The Academic Metro
By Hilda Monica C. Naval
Planning to take up college but are confused where particularly you’d want to go? Then I’ve got some good news for you! I now present you with the list of some of the most prominent schools in Metro Manila, listed in alphabetical order. The directory includes important pieces of information about the academic institution. Also mentioned are some of their noteworthy alumni to give you an idea of how these universities hone their students to their maximum potential.
Enjoy a sneak preview of our very own Metro Manila, the country’s center of academic development.
Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU)
Location: Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Type: Private Institution
THES-QS Ranking: 484
Brief History: The Ateneo de Manila University began during the Spanish regime, year 1859, and was then recognized as Escuela de Municipal de Manila, an institution founded by the Jesuit priests. In its centennial year, 1959, The Ateneo formally became a university.
Interesting Trivia: Jose Rizal, our national hero, graduated from the Ateneo Municipal with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. The institution considers him as one of Ateneo’s greatest students. Rizal himself is proud of being an Atenean. As a matter of fact, he mentioned (and affirmed) the Ateneo several times in his novel Noli Me Tangere.
Why it Stands Out: Throughout the years, Ateneo has excelled in the field of Arts and Humanities. In addition to that, The Ateneo is one of the four schools that made it to the Times Higher Education Supplement-Quacquarelli Symonds (THES-QS) World University Rankings, a list of the top 500 universities in the world.
Notable Alumni: Juan Luna (Philippine Hero, Artist and Reformist); Claro M. Recto (Philippine Senator); Fernando M. Zobel de Ayala (Painter and Artist); Claudio Teehankee (Chief Justice of the Philippines); Eugenio Lopez III (Chairman and CEO, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation)
De La Salle University (DLSU)
Location:Taft Avenue, Manila
Type: Private Institution
THES-QS Ranking: 392
Brief History: De La Salle College, founded in 1911, is the first school Founded by the Brothers of Christians Schools. In 1975, La Salle made a great leap forward as their status has been changed—from a College to a University.
Interesting Trivia: At the beginning of school year 1981-1982, La Salle reached another milestone in their journey as a university as they have changed their academic schedule from semestral to trimestral. At present, this non-conventional trimestral calendar is one of the many factors why La Salle stands out among the private universities in the Philippines.
Why it Stands Out: Many graduates from De La Salle have been recognized in the business sector. They have become successful entrepreneurs and administrators of several well-known companies situated in the archipelago. La Salle is also among the privileged universities that landed to the THES-QS Rankings.
Notable Alumni: Rafael Buenaventura (Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas); John Gokongwei, Jr. (Chairman Emeritus of JG Summit Holdings); Br. Andrew Gonzalez (Former DepEd Secretary); Gerardo Ablaza (President and CEO of Globe Telecom, 2004 Asian Business Leader Awardee) Miguel "Mike" Enriquez (Newscaster).
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM)
Type: Public University
Location: Manila
Brief History: PLM was founded through the PLM Charter (which initially started as House Bill No. 8349, then later on became Republic Act No. 4196) signed by then President of the Republic Diosdado Macapagal on June 19, 1965. Two years after, PLM has welcomed 556 scholars, all of which belong to the upper tenth of the graduating class of public high schools located within the City.
Interesting Trivia: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (or University of the City of Manila) claims to be the first Philippine Tertiary institution to have its official name in the Filipino language. Furthermore, PLM is also the largest tuition free institution of higher education in the country. It is funded by the City Government of Manila and it aims to cater to the needs of financially poor yet academically-inclined students.
Why it Stands Out: Although the public university offers a tuition free education for deserving students, it doesn’t necessarily imply a poorly-equipped school. PLM manages to give its students a first rate training through its undergraduate courses. As a matter of fact, in a study conducted by the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), PLM is among the top ten universities in our nation that have exemplary passing rates on board exams.
Notable Alumni: Panfilo Lacson (Senator of the Philippines); Wilma Galvante (Senior Vice President for Entertainment, GMA Network); Rey Malonzo (Mayor, Caloocan City), Michael V. (TV Personality); Melinda Santiago (Filmmaker);
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)
Type: State University
Location: Sta. Mesa, Manila (Flagship Campus); Bicutan, Taguig; and Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
Brief History: The Polytechnic University of The Philippines has undergone several changes with regarding its name. It was first recognized as the Manila Business School (MBS) in 1904. Four years later it was renamed as the Philippine School of Commerce (PSC). In 1952, through the Republic Act 779, PSC has been promoted to a higher level and consequently became the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC). Conclusively, PCC reached its final destination as a state university. This was made possible by the 1978 Presidential Decree Number 1341 issued by His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos.
