Saint Pascual Institution High School Class 1960

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Written, Manila Bulletin Feb. 9, 2007

Where a journey of a thousand miles begins

Countless souls had passed the portals of St. Pascual Institution since Fr. Juan Dilag, Obando’s parish priest, opened Escuela Catolika on February 11, 1913. What started as a catechetical class soon expanded into a pre-elementary, elementary, and secondary school under the aegis of the Sisters of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM). The school was incorporated in 1921 and was recognized by the government. In 1936, the elementary department was completed with the addition of the intermediate level. The high school department opened in 1939 and was completed in 1943.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

But war intervened. In February, 1945 Obando was razed by fire and the school was not spared. Post-liberation reconstruction began almost immediately and it reopened in 1947 with complete elementary and secondary levels. Enrolment increased and additional buildings had to be constructed.

For better supervision, Rev. Fr. Rome Fernandez, the parish priest then, separated the high school department for boys. He himself acted as the director while the girls’ department, on the other hand, continued under the supervision and management of the RVM Sisters. From that time on, the school’s enrolment steadily increased, necessitating further expansion.

The Colegio de San Pascual Baylon in Pag-asa, Obando, Bulacan.But after 12 years of separation, in the schoolyear 1975 – 1976, the boys and girls’ departments merged and in June of the same year, the government approved the opening of the kindergarten. The merging, however, lasted only for seven years. In the SY 1982-1983, the parish for the second time took charge of the administration and supervision of the boys’ department.

In 1985, the school opened a college department and offered three courses: BSE , BSEE and Commerce. This led to the change of its name from St. Pascual Institution to Colegio de San Pascual Baylon (CSPB).

The late 1980’s through the early 1990’s were arguably the "glorious years" of the school with the enrolment rapidly increasing year after year. Most Rev. Cirilo R. Almario, D.D., Bishop of Malolos, assigned the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph, a religious congregation in Bulacan, to take over the work of the RVM in 1988.

From 1913 to the present, Colegio de San Pascual Baylon has produced hundreds of graduates who became teachers, nurses, doctors, dentists, accountants, lawyers, priests, nuns, entrepreneurs and business people. Others excelled in the arts and other pursuits. They can be found in the public and private sectors, here and abroad. A greater majority, either by choice or circumstance, chose to lead simple and quiet lives, raising families the way their parents raised them; God-fearing and obedient to His will.

Truly CSPB can lay claims to being where the journey of a thousand miles began for countless souls and it will continue to do so well nigh into the future.

PRESENT TIMES

Colegio de San Pascual Baylon envisions itself as a Christ-centered educational community instituting the life of prayer and devotion to the Holy Eucharist and to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the inspiration of St. Paschal of Baylon, Spain who had led a life of humility and charity.

Its mission is to be of great service to the Church and to the people in building a more humane and just society.

Like all other Catholic schools in the country, CSPB adheres to the teaching and philosophy of the Catholic Church and the country’s democratic institutions. It is highly committed to do its share in nation-building by shaping up its students to be God-fearing, peace-loving, socially aware and enlightened citizens.

At present, it has a staff of 125 employees (administrative, teaching and non-teaching personnel) catering to a population of 1,939 students from Nursery to College.

Most of its lay administrators, teachers and personnel are themselves alumni of the school thus their commitment and dedication to the institution are undoubtedly unquestionable.

CSPB provides for a continuing faculty and employees’ development program to improve and enhance their competencies. In-service trainings and workshops are held to improve the teaching performance of the faculty. An annual retreat and recollections are conducted for their moral and spiritual upliftment.

For several years now, team building activities are done to provide wholesome fun and recreation to the CSPB Family. By way of these activities, cooperation and camaraderie are strengthened and the execution of tasks during school activities and occasions is facilitated with ease.

Recognizing the multiple intelligence of pupils and students, the institution creates an environment where their talents, inclinations or preferences are discovered, challenged, nurtured and honed to their full potential.

To develop the students' speaking skills, CSPB has an adequately-equipped Speech laboratory with a 60-seat capacity. Kairos, the school publication which comes out twice a year, provides an excellent avenue to aspiring would-be writers. For bookworms who still prefer the smell of old as well as newly-printed books, the school boasts of a spacious, well-stacked and well-ventilated library. A fully air-conditioned Audio Visual Room with a seating capacity of 200 has already hosted a number of fora and symposia.

Lest one would think it’s all brains and no brawn for a Paschalian, vanish the thought. For physical excellence and sportsmanship are part of his/her holistic education. Basketball, volleyball, badminton classes and competitions are everyday staple for a Paschalian.

The institution is a consistent winner in the Bulacan Private Schools Association (BULPRISA) which annually holds academic and cultural contests. The latest winners in the provincial level are Ramon Francisco B. Avena and Ryan Q. Bernardo, both Senior students who won first place in Science and General Information, respectively, last October 23 – 26, 2006.

CSPB also prides itself of its very active Parent-Teacher Council (PTC). Its present Chairman, Mr. Moises B. San Diego and his team has been consistent partners of the school in all its activities like the Grand Family Day which is held every December. Starting this schoolyear, the PTC has been encouraged to sit down and observe their children during class hours. They see up-close and personal how their children’s surrogate parents go out of their way to help mold them.

Not to be outdone is the SPI – CSPB Alumni Association with its present president, Mrs. Felisa L. Contreras. Batch year reunions are held regularly throughout the year. The association assists the school in the improvement of some facilities. It also sponsors scholars from deserving families.

FLAGSHIP COURSES

Colegio de San Pascual Baylon located in Pag-asa, Obando, Bulacan, aims to educate the hearts and minds of its students.

It continuously aspires for excellence and quality education as it offers complete elementary, secondary and tertiary education.

Christian Living is the core of the curricula in all levels and is integrated in all the subjects.

Basic Education Courses

Colegio de San Pascual Baylon is committed to the total development of the students under its care.

By way of its curricular offerings, the students’ cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills are developed and enhanced through varied academic and co-curricular activities carried out in well-equipped facilities.

The institution provides a well-rounded education that prepares the students for the ever-changing needs of the society.

Collegiate Courses

Now on its twenty-first year, CSPB offers courses which will enable students to earn degrees at affordable costs without compromising standard quality education.

Its course offerings include: Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) with majors in Banking and Finance, Management and Marketing; Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS); Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd), major in English, Filipino, Social Science, Mathematics and General Science and Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) with Specialization in Pre-School Education.

The institution also accepts students to enroll in Professional Education Course (Certificate in Professional Education).

The key strengths of the institution are the Education courses in Elementary and Secondary. CSPB holds a distinguished record in Bulacan with its graduates performing well in the Licensure Examination For Teachers (LET) year after year.

Today, as CSPB marks its 94th year, there’s no doubt that its tradition of excellence will continue to be carried on from one generation to another, like the Olympian torch!

SEE YOU IN OUR GOLDEN JUBILEE REUNION 2010.