Philippine Cultural High School

Infobox K-12 School
chinese_name= 菲律宾侨中学院
name =


former names = Philippine Cultural High School and Philippine Chinese High School
vision = A responsive Chinese-Filipino institution that provides equal opportunity for excellent education towards the total development of globally competitive learners appreciative of their cultural heritage and proud of their identity.
established = June 27, 1923
principal = Emilio Gan
location=Manila
state = Metro Manila
country=Philippines
address= 1253 Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Tondo, Metro Manila, Philippines
students= 3000+
colors= Green and Yellow
type = co-ed ; non- sectarian
mascot=PCHS Seagulls
School Hymn =
Accreditations= PAASCU
former names = Philippine Cultural High School and Philippine Chinese High School
website= [http://www.pchsonline.org/]

Philippine Cultural College (Abbreviation: PCC; Chinese: 菲律宾侨中学院; Pinyin: Fei Lv Bin Qiao Zhong Xue Yuan), located in Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines, is a private, non-Sectarian secondary school that was established in 1923 as one of the oldest Chinese high schools in the Philippines.

History

The school was established by the Philippine Chinese Educational Association in 1923, under the able leadership of Mr. Carlos Palanca, Sr. With 47 students, classes were first held using the two classrooms of Anglo Chinese School (now Tiong Se Academy). Classes started on June 27, thus the date became the foundation day of the school.

In 1937, the first batch of alumni organized the PCHS Alumni Association, with Mr. Go Seng Guan elected as the first president. In 1938, our school was authorized by the Educational Association to organize a board of trustees which would take over the management of the school. Mr. Go Chong Beng was the first chairman of the board. In 1940, a new school building was constructed along Jose Abad Santos Street. Classes were held both at the new building and at the old building of Anglo Chinese School.

Wartime Difficulties

In January 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded the City of Manila. The new school building was forcibly occupied by the Japanese troops. Classes were suspended. But by May 1945, the school was reopened as one of the earliest to do so, after the liberation of Manila. In 1948, expansion of the Abad Santos school building was completed. The old school building was turned over to Anglo Chinese School.

On May 2, 1949, at 11:30 in the evening, a neighborhood fire brought disaster to the school. The whole school building, together with all the important records and papers, and facilities were burned to ashes.

Rebuilding the School

Under the leadership of Dr. T.C. Huang and Mr. Sy Eng, the president of the Educational Association and at the same time the chairman of the Board of Trustees, efforts were exerted and donations from various sectors of the Chinese community were gathered.

On November 11 of that same year, a new school building was finally completed. But it was not all happy moments as Dr. T.C. Huang, the man largely responsible fro the rebuilding of the school, died. He served as the principal for 20 years.

On December 8 of that same year, the Board of Trustees appointed Mr. Go Seng Guan as the 8th principal of the school.

The Annex Campus

In 1961, using the funds from Dr. T. C. Huang Memorial Foundation, the school bought a 10,000 square meter Annex Campus property in Caloocan City and in 1967, the Department of Education approved the construction said campus in Caloocan City. Classes were held in June of that same year, with more than 300 students.

Prosperous Times

In 1976, the government filipinized all Chinese schools in the Philippines. The school was renamed to its present name, Philippine Cultural High School.

Since its founding, Philippine Cultural High School used to offer only secondary education. But with the changing of times, both the main and the annex campuses started offering pre-school and elementary education during the 70s.

By 1978, the Alumni Association successfully assisted the Board of Trustees in the fund raising campaign for the expansion project of the annex campus.

In the 1980s, the Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association, and the school authorities realized the imperative need for further development in order to meet the demands of the changing times. Taking the suggestion of the principal, Mr. Go Seng Guan, the reconstruction of the school building in the main campus started under the leadership of Mr. Chung Tiong Tay, the chairman of the Board of Trustees. On January 11, 1986, while the construction of the main school building was on its peak, Mr. Go Seng Guan died. He was 80 years old. He served the school for 50 years. After five years of patience and hardwork, a towering new school building proudly stood along Jose Abad Santos Street.

In 1991, spearheaded by the several members of the Board of Trustees and directors of the Alumni Association, the Philippine Chinese Education Research Center was established. It was tasked to promote reforms in the Chinese language teaching within the country. A 10-million peso seed fund was collected from the alumni and generous patrons.

Accreditation

With the goal of uplifting the quality of education and improve the instructional facilities, our school applied for PAASCU. Both the main and the annex campuses were granted Level II accreditation status for five years.

Modern Times

In 1994, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to construct a modern 4-story Kindergarten Building on the annex campus.

In 1999, a Science Building was constructed on the annex campus.

In 2000, the main and annex campuses of the school were modernized, with air conditioning, television and other visuals installed.

In 2008, the school celebrated its 85th foundation day, and has completed its kinder building that can be found beside the main campus.

Philippine Cultural College (PCC)

Starting School Year 2008- 2009, the school will accept interested applicants.

Courses Offered:
*Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Development
*Bachelor of Secondary Education major in teaching Chinese as second language
*Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
*Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management

[ [http://www.pchsonline.org/SchoolHistory.htm Official Website of Philippine Cultural High School ] ]

[http://www.pchsonline.org]

References