HNU HS thru years into its Diamond

by: Prisciano S. Legitimas, MA

IN its inauguration on July 14, 1947 , Holy Name College-High School Department (HNC HSD) had 613 pioneering students, two years later in 1947, the school got full government recognition to offer four-year high school general secondary course. In the increasing number of students, the administration sought a spacious and more conducive site, finally coming up with a relocation plan to Janssen Heights Dampas District, here.

On September 8, 1981 , Fr. Teodoro P. Gapuz, SVD, the second Filipino president of Divine World College , along with other school heads led the ground breaking rites for the laying of the cornerstone of the new department in the chosen site. By October 1982, the HSD faculty and staff transferred to the new school buildings in Janssen Heights , Dampas District. With its role as provider of quality Christian education to the youth, the HSD upon the encouragement of Fr. President Florante S. Camacho, SVD, applied for accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) in 1993. After a 1998 preliminary survey by a six-member PAASCU accrediting team it granted the HSD a Level I accreditation November 30, 1998 even without a formal visit; a rare PAASCU grant. Now, a PAASCU accredited high school, the department assures students of quality instruction, competent teachers, effective student services, state-of-the-art facilities, and academic and personal skill enhancement programs for the students.

Now, the HSD proudly maintains a five-year Level II accreditation and expects a reaccredidation visit in November 2008. Through the years, HNU High School has been under competent administrators. The first high school principal, Celestino Relampagos left a strong foundation in the department even though he just held the position in a year 1950 to 1951. Engr. Ismael Masamayor took over the helm in 1951 until 1962. By 1962-63, Jorge Visarra was appointed principal, replacing Engr. Masamayor who was appointed to another position in the college department. Being a sports fan, Visarra brought the HSD into the sports limelight. Basketball teams from Mindanao and Luzon came and played friendly competitions with our high school varsity team. Visarra served until 1967-1968, in which Idmila Borja took over in 1968-69. With Borja as principal, the high school assumed an American school environment with everybody speaking English inside and outside the classroom. Borja served for only two school years, she was appointed supervisor of DWEA (Divine Word Employees Association).

The HSD became a picture of discipline and punctuality when Brigido Ingles took the seat in 1970-73. Dr. Justiniana Dohig served as new high school principal in 1973-85. She was promoted Dean of the Graduate School in the succeeding year; thus, she turned over her post to Evelia Fabiosa in the school year 1985-86. Fabiosa was known to be a troubleshooter. In the summer of 1995, however, she died. By June 1995, Remedios U. Cardino, Fabiosa's assistant principal assumed the vacant position. Cardino's strong personality ushered the school her PAASCU Accreditation in November 1998. Now, Cardino has always been the school's pursuit in realizing its goals and objectives. HNU HSD has a line-up of qualified, competent and dedicated classroom facilitators and animators. 30% of them are full-fledged master's degree holders; and many others continue to pursue their master's degree, aside from regular training and seminars.

Five of the 48 high school teachers are about to finish their doctoral degrees. With competitiveness up in the school's topmost concern, teachers apply activities leading to use of school's technological resources. Consequently, the school is regularly producing winners in various academic-related competitions in the local, regional and national level. Students consistently harvest awards in national competitions in Science and Math and have been elected federation officers in many students' organizations in the provincial, regional and national levels. A fully-air-conditioned and automated library, multi-media and Internet centers guarantee a comfortable and conducive research atmosphere for students.

The HSD also boasts of well-kept and well-maintained laboratories that provide students favorable learning environment. Regular acquisition of various laboratory facilities, equipment and other holdings ensure an enhancing experience for students. To enrich intellectual development, suitable co-curricular activities are provided such as Revitalized Homeroom Guidance Program (RHGP) sessions and remedial classes for Mathematics. The school, through the Campus Ministry, offers spiritual retreats and guidance, recollections, symposia, and other spiritual-related activities to students, teachers and parents. For students' individual skills, social awareness and concern, the school mandates students to be members of school-recognized clubs and organizations that render community outreach activities to adopted community at San Isidro.

To offers the brand quality education for the underprivileged, the school opens a Night High School with lesser tuition and matriculation fees. This is the outreach aspect of the educational apostolate of the SVDs. Set as a training ground for student-teachers from the College of Education , the department has been a co-producer of world-class high school teachers. The HSD is the venue where aspiring pre-service teachers experience the work and life of real classroom instructors. Now as the university celebrates Diamond Jubilee, the High School Family, inspired by the SVD charism, remains steadfast in its aim to provide a integrated educational program for the holistic formation of the young and promising Boholano generation.

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