Angelicum College

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UST Angelicum College, the country's pioneer in the non-graded system, envisions herself to be the preferred Catholic Institution that forms individuals to become academically competent, socially responsive, environmentally conscientious, and morally upright through a progressive approach to learning for the service of the Church, the nation, and the world.
Angelicum College started as an educator's simple dream to break free from the traditional educational system. When he was an elementary student at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Fr. Rogelio Alarcon, O.P had already begun toying with the idea of a school that would cater to the individual needs each student and discard the traditional concept of grading. Under this program, the learners come to Angelicum College every day from Monday to Friday and follow a regular class schedule with different subject facilitators. Modular instruction coupled with socialized recitations or individual/group instructions is made available. All activities are coordinated with the school personnel concerned. Opportunities are scheduled for learners to update their skills when they lag. The physical arrangement in the classroom is made such that those capable of doing independent activities are made free to move and get the materials they need. An area is also made available for those who need further explanations from the learning facilitators.
For athletes, musicians, artists, actors, actresses, or anyone who cannot be in school regularly due to other occupations and health constraints, the Home Study Program (HSP) is the perfect venue for their academic needs. Functional programs like the HSP are emerging as a new frontier in meeting the growing population of learners with unique needs, both young and adult. Angelicum adopted the DepEd-NCR HSP in 1996, extending education to youth and adults who cannot be physically present in learning environments, where cases include those who are suffering chronic illnesses, are employed, are already married, or those who have exceeded the average school-age but need to complete their secondary education.
HSP allows learners to study at home at their own time and pace while tests for validation of their lessons or modules are to be given and taken in the actual presence of authorized monitors. Enrollment starts anytime and ends in ten (10) months. The learner may enroll for the next level and begin another curriculum year as soon as lessons are mastered. GaBayAnihan is a compound of five Filipino words such as Gabay, Bayani, Anihan, Bayanihan, and Bayan. The program aims to guide (Gabay) the people to move as one community or nation (Bayan), forming them according to the values and character of enlightened citizens or heroes (Bayani) who can harvest (Anihan) their products and talents. It also highlights the good Filipino value of Bayanihan, which implies cooperation and selfless service.
In 1972, a few months after he was appointed first Provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province, he convinced some educators and the Province to put up a non-graded school. It was to be called "Angelicum" after one of the Dominican houses of studies in Rome, and the nature of each child would justify its whole existence. Its philosophy would be "to do what is best for the learners."In May of 1972, the Ministry of Education and Culture granted permission to operate this unique school. It was opened after one month of relentless activity, which involved looking for a building, recruiting teachers, enrolling students, getting classroom materials, and arranging school services.
On July 5, 1972, Angelicum School was born: six classrooms and a small library all housed at the Dominican seminary 315 young boys under the care of 9 creative, responsible and experienced teachers who were willing to undertake a paradigm shift. It carried out the embodiment of the Dominican ideals of charity, justice, and fortitude. Angelicum became the first non-graded school in the Philippines. In the second year of its existence, Angelicum's enrollment doubled. The first floor of the St. Dominic Building was finished to house the fast-growing populace. In 1974, girls were accepted to meet "the need to normalize the environment." A total of 220 enrolled in the Nursery to YS 5 Levels. Likewise, the St.Martin Building was then ready for the learners. In 1977, St. Antoninus School opened. It offered services to children in need of special attention. Ten years later, it was renamed the Special Education Department (SPED). Its operation was suspended in 1996.
Angelicum expanded beyond Quezon City. Two branches were established: Angelicum Tehran, Iran, and Angelicum Jaro, Iloilo. But due to the religious war in Iran, Angelicum Tehran was closed in 1979. Fr. Singian ended his term in 2004, and Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, OP, succeeded him in June 2004. Improvement of facilities and offices was made like the air-conditioning of all the classrooms at St. Dominic Building and St Thomas Building. Renovations of all offices at the St. Martin Building (octagonal) were also done. He spearheaded the launching of the Solid Waste Management and the rehabilitation of the AC Football Field. In May 2008, Fr. Dagohoy was transferred to UST as one of the administrators of the UST Hospital.Fr. Ferdinand L. Bautista, OP, succeeded him and was installed on June 12, 2008, as the 10th Rector and current President of Angelicum College.

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