year Junior Management was received.

1975

Sr. Mary Cyril Corpus, SPC, was installed as 3rd President of SPCM. Inter-Institutional Consortium (IIC) was formed with DLSU, PCU, PNU, SSC. The High School Department underwent 2nd PAASCU Re-Accreditation. The College Department (Liberal Arts, Commerce, and Education) had its 3rd PAASCU Accreditation.

1977

First graduation of BS in Food and Nutrition was held. The College of Nursing underwent initial PAASCU accreditation, the first School of Nursing in the Philippines to apply for PAASCU Accreditation.

1980

The Five-Year BSN and two-year supplemental courses were phased-out. SPU Manila Mission Statement was revised.

1981 - 1990
1981-1990

Re-accreditation of Liberal Arts, Commerce, Education, and Nursing Programs was undertaken Major in Marketing of the Business Program was opened. First graduation of SPCM-DLSU Shared Degree Program in AB Economics and SPCM-PNC in Education was held.

1982

The High School phase-out was started. Courses in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Secretarial Administration, and major in Public Relations were opened.

1983

Degree courses in Information and Computer Science and Economics were opened. A graduate placed 3rd in the Nutritionists’ Board Exam.

1984

Another graduate placed 4th in the Nutritionists’ Board Exam.

1986

Sr. Miriam Raymond Victoriano, SPC was installed as 4th President of SPCM. Last high school graduation was held before the department was moved to Ortigas, Pasig.

1987

First graduation of the Computer Science Program was held.

Nov. 30,1988

The Grade School Department was re-opened. Re-accreditation of Liberal Arts, Commerce, Education, and Nursing programs was undertaken.

May 3, 1989

The Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) granted accreditation status to the following programs surveyed by the PAASCU: Computer Science Program (Level I), Nursing Program (Level III), and Arts and Sciences, Education, and Commerce Programs (Level III) Last graduation for Food and Nutrition program was held. The new SPCM Dormitory was blessed.

1990

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy was offered. FAAP granted Level II accredited status to Computer Science. Sr. Natividad de Jesus Feraren, SPC was installed as 5th President of SPCM.

1991 - 2000
1991

The Paula Pilipina Foundation, an active, non-violent movement involved in productive work-related concerns that are pro-life, pro-country, and pro-God, was officially launched.

1992

St. Paul College of Manila was cited by DECS as one of the 17 excellent colleges and universities in the Philippines.
SPCM Landmark with St. Paul statue, school seal, and mission statement on bronze marker was blessed.
An Accountancy graduate placed 9th in the CPA Board Exam.
The Nursing and Computer Science programs were visited by PAASCU.

1993

Nursing graduates attained 100% passing in Board Exams.

1994

The newly air-conditioned Fleur-de-lis Auditorium was blessed.
PAASCU awarded Certificate of Accreditation to the College of Nursing for a period of five years.
FAAP granted Level III to Nursing Program.
St. Paul Manila was used as a catechetical and housing site for the World Youth Day.
Re-accreditation visit for Liberal Arts, Commerce, and Education programs was done.

1996

100% passing in the BSN Board Exams was attained.
PAASCU awarded certificate of accreditation to Computer Science for a period of three years.
PAASCU awarded Certificate of Accreditation to College of Arts and Sciences, Education, Commerce, and Accountancy for a period of five years

1997

The Grade School Department was closed again.
The Business Program opened with major in Financial Management and Accounting.
A graduate placed 6th in the CPA Board Exam.

1998

100% passing in the BSN Board Exams was attained.
The HRM Training Center was blessed.

2000

An Education graduate placed 5th in the National Licensure Exam for Education.
A Nursing graduate placed 1st in the BSN Board Exam.

2001 - 2003
2001 - 2003

PAASCU awarded Certificate of Accreditation to Arts and Sciences, Education, Commerce, Accountancy, and Nursing Programs for a period of five years.
The school was given Full Autonomy Status for five years by CHED.
First graduation of Business Program, major in Financial Management and Accounting was held.
SPCM was the first school to become the venue for the training of future PAASCU accreditors for medical schools.

2002

Sr. Hilaria Suzette Bautista, SPC, was installed as 6th President of SPCM.
The first lay College Dean was appointed.
FAAP granted Level III Status to Arts and Sciences, Commerce, Accountancy, and Nursing Programs until October 2006 and Level I Status to Computer Science Program until Oct. 2003.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development awarded Paula Pilipina, Inc. the license to operate.
Pan de Paula Bakery, a project which aimed to provide assistance for the less fortunate people and to produce quality bread, was launched.
Upon the approval of the Board of Trustees, SPCM became a member of the St. Paul University System.

