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CSR Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

THE STORY OF COLEGIO DE STA. RITA
San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

            The Augustinian recollect Sisters of the Philippines started their educational program for women in 1907 when the former Beaterio de San Sebastian was converted into girls’ school named  Colegio de Sta. Rita de Manila.  The response of the people in Manila to the school was overwhelming. The standard of instruction was excellent; it embraced both Catholic Christian formation and education. Most of the girls enrolled came from prominent families. A considerable number of  girls were enrolled in Colegio de Sta. Rita, Manila, the first Augustinian Recollect Sisters’ school established. So successful was the educational program that the Sisters were encouraged to expand it to the provinces of Batangas, Palawan, Negros Occidental and other provinces in the Visayas.

            Inspired by the success of Colegio de Sta. Rita, Manila , the Augustinian Recollect Sisters opened another all girls’ school in San Carlos, Negros Occidental. Through the advice of the Vicar Prior of San Sebastian Convent in Manila, Rev. Fr. Leoncio Reta, OAR, who for years had served as a parish priest in Calatrava, Negros the Congregation decided to open a branch school.           

Founders and Teacher Pioneers. On July 18, 1933, the Congregation sent three Sisters to manage the school. namely: Sor Asuncion de San Jose,  Mother Superior, Sor Pilar de san Jose,  Directress and Principal, and Sor Mercedes de la Sagrada Familia a classroom teacher. They arrived armed with nothing but their unwavering faith in God,  their fervent love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and a burning desire to bring the blessings of Catholic education to the people in San Carlos.

            Father Gomara OAR, the parish priest, lay down before the Sisters some tremendous problems which required  much prayer, efforts, perseverance, diligence, patience and fortitude. They  assured the good priest of their willingness  to sacrifice in  carrying out the project to a successful completion.

            Initial Problems. The first problem confronting them was lodging.  Praying  and relying on the motherly love and care of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel  a solution to their immediate need came in the person of  a kindhearted lady, Doña Eusebia Broce Vda. de Vicente, a daughter of one of the prominent families in town and a widow of Don Silverio Vicente, a Basque from Spain. She and her family took them into their ancestral residence which served as the Sisters’ temporary convent. Dña. Eusebia eventually became the Sisters’ close confidant, adviser, provider and benefactress..

            Birth of Colegio de Sta. Rita. With the first kindergarten class opened in 1933, Colegio de Sta. Rita of San Carlos, Negros Occidental was born. One of the big rooms at the ground floor of the Broce residence housed the first kinder class with eighteen (18) paying and two hundred (200) non-paying pupils. The first subjects taught were reading, writing, arithmetic and catechism. hymns. Teaching and learning were made interesting by making the children directly participate in class activities related to life. Emphasis was made on the teaching of Christian doctrine.

            Mission Work Extended. . The spiritual formation through catechism given by the Sisters  to the hacienda workers and their families on weekends had attracted great attention not only in the town of San Carlos but  in the neighboring towns as well. Livelihood skills such as sewing, and embroidery were taught to the women and mothers. Their work was so much appreciated by the families of hacienda workers that people would eagerly look forward to seeing the Sisters on Sunday mornings and on Saturdays for  adult education with emphasis on religion and Catholic doctrines and Spanish .

                               STRENGTHENING  THE CSR FOUNDATION 

            Emboldened by the people’s interest and cooperation to the educational program ,  the Sisters opened the primary and intermediate education. The educational work of the Sisters and the catechism program they had for the laborers in the haciendas attracted greatly people’s attention.. The teaching of Catholic doctrine was highly accepted by the people. The love and sacrifice that the Sisters put on their missionary work did not escape the eyes of the parents who were so impressed and convinced of their zeal and love of God and the Blessed Mother Mary. Hence, with the enrolment that increased considerably, the  Sisters opened the  primary course and upon the request of the parents, intermediate education was also opened. When special classes in music and piano were offered, Sor Magdalena, was sent to teach music and piano.

            The increasing number of pupils started to pose bigger problems and bigger responsibilities for the Sisters .Father Gomara, the ever good and helpful priest worked side by side with the Sisters in resolving their problems. They had to  negotiate with Don Andres Menchaca who owned a “camarin”. Convinced and so impressed by the Recollect Sisters’ mission, Don Andres offered his “camarin” for free. Believing that Christian virtues are easily assimilated  in the minds of the young, inculcating these virtues was given emphasis by the Sisters in the teaching and learning process.

             
              Enrolment continued to increase in 1934. To solve the problem of accommodation, they had to negotiate with Don Florentino Broce who allowed them to rent his house across the street near the convent. The second floor of the house was used as the sisters’ cloister and the dormitory of the “internas”.The first three original interns accepted were: Esperanza Broce, Leonora Valderrama ( now Mrs. Larlar and the only witness still alive to these days), and Aniana Broce – all daughters of the finest families in town.

