Holy Cross of Davao College

History

In school year 1951–1952, the Religious of the Virgin Mary Sisters opened an annex of the Immaculate Conception College along Santa Ana Avenue in Davao City. The annex was built upon the request of parents living at Sta. Ana District and with permission from the local bishop since the school building was erected on a land owned by the Roman Catholic Apostolic Administrator of Davao. The ICC annex provided kindergarten, elementary, and secondary courses for boys and girls. By school year 1955–1956, it became a separate school and was named the Holy Cross Academy of Davao.

In April 1956, the RVM Sisters informed the Most Rev. Clovis Thibault, of the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec also known as the PME Fathers, the first Apostolic Administrator and Bishop of Davao, about the RVM General Council's decision to transfer the ownership of the school. This decision was executed through a Deed of Absolute Sale in which the RVM Congregation, represented by Superior General Mother Maria Catalina Dychitan, sold the school building including “all that goes with the functioning of a school” to the Roman Catholic Apostolic Administrator of Davao.

The PME Fathers took over the school management in 1956–1957, with Rev. Fr. Jean Lalonde as the first school director and Rev. Fr. Leopold Charlesbois as assistant school director. The school was renamed Holy Cross of Davao School. When Fr. Lalonde left in 1959, Fr. Eloi Montambault, PME was appointed school director until Fr. Lalonde’s return in 1961. Fr. Lalonde served as school director until 1968.

In school year 1964–1965, the school allowed the admission of girls to the elementary department. College courses were offered in school year 1966–1967, and the school was renamed Holy Cross of Davao College.

In 1968, Rev. Fr. Generoso C. Camiña (the first Filipino PME and presently Bishop of Digos) was appointed Rector. He was succeeded by Emilio P. Palma Gil who was appointed school president on July 1, 1969. Due to the lack of Filipino personnel needed to operate the school, the PME Fathers decided to transfer the ownership of school buildings, including the CYO gymnasium, its furniture and equipment, and all the rights and privileges of operating a school, to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Davao. On July 10, 1976, a Canonical Deed of Donation was made between PME Regional Superior Rev. Fr. Roland Denies and Archbishop Antonio Ll. Mabutas, DD, J.C.D.

Notable alumni

• Irha Mel Alfeche, beauty queen
• Bayang Barrios, musician
• Aljo Bendijo, broadcast journalist
• Pong Escobal, athlete
• Mohamad Paglas, politician
• Alex Santos, newscaster
• Manuel Zamora, politician

References

References

1. "College | Holy Cross of Davao College".
2. "Historical Development of the HCDC". Holy Cross of Davao_College.
3. "Holy Cross of Davao College | Shaping Selfless Servant Leaders Since 1951".