“Universidad de San Agustin” of Dr. Funtecha Launched by: James U. Sy Jr.

“Universidad de San Agustin in 100 Years (1904-2004): A Historical Review” by her late husband Prof. Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D. (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


Prof. Nelly Sulay-Funtecha of Central Philippine University (CPU) holding the book “Universidad de San Agustin in 100 Years (1904-2004): A Historical Review,” the latest book by her late husband Prof. Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D., tobe publihed (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


Prof. Nelly Sulay-Funtecha of Central Philippine University (CPU) in her message during the book launching of “Universidad de San Agustin in 100 Years (1904-2004): A Historical Review” by her late husband Prof. Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D., last August 24, 2010 at the University of San Agustin (USA), Iloilo City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


Prof. Nelly Sulay-Funtecha accepting the symbolic first copy of the book “Universidad de San Agustin in 100 Years (1904-2004): A Historical Review” by her late husband Prof. Henry F. Funtecha during the book launching last August 24, 2010 at the University of San Agustin (USA) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).

The USA Coordinating Center for Research and Publications (UCRP) successfully held the book launching of “Universidad de San Agustin in 100 Years (1904-2004): A Historical Review” by the late Prof. Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D., last August 24, 2010 at the President’s Conference Room, Administration Bldg., University of San Agustin (USA), Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City.

The Funtecha family, represented by Prof. Nelly Sulay-Funtecha of Central Philippine University (CPU), her sons Hennel Rhee S. Funtecha and Henry Agafel S. Funtecha, and Dr. Funtecha’s sister Aida Funtecha-Ampatin, graced the book launching.

Universidad de San Agustin is a work documenting the 100 years history of the educational institution starting when it was formally inaugurated on July 15, 1904 by the Augustinian Fathers. The Augustinians were the first Spanish missionaries in the Philippines and the first to establish missions as well as the first ones to initiate parochial schools. The book is significant because researches on educational institutions are rare and Dr. Funtecha’s work is among those few which are in existence.

“Universidad de San Agustin in 100 Years (1904-2004): A Historical Review” by the late Prof. Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D., was published by the University of San Agustin Publishing House in 2009 with Prof. Jigger S. Latoza of USA and Prof. Nelly Sulay-Funtecha of CPU as Editorial Consultants and URCP Secretary Carmen G. Dureza as Editorial Assistant. The book, which is 192-pages thick, is composed of 6 chapters. It is the 33rd work to be published by the USA Coordinating Center for Research and Publications (UCRP) under the heading Libro Agustino.

The book launching was well attended by members of the academe. Giving the welcome remarks in behalf of USA President Rev. Fr. Raul M. Marchan, OSA, was former USA President Rev. Fr. Mamerto Alfeche, OSA. Present were URCP Director Prof. Jigger S. Latoza, USA Librarian Epifamia Paclibar, USA Deans Dr. Isidoro Cruz of the College of Arts & Sciences, Prof. Vicky Sustento of the College of Pharmacy & Medical Technology, Dr. Alex Pacinabao of the College of Education, Dr. Lucio Ercio of the College of Business Administration & Accountancy, and Engr. Reynaldo Asuncion of the College of Engineering & Architecture, USAA Alumni Association President Dr. Asunciuon Faro, Executive Assistant to the USA President Atty. Julius P. Eleas, USA Registrar Gemena Halili, Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS), University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UP-V), Director Prof. Melanie Padilla, Central Philippine University (CPU) Librarian Prof. Vicky Dionio, Prof. Tita Torio of the Division of Social Sciences, UP-V Miag-ao, Iloilo, Prof. Corazon Nievales of the Department of Social Sciences, CPU, Chair Dr. Kristine Treñas and Eugene Jamerlan of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, Curator Mozart James Amsua of Museo Iloilo, and James U. Sy Jr. of Negros Daily Bulletin, Bacolod.

URCP Research and Advocacy Associate Mona V. Pico was the emcee.

A symbolic presentation of the first copy of the book was made by URCP Director Prof. Jigger S. Latoza to former USA President Rev. Fr. Mamerto Alfeche, OSA, in behalf of USA President Rev. Fr. Raul M. Marchan, OSA. Prof. Latoza and Fr. Alfeche then gave the symbolic first copy of the book to the late author’s wife, Prof. Nelly Sulay-Funtecha of CPU.

In the message given by Prof. Sulay-Funtecha, she remembers her beloved husband to be a prolific researcher and writer and someone who gave a high premium on academic pursuits, traits which attracted her to him. In between tears, she expressed her joy and thanks for another work of her late husband to be published and for all the accolades given to Dr. Funtecha by his peers in the academic field.

It has been revealed that the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council and Museo Iloilo will each be erecting a display section as a memorial and tribute to the late Prof. Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D.

Prof. Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D. was a Professor 9 of History and Anthropology at the College of Arts and Sciences , University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UP-V), Miag-ao main campus, Iloilo. He has served as Director for the Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS), Chairperson of the UPV Centennial Program that included the UP Cebu and Tacloban campuses, Coordinator of the College of Arts and Sciences Research & Extension Program, and Coordinator of the Visayan Studies Program. .

Dr. Funtecha was UPV’s Most Outstanding Faculty for the period 199-1996, a semi-finalist in Metro Bank’s foundation’s Search for the Ten Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines (1997), and one of the Most Outstanding alumni of the College of Arts and Sciences of Central Philippine University (CPU). He was an Asia Foundation Fellow for Local Historical Studies in the Philippines (1972) and a British Council Fellow in England, Scotland, and Wales for Cultural Studies (1988). He is the author of eleven books and the writer of not less than 364 articles. He was a columnist at The News Today, penning historical and cultural pieces in his column “Bridging the Gap.”