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Perspective: GSISVHS-IMSHS, the emergence of the GSIS Village High School and rise of the Ismael Mathay, Sr. High School

               

                  In the annals of Ismael Mathay Sr.  (GSIS Village) High School,

                                           optimism is its own reward ........

                                         based from the 35-year-old  files of Albert T. Rosales USN (Class 1975)

                                                                                    

“Optimism is the faith that expects large results. In every conquest, it is the foretaste of victory that is likely to follow, for the singers in life are generally the winners in life. It is with this attitude that we play our parts in the rare task of starting an institution. The start is always the hardest, but we prove that strength endures all kinds of tests …..”

                                                                  - George Prado III-1 CP

                                                                    Shrapnels, The Village Bounty, 1971

"The greatest man in history was the poorest."

Manila - the city of our affections

 

 

 

The Dream Time

 

At the height of former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos leadership, there were threats of rebellion and insurrection. Before the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in 1971 followed by the declaration of  Proclamation Number 1081, otherwise known as Martial Law, on 21 September 1972, there were massive demonstrations, pickets,  and rallies in universities and high schools in Metro Manila mainly concentrated in the so-called ‘university belt’ and ‘Diliman’ areas. This intense upheaval during the Marcos regime had affected many parents in various communities in the national capital region including the tranquil GSIS Village and Project 8 in Quezon City. These villagers envisaged a high school within the village for safety and convenience of their young children instead of traveling in the mayhem of an immense metropolis.

 

Conception of a New High School

 

The steadfast crusade towards the establishment of a new secondary school in

Quezon City commenced sometime in February 1971 . . . . .

 

The Parents & Teachers Association (PTA) of the GSIS Elementary School with Mr. Restituto Aguilar as President and the original Village Association under Atty. Bernardo Cuaresma initiated the plan where they filed a resolution requesting the City Superintendent of Schools for the opening of a high school within the Village in the school year 1971-72. The PTA group was supported by Mrs. Vicenta Tabujara, District Supervisor, Mrs. Estela Ponce, Teacher-in-Charge of GSIS Village Annex of Toro Hills Elementary School (THES) and Mrs. Rosenda Arriola, principal of the THES. Others included Engr. & Mrs. Enrique Nario Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Pablo Nolasco, Mr. & Mrs. Damian Rayala, Mr. & Mrs. Jesus Sabado, Atty & Mrs. Ricardo de la Cruz. The opening of first year classes was approved on 6 May 1971. The original initiators encouraged by the initial success of their petition went on to work for a complete high school. They filed another petition to this effect. More came to join this working group among them Ms. Consuelo Alvarez, Mrs. Gloria Caday, Mrs. Remedios Borromeo, Mr. & Mrs. Ricardo Dumagpi, Atty. Garcia, Mrs. Laureta M. de Guzman, , Mrs. Honorata M. Ibabao, Mrs. R.. Jatulan, Engr. Francisco Lameta, Lt. Eliseo Marasigan, Mr. Bonifacio Nino, Mr. Mariano Sobrejana, Mrs. Teresita Espejo, and Mrs. Eugenia de Jesus. The opening of second year classes received approval on 19 June 1971. Delegations from the group were assigned to see the City Superintendent on the opening of third and fourth year classes on 8 July 1971. Their fighting spirit carried them through until they got what they want – a complete high school [excerpt from The Village Bounty, August-November 1971 issue entitled ‘GSIS Village High School Opens’ by Nestor Nario (Class 1974)].

 

 

Birth of the GSIS Village High School

 

Quezon City Mayor Norberto S. Amoranto issued Ordinance Number 8605, S-71 approving the opening of a complete high school at the GSIS Village High School in Quezon City, Metro Manila on 26 July 1971. The ordinance was endorsed on 21 June 1971 by the city councilors granting four thousand eight hundred pesos (Php 4,800) to refurbish the second-floor of the GSIS Village public market formerly named Norberto S. Amoranto Public Market located within the perimeter of Grants, Benefit, and Redemption Streets at the atrium of the village with eight rooms subdivided by ply woods and timber flooring.

