The Philippine Junior College

http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/FEDO/FEDO19321201-V21-12__B.pdf#view=fit

FED Outlook, Vol 21, No 12, Dec 1932, pp 3-4

The Philippine Junior College

Its Past and Present and Needs for the Immediate Future

By Prof. L. M. STUMP

President

Fifteen years ago the institution now known as the Philippine Junior College came into being as a small academy carrying twelve grades of work. The first year, the total enrollment was thirty-six students. The main building where the classes were conducted was used also as a dormitory, kitchen, and dining hall.

The establishment of an academy at that time was a great undertaking for the brethren. But under the blessing of God, it grew to such proportion that it finally became necessary to find a new location where more buildings could be erected, new industries developed, and more students accommodated.

For several years the brethren looked for a favorable site of land. At last a tract of land containing sixty-five acres, lying about six miles from Manila was purchased. It is an unusually beautiful site and is proving quite satisfactory as a location.

Several years before this new site was purchased, the school was advanced to a junior college. It is the only school of its kind to train workers for this vast field. All here are desirous that this school shall be fully prepared to be a real training center, a mighty fortress for the youth of the Philippine Islands who thirst for a greater knowledge.

In his article in the Asia magazine on "A Friendly Estimate of the Filipinos," Dr. David P. Barrows states that though the Filipino is slight of build, yet few excel him in agility, suppleness, and dexterity; and that he has quick perceptions, retentive memory, aptitude and extraordinary docility. In fact he says, he is one of the most teachable of persons and it is astonishing how quickly he can possess himself of the more obvious aspects of a problem.

Indeed it is difficult to find anywhere a group of young people who are finer, happier and more contented than our boys and girls. Well has an army officer expressed the thought when he said, "There must be something in the kind of education you Seventh-day Adventists are giving your young people. For wherever I go, I notice that your young men are the best and the most intelligent looking persons in the whole Philippines."

About seventy-five per cent of the graduates in this school have gone into the denominational work. Our work in this field has grown like a mushroom and the problem of leadership has become a serious one. The field is looking to the College to supply this need, and to lay definite plans to conserve the fifteen thousand members that we have here.

There are gathered here in this College some of the finest of the Filipino youth. They are serious, intelligent and enthusiastic. Their ambition is to be of service in the work of the Lord. One realizes the spirit of consecration that actuates them when he knows that many of them are willing to do the most menial and tiresome work in order to finish their education. We firmly believe that from this College will come students who stand persecution and trial; yes, even death for the cause that they hold dear.

The religious activities are at a premium at the Philippine Junior College. The Week of Prayer is a welcome season, and vesper service is much the best time of all the week.

Really, I believe that these young people here appreciate vespers and church privileges far better than many of our youth in the homeland.

The College is also noted for its successful campaigns. Harvest Ingathering, Big Week, and those having to do with the special needs of the school are inspiring to those who are engaged in them, for the students are enthusiastic and successful.

If work could only be provided whereby the students could earn a large portion of their own way, the College might not possibly contain all those who would come. They are not asking help, only to be given an opportunity to work a portion of their way through school. With sufficient funds to start several industries, many of these young people could obtain an education, and the work could be advanced more rapidly.

Buildings have been erected on the new site from stone quarried not far from the school. A similar type of architecture has been used throughout giving a good appearance to the campus. The Administration Building stands in the center with the dormitories, dining hall, science, and normal buildings surrounding it. But in several of these buildings, we have no ceilings, no windows, and no doors.

The roof is constructed of corrugated iron, and without ceilings the heat becomes almost unbearable at times.

During the rainy season, because of the lack of windows, the students and teachers have to vacate certain rooms.

As we are now operating under government recognition, it becomes necessary that we come up to the standard in buildings, teaching staff, laboratory equipment, library books, and general facilities, thus making it quite expensive to run the school.

Just now because of the crowded conditions in the dormitories, each of which is divided into two large rooms where all are associated together, it is very desirous that a small building of two or three rooms be erected where the sick may be isolated for the time from the noise and contact of the other students and receive proper treatment.

In it all, we are endeavoring to maintain a high spiritual condition in the school. 

As the late Professor Sevrens said, 

"This school stands for the principles of righteousness, those characteristics which pertain to the kingdom of God. Here young men and women are taught to consider that a character which is moulded after that of Christ is to be desired above all earthly ambitions and rewards."

We are glad to say that more than two hundred students have already been converted and baptized during their stay in this school.