History of St. Scholastica's College Tacloban
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in Tacloban have for years been involved in the health sector of society as their main mission in Eastern Visayas or Region VIII. Since 1965, they have managed and administered efficiently the growth and development of the Divine Word Hospital (DWH), the largest private tertiary health care institution in this part of the Philippines. This hospital also serves as a training institution for students of Medicine, Nursing, Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), Pharmacy and other allied health academic programs. With the rapid turn-over of health professionals who opted to work abroad and the closure of Divine Word University of Tacloban (DWUT) in June 1995, DWH experienced a set-back in its health services especially those given by competent nurses. Thus, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in Tacloban came up with the idea of establishing a college of health sciences.
In 1999, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in Tacloban led by Sr. Eloisa L. David, OSB, Administrator of DWH, together with their lay partners, Dr. Antonio E. Lim, Jr., Dr. Cleta M. Salvatierra and Mrs. Evelina M. Acebedo conducted a feasibility study to open a college of health sciences, prepared the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and recruited the members of the faculty and staff. Having obtained a lease contract with the SVD Fathers to use the Janssen building, which formerly housed the elementary and high school departments of DWUT, and the approval from the Priory Government in Manila and Generalate in Rome to open a college, all documents required were submitted to CHED in October 1999. Through a lot of hard work supported by the prayers of the Community of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, the dream of a new mission was close to realization.
On April 11, 2000 St. Scholastica's College of Health Sciences (SSCHS) obtained its permit to open First Year in the following academic programs: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Medical Technology, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Following a previous CHED Memorandum on the implementation of the Associate in Health Science Education (AHSE) the curriculum in the first two years of health science programs in the Philippines, Medical Technology, Nursing and Pharmacy became AHSE-Integrated.
The organizational set-up of the administration included Sr. Eloisa L. David, OSB, as President and Head of the Department of Nursing. The other Benedictine Sisters involved were Sr. Julia C. Yap, OSB, as Assistant to the President, Registrar and Librarian; Sr. Susan Maria Sunpayco, OSB, as Treasurer, Sr. Mary Sylvester G. Marpa, OSB, Superior of the Benedictine community in Tacloban City as Guidance Counselor; Sr. Sarah Gocela, OSB, Sr. Mary Louise Catalan, OSB, and Sr. Leonor Barrion, OSB, as instructors.
The lay administrators included Dr. Antonio E. Lim, Jr. as Dean of College and Head of Medical Technology Department, Dr. Cleta M. Salvatierra as Head of Biology Department and Dr. Ma. Lourdes A. Aquitania as Head of Pharmacy Department. Mrs. Evelina M. Acebedo was the Student Affairs Officer.
Finally, on the Monday morning of June 5, 2000, SSCHS formally opened to three hundred thirty-six (336) male and female First Year students composed of thirty-two (32) in BS Biology, and three hundred four (304) in the two years AHSE who were further classified as AHSE-Medical Technology ninety-five (95), AHSE-Nursing one hundred seven (107) and AHSE-Pharmacy one hundred two (102).
The Presidency changed as follows: Sr. Eloisa L. David, OSB (SY 2000-2001); Sr. Mary Sylvester G. Marpa, OSB (SY 2001-2002 to SY 2002-2003); Sr. Celine L. Saplala, OSB (SY 2003-2004 to SY 2005-2006); Sr. Rosario R. Obiniana, OSB (SY 2006-2007 to SY 20012-2013), Sr. Julia C. Yap, OSB (SY 2013-2014 to SY 2015-2016); Sr. Josefina G. Nepomuceno, OSB (SY 2016-2017); Sr. Michaela M. Manalang, OSB (SY 2017-2018 to SY 2019-2020) and again Sr. Rosario R. Obiniana OSB (SY 2020 - 2021 to the present).
The presence of Scholastican students in Tacloban City encouraged others to enroll so that on its sixth year of existence, it had about 1,200 students despite the school's reputation of following strict process of selection, promotion and retention.
After two school years, the college graduated the first batch of 195 AHSE students on March 17, 2002 who received their Certificates from Sr. Mary Sylvester G. Marpa, OSB at the St. Therese Chapel of former DWUT. Academic awardees were Lady Diana Yao, Katherine Taburada, Mary Ann Doldolea, and Regin Amiel Polilio. Also recipients of awards were Norimel Andrea Labarda and Roderick Labicane for Leadership. Mother Angelica M. Leviste, OSB, Prioress of the Manila Priory came as Guest Speaker.