 

 

The Beginnings

 

From its humble beginnings at the compound of the modern village market, the GSIS Village High School poised assertively and confidently amidst the many difficulties and speculations.

 

The new high school opened its doorsteps to the first students and from these ‘first students’ heralded the induction of all ‘firsts’.

Grants Street campus now a modern mall

fondly called  U.P. High School  and  I.S.

Michelle's Song from the 1971 Movie 'Friends' released in the US on 24 March 1971
and shown simultaneous on Philippine screens.

 

 

First Principal

 

Mrs. Regina I. Novales was elected to head the faculty of the new high school. She was the Head Teacher-in Charge of San Francisco High School located in nearby San Francisco del Monte in Quezon City from the time of her appointment.

 

In 1974, Mrs. Novales was replaced by Mr. Jose V.  Aguilar with a title of division supervisor-in-charge.

 

 

First Mentors with Madam Regina I. Novales - 1971

First Mentors with Sir Jose V. Aguilar  - 1974

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Uniform

 

In an effort to promote good image of the new high school, selection of a unique design that would symbolize loyalty and pride was initiated.

 

The Class of 1972 and 1973 played a vital role in this scheme with the guidance of the four faculty advisers in each year. A myriad of elegant and exclusive designs nominated for female students' wear were similitude of elite institutions while a horde of more ambitious male students preferred a formal wear a la La Salle cum Ateneo or Letran style. To the female students, the approval of a la UST Girls High School one-piece light brown formal wear and two-piece sports wear bathed them with much pride and glee even flaunting in fashion from as far as UST High School in España to Farmers' Market in Cubao and Quad Makati, or even KBS Studios and Congressional Bowling Lanes in time for the afternoon 'pormahan or gimikan blues'. Conversely, many male students rejected the mediocre khaki pants and white cotton shirt.

 

A class action opposing the enacted boys wear was triggered mainly by the junior students led by Philip Balangue (Class 1973), Fernando Prado (Class 1973) and assisted by a few from Class 1972, but supported by many from Class 1973 such as Danilo Nolasco, Larry Reodica, Alex Aguila, Glen Borromeo, Danilo Guevarra, Rene Aguinaldo, Nick Aquino, George Prado et al. The group demanded to the principal  a more formal black trouser and light brown (or any color but not white) collared shirt with black formal shoes instead of rubber shoes. Philip Balangue and Fernando Prado were called into principal's office for a close-door interrogation and the rest is history.

 

The controversial khaki pants became mandatory as boys wear for its simplicity, affordability, and coyness. Male students resisting to wear the khaki pants were ultimately given strict disciplinary action. Yet, many boys persisted to wear a more formal light brown tailored trouser particularly from Third Year (Section One) students.

 

The first faculty administration enacted a mandatory uniform policy.

 

 

First Student Council, 1971-1972

 

Emilio Estacio, a Fourth Year Section 1 student, won the highest seat in the first Student Government Organization during the elections held at the school campus on 8 September 1971. Estacio and his other candidates of the Democratic Party almost bested the candidates of the Independent Party of all the elective positions. Ricardo Rosales, another senior student and the official presidential candidate of the Independent Party put up a good fight in the last balloting but to no avail.

 

The other elected officers were Philip Balangue, III-1 CP, Vice-President; Luisa Empaynado, IV-1 CP, General Secretary; Lydia Samson, IV-1 CP, General Treasurer; Rosemarie Rodriguez, Freshman Treasurer; Agustina Vicente, Sophomore Treasurer; Florentina Vicente, Junior Treasurer; Liza Briones, Senior Treasurer; Senators: Altair Carpio, Rodrigo Cid, Josefina Lopez, and Nestor Nario, all of 1-1; Marilyn Galanza of II-1; Hope Quina, III-2 CP; Mercedita de la Paz, III-I CP and Vicky de Jesus, IV-1 CP, Romeo Alba, IV-1 CP, Auditor; Teresita Sodusta, IV-1 CP, Business Manager; Regina Yance, III-1 CP, Press Relations Officer.

