Divine Word College of Legazpi

The Divine Word College of Legazpi or DWCL is a Catholic-affiliated college run by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in Legazpi, Albay, Philippines.HistoryEarly historyThe Divine Word College of Legazpi was originally Liceo de Albay, a diocesan parochial school for boys owned and managed by Rev. Fr. Juan Carullo, a retired Army Chaplain and a native of Malinao, Albay. When he left the military service, his retirement pay and other personal wealth was invested in a school which he founded. At the beginning, the school was an exclusive high school for boys (St. Agnes was the exclusive high school for girls).In 1952, a very strong typhoon hitting Albay badly damaged the Liceo de Albay. Around this time, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) was looking for a place to put up a school in the province. Fr. Joseph Bates, SVD, negotiated with the Bishop of Albay for the SVD acquisition of the Liceo de Albay, amidst the school's financial difficulties.In 1959, the formal transfer of ownership and management was effected for around Php 30,000.00. Reconstruction of the school began with Fr. Bates' personal funds as well as money from his family and friends and from the United States of America. With the SVDs and Bates now in Legazpi City, many people from his old assignment in Bohol were brought to help him build and run the Liceo de Albay.