# Santa Isabel College Manila

The Santa Isabel College, also referred to by its acronym SIC, is a private, Roman Catholic college owned and operated by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul in Ermita, Manila, Philippines. It was founded on 24 October 1632. Santa Isabel College is one of the oldest colleges in the Philippines and in Asia.
In 2018, its administration building and the chapel of the Sto. Cristo de Tesoro was declared National Cultural treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.

## History

Santa Isabel College has operated for more than three centuries.
* April 6, 1594 – Institution founded as a Charitable Brotherhood
* October 24, 1632 – Institution becomes the Colegio de Santa Isabel beginning its educational history
* May 25, 1636 – Rules and regulations governing the college were drafted
* March 25, 1733 – Philip V of Spain orders the college be called "Real Colegio de Santa Isabel" (Royal College of Saint Isabel)
* 1852 - Isabella II of Spain orders the Daughters of Charity to the Philippines
* July 22, 1862 – Daughters of Charity arrive in the Philippines
* 1866 - Real Colegio de Santa Isabel merges with Colegio de Santa Pontenciana
* August 13, 1933 – A fire destroys almost half of the college
* February 7, 1945 – A fire destroys the college during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila
* September 14, 1947 – A marker is unveiled commemorating the new, English name of the college
The Colegio de Santa Isabel was founded on October 24, 1632, with the primary purpose of educating Spanish orphans in this most distant Spanish colony, and is one of the oldest girl schools in the world. In later years its doors were opened to Spanish Filipina girls as well. In 1733, by a royal decree the name of the college was changed to "Real Colegio de Santa Isabel". The records of its establishment can be found at the Archive of the Indies in Seville, Spain.
On July 22, 1862, fifteen Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul arrived in the Philippines from Spain. Two years after, the Daughters of Charity took over the administration of the Real Colegio de Santa Isabel. The college was then in Intramuros until World War II when it was totally destroyed by shelling and fire in the liberation of Manila. After losing the Colegio, the sisters sought refuge at St. Rita's College which was fortunately spared from the ravages of war.
The sisters taught in St. Rita's College to support themselves, determined to keep alive the name of this illustrious college. The sisters left no stone unturned until they found a temporary home for its students. It was through the kindness of the benevolent and compassionate Vicente Reyes, then parish priest of San Miguel Parish, who offered some rooms in the convent so that the sisters were able to renew their apostolate of educating the young. The sisters, led by Juana Zabalza, Superior of the College at that time, and the principal, Candida Ocampo, who later became the first Filipina Superior of the College, were able to acquire the former St. Rita's College at 210 Taft Avenue, Manila.
Some time after the war, the name was changed to Santa Isabel College.
Since 1968, four buildings were added to Santa Isabel. The school auditorium, built in 1953, was modernized. The Sister Catalina Ledesma Mini Recital Hall was constructed from the funds provided by the Sister Catalina Scholarship Foundation.
Just after the Vietnam War, Santa Isabel College opened the Center for Assistance to Displaced Persons. The refugees and boat people from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were assisted by the Center under the sisters and staff. The Louise de Marillac Foundation, Inc. caters to the needs of an adopted community in Paliparan, Dasmariñas, Cavite and in Barangay 736, Zone 80, Quirino Avenue, Manila.
In 1982, Santa Isabel College celebrated its 350th Foundation Anniversary. After three and a half centuries, Santa Isabel College has expanded its educational programs.
The courses, Bachelor of Science in business administration, Bachelor of Science in accountancy, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of elementary/secondary education, and music are still being offered, but the curricula were updated and enriched according to the demands of the times. Teacher Certificate Program (TCP) for professionals was opened. The music program, likewise, has expanded and now gives short term courses.
The Bachelor of Science in public relations was given government recognition in 1981. Santa Isabel College then is the only school in the Philippines offering Bachelor of Science in public relations. Aside from the said offerings, the school's four courses were given recognition by the government. They are: Bachelor of Science in information technology, Bachelor of Science in information management, Bachelor of Science in office administration, and Bachelor of Arts in human development. With the opening of the courses, Santa Isabel College opened its portals to male students, which was not actually new because the Music Program has always been accepting male students since it opened after the World War II.
After the PAASCU visit last February 27–28, 2000, the school was granted reaccreditation for a period of five years, effective April 2002 – 2007.
In the school year 2003-2004 the school community underwent sessions on the revision of the institution's vision-mission statement, an integration of the vision-mission statements of the MAPSA (Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association) and the SLMES (St. Louise de Marillac Educational System), as well as scenario building and strategic planning. All of these are aimed for continuous growth and improvement, harnessing the capacity for continual transformation.
Santa Isabel College undertook intensive curriculum revision, realigning and mapping for more cohesive and relevant offerings. Thus, new programs were conceived: two-year Associate in computer technology, two-year Certificate in hotel and restaurant management, and two-year Certificate in accountancy. The school year 2005-2006 ushered in new programs: Bachelor of Science in hotel and restaurant management and evening classes for working students.
In 2004, the Bachelor of Science in hotel and restaurant management was offered. To comply with the practicum requirements of the course, the Chateau Santa Isabel Practicum Center was built. The practicum center serves as the in-house training ground of the hotel and restaurant management students. It was inaugurated on March 15, 2005, and was opened to the public on May 1, 2005. As part of the reinvention, the internet café was inaugurated and became operational for use of the students and personnel. Eventually, the internet café became part of the facilities of Chateau Santa Isabel Practicum Center which was opened on May 1, 2005.
The Higher Education Department passed the Level 2 PAASCU Accreditation on January 25, 2005, during the Interim Visit. The visit was conducted for Liberal Arts, Education and Business Administration programs.
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) was introduced by the Office of the Community of Extension Services.
The music department, this year, celebrated its Diamond Jubilee (75 years). The opening concert was held at the Philamlife Theater and the closing concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
On October 24, 2007, Santa Isabel College marked its 375th Foundation Anniversary. The celebration was highlighted by a stage play entitled "Vincent and Louise in the city". It was performed by selected students and faculty at the Sto. Cristo del Tesoro Auditorium. A High Mass was also presided over by Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales at the Manila Cathedral.
Santa Isabel College has an alumni association which meets every month. They hold fund-generating projects to help improve the school plant, give scholarships and help those who are materially deprived. Every year those Manila-based alumni join their fellow alumni in the United States and Canada in a grand reunion.
The basic education department has organized a Parent's Council for the whole department. Officers and members are parents and guardians of students from all programs. Parents are organized as partners of the school in educating the young.

