Sheena dela cruz

and David Michael San Juan

 

From a small and obscure intermediate school founded in 1904, the Bulacan State University (BSU) grew to its present state as one of the prime movers of education in Central Luzon. Witness how BSU progressed as time moves on. Savor the significant dates of the most momentous leaps and steps of her time-enduring 100 years of history.

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1901- A legislative act to set-up trade schools around the country was passed by the Second Philippine Commission—the legislative branch of the American imperial rule in the Philippines. Gov. William Howard Taft (who later became U.S. President) led the said commission.

1904- Birth of the present BSU as an intermediate school initially named as the Bulacan Trade School (BTS) which was formed as a result of the 1901 Act of the Second Philippine Commission. Courses such as Woodworking, Wood Finishing and Mechanical Drawing were offered.

August 29, 1916 - First steps toward the Filipinization of the said trade school’s administration were accomplished with the passage of the Philippine Autonomy Act by the U.S. Congress.

1918 - Two years after the Philippine Autonomy Act was passed, it was implemented through the formal turn-over of the BTS to Filipino administrators. Prior to this, American teachers managed the trade school—an apparent reflection of the Thomasite tradition in Philippine education. With the change in administration, Mr. Basilio Abiano was named as the first principal. Later, Mr. Dionisio Patag succeeded Mr. Abiano.

1919-1926 - Intermediate courses were gradually dissolved so as to give way to the offering of the secondary trade school curriculum. In the year 1926, the institution of the secondary trade school curriculum was finally accomplished.

1930 - BTS was officially permitted to utilize the facilities of the old Bulacan High School (BHS)[present day Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School].

Circa 1930’s - Some years after the BTS was authorized to use the facilities of the BHS, the BTS moved to its new home within the area now occupied by the Voice of the Philippines (VOP) transmitting station. The school operated here with Mr. Isaias Maclang as the principal until World War II struck the Philippines in 1941.

1941-1945 - BTS’ operation was temporarily halted by the swift but disastrous and catastrophic occurence of World War II.

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1945 - As the nation and the world go back to peace and normalcy, classes in the BTS resumed with only 8 teachers headed by Mr. Deogracias Flores to tend the "relighted" torch of education in this part of the country.

1952 - BTS opened the two-year special trade curriculum for boys in Automotive Mechanics and Building Construction.

June 30, 1953 - BTS was renamed as the Bulacan National Trade School (BNTS) as embodied in Republic Act ( R.A.) No. 908, thereby qualifying it for funds from the National Treasury. Other shop and machine courses like Drafting and Radio Mechanics were also offered.

July 1, 1957 - BNTS metamorphosed into the Bulacan National School of Arts and Trades (BNSAT) by virtue of R.A. No. 1800 authored by former Rep. Florante Roque. Meanwhile, Mr. Santiago Roxas came to be the first superintendent of the BNSAT. Upon this change, the school opened technical courses.

June 19, 1965 - R.A. No. 4470, sponsored and authored by former Rep. Teodulo Natividad, was signed into law, thereby creating the Bulacan College of Arts and Trades (BCAT) from the old BNSAT. Having been elevated as a state college, Mr. Deogracias Flores was named as acting president. BCAT aims "to provide higher professional instruction and training in the fields of arts, sciences and technology." Mr. Gavino Carpio (1965-1973), Dr. Antonio Federizo (1974-1977), Mr. Ernesto Valencia (1978-1983) and Dr. Rosario Pimentel (1983-1993) took turns in heading BCAT.

SY 1967-1968 - BCAT opened the four-year Teacher Education curriculum Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education (BSIE) with specialization in Drafting, Machine Shop Practice, Woodworking and Automotive.

1972 - In the year described by some authors as "the Peak of Activism," Pacesetter—the official student publication of the BSU was established. Gradually, it progressed as the prime bearer of alternative journalism to the studentry—scrutinizing and analyzing things which affect the students in one way or another, amidst a sometimes hostile and defiant atmosphere.

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SY 1975-1976 - BCAT introduced the three-year technician courses with specialization in Machine Shop, Electronics, Automotive, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning.

1976 - BCAT began stretching its arms as it open the first external campus outside the main (Malolos) campus—the Bustos Campus. It offered one-year special vocational courses in Engine Repair and Tune-up, Tailoring, Practical Electricity and Drafting.

Summer of 1977 - BCAT opened its pioneer graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching Vocational Subjects. Meanwhile, in an effort to serve the marginalized ones, the BCAT Extension Service Office held non-formal education classes in remote towns and barrios in Malolos.

December 21, 1983 - Dr. Rosario Pimentel, the incumbent president was named as the fourth president.

1983 - In a momentous event worthy to be called "Quantum Leap," the Graduate School, School of Engineering and Architecture, School of Teacher Education, School of Arts and Sciences and School of Industrial Technology were all created in this year. These institutions serve as precursors to the present colleges and institutions of BSU.

1986 - Units in doctoral education were opened. Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED) and Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSED) were also listed in the offering of the School of Teacher Education.

February 23, 1990 - The old Heroes’ Park was inaugurated. Statues of Bulakeño heroes which can be sighted here were sculpted by Apolinario Bulaong, a renowned Bulakeño artist. Funds for the said park’s construction came mostly from the BCAT Alumni Association, then supervised by Engr. Restituto Roque.

1991 - Dr. Rosario Pimentel, the incumbent president was reappointed for a second six-year term.

2003 - The white and blue-inspired and first-ever university-wide uniform, was implemented, minus the much-needed student consultation to test the idea.

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2004 - For the 9th consecutive time, the BSU emerged as the champion in the 2004 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association in Region III (SCUAA-III), which was hosted by the university for the first time ever in the same year..

S.Y. 2004-2005 - New courses—BS Nursing, Mass Communication and Legal Management were offered in the first semester of this school year.