Colegio de San Juan de Letran

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran (transl. College of San Juan de Letran), also referred to by its acronym CSJL or simply, Letran, is a private Catholic coeducational basic and higher education institution owned and run by the friars of the Order of Preachers in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the Philippines and the oldest secondary institution in Asia.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran

Dalubhasaan ng San Juan de Letran (Filipino)
Latin: Ecclesiasticus Sancti Iohannis Lateranus Collegium Manilana
Former name	Colegio de Niños Huerfanos de San Juan de Letran (1620–1630)
Motto	Deus, Patria, Letran (Latin)
Motto in English	God, Fatherland, Letran
Type	Private non-profit Basic and Higher education institution
Established	1620; 405 years ago (1620)
Founder	Don Juan Alonso Geronimo Guerrero
Religious affiliation	Roman Catholic (Dominican)
Academic affiliations	Intramuros Consortium, PAASCU, CEAP
Chancellor	Very Rev. Fr. Gerard Timoner III, OP, SThL
Rector	Rev. Fr. Raymund Fernando Jose, OP
Location	151 Muralla Street Intramuros, Manila , Philippines 14°35′36″N 120°58′36″E / 14.5932°N 120.9766°E / 14.5932; 120.9766
Campus	Urban Main Intramuros, Manila Satellite Calamba, Laguna Abucay, Bataan Manaoag, Pangasinan
Alma Mater song	Himno del Colegio de Letran
Patron Saint	St. John the Baptist
Colors	Blue & red
Nickname	Letran Knights
Sporting affiliations	NCAA (Philippines)
Website	letran.edu.ph

The Colegio was given Level III accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Basic Education department, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), and College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA).

Letran remains in its original campus in Intramuros, Manila, and is a member of the Intramuros Consortium. It is a long-time member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

History

Beginnings

The name San Juan de Letran is derived from the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, considered as the Mother Church of Christendom. Early in the history of Letran, its chapel was granted many of the privileges enjoyed by the major basilica. Saint John the Baptist, for whom the basilica is named, is the patron saint of Letran.

The college was founded by Don Juan Geromino Guerrero in 1620, a retired Spanish officer and one of the Knights of Malta, in Intramuros as Colegio de Niños Huerfanos de San Juan de Letran. The school was intended to educate and mold orphans to be good Christian citizens.

Old San Juan de Letran in Intramuros adjacent to Santa catalina.

Around the same time, Fray Diego de Santa Maria, O.P. founded the Colegio de Huerfanos de San Pedro y San Pablo. As Don Guerrero grew old, the two schools were fused together, and in 1630, it simply became known as Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

18th century

In 1738, under the reign of King Philip V of Spain opened the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and University of Santo Tomas, and six scholarships were granted by the king for Chinese, Japanese, and Tonkinese students. Vicente Liem de la Paz, Letran's foremost alumnus, was among the students who enjoyed this scholarship taking up trivium and quadrivium along with four Tonkinese namely: Jose de Santo Tomas, Juan de Santo Domingo, Pedro Martir and Pedro de San Jacinto.

19th century

In May 1865, Letran was graded as a College of the First Class by royal decree ordered by Queen Isabella II and, as a result, the school population rose considerably.

In 1886, rector Fr. Bernardino Nozaleda re-organized the school's curriculum into the Lower, Middle, and Superior grades (Infima, Media y Superior) to conform to modern European and American teaching patterns.

20th century

Further expansion took place in 1894 and adjustments were made with the arrival of the Americans in 1900.

After celebrating its tricentennial, Letran was headed by the Rev. Fr. Martin Guillet O.P., who was tasked with replacing Letran's old infrastructure and constructing a new and modern building.

The new facilities were inaugurated and blessed by Rev. Fr. Martin Guillet O.P.. The new St. John the Baptist Building became the Colegio's main building and facade. These events were followed by the construction of the Elementary, High School and College buildings replacing the old structures respectively. The buildings were named after the Dominican founder and saints.

World War II

The growth of the Colegio was temporarily halted when the building was bombed in 1941 and turned into a garrison by the Japanese army in 1944. The Colegio was temporarily housed in the Dominican church and convent of San Juan del Monte. In school year 1942, classes were temporarily transferred to the Dominican Sanctuario of San Juan del Monte. After the war, Letran returned to its home in Intramuros and resumed operations in 1946. Several new construction projects were inaugurated to replace the old structures wrecked by the war.

