HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION

Francisca de Fuentes was born to Don Simon de Fuentes and Doña Ana Maria del Castillo y Tamayo in the City of Manila in 1647. Francisca grew up to be a fine lady; and she was given in marriage to a gentleman who, by the inscrutable design of God, did not live long, leaving her a childless young widow.
Francisca then dedicated her time to prayer and social service helping many poor and sick in the city. In a vision in which she saw St. Francis and St. Dominic, she prostrated herself before St. Dominic. Because of this, she chose to be a Dominican, being admitted as a tertiary in 1682. She chose the name “Francisca del Espritu Santo.”
In 1686, Francisca, Antonia de Jesus Esguerra, Maria Ana de Fuentes (blood sister of Mother Francisca), and Sebastiana Salcedo requested that they be allowed to live together in a life of prayer and the practice of the virtues while continuing their social apostolate. After a brief hesitation, their request was sent to the Master General of the Order of Preachers in Rome, who approved it on January 11, 1688.
Meanwhile, the erstwhile Director of the Third Order, Fr. Juan de Santa Maria, who favored the request of the ladies, was assigned to Bataan, and Fr. Juan de Santo Domingo was assigned in his place. The new Director was against the project and the proposal was laid aside. Mother Francisca and her companions were deeply dismayed, but Mother Sebastiana prophesied that although she and Mother Antonia would not live to see it, the Beaterio would be a reality.
Mother Francisca was progressively maturing spiritually, and her desire for serving the needy grew more and more. The desire for the realization of the Beaterio also grew more intense so that one day, after confession, she opened once more the subject to Fr. Juan de Santo Domingo, and she got scolded for her “impertinence.” But bravely, she told Fr. Juan with a tone of prophecy: “Father Prior, the beaterio will be established, and Your Reverence will see it.”
Fr. Juan de Santo Domingo was enlightened and became one of the powerful supporters of the Beaterio project. Under his direction, Mother Francisca and her companions lived at first in the house of Mother Antonia de Jesus Esguerra who had by then died.
On the feast of St. Anne in 1696, the Beaterio was formally established with Fr. Juan de Santo Domingo, then Provincial, presiding and on this joyful occasion, Mother Francisca was appointed first and founding Prioress for life. The first community consisted of Mother Francisca, Mother Maria del Espiritu Santo, Mother Juana de la Santisima Trinidad, Mother Lorenza de Jesus Maria, and Mother Rosa de Santa Maria. The community was placed under the patronage of St. Catherine of Siena, and was accepted in the Provincial Chapter of 1698.

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HISTORY OF SIENA COLLEGE QC

True to its mission to “participate in the evangelizing mission of the Church by proclaiming Jesus Christ and building the Kingdom of God” (Congregational Mission Statement), the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena has zealously established schools throughout the country and abroad.  In the mid-fifties, the idea of setting up another school within the compound of the Motherhouse located in the then rugged fields of San Francisco del Monte was conceived.  It was in response to the educational needs of the growing community in the area.  At that time, the entire place looked like a God-forsaken country, and it took the unfaltering courage and foresight of Rev. Natividad Pilapil, O.P., the Superior General of the Congregation, to start the construction of the first building along Del Monte Avenue in 1958.

At the opening of the school year 1959-1960, Siena College opened its doors to 500 students who enrolled in the grade school, high school and college departments. The courses offered then in the college were Bachelor of Science in Arts, Commerce and Education, Secretarial and Home Arts. From then on, the Siena College community of administrators, faculty, personnel, students and parents grew not only in number, but also in wisdom, grace and in the spirit of service to the larger community.  Soon enough, it gained prestige and wide recognition as a reputable Catholic school.

In 1972, responding to the needs and demands of the time for a kind of service education that would address the problems of unemployment and school dropouts, Siena College phased out the traditional four-year courses and retained only the Secretarial and Special Home Arts courses.  In lieu of these, terminal courses were offered and the ladder-type curriculum was adopted.  These courses were Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Secretarial Administration, Food Service Administration, Junior Secretarial Course, Food Technology, Practical Entrepreneurship, Hotel and Restaurant Management, General Clerical Course and Tourism.

