09/12/2024
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
In July 1961, a new institution rose the realization of a visionary parish priest’s dream; the ST. JOHN PAROCHIAL SCHOOL. That year, Fr. Armando D. Palma, assisted by Dr. Filemon Quiño, a physician, ushered in the first nineteen girls into that small building, pioneering students who had yet to etch their marks on the school’s history.
St. John’s first religious instructors were from the Augustinian Recollect Missionary (ARM) Order headed by Mother Bibiana, the first Mother Superior and Principal of the school and Sor Margarita who supervised the kindergarten.
Mrs. Milagros C. Cease, a native of Tiaong, Quezon, became the very first adviser of the class. Memorable campus events unfolded on that first year: the convocation, commencement exercises, the school outing and excursion, all held with excitement and enthusiasm.
From thence, the school’s Foundation days were celebrated yearly in honor of the founder. Intramural sports, singing and dancing contests and beauty competitions were held as well. In 1965, twenty-two students stood proud as the first graduates of St. John Parochial. It turned out hundreds of graduates since then, until 1968, the first grand alumni homecoming was held in the school’s premises. Mr. Roberto Hernandez, who became the first president of the Alumni Association, declared that a homecoming be held every four years thereafter.
Mrs. Milagros Cease became the first lay principal in 1967. It was during her term that the school gained prominence in the community as the source of a good quality Catholic education. Her students excelled in Sciences, Mathematics, the English language, and the Arts. Their personalities were shaped by competitive mental and physical exercises. Through their achievements, the students imbibed the virtue of responsibility, acquired unwavering courage, and learned perseverance—the true and noble Johnian spirit.
Aside from Mrs. Cease, the other mentors included Ms. Melecia Cueto, Ms. Ofelia Lopez, Ms. Timotea Salamat, Mr. Raul Umali, Mrs. Clemencia Soriano.
The A.R.M. nuns likewise inspired religious fervor among the Johnians, so much so that when the good sisters left the school in 1971, the familiar black and white habit the student had grown accustomed to were dearly missed.
However, the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST), headed by Sister Josephine Castilleja as Mother Superior, filled the vacuum left by the A.R.M. sisters. The MCST sisters proved equal to the daunting task of instilling Christian love among the studentry.
In 1974, Mrs. Cease left St. John Parochial School to pursue other endeavors. Mr. Jacinto Navarro took over the reins of the school. He proved to be a very capable and dedicated man, under whose leadership the school achieved remarkable feats, notable among which was consistently ranking in the NCEE examinations’ top five, the CAT competition’s top three, and garnering various awards in several provincial school meets.
When Mr. Navarro decided to leave the school after ten years of hard work, Mrs. Guia Largoza Lindo, who had been the assistant directress for quite sometime, became acting principal.
May 15, 1985 was a sad day for the faculty and students of St. John. The director-founder of their beloved institution, Rev. Fr. Armando D. Palma, succumbed to heart failure in Los Angels, California. His demise signified the passing of an era, but his legacy remained in the hearts and minds of all those who, in one way or another, had been a part of the school he so dearly loved and cherished. Rev. Fr. Armando D. Palma left a will donating the school to the Parish and the Diocese of Lucena through the Bishop Msgr. Ruben Profugo, who became the administrator. He also appointed Fr. Conrado Reynoso as Director and Mrs. Guia Lindo as Asst. Directress.
An alumna, Ms. Ana Lucia Salandanan-Veneracion, became the Principal in 1987. Being a product of the same institution she now heads, she manifested the same Johnian spirit in the way she approached her work.
With the triumvirate of Fr. Conrado Reynoso, Mrs. Ma. Guia Lindo, and Mrs. Ana Lucia Veneracion, the school rose to new heights and sought out fresh accomplishments. The Parents Teachers Association also breathed in new life, helped erect a new building and renovated old ones. Teachers were encouraged to pursue higher education.
Johnians continuously dominated most of the various competitions among catholic schools in Quezon. In 1991 it occupied the top slot in the NSAT test, capping its string of victories in numerous examinations and competitions.