2003

The Master in Business Management, with specialization in Hospitality Industry (MBM-HI), formally started with 17 enrollees.

2004
2004

St. Paul College of Manila was awarded university status, assuming the new name, “ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY MANILA (ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM)” upon certification by CHED as a member school of the ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, the first university system recognized by CHED.
Ms. Wynna Marie A. Medina was installed as the first lay President and 7th President of SPU Manila. (SPU Manila is the first SPC institution to have a lay school head within one hundred years of SPC history in the Philippines.)
The Master of Business Management with specialization in Hospitality Industry changed its specialization name to Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Master of Arts in Business Administration (MBA) was offered.
Degree courses in Entrepreneurship and Tourism were offered.
Teacher Certificate Program was offered in the Graduate School with extension classes in Laguna.
The International Cooperation Department-China Education Development Group Corporation and Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China, signed a MOU with SPU Manila to explore the possibilities of cooperation in the area of nursing education.
The SPU Manila Drop-Inn Center was established through the leadership of Sr. Marie Rosanne Mallillin, SPC.
The Teacher’s Certificate Program was opened.
The newly renovated Fleur-de-lis Auditorium was blessed.
SPU Manila hosted the culmination of the celebration of the congregation’s centennial year in the Philippines.
Blessing Rites of the Gazeboes and the Guest House One of the St. Paul Center for Renewal, Alfonso, Cavite

2005
2005

SPU Manila became co-educational as it recognized the need for diversity in its continuing growth and development as an academic institution and as a university.
Allied programs were clustered into colleges.
The following courses and majors were opened: Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, major in Advertising, and in Corporate Communication; Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies; Bachelor of Science in Psychology, major in Guidance Counseling/Neuropsychology; HRM, major in Culinary Arts / Institutional Management; Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management, Special Education, Master in Music and the Performing Arts, Master of Science / Arts in Nursing were opened.
The following continuing education programs were offered: Certificate in Special Education, major in Development and Language-Based Disabilities, and new short courses in Music.
SPU Manila was named by CHED as one of the Top Performing Nursing Schools in the Philippines.
The Language Development Center was created to offer multi-level courses in English, Asian, and European languages for students and professionals.

2006
2006

The College of Music and the Performing Arts celebrated its 65th year with the presentation of BALIKTUGTUGAN.
The orchestra pit of the Fleur-de-lis Auditorium was dedicated to Prof. Oscar Yatco, a renowned conductor and musician.
SPU Manila sent a delegation of faculty and students (College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and College of Business and Management) to China for an exchange program with Zhaoqing Medical College and Zhaoqing Business College, respectively.
An automated enrolment was started during the first semester.
SPU Manila was ranked by the Board of Nursing as No. 11 among the Top 12 Performing Schools in Metro Manila.
100% passing in the Teacher Certificate Program and the Licensure Examination for Teachers was attained.
SPUS signed a MOA with Sogang University and Catholic University of Korea for academic cooperation programs.
SPU Manila signed a MOA with Zhaoqing Business and Technology College for academic cooperation programs.
SPU Manila signed a MOA with St. Louis College, Thailand for faculty and student exchange program.
Blessing of Guest House Two, the Dining, and the Conference Building of the St. Paul Center for Renewal

2007
2007

SPU Manila and EWHA Woman’s University, Korea signed a MOA for student and faculty exchange programs.
SPU Manila conferred Masters of Arts in Nursing degree to its first graduates.
Computer Science, Business Administration and Accountancy, Arts and Sciences, and Nursing Programs were re-visited by PAASCU.
SPU Manila and Kyung Hee University, Korea signed a MOA for academic cooperation.
The SPC Congregation assumed ownership of the Jose P. Rizal (JPR) Hospital in Dasmarinas, Cavite with financial assistance from SPU Manila.
PAASCU awarded a Certificate of Accreditation to Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Accountancy and Nursing Programs until May 2012 and Computer Science program until May 2010.
PhD in Nursing Education was opened.
With SPU Manila’s 97% passing rate in the Nursing Licensure Exam, the Board of Nursing ranked it No. 3 Top Performing Nursing School in the Philippines in the 100 and above examinees category.
100% passing rate in the CPA Licensure Examination was attained.
FAAP granted Level III Re-Accredited Status to Arts and Sciences, Business Administration and Accountancy, and Nursing Programs until May 2012 and Level I Accredited Status to Computer Science Program until May 2010. Candidate status was awarded to Teacher Education and HRM programs.
A MOA was signed between SPU Manila and Beijing Tongda Century International Educational Consultation Co. Ltd. for educational and cultural exchanges.
SPU Manila Strategic Planning was held in Beverly Siam Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
SPU Manila Strategic Planning was held in Beverly Siam Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Historical Marker of the Chapel of the Crucified Christ as National Historical Site was unveiled.
The first AB, BSE, BSHE Grand Reunion was held in the HRMTC Ballroom.
The restoration of the Botong Francisco mural was started.