First Filipino rector

The first Filipino rector and president of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran was Fr. Isidro Katigbak O.P., who served for four straight years. Letran has served by the majority of Spanish rectors and presidents for over 400 years. ^{[citation needed]}

Recent history

The school began accepting female students in its college department in the 1970s^{[citation needed]} while the basic education department started accepting first-year female enrollees in June 2005.

In April 2007, Fr. Tamerlane Lana O.P. was elected rector and president of Letran, of the Intramuros and Abucay campuses, by the board of trustees to serve a four-year term until April 2011. Fr. Lana became the 80th rector of the Manila campus. Fr. Lana's administration has undertaken the task of changing and upgrading the Colegio's academic standards to meet those required to attain university status. This work also includes the revision of the vision and mission, research development, community service, and the 12-year strategic plan for 2008 until 2020.

Starting academic year 2007–08, Letran became a "wi-fi zone" to cater its students access to the internet.

In October 2007, two former Letran administrators were among the 498 Spanish martyrs beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. They are Fr. Jesus Villaverde Andres, OP, a former rector; and Fr. Antonio Varona Ortega, OP, a former professor and moderator of the NCAA Philippines.

On July 3, 2008, Fr. Lana formally launched the Letran Center for Intramuros Studies (LCIS). The initiative to establish the center sprang from the 12-year development plan as the school hopes to become a leader in cultural and historical studies, particularly on the subject of Intramuros. The day also marked the 435th anniversary of the signing of the royal decree by King Philip II in San Lorenzo, Spain on July 3, 1573, that prescribed the foundation of Hispanic colonial towns, which served as basis for the systematic layout for the establishment of Intramuros, which was known then as Spanish Manila. In 2012, the College of Engineering and Information Technology, the youngest higher education unit, was established.

In June 2015, Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez, O.P. was elected 81st Rector and President of Letran Manila and Bataan.

In July 2023, Fr. Raymund Fernando P. Jose, O.P. was elected 82nd Rector and President of Letran Manila and Bataan.

Campus

St. John the Baptist Building

Also known as the administration building, it houses the office of the rector and president. It houses the admission office, financial affairs office, the Letran Center for Intramuros Studies (LCIS) office, guidance counselor office, the information technology center, College of Business Administration and Accountancy, College of Education, and the Institute of Information Technology. The bookstore, lobby, and chapel are also in this building. The St. John Lateran convent of the Letran Dominican Fathers is located here.

Our Lady of Aranzazu Building

The former St. Antoninus Building is dedicated in honor of Our Lady of Aranzazu, where the Arch-confraternity of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu was solemnly established in Letran on December 16, 1772, by virtue of a pontifical brief issued by Benedict XIV on September 18, 1748. It holds the promenade and Salon de Actos (student lounge).

The campus hosts a historical marker that the Philippines Historical Committee, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, installed in 1939 to denote the place of the establishment of the arch-confraternity.

St. Dominic de Guzman Building

The building who was named after the founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). This building houses classrooms, Science and Psychology Laboratory, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and The Institute of Communication.

St. Thomas Aquinas Building

This building houses the Library and Media Center for Communication Arts students. The Media Center has two sections: Instructional Media and Broadcast Media. It provides human and material resources for instructional and broadcast purposes.

St. Raymond of Peñafort Building

The former High School Building, St. Raymond of Peñafort houses the Office of the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs. It includes the Accounting Stock Room, Lost and Found Office, Hospitality Management Facility, Auxiliary Services, Audit Services, Letran Alumni Association Office, and the Center for Community Development Office. The school clinic is in this building.

St. Albert the Great Building

This building is also known as the Student Center Building because it houses student facilities such as the canteens, a modern 400-seat auditorium, Office of the Student Affairs, Letran Student Council Office, the Graduate School faculty room and student lounge, six SC classrooms, Thesis Section, The Lance Publication Office, and the Office of the Dean in Graduate School.

St. Vincent Ferrer Building

This building serves the basic education department, the College of Engineering and Information Technology, the music room, and the speech laboratory.

