La Consolacion College of Murcia

Academy and La Consolation Academy is a private sectarian school run by the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation.

            How LCC came to be was a response to the need for a Catholic School in the Parish of Murcia to enrich the education of the youth through teaching and deepening of good moral values and attitudes.

            LCC had its humble beginnings in the year 1963 through the joint efforts of the dynamic Parish Priest of the town of Murcia, Rev. Fr. Atilano Morante and the energetic Sister Benigna Precioso, OSA, who came knocking at the hearts of some kind-hearted benefactors who generously responded, particularly the late Don Generoso Villanueva and the late Negros OPccidental Governor Valeriano Gatuslao. Each one of them donated one hectare of land where our school building now stand.

            Another benevolent person by the name of Don Fernando Arguelles was all very supportive in facilitating the construction of the school buildings. Through him the first community of sisters, i.e, Sister Natividad Valera, OSA, the late Sister Flora Pastrana, OSA and Sister Ninfa Valencia, OSA were able of procure a loan for the construction of said building. While the construction was going on, the Sisters were housed by by an equally kind-hearted man, the late Dr. Florencio Aurelio whose residence was adjacent to the school site.

            When the one storey building with four (4) rooms was completed, ICA was recognized and started to operate as an educational institution. On July 1, 1963, two classes were opened with at least one hundred ninety three (193) students for the first and second year levels only left under the care of the first community of sisters.

            However, expecting for more students by the following school years, the two (2) storey building was constructed by mortgaging the one hectare lot with the life sized statue of the Immaculate Conception located at the school entrance.

            By the end of the school year, 1965-1966, the whole high school course was completed. At that time, LCA had its first commencement exercise with at least fifty (50) graduates. Some more years followed and the enrolment increased. The Augustinian sisters came and left for their mission assignments in other schools which they administered.

            In April 1969, Sister Natividad Varela, OSA the first superior of the school was transferred to Manila. She was replaced by Sister Felicidad Tolopia, OSA and Sister Flora Pastrana, OSA, who became the School Principal.

            Through the inspiration of Sister Flora Pastrana, OSA, the Parents’ Family Council (PFC) which was organized by Mrs. Lucila Ligahon as the First President, launched a fund raising campaign to help improve the school facilities.

            In the 1970’s the school saw improvement of its facilities in the construction of the basketball court donated by the ever kind donor of ICA Rev. Fr. Atilano Morante, who acted as the Spiritual Director. The stage with two adjacent classrooms was also constructed during the time of Sr. Florinda Delos Reyes, OSA.

            The school was also acquired other properties and equipments. More books were provided in the library. A water tank was installed beside the sisters’ residence. The school canteen was concretized together with the sisters’ kitchen. When Sr. Petronila Egalin, Egalin, OSA was the Coordinator/Principal in 1975, the whole school was repaired and repainted. The school band was organized and musical instruments were purchased. Offices of the Principal, Cashier and the Faculty room were renovated.

            In the 1980’s which was a decade of economic crisis as the sugar industry in Negros gradually deteriorated, not to mention the period of drought, did not hamper the growth of ICA as an institution. In the early part of the decade, the enrolment trend was maintained; the school plant and facilities were improved. The school prayer room, clinic, and credit-union-LCFS office were built. The two (2) storey building was constructed; its shaking balcony was cementedwith the help of the Parents-Faculty Council, the Faculty and the Student Affairs Organization (SAO) and the loan from the financial pool of the ASMAP. In the middle of the 1980’s economic crisis became worse, prices rose higher that people need to meet their basic needs.

            Enrolment went down again but the tuition fee increased in order to meet the wage order for teacher’s salarization. The Administration and Faculty struggled to provide Christian education to the clientele. They attended seminars to update themselves. Consequently, instruction developed and emphasized on Value Formation and Social Orientation and integration of both in all subject areas.

            The school likewise underwent the program of Curriculum Improvement Process (CIP), aimed primarily at upgrading instruction personnel development. Through the supervision of Sister Angeles Guanco, OSA, the School Principal at that time, the faculty and the student leaders formulated the Student Handbook.

            During the time of the late Sr. Natividad Santillan, OSA, Immaculate Conception Academy was renamed La Consolacion Academy.

            To be of service to the poor, but deserving students, in the School year 1986-1987 with Sister Flora Pastrana, OSA as Principal, the school participated in DECS Educational Service Contracting (ESC) through fund for the Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) wherein excess students from the public school can be government scholars in the private institution of a locality. There were (20) students approved as the first group of scholars.

