Universidad de Sta. Isabel
Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga, Inc., is a private Catholic university run by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul in Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It was founded by the Rt Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., Bishop of Caceres, in 1868 as the first normal school for women in Asia, named in honor of the university's patron, St. Isabel, Queen of Hungary.
Queen Isabella II's Royal Decree in 1867 opened Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel in 1868 under the Diocese of Cáceres of Rt Rev. Francisco Gainza's episcopate in Nueva Cáceres. ECSI introduced the Escuela Normal de Maestra in 1872, founding the first normal school for women in Asia, named in honor of the university's patron, St. Isabel, Queen of Hungary. Three years later, ESCI was renamed to Colegio de Sta. Isabel. In 1898, it housed the interim government for Elias Angeles' regional rebellion. Americanized with secular Thomasite instruction in 1901, the colonial-era curriculum was gradually diluted yet CSI retained its primary Vincentian doctrines. During World War II, CSI became a temporary co-educational facility under a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere-based syllabus, offering education to Ateneo de Naga pupils when their campus was requisitioned by the Japanese Army|Japanese] 16th Division from 1940 to 1941, subsequently transferring all classes to the convent of the Cathedral and the Archdiocesian Seminary upon Japanese requisition throughout the war. In 1968, CSI introduced its Graduate School. CSI was granted university status by virtue of the Higher Education Act of 1994 in 2001, conferred a year after in 2002, and is now officially referred to as Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga, Inc..
The university offers elementary and secondary education through the Basic Education Department, a Higher Education Department, and Graduate School. The campus is a leading institution in implementing the St. Louise de Marillac Educational System worldwide across Vincentian institutions.
In accordance to the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, otherwise known as the "K-12 Basic Education Program" in conjunction with the "SHS Academic Track, Technical-Vocational Livelihood", USI-BED combines both elementary and secondary education under a single departmental faculty and student governing body, the Student Central Council, and a collection of classrooms in the St. Louise de Marillac Building and St. Vincent de Paul Building. USI-BED is composed of Preschool, Elementary, and high schools separated into both Junior High School with a Night High School Program and Senior High School curricula.
History
Opening of the Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel
Proposals of Rev. Francisco Gainza
In February 1863, during Rev. Francisco Gainza's consecration to the episcopated by Abp. Gregorio Meliton, Archdiocese of Manila, he planned reformations for the Diocese of Caceres with Fr. Gregorio Velasco, C.M. in the Las Islas Filipinas: the establishment of a colegio-beaterio ran by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the redirection of the Seminario Conciliar. Velasco described Gainza's endeavors as a "daring pursuit".Establishment of a ''colegio-beaterio'' in Nueva Cáceres
Upon Gainza's initialization of his diocesian reformations since his arrival in Nueva Cáceres on 19 March 1863, he worked toward the colegio-beaterio by first erecting an edifice across the Cathedral and near the Episcopal Palace. On 8 October 1866, Gainza briefed the Ministry of Overseas Colonies, Alejandro de Castro, of his proposals for a colegio-beaterio in Nueva Cáceres. In his letter, he stressed the absence of the diocese's primary normal school for girls to wit:In the same letter, Gainza requested de Castro to lobby the authorization, both the funding for the journey and the ₱150 monthly wages of the five Provincial Visitors of the Sisters of Charity administering the school, and subsidization of personnel and supplies. At the end of the letter, Gainza proposed renaming the blank Colegio of Nueva Cáceres after Queen Isabella II and St. Elizabeth of Hungary :
Isabella II's enthusiasm with the ''colegio-beaterio''
On 29 June 1867, Gainza headed for Southern Europe in Rome, for his quinquennial visit ad limina on the 18th centenary of Saint Peter, then Madrid, where he discussed with Isabella II his proposals of the colegio-beaterio. Met with resounding approval, Gainza described his meeting with the Queen:Royal decree from Spain
A royal decree from Her Majesty, dated November 5, 1867, formally authorized Gainza to construct the multidepartmental "colegio-beaterio" ran by the Hijas de Caridad de Sta. Vincent de Paul in Nueva Cáceres; it was referred to as the Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel. In the decree's three provisions, it read:Arrival of the Daughters of Charity
By January 1868, Gainza and the six sisters departed Madrid for Nueva Cáceres. After two months of sea travel, they arrived at Manila, where they were joined by Vincentian and Dominican monks, such as Mariano Cuartero, O.P. and Rev. Uy of the Diocese of Jaro for the rest of the excursion. On 4 April 1868, the six sisters, Francisca Sales Montoya, the first superior of the Sisters of Charity in Nueva Cáceres, Crisologa Navarro, Ignacia Ostolozas, Juana Morga, Rita Delome, Antonia Novao were welcomed by Fr. Vicente Garcia at Pasacao Beach southeast of Nueva Cáceres, resting at Pamplona for the night.On the next day, 5 April 1868, the Sisters vacated Pasacao via Pamplona and the Bicol River then docking at Camaligan en route to Nueva Cáceres. Upon arrival, they were welcomed by Rt Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., Bishop of Caceres at his Episcopal Palace in the Diocese of Caceres.
