De La Salle Santiago Zobel School

De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School
Motto	Religio Mores Cultura Christian Achievers for God and Country
Established	1978
Type	Coeducational, Lasallian, Catholic
Affiliations	UAAP, NAMCYA, WNCAA, DLS-South
President	Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC
Principal	Ruby P. Ramos GS Melissa Gemma G. Cruz HS
Chaplain	Fr. Francis X. Salcedo Fr. Rufino Suplido
Faculty	203[1]
Grades	Jr.-Sr. Prep, G1-7, HI-IV
Location	University Avenue Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines
Oversight	De La Salle Brothers in the Philippines
Accreditation	PAASCU
Campus	Urban, ~70,000 m²
Colors	Green, Gold, and White
Mascot	Junior Archer
Yearbook	Green, Gold, and White
Newspaper	Young Observer GS Counterpoint HS
Hymn	De La Salle Alma Mater Hymn
Varsity Team	Junior Archers
Website	www.zobel.dlsu.edu.ph
GS—Prep & Grade School; HS—High School

The De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ, De La Salle–Zobel or Zobel; Filipino: De La Salle–Paaralang Santiago Zobel) is a Catholic institution for boys and girls located in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It was opened in 1978 by the De La Salle Brothers in the Philippines because of the increasing number of students in the grade school department of the former De La Salle College (Now, De La Salle University) in Manila.^[2]

Background

The first De La Salle School in the Philippines, De La Salle College was opened on June 16, 1911 on Calle Nozaleda in Paco, Manila, at the request of the Archbishop of Manila, Jeremiah James Harty to the Brothers of the Christian Schools.This year 2011 is La Salle's Centenial (100) school year. It is interesting to note that Archbishop Harty had a very close affinity to La Salle since he was schooled in his grade school and high school years in the U. S. in De La Salle Christian Brother-run schools. In 1921, the school moved to its present site on Taft Avenue and the Brothers have since opened schools in Green Hills, Mandaluyong City; Antipolo, Rizal; Lipa City, Batangas; two schools (University of St. La Salle and St. Joseph School-La Salle) in Bacolod City; Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; two schools (De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and De La Salle Health Sciences Institute) in Dasmariñas, Cavite, and in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, which is the De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School.^[3]

History

Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Christian Brothers

De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School, a member-school of De La Salle Philippines, Inc., was established on March 29, 1978 after it was decided that the elementary department of De La Salle College be moved to a location that is more suitable and conducive to learning. A high school department was also formed to assure the graduates of Zobel's elementary department of placement in secondary education.^[4]

The school is located in Muntinlupa's Ayala Alabang Village and was made possible through a joint donation of part of the campus's eleven hectare lot by the Ayala Corporation and the Madrigal Family, with the rest of the lot acquired through financing provided by the Filipinas Life Assurance Company. The school's location in Southern Metro Manila also helps in achieving the government's goal of dispersing educational institutions over the Metro, as well as the goal of the Brothers in the Philippines of making their resources available to as many communities as possible.^[2]

De La Salle Zobel opened in June 1978 with an initial offering of Prep to Grade Six Levels. The Grade School Department became fully operational when Grade 7 was added in June 1979 and in June 1980, the High School Department opened, initially without Freshman classes. It became fully operational in June 1983. Br. Raymond Bronowicz FSC, then the Vice-President for Administration of De La Salle University, was appointed as Zobel's first director.^[2]

De La Salle Zobel departments

The management of Zobel is divided into six departments, all reporting directly to the President, Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC. A sub-unit, the Planning and Personnel Unit reports directly to the office of the Director. The school is also observed by an Internal Auditor that reports directly to the Board of Trustees of the school.^[5]

Grade School Department

The Grade School Department, which is headed by a Principal, is divided into three distinct sub-units that are each headed by an Assistant Principal. The Pre-School unit is responsible for the Junior and Senior Prep levels. The Lower Grades unit is responsible for Grades 1 through 3, while the Upper Grades unit is responsible for Grades 4 through 7.