              Becoming famous for its exclusive and well-balanced education for girls, the “colegio” enhanced its prestige. Courses in piano and music attracted more parents to enroll their daughters. There were more demands to open a secondary education. The Sisters, with the good Fr. Gomara  took the challenge and worked for the building of another “camarin”. In 1936, first year high school was opened. A music and piano teacher, Sor Remedios de Santa Bernardita  arrived from Manila to join the teaching staff. On the occasion of the official visit of the Superior General of the Congregation, Very Rev. Mother Presentacion de San Jose, a serious proposal to build a permanent school building was finally approved.

              Fr. Gomara and the Sisters wrote a letter to His Excellency, Most Rev. Bishop Llado, Bishop of Bacolod requesting permission to use the lot at the intersection of Castro and Locsin Streets. The good bishop consented with the following conditions set: that the Augustinian Recollect Sisters can own and make use of the property for twenty years or more and /or for as long as they want;  that if for any cause after twenty years the Sisters will decide to leave and vacate the lot, the ownership will revert to the diocese through the Episcopal Office.

Right away, the laying of the cornerstone was done on May 22, 1937. Six months later, the last nail was driven into place on November 22, 1937. This was followed by the blessing of the new building that was well-attended by  some church dignitaries and many prominent town officials, together with the Faculty and staff, Ritarians,  benefactors, distinguished guests and friends of CSR. The first high school graduation was held in 1940 with only four graduates.

              With the closing of the year 1939-1940 climaxed by the first high school graduation and the opening of the normal course for teachers, the sisters were just too jubilant and triumphant in counting their blessings. Their work and sacrifices with much prayer, patience, and perseverance  bore good results. The thing that really made them happy is the fact that they had the parents’ trust and confidence. Parents solicited the Sisters’ advice and guidance on matters  affecting their marriage, home and family life. It was also noted  with  joy that  “ the colegio” that became the password in every household was  attributed to the Colegio de Sta. Rita.             

World War Years  (1941-1944)
             
              On the eve of December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, an American Naval Base was bombed by the Japanese. USA declared war on Japan the following day, December 8, 1941. The Directess, Mother Carmen de la Sagrada Familia gave a touching exhortation to the students and staff of “colegio”. Classes were suspended  indefinitely and everyone was sent home  only to come back until further notice.  A year after,  the Japanese Imperial Army landed in Negros and took control of Bacolod City. Later they reached San Carlos and captured San Carlos Milling Co. and made it into a garrison. The Japanese re-opened both public and private schools. On  orders  from the Japanese education supervisor, classes were re-opened in June 1942. The Japanese talked to the Mother Superior to re-open school to which the latter had no other choice but to obey. Classes were opened in June 1942. 

              On November 22, 1944, Filipino guerillas attacked the Japanese garrison in San Carlos. The Sisters and the people were forced to flee to the mountains and there the Sisters continued their charity and missionary work that made them win many friends. One of their loyal friends was  a gracious lady by the name of  Mrs Rufina Panogalinog Maypa, a businesswoman who owned several  tracts of land in the hinterlands of San Carlos. She and a helper, Rufino Navarro helped the Sisters flee to the mountains secretly. Mrs Maypa built a “camarin” for the Sisters in Lusong where they stayed there until the war was over.

              In the afternoon of the same day,  the Japanese bombed San Carlos  and reduced many houses and buildings to ashes including Colegio de Sta. Rita   Up in the mountains,  in order for them to survive, the Sisters planted vegetables, baked cakes and cookies, knitted T-shirts and sweaters for a living.

              Mission Work Continued.  True to their vows, they continued their catechism classes to children and adults. The Recollect priests, especially the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Gregorio Espiga, OAR would go up the mountains to visit the Sisters and to  check on their health, celebrate Mass with them and hear their confessions. People would have the chance also to hear Mass and go to confession..

Years After the World War II.

            Back to San Carlos.  Five months after Gen. MacArthur landed in Leyte on Nov. 17, 1944, the Japanese surrendered to the Americans and gave up their garrisons. The Sisters and the people went back to San Carlos only to see the school building in total ruins. With tears welling from their eyes, the Sisters vowed to build  another “colegio” Rev. Fr. Espiga, rector of Colegio de Sto. Tomas- Recoletos came to their rescue. With some money he gave, the Sisters  started to pick up the broken pieces. With a firm determination to re-open the school, the new superior, Sor Amanda del Carmen, had to solve the problem by renting again the house of Don Florentino Broce.