Inauguration of the Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel
On 12 April 1868, the Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel was formally opened. During the inauguration, Rev. Francisco Gainza delivered a speech at the Mary's Garden of the present day Higher Education Department noting the Queen's complacence in the establishment of the Colegio and paid his gratitude to Her Majesty, saying:Escuela-colegio education system
General policies
The Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel, a diocesan school decreed therein, consisted of two instructions: the primary instruction and their students, and the normal school and their teacher students. Both were distinctly independent units with different statutes, academic policies, and curriculum.General statistics
On the opening year of the Colegio, the school received a general total of 220 enrollees with more day than boarding students: a meager 70 boarding students from the principalia of Nueva Cáceres and Albay, because of budgetary constraints at the time; and 150 day students.''Primary school
Departmentalization
After the provision, the primary school had two departments: the Boarding and Day School for Girls and the Municipal School for Poor Girls.Grade levels
The primary school was composed of three levels: entrada, ascenso, and termino ; with the curriculum enshrined in Castilian studies of Catholic doctrine. Colegialas had subjects in Spanish, its grammar, orthography, and literature; Christian Doctrine (Doctrina Cristiana); Principles of Morality; Sacred History; Arithmetic, with 19th century concepts in integers, fractions, decimals, and measuring; Rules of Courtesy ; voice lessons; women's work, such as different studies of needlework. On 4 August 1868, Fr. Gainza ratified the primary school's implementing statutes, the Estatutos; herein the provisions of the Escuela Normal de Manila's 20 December 1863 Decree were adopted.Normal school
In the normal school, the academic year began on 1 July and ended on 15 May, on the feast of San Isidro Labrador. Comparable to Nueva Cáceres and Manila's colegio-beaterio, the normalistas studied Religion, Morals, Sacred History, Spanish, Arithmetic, Geography, History, Rules of Courtesy, and Pedagogy, with Geometry, Natural Sciences, and Music being voluntary.Training for primary teachers
Gainza lobbying
On 14 December 1869, Gainza lobbied to Gov-Gen. Carlos María de la Torre y Navacerrada of a proposal to recruit 100 16 to 20 year-old women pensionadas from 100 towns under his episcopate chosen by their principalia and parish priests; they were to train pedagogy for two to four years then take charge of their town's primary schools as teachers or assistants, with Gainza specifically requesting the pensionadas be shouldered by provincial funds, a fee of six pesos a month or 72 pesos a year. Notably, Gainza added:On 3 January 1870, de la Torre reassured to Gainza that the secular civil government would support them financially, but did not directly acknowledge his requests; he instead requested him a draft regulation for the normal school. Because de la Torre consolidated liberal policies, his conservative successor after his abrupt departure on 4 April 1871, Rafael de Izquierdo, had repealed Gainza's curricula, stalling his proposals altogether.
On 11 January 1872, Gainza received a royal decree signed by Amadeo I to raise the Colegio to "Escuela Normal de Maestras." This was thereby made to be inaugurated solemnly on the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
Three months after the abdication of the Spanish throne and the establishment of the First Spanish Republic, Minister of Overseas Colonies Juan Cristobal Sorni issued "Orden del Poder ejecutivo autorizando a los Cien Pueblos de la Diocesis de Nueva Cáceres Para Mandar una Joven a la Escuela de Niñas de Dicha Ciudad para que Despues Pudiera Dirigir La Escuela De Su Respectivo Pueblo," granting Gainza's proposal of authorizing his recruitment policy and its funding.
Ad interim training
Promulgated upon the "Escuela Normal de Maestras," a government decree dated 19 June 1875 approved ad interim regulations for Colegio educators in Nueva Cáceres and was duly signed by Gov-Gen. José Malcampo, then published later in Gaceta de Manila on 23 June 1875.Principled after the catechetical teachings of the Daughters of Charity, the integration of the poor studentry with the day and/or residential studentry into one curriculum was segregated in a multidepartmental structure: the Colegio de Niñas Internas y Externas and Escuela Municipal para Las Niñas Pobres. The program of studies required the aforementioned, elementary knowledge, instruction in Spanish, and women's work such as needlework. Primary courses lasted three years, with an optional additional year for graduate studies; a ratifiable schedule was to be sent annually to the governor for approval. Resident pupils funded locally were to reach ten years, under penalty restitution.
