Rizal High School an institution of secondary education based in Pasig City

Pasig City

The City of Pasig is one of the city municipalities of Metro Manila in the Philippines and was the former capital of the province of Rizal prior to the formation of this grouping of cities designated as the National Capital Region...

, Metro Manila

Metro Manila

Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...

, Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

, has been listed as the “largest secondary school in the world” since 1993 by the Guinness Book of World Records. This evaluation is based on the size of the student population.

The school was named after the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal

José Rizal

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...

. Notable graduates of the institution include former Senate presidents Neptali Gonzales and Senator Jovito Salonga

Jovito Salonga

Jovito "Jovy" Reyes Salonga is a Filipino nationalist politician and lawyer, as well as a leading opposition leader during the Marcos regime from 1972, when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, until 1986, when Marcos was deposed as a result of a bloodless revolution...

, former Senator Rene Saguisag, Maestro Lucio San Pedro, and National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco

Carlos V. Francisco

Carlos V. Francisco , popularly known as Botong, was a muralist from Angono, Rizal.Francisco was a most distinguished practitioner of mural painting for many decades and best known for his historical pieces. He was one of the first Filipino modernists along with Galo Ocampo and Victorio C...

 to mention a few.

In the school year 2000-2001, Rizal High School reported a student population of 15,959. This figure stands in contrast to the institution's enrollment of 28 students at the time it opened on October 1, 1902, during the incumbency of Governor Ambrocio Flores. Students came from five towns, including the Pasig proper. Then, intermediate classes were under the supervision and administration of the secondary school principal.

Dr. Josephine M. Cruz, previously a Rizal High School teacher, is the school’s current and youngest Principal. The school celebrated its centennial in 2002.

Pasig Secondary School

The first secondary school in the province of Rizal known as the Pasig Secondary School was established in 1902 during the incumbency of Governor Ambrosio Flores with an enrollment of 28 pupils. The students came from five neighboring towns including Pasig. The enrollment increased to 45 pupils in November, 65 in December and 88 in January and February in 1903, all intermediate pupils. The pupils were taught in a room of a rented building, 30 meters by 30 meters. The cost of the rent was $15, local currency, the amount paid from the provincial fund.

At the beginning, the Provincial Board was against the establishment of a provincial school in Pasig, which is near Manila. The increase in African financial support by the provincial government was subject to the condition that the pupils from adjoining towns would attend classes in the provincial school rather than seeking enrollment in Manila.

Immediately after the military post occupied by American soldiers was vacated, it was turned over to the provincial government for the use of the Pasig Secondary School in November 1903. The building, although quite spacious, was old and dilapidated with a badly damaged roof. The teachers assigned to this school were all Americans, namely, Messrs. Laughlin, Click and Scruton. The Superintendent of Schools was Mr. Charles Rummel.

The military post was vacated when a new building was constructed in 1902 during the administration of Governor Jose Tupas. The basement of the building was used as a woodworking shop. This was the time when a first year class was organized.

In 1913 a site of ten lots, of 63,700 square meters, was acquired through expropriation proceedings from landowners. The estimated value of the site was P38,540. It was surveyed on November 8, 1928 and registered on October 27, 1931 under Certificate of Title No. 4553. Soon, after the acquisition of the site, a modern, reinforced concrete and modified Standard Plan No. 20 school building was constructed. This was in 1914 during the tenure of Governor Mariano Melendres. The building was completed and occupied in 1915.

Change of Name

The name of Pasig Secondary School was changed to Rizal High School when a first year class of eleven pupils was organized and when the province was already putting up the greater bulk of the financial support for the school. The change to the present name Rizal High School was made in 1914 when the new building was completed and occupied by the school.

For many years since its establishment in 1902, the intermediate classes were under the supervision and administration of the secondary school principal. These classes were considered a preparatory department of the secondary school. The gradual change in administration started with the school year 1902-1921. The complete separation of the intermediate classes as a preparatory department to the high school took effect in 1924.

The first graduating class was in 1918. Of the 30 fourth year students for the month of March, 27 qualified for graduation. Two of the graduates who later distinguished themselves in their chosen professions were U.P. Professor Cecilio Lopez and Dr. Elpidio Alcantara.

The first principal of the Pasig Secondary School was Mr. Steward Laughlin who also served as one of its earliest teachers. The first Filipino principal was Mr. Marcelino Bautista who served during the school year 1929-1930, followed by Mr. Ricardo Castro in 1930-1935, Mr. Aquilino Carino in 1935-1935, Mr. Eufrocino Malonzo in 1936-1939. The years preceding the Second World War saw Mr. Eliseo Tayao as principal of the Rizal High School (1939–41). The school was closed for sometime and was reopened with Mr. Cesario Bandong.

Classes after Liberation

The carpet-bombing employed by the American Liberation Forces destroyed the Rizal High School building and grounds. Classes therefore were reorganized in 1945 at the Pasig Elementary School by Mr. Paterno Santiago (later to become principal of Morong High School). He took charge of the administration of the Rizal High School for about a month when he gave way to Mr. Cesario Bandong who served as principal until 1950. The reconstruction of the Rizal High School was started on February 4, 1948 out of the War Damage Fund in the amount of P101,445.49 during the incumbency of Governor Sixto Antonio. The reconstruction was completed on August 15, 1949.
Mr. Demetrio M. Suguitan took over from Mr. Bandong (1950–1960). Mrs. Modesta T. Javier became the principal in 1960-1974; Mr. Cesar S. Tiangco came in 1975 up to January 1980. Miss Diana C. Santos became principal from 1980 until 1999. Now the school is under the management of Miss Josephine M. Cruz.

