HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Laguna College of San Pablo City is located at Paseo de Escudero, San Pablo City, Laguna.

Today, with a student populace of several thousands, and a new name, Laguna College, is a household name in the region.

Laguna College, a non-sectarian and co-educational institution, is the oldest private school in Laguna which offers kindergarten, elementary, science high school: special science (SSC) and regular curriculum (NSEC), college, short-term courses and graduate school courses.

PRESENT TIMES

At present, the Laguna College, headed by its College President, Dr. Gertrudis Evangelista- Tomas, is the forerunner in quality education in San Pablo City and its neighboring towns. It has already produced graduates who are successful in various fields of expertise such as Education, Communication, Commerce, Computer Science, Engineering, Nursing, and Government Service to name a few.

One of its programs, which were re-accredited in 2005, is the Liberal Arts Program. The Liberal Arts Department has the following objectives: to provide the students liberal education whose thrust is the total development of the person; to train the students in critical thinking; to upgrade the students’ mastery of Filipino, English and Mathematics; to instill the students a deep commitment to the protection and preservation of the environment; and to train students to be of service to their fellowmen.

At present, the program had already produced a number of graduates who are involved in the Arts, Communications and Entertainment.

The Education Department, offering Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED) and Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSED), has incessantly produced high caliber professional teachers armed with practical knowledge in teaching for academic excellence and educational leadership with a passing percentage of 68.59 percent for class 2005 (compared to the national value of 27.5 percent) for the BEN. On the other hand, BSN obtained a passing percentage of 80 compared to a national value of 25.89 percent. And in 2003, Irene Grace Maranan, its honor graduate, landed 5th place in the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Another excellent program in the Laguna College is the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Business Administration program that had already produced several topnotch Certified Public Accountants. With a passing percentage of 41 for the May 2005 Batch compared to the national passing percentage of 23 in the recent CPA Board Exam, this department has the second largest population in the school.

The Nursing Department offers not only Bachelor of Science in Nursing but also Associate in Health Science and Education (AHSE) and Midwifery. Having the biggest share of the student populace, this department has maintained a high passing percentage of 70 percent in the recent Nursing Board Exam.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is one of the IT related courses in the Laguna College. It aims to equip its students with technical skills needed to cope with the fast-changing technologies and prepares the students to compete globally.

The Technical Vocational Department offers two vocational courses, Computer Technology, which focuses on Computer Programming and also, Office Management with Computer whose thrust is to prepare students with publishing skills and basic programming.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering are also excellent courses in Laguna College. Recently, a graduate in the name of Engr. Rodolfo B. Sanciangco landed the thirteenth spot in the Civil Engineering Board Exam.

Last year, it obtained a 55 percent passing percentage in CE board exam. Its Industrial Engineering graduates dominate the neighboring industrial parks.

In 1996, it was granted Accreditation Status (Level II) by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) for its courses in Liberal Arts, Education and Commerce. It was re-accredited in 1999 and 2005, a status it will enjoy up to 2010.

Laguna College was awarded as one of the Top Ten Schools in the Philippines last December 2005 in San Juan, Manila with the most accredited programs in PACUCOA’s Category B.

In its desire to develop a culture of excellence, LC encourages its students in all levels to participate in academic competitions.

This school year, it garnered several awards, among them:

For the Elementary Department: Chesicon Valiente, 3rd Place in the 26th National Super Quiz Bee last September 16; Jana Paulyn B. De Mesa, Eleanor Marie E. Laset and Iana Ruth L. Ong won 2nd Place in the Sibika at Kultura Quiz Bee Division Level last October 18; Rose Ionneth P. Bondad and Chesicon B. Valiente won 3rd Place in the Regional Academic, Cultural and Environmental Skills Camp in Mathematics last October 24.

In the recently concluded Metro Bank MTAP Math Challenge Orals Competition Division Level, Kazuhiko D. Shuga, Krystel Iris M. De Castro and Daren M. Andal (all grade six pupils) won 1st Place; John Matthew Abescoro, Danna Allison C. Reyes and Marika Krester G. Yambao from the grade three level won 2nd Place; Rosnel Kristianne P. Mercado, Saimon Errel S. Caligayahan and Victoria Anne B. Alinios from the grade one level won 3rd Place; Allysa Marie Castillo, Charming Hanpil S. Medina and Gian Jose H. Ong from the grade four level won 3rd Place.

The winners of various competitions in the High School Department are: Hazel Ann W. Pelagio and Ma. Rosadel Malitig who won 1st Place in the Provincial Inter-High School Agricultural Quiz Contest last August; Mizpah T. Capiña won 1st Place in the Provincial Inter High School English Essay Writing Contest on Agriculture also last August; Maria Shyrene Mayo won 2nd Place in Provincial Inter High School Poster Making Contest in Aug 2005; Mary Loyce Majares and Mizpah Capiña in the Population Quiz last September 2005.

In the English Academic Camp-Division Level last September 29, Jeanne Lorraine Amponin, won 3rd Place while Arjelyn Jose and Xerez Vera Hernandez both won 1st Place in the English Academic Camp Division Level.

