In June 1933, Holy Angel Academy (HAA) opened its doors to a modest group of 78 high school students in the Holy Rosary Parish Convent. It was initiated through the joint efforts of the late Don Juan D. Nepomuceno, a known philanthropist/prominent businessman, and Fr. Pedro P. Santos, then parish priest of the town of Angeles and later Archbishop of Nueva Caceres. Its primary purpose was to offer Catholic education in the secondary level, which was the felt need of the community at that time. It was organized as a non-stock, non-profit corporation oriented towards service to the community.

The founders employed the able leadership of Ricardo V. Flores, an energetic educator from Pagsanjan, Laguna whose efforts, commitment and perseverance brought forth in two months time the opening of a complete secondary school and the issuance of government recognition in February 1934. Thus, HAA became the first Catholic school in the country run by laypersons as well as the first Catholic coeducational high school, with the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as its initial signature landmark. In 1940, HAA moved from the Parish Convent to its first building (present Don Juan D. Nepomuceno Building) to accommodate its expanding enrolment.

When World War II broke out, classes were suspended and resumed only in 1945. On May 8, 1947 the Academy was given new government recognition for its General Secondary Education Program. In school year 1947-48, the Evening High School Program started to provide educational opportunities for working students, particularly the employees in Clark Air Base.

On December 6, 1961, the academy became Holy Angel College (HAC) with Don Juan D. Nepomuceno as the first President. Under his leadership, and the able assistance of his son, Mr. Geromin G. Nepomuceno, the school experienced a revitalized management that led to the construction of buildings and the adoption of the fiscal policy, which opened new possibilities for further growth and expansion. The latter assumed the presidency in 1973 to continue the pursuit of making the school one of the best Catholic educational institutions in the country, particularly in Central Luzon. In 1975, he was succeeded by Dr. Ricardo V. Flores, who held the leadership position until 1980.

Realizing the significance of the unprecedented growth of the College, the administration applied for a university status, which it attained on December 4, 1981. Engr. Mamerto G. Nepomuceno was installed as the fifth President on March 8, 1982. On the same occasion, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga, proclaimed Holy Angel University a Catholic University. The achievement of graduates in various licensure examinations, scholarship opportunities and affordable fees led to the continuous growth of student enrolment, which peaked at 27,000 in SY 1983-1984.

On August 12, 1985, Sister Josefina G. Nepomuceno of the Congregation of Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing was installed as the sixth President. Under this new leadership, the professional dimension of the University was pursued with vigor and its Catholic character given greater and renewed emphasis. The collegiate programs not only grew in number, but also in quality when submitted for accreditation.

The Center for Research, Measurement and Evaluation as well as the Institute of Small-Scale Industries and Enterprise Resource Center were established to articulate the University’s thrust towards research and community service.

In 1995, Sr. Josefina ended her 10-year term as president with Mrs. Bernadette M. Nepomuceno as successor. The latter’s administration saw reforms in structure as well as operations that sustained and expanded the University’s quest for academic excellence. The said thrust was marked by new as well as upgraded curricular programs and awards of distinction.

On October 22, 2001, CHED listed the University as one of the top 52 tertiary educational institutions in the country effectively conferring on it a deregulated status. In 2002, the University hosted the First International Conference on Kapampangan Studies and established the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies to preserve, study, and promote Kapampangan cultural and historical heritage.

In school year 2003-04, the University revisited its mission and vision where all stakeholders agreed to rededicate commitment to accessible quality education, academic excellence, community linkages and the promotion of local history and culture. It also initiated sweeping improvement in physical plant with the construction of Mamerto G. Nepomuceno Hall, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael Buildings, the Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angel, Café Juan, food courts, courtyard, and JDN Annex.

CHED further elevated the University to autonomous status on October 27, 2003 thus, acknowledging its academic leadership in Region 3. On January 31, 2006, PAASCU conferred Level III accredited status on the following programs: Accountancy, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education and Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Industrial and Mechanical). Holy Angel University is one of the few institutions in the country that has attained such status.

In December 2005, the High School Program had its preliminary survey visit by PAASCU. The program was conferred Level 1-Candidate Status on May 31, 2006. This development pushed the High School Program to implement the Career Preparatory Program as an innovation of the Basic Education Curriculum prescribed by the Department of Education. The Program aims to prepare students not only for college education, but for employment or entrepreneurial endeavours.

On August 12, 2006, Dr. Arlyn Sicangco-Villanueva succeeded Mrs. Nepomuceno as the eighth President. The President of the Republic, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, administered the oath of office to Dr. Villanueva on February 1, 2007. The new administration initiated reforms and innovations in organization, operations, services, curricula, campus development and research, and has made international accreditation its flagship. Dr. Villanueva has also vowed to keep alive the founder’s dream of making Holy Angel University the best school in Central Luzon anchored on the three E’s: Evangelization, Excellence, and Economy.

The First Semester of the following school year registered the highest College enrolment statistics of 12,010 since SY 1985-1986 with the CBA and CON having the biggest enrolment

March 8, 2008 marked the opening of the Diamond Jubilee Year with the blessing of the San Francisco de Javier Building, which houses the state-of-the-art University Library and the University Theatre, which is considered by critics and performers as among the best in the country, as the highlights. The University undertook a major upgrading of computer facilities and operations by launching an integrated information system. It also embarked on a massive campus development with the construction of the new University Chapel, the seven-storey CICT-CASEd building, and the University Main Entrance.

The University’s bid for international accreditation which began in school year 2005-06 was realized when the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) conferred on the University on April 4, 2008, in Newport Beach, California, the Specialized Accreditation of the business and business-related programs of the College of Business & Accountancy.

On June 2, 2008, the University was conferred Center of Development in Teacher Education.

The High School Program was conferred a PAASCU Level I accredited status on November 28, 2008.

In recognition of its accomplishments, adherence to quality assurance and commitment to public responsibility and accountability as a higher educational institution, CHED granted the University the Autonomous Status for the period March 11, 2009 to March 30, 2014.

The University conferred its first Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, on Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman and CEO of PLDT and Smart Communications on March 13, 2009. On April 2, 2009, the University formally closed the celebration of the 75th Founding Anniversary with the launching of the book, Destiny and Destination: The Extraordinary Story and History of Holy Angel University 1933-2008, and the dedication of the Main Building to Don Juan Nepomuceno.

Thus, Holy Angel University has remained true to its Mission by continuously co-creating with all its stakeholders the quality educational experience and environment for the service of man and for the greater glory of God.

Laus Deo Semper!