About Us

Welcome to
Bright School

# BRIEF HISTORY OF SAN GUILLERMO ACADEMY ## Our History San Guillermo Academy was established as a Catholic School in 1964 through the initiative of the former parish priest of Talisay, Rev. Fr. Leoncio L. Lat, who later became Bishop Leoncio L. Lat, D.D. The school was founded as a non-stock, non-profit educational institution. During its early years, Fr. Lat acted as the School Director with the help of the Principal and lay teachers. Since then, the parish priest of Talisay has traditionally taken on the role of School Director. ## Rising from Adversity In November 1965 to April 1966, the school was temporarily closed due to the eruption of Taal Volcano. However, on May 30, 1966, the government granted recognition to SGA to offer secondary education until the third-year level. A new school building was also constructed at that time. On August 20, 1967, Sr. Mary of St. John Berchman from Wisconsin, USA, arrived to teach at the Academy. From its humble beginnings, the school gradually began to blossom. The Academy received official approval as a legitimate high school from the Bureau of Education on May 14, 1968. During this time, Mr. Andres Macasaet was appointed Principal, and Msgr. Mariano Dailo, the Parish Priest, served as School Director. ## Strengthening Through Service When Rev. Fr. Ricardo Echague became School Director, he invited Religious Sisters to assist in administration, as handling both parish and school duties proved taxing. The acting principal at the time was Mrs. Erlinda Malabanan. At Fr. Echague's request, the former Archbishop of Lipa, Most Rev. Msgr. Mariano Gaviola, D.D., sent the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart in 1988 to help manage the school. That same year, Rev. Fr. Godofredo Mendoza became School Director, and Sr. Ma. Teresita Villar, MCSH, became the first MCSH Sister to serve as Principal. ## Expanding Our Offerings The Pre-Elementary Department was launched in School Year 1996–97 through the initiative of Rev. Fr. Dioscoro Villasis (Director) and Sr. Ma. Josefina J. Valencia, MCSH (Principal). This milestone later led to the opening of the Elementary Department. In 1999, Sr. Mary Purification Perez, MCSH became Principal, with Rev. Fr. Reynaldo Evangelista as School Director. During the 2000–2001 school year, Fr. Evangelista initiated the construction of a two-storey building for the Elementary Department. After Sr. Mary Purification’s passing in December 2001, Sr. Ma. Teresita Villar, MCSH returned as Principal. On November 5, 2003, the Elementary Department received official approval with Government Recognition No. E-006, s. 2003 from the Department of Education.