2008
2008

Kyung Dong University, Korea signed a MOA with SPU Manila to promote educational and academic exchange and cooperation.
The First Gawad Parangal was awarded to the following alumnae for their remarkable contribution in the realm they are serving: Cecille Guidote-Alvarez (Executive Director, National Commission for Culture and Arts), Honorable Agnes Torres-Devanadera (Solicitor General, Republic of the Philippines), Her Excellency Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes (Philippine Ambassador to Chile), Honorable Estela Perlas-Bernabe (Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, Republic of the Philippines), and Her Excellency Maria Cristina Castañer Ponce-Enrile (Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican).
The restored mural by Carlos “Botong” Francisco was unveiled in the Fleur-de-lis Theater.
SPU Manila was recognized as a Center of Teacher Training (COTTI) for the Department of Education Certificate and INSET Program.
First graduation of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship was held with only one graduate.
A Memorandum of Agreement between SPU Manila and English Opens Doors Program, a scholarship program of the Ministry of Education in Chile, was signed.
With SPU Manila’s 95% passing rate in the Nursing Licensure Exam, the Board of Nursing ranked it No. 3 Top Performing Nursing School in the Philippines in the 30-99 examinees category.
A 2008 Nursing graduate placed 9th in the Nursing Board Licensure Examination.
Though the celebration of College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Golden Anniversary was 2007, the celebration was done on June 12, 2008.
The first batch of 15 exchange students from Chile arrived for a five-month intensive program in the Teaching of English as a Second Language.
A Eucharistic Celebration was held in the Fleur-de-lis Theater to launch the Pauline Year in SPU Manila.
SPU Manila signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Jiangnan Polytechnic College of Guandong Province, China to promote cooperation in the areas of student recruitment and lecturer exchange.
A group of 13 students from Kyung Dong University, Korea came for an English Language Program.
SPU Manila signed a MOA with St. Dominic College of Arts and Sciences and Columban College as Academic Extension Centers for graduate courses
Teacher Education and HRM Programs were visited by PAASCU.
The centennial play, written and directed by Fr. James B. Reuter, Our Children’s Children, was presented in the Fleur-de-lis Theater.

2009
2009

FAAP granted Level I Accredited Status until November 2011 to Teacher Education and HRM Programs.
The Quality Assurance Office was established.
Delegates from Catholic University of Korea, headed by its President, Rev. Johan Yeong-Sik, PAHK visited the school.
Delegates from Sendai Shirayuri Women’s College also visited SPU Manila.
SPU Manila was granted Certification for Donee Institution status by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) from 2009-2012.
Centennial Countdown began--St. Paul University Manila 1912-2012
Dr. Joseph Balaoing, a faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, became the first grantee of the Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ Professorial Chair.
The Temasek Foundation tied up with SPU Manila for a Nurse Leader/Nurse Educator Training Program, a project of the Alice Lee Center for Nursing Studies of the National University of Singapore and the School of Health Sciences of Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
The College of Nursing was ranked No. 15 in the Top 20 Nursing Schools in the Philippines by CHED.
SPU Manila was granted Autonomous Status by CHED for a three-year period, August 26, 2009-August 25, 2012.

2010
2010

College of Music and the Performing Arts opened its Diamond Jubilee Celebration with a series of concerts, starting with a Concert at the Park.
First General Alumni Homecoming of the Commerce Program (now Business and Management Program) was held.
SPU Manila was visited by the Council of Congregation, headed by Mother Myriam de St. Anne Kitcharoen, SPC Superior General. CELEBRATION, a special concert, featuring the Sisters’ Choir and the Chorales of SPUP-Tuguegarao, SPU QC, and SPU Manila, was presented for the visitors.
Blessing of the Sisters’ Convent of St. Paul Center for Renewal, Alfonso, Cavite
Solemn Investiture of Sr. Lilia Therese Tolentino, SPC as 8th President of SPU Manila was held.
SPU Manila inked a MOU with China University of Political Science and Law.
A BS ECE 2010 graduate ranked 7th in the Licensure Examination for Teachers.
SPU Manila was granted Autonomous Status by CHED for a period of five years, until August 2014.

