History of Mina de Oro Catholic High School

History of Mina de Oro Catholic High School(Formerly Mina de Oro Academy)

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Before the outbreak of World War II, Mina de Oro was conceived. It came to existence after securing a permit to operate and certificate of recognition from the Bureau of Education.

The school site was situated at Sitio POla Junction, Barangay Catiningan, Pola, Oriental Mindoro. They did not have a building of it own. It was housed in the residence of Mr. Irineo Vida SR., its founder and its administrator.

The administration and management was under a private corporation headed by a Board of Director. Among its stockholders were Ireneo Vida Sr., Eusebio Villanueva, Eugenio Vidal, Faustino Lasac, Domingo Rosario, Mariano Luna and Vicente Ortega Sr.

The institution suffered setback during the Japanese Occupation, thus forcing the management to temporarily suspend the operation. It was only towards the late forties when it reopened. Classes resumed at the new building built on the lot owned by Faustino Lasac, who become one of the stockholders.

In 1951, after the devastating typhoon, Wanda, classes were held in the temporary building along national road, opposite the school. There were complete elementary and secondary courses.

With the surge in enrollment in 1952,the management decided to build a new building in the site. It was under the administration of the late Eusebio Villanueva. Eugenio Vidal and Felipe Martinez who were the Director, Principal and Treasurer, respectively.

The administration also suffered financial instability, but through the assistance and resourcefulness of the stockholders, the school did survive. Mr. Vidal who was the principal of the High School Department played a vital role. He rendered personal services and augmented the finances from his own resources.

However, the financial problem remained unsolved. The Board decided to phase out the elementary department and retained the high school level that continued operation until school year 1963-1964.

The early part of the 1960's put the administration, stockholders, and the board to a test. They wont unable to make both end meet but whatever resource the did. Hence, they finally resorted to selling Mina de Oro Academy.

Msgr. William Joseph Duschack SVD.DD. then Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan purchased the institution. It was converted into a parochial school and renamed Mina de Oro Catholic High School. The acquirement of the institution consided with proclamation of Pola Junction as independent town who was named after Mrs. Socorro Joson, wife of then Cong. Luciano Joson. These two historical events commenced outstanding progress to the new municipality in terms of economy, education, politics and religion.

The school began as a Catholic Institution of learning under the directorship of Rev. Fr. Bernard Peters, SVD who at the same time was the parish priest of Socorro.

As a Catholic School, it added religion to its curriculum. It did not only carry out educational programs at the level best, but also became partners of the Church in Evangelization. The institution further it services with the maximum efficiency by helping the community and government preparing the youth for life with emphasis on values and Christian formation.

Under Fr. Peters, Mina de Oro Catholic High School gained prominence. It implemented progress geared towards the attainment of quality education. Physically, The school undertook significant improvements. Among them were the construction of additional classrooms and churches, rehabilitation of stage, concreting of pavement and peripheral fence and acquisition of other indispensable facilities.

As religious institution, the faculty was headed by Angelita L.Aranas, its principal. Among school managers were Nicanor Dagala, Lorna Largado, Rustico J. Lasac, Eliezer P. Lasac, Juanito M. Garilllo, Aurea U. Cabrera the concurrent principal

In 1980, the ailing health of Director Fr. Bernard Peters forced him to leave, he directorship. He leave to Netherlands, joined his family until his death. A Filipino priest, Fr. Jose San Juan Jr. SVD. succeeded him during his Ten Years of Administration, he continued the gradual improvement of Mina de Oro. By 1990 Fr. Jose San Juan Jr. was transferred to Victoria, Oriental Mindoro and was replaced by another Filipino priest Fr. Pablo Garay better known as Fr. Bong. His directorship was short-lived, compared to the pass directors. In 1991, Fr. Bong Garay succeeded by Fr. Arnel M. Suzara, a secular priest, followed by Rev. Fr. Rey Bandayrel. And now Fr. Joseph Boongaling who is the present school director of Mina de Oro Catholic High School.

For more the 45 years now, the Mina de Oro Catholic High School has been the foremost agent of Catholic Education in the locality. The School Maintains quality education. To some extent, it adheres to principle of school and community relationship and participates in the discussion of political, religion, economic, and social issues of the time.

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