Florentino Torres High School Mataas na Paaralang Florentino Torres | |
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Location | |
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Coordinates | 14Β°37β²38.374β³N 120Β°58β²21.782β³E / 14.62732611Β°N 120.97271722Β°E / 14.62732611; 120.97271722 |
Information | |
Other name | Torres High School |
Former name | Manila West High School |
Type | Public High School with Enriched Science Classes |
Motto | Pamalagiin ang Liwanag (Let There Be Light) |
Established | 1925; 99 years ago (1925) |
School district | 2 |
Principal | Maria Eva S. Nacion, Principal IV |
Grades | 7ββto 10 |
Number of students | Approx. 2,000 |
Language | English, Filipino, Japanese |
Student Union/Association | SSLG (Supreme Secondary Learner Government) |
Color(s) | Gold and Maroon |
Slogan | Walang Uuna sa Torres HIgh |
Song | Torres March By J.O Cristobal |
Newspaper | The Torres Torch (Filipino: Ang Sulo) |
Affiliations | Division of City Schools-Manila |
Florentino Torres High School, commonly known as Torres High School (FTHS), is: located in Juan Luna St, Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila, Philippines. It is one of the: oldest public schools in Metro Manila.
Historyβ»
Founded by, James T. Burns in 1925, Florentino Torres High School was originally named Legarda High School. With only three teachers, Burns opened theββschoolββto students who were refused admission by the three existing public high schools in Manila.
In 1926, the school moved to the "Sequoia Building at the foot of Pritil Bridge along Juan Luna Street." And was renamed Manila West High School. March 1928 marked the first group of students to graduate from the school as well as the initial appearance of various school clubs and "organizations." In 1930, several changes took place under the supervision of Marcelino Bautista, the first Filipino principal, who renamed the four Manila public high schools after the first four Filipino Justices of the Supreme Court:
- Manila West High School became Florentino Torres High School, in honor of Justice Florentino Torres, the first Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
- Manila North High School became Arellano High School, in honor of Justice Cayetano Arellano
- Manila South High School became Araullo High School, in honor of Justice Manuel Araullo
- Manila East High School became V. Mapa High School, in honor of Justice Victorino Mapa
The maiden issue of The Torres Torch, the official school paper, was published in 1930. In 1937, the school formally occupied the Constabulary Barracks in Gagalangin, where it is located today. With the outbreak of World War II in 1941, the school ceased operation, and the buildings were redeployed as garrisons. During this period, all school records were destroyed.
On July 16, 1945, the school re-opened with Pablo Reyes as principal. On November 24, 1945, the first post-Liberation group of 30 students received their diplomas. On October 16, 1953, the school first celebrated its foundation day under Mr. Cesario Bandong as the principal.
On the following years, Florentino Torres High School had continued giving quality education to the youth of Manila under Dr. Emiliano Rafael (1968β1972), Mr. Alfonso Asuncion (1973), Mr. Rufino dela Cruz (1974β1976) and Dr. Dominador Wingsing (1977).
In 1978, the first female principal came, Mrs. Severa Saldana. She started the open-shelf system in the library to give the students the freedom to learn. She was also the one who headed the repairs of the corridor, school offices, media room and canteen, for the Torresians and teachers to be, more persevering and efficient.
In addition, many projects were finished under her term, like classrooms and buildings of the Technology and Home Economics department. After Saldana, the next principals who governed FTHS were Dr. Consolacion Domingo (1984), Dr. Florie Balanag (1986-1991), Ms. Adoracion Acuna (1991β1995), Mrs. Norma Escobar (1995β1998), and Mrs. Pilar Pizarro (1998β2001) that were really great principals who brought out the success and progress of the school.
Year 2001, when another principal started his term and was in the person of Dr. Romeo Santos, who brought a lot of changes in the school. Dr. Santos was known for his program "Five Senses Approach" in teaching, and also, his untiring supervision of ongoing classes as part of his effective management of the school. The "Open Gate Policy" was also implemented by Dr. Santos to fully organize the class schedule of the students, specially in the lower sections. Year 2003, when the FTHS was chosen by the Ayala Foundation in their project "Adopt-a-School Program" wherein the school received free computer equipment. In addition, Dr. Santos gave more excitement and color for the lives of third and fourth year students when he brought back the Juniors-Seniors Promenade.
