Saint Rita College - Manila
100 Years of Grace (1907-2007)

By: Sr. Jannet Nicer, AR.

St. Rita College, Manila invites you to join its CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION this coming October 11-14, 2007.  This is a humble place where Mo. Dionisia Mitas and Mo. Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz began their vocation to serve the Lord through their special devotion to our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  From 1719 - Saint Rita College Manila is the first school we ever had.  It started in 1907 as “Escuela de Sta. Rita”. Free education was offered to the first 30 all girls Kindergarten pupils.
 
Spanish was the medium of instruction in reading, writing, music, painting & embroidery. The year 1908 made a gradual progress – a school building was constructed with the approval of the Bureau of Private Schools, thus started the formal education apostolate of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters.
 
English was first taught in 1911 when the school, named this time as “Colegio de Sta. Rita” was registered in the Bureau of Education. In 1946, the school’s primary and intermediate courses were given government recognition. Later, the secondary level was recognized and the first graduation was held with the Hon. Judge Jose Abad Santos of the Supreme Court as the Guest of Honor.
 
In 1932, college courses were offered. The school was named St. Rita College in 1945, and Vocational Courses and elementary Teacher’s Certificate (ETC) were offered. Later, the school opened its elementary department to young boys who sought Catholic education.
 
The College offered Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEED) in 1959, and in 1972, Liberal Arts (AB) and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE) were offered with majors in English, Filipino, Math, History, H.E. and with minors in Theology, Library Science and P.E. In this age of technology, Computer Science was offered in the high school and college in 1994.
 
SRC, Manila is now a PAASCU Accredited.  Inspite of her ups and down, it proves to be the cradle of wisdom, knowledge, values, virtues and inspiration to our alumni, parents, students and friends. 
 
Thus, this coming October 11-14 will be a celebration of all celebrations as we prepare the following dates: October 11- Students’ Day ; October 12 – AR Religious Day; October 13 – PTA & Community Day; and October 14 – Alumni Day.  There will be Cultural Parade, Festival Dance Contests, Dance Drama Competitions, Symposium, Coronation of Mr. & Ms. Centennial, Games, Oratorical Contest, Outreach Program of the ARSC National Congress, Bingo Socials, Quiz Bee, Parlor Games, Grand Alumni Homecoming  and many more.  COME AND BE WITH US IN THIS MEMORABLE ONCE IN A LIFETIME CELEBRATION!
 
What will be of Saint Rita College, Manila for another 100 years, lies in the mercy of God and in the hands, not only of the future generations but the present as well.