 

Estacio, the first elected president of the student body, together with the other elected officers laid down their plans and objectives for the betterment of the school. These plans included campus cleaning, providing security by the officers of the Executive Council themselves and the strict observance of the wearing of the newly-launched school uniforms. Other plans for a better GSIS Village High School were also implemented.

 

 

 

 

First elected student council officers, Aug 1971

First appointed junior council officers, Aug 1971

Student Council Axed

 

The rise of student activism and political turmoil prevailed during the second term of President Ferdinand E. Marcos in office. Students’ protests became more violent and intense as radical students battled with the police and military particularly at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo where unstoppable rallies were regularly conducted.

 

Mass student demonstrations were widespread on the streets of Metro Manila to denounce the military abuses, rampant graft and corruption, removal of U.S. military bases, human rights infringement, meteoric rise of school tuition fees, and a US-puppet leadership.

 

Two radical student groups spoon-fed by the communists have won the hearts of university and high school students. These groups known as the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) and the Samahang Demokratikong Kabataan (SDK) recruited students from Class 1972 and 1973 (names withheld) where they joined forces in the famous bloody battle at the 'Makibaka Sa Plaza Miranda' in one sizzling afternoon of August 1971.

 

That year, events unfolded that were claimed by Marcos to contribute a “state of emergency.” In August 1971, two grenades rocked a political rally in Plaza Miranda (Sison and Werner, 1989). A fortnight later after the student government campus elections, this GSIS Village High School students’ participation earlier had reached the principal’s office and Mrs. Regina I. Novales immediately suspended all students’ activities on the school grounds including the newly-installed Student Council.

 

Marcos made ready his presidential proclamation and announced it that night of 21 August 1971, suspending the writ of habeas corpus, and started a series of mass arrests of progressive mass leaders in order to paralyze the opposition and the resurgent national-democratic movement (indybay, 2006).

 

At the following school year, all forms of student organizations and activities were banned due to Marcos’ suspension of the privilege of habeas corpus. Subsequently, on 21 September 1972, Marcos imposed martial law that swiftly ceased all student demonstrations. University and high school student councils as well as class homeroom officers were restricted. The GSIS Village High School conformed to the president’s martial law declaration. There was no student council election during the school year 1972-73 and the entire school year was muffled by extreme silence not only at the palengke high school but throughout the archipelagic nation.

 

Formation of the Village Bounty

In an attempt to promote communication between the school and community, the English Department led by Mrs. Didi Shirley Grego proposed the creation of a school organ. At the commencement of classes, Mrs. Grego conducted an essay writing selection test for the school editorial staff. The first writers were carefully chosen and a school referendum was held to name the intended school paper.

 

The editorial staff initiated a contest to name the school organ. Numerous titles were submitted but mostly reflecting the school atmosphere such as “Market Vendors”, “Tinderos and Tinderas”, “The Villagers”, “The Village People”, “The Market Dealers”, “Sellers Rendezvous”, and the most popular of all, “The Palengkians”.

 

“The Beacon”, or symbol of hope and inspiration, was nominated by George Prado, III-1 CP, and from this word, Mrs. Grego suggested the term “Bounty” instead as the reward, prize, grant or bequest was already there. The birth of a new high school was a bounty and not just a beacon. The editorial staff suggested a title “Villagers Bounty” and Mrs. Grego further edited it to “The Village Bounty” to the solid agreement of the editors.

 

With the approval of the principal, Mrs. Regina I. Novales, the first edition was published on August 1971 with Renato dela Cruz (Class 1972) as the first editor-in-chief, Danilo Marcelo (Class 1972) as associate editor, and George Prado (Class 1973) as managing editor. Likewise, the shaping of “The Village Bounty” coincided with the introduction of the selective course on Journalism 1 and 2 for both junior and senior years.

 

The editorial staff coached by the Village Bounty’s adviser, Mrs. Grego, also represented the new school in the Metropolitan Secondary Schools Press Conference held at the Ramon Magsaysay High School in España, Manila and competed in news, editorial, literary, sports, and poetry writing in both English and Pilipino. The team received an accolade in creating a school organ for a newly-established high school.