At this time, too, the grade school adopted the innovative program called the Individualized Group-Guided Education (IGGE).

In 1974, fully aware of its responsibility to be an agent of change, Siena College adopted policies, measures and procedures to improve and upgrade the quality of its service.  To insure improvement, the school underwent two self-surveys:  one during the school year 1974-75 and the other during the school year 1976-77.  The Council on Education of the Congregation conducted these surveys.  As a result of these, a strong interest on the part of the administration and staff to apply for accreditation was aroused.  The Education Council of the institution unanimously approved of the plan.

The school year 1977-78 marked a more thorough and rigid operational self-survey using the PAASCU (Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities) tools for evaluation.  The three departments of Siena College underwent the PAASCU preliminary surveys during the school year 978-79.  The following year, the drive for improvement and development was carried on unhesitatingly and after a successful formal survey by the PAASCU, the grade school and the high school departments, as well as the college program of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration were granted accreditation for a period of three years.

In 1980, the Congregation, through the General Chapter, approved the program of development for all its schools.  This program is the Catholic Schools-Systems Development (CS-SD).   A very unique and highly systematized program, the CS-SD consists of different phases of continuing development for Catholic schools with emphasis on the formation of personnel into other Christ through a radical living of the Gospel and the improvement of educational services through Christ-like operations.  Siena College entered the program immediately after its formation by the Congregation.  The Program, as adopted, came to be known as OP-SSD (Order of Preachers-Schools Systems Development Program).  The congregational Council on Education facilitated its implementation.

In October 1982, the three departments of Siena College underwent the first Congregational Evaluation Visit (CEV), which is part of the CS-SD program.  It looked into how the school’s instructional program and operations are in consonance with the congregational mission and charism.  In February of the same school year, 1982-83, the college and high school departments had their PAASCU re-accreditation visits, successfully passed it and were given an accredited status for five years.  The grade school had its re-accreditation visit last August 1983 and was also given a five-year accredited status.  The three departments were visited and surveyed again during the school year 1988-89 and were again granted accreditation for another five years.  The three departments again passed the resurvey visits during the school years 1994-95 and 2000-2001 successfully.  Being a member of the PAASCU is recognition and an acknowledgement of the school’s commitment to quality education.

Siena College turned forty in 1999 (1959-1999). Inspired by the richness of her history and challenged by the call of the Church to respond to the three aims of the Great Jubilee Year 2000, she embarked on a year long Ruby celebration with the theme: “Towards New Directions.

Siena College has committed itself to the task of continuing, with consistent efforts, the work of development and improvement for quality Christian education that will bring to fruition its vision, mission and goals.  The following new programs were opened in 2003: the Caregiver course to enhance the development of skilled human resources in the health, social and other community development services and the Special Education Program to provide conducive learning environment and facilities for special children.  In 2004, the Night High School Program was opened to accommodate the needs of poor public elementary school graduates.  The school through its programs has shown deep commitment to the formation and development of a community of disciples who are “maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-bayan at maka-buhay.”  As a PAASCU member since 1980, Siena College, QC was granted again five-year re-accreditation status to the three departments in AY 2005-2006.

Siena College, QC is celebrating its golden jubilee with the theme: “SCQC @ 50: Being Blest… Blessing Others … Moving On.”  Guided by the ideals of St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena and Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo, the school will always be vigilant in pursuing the goals of a truly Christian, Dominican and Filipino education.

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O U R  V I S I O N - M I S S I O N  S T A T E M E N T

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SCQC Facilities

Web Portal

This state of the art facility is located at the lobby of the main entrance of SCQC. It features high performance computers with hi-speed internet access to allow students the most convenient means for accessing information. This web portal or internet hub serves as a gateway to unlimited information and learning opportunities for students to conduct research and study. Research has been considered as one of the key factors in determining students’ performance and learning development. With this facility, students possess the world of information at the tip of their fingers, literally.