St. John Paul Solamo Building

It serves as the headquarters of maintenance and housekeeping of the Colegio.

Blessed Antonio Varona Gymnasium

It was the home of the Knights and Squires, Letran's collegiate and high school varsity teams that play in the NCAA and other sports tournaments, located right across the Student Center Building along Beaterio Street in Intramuros. Letran Gym has three physical education classrooms with a centralized air-conditioned unit. It houses the Letran Hall of Fame and the P.E. faculty. The Letran Gym is named in honor of Blessed Antonio Varona, OP, former Letran Professor and Athletics Moderator.

The old gym was demolished in April 2019 and will be replaced by the Quadricentennial Building, a multi-purpose sports facility.

Academics

College of Business Administration and Accountancy

The College of Business Administration and Accountancy offers a wide range of business courses especially in management. Letran's CBAA was known as the flagship college of the institution. The college produced many alumni and students who excelled in the field of business: one of these is the prominent Filipino businessman Enrique Zobel de Ayala^{[citation needed]} — the first patriarch of the Zobel de Ayala family.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Same as the CBAA, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or CLAS is the flagship college offering courses in the Colegio. Its Liberal Studies program offers required subjects in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Languages and Health, and Physical Education. It also offers majors in Communication Arts, Psychology, Political Science, AB Advertising, AB Public Relation, AB Journalism, and AB Broadcasting.

College of Education

The College of Education began as an area in the College of the Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education in 2002 with an initial enrollment of seventeen students and six teachers in its Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education program. In 2006, the education area separated to become an independent college.

College of Engineering and Information Technology

The Colegio started to offer engineering programs in 2012. With the transfer of the Institute of Information Technology, Letran established its youngest college, the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT). The CEIT currently offers four engineering programs and three specialization on the information technology program.

Institute of Information Technology

In 2003, Letran Manila was the first school to partner with Microsoft for the Microsoft IT Academy program in the Philippines. It is one of the academic institutions that offers a degree in Information Technology mapped with the premier certification from Microsoft. It began as an area in the College of the Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education. Starting A.Y. 2012–13, the Institute of Information Technology transferred to the College of Engineering.

Graduate school

The Professional School for Continuing Education in Business of the Letran Graduate School is located at the St. Albert the Great building.

Basic Education

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila has a Basic Education department that has been in existence for almost 400 years. Letran started as an all-boys school, then began accepting female enrollees in the first year during the academic year 2005–06 for its basic education program.

Athletics

Letran is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association from 1928 to 1932, and since 1936.

The Colegio currently participates in basketball, volleyball, football (soccer), track and field, taekwondo, Lawn Tennis, and table tennis. The varsity teams are called Letran Knights (for seniors division), Squires (for juniors division) and Lady Knights (for women's division)

The seniors basketball team is the second most successful team in the NCAA. Since joining in the 1928–29 season, the Knights have won a total of twenty titles. The most recent championship came in the 2022–2023 tournament.

Their most prominent rivals are the De La Salle Green Archers (before the Green Archers left the NCAA), San Beda Red Lions, San Sebastian Stags and the Mapua Cardinals, their neighbor in Intramuros.

Official publications

• The Lance, the official student publication of Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Manila
• The Templar (formerly Esplendente), the official student publication of Letran Senior High School Department
• The Letran Scroll for the High School Level
• Letran Page for the Elementary Level
• Muralla is the literary portfolio of The Lance
• Letran News for the Administration
• KNIGHTline for Letran Alumni Association
• Luz Y Saber – Letran Research Journal
• Letranense – Yearbook

Notable alumni (Letran Manila)