 

The following school year, the Village Bounty ceased to operate due to the declaration of martial law over the entire country. Newspapers were shut down, and the mass media were brought under tight control, in particular, university and high school press suspected to release subversive articles and messages. A presidential decree banning all forms of mass media was released.

 

Although the circulation of the Village Bounty was short-lived, it formed a catalyst towards enrichment of high school journalism.

 

 

First editors, writers and artists

PMT or Pre-Military Training

 

PMT was a mandatory course in military discipline, tactics, and marching. While a national requirement for able-bodied male students to finish high school, it is optional for the female.

 

The first junior and senior male students were inducted into the army training program under the genial command of Major Tomas A. Pablico, first commandant of the new high school. At the first military drill in 1971, Danilo Marcelo (Class 1972) was designated as the first commander-in-chief.

 

In a simple but colorful ceremonial military change-over in 1972, Marcelo relinquished his title and decorated Mario San Diego (Class 1973) as his successor. A new set of chic green fatigue uniform and combat shoes were also introduced to replace the dreary khaki attire.

 

In 1973, the new high school garnered the bronze medal at the Quezon City Secondary Schools Model Platoon Drill Competition held at the Amoranto Stadium under the command of Lieut. Mario San Diego. It was the second most prestigious honor  of the GSISVHS after the athletic achievement of Ricardo M. Rosales (Class 1972).

 

The PMT Class of 1973 provided the impetus for the military and tactical reforms that would work more closely and effectively in the high school since the founding era to today's youth military training course now called the Citizens' Arm Training or CAT.

 

 

First District Meet

 

The new high school managed to send a small delegation to the Quezon City District Meet held at the Amoranto Stadium with representatives from various sporting events such as track & field, swimming, archery, volleyball, and basketball. The first delegation was headed and coached by Mr. Jose San Buenaventura, Health & Physical Education teacher. Ricardo Rosales, IV-1 student, became the first high school legend when selected with his running pace for the MPQCAA Team to the Palarong Pambansa that year. Others in the delegation were Dave Guerrero, III-1 CP (men’s archery), Amy Nena Arizabal, III-2 CP (women’s archery), Fernando Prado, III-1 CP (Swimming), Danilo Guevarra, III-1 CP (Swimming), George Prado, III-1 CP (800m run, javelin throw, shot put), Jose Buan Jr., First Year (track & field) and more. The players of the men's basketball representative team were picked mainly from Class 1972 led by Gerry Aguinaldo (deceased), Alex Villanueva et al. Alluring Elizabeth F. Bautista , a first year student, was in the women’s volleyball team and bloomed to be crowned a national beauty queen (Miss Republic of the Philippines 1975) then rose as a respectable and sensational film star of Manila’s glittering movie industry. Like Rosales, Bautista became a legend of the school.

(The author attempts to recall the names of the other students in the first delegation and wishes to convey his apology for missing out in the aforementioned. Please advice for inclusion)

 

 

First Parent-Teacher’s Association (PTA)

 

Mr. Pablo Nolasco was elected first president of the Parent-Teacher’s Association. The other officers were Atty. Bernardo Cuaresma – Vice-President; Mrs. Maria Luisa Nario – Secretary; Mrs. Nene M. Aguinaldo – Assistant Secretary; Mrs. Paz Rayala – Treasurer; Mrs. Remedios Amante – Assistant Treasurer; Mr. Celso Mendoza – Auditor; Mr. Federico Arizabal – Business Manager; Atty. Sylvia Adame – Press Relations Officer; Atty. Bonifacio Nino – Legal Officer; Capt. Nicolas Vargas – Peace Officer; Engr. E. Nario Jr, Mr. P. Villarosa, Mr. D. Rayala, Mr. J Sabado, Mr. E. Guerrero, Atty. M. Garcia, Mrs. L. Sahagun, Mrs. B. Tan; Mrs. M. Jaca, Ms. F. Racquel – Board of Directors; Mrs. Regina I. Novales – Adviser.  

