The life of the founder of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation is a
remarkable story of perseverance, vision, and service. Dr. Manuel Sarmiento
Enverga was born on January 1, 1909 in Mauban, Quezon, the youngest of
seven children of a middle class family1. He excelled in his studies from
elementary to college, earning scholarships and honors along the way. He
graduated from the Philippine Law School and passed the bar exam with high
grades in 19371. He also studied music at the University of the Philippines and
foreign service at the University of Santo Tomas..
Dr. Enverga married Rosario Lopez in 1940 and they had four children: Wilfrido,
Jazmin, Naila, and Manuel Jr. He had a successful law practice and was a part
owner of a school in Manila before the Second World War broke out. He
evacuated his family to Lucena and then to Mauban during the war. He resumed
his law practice and his studies after the war. He also represented the Philippines
in an international conference in New Delhi, India in 1947, where he met with
prominent Asian leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Dr. Enverga founded the Luzonian Colleges in Lucena City on February 11, 1947
to provide access to higher education for needy students, especially war
veterans. He started with a two-year Associate in Arts program and a secretarial
course, and later expanded to offer secondary, education, commerce, law,
engineering, architecture, graduate studies, and technical courses. He also
established satellite campuses in Sampaloc, Catanauan, and San Antonio in
Quezon Province. The Luzonian Colleges attained full university status on
August 8, 1968 and became a foundation on February 12, 19702.
Dr. Enverga also served as a congressman for the first district of Quezon for 16
years (1953-1969), where he chaired the committees on education and foreign
affairs. He was instrumental in passing several laws that benefited his
constituents and the nation. He was also active in civic and religious
organizations such as the Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus, and the
Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.
Dr. Enverga passed away on June 14, 1981 at the age of 721. He left behind a
legacy of excellence, empowerment, and service that continues to inspire
generations of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members of
Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation. The university was renamed in his
honor in 1983 to recognize his generosity and leadership.