When the smoke of war cleared, San Beda was quick to rehabilitate and re-opened on 2 July 1945. With the other schools not yet in a position to operate, San Beda was able to assemble the best faculty, a true superschool.
The student profile was still mainly middle class even if the likes of Eugenio Lopez, Jr. and Aquinos Benigno, Jr. and Agapito were in the rolls. It took time to restore the discipline that war had eroded, as students came to school with .45 caliber pistols. The staggering jump in enrollment forced the adoption of two school calendars.
The 1946 graduation rites were veiled with a cloud of sadness for the many Bedan heroes who were killed fighting for the country. Among the graduates were media and sugar mogul Eugenio Lopez, architect Manolo Mañosa, businessmen Pocholo Razon, Guillermo Dy Buncio, and Aurelio Periquet.
Engineering and Foreign Service courses were offered under the end phase of Fr. Axtman’s term but discontinued by succeeding rector Fr. Urbano Casares after just two years; with the engineering teaching equipment sold to De La Salle College.
With the future firmly charted by Fr. Axtman, the 1947 and 1948 classes graduated with the likes of senators Ramon V. Mitra, Benigno Aquino, Jr., bar 2nd placer Renato de la Fuente, and Adriano Henson Lacson, who would become Fr. Sylvestre Lacson, rector, and prior.
The Axtman juggernaut would continue with two future Abbey superiors and San Beda rectors – Fr. Bernardo Perez and Fr. Celestino Say- graduating in 1949. Alongside were businessmen Eddie Lim and Emerson Coseteng, and two National Artists Federico Alcuaz (painting) and another Francisco Mañosa (architectecture).
1958 Bar 8th placer Enrique Perez, would refer to this bumper crop as part of the golden Bedans. April 1947 ended the American administration of San Beda as Fr. Axtman went on home leave and the Abbot Deutsch’ apostolic administration was ended by the Vatican.
The Den of Bedan Lawyers
Fr. Sergio Martinez, rector only for one year, opened the College of Law in school year 1948-49. Founding Dean Atty. Feliciano Jover Ledesma ensured great success by recruiting a powerhouse faculty led by Roberto Concepcion, 1924 bar first placer and Chief Justice from 1966 to 1973, and Diosdado Macapagal, 1936 bar first placer and Philippine President from 1961 to 1965. A perfect 100% bar passing rate was achieved in 1952, ‘53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’60, ’61. There have been eight first placers and dozens have landed in the top ten. Since its founding, there has been a steady stream of congressmen and senators, judges and justices, high level public and private executives. In 2016, a member of the Law Class of 1972, Rodrigo Duterte, was elected President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Elpidio Quirino, Philippine President from 1948 to 1953, remarked “The increasing number of Bedan alumni, in the public as well as in the private service, is eloquent proof of its success in instilling love of God and country in the minds and hearts of our young.” Then Vice-President Fernando Lopez echoed “In the annals of Christian education, the traditions of San Beda College are shining examples. This college has trained many of our national leaders. It has won an enviable reputation among the institutions of learning.”
Fifteen Bedans have been appointed to the Supreme Court – Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, and fourteen Associate Justices: Florenz Regalado, Justo Torres, Romeo Callejo, Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Samuel Martires, Jose Mendoza, Noel Tijam, Bienvenido Reyes, Antonio Martinez, Jose Reyes, Mariano del Castillo, Ramon Paul Hernando, Mario Lopez, Samuel Gaerlan.”
In the 2019 Bar Exam, SBU had 190 passers, the most by any law school. The combined SBU Manila and SBC Alabang bar passers comprised 15% of the new lawyers.
(Source: https://www.sanbeda.edu.ph/post/76/history-of-san-beda)
