BAAO WEST CENTRAL SCHOOL
HISTORY UNFOLDS

From its humble beginning countless blessings as specified by caption which connotes greatness continue to pour unabated the school. Indeed, these are just one of the numerous hailarks of the colorful history, culture, tradition that makes it prestigious well-revered and unenviable institution not only in Bicol but the entire Philippine archipelago.

                After reading thoroughly such awesome achievements, the next thing that will certainly enter person’s mind is how did this well-respected institution came from oblivion?

                Based from various information collected, right after the liberation of the country, from Japanese occupation (1945-46) the local government anticipated the influx of school children and to remedy the possible dearth of classroom they decided to construct a Gabaldon building at the present site of the Municipal Building of Baao, since the old one was razed by the fire during the war. The initial plan was to house the primary level of Baao Central Annex its strategic location however, change the course of its original intention and history. The local government officials opted to utilize it instead, as their Administration Office in exchange of the office in the old market building which became the seat of Academic from there on.

                The old market building which became the main building of the school was the open sided thus wooden walls were improvised that as partitions of different classrooms. Baao Central Annex was changed to Baao Elementary School and took charge of Grades I-III. The first batch of teachers was Ms. Concepcion Luzentales, Ms. Paz Barrameda, Mr. Jose Fajardo, Ms. Potencia Britanico and Ms. Francia Cabral.

In 1962, the new independent elementary school, ushered in which would be recognized as San Ramon-Del Rosario Elementary School. The school consisted of twelve (12) teachers with Mrs. Aurora Badiola Fajardo at helm. Through her able leadership and the extensive collaboration of her subordinates, they survived the critical and challenging years of metamorphosing its praiseworthy establishment that would produce excellent graduates. The paramount school graduation was held in the year 1967-68 with Mrs. Lourdes Bibares as the pioneer adviser. Consequently the Era of the “Golden Harvests” started to flow in endlessly.

                To ensure the progressive output of the educational system, Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS) adopted a scheme in shuffling in the promotion of school administrators thus, the change of supervision in the school Circa 1968-70, Mr. Angel Buena stood as the augmentation of sections per Grade Level. Mrs. Purificacion B. Magistrado handled the Grade VI class. The school was officially reputed as Baao West Central School. A number of new school buildings were constructed converting the new building into a Cultural Hall. The new Principal’s School Building, Jose P. Rizal Mini-Park, Ang Magalang Monument, concreting of school pavement, construction of school fences, water facilities, outdoor stage donated by Gov. Luis Villafuerte Sr., Flag Park,  Repair of damaged school building, repainting of building roofs courtesy of Cong. Felix R. Alfelor, energizing the classrooms and installation of grills for Grade V Building. The school has also emerged as the largest elementary school in the district in terms of population of more than a thousand of pupils.

              Incidentally, Ms. Purificacion B. Magistrado took over as Teacher In-Charge when Mr. Angelo Buena was promoted and transferred to Baao East Central School. The School Drum and Lyre Corps was put up through the un-paralleled passion, untiring efforts and magnanimity of the faculty wherein they donated musical instruments who would possess melodious compositions with the innate talents, cleverness and musical

versatility of Mr. Teodoro Balares as the trainer. Its harmonious melody was equated by the graceful movements and superb baton twirling skills of the majorettes who were supervised by the ever reliable and assiduous Ms. Maxima Dador Bancaso. It merited consummate compliments and trophies for the school.

              Ms. Victoria B. Briones succeeded Ms. Purificacion Magistrado Her outstanding feats include their construction of a filter system for safe drinking water and the flatform which serve as the base of the flagpole. It was during her term when the main building was used as the favorite venue of conventions, LITMUSDA and the alternative training site of DBLC and other school activities especially during rainy seasons.

                Upon the promotion of Ms. Victoria Briones to Agdangan Elementary School, Ms. Virginia Dayag took charge while acting Principal of Baao East Central School, Mrs. Julia Albis followed her footstep but did not stay long. Mr. Rafael Blasco assumed the management of the school from 1982-87. His focal point was to define clearly the peripheries of the campus by way of concreting its fence. Enormous solicitors and assistance of other school stakeholders were observed to realize the project.

        From 1987-1991, Ms. Delfina B. Olaño took her reign. She prioritized the physical infrastructure development where the Plan International Building and Aquino Building were built. Kindergarten classes commenced. Ms. Lea I. Sotaso became the Officer-In-Charge for one year when Mrs. Delfina B. Olaño was upgraded to Principal 2.

                Ms. Purificacion B. Magistrado returned as Principal of the school from 1982-1993. She spearheaded the floor covering of the Principal’s Office, purchased thirty (30) tall back wooden chairs and beautify the front concrete fence with grills bearing the school’s acronym. She also initiated the repair and improvement of the gate shutters at the front and rear gates. Aside from the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) funds, she spearheaded a project called “Harana” where finances to augment the budget for the school facilities advancement spawned.

