Bobonan National High School, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan, Philippines: 

Its Humble Beginnings

By: Rodrigo P. de Vera, Jr., Ed.D.

                Fifty years ago, sealed with the passion to help his townmates, particularly the townfolks of Brgys. Bobonan, Laoac and Batakil, to have an accessible secondary education within their reach, Don Gerardo A. Buada, a prominent son of Batakil and Vice Mayor of Pozorrubio during that time made the impossible dream possible.

Series of consultation from parents and house-to-house visitation were conducted by Don Gerardo Buada and some concerned community folks in order to convince the parents of prospective first year students to enroll their sons and daughters in the soon-to-open community high school. Founded on August 10, 1966, Bobonan Community High School finally rose up within the vicinity of Bobonan Community School, now Bobonan Central School.

                Started with one section under  an old house with  dilapidated roof and walls, the first batch of high school students of Bobonan Community High School had to suffer the birth pains of its beginning. When it rained outside, students literally got wet as rains poured into their room. During day time, the sun rays normally peeped into the walls giving them a warming welcome.

                In School Year 1966-1967, Bobonan Community High School (BCHS) started with two curriculum years under the supervision of Mr. Celestino Desamito, principal of Bobonan Central School (BCS), who acted as the assistant principal. The principal of any existing barangay high schools during that time was under the supervision of the principal of Pozorrubio High School. On its first year of operation, there were two high school teachers and two part-time teachers who were elementary school teachers of the same school.

                Succeeding Mr. Desamito as an assistant principal of BCHS was Mr. Miguel C. Ancheta who assumed his position in the 1970s. During that time, the name of BCHS was changed into Bobonan Barrio High School (BBHS) with  six full time teachers.

                Finally, on September 7, 1987, the school became nationalized through Executive Order 189 signed by President Corazon C. Aquino. And the school had to change its name again. This time, it was called Bobonan National High School (BNHS).

Consequently. Mrs. Consuelo Carillo, who was designated as Teacher-in-Charge (TIC) had to resign in her post on September 3, 1990 due to poor health. To fill up the said position, a 29-year old teacher in this school accepted the post as the first school administrator.

 Equipped with enthusiasm and positive outlook in life, Mr. Florencio B. Quezon took the challenge. He soon became a full pledge Principal I in 1994. Soon after, the young principal finished his doctorate. With his unceasing vision for this school, his fruit of labor soon felt its presence within the school campus and nearby barangays. From having only eight teachers, the faculty had increased to 13 teachers. To cater to the educational needs of students residing in nearby barangays, Mr. Quezon put up an Annex of BNHS in Brgy. Nama and soon became an independent institution called the Nama National High School.

Dr. Quezon relentlessly proceeded to mark further changes in the infrastructure of the school. He improved the classrooms, built the school canteen, study shed, conference room, and renovated the principal`s office.

           

            As the saying goes, nothing is permanent in this world. When opportunity knocked in his doorstep, in as much as he wanted to stay in this school, Dr. Quezon had to bid farewell to his beloved BNHS. He left Bobonan National High School on February 14, 2002 with no hesitation and doubt and took another milestone in his professional career as Principal II of Antonio P. Villar National High School in Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan.

 Equally sealed with enthusiasm and dedication to public service, Dr. Enrique R. Macayan took Bobonan National High School to its greater heights. His coming to this school had ushered further development of this institution. With his amiable character and excellent public relations, his leadership backed up by supportive stakeholders led the construction of the two-storey building, Social Hall, more classrooms, among others. It was also during his administration that the proposed  change the school`s name was made, thus, the birth of Bobonan-Laoac-Batakil National High School, a name that has been locally and vocally accepted name of BNHS from the stakeholders of the three barangays.  Though it has not been made official,  the proponent has yet to work it out with the National Historical Commission according to Dr. Macayan.

After nine (9) years of his fruitful stay in this school, Dr. Macayan left Bobonan National High School  in May 2011 in order to take a greater responsibility. With his strong leadership coupled with great  achievements, he was promoted to a higher position with a wider responsibility. This time, his destiny led him to Pangasinan Division II as Education Program Supervisor (EPS) of MAPEH.

Replacing Dr. Macayan was Ms. Flordeliza I. Eroles, Principal 1 of  Baguinay National High School, Manaoag, Pangasinan. Her coming to the Bobonan National High School has led to an overhauling of its educational practices giving no space for mediocrity. She has made the name of the school felt within the Division of Pangasinan II. Her infrastructure projects have made Bobonan National High what it is now today. With its awards as Division’s Champion for two (2) consecutive years as Best Brigada Implementer (Small School Category) in Pangasinan Division II and 5^th Place and 3^rd place in the region in the same category for S.Y. 2014-2015 and S.Y. 2015-2016, BNHS has become a byword and has gained an admiration from the Schools Division Superintendent. Infrastructure projects like the construction of the Don Gerardo E. Buada E-Library, Learning Gallery, conversion of the common comfort room into Faculty Room, the Bread and Pastry Laboratory which has been converted into the Office of the Principal are just some of the projects that made BNHS a learning hub for the young learners of the three barangays.

Under the supervision and leadership of its present School Principal, Bobonan NHS today continues to broaden its  horizon,  fulfils its dream one at a time, inspires young people to dream big,  and carries out its vision and mission with zest.

Study in BNHS and see the difference it makes in your life from here onwards!