HISTORY 
OF SAN PEDRO COLLEGE

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HISTORY OF SAN PEDRO COLLEGE

The Dominican Sisters of the Trinity, of the Order of Preachers (OP) arrived in Davao City from Quebec, Canada in 1948. Faithful to the tradition to engage in mission at the service of the local church, they came upon the request of Msgr. Luis del Rosario, SJ, bishop of the Diocese of Zamboanga to establish a Catholic hospital in Davao City, then a part of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. The request was relayed by  Rev. Alexandre Paradis – Superior of Probation of the PME Fathers in Quebec. The PME Fathers were then active in mission within the Davao Region together with the Maryknoll Fathers and other religious congregations.

In 1949, immediately a year after their arrival, they acquired Hospital de San Pedro – a small hospital at San Pedro Street owned by Dr. and Mrs. Rivera, and eventually established the San Pedro Hospital in 1969 – the first modern Catholic hospital in Mindanao.

As there was a need to staff its hospital with nurses and since there was no such school in Davao at that time, they decided to set up the San Pedro Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. Like many of the first religious congregations to arrive in Davao, the Sisters came to Davao upon the invitation of Davao Diocese Bishop Clovis Thibault who secured the land on which the hospital and the school would be built. Sr. Pauline Guilmette, OP and Sr. Cecile Denise, OP were the sisters who laid the foundation of the school.

1950s-1960s
1950s-1960s

In SY 1956-57, when the school opened, Mrs. Amanda Trinidad was hired as Principal by the Sisters, who traditionally held the Directress position. Sr. Pauline was the first Directress, succeeded by Sr. Rita Stang OP in 1961. Mrs. Trinidad was followed by Mrs. Amparo G. Noel (1956-1964) and Mrs. Mercedes M. Flores (1964-1969). Twenty-nine of the original forty-eight students graduated in 1959.

1950s-1960s
1950s-1960s

In 1966, Sr. Filipina Paña, OP, became the first Filipina OP sister as Directress. She maintained high standards and initiated innovative projects, including the establishment of the San Pedro Health Center, now known as San Pedro College Health Center (SPCHC), in Agdao in 1967. This center served as both a student community immersion site and a healthcare hub for disadvantaged Agdao residents, offering laboratory services, pharmacy, physical therapy rehabilitation, pre-school, and a lying-in facility.

1970s-1980s
1970s-1980s

During SY 1972-1973, the school initiated a partnership with Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) to introduce the first five-year BS in Nursing curriculum in Mindanao. The subsequent year the institution received the government's approval of SPHSN's application to become a college, leading to its rebranding as San Pedro College (SPC). In 1973, the institution began offering four-year programs in AB Environmental Hygiene and Management, BS Biology, BS Guidance and Counseling, and a two-year Pre-Dentistry course.

1970s-1980s
1970s-1980s

When Sr. Bonifacia T. Tecson, OP, assumed the role of School Directress in 1975, a study was conducted to explore development opportunities, resulting in the idea of establishing a medical school. Unable to create one immediately, a consortium with local schools and hospitals led to the formation of the first medical school in Mindanao, the Davao Medical School Foundation, with classes held in SPC classrooms.

1970s-1980s
1970s-1980s

The first batch of BSN graduates under the new curriculum graduated in 1977, and in 1982, the college introduced the BS Medical Technology program, while also achieving initial accreditation for its nursing program from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). Following re-accreditation, the nursing program attained Level III accreditation status. In 1985, the Regional Council of the Dominican Sisters changed the school head's title to President, appointing Sr. Lydia V. Arcader, OP, as the first President. Infrastructure development continued in 1987 with the construction of more science laboratories and the replacement of old wooden buildings with the Bishop Clovis Thibault (CT) Building. In the subsequent year, a non-formal education program was established to accommodate students who could not enroll in degree programs.

1990s-2000s
1990s-2000s

In this period, San Pedro College introduced BS Physical Therapy and the Graduate School, with the inaugural program being MA in Nursing. To facilitate growth, the institution established two offices in 1993: the Research and Development Office (RDO) and the Community Extension Services (CES), the latter focusing on non-formal education programs, including computer literacy, nursing aide training, and livelihood support. In 1994, a consortium was formed with Notre Dame of Dadiangas College (NDDC), leading to the creation of the Nurse Development Program for South Cotabato, Sarangani, and General Santos City (NDP-SOCSARGEN) and the offering of an extension class for MA in Nursing at NDDC.

1990s-2000s
1990s-2000s

Additionally, in 1995, SPC constructed the five-story Philomene Labrecque Building to accommodate a growing student population. During that year, the college expanded its program offerings, introducing degrees such as AB Psychology, BSEd with majors in General Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, BS Pharmacy, and BS Respiratory Therapy. The Graduate School also expanded its offerings to include MA programs in Hospital Administration, Guidance and Counselling, and Industrial Counselling. Furthermore, the Nursing Program received Level III reaccreditation, while the programs in BS Biology and BS in Medical Technology underwent PAASCU Self Survey evaluations.