            The school year 1987-1988 marked the 25th anniversary of the school. The Silver Jubilee celebration took place February 22-26, 1988. Sister Bernadette Navarro, OSA, as Principal. Sister passed away seven (7) months before the celebration. The affair was highlighted with thanksgiving mass.

            Before the end of decade, some other improvements came underway. The library and the laboratory room were widened and renovated. The SAO of the school year 1987-1988 built the Lourdes Grotto as their class hallmark for the jubilee year. Different clubs and organizations were developed as venues for students leadership skills training.

            In 1989, in order to accommodate the growing population of students, the Multi Purpose Building was constructed. The administration building was renovated and the new Cashier’s office was constructed adjacent to the sisters’ residence.

            In the same year, the school encouraged activities and participation of lay administrators in accordance with the program of the Association of Schools of Augustinian Sisters (ASAS) to improve and facilitate school operation. Likewise, La Consolacion Academy joined the Secondary Education Development Program (SEDP) of the DECS. All the teachers in the first year were sent to attend the SEDP Seminar per Subject-Area.

            LCA was all set for improvement of facilities, instruction and personnel. Mid-year and annual evaluation paved the way to school year goal setting which aimed at realizing the LCA profile for the graduates.

            By the end of the school year 1989-1990, guided by the ASAS, the school or worked out for its initial self survey leading to the Congregational Evaluation Visit (CEV) with stress on instruction. As the areas of operation were touched, ASAS recommended going through the self survey on the nine (9) areas of operation the following school year.

            In 1990-1991, the self survey of the nine (9) areas of school operation to set off, but the fact that 60% of the faculty and staff were new, more intensive orientation was conducted for the members of the academic community to be ready.

It was in the school year 1991-1992, when sister Consuelo Olan-Olan, OSA as Principal that the desire to undergo CEV on the area of instruction was realized. However, the school was not prepared for the said evaluation considering the inadequate facilities the school endured for years.

Nevertheless, the school in an effort to improve its services to its clientele worked to redirect the school operation. The laboratory room and library had new acquisitions of instructional materials. Personnel growth seminars were conducted and students’ active participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

In the same year, the school established the Mother Rita Barcelo Outreach Center (MRBOC) as response to the ASAS Call for Community-Orientation Program. The center embodies the thrust of the Augustinian School to be of service to the larger community.When Sister Consuelo left Sr. Ofelia Ayalin, OSA, came back to LCA and became the Principal during the school year 1992-1994.

             School year 1993-1994 marked the history of the expansion of services of the school through the opening of the pre-elementary department. The high school department increased by one section which made the population of the school bigger in that school year. On physical plant, a new classroom was annexed to the building adjacent to the stage.

In the School year 1994-1995, another change of stewardship took place with Sr. Ma. Corazon Liwanag, OSA as the School Principal. Grade School Department was opened, as applied by the former school head. This marked another historical limelight in LCA. On academic concerns, strengthening of instruction became possible.

It was in the school year of Sr. Ma. Corazon Liwanag, OSA, as Principal, that the quest of La Consolacion Academy to grow as an institution of learning was made apparent.

Research and Development Center (RDC) was created, with Ms. Lelanie Reforma as the OIC. The center seeks to undertake research and evaluation that will guide the development of the whole institution in consonance with the school’s philosophy and objectives.

              The School year 1995-1996 was a significant year in the history of the institution. It was a period when the school decided to undergo the development process through CEV 1. Evaluators/a creditors came over last February 14-15, 1996 headed by Sister Gerolinda Tingson, OSA, the ASAS Superintendent with Sister Editha Zerna, OSA, the ASAS-Negros Chairperson to conduct to CEV 1.

               Findings of each area were deliberately and objectively looked into, which resulted in recommendation to pursue CEV 2 after substantial implementation in all areas of operation after three (3) years.  

To move to continually render efficient and effective services to its clientele gave rise to the construction of Our Lady of Consolacion Building for students’ services. The construction which was supervised by Sister Ma. Cleofe Relota, OSA, a member of the construction team of the congregation, with sister Elena Morallo, OSA, Architect. The groundbreaking of which was set last April 15, 1996. The building now housed the Learning Resource Center, Science Laboratories, Computer Laboratory, IMC, Guidance Office and a classroom. Renovations and repairs of offices were realized as part of the improvement process.

