FR. ROGELIO Alarcon, O.P., the first prior provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, died on Saturday, May 17. He was 87.
His death was announced by Angelicum School Iloilo in a Facebook post, where they described him as a “visionary and education reformist.”
“In a society that uses ranks and grades to measure a man’s worth, he dared to redefine education and cherish a child’s individuality instead. He trusted in the uniqueness of each person, of every soul, in educational quests not bound by time or limited by walls, but paced by mission, contemplation, and grace,” the school said.
Alarcon was elected to lead the Dominican Province of the Philippines when it was founded in December 1971. He served for two consecutive four-year terms until 1979.
Recognizing the need for a school in Quezon City, he proposed a non-traditional approach to education.
He founded UST Angelicum College, the pioneer non-graded learning system in the Philippines, in 1972 with just six classrooms, a small library, and nine teachers serving 315 boys.
In 1978, he established Angelicum School Iloilo in Jaro.
In an effort to extend education to the poor, the college established the Re-entry Agenda for the Poor (REAP) in 1998.
Alarcon authored “The Angelicum Experience,” which explained his approach and philosophy toward education, in 1975.
UST, in a circular, remembered Alarcon’s legacy as an education reformist.
“We remember a friar who saw Christ in every learner and who worked tirelessly to ensure that education becomes a transformative journey accessible to all, especially the poor and marginalized,” UST said.
The Nueva Ejica-born friar professed to the Order of Preachers on July 29, 1957.
He was ordained priest on May 31, 1964.
Over the years, he served in various key roles including theology professor, principal, school director, counselor, and pastor.
Alarcon was honored with the Ten Outstanding Young Men Award in 1972.
He was also feted with the UST The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Award, the highest honor conferred by UST upon its graduates, for education in 1995.
His wake will be held from May 18 to 20 at the Sto. Domingo Parish with daily Masses at 6 p.m.
Alarcon will be laid to rest on May 21, 9 a.m. at Santuario de Santo Domingo.
