|
Upcoming Project
Silay Institute through the years!
In 1925, the growing number of elementary school students being denied the opportunity of acquiring a high school education and others who would not have a chance to go to college served as a challenge to the concerned citizens of Silay City to put up a high school that would serve their educational needs. Its inception was providential, as those involved did so in the spirit of service and civic duty.
Things fell into place after a survey conducted showed that the working parents of Silay City were ready to support the opening of such a high school. Some civic-minded citizens, led by Dr. Luis Gamboa, initiated plans to establish a high school. They put up the capital for the corporation in spite of the fact that their investment was rather a poor one from the business point of view. Mr. Ramon Legaspi, who was then the District Supervisor of Silay City, was instrumental in the acquisition of necessary government permits. He also meticulously prepared the curriculum and ensured the acquisition of instructional materials and laboratory equipment vital to the opening of the school.
Those who believed in the dream and eventually became the incorporators were Carlos L. Locsin, Placido Esteban, Ramon Legaspi, Dr. Jose C. Locsin, Alfonso Severino, Dr. Luis Gamboa, Estanislao Sanchez, Aurelio Locsin and Carlos Ledesma.
The first Board of Directors was composed of Dr. Luis Gamboa as President, Atty. Roque Hofilena as Vice President, Estanislao Sanchez, (later Crisogono Custodio) as Secretary, Jose Ledesma, Jr. as Treasurer, Carlos L. Locsin, Placido Esteban, Aurelio Locsin as Members. Thus, in June 1925, Silay Institute opened with First and Second Year classes in the High School with a strong faculty composed of Alfonso Hilado, Consuelo del Rosario, and Atty. Marcos Gomez, among others.
The first Director was Mr. Estanislao Sanchez. Mr. Crisogono Custodio succeeded him and continued to serve the school as Director with great devotion and love until his untimely death in 1960. In 1929, the Third Year class was opened with only two students. In 1932, the Fourth Year class was opened with only 7 students, namely, Ciceron Severino, Marcial Villegas, Isabel Hilado, Elisa Hilado, Lourdes Heradura, Paz Hofileña, and Pacencia Hisu, who became the first graduates of Silay Institute. The First Commencement Exercises was held at the old Kahirup Theater in March 1933 with Atty. Emilio Hilado, who later became Justice of the Supreme Court, as the First Commencement Speaker. From that time on, until the outbreak of World War II, the enrollment continued to increase.
When classes were resumed after the war, enrollment increased considerably and the problem of classrooms became more acute. Fortunately, the Vice-President, Atty. Roque Hofileña, offered to sell to the school his one-hectare lot at a price lower than the prevailing rate and donated the solid concrete frame of his house which was burned during the Japanese Occupation. Thus, the school acquired its present site.
A loan was granted by the RFC in the name of some of the incorporators since it was not giving loans for school buildings. The main building was constructed and occupied in 1950. The second building was then constructed using the materials of the old Municipality Building which were bought at a public auction for only P601.00. As the enrollment increased, additional buildings were constructed. By a subsequent purchase, the School acquired an additional one-hectare as part of the school site.
In 1967, the school applied for authority to operate collegiate courses and authority was duly granted to offer Secretarial, Commerce and Liberal Arts.
From the very beginning the policy of the school has been to maintain a high standard of instruction and to follow the Christian Philosophy of Education. From the start Religion was taught, and the first Religion teacher was the Parish Priest, Fr. Casiano Maria Ureta, an experienced educator who had a school in his previous parish. After some time, Religion became a part of the curriculum. Logic was made a part of the curriculum in the Fourth Year.
In the year 2000, Silay Institute saw the need to further upgrade its services to the Silaynons and other young people from other municipalities. It signed up an agreement, through consultative basis, for a period of four years, from 2001 to 2004, with the University of St. La Salle for assistance to further give quality education. The Board of Directors of Silay Institute, under the presidency of Mr. Manuel L. Legaspi, saw the positive effects of the supervision of the University of St. La Salle.
Today, Silay Institute continues to give affordable and quality Christian education that is relevant and accessible to its students. It reaffirms its commitment to serve the growing needs of the youth of Silay City and its surrounding communities. |
|
