Argao Elementary School

Category: Cultural Institution

District of Malay

Background Information

Photo by: FRANCIS C. SINEL Date: October 30, 2022

Name of Institution: ARGAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Municipality/City: MALAY

Province: AKLAN

Location/Address: ARGAO, MALAY, AKLAN

Type of Cultural Institution

Formal institution - Public Elementary School

Narrative Description

Argao Elementary School is one of the oldest institutions in the Malay community, which once belonged to Buruanga. The school, founded in 1926, served as a sanctuary for talented Malaynon and other Nabas and Boracay alumni. With the help of 14 additional teachers, one administrative assistant, one security officer, and three utility aides, the school is supervised by Mr. Ernel P. Casidsid, Head Teacher III. As president of the Parents Teachers Association, Mary Ann Hermosilla oversees the PTA representatives at the school. The school is in Argao's Malay neighborhood and may be accessed at (272-4123).

Past and Present School Administration

Vivencio P. Calvario Sr., Erenio Taytayo, Luisa C. Yap, Ernel P. Casidsid

Past Educators

Paquito Palomata,Vivencio Calvario Sr., Erineo Taytayon, Regalado Tolinero, Desederia S. Amar, Maxima G. Prado, Janet Toboso, Estileta C. Tupas, Desederia S. Amar, Gleceria, Tayco, Pura S. Carpio, Jose A. Prado, Luisa C. Yap, Erlinda S.Oducado, Remidios G. Constantino,Mr. Sombilon, Mrs.Salido, Gloria Prado, Flora Aguirre, Roberto Artosilla, Libertad Sinel Aguirre, Victoria Garcia Candari, Intang Oczon, Presca Prado, Crisologo Prado, Mr. Solanoy, Consorcia Casidsid

Present Educators

Ernel P. Casidsid, Maffie O. Sinel, Ma. Chariss C. Ferrer, Josie D. Dela Torre, Glenda T. Garcia, Marissa M. Peralta, Anacel C. Gelito, Edniffer P. Dela Vega, Efrelyn S. Lumogdang, Salvie A. Sinel, Francis C. Sinel, Jessa V. Duran, Malou Jean F. Caro, Mara C. Dorego, Christopher Hope Alolod, Michael Angelo Garcia

Description of Significant Milestones

          The school had many difficulties over the years, but with the assistance of stakeholders, parents, and the local government, it has progressively become stable. The Malay Local Government Unit promotes educational programs in schools that provide top-notch instruction. They offer a significant budget to pay the institution's operating expenses. Argao Elementary School continues to do well in a range of events and competitions thanks to the collaboration of stakeholders, the parent-teacher organization, and the teachers.

          The educators at Argao Elementary School are talented and hardworking. Many students complete their degrees and find success in their chosen fields.

Stories and Narratives

          The supportive stakeholders, parents, and teachers collaborated to create Argao Elementary School to spare the young Malaynon from having a far walk to school in the town of Buruanga. A "Bayanihan" was organized by the neighborhood in 1926 to build a Gabaldon structure out of hardwood timbers. The lumber and other building supplies used to create the school came from the fertile and plentiful mountains in the barangays of Argao and Napaan.

          Argao Elementary School was the first school for nearby barangays such as Caticlan, Napaan, Sambiray, and Cogon was created.

          The educators at Argao Elementary School are talented and hardworking. Many students complete their degrees and find success in their chosen fields. This school teaches reading, writing, math, and basic manners to aid in the development of the student’s personalities. The students gained various industrial skills including cooking, carpentry, and many others.

         The children's admittance to school has improved and is disaster-free thanks to the participation of parents, stakeholders, and school administration. Offering top-notch training for a better future, Argao Elementary School is still going strong and keeps up with the times.

          From 1977 to 2014, the school underwent a test to become a primary school because of the area's declining population, the opening of schools in nearby barangays like Cubay and Caticlan, as well as other factors. For a considerable amount of time, it served as a primary school, allowing students to continue their elementary education at other institutions. Up until the time when the neighborhood's population progressively grew because Boracay promoted Malay tourism, at which point the school reverted to its previous status as an elementary school. With the assistance of the Malay local government unit for infrastructure and other support to strengthen the delivery of education for the intended outcome, it today offers pupils high-quality education.

          In school, there were many interesting occurrences and tales. The love tale of teachers who came from different towns in Aklan and were married in Argao is an illustration of this. Their affection is witnessed by the school. There are also tales of student love that, over time, came to pass.

          The school is a site to behold with plants growing everywhere. One of the plants that were planted by students and are now visible around the school and community is Rosal. To provide decoration and scent when in bloom, they planted several rosals along the steep steps. Large, mature trees, including Molave (Moe-won), duhat (Eomboy), and others, surround the school and provide shade for the kids while they eat and play on the playground during recess. The teacher held classes under the tree when it was hot outside to reduce the heat. Students engage in age-old activities like sipa, jackstone, luksong tinik, and throwing coconut leaves as balls. They also consume the food they brought, such as kakanin, bandi, enomoe, and fruits like pineapple, cashew emboy, and ang koeonakon that are traded for pieces of paper.

