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M.B. ASISTIO SR. HIGH SCHOOL  History

by : Lydia R. Salas

The Site

Dagat Dagatan is a reclamation project of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. It was, before, a big fish pond bound in the south southwest by Navotas, in the northwest by Malabon and in the east by Caloocan. The rise of a big populace in these areas became deleterious and detrimental to the fish ponds that fish ceased to survive in the fishponds. The site became a solution to the homeless as Mrs. Marcos had seen – so the transformation of the pond to a habitat for the poor.     After a 3-story square building was constructed, even, way ahead from the concrete formation of roads, the then NHA manager, Gen. Gaudencio Tobias, invited the Mayors of Caloocan City, Malabon and Navotas into a meeting and offered the building as a school (schools then, until 1986, were manage and financed by the local Government). School financing was a big problem to the local executives that prompted the mayors of Malabon and Navotas to decline the offer. Meanwhile, there was a pending request to the office of Mayor Macario “Boy”Asistio, Jr. to either repair or reconstruct the building of A. Bonifacio High School in Sangandaan, (which was formerly a puericulture center and a Maternity (lying-in) clinic).     The old building as testified by the City Engineer posed danger, if and when, an earthquake or a strong typhoon shall occur. This encouraged Mayor Boy to grab the offer and accept the building under the premise that it will immediately be put into use. This, as he explained to the opposing parents and teachers was the only solution to the problem of ABHS since the City Government was short of funds for the reconstruction of a new building.      The 2,500 enrollees who toured the building found heaven in the haven that they were the most aggressive and advocated their immediate transfer. The City Superintendent of schools, Bienvenido Icasiano assigned Mrs. Esmelita P. Ulangca, The Division’s Science Supervisor to act as the principal in lieu of Ms. Anicia Tanchoco – ABHS principal who was on a sickleave of absence. So, on June 7, 1982 Mrs. Ulangca formally opened the school for the school year 1982-1983 and accepted additional enrollees in the First Year in addition to the second, third and fourth year students from A. Bonifacio High School. The whole school community– Administrative staff, Teachers, parents and students all agreed to rename it Macario B. (Bustamante) Asistio, Sr. High School in honor of the grand old man who made Caloocan a city and served as city Mayor for two decades.     

The Man behind the name

Macario Bustamante Asistio, Sr. was born on January 1, 1904 at Barangay Looc (nowknown as Caloocan City). He is the only son of Telesforo Asistio and Ana Bustamante. He came second to Jovita, the eldest and was followed by Conrada, two years later. (Both sistersnever got married). The death of Telesforo prompted Ana to work as a dress maker and as a Tabacalera Laborer, rolling tobacco leaves. These jobs supported the education of Jovita and Macario.
      A diligent student, Macario hiked to and from the Arellano High School up to when he was graduated at the Philippine Trade School. He was a consistent scholar and after he tool and passed the examination for policemen, worked as a patrolman for 2 years. He resigned when he passed the entrance test at the Philippine Military Academy.Commissioned as Third Lieutenant and based in Jolo, he met, fall in love with and married Asuncion Marcos Aquino, a mestiza and a teacher. They were blessed with 7 children, Annie (Solano), Jovita (Visceral), Macario, Jr. (Boy), Luis (Baby), Aurora (Henson), Antonio (Ton-ton) and Alita (Muñoz). Macario Sr. became mayor of Caloocan for 20 years. He had the passion for education, believing that a learned man can improve the course of life and that learned people can make Caloocan an improved City whilst. He built more Elementary and Secondary schools, an evening high school for working students and started the Caloocan Polytechnic College, his wife put up and scattered Puericulture Centers that would safeguard the health of their constituents.The most remarkable legacies of Macario, Sr. were The Cityhood of Caloocan, A son who became mayor (Macario, Jr.) a daughter who was congresswoman of the 1st district (Aurora Henson) and another son who was congressman of the second district (Luis ‘‘’Baby’). To date,a grandson ‘Maca’ III is city councilor. Macario, Sr. died on December 25, 1981 yet his memories live on.

