General Information
General Information
The seal of San Beda College Alabang is a visual representation of the institution’s identity, heritage, and guiding principles. Each element embodies values deeply rooted in the Catholic and Benedictine tradition, reflecting the College’s mission to nurture faith, knowledge, and virtue.
The cross signifies Christianity, underscoring the College’s identity as a Catholic educational institution grounded in the teachings of Christ. The Latin word PAX, meaning “peace,” represents the Benedictine motto and the enduring mission of the Benedictine monks who administer and guide the institution.
The fountain symbolizes the school as the “fountain of wisdom,” the source of enlightenment and learning for its academic community. The two doves drinking from the fountain embody the students of San Beda College Alabang, who draw from the wellspring of knowledge and formation provided by the institution.
The waves of water signify the College’s geographical proximity to Laguna de Bay, symbolizing life, continuity, and growth. The tower and the sea lion, drawn from the heraldic seal of the City of Manila, honor the historical and spiritual connection of San Beda College Alabang to San Beda College Manila and the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, from which it traces its Benedictine roots.
The College’s motto, Fides, Scientia, et Virtus—Faith, Knowledge, and Virtue—encapsulates the holistic formation that San Beda College Alabang seeks to impart to its learners, integrating spiritual depth, intellectual excellence, and moral integrity.
The Origin of Our Lady of Montserrat and the Benedictine Presence in the Philippines
The image of Our Lady of Montserrat, originally known as La Jerosolimitana, is traditionally believed to have been created in Jerusalem during the early years of Christianity and later brought to Spain by the Bishop of Barcelona. During the Saracen invasion in the 7th century, the statue was transferred to a cave in Montserrat on April 22, 718, for safekeeping. It remained hidden for nearly two centuries until its rediscovery in 890, following reports of mysterious lights and singing witnessed by shepherds on the mountainside.
When the Benedictine monks established their monastery on Mount Montserrat, it was said that the statue could not be moved from its location. Consequently, the monastery was constructed around it, giving rise to what is now one of the most revered Marian shrines in the world. The image is enshrined within a golden altar and continues to serve as a major pilgrimage site. Pope Leo XIII declared Our Lady of Montserrat as the Patroness of Catalonia, and the present shrine was completed in 1954.
The Benedictine presence in the Philippines originated from the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain. The first group of Benedictine monks arrived in Manila on September 12, 1895, under the leadership of the Right Reverend José Deas y Villar, OSB, Abbot of their monastic community and founder of the Benedictine mission in the Philippines. This marked the beginning of the Benedictine Order’s enduring commitment to education, faith formation, and service in the country.
The Life of Saint Benedict
The primary source on the life of Saint Benedict of Nursia is found in Book II of the Dialogues of Pope Saint Gregory the Great,written between 593 and 594 A.D.
Saint Benedict was born in Nursia (Norcia) around 480 A.D., shortly before the fall of the Western Roman Empire. After receiving his early education in Norcia, he pursued studies in Rome. Disillusioned by the moral decline and instability of the city, he withdrew to Affile, where he lived a life of simplicity and prayer.
Following his first recorded miracle at Affile, he chose to live as a hermit in a cave near Subiaco, supported by a monk named Romanus. His solitude attracted followers, and his reputation for holiness led to the foundation of several monastic communities in the area.
Later, Saint Benedict established twelve monasteries in Subiaco and eventually moved to
Monte Cassino around 529 A.D., where he founded the monastery that became the cradle of Western monasticism. It was there that he composed the Rule of Saint Benedict, a document that provided the framework for communal monastic life in the Western Church.
Saint Benedict’s legacy endures through the spread of the Benedictine Order, whose principles of prayer, work, and community life—summarized in the motto Ora et Labora—continue to shape Christian education and spirituality throughout the world.
The Life and Legacy of Saint Bede (San Beda) the Venerable
Saint Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735) is recognized as one of the most learned scholars of the early medieval Church and the only English Doctor of the Church. Born near the twin monasteries of Saint Peter and Saint Paul at Wearmouth-Jarrow, England, he was entrusted to the monastic community at the age of three, where he was educated under Abbots Benedict Biscop and Ceolfrid. Bede entered monastic life, was ordained a deacon at nineteen, and a priest at thirty.
He dedicated his entire life to study, teaching, and writing within the monastery, producing a vast body of work encompassing Scripture, theology, history, natural philosophy, astronomy, grammar, and hagiography. His most celebrated work, the Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum (Ecclesiastical History of the English People), completed in 731 A.D., remains a foundational source for the study of early English Christianity and history.
Bede authored approximately forty-five works, including biblical commentaries and scientific treatises, demonstrating both intellectual depth and spiritual devotion. His scholarship earned widespread respect, and even during his lifetime, his writings were publicly read by order of a Church council. Known as “the Venerable Bede” for his wisdom and sanctity—a title formally recognized at the Council of Aachen in 853—he is regarded as the “Father of English History” and the first to use the Anno Domini (A.D.) dating system.
Saint Bede remained in the monastery until his death on May 25, 735, completing a translation of the Gospel of Saint John into English shortly before he died. His life exemplified the Benedictine spirit of prayer, study, and service, leaving a lasting legacy of faith and learning in the Church and in Western scholarship.
Devotion to the Santo Niño de Praga
The Benedictine monks in the Philippines are recognized as the foremost promoters of the devotion to the Santo Niño de Praga (Holy Infant of Prague). The statue presently enshrined in their finely crafted ciderwood retablo was carved in 1909 by the renowned Filipino santero Máximo Vicente Sr.
