Bataan Heroes Memorial College, established in 1979 is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational institution, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a stock corporation.
BHMC is among the institutions under the Capitol System of Schools established by Engr. Sesenio S. Rosales and Gloria Laureana S. Rosales. Her sister schools include:
- Iligan Capitol College in Iligan City (1964)
- Capitol University, formerly Cagayan Capitol College in Cagayan de Oro City (1971)
- Ginoog City Colleges in Ginoog City (1981)
- Francis Learning Center in Cagayan de Oro City (1986)
- Lyceum of Iligan Foundation in Iligan City (1996)
The founders also established Cagayan Capitol College Maternity Hospital, now Capitol University Medical Center (1973)
BHMC was intended by its founders to serve as a monument to the heroes of Bataan in World War II who left behind legacies of courage, human endurance, burning patriotism, and the indomitability of the Filipino spirit. These are legacies that the founders deemed worthy of emulation and inculcation in the minds of the Filipino youth.
Gloria Laureana S. Rosales was born in Limay, Bataan and had spent the war years from one Bataan town to another, witnessing the death march. The ultimate and extreme sacrifice of our Filipino soldiers left an impression on her young mind. This was her motivation to come back to Bataan and along with her husband Engr. Sesenio S. Rosales, established Bataan Heroes Memorial College, to perpetuate the legacies of those who fought and died in the war.
BHMC began operations in school year (SY) 1979-1980 with 293 freshmen enrolled in nine (9) initial course offerings namely General Engineering, Maritime Education, Commerce, Liberal Arts, Secondary Teacher Education, Secretarial, Agriculture Technology and Secondary Education courses.
Madame Gloria Laureana S. Rosales, Chairman of the Board of the Capitol System of Schools headed BHMC as its first college President. Included in the administration of the new college were Engr. Honesto Geronimo, Head of the Engineering Department; 2M Andrei Zerna, Head of the Maritime Education Department; Ms. Yolanda Paguio, Head of the Commerce Department; Mr. Francisco San Pedro, Head of the Arts-Education Department; Ms. Laura Istalilla, Head of the Secretarial Department; and Mr. Wilfredo C. Aguila, Registrar and Principal of the High School Department.
On December 8, 1979, a thanksgiving mass was officiated by Msgr. Celso N. Guevarra, Bishop of Balanga in honor of the Immaculate Conception. December 8 was also declared as the foundation day of the College, chosen by the founding President and Chairman not only for religious persuasions but also for its historical relevance.
It shall be recalled that the Japanese bombed treacherously the US Naval Base in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which is December 8 in the Philippines, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Being an ally of the US, Filipino Reservists were drafted into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) to fight alongside the Americans. It is in this war that the Americans witnessed the courage of the Filipino soldier.
On March 20, 1980, the ROTC department was activated as the 526th NROTC unit of the Philippine Navy with Rear Admiral Ernesto R. Ogbinar, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Flag-Officer-In-Command Philippine Navy as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker while Lieutenant Senior Grade (LTSG) Teofilo B. Escocio Jr. of the Philippine Navy was assigned first commandant.
In 1980, Attorney Casimiro B. Juarez Jr. and Dr. Fe Rosales Juarez took over as President and Executive Vice-President, respectively. They are also both members of the Board of Directors.
In a span of 5 years, government recognition were issued by then Ministry of Educations (MECS) to all degree programs of the college.
Following a board policy of rotation, Madame Rosales was reinstated as President of the College in 1987. In 2001, the college’s initiative to widen program offerings resulted in the opening of the following programs: BS in Criminology, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Electrical Engineering and BS in Electronics Engineering. Government recognitions were granted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) before the graduation of the first batch in 2005.
In 2014, the College reopened the High School department (now Junior High School), grades 7-10. Answering to the changing landscape of Philippine education, the Senior High School department was established and welcomed the first batch of K-12 students in 2016.
Around this time, the college had also ventured into offering technical-vocational programs under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) specifically, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Computer Systems Servicing.
At the end of Academic Year 2017-2018, the College, along with the rest of the country, graduated the first ever batch of Grade 12 Senior High School students.
In Academic Year 2018-2019, Bataan Heroes Memorial College changed its name, omitting the word “memorial” to be known as Bataan Heroes College (BHC). In the same year, the first ever batch of K-12 graduates were welcomed with new bachelor’s degree programs namely BS in Architecture, BS in Accountancy, BS Entrepreneurship and BS Accounting Information Systems.
With its years of existence, Bataan Heroes College has hurdled through and thrived despite the challenges of Philippine education; and has remained relevant in the service of the community. She has produced successful graduates who have found their place in the sun- entrepreneurs, professionals and experts in their respective fields who are pillars of the community in the Philippines and abroad.