1990s-2000s
1990s-2000s

In the late 1990s, spurred by the nation's economic upturn and Davao City's flourishing economy, San Pedro College (SPC) expanded its course offerings to meet the demands of not only Mindanao and Davao but also the growing East Asia Growth Area (EAGA), promoted by the national government alongside Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. SPC's proactive initiatives solidified its reputation as one of the country's premier nursing schools, consistently recognized by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) as a Top Performing School of Nursing. In 1997, SPC achieved status as one of the eight Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education (COENE) in the Philippines, enabling it to access government support for faculty development and technology infrastructure. Building on successful partnerships, the Graduate School collaborated with other COENE institutions, introducing an MS in Nursing program with Silliman University in 1997 and an MS in Medical Technology with the University of Santo Tomas in 1999. This growth necessitated the establishment of the Office of Human Resource Development in 1998 to manage personnel comprehensively, including professional growth and welfare. Furthermore, new degree programs, such as AB in Human Resource Management in 1998 and BS Psychology and BS Computer Science in 2000, were introduced, while graduates from programs in Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Technology, and Physical Therapy consistently excelled in licensure examinations. In addition to the recognition in the Nursing Program, SPC was also lauded as a Top Performing School of Pharmacy in 1998 and 2000, based on the exceptional performance of its graduates in licensure examinations.

1990s-2000s
1990s-2000s

As the new millennium began, San Pedro College (SPC) responded to the growing demand for globally-competitive human resources by constructing the Saint Therese building in 2001, which now houses a modern library and science laboratories. Additional information technology (IT) infrastructure was installed, and an Instructional Media Center (IMC) was established to support instructors in adopting multimedia instructional approaches. In 2001, SPC earned accreditation from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID), enabling the acceptance of foreign students. In the early 2000s, the school administration concentrated on enhancing instruction, research, and community extension, requiring faculty members to hold MA degrees and promoting research through improved compensation packages. The Community Extension Services (CES) remained active, establishing the St. Therese Kiddie Center and collaborating with local and international agencies to strengthen programs in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and basic literacy, earning accreditation from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as an Assessment Center for Care-Giving Course graduates in 2003.

1990s-2000s
1990s-2000s

In 2003, the Pharmacy Program and various programs under the Arts and Sciences Department at San Pedro College (SPC) achieved initial accreditation from PAASCU. During the mid-2000s, SPC expanded its linkages and networks, transitioning the Graduate School from a two-semester to a trimester system and conducting a curriculum audit to align graduate programs with industry and institutional needs. The consortium work extended to the MA in Nursing program, forming partnerships with Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) and Notre Dame University (NDU) to support faculty qualifications and increase graduate school enrollment. SPC's involvement in a basic literacy program for indigenous people garnered government support in 2004 through the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) Project funded by the Australian Government. Under the leadership of Ms. Yolanda S. Cortezano as Directress, SPC-CES expanded its initiatives, focusing on sustainable community extension programs, literacy tutorials for Grade VI pupils, livelihood projects for indigenous communities, environmental rehabilitation efforts, health services, and more. The school received further recognition, with the Pharmacy Department cited as the Top Performing School of Pharmacy in SY 2004-2005 and the nursing program producing numerous Board Topnotchers and High Raters over the years. In 2006, SPC celebrated its 50th anniversary, reflecting on its achievements.

2010s-2020s
2010s-2020s

In May 2010, San Pedro College (SPC) began its journey towards becoming a university with the construction of the Ulas Campus, which houses the Basic Education Department, granted a permit by the Department of Education in February 2012. The inauguration of the new campus took place on March 26, 2012, presided over by Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla. In the 2012-2013 school year, 590 learners enrolled from Nursery to High School under the leadership of the first Basic Education Principal, Sr. Bambina A. Lapara, OP. During the same period, the Graduate School expanded its offerings with programs such as Master of Science in Medical Technology (MSMT), Master of Science in Psychology (MS Psych), and non-thesis programs in Master in Industrial Counselling (MIC) and Master in Guidance and Counselling (MGC). Some Graduate School programs received Level I accreditation by PACUCOA in April 2012. SPC achieved academic excellence in the following years, producing 26 topnotchers and consistently ranking among the top-performing schools in licensure examinations. To adapt to ASEAN integration and global education, SPC underwent self-assessment and prepared for the opening of the Senior High School Program in 2016, resulting in operational streamlining. The Office of the Executive President was established by merging the offices of the Vice President for Administration and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. In June 2016, Dr. Desiderio N. Noveno, Jr., a lay administrator, was appointed as Ad-Interim President following the resignation of the School President, marking the first time a lay collaborator led the administration. In response to ASEAN Integration, SPC shifted its school calendar from June to August in SY 2016-2017.