The Br. V. Felix Masson Hall

High School Department

The High School Department is headed by a Principal and is assisted by an Assistant Principal. The Adult Night High School is also under the High School Department.

The DLSZ Chorale in Concert

Swimming Pool

Computer Laboratory 3 at the St. La Salle Building

The following are the 9 subject areas that form part of the high school curriculum:

• English
• Social Studies.
• Christian Living
• Filipino
• Math
• Music and Art
• Physical Education
• Science
• Technology and Home Economics and Livelihood Education

Center for Lasallian Formation and Development

The Center for Lasallian Formation and Development, formerly the Lasallian Programs office consolidates activities regarding the school's Alumni Affairs, outreach programs, extracurricular activities, and the students' co-curricular activities, among others.^[5] The publication of the school's two organs, the Young Observer, for the Grade School Department, and Counterpoint for the High School Department are also under the purview of this department.

Academics

Two main departments make up the academic structure of Zobel, the Grade School and High School Departments. The Grade School curriculum is structured into six learning areas: Mathematics, Science, Language, Reading, Filipino, and MAKABAYAN, the component subjects of which are Christian Living, Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies), Computer Science, Music and Art, Physical Education, and Home Economics and Livelihood Education.

The High School curriculum, on the other hand, is composed of ten subject areas, which are: Christian Living, English, Araling Panlipunan, Filipino, Science, Math, Music and Art, Physical Education, and Technology and Home Economics.

The school also encourages its students to participate in academic contests, which serve as enrichment opportunities. Zobel has been a consistent top performer in academic contests such the Metrobank-Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines-Department of Education Math Challenge, the Discovery Channel Whiz Quiz Contest, numerous AMA Computer University Information Technology Contests, and the Inter-school Computer Science QuizBits Contest of the Philippine Science High School, among others.^[5][6][7][8]

Performing arts

The DLSZ Symphony Orchestra during Zobel's 25th Anniversary concert

With the thrust of supporting the holistic development of students, Zobel further developed the intellect and artistry of its students with the establishment of the Angelo King Center for the Performing Arts in 2000, which is housed in the school's Center for the Performing Arts Building.^[9] Since its establishment, the Center has organized yearly Performing Arts Festivals which have showcased the different performing arts groups of the school. These groups include the DLSZ Symphony Orchestra, the DLSZ Chorale, the Rondalla Ensemble and in addition, the Center continues to hold yearly productions of hit musicals, a tradition started during the early years of Zobel.

It has also hosted a number of performing groups from De La Salle University such as the DLSU Pops Orchestra, the DLSU Chorale, and the Chamber Ensemble. Activities, which have been organized at the Center, have been facilitated by highly acclaimed organizations including the UP Theater Arts, CenterStage, and the Royal Academy of Dance. In 2002, Don Randi, an American jazz musician held a jazz and fusion clinic and concert at the Center.^[10]

Athletics

Zobel's varsity team, the De La Salle Junior Archers, is De La Salle University-Manila's junior representative to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines while its women's team, the Lady Junior Archers, is De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's representative to the Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association. During UAAP Season 68, the Junior Archers won its first UAAP Basketball title when it swept the UPIS Junior Maroons, 2-0.^[11] It was also La Salle's first Junior's Basketball title in either the NCAA or the UAAP since the De La Salle Greenies of De La Salle College High School (Taft) won the championship in the NCAA in 1955 which was captained by La Salle Basketball Hall-of-Famer Kurt Bachmann. The De La Salle Lady Junior Archers, on the other hand, have been the WNCAA Junior Division Champions for eight straight years, from 1993 to 2000 and again in 2004. Zobel's varsity team for Football on the other hand wins many tournaments and leagues.

Learning Resource Center

Jacobo Santiago Zobel Memorial Library

Antonio Montemayor Anievas Memorial Library

Division 1 Library

The school currently has 3 Learning Resource Centers, one each for the Prep Level, the Grade School Department, and the High School Department, that provide both conventional print and non-print materials to the school community. In addition to these Centers, the school also maintains an Archives unit that is also under Learning Resource Center; the Archives is located at the St. La Salle Building.

