IHMC 3.92

IHMC had its beginnings in 1750. It was then a pious young lady named Mother Paula, of the Third Order of St. Dominic, sailed from Spain to Philippines. Her mission was to provide a home for the poor and abandoned children. She Took care of them in a house she called Beaterio de Santa Rosa, named in honor of St. Rose of Lima.

After Mother Paula's death, the house was placed under the Royal Patronage. The Royal Audencia, through its regent, His Excellency, D.S. Travino, sought the assistance of the Daughters of Charity to continue the work of Mother Paula. In 1866, Sister Gervasia, Carmen and Eustaquia de Lara took over Beaterio, and with the approval of its Board of Directors, changed its name to Colegio de Santa Rosa. Aside from providing home for the young girls, the Sisters see to it that the girls received thorough Catholic Education.

The school enjoyed the support of the Spanish government and the wealthy families of that time. It was able to withstand the revolution and the earthquake that rocked the period. Through the passing of years, it grew into an elite school for girls. in 1933-1934, the High School Home Economics was opened. Two years later, the Junior Normal College was inaugurated.

However in the fateful day of December 27, 1941, a bomb dropped by the Japanese reduced the school into shambles. The Sisters then sought refuge in Concordia College, the provincial house of the Daughters of Charity by that time. In spite of the war, the Sisters still kept on with their mission of looking after the homeless children, and teaching catechism in the neighborhood. They engaged in needlework to support themselves.

When liberation came in 1943, Mrs. Warner, an American who stayed with the Sisters, offered her home at Manga Avenue in Santa Mesa, Manila as a new school site. The house was a total mess. It had neither doors nor windows and the walls were dilapidated. However they were able to reopen the primary school and offer a special course in needlework and handicraft.

In 1946, with Sister Carmen Reta, D.C. as Visitatrix, a building located at 142 Sociego Street in Santa Mesa was bought and there the Sisters resumed their operation. In October, the Board of Directors of Santa Rosa proposed for the Sisters' return to the former site Intramuros. But the Sisters refused the offer because of certain modifications on some conditions of the proposal, which they could not accept. Much to their regret, they had to relinquish the name Colegio de Santa Rosa. Instead, they adopted the name Immaculate Heart of Mary College.

The Sisters were then faced with the great task of putting up a college of their own. By dint of hardwork, extreme dedication and cooperation, and the renewed faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother, the school's population grew and its buildings were expanded. As true Daughters of Charity, they did not forget the poor, attending to both their material and spiritual needs.

In 1952, The Sisters saw the need to expand. They bought a lot along Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City, Philippines, where the college presently stands. A four-story, U-shaped building was built. It was inaugurated on February 2, 1957, along with the unveiling image of Our Lady at the campus rotunda, by Father Zacaraias Subinas, C.M.

In 1957, the school launched a program expansion under Sister Filomena Zulueta, D.C. Additional wings were built to house the chapel and the auditorium. New equipment and facilities were installed. Saint Joseph's Home was completed in 1959.

The period of 1963-1972 saw the construction of an additional wing, the Sacred heart Building, to house the Grade School classrooms. The Speech Laboratory, the Conference Room, the Office of the Directress and the Media Center were provided with air conditioning units. A couvered court was constructed and the service of a security agency was hired.

More importantly, personnel upgrading was undertaken. Lay members joined the administrative staff. The Guidance Office and the different unit offices were given priority. However, due to inadequate enrollment because of the sprouting of colleges around the area, the College Department had to be phased out. In spite of this setback, however, the administration's resolve to carry on with its thrust did not falter.

The school has continued upgrading itself through the years. In 1983, the individual Reading Program was implemented and is still in the process of continuous improvement. The Basic Education Department (BED) is on its way. It had its Congregational Evaluation Visit (CEV) on March 3–5, 1986.