 

Mr. Nolasco’s platform includes the fast acquisition of the permanent school building and basic school equipment. The first set of PTA officers was inducted by the Superintendent of Quezon City Schools, Mrs. Commemoracion Concepcion, in an evening program held at the school hall on 14 August 1971. In her talk as guest speaker, Mrs. Concepcion reiterated the reasons for the opening of a high school in Project 8. She congratulated all community members who helped in working for the realisation of an urgent need. She expressed her hope that the local PTA should be always aware of its function as a potent force in promoting closer relationship between parents and teachers. Others who gave short talks were Vice Mayor Ismael Mathay Jr. and Councilor Rafael Mison Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Education, [excerpt from The Village Bounty, August-November 1971 issue, entitled ‘Nolasco First PTA Prexy’ by Liza Briones (Class 1972)].

 

 

1972, the Year that was . . .

 

The declaration of martial law in 1972 had severely affected the Class of 1973 who were the senior students at the time. There were presidential decrees banning many aspects of a high school life like the imposition of curfew hours and military’s harsh treatment to teenagers. Even exclusive graduation ceremonies were banned and the Class of 1973 must join a mass graduation rite of all Quezon City high schools at the Amoranto Stadium. Many graduands did not wish a graduation in mediocrity. Instead, they received their high school diplomas and report cards unceremoniously. Likewise, the classes of 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975 never experienced a Junior-Senior Prom. To them, it was an elitist culture – a mirage.

 

As pioneer students struggling on a makeshift campus in a nation paralyzed by military coup, the Class of 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1975 survived the many challenges and stood proud. Optimism is its own reward.

 

 

The Transformation 

 

Sometime in 1976, the village market was gutted by a blaze turning classrooms into ashes. Immediate evacuation to shelter the students of a struggling young high school was supported by various sectors of the local city council, political figures, and community leaders that bridged a gateway to its new campus. 

 

 

That name . . .  ‘Mathay’

 

In the early 1970s, Ismael Mathay Jr. was a young councilor of Quezon City. Later, as a Vice Mayor, he graced the induction of the very first set of PTA officers with the superintendent of Quezon City schools, Mrs. Commemoracion Concepcion, in an evening program held at the GSIS Village High School hall on 14 August 1971 where he also gave a short speech (Briones L., The Village Bounty,  1971).

 

Ismael Mathay Jr. is a son of a prominent man in the Philippines named Ismael Mathay Sr., who was a former  auditor of the Central Bank of the Philippines and later as auditor general, board director, and general manager of the National Marketing Corporation (Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1968). Like his lawyer father,  Ismael Mathay Jr. pursued a law degree. He was admitted to  the Philippine Bar on 10 March 1958 (Ibid, 1998). 

 

On 27 February 1975, President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Presidential Decree 824 creating the Metropolitan Manila Commission (MMC) that integrates the Philippine capital Manila and adjacent Quezon City with two cities and twelve municipalities of the province of Rizal and one municipality of the province of Bulacan. Marcos appointed his wife Imelda Marcos as governor and Ismael A. Mathay Jr. as vice-governor (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, 2005).

Steadily, Ismael A. Mathay Jr. became a mayor in the ‘richest city of the Philippines' (Quezon City website, 2006) where he served from 30 June 1992 to 30 June 2001 (Quezon City Government, 2006).

Ironically, during his reign as vice-governor of Imelda R. Marcos’ MMC, the GSIS Village High School at the premises of the village market had just turned into ashes in 1976. Immediately, the GSISVHS was given a new home along Branches Extension within the village and, shortly later, baptized with a new name. From his MMC vice-gubernatorial position, Ismael A. Mathay Jr. was elected mayor of Quezon City in 1992.  

On 23 August 2005, with the National Historical Institute and the Quezon City government as the co-sponsors, the 109th Anniversary of the ‘Sigaw ng Pugad Lawin’(a)  at Brgy. Bahay Toro in Quezon City was celebrated. The present ‘Sigaw’ site is within the premises of the Pugad Lawin High School (Ramos, Fidel Valdez, 2001), a baby school of the Ismael Mathay Sr. (GSIS Village) High School.

Pugad Lawin High School (PLHS) dances his freedom from father school, Ismael Mathay Sr. High School (IMSHS).

Please click for more Lawinians' dances on menu.

