1904-1951

The organic act which established the Civil Government in the Philippine Islands in 1901 made provision for the establishment of the Philippine School of Commerce. However, the school was organized in 1904.

1904

In response to the demand for training personnel for the government service and to the felt need to provide skills essential for private business employment, the Manila Business School (MBS) was founded on October 1904 as part of a City School system under the superintendence of Gabriel Ambrose O'Reilly 

It offered the prescribed intermediate curriculum and such vocational-technical courses as typing, bookkeeping, stenography, and telegraphy.

1908

On account of the fact that the great majority of its students came from the province, the MBS was made into an Insular (or national) school and accordingly renamed Philippine School of Commerce (PSC). At first, the intermediate curriculum was prescribed in addition to subjects such as typewriting, bookkeeping, and stenography. Afterwards a four-year secondary course in commerce was offered in addition to the courses in Bookkeeping, Stenography, Typewriting and Telegraphy.

1911

The PSC was placed again under the supervision of the Superintendent of City Schools for Administrative purposes only, but retained its status as an Insular school. The PSC produced its first batch of high school graduates. During this year the course in telegraphy was discontinued since the Telegraph School of the Bureau of Posts offered better facilities.

1912

The PSC offered a one-year course in Stenography for high school graduates. The course proved to be successful and popular because of its positive results. Those who took the course got easily employed as stenographers and later as office managers.

1917

To keep in step with changing conditions, the PSC started revising its courses of study. Under the leadership of Acting Principal Luis F. Reyes, it continually raised its general requisites. To enable young people employed during the daytime to acquire further training, it opened night classes (These classes would be discontinued in 1932 because of the government's retrenchment policy).

From 1904, the PSC has known several homes: an old Spanish building located at the foot of a small bridge at San Rafael Street, near the Mapa High School to an old house at the corner at Dulungbayan Street (now Rizal Avenue) and Dolores Street (now Bustos Street), Santa Cruz, Manila. Two years later, it was transferred to Gunao Street, corner Arlegui in Quiapo, in the building which now housed the Manila Blue Printing. At the end of another two years, it found itself in a building in General Solano Street, San Miguel, formerly occupied by the Bureau of Audits and the Philippine Senate where it had the consolation of staying for four years. A building behind the San Miguel Church was its next destination where it stayed for about twelve years. Then back to the Gen. Solano Building. In this last place, it remained for seven years up to 1933.

1933
The PSC was merged with the Philippine Normal School (PNS) and the Philippine School of Arts and Trades. During the merger, which lasted for 12 years, it operated under the supervision and administration of the PNS Superintendent. The PSC students who completed their respective courses were considered graduates of the PNS. The PSC replaced its secondary curriculum with a two-year junior college curriculum.

1948
The PSC acquired the P.E. grounds, also on S.H. Loyola Street.

1949
Republic Act No. 415 was passed, providing for the establishment of teacher-training departments in government schools. The PSC was one of the beneficiaries of the said Act.

1951
Three departments were organized: Teacher Training, Business Education, and Research.

1948
The PSC acquired the P.E. grounds, also on S.H. Loyola Street.

1949
Republic Act No. 415 was passed, providing for the establishment of teacher-training departments in government schools. The PSC was one of the beneficiaries of the said Act.

1951
Three departments were organized: Teacher Training, Business Education, and Research.

Next: 1952-1971