An intensified re-orientation and redirection of the policies, programs and activities marked the beginning of the school year 1996-1997, that the faculty collectively plots out the institutional needs according to the urgency and priority through the facilitation of Sister Imelda Mora, OSA, the Congregation’s head of the Human Resource and Research Development Center.

Faculty members were encouraged to enroll in the master’s degree program and grow professionally by availing seminars related to teaching. Teachers exerted efforts in providing relevant Catholic formation alive in the institution, making Religion/Values Education as the core of the curriculum. The leadership capacities, talents, and potentials of the students were challenged to redirect their interest, thus developing their maturity in making decisions in life.

Year 1999, Sister Maria Corazon Liwanag, OSA, left for another assignment. Sister Matria Corazon De Jesus, OSA, took over as the new Principal of the School. During her time, she renovated the school canteen and enclosed with fence the school campus at the back.

                 School Year 2000-2001, improvements in the facilities and buildings of the school were seen. The roof of the administration building; where the office of the Principal, faculty room and IMC were changed and repainted. Covered footwalk going to the canteen from the building annexed to the new building was constructed as well as the one coming from the Guardhouse to the IMC. Playground for the graders was also constructed while umbrella shed was repaired.

The Tamaraw jeep which was donated by the LCC-Manila to be used for Mambucal was acquired and the garage was constructed for the vehicle. The leaking roof of the cloister was also changed while the Grotto was covered and made it into a Mini-Chapel.

                  It was also during her time that a butterfly garden was constructed as project of Science Area under Ms. Veronica C. Roxas, Science Subject Area Chairperson while the Parents family Council (PFC) under the leadership of Mr. Jonel J. Bonifacio renovated the school’s guardhouse. The organizational structure of the school was revised and the team approach as well as decentralization of management was observed.

The Our Lady of Consolation Multi-Purpose Center in mambucal  under the care of Sister Ester J. Fontanilla, OSA, was developed. The open hall was walled through generous donations from the University of Regina Carmeli under the presidency of Sister Carmeli Marie Catan, OSA.

                   School year 2002-2003, Sister Ma. Corazon De Jesus, OSA, left for another assignment.  She was replaced by Sister Aquilina de Rueda, OSA. During her time, some school renovations were followed-up and the school launched the opening of her 40th Ruby Jubilee on February 6, 2003. It was also in this school year that one of the Sister Schools, LCS-Hinigaran donated books to the libabry and forty (40) small plastic chairs which was then used by the Pre-elementary Department.

After a year, due to need of help of the Sister Schools here in Negros particularly Isabela, Sister Aquilina de Rueda, OSA left and replaced by Sister Natalia G. Guillema, OSA in School year 2003-2004. Lots of repairs were done through the help of the money donated from the congregation specifically the repair of the two (2) old storey buildings and the rooms fronting the stage. The thatched roofs were replaced and the walls were painted. Since the amount donated did not substantiate the repairs done, the elected Parents Homeroom Officers proposed projects such as the paintings of the newly repaired rooms.

It was also during her time that the active Student Affairs Organization (SAO)- President, Jose Farley Yu Tagle proposed a project for the construction of the students’ dressing room to be used during their Physical Education class. This was realized through solicitations to our generous alumni and people from the community who were kind-hearted in extending their help for the improvement and realization of the school’s goals.

Mural paintings were seen in some walls of the building which were done by the artistic and creative students particularly the fourth year of this school year.

                    November 28, 2003 was the most significant days for the school because of the Educational Service Contracting (ESC) Evaluation Visit 1. Lots of preparations were done. Due to this, lavatories for the boys’ and girls’ comfort room were built. It was then that the room attached to the canteen was made into a Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) shop to answer one of the recommendations as stated in the ESC survey forms. The Our Lady of Consolation building was painted through the joint efforts of the Parents Family Council (PFC) Officers under the leadership of Mrs. Angela A. Firmeza and the unwavering support given by the alumni. To answer the need of our clientele as well as the need of the time, the LCA Administration and the personnel took a step in revising the School’s Vision-Mission statement in line with the Congregation’s Vison-Mission. With all these preparations, the school passed with above standard rating from the evaluation done by the ESC Evaluators which gave way to the school to help the poor and deserving students who wanted to study in our institution.

                      This policy would prevent students from cutting classes and vices that would destroy their studies and future. In order to solve the perennial shortage electrical problem, the administration with the approval of the Board of Trustees decided to have a private electrical transformer. With the help of Architect Ryan Gela our Alumnus who mapped out the electrical plan of the whole school, after completion of all the requirements given by the Central Electric Cooperative, Inc.-Bacolod main office and issuing electrical permit by the municipality, the 25 KVA Electrical Transformer was installed last March 15, 2007.

