STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSESThe St. Lorenzo Ruiz Academy of Tagum, Inc. is a private, Filipino, and Catholic learning community. Its aim is to establish, organize, conduct and maintain a progressive private institution of learning with quality education for Pre-K, Kindergarten, Elementary and Junior High School (JHS).
As a private educational institution, it aims to develop critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, in order to gain higher educational achievement by providing creative, constructive and meaningful activities suitable to learners’ pace of learning. Furthermore, it intensifies positive attitudes and values as essential foundation for social, emotional, physical, mental and moral development.
As a Filipino, it aims to inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity and care for the environment and teach the rights and duties of citizenship to become active and cooperative members of the society which is essential to community building.
As a Catholic institution, it welcomes diverse learners regardless of race, beliefs or religion. It believes that all learners are created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore, be treated with respect and love.
It exemplifies Jesus Christ as model of human life and develops devotion to St. Lorenzo Ruiz and filial love for Mary.
It strives to form learners, who are well-informed in matters of Catholic faith, teachings and traditions; who appreciate and celebrate that faith through prayers and Sacraments and live that faith in home, school, community and parish.
HISTORYHumble BeginningsOn June 14, 1995, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Academy (SLRA) of Tagum, Inc. was registered as a non-stock, non-profit organization named after the first Filipino martyr, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, by five (5) professionals, namely, Jaime M. Magnanao, Proceso M. Marquez, Jr., Concepcion M. Marquez, Marlyn T. Rotoni and Mark John B. Prudencio. A month later, Trinidad B. Torino became a new member of the incorporators, thus, helped in providing the much-needed financial aid to the school.
SLRA first opened in SY 1995-1996 with Marlyn T. Rotoni as teacher and administrator and Mr. Magnanao as school president. SLRA had 12 pupils in Kinder 1 and 2 sharing one classroom.
Grade 1 elementary level was then offered in SY 1996-1997. Responding to the community’s increasing demand for Catholic education, SLRA offered first year high school and Grade 2 elementary level in SY 1997-1998. Every year thereafter, the school opened up higher levels of elementary and high school education until in 2001, the school offered complete elementary and secondary levels of education.
During the early part of the school operations, SLRA consulted some prominent and very knowledgeable people such as Mrs. Lorna L. Brown (formerly Mrs. Rasay) and the late Bro. Jess Lape, S.C., who were known for their expertise in administering a school. The SLRA incorporators highly regarded their contributions to the school making them an integral part of the development of the institution.
Community InvolvementIn 1996, SLRA’s Administrator, Ledovina A. Marquez, together with Dr. Eduardo Al Araral and Prof. Gregoria R. Laygan, USEP Science professors and Mrs. Teresita Baniog, OIC Principal of Apokon Elementary School, led the formation of the Coalition Against Pollution (CAP) and enjoined other school institutions and civic organizations in appealing to the local government to terminate Municipal Ordinance No. 10, which would have turned Barangay Apokon into an industrial zone, and allowed the construction of gold processing plants in the area, just less than 100 meters away from the school. Pupils, students, parents and teachers of both schools and nearby communities fell victims to the mercury contamination.
After several months of negotiations, with the help of the Ateneo Free Legal Counsel, Municipal Ordinance No. 10 was repealed and Brgy. Apokon was restored and established as a residential zone as stipulated in the comprehensive zoning plan of Tagum.
The First Kindergarten Graduates
In March 1997, SLRA produced the first Kindergarten graduates.
A Challenging Time
In May 1997, Mrs. Marlene T. Rotoni and Mr. Jaime M. Magnanao withdrew their membership as incorporators and Mrs. Guadalupe B. Prudencio, the mother of Mark John B. Prudencio, was compelled to be the Principal. She supervised the enrolment while the school was still in search for a qualified principal for the upcoming school year.
In June 1998 a team of trained, competent and experienced teachers and staff worked in SLRA. In SY1998-99, the school was led by Mr. Jose G. Taporoc, Jr. as the Principal, Mrs. Eleuteria D. Revilla, the Cashier/ Registrar and Proceso M. Marquez, Jr. as the school president.
The First Elementary Graduates
In March 2001, SLRA produced the First Grade VI graduates.
Cultural AwarenessIn 2002, Principal Taporoc Jr. organized and initiated the first ever cultural arts festival in the province of Davao del Norte entitled: “Tanum ’02, Binhi ng Bagong Pag-asa.” Supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), SLRA was the host presentor with Mr. Taporoc Jr., the Principal, as Festival Director. The three-day event was well-attended and participated by cultural dance troupes from different municipalities namely: Panikyan Dance and Theater Guild (Panikian, Banay-banay, Davao Oriental), THNS Dance Theater Guild (Tagum City, Davao Del Norte), Sinagtala Dance and Theater Guild (Tagum City, Davao del Norte) and Kahayag Theater Collective (SLRA).
The event was also attended and acknowledged by several prominent national, regional and local government figures namely Secretary Evelyn V. Antig of NCCA, Atty. Jake Dumugan of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Regional Director Ms. Sonia V. Garcia of the Department of Tourism XI, Regional Superintendent Gloria P. Labor of the Department of Education (DepEd) XI, Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario, and Tagum City Mayor, Gelacio P. Gementiza.
This gave SLRA the honor and prestige as this festival became an eye opener to Tagumeños to celebrate the heritage and diversity of cultures in the locality. This also gave way to the celebration of many festivities in Tagum City.
In SY 2001-2003, Ms. Lucia C. Cabanisas, a retired DepEd supervisor, then became the principal until 2004. During her time, the school built two more classrooms and a separate Home Economics (HE) building.
HSA ProjectsIn 2003, the Home-School Association (HSA), led by Marlou Nacario as president, initiated the construction of a concrete fence and was continued by the succeeding HSA president, Audie A. Madelo. In 2011, Retchell Omallao, the HSA president, led the construction of the genderized 2-cubicle comfort rooms.
The First High School GraduatesIn March 2006, SLRA produced the first seven (7) high school graduates.
The School Hymn and Alma Mater SongMrs. Gertrudes B. Diwara wrote the lyrics of the SLRA school hymn and the alma mater song, while Myrna Escamis Nachon and Merfin A. Aranas, composed the melody.
In March 2008, the alma mater song was sung for the first time during the graduation ceremony. Then, in February 2009, the SLRA community sang the school hymn for the first time during the HSA General Assembly. From then on, the SLRA school hymn is sung everyday during flag ceremony and the Alma Mater song is sung every commencement exercise.
The RecognitionIn September 2010, SLRA obtained Government Recognition for High School No. 007, series of 2010. With this, the school was able to qualify for the Education Service Contracting (ESC), a government tuition fee subsidy program to help decongest the volume of students in public high schools.
In August 2012, the school acquired Government Recognition for Elementary, No. 006, series of 2012.
These recognitions are through the efforts and leadership of Mrs. Gertrudes B. Diwara, the School Principal.
SLRA in its 20th yearIn SY 2015-2016, through the leadership of the new school administrator, Johnnyrey M. Perion, SLRA built the parents/students lounge, stage, basketball court and the three-story elementary school building starting with two classrooms.
With all our hearts, we, the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Academy of Tagum, Inc., express our profound gratitude to all those who helped in making SLRA what it is now. To the founding administrators and educators, who despite their advanced age, have left a living legacy and enabled SLRA to continuously march on. MABUHAY St. Lorenzo Ruiz Academy!!!
