THE BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE
Saint Joseph’s College of Baggao was built through the inspiration of the late Monsignor Felix Domingo, the retired Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao City in 1950. He insisted on the putting up of high school in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, because another religious denomination wanted to start a high school. With the help of his grandnephew priest namely: Archbishop Emeritus Teodulfo Domingo and the late Monsignor Felicisimo Herrera, the dream was pursued because there was no secondary school in Baggao. Therefore, having one in the vicinity will mean an opportunity for the children of the farmers to pursue high school. It also means a strong and moral foundation to the youth through the integral evangelization in the school.
Saint Joseph High School at the beginning was a flat house made out of bamboo with three class rooms where the first batch of student was formed. The office was an old house of Lope Domingo. It served the school for almost 7 years. Then it was transferred to the present site which is owned by the late Leon Domingo who offered the lot to Saint Joseph College who through a compromised made by a relative, gave the lot in exchange of a residential lot near the Ermita Church in Tuguegarao City. Because the school needed a wider lot for its expansion, the late Sr. and Sra. Domingo Herrero were inspired by the Lord to donate out of love the rear portion to Saint Joseph College equivalent to 2056 sq m(lot 42) in the Municipal Plan.
His Excellency Bishop Olalia heeded to the petitions of the Baggaoenians by sending as parish priest and as the first Director of the school Rev. Fr. Salvador Lazo, who later on became Bishop. He painstakingly labored and focused his attention for the realization of his dream to have a private catholic school in Baggao. He took it as his vision-mission to eradicate ignorance alleviate the lives if the people through the pastoral and educational apostolate of the Catholic Church. Bishop Lazo with the late Mr. Orlino Bartolome, the first Principal, together with the faculty and students, started to build a Gabaldon Building for the increasing number of students. The late Mr. Bartolome was the one who composed the first Josephian Hymn entitled “Where Bamboo Grooves” which was popularized and sang till 1976. At this point, it is good to mention the succession of Saint Joseph Academy School Directors.
v Bishop Salvador Lazo-1950
v Rev. Fr. Florencio Samus(Deceased)-1951-1952
v Rev. Fr. Jose De La Rosa (Deceased)-1953-1954
v Rev. Fr. Juan Carreon (Deceased)-1955-1962
v Msgr. Marcelo Bassig1963-1976
v Rev. Fr. Constancio Floria-19977-1980
v Rev. Fr. Calixto Francisco-1981-1986
v Rev. Sr. Myrna Fetalvero, FAS-1987-1995
v Rev. Sr. Irene Anapi, FAS-1996-2001
v Rev. Sr. Susan Turingan, FAS-2001-2006
v Rev. Sr. Adela Pabon,FAS-2006-2011
v Rev. Sr. Delia Brimon,FAS-2011-2013
v Rev. Sr. Ellen Labrador, FAS-2013 to present
Many significant improvement s were accomplished in Saint Joseph Academy during the reign of Msgr. Marcelo c. Bassig, who was installed as the fifth director of the school. Knowing the demands of a fast growing population of the school and compounded with the great pastoral ministry he was facing as a priest, he requested for the assistance of the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters (FAS) to administer the school. Hence, in 1964 the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters (FAS) namely: Sr. Cecilia Gonzaga, FAS who was assigned as the principal together with two other companions arrived in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan to help in the apostolic mission to evangelize and educate the youth in this far flung missionary area, the birthplace of Archbishop Emeritus Teodulfo Domingo, DD.
