In Partial Fulfillment of the Bachelor of

Science in Foreign Service Course

“Narrative Report”

Submitted to:

James Mozart R. Amsua, M.A.

Social Science Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Submitted by:

Wilchelm P. Villanueva

B.S. Foreign Service 4

A. The University of San Agustin

 University of San Agustin

VISION

A community of one mind and heart affirming its position as an excellent center

of humanistic, Christian-Augustinian education, committed to promote the common good

the transformation of the person and society.

MISSION

The University of San Agustin is a Catholic-Augustinian educational institution that

aims to propagate the Gospel of Christ and the people of the western Visayas region, the

Filipino nation and the world. It is committed to:

1. Provide research-based, innovative and fulfilling education;

2. Enhance the diversity and vitality of its research and extension initiatives;

3. Build partnerships and promote effective governance;

4. Provide a wholesome atmosphere for an excellent teaching and learning

experience in its campuses; and

5. Enhance in its competency and welfare of its human resources.

 Historical Background

The plan of the Order of Saint Augustine to establish a school in Iloilo was

conceived as early as the 1880’s.

Months later, permission was granted by both civil and religious authorities. On

May 13, 1890, Fr. Manuel Diez Gonzales, apostolic commissary, communicated the

approval of the Order. This was followed by the respective approbations of the Bishop of

Jaro, Msgr. Leandro Arrue, given on September 4, 1890, and that of the Government on

October 3, 1890.

The Provincial Chapter held in Manila in 1893 appointed Fr. Manuel Gutierrez to take

the lead in building the school, which the latter initiated in purchasing a lot. But the

cornerstone of the school was not laid until 1895 when Fr. Fernando Llorente, the farmed

architect of the beautiful Janiuay (Iloilo) cemetery, took over the construction of the

project. Fr. Joaquin Diaz, after putting up the Oton church, subsequently finished

Llorente’s work.

But the fruit of all magnanimous labors of the Augustinian builders was not used

for its raison d’tre. The American troops invaded Iloilo in 1899 and transformed the

school building into a garrison. The structure was so heavily damaged that it had to

undergo a major overhaul in the first months of 1904.

 On July 15, 1904, the school finally opened. It started as an exclusive school for

boys, most of whom were internos or student boarders. Secondary education and a two-

year course leading to Associate in Arts were the first offerings.

In July 1912, the pioneer Augustinian administrators, headed by the first rector,

Fr. Bernabe Jimenez, incorporated the school with the University of Santo Tomas in

Manila in a bid to seek government recognition for its courses. Eventually, the school

became independent of the University of Santo Tomas and was legally incorporated as

the Colegio de San Agustin de Iloilo on February 5, 1917.

In the subsequent years, the Augustinian community enhanced its efforts towards

educational capability. The Fathers learned English and endeavored to adopt the language

as a medium of instruction. Highly competent teachers were hired. The curricula were

enriched. Laboratories were put up and equipped with modern apparatus. Books were

acquired and facilities improved. The walls of the main gate stretching along General

Luna Street were built. In 1931, the Colegio’s lot area was expanded by 2,810 square

meters more.

In 1935, the College of Liberal Arts was opened with a two-year Preparatory Law

course as its initial offering. This major feat was followed by the opening of more

colleges, to wit: College of Commerce, 1936; College of Law, 1939. The opening of the

College of Education in 1940 also marked the first time the Colegio admitted female

students. Adversely, these big developmental strides had to be put to halt for a time

because of the Second World War. The Japanese invaders ordered the closure of schools,
only to have them reopened (with strict censorship) in June 1943. The air raids and

bombings in 1944 left the Colegio’s buildings in ruins, except Urdaneta Hall.

With the declaration of Independence in 1945, the Colegio eagerly braced itself

for the reopening of classes. Students flocked to the Urdaneta Hall and to some

improvised classrooms to resume their academic pursuits.

Significantly, the havoc wrought by the Second World War only catapulted the

Colegio to grater heights, for the post war period was marked with the massive

improvement of the Colegio’s physical plant and academic system.

