In February 15, 1988, Manny P. Del Prado, an engineering graduate from De La Salle University Manila and grandson of One of Imus Cavite’s most illustrious citizen the late Dr. Lorenzo Paredes (Founder of Imus Institute – the biggest private Secondary School in the province of Cavite) decided to become a computer enterprenuer and established Imus Computer Center in Room No. 4 of Ilano Building, Nueno Avenue, Imus Cavite. It was the first Computer time rental center in the town of Imus.
1989: Hardware, Software, Training
Imus Computer Center added short term computer training as one of its services and in no time it became one of the most popular computer training centers in the province of Cavite. Manny P. Del Prado has likewise included computer hardware sales and computer software development as part of its services. Imus Rural Bank became the first Computer Hardware customer of Imus Computer Center when they purchased an IBM compatible personal computer for its Bank operations. Liwayway Marketing Corporation, makers of Oishi Crackers, became the first Software Development customer of Imus Computer Center when they signed the contract for ICC to develop their Payroll System.
1990: Computer Tie-Up
Interest in computer has increased tremendously among school owners, administrators and students. Several schools have approached ICC to hire them as consultants to teach their students on how to use the computer. The Queen of Angels Learning Center in Imus Cavite became the first Elementary School to hire ICC for computer tie-up services. Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) in Dasmarinas, Cavite became the first secondary school to hire ICC for Computer tie-up services. Imus Institute became the first tertiary school to hire ICC for Computer tie-up services.
1991: The Cavite Computer Society
Manny P. Del Prado became a member of the biggest organization of computer professionals in the Philippines, The Philippine Computer Society (PCS). Officers of the PCS requested Mr. Del Prado to establish the PCS chapter in the province of Cavite and so the Cavite Computer Society was born with Manny Del Prado as founding President. In November of 1991, Manny P. Del Prado became part of the 1st Philippine Delegation to the COMDEX/Fall Computer Exhibit in Las Vegas, Nevada.
1992: Corporate Computer Training
Imus Computer Center added Corporate Training as an added service. The International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) in Silang, Cavite hired ICC to conduct a two-month computer literacy seminar for its local staff. The National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines in Makati City hired ICC to introduce Computers to their staff as part of its initial computerization efforts.
1993: Computer School
The Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS) at this time was trying to streamline the offering of computer courses in the Philippines due to the proliferation of computer schools without the necessary permits. ICC applied for and was granted a government permit to offer short term courses in Computer Concepts, Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Database Management System. ICC represented by its President and Founder Manny Del Prado, was again part of the Philippine delegation to the COMDEX/Fall 1993 Computer Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
1994: 40 Students Initial Enrollment
ICC decided to concentrate on its computer school operations. ICC applied for and was granted government recognition to offer a 2-Year Computer Programming course. The initial batch of enrollees for the 2-Year Computer Programming course was 40 students.
1995: Tie-Up with Singaporean Company
ICC expanded its course offering. It applied for and was granted government recognition to offer2-Year Computer Programming, 2 Year Computer Secretarial, 2 Year Computer Technician and 2 Year Computer Aided Drafting and Design courses. The 2-Year Computer Aided Drafting and Design was part of the technology transfer agreement that ICC signed with Advanced Technologies and Solutions (ATS) of Singapore. The DECS – Technical Vocational Division reorganized all technology-based schools in Southern Tagalog and formed the Private Technical Vocational Educators Association (PTVEA). ICC President Manny Del Prado was elected PTVEA Secretary.
1996: Internet Connection
ICC installed an Internet Connection with a Manila-based dial-up Internet Service Provider and became the first Computer School in Imus to introduce its students to the new technology of the World Wide Web. ICC has likewise re-engineered its curriculum and phased out most of it’s DOS-based computer subjects in lieu of the Windows based application software.
1997: Branching Out
ICC made a strategic move to branch out to other places. In the first semester of school year 1997-1998, ICC opened ICC Las Pinas. It was ICC’s first branch outside Cavite located at the 2nd floor of Cuevas Bldg., Pamplona 1, Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Pinas City. In the 2nd semester of school year 1997-1998, ICC opened ICC Rosario in the 2nd floor of Ricasata Bldg., Gen. Trias Drive, Rosario, Cavite.
1998: TESDA was born
The functions of the DECS Technical Vocational Department and the National Manpower & Youth Council were merged to form the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Together with its birth TESDA reorganized the Technical Vocational Education & Training (TVET) policies in the Philippines. ICC President Manny Del Prado became one of the facilitators in a regional conference called by TESDA to discuss the implementation of the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS). ICC Rosario moved to a bigger place in the 2nd floor of Royal Star Bldg., Gen. Trias Drive, Rosario Cavite. ICC was among the first school in Cavite to be given Program Registrations by TESDA.