The EARLY YEARS –
Ever since A. Bonifacio High School had been put up in 1969, it had catered to students coming from Sangandaan downstretched to Maypajo from Tugatog and Polo in Malabon and in outer Navotas. From the construction of the whole Dagat Dagatan that had started in the late 70’s to 1982 wherein the building had been occupied and the construction of the residential map still undergoing, some of the ABHS teachers decline the transfer. It was, sort of a blessing in disguise that Toribio Teodoro High School in Marulas, Caloocan was shut down and some of its mentors were accommodated at MBASHS. In the same year, teachers and students worked together and kept their hands full. Mrs. Esmelita P. Ulangca composed the lyrics and Mrs. Florevita Aida P. Canlas arrange the music of the school hymn. Fenceless, seedlings were solicited and the school grounds were planted with trees. Students and teachers tirelessly, after class hours filled up the sandy desert plain land in Dagat Dagatan. Some parents who have acquired residential lots, followed suit and before the school year ended successfully painted the area green. Altogether, the 1st school year became a test of bravery, soaking feet in the mud on rainy days and climbing up high the sand and gravel trucks for a free ride out of Dagat Dagatan and determination to survive the 1st year of MBASHS. Mrs. Ulangca did as Dr. Icasiano asked her to, made the school operational and successful at all cost. The dawn of MBASHS’ existence became a showcase of fruitful events and endeavors. The dedication and efforts of Ms. Ancia Tanchoco until her last breath were deeds to emulate. Likewise, the discipline, determination and hard drive to capture the achievements of the students and the teachers are standards of Mrs. Ulangca to live up to. The school community with its humble beginning was challenges to be watched out for in academic competitions and the name MBASHS carved its name into fame.

The Expansion and the Administrators –
From 1982 up to the early 90’s M.B. Asistio, Sr. High School stood as the only high school in
Dagat Dagatan – a place conceived and served as a reclamation housing project for low
income government employees, teachers and a relocation area for very poor urban settlers
within Metro Manila. With the growth of the school population, the need for more classrooms
became a problem. The single session classes became an AM/PM shifts that the afternoon
session classes were held up to 7:00 in the evening. Safety of the students became a major

