| On March 1, 1901, the Philippine
Commission authorized provincial boards of all provinces in the Philippines
to provide funds from their own resources for the establishment of secondary
schools through the passage of Act No. 372.
In early 1902, leaders of
the short-lived Republica de Negros led by former provincial governor Melecio
Severino and former Minister of Justice Antonio Jayme, together with George
W. Bettie — the division superintendent of schools — exerted efforts to
open a public secondary school in Negros Occidental. Despite the indifference
of provincial governor to the idea, the school - originally named Instituto
Rizal- was established due to the influence of the American provincial
treasurer over the provincial board. Classes began on July 1, 1902 with
125 students taking up academic and normal courses under the tutelage of
three American teachers. Ray B. Howell, the first principal, was one of
the Thomasites assigned throughout the country to introduce the new public
school system patterned after the American educational system.
To emphasize that it is a
public secondary school funded by provincial funds and distinguish it from
other secondary schools organized by private individuals, the Bureau of
Education officially designated Institute) Ftizalas a "provincial high
school" in 1903.
Strategically located in
Bacolod City, the school was chosen during World War II by the Japanese
occupation forces as their provincial headquarters. Tragically, its hallowed
grounds were used as the temporary graveyard for hundreds of soldiers and
guerrilla fighters. Through the years, the school has nurtured generations
of community, civic business, government leaders and other responsible
citizens. Its alumni include men and women who have occupied high positions
in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government.
Today, it is known as the Negros Occidental High School and remains to
be the premier public high school in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
It has 7,000 students with 272 faculty and staff.
Stamp Design: Facade
of Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) typical of the architectural style
of government school buildings, popularly known as Gabaldon, built during
the American colonial administration, with the Philippine Flag. NOHS logo
showing the school's main building with a torch illuminating it and a sugar
cane symbolizing the province's principal industry. Part of the altar panel
of the Sta. Clara Subdivision Church, Bacolod City (capital of the province
of Negros Occidental), highlighting an innovative and unique art form representative
of artistic creations in the province's flourishing handicraft industry,
a significant source of livelihood and employment, as well as foreign exchange
earnings. It is made of 95,000 squares of shell from 32 different kinds
of natural-colored shells gathered at Bacolod's shores. The altar panel,
depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, is a must-see attraction
in Bacolod City and considered a national
treasure. Pictures of NOHS
facade and altar panel was taken and provided for by Dionisio Langote and
Negilo S. Cachopero, respectively. NOHS logo provided by Nilda M. Monge,
NOHS principal and altar panel done by Leticia Sia Ledesma, proprietor
of Bacolod shellcraft. |