Interesting Trivia: The University celebrated its 100th founding year last October 2004. As a part of the celebration PUP attempted to create the World’s Largest Human Rainbow. Fortunately, they have gotten the world’s favor and they became successful in achieving the record which once belonged to the Maltese people. Over 31,000 students, faculty, staff, and even alumni participated in the said event.
Why it Stands Out: PUP is a public, non-sectarian, and non-profit scholastic organization which offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs in the applied Arts and Sciences more specifically information and communications technology, business administration, and most specially commerce. Since 2001, the University has been acknowledged by CHED as one of National Capital Region’s (NCR’s) Center for Excellence in Information Technology Education.
Notable Alumni: Carlos Padilla (Senator); Eddie Villanueva (Religious Leader); Mark Logan (TV Personality); Satur Ocampo (Party List Representative/Congressman of the Republic of the Philippines); Ted Failon (News Anchor; Former Congressman).
University of the Philippines (UP)
Locations: Diliman, Quezon City (Flagship Campus) and Padre Faura, Manila
Type: State University
THES-QS Ranking: 299
Brief History: UP was founded 1908 during the American Colonial Period. Since then it has been aiming to promote academic excellence and service to the Filipino people. Next school year, SY 2007-2008, UP will be celebrating its centennial year as a time-honored Academia.
Trivia: The famous Oblation Run, an annual event wherein Alpha Phi Omega (APO) frat men run naked about the Arts and Sciences (AS) building, started as an explicit form of protest against the Martial Law and the alarming political oppression during the Marcos Regime. Every December it is commemorated and celebrated by the Diliman Republic. Sadly, nowadays, it has been seen by many Filipinos as a nonsense activity—nothing more than a materialization of misdemeanor among UP students.
Why it Stands Out: One of UP Diliman’s strength is its Science courses. The researches conducted by the Faculty and the undergraduates have been recognized not only on a national scale but also internationally. UP Manila, on the other hand, specializes in medical (and related) courses and has been noted as one of the best schools by the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) and CHED.
Notable Alumni: Ramon Magsaysay (Former President of the Philippines); Mauro Malang Santos (National Artist for Visual Arts); Felipe Gozon (chairman and CEO of GMA Network); Caesar Saloma, (Physicist, International Commission for Optics [ICO] Galileo Galilee Awardee); Juan Flavier (Senator of the Philippines and former Secretary of Health).
University of Sto. Tomas (UST)
Location: Sampaloc District, Manila
Type: Private Institution
THES-QS Ranking: 500
Brief History: The third Manila Archbishop, the Most Reverend Miguel de Benavides, O.P., is the most important person in the formation of the UST. Because of his efforts, The Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario was established on 1611. Soon after, Pope Innocent X re-identified it as Colegio de Santo Tomas on 1645. From that moment on the University underwent and overcame many events in history for almost four centuries. It’s story is still being written as it continues to take part in educating the Filipino youth of today.
Interesting Trivia: Four out of the fourteen Philippine Presidents came from UST. They are Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel (who also attended UP), and Diosdado Macapagal. Moreover, UST is recognized as the oldest university in the Philippines and is about to celebrate its quadricentennial year in three years time.
Why it Stands Out: From Rizal’s time up to present, UST has been among the renowned medical schools that has bred various appreciated doctors, nurses, therapists (and other related professions in the field) of Medicine. It is also among the four Philippine Multi-disciplinary Universities that made it to the Top 500 World University Rankings.
Notable Alumni: Tony Tan Caktiong (CEO, Jolibee); Dr. Loi Estrada (Senator); Raul Gonzales (Justice Secretary); Nick Joaquin, (Writer and journalist; National Artist); F. Sionil Jose (Novelist; National Artist);
See For Yourself:
If you want to know more—admissions, undergraduate programs, courses offered and brief description, faculty, research publications, etc.—about the mentioned universities, you can check out their official websites as shown below:
Institution |
Official Website |
Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) |
|
De La Salle University (DLSU) |
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Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) |
|
Polytechnic University of the Philippines |
|
University of Santo Tomas (UST) |
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University of the Philippines (UP) |
