Divine Word College of Legazpi

The Divine Word College of Legazpi was originally Liceo de Albay,[1] a diocesan parochial school for boys owned and managed by Rev. Fr. Juan Carullo, a retired Army Chaplain and a native of Malinao, Albay. When he left the military service, his retirement pay and other personal wealth was invested in a school which he founded. At the beginning, the school was an exclusive high school for boys St. Agnes Academy (Legazpi City) was the exclusive high school for girls).

In 1952, a strong typhoon hit Albay and badly damaged the Liceo de Albay. Around this time, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) was looking for a place to put up a school in the province. Fr. Joseph Bates, SVD, negotiated with the Bishop of Albay for the SVD acquisition of the Liceo de Albay, amidst the school's financial difficulties.

In 1959, the formal transfer of ownership and management was effected for around Php 30,000. Reconstruction of the school began with Fr. Bates' personal funds as well as money from his family and friends and from the United States of America. With the SVDs and Bates now in Legazpi City, many people from his old assignment in Bohol were brought to help him build and run the Liceo de Albay.

When the Bicol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS) was formed, Bates was chosen as its chairman. Bates met Fr. Honesto Moraleda, who was then parish priest of St. Michael Parish in Oas, Albay through the activities of the BACS. He invited Moraleda become the first high school principal of the school with the permission of then Bishop Flaviano B. Ariola. Bates was the director.

Liceo de Albay became Divine Word High School in 1960. When the project of starting a school was decided by the SVDs, the pioneering spirit was its mission of spreading a Catholic Education and in so doing, provide opportunities to boys in this part of the region. The Liceo de Albay was facing financial difficulty due to dwindling enrolment. The physical state of the building which was purchased at a cost of Php 30,000.00 was not yet ready to admit an influx of new enrollees.

In 1965, Divine Word High School became Divine Word College of Legazpi. Its formation was made possible with the combined efforts of Bishop Nestor C. Cariño, Msgr. Jose Molina, Msgr. Jose Diokno, Msgr. Ralph Salazar and Msgr. Honesto Moraleda. Its recognition as a high school was given by the Bureau of Private Schools. The school first director was Fr. Joseph L. Bates, SVD, while the first principal was Fr. Honesto A. Moraleda.

The faculty members included Protacio Borlagdan, Ruperta Ungay (later Altabano), Lydia Platon and Jun Peñalosa, Antonio Laurora, Arnulfo Cabredo, Arles Navara, Miss Ongcoy, Trinidad Navea, Josaphat Clidoro.

In 1965, the first college courses were opened with the following enrollment:

• Commerce: 73
• BSE: 16
• BSEED: 92
• AB: 51
• Secretarial: 7

Total: 239 students

In 1969, it produced its first batch of graduates in Commerce, Education, High School and Elementary.

In 1971, a tie-up with St. Gregory the Great Seminary was forged to enable the graduates from its Minor Seminary of Tabaco to pursue the college level. The AB Department, thus, offered A.B. Philosophy. In 1974, a two-year Accounting Aide and Salesmanship was offered followed by the Civil Engineering course in 1976. In 1978, the Graduate School opened with a Masters in Business Administration course.

In 1981, the first batch of Civil Engineering graduates passed the Board Examination with a passing score of 91.6%. In 1983, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) Region V recognized the DWCL as the "Center for Commerce/Business Education." By school year 1983-1984, computer subjects were integrated into the Commerce curriculum. By 1984, the DWCL produced its first topnotcher and 4th placers in the Junior Geodetic Engineering Board Exams. By SY 1984-1985, DWCL became the pilot center for "Associate in Commercial Science - Government Accounting and Auditing," a three-year course. In 1985, it became a CPA Review Center. By 1987, the two Education courses, BEED and BSE, which were temporarily closed were re-opened. In 1988, the College again produced a first placer in Civil Engineering given by the PRC. In 1989, an award was bestowed by the DECS region V as "Center of Development of Commerce and Business Education."

By 1993, the bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Computer Secretarial Courses were opened. In 1994, the Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Administration (BSSA) was likewise opened. Due to the clamor for new offerings, in the second semester of school year 1995-1996, DWCL offered Masters in Public Management (MPM) and Master in Business Education (MBE). In 1997, the Commerce Department added Entrepreneurship as one of the majors for B.S. Commerce. In the same year, the Accountancy Department produced a 9th placer in the CPA Board Exam. By the end of 1999, DWCL had produced nine Board placers.

• Rev. Fr. Joseph L. Bates, SVD, 1916–1970
• Rev. Fr. Donald Malrenan, SVD, OIC, 1968–1969
• Rev. Fr. Florante S. Camacho, SVD, 1970–1973
• Rev. Fr. Valentino D. Darunday, SVD, April 1973 – 1979
• Rev. Fr. Alfredo A. Reyes, SVD, June 1979 - 1985
• Rev. Fr. Eleuterio S. Lacaron, SVD, October 1985 - 1989
• Rev. Fr. Alfredo Reyes, SVD, June 1989 - 1990
• Rev. Fr. Restituto A. Lumanlan, SVD, June 1990 - 1993
• Rev. Fr. Joel Thomson Ll. Maribao, SVD, May 1993 - June 1994
• Rev. Fr. Jose M. Calucag, SVD, June 1994 - 1998
• Rev. Fr. Ignacio C. Joaquin, SVD, OIC 1998 - 1999
• Rev. Fr. Michael O. Padua, SVD, June 1999 - 2002
• Rev. Fr. Francisco T. Estepa, SVD, May 2002 – 2008
• Rev. Fr. Crispin Cordero, June 2008 – 2017
• Rev. Fr. Nielo M. Cantilado, June 2017 – present