Colegio San Agustin – Biñan
Colegio San Agustin – Biñan is a private, co-educational Catholic school owned and managed by the Augustinian Friars of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu in Southwoods Interchange Biñan City, Laguna, Philippines. Its primary and secondary education programs are accredited Level III by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.. While it is not the oldest Augustinian school in the Philippines named Colegio San Agustín, it is the second most prominent next to CSA-Makati among its sister schools. And like its sister schools the students of CSA-Southwoods are called Augustinians.
History
The school began as a preparatory school for boys and girls attending preschool through third grade. Incorporated on November 16, 1984, it is located on a five-hectare site donated by a private land developer to the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu. The first faculty and staff consisted of twenty personnel and three priest-administrators catering to the needs of 646 students. The founding administrators included Rev. Rodolfo P. Sicio, OSA as Rector and Principal, Rev. Alfredo Jubac, OSA as treasurer, and Rev. Marcelino Malana, OSA as a guidance counselor and sports coordinator. Miss Doris S. Calog serves as the school Registrar, Assistant Principal, and Academic Coordinator of all departments. Three of the pioneer personnel still connected/works at present namely: Nelia O. Villodres, Adelfa Tamayo-Lira, and Bernard G. Miranda.The Preschool Department was part of the Colegio San Agustin since it started the operation in June 1985. There were 290 pupils in its first year of operation. The department continued to expand its structure as more pupils were added each year. Improving the curriculum was done in response to the needs of the pupils. Total enrollment peaked at 790 in the academic year 1992-1993. Appropriate measures were introduced to effectively manage the growing pupils' populace and sustain the upgraded standard of instruction. Strict screening procedures were also implemented both for the admission of pupils and for the hiring of faculty.
Present status
Colegio San Agustin-Biñan features modern and air-conditioned classrooms and facilities, including a multi-purpose gymnasium. The PAASCU, an accrediting entity that oversees strict compliance with educational standards, has awarded the school the Level III-accredited status.Patron saint
The school is named in honor of St. Augustine of Hippo, a key figure in the doctrinal development of Western Christianity and a "Doctor of the Church" Two of his surviving works, namely, "The Confessions" and "The City of God," are regarded as Western classics. Augustine is often considered to be one of the theological fountainheads of the Reformation because of his teaching on salvation and grace. Martin Luther, perhaps the greatest figure of the Reformation, was himself an Augustinian friar.Other English speaking Augustinian Schools with the same patron include Colegio San Agustin-Makati, Colegio del Santo Niño, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, St. Augustine's College, Brookvale in Sydney, Australia, St. Augustine College Preparatory School, Richland, New Jersey; St. Augustine High School, San Diego, California; and Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Massachusetts - all three in the United States; and St. Augustine College in Malta.
School seal
Symbols and meanings
- Golden Eagle - represents the lofty intellect of St. Augustine as a soaring eagle.
- Heart - symbolizes love and charity, the first rule of St. Augustine.
- Crosier and mitre - represent the bishopric of St. Augustine.
- Book - symbolizes the writings of St. Augustine and his intellectual depth as a writer, making him the greatest Doctor of the Church.
- Tolle Lege, Tolle Lege -, the words spoken by a voice heard by St. Augustine which led to his conversion to Catholicism in the year 386.
- Colors - Red stands for courage, and gold for victory over evil.
- Virtus et Scientia -, the traditional motto of the Augustinians, representing the two pillars of the Augustinian way of education.
Basic education
Preschool Department
- Junior Kinder
- Senior Kinder
- Preparatory
Grade School Department
- Grades 1-6
Junior High School Department
- Grades 7-10
Senior High School
- Grades 11-12
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Accountancy and Business Management
- Information and Communications Technology
- Home Economics
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Sports Track
Co-Curricular Clubs
Co-Curricular Clubs in the Senior High School
Strand-Based Organizations
- CREATA
- MEDS
- Lab-Life
- Luntiang Diwa
- FISCUS
- LEAP
- OPACITY
Interest-Based Organizations
- MATA
- HYGGE
- AEQUITE
- IUSTUS
- OMG
- Task Force Agila
- GEARS
- Simbuyo
Co-Curricular Clubs in the High School
Area Based
- Augustinians Collaborating and Communicating in English through New Technology
- Agustinong Samahan sa Aralin Panlipunan
- Mathenics Club
- Pilipinong Agustinong Nagmamahal sa Inang Bayan Tungo sa Inaasahan na Kinabukasan
- Youth Earth Savers Club
- Robotics Club
- Circle of Human Ecologists
- Augustinian Computer Enthusiasts Society
Institutional - Center for Performing Arts and Culture Studies (CPACS)
- Himnayon
- Dulaang Kruhay
- Bailagos Dance Company
- Katribo
Mandatory
- Augustinian Youth Council
- Augustinian Herald
- CAT-1 Corps of Junior Officers
- Augustinian Link
Religious
- Friends of Saint Augustine
- Roses of Saint Rita
Interests
- Blue Ribbon Club
- Arts and Crafts
- Book Lovers Club
- Frater Agustino
- Red and Gold shields
- Board Games Club
- Film and Movies Club
Recreational
- Sports
- * Basketball
- * Football
- * Volleyball
- * Tennis
- * Triathlon
- * Swimming
- * Table Tennis
- * Cross Country
- * Tae Kwon Do
- * CSA Raptors
Co-Curricular Clubs in the Grade School
- St. Rita's Choir
- Kalinangan Dance troupe
- Book Lovers' Club
- Scouting
- * KAB Scout
- * Star Scout
- * Junior Boy Scout
- * Junior Girl Scout
- Art Club/Young Designers' Club
- Homemakers' Club
- Samahan ng mga Munting Kwentista
- Samahan ng mga Makabayang Agustino
- Organization of Garden Jewels
- Society of Numbers
- Angels of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Roses of St. Rita of Cascia
- Friends of St. Augustine
- Lectors and Commentators Ministry
- Sports
- * Volleyball
- * Basketball
- * Football
- * Lawntennis
- * Chess
College Courses
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- * Major in Marketing Management
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service
- Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Tourism
The Augustinian Community
- Rev. Fr. Rommel D. Par O.S.A, OSA - President; VP for Academic Affairs;
- Rev. Fr. Manuel M. Vergara, O.S.A, OSA - Principal-Basic Education; VP for Academic Affairs;
- Rev. Fr. Generous P. Gonesto, OSA - Director, Human Resource Development; Regent, College Department ; Library Director ; Prefect of Discipline JHS/SHS/College
- Rev. Fr. Ronaldo P. Siaga, OSA - VP for Administration and Finance; School Treasurer; Regent, Non Academic Personnel
- Fray Eduardo D. Obrique, OSA - VP for Student Affairs; Director-General Services; Director, Sports & Co-Curricular Activities; Regent, Junior High School Department
- Rev. Fr. Jose Francisco L. Teves, OSA - VP for Augustinian Formation & Religious Affairs; Chaplain, Campus Ministry; Regent, SHS Department
- Rev. Fr. Alberto L. Esmeralda, OSA - Director, Religious Education Department
- Fray Ian Geoffrey D. Kasilag, OSA - Asst. Director, Religious Educ. Dept; Asst. Campus Minister
- Rev. Fr. Armando M. Dayao, OSA - Asst. Campus Minister/Chaplain; Regent-Preschool Department
- Rev. Fr. Melchor L. Mirador, OSA - Prefect of Discipline - Preschool/Grade School; Regent-Grade School Department ; Prior-Augustinian Community-Biñan
Gallery