On October 5, 1913, a group of four young men and a woman, with ages ranging from fi fteen to twenty-one, met for breakfast at the Palma de Mallorca, a popular restaurant beside the Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros. The five were Apolinario G. de los Santos, his brother Mariano V. de los Santos, his sister Maria Santos, and two friends; Buenaventura J. Bello and Manuel Montilla. They were all college students themselves with more daring than money, determined to put up a school suited to the needs of the Filipino youth. These “impecunious youngsters” as they were called by a university historian, faced the challenges ahead of them and followed their dreamed to establish an institution whose motto was “Patria, Scientia et Virtus,” they named their school-in-making Instituto de Manila, after the city of their affection. Apolinario G, de los Santos was the school’s fi rst Director.

The Instituto’s doors first opened in school in year 1914-1915. The forerunner of this institution offered only elementary and high school courses in leased building on the corner on Madrid and Penarubia streets, Binondo District In school year 1919-1920, However, the Instituto conducted its classes in its own building in the Sampaloc District in order to accommodate its growing populace and to provide better facilities.

Before embarking on a program of expansion to meet the educational needs of its consistency, the Instituto perforce had to undergo internal changes. The original incorporators unanimously agreed, on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the founding of the institution, to effect a re-organization geared towards the attainment of the university status, The decision was subsequently followed by the re-incorporation of the Instituto as the University of Manila on November 3, 1921, under the provision of Act 1459 of the former Philippine Legislature.

Right after its re-incorporation, the University progressed rapidly. The development marked the turning point of its democratic and progressive institution which was withstood the test of time. It fortunately survived two world war and bewildering variety of changes—ideological, social, economic and political. From the institution which offered only elementary and high school programs, the university took its place among the country’s leading private school.

The mustard seed that was the University of Manila continues to grow through the years. Its genesis of growth was impressive. In March 1919, the College of Law was formally opened. In 1920, the College of Liberal Arts followed. Three colleges were born in 1922-1923, namely: the College of Philosophy and Letters, the College of Education and the College of Business administration. The Department of Graduate Studies (UM) opened in 1941-1942. The College of Engineering opened in December 1945. In 1946, the Academy of Music and the School of Foreign Service were opened, In 1946, M.A. in Political Science was offered in the Department of Graduate Studies followed by M.A. in History in 1951. Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education was fi rst offered in 1951. Between 1963-1966, The College of Criminology and Penology, School of Secretarial Science and Master’s Degree in Public Administration were offered. On June 7, 1976, the following course were opened --Two-year Political Science and Technology, Two-year Library Aide, Two-year Bookkeeping, One-year Hotel and Restaurant Management and One-year Tourism.

The fruition of these labors were product of highly innovative, creative and brilliant minds of those who occupied the presidency, Dr. Apolinario de los Santos headed this seat of learning from its inception until 1927 when he was succeeded by the brother Dr. Mariano de los Santos, who assumed the presidency at the age of 29, the youngest university president in the Philippines and the world. He was university head until his untimely demise on October 13, 1959.

The unfinished task of leading the University was continued by Madame Helen de los Santos. He dedicated his book, “Education and Life” to his wife, “who has shared with me all the tribulation of life but cared so little for its vainglories,” Madame de los Santos, a pioneer woman educator, held the presidency with distinction from 1959 to 1981.

With its mission, to teach love of country, love of science and love of virtue and vision to strive to compete with other schools, locally and internationally, by incorporation modern technology in education, the University of Manila continues to serve not only the Filipino youth but also those of other countries who have chosen this institution their second home in their educational pursuit.

PRESENT TIMES
Another chapter in UM history unfolded when Dr. Virgilio de los Santos took over the presidency in 1981. With him at the helm, the University continually strive for academic excellence.
It has remained true to its trilogy, Patria Scientia et Virtus.

Under the leadership of Dr. Virgilio de los Santos, the University has attained stability and progress. In keeping with the thrust of the government and in order to keep in step with the times, the University on February 16, 1994, offered Four-year courses in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Computer Science. The University of Manila has come of age. In response to the call of the 90’s it offered new courses on February 21, 1994- - Doctor of Education, Doctor of Public Administration, and Master of Business Administration to provide the administrators, businessmen, educators and analysts- researchers with broad theoretical and conceptual background. And on April 3, 2003, starting with school year 2003 – 2004, the University has received the Government permit to offer the 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Languages major in Japanese Language, the very first university to offer a degree-course in Japanese Language.