Mari-Izza Urrera and Kryza Consignado won 2nd Place in the Provincial Creator’s and Creation Quiz Contest last September while Hazel Anne Pelagio won 2nd Place in the Science Super Quiz Bee Division Level. Zarina Josselle Alimagno, Dionelle Arrelano, Gianna Denise Abello and Crissa Marie Bondad all won 1st Place in the both Division and Regional Science Quiz Be while Fionna Mae Severa Caraig, Mary Arriane Imbo and Michelle Fule all won 1st Place in the Social Studies Quiz Division Level in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year category.

Kevin Ray Valentino landed 2nd Place in the Social Studies Quiz Division while Glexter S. Marasigan and Neil De Guzman won 1st and 5th Places respectively in the Mathalino-Regional Level.

Arjelyn Jose won 2nd Place in the Regional English Academic Camp last November 9 with Fionna Mae Severa Caraig while Mary Arriane Imbo and Michelle Fule both won 2nd Place in the Regional Elimination of Social Studies and Rizal Quiz/Regional Academic Camp for Secondary Level last November 9.

Fionna Mae Severa Carig also won 3rd Place in the Regional Competition for the National Rizal Quiz Contest last November 25 while Hazel Anne Pelagio, Crissa Marie Bonda and Ma. Rosadel Malitig won 1st Place.

Mizpah Capiña, Kryza Consignado and Ellen Pestijo won 3rd Place in the 9th CALABARZON-wide Inter High Shool Science and Technology Quiz Contest last November 25 while Elena Devanadera and Zarina Joselle Alimagno won 1st Place in the Senior-Junior Paberdehan 2005 last December.

In the Rotary Club sponsored contests, Crissa Marie Bondad won 1st in the RotaQuiz; Ma. Rosadel Malitig won 1st Place in the Oratorical Contest while Gianna Denise Abello landed on 2nd Place in the Impromptu Speaking held last November 26.

Hazel Anne Pelagio bagged the 1st Place in the First Inter High School Genetics Quiz Contest (Provincial Genetics Camp) last January 14 to 15.

In the Mathalino Division Level held last October 28, Glexter Marasigan and Neil de Guzman both won 1st Place while Mark Harvy Pita and Mickey Canizares won 2nd Place.

In the Division Elimination MTAP Quiz, Mickey Canizares and Jeanne Lorraine Amponin won 3rd Place in the 1st year level, Neil de Guzman was awarded as the Top Scorer and 2nd Place together with Aaron Isaac Ansay for the 2nd year level, Mark Harvy Pita and Ferlyn Joy Cargullo won 2nd Place for the 3rd year level and Glexter Marasigan was awarded as the Top Scorer and 3rd Place with Crissa Marie Bondad, also in the said competition.

In the 6th Annual Mind GAMES Contest last January 27, Mizpah Capiña won 1st Place for the Economic Quiz Contest, Edlyn Romero was declared champion for the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Contest and Ellenrose Marie Pangue bagged the 1st Place for the Essay Writing Contest.

In the Lyceum Institute of Technology Math Olympiad, Glexter Marasigan was awarded Top Scorer and 1st Place together with Ma. Rosadel Malitig and Crissa Marie Bondad in 1st Place while Hazel Anne Pelagio, Kryza Consignado and Ellen Pestijo won 1st Place in the 18th Inter High School Biology Quiz Contest last February 4.

Zarina Josselle Alimagno won 1st Place in the 3rd National Science Quiz Contest while Glexter Marasigan, Crissa Marie Bondad and Mark Harvy Pita bagged the 1st Place in the DLSU Inter-Mathematch Quiz Show last February 10.

Kryza Consignado, John Rafael Alicando and Dionelle Arellano also won 1st Place in the First Bio Quiz Bowl (Laguna Inter High School Biology Quiz Show.)For the College Level, Erika Paula Pundan was named champion while Analyn C. Aquino won 2nd Runner up in the Regional Battle of Accounting Wizards last July 25.

Rhea Barbecho won 1st Place while Erika Paula Pundan won 1st Runner up in the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA) Midyear Convention (Prac 1).

Rudy Dimatulac Jr. won the 1st Place while Randy Capuno and Lovely Bonilla won 1st Runner Up and Ma. Rachel Reyes won 2nd Runner up in the Badminton Category while Mark Alvin Alvarez and Dave Erik Moldogo dominated the Badminton Doubles of the PRISAA and won silver in the PRISAA National Meet.

Erika Paula Pundan and Analyn Barbecho were recognized as the 1st Place and 2nd Place in the BRO-VIRGIL Cup respectively last February 10 while Jeff Dancel was proclaimed the champion in the recent NFJPIA Region 4 Annual Convention Management Advisory Theory Quiz with Analyn C. Aquino landing on the 2nd Place.

To further improve the quality of education it provides, the Laguna College administration plans to construct in the immediate future a new building for the growing Nursing Department and to meet the needs of the other departments.

It also hopes to strengthen its faculty development and outreach programs and to encourage its faculty to engage more in research.