Hospicio de San José (Manila)

Philippines / National Capital Region / Manila
 orphanage  Add category
Located at Isla de Convalescencia, Hospicio de San José is a Catholic Welfare institution and a home of orphans, abandoned and special children and elderly people.

The establishment of Hospicio de San José was made possible y the charitable legacy of Don Francisco Gómez Enríquez and his wife Dona Barbara Versoza. In gratitude for having been cured of a fever, Don Francisco donated four thousand pesos (P4,000) in 1778 for the establishment of a Hospicio General for the poor of Manila. It was said that several others followed the first sum during the couple's lifetime. Unfortunately, they did not live long enough to see the actual foundation of this home they envisioned to take care of the city's poor and unwanted children.

The initial purpose of the establishment of the institution was mainly to respond to the urgent need of the indigent clientele and the mentally/physically handicapped people during those times. Since its foundation in October 1778, Hospicio de San José has continued to meet the needs of the indigent people including the physically handicapped and the elderly people.

The institution was first known as Hospicio General and was later changed to its present name Hospicio de San José. The newly established welfare institution was then named after St. Joseph, its present saint. Hospicio de San José was formerly located at Pandacan, and then transferred to Intramuros, then to Binondo, Nagtahan and Echague. It was only in 1810 that the orphanage found its permanent home at the Isla de Convalescencia (Island of Convalescents).

On December 27, 1810, a Board of Directors governed Hospicio de San José through a Royal Decree, under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of Manila. The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul assumed management of the orphanage on June 1, 1866. One of Manila's prominent ladies, Doña Margarita Rojas who was also one of its benefactors suggested to the Governor General to invite the good sisters of Charity to come to the Philippines to take care of the island's poor, sick, handicapped and abandoned.
Ayala Bridge, Quiapo, Manila
Tel: 734-2367; 734-2368
Telefax: 734-2366
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospicio_de_San_Jose
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   14°35'26"N   120°59'19"E

Comments

  • were been here for community extension service (St. Mary's Academy-Pasay City)last week together with our 4th year and 2ns year students and the science area...its a nice place...were been exposed to those physically and mentally incapacity persons...our hearts have been touched...we realized that were are still blessed...enjoy life..be thankful...help other people!
  • arvinjr, you can adopt a child legally. first thing you can do is to go to department of social welfare and development. (DSWD)
  • how can i get in touch with one of the personnel for some question on how to give a donation...thanks
This article was last modified 12 years ago