THE HISTORY OF ST.

DOMINIC SAVIO COLLEGE

It started out as a dream. Then slowly, it become a reality. And

through the years, the reality continues to stand amidst all the hardships
and trials that has come its way. Through the great efforts of Dr. Nestor V.
dela Cruz and His wife Mrs. Myra R. dela Cruz, of February 1993, St. Dominic
Savio College was born.

But during that time, SDSC was first known as St. Dominic Savio
School that catered only to the grade school and high school levels. Armed
with its vision – mission of Total Development of a Person, SDSC opened its
doors to students from all walks of life.

Housed in a modest two – storey residential house, SDSC welcomed

twenty – three (23) students in the pre – school and grade school programs
at the start of its operations in 1993.

At that time Mr. Ednel S. Garcia and Ms. Virginia Maraguinot were
designated as the Administrative Officer and Principal, respectively. And in
its second year of operation, the High School Department opened as a result
of the great support provided by the community. The enrollment doubled
and the Pre – School and Elementary Department were given recognition by
the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS).
 The need for expansion and improvement of its facilities were eminent,
thus, SDSC embarked on a long term development program. With this, a
five storey spacious and well – ventilated building was constructed to
accommodate the growing number of the enrolees. The construction of a
new building was a strong indication that SDSC provides quality education
and excellence.

In less than three years, the dreams become a reality. St. Dominic Savio
College continued its noble and humble mission of producing students that
embody its vision.

On June 1995, St. Dominic Savio School was renamed to St. Dominic
Savio College. The change in the name signified its strong commitment of
making quality education accessible to all for it signaled the entry of the
institution in the realms of higher education. A wide selection of courses
ranging from Mass Communication to Business Administration to Computer
Science greeted the students.

The opening of the College Department made the institution more

accessible to the students, community and the neighbouring towns,
provinces, and to the foreign students as well.

Additional courses were included in response to the growing call and

demands of students residing in the cities of Caloocan. Quezon City, San
Jose del Monte and nearby towns in Bulacan. The following school year there
were new courses offered namely: Midwifery, BS Nursing, and Computer
Engineering.
 Likewise, the Graduate School also opened with the Master in Business
Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Education (MAED) and
application for doctorate level immediately followed.

The opening of the graduate and the tertiary levels of St. Dominic Savio
College is undoubtedly a vital contribution and stimulus for progress not only
for the individual student but also for the development of the country, and
appointed as Head of the College Department was Dr. Carolina T. Prada, a
well-known mentor and administrator in the field of higher education. In
response to the vision and mission of SDSC which is Total Development of a
Person, it further streamlined its personnel wherein coordinators for the
elementary, high school and college departments were appointed.

The appointments to these positions ensured a more effective

administration of the students’ and the department’s needs.

The first batch of graduates of the College Department marched and

received their diplomas in school year 1998 – 1999. The first batch of
students of the two – year Hotel and Restaurant Management and Computer
Secretarial earned their degrees and marched into the real world.

The school year 1999 – 2000 saw the graduation of more than 30
students from the various academic programs. Hence, SDSC continued its
quest for academic excellence. This year also saw the organization of the
varsity program that aimed to develop the youth in the field of sorts.

School year 2000 – 2001 was a totally different year for SDSC. With a
yearning to establish a name in the field of sports, SDSC joined the ever –
growing National Capital Region Athletic Association.
 The strength of its varsity players was tested but most have manage to
perform well, particularly the men’s beach volleyball team which placed
second at the National College for Business and Arts competition. Likewise,
SDSC made its presence felt in the Manila Association of Colleges,
Universities Athletic Tournament (MASCUAT). SDSC was champion for two
consecutive years in the cheering competition and with victories in the
basketball and volleyball events.

Moreover, good things are yet to come for this young educational
institution for the SY 2001 – 2002 saw SDSC shifting its focus on the arts.

Selected students of SDSC bested schools from all over San Jose del
Monte City and won the Best in Modern Ethnic dance contest of the San Jose
del Monte against Drug Addiction Committee (SADAC), Moreover, enrollment
increased in the nursing program of the College of Health Related Courses.

