Short Visit to St. Scholastica’s College, Manila

* the chapel (or is it church?) inside St. Scholastica’s College, Manila

* dark and grainy view of St. Cecilia’s Hall

* St. Cecilia’s Hall lobby

My visit to St. Scholastica’s College, Manila was made possible by the 20th Manila Studies Annual Conference because the organizers chose the college to be the venue of the conference this year. I could not have imagined being inside the college, knowing that to certain extent, it is still a predominantly girls’ school (although there are also male students particularly in the Conservatory of Music, as was said to me by an usherette who I have briefly interviewed).

* a painting found along a corridor inside the college

* view of a corridor

* a statue of St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica’s College traces its roots from the coming of the five German sisters from the Missionary Benedictine Congregation on September 14, 1906. They were M. Ferdinanda Hoelzer, Sr. Petronilla Keller, Sr. Crescentia Veser, Sr. Winfrieda Mueller, and Novice Alexia Ruedenauer. The school started out on Moriones Street in Tondo then transferred to San Marcelino Street in 1907 (the lot was donated to the school administrators by the Arcbishop of Manila). The official name of St. Scholastica’s College was officially recognized by the government in 1909. In 1914, they moved to a new place – 1532 Pennsylvania Avenue – where a new building awaited teachers and students alike. The college was destroyed during World War II, gradually reconstructed were made, and finally celebrated their centennial celebration in 2006.

* buildings inside the St. Scholastica’s College, Manila

* grade school children waiting for their kaon

* the dark skies of Manila as seen from the 5th floor of St. Cecilia’s Building

* Daughters True: 100 Years of Scholastican Education, 1906-2006;
a book I won from the book raffle during the conference

I was not able to fully roam the interior of the place as guards are all over the place; the presence of an out-of-place male could have raised their suspicion. I contended myself with the familiar corridors which I treaded during the two-day conference. Thus, the buildings I am posting along with entry are unnamed. Finally, forgive the poor resolutions of the photos as I only used my cellphone camera. My beloved camera was lost a few weeks before the conference.

[How to go to St. Scholastica’s College, Manila: From Gil Puyat LRT Station, there are two alternatives: 1) board the LRT and drop off at Vito Cruz LRT Station, or 2) ride a jeepney bound for Quiapo, SM Manila, or Manila City Hall and drop off at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. Behind Saint Benilde is Leon Guinto Street where St. Scholastica’s College is found so you only have to round the corner. What you’ll see first is the college’s chapel (or is it a church?)]