San Beda College Alabang
Encyclopedia
San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) is a college in Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa City
The City of Muntinlupa is the southernmost city in Philippine National Capital Region. It is bordered on the north by Taguig City; to the northwest by Parañaque City; by Las Piñas City to the west; to the southwest by the city of Bacoor, Cavite; by the city of San Pedro, Laguna; and by Laguna de...

, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

 and is a part of the San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...

. It was established in 1972 as the Benedictine Abbey School and was renamed in 1995 to St. Benedict College. In 2004 due to the clamor of the students, Rev. Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco changed the name from St. Benedict to San Beda. Since the foundation, St. Benedict was the patron of the school. But after the name change in 1995, St. Bede became its patron too.

St Benedict and the Benedictines

St. Benedict, the founder of the Ordo Sancti Benedicti (OSB) or Order of St. Benedict, was born in the Umbrian town of Nursia, near Spoleto, Italy, in the waning years of the Roman Empire, AD 480. He hailed from a well-established family and is believed to have a twin sister, St. Scholastica. Acclaimed as the Father of Western Monasticism, St. Benedict was declared the Patron of Europe in 1964 by Pope Paul VI.

While studying in Rome, St. Benedict became disillusioned with the world- liness he saw around. Eventually he took to solitude in a cave in Subiaco. After undergoing a deep spiritual experience, he established ten monasteries, including one at Monte Cassino. Here, he wrote the Holy Rule, an embodiment of the balance between prayer and work. According to tradition, he died in Monte Cassino about the year AD 547.

The Benedictines reached far within Europe and spread the ideals of the Holy Rule. They preached the Gospel and preserved the Scriptures and other sacred writings of the Church as well as other classical literary treasures. They likewise engaged in teaching the young and serving the poor and the sick. The Benedictine influence was so great that the period 6th – 13th centuries of Europe was referred to by historians as Benedictine centuries.

In the Philippines: As Missionaries & Monks

In the middle of the 19th century, a hostile and anticlerical government in Spain closed the novitiates. Years later, concessions were granted allowing novitiates which operated missions in foreign countries to open. Hence, the Benedictine Abbey of Montserrat in Cataluña, Spain started to establish missions in the Philippines and in Australia.

The Benedictine monks arrived in the Philippines on September 12, 1895. They started missionary work in Surigao in 1896. R. Rev. Jose Deas y Villar, OSB, founded the Benedictine community in Mindanao. Thus, grew the roots of Benedictine tradition in the Philippines.

And as Educators

A few years after the monks’ Mindanao mission, the Benedictine community transferred their residence and apostolate to Balmes St. in Quiapo, Manila. The Benedictines witnessed many political and social changes in the Philippines as our people struggled under the Spanish and American colonization. Despite tremendous odds, however, they remained steadfast and pursued a new apostolate: education.

Under the leadership of Fr. Juan Sabater, OSB, El Colegio de San Beda was established on June 17, 1901. Fr. Sylvestre Jofre, OSB, the first rector, dedicated the school to the cause of Catholic education and the making of Christian gentlemen committed to excellence and service of God and country. San Beda College has since emerged as one of the leading educational institutions in the country.

By the 1960’s the Benedictine community consisted mostly of Filipinos and leadership was gradually transferred to the Filipino monks.

The rage and restiveness that marked the late 60’s and the early 70’s led to the historic decision by the Benedictine monks to establish another campus in a more peaceful place than Mendiola, Manila. The Benedictines finally chose the hilly Alabang in Muntinlupa as the site of the new campus. A modern edifice was constructed in 1972 on a nine and a half hectare lot inside the upscale Alabang Hills Village.

From BAS to SBC

On July 10, 1972, Benedictine Abbey School (BAS) opened its doors to 78 preschool boys and girls. Fr. Roberto de Jesus, OSB, who was the first Rector, supervised the growing years of the new institution. BAS pioneered the modern concept of the non-graded open classroom instructional system. In school year 1977-1978, BAS opened its high school department

Both elementary and high school departments later gained accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), a testament to the high quality of education that the Benedictines provide.

On their centennial anniversary in the Philippines, the Benedictines opened the tertiary department as a manifestation of their continued commitment to providing the youth with high quality education. The school was renamed St. Benedict College on June 5, 1995.

SBC College of Arts & Sciences

Fr. Bellarmine R. Baltasar, OSB, who served as Rector for almost a decade, was not only responsible for making BAS a premier learning institution in Southern Metro Manila. He also spearheaded the establishment of the tertiary level by organizing the college core committee in 1994 chaired by Fr. Mateo de Jesus, OSB with Rachel E. Allanigue, Leticia B. Visperas, Corazon D. San Jose, and Magdalena S. Regullano as members.

