HISTORY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL

In 1962 a new door has opened in the municipality of Lagonglong. Through the petition of the people and the encouragement of Rev. Fr. Joaquin Resma, SSJV, S. Ma Mercedes de Jesus, RVM the local Superior of St. Rita’s College of Balingasag decided to extend their services by opening and running a school in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental. The school, which was built on the parish owned lot, started with two bare classrooms and one-storey administration building. On its first year of operation only First Year and Second Year students were Admitted. Classrooms were made through the help of parents and students. The parents, on rotation basis did “pahinas”, or communal labor by barrios. Students hauled big stones for the flooring. The walls were made of woven coconut leaves. The Parish Priest and Municipal Mayor worked side by side to improve the rugged condition of the school building. Mayor Claudio Acao and Judge Heracleo Amarga have cows slaughtered almost every Saturday and sold them to people. Proceeds of the cow’s meat were used to but galvanized iron and nails.

The school was ushered into existence by able administrators and faculty who were consisted of S. Ma. Obdulia Adre, RVM, the first Principal assisted by S. Ma. Zosima Caltrava, RVM. The first batch of faculty members was Mr. Ignacio Caharian Jr., Mr. Simon, Mr. Atienza, Miss Ilagan and Miss Dalisay. Life was never easy for the Sisters, teachers and students. On rainy days, classes suffered. When Mambayaan River swells, the Sisters who lived in St. Rita’s College of Balingasag would send instruction to Mr. Caharian on how to conduct regular classes.

In the year 1963, classroom floors were cemented and 3 more classrooms were constructed to accomodate the increasing enrolment. In the school year 1964-1965, St. John the Baptist High School produced its first 52 graduates.

Year 1965 – 1970 were growth years for the school. There was an increase not only in enrolment but in the infrastructure as well. To accomodeate the growing number of enrolees, additional classrooms, the mini- stage and the two-storey administration building were constructed. With the financial help of Miss Nane Abregana and Archbishop Hayes the construction of new buildings and purchase of laboratory apparatus were made possible.

School Year 1978-1979 was a very fruitful year for the school. Dramatics and plays florished. It was also a year of very active involvement of students in the parish.

In the school year 1980-81, a very dedicated and committed teacher in the person of Miss Fleurdeliz Tabamo administered SJBHS. Academic and co-curricular standing of students improved. In 1982, the school celebrated its 20th anniversary and its silver jubilee in 1978. It was also a decade of grace, three alumni were ordaied to the priesthood.

In the 90’s St. John the Baptist High School competed with the fast innovating society. The faculty members were exposed to a wider horizon and experiences through educational tours, seminars and bonding with the faculty members of other RVM schools.

It was in the school year 1993-1994 that RVM Sisters administered the the school once again. Holistic growth of the students was the emphasis.

In the school year 1995-1996, computer instruction started to keep the students abreast with modern technologies. With the advent of the new millenium, the school faced a greater challenge. To improve the school facilities, the RVM Congregation aided the construction of a two-storey building where the administrative offices and laboratories were housed.

In the school year 1999-2000 SJBHS ranked second among the 15 RVM schools in Northern Mindanao in the RVM Achievement Test and fifth in the NSAT result in the provincial level. In the school year 2000-2001, the school ranked first in the RVM Test nationwide.

In September, 2002, a Home Economics building was constructed that gave joy to the SJBHS family. Likewise, in the same month, the school launched the 40th Anniversary of its existence which culminated in December, 2002.

In the school year 2004-2005, there was a remarkable increase in the number of first year students. It was really a year of grace for the SJBHS family for having an abrupt increase in enrolment, hence, the third additional section for first year was named in honor of Our Lady of Grace.

The year 2005-2006 marked the prowess of SJBHS in Journalism. A number of students who joined in the Division Press Conference won in the various categories. Many participants for the MTAP quiz bee brough honor to the school for winning the said competetion.