The great demands for nurses abroad propelled the enrolment to

almost three times as compared to last school year’s figures. Even with the
sudden surge in enrolment, SDSC was prepared for this and managed to
cope with the demands of the students in providing education in the highest
form. With this increase in enrolment, Dr. Nestor V. dela Cruz, SDSC
President, saw the need for young and dynamic administrators who could
provide fresh insights in the management of the College.

The school year 2002 – 2003 is yet another colorful year for SDSC.
Enrolment continued to increase with the influx of students in the nursing
program and other courses such as Accountancy, Mass Communication,
Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Computer Science and
Computer Engineering.

Aside from this, SDSC scored another triumph during the annual
Sangbuklod Dance Festival, which was participated by all the barangays in
San Jose Del Monte City.

SDSC placed 3rd out of more than a hundred groups which participated in
the street dancing contest.

The academic performance of the past years continued to reign through

the following years. The good Lord showered the school with a great feat in
the June 2003 Nursing Board Examinations.

The nursing graduates showed feather of pride in its cap, when SDSC
ranked third (3rd) overall nationwide of all nursing schools in the country.
More importantly, 12 of its students landed in the Top 20, wherein the
topnotcher of the Nursing Board Examination, Ms. Myrene Villanueva, came
from SDSC.

Aside from this the nursing graduates of SDSC were able to garner 7th,
8th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th and 20 th place in the June,
2003 Nursing Board examination. In December 2003 Board Examination,
SDSC ranked 4th in the overall among nursing schools nationwide with a
passing performance of 93%. During the June 2004 Board Examination,
SDSC was named as one of the top performing schools in nursing.
 The December 2005 Board Examination saw the college ranking 12th
overall with a passing performance of 87.6%. And once again, another
Savian made it to the Top 10 of the December 2006 Nursing Board
Examination, Meliza Alvarado Sotelo placed 5th in the December 2006
Nursing Board Examination. Meanwhile, in the field of management, Savians
made it to the Top three for two consecutive years of the Inter – School
management Quiz Bee sponsored by the Council of Management Educators
(COME).

In this inaugural stage held last January 2006, SDSC bagged the first
place award and placed second on January 2007 competition. And at last we
won the championship for two consecutive years last January 2008 and
January 2009.

In the field of the arts, the SDSC Dance Troupe Continuously showcases
its repertoire of songs and dances via their well acclaimed SM Mall shows.
SDSC holds the distinction of being the only college in Northern NCR to be
invited by the SM Management to hold the performance for two consecutive
years. And last April 2007, SDSC Dance Troupe was declared as champion at
the Biay Festival Street Dancing Competition held in Subic, Olongapo.

The year 2009 was a good year for SDSC. Our very own SDSC family
member, SDSC Dance Troupe joined the prestigious event, ‘One Philippines'
at Seoul in Korea.

Spearheaded by the Philippine Department of Tourism, the festival last May

30-31 was a part of the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic
between Korea and Philippines’ 111th Philippine Independence Day and
Migrant Workers Day. St. Dominic Savio College in its quest for Quality and
Excellence was ISO 2001:2008 certified last November 18, 2009.

In the field of management, Savians made it to the Top three for two
consecutive years of the Inter-School management Quiz Bee sponsored by
the Council of Management Educators (COME). Last November 24, 2009 our
valiant St. Dominic Savio College’s High School Boys’ Basketball Team won
the Interschool Basketball –Volleyball League championship game at a score
of 14-0.

Once again Savians made it to the Top ten of the November, 2009
Nursing Board Examination. They are: Perla B. Santiago is the 7 th placer;
Lilia C. Piramide, 8th placer; Nerissa N. Layag, 9th placer; and Maria Cecilia
C. Tejedor is the 10th placer.

All these are some of the holistic development SDSC gives to its
students. And throughout the years, St. Dominic Savio College believes that
it has consistently fulfilled its vision and mission which is Total Development
of a Person, producing graduates who have strong values formation that is
to be service to others and be responsible leaders of the new millennium.
 THE LEGACY

The universal need for education has always been man’s primary
motivation in order to effectively express himself in society. Schools have
become the fundamental social institutions that seek to liberate man from
unjust and oppressive conditions brought about by poverty and ignorance.

However, a school should transcend from this mere reality and most
focus in vision towards producing men and women who are not only
academically competent but above all bearers of authentic humanism guided
by Christian faith.

