UST Angelicum College, founded in 1972, is an institution of learning that strategically envisions itself to be the preferred school for alternative and transformative Catholic Dominican education. UST ANGELICUM COLLEGE started out as an educator's simpledream to break free from the traditional educational system
In 1972, a few months after Fr. Alarcon was appointed First Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Incorporated (DPPI), he was able to convince some educators and the Province to put up a non-graded school. It was to be called "Angelicum" after one of the Dominicans' houses of studies in Rome. Its whole existence would be justified by the nature of each individual child. Its philosophy would be "to do what is best for each learner".
On July 5, 1972, Angelicum School was born: six classrooms and a small library all housed at the Dominican seminary; 315 young boys under the care of 9 creative, responsible, and experienced teachers willing to accept a paradigm shift. It carried out the embodiment of the Dominican ideals of truth, charity, justice, and fortitude. Angelicum School became the first non-graded school in the Philippines. In the second year of its existence, Angelicum's enrollment doubled. The first floor of the St. Dominic Building was finished in time, to house the fast growing learner population.
In 1974, girls were accepted to meet "the need to normalize the environment”. A total of 220 learners enrolled from Nursery to YS 5 levels. Likewise, the St. Martin Building was then ready for the use of the learners. In 1977, St. Antoninus School opened. It offered services to children in need of special attention. Ten years later, it was renamed the Special Education Department (SPED). Its operation was suspended in 1996.
Angelicum expanded beyond Quezon City. Two branches were established, Angelicum Tehran, Iran and Angelicum Jaro, Iloilo. But due to the religious war in Iran, Angelicum Tehran, Iran was closed in 1979.
In 1978, Rev. Fr. Norberto Castillo, O.P. became the Director of the school. The number of learners continued to rise, and the school gained wider acclaim in the country's educational system.
On May 11, 1979, the school library was named Fr. Ed Lumboy Memorial Resource Center in honor of Rev. Fr. Ed Lumboy, O.P., one of the school resident priests who died in a vehicular accident.
Rev. Fr. Hilario Singian, O.P. succeeded Fr. Castillo in 1982. During his term, the St. Vincent Covered Court was completed.
After one year, Fr. Singian was replaced by Rev. Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P., who became Director for four years. The St. Thomas Building was constructed during his administration.
In 1987, Rev. Fr. Honorato Castigador, O.P. replaced Fr. Ponce.
In 1995, the Collegiate Department was opened and the school was renamed Angelicum College in May 1996. In August of the same year, the recognition of the Home Study Program (HSP) was granted. The Program was initially offered from YS 5 to YS 11 learners. One of the newly added facilities, the swimming pool for the learners, was inaugurated. The improvement of the football field was also done during this period.
In May 2004, Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P. was elected 9th Rector of Angelicum College. During his leadership, improvement of facilities and offices was done like the air conditioning of all classrooms at the St. Dominic Building and the renovation of all offices at the St. Martin Building. He also initiated the automation of various school processes as an improvement of the school services. Fr. Dagohoy also introduced the concept and practice of participative management, by involving department heads and staff in designing the school's Comprehensive 4 Advancement Plan (CAP). It was also during his term when the Business and TESDA Programs in the College Department were offered.
Rev. Fr. Ferdinand L. Bautista, O.P., Ph. D. became the next Rector and President in May 2008 and was re-elected in 2012. He is an advocate of academic excellence. Fr. Bautista concentrated on intensifying the quality of the learning modules. He promoted the value of research undertakings by reviving the EPIKEIA, The Interdisciplinary Journal of Alternative Education and Formation, and the Angelicum College's official organ. He also reinforced the endeavors of the Academic Division related to curriculum and instruction to ensure that the academic activities of the school uphold mastery learning and holistic formation of learners.
On May 28, 2013, the Basic Education of Angelicum College was accredited Level II by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) through the recommendation of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU).
In the Academic Year 2014-2015, the school became a DepEd recognized Education Service Contracting (ESC) Provider. Then in the succeeding academic year, the school was given recognition by DepEd to operate a Senior High School (SHS) Program with two tracks – Academic and Technical-Vocational and Livelihood.
In the Academic Year 2017-2018, the opening of classes was moved to the month of August. The learning modules had undergone professional editing and were copyrighted. The utilization of supplementary materials to enrich instruction was heightened. Simultaneously, the construction of the Blessed Jordan of Saxony Building for the Senior High School and college students started.
The most significant date that made the history of Angelicum College (AC) even more meaningful, was June 29, 2017. On this date, the Memorandum of Agreement for the integration of the Royal Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Angelicum College was signed. The integration is anchored on the provision of the 10th Provincial Chapter of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, which states in part, “…to integrate all the Dominican institutions within two venerable and historical educational tradition.” Through this, the school was renamed UST Angelicum College (Inc.), with Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. as Rector and Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Bautista, O.P. as Pro-Vice-Rector. The integration intensified the collaboration of the University of Santo Tomas and Angelicum College, specifically in the areas of School Leadership and Management; Courses on Religious Education and Christian Living Education; Community and Extension Services; Financial Management; Marketing and Promotion; and Research and Publication.
Academic Year 2018-2019 unfolded with UST Angelicum College’s adoption of the flipped classroom approach, blended learning, and continuous curriculum enhancements to cope with the demands of the 21st century learning. The Commitment to quality service continues to intensify, evidence of which is the school’s submission to accreditation by the PAASCU. UST Angelicum College finally got its Level III Accreditation on December 16, 2021. Its Federation of Accrediting Agencies in the Philippines or FAAP Level 3 Certification was given on January 2022.
In academic year 2021-2022, UST Angelicum College welcomed back Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., Ph.D. as its new Pro-Vice Rector. His Triple A vision, i.e. Academic Advantage @Angelicum is in full gear in order to usher into the future a Safe, Smart and Sustainable UST Angelicum College at the threshold of its golden jubilee in academic year 2022. International linkages, foreign program exchanges and international visiting lecturer initiatives were pioneered in this year.