2011
2011

SPC Sisters launched the celebration of the Centenary of their Formation with the theme: “In the Potter’s Hand: 100 years of SPC Formation in the Philippines-1911-2011” in SPU Manila, which holds the distinct honor of being the site of the first “official” Novitiate of the SPC Congregation in the Philippines.
Caritas Christi Centennial Awards were given to Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ; Retired Supreme Court Justice Ameurfina M. Herrera; Dr. Felicidad Mendoza; Atty. Benita Marasigan-Santos; and Congresswoman Estelita Juco. Fr. Reuter was made an honorary alumnus of St. Paul Manila.
His Eminence Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, visited SPU Manila.
“Handog,” a tribute of the Paulinian alumnae to Sisters of St. Paul who graduated from SPCM/SPUM, those who worked as teachers and staff, and those who entered other congregations, was held in the Fleur-de-lis Theater.
Blessing and Soft Opening of the SPU Manila Museum and Archives was held.
Re-accreditation visit of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Computer Science and Education Programs and Preliminary Survey of Entrepreneurship, Information Technology and Tourism Programs was held.
PAASCU awarded Certificate of Accreditation to the Computer Science, Teacher Education, and HRM Programs for five years.
Strategic Planning Workshop was held in the St. Paul Center for Renewal, Alfonso, Cavite, with Dr. Vincent Fabella as facilitator.
FAAP granted level II Re-Accreditation to the following: HRM, Teacher Education and Computer Science Programs until April 2016 and candidate status to Information Technology, Entrepreneurship and Tourism programs until April 2013.
Two 2011 BSN graduates ranked 10th in the 2011 Nurses Licensure Examination.
The Our Lady of Chartres Chapel in the St. Paul Center for Renewal in Alfonso, Cavite, was blessed by the Most Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle, Bishop of Imus.
Estela Perlas-Bernabe, (HS 68, BSC 72) was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Centennial Countdown: 100 days to 100 years was held.
Laura Quiambao-del Rosario (HS 64), was appointed Undersecretary for Economic and International Relations of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Four SPU Manila students qualified for the finals of the Search for Outstanding Paulinian Students. One of them was among the top five.
SPU Manila organized a conference and training on Restorative Justice and Peacemaking in School with Dr. and Mrs. Ron Claasen as speakers/facilitators.

2012

  • The SPU Manila Centennial Gift to the Church project, which is the Formation of 100 Catechists, was launched.
  • SPU Manila received a professorial chair grant from Mrs. Ana Grace Rosales-Co.
  • The Grand Centennial Celebration of SPU Manila was opened with a Mass in the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral, presided by Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Tagle.
  • Blessing and Grand Opening of SPU Manila Museum and Archives were held.
  • The Centennial Marker and Sculptures in the Centennial Garden were unveiled
  • Grand Centennial Alumni Homecoming, held in SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, was attended by over 2000 alumni and guests, including former St. Paul Manila Superior, Mother Gabriel McGrath, SPC, who came from London.
  • The centennial coffee table book, A Hundred Thousand Miracles, edited by Marionette O. Martinez, was launched in the homecoming.
  • SPU Manila received a Professorial Chair Grant from the Centennial Golden Jubilarians, HS 62.
  • SPU Manila hosted the 8th founding anniversary of the St. Paul University System.
  • The comedia “Prinsipe Rodante” was presented in the Fleur-de-lis Theater as part of the Caritas Christi Centennial Award of Dr. Felicidad Mendoza.
  • 96.26% overall rating in Nursing Licensure Examination was attained.
  • Trips to Bohol and Vietnam were given to personnel as SPU Manila centennial gift.
  • Accountancy, Business Administration, Psychology, Mass Communication, and Nursing underwent PAASCU Level III re-accreditation visit.
  • “Nostalgic Chat,” a forum on Paulinian Heritage, was held in the Fleur-de-lis Theater as part of the Caritas Christi Centennial Award of Atty. Benita Marasigan-Santos.
  • The Night before Christmas, written by Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ, was re-staged in the Fleur-de-lis Theater as part of his Caritas Christi Centennial Award. It was directed by Sherry Lara-Alingod, an alumna and president of the SPMAFI.
  • The “First International Forum on Innovative Collaborative Learning (FICL) in Higher Education” was held as the last centennial academic activity.
  • New community outreach involvement was established in Jubilee Homes, Plaridel, Bulacan where families displaced by the typhoon “Ondoy” were relocated.
The University is proud of its excellent programs and the many graduates who, over the years, have excelled in their fields of specialization or who have continued on to build Christian homes and nurture new generations in the spirit of love and compassion for others. St. Paul University Manila will continue its long and illustrious tradition of educational excellence and service to the Church, family, and society as it responds to the growing challenges of a technological and globalized world.