CONCORDIA COLLEGE: A RETROSPECT

Concordia College located at 1739 Pedro Gil Street, Paco, Manila is a school owned and run by
the Daughters of Charity. As an educational institution, it takes pride on its prolific historical heritage.

A. THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY IN THE WORLD

The Daughters of Charity is a company of consecrated women founded by St. Vincent de

Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, about 25,000 women all over the world- in Europe, in America, in
Asia, Oceania and Africa. Engaged in multiple forms of service to the poor, in social welfare, in
schools, in parish activities, in refugee centers and in general community services, the Daughters of
Charity are wherever the poor are found, for "Christ has called and assembled the Daughters of
Charity to honor our Lord Jesus Christ as the source and model of all charity, serving Him corporally
and spiritually in the person of the poor."

It was in a simple house in Paris, on November 29, 1633 that St. Vincent de Paul placed the
first twelve Daughters of Charity under the guidance of a woman of noble lineage, Louise de Marillac,
to live together their ideal of serving God in the suffering members of Christ. Soon, simple village
girls joined them to be "Servants of the Poor," and the Little Company of the Daughters of Charity
grew so steadily from a humble beginning that in the early nineteenth century, after the calvary of the
French revolution and the reassuring joys of the Miraculous Medal apparitions, it began to spread in
Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

B. DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY ON THE PHILIPPINES

The Daughters of Charity arrived in Philippines soil on July 22, 1862 after four months of sea
travel on the frigate, "Conception." With the fifteen Sisters headed by Sr. Tiburcia Ayanz with two
Vincentian priests, two Vincentian brothers, seven Jesuits and thirteen Recollect friars. They were met
by Manila's officials with a fluvial procession.
The Sister's profound faith and selfless lives were responsible for the foundation and rapid
growth of various institutions of charity. In the long span of one hundred and forty-two years of
service in the country, houses have been established one after another to answer the needs of the
community. One of these is Concordia College.

C. HISTORY OF CONCORDIA COLLEGE

Concordia College came to be because of the generosity of Doa Margarita Roxas de Ayala, a
widow, with time, money and energy to spare. She admired the spirit and efficiency of the Daughters
of Charity as they eased the condition of the sick and raised the standards of the unlearned. From her
own funds, she paid for the travel and miscellaneous expenses of eight Daughters of Charity from
Spain. She also donated her country estate consisting of three and a half hectares of land and villa.
This is the site of Concordia College to date.

Starting with sixty students on May 3, 1868, the Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion dela
Concordia, was a school, a convent and the Central House of the Daughters of Charity. The school
was a Escuala Pia, that is, a school for the poor and the abandoned. The Colegio continued to prosper
and soon had the largest enrolment among the girls' schools in Manila. In 1894, Concordia became a
Normal School, authorized to grant the title "maestra." It is worthy to note that Jose Rizal's sisters,
Saturnina and OIympia were students of Concordia College. Some significant dates in the history of
Concordia, particularly in the Higher Education Department are:

1868 - The birth of Concordia College;

1894 - Concordia College became a normal school

Authorized to grant the title of Maestra;

1902 - Introduction of English in the curriculum;

1911 - Government recognition of the Elementary

Department;

1930 - Permission was granted to offer the first two

Years of General Secondary, Home Economics
and Secondary Standard Commercial Courses;

1934 - The first batch of Secondary Home Economics

and Secondary Standard Commercial students
graduated;

1936 - Establishment of the Concordia College

Development Center;

1938 - First graduation of those who earned the

Elementary Teachers Certificate;

1940 - College opened an additional course,

Associate in Commercial Science;

1941 - Outbreak of World War II, classes were

interrupted;

1942 - Japanese government granted permission for

the school to operate the Elementary and High
School Departments;

1943 - Concordia College housed 600 civilians, the

refugees and inmates from Hospicio de San
Jose;

1944 - Closing of all schools in Manila;

1945 - Bombing of Concordia College by the Japanese
Forces; were alerted by the entrance of the
American Liberation Forces in Paco; the College
was razed to the ground;

Reconstruction started in the same year with Captain Charles Osborne of the Philippine
Civilian Unit No. 27 providing human power and material assistance;

Classes were held in makeshift rooms;

1947 - Government recognition of the Elementary and
Secondary Programs, Teachers Course in Piano,
Conduction and Composition;

1949 - Government recognition of the four-year course

in Piano, two year courses in Voice, in Violin and
Associate in Music and one-year course in
Collegiate Secretarial;

1953 - Government recognition of the four year course

of Bachelor of Science in Education;

1958 - Government recognition of the four year course in

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in
Commerce;

1959 - The Nursing Supplemental course was offered;

1961 - Government recognition of the two year Collegiate

Secretarial Course, Major in Business and Medical
Secretarial;
Construction of the college auditorium;

Construction of the primary school building;

1962 - Government recognition of the Bachelor of

Science in Elementary Education;

The College started two additional programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Bachelor
of Science in Social Work;

Visit of the Most Honored Father William Slattery,

C.M. Superior General of the Congregation of the
Mission and of the Daughters of Charity;

