Our story
Story of
Hospicio de san jose
1778
Don Francisco Gomez Enriquez and Doña Barbara Verzosa dreamed of opening a home for the poor people of Manila. With benevolent intentions, they donated the seed fund for the establishment of Hospicio. The funds were invested in the Obras Pias while permission from the King of Spain was being sought.
1806
A Royal Decree issued by King Charles IV of Spain prescribed that a Hospice be founded in Manila for poor beggars of both sexes.
This decree allowed consolidation of donations for the hospice from Don Francisco Gomez Enriquez, Doña Barbara Verzosa, Don Felipe Cerain, Don Francisco Carriedo and other individuals.
1810 - was officially established
On August 14, 1810, Real Hospicio del Señor San Jose was officially established with a Governing and Managing Board. On October 05, 1810, Hospicio (then located in Arroceros corner Concepcion Aguila Street, Manila) opened its doors for the poor, specifically the orphans and beggars.
1813 - 1844
Starting 1813, Hospicio had several crises, General Mariano Ricafort and other individuals tried hard to keep the hospice.
1832 Hospicio temporarily closed due insufficient funds.
On November 18, 1844, it reopened its doors this time in a house in Nagtahan. In 1845, the Board bought a property in Isla de Convalecencia and started building a house for Hospicio.
1847 - 1852
On February 01, 1847, the residents, orphaned children and homeless adults were transferred to the completed house in Isla de Convalecencia and it became the permanent home of Hospicio de San Jose. In 1853, through another Royal Decree from the King of Spain, Hospicio became the Philippines first asylum for persons with mental illness.
In 1852, Queen Isabel II of Spain issued a Royal Decree which ordered the missioning of the Daughters of Charity in Manila.
1862 - 1865
Fifteen Daughters of Charity, accompanied by two Congregation of the Mission priests, arrived in Manila on July 22, 1862 and began working with Hospicio de San Jose shortly after their arrival.
In 1865, the Daughters of Charity officially took over the management of Real Hospicio through the invitation of Doña Margarita Roxas de Ayala.
1869 - 1872
In 1869, Real Hospicio transferred its residents to a house in Barrio San Miguel (just beside Isla de Convalecencia) while new buildings were built.
In 1872, the residents were transferred back to Isla de Convalecencia upon the completion of the new buildings.
1898 - 1904
In 1898, the Spain was defeated in war by the United States of America. To prevent the American government from claiming Hospicio de San Jose, the Archbishop of Manila was invited and elected as the Chairman of the Board in 1901 and the institution was renamed Hospicio de San Jose.
In 1904, Hospicio became the first home for foundlings. Prior to this, the turno (turning cradle) had already been used by Hospicio.
1906 - 1917
In 1906, the Boys Training School, a correctional facility for delinquent boys ages 10-15 was set up. Eventually, the persons with mental illness were transferred to Santorio de Cavite and the boys were transferred to Lolomboy Industrial School in Bulacan which was then administered by the Daughters of Charity.
On June 17, 1917, Colegio de Hospicio de San Jose opened an elementary school for the residents and the children near Hospicio.
1945
During World War II, Hospicio was devastated, it became an Internment Camp, was bombed and ruined. The residents later on transferred to Concordia College to avoid getting killed by bombs but many of them died in Concordia College. The Sisters and residents who survived sought refuge from San Beda College in Arlegui and later on went back to rebuild the ruins in Hospicio de San Jose in March 1945.
1965 - 1976
Hospicio was among the pioneers in the professionalization of social work.
In 1975, the turning cradle was removed and in person turn over of surrendered children was encouraged instead.
In December 17, 1976, Hospicio de San Jose was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In 1978, Hospicio was accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (then Ministry of Social Services and Development) as a child caring and child placing agency.
1987 - 2012
In 1987, Hospicio de San Jose opened the Crisis Intervention Program – Tahan Center for individuals/ families in crisis. It replaced the turno (turning cradle) and housed parents who wish to surrender children allowing them the time to be counseled and think over their decisions carefully and to explore other options.
In 2012, Hospicio de San Jose opened the Crisis Intervention Program-Food for Life Program, providing meals and human/spiritual formation for persons/families in street dwelling situations. In the same year, the Crisis Intervention Program – Sanctuary Center for women and children victim-survivors of abuse and exploitation was opened.
2017 - 2024
In 2017, the Transitory Home, an additional service for the Food for Life Program, was opened for families in street dwelling situations allowing them to practice living independently as a family while guided by the institution. Home and budget management, basic health education, skills training and job placement for the adults and basic health needs, nutrition, and education for the children were the major concerns that were addressed while they were in the Transitory Home.
The program was closed recently after the successful transfer of the families to the National Housing Authority for permanent housing. In August 2018, the Night Shelter was added as a service for the Food for Life. It aimed to provide overnight shelter for persons/families in street dwelling situations, removing them from the dangers of the streets at night. The program was temporarily closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic but was reopened in February 2024.
2025
At present, 215 years after its official establishment, Hospicio de San Jose, under the management of the Daughters of Charity, continues to be a Haven of Hope for persons in difficult circumstances. With six Level III DSWD Accredited programs, Hospicio continues to strive to provide what is for the best interest of its residents. The efforts to strengthen families, which became the focus starting 1975 still continues. While we take pride and joy in caring for individuals, children, adults, and elderly, we give emphasis in preserving healthy families, strengthening families in difficult situations and finding alternative families for individuals who may no longer be returned to their biological families.
Support
Support Us and Change the Course of a PERSON's Life Today!
Hospicio has never stood alone in its entire existence, we thrive through the support of partners. You may help us continue with our programs through financial and in-kind donations or by sharing your time and skills. Please reach out to us using our email, telephone and cellular number or by visiting our little sanctuary.
We cannot do this alone, we need you!