In 1946, the Colleges of Pharmacy and Technology were opened. These were

followed by the Normal school in 1948and the Graduate School in 1950. Capping these

developments was the grant of “University” status to the Colegio de San Agustin on

March 1, 1953, making the institution the first University on Western Visayas, and, to

date, the only Augustinian University in the Asian-Pacific region. This important rise of

the Colegio has been largely credited to Fr. Dolse Garcia who served as rector for two

terms, 1939-1946; and 1949-1954.

The higher status of the school made imperative its further expansion and

academic progress. In 1953, the College of Dentistry was opened (later phase out), and

B.S. Chemistry was offered in the College of Technology and B.S in Foods and

Nutrition, were introduced in 1962. These academic innovations reached greater scale

with the opening of the Conservatory of Music in 1968, the offering of the Ph.D. in the

Graduate School in the same year, the eventual opening of the USA College of Nursing

in 1974 (which was originally consortium between the University and the St. Paul’s
College of Iloilo), and the introduction of courses and fields of specializations. In the

school year 1073-1974, the College of Education and the Normal College were fused to

become the present day Teachers College.

The growth in the institution’s student population – which reached as high as

almost 13,000 in the late 1970’s – was corresponded by an improvement in infrastructure.

Replacing the temporary structures and quonset huts put after the Second World War

were the Herrera Hall constructed in 1948; Mentrida Hall, 1954; Blanco Hall, 1954;

Lopez Hall, 1958; Rada Hall, 1963; Gamboa Hall, 1965; Aguirre Hall, 1973; Mercado

Hall, 1074 and much later, Mendel Hall, 1982.

In a thrust to extend its services beyond its walls, the University inaugurated its

own broadcast station, DYSA-Radio San Agustin, on October 30, 1065. Later on

December 6, 1980

adopting comprehensive community service package for the poor, it launched Tilipunan

Community Development Program in Tanza, Iloilo City.

The University was eventually placed under the Augustinian Province of Sto.

Niño de Cebu in 1984. Its School of Law became the first accredited law school in the

Philippines in 1979. The Teachers College and the College of Commerce was given the

same recognition in 1980 and 1983, respectively.

 1983-1988, the term of Fr. Bernardito Recafrente, the first rector to be addressed

as “president”, more developments were attained. The USA Graduate School put up

extension campuses and the High School Department was given PAASCU accreditation.

In 1988, Fr. Mamerto Afelche assumed presidency of the University, becoming

the first Ilonggo University Head. Under his administration, more emphasis was given to

academic pursuits.

1992, Fr. Eusebio Berdon, fresh from his two-term stint as the first Prior

Provincial of Santo Niño de Cebu, took his oath as the 18th University president. Under

new sets of administrators, major innovations were put in. among these were the offering

of a two-year Junior Computer Secretarial course, the accreditation of the College of

Pharmacy and Medical Technology and the Elementary Department.

In1995, the USA HS Department transferred to the USA Extension Campus in

Sambag, Jaro.

In 1996, Fr. Mamerto Afelche, O.S.A., again assumed the presidency of the

university. Major infrastructure/constructions were built.

The University launched the Professorial Chair programs. The College of

Pharmacy and Medical Technology was granted level II accreditation.

Rev. fr. Rodolfo M. Arreza, O.S.A took over the presidency in 2000. Big leaps in

research were established. In 2001, the University was granted deregulated status by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in recognition of its excellence in instruction,

research and extension services.

In June 2002, Fr. Manuel M. Vergara, O.S.A assumed presidency of the

university.

In October 2003, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) conferred the singular

privilege of “Autonomous Status” on the University of San Agustin, for its meritorious

achievement in higher education in provision of instruction and in the conduct of research

and community extension services; for higher performance of graduates in licensure

examinations; and for maintaining a tradition of integrity and excellence and an

untarnished reputation in the education service.

In July 2004, the University marks the centennial of its foundation under the

theme, “USA@100: Living the Legacy, Leading the Way.”

The fusion of the Elementary and High School departments into one Basic

Education Department took effect during the start of the academic year 2005-2006, with

the complete transfer of the grade school to the Sambag Campus.

Today under the presidency of Fr. Raul M. Marchan, O.S.A the University of San

Agustin continues to make its presence felt as it remains committed to give authentic and

excellent Catholic-Augustinian education to its students in “Virtus et Scientia”, produce

knowledge

through research, nurture its constituency’s social conscience through extension services,

and take on an active role in the new evangelization.