About Us

Asbury College is the only United Methodist-affiliated educational institution on the island town of Anda—known as the “Mother Island of the Hundred Islands”—in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines.

We are a non-stock, non-profit, and non-sectarian institution rooted in Christian values and academic excellence.

Our Origins

After World War II, youth in Anda faced limited access to education. There was no secondary school on the island, and families lacked the resources to send their children to the mainland.

In response to this need, Asbury High School was established through the vision of Rev. LeRoy Klaus, an American United Methodist missionary. With the support of the Methodist Church Mission Board in the U.S., the idea took flight—literally. A message authorizing the school’s founding was dropped from a missionary plane over the beach of Tondol, wrapped in a handkerchief parachute.

On January 6, 1946, Asbury High School became a reality, named after Rev. Francis Asbury, the first American Bishop of The Methodist Church.

Growth and Development

  • 1946–1947: Government permit granted. School opened in June 1947.

  • 1948–1950: Land donations from three local families helped establish a permanent campus. The first 20 students graduated in 1950.

  • 1955: Asbury High School received full government recognition.

  • 1966–1984: Expanded to offer Liberal Arts programs, eventually achieving full college status as Asbury College.

  • 2002–2011: Opened pre-school and elementary departments. Pre-school received government recognition in 2011.

Where We Are Today

Today, Asbury College, Inc. offers a complete educational journey:

  • Pre-school

  • Elementary

  • Junior and Senior High School

  • College-level degree programs

With over 1,000 students, a team of 33 full-time and 16 part-time faculty members, Asbury continues its mission to provide affordable, high-quality Christian education to the youth of Anda and beyond.

Our Impact

Asbury has produced hundreds of alumni who now serve across the Philippines and abroad in diverse fields:

  • Education

  • Medicine

  • Engineering

  • Government & Politics

  • Ministry & Church Leadership

Among our proudest legacies are the pastors and deaconesses who began their journey at Asbury—testaments to our role in shaping lives grounded in faith, service, and leadership.

“The dream in 1946 became a reality, and the dream lives on—for Asbury to one day become a university.”
Mabuhay Asbury!