 

 

 

 

 

Ismael A. Mathay Jr., Esq

 
The ‘Ismael Mathay Sr. High School - Toro Hills Annex’ and ‘Pugad Lawin High School’

 

Quezon City was once a small town adjoined by then now known as the communities of San Francisco del Monte, Novaliches, and Balintawak. In 1896, the Philippine Revolution was declared by Andres Bonifacio in Pugad Lawin which is now the Bahay Toro at Project 8, Quezon City (Quezon City, 2006).

 

On the basis of the 1983 committee's findings, the National Historical Institute placed a marker on 23 August 1984 at Seminary Road in Brgy. Bahay Toro behind the "Toro Hills High School' (Guerrero, M.C., 2003). In 1993, the Toro Hills High School was established at the old incinerator site with a total land area of eight thousand six hundred ninety six (8,696) square meters in Sitio Militar, Brgy. Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City just opposite the Pugad Lawin Shrine where Katipunan(b) leader Andres Bonifacio and the rebels signified their protest against the Spanish colonial rule by ripping their cedulas on 23 August 1896 (DCSQC, 2007).

The Project 8 high school was later named ‘Ismael Mathay Sr. High School - Toro Hills Annex’ under Quezon City schools district IV headed by Mdme. Grace A. Tariman, Principal II (Philippines Department of Education Masterlist, 2004). The Toro Hills Annex high school was under the tutelage of his father school, the Ismael Mathay Sr. (GSIS Village) High School.

Likewise, in Quezon City, a large portion of Tandang Sora(c) district is Brgy. Bahay Toro, where a historic site of the Philippine Revolution known as Pugad Lawin is located (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, 2005). From its innate Tagalog name, the Ismael Mathay Sr. High School – Bahay Toro Annex would later become the Pugad Lawin High School.

The Pugad Lawin High School of Quezon City was inaugurated on 21 June 1998 as part of the Centennial Freedom Trail (Ramos, F.V., 2001) becoming an autonomous institution from the father school, Ismael Mathay Sr. High School, located in GSIS Village, Project 8, Quezon City. Under Quezon City Schools District IV, the former annex school is currently headed by Mdme. Cleotilde B. Fernandez, Principal III (Philippines Department of Education Masterlist, 2006).

 

The Great Man

Ismael Mathay Sr. studied law and was admitted to the Philippine Bar on 16 January 1925 (Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1998).  Later, he was appointed by Sergio Osmeña, second President of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Philippines (1 August 1944 - 28 May 1946) as Budget and Finance Commissioner for the War Cabinet (1944-45) when President Osmeña issued Executive Order 15-W reorganizing and consolidating the Executive Departments of the Commonwealth government on 8 August 1944. Afterward, Executive Order Number 27 was issued on 27 February 1945 upon the restoration of civilian authority to the government of the Commonwealth, and members of the new cabinet were appointed on 8 March 1945. Subsequent renaming and mergers of departments have separate listings.  Osmeña created the Cabinet and Judicial Appointments (1945-46) and appointed Ismael Mathay Sr. as Secretary of the Budget (Quezon III, M.L., 2007). The former Secretary of the Budget then served as auditor of the Central Bank of the Philippines and retired from office on May 12, 1964. Thereafter, he held positions as auditor general, board director, and general manager of the National Marketing Corporation. 

 

Ismael Mathay Sr. begot a son named Ismael Mathay Jr., who would later follow his father's shadow and who was instrumental to the flourish of the GSIS Village High School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That Man Behind IMSHS

