THE ESPANA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN RESTROPECT
(SCHOOL HISTORY)
With her overwhelming concern of the glowing number of Elementary graduates
who miss the chance of pursuing their secondary education due to great distance of
four (4) barangays (Agtiwa, Mabini, Mabulo, and Espana), Mrs. AMPARO PINLAC,
Principal of Espaᾐa Elementary School brought up the idea to the concern of the
Espana Barrio Council under the leadership of Mr. Pepito Dalamon, the Barrio Captain
to form the only high school at San Fernando coupled with the knowledge of the
inspiring success of Pedro Orata who established the first Barangay High School in his
hometown in Pangasinan.
After thorough comprehensive council deliberation and consultative participation
of the community leaders, elders, educators, parents and students, a resolution
establishing the Espańa Barrio High School was passed and approved on April 1, 1966.
Thus the Espańa Barrio HS became the first daughter high school in Sibuyan Island of
the mother Romblon High School in Romblon, Romblon.
To meet the required number of 40 students to be able to open first year class for
school year 1966-1967 an extensive campaign for first year entrants in nearby
barangays was initiated by Mrs. Pinlac and her teachers. Ably supported by Barrio
Officials, unexpectedly, single, married adolescents and middle-aged residents enlisted
themselves with great hope, excitement and also apprehensions the first-year class was
opened June 9, 1966 with Practical Arts Building of the Espańa Elementary School as
the first classroom.
The first mentors were teacher resident of Espańa namely: Mrs. Linda Royo, Ms.
Ella Royo, Ms. Portia Ruado, Ms. Jean Ruado and Espana Elementary School teachers
who served as part time teachers namely; Ms. Janice Rovira, Ms. Libertad Marin, Mr.
Desiderio Montojo, Mr. Rolando Palermo and Mr. Ulysses Garcia.
Time fleeted so fast. After four years, on March 1970, the Espańa Barrio High
School produced the 29 pioneer graduates (17 males, 12 females) Elecion Romero,
the class Valedictorian shared laurels with Efren Marin a transferee from Romblon High
School.
The following years more and more students came to Espańa Barrio High
School. Out of the school youths coming from as far as Quezon Province and Masbate
found EBHS an ideal place to start and finish their secondary studies. A four (4)
classroom Marcos type building was constructed inside the school donated by
Elementary School lot to the needs of the growing students’ populace. In 1975, the
school was renamed Espańa Barangay High School, later Espańa Nationalized High
School and now Espańa National High School.
Through the sincere efforts of Mr. Pulcinao M. Riano, Assistant Principal of
Espańa NHS and other concerned residents, the ENHS finally found a place of her own
at Sitio Punong.
The school site was donated by the late Congressman, Honorable Natalio
Beltran Sr. The donor worked out to construct a 10-classroom building and in 1988, the
ENHS moved to where it stands now. Since the school has moved out of the Espańa
Elementary School premises the administration of the school has to be handled by a
teacher-in-charge to carry on the very effective and efficient supervision of Mr. Pulciano
M. Riano who has left an indelible legacy in the annuals of EBHS.
Mrs. Necia Romias Falco bravely took up the cudgels of leading the school for
eight (8) years as Teacher-In-Charge until the first head teacher, Mrs. Liberty C.
Galindez came and after more than a year, she was promoted as the first Secondary
School Principal-I of ENHS in 1995.
After Mrs. Galindez, the following Principals and Officer-In-Charge followed who
equally leave a good legacy and contribute to the welfare and success of the institution
until now: Mr. Gil T. Marco (Principal I), Mrs. Gregorio F. Ferriol (Principal-I), Mrs. Elena
M. Bentayo (Teacher-In-Charge), Mr. Rufino B. Foz (Principal-I), Mrs. Monica F. Feudo
(Principal-I), Mr. Liberito B. Vicente (Teacher-In-Charge), Mrs. Remedios R. Mayor
(Principal-I, 2008-2013), Mrs. Apryl C. Bagnate (Principal-I, July 1, 2014 to August 31,
2016) Analyn P. Rubas-PhD (Teacher-In-Charge (September 1, 2016 to August 8,
2018), Mr. Nazarine M. Romano (Principal II (August 9, 2018 to August 14, 2023) and
Mr. Edmund A. Bautista (Head Teacher IV/Teacher-In-Charge August 15, 2023 to
present).
