I started teaching in then Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos (CSJ-R) in 1964 until I retired in 2000.
I settled in Cebu in 1964 and began my teaching history in then CSJ-R, handling English in the high school, college and the Graduate School. I was immersed in the school’s vision-mission, from being a “colegio” to becoming University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).
I co-chaired various accreditations from the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Paascu), as well as the application for university status. The lay academic deans/heads were Dr. Mariano Lerin, Dr. Lourdes Torrefranca, Joaquin Aliz, Ben Mantos, Dr. Lucila Bonilla, Dr. Concepcion Azarcon, Marcelo Fernan, Dr. Victoria Gabison, Dr. Carmen Eturma, Alicia Bathan, Rosalita Briones, Remedios Estela, Ben Mantos, and others.
The school’s curricula grew from the basic courses in the arts and sciences, education, commerce, engineering, law, and the graduate school, all of which became Paascu-accredited. The CPA review was headed by Francisco Amparado and Eulalio Minerva.
The University continued to promote Quality Christian Community-Oriented Education, gaining global exposure and linkages.
With the enrichment of the basic courses to complete programs in law and graduate education, USJ-R expanded its physical plant and locations in Basak, Cebu, among others — and this year, the Quad.
Indeed, there is no way for USJ-R but to move forward and provide Quality Christian Community-Oriented Education. Adelante! The school hymn “Forward Radiant Children,” text by Fr. Blas Montenegro and me, articulates the vision-mission of USJ-R.