Valenzuela Hall (UP College of Pharmacy) (Manila)

 university, college / department of pharmacy

On January 12, 1911, the Board of Regents of the University approved the establishment of a course in pharmacy under the College of Liberal Arts for the school year 1911-12. On June 5, 1911 the course in pharmacy was instituted with an enrollment of 32 students. At this time, only the first year subjects were given. The Graduate in Pharmacy (Ph.G) degree would be granted after finishing the three-year course. It was only approved that the degree of Pharmaceutical Chemist (Ph.C.) would be conferred to those who have successfully completed the three-year course and two years of German. In 1913-14, the course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy was introduced. Of the 32 original enrollees, eight were granted the Graduate in Pharmacy degree in 1914. Six of them continued their studies for another year and earned the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree in 1915.

In order to meet the needs of a growing student body, as well as the for better coordination of instruction, the Board of Regents, upon the recommendation of the president of the University, authorized the opening of on February 12, 1914 of a separate pharmacy school under the administration of the College of Medicine. Dr. Andrew Grover Du Mez was selected to establish the school upon the recommendation of Dr. Edward Kremers, the late Director of the School of Pharmacy of the University of Wisconsin, when the latter was requested by the Philippine Government for a professor who would organize the school. Dr. Du Mez was at first appointed to the Department of Pharmacology of the College of Medicine and later became the first Director of the School of Pharmacy. Three-year Graduate in Pharmacy as well as the four-year graduate of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degrees continued to be offered.

On July 16, 1914, the management of the division of pharmacy of the Philippine General Hospital was transferred to the Pharmacy School. This afforded the pharmacy students excellent opportunities in their drug store practice.

In 1916, Dr. Mariano Vivencio del Rosario was appointed the first Filipino Director of the school when Dr. Du Mez’ return to the United States. That same year, two departments were created: the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. In 1917, during the incumbency of Dr. del Rosario, the school became a member of the American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties later known as the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. A course in pharmaceutical manufacturing was introduced in 1917. It was a lecture-laboratory course and was open to both fourth year and graduate students.

In 1921, the Graduate in Pharmacy degree was changed to Pharmaceutical Chemist degree. In 1927, the undergraduate seminar and research course was introduced, the first that this course was instituted in the Philippines. The Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree was made compulsory in 1930 (the first students graduating in 1934). Also in 1930, the graduate course in pharmacy was inaugurated with two students who graduated with the Master of Science degree in 1932.

On August 14, 1935, upon the initiative of President Jorge C. Bocobo with the favorable endorsement of the Regents Committee for the College of Medicine, the status of the School was changed to that of an autonomous College. Dr. M.V. del Rosario was the first Dean of the College of Pharmacy (1935-43).

In 1937, the management and operation of the laboratory for the manufacture of the Extract of Rice Polishings in the former Bureau of Science (precursor of the National Institute of Science and Technology), was transferred to the College. Although the physical plant was continued to be situated in the Bureau of Science, a Control and Research Laboratory was operated within the premises of the College. These continued to be in operation until the battle for liberation of Manila during the World War II.

Upon the demise of Dean M.V. del Rosario in April 1943, Dr. Patrocinio Valenzuela succeeded as Dean of the College and Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Throughout the war years, the College continued to operate until the battle of liberation of Manila when the building and most of the equipment, records and supplies were destroyed. In August 1945, a few months after liberation, the College resumed giving instruction in Pharmacy using the physical facilities of the partially destroyed Dispensary building of the Philippine General Hospital. It continued to be house therein until the transfer of the University to Diliman, Quezon City in January 1949. At first the College was housed in a 92 x 26 meter quonset hut till 1950 when it was transferred to the third and part of the second floors of Pavilion I of Palma Hall.

In 1951, the College instituted the five-year curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Pharmacy with one student graduating in 1953. The Department of Industrial Pharmacy was established in 1952. A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Pharmacy may enroll for the senior year in Chemical Engineering and qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

IN the school year 1954-55, the five-year pharmacy course leading to the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree was made compulsory in the Philippines.

In 1961, Dr. Alfredo C. Santos succeeded Dean Valenzuela and served as dean until his retirement. Dr. Juanito B. Abcede, Secretary of the College was designated officer-in-charge until his appointment as dean in 1969.

In 1967, the Master of Science with major in Industrial Pharmacy was instituted. In 1971, the Doctor of Philosophy with major in either Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry was introduced.

Upon the retirement of Dean Juanito B. Abcede, Dr. Jesusa A. Concha, was appointed Acting Dean up to April 30, 1975. Dr. Concha served as Dean of the College from May 1, 1975 to April 30, 1980.

Prof. Natividad F de Castro, Ph.D., was the dean when the college was transferred from UP Diliman to UP Manila. Dean de Castro was succeeded by Prof Amorita V. Castillo, M.S. Upon the retirement of Dean Castillo, Prof. Magdalena C. Cantoria, Ph.D., was appointed Dean, an appointment that she held until she reached her compulsory retirement age. After the usual democratic consultation, Prof. Leticia-Barbara B Gutierrez was appointed Dean in 1989 by the Board of Regents and reappointed for another term in 1992. At present, the College has three professors with permanent appointments as Professors Emeriti: Dean Jesusa A. Concha, Dean Natividad F. de Castro and Dean Magdalena C. Cantoria.

Valenzuela Hall of the College of Pharmacy was named after Dr Patrocinio Valenzuela, longest serving Dean of the College from 1943 to 1955. He survived the College during World War II period.
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