In the early part of the 1950’s when Manila was still recovering from the damage caused by World War II, many were attracted to the “Land of Promise”, Mindanao, and the future it offers.
A young dentist, DR. INOCENCIO PALACIO ANGELES of Morong, Rizal who was then working for the Malaria control unit of the Department of Health was assigned to the province of Agusan. He was based in Butuan City. At about the same time, an orphaned brother and sister from Rizal, Nueva Ecija also came to Agusan. The brother Jose Turla Joson, became the first Tiniente del Barrio of the then Barrio Bayugan and later became one of the first set of three board members of the then newly-formed province of Agusan del Sur in 1969. The young lady, CLARITA TURLA JOSON put up her own “Botica” being a pharmacist herself. They settled in the river town of Esperanza, which was frequented by the members of the malaria control unit. And so started a romance which eventually led into marriage.
As fate would have it, their first born (Ma. Theresa) died of leukemia when she was just five years old. Dr. & Mrs. Angeles were now residing in the newly established sitio of Bayugan. This sad and painful incident called for the support of family members and loved ones. The parents of Dr. Angeles, Mr. & Mrs. Justo Angeles came all the way from Morong, Rizal to give the couple moral and spiritual upliftment. And what a fruitful visit it turned out to be! It was Mr. Justo Angeles who adviced the couple that being pioneers of this wonderful place, it is their moral obligation to contribute if not spearhead the development of the municipality and its people. They realized they should leave a very good legacy to the people of Agusan.
And so, using the money they received from the insurance company for the death of Ma. Theresa, they heeded the advice of the old man to put up a school which will certainly be a big service to the people of Agusan. In 1966, the SOUTHERN AGUSAN INSTITUTE (SAI) was born. The first principal being Mr. Justo Angeles himself. Initially, they only offered high school education in a two-storey building with six classrooms. Thus, was SAI’s humble beginning.
In 1968, only two years after its opening, Collegiate and Vocational courses were given Government Recognition through the Department of Education.The school name, Southern Agusan Institute, was replaced by SOUTHERN AGUSAN COLLEGE. From six rooms, the main building then had fourteen rooms already. There is also a one story building with twelve rooms that houses the ever growing population of students especially in the college department.
In 1975 the name of the school was aptly changed to AGUSAN DEL SUR COLLEGE (ADSCO).
ADSCO today stands out among the educational institutions in Agusan del Sur. It now offers the following courses: Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) Area of Concentration-English, Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) major in English, Bachelor of Arts (AB) major in English Language and Political Science, Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) major in Business Administration, Finance, Marketing & Accounting Management and the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management, Marketing Management, Human Resource Development Management, Operations Management and Business Economics, Junior Secretarial Course (JSC), Associate in Computer Secretarial, Computer Hardware Servicing, Security Services, Health Care Services, 6-months Caregiver Course, Computer short-term courses are also offered, Kindergarten, and complete Elementary and High School (Day & Night).
There are now additional buildings including a two-storey and a four-storey building with a multi-purpose rooftop. ADSCO also built a new gymnasium to cater to the various activities of the students even during rainy days. By the end of March 2010, a condo/hotel type building would have been constructed. This will serve as the laboratory of our Housekeeping course with TESDA and our newly applied course with CHED, the Hotel and Restaurant Management. A new conference room which can accommodate 150 guests would have been finished by then too.
- A DREAM COME TRUE.
- A VISION REALIZED.
- A GOAL ATTAINED.
The people of Agusan will forever be grateful for the love, sacrifices and pioneering spirit of this couple. Truly they have left a great legacy for all of us.
Mrs. Clarita J. Angeles joined our Father in heaven last December 11, 1981. Her death was a great loss to ADSCO. She was a woman of vision and dedication. Her motherly touch and devotion lent moral support and strength at the time when ADSCO was still in its early stages of development.
With God’s blessing and under the able leadership of Dr.Inocencio P Angeles and only son Inocencio “Bobet” J. Angeles Jr., ADSCO will continue to grow and be of greater service to the youth and her fellowmen.