History[edit]
Early history[edit]
The Divine Word College of Legazpi was originally Liceo de Albay, a diocesan parochial
school for boys owned and managed by Rev. Fr. Juan Carullo, a retired Army Chaplain and a
native of Malinao, Albay. When he left the military service, his retirement pay and other
personal wealth was invested in a school which he founded. At the beginning, the school
was an exclusive high school for boys (St. Agnes was the exclusive high school for girls).
In 1952, a very strong typhoon hitting Albay badly damaged the Liceo de Albay. Around this
time, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) was looking for a place to put up a school in the
province. Fr. Joseph Bates, SVD, negotiated with the Bishop of Albay for the SVD acquisition
of the Liceo de Albay, amidst the school's financial difficulties.
In 1959, the formal transfer of ownership and management was effected for around Php
30,000.00. Reconstruction of the school began with Fr. Bates' personal funds as well as
money from his family and friends and from the United States of America. With the SVDs
and Bates now in Legazpi City, many people from his old assignment in Bohol were brought
to help him build and run the Liceo de Albay.
When the Bicol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS) was formed, Bates was chosen as its
chairman. Bates met Fr. Honesto Moraleda, who was then parish priest of St. Michael Parish
in Oas, Albay through the activities of the BACS. He invited Moraleda become the first high
school principal of the school with the permission of then Bishop Flaviano B. Ariola. Bates
was the director.
The 1960s[edit]
In 1965, Divine Word High School became Divine Word College of Legazpi. Its formation was
made possible with the combined efforts of Bishop Nestor C. Cariño, Msgr. Jose Molina,
Msgr. Jose Diokno, Msgr. Ralph Salazar and Msgr. Honesto Moraleda. Its recognition as a
high school was given by the Bureau of Private Schools. The school first director was Fr.
Joseph L. Bates, SVD, while the first principal was Fr. Honesto A. Moraleda.
The faculty members included Protacio Borlagdan, Ruperta Ungay (later Altabano), Lydia
Platon and Jun Peñalosa, Antonio Laurora, Arnulfo Cabredo, Arles Navara, Miss Ongcoy,
Trinidad Navea, Josaphat Clidoro.
In 1965, the first college courses were opened with the following enrollment:

Commerce: 73

BSE: 16

BSEED: 92

AB: 51

Secretarial: 7
Total: 239 students
In 1969, it produced its first batch of graduates in Commerce, Education, High School and
Elementary.
The 1970s[edit]
In 1971, a tie-up with St. Gregory the Great Seminary was forged to enable the graduates
from its Minor Seminary of Tabaco to pursue the college level. The AB Department, thus,
offered A.B. Philosophy. In 1974, a two-year Accounting Aide and Salesmanship was offered
followed by the Civil Engineering course in 1976. In 1978, the Graduate School opened with a
Masters in Business Administration course.
The 1980s to 1990s[edit]
In 1981, the first batch of Civil Engineering graduates passed the Board Examination with a
passing score of 91.6%. In 1983, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports(DECS)
Region V recognized the DWCL as the "Center for Commerce/Business Education." By
school year 1983-1984, computer subjects were integrated into the Commerce curriculum.
By 1984, the DWCL produced its first topnotcher and 4th placers in the Junior Geodetic
Engineering Board Exams. By SY 1984-1985, DWCL became the pilot center for "Associate in
Commercial Science - Government Accounting and Auditing," a three-year course. In 1985,
it became a CPA Review Center. By 1987, the two Education courses, BEED and BSE, which
were temporarily closed were re-opened. In 1988, the College again produced a first placer
in Civil Engineering given by the PRC. In 1989, an award was bestowed by the DECS region V
as "Center of Development of Commerce and Business Education."
By 1993, the bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Computer Secretarial Courses were
opened. In 1994, the Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Administration (BSSA) was likewise
opened. Due to the clamor for new offerings, in the second semester of school year
1995-1996, DWCL offered Masters in Public Management (MPM) and Master in Business
Education (MBE). In 1997, the Commerce Department added Entrepreneurship as one of the
majors for B.S. Commerce. In the same year, the Accountancy Department produced a 9th
placer in the CPA Board Exam. By the end of 1999, DWCL had produced nine Board placers.
Recent history[edit]
Mercy Rebua was adjudged one of the "Ten Outstanding Rizal Model Students of the
Philippines of the Millennium." The award was given on December 23, 2000 at the
headquarters of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in Manila.
Various students had also received multiple recognitions and awards from different local,
national and international organizations and events.