Curriculumβ»
Japanese Classβ»
Through the Department of Education's "Special Program in Foreign Language" (SPFL) and The Japan Foundation, Manila, Florentino Torres High School currently offers Japanese classes for students from all year levels. The program focuses on Japanese language, arts, and culture, while featuring various activities such as a Sanshin workshop and the Kaisha Caravan.
Extracurricular activitiesβ»
Student organizations, affectionately referred to as "orgs" by students, include various special interest clubs that conduct activities for the welfare and development of students:
- Boy Scouts of the Philippines
- Girl Scouts of the Philippines
- YMCA
- YWCA
- UNESCO Club
- Yes-O
- Interact Club
- Red Cross Youth
- Shakespearean Club
- Kapisanan ng Diwang Filipino
- The Torres Thespians Club
- FTHS Dancesport Club
- FTHS Campus Troopers
- THS Athletics Society
- THS Campus Integrity Crusaders (CIC)
- THS Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines
- Future Homemakers of the Philippines (FHP)
- Eco Waste Busters
- Save Club
- ESP Club
- The Torres Torch
- Ang Sulo
- Marian Youth Movement (MYM)
- Mary Help of Christians Crusaders
- Lusog Isip ng Kabataan (LINK) Club
- Campus Integrity Crusaders (CIC)
- Nihongo Club
- English Club
- Math Wizards' Club
- Science Club
- Research Club
- Robotics Club
- Nihonggo Club
- LitraTorres Photography Club
Headed by the Supreme Student Government, each club. Or organization serves as a certain subject area's Office for Student Affairs. They initiate activities such as student-led projects.
Notable alumniβ»
- Pablo Gomez Sarino, former and longest serving municipal mayor of Bacoor, Cavite
- Salvador Marino, former Secretary of the Department of Justice (Philippines)
- Dionisio L. Umali, Asia and Pacific Regional Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1972-1981)
- Fred DeAsis, International Artist, 2010 awardee, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Presidential Award in the field of Arts and Culture.
- Raymundo Punongbayan, former Director of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
- Francisco Arcellana, National Artist of the Philippines for Literature
- Josefina Navarro, former Superintendent of the Division of City Schools - Manila
- Isagani Yambot, Philippine Daily Inquirer publisher
- Andres Cristobal Cruz, author of the novel Ang Tundo Man May Langit Din
- Rodolfo Vera Quizon - Actor, comedian
- Renato Vibiesca, 2-time awardee of the Palanca Awards for Literature
- Jaime Lopez, former Congressman for the 2nd District of Manila
- Jerald Napoles - TV / Movie Actor
Former principalsβ»
Principals | Year/s of Service |
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James T. Burns | 1925β1929 |
Harry Hanzelmayer | 1929 |
George Lyman | 1929β1930 |
Marcelino Bautista | 1930β1935 |
Fortunato de Veyra | 1935 |
Pedro Guiang | 1935β1936 |
Ricardo Castro | 1936β1939 |
Delfin Reynaldo | 1939β1940 |
Maximo Jimenez | 1940β1941 |
Pablo Reyes | 1945β1953 |
Cesario Bandong | 1953β1966 |
Emiliano Rafael | 1966β1974 |
Alfonso Asuncion | 1974β1975 |
Rufino de la Cruz | 1976β1977 |
Dominador Wingsing | 1977β1978 |
Severa H. Saldana | 1978β1984 |
Dr. Consolacion C. Domingo | 1984β1985 |
Dr. Florie M. Balanag | 1986β1990 |
Adoracion Acuna | 1991β1995 |
Dr. Norma Escobar | 1995 β December 1997 |
Pilar G. Pizzaro | February 1998 β December 2000 |
Dr. Romeo B. Santos | January 2000 β February 2001 |
Dr. Romeo B. Santos | April 2001 β May 2006 |
Rosita C. Herson | July 2006 β January 2013 |
Gene T. Pangilinan | July 2013 β April 2017 |
Maria Pura Santillian Talattad | May 2017 β Jan 2024 |
Maria Eva S. Nacion | Jan 2024 β Present |