The Gabaldon Building was jacked up and renovated into a two-story building to accommodate the fast growing number of population of the school. The 14 long years of stay of Msgr. Bassig as director has inspired him to compose the Josephian hymn, which became the favorite song of every loyal Josephian. In 1979, the FAs Sisters were recalled by their superiors. The Sisters’ departure paved the way for the appointment of Mrs. Pacita A. Juan, as a lady Principal of the school under the director ship of Rev. Fr. Costancio Floria, and Rev. Fr. Calixto Francisco respectively. During their time, a multi-purpose stage was added to the two-story semi-concrete high school building
The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao saw the need to put more attention to the improvement of their 16 Archdiocesan Schools in Cagayan. A special attention was given to Saint Joseph Academy because of the influx of immigrants from other towns and provinces settling in the northern portion of Baggao known as Brgy. San Jose. The Archbishop of Tuguegarao saw how much the people value the Catholic Education of their children. It is for these reasons that Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan, DD, requested the FAS to go back to Saint Joseph Academy to take care of the educational needs of the community. The Courageous financial wizard Sr. Myrna Fetalvero, FAS, with 3 other companions arrived in Saint Joseph College in 1986. This time the sisters were given the blanket authority to decide over the management of the school. Sr. Myrna, who was the school directress, together with the faculty headed by Mrs. Pacita Juan, the Principal, painstakingly improved the facilities of the school through continuous fund raising campaign. Top priority projects were the fencing of the campus, the painting of the school, the construction of the new administrative building, the Home Economics Building, the school canteen and the most expensive of them all, the two-story concrete building of 12 classroom in the new school site behind the Catholic Church edifice. The good work did not stop from constructing buildings for the students but the most laudable accomplishment for the community and for the church are the openings of Kindergarten Dep’t in 1991 and the opening of the College Dep’t in 1994. This was recognized by the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) when they issued the change of name from Saint Joseph Academy to Saint Joseph College in 1994, with Sr. Myrna as the first College President and Msgr. Vicente Catral as the first College Dean, the school has improved a lot.
On June 1999, grades 5 and 6 were opened thus completed the Elementary Dep’t. Likewise, on January 2001, the BEED had been recognized by the Government. All these years the dilemma of Private Schools in the rural areas is survival. The free public schools attract students and so private schools have to maintain a low tuition fee in order to make private education affordable to parents. The faculty and personnel demand for higher wages and the administration is being blamed if it cannot provide just wages. In spite of all these odds and challenges, Catholic Schools continue to exist because of the greatest mission it has to do for God and his people. The word of God and His Kingdom must be established on earth and catholic school is one of the arms of the church in accomplishing the mission. The laborers in God’s vineyard (catholic teachers and staff) are doing the mission of Christ and as such their work is a vocation, a vocation to cooperate establishment of the kingdom of god on earth.
On March 16-19, 2000 was the grand celebration of the golden anniversary of the establishment of Saint Joseph College. Carnival rides gave color and atmosphere of festival during the entire celebration. The elementary dep’t sponsored the first day by displaying their skills and god given talents in their literary musical contest followed by the coronation of the SJC Kiddie King and Queen in the evening. Second day was sponsored by the secondary dep’t with their magnificent presentation of “Romeo and Juliet”, and the coronation of Ms. Saint Joseph College 2000. The third day was a musical dance concert- depicting the history of SJC was presented by the college dep’t, and the coronation of Ms. SJC 2000. Friendship games were played from among the nearby public secondary schools.
On the feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, 2000 the solemn thanksgiving concelebrated mass was offered by his Excellency archbishop Diosdado A. Talamayan, DD; a colorful parade and field demonstration followed and was ended with a raffle draw. The grand alumni homecoming was scheduled in the evening. More than 300 loyal sons and daughters of Saint Joseph came to enjoy the night affair of the big Josephian family.
At the end of her term, Sr. Irene Anapi, FAS on march 2001 appointed and chosen Mr. Alberto Calixto Jr., who is from the place, as the first lay college dean of the college department and on the same year, the Tuguegarao Archdiocesan School System, through his Excellency Archbishop Diosdado A. Talamayan, DD. Appointed Sr. Susan Turingan, FAS as the new president of SJC.
The Saint Joseph college family welcomed the new president. It was viewed on the beaming faces of teachers and the whole studentry new challenges as they were tasked with new perspective and dimensions with the new president.
The new millennium was ushered by the big Josephian family with jubilation and thanksgiving but with hearts and minds ready to accept the challenges and realities that it brings to mankind.
As the big Josephian family looked back with profound gratitude to the almighty and to the community for what Saint Joseph college has become in the 50 years at the same time she looks forward with renewed faith and commitment to continue guiding and ministering to the formation and integral education of the youth for quality service to others and for the sake of the kingdom of God. Long live Saint Joseph College!
