A. HISTORICAL GLIMPSE

The birth of San Rafael Parochial School was a dream came true. In 1965 Msgr. Laureano Caoili and Mrs. Josefa L. Dionisio a former Supervisor of DECS (Department of Education, Culture and Sports) with CFM parents tenaciously worked together to realize a common mission to give sound, complete and Catholic Education. It was erected on a 3,143.2 sq. meter lot owned by RCAM (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila). The school was established on July 7, 1969. It was officially opened for Kinder and Grade 1 on July 14, 1969. The Kinder class had ninety - nine (99) pupils while Grade 1 had thirty - five (35) pupils. The first administrative staff were: Msgr. Laureano Caoili, School Director; Rev. Fr. Salvador Jose, School Principal; and Mrs. Josefa L. Dionisio, the School Treasurer. They were also the first batch of the Board of Trustees (BOT). In July 6, 1970 the school was granted government recognition for Kindergarten, followed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration as a non - stock, non - profit corporation with the official name SAN RAFAEL PAROCHIAL SCHOOL INC. The rapid increase in population prompted the founders to house the students in the parish pastoral building adjacent to the school. In 1975, SRPS offered a complete elementary education with Mrs. Josefa L Dionisio as the principal. Rev. Fr. Alfredo Fermin was the school director at that time, from 1976-1980. In 1980, the school became one of the member schools of Manila Archdiocesan Parochial School Association (MAPSA) under the chairmanship of Bishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, D.D. From that time on, with Rev. Fr. Pedro Agbayani, as the director until 1982, the school actively participated in the undertakings of the association to ensure a sound school system. After seventeen (17) years of service as School Principal from 1969 - 1986, Mrs. Josefa L. Dionisio retired from office. Mrs. Mercedita V. Canta, one of the pioneer teachers, was given the opportunity to serve the school as School Principal from 1987 - 1991 under the directorship of Rev. Fr. Ernesto Tobillo for two (2) school years (1985 - 1987) with Ret. Msgr. Jose Flores for four (4) school years (1987 - 1991) as well. Rev. Fr. Gerardo Mascariña was the next school director. He served the school for almost two years (1991 - January 1993). In 1993, Rev. Fr. Enrique Y. Santos was assigned to take the seat of directorship and Mrs. Rosita Rodriguez as principal with fifteen teachers. Aiming to expand the educational service to the parishioners of Balut, Fr. Erick spearheaded the opening of Secondary Education in 1994 after twenty - five years of its founding. In 1995, the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and the school administration paved the way for the construction of a new four- storey building which housed both the school and the Parish Formation and Renewal Center. The sister’s convent adjacent to the school was built through the generosity of Mrs. Aurelia Gopuansuy who had a lion share in the expense of the construction of the four - storey school building. To give tribute to her generosity, the fourth floor of the school building (Aurelia Hall) was named after her. In view of the absence of a permit to operate at the high school level, Fr. Erick sought the help of Augustinian Sisters. His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin, D. D made the request to the Congregation of Augustinian Recollect Sisters to transfer religious teachers from San Miguel Catholic School which was recommended for closure due to downtrends of enrollment to SRPS. Most Rev. Mother Eufemia Lauzon, A. R entrusted the sisters to the hands of Balut parishioners, Sr. Ma. Marcela A. Dela Cruz, A.R., Sr. Ma. Divina Caabay, A.R., and Sr. Malou Alcala, A. R. They worked as Principal, School Treasurer and Guidance Counselor/Religion Coordinator respectively. (Year?) On June 28, 1995, His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin inaugurated the four story building located at 177 Taliba St. SRV, Balut, Tondo, Manila on the 28th year of His Episcopacy. School year 1996 – 1997 was a year of transition and adjustment for the faculty and staff and the A.R. Sisters. The school started to plan to work in an organizational direction through the development of its institutional desired future, the plan focused on the faculty, student, curriculum and physical facilities with the Vision - Mission as a guiding light. It is also the year when SRPS is recognized by the government for having the complete secondary course. Toward the end of S.Y 1999 - 2002, Fr. Erick was transferred to Manila Cathedral School in Tayuman. He served the school for seven (7) years. On February 1, 2002, Rev. Fr. Nestor Gungon assumed the office of the School Director. The school was suffering from the downtrend of enrollment, a difficult year for the administration of Rev. Fr. Nestor Gungon. Inspired by the situation, the Director was positive and inspired the administration and staff to continue the implementation of academic