SPAS Historical Timeline

Fr. Vincent Liu, a diocesan priest from New York became the parish priest of St. Peter the Apostle Church and took upon himself to establish a school that would provide a Catholic education with Chinese instruction for the Chinese-Filipino community in the parish.

St. Peter the Apostle School (SPAS) opened its doors to the youth of the parish with Fr. Vincent Liu as its first Director.

It started with one nursery class of 40 pupils with Miss Judith Piella as the Elementary Principal. Classes were held in the Social Hall of the wooden parish house.

Government recognition for the nursery and kindergarten level was granted.

The groundbreaking ceremony of laying down the cornerstone of the new school building was held.

Both His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin and Bishop Juan B. Velasco were present at the ceremony.

Government recognition for grades 1 and 2 were granted. The High School department started with only 17 students.

Fr. Joseph Wang was the first high school principal.

Mrs. Myrna Tabalon was appointed the Head of the High School Department.

The new SPAS school building was inaugurated by His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin and Bishop Juan B. Velasco.

Fr. Francis Chin took over as new parish priest and director of the school.

He appointed Mrs. Myrna Tabalon as Principal and Mrs. Alvara Ursua as the Head of the Elementary Department.

The Preschool Department was managed by Mrs. Josefina Alonzo followed by Mrs. Eufrocina Ancheta.

St. Peter the Apostle School received government recognition for all levels. It continued to grow with the addition of a fourth floor and gymnasium to the school building, and the construction of an annex for the Preschool Department.

His Eminence Cardinal Sin blessed the construction of the new Preschool building located along Penafrancia Street.

Sr. Rose Chen, MSP became Head of the Preschool Department and later succeeded by Sr. Cecilia Lin, MSP.

Metro Manila was hit by a strong and devastating earthquake.

Reconstruction was carried out to repair the damage and make the school safe for its growing population.

SPAS celebrated its 20th anniversary with the inauguration of the new 5-storey High School building.

It was named after Bishop Juan B. Velasco as recognition for his dedication and invaluable help to the school.

Msgr. Francis Chin turned over the management of St. Peter the Apostle School to the Missionary Sisters of Providence (MSP).

Sr. Theresa Wang, MSP was appointed School Directress. Together with her were Sr. Lucy Lo as Finance Officer and Sr. Cecilia Lin as Pre-school Department Head.

Mrs. Ofelia A. Mampusti became the School Principal.

Various innovations and improvement of school facilities happened such as

installation of computers, LCD projectors and speakers in all classrooms

construction of Readers’ Paradise and Teachers’ Lounge; and

major renovation of the clinic, library, comfort rooms, gymnasium and the like.

The school purchased the 1703 square meter lot across the Bishop Juan Velasco Building.

SPAS celebrated its 30th (Pearl) Anniversary with the theme, “In Gratitude, We Envision the Future.” The school hymn was first sung during this celebration. Lyrics were arranged by Mr. John Sison with music by Mr. Jonicis Bulalacao.

Sr. Theresa Wang appointed Mrs. Maydene M. Ong as the School Principal.

The management of the school was turned over from the Missionary Sisters of Providence to the Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Society’s (LRMS) stewardship.

To help with the transition, Msgr. Esteban U. Lo, LRMS was tasked to serve as the Acting Director of St. Peter the Apostle School.

Msgr. Noly A. Que, LRMS became the School Director.

Upon assuming the position he ordered for a wider improvement of school facilities such as

clustering of the administrative offices in one area near the main gate

transfer of the Grade 1 classrooms to the ground floor

construction of the Msgr. Chin Mini Park

construction of three more Science Laboratories and improvement of the existing one

construction of the Speech Laboratory

expansion of the clinic and library

improvement of the façade of the main building; and

improvement of the parking area and the like.

SPAS implemented a Recalibration Program in preparation for the Senior High School in 2015-2016 with the first Grade 11 classes.

Fr. Emilio A. Ascaño, LRMS became the new Director while Fr. Emmanuel S. Regalado, LRMS took over the duties of Assistant Director and Finance Officer.

The creation of the Director’s Council which consisted of the Director, Assistant Director, Principal, Center for Christian Formation Officer, Human Resource Officer and Finance Officer gave the administration a more concerted effort towards action and results as its members provided input on strategic direction and directly supported growth and success of the institution and its advocacies for professionalism and excellence.

The Department of Education issued the permit for implementation of the Senior High School.

Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Emilio A. Ascaño, LRMS, the school initiated the inclusion of the following:

Robotics subject in the curriculum

SSRS (Strategic Steps to Reading Success ) Program

Advanced Math Program

Singaporean Mathematics Curriculum,

the Koobits Mathematics online program

two Science programs in Junior High School (discipline-based and spiral approach)

Culinary Arts Program (Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, International cuisines)

Basic Mandarin Program

Advanced Mandarin Program and the like.

New facilities were constructed such as

Stem Center which houses the MAC Laboratory, Robotics Laboratory and Math Laboratory

Home Arts and Heritage Center

Entrepreneurship Center

Msgr. Chin Mini Park; and the

Fr. Vincent Liu Hall which was constructed through the collaboration of the school with the Alumni Association (SPASAA.

To provide better facilities to all Peterians. there were further improvements of school facilities such as building façades, school gymnasium and the like.

The school underwent Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) Preliminary Visit.

The school passed the Department of Education’s rigorous Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) Certification with flying colors.

With this, SPAS has become Educational Service Contracting (ESC) grantee school wherein teachers and students receive subsidies and grants from the government.

SPAS underwent PAASCU Formal Visit.

SPAS received the PAASCU Certificate of Accreditation, making it a PAASCU Accredited school at the height of COVID-19 pandemic.

The RCAM ES Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Mrs. Vilma P. Quijano as the School Principal.

SPAS designed its online Learning Continuity Program called SPAS:HOME (Specialized Program for Alternative Schooling: Home-based Online and Modular Education).

The school, in observance of health and safety protocols, constructed the hand washing area near the canteen and renovated the school clinic with provision of an isolation room.

The intensification of the school’s advocacy for Laudato Si paved the way for the construction of the new Conference Room with sliding windows to allow air to enter all around the room at the 5^th floor near the gymnasium.

SPAS celebrated its 45^th Founding Anniversary with the theme Celebrate the Gift of Faith and Mission. The occasion was graced by the presence of some alumni and former school administrators.

Under the directions set by the School Director, Rev. Fr. Emilio A. Ascaño, LRMS, the school came up with a modified Mission Statement, Institutional Goals and Core Values.

For the core values, Chinese words such as Zhi (Wisdom), Ren (Benevolence/Kindness), Yong (Courage) and Xin (Faith) which are familiar among stakeholders and close to the heart of every Peterian, were adopted.

These core values were anchored in the Vision of the Archdiocese of Manila and the core values of the Department of Education which are Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan, Makabansa.