Institutional and Community History

St. Mary’s Academy of Oslob, Cebu was founded in 1949 by Mother Maria Paulina Gallardo, RVM, with the moral support of Rev. Fr. Benedicto Zafra, the Parish Priest of Oslob and with the dedicated help of Hon. Mayor Juan Luna and Mr. Tomas Mendez. It was originally named Annunciation College being affiliated to the Annunciation College of Dalaguete, Cebu. The school was first funded by the RVM Community but later on by the students’ tuition fees. On its maiden year of existence, the institution started with forty seven students (47), enough to compose one first year class. The founder was then the Superior of the School. They used the building which was owned by the parish (formerly a retreat house for small boys who were preparing for First Communion.) The RVM Sisters administering the school had to live with the Sisters in Dalaguete for a year since they had no quarters of their own.

From the year of its foundation, a new class was added each succeeding year until the secondary course was completed in 1952. Classes were held under the parish convent . By June 15, 1953, the school obtained the government recognition and the name of the school was changed to St. Mary’s Academy (Oslob,Cebu) Inc.. During the school 1952-1953, twenty two (22) students graduated.

Starting 1962, the school increased of enrollment every year.Additional classrooms were built . During the time of MOTHER MARIA ROSARIO, a new building was constructed right behind the Church near the Sisters’ Quarters. During the school year 1966-1967, the fourth year class used one of the rooms of the building although it was still under construction. In 1967-1968, all the students from First Year to Fourth Year were able to use the new building. At the end of this school year, a new Superior was assigned and the first ever lay Principal in the persons of MR. SILVINO FIGUES was appointed.

In 1975, St. Mary’s Academy celebrated its “SILVER JUBILEE”. There was a very big splash of success in the celebration due to the benevolent help and initiative of the Alumni, the Sisters, the faculty members, the students, the parents and the town people as well

During the school year 1977-1978, the rooms were no longer enough for the students, so the small building, owned by the Church located across the sacristy was used as a classroom. A new building could not be constructed right there and then because this entailed a big expense considering the skyrocketing of price of commodities and the low tuition fees of the students. In 1978-1979, the SMA stage was used as another classroom. In the following year, the Parish Priest offered the church garage to be used as another classroom. During summer, a new building was constructed near the Sisters’ quarters one Practical Arts Room and two classrooms.

In 1980, changes in the Sisters was observed but MR. SILVINO FIGUES were still the Principal. In 1984 an RVM Sister was assigned as Superior and Principal.

In 1990 Mary’s Academy celebrated its “RUBY JUBILEE”. A GRAND Alumni Homecoming and awarding of OUTSTANDING ALUMNI highlighted the affair. In its 40^th year, RUBY JUBILEE YEAR, St. Mary’s Academy came out as a precious ruby with lustrous sheen, and spectacular glow of its kind, all because of its dedication in carrying out its Vision and Mission of a Christian Education in Oslob. This remarkable achievement is a proclamation of St. Mary’s Academy’s worth in its education apostolate.

In 1991a new building, as big as the old building, was constructed near the SMA stage. It housed the First year and Third year students while the old building housed the Second Year and Fourth year students.

In 1994 to 1995 continuous development and acquisitions, two (2) microscopes and eleven units of computers were purchased. The Library Room was utilized as Computer Room. The Computer class was integrated with the T.H.E. class. The Library was transferred to the building near the kitchen of the Sisters. The Laboratory Room is adjacent to the Library Room.

In 1996, MS. CARMELITA DURENS since the Sister assigned was also at the same time the Regional Secretary of the Visayas Region. She assumed her responsibility as school Principal in 1997-1998 . During these years, many improvements were done in terms of the physical facilities like the installation of the new CR’s in the old building, better organization of the School’s Library and Computer Laboratory. Faculty and staff were given opportunities for updating like seminars and summer studies and other experiences related to their field of interest. December 26, 1999 marked the GOLDEN Anniversary of the Foundation of the School and its missionary commitment to Catholic Education to the Oslobanons. The celebration was doubly significant because it was celebrated on the third year of preparation for the Great Jubilee year 2000. Grand Alumni Homecoming and a Thanksgiving Mass highlighted the event with its main celebrant, Rev. Father Cristeto Mendez, the first graduate - priest of the institution.

