Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School
Contents
Category: Cultural Institution
District of Balete
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Municipality/City: Balete
Province: Aklan
Location/Address: Feliciano, Balete, Aklan
LOGO
Pink - represents kindness and goodness
Torch and Open book - symbolizes knowledge and wisdom; symbolizes the vision of education to provide enlightenment to all learners
Hands - protect and uplift the quest for knowledge
Circle - represents wholeness, perfection, completeness, friendship inclusivity and strength
Leaves - symbolize growth, rebirth and life
White - symbolizes purity and peace
Yellow - represents new life and a new beginning
Outer Circle - represents the external stakeholders who are capable of promoting the school vision and mission
Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School - the school name and one of the most important aspects of its identity. It establishes a sense of community for the students, faculty, and staff and helps create a unified vision for the school.
Feliciano, Balete, Aklan - where the school is located, 30 kilometers away from the Division Office
Yellow-shaped shield - represents the teachers and parents and provides a safeguard, shelter, and security for the learners
TYPE OF CULTURAL INSTITUTION
Formal institution - Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National high School is a Public Secondary High School aims to contribute to the development of students for a bright future.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION
For the school year 1980-1981, the Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School (FJCRMNHS) was officially established as Feliciano-Fulgencio Barangay High School (FFBHS) in Barangay Feliciano, Balete Aklan, under the provisions of Republic Act 6054, otherwise known as the Barrio High School Charter, with the opening of the first-year curriculum. Mrs. Emma M. Rondario, Principal of Feliciano Elementary School, and Ms. Maiden P. Beltran, KB Chairman of Barangay Fulgencio, were the key figures in its establishment.
As a joint project of the Feliciano and Fulgencio barangay councils, headed by Brgy. Captains Paterno Lopez and Benjamin Morales respectively, its operation, control and supervision were placed under the Local School Board Directors headed by Mr. Roberto Tupaz as President, Leonardo Reporen as Vice President, Maiden P. Beltran as Secretary and Treasurer, Lucila Nartates and Judith P. Palmon as Auditors, Eldesa R. Reodava as Press Relations Officer, Vicenta Reporen, Visitacion Cuales, Epefania C. Rago, Willie Nadura, Brgy. Captains Paterno Lopez and Benjamin Morales as Members of the Board.
The first administrative and teaching staff was composed of Emma M. Rondario as Asst. Principal, Miss Ma. Anita R. Lopez and Miss Maiden P. Beltran as provisional teachers; Mr. Leonido Enriquez as honorarium teacher; and Miss Maiden P. Beltran as clerk-registrar.
Classes were then held within the premises of Feliciano Elementary School, which provided classrooms and classroom facilities such as blackboards, teacher's tables, student's chairs, and so on, donated by 27 original supporters in the province headed by then Balete Mayor Hon. Jean O. Rodriguez.
With the growing enrollment, the school was relocated to a nearby parcel of land owned by the late Father Julian C. Rago and donated by Mrs. Adela C. Rago-Lopez.
Mrs. Lucy Remola took over as principal from Mrs. Rondario in 1988-1989 after the school was nationalized under House Bill No. 2528. Following the transfer of Mrs. Remola in 1992 to Ochando National High School in New Washington, Mrs. Eleanor T. Almero assumed the office. With the transfer of Mrs. Almero to Nalook National High School, Kalibo, Mrs. Merlyn S. Carrillo was officially designated as principal starting School Year 2000-2001.
Through the leadership of Mrs. Carrillo, the school was able to host a Platinum Alumni Homecoming on April 26-27, 2000, and those who supported the school from its infant stage to its full curriculum years were recognized for their invaluable support.
It should be noted that the Parent-Teachers Community Association (PTCA), led by then-President Roberto P. Tupaz, Crispino Beltran, Sr., and later by Mr. Crispino P. Beltran, Jr., has significantly contributed to the school's stability, growth, and development from its establishment to the present year.
In 2002, the school produced 1,069 graduates, approximately 25 percent of whom went on to college and are gainfully employed in either the public or private sectors, while others are self-employed in cottage industries engaged in agricultural production.
Mrs. Merlyn S. Carrillo was transferred to Linabuan National High in March 2004, and Mrs. Virgie N. Cuales took over as principal the following year until August 2016. Mrs. Rosie G. Oczon took over as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) until June 8, 2017. On June 9, 2017, Mrs. Rolanie A. Belarmino replaced her as principal. Mrs. Belarmino was transferred to Naile National High School in March 2021, and Mrs. Rosie G. Oczon was named OIC and then principal in June 2022. Mrs. Oczon led the school in dealing with the problems and issues that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School has 20 strong and competent teachers in Junior High School and 10 in Senior High School who continue to mold students to become more productive in the future.