The school is so blessed and God is so good, the long wait is over and the dream became a reality through the concerted efforts of the Administration, Faculty/Personnel, Students/Pupils, Parents and Alumni. It is worth recognizing the effort of Architect Ryan Gela, an alumnus of the school and Architect Sherlyn Pittacio his friend who planned together the architectural and structural design of the covered court, the project was completed in January 2007. With the help of the students, maintenance personnel and faculty who did the clearing work. Recognition Rites of the undergraduates was held in that place. Drinking fountain was also put up near the canteen area.

                        The school once again reaped recognition through our cooperative junior youth who participated in the National Cooperative Youth Congress held in the Villa Consuelo Retreat House, Camarin, Novaliches last December 4-6, 2006 headed by the COJY Manager, Mrs. Cynthia Tingson. They outsmarted other Augustinian schools by garnering first place in the spot painting contest and participated in logo making. The school was awarded as one of the most supportive administrators who rendered evolution of dances. LCAians are excelling not only in academics but also in the world of sports. Last March 25, 2006, our 12 under-age group volleyball team boys, who participated in the Negros Occidental Volleyball Association (NOVA) was declared champion over five (5) participating schools, while Khen Mark G. Dunton was chosen as Most Valuable Player. Really their hard work and sacrifice were being rewarded. Mr. Antonio A. Gulane, Jr. was their winning coach. Also in this year, the school organized committees for the PAASCU preparation focused on the nine (9) areas of school operation. Series of meetings were held by the different analysis and evaluation committees.

                         School year 2007-2008, keeping abreast of the modern day world of advancement in Science and Technology, the Kainan Cooperative was renovated and converted into an Internet Café an adjunct to instruction through the effort of Sr. Natalia G. Guillema, OSA, the incumbent Principal. It has seven (7) units of computer. Rev. Fr. Jobel Mangubat blessed the center on June 16, 2007. Present during the occasion were Sr. Natalia G. Guillema, OSA, Mr. Allan C. Martizano, the Computer/Internet OIC, Ms. Teresita C. Bibanco-Head of the Religious Services and Sr. Imelda Antonia Mationg, OSA. The revision of the student handbook/manual was made possible through the help of the faculty/personnel who patiently and tediously studied, analyzed the implications of the manual. The school was able to acquire additional steel chairs, tables, books, laboratory equipment and visual aids through the generosity of the Holy-Trinity Academy Fabrica, one of the schools ran by the ASOLC which was closed in the year 2008 due to some problems on the lot ownership. Last April 2013, started the re-construction of the old building where elementary pupils are occupying. The said building had its two door for safety purposes as well as compliance to the recommendation by the Bureau of Fire Protection during the fire drill conducted every opening of classes.One of the rooms was converted into a mini chapel wherein students and pupils could have their BEC during Religion Classes and have their prayers, too. This was blessed last August 30, 2013 by Rev. Fr. Gregorio Patino. This was attended by the newly elected ASOLC Superior General, Sr. Niceta M. Vargas, OSA, Augustinian Sisters, parents, students, personnel, benefactors, and guests. In School Year 2014-2015, Sr. Leonida L. Macias, OSA was assigned by LCC-Murcia as the new Principal. In the same year, a covered walk was constructed by from the Fourth Year Humility Classroom to the TLE Room and a dirty kitchen at the back of the said room. In School Year 2015-2016, Sr. Leonida L. Macias, OSA was replaced by Sr. Alma C. Melicor, OSA as Principal. Being new to the institution, she is still observing past practices in the institution but when there were things which needed immediate change, she also proposed quick action. In her administration, she envisions the school to go into further development through PAASCU accreditation.

                           In her few months stay in LCC-Murcia, she saw the need to strengthen the Faculty Development Program especially in the areas of instructions, Communication Skills and other areas of school operation that are beneficial to quality, holistic and transformative education.

 

                            As a Catholic school, it is therefore our obligation to give catholic teachings to students and to help them become gospel-oriented, socially aware and other oriented as the demand of the modern generation increases.

 

                           Today, LCC is responding to the CALL OF THE CHURCH and to continue to struggle with the time bringing within her core, the goal to reach out to the less privileged in our locality while keeping abreast of the modern day world.

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