Saint St. Vicente Liem dela Paz, O.P. (HS,1747–1750) – Letran's foremost alumnus and heavenly patron. A young Vietnamese scholar who studied in Letran during the 18th century. Also known as Vicente Pham Hieu Liem, or Vicente Le Quang Liem de Tonkin. St. Tomas Hioji Rokuzayemon Nishi de San Jacinto, O.P. – Born in Kyūshū, Japan. Tomas went to the Philippines and studied theology in University of Santo Tomas. Upon returning to his homeland, he was captured and was martyred through the "gallows and hole" torture. St. Pedro de Sta. Maria, O.P. St. Vicente Shiwozuka Dela Cruz de Nagasaki, O.P.- Among the martyrs of the persecution of Christians in Japan with San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. St. Francisco Shoyemon, O.P. St. Jacobo Kyushei Gorobioye Tomanaga de Santa Maria, O.P. St. Domingo Tuoc, O.P. St. Vicente Do Yen, O.P. Venerable Fr. Juan Bautista de Santa Maria Fung, O.P.- Entered Letran on July 8, 1736. Embraced the Dominican Order in 1744 and martyred in July 1755 Blesseds Beato Fr. Jesus Villaverde Andres, O.P. – Among the 498 martyrs of the Spanish Civil war beatified by Pope Beneditc XVI last October 28, 2007. Beato Fr. Antonio Varona, O.P. Presidents of the Philippines Emilio Aguinaldo (HS, 1886) (1899–1901) Manuel L. Quezon (HS, 1889; AB, 1894) (1935–1944) Sergio Osmeña (HS, 1889; AB, 1894) (1944–1946) José P. Laurel (HS) (1943–1945) Vice Presidents of the Philippines Mariano Trías (AB) (Tejeros Convention, 1897) Fernando Lopez (HS, 1921) (1949–1953, 1965–73) Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Cayetano L. Arellano (HS) (1901–1920) Victorino M. Mapa (1920–1921) Manuel G. Araullo (Ab Philo) (1921–1924) Ramon Q. Avanceña (AB) (1925–1941) Andres R. Narvasa (GS'38) (1991–1998) Diosdado M. Peralta (BS Economics) (1974) Bernardo P. Pardo Assoc. Justice (HS) with honors (1950) Heroes of the Philippine Revolution Don Pedro Abad Santos (HS) – revolutionary hero; founder of the Socialist Party of the Philippines Marcelo H. del Pilar - leader of the Propaganda Movement in Spain; second and last editor of La Solidaridad Mariano Abella (AB) – a delegate to the Malolos Congress Crispulo Aguinaldo (AB) – a revolutionary leader, older brother of Emilio Aguinaldo Santiago Alvarez (AB) – revolutionary general from Cabiao, Nueva Ecija Gen. Servillano Aquino – a delegate to the Malolos Congress, revolutionary leader Vito Belarmino – major-generals of the revolutionary army Higinio Benitez (GS, HS, AB) – a delegate to the Malolos Congress Fr. José Burgos (AB, Philo 1855) – GOMBURZA Don Graciano Cordero – a delegate to the Malolos Congress Mariano Crisostomo (HS, AB) – a delegate to the Malolos Congress Gen. Emiliano Riego De Dios – revolutionary leader Severino De Las Alas – a revolutionary leader Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera – a delegate to the Malolos Congress Ladislao Diwa (AB) – a patriot who was among the founders of the Katipunan that initiated the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896. Gen. Edilberto Evangelista (AB) – Hero of the Battle of Zapote Bridge, revolutionary leader Lorenzo Fenoy – a delegate to the Malolos Congress Gen. Leandro Locsin Fullon - revolutionary leader, former Provincial Governor of Antique Maximo Gregorio – one of the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite Emilio Jacinto (AB) – Revolutionary hero & Brains of the Katipunan Apolinario Mabini (AB, 1887) – Political philosopher and revolutionary who wrote the constitution for the first Philippine republic of 1899–1901, and served as