1963 - Installations of Sister Filomena Zulueta, D.C. the

first Filipino Visitatrix of the DC Philippine
Province;

1966 - Visit of Sister Mary Basil Roarke,D.C., Assistant

Mother General and Councilor General for
English speaking provinces;

Appointment of Sister Rosario Miranda,D.C. the

first Filipino Sister Servant of Concordia College;

1967-1978 - Golden years for the Nursing Department for

eleven (11) consecutive years, 100% of BSN
graduates passed the Board Examinations, two
 graduates were topnotchers for two consecutive
years (1st placers), and several ranked among
the top ten;

1968 Centennial celebration of the Foundation of the

College; Government recognition of the five year
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ;

1968 Recognition of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology; phased-out in 1977;

1969 Transfer of the DC Provincialate to Paranaque.

As a result of the vacated space the increased
number of enrolment was accommodated;

1970 Opening of the Graduate School of Nursing;

1971 Government recognition of the Graduate School of

Nursing.

1973 Government recognition of the four year

Bachelor of Science in Social Work;

1977 Phase-out of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology;

1978 Launching of the DC-Catholic School System

Development Program for Concordia College and 23other DC schools;

1980 Implementation of the Basic Education Department;

1983 Construction of the College Gym and wide parking area;

1985 Concordia College Higher Education Department became co-educational;

1986 Concordia College Development Center celebrated its Golden Jubilee;

1987 Visit of the Most Honored Mother Anne Duzan, D.C. Superioress General of the
Daughters of Charity ;

1989 Visit of Sister Julia Denton, D.C. Councilor General for English speaking DC provinces;

First formal PAASCU Survey of the Grade School

Department took place;

Construction of an additional one-storey building for the Mother Seton Dormitory ;

landscaping of St.
Josephs Park and adding the second floor dining area in the canteen;

1990 First formal PAASCU Survey of the High School Department ;

Completion of a three-storey College building named after St. Louise de Marillac.

One hundred percent passing of the Social Work

 graduates in the Board exams for two consecutive
years;

1991 The four-year course Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) replaced the course
Bachelor of
Science in Commerce---major in Accounting
(BSC-Accounting );

1992 First PAASCU Re-survey of the Grade School

Department .This granted the department level 11
accreditation status;

1993 Concordia College celebrated its 125th years of active

missionary presence and service in the Philippines;

1994 Permit was granted to operate the first and second levels of Bachelor of Science in
Secretarial Administration,major in Computer Secretarial Administration (Ladderized);

1995 Offering of Computer Program for the Handicapped;

Pearl Anniversary of the Independence of the Daughters of Charity Philippine Province

from Spain;

1996 The birth of Marillac Alternative College ,trimestral

evening classes, with 40 students as the initial enrollees at reduced tuition fees;
1997 Higher Education Department passed the PAASCU
Preliminary Survey with the provision that after
6 months to one year the College could apply for Formal Survey;

The Lower Basic Education Department passed

the PAASCU RE-accreditation;

Tie-up with NET CURRICULA INC. for four years

in the use of Internet as an aid for class instruction from Grade 2 to College level;

The use of three (3) Computer Internet Laboratories effective School Year 1997-1998;

1998 The Higher Education Department passed the PAASCU Formal Survey and was granted
a period of three years accredited status Level 1;

Opening of Dual Training System (DTS) in Concordia College with recognition from
TESDA-a two-year (6 trimesters) program leading to Business
Office Technology (BOT-Ladderized)

1999 Inauguration of the DTS Simulation Office (Virtual

Office) and the granting of TESDA kabalikat Award to Concordia College DTS;

2000 First DTS graduation was held at Concordia College

chapel ;
2001 PAASCU resurvey for Liberal Arts, Education and Nursing . They were granted Level 11
accredited status for five years.

2002 Hosted the 2nd Batch of Korean Exchange Students

from Sangji Girls Comprehensive High School, South Korea (July-20-Aug.8);
Provision of Computers in all Basic Education Classrooms;

First to receive TESDA Accreditation of Travel Technology; turn-over of Travel

Technology by
Foundation of Accelerated Study and Tourism;

Third Re-survey of the Lower BED, another 5 years of accredited status were granted;

First Alumni Homecoming with Video Conferencing

2003 Concordia College was grante Deregulated Status by the Commission on Higher
Education;

Another permit granted by CHED to Concordia College was the offering of Master of
Arts in Education, major in Educational Technology and
Business Administration ;

Accredited by PHILIPPINE Immigration to accept students from any part of the world;

Accredited by British Association for Open

Learning ;

Airconditioning of all Lower BED classrooms;

2004 First Visit of the BED Exchange Students to Sangji

Comprehensive High School, South Korea
(Oct.19-Nov.1); hosted the 3rd Batch of Korean Exchange Program Students;

2005 Construction of the native Nursing Arts Laboratory (Bahay Kubo) which serves a a
simulated Community Health Center and the construction of Nursing Arts Laboratories II
and III which serve as
simulated private and emergency rooms. Part of the Sisters Dormitory was converted
into classrooms, typing room, testing room, audio-visual room and prayer room;

100% of the 2005 Education graduates of Concordia College passed the Licensure
Examination for Teachers (LET).

