SCHOOL History

Historical Development of Holy Cross Academy, Inc.

1947 The Holy Cross Academy, Inc., at its very foundation, was called Holy Cross Academy. It was founded by the parish priest of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Rev. Fr. Marcel Turcotte, PME from Canada. Heeding the suggestion of some religious parishioners, he opened the kindergarten and primary grades I-IV.

1948 The heirs of the Crumb estate donated a piece of land to the church, Fr. Turcotte constructed a building in this parcel of land where all the children were housed. Grade V and VI classes were then opened. 1949 The Government issued a permit for the complete Elementary course. The first two years in high school were open.

1950 Fr. Turcotte was replaced by Fr. Yvon Guerin who had no training in school administration. The aforementioned priest then sought assistance from the RVM Sister. With this regard, three (3) sisters were sent to Digos; S. Ma. Josefa Regino, S. Ma. Rosario Bolastig, and S. Ma. Vicenta Cañeda. The third- and fourth-year high school were opened, and enrolment raised to one thousand three hundred seventy- five (1,375) students and pupils.

1952 Government recognition was granted to the High School. The first 21 graduates had their first Graduation Mass in the unfinished church without a ceiling, wearing their best old-fashioned attire. Years passed and the school was well managed by the RVM sisters.

1959 Msgr. Thibult invited the Sacred Heart Brothers who came from Canada to take care of the boys. The boys and girls were on the same campus, but instructions were given separately; the boys under the brothers and the girls under the RVM Sisters. 1961 S. Ma. Jesusa Andrada, RVM became the Superior-Principal. In her term, she directed the annual play “Queen by the Grace of God” which generated funds for the books and some equipment for the laboratory. Scholarship grants were given to deserving students, hence more students came. Typhoon Titang hit Digos destroying the Principal’s Office because of the acacia tree that fell and hit it before the tree touched the ground.

1972 Big floods hit Digos. Homes were destroyed and there was a myriad of casualties. Many apparatuses and books were destroyed and lost. After the flood, the sisters had to rehabilitate the school.

1975 The silver Jubilee was celebrated on January 3-5. After the Holy Mass, Mother Assumpta David, RVM, the Regional Superior opened the Science Fair. A testimonial banquet followed. The construction of the new canteen which cost more than twenty-one thousand was undertaken by the sisters in cooperation with the Family Council.

1976 Fr. Viatore Allary garnered an amount for the repainting of the school building facade. The Sisters bought three (3) sewing machines and one zigzagger for the vocational course through the help of the HCAI Supreme Family Council.

1980 The school celebrated its PEARL Anniversary, thirty (30) years of service of the Sisters in Digos featuring the International Year of the Family at the same time launching of the Miss Pearl Contest, a fundraising affair for the development of the school. The parents under the leadership of President Dr. Jovencio Villacastin approved the donation of one peso per pupil enrolled in school to increase the monthly allowance over and above what was appropriated by the Presidential Decree. The Asia foundation also approved the Project Proposal submitted by S. Ma. Josefina Fran, RVM for the Operation Head Start (OHS), a summer program for the incoming first-year students. Around three hundred students enrolled: two classes in Sta. Cruz and four classes in Digos.

1982 This was a year of great crisis because the enrollment decreased. However, it was a year dedicated to the service of the poor. The institution offered free tuition fees to eighty indigent students from a depressed barrio of Digos by then called Aplaya.

1983 Region XI MECS Officials came for the evaluation of the whole school plant and operation. It made the school a recipient of a Certificate of Commendation for Exemplary Performance in Administration for 1982-1983 especially in the academic field, school plant development, and non-formal education. The school was recognized to have the Best Herbal Garden at the Division level.

1984 The ground-breaking ceremony for the new building sponsored by the Supreme Council took place. The building was started by the BTE builders with Mindanao Lumber Yard of Digos.

1985 This year was ushered in with new things and new faces on the campus. The library, Home Economics, and Non-formal buildings were duly constructed. There were 530 high school students and 70 kindergartens.

1986 January 12 of this year marked the blessing of the sisters’ residence with the Skills Training Center by Msgr. Generoso Camiña. It was realized through the assistance of the Missereor and Mission of the West Germany foundations.

