Rizal High School (abbreviation: RHS), located at Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Caniogan, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, is acclaimed as the “Largest Secondary School in the World”^[1] since 1993 by the Guinness Book of World Records in terms of student population. To date, it remains to be the premier school with the biggest enrolment worldwide. 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The City of Pasig (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pasig) is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. ... Metropolitan Manila (Filipino: Kalakhang Maynila) or the National Capital Region (NCR) (Filipino: Pambansang Punong Rehiyon) is the greater metropolitan area of the city of Manila, the national capital and largest city in the Philippines. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The City of Pasig (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pasig) is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. ... Metropolitan Manila (Filipino: Kalakhang Maynila) or the National Capital Region (NCR) (Filipino: Pambansang Punong Rehiyon) is the greater metropolitan area of the city of Manila, the national capital and largest city in the Philippines. ... The Guinness Book of Records (or in recent editions Guinness World Records, and in previous US editions Guinness Book of World Records) is a book published annually, containing an internationally recognized collection of superlatives: both in terms of human achievement and the extrema of the natural world. ...

Named after the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Rizal High School owes its fame and glory to its thousands of graduates who have contributed much to the socio-economic progress of the Philippines. Through its portals have passed men and women who hold/have held distinguished positions in the government and private sectors. Some of these notable figures include former Senator Neptali Gonzales, former Senator Jovito Salonga, former Senator Rene Saguisag, Maestro Lucio San Pedro, and National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco to mention a few.^[2] José Rizal José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda (June 19, 1861 - December 30, 1896) is the national hero of the Philippines. ... Socioeconomics is the study of the social and economic impacts of any product or service offering, market intervention or other activity on an economy as a whole and on the companies, organization and individuals who are its main economic actors. ... Progress can refer to: The idea of a process in which societies or individuals become better or more modern (technologically and/or socially). ... Jovito R. Salonga also known as Ka Jovy Born poor in a remote barrio in Pasig, Rizal on June 22, 1920. ... Carlos V. Francisco or more popularly known as Botong was the great muralist from Angono, Rizal. ...

In the school year 2000-2001, Rizal High School had an overwhelming population of 22,959. This is a far cry from its initial enrolment of 28 students way back when it opened on October 1, 1902 during the incumbency of Governor Ambrocio Flores. The students came from the five neighboring towns including the Pasig proper. Then, intermediate classes were under the supervision and administration of the secondary school principal.

At present, Miss Josephine M. Cruz, an alumna and a Rizal High School teacher once, is the school’s current and youngest Principal to date. The school has recently celebrated its centennial in 2002.

Institution

Rizal High School Main Building.

Education in Rizal High School shall produce citizens of Pasig City who are God-loving, nationalistic, disciplined, productive, competent and ready to meet the technological demands and industrial challenges of the 21st century.

As it enters the Third Millenium, it is envisioned thet Rizal High School shall have:

• Fully equipped buildings with modern facilities and multi-media equipment that can compete globally;
• Highly-qualified teachers committed to service and possess moral strength and stability;
• Empowered student body who are creative, inventive and inquisitive who work towards progress and development in the next millenium;
• Advanced research and development that would totally eradicate illiteracy in Pasig City; and
• Extensive moral training that would impart proper values, attitudes and outlook in life within the school and the community as well.

History

Pasig Secondary School

Rizal High School Rodriguez Building.

The first secondary school in the province of Rizal known as the Pasig Secondary School was formally established on October 1, 1902 during the incumbency of Governor Ambrosio Flores with an enrolment of 28 pupils. The students came from five neighboring towns including Pasig proper. The enrolment increased to 45 pupils in November, 65 in December and 88 in January and February in 1903, all intermediate pupils. The pupils were taught in a room of a rented building, 30 meters by 30 meters. The cost of the rent was $15, local currency, the amount paid from the provincial fund.

At the beginning, the Provincial Board was against the establishment of a provincial school in Pasig. Pasig is near Manila. The provincial aid therefore was very limited. The increase in financial support by the provincial government was subject to the condition that the pupils from adjoining towns would prefer attending classes in the provincial school rather than seeking enrolment in Manila.

Immediately after the military post occupied by American soldiers was vacated, it was turned over to the provincial government for the use of the Pasig Secondary School in November 1903. The building, although quite spacious, was old and dilapidated with a badly damaged roof. The teachers assigned to this school were all Americans, namely, Messrs. Laughlin, Click and Scruton. The Superintendent of Schools was Mr. Charles Rummel.

The military post was vacated when a new building was constructed sometime in 1902 during the administration of Governor Jose Tupas. The basement of the building was used as a woodworking shop. This was the time when a first year class was organized.

Since 1905 steps had been made to acquire a spacious site for this secondary school. It was however only in 1913-1914 when a site made of ten lots containing 63,707.41 square meters was acquired through expropriation proceedings from several landowners. The estimated value of the site was P38,540. It was surveyed on November 8, 1928 and registered on October 27, 1931 under Certificate of Title No. 4553. Soon, after the acquisition of the site, a modern, reinforced concrete and modified Standard Plan No. 20 school building was constructed. This was in 1914 during the tenure of Governor Mariano Melendres. The building was completed and occupied in 1915.