and non - academic programs. The Vision - Mission of the school continued to flourish under the directorship of Rev. Fr. Elpidio D. Biliran, Jr., the 10th Director of the school who was appointed in June 2002. His first school year was difficult because the school was experiencing the downtrend of enrollment and the school revenues could not meet the demands for operations. The first move by Rev. Fr. Elpidio D. Biliran, Jr. was to submit the institution to the Institutional Self - Survey with the assistance of Sr. Noemi O. Mapa, A.R the school principal. For effective implementation of the results of the ISS, Rev. Fr. Elpidio D. Biliran, Jr. took the initiative to partner with Sr. Maria Josefina Magat, A. R., President of Assumption College Basic Education in mentoring the SRPS teachers in instructional methodologies (Multiple Intelligence Approach, Computer - aided Instruction and Cooperative Learning). Through the persistent prayers, cooperation and dedication of the administrators, faculty and staff, the school enrolment improved, from 300 to 482 in S.Y. 2007 - 2008. To ensure the continuous increase of enrollment, Rev. Fr. Elpidio D. Biliran, Jr. with Mrs. Leonida F. Pastrana, appointed Principal in SY 2012 – 2018 continued the undertakings. Rev. Fr. Elpidio D. Biliran, Jr. served the school for eleven (11) years before he was transferred to MAPSA as head of the Commission on Public Affairs, Networking and Linkages in August 2014. In an effort to respond to the changing global trends in Education, the Archdiocese of Manila grouped the Diocesan Schools into different cluster schools with one director and assistant director per cluster. San Rafael Parochial School is clustered with Manila Cathedral School and Holy Child Catholic School, then later with St Joseph School, Espiritu Santo Parochial School, and San Pablo Apostol Learning Center. The twinning of cluster schools was made to prepare the assistant director for directorship. School year 2014 – 2015 became a progressive year to SRPS with the appointment of Rev. Fr. Nolan A. Que and Rev. Fr. Nicanor A. Celiano Jr. as the cluster director and assistant director. Through their stewardship school facilities were upgraded (Computer Lab., Science Lab., TLE Lab) and two classrooms for the Senior High School were constructed. He also upgraded the benefits of all school personnel. April 21, 2015 was a blessed day for SRPS as the school was granted provisional permit to operate Senior High School Programs. After a year, in SY 2016 – 2017, SRPS was granted Re – Certification status by the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC). The school’s first taste of certification was in May 2011 by the Fund Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), thus becoming beneficiary to Education System Contracting (ESC) and Education Voucher System (EVS). In the school year 2018 – 2023, Mrs. Melita G. Magsombol was appointed principal to assist Rev. Fr. Nolan A. Que in the delivery of the curriculum and instructional programs. From 2020 to 2023, SRPS faced big changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment dropped suddenly, and the school had to quickly shift to online classes to keep students learning safely at home. It was a tough time for everyone, but teachers, students, and parents worked together to adjust and stay connected. Over time, SRPS improved its online teaching and found creative ways to support students. By 2022, the school started planning for a safe return to face-to-face learning, showing the strength and unity of the SRPS community during these challenging years. The school entered a new chapter with Fr. Nicanor Celiano Jr., taking on the role of School Principal, supported by Mr. Alexander Eyas as Assistant Principal for SY 2023-2024. Under their leadership, the school focused on renewal and rebuilding after the pandemic years. A major highlight was the PEAC recertification until SY 2026-2027 of SRPS, affirming its continued commitment to quality education. SRPS welcomed a new leadership team with Fr. Nolan as School Principal/Director and Dr. Bryan Gallos as Assistant Principal in SY 2024–2025. Their partnership brought fresh energy and direction to the school, continuing SRPS’s mission of providing faith-filled, quality education. With a focus on academic excellence, values formation, and community involvement, the school moved forward with hope and dedication, building on the strong foundations laid in previous years. In School Year 2025–2026, Rev. Fr. Nicanor A. Celiano Jr. assumed the role of the 10th School Director, while Dr. Gallos formally took office as School Principal. This year also marked the beginning of Project RAFAEL—a three-year fundraising initiative dedicated to enhancing the school’s facilities and services, strengthening its mission to provide quality Catholic education. The SRPS will continue to realize its Vision - Mission with God’s intervention to produce responsible Catholic graduates and who will bring greater Glory and Honor to our Country and to Jesus Christ, our Great Creator.

B. PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

(Ang Paniniwala ng SRPS ukol sa Edukasyon)

The San Rafael Parochial School believes that each child is a gift from God thus directs its philosophy and educational goals towards the interest and welfare of each individual child under its care. It gives emphasis on the presentation of the natural goodness and virtue of an individual and the formation of the society by providing Catholic Education. The abilities, interests and needs of the child are taken into consideration in the selection and organization of school programs and activities. Its main concern is the development of a well – balanced and socially adjusted personality through inculcation of different gospel values. Socialized teaching and learning is utilized wherein the teacher and pupils work together to accomplish their aims. Having Religion as the core of the curriculum, SRPS goes beyond merely imparting religious knowledge but rather allowing Religion to permeate into the lives of the students so that they can adjust to their environment, to the community and to the society where they live. SRPS recognizes its commitment to the saving mission of the Church in three interlocking dimensions:

• the message revealed by God (Didache) which the Church proclaims
• fellowship in the light of the Holy Spirit (Koinonia)
• service to the Christian community and the entire human community (Diakonia)

Each educational program under the Church sponsorship is aimed at the realization of the three–fold purpose within the total educational ministry.

C. VISION

D. MISSION

As Catholic Parochial School, we are untiringly committed to be role models in:

1. Nurturing a growing community of Truthful, Just, and Loving persons;
2. Sustaining a climate of holistic excellence in the service of God;
3. Protecting the environment and all of God's creation at all times.

E. IDENTITY OF SAN RAFAEL PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

A Community of truthful, just, and loving persons inspired by St. Raphael the Archangel to live a Christ–centered life at the service of others of the country and of humanity.

F. CORE VALUES OF SAN RAFAEL PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

Truth is a value that leads to excellence. The hunger for truth brings one to excel. A person who has really searched for the truth has nothing to aim but to serve his/her fellow human beings. The continuous pursuit of the truth develops a sense of gratefulness to, and brings one to a realization of, the magnificence of the Source of all truths, God.

Justice is the virtue that consists of a constant and firm will to give God and neighbor their due. Where fortitude and temperance guide and perfect one's action in relation to oneself, justice guides and perfects one's actions in relation to others. It is giving what is due to a person, whether material things, respect, love, and the like that may help him/her be a better person, thus being a factor of social transformation.

Love is a core value that moves one to serve others, especially the poor. It compels one to work in mission in the example of Jesus Christ – servant leadership, perform work for a higher cause through self-discipline, and fulfill His command to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” The essence of loving is giving it away especially to those who are in need. Love creates a deep link between oneself, others and God.

G. SCHOOL MOTTO

“Live to Serve” or “Vivere Servire”

Mark 10:45 - “Through Love, Serve One Another”

The Rafaelian motto, "Live to Serve" (Vivere Servire), embodies a philosophy of just selflessness, and true dedication and love to others. It emphasizes the importance of living a life dedicated to service, fostering a sense of a just and loving community, and striving to make a truthful impact. This guiding principle encourages individuals to prioritize the needs of others, practice empathy, and contribute to the greater good through their actions and choices.

H. SCHOOL SEAL

The San Rafael Parochial School seal is symbolic of the school avowed vision, mission and institutional philosophy statements.

The FISH symbolizes the spirit of St Raphael’s stewardship to the Young Tobias which the SRPS community determines to live up to.

The TORCH bears the light of the Holy Spirit that guides every Rafaelian in discovering and using his/her talents and charisma meaningfully and purposively.

The BIBLE is the word of God that was given emphasis through spiritual and gospel formation with Religion as the core of the curriculum.

The GEAR signifies the technology in which the SRPS students are honed to adapt with, to achieve academic excellence, to meet the demands of the fast changing society.

The OUTER RIM contains the name of the institution.

I. SRPS HYMN

Transcribed, Edited and Orchestral Arrangement by: Almighty C. Tabuena and Maria Verginia A. Tuazon