             To start all over again was very hard for the Sisters.  Students started to come for enrolment. Elemenatry classes were held in the rented house of Don Florentino while the high school and college classes were in the ruins of the  school building. With unwavering faith in God, love and devotion to the Mother of the Lord, the Sisters devised some ways and means to raise funds for the building construction. Financial aid came from the war damage claim. Not long after, the first cornerstone was laid at the exact place where the former one was laid.

              On February 14, 1947, the first floor of the newly constructed building was completed with a new chapel and the Blessed Sacrament installed.  Another single storey building was constructed  and completed on December 16, 1949 with a ground floor used as a hall for academic, literary and dramatic activities. By 1953, Colegio de Sta. Rita became the leading educational institution.

              As the years went on, new courses, each with government permit were opened .When San Carlos became a city, the college had already offered complete educational courses: BSE, BSEED and BSC and vocational courses such as typing, dressmaking and stenography. A three-storey building was constructed in 1966 with modern architectural design of flowing lines and vertical baffles. It  was completed and finished in 1967.

              After World War II,   The Sisters had remained consistently  faithful in spreading the Gospel message and promoting Christian values , Catholic principles and philosophy. In the 70’s  there had been big advancement of courses offered most especially the Graduate School which had produced the first two M.A graduates: Sr. Juliana Mandia, AR and Mrs. Mercedes G. Mavida.  In the 1980’s the “colegio” made a long stride of advancement. The third floor of the main building was converted into an air-conditioned  computer laboratory and air conditioned offices. Information technology courses were added to the new curriculum. In the 1990’s, facilities were improved and academic offerings were enhanced. Science laboratory and the H.E. were renovated with the college canteen given a face-lift. New  air conditioned rooms such as audio visual room or media center , conference room, inter-net laboratory, and administrative offices have been provided for quality education  and service.            

              When fire destroyed the elementary and high school building in 2001,  a new and bigger building was constructed for the Basic Education  Department in  baranggay Tibuco. It is equipped with better facilities for quality teaching and better learning.

              Today, on this diamond jubilee, the  75 Years of Quality Catholic Education and Service, CSR offers new courses : Midwifery, Nursing Aide, Care Giver and Information Technology with a 4-year BSIT, BSCS (ladderized). Ritarian graduates are now holding sensitive  and responsible positions in various establishments, in the city of San Carlos and outside as well  It is interesting to note that most of the public school teachers in San Carlos are graduates of Colegio de Sta. Rita and majority of the  school  administrators are Ritarians.  It is in the field of education that Ritarians have made considerable contributions . The philosophy and Christian values they learned  are the same teachings they pass on to their pupils.  Noteworthy to recognize is the majority of  the Faculty,  staff, and personnel who are Ritarians serving  Colegio de Sta. Rita for many years now .

              Several Ritarian alumni are Church  lay  ministers and lay leaders  . This is deeply felt and has made a great impact in their lives as  Ritarians.. Reverence for spiritual beings and respect for moral values and duly constituted authorities are some of the fundamental gems of truth and wisdom that formed the minds and hearts of the Ritarians as manifested in their way of life. A number of graduates have joined the ranks of priests, religious, and missionaries here and abroad.   The Ritarian graduates have also made their valuable contributions to the economic life and progress of the city.  Banks and other commercial establishments are run by men and women graduates of the Colegio .        

This year 2008, the 75th Founding Anniversary,  Colegio de Sta. Rita is  working for its accreditation with the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). With concerted efforts of the AR administrators, faculty and staff, personnel, students and parents, we hope to be accredited three years from now, at least for level I.

             With our profound gratitude to God, we praise and glorify the Almighty Father for His continuous blessings as we move on to the next 25 years of our existence in San Carlos City, CSR on her 100th anniversary in year 2033. We are grateful to all our benefactors, friends, alumni and devotees of St. Rita. With their support and generosity, CSR still stands today. As Ritarians, we are always ready  to pledge our Christian faith and strength in moving forward, in treading more roads to travel and journeys to experience. Every Ritarian has her/his own share of wounds and scars, happy or sad stories to tell as we truly live what CSR has taught us in her vision: “God-loving, community-oriented and competitive Ritarians with a mission: To provide quality education anchored on Christian values formation and service.”values formation and service

            May our 75th Diamond Jubilee be a celebration of peace, love, and unity and mark the beginning of a new challenge to all the task of meeting the needs of our constituents, society and church.

                                      CSR FAMILY
                                      San Carlos City, Negros Occ.

 

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ANGER HURTS OTHERS WHEN...

. You hold onto into too long.

. You refuse to forgive.

. You attack the person, not the action.

. You let it become a habit.

. You lose control.

. You becomeabusive.

. You hurt those you love.

. You react rather than act.

. You dwell on it constantly.

. You damage someone's reputation.

- John Van Diest