1987 The whole community worked hand in hand to prepare for the culmination of the Ruby Anniversary as they looked for benefactors and donors. They put up the Search for Miss Ruby and Alumni Homecoming to raise funds to construct fences around the school for security purposes. December 16 was the opening day of the Ruby Year.

1990 The school population was 595, Forty-one (41) of which were preschoolers.

1991 It marked the reopening of the elementary course. A permit from DECS was issued in the first week of June 1990 to operate grades I-IV.

1992 There was a decrease in enrollment due to the tuition fee increase. The operation of the elementary course was discontinued. The first year of ERDA (Educational Research and Development Assistance) implementation was a school year of survival with only 300 enrollees in High School. This was the main agenda of the Board of Trustees Meeting. It was deliberated and approved that co-education had to be offered again.

1994 This school year started with the reopening of the co-education program from the first year to third year high school. Fourth year boys were not accepted due to lack of residence. Computer classes started in November of this year.

1996 A speech Laboratory with 50 seats was constructed. S. Ma. Natividad S. Gabuya, RVM was back and managed the school with 451 enrollees. The administration planned different activities to meet the challenges of this year’s education. Different seminars and varied professional enrichment activities were participated by the teachers to update themselves on matters concerning the practice of their profession.

2000 January 12 marked the opening of the Jubilee Year Celebration. This was started with a Eucharistic celebration which was presided by the Bishop Generoso Camiña D.D. It was followed by a parade and cutting of the ribbon by S. Ma. Natividad, RVM, the school principal, assisted by Mrs. Bella Fuentes, the alumni president. The highlight of the said opening was the musical variety show reflecting the history of HCAD. The coronation of Mr. & Mrs. Jubilee 200 was held as one of the highlights of the culmination. April 8 was the blessing of the newly constructed school building with eleven classrooms. Two Science Laboratories, Home Economics room and Laboratory, an air- conditioner Speech and Computer Laboratories with fifty units were constructed. December 16-17 of this year was the celebration of the 50th Golden Jubilee of Holy Cross Academy of Digos.

2001 The basketball court was constructed as well as the volleyball court and the Kindergarten playroom. The school bagged several major and minor awards in different academic contests and physical activities. After eight long years, the school participated again in the tactical evaluation test and unexpectedly got 2nd place for the Division of Digos.

2003 The school grounds had been landscaped and well maintained. More equipment like a video camera, 24 inches TV, VCD was purchased. A playroom for preschoolers was made. Students participated in different seminars and competitions like the Battle of Academic Wizard which they emerged Champion!

2004 The Science Botanical Garden was developed, HCAD for the first time joined the “Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan” giving the students as well as the teachers a chance to show their talents and skills.

2007 The “Panuluyan” was presented during this year. Proceeds of which were used to construct the hallways and flower boxes in front of the old Assumption building. Male and female CRs were constructed at the left-wing of the St. Michael Building.

2008 The old gate affronting Gallarde St. was renovated. It was moved two meters inward to have space for students while waiting for their vehicles. The project was accomplished through the support of the Supreme Family Council.

2009 In this school year, the Mother Ignacia Mini-Gymnasium and concrete benches surrounding each tree were constructed by the PC Cebedo Construction Company. The project was blessed by Bishop Guillermo D. Afable, D.D. on December 19. Three lavatories with six (6) faucets each, located at the strategic places around the campus were also blessed on the same day. The project was initiated by the Supreme Family Council headed by Mr. Joel Deguilmo. ESC Re- certification was undertaken on January 13, 2009.

2010 The hallways heading towards the guardhouse to the Immaculate Conception Building and the Mini-Gymnasium were constructed and were blessed in December during the Family Council Day celebration. This was a joint project of the HCAD Administration and the Supreme Family Council headed by Mr. Mario Tiburcio. The speech Laboratory was also renovated this year. Eleven computer units were also purchased. Meanwhile, students who joined the different competitions in the Local, Division, Regional and National procured awards and honors for the school: champion in the Battle of Academic Wizard, participated by eighteen secondary schools in the division of Digos; champion in Word Factory; champion in Division Science Quest 2010; champion in a Basketball tournament of the DDCCS participated by 15 catholic schools; champion in softball; champion in Table Tennis (Single); champion in Lawn Tennis; champion in Taekwondo; fifth place in Editorial Cartooning during the National Press Conference. The faculty and staff had their spiritual retreat at Betania Retreat House in Quezon City and had their educational tour to the four RVM schools in the said city while fleeting to Caloocan and Bulacan.

