San Beda College Alabang

History

The Benedictine monks arrived in the Philippines on September 12, 1895. They started missionary work in Surigao in 1896. Rt. Rev. Jose Deas Y. Villar, OSB founded the Benedictine community in Mindanao.

A few years later, after the monks’ Mindanao mission, the Benedictine community transferred their residence and apostolate to Balmes Street in Quiapo, Manila.

Under the leadership of Fr. Juan Sabater, OSB, El Colegio de San Beda was established in 1901 in Mendiola, Manila.

Benedictine Abbey School to St. Benedict College to San Beda College Alabang

Rage and restiveness marked the late 1960s and the early 1970s. The nation was facing a confluence of political events. The political disturbances affected the operations of many schools in Manila's "university belt area" that included San Beda College. Such turmoil on the streets of Manila led to the historic decision by the Benedictine monks to establish another campus in a more peaceful place outside the Greater Manila Area. The Benedictines finally chose the hilly Alabang in Muntinlupa. In 1972, inside the Alabang Hills Village, Benedictine Abbey School (BAS) opened in a 9.5 hectare campus.

In establishing this new school, BAS as it was known then adopted a new concept in education—a non-graded open classroom system where the focus is on the learner. This individualized instruction was complemented by a unique architectural structure, a hexagonal open –space building.

Growing years

On July 10, 1972, Benedictine Abbey School (BAS) opened its doors to 78 preschool boys and girls. Fr. Roberto de Jesus, OSB, was the first Director/Rector and assisting him were Mrs. Elena Racho as Head Teacher, Mrs. Josefina Beltran, Mrs. Annie Lloren and Mrs. Lydia Dumlao as first teachers.

The initial three years of BAS were marked with steady and rapid growth. By 1975, three hexagonal buildings were constructed and completed with all the needed facilities for a growing student population. The BAS High School began in June 1977 with 69 first year students.

By 1980, Fr. Emmanuel Balcruz, OSB became Rector of the school.

Fr. Bellarmine Baltazar, OSB took over stewardship of the school from Fr. Balcruz. He served as rector for almost a decade.

From basic to higher education

Academic year 1995-1996 marked another milestone for the school. Aside from celebrating the 100 years of Benedictine presence in the country, the year saw the opening of the college department. The higher education department welcomed 208 students and 15 pioneer faculty members recruited from other colleges and universities and from the roster of the school’s basic education departments.

On September 7, 2004, after 32 years of existence, the College made a decision to adopt the secondary name of the institution as its official name: San Beda College Alabang.

San Beda College Alabang, School of Law (originally, San Beda College of Law, Alabang Campus) was established in 2004.

In AY 2014-2015, SBCA inaugurated its Graduate School with its initial offering of a Masters in Business Administration degree.

In AY 2017-2018, the school will inaugurate the new Our Lady of Montserrat Building which will cater the Senior High School, Junior High School and Middle Grade School Departments. It will become the tallest and biggest building by its completion.

Academic Departments

Rectors

Nine Benedictine religious have served as the Rector of San Beda College Alabang since its inception in 1972 with Dom Clement Ma, H. Roque, leading the school on two separate occasions: