HISTORY AND ACADEMIC MILESTONES
Shortly after Central Philippine Union Mission was organized in 1964, its leaders dreamt of a college for Central Philippines. Following the dream, CPUM searched for a land and set its sight on a 71-hectare property in Alegria, Murcia, 23 kilometers from Bacolod City. Subsequently, more farms were purchased to bring the total acreage to 123 at the foot of Mt. Marapara.
On August 12, 1981, the groundbreaking ceremony for the College took place and actual construction began on October 2, 1981. On June 14, 1982, it was registered with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) as Central Philippine Adventist School, a vocational college which offered Rural Health Nursing, Building Construction, Agriculture, and Biblical Studies with 100 students and 17 faculty members with Pastor Dave Recalde as the appointed president.
Initially, the school was but a multipurpose building called the Pioneer Hall which housed everybody and everything-the dormitories, faculty homes, administrative offices, cafeteria, library and the gym which is used for chapel, church, and other gatherings. This single imposing structure amid the ocean waves of sugarcane earned the moniker, “Noah’s Ark.”
On October 11, 1985, the name Central Philippine Adventist School was changed to Central Philippine Adventist College upon approval by the DECS of the four-year Agriculture course.
By 2013, there were already a masteral degree in Educational Management and 15 bachelor academic programs that were offered namely, Agriculture, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Biology, Mathematics, Music, Accountancy, Accounting Technology, Business Administration, Information System, Office Administration, Civil Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Nursing and Theology. In 2014, the college was approved to offer the secondary level (grades 7-10) and in 2016 the operation of the Senior High School began.
Despite the insufficient funds due to pandemic, in 2021, the Lord still greatly provided the college generous donors that made it possible for the construction of the new Theology Building and the renovation of the laboratory, classroom and office of the School of Nursing.
During its 41st Founding Anniversary this year (2022), CPAC inaugurated 3 much needed projects. First is the building of the Lamb Shelter for the kids to be used during church worship time; the restoration of the Gazebo which was destroyed by Typhoon Odette and the completion of the Build-a-Wall Project Phase 1. These are all due to the united efforts of the administration, faculty and staff and the kind support of alumni and friends.
For the past four decades, the college has placed priority on educating skilled professionals who will contribute as denominational work force here and abroad. It upholds its mission of producing winsome ambassadors for Christ and who live up to the Christian spirit of being “in the world, but not of the world.”
With the new set of administrators at the helm, CPAC moves forward in faith. It continues to share the Church’s educational philosophy and seeks to function as a resource center which can facilitate the development and spread of the Gospel in the Central Philippines far and beyond.