The Benedictine motto of “Ora et Labora” (Prayer and Work) inspired the St. Scholastica's community in Tacloban to achieve excellence in its four thrusts of Christian Formation, Quality Education, Community Extension, and Research and Publication. Catholic-Benedictine values were integrated in the academic programs as well as in the skills training regimen.
After four school years of operation, the college had its first Baccalaureate Commencement Exercises at the People's Center and Library on April 5, 2004 with Sr. Celine L. Saplala, OSB conferring the degrees and titles to one (1) BS Biology, twenty (20) BS Medical Technology, thirty-two (32) BS Nursing, and fourteen (14) BS Pharmacy graduates. Mr. Regin Amiel Polilio (BS Pharmacy) was Cum Laude and Ms. Jenny Lynn U. Uy (BS Pharmacy) was awarded With Distinction..
On April 11, 2000 St. Scholastica's College of Health Sciences (SSCHS) obtained its permit to open First Year in the following academic programs: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Medical Technology, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Following a previous CHED Memorandum on the implementation of the Associate in Health Science Education (AHSE) the curriculum in the first two years of health science programs in the Philippines, Medical Technology, Nursing and Pharmacy became AHSE-Integrated.
The organizational set-up of the administration included Sr. Eloisa L. David, OSB, as President and Head of the Department of Nursing. The other Benedictine Sisters involved were Sr. Julia C. Yap, OSB, as Assistant to the President, Registrar and Librarian; Sr. Susan Maria Sunpayco, OSB, as Treasurer, Sr. Mary Sylvester G. Marpa, OSB, Superior of the Benedictine community in Tacloban City as Guidance Counselor; Sr. Sarah Gocela, OSB, Sr. Mary Louise Catalan, OSB, and Sr. Leonor Barrion, OSB, as instructors.
The lay administrators included Dr. Antonio E. Lim, Jr. as Dean of College and Head of Medical Technology Department, Dr. Cleta M. Salvatierra as Head of Biology Department and Dr. Ma. Lourdes A. Aquitania as Head of Pharmacy Department. Mrs. Evelina M. Acebedo was the Student Affairs Officer.
Finally, on the Monday morning of June 5, 2000, SSCHS formally opened to three hundred thirty-six (336) male and female First Year students composed of thirty-two (32) in BS Biology, and three hundred four (304) in the two years AHSE who were further classified as AHSE-Medical Technology ninety-five (95), AHSE-Nursing one hundred seven (107) and AHSE-Pharmacy one hundred two (102).
On June 6-7, 2004, the first batch of nursing graduates took their Board Examination in Manila. The fervent prayers from the Scholastican community in Tacloban and other campuses nationwide bore fruit when the results came on June 20, 2004 with twenty eight (28) passers out of twenty nine (29) takers or a 97% passing rate.
In June 2005, Ms. Margaret Lesly D. Bandoy got 10th Place and in December 2005, the College of Nursing was ranked the 2nd Top Performing Nursing School in the Philippines for category C (30-59 students). In December 2009, Mr. Dixon Laude got 3rd Place and Ms. Kristine Labanta got 10th Place. In December 2010, Mr. Jefferson Flores got 10th place while the College of Nursing was ranked 10th among the Top Performing Nursing Schools in the country. Again, in November 2014, Ms. Janelle Joy F. Ponferrada got 2nd Place and Ms. Vanessa Laarni M. Meniano got 10th Place. In November 2016, all of the ten (10) nursing examinees passed and in November 2017, a 92.86% passing rate was obtained.
For the Pharmacy graduates, a 100% passing rate was obtained in the January 26-27, 2005 Board Examinations and Ms. Jenny Lynn U. Uy got the 11th place. The 100% passing rate continued from 2005 to 2011, resulting to an increase in the enrollment in the department. In the March 2017 examinations, there was again 100% passing rate with Ms. Gezelle D. Martin taking the 8th place.