Sped Computer Lab

This is another state-of-the-art technology facility where students can enjoy the privilege to learn the best education not only in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), but also in other subjects like Math, Science and English through technology integration. Effective instructions have already evolved to make learning more exciting, rewarding, and more convenient through the help of technology.

Alumni Affairs

This newly renovated Alumni Affairs Office serves to express the emphasis on the importance of alumni's involvement, support and commitment in school activities and affairs ie homecoming, fundraising, policy making, to name a few. This office is a platform where generous donors and alumni can make a difference to the school community and make their voice heard through open communications and support system.

Airconditioned Classrooms

All classrooms are installed with air-conditioning units to provide maximum comfort and learning atmosphere that is conducive to the students. The structured electrical system upgrade of the entire campus, though intangible yet costly, was prioritized and implemented to serve the best interest of every student, safety.

GS Library

This GS Library, like the other two renovated HS & College Libraries, was recently remodeled with luxurious and modern interior designs for wider space, increased student capacity and more appealing learning center for inducing students’ interest to visit the library for the supplementary learning activity. It also features a digital surveillance monitoring system, contributes to over 30,000 books in the school knowledge repository, OPAC, CD-Roms, and supplementary digests and magazines for more substantial research and reference materials. Now students look forward to spending more time in the library as part of their quest for knowledge. The HS library is located at the 3rd floor of the main school building.

HS Library

This HS Library, like the other two renovated GS & College Libraries, was recently remodeled with luxurious and modern interior designs for wider space, increased student capacity and more appealing learning center for inducing students’ interest to visit the library for the supplementary learning activity. It also features a digital surveillance monitoring system, contributes to over 30,000 books in the school knowledge repository, OPAC, CD-Roms, and supplementary digests and magazines for more substantial research and reference materials. Now students look forward to spending more time in the library as part of their quest for knowledge. The HS library is located at the 3rd floor of the main school building.

College Library

This College Library, like the other two renovated GS & HS Libraries, was recently remodeled with luxurious and modern interior designs for wider space, increased student capacity and more appealing learning center for inducing students’ interest to visit the library for the supplementary learning activity. It also features a digital surveillance monitoring system, contributes to over 30,000 books in the school knowledge repository, OPAC, CD-Roms, and supplementary digests and magazines for more substantial research and reference materials. Now students look forward to spending more time in the library as part of their quest for knowledge. The HS library is located at the 3rd floor of the main school building.

GS PC Lab

This is another state-of-the-art technology facility where students can enjoy the privilege to learn the best education not only in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), but also in other subjects like Math, Science and English through technology integration. Effective instructions have already evolved to make learning more exciting, rewarding, and more convenient through the help of technology.

Siena Hall

This prestigious hall has time and again echoes the liberating voices of the free-spirited and greatest of minds. It also stages priceless moments none other than some of the most treasured events in our life – graduation ceremonies, holidays and feasts, ballroom parties, tributary theatrical plays and the likes.

Chappel

This prominent chapel has served countless ceremonial and spiritual needs of the community through time with its combination of sacredness and welcoming atmosphere that embraces all people from different walks of life. Indeed priceless memories are here to stay for eternity.

Swimming Pool

This elegantly designed pool provides students with refreshing relaxation and learning opportunities. The comfortable ambiance makes it a very luxurious place for students to engage in a variety of school activities. It also features polycarbonate roofing to protect students from harmful UV rays while allowing breezy wind to keep the place heavenly.

Gym

A newly constructed 2-storey building houses this beautiful gymnasium that provides a vibrant and energetic space for students to engage in athletic activities for the nourishment and education of the body to complement a healthy mind and soul.

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It took the unfaltering courage and foresight of Rev. Mother Natividad Pilapil, OP,
the Superior General of the Congregation,
to start the construction of the first building along Del Monte Avenue in 1958.

At the opening of school 1959-1960, Siena College opened its doors to 500 students
who enrolled in the grade school, high school and college departments.