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Rizal High School (abbreviation: RHS), located at Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Caniogan, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, is acclaimed as the “Largest Secondary School in the World” since 1993 by the Guinness Book of World Records in terms of student population. To date, it remains to be the premier school with the biggest enrolment worldwide.
Named after the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Rizal High School owes its fame and glory to its thousands of graduates who have contributed much to the socio-economic progress of the Philippines. Through its portals have passed men and women who hold/have held distinguished positions in the government and private sectors. Some of these notable figures include former Senator Neptali Gonzales, former Senator Jovito Salonga, former Senator Rene Saguisag, Maestro Lucio San Pedro, and National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco to mention a few.
In the school year 2000-2001, Rizal High School had an overwhelming population of 22,959. This is a far cry from its initial enrollment of 28 students way back when it opened on October 1, 1902 during the incumbency of Governor Ambrocio Flores. The students came from the five neighboring towns including the Pasig proper. Then, intermediate classes were under the supervision and administration of the secondary school principal.
At present, Miss Josephine M. Cruz, an alumna and a Rizal High School teacher once, is the school’s current and youngest Principal to date. The school has recently celebrated its centennial in 2002.
Institution
Education in Rizal High School shall produce citizens of Pasig City who are God-loving, nationalistic, disciplined, productive, competent and ready to meet the technological demands and industrial challenges of the 21st century.
As it enters the Third Millenium, it is envisioned thet Rizal High School shall have:
- Fully equipped buildings with modern facilities and multi-media equipment that can compete globally;
- Highly-qualified teachers committed to service and possess moral strength and stability;
- Empowered student body who are creative, inventive and inquisitive who work towards progress and development in the next millenium;
- Advanced research and development that would totally eradicate illiteracy in Pasig City; and
- Extensive moral training that would impart proper values, attitudes and outlook in life within the school and the community as well.
History
Pasig Secondary School
The first secondary school in the province of Rizal known as the Pasig Secondary School was formally established on October 1, 1902 during the incumbency of Governor Ambrosio Flores with an enrolment of 28 pupils. The students came from five neighboring towns including Pasig proper. The enrolment 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. Pasig is near Manila. The provincial aid therefore was very limited. The increase in financial support by the provincial government was subject to the condition that the pupils from adjoining towns would prefer attending classes in the provincial school rather than seeking enrolment 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 sometime 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.
Since 1905 steps had been made to acquire a spacious site for this secondary school. It was however only in 1913-1914 when a site made of ten lots containing 63,707.41 square meters was acquired through expropriation proceedings from several 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 sometime in 1907 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 sometime in 1915 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 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 during the school year 1924-1925.
The first graduating class of this school was that of 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. Nippongo was included in the curriculum as a required subject during his time.
Classes After Liberation Period
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.
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