2010s-2020s
2010s-2020s

In the following school year, 2017-2018, under the leadership of Sr. Aida T. Frencillo, OP, as the Tenth SPC President, the college initiated a three-phased Physical Plant Development Program. The first phase involved constructing a 15-story building to replace the oldest structure, the Pauline Guilmete Building. Additionally, an extra floor was added to the 5-story Philomene Labrecque Building to expand science laboratories and consolidate laboratory services. At the Ulas Campus, a modern research laboratory was built to house the Office of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), an animal breeding facility, and research rooms.

2010s-2020s
2010s-2020s

During the 2017-2018 school year, San Pedro College (SPC) achieved remarkable success in licensure examinations, with eight SPC graduates earning topnotcher recognition nationally. The college's medical-allied programs, including Nursing, Medical Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy, all contributed to SPC's status as one of the Top Performing Schools in the Philippines. Notably, the Medical Technology program received two citations from the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). In April 2017, SPC was accredited as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Provider by PRC, offering CPD programs such as seminars, workshops, conferences, and training sessions for various professions. The inaugural SPC Madayaw International Research Conference took place in December 2018, drawing local and international participants, and subsequently becoming part of the annual Kadayawan activities of Davao City. In 2018-2019, SPC introduced a new tertiary-level curriculum, welcoming 2,192 college freshmen from the first batch of Senior High School graduates and offering programs like BS in Radiologic Technology. The Basic Education Department in the Ulas Campus was strengthened with the appointment of two assistant principals.

2010s-2020s
2010s-2020s

SPC pursued the Institutional Sustainability Accreditation process with CHEd, successfully completing the accreditation visit in October 2019. In December 2019, the new 15-story Trinity Building, equipped with modern features, was blessed and inaugurated, serving Senior High School and College Departments from the second semester of SY 2019-2020.

As the decade came to a close, the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Some educational institutions closed, and those that remained grappled with the sudden shift to a new mode of teaching and learning due to the demands for flexibility and adaptation to the "new normal" situation. The school's efforts to implement the blended learning approach in the preceding year were timely, leading to the full utilization of a Learning Management System (LMS) as a tool in the delivery of instruction. It didn't take long for faculty members and students to transition to pure remote online teaching and learning.

2021
2021

Amid the challenges posed by the pandemic, San Pedro College (SPC) continued its mission of providing quality Catholic education by shifting to remote online instruction and conducting school activities and transactions virtually. Notably, the College Department exceeded expectations in terms of enrollment for all levels of the new college curriculum. SPC celebrated its 65th Foundation anniversary with the theme "SPC Transcends: 65 years of Loving Service," marked by a monthly series of activities led by different sectors of the College. In the 2020-2021 school year, SPC received the First Higher Education Internationalization Award from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the region, highlighting the institution's commitment to global learning opportunities. As a member of the Asia Pacific University Community Engagement Network (APUCEN), SPC hosted the virtual 7th University-Community Engagement Conference (UCEC), showcasing its readiness for international engagement. The college received recognition in the CHED 2021 Gawad Parangal for HEIs in Davao Region in the areas of Instruction and Internationalization and obtained certification for limited face-to-face internships in two allied health programs. With over six decades of operation, SPC stands as one of the leading higher education institutions in Southern Mindanao, uniquely managed by the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity, now with the leadership of the Philippine Region, making it the sole institution of its kind in the world. San Pedro College continues to rise to greater heights from its humble beginnings.

2022-2023
2022-2023

The College embarked on a strategic review of its vision and mission in 2022, infusing it with renewed vitality and optimism. The newly formulated vision delineates a decade-long aspiration for SPC to become "a leading autonomous Dominican learning community, living and spreading the love of compassionate Jesus the Healer and Teacher, offering internationally recognized programs that produce holistically formed graduates serving the Filipinos and the world." As SPC endeavors to attain autonomous university status, it commits to pursuing six strategic directions, which are further elaborated into nine institutional goals and thirteen key results areas. Revitalizing its structure to pursue a vertical articulation strategy, the College established five formal schools: the School of Nursing, School of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Counseling and Psychology, and School of Business Management, Education, and Arts and Sciences.

Even in the evolving landscape of post-Covid-19 education, San Pedro College (SPC) remains to be a home of boardpassers and topnotchers. In 2022, three of its graduates in Nursing, and two in Physical Therapy landed within the top 10 list of board passers. The following year, six more SPCians made it to the nationwide top ten achievers: two medical technologists, one nurse, and three respiratory therapists.  SPC's future trajectory includes aspirations for heightened research prominence, community engagement, internationalization, and quality assurance, along with a focus on excellence in instruction, advancement in information technology, provision of state-of-the-art facilities, and quality support services. Foundational to these endeavors are ongoing programs for workforce development and spiritual and values formation across the entire learning community.

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