The devotion to the Child Jesus holds a special place in Philippine religious culture, most prominently observed during the nationwide festivities every January. Among these, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu stands out, venerating the Santo Niño de Cebú, an image historically linked to the Holy Infant of Prague. This image was presented by Ferdinand Magellan as a baptismal gift to Princess Humamay—later baptized as Doña Juana of Spain—and continued to be venerated by the local people long after Magellan’s expedition departed.
In Manila, the San Miguel District, where San Beda College is located, honors the Santo Niño under the title Santo Niño de Praga. The annual celebration, known as the “Frolics,” is held on the last weekend of January and is marked by a solemn procession of the Holy Infant’s image through the district, culminating in a High Mass. This tradition continues to reflect the enduring Benedictine devotion to the Holy Child and the deep-rooted faith of the Filipino people.
The Ten Hallmarks of Benedictine Education
In 2007, Benedictine educators identified ten core values drawn from The Rule of Saint Benedict as essential to the character and mission of Benedictine educational institutions. These hallmarks—love, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline, humility, stewardship, hospitality, and community—define the transformative approach to learning and formation in Benedictine schools. The Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities (ABCU) formally endorsed these values to serve as guiding principles for all Benedictine educational communities.
1. Love of Christ and Neighbor
The foundation of Benedictine life and education is love—of God, of learning, and of one another. San Beda College Alabang fosters a faith-based community that models Christ’s compassion and respect for all, especially the marginalized, promoting mutual support and understanding.
2. Prayer: A Life Marked by Liturgy, Lectio, and Mindfulness
Prayer anchors Benedictine life. San Beda College Alabang nurtures the spiritual life of its members through daily Masses, retreats, recollections, and the celebration of Benedictine feasts, encouraging mindfulness and reflection in both academic and personal pursuits.
3. Stability: Commitment to Community and Tradition
Stability emphasizes loyalty and perseverance within one’s community. The Bedan community upholds enduring relationships among students, alumni, faculty, and staff, demonstrating unity and resilience through continued engagement in the institution’s mission.
4. Conversatio: Lifelong Formation and Transformation
Conversatio represents continuous growth and conversion of life. San Beda College Alabang promotes holistic personal and professional development, encouraging members to embrace change, seek improvement, and persevere in faith and excellence despite challenges.
5. Obedience: Listening and Responding with Integrity
Obedience, rooted in the Latin audire (“to listen”), calls for attentiveness and openness to truth.
The College provides venues for dialogue, academic inquiry, and discernment, fostering responsible decision-making grounded in respect and wisdom.
6. Discipline: The Path to Learning and Freedom
Discipline allows the proper ordering of priorities and the pursuit of excellence. At San Beda College Alabang, academic rigor and moral formation are balanced by a disciplined environment that cultivates responsibility, perseverance, and self-mastery.
7. Humility: Knowledge of Self Before God and Others14
Humility calls for self-awareness and reliance on God. The Bedan community values collaboration, teamwork, and openness to learning from others, recognizing that wisdom grows through shared effort and respect for diverse abilities.
8. Stewardship: Responsible Use of Resources
Benedictine stewardship promotes care for creation and responsible use of material and cultural resources. San Beda College Alabang upholds sustainable practices and responsible resource management, ensuring that all gifts are used for the common good.
9. Hospitality: Openness to the Other
Hospitality extends Christ-like welcome to all. The College embraces diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that every member—regardless of background—is received with respect and compassion, and that special concern is shown to the poor, sick, and marginalized.
10. Community: Service for the Common Good
Community life is the hallmark of Benedictine education. San Beda College Alabang cultivates a spirit of cooperation and service, forming members who act for the good of others and who participate actively in the Church, the nation, and the global community.
Key Areas of Focus for Holistic Growth
As a Catholic Benedictine institution committed to serving the Lord, San Beda College prioritizes seven strategic areas to guide its pursuit of educational excellence:
1. Evangelization through Authentic Witness
The school fosters a faith authentically lived through the example of faculty, staff, and students. Active participation in the sacramental life of the Church—especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—nurtures spiritual growth, while promoting moral conversion strengthens personal development grounded in Catholic values.
2. Curriculum Development Amid Cultural and Technological Shifts
In response to rapid societal change, the curriculum is continuously updated to integrate modern technologies, global perspectives, and cultural relevance. This ensures that students are prepared to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
3. Quality Management Systems
Effective stewardship—both financial and environmental—is central to the school’s operations. San Beda employs comprehensive management systems that focus on responsible budgeting, ecological care, and efficient administration to ensure institutional stability and sustainable growth.
4. High-Quality Research Outputs
Academic excellence is strengthened through a vibrant research culture that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. Faculty and students are supported in producing meaningful research that advances knowledge and addresses real-world challenges.
5. A Highly Engaged and Responsive Organization (HERO)
San Beda College Alabang cultivates an active engagement with all stakeholders—including students, parents, alumni, and partners—ensuring that leadership remains agile, transparent, and socially responsible.
6. Community Extension Programs
The school promotes local and global partnerships, encouraging volunteerism and initiatives that foster unity, collaboration, and mutual support beyond the campus community.
7. Promotion of Culture and the Arts
Recognizing the holistic nature of education, San Beda champions creativity through arts education, cultural celebrations, and dedicated creative spaces. These efforts enrich the student experience and honor diversity, tradition, and Catholic values.
San Beda’s comprehensive approach integrates rigorous academics with spiritual formation and proactive community engagement. By emphasizing evangelization, curricular relevance, organizational excellence, research, community outreach, and cultural appreciation, San Beda College Alabang serves as a beacon of faith, learning, and service to society.
