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History of Divina Pastora College

Divina Pastora College was founded in 1958 in Gapan, Nueva Ecija by Monsignor Paterno Bernabe and other community leaders to serve the educational needs of the local community. It began as a high school run by Franciscan sisters, operating out of the parish rectory. In 1968, a college department was opened offering degrees in arts, education, commerce, and secretarial courses. While the college department struggled initially, Father Lamberto Bundoc was assigned in 1973 to replace Msgr. Bernabe and revitalized the college. By 1983, Divina Pastora College had grown to include an elementary school in addition to its high school and college programs, serving its mission of

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264 views

History of Divina Pastora College

Divina Pastora College was founded in 1958 in Gapan, Nueva Ecija by Monsignor Paterno Bernabe and other community leaders to serve the educational needs of the local community. It began as a high school run by Franciscan sisters, operating out of the parish rectory. In 1968, a college department was opened offering degrees in arts, education, commerce, and secretarial courses. While the college department struggled initially, Father Lamberto Bundoc was assigned in 1973 to replace Msgr. Bernabe and revitalized the college. By 1983, Divina Pastora College had grown to include an elementary school in addition to its high school and college programs, serving its mission of

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jean gonzaga
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© © All Rights Reserved
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HISTORY OF DIVINA PASTORA COLLEGE

Great establishments were born because there were great minds who dreamt of them and
painstakingly sacrificed that they may be realized and be living institutions at the service of
humanity.

DIVINA PASTORA COLLEGE was cherished dream envisioned by RT. REV. MSGR.
PATERNO E. BERNABE, then Pastor of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, and a group of lay leaders
notably the late Dona Maria Payawal, Dona Marta Cuison, Dr. Benedicto Cabanes, Judge
Manuel Reyes, Mr. Jesus Caro and Mr. Renato Adorable. Encouraged and joined by the late Rt.
Rev. Msgr. Pacifico Araullo, who was then pastor of Cabanatuan and founder of Cabanatuan
Institute, these concerned educators asked the permission of the late Archbishop Emilio Cinense
in San Fernando, Pampanga, who willingly conceded to their request. Subsequently,
representatives presented and followed up the matter to the Bureau of Private Education, now
Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports In 1958 the same Bureau authorized the opening of
First and Second High School, then followed by Third and Fourth Years. The Franciscan Sisters
from St. Joseph's College in Quezon City responded to the invitation of Msgr. Bernabe in
helping him run the academy. The parish rectory served partly as the nun's convent and partly as
school building, while Msgr. Bernabe moved to anew rectory constructed also within the church
compound.

In 1960 the Kindergarten was opened and accepted children who in their very tender
years were eager in acquiring the rudiments of learning. A Franciscan sister exclusively handled
this department so that children may be initiated both in solid academic and spiritual life.

Perceiving the educational needs of the academy's graduates and those from other High
Schools especially from low-income families, who are desirous of pursuing professional courses,
the administration again sought the permission of the Bureau of Private Education to offer
collegiate courses. Through the untiring efforts of the same Franciscan Sisters and some active
and education-oriented teachers, the College Department was opened in 1968 offering
baccalaureate degrees in Arts, Education, Commerce and Junior Secretarial Course. In 1980,
1981 and 1982 three of the DPC graduates successfully hurdled the board examination for
Certified Public Accountants.

After five years from its operation the College Department was shaken with various
crises: financial, personnel, facilities and low number of enrollees. The Franciscan sisters soon
withdrew from the administration and opted to help only in the High School and Kindergarten
Departments

In November, 1973, Rev. Fr. Lamberto Bundoc, who just arrived from the United States
with a Master of Education (Major in School Administration) degree, was assigned by Bishop
Vicente P. Reyes D.D. to replace Msgr. Bernabe who then voluntarily resigned due to advanced
age and failing health. The proposal to close the College Department was shelved out. A
Franciscan Sister and Judge Manuel Reyes were retained as High School Principal and College
Dean respectively, while Mr. Manolo R. Sapi, an MA in Psychology, was permanently
designated as the College Registrar.

In 1977 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jesus B. Estonilo assumed the college presidency and the
following year he worked out for the opening of the Elementary Department. Fortunately, the
MEC allowed the opening of Grades I, II and III in 1978 with Sister Mary Rose Olivar as Acting
Head. This was followed by Grades IV, V and VI in 1979. Mr. Lito B. Estrela, an MA in
Education and a mentor in DPC High School Department was promoted and became the
principal and to date still holds the position.

With the expiration of Msgr. Estonilo's term in 1980, Fr. Lamberto M. Bundoc was
summoned by Bishop Reyes to return to Divina Pastora College and resumed his position as the
Fourth College President. It was during his second term that Divina Pastora College celebrated
its Silver Jubilee in February 7 to 11, 1983. Bishop Reyes, Bishop Ciceron, the new Coadjutor
Bishop of Cabanatuan and more than a dozen priests concelebrated the Thanksgiving Mass. The
school had a week-long socio-cultural literary-musical, sports and other activities.

When Fr. Bundoc's term expired in May 1983, he was assigned Pastor of San Isidro,
Nueva Ecija at the same time serving the Diocese as Chancellor. With heavy responsibilities, he
shoulders, he has to give up his presidency in DPC. Bishop Tumbocon, who became Bishop of
Cabanatuan succeeding Bishop Reyes, who died last April 30, 1983, appointed Rt. Rev. Msgr.
Felix L. Hernandez as Acting President.

It its twenty-five years of existence, Divina Pastora College continues to serve its noble
VISION and MISSION NAMELY: to serve the educational spiritual and socio-economic needs
of young men and women of the community and neighboring towns. It offers education based on
Christian precepts, firm in the conviction that every man and woman have a right to study and
obtain knowledge best suited to one's talent, personality and cultural heritage. Steeped in
Christian doctrine, it strikes at the formation of man for him to be of service to society and for
him to be of ultimate good and better citizen of heaven.

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