The Jacobo Santiago Zobel Memorial Library is the school's primary library and serves the High School Department. The library has two main sections, print and non-print. In 2005, it served 1,128 students, 89 faculty members, 13 administrators, and 82 co-academic personnel.^[12]

The Antonio Montemayor Anievas Library serves the Grade School Department and is located just across the Santiago Zobel Memorial Library. It is the second biggest library on campus and has organized various programs, which serve to inculcate the love of reading for the Grade School students such as the Book Lovers and Catch Them Read Programs.^[12]

Division 1 Library

The Division 1 Library serves the Prep levels as well as Grades 1 through 3 of the school. It is located in the St. Br. Miguel Hall and is the newest library on campus. This library was first housed at the Prep Building, which has since been demolished and replaced by the Br. V. Felix Masson and Br. Miguel Halls.

Adult Night High School

The Adult Night High School was opened as a form of outreach to the underprivileged who would want to finish their high schooling. It was established during School Year 1997-1998 during the term of Dr. Judith Aldaba. Classes were first held at the Putatan Elementary School and was composed of 69 students in two freshman classes with ages ranging from 14 to 41. Classes were relocated to the Alabang Elementary School during the following schoolyear. In 1999, classes were held at the main campus of De La Salle Zobel.^[13] Its first Director was Evangeline de Peralta. De La Salle Santiago Zobel's own alumnus, Frederick A. Halcon [Prep '86, GS '93, HS '97], who became the ANHS's first full-time faculty member in SY 2001-02, taught Mathematics and Economics under the leadership of Ms. Rebecca Telen. Halcon went on to become the Director of De La Salle University's Interdisciplinary Business Studies program from 2006-2008, making him one of the youngest administrators of the school. Halcon belongs to De La Salle Santiago Zobel's first batch of Prep students in 1985. He also served as the Sports Editor of Young Observer from 1992-1993 and Features Editor of the Counterpoint in 1996-1997. Halcon is also the lone recipient of the Exemplary Conduct Award in the Commencement Exercises of his batch in March 1997.

Campus

The campus is situated on an irregularly shaped lot located at the heart of the Ayala Alabang Village. The campus's master plan was designed by the firm of architect Francisco Mañosa. In the master plan, the main objective was the creation of a unified learning environment, with the school grounds having a countryside atmostphere. In this view, alterations to the natural elements of the lot were kept at a minimum.^[14]

When the school opened in 1978, there was only one building available for use, the St. La Salle Building, then called the "Main Building." At present, the campus is composed of a number of structures which have been necessitated by the burgeoning school population. The following major buildings are found on campus:

St. La Salle building

The façade of the St. La Salle Building (Main Building) of DLSZ

The first building on the campus, it houses the Grades 4 to 7 classes as well as the Freshmen to Junior classes. The basement level, which was formerly a canteen-cum-multi-purpose hall was turned into the school's Learning Resource Center in 1992. It is composed of two libraries: the Antonio Montemayor Anievas Memorial Library (High School) and the Jacobo Santiago Zobel Memorial Library (Grade School), audio-visual rooms, the School Archives, and the libraries' Non-Print Center.

In 2005, the central garden separating the Grade School and High School libraries was converted into a Cyber Nook which houses a considerable number of computers available for use by the school community. Also constructed was a state-of-the-art "E-Classroom" which is found right beside the Cyber Nook

The ground floor also once housed the offices of the Registrar, the Director, and the Grade School Principal. These offices have since been moved to the newly renovated Mutien-Marie Wiaux Building. At present, the newly renovated Deborah Decena Auditorium, the amphitheater, the Information Systems Office, the medical and dental clinics, and the office of the School Chaplain may be found at the ground floor. Beside the Main Building is the newly built, state-of-the-art Our Lady of the Star Chapel where regular masses are held. Beside this chapel is the Parmenie, the new recollection facility.

On the third floor are three state-of-the-art computer laboratories and the office of the High School Assistant Principal. Also found within the St. La Salle Building are two pocket gardens, as well as a botanical garden at the rear end of the building.

