Balao National High School History
In 1994, Balao National High School rose in a mountain barangay of Barili. It stands away from the civilization about 7.5 kilometers, but this fact never hinders its students to excel in various fields. The school earned a reputation succeeding in numerous academic, sports, and other competitions. Balao National High School is situated in Barangay Balao
, wherein the local folks have told over the legend that chicken with feathers, the so called "balaw", were abound in every folk's houses long time ago before the Spanish came. The school covers a total land area of 14,390 square meter donated by the generous spouses Atty. Garcia. The birth of the Balao National High School started when one late afternoon the generous couple visited their farm called the "Loading" and saw 3 beautiful ladies passing by. Ma'am Inday Esperanza asked, "Where have you been"? and one of the young ladies answered “from Luhod National High School ma'am”. The conversation put wisdom on Ma’am Inday’s brilliant mind, and along with her strong sense of social responsibility, she suggested to her husband the idea of building a school in the barangay to reduce the risks of students travelling to the neighboring barangay just to go to school. This sudden but hearfelt idea was soon realized when Ma’am Inday generously donated a portion of their land to construct the first building of the school. Despite the challenges, the couple was very optimistic that classes will get started by the school opening sometimes in June 1994 and it really did. With only few students enrolled, the school first served as an extension high school of Luhod National High School, under the supervision of Mr. Antonio C. Labiaga. On its early beginnings, the limited number of teachers and the lack of school buildings made the operation of the school difficult. Yet, everyone’s resilience and resourcefulness prevailed. The house of the Barangay Council Primitivo Cerenio was used as a classroom and other classes were held under the shade of the Mango Tree in the farm of the donors. Mrs, Jocelyn Ricablanca was a pioneering teacher, later on 2 additional teachers were hired Mrs. Nenita P. Reyes and Miss Lucina P. Jondit. Then in the next months, new teachers were deployed and hired in the school. The late Retired Judge Esperanza F. Garcia persistently asked his husband Pablo P. Garcia who happened to be the 3rd District Representative for an appropriation of funds in order to finance the construction of the school buildings anticipating an increase of enrolment in the coming school years. The petitions of Ma'am Inday Esperanza were not in vain, following the year 1996, classes were finally held in a classroom. The school was formally created under the Republic Act 8014 from the iniative of Hon. Representative Pablo P. Garcia which separates Balao Extension High School from Luhod National High School. This law converted the school to an independent National High School which is now known as Balao National High School. As the years passed by, Balao National High School continuously progress with the rise of new buildings and the arrival of a new roster of dedicated and competent teachers. The school is also fortunate enough to have talented and skillful teachers who are truly dedicated and committed in their professions, now the school has its Balao Chorale and Performing Arts under the tutelage of Mr. Ian Gerhome Perpetua, our talented students can showcase their extra ordinary talents in dancing, acting and singing. Overall, the school wants to develop the students holistically, inspired from the Dep Ed Vision and Mission. The school ensures that all graduates in this institution have truly quenched their thirst of knowledge for free. In return to the immense support that the school has received over the years, it is committed to keep burning the zeal of excellence to make each of its students a pride of Barili. It vows to incessantly bring a greater impact on the lives of the students, the stakeholders and the community and constantly produce quality graduates that have the ability to compete globally. Today, Balao National High School is one of the performing schools in Barili that offers complete Junior & Senior High School with the strand of General Academic (GAS), Information & Computer Technology ( ICT), and Tour Promotion Services (TPS) and has a total populations of 905 students with 38 competent teachers under the supervision of the School Caretaker Mr. Ian Gerhrome I. Perpetua together with 3 Administrative Assistants (ADAS).