In the years that followed 2001 - 2006a new RVM Sister took over the running of the school and religious community. Her priorities were the yearly increase in the basic salary of the teachers, human development, and improvement in physical plant, laboratories and library, better student services and closer bonding among administration, personnel, parents and students.

In School Year 2006 - 2008 another Sister was assigned as Superior / Principal. The construction of the four - storey building which started in October 2007, ushered good features in terms of enrolment. Parents are attracted to the beautiful edifice which houses the school facilities and is located in a peaceful environment conducive to learning. The realization of this four-storey building is all attributed to the generosity of the RVM Congregation.

In the year 2008 - 2009, the newly constructed four-storey building had its inauguration / blessing on November 21, 2008 at 9:00 A.M. (Friday - Feast of the Presentation of Mary) by Rev. FR. ERNESTO O. JAVIER, SJ. It was also during this year that the Lot 17 was endorsed to the Archdiocese through the parish priest, REV. FATHER. VALENTINO GEMELO.

The new four storey building has complete facilities namely Computer Lab, Science Lab, Sewing Room and HE room in the fourth floor; Guidance Office, Campus Ministry Office in the third floor; Library and Audio-Visual Room in the Second floor; and Clinic, Canteen, Faculty Room, Administrative offices on the ground floor.

In that same year, through the generosity of the PTA, each classroom was provided with bulletin board, tarpaulin with the Vision and Mission of the School, curtains for 5 classrooms, rubber footing on the stairs, and the cementing of the pathways.

For the School Year 2009 - 2011, a new Sister was assigned as School Principal. The PTA donated the construction of two kiosks and the covered walk from the gate to the right building in the year 2010-2011.

For continuous development and progress of the institution, a yearly plan on all aspects was drawn out; each faculty member has worked out effectively in consonance with the Vision-Mission of the RVM educational apostolate.

In the year 2011 - 2014, the school strove hard to be faithful to the key directions of the RVM Education Ministry geared towards the Transformative Ignacian Marian Education. Instruction and activities were monitored to assure that they were all leading towards the realization of the vision and mission of the RVM Education Ministry and of the school.

The PTCA continued to give support to the school. In SY 2011-2012, they donated one (1) LCD unit for teachers’ use in their instruction, one (1) computer unit for faculty use and one (1) printer for the final printing of the test questions. In SY 2012-2013, they also donated one (1) unit of computer in the library for the library-in charge and in SY 2013-2014 one (1) computer unit connected to the internet was donated in the library for students’ use in their research. It is also in the same year, that the PTA provided the school with three (3) lunch houses which were used by the students during lunch time.

The alumni, on the other hand, actively and generously supported the school by sponsoring scholars, giving donations for the school project particularly on the proposed construction of the audio-gymnasium.

This school year 2013-2014, St. Mary’s Academy of Oslob was re-visited by the FAPE certifiers and the school passed the re-certification with the above the minimum standard status.

The school, together with the whole Philippine Educational System is on the process of preparing the whole academe for the embrace and adaptation of the K to12 Curriculum with a Senior High School starting SY 2016-2017.

For SY 2015 -2016 a new Principal was assigned. After consultation with the Board of Trustees, the plan to offer Senior High School Program was not approved due to lack of facilities and laboratories. There is no more available classroom to be used for Grade 11 and Grade 12. The school will remain a standalone Junior High School until approved by the BOT.

For 2017 – 2018 FAPE re certified the school on September 12, 2017 and was granted a 5 – year status certification. SMA was also the over – all champion in the First Marian Cluster Meet held in SMA – Dalaguete on November 16-18, 2018 and over – all champion twice in a row in the Opening Salvo’s Band Showdown Competition on November 29, 2017.

The Mother Ignacia Social Hall, a project of the SMA Alumni, was constructed in Summer 2018 with Engr. Darwin Viñas.

2018 – 2019 A whole new batch of RVM Sisters was assigned for the school year. Over–all champion thrice in a row in the Opening Salvo’s Band Showdown Competition on December 8, 2018.

School Year 2019 – 2020 ushered the coming of the new Superior and Principal. During this year the SMAO was the Grand Champion of Oslob Dance Palabas 2019 last December 4, 2019. The school celebrated its Platinum Jubilee (70 Years) last December 28, 2019. Improvement in the physical plant was done, a canopy project of PTA was installed at the gate which was connected to the old canopy. The Administration likewise added a new canopy leading to the side of the Canteen as extension for students’ use.