Saint Joseph’s College of Baggao was built through the inspiration of the late Monsignor Felix Domingo, the retired Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao City in 1950. He insisted on the putting up of high school in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, because another religious denomination wanted to start a high school. With the help of his grandnephew priest namely: Archbishop Emeritus Teodulfo Domingo and the late Monsignor Felicisimo Herrera, the dream was pursued because there was no secondary school in Baggao. Therefore, having one in the vicinity will mean an opportunity for the children of the farmers to pursue high school. It also means a strong and moral foundation to the youth through the integral evangelization in the school.
Saint Joseph High School at the beginning was a flat house made out of bamboo with three class rooms where the first batch of student was formed. The office was an old house of Lope Domingo. It served the school for almost 7 years. Then it was transferred to the present site which is owned by the late Leon Domingo who offered the lot to Saint Joseph College who through a compromised made by a relative, gave the lot in exchange of a residential lot near the Ermita Church in Tuguegarao City. Because the school needed a wider lot for its expansion, the late Sr. and Sra. Domingo Herrero were inspired by the Lord to donate out of love the rear portion to Saint Joseph College equivalent to 2056 sq m(lot 42) in the Municipal Plan.
His Excellency Bishop Olalia heeded to the petitions of the Baggaoenians by sending as parish priest and as the first Director of the school Rev. Fr. Salvador Lazo, who later on became Bishop. He painstakingly labored and focused his attention for the realization of his dream to have a private catholic school in Baggao. He took it as his vision-mission to eradicate ignorance alleviate the lives if the people through the pastoral and educational apostolate of the Catholic Church. Bishop Lazo with the late Mr. Orlino Bartolome, the first Principal, together with the faculty and students, started to build a Gabaldon Building for the increasing number of students. The late Mr. Bartolome was the one who composed the first Josephian Hymn entitled “Where Bamboo Grooves” which was popularized and sang till 1976. At this point, it is good to mention the succession of Saint Joseph Academy School Directors.
v Bishop Salvador Lazo-1950
v Rev. Fr. Florencio Samus(Deceased)-1951-1952
v Rev. Fr. Jose De La Rosa (Deceased)-1953-1954
v Rev. Fr. Juan Carreon (Deceased)-1955-1962
v Msgr. Marcelo Bassig1963-1976
v Rev. Fr. Constancio Floria-19977-1980
v Rev. Fr. Calixto Francisco-1981-1986
v Rev. Sr. Myrna Fetalvero, FAS-1987-1995
v Rev. Sr. Irene Anapi, FAS-1996-2001
v Rev. Sr. Susan Turingan, FAS-2001-2006
v Rev. Sr. Adela Pabon,FAS-2006-2011
v Rev. Sr. Delia Brimon,FAS-2011-2013
v Rev. Sr. Ellen Labrador, FAS-2013 to present
Many significant improvement s were accomplished in Saint Joseph Academy during the reign of Msgr. Marcelo c. Bassig, who was installed as the fifth director of the school. Knowing the demands of a fast growing population of the school and compounded with the great pastoral ministry he was facing as a priest, he requested for the assistance of the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters (FAS) to administer the school. Hence, in 1964 the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters (FAS) namely: Sr. Cecilia Gonzaga, FAS who was assigned as the principal together with two other companions arrived in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan to help in the apostolic mission to evangelize and educate the youth in this far flung missionary area, the birthplace of Archbishop Emeritus Teodulfo Domingo, DD.
