History | San Antonio Elementary School

SCHOOL HISTORY

The residents of San Antonio, Paranaque requested to have a school in their own Barangay which is accessible for their children to study. In 1985, the request was granted by the late Mayor of Paranaque Florencio Bernabe Sr. Their sacrifices in transporting their children to Parañaque Elementary School Unit III, now Fourth Estate Elementary School was finally relieved and the need for school, at last, was realized.

San Antonio Elementary School, then Parañaque Elementary School Unit IV is only an annex of Parañaque Elementary School Unit III, now Fourth Estate Elementary School. It occupies the Legislative building of the Municipal Building Hall which accommodates four classrooms and its mezzanine with two classrooms. Each consists of 84 pupils in each classroom with only six teachers at that time. The principal was Dr. Estrellita Cueto.

In 1986 another principal came as the result of the reshuffle of principals’ assignments. Mrs. Isabel Buenaventura became the principal vice of Dr. Cueto. In the same school year a kind-hearted couple Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Philips, knowing the situation of the school, offered their unused house to be utilized as a classroom at San Antonio Valley X. Three sections were held in the morning, and another three in the afternoon with only three teachers teaching. It was a sacrifice for those teachers to teach the whole day but receiving the same salary with the teachers teaching only for a half-day. Due to the inconveniences, the stakeholders were experiencing, the principal requested from the Parañaque Municipality two 2-story buildings to be constructed; bldg. 1 (the front building) and bldg. 2 (at the back of the sports complex). The school became independent from PES III. As soon as the construction was finished, classes held at Valley X were brought in Valley I, and the house was courteously returned to the Philips.

The school did not have enough space or a quadrangle to hold events like sports, graduations, and other school activities. Graduation was usually held at San Antonio Parish Church. School activities were held at the municipal quadrangle. Despite the adversity, teachers did their part in delivering quality education to the learners.

Five years after, another reshuffle of principals’ assignments was done. Mrs. Cresencia H. Rosales came to vice Mrs. Buenaventura who was promoted and was transferred to Makati. She managed the school from 1990 to 1995. During her time the school has been stable in classrooms although the minimum number of pupils in a class was 72. It was a little convenient since the size of the classrooms was far different from the classrooms at the Legislative building. In her time, she strictly monitored the development of the pupils’ learning capabilities particularly the slow learners who need more time and attention. She went with the catering of quality learning as what the previous principal has started. As proof of it, the pupils had won several contests. This made the school gained more enrolment every year.

In the school year, 1995-1996 another reshuffle of principals’ assignments was done. Mrs. Cenen Crizaldo, who came from Las Piñas took over Mrs. Rosales. She did not stay long because she was recalled to Las Piñas. She stayed less than a year. Meantime that no principal was assigned to head the school after Mrs. Crizaldo has left, Mr. Amado Rodriguez, an Education Supervisor, took over as OIC. Again his stay did not last for a year.

In 1995, San Antonio Elementary School continues to increase in enrollment thus, an annex school in Silverio Compound was established. It started with Grade I and Grade II classes having five teachers and two classrooms. Every year the grade level increases to another higher level until Grade VI.

In the school year 1997-1998, Dr. Josefina Alcantara came as principal of the school until SY 2000-2001. Because of the growing school population, the existing buildings can no longer accommodate the increasing number of pupils. In 1997 the school has been renovated through the effort of the local government, PTCA, teachers, and the Dep. Ed. officials headed by the principal Dr. Josefina Alcantara.

In this period a three-story with 9 classroom building was constructed and a Science room, the school canteen, the school stage, and school grounds were improved.

In 2000-2001, Dr. Leonarda Acuyong was then assigned as the new principal. Through the effort of the principal and the stakeholders, several projects were done. More project and improvement of the school was funded by the school income was the cementing of the quadrangle and the renovation of the stage.

During her leadership, the School Reading Program the zero-non-readers particularly in the primary level as part of the big academic achievement during her leadership. During her time, the school choir, dance troupe, and drum and lyre band were organized. Another set of uniforms was also provided by the city government through Mayor Florencio Bernabe. Such groups are still active today. In the year 2004, Dr. Acuyong decided to retire.

