The first Normal University for girls in the Philippines and the Far East, the Universidad de Santa Isabel was named in honor of Saint Isabel (Elizabeth), Queen of Hungary.
Formerly called Colegio de Sta. Isabel, this Catholic Vincentian university is owned and run by the Daughters of Charity in Naga City, Philippines. It was established by the first five Daughters of Charity that arrived in the Philippines in January 1868 with Bishop of Caceres, Most Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., the founder of the Colegio through the royal order of Queen Isabella II of Spain. The school was inaugurated on April 12, 1869. It achieved its university status in 2001.
The school houses the Museo Historico de la Universidad de Santa Isabel.
The historical museum exhibits relating the beginnings of the USI, the spread of Catholicism in Nueva Caceres (Naga City), and experiences during the Second World War until the present. Seven galleries feature the University as it passes through the years. (Ref: Universidad de Sta. Isabel – Wikipedia)
Did you know?
USI, then known as Colegio de Santa Isabel, became the first Normal School for Girls in the Philippines and in the Far East on September 18, 1875. One hundred students (one from each of the 100 towns of Caceres) underwent a three-year Normal School Program.
In 1898, Colegio became the seat of the government organizaed by then Corporal Elias Angeles, a member of the Guardia Civil, who was one of the leaders of the rebellion against the Spanish colonizers. It was also at the colegio where Gov. Vicente Zal;dion signed the capitulation papers ending Spanish rule in the Bicol Region.