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By: MRS. ELENA M. BENTAYO
Retired ENHS Teacher
*Written August 2014 first presented on the celebration of Founding Anniversary of
ENHS last September 19, 2014
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ESPAÑA BARANGAY HIGH SCHOOL
The academic awareness and quest for excellence bring forth for the Filipino in
the pedestal of literacy in the continuing search for better change with earnest desire
that we, as a race can triumph and make things happened from wishful thinking to
existing reality.
España Barrio High School (now known as España National High School) was
founded in June 09, 1966, an institutional that outspring from the greenlight thinking an
idea of fluency of the concerned and determined people in our locality. The invaluable
support of the barrio council and the dynamic leadership of Mr. Elecion M. Romero and
the principal of España Elementary School Mrs. Amparo Pinlac, who the former at the
time was acting Barangay Captain earnestly worked out and paved the way for the
realization of our secondary school were it not for the sincerity and persistency of Mr.
Romero…España will remain as remote like any other rural communities. With the
establishment of España National high School this spell the difference and identity that
the next generation cannot and will not forget.
The idea however; which is so immutable was patterned from the founder of the
first Barrio High School in barrio Tuboy, Pangasinan-Doctor Pedro Orata the same
fellow who enhance the educational program of the Department of Education and
Culture and bloom its horizon to the rural areas.
The enthusiasm of Mr. Romero to institutionalized the said high school
furthermore inspired by the high spirited and respected principal, Mrs. Ampara Pinlac,
who likewise became the pioneer head of the high school augmented further
improvements therein just the same suggestions from the late Mr. Desiderio Montojo.
The harmonious and active participation of the barrio Council and its people in carrying
out such educational task got the nod not only the people of España but the respected
man of RNVS Mr. Porferio Banzuelo who have given his full support in the making of
eighty-five chairs for the student of EBHS. Much more the former Mayor Cipriano
Subido (deceased) and Mayor Felix Rocero of San Fernando, Romblon who allotted a
two thousand pesos annual subsidy as a support fund for the high school teachers. The
full germination of the first-year high school came into existence when Miss Jean Ruado
took reign as the first-class adviser with a handful of one section first year student
headed by Mr. Elecion Romeroas the pioneering group himself.
True and timely enough that the initiative moves of Mr. Romero corresponded to
the educational demands in our locality. So much so that his paralleled to our present
standard of living. The pioneering became the springboard of the second-year level with
Miss Linda Royo and Edith Calsado as the additional tutors until it became a complete
high school with Mr. Pulciano Riano as the next principal.
T' was a painstaking effort to keep the high school academically proving due to
some negative influences. But determination keep the high school grow onward since
everybody long for a bright future despite of discouraging moments brought about by
financial constraints, transportation among others. Yet our trust and confidence in God
is great that maintains our ideas and hope keep flying in the midst and delight us with
tremendous success.
With the labour invested by our responsible leaders in España and all the faculty
members by their dedicated and unselfish services all of us are witnesses that the
vision has been fulfilled and still going on in our times.
PERFORMANCES
In academics, ENHS during the developing years proved to the whole division of
Romblon that our school can excel other educational institutions. In woodcraftmanship
in 1973 with Mr. Samuel Ruga heading the Practical Arts beat RNVS and first in
Romblon display in 1974. During the Academic contest held in San Fernando we rank
second overall to RNVS.
In NCEE we practically have satisfactory performances such that nowadays
several graduates now hold high positions in their respective fields.
Today, ENHS continue to feature unexpected highlights and still growing
progressively. We hold to this day and support that this institution be a never ending
institution that will develop more responsible citizens in the future.
