Philippine Women's University

Higher education for Filipina women

In 1919, a group of women in the Philippines sought to empower women by allowing them access to education. Under the American colonial system from 1900 to July 4, 1946, education and democracy were the core of America's goal in developing the Philippines (which had been colonized by Spain for 300 years). Among the first, and perhaps most important, results of the American legacy was the recognition of equality of women in the Philippine islands and their right to be educated.

A result of the combined vision of seven pioneering Filipino women — Clara Aragon, Concepcion Aragon, Francisca Tirona Benitez, Paz Marquez Benitez, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera and Socorro Marquez Zaballero — the Philippine Women's College (PWC) was founded with the assistance of the prominent lawyer, José Abad Santos, who drafted the university's constitution and by-laws. (Abad Santos was appointed by President Manuel L. Quezon to the Supreme Court of the Philippines and was martyred by the Japanese who occupied the Philippines during World War II). PWU's goal was to prepare young Filipino women for a life of useful citizenship and leadership. It had an initial enrollment of 190 students.

The American colonial government recognized Philippine Women's College as a university in 1932, 13 years after the school opened its doors, becoming known henceforth as the Philippine Women's University, the first university for women in Asia founded by Asians. From 1928 up to the outbreak of the Second World War, Philippine Women's University pioneered in introducing programs aligned with its mission: Home Economics, Music and Fine Arts, Social Work, Nutrition, Pharmacy and Business. In 1938, a course in Social Civic training was incorporated into the curriculum. The academic programs were based on the founders' objectives to train Filipinas in civic responsibility.

Established families from all over the Philippines who could afford higher education sent their daughters to PWU. Most institutions offering higher education at that time were exclusively for young men, like PWU's neighbor, De La Salle College. Schools for women offering higher education were operated by secular or religious sisters of the Roman Catholic Church, including PWU's neighbors, Santa Isabel College, Assumption College, St. Paul College, Manila, Maryknoll College, and St. Scholastica's College. There was also Centro Escolar de Senoritas College which predated PWU by some 12 years, having been founded in 1907. The PWU had a more 'Americanized' curriculum than Centro Escolar.

Second World War and afterward

The Japanese occupation of the Philippine islands from 1942 to 1945 did not stop the PWU community from continuing with its mission. For a time, classes at the PWU were held intermittently due to the extraordinary conditions imposed by the Japanese. The PWU campus, a building occupying an entire city block, was converted to a hospital, known as the "Pagamutan ng Maynila."

The university sustained major damage during the war and barely survived the siege during American and Philippine liberation of Manila on February 9, 1945. The school resumed its academic programs a few months before the Philippines became a free and independent republic on July 4, 1946.

The university opened its doors to elementary and secondary education when it founded the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) which now has two campuses in Manila and Quezon City and is called PWU JASMS.

Promoting Filipino culture

Through the efforts of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, the university organized and developed the world-renowned Bayanihan Philippine Folk Dance Company. Among the Bayanihan's pioneers were National Artist for Music Lucresia R. Kasilag (who was Dean of PWU's School of Music) and National Artist for Dance Lucrecia R. Urtula.

Adapting to changing times

The university had its first male president in 1993 with the election of Dr. Jose Conrado Benitez who had a strategic plan to diversify and to use information technology to transcend distance and bring functional education to everyone.

• In the 1970s, PWU opened its doors to male enrollees and became co-educational.
• In 2003, Dr. Amelou B. Reyes became the eighth university president.
• In 2011, Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez became the ninth and second male president of the PWU.

Filipino Version

I
Hayaang magsialay
Kanilang pamantasan (pamantasan)
Nang papuri't pagdakila
Paaralan nilang Lahat

Ngunit sa aming puso
Iisa ang sinusuyo
Ang mahal naming kolehiyo
Kayamanang walang hanggan (kayamanan)

Chorus
Halina at ating tupdin
Alay niya'y ating sundin
Masayang ipagkapuri
Ating Philippine Women's University

II
Iba't-ibang kulay at damdamin
Nagpapahayag ng diwa (ng diwa)
May abo pula't bughaw
Puti't maroon ang sa akin

At saan man magsitungo
Kahit sa iba mang dako
Aral niya ay isaisip
Sa Diyos bansa't lahi (bansa't lahi)

Repeat Chorus

Coda
Philippine Women's University^[3]

English version

I
Let others sing their Praises
Of their Alma Mater fair (Alma Mater)
Let Them Ponder on the Graces
of their college Great and Rare

II
But my Heart Beats true Forever for the
college I Love Best
I Shall Cease to Treasure Never Mem'ries of
her in My Breast (In My Breast)

Chorus
Loyal May we Ever be
May We Learn Her Lessons Right
Proud May we Ever be
of the Philippine Women's University

III
Other Hues Thrill Other Bosoms
Red, Blue and Gray in Others' Sight (Others' Sight)
Are the Fairest tints of Bosoms
But For Me Maroon and White

IV
Wherever we may Wander
and Wherever we may Roam
On Its Message Let Us Ponder
Love of Country, God and Home (God and Home)

Chorus
Loyal May we Ever be
May We Learn Her Lessons Right
Proud May we Ever be
of the Philippine Women's University

Coda
Philippine Women's University

Gallery

• 
  PWU Main Campus facade
• 
  Historical Marker
• 
  Details of the Entrance Doors
• 
  Details of the Windows