With this premise in mind, St. Dominic Savio College was established
for the youth to realize the liberating value of education guided by Christian
Humanism.

SDSC TODAY

After more than ten years of providing quality education and service
students in the cities of Caloocan, Quezon, and San Jose del Monte and
other nearby towns in Bulacan, SDSC remains resilient amidst the chaos and
challenges that come its way.

It remains unique compared to other nearby colleges for it caters to a

wide variety of courses and adheres to the holistic development of its
students.

It never fails in inculcating to its students the virtues and values of its
patron saint - St. Dominic Savio.
 More so, one can find a close-knit academic community where
students and faculty are like friends yet respect each other with
responsibility and other values remaining intact.

VISION STATEMENT

The Founder envisions SDSC, in two decades time, as one of the

country’s premier institutions of higher learning in the holistic development
of globally-competitive and conscientious leaders and professionals through:

1) Definitive excellence in education that meets national demands and

global standards;
2) Social activism for the improvement of the quality of life and general
welfare of men;
3) Access and equity in scholarly opportunities; and
4) Elevation of the institution to university status.

MISSION STATEMENT

As a College, SDSC seeks to uphold and communicate truth by

instilling it in the Savian scholar in all his scholarly, personal, and
professional pursuits.

As a Filipino College, SDSC seeks to protect, preserve and promote

Filipino culture. Through his healthy understanding of national identity, the
Savian scholar will be the nation’s spokesperson to the global community.

As a Filipino College with the global perspective SDSC seeks to

prepare the Savian scholar to the rigors and demands of the borderless
world.
 As a Savian College, SDSC seeks to realize the TOTAL
DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONS. The college seeks to be a witness to the life
and deeds of its patron saint, St. Dominic Savio, and to be an apostle to the
saint’s philosophy of “Love, Leadership, and Service”.

St. Dominic Savio College professes to seek all these through

passionate commitment to excellent teaching, scholarly research and active
community service.

GENERAL GOALS

Within the framework of this vision, the school pursues a mission

translated into attainable goals. The mission exemplifies the task of
instilling in each and every student the teaching of St. Dominic Savio, the
authentic tradition and values as well as the attitudes, habits and knowledge
that will contribute to make him a truly Christian Filipino.

Pursuant to the vision mission and objectives of the Patron Saint of the
Youth, St. Dominic Savio College commits itself to - carry out the following
objectives:

1. Produce Total Human Persons with a knowledge and understanding of

dynamic Christian Living by encouraging them to nourish the practice
of honesty, responsibility and chivalry.

2. Develop students with fine tastes and manners and strengthen their
commitment to preserves the tradition and values of the Filipino
people. Provide a learning atmosphere that is vital to the intellectual,
moral, spiritual, and socio-cultural consciousness of the students.
3. Excel in development of the basic academic competence and potentials
of the students, thus, recognizing and appreciating the values of arts
and science for progress and growth of an individual.

4. Manifest preparedness for higher level of learning through a balanced

and adequate instructional program for the students’ learning and
mastery of fundamental knowledge, attitudes, habits and skills that
recognizes the value of human and material resources.

5. Develop leadership potentials among individuals who are vocationally

and academically efficient, whose skills and training would enable
them to earn a decent living, render worthy services to the community
and contribute to nation building, and above all, a globally competitive
person who has a genuine love and pride for country and its heritage.
 EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

The educational philosophy of SDSC is exemplified in the motto of St.

Dominic Savio, the Patron Saint of the Youth - CARITAS, DUCTUS, and
SERVITUM.

Love is the greatest Christian virtue and the foundation of

faith. It is shown not only in words and manners but above
all in deeds and the purity of intension. The institution
believes that education without values is mere learning.
Hence, the emphasis of knowledge and skills are to be
imbued with values formation, love for country and self.

St. Dominic Savio is the shining example of the youth. His

leadership capabilities, which are full of zeal and fidelity to
duty, are the ingredients of total human development.

The unselfish dedication in the service of mankind is the

hallmark of educational philosophy that is to be instilled in
the minds of the students of St Dominic Savio College.

THE CORE VALUES

- St. Dominic Savio College adheres to the following:

- Compassion
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Passion