History...

Asbury College and High School is a United Methodist Church-related institution established in 1947 on the then remote island of Anda, Pangasinan to serve the youth and their families in order to bring progress to the island through quality academic learning in a Christian environment. During the years following World War II, it was impossible for many young people to go to the mainland for further studies, and there were no high schools and colleges in the island at that time. Financially, the people were crippled and education was at a standstill after elementary school. Then Asbury was born...bringing new hope and vision to the little island.

Asbury was the fruit of the work of the Methodist Church, local leaders and the Rev. LeRoy Klaus, a Methodist missionary from Minnesota, USA, and acting district superintendent of the present Pangasinan West District. The school commenced as a two year high school, then four years and gradually emerged as both four years high school and four years liberal arts college.

At present Asbury is the only college on the island although there are several high schools existing. Today it stands as a beacon of light and knowledge to the island community offering not only quality education but a Christian atmosphere. In spite of the poverty of the school and its financial struggle to maintain its high standards, it still stands as a stalwart tower of education offered to those who cannot afford to seek education elsewhere.

This small United Methodist related institution's primary mission is to provide a quality academic training in a Christian environment to those whose incomes do not afford them the opportunities to seek further education. By training young people and giving them tools for the future, the school is helping to insure that these young people will have better opportunities to become better citizens of their local communities and their country as a whole.

Asbury offers her students and faculty a place where they can exercise and develop their faith in a supportive and caring community. The dream chapel in the middle of the campus is still very much a vision for the future, which one day will be realized. Even though students have no chapel as such, weekly convocations are held and led by students as well as faculty members.

For almost 60 years of service, Asbury has produced hundreds of Alumni who carry with them the spirit of Asbury's commitment to serve God and others. Asbury alumni live and serve in many different capacities not only in their own community (Anda) and country (Philippines) but also in other parts of the world. Some have taken leadership roles in government and politics. Some have become successful professionals in the fields of education, engineering, medicine, architecture, and business to name a few. Through the Bachelor of Theology program, Asbury has produced a good number of pastors who now serve local churches on the island. Asbury has also produced women workers or deaconesses whose young lives were first molded by Asbury's commitment in teaching Chrsitian faith and service.

Today, Asbury continues to play an important role in bringing quality and affordable education to the young people of Anda. At present a Kindergarten school is being started. Also, another college course majoring in education is being processed to be approved by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS). Let us continue to support Asbury through our continued prayers and financial support, and hope that she will live longer to mold young lives and offer them promises for a brighter and meaningful future.