All classrooms in the Main building are airconditioned, equipped with LCD projectors, and computers connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. For School year 2009-2010, major renovations have taken place for the computers in the E-Classroom and the Cybernook.

Saint Brother Mutien-Marie Building

In 2005, the Administration Building or the St. Brother Mutien-Marie Building, underwent a total renovation. It was one of the earliest building on campus and now houses all the administrative offices of Zobel including the offices of the Director, the Grade School Principal, the High School Principal, the Registrar, and the Accounting Department. Prior to its renovation, it housed the Sewing and Cooking classes of the high school Freshmen and Sophomores, and it featured a mock-up of a house's living room and bedroom. It featured a fully equipped kitchen that was capable of handling four sets of student-chefs as well as a classroom that was equipped with 50 sewing machines. These classes have since been moved to the St. Joseph Building

The building is named after St. Brother Mutien-Marie Wiaux, a De La Salle Christian Brother who taught St. Bertuin's School in Malonne, Belgium where he taught for fifty-eight years. He was canonized in 1989 by Pope John Paul II.

St. Joseph and THELE Buildings

The stained glass marker of the St. Joseph Building

Named after one of the most famous carpenters in history, the St. Joseph Building is home to all of the school's Home Economics and Livelihood Education classes, including Shop, Automotive/Driving, Practical Gardening, Practical Electricity, Cooking, and Sewing, among others. In 2004, an annex, the THE Building, was built to decongest the original building which was built in 1992. The building houses the Automotive/Driving and Electricity classes at the ground floor, including the garage for the class vehicles, while a gym (Gym 3) occupied the second floor. In 2005, a model home was built by the back of the original building to house the Cooking and Sewing classes. The original building once housed art classes as well as rehearsal rooms for the DLSZ Band and doubles as transient offices for some of the school's units while some buildings on campus are undergoing renovation. For school year 2007-2008, the THELE building has been transformed to a Seniors (4th year) building due to the many other students that applied during its enrollment period thus adding section I to some of the Grade and High School levels.^[4] In school year 2010-2011 classrooms for the 7th grade were moved here.

Brother Flavius Leo FSC Hall

The Br. Flavius Leo FSC Hall, which houses the school's main canteen was built in 1991 with the initial food service management being handled by The Aristocrat Restaurant of Engracia Reyes. The immediate past handler of the canteen management was Race Foods, Inc. and at present, it is handled by La Casita, which also handles management of the De La Salle University canteens at the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center and the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall. The canteen is fully air-conditioned and also houses a Teachers' Lounge. While this is the main school canteen, a mini-canteen is also located in the Br. Felix Hall. It was named after Br. Flavius Leo FSC, one of the sixteen Christian Brothers who were massacred in the Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel of De La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila in World War II.

Br. V. Felix Masson and St. Br. Miguel Halls

The driveway to the St. Br. Miguel Hall

The Br. V. Felix Masson Hall is named after one of the longest-serving Christian Brothers in the Philippines and, after the recent deaths of Br. Fidelis Leddy FSC(1918-2003) and Br. J. Benedict FSC(1927-2004), the only living American Christian Brother who has been serving in the Philippines for more than fifty years.^[15] This building was built in 1997 and houses the Junior Prep to Third Grade levels and in 2004, the St. Br. Miguel building was built right next to the Br. Felix Hall to accommodate the pre-school levels. The Br. Felix Hall building houses classrooms, laboratories, and a library for the Grade School Department as well as the offices of the Grade School Principal.

The newly built St. Brother Miguel Hall, named after St. Br. Miguel Febres Cordero Muñoz FSC, houses a pre-school playground, a library for the pre-school, a multi-purpose hall, a clinic, a faculty room for the Grade School and Pre-school levels, and an amphitheater. These buildings sit on the area that was once occupied by the Prep Building, which housed the Junior and Senior Prep levels of the school, and was also named after St. Br. Miguel Febres Cordero.

