The Philippine Women's University (PWU) is a non-sectarian academic institution for men and women

Women's college

Women's colleges in higher education are undergraduate, bachelor's degree-granting institutions, often liberal arts colleges, whose student populations are composed exclusively or almost exclusively of women...

 in the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

, founded in 1919 as the Philippine Women's College by Filipino women who envisioned a school that would prepare young women for leadership and service. PWU is located along one city block in the district of Malate

Malate, Manila

Malate is an old district of the city of Manila in Metro Manila, the Philippines. The district is located at the southern end of the city of Manila, bordered by Pasay City to the south, by Manila Bay to the west, by the district of Ermita to the north and by the districts of Paco and San Andres to...

 in the City of Manila

Manila

Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...

 bounded by Taft Avenue and the streets of Malvar, Nakpil and Leon Guinto. The school was granted in 1932 its university status, is recognized as the "First university for women in Asia," and is renowned for its civics-related courses with emphasis on training women in child care and social work

Social work

Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...

.

Higher education for Filipino women

A group of visionary women in the Philippines in 1919 sought to further empower women of the country by allowing them access to quality education. Under the American administrative oversight from 1900 to July 4, 1946, education and democracy were the core of America's goal in "developing" the Philippines. Among the first, and perhaps more important, American legacy is the recognition of equality of women in the Philippine islands, years before mainland America embraced the concept.

Seven women who were prominent members of then Manila's social elite—Clara Aragon, Concepcion Aragon, Francisca Tirona Benitez, Paz Marquez Benitez, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera and Socorro Marquez Zaballero—founded the Philippine Women's College (PWC) with the assistance of then prominent lawyer, Jose Abad Santos

José Abad Santos

In 1919, Abad Santos would become instrumental in laying the legal groundwork as well as drafting the by-laws and constitution of the Philippine Women's University, the country's and Asia's first private non-sectarian institution for higher learning for women...

, who drafted the university's papers: its constitution and by-laws. Abad Santos was appointed by President Manuel L. Quezon

Manuel L. Quezon

Manuel Luis Quezón y Molina served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. He was the first Filipino to head a government of the Philippines...

 to the Supreme Court of the Philippines

Supreme Court of the Philippines

The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...

 just before the Japanese occupation as the fifth Chief Justice of the Philippines

Chief Justice of the Philippines

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines presides over the Supreme Court of the Philippines and is the highest judicial officer of the government of the Philippines...

.

The American colonial government gave Philippine Women's College its recognition as a university in 1932, 13 years after the school opened its doors. From 1932 up to the outbreak of the Second World War, Philippine Women's University opened its Department of Child Development; in 1938, a course in Social Civic training was incorporated into the curriculum. The academic programs of the university were based on the founder's 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

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...

. Schools for women offering higher education were operated by secular or religious sisters of the Roman Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

, including PWU's neighbor, Santa Isabel College

Santa Isabel College, Manila

Santa Isabel College is a former all girls Catholic school and university in Ermita in the city of Manila, Philippines , offering courses at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels...

, also on Taft Avenue.

Second World War

The Japanese occupation of the Philippine islands from 1942 to 1945 did not intimidate the PWU community to continue with its operations. For a time, classes at the PWU (like in most academic institutions of that time) 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 damages during the war and barely survived the siege during the start of the 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.

Reaching out

PWU contributed to many historical events in the country. The university opened its doors to fire-ravaged communities of Manila in 1969 and later in 1980.

In less than 50 years since the university's founding, PWU opened similar campuses for women in parts of the country, such as Iloilo in the Visayas and Davao City in Mindanao.

The university opened its doors to elementary and secondary education when it founded the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) in nearby San Andres Bukid Street. Another JASMS is in Quezon City.

Promoting Filipino culture

PWU is recognized as a launching stage for those pursuing the performing arts. Through the efforts of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, the university organized and developed the world-renowned Bayanihan

Bayanihan

Bayanihan is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, country, town or community. The whole term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective...

 Philippine Folk Dance Company. Benitez, with Philippine National Artist for the Music and the Arts, dean emeritus Lucresia R. Kasilag (who served as Bayanihan's president and musical director), have pioneered and effortlessly promoted the Filipino culture, particularly folk dance

Folk dance

The term folk dance describes dances that share some or all of the following attributes:*They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional music....

.

Senator Benitez, who became the first alumnae president of the university, has been at the helm of PWU for more than three decades and, in 1980, became chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

Adapting to changing times

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

In the 1990s, PWU opened its doors to male enrollees and became a co-educational institution.

PWU has proven itself to be an enduring institution and, in the 21st century, remains committed to serving men and women from nursery to graduate school. The Philippine Women’s University system and its affiliate schools for men and women laid the foundation for its vision of corporate entrepreneurial university, market-driven in partnership with business and industry, government and non-government, through modern technology.

In 2003, Dr. Amelou B. Reyes became the eighth university president. She holds a double cum laude from the Philippine Women’s University: Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology and Bachelor of Science, major in guidance and counseling.

In 2009, Dr. Amelou Benitez's son Alfredo "Freddie" Benitez Reyes, became CEO and head of the Finance and Comptrollership Office of the Board of Trustees in March 2009. In February, 2011 Alfredo, became the Vice President for External Affairs and Linkages.

In 2011, Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez the Son became the Ninth and second Male President of the University. He is the son of Seventh President and first male President of PWU Dr. Jose Conrado Benitez.

Vision

The PWU: A University that develops individuals through excellence in teaching, dynamic and relevant research and responsive service supported by evolving technology for global competence.

Mission

An enduring commitment to prepare the learner to continuously search for knowledge through a holistic education which treasures heritage, imbued with the core values of personal integrity and spirituality, family solidarity and community participation.

Objectives

* To promote an effective and efficient University research program;
* To increase faculty and student participation in basic and applied research across all disciplines;
* To develop curricula that will address the needs of society and industry;
* To update and systematize the process of recruiting and developing the University's human resources;
* To create a climate that is conducive to learning and facilitate interaction among students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders;
* To promote national and international community services and advocacies;
* To pursue exchanges of faculty, staff and students through international networking and linkages; and
* To set up appropriate instruments that will attract more financial resources for the University.

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

Alay niya ay isaisip

Sa Diyos bansa't lahi (bansa't lahi)

Repeat Chorus

Coda

Philippine Women's University

English version

I

Let other 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 Other Sight (Other 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

Affiliations

PWU is a member institution of Philippine Association of College and Universities (PACU), Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) as well as the International Association of Universities and the International Association of University Presidents.

Sports

PWU is currently active in the Women's National Collegiate Athletics Association (WNCAA) and Women's Collegiate Sports Association (WCSA). The official school moniker is the PWU Patriots. According to Dr. Amelou Benitez, the Patriots "reflect the PWU Brand of Education."

As of 2008:

Table Tennis

• WCSA Champion (2006–2007 and 2007–2008)

Swimming

• WNCAA 2nd Overall (2006–2007 and 2007–2008)
• WCSA 2nd Overall (2006–2007 and 2007–2008)

Basketball

• WCSA Champion (2008–2009)
• WNCAA Champion [Division B] (2008–2009)
• WNCAA 3rd Place [Division B] (2007–2008)
• WCSA 2nd Place (2007–2008)

Futsal

• WNCAA 4th Place (2007–2008)
• WCSA Champion (2007–2008)

Volleyball

• WNCAA
• WCSA

Badminton

• WNCAA
• WCSA

Taekwondo

• WNCAA
• WCSA

External links

• Philippine Women's University
• http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/philwomenian/&date=2009-10-26+00:33:45