San Pablo Central School

San Pablo Central School is one of the sixty-four(64) public schools in Lakeside District of San Pablo City. It serves kindergarten and elementary school in the urban part of the city.

Early Beginnings

The first formal schools in the Philippines were established during the Spanish Era. San Pablo Central School was originally called "Escuela Pia". It was built through the forced labor during the administration of Capitan Damaso Alcantara.

"Escuela Pia" was destroyed by a strong earthquake in 1880. Fray Ramon Caviedos had it reconstructed in 1895. Only the "Illustrados" (rich people) were enrolled in the school which is located on the spot of the present Puericulture Center is built.

From 1880 to 1887, the school was under supervision of Batangas. Poor communication was enough reason to transfer supervision to Laguna.

Don Francisco Sobrevinas, from Majayjay, Laguna, was the first teacher sent by the Jesuits to teach the 3 Rs with religion given much importance. When the country was occupied by the Americans, American soldiers aboard the SS "Thomas" were the teachers, giving the name "Thomasites". Education was offered to all and the English language was taught to the natives.

In 1908 to 1910, the present location of San Pablo Central School was acquired. And, by virtue of the "Gabaldon Act", the first school building was constructed. It was named Thomas Jefferson Building (Mabini Building). Three intermediate classes were held while primary classes were left at Escuela Pia. In 1914 to 1916, the Domestic Science Building (now Home Economics Building) was constructed. This was followed by the construction of Industrial Building. In 1916 to 1918, the Lincoln Building was constructed. In 1918, enrollment increased which prompted the administration to rent other buildings. Among which were Mortera Building, Diawatan Building, Catipon Building, Gesmundo Building and the Escudero Building.

In 1925, the Rizal Building, the biggest building up to present, was constructed under Don Zacharias Sahagun. In 1929, the concrete fence facing the Rizal Avenue was started. During the term of President Crispin Calabia, the concrete gate from Rizal Avenue and other concrete paths within the school was completed in 1930-1931. The present concrete fence was completed through funds raised by Dr. Leon Castillo. He had the longest term as PTA President and had a building constructed in memory of his late parents, the Fule-Castillo Building.

In the same year, the monument of the Goddess of Wisdom, Minerva, was donated by its graduates. Mr. B.M. Boyers - Superintendent, Jose Catinding – Academic Supervisor, Carmen Villarica - H.E. Supervisor, Mateo Alfonso - Industrial Supervisor and Estanislao Fernandez - Principal.

Additional lots were purchased from 1935-1938. The Administration Building (Quezon Building) was also constructed within the period.

In 1940, when the Filipino language was taught as a subject, the three academic buildings, Jefferson, Lincoln and Administration, were renamed Mabini, Bonifacio and Quezon respectively.Congressman Tomas Dizon presented a Bill on May 7, 1940 and finally approved on March, 1941 which converted San Pablo into a chartered city. This was under Commonwealth Act. No. 520. After a number of mandatory laws, San Pablo City became a separate division June 5, 1953 with Mr. Francisco San Andreas, the academic supervisor of Laguna, becoming the First Assistant Superintendent and later on Superintendent of the Division. It was in 1955 that the Division was separated from Laguna.

World War II brought significant changes and a public high school was opened. The Boys High School was housed at the Rizal Building and the Girls High School at the Bonifacio Building. Mr. Mauricio Alip was the Principal for the Elementary and Ms. Modesta Torres for high school.

Schools during the Japanese regime were under the supervision of the Imperial Army. Old textbooks were used but those pages with Nationalistic ideas were cut off or pasted together. In 1994, classes were all transferred to the Seminario or to the present Liceo de San Pablo. Many damages to buildings and properties were brought about by the war and reconstruction started by virtue of the Phil. Rehabilitation Act of 1946. In 1948, the present Industrial Arts Building was started by Mr. Isaias Carlos, Mr. Braulio Quinay and other male teachers and janitors of the school. Later on, the city Engineering Office took over the construction and finished the work.

Further History

The Liberation Period was highlighted by the construction of the Lim Building through funds raised by Mr. Pablo Ramos, the District Supervisor, but is now destroyed in 1948 by Typhoon Jean. Another 6-room building was constructed the PTA and with the help of the male teachers and janitors. The Octagon Rest house was made but is now destroyed. It was then replaced by the Teacher's center which was constructed in 1971-1972 during the term of President Lucio Marasigan with Miss Conception D. Licsi, the Superintendent. This was made possible through the help the City Mayor Cesar P. Dizon.

Upon the assumption of President Ferdinand Marcos, the Marcos-type Building was constructed. The first 2-3 rooms were allocated to the Central School. This was the first temporary building used by the City High School. Later on, when the City High School moved to its present site, at Lakeside, one building was used by the division for the property custodian and the others non-formal education classes of the Central School.

In 1976, a US Bayanihan Building was constructed. This was an innovation of the Marcos-type. This was constructed in place of the dilapidated PTA Building under the administration of Miss Sol Alcantara.

With the proclamation of Martial Law, the Bagong Lipunan type was introduced. The first of such type was constructed near the Shop Building under Miss Cresenciana B. de Luna. Two H.E. buildings were also constructed, one a barrio type and another financed bu the local school board.

In 1978, another Bagong Lipunan Building was constructed in place of the 6 room Lim Building. Miss Consolacion D. Alora was the principal, Mrs. Anita A. Guevarra - the District Supervisor, and Miss Angelita M. Pulgado, the City Schools Superintendent. Two more Bagong Lipunan Buildings were added through proper representation of the principal and the City High School Superintendent.

Drinking fountains were constructed in front of the school buildings through the PTA and civil c-minded citizens of the community. Construction of the toilets were made between Rizal and Bonifacio Building at the cost oh Php25,000 from the local school board.

Additional school buildings were constructed in 1986-1987 through the leadership of Mr. Gregorio Cosico - the Principal with Ms. Araceli Brion-District Supervisor. Another Bagong Lipunan Type was made at the back of Bonifacio Building through the effort of Mrs. Nora Baquiran and Ms. Cresenciana B. de Luna, the District Supervisor.

Additional school buildings were constructed in 1986-1987 through the leadership of Mr. Gregorio Cosico-the Principal with Ms. Araceli Brion-District Supervisor. Another Bagong Lipunan Type was made at the back of Bonifacio Building through the effort of Mrs. Nora Baquiran and Ms. Cresenciana B. de Luna, the District Supervisor.

References

* [http://sanpablocentral.coweb.org/ San Pablo Central School website]
* [http://www.msc.edu.ph/local_cyber2007/central/bogsboni.html/ MSC Website]