The first batch of graduates from Medical Technology department took the Board Examinations on March 8-9, 2005 and produced twenty two (22) passers or a passing rate of 73.3%. The good performance in the Board examinations continued through the years. Ms. Kathryn Gail V. Lumbre got 2nd Place and Mr. Francis Roger M. Visto got 4th Place during the March 2006 examinations. Ms. Jennifer Aubrey Molina got 9th place while Mr. Jenes Manching got 10th place in the March 2011 examinations. In March 2013, Mr. Napoleon Y. Moron got 5th Place. In March 2015, Mr. John Michael D. Merin ranked 5th Place and Mr. Clive Ivan S. Mercado got 9th Place in a batch of fourteen (14) candidates who had a 100% passing rate. In March 2016, twenty seven (27) out of twenty eight (28) takers passed the board examinations or a passing rate of 96.46%. Similarly, in February 2017, twelve (12) out of thirteen (13) examinees passed or a passing rate of 92.31%. During the January 2021 Board Examination, Mr. Fred Lawrence D. Samante got 1st place.
The Psychology Department, the youngest program that opened in 2010, made a 4th Placer in the person of Ms. Jjannette Dolour M. Bascug in the October 2017 Psychometrician Licensure Examinations. In 2018, Ms. Mary Grace Nonay, faculty member of the Psychology Department got 10th place in the same examination.
Indeed, after twenty (20) years, the college has produced quality health professionals attested by the performance of its graduates in the Licensure Examinations given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). .
The commitment of the college to provide quality Catholic Benedictine education in Eastern Visayas is already established. It continues to strive for excellence and create a balance in achieving its vision and mission. During the first decade of its operations, St. Scholastica's College of Health Sciences showed growth and development in various aspects. It opened the Two-Year Diploma in Midwifery Program in June 2008. In order for the college to expand its program offerings, the school name was changed in 2010 from St. Scholastica's College of Health Sciences to ST. SCHOLASTICA'S COLLEGE TACLOBAN (SSCT), in time for the transfer from its old location in the former DWUT campus at Sta. Cruz Street to its new campus in Manlurip, San Jose, Tacloban City. On June 3, 2010, classes were opened with two new programs added, namely BS Hotel and Restaurant Management and BS Psychology. The Manlurip campus had an imposing four-storey “E-shape” college building, a gymnasium, a canteen and a Sisters' Convent in a sprawling four (4) hectare property.
In order to have a pool of faculty members that are qualified according to CHED standards, faculty members were encouraged and supported to undertake masters and doctorate degrees. By school year 2014-2015, the highest educational attainment of all faculty members of the College of Nursing and Midwifery and the Department of Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science were either a masters or doctorate degree. Faculty members of the other departments were also pursuing their respective graduate studies.
SSCT has strived to become an institutional member of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Association of Benedictine Schools (ABS), Association of Deans of Private College of Nursing (ADPCN), Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health (PASMETH), ASEAN Association of Schools of Medical Technology, the Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) and others. Some faculty members are officers and members of their respective professional organizations.
The Research and Development Program has got a positive note from Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) during his visit to the campus in 2006. Likewise, Mother Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in the Philippines has commended the research output of the faculty and students.
In June 2017, EVHRDC approved for funding the research proposal from the MLS department entitled “Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Klebsiella – Predating Bacteriophages from Natural and Artificial Bodies of Water in Tacloban City” authored by Mr. Clive Ivan S. Mercado, Ms. Kristine Lovele E.Navarrete and Dr. Antonio E. Lim, Jr. The research team won Second place in the Asia-Pacific International Conference held in Sofitel Hotel, Manila in 2018 and Champion during the 3rd Biennial Asia Pacific Research Conference in Lomboc, Indonesia in 2019.
In 2021, three new research proposals, from the Pharmacy, MLS and General Education faculty were funded by the St. Scholastica's Research and Development Foundation, Manila.
Several other researches from the students and faculty of the College of Nursing, Pharmacy, MLS and Psychology departments have been entered in Oral or Poster competitions in the local and national settings and have contributed to the commendable track record of the college.
The beginning of the next decade was certainly very challenging as SSCT faced more expectations from the various sectors of society. On June 6, 2011, three new college programs were added, namely, BS Accountancy (5 years), BS Accounting Technology and BS Business Administration major in Human Resource Development Management. Also, the Basic Education Department was started, offering Preparatory, Kinder 1, Grade 2 and First Year High School. During the term of Sr. Julia C. Yap, OSB, self-survey results and other documents were submitted during the middle of 2013 to the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) so that the college could apply for accreditation of the nursing, pharmacy and medical laboratory science programs. No one ever expected that on November 8, 2013, the wrath of super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) would struck Tacloban City, Region VIII and even some parts of Central Visayas. Considered as the strongest typhoon ever to hit the country in the last 100 years, it practically brought havoc killing thousands of people, animals, and destroying valuable properties and infrastructure.
