page_title: Santa Isabel College Manila
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Santa Isabel College Manila / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Santa Isabel College Main Facade
context_page_description: The Santa Isabel College, is a Private, Roman Catholic College located in Ermita, Manila, in the Philippines. Founded on 24 October 1632. Santa Isabel College is one of the oldest colleges in the Philippines and in Asia. It is owned and operated by the nuns of the Daughters of Charity.
context_section_description: 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 St. 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 2 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 zealous Sisters left no stone unturned until they found a temporary home for its students.  It was through the kindness of the benevolent and compassionate Monsignor 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 Sr. Juana Zabalza, Superior of the College at that time, and the indefatigable principal Sr. Candida Ocampo, who later became the first Filipina Superior of the College, were able to acquire the former St. Rita 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.
  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.
  Santa Isabel College continuously re-invented itself to address the challenges of the times. Intensive curriculum revision, realigning and mapping for more cohesive and relevant offerings were undertaken in order to answer current needs.  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 i
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