St. John the Baptist High School continues to move on. In the year 2008, the entire Lagonglonganon was amazed when the RVM Congregation approved the construction of a new one-storey concrete building worth more than 7 million pesos. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 5, 2008. It was a great pleasure for the SJBHS family because this marked the realization of the dream of having new classrooms. This was made possible by the able administration of the School Principal and Local Superior, S. Ma. Felicisima L. Cruz, RVM and S. Ma. Rachel Bernardo, RVM, the then Regional Superintendent for Northern Mindanao who worked hard for the realization of the said edifice. This edifice which was named Assumption Building complemented the Administration Building that was constructed last 1999. In December, 2008, SJBHS commemorated its 47th Foundation Day which was sponsored by the PTA Board and the SJBHS family.

St. John the Baptist High School kept abreast with modern technologies. The science laboratory room has newly installed laboratory tables equipped with gas and electrical outlets, exhaust fans, emergency shower and fume hood. The addition of more laboratory apparatus/equipment and chemicals enabled the students to perform experiments thoroughly and accurately in small groups. The air-conditioned audio-visual room was equipped with television, stereo component, in-focus equipment and different CD’s to enhance student’s learning. The well-ventilated computer laboratory room was provided with additional computer units for students individual hands-on activities. Since education has been evolving fast, the school evolved also through the additional reference books, magazines, encyclopedia and other supplemental readings in the library.

In 2009, SJBHS opened an Internet Access to keep the faculty and students cope up with modern technology. In this year also, the new concrete T.L.E. building was constructed for student’s practicum in their T.L.E. classes.

St. John the Baptist High School showed a lot of evidences in its incessant quest for excellence and its aim to give quality Catholic education. The Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) Certifiers and PAASCU Self-Survey Team made their annual school visit for evaluation. SJBHS was so proud to get a high rating in the survey of the different areas. With these, additional slots of ESC Scholars for the school was granted.

In the school year 2009-2010, the newly constructed Assumption Building was opened for classroom instruction. The students found these eight well-ventilated classrooms with tiled floor and glass windows very conducive for teaching and learning. Another important development took place during this year. The school P.T.A. Board under the active leadership of Mrs. Emma Empinado Abregana, initiated the “Raffle for a Cause” movement in which the prroceeds would be used for the construction of the “Multi-purpose Hall”. The parents, teachers, and students made their collaborative effort in the realization of the said project.

In the middle of the year 2010, the whole Lagonglonganon gave their joyous praise and thanksgiving to God for Reverend Fr. Jose Araneta Cabantan, D.D., one of the dedicated Alumni priests of Batch ‘ 74 who was ordained and installed as Bishop. His first assignment was in the Archdiocese of Malaybalay, Bukidnon. His ordination became an inspiration to other young graduates who desire to serve God.

In the school year 2010-2011, the school was administered by a new set of RVM Sisters who consisted of S. Ma. Socorro Valdehueza, RVM; S. Ma. Teresita Catacutan, RVM, the school principal and S. Ma. Elsa Rioveros, RVM, the local econome. True to their mission in serving the school and the students as well, many improvements came into fore. Academically, the students excelled in many areas through their active participation in the different contests inside and outside the school. The physical and social aspects of the students were given more emphasis by the school by sending and engaging them in various sports and dance activities. Spiritually, the school provided more activities where students would actualize their Christian values. This was made possible therough the school’s strict implementation of its rules and regulations. The school’s progress is also visible not only in its students but in its infrastructure. In this school year, the school in coordination with the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Board under the leadership of Mr. Sanny C. Tacastacas spearheaded the construction of the school’s stage extension. Another remarkable feature of the school is the newly constructed Multi-Purpose Hall situated in front of the administration building.

In the year 2013-2015, the school was managed by the three RVM Sisters, S. Ma. Annie D. Barona, RVM, School Principal, S. Ma. Lourdes B. Bataycan, RVM, Local Econome, and S. Ma. Evelyn T. Galanido, RVM Local Superior. The school continued to progress and improve. Through the collaborative efforts of the Board of Trustees, administration, parents, teachers, personnel and students, improvements in the facilities were realized such as the construction of the two new covered walk situated from the gate going to the administration building and from the gate to the multi-purpose hall going to the new building. This was made possible through the generosity of Christ the King College headed by S. Ma. Aida L. Mariano, RVM. As a Marian school, love and devotions to Our Lady must be enhanced and nurtured. The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was put up in front of the new building. The campus was built in a low land level where it becomes a catch basin of water even when normal rain comes. Humps were constructed at the small gate and big gate to prevent the water from entering the campus. The Canteen was repainted. The faculty room was air-conditioned. The administration building was repaired and repainted.

