Student Portal

OUR LEGACY:
Where Our Story Begins

Chronological Timeline of
Holy Trinity University
(1940–2025)

1940s
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  • 1940 - Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) is founded, becoming the pioneer higher institution of learning in Palawan.
1950s
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  • 1950 – HTA becomes a Junior College; opens ETC, Vocational Stenography, Typing.
  • 1953 – Name changed to Holy Trinity College (HTC); Associate in Arts program offered.
  • 1955–1959 – Expansion of academic offerings:
    • Secretarial Course (1955)
    • Dressmaking, Liberal Arts (1957)
    • Associate in Commercial Science (1958)
    • BS Elementary Education (1959)
1960s
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  • 1963 – Construction and inauguration of St. Dominic Building.
  • 1965 – Launch of Pre-Nursing and Graduate School programs.
1970s
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  • 1976 – HTC becomes FAPE Unit Center, the first in Palawan.
1980s
  • 1983–1984 – PNAC consortium established; new programs: BS Criminology, Master Electrician, Electronic Services.
  • 1984–1985 – Opening of General Radio Communication Operator Course; construction of St. Catherine Building (Phase 1).
  • 1985–1987 – Opening of Automotive & Electrical Engineering; BS Nursing launched (1987).
  • 1987 – Implementation of CSSD System.
1990s
  • 1990–1991 – 50th Anniversary; establishment of Palawan Environmental Research Center (PERC); BS Civil Engineering recognized by DECS.
  • 1994–1995 – Graduate programs (PhD, MA Public Administration) and new undergraduate programs launched; BS Accountancy recognized.
  • 1997 – Application for conversion to a university; BS HRM recognized.
  • Late 1990s – Mother Francisca Community Extension Program strengthened.
2000–2007
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  • 2000 – 60th Anniversary celebrated: “Memory and Prophecy.”
  • 2000–2007 – Expanded Doctorate and Master’s programs;
  • 2002 – CHED grants HTC authorization for ETEEAP; first ETEEAP graduates (2003–2004).
2009
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  • April 28–29, 2009 – CHED validation visit for university status.
  • December 23, 2009 – HTC officially becomes Holy Trinity University (HTU).
2010-2013
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  • 2010 – 70th Anniversary: “Gather…Remember…Celebrate!”
  • 2011 – Governor’s Awards & Mayor’s Academe Award; MBA program approved; research consortia established.
  • 2013 – Opening of Sienatel (now HTU Tiniguiban Campus).
2015
  • 75th Anniversary: “HTU Shining Bright and Soaring High @ 75”
  • HTU wins Cleanest & Greenest School Award
  • Multiple research awards in MIMAROPA Forum
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2016-2018
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  • 2015–2016 – Multiple PAASCU accreditations (IBED, LA, BA, Nursing, Education).
  • 2017 –
    • BS Nursing Level II re-accreditation
    • HRM Level I PAASCU accreditation
    • Geodetic Engineering program recognized
    • SHS permit granted
  • 2018 –
    • Nursing board topnotcher
    • Criminology graduates recognized.
    • Institution adopts trimestral system
2019-2021
  • June 3, 2019 – Sr. Elenita Ocampo, O.P. becomes 8th (5th University) President.
  • 2019 – CHED approves trimestral system.
  • 2020 –
    • Revised Service Education curricula approved
    • 80th Anniversary: “Pasko ng Pasasalamat sa Panahon ng Pandemya sa HTU”
  • 2021 – First hybrid graduation; limited face-to-face begins.
2022-2024
  • 2022 –
    • PAASCU Level II reaccreditation for 5 major programs
    • IBED Level II reaccredited (preparing for Level III in 2028)
  • 2023 – CHED approves 11 Graduate School programs.
  • 2024 –
    • Opening of the Office of the Vice President for Religious Affairs
    • Naming of the historic acacia tree as “Trinicacia”
2025
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  • May 2025 – HTU ranks Top 5 Performing School Nationwide in PNLE.
  • June 9, 2025 – Turnover Ceremony:
    • Sr. Mary Ann L. Allag, O.P., PhD installed as 6th University President.
  • August 22–24, 2025 – 85th Anniversary Celebration: Theme: “In Thanksgiving for 85 Years of Faith and Excellence (#ITYFE)”
HISTORY & MILESTONE OF

HTU

Discover the foundational steps, key periods of growth, and significant achievements that have led HTU to its current position. From its establishment to its evolution as a center for education, innovation, and community impact, explore the rich heritage that underpins our institution today.