## Academic programs offered

* Pre-school (Nursery and Kindergarten)
* Elementary (Grade 1 to Grade 6)
* High School (Grade 7 to Grade 12)
* Bachelor of Music with majors in Music Education, Composition, Piano and Voice
* Bachelor of Arts in English
* Bachelor of Elementary Education
* Bachelor of Secondary Education with majors in Religious Education, English and Computer Education
* Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
* Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Human Resource Management, Marketing Management and Financial Management
* Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
* Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
* Master of Music
* Master of Arts in Music
* TESDA Short Courses

## College seal

The Cross at the center of Santa Isabel College's seal symbolizes Christ, the Center, whose charity urges the institution in its mission of educating the youth. The even arms of the cross stand for the school's freedom from bias in the choice of her students. In between the arms are inscribed four Latin terms, namely: Caritas-Charity, Humilitas-Humility, Sapientia-Knowledge, and Disciplina-Discipline. The school instills in the young, benevolent love, humility, and self-control in relation to themselves, their peers, and specially the less-privileged. The students are given equal opportunities to acquire and interpret knowledge of truth about the realities around and most especially, the reality of God's providence to human beings, through the different programs. These four aspects of the seal are integrated in the context of the student's Christian and human development.
The colors in the seal are maroon and gold. The cross is colored gold, and the letters and lines are maroon. Gold symbolizes the Church dedicated to the cause of Christian Education. Maroon is the symbol of royalty. Santa Isabel College was founded out of the Spanish Queen's unselfish devotion to the welfare of others. She provided free education to the orphaned daughters of the Spanish soldiers and later to deserving Filipino young girls.