Tboli National High School: Her Story
Tboli National High School, the premier secondary school in the tribal dominated town of Tboli, turns 21 years old this May 2014. In two decades, literally thousands of students have entered and left her gates – forever changing their lives and, ultimately changing everything around them. It would be therefore apt for us to recall and share her story – from her humble beginnings and contributions to the world; and, her perpetually occurring facelift to maintain contemporary educational status with the challenges of times. The Early Days
In the 1990s, the need to create a secondary school to accommodate the growing number of elementary graduates in the Municipality of Tboli became imminent, especially due to the influx of graduates from the highland and the lowland plus the in migration of people coming from the neighboring regions, provinces and municipalities due to “gold rush” in 1989. Guardaya, PTA President of Lugan Central Elementary School with Mrs. Cardinal, the Principal, made a resolution requesting the local government to help realized the dream of their secondary school in Poblacion. Tuan, a pure blooded Tboli with the support of the Sangguniang Bayan members headed by Hon. Salvador T. Ramos, unanimously and positively answered the request. Thus, the Edwards National High School (EdNHS) – Lugan Campus was opened under the supervision of Ricardo Dela Cruz, Principal of EdNHS; and, classes were held at the borrowed Home Economics Building of Lugan Central Elementary School. The pioneering educators were Mr. Planto, Math Teacher and appointed as Teacher In-Charge, Ronnie G. Dardo, ArPanTeacher, Ruth C. Servallos, English Teacher, Mrs. Edna A. Subillaga, Science Teacher and months later Danilo P. Salarza (November 1993) a Municipal Employee detailed as an additional teacher. With these 5 teachers, classes started on the 4th day of June, 1993 for the school year 1993-94 with 130 students. Tboli National High School
A year after, lapsed into law without the signature of the President on June 30, 1994, in accordance with Article VI, Sec. 27(1) of the Constitution, the national government passed into law the establishment a chartered national secondary school dubbed as Republic Act 7776 and known otherwise as AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN SITIO LUGAN, BARANGAY POBLACION, MUNICIPALITY OF T'BOLI, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO, TO BE KNOWN AS THE T'BOLI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE. This was due to the exemplary effort of Hon. Daisy Avance – Fuentes, Representative of the Second Congressional District of South Cotabato with the resolution of request from the people of the Municipality of Tboli led by Mayor Dad D. Tuan. In five years, TNHS soared from her cradle stage to initial development. In November 1994 classes were transferred to Tboli National High School main campus with one permanent concrete classroom and seven temporary classrooms. Then, the name was changed to Tboli National High School (TNHS). The Local Government Unit of Tboli (LGU-Tboli) bought the more or less two hectares of land owned by Lugan Family represented by the former Municipal Councilor Datu Sungka Lugan and donated the same to Department of Education – Tboli National High School (DepED-TNHS) for a permanent site of TNHS buildings and other structures. The Provincial and Municipal School Board and Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) also subsidized the hiring of teachers until they will be absorbed by the national government. They also funded the initial constructions of school infrastructures such as concrete, permanent and temporary buildings and other structures. In 1995, three locally paid teachers were absorbed by the national government within its regular annual budget - Isidro P. Planto, Teacher In-charge, Ronnie G. Dardo, and Edna A. Subillaga; and, five teachers through Brunei allocations, Danilo P. Salarza, Ruth C. Servallos, Mema C. Planto, Ofelia B. Bretana ( Gegone) and Rovi D. Siloterio. In June 1996, additional batch of locally paid teachers were hired then absorbed by national government - Melfa F. Manzanares, Gina N. Millora (Tuerca), Valeriano D. Tolentino, Mildred N. Derilon and Edgar H. Solcorites. Months later, in July, four teachers were hired - Rosemarie D. Oro, Rosinie R. Pentojo and Ramon E. Dagnaos transferred from Baranagay Nid, Lake Sebu and, Ma. Adora B. Brana; and, in September, one teacher hired - Cristina G. Calsenia (Guanzon). In 1995 to 1996 seven temporary classrooms collapsed due to down pour of rain with strong wind. Anent to this, 15 concrete classrooms were given by national and provincial government. And, in 1997 quadrangle stage was constructed to cater outdoor activities. In 1996 to 1998, the TNHS Football Team became popular in Southern Minadanao Regional Athletic Association Meet and represented the region to the Palarong Pambansa with Danilo P. Salarza as their coach and trainer. And, in the same school year TNHS hired Salvacion Dizon (Sevillo) a Mathematics teacher. In 1999, three teachers were hired – Roselyn Dohina (Castro), Albert Rae Banas and Hilarion Matavia to complete the teachers in 1990s. In the new millennium hiring of teachers and school infrastructures were evident to accommodate the ever increasing school population. New Curriculum