FOUNDING AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
  • 1940 – Established as Holy Trinity Academy (HTA), the pioneer higher institution of learning in Palawan.
  • 1950 – Became a Junior College, offering ETC, Vocational Stenography & Typing.
  • October 1953 – Elevated to Holy Trinity College (HTC).
  • Early program expansions:
    • 1953 – Associate in Arts
    • 1955 – Secretarial Course
    • 1957 – Dressmaking & Liberal Arts
    • 1958 – Associate in Commercial Science
    • 1959 – BS Elementary Education
  • 1963 – Construction of the 3-story St. Dominic Building
  • 1965 – Pre-Nursing and Graduate School opened
  • 1976 – First FAPE Unit Center in Palawan
  • 1983–1984 –
    • HTC–PNAC Consortium established
    • Opening of BS Criminology, Master Electrician, Electronic Service for TV & Radio
  • 1984–1985 – Opening of General Radio Communication Operator Course; construction of St. Catherine Building
  • 1985–1986 – Automotive and Electrical Engineering Courses
  • 1987 – Opening of BS Nursing (4-year program)
  • 1987–present – Implementation of the Catholic Schools System Development Program (CSSD)
  • 1990 (50th Golden Jubilee) – Theme: “Thanking, Celebrating and Visioning”
  • 2000 (60th Anniversary) – Theme: “The HTCian Family into the Millennium: Memory and Prophecy”
  • April 2010 (70th Anniversary) – Theme: “Gather…Remember…Celebrate!”
  • 2015 (75th Anniversary) – 3-day community celebration & outreach
    • Theme: “HTU Shining Bright and Soaring High @ 75”
  • 2020–2021 (80th Anniversary) – Celebrated during the pandemic through online & limited face-to-face events
    • Theme: “Pasko ng Pasasalamat sa Panahon ng Pandemya sa HTU”
  • 2025 (85th Anniversary) – A celebration of 85 years of excellence and faith
    • Theme: “In Thanksgiving for 85 Years of Faith and Excellence (#ITYFE)”
  • December 23, 2009 – CHED grants University Status to Holy Trinity College; formally becomes Holy Trinity University (HTU).

Holy Trinity Academy Administrators

  • Rev. Mother Cruz Rich, O.P.
  • Rev. Mother Paulina Cruz, O.P.
  • Rev. Mother Trinidad Acosta, O.P.
  • In cooperation with Augustinian Recollect priests led by Msgr. Leandro Nieto, ORSA

Junior College Leadership

  • Sr. Amparo Bautista, O.P. (1950)
  • Fr. Alessio Villanueva, ORSA (1955)
  • Mother Rosa Santiago, O.P. (1958)
  • Sr. Victoria San Juan, O.P. (1963)

Holy Trinity College Presidents

  • Sr. Leonor Pagorogon, O.P., PhD (1976–1981)
  • Sr. Teresita Medalle, O.P., PhD (1987–2000)
  • Sr. Estrella T. Tangan, O.P., PhD (2000)
  • Sr. Caroline S. Capili, O.P., PhD (2007)

Holy Trinity University Presidents

  1. Sr. Caroline S. Capili, O.P., PhD (1st HTU President, 2009 – 2011)
  2. Sr. Mesalina E. Cloma, O.P. (2011 – 2014)
  3. Sr. Mercedes R. Lalisan, O.P., PhD (2014 – 2017)
  4. Sr. Pinlyn B. Dahili, O.P., DM (2017 – 2019)
  5. Sr. Elenita B. Ocampo, O.P., PhD (2019 – 2025)
  6. Sr. Mary Ann L. Allag, O.P., PhD (2025 – present)
  • 1990–1991 – Strong research tradition initiated; PERC established
  • 1991 – BS Civil Engineering receives government recognition
  • 1994–1995 – New programs:
    • Ph.D., MA Public Administration, Religious Education, BS Physical Therapy, BS Computer Science, BS Biology
  • 1997 – Application for conversion to university submitted
  • ETEEAP Program (2002 onward) – HTC deputized by CHED to offer equivalency and accreditation; first graduates in SY 2003–2004
  • 2009 – PAASCU Accreditation milestones across programs
  • 2010 – Two Governor’s Awards: Private Education & Women Development Category
  • 2011 – Mayor’s Award (Academe Category)
  • 2015 – Excellent Award: Cleanest & Greenest School (Poblacion Category)
  • 2015 – Best Research Paper & Poster Presenter (Regional)
  • 2018 – Nursing Board Topnotcher; Criminology exemplary performance award
  • 2025 – HTU College of Nursing ranks Top 5 Nationwide in PNLE
  • 2015–2016 – Multiple programs achieve Level I & II Accreditations
  • 2017 – BS Nursing Level II & BS HRM Level I PAASCU Accredited
  • 2022 – 5 college programs granted Level II reaccreditation
    • Bachelor of Elementary Education
    • Bachelor of Secondary Education
    • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
    • Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management
  • 2022 – Integrated Basic Education re-accredited Level II for 5 years preparing for level III
  • 2025 – BS Nursing Level II PAASCU Accredited
  • Alliances with:
    • Asia-Pacific Consortium of Researchers and Educators (APCORE)
    • USC, UM, PSU, and FU (Academic Consortia)
  • 2013 – Opening of Sienatel (now HTU Tiniguiban Campus)
  • Engineering and HRM laboratory facilities established
  • Dormitory and Nursing In-House Review Center
  • Continuous improvements in Sta. Monica and Main Campuses
  • Naming of campus acacia tree as “Trinicacia” (2024)
  • Revision of Mission & Vision
  • Adoption of flexible learning
  • 2021 – First hybrid graduation
  • Restoration to 100% face-to-face classes
  • Approval of revised curricula and Graduate School programs
  • HTU as the only Catholic University in MIMAROPA
  • Strong commitment to missionary work and truth-based education
  • Active implementation of:
    • Parish Sunday School
    • Religious activities promoting synodality
    • Outreach with indigenous peoples and underserved communities
    • Evangelization programs in public schools
  • Dedication to building a progressive Christian community rooted in truth, service, and compassion