Through the years...

Dagupeños’ thirst for knowledge was temporarily quenched when sometime in 1943, Pangasinan High School was put up in Dagupan in place of the Pangasinan Provincial High Schoolin Lingayen whose buildings were bombed during the Japanese invasion of the capital town. Dr. Emilio N. Severino, former head of the Pangasinan Trade School in Lingayen became the principal of the Pangasinan High School in Dagupan.

During World War II

Since it was the height of World War II that time and the Philippines was then reeling under the yoke of foreign domination, classes were briefly interrupted and the Allied Forces under Gen Douglas McArthur began the campaign to liberate the Philippines from the clutches of the Japanese Imperial Forces. However, on February 5, 1945, the Pangasinan Girls’ High School in Dagupan and the Boys’ High School housed in Calasiao, re-opened its doors and resumed its classes. Months later, it was renamed as Dagupan Junior High School. Eight months after on October 22, 1945, its graduation exercises were held with Josefina de Venecia as the Class Valedictorian. The school was still then under the principal ship of Dr. Severino. Subsequently in 1946, it graduated two groups of students – the regular and the special.

Advent of Dagupan City High School

When Dr. Severino, the school principal, was promoted as Chief of the Curriculum Division of the Bureau of Public Schools, Mr. Nemesio R. Ceralde became the next principal. It was during his term, when Dagupan became a city in 1948, and the Dagupan Junior High School was renamed Dagupan City High School.

Transfer to Tapuac

Five years after, in 1950, the school was transferred to its present site in Tapuac. Rows of Quonset huts were constructed from recycled materials taken from the U.S. Army surplus solicited by the late Mayor Angel B. Fernandez and the principal of the school, Mr. Nemesio Ceralde at the U.S. Army depot in San Fernando, La Union. These rooms were far better than the nipa-thatched rooms at its former site being currently occupied today by West Central Elementary School II. Faculty members who were prominent during those times were: Ms. Brigida Maramba, Ms. Caridad Cabildo, Ms. Felicitas Oviedo, Ms. Madrona Estrada, Ms. Consuelo Quesada, Maria Cirineo, Mrs. Emilia Rivadelo, Fe Manza, Luz Velasquez, and Mr. Mauro Bautista. When Mr. Ceralde was designated as principal of the University of the Philippines Preparatory High School, the stewardship of the Dagupan City High School was passed on to Mr. Eduardo Q. Edralin. Prominent faculty members during Mr. Edralin’s term were: Ms. Rosario Tabuno, Mr. Faustino Oviedo, Ms. Carolina Perez, Mr. Jose Ramirez, Ms. Consuelo Lomibao, Ms. Virginia Viray, Ms. Enriquieta Vinas, Mr. Arturo Afante, Ms. Visitacion Joves, and Ms. Lydia Torio. On September 7, 1957, a two-storey school building with 20 standard-sized rooms costing PhP 100,000.00 was inaugurated. Acquisition of this building was made possible through the support of the late Senators Alejo Mabanag and Cipriano Primicias Sr., who unselfishly shared their countrywide development funds. The release of the said fund was through the concerted efforts and representations of Hon. Teofilo Guadiz, Sr., then City Mayor of Dagupan and Mr. Eduardo Edralin, the incumbent principal who subsequently became the City Schools Division Superintendent of Dagupan City. His appointment to the said position paved the way for a veteran teacher, Ms. Isabel A. Alisangco to be the next principal. She served the school for six years. The prominent members of the faculty during her time were: Ms. Honorata Ll. Guadiz, Mr. Anacleto Banaag, Mr. Avelino Lising, Ms. Corazon Jovellanos, Mr. Silvero Gutierrez, Mr. Marcelino Calimlim, Mr. Conrado Vitug, Mr. Teodorico Paramio, Ms. Carmelita Sta. Maria, Ms. Lina Galvan, Ms. Elsa Galvan, and Ms. Socorro Galvan. Upon Ms. Alisangco’s retirement, Mrs. Luz V. Afante whose term was characterized as fresh and progressive for Dagupan City High School metamorphosed into a more relevant and progressive public secondary school succeeded her.

DCNHS BECOMES A DIVISION LEADER SCHOOL

DCNHS students brought fame and honor as they joined different national and regional competitions. Likewise, teacher excelled in their respective fields of specialization. Most of them became regional trainers, thus DCNHS was chosen as the Division Leader School (DLS)

Moreover, Mrs. Perla T. Cornel, the school principal won the Gintong Ilawan Award as the Most Outstanding Secondary School Principal in Region I.

These remarkable achievements showed that DCNHS is on the high road of excellence.