problem that school authorities had to request for more buildings and more classrooms. As
the population grow the need for more rooms became greater. The implementation of Republic Act 6655 otherwise known as the Free Education Act increased the influx to more than 10% in enrollees. Population soared to 3,416 which was met by the awarded school building by the NHA to the city government of Caloocan at the Langaray – Pla pla annex. Aptly named as MBASHS Unit I, it initially housed about 1,302 Students supervised by Department Heads who took turns acting as officer of the Day. On the next school year 1991-1992 Mrs. Emilia P. Cerceda (RIP) then head of the Science Department was assigned Officer-in-charge.
The administration of Mrs. Adoracion Ramirez had witnessed in 1992 the construction of the
SEDP building alongside with the library and the Home Unit for the TLE Dep’t. The Administrative transfer of duties to Ms. Lucita F. Magno, then assistant to the principal and
Head of the English Department, after the terminal leave of Mrs. Ramirez, saw the construction of three 3-story buildings (one in the main and two in Unit I) bringing an addition of 30 more classrooms. The initiative of the then Congressman Luis ‘Baby’ Asistio brought about the construction of another 3-story building attached to the southwest building at the main in 1998. Alongside, the Congressman donated the first few units of computers which later increased through his initiative and those of the school administrators during his time.
The Administration of Dr. Celso M. Flores, had not only started the renovation of the principal’s office, a new home for school publication but also a 10 unit grant of computers from then Senator Raul Roco (RIP) and 4 units from the DOST. 1997 saw the comeback of Mrs. Erlinda M. Fornoles as Principal III (she was former head of
the Math Department, until her promotion as principal took her to another school). She
received 10 additional units of computer from the DOST through the assistance of
Congressman Baby Asistio. She was able to acquire assistance from Sen. Tessie Aquino Oreta
(on her TAO project) for the construction of the covered pathways so that students
transferring from one building to the other won’t be soaked in rain. It was also in 1999 that
the MBASr memorabilia got a new home alongside the MBASHS Historical Institute. It also
started the construction of a covered court which stood between the main building and
buildings two and three.
The covered court received additional features like bleachers and an improved stage during
the time of Dr. Reynaldo V. Yamsuan (RIP) in 2001. Despite the Fire that gutted the ceiling
of the third floor at the main on August 22, 2001, there was no hindrance nor spirits
dampened from the teachers who made used of makeshift faculty rooms in corridors and end
corners. Much more the PTA president Dr. Alex Jauregui worked out for the financial
assistance on the construction of a drainage system as a solution to the flooding problems
within the campus. Moreso, the financial assistance was extended to the construction of
concrete benches along the covered pathwalks. Dr. Yamsuan’s goal of making the school rise
and shine, MBASHS was named Cleanest and Greenest School in Caloocan, the award of
which was given during the 19th School Day celebration of MBASHS. Extensive expansion of MBASHS both in the main and in Unit I gave way to additional facilities including a covered court. Unit I carved a name which started during the time of Mrs. Emilia P. Cerceda (1991-1994), Jaime Rempillo (1994-1996), Ms. Helen Grace Go (1996-1997 and 2001-2005), Ms. Lucita Magno (1997-1999), Mrs. Leonora Soberano (1999-2001) and Mrs. Teodora Madelyn V. Ilagan (2005-2011) In the school year 2006-2007, the school has a total of one hundred and fifty four (154)
permanent teachers at the main and forty-four (44) in Unit I rendering service to six thousand seven hundred forty one students (6,741) of which two thousand (2000), are in Unit I.
One of the most benevolent, gracious and sociable school administrator MBASHS had was
Dr. Juanito B. Victoria who took office in May 2003 after receiving the Most Outstanding
Principal Award in February for the Tremendous reforms he made at Kalayaan National
High School. He witnessed how MBASHS proudly stood with the adequate facilities that
provided learning to the students. The TLE Department proved its excellence in both division
and National Competitions.
The Filipino Service Bureau was a tough contender in the regional competition. The school’s
Historical Institute was the sole representative of the division to the NCR The school successfully hosted several executive meetings including that of the SEAMEO – Innotech
Educators visit and observation on November 14, 2006. He brought attendees to Araling Panlipunan meetings into the world of the Japanese people, eating Japanese food and seeing MBASHS people in Japanese Kimonos. At another occasion, Guests were treated to a horse –driven carosa and seeing school hosts in a far-fetched baro’t saya with Doc. JBV in his authentic Barong and Cane with hat. Confident on effecting his initiatives, he made possible the construction of a 350 seater mini theatre at the west wing of the ground floor of the main building, opposite of which is his rendition of a teachers’ pavilion. He had the facade of the main building tiled to make it more presentable to visitors; renovated the north wing of the ground floor to a more prestigious office for the Department Heads; the Guidance and Discipline office was made bigger with waiting grounds to accommodate visiting parents and built a commemorative Charlie’s Square Garden at the outer east side of the main building. He hosted a grandiose 25th school day celebration that never before was observed. When Dr. Juanito B. Victoria left for another assignment in 2007, Lazaro R. Gervacio, IV took over the school. His reserved attitude surprised everyone with his project TEACH. He incalcated among the students that travel educates and one travels to experience and appreciate cultural Heritage of a nation and of the human being. He tried and found ways he could allocate travel expenses to the lucky recipients. Before he left for Bagong Silang High School, he revived the stage at the quadrangle and held little programs on it which doesn’t require vast audiences. An Administrator to miss, he made people and tapped their potentials to the fullest. A woman to watch; Her first favorable appearance to the 1st meeting showed a determined, disciplined and focused administrator. She knows her craft and showed the capability to handle it. She is soft spoken but sounded firm on what she expects from everybody. What she wants is reiterated on the workload she wanted to achieve. Mrs. Violeta Sioson exudes the motherly air yet the discipline incalcated on every action one does, is carried out with respect and courtesy to one’s dignity. She had laid out her cards, the goals towards the fulfillment of her plans; among the students, on the curriculum, on the teachers, on quality education, on better results, the focus is on students, the young, the hopeful, the education one needs to acquire and make one’s life full of substance.
Presently, the construction of a bigger and more functional Science laboratory is ongoing as she had immediately perceived, at the south ground floor of the main building adjacent to the science stock room. She believes that interest in science can be fully developed if a child experience experimenting.
As we stop to the third decade of the school’s existence the silent cry is WE ARE READY TO SOAR HIGH UP TO ONCE MBASHS HAD REACHED and CLIMBED UP! The teachers of MBASHS aren’t idealists we are just hopefuls. (Acknowledgement goes to Mrs. Villaminda Ferrer Lanzarote who first encouraged me to write and recall the 1st phase of this history and the other pioneer teachers who worked with us in the early formation of this institution, our heartfelt gratitude.)
 

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