OUR STORY

Celebrating Excellence. A Legacy of Greatness.

Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn

University President

President's Message

Eighty years ago, the University of Batangas was born from a simple yet powerful dream: to provide quality education that would uplift lives, strengthen communities, and help shape a better future for generations to come. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the University was founded by six visionaries who believed that education was essential to nation-building.

Today, as we celebrate the university’s 80th Founding Anniversary with theme, “UB at 80: Celebrating Excellence. A Legacy of Greatness,” we pause and reflect with deep gratitude to honor the journey that eventually brought us here – the sacrifices of our founders, the dedication of our teachers and employees, the resilience of our students, and the unwavering support of our alumni and partners.

Through the decades, UB has remained ever steadfast in its mission to nurture individuals who embody spirit, intellect, and purpose. We have continually strived to offer education that is not only relevant and innovative, but also deeply human – education that builds and shapes not just skilled professionals, but principled leaders and compassionate citizens ready to serve the ever-changing world that we live in.

Faith in God grounds us in purpose and hope. Love of wisdom fuels our pursuit of truth, life-long learning, and innovation. Service to fellowmen calls us to look beyond ourselves – to extend compassion, to share knowledge, and to contribute meaningfully to our community. Together, these values form the heart and soul of the University of Batangas.

As we mark this historic milestone, we do not only celebrate our past – we renew our commitment to the future. May the next chapters of UB’s story be written with the same courage, dedication, and heart that have sustained us for eighty years. May the legacy of greatness that our founding fathers have left us with – continue to burn bright in the heart of every UBian, guiding every path and every journey that they choose to tread in this life.

Happy 80th Founding Anniversary to our beloved University of Batangas. May our legacy of greatness continue to shine through every member of the UB family, now and always.

ATTY. Jesus V. Mayo

Chairman, Board of Regents

Chairman's Message

The University of Batangas has long planted seeds that continue to bear the fruits generations past and present are enjoying. Since 1946, our institution has demonstrated a strong commitment to our mission and vision by delivering quality education within and outside the province. And as we celebrate our 80th founding anniversary this 2026, UB looks back to its history as it works in the present to leave a legacy in the future.

From the shared vision of our founding fathers, UB, then Western Philippine Colleges (WPC), has progressed to its current status – standing strong and continuously growing. Starting with a campus in Batangas City, UB expanded to Lipa City with the opening of UB Lipa City Campus 15 years ago. The journey to serving more fellowmen does not stop there. We continue to search for ways and plan to reach a wider community, possibly extending it beyond the Province.

The numerous recognitions UB earned over the past eight decades, not only in academic fields but also in culture, the arts, and sports, are the work not by individuals, but a collective effort of its employees, faculty members, students, and other stakeholders. We take it upon ourselves to continue these tasks guided by our values of faith in God, love of wisdom, and service to fellowmen.

The Logo

Woven from eighty years of legacy, the University of Batangas' 80th Founding Anniversary logo is a visual anthem of resilience and triumph. The design features flowing ribbons of maroon and gold that intertwine to form the number "80," telling a story of infinite dedication and continuous evolution.

The upward arrow subtly embedded within the curves is a symbol of the University’s relentless ascent. It signifies that while the institution is rooted in a legacy of greatness, its vision is fixed firmly on the heights of tomorrow. This emblem is more than a number; it is a promise that as UB celebrates excellence today, it is already rising to meet the challenges of the future.

University of Batangas, Undeniably the Best since 1946—still ahead, and always will be.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS

The Legacy of the UB Founders

As we approach the 80th Founding Anniversary, the University of Batangas reflects on its roots. We recognize the individuals who established the Western Philippine Colleges, celebrating the legacy of greatness they left behind. Below is a glimpse into the lives of the founders who set the standard for the excellence we uphold today.

Mr. Juan Y. Javier served as the second president of the Western Philippine Colleges. An educator by profession, he is recorded as the first Filipino graduate of the Graduate School of the University of Arizona, where he obtained his Master of Arts in Education.

