Republic of the Philippines

San Antonio High School

Schools Division of Paranaque City

The school started from its humble beginnings. With only a few students and teachers, the institution already maintained its commitment to the vision of the Department of Education. “We dream of Filipinos who passionately love their country and whose values and competencies enable them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to building a nation…” As the institution moved forward, SAHSP passed every obstacle and moved beyond borders.

After evaluating the requirements submitted for the establishment of the school, the DepEd found that the same was in the order, in accordance with law and DepEd Order no. 40, series of 2014, the establishment of the school was hereby approved last January 11, 2017. The letter of approval was awarded to Mrs. Maria Rhodora P. Espino, principal II of SAHSP, by the NCR Regional Director IV, Dr. Ponciano Menguito.

Today, SAHSP prides itself on up-to-date facilities, well-trained and dedicated faculty and staff, integrated and relevant curriculum, and quality standard educational practices. The school programs always lead to the well-being of the students to develop them to be well-adapted individuals, armed with wisdom and courage, confident in facing the challenges of the outside world.

SAHSP: The Beginning

It was on the 7th day of November, the year 2014 when the Ground Breaking Activity for SAHSP was held. This program, with San Antonio Elementary School as the host school for the event, was attended by school principals of Department of Education (DepEd) Parañaque with SANES principal, Mr. Gerry Lumaban, Dr. Joel T. San Luis, former Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Margarito B. Materum, Assistant SDS, Division and District Supervisors and City Officials. It was also at this event when Mrs. Maria Rhodora P. Espino was introduced as the OIC-principal of SAHSP to City Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez.

Another highlight in the school’s history is its Soft Opening Program which was held on the 26th day of June, the year 2015. The program included the blessing of the school as headed by  Rev. Father Carmelo O. Estores, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Peace Parish. Noteworthy messages from the people who took part in establishing SAHSP were delivered – messages from Dr. Rosendo C. Abulog, Principal of Paranaque National High School Main; Dr. Ponciano A. Menguito, Assistant Regional Director and Officer In Charge, Division Superintendent; Jose Delima Sanchez, Barangay Captain of San Antonio; Hon. Rico Golez, Vice Mayor of Paranaque City; Hon. Edwin L. Olivarez, Mayor of Parañaque City; and Mrs. Maria Rhodora P. Espino, SAHSP OIC-Principal.

SAHSP’s Establishment: A Glimpse from the Past

The SAHSP, a 4-storey building for secondary level education located in one of the most populous barangays in the city, Barangay San Antonio, was established to basically respond to the need of new schools that will provide for the educational  requisites of the growing number of learners. It was officially opened last 1st day of June, year 2015, being the first day of school year 2015-2016, with 22 sections for Grade 7 level. It also operated as annex of PNHS – Main.

The proponent of application for the establishment of the school, Mrs. Espino, emphasized the significant benefit when she presented the said application. This benefit is to provide secondary education for the graduates of San Antonio Elementary School, Fourth Estate Elementary School and Sampaloc Site Elementary School, and for  less fortunate school children of Barangay San Antonio and neighboring barangays. The opening of SAHSP also aims to help in the decongestion of student population of Paranaque National High School Main, looking at the growing number of students in the mentioned school.

The establishment of the school also parallels its goals to the overall Education For All Goal: Basic Competencies for Everyone to Achieve Functional Literacy for All by 2015 and its implementing framework which is the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP). It targets to establish a school in every barangay, expand access to secondary level particularly for hard-to-reach populations and improve the school holding capacity and quality of education.

Hon. Maritess D. De Asis, City Councilor and Chairman of Committee on Education, together with other city councilors, approved Resolution No. 15-051 also known as a resolution endorsing to the DepEd the establishment of San Antonio High School Paranque located at Hontiveros Compound, Fourth Estate Subdivision, Barangay San Antonio, City of Paranaque. Also, the DepEd issued DepEd Order No. 40, Series of 2014 entitled: Establishing, Merging, Conversion and Naming/Renaming of Public Schools and Separation of Public School Annexes in Basic Education; thus, the DepEd Paranaque responded through founding of SAHSP resulting to the usufract between DepEd Paranaque and the Local Government.

Last November 16, 2016, the Regional Evaluation Team, headed by Dr. Crisanto Ecija, NCR Regional Supervisor, visited the school and advised the principal to design innovations for the school to have a greater chance to become an independent one. These encouraging advice and persuading remarks inspired Mrs.  Espino to work hard. She prepared all the necessary requirements for the establishment of the school. After two years, SAHSP finally gained its independence from Parañaque National High School-Main as stated in Regional Order no. 1, series of 2017.

Everybody had witnessed that in the span of five years, SAHSP yielded awards and recognitions from distinguished contests in different areas of learning. This made the school recognized throughout the City of Parañaque and by nearby cities in Metro Manila.