its first prime minister in 1899. He is often referred to as "the Sublime Paralytic", and as "the Brains of the Revolution." Gen. Mariano Llanera – revolutionary leader Honorio Lopez (AB) – revolutionary leader Victoriano Luciano – one of the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite Gen. Vicente Lukbán – revolutionary leader and Governor of Tayabas (now Quezon) from 1912 to 1916 Gen. Mamerto Natividad, Jr. – Lieutenant General of the Philippine Revolutionary Army; Drafted the manifesto decree of Biac-na-Bato in July 1897; Signer of the Constitution of Biac- na-Bato which established the provisional revolutionary government. Pablo Ocampo – delegate to the Malolos Congress Jose Maria Panganiban y Enverga (1883) – propagandist Fr. Pedro Pelaez – Father of Secularization Movement in the Philippines Gen. Artemio Ricarte – revolutionary leader Antonio San Agustin – one of the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite Pablo Tecson (AB) – revolutionary leader Dr. Pío Valenzuela – Chief Aid of Andres Bonifacio Aguedo Velarde (AB) – a delegate to the Malolos Congress Faustino Villaruel – a mason and one of the founding member of the La Liga Filipina, and supporter of the propaganda movement. Flaviano Yenko (AB) – revolutionary leader Fr. Jacinto Zamora (AB) – GOMBURZA Phil Villas – Isabela Province freedom fighter Gen. Isidro Torres – a revolutionary who established Katipunan chapters in Bulacan. "Matanglawin" of the Katipunan. Senators of the Philippines Francisco Tongio Liongson (Third District, Fourth Philippine Legislature 1916–1919) Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr. (AB, 1896) (Senate President, 1952–53, 1953–1963) Vicente Madrigal Francisco Afan Delgado Isabelo delos Reyes (AB, 1880–1881) Richard Gordon (PR, 1955) Pedro Guevara (1896) Esteban Quimbo Singzon- First senator of the senatorial districts of Samar and Leyte Teodoro Kalaw Nicolas Capistrano,(Senator- 4th Philippine Legislature, 1916–1919) Enrique B. Magalona (AB, 1907) Quintin Paredes (House Speaker, 1933–35) Freddie Webb (AB English), also many time member of the Philippine basketball team in the 1972 Olympics Tito Sotto (GS,HS,AB English) Senate President, Republic of the Philippines Congressmen of the Philippines Benigno Aquino, Sr. (AB, 1904) (House Speaker, 1943–44) Sergio Apostol Gus Tambunting (GS,HS,BS) Congressman, Parañaque Governors Ding Roman (HS) (Bataan 1986–2004) Macario Arnedo (Pampanga 1904–1912) Francisco Tongio Liongson (Pampanga 1912–1916) Francisco Gopez Nepomuceno (GS 1928, HS 1936, BSC 1940) – (Pampanga 1960–1971) Honorio Ventura (Pampanga 1916, 1918–1922) Luis "Chavit" Singson (BSC, 1961) (Ilocos Sur) Jesus Typoco, Jr. (BSC, 1968) (Daet, Camarines Norte) Bicol Melecio Y. Severino (HS) – (Negros Oriental, Occidental) Ramil L. Hernandez (BSC,1993) – Province of Laguna Mayors Albert G. Ambagan, Jr. (AB-Political Science, 1998) – (Amadeo, Cavite) Edwin M. Bautista (Strike Revilla) (BSC-Management, 1991; MBA) – (Bacoor) Leon G. Guinto, Sr. (College) – Manila, former Secretary of Labor Arsenio Cruz Herrera (AB, 1880) – first civilian mayor of Manila Justo R. Lukban (AB, 1873) – Mayor of Manila 1917–1920, Congressman – Manila 2nd District – 1909 to 1912 Mary Jane Ortega (AB-Spanish and English, 1959) – San Fernando, La Union Isagani C. Pascual (GS, 1962) – (Guiguinto, Bulacan) Alain P. Rabang (HS, 1983) – (Umingan, Pangasinan) Enrique B. Yap, Jr. (HS, 1982) – (Sarangani) Councilors Ricardo L. Baes, Jr. – HS 1981; District 1, Parañaque Greco Antonio Belgica – HS 1965; District 