DEPED TARLAC PROVINCE THROUGH THE YEARS: A CENTURY AND A DECADE OF

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE TO TARLAQUEÑOS

1902 - 2012

One of the most important contributions of the United States of America in the Philippines to
the Filipinos is the establishment of public schools with their program of free public education. Through
the years, Filipinos, particularly the Tarlaqueños whose passion to learn the fashion of literacy was
formally honed in the classrooms particularly in the oldest public secondary school in the country, the
Tarlac National High School (formerly Tarlac High School, ca. 1902), established by the first teacher and
principal and eventually the first superintendent of Tarlac, Mr. Frank Russell White, who laid the
groundwork for the Philippine system of education in Tarlac with quality public service to Tarlaqueños, a
century and a decade now.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE DIVISION OF TARLAC PROVINCE

The creation of the Philippine Commission in 1899 gave way to the birth of free public education
in the country through Education Act No. 74 in January 21, 1901 establishing the Department of Public
Instruction (now Department of Education). Months later, on September 01, 1901 the “Bureau of
Instruction” headed by General Superintendent Fred Atkinson has divided the Philippines into seventeen
(17) schools division. Tarlac, Zambales and Pangasinan were grouped together with Lingayen as the
headquarters, headed by Division Superintendent Sidney Newsom.

On October 01, 1901, Act No. 232 was passed by the Philippine Commission thereby creating
position of two Deputy Division Superintendents; Mr. Frank Russell White was appointed deputy
superintendent for Tarlac.

On October 10, 1902, the office of the General Superintendent implemented the new Philippine
Commission Act No. 477 abolishing the position of Deputy Division Superintendents, and as a general
rule, each province constitute a school division. In the case of the division of Pangasinan (comprising the
provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales and Tarlac) records showed that this was due to the quite extensive
area of supervision and to include the big concern on transportation as reported by the division
superintendent and then Tarlac Governor Alfonso Ramos to the General Superintendent.

The abolition of the position of deputy superintendents and with the general rule that each
province must constitute a division gave way to the birth of the Division of Tarlac as an independent
division effective November 1, 1902 with Mr. Frank Russell White as the first division superintendent. A
century and a decade now, the schools division of Tarlac province held forty two (42) division
superintendents, seventeen (17) were Maestro Americano and thirty five (35) are Filipino educators.

Beginning 1999, the Division of Tarlac prepared itself in honing the birth of a new division after a
plebiscite in April 19, 1999 making Tarlac a component city. Finally in 2004, a new division was born, the
City Schools Division of Tarlac (sometimes called Tarlac City Division) from its mother division with its
new name as the Schools Division of Tarlac Province (sometimes called Tarlac Province Division) during
the incumbency of Dr. Victoria A. Aguas.

Today, through the strong leadership of Dr. Antonieta B. Tiotuico, CESO V, whose management
is centered towards strong professionalism and academic performance of the division. She is seriously
monitoring and supervising the actual performance of the 28 districts with 428 elementary schools and
67 secondary schools in the public and 118 private schools.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

YEAR OFFICIAL NAME OF OFFICIAL LEGAL BASES

OFFICE TITULAR HEAD
1863 Superior Commission Chairman Educational Decree of 1863
of Primary Instruction
1901-1916 Department of Public General Act No. 74 of the Philippine
Instruction Superintendent Commission on Jan. 21, 1901
1916-1942 Department of Public Secretary Organic Law of 1916 (Jones Law)
Instruction
1942-1944 Department of Commissioner Renamed by the Japanese
Education, Health and Executive Commission on June
Public Welfare 11, 1942
1944 Department of Minister Renamed by the Japanese
Education, Health and Sponsored Renamed Republic
Public Welfare
1944 Department of Public Secretary Renamed by the Japanese
Instruction Sponsored Philippine Republic
1945-1946 Department of Public Secretary Renamed by the Commonwealth
Instruction and Public Government
Information
1946-1947 Department of Public Secretary Renamed by the Commonwealth
Instruction Government
1947-1975 Department of Secretary E.O. No. 94,
Education Oct. 1947
(Reorganization Act of 1947)
1975 - 1978 Department of Secretary Proc. 1081
Education and culture September 24, 1972
1978- 1984 Ministry of Education Minister P.D. 1397
and Culture June 2, 1978
1984 - 1986 Ministry of Education, Minister Education Act of 1982
Culture and sports
1987-1994 Department of Secretary E.O. No. 117
Education, Culture January 30, 1987
and Sports
1994-2001 Department of Secretary R.A. 7722 and 7796, 1994
Education, Culture
and Sports
2001-to present Department of Secretary R.A.9155, August 2001
Education Governance of Basic Education

