The greatest creations, begin from small seed
The small seed of education that was planted two decades ago has sprouted to become a learning institution with far reaching influence.
The Our Lady of Lourdes College was modestly conceived by its founder Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo Demetillo originally to serve the educational needs of the youth of the Karuhatan neighborhood. Today, this vision has extended far beyond the narrow confines of the neighboring communities of Valenzuela City.
Its humble origin typifies the humility of its founder which continues to be the guiding spirit and trademark of the institution’s growth and development.
The college site is located at Gen. T. de Leon, Valenzuela City., standing on a two (2) hectare land the Pre-school was officially established in 1986 bearing the name Cherub Learning Center with modest enrollment of 17 kindergarten students. The grade school opened in 1987 with 222 students from nursery to grade three. It is significant to note that the founder considered it important to change the name Cherub learning Center to Our Lady of Lourdes College. In 1989 the school was granted a permit to operate a full grade school. At the end of that year 20 graders became the first graduates.
Four years later, 88 students marched up a makeshift stage to receive their High School diplomas from Mr. Alfredo Demetillo. They are distinguished as batch ’88. In just a few years this learning institution has grown far beyond what was originally envisioned as the grade school has grown to a phenomenal 1, 147 enrollees while the high school had an enrollment of 1, 129.
Armed with sheer courage but with an unfailing faith in the divine providence of the FATHER and in Our Lady of Lourdes, Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Demetillo formally opened the College department in 1994. Like the basic education department, the College also had a humble beginning. There were no dignitaries invited, no ribbon-cutting rites and no ground breaking ceremonies to bury a time capsule.
Twenty nine (29) pioneering students enrolled during the first semester of June 1994. Even when the first year subjects were offered in common, the most number in a class was nine (9). Classes were conducted in the Grade School classrooms where the size of the armchairs made the college students looked like overgrown children.
With the establishment of the Admission and Aid Office supported by an aggressive recruitment campaign, led by the Vice President for Planning and Development – Dr. Enrico Demetillo the enrollment steadily grew.
Buoyed, by the growing population, Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Demetillo decided to construct the administration building along the Gen. T. de Leon St. This major construction houses several classrooms, an auditorium, a spacious library, a complete laboratory, an HE room, a college office and several administrative offices that includes the president’s office, principal’s offices and a registrar-accounting office.
The college administration was organized under the leadership of Mr. Alfredo Demetillo as president of the Board of Trustees. He is ably assisted by the Directress (Dr. Adelia C. Demetillo) , and Four Vice Presidents; they are VP for Academic Affairs, VP for Finance, VP for Planning and Development and VP for External Affairs.
Various student services units that serve the needs of the students were systematized. They include the Medical and Dental Clinic, Guidance Services, Library, Science Laboratory, HELE Practice House, Workshop, Bus Service and Canteen. The school is accessible to all types of transportation.
The growth of OLLC is accelerative in both the human and material resources providing the academic community with an environment conducive to learning. The short but colorful and dynamic history of the Our Lady of Lourdes College signifies a commitment to a continuing development in the pursuit of quality education that its clientele deserve.