                After a year, Ms. Delfina B. Olaño was reassigned anew at the school, showing deep concern for the progress of the school, she left no stone unturned and painstakingly worked hard for the acquisition of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) building where the school qualified and granted of the bountiful benefits of this rare opportunity. This turned out to be a good investment for the school it became a public knowledge that the building is an idyllic place for academic-related and extra-curricular activities and even in social gatherings such as wedding receptions, parties, reunions, confabs and others.

         School year 1996-2008, a highly motivated and visionary gentleman from Buhi, Camarines Sur, Mr. Benjamin S. Pinoy took command of the school. He became the longest serving administrator. He retired from service on August 2008.

          During his term, he theorized that in order for the learning to be effective and enjoyable children should be accorded a pleasant and comfortable ambience so he gave

                              emphasis on the upgrading of school physical facilities. His notable attainments were never known if it would ever be repaired or rehabilitated again.

                In the fields of sports in 1998, saw dawn of the school as the fortress of sports heroes as it continually chum out the Palarong Pambansa players and coaches in Table Tennis , Chess and Athletics. Up to this time, these athletes became varsity players of Prestigious Universities in the entire Region.

                Some of the distinguished homegrown athletes were the following: the Triplets Ohwen, Ohnel and Ohms Fajardo, John Leo Berdul, Carlo Britanico, April “Ap-Ap” Maravillas, Marianne Alfelor , Adelfa Bobijes,  Myme Manzano, Rachel Bhim-Bhim Bracia, Don-Don Carloy, Ian Anthony Flor and Karen Gabrera who made distinction of playing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines( UAAP) as the Varsity of the National University and now a successful career woman.

                Others who have made their mark after their elementary days were Celine Ventajar , Table Tennis, Pipin Bascuna , Tennis Johnelee  Bim-Bim Badiola  basketball, Armando “Palaka “Rentoria football and Rolly Barrameda, Gold Medalist in the National Private Schools Athletic association (PRISAA) in Walkathon.

The younger generation who are varsity players and still striving to follow the footsteps of their predecessors are Kim Valeros,Regina Rose Dato, Rachel Tin-Tin Portacio, Nit-Nit Carloy,Jeffrey Sinfuego, Carl Adiova, Lourdes Bayrante, Gaspar Gabrera,Ryan Cortez, Jerwin Sinfuego, Paul Borja, Mariano Baesa,Shawn Michael Villamer, are still in their secondary years and a cinch to play in this edition of the Palarong Pambansa. Ms. Teresita B. Badiola is a winning Table Tennis Coach in the Bicol Region for over a decade already. The late Miss Rita Britanico, in Tubod Lanao, Del Norte in 2003, Mrs. Gracia B. Botor became  a Table Tennis Coach in Iloilo City in 2005, and Tennis in Naga City in 2006.

                Mr. Teofilo D. Bancaso Jr. made the most remarkable feat so far by coaching Table Tennis in Naga City in 2002, Tennis in Tubod Lanao Del Norte in 2003 and Coronadal City South Cotabato in 2007. In 2008, it was his baptism of fire as the Technical Official of Palarong Pambansa in Puerto Prinsesa City Palawan. He was designated as trainer and tournament manager in Tennis in 2005. His crowning glory in sports  however occurred when he was awarded as 7th Placer in the National Accreditation for DepEd Officials  in Baguio City in 2009 with the rating of 90.18% with Class a Classification, the only Bicolano to achieve that far . It paved the way for him to officiate in Tacloban City, (2009) Tarlac City (2010) and Dapitan, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte (2011). He is now one of the facilitators / Resource Speaker in Region V.

                The main building was instrumental for all these accolades since it serves as the training ground year in and out, rain or shine. It with stood the wrath of numerous typhoons until finally, due to its antiquity, it succumbed to the fury of typhoon Reming in 2006. It was badly damaged. However, it was still used by the athletes as their training site and refuge.

                The school community was saddened by the fate it suffered.

                Ultimately, “Irish Luck” shone once more at Baao West Central School after that nightmarish tragedy. A new typhoon proof school building under the DepEd Principal-Led School Building program was awarded to the school. Upon its completion, Sec. Jeslie Lapus was invited during its Inauguration and luckily, he acceded.

It was the unfolding of another radiant saga for our school. At the Outset of his speech, Sec. Jeslie Lapus brazenly instructed of the Gabaldon Building as he said he was a penchant of preserving things with historical Values, the rest was now history. The main building was restored to its original form but it has to be called Gabaldon Building/Cultural Hall to facilitate its funding.