Today, The University of Manila approaches its centennial in 2013. Join us as we prepare for UM’s first 100 years of total commitment to global education for a better world. The University of Manila is heading towards the year 2013 and beyond with the goal of rendering better service to mankind through quality education.

The University of Manila is a member of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, International Association of Universities and Association of Southeast Asian Institutes of Higher Learning. At the same time the University of Manila has maintained sisterhood agreements with different Asian University such as the Dohto University of Sapporo and Monbetsu cities of Hokkaido, Japan; Tokai University of Tokyo, Japan; Hansung University of Seoul, Korea; Cheng Kung Commercial and Technical High School of Pate City, Taiwan, Republic of China; and most recently with Meio University of Nago City, Okinawa, Japan.

In keeping faith with its commitment to relevant education and to the development of the Filipino society, the University of Manila takes pride in its newly acquired computer equipments such as the Microsoft courseware, computer fiber optics and Pentium computers, among others which will assure our graduates of topnotch training that is recognized abroad. With these the University of Manila acknowledges that an international outlook is of extreme importance and has a long standing interest and involvement in international development. Globalization has internally seeped into our culture. The University is now offering in its curricula and in all its colleges, computer classes and internet access courses. The widespread use of electronic mail and internet services among its faculty, staff and students, greatly assisting this process which is in consonance with the University’s vision of becoming a world-class university.

FLAGSHIP COURSES
The College of Law of the University of Manila has a new Dean in the person of Atty. Joe Santos B. Bisquera, who is working for his Thesis for his Master of Laws in the same University.

He started his deanship last June 1, and took the rein from the Dean. Michael P. Moralde, who has been dean of the College of Law for almost eleven years.

Dean Bisquera graduated with Bachelor of Business Administration, major in Accounting ‘Suma Cum Laude’ (Gold Medal) in April of 1968 at U.E., Manila. He passed his CPA examination in 1969; finished his MBA in 1975 at U.P. as class valedictorian. In 1992, he graduated Cum Laude in the U.E. College of Law and at the same time as class valedictorian and passed the Bar Examinations in 1994.

As a new dean, he has accepted the challenged to raise the standard of Law Education at UM, and has made a commitment to bring the teaching-learning process to greater height, thereby competing with other schools of Law in the Country.

Corollarily, to further improve the College of Law’s teaching staff, UM has acquired the able services of topnotched legal luminaries in the likes of Attorneys Rene Corospe, Ariel Arias, Philger Inovejas, Napoleon Galit and Dr. Erwin Erfe, among others.

With the leadership of Dean Bisquera and with the full support of the UM Administration, rest assured that the College of Law will be able to brace itself to a new height and glory, as was its glorious years before.

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE
University of Manila School of Foreign Service aims to produce graduates who would be thoroughly trained both in the theory and modern practices of diplomacy and in the intricate and delicate workings of the International Legal System, as well as the United Nations, its specialized agencies, and all the current regional organizations and institutions.

The school also endeavors to develop the character of its students by instilling and inculcating in them the virtues of discipline, integrity, industry and the drive for excellence in scholarship, which are all essential ingredients for success in any profession, but more particularly in the field of diplomacy.

In other words, the graduates of the School of Foreign Service must possess a well-rounded knowledge of the history and development of mankind and civilization, i.e., Western, Muslim or Islamic, as well as Asian, from ancient times to the present. The students, therefore, must be seriously interested in World History, Comparative Governments, Philosophy, Economics, Art and Culture, the International Legal System and the United Nations, Diplomatic and Consular Practice, Foreign Languages and Protocol.

Above all, however, students must be thoroughly conversant with the History; Constitutional Government; Culture; and the Economy of the Philippines. They must also be able to defi ne the exact place and destiny of their country in the world’s legal system. This is the only way they may aspire to be their country’s future policy-maker or be useful citizens of the country.

THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
The College of Education of the University of Manila has been approved and recognized by the Department of Educations and Culture (DEC) on July 1,1923.

New structuring and orientations in education are given emphasis such as teachers as premier agents of innovations may be able to maximize the use of well- equipped laboratories, libraries, computer centers, and other institutional facilities.

Curriculum enrichment for the mental, physical, and emotional development of every student has been worked on, geared to the educational imperatives. The program thrusts and targets of the College of Education are full support by the University Administration.