Change of Name

The name of Pasig Secondary School was changed to Rizal High School sometime in 1907 when a first year class of eleven pupils was organized and when the province was already putting up the greater bulk of the financial support for the school. The change to the present name Rizal High School was made sometime in 1915 when the new building was completed and occupied by the school.

For many years since its establishment in 1902, the intermediate classes were under the supervision and administration of the secondary school principal. These classes were considered preparatory department of the secondary school. The gradual change in administration started with the school year 1902-1921. The complete separation of the intermediate classes as a preparatory department to the high school took effect during the school year 1924-1925.

The first graduating class of this school was that of 1918. Of the 30 fourth year students for the month of March, 27 qualified for graduation. Two of the graduates who later distinguished themselves in their chosen professions were U.P. Professor Cecilio Lopez and Dr. Elpidio Alcantara.

The first principal of the Pasig Secondary School was Mr. Steward Laughlin who also served as one of its earliest teachers. The first Filipino principal was Mr. Marcelino Bautista who served during the school year 1929-1930, followed by Mr. Ricardo Castro in 1930-1935, Mr. Aquilino Carino in 1935-1935, Mr. Eufrocino Malonzo in 1936-1939. The years preceding the Second World War saw Mr. Eliseo Tayao as principal of the Rizal High School (1939-41). The school was closed for sometime and was reopened with Mr. Cesario Bandong. Nippongo was included in the curriculum as a required subject during his time.

Classes After Liberation Period

Rizal High School Gonzalez Building.

The carpet-bombing employed by the American Liberation Forces destroyed the Rizal High School building and grounds. Classes therefore were reorganized in 1945 at the Pasig Elementary School by Mr. Paterno Santiago (later to become principal of Morong High School). He took charge of the administration of the Rizal High School for about a month when he gave way to Mr. Cesario Bandong who served as principal until 1950. The reconstruction of the Rizal High School was started on February 4, 1948 out of the War Damage Fund in the amount of P101,445.49 during the incumbency of Governor Sixto Antonio. The reconstruction was completed on August 15, 1949.

Mr. Demetrio M. Suguitan took over from Mr. Bandong (1950-1960). Mrs. Modesta T. Javier became the principal in 1960-1974; Mr. Cesar S. Tiangco came in 1975 up to January 1980. Miss Diana C. Santos became principal from 1980 until 1999. Now the school is under the management of Miss Josephine M. Cruz.^[3]

Facilities

Main Building

Also known as the Computer Building which was inagurated last December 2000, this five-story edifice houses the Adminstration Office, the Library and Computer Rooms for use by the third and fouth year students. The Library now has Internet access for reseach activities. This building replaces the older two-story Main Building. EDIFICE is the European B2B Forum for the Electronics Industry. ...

Isidro Rodriguez Building

The left wing of the Isidro Rodriguez Building was once home to the Rizal Technological College. Is was inaugurated in 1974. Stretching its long halls beside the Marikina River, the IR Right Wing is occupied by the Home Economics electives on the first and second floors and a canteen on the first floor. The HE Department Office is located above the canteen and the Math Department is at the right end of the third floor while Science Department is on the second floor. Family and consumer sciences, or home economics, is an academic discipline concerning consumer science, nutrition, cooking, parenting, interior decoration, textiles, gardening, and other subjects related to home management. ...

Neptali Gonzales Building

The Nepatali Gonzales Building was named after RHS' illustrious alumnus, Senate President Neptali Gonzales. The building which has 24 classrooms became an operational in 1999. Some P18.5 million, which came from the CDF of the senator, was spent for this four-story building

Organizations

• Rizal High School Supreme Student Council
• The Rizalian, Official English School Organ
• Ang Rizalian, Official Filipino School Organ
• Freshmen Class Organization
• Sophomore Class Organization
• Junior Class Organization
• Senior Class Organization
• RHS Rondalla
• RHS Drum and Lyre Corps
• RHS Modern Dance Troupe
• RHS Folkloric Dance Troupe
• RHS Choir
• Speech Club
• Reading Club
• Media and Research Club
• Dramatic Club
• Creative Writing Club
• Journalism Club
• RHS Debate Society
• Values Education Club
• Filipino Club
• Science Club
• Humane Club
• Techno Club
• Ecology Club
• Sight Saving Club
• Social Studies Debate Club
• UNESCO Club
• Kapariz - Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal
• RHS Mathematicians Circle
• Future Homemakers of the Philippines
• Arts and Painting Club
• Bantay Bilihin Youth Council
• CAT I Club
• RHS Junior Police
• Boy Scouts of the Philippines
• Girl Scouts of the Philippines
• Youth on Fire
• Drug Abuse Prevention Club
• Junior Graftwatch Club

References

1. ^ Txtmania.com: Biggest in the Philippines. Retrieved on 2007-08-22
2. ^ Rizal High School Website. Retrieved on 2002-12-10
3. ^ Rizal High School, Administration (2007), Rizal High School Handbook 2007-2008 (30th ed.), Pasig City: Rizal High School Press