Dr. Felicidad A. Santiago came next as principal from 2004-2007. At this time enrollment rise to 5,600 pupils and a bigger class size, the intervention is to have a makeshift classroom sprouted to augment classes held in the corridors. She focused on academic, physical, cultural, and other aspects of the growth and development of her constituents.

Academic excellence was still focused in these times, learning and development among teachers, high achievement rate was attained are among the program. In March 2007 Dr. Santiago retired as a school head.

In the absence of the principal after Dr. Santiago retired, Dr.Ligaya Rodriguez, District I Supervisor took over as OIC in the year 2007.

In September 2007, Dr. Bernardo Mascariña came as principal. He manifested a relevant vision for the school in the future. A kind-hearted and friendly school head. He focuses on the different school programs and development. At this time the school continues to increase in enrollment make-shifts rooms are visible around the school facilities.

After a year, Dr. Felicitas Dela Cruz took over the leadership as Principal in SY 2008-2009. She promotes a Reading Program START (Subject Teachers Are all Reading Trend) with a dream of excellence in reading at the primary level. The school continues to increase in enrollment as the well as makeshift rooms exist, In 2009 DepEd Building Expansion Program implemented a 4 story, 12 classrooms, building 3 started the construction.

In June 2009, Dr. Dela Cruz has promoted to District I Supervisor. Mrs. Cresencia H. Rosales as the Principal. In a few months, several projects and programs were done. The school physical facilities were improved highlighting the construction of GOLEZEUM. School collaboration with the stakeholders was provocative, much so with the San Antonio Barangay Council.

In 2011 Special Science Class Program was implemented in SAnES, started in Grade 1 selected pupils of 35 in one class. This is a special program for the performing and dynamic learners of Paranaque. In July 2011 Mrs. Cresencia H Rosales retired.

The next designated principal is Mr. Gerry A. Lumaban from SY 2011 to 2018. Seven years of dynamic leadership in SAnES heralds the school with excellent performance within the Region. In this school, a designated assistant principal was also assigned, Ms. Vilma Forbes in SY 2012 Mrs. Susan J Corro in 2013, and Mrs. Lanely Solita in 2014.

The transformation of the school physical facilities was also evident. The 3 new buildings with 4 stories were constructed, thus it paves the way to remove all the make-shift rooms and accommodate all learners. In his less than a year as head of the school, many projects and programs have already been accomplished.

His core value in SAnES is SHINE which means S-Service Oriented, H- Honesty, I- Integrity, N- Nobility, and E- Excellence. Stakeholders are even more active and supportive of the school for he firmly believes that ” it takes a community to educate a child”.He initiated a solicited donation project which leads to the construction of the School stage and school ground. A relevant school reading program was also implemented, The Toys for Learning Reading Program, which aims at the joy of giving, donate toys to the struggling readers, the value of giving and sharing generated in this program to motivate the learners to read.

Under his initiative, the school strived harder to reach new heights and successfully leading the school to progress and prominence. This period of transformation, increasingly motivated Teachers Professional Development among the School Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel many of them were promoted to Master Teachers 2 and Master Teachers 1.

The school continues under the state of glory in winning a different Regional Contest, it produces competitive learners and consistent trainers to represent the School in different Academic Contest such as Mathematics Olympiad, Science Quiz Bee, Journalism, and other academic contest. The School maintained its excellent performance and even stronger in fulfilling its mission of providing Quality Education.

This proactive leadership manifested by Mr. Gerry A Lumaban gave way to his promotion as a School Head in the biggest school in the region the Paranaque National High School -Main in 2018.

From July 2018 to the present, Mr. Carlito T Adducul was designated as school head, a goal-oriented man that leads the school with excellence and prominence. He continues the programs and projects and leads the Teachers and Learners in constructive and appropriate development and continued excellent performance in academic contests. With 5,400 enrollment and 118 teachers, the school continued a resounding success.

In 2020 as we face a big challenge in the Education System, the emerge of COVID -19. Mr. Carlito Adducul continues his guidance and support to the teachers and learners. PANDEMIC has been an instrument for creativity and discovery of one’s talent, cooperation, and dedication leading us to continue our services in learning and quality education to our children.