Vaugirard

The bridge leading to the entrance of the Vaugirard

The Recollection House, officially known as The Vaugirard, is a gated compound which is place of contemplation and is where most official school recollections and retreats are held. It is located at the far Western end of the campus and is physically secluded from the main grounds by extensive gardens and foliage. It is named after Vaugirard, France, the location where St. John Baptist De La Salle founded his first novitiate.^[16] A house was built there by the Brothers to serve as a venue wherein they could meet to strengthen their relationships through fellowship and prayer.^[17] The ground floor of the Vaugirard also served as an erstwhile faculty room for some of the Grade School faculty while the St. Br. Miguel Hall was being constructed. Recollection and Retreat activities were moved to the Our Lady of the Star Chapel. The Vaugirard Hall is where one can find the other SPIS classrooms on the second floor and the ZoobTV Cable and Radio Studio on the ground floor.

Cadlum Hall

The Independent Teachers Union garden in front of Cadlum Hall

Built at the site of the former stand-alone Gym 2, the Cadlum Hall was built to house a multi-purpose hall and the school bookstore at the ground floor, with the Gym 2 being converted to a dedicated basketball court at the second floor. Its front lawn features a garden, which was donated by the Teachers' Union, as well as a gazebo, which housed the former offices of the school's yearbook the Green, Gold, and White. The hall is located right beside the canteen.

At present, the multi-purpose hall also doubles as office space with the following units as occupants:

• Alumni & Development Office
• Lasallian Formation Office
• Campus Ministry Office
• Social Action Office
• Student Activity Office

It also houses classrooms for Remedial English. The building is named after the longest-serving Principal of Zobel, Edgardo S. Cadlum (1932-2010).^[18]

Angelo King Center for the Performing Arts

The façade of the Angelo King Center for the Performing Arts

In 1996, the school began construction on a building which would house its proposed Center for the Performing Arts. In 2000, this building was completed and would be named after Angelo King, who had contributed a significant amount to help finish its construction.^[9] The Angelo King Center has a Php150 million theater equipped with state-of-the-art lights and sound facilities, which were imported form Germany. The theater has a seating capacity of 1,052 with balcony and orchestra sections, a two-level lobby, an orchestra pit, four air-conditioned dressing rooms, costume cabinets, a docking area, sixteen fly battens, two motorized curtain systems (vertical and horizontal), and comfort rooms.^[19] The television program Digital LG Quiz, taped their episodes at the King Center Theater from Seasons 2 to 4.

The building houses the rehearsal rooms of the performing arts groups of the school, as well as the music and art classrooms. There are also two box offices located in the building, one at the ground level of the lobby, and one at the upper level, just by the dance studio.The Performing Arts Center is currently under complete renovation of the main theater.

Our Lady of the Star chapel

The Our Lady of the Star has just finished construction and is used by students, teachers and guests for masses and recollection activities. The Our Lady of the Star is a two-storey building. The chapel is located in the second floor. Recollection activities are held in the first floor.

Athletic facilities

Football Field

There are four gymnasiums located around the campus. Gym 1, the second building on campus and the first gymnasium constructed, is also the largest. Gym 1 is currently under renovation since May 2008 and is to be made into a Sports Pavilion which will house state-of-the-art athletic facilities. Besides it being used for most of the Physical Education classes, it is also used for institutional gatherings such as Eucharistic celebrations. It also houses the offices of the Physical Education Department as well as a fully equipped weight training room.

The campus is also home to an Olympic-size swimming pool which was constructed in the mid-1990s. In 2005, the pool house was rebuilt and is now a multi-level building with locker & shower rooms at the ground floor and spectator-stands at the upper level. Right beside the swimming pool are the tennis courts, one of the oldest facilities located on campus.

The school also has a full-sized football field, which is located behind the Mutien-Marie Building, as well as baseball and softball fields, which are located by The Vaugirard. Because of these facilities, Zobel has been host to many athletic competitions, especially soccer matches, like the inter-school Football Fiesta held recently.