On June 30, 2001, TNHS was a recipient of 10 sets of computer from DECS Computerization Program through INTEL Teach of the Philippines. Information technology was integrated in the learning process of the students. And, Mrs. Melfa F. Manzanarez was the IT Coordinator. Another 10 sets of computer arrived on July 25, 2006 from Japan for International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through Department of Trade and Industry for connectivity and computerization program of public high schools. Then, on August 22, 2009 another three sets arrived under the auspices of GEM-USAID. In 2007, TNHS was a recipient of the Center of Indigenous People Education (CIPE) Region XII and attempted to integrate IP education geared towards producing culturally-oriented graduates - preserve their own culture and traditional lifeways while enjoying the present framework of our modern social, legal and governmental system. Mrs. Angelina L. Pacinabao was tasked as the IP Education Coordinator. Subsequently in June 2012, Special Programs for the Sports was instituted in order to help youngsters concentrate on their aspirations by assisting them in their specific sports of interest. Nevertheless, the core academic subjects are still present in order to maintain the holistic learning of the student. And, 12 teachers were trained in Baguio City led by Mr. Albert Rae Banas as Sports Coordinator. School Heads
The school has had several school heads and principals who served with dedication. In 1993, TNHS upon her conception as Edwards National High School – Lugan Campus Ricardo Dela Cruz, Principal of Edwards National High School was designated as overseer while Isidro P. Planto was designated as Teacher In-Charge from 1993 to October 2002. Then, Melfa F. Manzanarez designated as OIC Head of School from October 2002 to May 18, 2003. And, later Elmer B. Billanes was appointed as Principal I May 19, 2003 up to the present. Annexes
In the 2000s, annex high schools were opened for the first year level to accommodate the increasing scholastic demand. On July 17, 2002, TNHS New Dumangas Annex was opened and Danilo P. Salarza was designated Teacher In-Charge and later received independent status as New Dumangas national High School. On July 22, 2008 Maan annex was established and Mr. Ramon E. Dagnaos was the designated Teacher In-Charge. And, in July 2009 TNHS Basag Annex also established with Melfa F. Manzanarez as designated Teacher In-Charge. Structure
Tboli National High School nestled within approximately two hectares land area hosting the 31 classrooms and several offices aside from the faculty room. The school has a gymnasium and library. The school also utilizes vacant spaces for athletic activities, which is adjacent to it. The school has canteen and home economics stores. The school has one Computer Laboratory, one Science Laboratory and two TLE Laboratories. Other amenities such as Construction of Water Tank worth 3M from the PDF of Congresswoman Daisy Avance- Fuentes, Teens Center - 1 unit building from Save the Children Foundation and Hand Washing Facilities by the Save the Children International through F***y C. Divino South Central Mindanao Program Manager made TNHS inviting for students as their home of learning. Concrete fencing is initiated through the successions of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) leaderships of Pastor Catorce, Emilio Daway, Jimmy Pericon and Leopoldo Arancillo and lately Tribal Mining Corporation (TMC) donated P 100, 000. 00 for its completion. School Pride
In August 2007, as DSWD – KALAHI – CIDSS Program beneficiary send students to compete the PEOPLE’S VOICE at CCP contest piece “The Journey of the Tboli People” – declared as CHAMPION under the direction of Artistic Director Rodel Hilado and Choreographer Mario Hiponia respectively. Also, TNHS joined the T’nalak Festival street Dancing Competitions declared as consistent WINNER. In September 2010 hosted Mathematics Olympics a year after hosted Science Quests, in 2012 hosted division Level Indigenous People’s Camp as recipient Center of Indigenous People’s Education in Region XII, in November 2013 hosted the Provincial Athletic Meet Secondary Schools and lately on January 28, 2014 hosted the Division-wide Poster-making, Essay-writing and Jingle-writing and Singing competitions. Positive feedback from participants gave inspiration for TNHS to host more DepED activities in the future. TNHS on her gradual development is continually contributing in the fulfillment of Tboli as town and as a people in the quest for self-determination.