THE HOME OF THE SCHOOLS DIVISION OF TARLAC PROVINCE: A BRIEF BACKGROUND

(1902-2010)

The first division office was located at the historical building “Casa Real” (now Tarlac
State University) in 1902 by the first superintendent Mr. Frank White. Said office housed more
or less twenty (20) American and Filipino schools division superintendents from 1902-1935.
 During the Commonwealth period, the Schools Division Office was transferred to the
Tarlac Provincial Capitol Building for quite some time. It was then transferred to its third home
at the Teachers’ Building at the back of Tarlac National High School.

In the late seventies (70s) it was finally transferred to its permanent and present site
(Macabulos Drive, San Roque, Tarlac City). The first building was a U-shaped one storey
building funded by the Tarlac Provincial Government. The last superintendent to stay in the
said office was Dr. Ernesto J. Arceo (1997-2000). It was in his stint as superintendent that he
personally requested former First District Representative, Hon. Gilberto C. Teodoro who
allocated PHP 3M for the construction of a two storey building.

The new Division Office building was constructed thru the initiative of Dr Arceo, was
inaugurated in 2002 during the administration of Dr. Victoria A. Aguas (2000-2009). The
building was dedicated to the teachers of the Division of Tarlac Province whose dedication to
duty bring light, hope and wisdom to every school child’s future.

Seven years later, Dr. Victoria A. Aguas requested Hon. Jesli A. Lapus, Secretary of
Education to allocate funds for an extension and renovation of the existing office building.
Secretary Lapus, a Tarlaqueno inspired by his love to his constituents, allotted a total of PHP
25M for the construction of a fully equipped model Schools Division Office building as his gift
and legacy to the teachers, school officials, and personnel of DepEd Tarlac Province. The
incumbent superintendent, Dr. Antonieta B. Tiotuico first uses the building and initiated the
blessing and inauguration of the model division office building last December 2009 with Sec
Lapus as keynote speaker.

THE SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS 1901 - 2012

DIVISION OF TARLAC PROVINCE SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS: 1901 – 2012

