History of Olivarez College

Olivarez College is a private, non–sectarian, and stock–profit educational institution conceived and established in the belief that providing educational opportunities for the masses is the best legacy one can offer to the Filipino nation and the world.

Olivarez College is a family–owned educational institution committed to the intellectual, cultural, moral and physical development of its students. It also envisions the enhancement of the welfare and social well–being of the community. The school is dedicated to the youth of the land in eager search for educational opportunities and challenges for responsible citizenship and leadership by developing the potentials of the youth to the end of fruition of their learned skills and competencies, thus, enabling them to become assets of the nation and global community.

Olivarez College witnessed its birth in Dr. Arcadio Santos Avenue, Sucat Road, Parañaque City in April 30, 1976 through the efforts of the Olivarez spouses, Dr. Pablo R. Olivarez and Dra. Rosario L. Olivarez. Being medical practitioners who were aware of the great demand for nurses in the Philippines and abroad, they first established the Olivarez School of Nursing.

Originally, the school was situated in a one–hectare four–storey building wherein the first floor was used as the canteen, the second floor as the nursing laboratory and classrooms, the third floor as the library and the fourth floor as the dormitory.

Together with Mrs. Araceli Adriano, Mrs. Marilou I. Aguirre, Mrs. Ruth Gloria, Mrs. Petronilia Ignacio, Mrs. Teresita R. Oris, and five (5) faculty members, the school opened its door for its eighty–four (84) enrollees.

The year 1977 marked a dramatic increase in the students' enrollment. This triggered the offering of additional academic courses and programs like Liberal Arts and other vocational courses. Olivarez School of Nursing was later named Olivarez Junior College with Mrs. Petronilia Ignacio acting as the first Academic Vice President.

More departments were established in the year 1978. These were the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Commerce and other paramedic courses. The Elementary Department with the kindergarten and grade one classes were also set–up.

The school began accepting first and second year high school students in school year 1979 – 1980. It also started to offer complete elementary courses from grade one to six. The Academic Council was organized which was composed of the Executive Vice President, Dean of the College Department and the department heads. Third and fourth high school students were admitted in the following year. It was also in 1980 that the school named itself Olivarez College.

Dr. Pablo Olivarez purchased a two–hectare land adjacent to Olivarez General Hospital. This became the present site of the two–storey high school building, which was completed in 1979, and the four–storey college building which construction was finished in 1980.

Quality education has always been a thrust of the school. Thus, in October 1990, the school formally wrote the Philippine Association for Colleges and Universities on Accreditation (PACUCOA) requesting the said group of accreditors to orient the school administration regarding the process of accreditation. The PACUCOA team came in February 1991 for a consultation meeting with the administration, faculty and staff.

Level 1 accreditation status was formally awarded to the College of Liberal Arts and Commerce in July 1992. the College of Nursing joined the two colleges in the Level 1 accreditation status on September 8, 1992. On May 28, 1993, the departments of Commerce and Liberal Arts were granted by PACUCOA their Level II accreditation status. The College of Nursing followed on February 7, 1997. Level II re–accreditation status was granted to the College of Liberal Arts and Commerce on December 1998. At present, the College of Liberal Arts, and College of Commerce enjoy Level II 2 nd re–accreditation and College of Nursing enjoys a Level II 1 st re–accreditation status under PACUCOA.

Significantly, a four–storey structure especially intended for the elementary and high school departments has risen after its building was formally completed in June 1995. At present, the Basic Education building contains its own cafeteria, home economics, practical arts, science and computer laboratories, audio–visual room, libraries, offices and classrooms.

In February 2002, the Grade School and High School Departments were awarded Level 1 status from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

In 2003, five (5) indoor tennis courts, indoor swimming pool and five (5) indoor badminton courts were constructed.

In the same year, the Board of Trustees decided to put up another campus in Tagaytay City. Olivarez College-Tagaytay, according to Dr. Pablo Olivarez,, would serve as an agent for the strategic development of Tagaytay City with education as the key to the advancement of the educational, cultural, moral, economic and social well–being of the community.

The courses being offered in Olivarez College-Tagaytay are Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Business Management, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Associate in Health Science Education, Associate in Computer Technician, six-month Health Care Giver, three-month Home Management.

From the time of its birth up to the present, Olivarez College has continued to serve the educational needs of its students making every Olivarian proud of their Alma Mater!