Meet My School

(This is a reprint of an article written by Bayani Ramirez ('65) for the September-October 1964 edition of Nucleus. It is the earliest published account of the beginnings of Manila Science. -- MasciHistorian)

The very location of our school is history itself. It's a part of what was then known as Fort Santiago -- a detainment cell for Filipino rebels during the Spanish regime. When the Americans came, they brought with them their civilization, they spread their ideals and taught us the rudiments of education.  They build schools and universities. In Manila, there were two high schools -- the Manila North High School and the Manila South High School. The former is what is now known as the Arellano High School and the latter's sight was here in Intramuros.

During the Second World War, the Manila South High School was bombed. After the war, the school was rebuilt and became the Manuel Roxas Annex of Araullo High School, that was in 1948.  Later, the Manuel Roxas Annex was separated from the Araullo High School. Some of the men who studied in the Manila South High School were former presidents Elpidio Quirino and Manuel Roxas, Mrs. Pilar Hidalgo Lim and Sec. of National Defense Macario Peralta. Jr.

In 1959, the principal of Manila High School, Mr. Augusto Alzona proposed a school project to the Division of City Schools -- the Special Science Classes which was to be part of the Manila High School.  It was patterned after the Bronx Science High School of New York. To recruit the first students of the project, 17 pupils from each high school in Manila were given a test.  69 passed the exams which consisted mainly of mathematics and science questions. However, only 36 students out of the 69 were chosen to form the first batch. The first school day was November 25, 1959. At last, the dreams of Mr. Augusto Alzona, the father of our school, became a reality. The first teachers who graced the faculty was Mrs. Helen Ladera, Mrs. Miriam Liwanag, Mrs. Vicenta Fe Benito Sison, and Mr. William Estrada. The next year saw the arrival of Miss Clarita Nolasco and Mr. Benwardo Umila. The students called as their school a one-room "dilapidated" building which was later increased to five rooms. In 1963, the school transferred to its present three-story building.

32 students were the first graduates of the school. They were all gold medalists. They took the NSDB exams, 21 passed -- they enrolled at the U.P., M.I.T. and U.S.T. taking courses in science and mathematics. Last April saw the second graduates of the school, 27 in all (they took the competitive exams of the NSDB and Ateneo -- 11 passed the NSDB and 7 qualified for Ateneo)

The Manila Science High School separated from its mother school, the Manila High School, in 1963. Mr. Honesto Valdez took over as principal. This school year witnessed a great increase in the school population as 3 sections were accommodated in the first year. We number 175 now.

Three years from now will see the first products of the Manila Science High School being recognized in their field of endeavor. The dream shall then become a perfect reality

Bayani Ramirez
Nucleus September-October 1964