6, Manila Engr. Giovanni Esplana – District 2, Parañaque Willand Patrick Florendo – HS 1996; Floridablanca, Pampanga Martin Isidro, Jr. – GS 1976, BSC 1985; District 1, Manila Val Sotto – HS 1968; District 2, Parañaque Darwin B. Icay – AB Political Science, 1997 – Taguig Jim Gerald Pe – AB Political Science, 1997 – Coron, Palawan Albert Joseph Cruz – GS 1997, HS 2001 – Meycauayan, Bulacan Winston L. Chu Tan - Manaoag, Pangasinan Other government officials Felipe Agoncillo – Ambassador Herminio A. Astorga (HS, 1951) – Vice Mayor, Manila, 1964 TOYM Awardee for Political leadership, NCAA Basketball Athlete Angelito Banayo (El., HS, College) – Political Consultant, former General Manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority, former Administrator of the National Food Authority Jaime C. de Veyra – Historian, Educator, former Director of the Institute of National Language Jaime Bautista (BS Commerce 1977) - Secretary of Department of Transportation (Philippines) (2022–present) Legal Pedro Tongio Liongson – Judge Advocate General, Army of First Philippine Republic (1899) Bernardo P. Pardo (HS, 1950) – former Associate Justice (1998–2002); Former chairman of COMELEC Felicismo Feria (AB) – former Associate Justice (1945–1953) Carlos Imperial (GS) – former Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta (BS Commerce, 1974) – Associate Justice, Supreme Court Gregorio Perfecto (AB) – former Associate Justice (1945–1949) Florentino Torres (Philosophy) – former Associate Justice Augusto K. Aligada, Jr. – Civil Law Expert, Former Dean of Faculty of Civil Law in University of Santo Tomas Quintin Paredes III – Civil Law Expert, member FROKS (Manila) Antonio Paredes, Jr. – legal counsel of Senator Loren Legarda, member FROKS shooting team, member FROKS (Manila) Oscar T. Castelo (HS) – Judge of Manila Court (1946), City Attorney of Quezon City Rafael del Pan (HS) – Lawyer, Nationalist, Criminologist and Reformist, Solicitor General of Philippine Islands Eugenio H. Villareal (GS 1976, HS 80) – former Chairperson, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) (Dec 2012 – Jan 2017); Professor of Law in Evidence, Legal Philosophy, and Media & Entertainment Law Salvador Medialdea (BSC) – is a Filipino lawyer, business executive and government administrator who is the former Executive Secretary of the Philippines during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte Men of Cloth Archbishop Artemio Casas (HS, 1930) – former Rector of Manila Cathedral (1956–1962) Archbishop Oscar Cruz, DD (GS, 1950) – Lingayen–Dagupan Archbishop Ramon Salazar, OP Archbishop Socrates Villegas (HS, 1977), member FROKS (Manila) Bishop Teodoro Bacani (HS, 1956) – Novaliches Bishop Jose Salazar, OP (HS, 1958) – Batanes Bishop Alfredo Versoza Fr. Gregorio Aglipay (AB, 1878–1880) – Co-founder of the Philippine Independent Church Fr. Rufino "Jun" Sescon, Jr. (HS, 1988) Chancellor, Arzobispado de Manila; Chaplain, Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel Writers Francisco Alonso Liongson – Filipino Playwright in Spanish Francisco Balagtas – Poet and is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work. Jesús "Batikuling" Balmori – Renowned Filipino Poet in Spanish, Premio Zobel awardee (1926) Marcelo H. Del Pilar – Writer & Propagandist; One of the co-publisher and founder of La Solidaridad Fernando De La Concepcion – Journalist, Premio Zobel awardee (1960) Carlos De La Rosa – Journalist, Premio Zobel awardee (1984) Ermin Garcia, Sr. – Journalist, Founder of Pangasinan Newspaper "Sunday Punch"