Ismael A. Mathay Jr., Esq                  

  • University of the Philippines, BBA Economics 1953
  • San Beda College, LLB 1957
  • Lawyer, Philippine Bar, 10 March 1958
  • Quezon City Vice Mayor to Mayor Norberto S. Amoranto, 1970 – 1976
  • Vice Governor to Governor Imelda Romualdez Marcos, Metropolitan Manila Commission, 1975
  • Quezon City Vice Mayor to Mayor Adelina S. Rodriguez, 01 April 197613 April 1986
  • Quezon City Mayor, 1992 – 2001
  • Professorial Chair, University of the Philippines Business Research Foundation (UPBRF), est 1971
  • Son of Sir Ismael Mathay Sr., Esq., Lawyer, Philippine Bar, 16 January 1925
  • Brother of Augusto A. Mathay, Lawyer, Philippine Bar, 7 February 1963
  • Father of Ismael G. Mathay III, Congressman 2nd District, Quezon City
  • Father of Ponciano G. Mathay, Lawyer, Philippine Bar, 18 October 1954
  • Father of Ramon G. Mathay, Quezon City Council, Board Member, 2005-06
  • Grandfather of film actress Ara Mina (real name Hazel Klenk Reyes Mathay), daughter of Ismael G. Mathay III
  • Listed in ‘Bedans of the Century’ as a prominent achiever
2006 Source: George Prado

http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/9477/stateadd1.html

 

 

 

Today

  

The GSIS Village High School is now a milestone of an entrenched foundation of learning with its new name Ismael Mathay Sr. High School  (Philippines Department of Education Masterlist 2005), sprawling permanent campus along Branches Extension in the village, and booming population.

 

The IMSHS Campus

New campus on Branches Extension, GSIS Village QC

IMSHS, a milestone of the village bounty

New IMSHS image

The IMSHS Senior Class 2006-07

sporting the new school outfit

 

 

Located in Quezon City Schools District VI, the Ismael Mathay Sr. (GSIS Village) High School is currently headed by Mdme. Justina A. Farolan (Principal IV). All enquiries to 926 2005 -phone, or 925 2606 - fax   (Ibid, 2006).

© 2004 Pacampara, Prado, Rodrigo, Rosales et al.  First Written, 28 December 2004;  First Revision, 8 January 2005; Second Revision, 18 October 2006; Third Revision, 14 March 2007.  Excerpts First Published August 1971, Quezon City, Metro Manila, The Philippines. 

 

Addendum

 

(a) Pugad Lawin - modern-day Pugad Lawin is in low and stony ground. Literally, hawks do not nest in the lowlands. The descendants of Tandang Sora claimed that the "Cry" or whatever, happened in Gulod, Banlat, Kaloocan. Their explanation is that the Katipuneros did not refer to their meeting place by its geographic name, but used a code to mislead the snooping Spaniards. Pakpak Lawin was suggested as another site but this was also dismissed because, botanically, it is a fern just like Diliman. The Pugad ng Lawin or Pugad Lawin was a specific landmark, a real hawk's nest atop a tall santol (or sampaloc) tree in Tandang Sora's backyard in Banlat, Gulod, Kaloocan (Ocampo, Ambeth R.. 1997).


(b) Katipunan -  in 1892, Filipinos interested in the overthrow of Spanish rule founded an organization following Masonic rites and principles to organize armed resistance and terrorist assassinations within a context of total secrecy (Library of Congress, 1999).

 

(c) Tandang Sora - better known as Melchora Aquino. Born in Banlat, Kalookan City on 6 January 1812, she helped the Katipuneros under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio by providing them food, shelter, and other material goods. She is recognized as the Grand Woman of the revolution and the Mother of Balintawak. She died on 12 March 1919 (Philippine Centennial Celebration, 1996).

 

 

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

 1)    Briones, Liza, ‘Nolasco First PTA Prexy’;  Nario, Nestor, 'GSIS Village High School Opens'.  The Village Bounty,

         August- November issue, First Edition, Quezon City Metro Manila The  Philippines, 1971 ; Rosales, Albert T.,

         courtesy 35-year-old original copy  collection, Los Angeles California USA, December 2004; Pacampara, Allan P.,

         original contact referral from Alumni.Net, Toronto  Ontario  Canada, December 2004

 

 2)    Department of Education, The official website of the Republic of the  Philippines, 2006

 

 3)    First Quarter Storm Network-USA, The Significance of Two August  21st Incidents in Philippine History, Monday,

         21 August 2006; indybay.org, 25 February 2006

 

4)    Guerrero, Milagros C., ‘Sulyap Kultura’, a publication of the National  Commission for Culture and the Art

       (1996); Perspective, Balintawak: The Cry for a Nationwide Revolution, Manila Philippines, 6 June 2003

