The Divine Word College of Legazpi sprang into existence from a small school named Liceo de Albay (LDA), a diocesan school for boys. In 1947, the LDA was entrusted to Fr. Juan Carullo, a retired army chaplain. The school had a Board of Trustees. The school building was located at Corners Rizal St. and Maria Clara St. (now Fr. Joseph L. Bates St.),Legazpi City. The lot was donated by the Calleja family of Legazpi City.