100% of the 2005 Social Work graduates of Concordia College passed the Social Work
Board Examination

Start of implementation of the Circular Organigram as the model of organizational set

up of the institution with emphasis on Servant Leadership;
Acceptance of Male Students in the Upper Basic
Education Department ;
 Modification of the Concordia College Personnel Encounter to the Institutional level
(CC-IPE);

Establishment of the Internet Caf in the campus;

2006 Start of the On-line Public Access (OPAC) in the Library; construction of the Kinder-
Prep Playground;

Hosted the 5th Batch of Korean Exchange Students;

2007 Visit of the DC-St. Louise de Marillac Educational

System Superintendent for the Management Review and Audit of CC;

2008 Implementation of the SCHOOL HOUSE

Computerization of Enrolment ;

PAASCU Visit of the Integrated Basic Education

Dept. accredited status for 5 years was given;

Hosted the 7th Batch of Korean Students

Exchange Program with CC;
2009 Lower Basic Education Dept. was granted Level
III Accredited status by PAASCU & FAAP;

Adoption of New Vision-Mission and revised Core Values and flagship PROGRAMS &
Priority
Thrusts

Implementation of the Vincentian Management

Team as a governance structure in Concordia College
( composed of the President and 4 Vice Presidents );

First phase of the re-struturing of the college entrance gate and walkway;
Setting up of the Management Information System (MIS);

First Batch of Upper Co-ed Graduation;

Hosted the 8th Batch of Korean Students Exchange

Program;

Start of the ONE-STOP-SHOP enrolment and use of Digital Numbering System in the
enrolment procedures ;

First year of full implementation of the Reconfiguration Flagship Program of CCs 5-

Year Development Plan (EOP) ;

Introduction and internalization of the DC-SLMES Tagline Empowering Communities,

building Futures;

Implementation of Computerized FORM 138;

 Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila, CC was submerged knee to waist deep flood waters;
physical plant reconfiguration was implemented by transferring the Museum and
Archives as well as the HED Offices and Faculty Room to the second floor;

2010 Restructuring of the 2nd gate walkway and parking

areas,and putting up of a waiting area for fetchers of s students ;

Provision of a School Activity Board at the entrance gate;

Korean Students Exchange Program with the Upper BED of CC;

Celebration of the 350th Death Anniversary of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de
Marillac, a worldwide Vincentian Jubilee Year;

Implementation of the Modified Understanding by Design (UbD) Curriculum framework

for Grade V11:

Second Year of implementation of the Expanded Operational Plan (EOP) Flagship

Programs and Priority Thrusts;

Intensive Vincentian Formation (VFTEP 3 ) for

Administrators with the theme Vincentian Leadership with the Heart;

2011 Launching of the 150th Year Anniversary of the Daughters of Charity & Vincentian
Fathers Presence in the Philippines;

Opening of ESCUEL PIA de Doa Margarita Roxas de Ayala, a FREE

KINDERGARTEN for children of socio-economically distressed families;

Evaluation of the 2nd Year of Implementation of the EOP;

3rd Year Implementation of the Flagships & Priority Thrusts Programs of the EOP;

Celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr.JoseP.Rizal whose sisters Saturnina,

Olimpia and Soledad were students of Concordia College;

Partnership in terms of facilities with the Adamson University Technology Research

Development Center;

Presentation (for HED Students use) of the Gramatica Espaola I y II authored by Dr.
Beatriz V. Pabito in coordination with the HR and CC RDC to the President of Concordia
College;

PAASCU Resurvey of the Liberal Arts, Education and Nursing Departments of the
Higher Education;

Concordia College granted TESDA Certificate of Program Registration (COPR) for

Bookkeeping NC III;

2012 Granted PAASCU Reaccredited Status for 5 years in Liberal Arts Program;
2013 145th Founding Anniversary of Concordia College

Granted recognition as an Accredited TESDA Competency Assessment Center for

Trainors Methodology I, Health Care Services NC II, Tourism Promotion Services NC
II, Events Management Services NC III;

2014 Provision of an ID Validation Machine at the Second Gate;

2015 Partnership with Department of Education for KARITON KLASRUM (Street Education)
Project as one of the embraced activities in the National Service Training Program
(NSTP);

2016 Inauguration of St. Louise deMarillac, Asia (Reconfigured Province) and Installation of
the new Visitatrix and Curia;

Reconfiguration of DC Province (Japan, China and Philippines);

Since her birth in 1868, Concordia College has remained steadfast in living out her mission,
giving life to the very purpose of her existence. Today, she strives to re-found herself in the spirit of the
founders the generosity and love of the poor by Doa Margarita Roxas de Ayala and the service and
love of Christ in persons living in poverty situations by St. Louise and St. Vincent. Guided by a renewed
Vision and Mission expressed through the Core Values, Flagship Programs and Priority Thrusts, the
journey of transformative, loving service goes one . . . empowering, and promoting the dignity of persons
through Catholic Vincentian education.