2011 The enrollment in this year reached up to one-thousand thirty-two. 997 of which were enrolled in the high school and 35 were preschoolers. As for history, the enrollment this year was the highest. At the start of the year, the medical/dental clinic was transferred to its newly renovated location near the Sisters’ Residence. The Guidance Center had been more spacious and accommodating for guidance activities as it was relocated beside the Medical/Dental Clinic. The gate at the back portion of the school was constructed to provide an avenue for students and teachers who are coming to the church for Wednesday masses and special occasions. A canopy was constructed at the gate through the efforts of the Supreme Family Council headed by Mr. Mario B. Tiburcio. The two Science laboratories were also renovated to conform to the DepEd Standards.

2012 The new canteen was constructed near the assumption building. The old canteen was subdivided and converted into classrooms. The hallway was also constructed from the canteen going to the Mother Ignacia Building. It was a joint project of the HCAD administration and the Supreme Family Council spearheaded by Mr. Jimmy Lagrimas. The Faculty Room, Principal’s Office, Library, and AVR were transferred to the renovated Assumption Building.

2013 The comfort room at St. Michael building was renovated as a joint project of the HCAI Administration and the Supreme Family Council spearheaded by Mr. Philip N. Pabalate. Wall fans at the Mini- gymnasium were donated by the SFC.

2014 The RVM Sisters, School Personnel, and students welcomed the new School Principal, S. Ma. Virginia V. Adubal, RVM as well as the new teachers. Early in this year, concrete tables and benches at the kiosk and ceiling fans at the canteen were provided to cater to the growing needs of the students, personnel, parents, and visitors. It was also during this year that the newly constructed School Chapel at the left-wing of the Immaculate Conception building was fully furnished and blessed. The school installed 16 CCTV cameras at the different areas in the campus through the assistance of the Supreme Family Council and parents. There was a continuous follow-up in every area of responsibility both in academic and co-curricular affairs for the improvement of the whole school operation.

2015 This year started the total face-lifting of the school buildings. The perimeter fence was concretely elevated and the new gate at the entrance was constructed. HCAD simply aimed to continue the bond together towards the realization of the school’s vision-mission to serve the community of Digos, conforming to the mind of the church and the RVM Congregation.

2016 HCAI face-lifting was completed in June. Installation of the added CCTV’s in each of the four grade-x classrooms at St. Michael’s building was accomplished. The stage at Mother Ignacia Gymnasium was repainted. The provision of two durable Table Tennis and a playroom was also accomplished. Concreting the perimeter fence fronting Llanos Street started. The provisions of the RASH (Readiness for Senior High School) exams to grade X and PASS for grades VII to IX was duly accomplished. The parents through the leadership of the SFC President, Cristelito Abadilla, and SFC Officers finished the L-shaped bleachers surrounding the Mini-Gym in November 2016. The Alumni started to sponsor scholars for grade XI.

2017 January this year, the principal presented to the Board of Trustees (BOT) the plan to install a television in every classroom for instruction purposes. Added CCTVs were installed in the classrooms on the second floor of the Immaculate Conception Building. The Closed Circuit Television Monitors were placed in the registrar’s office, faculty room, and principal’s office. This project aimed at providing close monitoring for teachers in the conduct of their classroom instructions and security purposes. As part of the preparations for the Preliminary Visit of the PAASCU (Oct. 18-19, 2019), the school undertook major activities:

1. Revision of School’s vision-mission statement

2. Revision of the Administrative Manual in consultation with members of Academic Community

3. Revision of the Student Handbook

4. Received the approved Amended By-laws and Articles of Incorporation (December 29, 2017)

5. Acquisition of testing materials for both students and personnel Doors were opened for improvement of school facilities such as the renovation of Science Laboratories, TLE Laboratory, school clinic, guidance office, conference room, and other administrative offices, repair and renovation of all comfort rooms as well as repainting of the classrooms in the Immaculate Conception Building and air- conditioner classrooms for SHS. There was also extensive training for teachers and students as well as granting scholarships for teachers for Post Graduate Education. Furthermore, the school continued the Community Involvement Program (CIP) at the adopted community. Another wave of opportunity for students to become competent individuals was offered such as joining and participating in different contests like:

a. The Kabataan Hugot Contest-Spoken Poetry, Hannah Marie Marchan a representative from the KAMAFil Club got the Grand Winner.