          Before enrolling in other schools, the native population first attended classes at Argao Elementary School. They mix with the "bisaya" without fear or prejudice because everyone is treated equally regardless of skin tone. They have their own lives and families now that they have completed elementary school.

          To have food to eat when the monsoon arrives, the students are taught how to preserve food due to the abundance of fish in the area. Examples of these preserves include the production of salted fish (ginamos), dried fish (baog nga dulis), and pinakas. Many of the aforementioned items are now on the market and are profitable. The boys are instructed in the construction of robust and attractive boats like "pasahe" and "paraw." They use it for sailing and fishing to the nearby islands of Tablas and Hambil. Due to its environmental friendliness and smooth ride, the paraw has gained popularity over time and is now frequently used by tourists to travel between islands.

          The school has been the subject of many tales of wonder and horror, first and foremost because of its setting among tall, mature trees. According to the locals, when summertime comes, they see the "Bulalakaw," a flying fairy that takes the form of fire and releases fiery drops that, when picked up, will bring luck. When it seems that the region may experience famine or calamity, the "Bulalakaw" conveys both good and bad news. It can also bring blessings by increasing the harvest of rice or fish in the sea. Also, there are tales of those "kapre," "oko," "agta," "kakak," and "kama-kama," among other terms. The tradition goes that a girl's death was formerly associated with the school because she desired to wed a fairy who resided in the large balete tree there. She is going to become their new queen. There are also cases of missing children who were assumed to have been concealed by the "kama-kama." The parents searched all afternoon and night before thinking to ring the church bell, and when the bell rang, the child was discovered under a bamboo tree.

Significance

Economic

Argao Elementary School has produced graduates who have found success both domestically and abroad.

Aesthetic

Argao Elementary School Elementary School has witnessed the historical occurrences of the Second World War. Due to its elevated position, when the Japanese arrived in Malay, it became the sanctuary and hiding place for the residents of Argao. The robust, stable, and durable school buildings are built by brilliant and competent carpenters from Argao and other locations to withstand natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes.

Spiritual

Argao Elementary School emphasizes developing godliness and academic excellence. Mass is offered once a month, and catechism is also taught once a week.

Historical

The school provided Argao locals with a haven through a tough period like World War II so they could hide from the Japanese. The school suffered damage from typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural calamities.

Social

Argao Elementary School values all kids equally, regardless of gender or social standing. Women, people with disabilities, and the weak are valued and prioritized. Funding is given to former students of Argao Elementary School, especially for projects that improve the standard of instruction. In addition, students participate in a variety of competitions at sporting events and quiz bees held at the district and division levels.

Political

The school serves as a precinct for municipal and federal elections, peacefully announcing the winning candidates. One of the organizations gaining from a substantial financial allocation for education from the Local Government Unit of Malay is Argao Elementary School. The Local Government Unit funding pays for the school's operating expenses.

Constraints/ Threats/ Issues/ Challenges

Argao Elementary School also went through several difficulties. Due to the constant perseverance of everyone's support and collaboration, the school was able to surpass the adversity. The shortage of school buildings and textbooks is another concern of the school.

Measures and Description of Safeguarding Measures Taken

Argao Elementary School aims to sustain the cultural projects and programs to retain instructors' capacity and competency. Through cultural mapping efforts, the school's contribution to many aspects and varied knowledge is conveyed for the future generation and the significance of school in forming persons can be documented.

Logo

Lighted torch represents the light of knowledge.

Book symbolizes essentials for opportunity.

Mountain represents the geographical location of the school.

Laurel leaves represent honor and prestige.

Human shadow represents successful alumni of the school.

The stars represent the strong foundation of education.

Clouds symbolize the infinite process of education.

Attachments

Pictures

References

Key Informant/s:                             MRS. ARLENE G. AGUIRRE

Niece of Gideon Siñel

MISS AUXILLADORA G. SIŃEL

Retired Teacher and cousin of Gideon Siñel

Reference:                                       Interview

Name of Profiler/Mapper:                FRANCIS C. SIÑEL

Teacher III

Argao Elementary School

District of Malay

Name of Language Expert:            LIEZEL R. TAPAR

Teacher 1

Lezo Integrated School

Name of Layout Artist:                  JOSEPH STEPHEN L. RESICO

Teacher II

New Washington National Comprehensive High School

Name of Evaluators:                       MR. DENNIS E. BONTOGON

Master Teacher III

Kalibo Pilot Elementary School

JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE

Teacher III

Regional Science High School

DATE PROFILED:                            January 4, 2023

Name of Wiki Editor:                      MR. JOHN ELIAS F. ARAOJO

Teacher I

Manocmanoc National High School

APPROVED:                                     RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, Ph.D.

Education Program Supervisor - Araling Panlipunan