The SSCT campus at Manlurip was heavily damaged by the very strong winds and storm surge from Cancabato Bay that reached the second floor of the college building. Destroyed were the newly completed gym, the canteen and the Sisters' convent. More losses occurred in the following weeks due to looting. Deaths on campus were prevented because classes and offices were suspended two days before the typhoon. The Benedictine Sisters left the campus for DWH the evening prior to the terrible event.
With firm faith in the Almighty that SSCT can rise from the rubble, Sr. Julia C. Yap, OSB, 0btained the approval from the SVD Fathers in Cebu City for SSCT to return to Sta. Cruz and use again the Janssen building for free for three (3) years as long as repairs would be done to the building. Thus, on January 15, 2014, SSCT resumed its college classes in the Health Programs in the Janssen building. The BS Accountancy, BSBA and BSHRM were totally closed while the Pre - Elementary and Elementary levels and the High School continued classes in Manlurip Campus using tents lent by Tzuchi Foundation.
A few weeks later, PAASCU Executive Director Concepcion V. Pijano visited SSCT at the Santa Cruz Campus and saw that the college was ready for inspection which was set on March 6-7, 2014. On said dates, the College of Nursing, Department of Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science, and Department of Pharmacy were evaluated by the PAASCU accreditors. On May 12, 2014, the Certificates of Candidate Status were issued to SSCT for the three academic programs that had successfully satisfied the PAASCU requirements. The next visit by the PAASCU consultants was set for July 2015 to see if the recommendations during the first evaluation were already implemented. However, the actual visit by the accreditors took place in January 2019 with the Nursing and Pharmacy programs receiving Level 1 status and the MLS program had still to accomplish some documentations related to its board performance.
The rehabilitation of the Manlurip Campus required millions of pesos but without assurance for the safety of the occupants because of its proximity to the sea and the unpredictable weather conditions due to climate change. With the approval of the Priory Government of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, the proposal to locate the SSCT campus on safer grounds farther from the sea materialized.
With God's grace coming through generous donors, a new four hectare land was acquired along Maharlika Highway, Palo, just at the outskirt of Tacloban City. Ground breaking ceremony was done on February 27, 2015 for the construction of the three-storey building for the Basic Education Department (BED). In that same year, a one-storey building (St. Joseph Building) was put up for the Grades 7 to 10 Junior High School students. The realization of this dream entails big funding. This prompted SSCT to apply for certification from the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) to encourage donors here and abroad to donate for the construction of buildings and facilities within the next five years and provide financial assistance for the scholarships of faculty and students. Thankfully, the college was certified a Donee Institution on February 23, 2015. In order to consolidate the activities directed at finding potential donors, SSCT launched the opening of the Philanthropic Planning and Development Office (PPDO) on March 25 of the same year.
With the government's implementation of the K to 12 program, SSCT applied to the Department of Education (DepEd) to open Senior High School effective June 2016 offering the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand. The college faculty were prepared so that they could teach the students in the Senior High School. SSCT accepted a good number of student applicants for Senior High school and applied for funding through the government's voucher system.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) were expected to offer Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) curricula as part of the ASEAN Integration structure. SSCT provided training to its faculty for the OBE curriculum implementation starting School Year 2015-2016.
In March 2015, the Year IV High School students graduated, holding the distinction of being the only batch to graduate from SSCT under the old High School curriculum. In School Year 2015-2016, Grades 7 to 10 moved to the newly built one-storey building in Maharlika campus with Sr. Victoria Bulacan, OSB as principal while the construction of the three-storey Basic Education building was in full swing.
Back in Sta. Cruz campus, two fires broke out in the Janssen building, the first on February 6 which burned the Audio-Visual Center and the computer laboratory; the second on February 16, which gutted the entire fourth floor destroying the Nursing Arts Laboratory, amphitheater, the office of the Dean of the College of Nursing, Nursing faculty room as well as the chemistry and pharmacy laboratories. Other sensitive laboratory equipment on the third floor were damaged when the firemen sprayed water to the burning structure. Despite this misfortune, classes continued and college graduation proceeded as scheduled on March 19, 2016 at the Redemptorist Church.