Following the promotion of Mrs. Perla T. Cornel as Assistant Schools Division Superintendent at Pangasinan II, Mr. Leon L. Palaganas, Jr., Education Supervisor I – MSEP, was designated Officer-In-Charge of the School.

CLEAN AND GREEN CITY HIGH

Mrs. Honorata G. Siapno was promoted Principal on October 1998, and through her strong leadership, the school became verdant because of her clean, green and beautification campaign. The frontage of the school which used to be occupied by vendors was turned into an avenue of students. Additional school buildings were constructed through the representation of Mrs. Siapno with the Filipino – Chinese Community. Pathways were elevated and an Open Gymnasium with a stage was constructed.

She also took in the sourcing of funds for additional computer units, books, microscopes, water tanks and video packages, overhead projectors, transparencies, television sets, repainting and beautification of the school from the various stakeholders such as the DCNHS Alumni Association, Parents-Teachers Community Association and the Non-Governmental Organization namely the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries, ABS-CBN Corporation, USATV, Sky Cable and the like.

Mrs. Siapno spearheaded the reorganization of the school alumni by class which strengthens the relationship between the School Administration and the Alumni. DCNHS was chosen as the “Most Effective Public Secondary School” in Region 1 for the School Year 2000 – 2001.

She also launched the project “Computer Literacy for Teachers” in order to keep them in pace with the current trends of the Information Highway. This project has encouraged teachers to work beyond what is expected of them and this added to their exemplary performance. This was proven when the Magi Group of Companies launches its annual search for Matalunggaring Ya Maestro / Maestro.” The Class 1960 launched another search for Outstanding Teachers. Highly competent teachers were chosen and they received the prestigious award. Likewise, all Department Heads were also awarded Plaques of Merit for their exemplary performance administratively.

THE RISE TO INDEPENDENCE OF THE ANNEXES

The Dagupan City National High School used to have two (2) annexes, the Carael Annex and the Bonuan Boquig Annex. On June 02, 1998, the annexes became independent by virtue of Executive Order No. 189, followed immediately by the inclusion of Salapingao High School Annex as the pet project of Hon. Congressman Benjamin S. Lim through the representation of then City Mayor Alipio F. Fernandez, Jr.

Mrs. Elsa G. Braganza, Education Supervisor I, was designated as Officer-in-Charge when Mrs. Siapno retired on January 2004. Mrs. Braganza served from February 2004 to July 2005.

INTENSIVE DRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

The stewardship of the school was passed on to Dr. Teodora V. Nabor. With quality education as her focus, she started to reassign the teachers based on their majors or minors. It was found out that some of them were not teaching in their field of specialization.

Remedial classes in English, Science and Mathematics were conducted every Saturday. Prompt actions on the implementation of approved ERF’s were carried out. Dr. Nabor initiated the implementation of two comprehensive secondary education programs, the Special Science Class (SSC) and the Special Program in the Arts (SPA) which nurtures young scientists and envision excellent young artist with aesthetic potentials and renewed spirituality committed to the preservation of the Filipino Culture and Heritage.

The Special Science Program aims to develop the skills of the students in Investigatory Project where they could freely conduct researches to discover new learnings. This is a step in discovering future scientists of the country as well as laying the groundwork for their careers in Engineering and Sciences. In preparation for programs, our school established helping linkages with Colegio de Dagupan for the construction of two laboratory room for the SSC and Rep. Satur Ocampo for the construction of two classrooms which houses the SPA.

Dr. Nabor also implemented the School-Based Management (SBM) Program intending to unite the School Head, Head Teachers, Teachers, Students, Parents and Local Government Units (LGU’s) and the community collaboratively to enhance teaching-learning process. As a concept, SBM aims to improved students’ achievement, school performance and learning outcomes, where decision – making process is shared by all those who are closely involved in addressing the needs of the school and the students.

When Dr. Nabor was promoted as Assistant School Division Superintendent of Pangasinan II, Mrs. Zenaida L. Sinlao, Head Teacher VI of the MAPEH Department was designated as Officer-in-Charge.

PRESERVING CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE

July 28, 2009 marked the change of leadership in Dagupan City National High School with the designation of Mrs. Erly G. Datario as the Officer-in-Charge of the school.

Madam Erly G. Datario and her able Department Heads sought systematic pedagogical improvement in the academic advancement of the students so that the school will continuously realize its mission and vision. The institution continued to explore wider horizons with outstanding achievements from teachers and students, all contributing to the realization of the Eight (8) Millennium Development Goals 2015 and in particular, targeting the objective of Education for All (EFA) advocacy of the United Nations.