Then in 1986, SJPS celebrated its Silver Jubilee. Several events were organized by the Alumni Association, among them a grand homecoming , school fairs and festivals like the Mr. and Ms. St. John,” a parade and sports competitions. Everyone had a grand time during these well-attended affairs. Equally exciting was the school’s celebration of its Pearl Anniversary in 1991, during which Johnians, old and new, exhibited the same zeal and fervor they displayed earlier.
In 1997, a new episode is being written in the annals of the school’s history, with Sr. Marietta Demelino of the Sisters of Mary Christian Community as the new Directress and Mrs. Aida David as the new principal. Their wealth of experience culled from previous management stints is evident as one walks the corridors of the campus.
A new student uniform has been introduced in 1997 and the renovated and newly painted building highlight the “old” and “new”. More importantly, new technology has been installed, to develop and sustain the student’s interest in learning.
In 1999, Sr. Leonora Pagkatipunan, SMCC became the School Directress and Dr. Evangeline P. Rodil as the School Principal. Through the creativity of the principal and the PTA, the children’s playground was built and Bahay Kubos were placed in different corners of the school ground as part of the school’s beautification program.
In 2000, on the dawn of a new millennium, the dynamic SJPS Alumni foundation is trailblazing another path to help prepare the school for the coming new millennium. Spearheaded by some members of class ’72, the alumni foundation is leaving no stone unturned as it gathers all of its Alma Mater’s children, to relive once more the joys and pains that make each one a truly noble Johnian. (Cris Aquino, JOHNIANS, vol. 1, No. 1, April 2000.)
In 2001, Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Community turned over the administration of the School to the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena represented by Sr. Estrella Tangan, OP in the presence of Bishop Ruben T. Profugo, DD.
Sr. Cecilia Espenilla, OP became the Directress/Principal in 2001-2004. Without dropping the practices and wisdom of the old school, she introduced programs that ensured the promotion of a well-balance development of both teacher and students. She opened the convent chapel to personnel and students to developed their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She equipped the science laboratory so that students will have a better venue for their science activities. To her is credited the restoration of the “reins” which used to be a garbage area to a building that will housed the library and the Audio-Visual Room, Guidance Office and a roof deck as a Multi-Purpose Building, which was blessed by Bishop Ruben T. Profugo, D.D.
Sr. Emily Lalantacon, OP succeeded as Directress/Principal and it was already during her administration that the Library and the Audio-Visual Room was completed and was blessed on October 8, 2004 by Bishop Emilio Z. Marquez, D.D. It was also through her leadership that a canteen was renovated and was blessed by Rev. Fr. Severino “Rekto” Hernandez on June 5, 2006. In addition, a new building, Fr. Armando Palma Building (New Elementary Building) was constructed which was blessed on September 11, 2006 by Bishop Emilio Z. Marquez, DD.
Sr. Susana Bravante, OP, the former Assistant Principal in 2001 returned and became the Directress/Principal for the academic Year 2008-2010. Through her initiative, a sister’s convent was reclaimed from a tenant which was blessed by Rev. Fr. Romeo Padillo on September 14, 2009. A three-storey building was constructed to replaced the old wooden administrative building. The new administration building was blessed on June 11, 2010 by Bishop Emilio Z. Marquez, DD. It houses the administrative offices and the Grade I and Kindergarten Classrooms, the ballet room, computer laboratory and two classrooms. On the third floor are the wet and dry laboratories and the mini auditorium. Sr. Susana Bravante, OP also introduced the new uniform for the girls.
In May 2010, Sr. Cecilia Varon, OP became the Directress/Principal of the school. With the cooperation of the St. John Parochial School’s personnel, students, parents and alumni, the launching of the Golden Jubilee Celebration was successfully done on December 5, 2010 with the theme “SJPS… 5 Dekada Paggunita’t.. Pasasalamat, Ang Diyos ang Tanging Gabay.” The board of Trustees approved that July 1 will be celebrated as the Foundation Day to celebrate the time when St. John Parochial School opened its doors to welcome young boys and girls to Catholic Education. December 7 will be the Founder’s Day to honor, Rev. Fr. Armando Palma, the founder of St. John Parochial School.