Vicente P. Eusebio Building

Established in the year 2006-07, the building is now occupied by the special science classes of the ESEP program by the DepEd or the Department of Education.

Amang Building

It is now one of the oldest building in the campus. It is occupied by second year students.

Main Building

Also known as the Computer Building which was inaugurated last December 2000, this five and six-storey building houses the Administration Office, the Library and Computer Rooms for use by the third and fourth year students. The Library now has Internet access for research activities. The sides of this U-shaped building house the homerooms of the fourth year students. This building replaces the older two-story Main Building.

Isidro Rodriguez Building

The left wing of the Isidro Rodriguez Building was once home to the Rizal Technological College. Is was inaugurated in 1974. Stretching its long halls beside the Marikina River, the IR Right Wing is occupied by the Home Economics

Home Economics

Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...

electives on the first and second floors and a canteen on the first floor. The HE Department Office is located above the canteen and the Math Department is at the right end of the third floor while Science Department is on the second floor. Today, the right wing is used as rooms for the TLE electives and the left wing is used as homerooms for third year students. Canteens are located at the ground floors of both left and right wings. A cooperative store was built for the convenience of the students' needs for their projects.

Neptali Gonzales Building

The Neptali Gonzales Building was named after RHS' alumnus, Senate President Neptali Gonzales. The building which has 24 classrooms became operational in 1999. Some P18.5 million, which came from the CDF of the senator, was spent for this four-storey building.

Rizal High School Museum and Alumni Hall

Inaugurated this 2005, this three storey building houses the museum on the ground floor, Alumni Hall on the second and third floors), the school clinic on the ground floor, the office of discipline on the second floor, and the office of the Araling Panlipunan Department on the ground floor.

Caruncho Gymnasium

This gymnasium was repaired and air-conditioned under the supervision and budget of Pasig City during the administration of former Mayor Vicente Eusebio. This gymnasium also houses the MAPEH Department, its clubs and organizations. The gymnasium is the place where mist of the school programs are held.

Science Building

This is where the Rizalians usually hold their science classes from first year to fourth year. This three-storey building houses the office of the Principal, six science laboratories, one speech laboratory and the science department office.

1st Year (Special Science Class) Subjects

English I

Math I

Science I

Filipino I

Developmental Reading

Earth Science

MAPEH

Computer Science I

Araling Panlipunan I

Journalism

Values I


2nd Year (Special Science Class) Subjects'

English II

Intermediate Algebra

Geometry

Biology I

Statistics I

Research I

Filipino II

MAPEH II

Computer Science II

Araling Panlipunan II

VALUES II

Journalism


3rd Year (Special Science Class) Subjects'

English III

Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry and Statistics

Advanced Statistics

Physics I

Chemistry I

Filipino III

Advanced Biology and Biotechnology

MAPEH III

Computer Science III

Araling Panlipunan III

Values III

Electives:
Enriched Mathematics / English Journalism / Filipino Journalism

4th Year (Pilot Sections) Subjects

English IV

Pre-Calculus

Introduction to Robotics

Advanced Physics

Advanced Chemistry

Research II

Filipino

MAPEH IV

Araling Panlipunan IV

VALUES IV

Computer Science IV

Introduction to Spanish

Electives:
Enriched Mathematics / English Journalism / Filipino Journalism

For BEC (Basic Education Curriculum), SPS (Special Program for Sports), SRC (Special Reading Class) and OHS (Open High School)

Filipino I-IV
English I-IV
Mathematics I-IV
Science I-IV
Makabayan I-IV
* Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) I-IV
* Technology and Livelihood Education I-IV
* Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) I-IV
* Edukasyon sa Pagpapahalaga (Values Education) I-IV
* Citizen Army Training (CAT) I - for 4th year students only

Organizations

• Robotics Club
• The Rizalian, Official English School Organ
• Ang Rizalian, Official Filipino School Organ
• Phoenix Pep Squad
• Freshmen Class Organization
• Sophomore Class Organization
• Junior Class Organization
• Senior Class Organization
• Rondalla
• Drum and Lyre Corps
• Modern Dance Troupe
• Folkloric Dance Troupe
• Choir
• Speech Club
• Reading Club
• Media and Research Club
• Dramatics Club (Entablado Rizal)
• Creative Writing Club
• Journalism Club
• Debate Society
• Values Education Club
• Filipino Club
• Science Club
• Humane Club
• Techno Club
• Ecology Club
• Sight Saving Club
• Social Studies Debate Club
• UNESCO Club
• Kapariz - Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal
• Mathematicians Circle
• Future Homemakers of the Philippines
• Arts and Painting Club
• Bantay Bilihin Youth Council
• CAT I Club
• Junior Police
• Boy Scouts of the Philippines
• Girl Scouts of the Philippines
• Youth on Fire
• Drug Abuse Prevention Club
• Junior Graftwatch Club
• Youth Humanist Club
• YES-O Club
• Agriculture Club
• YECS Club
• Supreme Student Council (RHSSSC)
• STEP Organization Pasig City Chapter
• Young Inventors Club
• Feeding Club
• The Lily Of the Valley
• The Rizal High School Supreme Student Government