Santiago Zobel

Jacobo Santiago "Santi" Zobel, namesake of De La Salle Zobel

Jacobo Santiago "Santi" Zobel, after whom the school is named, was the eldest son of De La Salle Alumnus and Benefactor- Don Enrique Zobel. Enrique Zobel was then the President of the Ayala Corporation when De La Salle-Zobel was established. Santiago was born on August 15, 1954 and died of pneumonia on September 7, 1965 at the age of 11.

Notable De La Salle Zobel alumni

• Alan Peter Cayetano (GS '85, HS '89) —Representative, Lone District of Taguig-Pateros, Senator (2007)^[20]
• Nathan Azarcon )HS '89) - bassist, Bamboo (band)Member Tau Gamma Phi De La Salle Zobel
• Alvin Aguilar (HS '91) - President and Founder of the Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC), Martial artist, Member Tau Gamma Phi De La Salle Zobel
• Basti Artadi (HS '91) - Lead vocalist, Wolfgang (Filipino band)
• Eric Buhain (HS) SEA Games Gold Medalist Swimming, former Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, current Chairman of the Games and Amusement Board
• Mark Escueta (HS '93) - drummer of popular band Rivermaya
• Sam Oh (HS '98) — TV host(QTV)
• John Paul Gomez (HS '03) - International Chess Grandmaster
• Patty Laurel (HS '00) - model, TV personality
• Mariel Rodriguez, (Ma. Erlinda Termulo) [HS '02]— ABS-CBN Personality
• Richard Gutierrez (HS '02) — Model, Actor, and GMA Network Personality
• Rhian Ramos (HS '08) - actress, model, TV host (GMA 7)
• Bianca Gonzalez (HS '00) - Model, Host ABS-CBN Personality

References and notes

1. ^ 2005 figures
2. ^ ^{a b c} About Zobel : History zobel.dlsu.edu.ph Accessed May 16, 2006
3. ^ De La Salle: 1911-1986 dlsu.edu.ph Accessed May 16, 2006
4. ^ ^{a b} "Zobel @ 25." Young Observer. Jun-November 2006.
5. ^ ^{a b c} De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School. (2006). 2006 student handbook. Muntinlupa:DLSZ Institutional Development and Communications Office.
6. ^ Daily Bulletin Online dailybulletin.zobel.dlsu.edu.ph Accessed May 16, 2006
7. ^ Daily Bulletin Online dailybulletin.zobel.dlsu.edu.ph Accessed May 16, 2006
8. ^ Daily Bulletin Online dailybulletin.zobel.dlsu.edu.ph Accessed May 16, 2006
9. ^ ^{a b} De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School. (2000). Primer to the Angelo King Center for the Performing Arts. Muntinlupa: DLSZ Printing Office.
10. ^ US artist to conduct jazz clinics, concerts news.inq7.net September 19, 2002
11. ^ Daily Bulletin Online dailybulletin.zobel.dlsu.edu.ph Accessed August 9, 2006
12. ^ ^{a b} De La Salle–Santiago Zobel Libraries. (2006). LRC Tidbits. Muntinlupa: DLSZ Printing Office.
13. ^ History of the Adult Night High School zobel.dlsu.edu.ph Accessed August 16, 2006
14. ^ De La Salle Zobel manosa.com Accessed May 16, 2006
15. ^ A Tough Act to Follow De La Salle Alumni Association Accessed May 16, 2006
16. ^ Saint John Baptist de La Salle New Catholic Dictionary Accessed May 16, 2006
17. ^ University Lasallian Family Office - Formation Programs dasma dlsu.edu.ph Accessed May 16, 2006
18. ^ De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School. (1997). 96-'97 Grade School Green, Gold, and White. Muntinlupa
19. ^ Other Campuses De La Salle Alumni Association Accessed May 16, 2006
20. ^ "Cayetano, Allan Peter Personal Information". http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/13thHouse/personal/cayetano-personal.html. Retrieved 2007-11-15. 

External links

• De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School Official Site
• Philippine Lasallian Family
• De La Salle Santiago Zobel School Parents Association
• De La Salle Alumni Association

Coordinates: 14°24′31.182″N 121°1′16.266″E / 14.40866167°N 121.021185°E / 14.40866167; 121.021185