St. John Colleges

esenting prominent families of Calamba, and the Parish Priest by the name of Rev. Eliseo Dimaculangan. John Academy was first located within the Parish compound whose patron saint was St. John the Baptist, hence the name. John the Baptist as we know was a cousin of Jesus Christ, the man who baptized Jesus, and the same person whose "voice in the desert," preached repentance for the Messiah was coming. John was a preacher, and a teacher. The vision of the Founders was to establish a Catholic school with strong Christian and good Filipino values balanced with competitive academics. Two iconic figures prominently come to mind: Dr. Eriberto Y. Aguilar, the Academy's first president and long-time administrator and Mrs. Visitacion Frias, High School Principal, and composer of the Alma Mater song, "SJC Beloved." The following became the school's presidents: Dr. Eriberto Y. Alberto Rivera, and the current president, Mrs. Cynthia Aguilar-Meneses. Many problems and difficulties challenged the newly established school during its formative years, one of which was the growing population that eventually gave birth to its present campus. We give tribute to the men and women - from the Founders and Board of Trustees, to the hard working teachers and non-teaching personnel, who dedicated their energies, talents, resources, and their commitment, to assure that the tradition of excellence continues despite the challenges of the changing times. They are the people who have demonstrated the kind of quiet heroism that went into the making and building of St. John Colleges as a learning institution, and the nurturing of its graduates as true JOHNIANS! Even when the school offered only High School courses, JOHNIANS dominated Laguna-wide competitions in academics. John Academy, as it was known then, was already a recognized academic heavyweight in Calamba, and indeed in the province of Laguna. Many SJA graduates became pillars of the Calamba Community as medical doctors, like Dr. Reynaldo Mendoza ’56, Dr. Felix Salgado ’67, Dr. Nina Salgado ’70, Dr. Doreen Andrada-Sales ‘75, Dr. Lourdes Medalla ’77, and Dr. Erniza Escala ‘90, pharmacists like Nayda Mendoza-Castor ’62; lawyers like Atty. Paciano Pitargue ’53, Atty. Ernesto Maiquez ’54, Atty. Magtanggol Gatdula ‘71, Atty. Elmore O. Capule ‘79; noted business professionals and accountants like Reynaldo Elazegui ’54, Dalmacio Natividad, ’56, Heidi Javier-Mariano ’63, Consolacion Manalo-Santos ’64, Cynthia Aguilar-Meneses ’67, Lourdes Joson-Esguerra ’75, and Levi D. Visaya ‘76; politicians like Johnny Unico ‘69, Saturnino Lajara ‘69, and Luis Tanyag ’67; scientists, educators and engineers like Sr. Marion Chipeco, RGS ’55, Dr. Milagros Tolentino ’57, Dr. Arcadio Quimio ’58, Prof. Lo**ta Lim-Vega ’58, Dr. Petronilo O. Juliano ’59, Josefina Llarena-Pabellon, ’60, the late Alberto Rivera ’62 who was the school’s president for 26 years, Belen O. Rillo ’62, Elpidio Lalap ’63, Dr. Myrna Pamplona ’63, Dr. Flordeliza Faustino ’64, Estelito Mamuyac ’65, Nerissa Mendoza ’67, Dr. Abella C. Dela Viña ’71, Joselito Guevarra ’81, Dr. Elisa Janine Lazaro-Cariaso ‘83. Just recently, we had our very own SJC HS 2007 alumna Nina Ricci Nicomel graduate Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines, as well as Summa Cum Laude honors for her masters from the prestigious Ghent University of Belgium. As we celebrate our 65th Foundation Day, let us cherish the thought that our beloved St. John College continues to rise and grow as it pursues new directions in education. To cite a few:

1) In 2016 our College will have its first batch of Grade 11 students. We were granted the certificate to operate Senior High School. Our curriculum and preparation for this new grade level was monitored and approved by the Department of Education. Our tracks are ABM, Humanities, and General Academics.

2) In anticipation of the increase in enrollment for 2016, and in line with the breaking of new ground in terms of infrastructure, your administration will embark on a massive College expansion. The goal is to modernize existing facilities and classrooms, demolish antiquated edifices and put up modern four-story buildings. The present room number will be doubled to 92 classrooms, with equipped laboratories, libraries, medical clinic, and academic offices. From humble beginnings 65 years ago with only 12 classrooms, the College aims to continue the tradition of excellence and service to the people of our City through its expansion program. To make this dream happen, your current administration led by Mrs. Cynthia Aguilar-Meneses tapped the services of a noted architectural firm, C.Y. Guanco Associates whose expertise is school design. The prestigious construction firm, D.M. Consunji Inc. – Engineers and Contractors, well known for huge and strongly built projects will undertake the construction of the College. DMCI is one of the leading engineering and construction firms in the country. Its pioneering engineering and construction methodologies have allowed it to complete over 500 projects of varying scale and complexity. Only the best is planned for St. John Colleges. Only the best for JOHNIANS!

3) Inspired by the thought that education is a great equalizer and enabler of dreams of our youth, the College will provide a minimum of 150 scholarship slots for deserving students from elementary, high school, and college levels.

4). All courses offered by the College are recognized by the Government. Successful alumni are living testimony to the kind of academic training given by your College. CPAs and licensed teachers have been produced, grateful for the knowledge and discipline they got from their alma mater.

5). Your present Administration is committed to continuous faculty development. In-service trainings are being held every school year to further enhance teaching skills in different learning areas. The best time to be fully involved in St. John Colleges, whether you are an alumni, a teacher, a non-teaching staff, or a prospective student, is NOW! As we look back to the Colleges' storied past, its solid foundation of Christian values and its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, at 65 years, we renew our commitment to providing quality education to our young people of Calamba. Our present academic leaders, led by our Dean Dr. Aliw Aldea, also our Academic Vice President, and our Administrative Vice President in the person of Ms. Adrienne H. Aguilar who interestingly holds the same position as her late father, Dr. Eriberto Y. Aguilar. To lead the College towards the challenges of the future with huge infrastructure investments, upgrading of College benefits, and a renewed thrust of values formation is Mrs. Cynthia Aguilar-Meneses, whose proven business track record speaks for itself. Our strong Board of Trustees, with a blend of proven businessmen like Dr. Jose O. Juliano, Mr. Tiny A. Meneses, Ms. Soledad Rivera-Velasco, Ms. Adrienne Aguilar, and Atty. Dominador Chipeco, with young visionaries like Mira Angelica Aguilar Meneses, Tomas Bienvenido Aguilar Meneses, and Tomas David Aguilar Meneses, all professionals and successful businessmen, will bring the synergy to be forward looking in the quest for future academic sustainability. The vision is however always rooted in the strong foundation of Christian and good Filipino values that have been so much ingrained during its formative years. With these leaders at the helm of the College, more concrete academic accomplishment will be blazed. The future will be faced with heads held up high, for we are living proof that we are True JOHNIANS in spirit and in truth. Dean Aliw Aldea, Ph.D. Academic Vice President