The Gabaldon Building was jacked up and renovated into a two-story building to accommodate the fast growing number of population of the school. The 14 long years of stay of Msgr. Bassig as director has inspired him to compose the Josephian hymn, which became the favorite song of every loyal Josephian. In 1979, the FAs Sisters were recalled by their superiors. The Sisters’ departure paved the way for the appointment of Mrs. Pacita A. Juan, as a lady Principal of the school under the director ship of Rev. Fr. Costancio Floria, and Rev. Fr. Calixto Francisco respectively. During their time, a multi-purpose stage was added to the two-story semi-concrete high school building
The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao saw the need to put more attention to the improvement of their 16 Archdiocesan Schools in Cagayan. A special attention was given to Saint Joseph Academy because of the influx of immigrants from other towns and provinces settling in the northern portion of Baggao known as Brgy. San Jose. The Archbishop of Tuguegarao saw how much the people value the Catholic Education of their children. It is for these reasons that Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan, DD, requested the FAS to go back to Saint Joseph Academy to take care of the educational needs of the community. The Courageous financial wizard Sr. Myrna Fetalvero, FAS, with 3 other companions arrived in Saint Joseph College in 1986. This time the sisters were given the blanket authority to decide over the management of the school. Sr. Myrna, who was the school directress, together with the faculty headed by Mrs. Pacita Juan, the Principal, painstakingly improved the facilities of the school through continuous fund raising campaign. Top priority projects were the fencing of the campus, the painting of the school, the construction of the new administrative building, the Home Economics Building, the school canteen and the most expensive of them all, the two-story concrete building of 12 classroom in the new school site behind the Catholic Church edifice. The good work did not stop from constructing buildings for the students but the most laudable accomplishment for the community and for the church are the openings of Kindergarten Dep’t in 1991 and the opening of the College Dep’t in 1994. This was recognized by the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) when they issued the change of name from Saint Joseph Academy to Saint Joseph College in 1994, with Sr. Myrna as the first College President and Msgr. Vicente Catral as the first College Dean, the school has improved a lot.
On June 1999, grades 5 and 6 were opened thus completed the Elementary Dep’t. Likewise, on January 2001, the BEED had been recognized by the Government. All these years the dilemma of Private Schools in the rural areas is survival. The free public schools attract students and so private schools have to maintain a low tuition fee in order to make private education affordable to parents. The faculty and personnel demand for higher wages and the administration is being blamed if it cannot provide just wages. In spite of all these odds and challenges, Catholic Schools continue to exist because of the greatest mission it has to do for God and his people. The word of God and His Kingdom must be established on earth and catholic school is one of the arms of the church in accomplishing the mission. The laborers in God’s vineyard (catholic teachers and staff) are doing the mission of Christ and as such their work is a vocation, a vocation to cooperate establishment of the kingdom of god on earth.
On March 16-19, 2000 was the grand celebration of the golden anniversary of the establishment of Saint Joseph College. Carnival rides gave color and atmosphere of festival during the entire celebration. The elementary dep’t sponsored the first day by displaying their skills and god given talents in their literary musical contest followed by the coronation of the SJC Kiddie King and Queen in the evening. Second day was sponsored by the secondary dep’t with their magnificent presentation of “Romeo and Juliet”, and the coronation of Ms. Saint Joseph College 2000. The third day was a musical dance concert- depicting the history of SJC was presented by the college dep’t, and the coronation of Ms. SJC 2000. Friendship games were played from among the nearby public secondary schools.
On the feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, 2000 the solemn thanksgiving concelebrated mass was offered by his Excellency archbishop Diosdado A. Talamayan, DD; a colorful parade and field demonstration followed and was ended with a raffle draw. The grand alumni homecoming was scheduled in the evening. More than 300 loyal sons and daughters of Saint Joseph came to enjoy the night affair of the big Josephian family.
At the end of her term, Sr. Irene Anapi, FAS on march 2001 appointed and chosen Mr. Alberto Calixto Jr., who is from the place, as the first lay college dean of the college department and on the same year, the Tuguegarao Archdiocesan School System, through his Excellency Archbishop Diosdado A. Talamayan, DD. Appointed Sr. Susan Turingan, FAS as the new president of SJC.
The Saint Joseph college family welcomed the new president. It was viewed on the beaming faces of teachers and the whole studentry new challenges as they were tasked with new perspective and dimensions with the new president.
The new millennium was ushered by the big Josephian family with jubilation and thanksgiving but with hearts and minds ready to accept the challenges and realities that it brings to mankind.
As the big Josephian family looked back with profound gratitude to the almighty and to the community for what Saint Joseph college has become in the 50 years at the same time she looks forward with renewed faith and commitment to continue guiding and ministering to the formation and integral education of the youth for quality service to others and for the sake of the kingdom of God. Long live Saint Joseph College!