Holy Angel University


Holy Angel University is a private Catholic research university in Angeles City, Philippines. Founded in June 1933 by Don Juan Nepomuceno and Fr. Pedro Paulo Santos, who was later named as the Archbishop of Cáceres, it is considered the first lay-founded Catholic school as well as the first co-educational Catholic high school. With a student population of over 21,000, it is the largest private institution of higher education with the largest student population in a single campus in Central Luzon.

History

Establishment

Holy Angel University, located in Angeles City, Philippines, was established in June 1933 as Holy Angel Academy by Don Juan D. Nepomuceno and Fr. Pedro P. Santos. Initially, it provided Catholic education to 78 high school students and became the first Catholic co-educational high school run by laypersons in the country.

Postwar growth

After World War II, the Academy expanded its offerings, adding a tertiary department in 1947 and transitioning to a 4-year collegiate program. In 1961, the institution was renamed Holy Angel College, under the leadership of Don Juan D. Nepomuceno. It continued to grow, introducing various engineering and business programs.

University status

On December 4, 1981, HAC achieved university status and became Holy Angel University. The university's growth continued, with expansions in both physical infrastructure and academic offerings, including graduate programs and technical courses.

Campus

The university sits in an 8-hectare urban campus. The university campus features the Epiphany of Angels Park that has an exhibit of the Seven Archangels and the Holy Guardian Angel. The university houses the original image of the Holy Guardian Angel commissioned by Don Juan Nepomuceno in the University Chapel. The university library is housed at the second and third floors of the San Francisco de Javier building; along with the university theater in the ground floor and the chambers of the University President in the fourth floor.

Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies

CKP, named after Don Juan D. Nepomuceno, a philanthropist and former Angeles City Mayor, was established in 2001 after HAU hosted the First International Conference on Kapampangan Studies which focused on the study of Kapampangan language, history and culture. It is housed in the 3-story Don Juan D. Nepomuceno Building in HAU and contains a gallery, a museum and a library. Under Robby Tantingco, Director, it publishes SingSing, a quarterly magazine whose name is derived from "Atin Cu Pung Singsing," and Kapampangan Research Journal.
On March 21-22, 2024, CKS spearheaded the First International Conference on Kapampangan Cuisine and Food Tourism at HAU. It featured 35 parallel sessions and 10 plenary sessions on Pampanga’s culinary history, culture, food, and traditions. In the 1600s, Pampanga became the “food basket.” The titles of Pampanga as “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” and “Culinary Heartland of the Philippines” came from popular acclaim and an article by Condé Nast. 'The future of Kapampangan food is bright,' said chef Jam Melchor, Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement founder.

Academics

As a Roman Catholic learning institution, aside from the major and professional subjects, all undergraduate students are required to take 12 units of Catholic Theology classes. The students are also required to attend 8 units of physical education class, and a choice from ROTC, civic welfare service training and literacy training service. The university is home to eight undergraduate colleges, with the School of Business and Accountancy as the oldest. The university also has a high school and laboratory elementary school.
The Commission on Higher Education granted autonomous status to the university and recognized three of its programs as Centers of Development, namely in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering and Teacher Education. It is also accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Notable alumni and faculty