Divine Word College of Legazpi

Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL)
Information
Motto	"Witness to the Word in the World."
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s)	St.Arnold Janssen and St.Joseph Freinademetz
Established	1961
Status	Opened
School Colour(s)	Gray (General uniform), Green (High School), Blue (Grade School)
Song	DWCL Hymn
Nickname	DWCL
Newspaper	The Dove (Grade school paper), The Divinian (High School paper), The Channel (College paper)
Website	www.dwc-legazpi.edu

The Divine Word College of Legazpi or DWCL is a Catholic institution of higher learning run by the Society of the Divine Word or SVD in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines.

History

Early history

The forerunner of the Divine Word College of Legazpi is the Liceo de Albay, a Diocesan parochial school for boys owned and managed by Rev. Fr. Juan Carullo, a native of Malinao, Albay, who was a retired Army Chaplain. When he left the military service, his retirement pay and other personal money 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 Php30,000.00. 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 1961, the Liceo de Albay became Divine Word High School (later becoming the Divine Word College of Legazpi). Its formation was made possible with the combined efforts of Bishop Nestor 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 Bates, SVD, while the first principal was Fr. Honesto Moraleda.

The faculty members included Protacio Borlogdan, Ruperta Ungay (later Altabano), Lydia Platon and Jun Peñalosa.

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

• Commerce: 73
• BSE: 16
• BSEED: 92
• AB: 51
• Secretarial: 7

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 Commerial 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.

Activities

DWCL has multiple organizations applied for all students as extra-curricular programs in school activities presented:

Religious Organizations

SVD Youth Ministry: The main foundation of DWCL and the organization in charge of all Christian and SVD activities (Masses) Divisions of the SVD Youth Ministry:
Knights of the Altar: Acolytes who serve/assist during the mass.
Divinian Chorale: Choir members who sing during masses.
Liturgical Dancers (Arte Divini): they prepare the altar as presentation before the mass begins.
Lectors and Commentators: Readers who read the First and Second Readings during the mass.
Youth for Christ Campus Based:
\ All in the SVD Youth are led by a CLE(Christian Life Ed.) Teacher and headed by a Campus Minister

Other Organizations

Publication (The Dove/The Divinian/The Channel): The publishers of DWCL's papers.
Citizens Advancement Training/CAT: Preliminary Military Training, limited to the Juniors (ICOs) to Seniors (COs or Cadets)
Scouting Movements: the Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines, applies to all.
Drum & Lyre Corps: the Musical element of the school responsible for musical applications in City-related events.
Performing Arts
Supreme Student Government (SSG): the High School's Student council, and the Freshmen, Sophomore, Juniors and Seniors organizations in charge for year levels, led by Student Governors. Varsity: The school has the Falcons, as the primary sports team, playing Basketball& Volleyball.

Events

DWCL has events related to it
Foundation Day: celebrated every February, with it's Golden Anniversary last Feb.9-14,2011
Intramurals: a sports event where students form as teams, competing for prizes and playing for fun
Masses (First Friday, Second Sunday, and Event): students go and participate in the Eucharist
"Buwan ng Wika": Month of the national language (Filipino), students gather and participate in national related activities, done every August

Board placers of the Divine Word College of Legazpi

• May 1982 Civil Eng'g. Board - 13th Place, Pedro Emilio Torrella
• August 1982 Jr. Geodetic Board - 4th Place, Emmanuel Glipo
• 1984 Jr. Geodetic Eng'g. Board - 1st Place, Engr. Alex Lorayes; 4th Place, Engr. Roberto M. Recamunda
• May 1987 Civil Eng'g. Board - 12th Place, Ferdie Reburiano
• 1988 Civil Eng'g. Exam - 1st Place, Engr. Jose Paulo Sabal
• August 1988 Jr. Geodetic Board - 4th Place, Ferdie Reburiano; 8th Place, Herbert Heath - 19th Place, Marcial Bitangcor
• February 1994 Jr. Geodetic Board - 9th Place, Ramon Gabito
• 1997 CPA Board Exam - 19th Place, Dennis Llarena
• 1999 CPA Board Exam - 14th Place, Joy Bonggao

Administration

Presidents of the Divine Word College of Legazpi

Rev. Fr. Joseph 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 - present

The Father Presidents

• Rev. Fr. Joseph L. Bates, SVD - Founder, 1961-1970
• 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 - June 1989-1990
• Rev. Fr. Eleuterio S. Lacaron, SVD - October 1985-1989
• 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 - May 2008
• Rev. Fr. Crispin Cordero - June 2008 - Present

DWCL Contributions to the Diocese

• Most Rev. Joel "Bong" Baylon, DD - Bishop of Masbate
• Rev. Fr. Rene Realuyo
• Rev. Fr. Eusebio Tabale
• Rev. Fr. Amador Abundo
• Rev. Fr. Manny Balute
• Rev. Fr. Efren Borromeo
• Rev. Fr. Abraham Opida (+)
• Rev. Fr. Herminigildo Benites
• Rev. Fr. Antonio "Pope" Bongalon
• Rev. Fr. Leandro "Lines" de la Cruz
• Rev. Fr. Interno Prudencio Jr.
• Rev. Fr. Limneo Zamora
• Rev. Fr. Alexis Talde
• Others who may have become priests at a later date unknown to DWCL.
• Religious sisters (on scholarships per recommendation of the Bishop of Legazpi)
• many catechists and lay leaders of the Diocese

DWCL Notable Graduates

• Danilo Azaña - now Atty. Danilo Azaña and former Vice-Governor of Albay
• Carlos "Chito" Ante - former City Councilor of Legazpi City
• Cicero Caño - Municipal Councilor of Castilla, Sorsogon
• Noel Rosal - former Mayor, Legazpi City
• Atty. Luis Adornado - former Vice Mayor of Legazpi City
• Atty. Felipe Berces - incumbent Board Member of the Province of Albay
• Atty. Joselito Chan -partner/founder of Chan-Robles Law Offices

External links

• Divine Word College of Legazpi