                  Prior the start of the repair of the building, a highly motivated School Principal II Jina-Luz Z. Alfelor assumed office in 2009. A year after her assumption to office, she buckled down to a make-over of the school from its  physical structure, programs and activities, and other concerns of the school. Noteworthy accomplishments during her term are the following: sanitation, introduced change in  attitude towards work-from a passive to pro-active approach, encouraged teachers to pursue personal and professional gains, changed the school uniforms from checkered blue and white to green white and black, school DBLC won 3rd Place in Iriga City Charter Foundation Anniversary, purchased 100 monoblocks (uratex brand) through fund raising activities, folkdancers and vocal soloist won 3rd Place in the Bicol LitMusDa held in Daet, Camarines Norte (2009) and Daraga, Albay (2010); hosted the Regional Elementary Schools Press Conference, Training and competition proper, and conclusively the school won 4th Place in Project W.A.T.C.H. (We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty) as the only awardee from Luzon.

                Our school is tasked towards another milestone of fruitful voyage for our learners. Despite of the absence of a full-pledge school head, the extensive support of the teaching staff to the constantly affable, unassuming and dependable Officer-In-Charge-Ms. Teresita B. Badiola has vowed to preserve the grandeur that was imprinted in the lives of every “West Pointer” hence the “Tradition Lives On.”

                Until now, pupils still dominate academic contests, sports competition, produce [praise worthy graduates and value laden individuals, the amalgamation of pupils from different barangays of Baao reaching as far as Caranday to the

North, Sta. Teresita to the west, Bagumbayan, Sagrada, Salvacion, and San San Vicente to the East. The school hosted the Pansangay na Paligsahan sa Filipino, and venue of the Bicol Open Dart Tournament on March 3, 2012. Nevertheless, another chapter of its glowing epic shall come by as soon as another School Head takes responsibility of this highly esteemed institution.

                For more than a year Ma’am Tess assumed the great responsibility of being the Officer -In-Charge of the School taking the responsibilities of facing challenges especially the Regional monitoring was  set to evaluate the School Based Management of the School. The major concern the school encountered then was we didn’t have School Improvement Plan (SIP) which was looked into by the SBM Regional Monitoring Team headed by Mr. Celedonio B. Balderas-EPS 1, NEAP Bicol & Mrs. Delia M. Lagarde, Division Education Program Supervisor in Science.

               In May 14, 2012 Ms. Gertrudes M. Joven , was designated  as the New  School Principal 2 of Baao West Central School. The school’s noteworthy accomplishments under her first school year (2012-2013) of leadership are the following  : Boys Scouts contingent won 1st  Place,  Girl Scouts contingent got the 3rd Place as the Best Marching Unit Category during the Annual Town Fiesta Military Parade Competition 2012. Baao West Central School represented by the WATCH Coordinator Mrs. Joy S. Besenio and SP2 Gertrudes “Gerts” M. Joven with the proactive SDS Gilbert T. Sadsad received the award as the 1st Place winner National Level- The Outstanding WATCH School (TOWS) 2012. In the line of sports, Maylim B.  Buena  and  Wayne R. Ayora represented the Bicol Region in the Palarong Pambansa 2012; during the  first month of the year  of  2013, we were visited  by the DepEd Central Office K to 12 Monitoring Team duly represented by Regional Monitoring   Group  Namely : Susan Benitez, Monica Llorin,   Area Coordinator of the 5th Congressional District  Ruby P. Pan  and  assisted by Cyril R. Salazar , Public Schools District Supervisor. They evaluated the K to 12 Implementation of Grade I Teachers and Pupils. They even interviewed ten pupils and parents  on their impression about the K to 12 Implementation.

              In Year 2013, it was a lucky  year  where  we won 1st Place both in Majorette and Drum and Lyre Corps  Competition during the Baao Town Fiesta Military Parade. We were also awarded as the Best School Project W.A.T.C.H. implementer for 2013 conferred by  Mr. Gilbert  T. Sadsad  , the Schools Division Superintendent during the  World Teachers’  Day Celebration at Jessie M. Robredo  Coliseum . Repair of  roof of Grade Four  and Five Building. The initial construction of the School covered walk was materialized due to the efforts of the host Batch 1980 of the 2013 Alumni Homecoming headed by the Batch President Major Adolfo B. Albalate and Vice President Leni  F. Brillo. The Following  are the Program s and Projects  implemented  in the School  during  her  term: Repair of the Grade Two  Bayanihan Building, the repair of the  two classroom presidential Fund School Building. Two Water and Sanitation (WATSAN)  buildings  situated at the middle of the Grade Five Rooms and the other is in front of the Kinder rooms started its construction. Resources generated for the construction of Decorative Plant Boxes on the side of the Gabaldon Building was made possible through the King and Queen of Hearts 2013 and  Graduation Sponsors fund  2013. Palarong Pambansa  2014 Qualifiers  are Santiago B. Breboneria , Julius Mathew R. Verdeflor and  Ace P. Cabalquinto   in Table Tennis , Francis B. Penaflor in Basketball.