Masbate high school to mark centennial in April

Contributed photo of MNCHS Batch ’93

A nostalgic but festive homecoming awaits alumni of both the Masbate National Comprehensive High School (MNCHS) and its forerunner, the Masbate High School (MHS), as they mark the secondary school’s centennial anniversary next month.

To commemorate the premier high school’s 100 years of scholastic journey that began in 1917, a series of events from April 6-8, 2017 have been put in place by the school management led by its principal, Dr. Ricardo R. Marfiga.

The three-day grand centennial celebration will be held at the school quadrangle. The alumni will have the privilege of looking back at the last 100 years of their alma mater with pride and satisfaction, even as the school looks forward to continuing the tradition of instilling quality and holistic education to Masbateños.

Besides traditional games, fun run, songs and dances, the alumni will be treated to shows and events, including the unveiling of the MNCHS School Gallery, which will showcase the school memorabilia titled, “Unfolding 100 Years.” The exhibit will be sponsored by no less than the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the National Museum.

MNCHS takes exceptional pride in championing the intellectual growth of a long list of outstanding alumni that include, among others, a Supreme Court justice, a Cabinet official, several police and military generals, high officials of government (local and national levels), veteran journalists, and countless professionals, entrepreneurs and achievers in their own fields of expertise.

Molder of citizens, shaper of leaders

In 1906, when Masbate was a sub-province of Sorsogon, American Governor-General James F. Smith issued Executive Order No. 45 which carved out a public school reservation area in Masbate to end illiteracy among the populace.

The MHS provided basic education to Masbateños from the time of Louis John Christopher Barlet, the first principal (1917 and 1923), until 1977, when the MHS was converted into MNCHS through a presidential proclamation.

Living up to its vision and mission statement, the secondary school consistently aims to hone the talents, skills and core competencies of students, allowing them to transform from young individuals to responsible citizens of the Philippines. In its desire to mold the young to become productive members of society, the school has imparted to the students the lifelong passion for excellence and selfless service.

True to form, year after year, the school has brought honors to Masbate City and Masbate Province through awards in academics, sports, journalism, scouting, performing and visual arts, volunteer work and other forms of co-curricular activities.

MNCHS has gone a long way from a provider of basic education to a science-oriented secondary school.

With the school creed, “Providing Quality Education to the Community,” it strives to fulfill its continuing commitment to meeting the global standards set by the Department of Education, living up to the expectations of its stakeholders, and preserving the legacy of a hundred years of quality public service through education.