Atty. Jesus Lorenzo A. Arguelles was a respected writer, teacher, poet, and dramatist. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees from the University of the Philippines. In addition to his achievements in law and literature, he was also known as an accomplished tennis champion.

Rev. Fr. Vicente R. Catapang was a priest, educator, and writer who served as the Founding President of the Western Philippine Colleges. He was ordained as a priest on April 28, 1912. He later pursued higher education in the United States, earning his doctoral degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana in 1924.

Atty. Francisco G. Perez was an educator who served as the Treasurer of the WPC and Dean of the College of Law. In the public sector, he was elected five times as a Board member of Batangas Province.

Mayor Roman L. Perez held office as Mayor of Batangas from 1942 to 1949, a period that overlapped with the Japanese occupation during World War II. Records indicate that under his leadership, the municipality was frequently protected from the harshest impacts of wartime atrocities.

Atty. Pablo C. Umali was a respected educator and writer who contributed columns to the Free Press and Panorama. He served as Municipal Judge of San Luis, Batangas, and later held the position of City Assessor of Lipa until his retirement. He completed his law studies at the University of Manila.

Together, these visionaries laid the groundwork for an institution that has evolved from the Western Philippine Colleges into the premier University of Batangas today. Their collective expertise in education, law, governance, and the arts provided a holistic foundation for generations of Batangueños. As the University of Batangas marks this 80th milestone, it stands firm on the values they instilled, ensuring that the legacy of greatness they built remains the guiding force in celebrating excellence for years to come.

UB 80TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

80 Years of Excellence

Celebrating Excellence, A Legacy of Greatness

A beacon of hope was lit in Batangas City eighty years ago, amidst the ruins of a post-war Philippines. In 1946, the doors of the Western Philippine Colleges (WPC) were opened, driven by an audacious vision to provide affordable, quality education to Batangueños. The institution was established by visionaries such as Mr. Juan Y. Javier, Atty. Jesus Lorenzo A. Arguelles, Rev. Fr. Vicente R. Catapang, Atty. Francisco G. Perez, Mayor Roman L. Perez, and Atty. Pablo C. Umali, whose foresight is honored today. It is understood that the true reconstruction of the nation began in the classroom by these pioneers, and their legacy is now evident in the thousands of alumni who are recognized worldwide.

That small rented house on Rizal Avenue has since been transformed into the University of Batangas, a multi-campus institution distinguished by academic rigor and community service. A "new historical chapter" has been embraced under the leadership of President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn, the first female president in the university's history. The modernization of the curriculum has been overseen, and consistent top performance in licensure examinations, particularly in Law, Engineering, and Education, has been achieved. Furthermore, global competitiveness is being pursued through international partnerships and the maintenance of ISO-certified standards.

The "UBian" spirit has been proven unbreakable throughout the last 80 years, having been tested by economic shifts, natural calamities like the Taal eruption, and global pandemics. As the threshold of the 80th year is crossed, learners are no longer just being educated for the province; global citizens are being molded for the world, ensuring the legacy of excellence is continued for generations to come.

THE PRESIDENTS

A Legacy of Greatness

Through the years, the University of Batangas has been guided by presidents whose leadership, vision, and dedication helped shape the institution’s direction and values. Each presidency marks a chapter in UB’s story—one that strengthened its mission and carried it forward through generations.

The Founding Disciplinarian

Rev. Fr. Vicente Catapang

First President (1946–1952)

Elected in 1946 as the first President of Western Philippine Colleges (WPC), Rev. Fr. Vicente Catapang laid the institutional foundations of what would later become the University of Batangas. Shaped by postwar realities and guided by firm discipline, his leadership steered the young college through rapid growth marked by successive campus relocations from the initial site to the Javier House in 1947, and later to the M.H. Del Pilar property in 1949.

Under his administration, WPC expanded its academic offerings to include High School, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Education, and Normal colleges, culminating in the establishment of the College of Law in 1949. Beyond infrastructure and programs, Fr. Catapang fostered early student leadership by inspiring councils across departments, embedding discipline, service, and governance into the school’s formative culture.