St. Benedict College-San Beda Alabang opened the Academic Year 1995-1996 with the formal establishment of the college department. The department welcomed 208 students and 15 faculty members recruited from other colleges and universities and from the roster of the SBC high school and grade school faculty.

Six of the first college faculty became administrators: Anita B. Obispo, dean; Elizabeth Sablay, head of student development, Luisito B. Padolina, head of student affairs; Edmund V. Campos, college registrar; Magdalena S. Regullano, guidance & admissions head; and Rico U. Fortich, administrative assistant.

The St. Bede Hall (college building) was constructed in March 1996 and inaugurated on July 1, 1997 in time for the institution’s silver jubilee.

Under the leadership of Fr. Tarcisio H. Narciso, OSB, rector, the college department initially adopted the trimestral set-up and offered the following courses: Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Management, Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration major in Management Information Systems, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Sales, and Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

After a year, through the initiative of Anita B. Obispo, the first college dean, the initial courses were revised and the regular semestral set-up was implemented. New courses were likewise introduced in the first six years of operation: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Media Studies.

On its seventh year of operation, Fr. Aloysius A. Maranan, OSB, rector and concurrent dean, renamed the college department College of Arts & Sciences. The move was intended to highlight the degree programs of the department and to give it a new identity. His stewardship also focused on revitalizing the CAS through extensive administrators and faculty development programs. Operational and academic policies were likewise clarified and revised to promote efficiency and excellence. Moreover, he facilitated the curriculum re-engineering to make the CAS relevant in the new millennium.

With a fresh start, the SBC College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) sailed on new directions and thrusts, this time under the leadership of Magdalena S. Regullano as dean. Other major courses were introduced in SY 2002-2003 such as Management of Financial Institutions under the Business Management program; Tourism Management under International Studies; and Systems Development and Network Administration under the Information Technology program. The CAS was granted the CHED recognition for the BA Communications & Media Studies and the BS Accountancy. Preparations for the PAASCU accreditation are underway.

In January 2003, SBC-CAS took a bolder step towards academic excellence through research when it entered into an agreement with the Asian Institute of Management and the World Bank Knowledge Center for the use of its research facilities and resources. Also, last March 14, 2003, SBC launched the Fidel Valdez Ramos Research Center. The new center houses the FVR collection & memorabilia as well as the academic researches conducted by the administrators, faculty, and students.

Complementing the school’s academic innovation are the technology components such as the E-learning course modules developed by leading technology vendors. The acquisition of Pentium 4 PCs and iMac G4 800 workstations made SBC the first school in South Metro Manila to offer two computing platforms.
The SBC-CAS is also an official Microsoft Office Testing Center (MOUS) and its laboratories use Altiris, the latest interactive technology of course delivery. The media laboratory of the CMS takes pride in its latest radio-television facilities for actual broadcast and film production.

Behind this technological highway, a holistic formation program that is grounded in the humanities balances the CAS academic programs. The new and revised curricular programs have strengthened the professional courses and streamlined the core subjects to make them responsive to the demands of the industry in particular and society in general. Subjects such as Peace Studies & Human Rights, Sociology with Gender Issues, and the Benedictine Lay Formation are distinct marks of being Catholic Christian in principle, Benedictine in orientation, and Filipino in character.

In AY 2004-2005, Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB, Rector/President led the historic decision to adopt the secondary name of the institution as its primary and official name: SAN BEDA COLLEGE ALABANG. The move was in response to the growing clamor of the school’s stakeholders to give a face to its well-deserved identity as a Bedan school. Also, Ms. Thelma Geraldine A. Baricaua was appointed as Vice President and concurrent Dean of the CAS. Ms. Baricaua brings with her an extensive experience from both the industry and the academe that will re-position the CAS as the leading tertiary unit in South Metro Manila.

Christian Formation

  • Director: Fr. Andres F. Formilleza
  • CAS & College of Law Chaplain: Fr. Olegario Z. Commeleran, OSB
  • HS Chaplain: Fr. Andres F. Formilleza, OSB
  • GS Chaplain: Fr. Andres F. Formilleza, OSB
  • Service Personnel Chaplain: Fr. Gerardo Ma. de Villa
  • In Charge, College Chapel: Dom Esteve J. Lozano, OSB

Institutional Affairs Office

  • Alumni Affairs Officer: Fr. Aloysius A. Maranan, OSB
  • Acting Research, Planning, Development & Publications Officer: Paulito V. Hilario
  • Athletics Officer: Ma. Angelica S. De la Cruz
  • Acting Community Involvement Officer: Rommel Miles E. Corro
  • Acting Institutional Guidance Coordinator: Cristina V. Frani
  • Institutional Testing Center Coordinator: Visimar C. Mores
  • Information Technology Manager: Alvin C. Limpin
  • Center for Performing Arts Administrator: Joyce Patricia M. Aquino
  • Museum Curator/Administrator: Joseph Richard C. Renta, III

