ABOUT GNC

We offer a wide range of high quality educational programs – elementary, secondary, college and graduate school.

We offer a student-centered learning experience that provides wide range of teaching methods designed to sustain students’ aspirations, interests and needs. Guagua National Colleges (GNC) has also modern and adequate facilities suited for academic studies, research and science, physical activities, extra-curricular programs, socio-civic and religious activities. We also offer Montessori program for elementary and high school that features the philosophy of holistic development for a child – physical, social, emotional and cognitive.

Guagua National Institute – Boy Scouts Troop 75 and 76
Pampanga Council 1948 – 1949

Guagua National Colleges (GNC) was originally established as Guagua National Institute (GNI) on June 18, 1918. The benevolent Rev. Fr. Nicanor M. Banzali started the school at that time with the support of a few civic-oriented families of Guagua and approval of the Archbishop of Manila, Monsignor Michael O’Doherty.

Rev. Fr. Nicanor M. Banzali, then parish priest of Guagua, saw the need to establish a learning institution that will cater to his parishioners, especially the poor and underprivileged. He wanted an educational institution that will help propagate faith in God, search for knowledge and love of country.

The first classes were held at the Guagua Catholic Convent. The school opened classes for primary grade and later during the same year, then Secretary of Public Instruction, Hon. Charles E. Yeater, authorized GNI to offer complete elementary course. The first Elementary School principal was Mrs. Feliza D. Goseco.

GNI opened the high school department in 1919 with 32 enrollees. The school completed the complete secondary course in 1924 and received recognition from Hon. E. A. Gilmore, then Secretary of Public Education.

An old building of Guagua National Colleges

When Fr. Banzali was transferred to Arayat town in 1932, GNI was moved to a temporary site in Barrio San Roque. But a bigger space was needed to meet the necessary requirements for schools so it was transferred anew to Barrio San Nicolas. In 1942, three buildings of GNI were razed to the ground. After the fire, the school built two new buildings to accommodate the steady influx of elementary and high school enrollees.

In 1939, GNI gained government approval to offer During the Second World War, classes were temporarily first year subjects in Junior Normal and Associate in Arts.

And during the school year 1941-1942, the GNI has recorded a total enrolment of 1,500 in elementary, secondary and first year collegiate department. Classes were however disrupted during the Second World War in 1942 to 1945.

On January 1, 1946, GNC was able to acquire ownership of its present site in Barangay Sta. Filomena and started constructing new buildings until it offered full degree courses.