(Jose Abad Santos High School) in BinondoProf. Albert Banico, MSS
Batch 91- JASHS
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Let there be a place where a noble’s man’s ideals and virtues will forever be upheld.” This are the words of Justice Jose Abad Santos, the acting president of the Commonwealth Republic after President Manuel Quezon appointed him short before he left for United Sates during World War II.
The place was mentioned by Abad Santos was finally came into being when the Justice noble wishes find fulfillment in a vast 20,000 square meter lot bounded by Reina Regente, Felipe II, Meisic and La Chambre Strets. JASHS started as a satellite Arellano High School which was housed of an old building earlier used as a Japnese garrison and later on MPD (Manila Police Department) Meisic Prison and was formally inaugurated on October 25, 1947.
The Jose Abad Santos High School is a towering example of humble beginnings, academic pride, historical and cultural heritage, collective memory and the sad plight of untamed urbanization.
By continuously upholding the uncompromised principles of serving the country, teachers and students alike stood to live the culture of “self-reliance and responsible citizenship” which become the commencement exercise theme of Batch 1991 where the author of this article belong. Sadly, after more than half-a-century of educational growth, JASHS as known to many graduates and students was silently transferred. With the first quarter of 2008 ended School and, Mini-Bakery, Home Economic buildings, rondalla compound, classrooms, gymnasium-Social Hall, Monuments and Marian grotto were pulverized and destroyed into ground zero. This includes old trees that was already cut and cut into pieces since summer of this year.
The danger was felt earlier in the last quarter of then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza’s urban renewal program dubbed as Buhayin ang Maynila. The term of Atienza witnessed the desecration of several historical sites in the city of Manila including the Arroceros Forest Park and the Jai Alai Building at Taft Avenue design by one of the country’s national artist.
The first portion JASHS that was destroyed was the MPD Meisic (Prison) old adobe building surrounding that was earlier included as part of the JASHS first year high school sections. The adobe compound was used by the Japanese army as prison cell that was originally housed the Commonwealth MPD. The first classrooms of JASHS were the Huts left by the liberation forces shortly after the liberation of Manila in 1940’s. Simultaneously with the Raja Sulayman High School which is a neighboring school of JASHS, MPD compound were bulldozed to pave the way for the Meisic Chinese Mall and another Chinese mall dubbed as 163 mall known for alleged over staying Chinese tourist who are publicly engaged in business trading as reported by mass media.
Philippine news reports alleged sold JASHS campus by Mayor Atienza to the owner of Megaworld to construct a new giant commercial and residential hub to the Binondo district.
Mayor Alfredo Lim who is a constant guest speaker of JASHS in the late 80’s when he is the mayor of the city, promised in the 2007 election and running in the same office where he wok several years before, that he will protect the JASHS and the proposed smaller campus where the school is set to transfer then will be converted into a city hospital since he observed that Manila lack health and social services. Sadly, the transferred of the school was effected during his term after he re-elected mayor of Manila.
What is more equally disturbing are the “second killing and execution” not only of Justice Jose Abad Santos and Raja Sulayman High School but the also the rape and arrogant cutting of half-century trees along the street between the school and the trees inside the old JASHS compound.
The equally disregarded 1987 Constitution recognize the Philippine State obligation toward education of its citizenry. With the smaller facilities in the new JASHS compound near Escolta and Pasig River, the educational services and facilities are limiting to serve the youth and transient students of Tondo and Binondo district. Teachers, students and alumni alike lobbied in the City Hall and even actively joined assembly and court hearing felt helpless after a sudden letter asking them to leave the premises of the old JAHS.
The JASHS trees are monuments of the remaining academic and cultural heritage of JASHS collective memories across generation for the last more than half-a century. I call the attention of now DENR Secretary Lito Atienza to reveal to the public, the alleged payment that was made as claim by one security guard in the old JASHS premises to certify the cutting of trees within the premises.
I also call the attention of Mayor Alfredo Lim and especially the City council of Manila who become enraged when a slaughter house which was owned by relatives of a city official and was forced to be closed but so silent in the destruction of a historical landmark and academic tower in the great city of Manila.
May media people, legislators, environmentalist, students, teachers, advocates of responsible urban renewal, patriots, students, teachers and JASHS alumni hopefully joined hands to restore the remaining trees for trees are not only symboy but a natural monuments for all generation.
Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos was given a choice by President Quezon of going with him in Australia or staying in the Philippines. Abad Santos Stayed and was appointed acting President (Head) of the commonwealth government. The Japanese capture him in Cebu and was shot in Mindanao for his refusal to collaborate.
The trees symbolize the towering pride of that heroism; let us join hands to SAVE the Trees of Jose Abad Santos High School! The remains of our collective memory as we protest the destruction of our beloved alma mater!!!
Sources:
Philippine News Articles, 2007-2008
Gleeck, Lewis, Jr., the Third Philippine Republic, New Day publisher, 1993
43rd Commencement exercise, Jose Abad Santos High School, April 14, 1991
Philippine Constitution, 1987
Abaya, Hernando, Betrayal in the Philippines, 1946
Nawasak na paaralan, alaala, kasaysayan at mga pangako pati ba mga puno
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