The Builder of Community

Mr. Juan Y. Javier

Second President (1952–1964)

Elected in 1952, Mr. Juan Y. Javier presided over an era of consolidation, cultural growth, and rising public trust until his death in 1964. His administration responded to increasing enrollment through campus development, including the acquisition of the Hilltop property in 1953. Under his leadership, WPC strengthened student life and civic engagement with the emergence of The Westernian Advocate, student government electoral practices, and co-curricular organizations such as the ROTC All-Students Brass Band and the WPC Orchestra.

Academic credibility flourished as WPC gained recognition for strong Bar and CPA licensure examination performance. After his passing, governance was temporarily entrusted to an Executive Committee, reflecting the institutional stability his leadership had built.

The University Architect

Dr. Abelardo Perez

Third President (from 1967; later First UB President)

Elected in 1967 as the third President of WPC, Dr. Abelardo Perez concurrently served as Chairman of the Executive Committee during a decisive period of transformation. His tenure marked the beginning of long-term campus development with the construction of the first Hilltop building in 1968, later named Francisco Perez Hall.

A visionary academic and distinguished physician, Dr. Perez was instrumental in reshaping WPC’s institutional identity culminating in its elevation to university status on August 1, 1996, as the University of Batangas, where he was formally installed as its first president. His leadership emphasized academic excellence, professional growth among faculty, cultural identity, and teamwork, leaving a legacy of structural expansion, institutional pride, and forward-looking governance.

The Steady Steward

Mrs. Flordeliza Arguelles

Fourth President (1972–1975)

Serving from 1972 to 1975, Mrs. Flordeliza Arguelles provided continuity and stability during a period of leadership transition. As the wife of founder Atty. Jesus Arguelles, her presidency reinforced the founders’ vision while ensuring administrative steadiness.

Her term coincided with governance strengthening, including the assumption of Atty. Vicente A. Mayo as Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1973. Mrs. Arguelles’ stewardship helped preserve institutional direction, allowing subsequent leadership to pursue expansive growth grounded on solid organizational footing.

The Nation Builder in Education

Dr. Abelardo Perez

(Second Term) President (1975–2007)

Re-elected in 1975, Dr. Abelardo Perez led the University through decades of unprecedented expansion. His tenure saw the construction of major academic and cultural facilities, including Javier Hall, Pablo Umali Hall, Roman Perez Hall, Fr. Vicente Catapang Hall, Jesus Arguelles Hall, and Western Hall, as well as the gymnasium later renamed Carmelo Q. Quizon Gym.

In 1999, the acquisition of the Pallocan East property further expanded UB’s academic reach. Dr. Perez championed faculty development, cultural preservation, and institutional camaraderie – values embodied in UB’s Culture and Arts initiatives. His leadership firmly positioned UB as a leading private university in Batangas.

The Visionary Standard-Bearer

Atty. Hernando “Nani” B. Perez

Second University President (2007–2023)

Formally installed in 2000, Atty. Hernando “Nani” B. Perez elevated the University of Batangas to national prominence through academic distinction, regulatory excellence, and strategic expansion. Under his leadership, UB earned CHED deregulated and autonomous status, ISO certification, PACUCOA accreditations, and recognition as a Center of Excellence and Center of Development.

His vision materialized in the opening of the UB Lipa City Campus, inaugurated in 2011 and operational in 2012, extending quality education to a growing urban center. The acquisition of the Millennium Campus in 2017 further reflected his forward planning. Through persistence and reform, he set new benchmarks for institutional excellence.

The Torchbearer of Legacy

Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn

Third University President (2024–Present)

Installed on January 4, 2024, Ms. Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn ushered the University of Batangas into its third generation of leadership. As the first woman university president and granddaughter of founder Juan Y. Javier, her presidency symbolizes continuity and renewal.

Her leadership reflects a commitment to sustaining institutional values while guiding UB through contemporary educational challenges. Under her stewardship, the University enters its 80th year grounded in heritage, strengthened by experience, and poised for future growth.

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