Staff of Colegio
The normalista staff enumeration was regular, with the ethical and religious guidance of the teacher studentry notably administered by a secular priest, the moral and religious supervision by a Diocese of Caceres bishop, and secular supervision by an alcalde-mayor, the bishop, the administrator of public finances, and a board member consolidating the staff for a period of three months. Upon accomplishment of the triennal course and the general public examiniations, students were granted the Teacher's Certificate, licensure to teach in either day or residential schools, especially in Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel; if not over the age of twenty-three thereof, and other rewards.Late 19th century
On 18 September 1875, Escuela-Colegio de Sta. Isabel became the first normal school for girls in the Philippines and Southeast Asia under the name Escuela Normal de Maestras. About 100 pensioned students were inculcated into the three-year Normal School Program.Convent expansions
Throughout the turn of the century, the nascent academe of Colegio de Sta. Isabel rapidly developed. By 1877, the Colegio celebrated the graduation of its first eleven students. By 1897, Colegio had a convent of 13 sisters and 170 scholars, and a friary of 9 fathers and 2 brothers.Angeles revolt
In 1898, the Spanish-American War immediately paused any academic excursions in the Colegio. As far-flung revolutions started to centralize in the Tagalog portions of Luzon, a separate local revolt, staged by Guardia Civil corporals Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo, presented Nueva Caceres as an independent polity from 18–19 September.On the morning of 19 September, while the Spanish voluntarios recaptured the Guardia Civil barracks in Tabuco, the Angeles-led rebel forces entered Colegio grounds and fortified the campus with emplacements along the facade in anticipation for a Spaniard siege.
In the afternoon, the Spaniards' resistance faltered, prompting them to negotiate with the Guardia Civil. In an account from Franciscan friar, Fr. Marcos Gomez, he describes Sr. Don Ramon Lopez and his bearer approaching the campus to seek terms:
The Spanish provincial capitol capitulated under Angeles' forces, provisioned by the papers of unconditional surrender signed by Governor Vicente Zaldin. In the present day, Zaldin-Angeles' treaty is in exhibit at Universidad de Sta. Isabel's Museo Histórico de la Universidad de Sta. Isabel. The Colegio campus seated Angeles' interim government until the American regime came and changed everything for the 20th century.
American occupation in the 20th century
Thomasite arrival
Following the capture and surrender of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on 23 March 1901, D Company of the United States Army's 15th Infantry Regiment from Legaspi, Albay occupied Nueva Cáceres. The arrival of the Thomasites, aboard the USS Thomas, secularized the Catholic colonial-era public school system in Naga. CSI, being a privately-funded Vincentian learning institution, retained most of its Catholic doctrinal teachings in its local curriculum in both primary and normal instructions.It did however substantially revise Colegio's preliminary colonial-era curriculum, superseding it with Anglo-centric educational practices. This mirrored early-century American higher education, where 1913 introduced Primary Courses, then Intermediate Courses in 1916.
By 1924, Secondary Courses opened to all students, with Home Economics Secondary Courses starting from 1932. In 1936, Music Teachers Course in Piano became widely available. Eventually, the Junior Normal Course was opened to all in 1939.
World War II
Before occupation
On 12 December 1941, the Imperial Japanese 16th Division "Kimura Detachment" landed on the shores of Legazpi, signalling the start of the Second World War in Bicol. The local academic community became frantic at the prospect of an all-supreme Japanese authority intruding on the domestic life of the local campus. All the administrative functionaries, including the Colegio de Sta. Isabel, proceeded with a hastened safekeeping process.Initial occupation
Then, on 15 December, the Japanese arrived in Naga. The Japanese immediately occupied the educational institutions around the downtown area, erecting their garrison in the nearby Ateneo de Naga campus. Upon request of The Most Rev. Pedro Paulo Santos, the male pupils from the newfound Ateneo de Naga were admitted by the Colegio. From 1942, Nippongo-based curricula imposed by the authorities superseded Anglo-American textbooks in Colegio. The Colegio campus throughout the war was subjected to severe aerial bombings from both Allied and Japanese air power, with the first instance occurring after the guerilla recapture of Naga in 1942.Bombing campaigns late war
In May, an all-out retaliatory aerial bombing conducted by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Services (IJAAS) leveled the urban infrastructure of Naga completely. The fragile wooden edifice and structure deemed the Colegio vulnerable, as evidenced by the collapse of Colegio's roof.Then, from October 1944 to March 1945, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAAF) conducted a devastating bombing campaign in Naga to flatten out the sporadic Japanese fortifications. In Colegio's case, a precision strike, a week before a guerilla-led liberation of Naga, desecrated the campus' edifice. After the liberation of Naga on 3 April 1945, Colegio de Sta. Isabel was recaptured by Allied forces after an intense three-day battle. During the immediate post-war period, Colegio de Sta. Isabel, subsidized by legislative proxies, rebuilt its campus rapidly.
