A Brief History of Manuel
From wish to reality
Manuel Luis Quezon High School was established through the efforts of parents and barangay officials clamoring for a need for a public high school in 1994. When the school head, Mr. Joel Salvador, requested for an additional building from Congressman Luis ‘Baby’ Asistio to be used for NHC High School, it was granted; however, there was not enough space where the proposed three-story building could be constructed within the school grounds of NHC High School. Parents, teachers, and even barangay officials found a way to locate an open space so that the project would not be put to waste. The present site of MLQ High School was the best place, and construction took place. MLQ High School was named as NHC High School-MLQ Annex from 1997-1998, its first year of operation. To most residents, this school has been identified as Malaria High School for easier identification. It is located at Brgy. 185 or Barangay Malaria. There were only seven permanent teachers of NHC High School who were deployed at MLQ HS to be the first batch of classroom teachers, with Mr. Joel Salvador as the School Head of both NHC High School and MLQ Annex. While Mrs. Josefina L. Aquino, a Master Teacher, was locally assigned to be the acting Officer-In-Charge then.
Building Dreams through the Years
In January 1999, the Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Victoria Fuentes assigned Mrs. Josefina L. Aquino as the Official Officer-In-Charge of MLQ Annex. Mrs. Aquino introduced various improvements to the annex: cementing its quadrangle, constructing three additional classrooms, and a school fence. She also initiated the request for the school’s Independence. Then she became the Principal of NHC High School on September 28, 2000. Mrs. Antonina M. Tan became the Officer-In-Charge of MLQ Annex from December 2000 up to August 2001. Under her leadership, the First Commencement Exercise was held at the MLQ Grounds with 69 males and 69 females, a total of 138 students with seven permanent teachers and seven LSB teachers. She was then followed by Mr. Joel Salvador, from January 2002 to March 2002. From March 2002 to May 2003, MLQ High School has no official OIC to run the school. In May 2003, Mrs. Jesusa G. Gomez, a Mathematics Department Head from Bagong Silang High School was deployed by Dr. Elizabeth T. Manalo, Schools Division Superintendent. Mrs. Gomez headed the school up to September 29, 2005. She worked for the improvement of the school including its stage. During her time, schools started reaping laurels not only in Interschool but also at the regional level. She also worked hard to push for the school’s independence. She was replaced by Mrs. Charito R. Matias, another Mathematics Department Head from Deparo High School on October 1, 2005, up to September 2007. Mrs. Matias also worked on the independence of the school and on November 8, 2006, Manuel L. Quezon gained its autonomy. She also introduced various improvements in the school like the construction of the covered court and four rooms from the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Matias decided to go abroad, followed after a brief stint by Social Studies Supervisor Romela Cruz, and later by Mr. Ferdinand De Leon.
Mr. Ferdinand De Leon, an Officer-In-Charge from Llano High School, became the Principal of MLQ High School on September 29, 2007. He stayed as Principal of MLQ High School for almost four years. Mr. De Leon showed dedication and love for the school. MLQ High School started reaping laurels not only at the regional level but also at the national level. He accomplished more honors adding luster to the string of triumphs of MLQHS. In August 2010, he also opened the Special Science Class. He also founded the Teatrong Naghahanap ng Pangalan (TNP) which had given recognition to the school in the fields of performing arts. A three-story building with nine classrooms was also constructed during his time. On May 7, 2011, he was re-assigned as Principal of Caloocan Science High School.
Dr. Marissa B. Feliciano, Principal from Sampaguita High School for seven years was deployed at MLQ High School by Dr. Corazon Gonzales, Schools Division Superintendent. Dr. Feliciano worked for the improvement of MLQHS not only academically but also infused aesthetic aura to the campus with its herbal garden. She also focused on the safety and security of the school through the construction of a temporary perimeter fence. Various school improvements were seen during her three-year stay as Principal of Manuel Luis Quezon High School.
Dr. Joel B. Salvador was once more assigned as the School Head in April 2014. In his time, two four-story buildings with eight classrooms each were constructed. The Local Government Building and the Along Malapitan Building were utilized to accommodate the needs of the school’s expanding student population.
EQUALS and SHSP
Dr. Lilia Gundran from Caybiga High School took over Dr. Salvador in May 2018. Dr. Gundran initiated the Educating Quezonian Through Alternative Learning System (EQUALS), which aims to build and promote the Alternative Learning System (ALS) as an alternative to formal education. The Senior High School operation was also started by Dr. Gundran for the 2022–2023 academic year. The Senior High School Program offered the following: 1. Accountancy Business and Management (ABM), 2. General Academic Strand (GAS),3.Humanities and Social Sciences (HumMS), 4. Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), 5. TVL Animation, 6. TVL Cookery,7. TVL- Health and Wellness Massage, and, 8. Hotel and Restaurant Services
On January 30, 2023, Dr. Arlene C. Ocol was assigned as the School Head of MLQHS. On her first year of serving MLQHS , the school won several competitions including fourth place among Caloocan’s secondary schools for top journalism performers.
On April 12, 2024, under the leadership of Dr. Arlene C. Ocol, with Mr. Frederick L. Cerillo as the designated Officer-in-Charge of Senior High School, Manuel Luis Quezon Senior High School was finally granted a permit to operate. Dr. Jocelyn DR. Andaya, NCR Director IV, finally approved Special Order No. SHS-FU-001 s, 2023 to offer Senior High School Program. This includes Academic strands such as ABM, HUMMS, STEM, and GAS, while the TVL track strands on Cookery, Health and Wellness massage , Food and Beverages Services and Hotel and Restaurant Services are on their process of application.
During this academic year, MLQHS has achieved great success under her leadership. The school has excelled in various academic fields, including Mathematics. MLQHS secured 8th place in Grade 9 individual (written) and 2nd place in Grade 8 level Team (oral) in MTAP NCR Mathematics competition, demonstrating the school’s dedication to academic excellence.
Continuously Rising through the Challenges
On July 3, 2024, the installation and turnover ceremonies of school heads transpired with Dr. Jenilyn Rose B. Corpuz, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent. Dr. Angelina B. De Chavez, Principal from Caybiga High School was installed at MLQHS. Dr. De Chavez shared her guiding principle which is the 5Ps: “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance” towards an effective school with efficient teachers and a conducive learning environment. In just few months of Dr. De Chavez’ leadership, the school already reaped various awards such as silver in the International Math Olympiad and bronze in the National Mathematics Challenge, overall top ten in the Division Schools Press Conference and ranked ninth best features page in the regional level, first place division level Science and Technology Fair TUKLAS- Physical Science, third place division Technolympics for bread and pastry production and cake design.
Furthermore , Senior High School level reaped various awards on Research and other Science-related, Social Science and TVL contests. Sports activities and competitions added to MLQHS milestone and success with multiple gold, silver and bronze in the Division Meet.
Truly, Manuel Luis Quezon High School is true to its mantra of motivating learners to quality and humble service under the leadership of an outstanding school head and the support of the teachers, parents and other stakeholders embarking on this transformative journey together. In the heart and mind of every stakeholders of the school, Serbisyong Quezonian will continuously evolve in making MLQHS one of the best schools in Caloocan where knowledge thrives, creativity soars and compassion abounds. #Masayang QUEZONians.
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CALOOCAN