The only thing

new in the
world is the
history you
don’t know.
- Harry S. Truman
-

Submitted by: Ethel A. Suarez BSCS-4

 The Birth of
Letran de
Davao Inc.
Letran de Davao, Inc. is a catholic school located at Seminary Drive, Tagum City.

It was first known as St. Mary’s College Boys Department and was formally opened on

June 1967 adopting all first year to fourth year high school boys’ students. It was founded

when Roman Catholic Bishop of Tagum Joseph W. Regan, M.M. proposed in 1965 and

negotiated with the Directress of Saint Mary’s College, Rev. Mother Rufita Jardin, R.V.M.

to open a high school for boys using temporarily the permit of Saint Mary’s College. They

agreed that Saint Mary’s College will be an exclusive high school for girls while the new

school will become an exclusive high school for boys and will be named Saint Mary’s

College Boys Department. And the school was constructed on the land donated by the

inspired generous people, Mr. & Mrs. Florencio Domingo and Dr. & Dra. Nicolas Ostrea.

The school applied for a Government Permit and was issued a Temporary Permit

No. 261, S. 1975 on June of 1974. A year later, on the 17th of June 1976 it was granted a
Government Recognition No.114, S. 1976 which was issued by the Department of

Education, and Culture, Manila, Philippines.

In 1986, the school was administered under the Administration of a priest of the

Dominican Order, Fr. Jerry R. Manlangit, o.p., which a deliberation affecting the name of

the school happened when they realized: (1) that Saint Mary’s School for Boys was

oftentimes mistaken to be Saint Mary’s College, the school for girls; (2) that Saint Mary’s

School for Boys which is under a Dominican Order was institutionally related with the

chain school of Letran. Therefore, on June 16, 1987, the school named Saint Mary’s

College for Boys was officially changed to LETRAN DE DAVAO, INC. and remained up

to date in spite of the change in administration from Dominican order to the Brothers of

the Sacred heart, then to the Congregation Schools of Charity – the CANAVIS FATHERS.

Since school year 2001-2002 until present, the school has been managed by Fr.

Fernando S. Fietta, csch, he was also the director and principal of Letran de Davao, Inc.

who, being supported by Italian Benefactors, undertook a makeover of the school campus

and established the Canavis Scholarship for the needy and deserving students.

In school year 2004-2005 Letran de Davao, Inc. was officially a CO-ED school and

started accepting female students.

In 2006 (12 years ago), grade school was offered to Letran de Davao, Inc., the same

year also when additional 1 section by year level was added.

 In school year 2016-2017, Senior High School was offered to Letran de Davao, Inc.

which offers three (3) strands, namely: Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMMS),

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Accounting, Business

and Management (ABM).

This 2018, Letran de Davao, Inc. already celebrated its 51st Founding Anniversary.

At present, Letran de Davao, Inc. I still operating and the population is getting

bigger every year.