Enrique Fernandez Lumba – Spanish Journalist and Poet, Premio Zobel awardee (1954) Bienvenido Lumbera (HS, 1950) – National Artist of the Philippines; Recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative communication; Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee Jesus T. Peralta (HS, 1951; AA-PM, 1953) – Writer, essayist and social scientist; Hall of Famer Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards in Literature Mariano Ponce (1885) – Writer & Propagandist Severino Reyes – Writer, dramatist, and playwright, highly acclaimed as one of the giants of Tagalog literature of the early 20th century. Author of "Walang Sugat" and "Ang mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang." Guillermo Gomez Rivera (AB) – Writer, Premio Zobel awardee (1975) Rolando Tinio (HS, 1950, AA'52) – National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Literature Educators Dr. Bonifacio Lopez Mencias – a Filipino physician, epidemiologist, guerrilla sympathizer, and martyr. He is best known for providing aid to the Philippine guerrillas in his capacity as Dean of the UST College of Medicine during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Mariano V. de los Santos – Founder of the University of Manila Bienvenido Gonzalez – former president of the University of the Philippines (UP) Dr. Fernan Lukban (HS, 1978) – Head, Business and Economics Program of Arts and Sciences, University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) Jovencio Ortañez – former president of Ortañez University Ignacio Villamor (AB, 1885) – First Filipino president of UP, Associate justice at the Supreme Court Kenneth Glenn L. Manuel – CPA Reviewer, 6th place, 2019 Bar Examinations Sportspeople Sambiao Basanung – Olympic Swimmer (1948) Enrique Beech – Olympic Shooter (1956, 1960) Felicisimo Fajardo – Basketball player and coach. Olympian (1948, 1952) Gabriel "Gabby" Fajardo – Basketball player Rudy Hines – Naturalized import from New York. Basketball player and PBA official Samboy Lim – Basketball player. The "Skywalker" of the PBA and was named as one of PBA's 25 Greatest Players. Col. Julian Malonzo – Basketball player and FIBA official. Former President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Willie Miller - PBA Most Valuable Player, Member FIBA Asia Powerade Team Pilipinas Lauro "The Fox" Mumar – Played in the 1948 London Olympics; a former Filipino basketball player and later served as the national team head coach of India and the Philippines. He was one of the greatest Filipino players of his time. Member of the famous Letran "Murder Inc." basketball team, 1950 NCAA Champions Oliver Opeda Ongtawco- Olympic Bowler and coach; PSA Bowler of the year (1979) Carlos Padilla – Olympic Boxer (1932) Jose Padilla, Jr.- Olympic Boxer (1932) Fausto Preysler – Olympic Yachting (1960, 1964) Kerby Raymundo – PBA Player Antero "Terry" Saldaña – PBA Player Mike Mustre – PBA Player Nemie Villegas – Basketball player and coach Ricardo Pineda – Member, 1970 NCAA Champion Men's Basketball Team, once held the NCAA record of 52 pts in a game against Ateneo. Played in the PBA for Mariwasa & U-Tex Manuel Pineda – Member, 1970 NCAA Champion Men's Basketball Team. Played in the PBA for San Miguel Ramon San Juan – (El'71,HS'75,College), Member, 1979 NCAA Men's Basketball Champion & 1979 MVP Rino Salazar – PBA player and coach Angelito Esguerra – (College) Member, 1979 NCAA Men's Basketball Champion Joaquin Lopez – Football Hall of Fame Bryan Faundo – NCAA Men's Basketball Team Champion '05–'06, ABL, PBA Player Ramil Abratique – Taekwondo Champion, Silver medalist World Championships Mark Andaya – former PBA player, former ABL player played for Philippine Patriots; actor Boyet Bautista – former PBA player, PBL player Harbour Centre Batang Pier RJ Jazul – PBA Player, Smart Gilas Player National Basketball Team Rey Guevarra - PBA player, NCAA Slam Dunk Champion, PBA Slam Dunk Champion, Smart Gilas National Basketball Team Raymond Almazan – PBA Player, NCAA MVP, Defensive Player of the year (NCAA) Jaypee Belencion – PBA Player Louie Alas – PBA Player, Smart Gilas Player National Basketball Team Alfrancis Chua -(HS) Letran Basketball Jr. Division, PABL Player, PBA Head Coach and Team Manager Michael Garcia – Laguna Lakers MBA Player, Alaska Aces PBA Player Paul Guerrero – PBA Draftee Round 3 29th Overall by Purefoods, Davao Eagles MBA Player Anton Villoria – PBA Player Red