 

 5)    Management Information Systems Office of the Philippine Supreme Court, Attorney's List, Supreme Court of

       the Philippines, 1998  Last Updated 27 June 2000

 

6)    Ocampo, Ambeth R. "Andres Bonifacio: Old Questions and New Answers." Bones of  Contention: The Bonifacio

        Lectures. Pasig City: Bonifacio Papers Professorial Chair Lecture, City College of Manila, 30 November 1997,  Anvil

        Publishing Inc.,  76-98, Philippines, 2001

 

7)    Office of War Information Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Washington D.C. USA, 1944

            

 8)    Philippine Centennial Celebration: A world’s fair for the  information  age; The Internet 1996 World Expo,

         National Book Store, Manila  Philippines

 

 9)    Philippines Department of Education portal, 2004

 

10)    Philippines Department of Education portal, 2005

 

11)    Philippine entertainment and news sites about Mses. Ara Mina and Cristine Reyes, 2006-2007

 

12)    Philippine Jurisprudence, Supreme Court of the Philippines  dated 29  November 1968, Arellano Law Foundation,

         Manila Philippines, 2000

 

13)   Quezon City  Council  Website, Quezon City  Philippines, 2005

 

14)   Quezon City Division of City Schools (DCSQC), 2005- 2007  

          http://www40.brinkster.com/mysampleweb/about_the_site.asp

 

15)    Quezon City Government, 2006

          http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/9477/ex_mayors.html

 

16)    Quezon City, 2006.  http://www.1stphilippines.com/pc-30f6af23af986d2e822e18015fd22ce1.html

 

17)    Quezon III, Manuel L., editor-in-chief, The Philippine  Presidency Project: The Philippine Presidency Project is a

          collection of documents and related archives  pertaining to past and present presidents of the Philippines, 2007 

          http://www.pangulo.ph/index.php

 

18)    Quezonian Newsletter, Quezon City Public Library, 2007.

       http://www.qcpubliclibrary.org/qcmanuscript.php#mathay_administration

 

19)    Ramos, Fidel Valdez, Opinion/Editorial: Standing taller on the shoulders of heroes, Manila Bulletin,  Manila 

          Philippines, 2001

 

20)    Sison, Jose Maria and Werning, Rainer, The Philippine Revolution: The Leaders View, Taylor and Francis New

          York Inc., New York USA, 1989

 

21)    The World of 1898: The Spanish-American War, Hispanic Division, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.  USA, 8 January 1999

 
22)    Wikipedia information about Metropolitan Manila Development  Authority, 2005 - QuickSeek.com

 
 
 
Appreciation
 
The GSISVHS-IMSHS thanks four alumni from Class 1973 and Class 1975 of their modest link through the alumni.net web site. Without their indulgence, this story on the emergence of the GSIS Village High School and rise of the Ismael Mathay Sr. High School may not be written and cybercasted. Special mention to . . .
 
* Allan Pacampara (Class 1975), earned a sociology degree from the University of the East. Now a bank officer of the Royal Bank of Canada and a corporate sales specialist, he lives with his wife Winnie and two children in the enchanting city of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. He is the very first link with the alumni 35 years later and the rest is history. Without his personal contact, this web site may not be existing today.
 
* Reynaldo Rodrigo (Class 1975), chief operating officer of US-based Healthcare Solutions Inc., community officer and civic leader. He lives in LA's Orange County in southern California, USA with his wife Jessie Grace and three children. He initiated first contact and link of the alumni through the global alumni net.
 
* Albert Rosales (Class 1975), holds a highly distinguished E-8 position as Port Operations Officer with the United States Naval Force Port Operations Cryptologic Technician - Collection based at Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach beside the monstrous US Naval Station at Long Beach in California. He lives in North Western Orange County in southern California, USA with his wife Liberty and two children. Mr. Rosales owns the original files and photographs from the first print of 'The Village Bounty'.
 
* George Prado (Class 1973), a resident of Australia. He was married for 29 years to his late wife Elizabeth and built a close-knit family.

 
                            

                                 

                                © 2004 – 2009 GSISVHS-IMSHS.  This work is original.