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. Bernard Oca FSC
Principal	Ruby P. Ramos GS Br. Bernard Oca FSC HS
Chaplain	Br. Martin Sellner FSC
Faculty	263[1]
Grades	Pre-Kinder, Kinder, Gr.1 to 6, Gr.7 to 9, HS II, III & 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
Newspaper	Young Observer GS Counterpoint HS
Hymn	De La Salle Alma Mater Hymn
Varsity Team	De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers
Website
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. 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

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 donated 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]

School Emblem

The double A dividing the bottom part of the shield was derived from the Ayala logo, since the school property is part of Ayala Alabang Village developed by Ayala Land Corporation. The bottom center bears the star of faith, or Signum Fidei from the official school seal of the La Salle Brothers. Below the star of faith are the three broken chevrons found in the Coat of Arms of the family of St. La Salle. The palm branch with 16 leaves at the bottom left honors the 16 La Salle Brothers who were martyred along with several friends during the Japanese occupation in 1945. The bottom right section of the shield bears the small, iconographic symbol of St. James, the seashell, found in Santiago de Compostela, Cathedral of the Primate of Spain. Santiago is the patron saint of the late Santiago Zobel after whom the school was named. The three small stars at the corners of this section were taken from the official Coat of Arms of the Republic of the Philippines. The upper section of the shield contains the cross and rays, as reminders that the primary purpose of Lasallian education is to lead every student to Christ and to spread the Good News of God’s Kingdom. Above the shield is a dove spreading its wings, symbolizing peace and representing the Holy Spirit who sends His light to renew the face of the earth. The color white represents peace and purity of faith and morals; green, hope and confidence; and gold, love.

^[5]

De La Salle Zobel departments

The management of Zobel is divided into seven departments, all reporting directly to the President, Br. Bernard Oca FSC. These are the High School Department, the Grade School Department, the Academic Services Department, the Administrative Services Department, the Lasallian Formation and Mission Department, the Human Resource Management and Development Department, the Finance Department, and the Br. Rafael Donato FSC Night High School (BRafeNHS) Department. The Quality Assurance and Management Office directly under the President is a sub-group composed of the Internal Auditor, the Compliance Officer, the Project Management Officer, and the Strategic Planning Officer. The school's Technological and Vocational School is a sub-group under the BRafeNHS Principal.

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, 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 De La Salle University Contests, and the Inter-school Computer Science QuizBits Contest of the Philippine Science High School, among others.^[6][7][8][9]

Performing arts

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.^[10] 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 Strings, the DLSZ Band, 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, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Philippine Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Academy of Dance. In 2002, the Center for Performing Arts was on national television weekly venue-hosting GMA7's popular quiz show, LG Quiz. In 2003, Don Randi, an American jazz musician held a jazz and fusion clinic and concert at the Center.^[11]

In 2004, recognizing the role of the Center in promoting culture and the arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) officially designated DLSZ Center for Performing Arts as the "CCP of the South." A marker bearing such recognition was unveiled at the lobby of the Center by then CCP President Nestor Jardin, DLSZ's Br. Jaime Dalumpines, FSC, DSLZ-DIPS Director Amanda Boyles, and the head of the Center, Albert Madrigal.

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.^[12] 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

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.^[13]

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.^[13]

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 (BRAFENHS)

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.^[14]

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.^[15]

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:

Saint La Salle Building

The first building on the campus, it houses the Sixth to Second Year High School classrooms.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 (Grade School) and Music Room extensions/

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

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 (or sometimes known as the Debbie Decena Auditorium), the auditorium, the Information Systems Office, the medical and dental clinics. 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 Academic Year 2009-2010 and 2013- ongoing, 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 the Finance Development Office, Registrar and Admissions office, and the Instructional and Performance Assessment Office. It also houses the President's office,Grade School and High School Principal's office, the Don Enrique Zobel Board Room, Quality Assurance and Management Office and the Human Resources Management and Development Department office. 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.

Saint Joseph's Building

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 and the Grade 5 classes.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.

St. Flavius Hall

The St. Flavius Hall 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 ZaiDeThe 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 Brother V. Felix Masson FSC 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.^[16] 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 Grades 1 to 4.

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 houses the Senior Prep levels of the school, and was also named after St. Br. Miguel Febres Cordero.

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.^[17] 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.^[18] 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 PRE-Kinder and Kinder classes.

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. The hall serves as the canteens extension.

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

Angelo King Center for the Performing Arts and Sylvia P. Lina Theatre

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.^[10] 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. The building also houses the Music and Art rooms. Adjacent to the Building is the DLSZ Alumni Association Office and the Independent Teachers Union Office.

Br. Ceci Hojilla FSC Center for Lasallian Formation (BroCeci CLF)

The Br. Ceci CLF houses the Our Lady of the Star Chapel, the Adoration Chapel, the Family Life Wellness Institute, the Conference Hall, two recollection rooms, the Parmenie Retreat Facility, separate male and female dormitories, the Campus Ministry Office, and the Social Action Office.

Athletic facilities

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, 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 '88) —Representative, Lone District of Taguig-Pateros, Senator (2007)^[20]
• Dustin B. Andaya (HS '88) Founder and CEO of Island Rose - first fully integrated online gift delivery service - nationwide, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Finalist 2009,^[21] Agora awardee - Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship 2009,^[22] USA and Philippines delegate APEC 2009-2011
• Nathan Azarcon (HS '89) - Was bassist of Bamboo (band), a member of Tau Gamma Phi
• Juno Sauler (HS '90)- Coach of the De La Salle Green Archers Seniors Men's Basketball team
• Alvin Aguilar (HS '91) - President and Founder of the Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC), martial artist, a member of Tau Gamma Phi
• Basti Artadi (HS '91) - Lead vocalist of Wolfgang (Filipino band)
• Eric Buhain (HS) SEA Games gold medalist for 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)
• 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

External links

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

Coordinates: 14°24′37″N 121°1′10″E / 14.41028°N 121.01944°E / 14.41028; 121.01944

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