DESCRIPTION OF SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES
The Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School has always strived for excellence in different fields and has been competitive in various categories, bringing home awards and recognitions. One was the school's recognition in the Search for the Most Outstanding Brigada Eskwela Implementors in 2019 for the medium school category. In the same year, at the celebration of the Municipality of Balete's 100th founding anniversary, Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School was awarded as the best Eco-Garden. Mrs. Rolanie A. Belarmino, the school principal at the time, led this effort.
Last October 2022, the Department of Education, District of Balete recognized six teachers for their excellent service in the field of education, namely: Mrs. Rosie G. Oczon, School Principal I; Mrs. Salvacion R. Cuales, Master Teacher I; Mrs. Melody M. Lopez, Teacher III; Mrs. Jocelina O. Sarabia, Teacher III; Mrs. Edna D. Losbañes, Teacher III; Mr.Tyding B. Quinicio, Teacher III; Mrs. Ma. Gina O. Nadura, Teacher II; and Mr. John D. Gallardez, Teacher II.
STORIES AND NARRATIVES
In 1978, Hon. Bernardo Rodriguez, former Mayor of Balete, Aklan, eagerly pursued the establishment of a barangay high school in the municipality. However, the plan was not implemented due to pressing needs in developing other projects. It was part of his reform program for the educational growth and development of the municipality's youth. He has gone to the extent of inquiring from those he believed knew how a barangay high school is established, funded, and administered. Although the plan was not materialized in his time, it became a reality in 1980 under the tenure of the then-Mayor of Balete, Jean O. Rodriguez, Bernardo's wife, with the establishment of Calizo Barangay High School and Feliciano-Fulgencio Barangay High School.
Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School students have achieved success in their chosen careers over the years. Some succeed in engineering, teaching, seafaring, law enforcement, science and technology, business, and agriculture. They serve as good models and examples for the young learners at Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School.
SIGNIFICANCE
Economic - Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School has produced graduates who have found success both domestically and abroad. Some are local business owners who also employ students from their Alma Mater.
Aesthetic - Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School is 30 kilometers from the Division Office. It has a total land area of 10,000 sq.m. with 30 classrooms surrounded by trees and flowering plants.
Spiritual - Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School emphasizes developing godliness. Mass is held once a month and on every occasion in the school.
Historical - Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School is a witness to the beautiful friendship between the Philippines and Japan. The construction of a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) school building in 1993 was a token of friendship. There are only four JICA school buildings in Aklan.
Social - Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School holds different activities like scouting and other social gatherings sponsored by the school with the help of Local Government Unit. The school also celebrates the alumni homecoming. Additionally, students compete in different district and division-level contests, sporting events, and quiz bees.
Political - The school serves as a training ground for honing the learner’s leadership skills in different organizations. The Supreme Student Learner Government (SSLG) provides a strong foundation for fostering student leadership.
ASSESSMENT OF THE INSTITUTION
CONDITION/STATUS OF THE INSTITUTION
Most of the school buildings in both the junior and senior high school departments at Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High are in good condition. However, some might be subject to replacement. The alumni have pledged and donated help to improve the school facilities to meet the needs of the learners. Through this, the school was able to build a concrete pathway to every building and a canopy for learners' protection, especially during rainy days.
The students have access to two handwashing facilities, and an internet connection is provided inside the two computer rooms. The Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) provides an accessible water supply to the school. However, there are constraints and threats that the present administration prioritizes, such as the provision of a school library and additional materials, as well as the construction of a concrete perimeter fence. Moreover, frequent power interruptions due to electricity shortages and the unstable internet connection remain a problem.
CONSTRAINTS/ THREATS/ ISSUES/ CHALLENGES
The Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School needs a library and additional resources like reading materials, books, electric fans, tables and chairs, and bookshelves so that the learners can research and study during their free time. Moreover, the lack of a complete perimeter fence threatens student safety and can also be associated with the problem of truancy.
MEASURES AND DESCRIPTION OF SAFEGUARDING MEASURES TAKEN
Through past and present administrations' efforts, 40% of the concrete fence was partially completed, while the other 60% was made of cyclone wire. Last year, Father Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School was one of the recipients of the Electrification Program for Schools under the campaign "LightED PH." Another project from the central office, the Internet Connectivity Project for schools with a computer laboratory, was awarded earlier this June 2023.
REFERENCES
Key Informant: Rosie G. Oczon
Other Resources: School History (Publish by Aklan Reporter, Authored by Merlyn S. Carrillo)
Name of Profiler/Mapper: Tyding B. Quinicio
Date Profiled: June 10, 2023
Language Expert: Fresalyn B. Honrado
Layout Artist: Bituin Suganob
Evaluators: Dennis Bontogon; Josephine Vicente
Wiki Editor: Sheila Mae O. De Pablo
Approved: Ruby Agnes B. Estrada, PhD., Education Program Supervisor - Araling Panlipunan
