File:The First Building of Sacred Heart Seminary Located Beside the San Sebastian Cathedral.webp

The First Building of Sacred Heart Seminary Located Beside the San Sebastian Cathedral.

The La Consolacion University Philippines, previously known as the University of Regina Carmeli and Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, is a co-educational Catholic school established in 1937 and run by the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (ASOLC). The school was founded by Doña Estefania del Rosario Vda. de Jacinto, sister of Mother Catalina de Jesus, OSA, who donated property for the education of children from poor families in Barasoain. At that time, it was the only educational institution in the area.

History, 1937

The school was formally opened in May 1937 and was entrusted to five Augustinian Sisters, with Sor Encarnacion delos Remedios as the Superior. In June of the same year, the school was blessed and dedicated to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, who is the Patroness of the Parish of Barasoain in Malolos. Initially, the school offered courses in Early Childhood Education and Elementary studies.

File:A Kindergarten Class.webp

A Kindergarten Class

Early Years, 1940-1984

In 1940, three special vocational courses, namely typing, stenography, and dressmaking, were introduced. Unfortunately, the school had to close down due to the outbreak of World War II. However, the Japanese occupation forces insisted that the school should reopen, and with their persuasion, the school resumed its operations by offering a secondary course. The American liberation forces caused a temporary halt in the school's operation in 1945. However, later that year, the school reopened and added new college courses to its curriculum.

In 1950, a two-year elementary education course was offered by Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Carmen. The teaching staff consisted of intellectuals from the community. However, in October 1952, a conflagration burned down the school. The sisters who ran the school temporarily took shelter in the residence of Mrs. Julieta Santiago. Later, the students occupied the big, old house of Doña Elisa Santiago and improvised classrooms at the parish convent. In 1954, a new and better building was constructed, and the sisters focused on strengthening and expanding the Elementary and High School departments. They gave up the College Department and special vocational courses, retaining only stenography and typing. Over the years, enrollment continued to increase, and the quality of instruction improved with the entry of a qualified teaching force. Campus discipline was strictly enforced, facilities were expanded, and new buildings were constructed. In 1965, the College Department was reopened, and more tertiary-level courses were included in the curriculum. Meanwhile, the school management acquired an additional lot for the expansion of the College Campus. In 1967, Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Carmen changed its name to Regina Carmeli College. In August 1979, RCC adopted the Catholic School System Development (CS-SSD) program to promote the formation of personnel, systematizing operations, and upgrading the standards of the school for voluntary accreditation.

The college extended its campus by building an extension on a five-hectare lot in Catmon, Malolos, Bulacan. The move was a manifestation of the institution's desire to play a more decisive role in the education of the people of Bulacan. By June 1985, the Catmon Campus was ready for occupancy, and it was blessed and dedicated in a solemn liturgical ceremony on July 4, 1985.

PAASCU Accreditation, 1985

In November 1985, the school took a significant step towards gaining accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) when the High School and Grade School Departments underwent preliminary surveys. PAASCU accreditors visited the school and conducted a thorough analysis and evaluation of the school's readiness to meet the PAASCU standards. Eight months later, the College Department also underwent PAASCU's preliminary survey.

Establishing CPA Review Center, 1986

In May 1986, the school established the CPA Review Center to cater to the needs of Commerce graduates from Malolos and nearby towns of Bulacan. The Center produced successful CPAs, including an alumnus who placed seventh in the CPA Board Examinations.

LCUP Gold Anniversary, 1987

In 1987, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. The year-long festivities included the blessing of the Sisters' residence in Catmon and an institutional musical presentation entitled "Color It Gold!" Two monumental projects were also launched during the celebration: the first one was the establishment of the RCC Outreach in Pandi, Bulacan, which marked the institution's formal entry into its community outreach ministry. The second one was the realization of the much-needed Multi-Purpose Hall in Catmon.

Offering of New Courses, 1997-2009

In the school year 1997-1998, the college introduced computer courses as part of its offerings. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) was one of the new courses that aimed to produce highly employable college graduates. During that period, BSCS was the second most popular course in terms of enrollment, next to the College of Commerce.

RCC, as a social institution, recognized its potential to initiate projects that could promote the well-being of the local communities. In 1987, the Mother Rita Barcelo Outreach and Livelihood Corporation (MRBOLC) was established as RCC's community extension service unit. MRBOLC took on community-building projects and organized communities to help them become cohesive and self-reliant. They also provided financial, technical, and consultancy services to micro-cottage and small-scale business enterprises in the province. The Grade School Department had its first PAASCU Formal Survey in October 1988, followed by the High School Department. Both departments are now PAASCU-accredited, a testament to the institution's pursuit of quality and excellence. In August 1989, the Department passed its PAASCU Formal Survey. At present, LCUP is the only academic institution in Bulacan that has achieved the coveted PAASCU accreditation for all its academic programs, from elementary to college.

On March 31, 1991, a cornerstone-laying ceremony was held in Catmon to begin construction of the Mt. Carmel Building project. This project included the College Department and the Administrative Offices, which were necessary due to the increasing student population.

To further develop high-level human resources, RCC opened its Graduate School Department in June 1991. Initially, the department accepted graduate students in Behavioral Science with majors in Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology. Now, the Graduate School also offers several majors including Master of Science in Business Management, Master of Science in Public Administration, and Master of Arts in Education.

In 1992, RCC established a preschool and grade school extension campus at Rosaryville, Guiguinto, Bulacan.

To meet the needs of the times, RCC introduced new programs such as Nursing, Computer Engineering, and Computer Secretarial during the School Year 1992-1993. In 1993, the school launched its Adult Night High School program, offering free secondary education for underprivileged adults who don't have the financial capability to pursue formal education beyond basic elementary schooling. The program follows the DECS-approved 5-year night high school curriculum. RCC's first batch of graduates was composed of three students in 1998, and as of 2009, the URC Night High School had produced 96 high school students.

The MRBOLC had been delivering community outreach programs for many years when they launched their biggest project yet in 1994: the Mother Rita Homes. This program, funded by the Committee of German Doctors for Developing Countries, aimed to provide affordable housing to 200 impoverished families in Malolos and Guiguinto.

After serving the community for over half a century, the institution felt a desire to elevate its commitment to developing morally upright, Christian graduates who embrace the values of justice, freedom, peace, and love. This was realized through their development efforts and activities, as they worked towards achieving university status.

LCUP embodies the traits of strength, courage, and invincibility. It remains dedicated to its goal of producing graduates who are competent global leaders and responsible community members, guided by the teachings of Christ, as well as Marian and Augustinian principles. For over seven decades, LCUP has established an unparalleled reputation not only within the local community but also in the global arena as an institution that fosters personal and intellectual growth, as well as moral development.