Arellano High School

History

In the Spanish–American War of 1898, Americans occupied the Philippines after defeating the Spanish armada in Manila Bay and subsequently a public high school system was created, along with other public services.

The first American-established public high school in Manila was Manila High School. In 1921, Manila High School was split into two: Manila South High School, later renamed Araullo High School and Manila North High School, later renamed Arellano High School. The two pioneer public high schools expanded into many branches or annexes, which would later become independent public high schools. Many of the first public high schools were named after Filipino legal magistrates trained in the American legal system, among them, Cayetano Arellano (who became the first Filipino Chief Justice of the Supreme Court), Victorino Mapa, Manuel Araullo, Florentino Torres, Ramón Avanceña, José Abad Santos, among others.

The first principals were Americans, the very first being "Mr. Eugene Willis Porter" (1921–1922), followed by "Mr. Ralph Sams" (1922–1925). Under the term of Mr. Sams, the school acquired its present site and the first graduation was held. The third American principal was "Mr. Isadore Cohen" (1925–1926).

According to school historian Elizabeth M. Bartolome-Crisrobal (Class 1951), as early as 1926, the school became one of the country's leading institutions of learning under the administration of the last American principal, Mrs. Mabel Carson (1926–41). It was during this time that its students began winning prizes and honors in various competitive activities. This period was also memorable for the strike staged by the students to protest discriminatory acts of the American teachers against the students.

In 1930, the school was renamed in honor of Justice Cayetano Arellano.

The school, which was made into a garrison during the Japanese occupation of the city, was recognized in 1945 with "Mr. Juan C Laya" as the first Filipino principal (1945–48). Before the end of the year, Arellano (Manila North) High School was the only public school with two official publications: 'The Chronicler' and 'Ang Tambuli'. Under the able administration of Mr. Laya, the school annexed two units at La Chambre Building on Reina Regente Street in Binondo to accommodate the growing number of post-liberation students. These units later became the Jose Abad Santos High School. It was also during this period that the AHS Alumni Association was organized in 1946. To date, it is the only alumni group of a public secondary school that has remained active with projects that benefit the alumni, students, faculty and the school as well. Fundraising activities were undertaken for big projects like the improvement of the library, the purchase of new instruments and uniforms for the Brass Band and for the Rondalla ensemble, the renovation of toilets, the cementing of sidewalks and many others. The signature projects of the Alumni Association are the Arellano Scholarship Program and the Leadership Training Program. To this day, Arellano High School is one of only two schools in Metro Manila which has a brass band.

It was during the administration of "Mr. Angel Framo" (1948–49) that the Arellano High School became the largest public school in Manila. It has annexes in Halili, Rizal Avenue, Mayhaligue, O'Donnel, Zurbaran, Santander and Lope de Vega. In 1949, during the incumbency of Mr. Sixto Palaypay (1949–59), the annexes in Halili and Rizal Avenue became Manuel L Quezon High School. It was during the incumbency of Mr. Fortunato Asuncion, who was principal from 1959–69 and the first alumnus to become principal, that the five other annexes were integrated to become the Teodora Alonzo High School. In the same year, the Arellano Vocational Evening School was opened for technical and vocational courses.

When a strong earthquake destroyed Ruby Tower in 1968, Arellano High School, which is located just in front of the devastated buildings, served as a temporary medical and relief center. The entire student population extended its help for the victims, and for this effort the school was conferred the Presidential Service Award. In 1968, the school opened the Evening Academic Classes to accommodate working students. This project was managed by Assistant Principal Mateo Angeles, who was then Officer-in-Charge.

Notable alumni