b. Division Science/ Mathematics Competition, Gwyneth Cañoneo received 1 st place for Grade 8 level, Christhel Jan Almano 2 nd place for Grade 9 level, Christian Lorenz Malahay 3 rd place for Grade 10 level, and Stephen Briñan 3 rd place for Grade 8 level.

c. Digos Water District (DWD) Quiz Bowl, Christian Lorenz Malahay a silver medalist.

d. Diocese of Digos Commission of Catholic Schools (DDCCS) Sports fest our students won the following events: Softball Girls –Champion, Sepak Takraw 1 st placer, Lawn Tennis – 3 rd placer, and Badminton – 3 rd placer.

e. Division School Press Conference (DSPC) Christine Joy Tungal –4th place for science & Technology Writing Contest and she was an RSPC qualifier, Carel Love Alburo – Sports Writing Contest –4th placer also an RSPC qualifier.

f. Interschool Catholic Journalism Conference (ICJC) Jan Almano gold medalist of Editorial writing, James Manon-og goldmedalist of photojournalism, William Ymalay gold medalist of sports writing, Mike Damole silver medalist of news writing, and Anikha Ymanuelle Ramos bronze medalist of copy editing and headline writing.

g. Battle of Academic Wizards (BAW) 2 nd placers Christian Lorenz Malahay, Christy Titong, and Nicole Martinez.

2018 In this year, the school strives to render quality education to students through Quality Road Map external audit and preparation for PAASCU Preliminary visit. On November 29, 2018, HCAI personnel participated in the DDCCS Educators’ Sports Feast at St. Mary’s College of Bansalan and won overall champion, teamed with the educators of Cor Jesu College, Inc.

2019 After years of preparation for quality education and service, the HCAI community is finally scheduled for PAASCU Preliminary visit on October 17-18, 2019, but before this day, an earthquake strikes and hits the City of Digos with a Magnitude of 6.2. The people of the city, especially the school personnel preparing the requirements for the visit of the PAASCU accreditors were covered with fear. With God’s protection and mercy, the school experienced minor damages to its facilities. Amidst the situation, the accreditation continued the day after. The Preliminary Visit ended leaving each personnel with questions on what will be the result. The whole school community prayed and thanked God for His mercy and compassion. Six months later, the PAASCU report came; giving recommendations and positively announcing that the school passed the said Preliminary Visit and was subjected to a formal visit a year after next.

2020 The school community was enthusiastic to accomplish all the given recommendations of the PAASCU. However, the excitement and will to comply with all these requirements has again been tested. COVID-19 pandemic came and affected the country including the city of Digos, this made the school have an educational reform implementing the “new normal with health protocols to follow. Nonetheless, with this pandemic, the school community becomes more flexible and innovative to be realistic to its vision and mission that turned the school to its finest to adopt and embrace the situation at hand.

2021 To ensure effective administration of both the Junior High School and Senior High School departments, S. Ma. Yolanda D. Capiña, RVM, has taken over as the Head of HCAI. At the same time, Mark Lexter Fernandez, LPT,

MAEd, the new lay school principal, is warmly greeted by the entire community. In its second year of implementing new educational reform, the school offered three learning modalities: modular, online, and blended instruction. The SFC council, in collaboration with the HCAI administration, spearheaded the canopy project for the Mother Ignacia mini gymnasium. Hence, the work was completed before the start of the school year. After gaining approval from the city engineering office and passing a comprehensive inspection, the Mother Ignacia building, which was damaged during the earthquake, is ready and safe to be occupied. The school acquired a WiFi extender for teachers so that they could conduct online classes in their respective classrooms more efficiently.

2022 The school finally received a letter from the PAASCU informing that HCAI passed the PAASCU Accreditation Level 1 with recommendations that shall be implemented in two years before the next accreditation. By the start of the SY 2022-2023, the school slowly transitioned to face to face classes until November 2022 under the provision of the DepEd and RVM-EMC. Students then are scheduled to come to school for their scheduled face to face classes and will stay home on the remaining days of the week to study their modules and answer their worksheets. Health protocols, traffic management systems and school discipline policies are strictly followed and monitored for the safety of all stakeholders.