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Dean: Thelma Geraldine A. Baricaua
  • Vice Dean for Academic Affairs: Jose L. Vasquez, Jr.
  • Vice Dean for Student Affairs: Atty. John R. Jacome
  • Assistant Prefect: Ma Adriana H. Quioyo


Department Chairs
  • Math and Science Program Coordinator: Carolyn R. Valenton
  • Accountancy & Legal Management: Rowena R. Carpio
  • Business Administration & Entrepreneurship: Caryl Charlene E. Jimenez
  • Information Technology & Allied Programs: Aristotle Musni
  • International Studies & Allied Programs: Rosario Mielmia C. Aquino
  • Psychology: Margaret Sanapo
  • Communication and Media Studies: Shirley Padua

Notable alumni

  • Pilar Juliana "Pia" Cayetano (GS, HS) - Philippine Senator.
  • Lino Cayetano (GS, HS) - Television Director and brother of Senator Pia S. Cayetano.
  • Jon Santos (GS, HS) - TV Host and Actor.
  • Snooky Serna
    Snooky Serna
    Snooky Serna is a Filipina film and television actress.-Early life:Being the daughter of actors Von Serna and Mila Ocampo, she started acting early in life via her 1970 landmark debut Wanted: Perfect Mother, where she immediately captured the hearts of Filipino audience as a cute, sweet and...

     (GS) - 80's actress
  • John Paul Abellera (GS, HS, CAS) - Film Scriptwriter (Star Cinema)
  • David Racho (CAS) - Businessman and Reserve Officer
  • Nikolo Baua (CAS) - News Reporter (ABS-CBN)
  • Pia Boren (GS, HS, CAS) - car racing enthusiast and model
  • Ryan Agoncillo
    Ryan Agoncillo
    Kristoffer Lou Ryan Agoncillo , popularly known as Ryan Agoncillo, is a Filipino Film and Television actor, model, singer, photographer, and TV host.-Early life:Agoncillo was born on April 10, 1978...

     (GS, HS) - TV celebrity, host and actor
  • Madz Abubakar
    Madz Abubakar
    Madz Abubakar is a respected Music Producer/Remixer in Metro Manila.A prominent name in the Philippine Electronic Music Underground scene. His electronic genres range from progressive house, break beats, minimal and electro...

     (HS) - music producer/remixer Nyko Maca + Playground
    Nyko Maca + Playground
    Nyko Maca + Playground is a Filipino band. Their musical influences are diverse and wide ranging, including SamBossaBatucada a brasileira, drum 'n bass, Afro-Cuban music, trip-hop, funk, progressive house, hard bop, Afrobeat and dub....

  • Rico Blanco
    Rico Blanco
    Rico Blanco is a Filipino singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. As a solo artist and with his former band, Rivermaya, Blanco has so far recorded, written and produced more local and regional number one hits than any other musician since 1994 and has sold over a...

     (GS, HS) - former vocalist of Rivermaya
    Rivermaya
    Rivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock band formed in 1993. They are one of the several bands who spearheads the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion...

  • Ito Rapadas (HS)- vocalist of Neocolours
    Neocolours
    Neocolours was formed 1988, out of the remnants of a mid 1980s vocal group, in Manila, Philippines. Founding members were: Jimmy Antiporda , Ito Rapadas , Marvin Querido , Josel Jimenez , Paku Herrera and Nino Regalado . At that time the pop music genre in the Philippines was dominated by solo...

     and head producer of Universal Records.
  • Bianca King
    Bianca King
    Bianca Charlotte King is a Filipina-Canadian actress. She is known in her role as Noemi Manansala in the thriller drama series Sinner or Saint aired on GMA, replacing Nita Negrita. She went to San Beda College Alabang during her grade school and high school years. She proceeded to take up AB...

     (GS, HS) - young actress, model and TV personality
  • Diego Castillo (HS) - Sandwich
    Sandwich
    A sandwich is a food item, typically consisting of two or more slices of :bread with one or more fillings between them, or one slice of bread with a topping or toppings, commonly called an open sandwich. Sandwiches are a widely popular type of lunch food, typically taken to work or school, or...

    , Pedicab Guitarist, producer
  • Christopher "Top" Suzara (GS, HS) - Freestyle Band Guitarist and more recently, Solo Performer.
  • Monico Carlo C. Aquino (GS, HS) - Boxer, Mix Martial Artist
  • Peewee Gonzales (CAS) - Director (ABS-CBN)
  • Lloyd Corpuz (CAS) - Actor, Talent (ABS-CBN)
  • Jose Amado Labayen (CAS) - Actor (ABS-CBN)
  • Sarah Roxas (CAS) - Director, Editor (Post Manila)
  • Zandro Steve (CAS) - Celebrity
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