The flourishing of Mrs. Datario’s leadership pave the way to countless achievement, one of which is the continued promotion of Teachers and Master Teachers through Reclassification, a manifestation of the promotion of Culture of Excellence.

To wit, its curricula, namely, the Special Program in the Arts (SPA), Science Technology and Curriculum (STOC) and the Regular Class (BEC) continue to bring sweet victories to the school from different Scholastic / Cultural / Athletic competitions at the division, regional and national level.

March 2010 marks the time the first Commencement Exercises of the Science and Technology Oriented Curriculum (STOC) and Special Program in the Arts (SPA) were held.

THE DROP-OUT REDUCTION PROGRAM (DROP)

The Institution has kept its focus on delivering quality education to our young citizens. The DORP paves the linkages to the hearts of the teachers, students and the community for it offers alternatives where struggling and working students are given the golden opportunity to complete their educational requirements in their respective curriculum years.

Under this program, the schools are able to guarantee the delivery of the needed instructions and interventions to the students who need them in an efficient and effective way. The enabling teacher led by Mrs. Mary Jean Siapno are extending their service in making sure that all enrolled students will continue to be in school despite of some obstacles, thus drastically reducing the drop-out rate from a high of 8.47% in School Year 2010 – 2011 to a low of 2.54 % in School Year 2011 – 2012. In School Year 2012 – 2013, the drop-out rate further slid to new low of 1.47%.

THE ACCESS PROGRAM

The English Access Micro scholarship Program funded by the State Department of the United States of America opened doors of opportunity to poor but deserving students of DCNHS. The grant was awarded to the school through the school principal Mrs. Erly G. Datario and its Project Coordinator Dr. Mitchellene V. Rivo.

It was launched on October 2011 with the attendance of Dr. Lisa Hasbarger, Regional English Language Officer of the DSA and Ms. Connie Chico of the United States Embassy of Manila.

The scholarship prom is a two-year English Program where 30 students attended an hour of English Instruction and 10-day intensive English classes for two consecutive years from October 2011 – May 2013.

THE STEM PROGRAM

To broaden access to quality education in the Science and Mathematics Oriented Curriculum and to develop a science culture among students with the view to prepare them for higher learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and other allied courses, the DCNHS Special Science Class was implemented.

Faculty members of the Special Science Class are highly trained in their field of specialization. Likewise, they are recipients of nationally funded scholarship and winners in National and Regional Science Quest Contest.

With all the expertise of the teacher the school had produced bright and highly competitive student who won in the different Science Contest such as Regional Science Quiz Bee, INTEL Philippines Science Fair, and National Science Quest. Undergoing many name changes, the DCNHS Special Science Class is now recognized and categorized in a Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Program (STEM).

THE ARTS PROGRAM

The Special Program in the Arts (SPA) was ranked 17^th nationwide among those offering the SPA Curriculum. This award affirms the outstanding quality of education our artist getting from their mentors. Another affirmation was witnessed after DCNHS bagged the championship award during the “Sanengseng” a chorale group competition of the public and private secondary schools of Dagupan City spearheaded by His Excellency Most Reverend Socrates Buenaventura Villegas, Archbishop, Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Another milestone of achievement was turned when select SPA Students won the championship trophy in the OPM Songwriting Exhibition and 2^nd place in Short Film Exhibition in the 2013 Sining Pambansa held at Tacloban City.

TODAY AND BEYOND

The learning environment plays a vital role in the teaching and learning process. Our school has undergone several physical renovations and construction designed to boost students’ interest in learning and help teachers facilitate their teaching.

Our national and local government units have been true to their promises by helping uplift the quality of education in our country. Senator Allan Peter Cayetano has recently donated a three-classroom building for the Science and Technology and Engineering Program students. The perennial problem of flooding caused by heavy rains was remedied after Congresswoman Manay Gina de Venecia funded the elevation of the pathway in front of the Administration Building and Canteen 1. Likewise, DCNHS Alumni Batch ’68 served as partners in the endeavor by donating a Flood Control Project which has been a great help to the school.

The continuous improvement of the school facilities shows the unswerving support of the local government units, non-governmental organizations, the Parents, Teachers Association, the Alumni Association, and the community.

Apropos to this, the DCNHS Alumni Association has at last realized its long-time vision of building its center of action “Abong na Alumni” inside the DCNHS campus. This grand structure is a material proof of tis commitment to the improvement of the school plant and its services to the clientele.

The continuous and unselfish collaboration of all the stakeholders guarantees that PRIDE and EXCELLENCE will rule the home that is DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.