# Concordia College Manila

The College of the Immaculate Conception of Concordia (Spanish: Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion de la Concordia), commonly known as Concordia College Manila, is a private Catholic basic and higher education institution run by Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in Paco, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1868. The institution is affiliated with DC-SLMES (St. Louise de Marillac Educational System).

## History

Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion de la Concordia was established by Doña Margarita Roxas de Ayala by converting her three-and-a-half-hectare villa, the La Concordia Estate in Paco, Manila, into a school. She requested eight nuns from the Daughters of Charity from Spain to come to the Philippines to administer the school. They arrived on May 3, 1868, and operated the free school or Escuela Pia. Sixty students enrolled and were taught religion, good manners, reading and writing, simple arithmetic, culture, and arts like sewing, embroidery, cooking, needlecraft and household work. The medium of instruction was Spanish.
In 1868, the school officially adapted a new name, Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion de la Concordia, the same year that it became the Central House of the Daughters of Charity in the Philippines.
Significant periods in the development of the Concordia College, such as the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the American era, brought about education reform.

## Etymology
### Meaning of the Name

According to the student manual, the name "Concordia" means "in accord with" or "in accordance to the above"

### School Identity

Catholic School - is an educational institution that operates under the principles and teachings of the Catholic Church. These schools integrate faith formation into their curriculum and emphasize a holistic approach to education, fostering intellectual, moral, spiritual, and social development. Students are often taught core academic subjects alongside religious education, which includes Catholic doctrine, values, and social teachings. Catholic schools aim to develop students not only as knowledgeable individuals but also as compassionate, ethical, and community-minded citizens, grounded in the teachings of Christ. They typically encourage practices like prayer, Mass attendance, and participation in sacraments as part of their spiritual growth.
Vincentian School - is an educational institution that follows the teachings and values of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, the founder of the Vincentian tradition. These schools emphasize the Vincentian charism, which centers on serving the poor and marginalized, compassion, humility, simplicity, and social justice. The core mission of a Vincentian school is to provide a holistic education that not only focuses on academic excellence but also fosters moral and spiritual development rooted in the Catholic faith. Students in Vincentian schools are encouraged to live out the virtues of service, charity, and solidarity with those in need, following the example of St. Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac. The schools often integrate Vincentian values into their curricula and extracurricular activities, inspiring students to be socially responsible and Christ-centered individuals who contribute positively to their communities.
Concordians - Being a Concordian, or a student of Concordia College, means embracing the values and traditions of the institution, which emphasize academic excellence, faith, and service. Concordians are expected to be compassionate, socially responsible, and rooted in the teachings of the Catholic faith, with a strong commitment to serving others, especially the marginalized, in line with the Vincentian tradition. They are guided to develop both intellectually and spiritually, living out the values of Christ-centeredness, charity, and competence in their personal and professional lives.
IDENTITY ALSO EMPHASIZES IN THE LOGO Sciencia et Virtus, Veritas et Vita" is a Latin phrase often used in educational and philosophical contexts, with the following meanings:
1. Sciencia et Virtus – "Knowledge and Virtue" o This emphasizes the harmony between intellectual growth (knowledge) and moral integrity (virtue). It highlights the importance of pursuing academic excellence while developing strong ethical values.
2. Veritas et Vita – "Truth and Life" o This signifies the pursuit of truth as a guiding principle in life. It reflects a commitment to living truthfully, both in seeking knowledge and in moral conduct. Taken together, the phrase expresses the ideal of holistic education: not only fostering intellectual achievements but also nurturing moral character and living a life based on truth. It aligns with the Catholic educational philosophy, which encourages the integration of faith, reason, and virtue.

### Logo

* White Easter Lily – stands for purity in thought, word, and deed
* Letter M and crown – stands for Mary, a prominent figure in the Catholic religion, who is the patroness of the school. The crown which adorns the top of the letter represents her queenship of heaven.
* Twelve stars – The twelve stars which surround symbolize the twelve apostles, which represent the disciples as a whole. "It shows Mary's role in leading people to her son, Jesus"
* The colors – Blue and white are the colors which represent Mary. Blue stands for loyalty and white for purity or chastity. Green stands for perpetual growth, symbolizing the school that copes with the best and worst of times.

## Notable alumni

Among its well-known former students was Sister Asuncion Ventura-Horcoma Bautista, who was the first Filipino to found an orphanage, the Asilo de Looban. Additionally, there was Maria Paz Mendoza-Guazon, the first Filipino woman doctor, who was also an educator, a writer and a feminist. Although her studies were interrupted by the Revolution, she was able to resume them when she transferred to the American School in 1901.
Other notable students were Saturnina, Soledad, and Olympia Rizal, the sisters of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.

## Gallery

* Facade
* Monument in front of the school
* Historical marker
* U-shaped building
* Gate