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A BRIEF
HISTORY OF OLRA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
In May of
1949, the Founders, Mr. Nemesio Gaviola and Mrs. Consuelo F.
Gaviola while driving from Manila to visit their rice and sugar cane
mills in Buenlag, Calasiao, Pangasinan noticed that San Manuel,
Tarlac was the only town on their way without a high school.
A year ago,
the couple closed the Trinity Institute of Technology which they
founded in Tayuman, Manila, due to excessive rentals of the building
which they occupied hence they were really looking for a place in the
province where to establish it.
The couple
dropped at the municipal building and talked with Mayor Dioscoro
Felix and other officials who readily welcomed their proposal to put
up a school. They were advised to come back after a week and then by
then everything was ready for the talk which readily materialized.
On June 6,
1949, the founders applied for a government permit and opened the
school in a rented house of Mr. Mariano Mendoza in Lanat, San Manuel,
Tarlac. With an enrollment of 189 students they opened the First to
Third Year. Many of the enrollees were old and matured.Mrs. Consuelo
Gaviola engaged the part time services of two public school teachers,
one for the Pilipino and another for English while all other subjects
were taught by founder herself Mrs. Consuelo Gaviola.
In November
of the same year they constructed the school building in the place it
now occupies the site of the former Catholic church. They had
originally four rooms and another for the family residence.The school
was named San Manuel Academy which they changed later to Our Lady of
Remedies Academy in honor of the town Patroness, Our Lady of
Remedies. This school stressed on high standard and strict discipline
so that as the years went by they produced graduates many of whom are
board placers.
The
population of this town were mostly tenants to thirteen landlords but
with the introduction of land reform program of the government the
people prospered on their lives and aspired to send their children to school.
During the
school years 1960, 1961 and 1962 the DECS conducted National
Examinations for high schools both Public and Private.
In 1960 the
Our Lady of Remedies Academy now OLRA COLLEGE FOUNDATION ranked no.
332 out of 1,406 schools taking the test. This school belonged to the
upper 25% of all the schools examined and that in all the subjects
given, the school percentage median score were above the national
percentage median scores.
In 1961 out
of 1,487 schools tested in Physics, the school ranked No.5 thereby
our median score was 27.5 against 46 as the national median, the
national of 7. In English our school median score against 46 as the
national median where 1,590 schools were tested. In Philippine
History and Government, the school ranked No. 44.5 with a median of
63 where 1,025 schools were tested .
All the
above results show the that OLRA enjoys a very high standard compared
with other schools both public and private.
Concluding,
the school maintains high standard of instruction. Since, education
is the foundation of success, high educational standard be sustained
for the success and prosperity of families and country.
With the
50th year of existence, the school is now giving education to the 3rd
generation of every family.
Last 1988,
my children Dr. & Mrs. Carlito Arenas put up the Tertiary Level
so they have to change the name again to OLRA College Foundation. The
school of Midwifery, College of Nursing, Computer Secretarial were
opened, however these are housed in another lot which is located in
San Vicente at a distance of two Km. from the Secondary school. There
are two Barangay High Schools, one in the north and other in the
south. However, most parents patronize the OLRA COLLEGE FOUNDATION.
The school
now has graduated thousands of
professionals scattered throughout the world. It is ranking high in
standard as indicated by the NEAT results from year to year.
EMPHASIS IS
GIVEN IN THE OBSERVANCE OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. That
diligence, devotion and industry are the keys to success.
2. That Life
is what you make it.
3. That when
ever you do a thing do it to the best of your ability.
4. Man is
the architect of his own fate and the master of his own destiny.
5. That time
is the most unrecoverable commodity hence do something pretty everyday.
6. That
poverty is not a hindrance to education and progress.
7. That a
positive thinker achieves more than one who thinks negatively.
8. That
success is not denied to a diligent worker and persistent doer. Grasp
the master key to riches through values education, positive mental
attitude and self-discipline.
9. Let us
work our own miracles, take that extra mile and with the intercession
of our Lord, we can go onward to progress through Values Education,
Positive Mental Attitude and Self-discipline. Yes, Man proposes, God disposes.
OLRA
COLLEGE FOUNDATION – After its Golden Year Anniversary
OLRA College
Foundation is continuing to reap the fruits of its success after the
celebration of its Golden Anniversary in 1999.
What is OLRA College
Foundation doing and where is it headed after its first 50 years as an
educational institution?
The school has been
successful in fulfilling its commitment to its graduates through quality
education and values formation because it has uplifted the lives of its
graduates and the community. Its vision – to produce self-directing
graduates who are equipped with knowledge and skills and are guided by
accepted social, spiritual and moral values – has been attained.
The realization of the
school’s mission and vision can be observed in its present programs and
improvements which are underway.
A.
Elementary and High School Campus at Poblacion, San Manuel, Tarlac –
Enrollment 400 high school; 100 elementary
A one story four-room building was constructed to
serve the increasing number of enrollees. More laboratory facilities have
been purchased to keep the students abreast with the latest technology in
their science classes. The Sports Program of the school has been
strengthened to produce graduates with well-rounded personalities.
B.
College (tertiary) Campus based at OLRA Compound, San Vicente, San Manuel,
Tarlac – Enrollment 3000
The
College has purchased more computers in preparation for the offering of
on-line classes for the Paramedical courses. The computer room is
connected to the Local Area Network and the Internet. More facilities for
the Skills laboratory of the Paramedical department have been acquired to
keep the Nursing students abreast with current Nursing skills. The Speech
laboratory has also been upgraded to more highly technical facilities to
enhance the communication skills of the students. Instructors are
continuously sent for training programs to update themselves in their
respective curricula. A five-year Faculty Development Program has been
prepared.
C.
Scholarship programs
Another
significant achievement of the school is its Scholarship program for
students in all levels: elementary, secondary and college (tertiary)
levels. Recipients of the Scholarship program are the poor but deserving
students in the community who are either recommended by their principals,
barangay captains or municipal mayors.
The Consuelo F. Gaviola
Scholarship recipients (currently 30) are given a full tuition fee
discount for the duration of their studies as long as they maintain an
Average Grade of 85% or higher.
The Rene F. Gaviola
Scholarship recipients (currently 300) also receive a 100% tuition
fee discount.
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