Mid-to-late 20th century
1940s
In 1946, the first post-liberation graduation was held with sixty students. It was also the year where the Colegio officially received the permit for the opening of the College of Education and Liberal Arts courses.1950s
The latter half of the century saw the Colegio expand its college and graduate level departments. In 1950, the CSI College Department introduced elementary women's education in Secondary Education levels. Then, in 1954, the Pre-Nursing Course was opened to address Nagueño's graduating their Nursing Courses at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay.By 1955, the CSI College Department introduced elementary women's education in Elementary Education levels. In 1957, the Junior Secretarial Course sought to address young girls seeking employment, a quasi-vocational training for women's work and their Bachelor of Arts program, gradually introducing new courses at three-year intervals.
1960s
In 1960, B.A. in Music Education was introduced, then B.A. in Home Economics and B.A. in Management and Information Systems in 1963. In 1968, the Graduate School was formally recognized, extending the Master of Arts in both Education and Nursing that year.1970s
Amid Marcos' martial law decreed by Proclamation 1081, Royal Decree issued in 1972 conferred Colegio de Sta. Isabel to issue honorifics for the faculty. In the same year, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing received full recognition.The main campus was opened on April 12, 1868.
Colegio de Sta. Isabel achieved its university status in August 2001, and was renamed Universidad de Sta. Isabel. It is still sometimes colloquially referred to as 'Colegio' across Metro Naga.
Campuses
The main campus of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel is located at Elias Angeles St., Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City. The main campus manages three academic departments, the Basic Education Department, Higher Education Department, Graduate School. An annex campus is located at Panganiban Drive, Naga City and a satellite campus in Pili, Camarines Sur.Integrated Basic Education Department (BED)
The Basic Education Department, or BED, in accordance with the K-12 Basic Education Program, refers to USI's basic education institution consisting of the Elementary Department, from Grades 1 to 6; the Junior High School Department, from Grades 7 to 10; the Senior High School Department, from Grades 11 to 12.Facilities
Auditorium
The USI Auditorium is the campus' main proscenium theater, an enclosed two-story structure equipped with sound-proofing, air-conditioning, and a seating capacity of 800 seats. It can be used for "assemblies, programs, convocations, seminars, stage plays, conventions and other school functions."St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel
The St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel is one of the campus' principal chapels. Its exterior appears to be as a medium-sized circular structure roofed by a tall cone. The chapel has semi-circular auditorium seating arrangement in front of an altar upon a large crucifix spanning to the ceiling. Religious activities such as sponsored masses are held at this chapel.Blessed Frassati Activity and Sports Center
University Supplies Store
Paranymphus
Ozanam Hall
Mini-Theater (Audio-Visual Room)
Higher education
College of Health Education- Bachelor of Science in Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
- Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Bachelor of Science in Social Work
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor in Human Services
- Teacher Education Programs*** Bachelor of Elementary Education
- * Bachelor of Secondary Education
- * Bachelor of Special Needs Education
- * Bachelor of Physical Education
- * Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education
- * Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Graduate school
- Doctor of Philosophy
- * Major in Human Development Management
- Master of Arts in education
- * Major in: Administration and Supervision, Guidance and Counseling, Filipino, Mathematics, Religious Education, Music Education & History
- Master in Education
- Master in Management
- Master of Arts in Nursing
- * Major in: Medical Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Maternal Child Nursing & Nursing Administration
- Master of Science in Social Work
USI as National Historical Landmark
At the unveiling ceremony of the historical marker, NCHP Chairman Dr. Rene R. Esclante said that "USI is important in the history of the Philippines as this is the oldest school in the country," and "the first normal school for women built during the Spanish era, where traces of the old structures and even the courses offered still exists as to this time."
Notable people
Alumni
- Leni Robredo attended the Basic Education Department.