Bull Thunder Jam Cortes – PBA D-League Player Caloy Garcia – (HS) PBL Player, PBL, NCAA, PBA Head Coach Aldin Ayo – Former Letran Knight Player '98 to '01, Basketball Clinic Director, Councilor of Sorsogon City, Head Coach 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Team Seniors Division, Asst. Coach KIA Motors Carnival in PBA Erwin Velez – PBA Draftee Mobiline Phone Pals 1st Round 4th Overall Al David – PBA Player Presto Ice Cream Jason Misolas – PBA Player Gilbert Castillo – PBA, MBA Player Billy Moody – Naturalized import from Kansas. PBA Player Ed Ducut – PBA Player Ginebra San Miguel Dong Polistico – PBA Player Genesis " Donking" Sasuman – PBA Player Harold Sta. Cruz – URBL, MVBA, Liga Pilipinas, ABL Player, Indonesia Warriors (Import) Eric Rodriguez – PBL, PBA, ABL Player Yeng Guiao – (GS) Before entering LSGH, PBA Head Coach, PBL Commissioner, Commentator and Politician Archand Christian Bagsit – Philippine Athlete Track & Field Gold Medalist in SEA Games Arnold Baradi - Silver Medalist, 1985 World Games, Taekwondo, Men's fin weight, and the first Filipino Gold medal winner in the Asian Taekwondo Games. Tonichi Pujante – Founding Commissioner of Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) Chris Calaguio – PABL, MBA, PBA Player Aaron Aban – PBA Player Businessmen Don Enrique Zobel -Businessman & Philanthropist Francisco Ortigas – Lawyer, Businessman Luis Quiray Abiva (GS, 1954; HS, 1958; BSC 1963) – former president, Abiva Publishing House Jaime Bautista (BS Commerce 1977) – Former President and CEO of Philippine Airlines Tony Chua (Coll, 1975) – Businessman, Team Manager of the Barako Bull Energy Boosters (PBA), Executive Vice President, Philippines Football Federation (PFF) Henry Co – President and CEO, Ford Motors Philippines Geronimo B. de los Reyes Jr. – entrepreneur, philanthropist, and art collector Panfilo Domingo – (MBA-SMP, 2007) – Chairman/CEO University of the East/Allied Bank Francisco Cuervo Eizmendi (HS, 1952) – former president, San Miguel Corporation Ralph Lim Joseph (GS, 1965) – Owner, Ralph's Wines and Spirit Robert Lim Joseph (GS, 1963; HS, 1967) – Chairman, Travel Cooperative of the Philippines Henry Lim Bon Liong – Chairman and CEO of Sterling Paper Group of Companies; Dr. José Rizal Awardee for excellence in the field of Management and Finance Aurelio Periquet, Jr. Business Leadership Awardee. James Gaviola Velasquez (HS, 1983) – Former President and Country General Manager, IBM Philippines. President & CEO of PT&T. Cesar Zalamea (B.A. in Accounting and Banking). Former President of the Philippine American Life Insurance Company (Philamlife). Former President & CEO of AIG Investment (Asia). Former Chairman & CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines. Currently advisory director of Campbell Lutyens. Justo A. Ortiz + (HS) – Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of the Philippines Media Personalities Ariel Villasanta – (Business Management) TV host/Actor/Comedian The Misadventures of Maverick and Ariel, Totoo TV, Iskul Bukol as Perfecto "Pekto" Pangkista, Creative Director of PLDT Johnny Delgado (HS, 1965) – Actor Maryo J. de los Reyes (PR, 1962) – TV and Movie Director Ted Failon – News Anchor and Host of ABS-CBN Eddie Gutierrez (Commerce) – Actor and former matinee idol Juancho Gutierrez – Actor, one of the 1950s most popular leading men in Philippine cinema. German Moreno – (deceased) Television host, actor, comedian and talent manager (star-builder). Vic Sotto (PR, 1964; GS, 1967, HS; 1971) – Actor/Host Raymond Lauchengco - Actor and singer Ramon Tulfo (GS, 1960) – TV Host, Radio Broadcaster, Columnist Carlo Guevara – one of the Host of Party Pilipinas GMA7, winner of Be Bench Lourd de Veyra – (HS) vocalist of the band Radioactive Sago Project, host of TV5's Wasak and History with Lourd Wendell Ramos (HS) – Veteran Actor, Host, Comedian, & Matinee Idol. Others Tobias Enverga (BA-Economics) – The first Filipino-Canadian appointed in the Senate of Canada. Jose Maria Sison (HS '56) – Founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines; Current Chairman, International League of Peoples' Struggle, Literary critic, Marxist theoretician, Award-winning Poet Antonio M. Molina – composer, conductor, pedagogue, historian, and music administrator, Premio Zobel awardee (1985)

Sources

For the Alumni list:

• http://www.letran.edu/about/letranites.php
• http://www.letran.edu/about/presidents.php