During the School Year 2015-2016, S. Ma. Annie Barona, RVM School Principal and S. Ma. Lourdes B. Bataycan, RVM Econome, were the only two Sisters assigned in the community. The community was then affiliated to the Northern Mindanao Regional House, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City with S. Ma. Lorina A. Jumawan, RVM as the local superior. In November,2015, S. Ma. Leah Anastacio, RVM a first year Junior was added to the community and S. Ma. Annie D. Barona, RVM was installed as the local Superior of the community.

The Faculty underwent a series of extensive professional enhancements using the RVM Pedagogy as tool for quality instruction. Annual upgrading of technology in the computer laboratory and Audio Visual Room hone students skills and meaningful learning made them excell in various activities and competitions in academic and co-curricular activities in and off campus bringing honour and pride to the school.

In May 2015, the school applied for Senior High School Program and granted Government Permit (Region 10) Provisional Permit No. 94, s. 2015 to operate the Senior High School Program, Grade 11 and Grade 12. Courses offered under Academic Tract: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and General Academic Strand (GAS). Technical Vocational Track: Home Economics: House Keeping, Cookery and Food and Beverages. To equip the TLE, renovation was restructured and purchase of chemicals and apparatuses were done to meet the requirement of the course to be offered. However, per advice of the RVM-EMC, through the Board of Trustees, SJBHS was not able to pursue its offering for Senior High School and retained its stand alone high school status due to lack of classrooms, facilities and teachers.

In the school year 2016-2017, the school was administered by a new set of RVM Sisters, S. Ma. Annie D. Barona, RVM School Principal and Local Superior; S. Ma. Yohana Umbu Pati, RVM, Campus Minister, and S. Ma. Carmela C. Conol, RVM, the Local Econome. The school continued its mission. The Audio-Visual Room was converted into a Speech Laboratory donated by St. Michael’s College, Iligan City, through the leadership of S. Ma. Aida L. Mariano, RVM. The Multi-purpose Hall then became the AVR.

The school continues to strive further in providing quality Catholic Education. It was re-certified by Fund Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) Certifiers in April , 2017 and was granted a 5-year recertified status. The increase in enrolment in the school year 2017-2018, necessitated the conversion of one portion of the AVR into a classroom for Grade 10- Our Lady Queen of Peace. The following school year 2018-2019 the enrolment continued to increase which brought about the conversion of a portion of the school canteen into another classroom for Grade 10 – Our Lady of Lourdes. In the school year 2019-2020, another portion of the AVR was converted into a classroom for Grade 9 – Our Lady Queen of All Saints.

The Johnians performed well in the academic arena. In the Bible Quiz sponsored by the Society of St. Paul, they ranked 4th , 5th and then 4th in the Regional Level for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. In the year 2018, SJBHS ranked 2nd in the Regional Level for Press Conference . The Johnians slso performed well in MTAP in the District Level where they would usually garner the first and the 2nd place for the past three years.

In April, 2019 the roofing of the Administration Bldg, Assumption Bldg; MIDES Bldg.; The TLE Bldg, and the covered walkways were repainted.

SJBHS has produced and is still producing quality graduates who are now successful lawyers, engineers, teachers, doctors, nurses, priests, nuns, military officials, businessmen, high –ranking government officials and etc. Above all, St. John the Baptist High School, small as it is, takes pride and honor in fulfilling its mission of building men and women of FAITH,EXCELLENCE, and SERVICE.

St. John the Baptist High School, faithful to the Marian and Ignacian tradition, continues its mission of helping the students grow in their awareness and sensitivity, readiness, courage and determination in serving God and people. It continues its service to the people by giving quality Catholic education.