Manila High School (Intramuros)


The Manila High School is an educational institution in Manila, Philippines. It was first built along the present site of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila on General Luna Street in Intramuros from July 1963 up to April 1967. The school complex of the first Manila High School at Victoria Annex was formally inaugurated on February 26, 1967.

History

In 1921, the city government of Manila established secondary schools in each of the four districts; the Manila East, West, North, and South High Schools. Manila High School was renamed as the Manila South High School due to its location at the south of the mouth of Pasig River. In June 1930, it was renamed as Araullo High School, in memory of Chief Justice Manuel Araullo. Eventually, it was completely destroyed during World War II. Araullo High School was reopened in its new location, at the compound of Epifanio de los Santos Elementary School in Paco.
Former Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson approved Ordinance 3122 on January 27, 1948, changing the name, Araullo High School, into Manuel Roxas High School, in honor of the fifth President of the Philippines, President Manuel Roxas. Then, he approved Ordinance 4067 on October 9, 1958, declaring the separation of Roxas High School into four annexes. The Canonigo Annex became the present Roxas High School while the Mehan, Victoria, and MacArthur Annexes were combined and transformed into the new Manila High School. The site of the Cuartel de España in Intramuros was the initial location of Manila High School, by the declaration of Resolution 283 on May 26, 1953. However, due to the delay of construction, quonset huts were utilized as the main building of the high school. These quonset huts were acquired by the Division of City Schools since November 1947. First and second year high school students use the Mehan Annex. The remaining two annexes, the MacArthur and Victoria, were transferred to a three-storey building in July 1963, located in General Luna Street. In 1964, the first year high school students were housed at the McArthur Annex, leaving the second year classes at the Mehan Annex.
Special Science Classes were held at the Victoria Annex; thus, it became the center of secondary science education in the city. In October 1963, Intramuros/Victoria Annex became the home of the first Manila Science High School. Arrangements were made to transfer the Manila Science High School at Padre Faura Street corner Taft Avenue.

Architectural features

MacArthur Annex

The Division of City Schools leased fourteen rooms at the FEATI University Building in July 1949 to accommodate first and second year classes, leaving the third and fourth year classes and all vocational and physical education classes at the Mehan compounds.

Victoria Annex

The Intramuros annex was opened with the transferred Quonset Hut from the Mehan Garden. Also, additional shop classrooms were established. On October 9, 1958, Victoria Annex, together with the MacArthur and Mehan Annexes, became the new Manila High School. The pilot science classes were located in this annex.

National Radio School Annex

In July 1953, the National Radio School Annex consisted of 11 rooms - necessary to accommodate the applicants to the first year classes. This annex was located at the National Radio School and Institute of Technology, along Ronquillo Street at Sales Street. It was leased for the academic subjects of first year classes. The home economics, vocational, and physical education classes were held at the main building at Mehan. However, the same premises were leased again when school opened in July 1956 with a record breaking enrollment of 5,990 students; thus, making the school retain its rank as the fourth largest public high school.

Canonigo Annex

On October 9, 1958, the Canonigo Annex became the present Roxas High School.

Present condition

On October 18, 2005, Ambeth Ocampo of the National Historical Institute issued a certification that Manila High School was officially established in 1906 under the tutelage of Dr. David P. Barrows, former Director of Education, and Charles H. Magee, former Acting-Superintendent of the City Schools of Manila. It officially started its operation on June 11, 1906, as decided by the Bureau of Education. In lieu of the certification, commemorative stamps were issued in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
The site of the Manila High School is presently occupied by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

Marker from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines

Notable alumni