NAME INCLUSIVE DATES STATUS
THE AMERICAN SUPERINTENDENTS (Maestro Americano): 1901 - 1935
1 FRANK RUSSELL WHITE Oct. 1, 1901-Oct. 31, 1902 Deputy Superintendent
November 1, 1902-February 1903 Superintendent
2 C. H. COVELL February – April 1903 Acting Superintendent
3 O. S. REIMOLD April 1903-August 15, 1903 Acting Superintendent
4 SIDNEY A. CAMPBELL August 15, 1903 - November 29, 1903 Superintendent
5 O. S. REIMOLD Early 1904 – May 5, 1904 Superintendent
6 A. V. DARLYMPLE May 6, 1903-July 10, 1904 OIC Superintendent
7 WILLAM WEDGEWORTH July 11, 1904-January 1905 Acting Superintendent
January 1905- 1906 Superintendent
8 WILLIAM J. COLBERT 1906-1910 Superintendent
9 EDWARD MURPHY 1906-1910 Superintendent
10 ROBERT H. NEELY August 1, 1910-Februay 14, 1911 Superintendent
11 CAROL A. PEABODY 1911 Superintendent
12 FREDERICK J. WATERS 1911-1912 Superintendent
13 HENRY WAGENBLASS 1912-1914 Superintendent
14 DR. ADAM C. DERKUM 1915-1918 Superintendent
15 AOTHUI G. SPILLER Superintendent
16 ARTHUR G. WHITMAN 1918-1935 Superintendent
17 LYLE G. JAMES Superintendent
18 HARRY MANSELMAYER Superintendent
THE FILIPINO SUPERINTENDENTS: 1936 to present
19 BENITO PANGILINAN 1936 Superintendent
20 ESTEBAN ABADA Bet 1927 to 1929 Superintendent
21 CECILIO PUTONG Superintendent
22 ABDON JAVIER Superintendent
23 VICENTE GARCIA Superintendent
24 RICARDO CASTRO Superintendent
25 APOLONIO RAMOS Superintendent
26 VENNACIO NERA Superintendent
27 ROMAN SANTOS Between 1930 to 1980 Superintendent
28 FLORENTINO CAPILI Superintendent
29 CONRADO GENILO SR. Superintendent
30 VICTOR DE LEON Superintendent
31 VICENTE LUMIBAO Superintendent
32 EULOGIO DE GUZMAN Superintendent
33 MATEO SANCHEZ Superintendent
34 ALBERTO TALENS Superintendent
35 TELESFORO LINA 1981 Superintendent
36 DR. VIRGILIO BARATANG 1982-1986 Superintendent
37 GERARDO ERGUIZA 1986-1991 Superintendent
38 JEREMIAS CALAGUI 1991-1993 Superintendent
39 GERARDO ERGUIZA 1993-1994 Superintendent
40 DR. FLOR UMALI 1994-1995 Superintendent
41 DR. MARIA I. OVEJERA 1995-1997 ASDS/OIC SDS
42 DR. ERNESTO J. ARCEO July 1, 1997-2000 Superintendent
43 DR. VICTORIA A. AGUAS Sept 25, 2000 - 2009 Superintendent
44 DR. ANTONIETA B. TIOTUICO Nov 3, 2009 to present Superintendent

Mr. Frank Russell White was one of the first American teachers, who first taught in Tarlac in
September 1901, deputy superintendent for Tarlac in October 1, 1901 to October 31, 1902, first
principal of Tarlac High School in September 1, 1902 and finally became the first superintendent of
Tarlar in November 1, 1902. The first division office was then located at the provincial government
building “Casa Real” (now TSU site). Three months later, on February 1903, Frank Russell White was re-
assigned in the Province of Antique, however on March 7, 1903; White was again transferred to the
General Superintendent Office in Manila, where he serves as assistant. With the abrupt re-assignment of
Frank White, he was replaced by C. H. Covell February – April as Acting Division Superintendent

From April of 1903, O. S. Reimold, one of the first teachers of Tarlac who was then assigned in
the capital was designated as Acting Division Superintendent. He served until August 15, 1903 only. On
August 15, 1903 to November 29, 1903, Sidney A. Campbell, then the Principal of Tarlac High School was
appointed Division Superintendent.

By early 1904, O. S. Reimold was again assigned in Tarlac, this time as a full-pledged Division
Superintendent. It was during its second tenure that the Tarlac High School building construction was
completed; however on May 5, 1904 he resigned from the service. With Reimold’s untimely resignation,
he was replaced by A. V. Darlymple as OIC, he served until July 10, 1904 only.

The following day, July 11, 1904, William Wedgworth was designated as Acting Division
Superintendent. On January 1905, he became a full pledge Division Superintendent with a salary of
$1,600.Between the years 1906 -1910 Willam C. Colbert and Edward Murphy served as Division
Superintendents. On august 1, 1910, Robert H. Neely was appointed as Division Superintendent to
February 14, 1911. He was succeeded by Caroll A. Peabody on that same year (1911).
 With the fast changing assignments of Division Superintendents, it was noted that Tarlac
became a dumping and jumping board of American education officials. In 1911 -1912, Frederick J.
Waters, Henry Wagenblass 1912 – 1914 became Division Superintendents.

The longest staying American Division superintendent was Dr. Adam C. Derkum, 1915 – 1918. It was on
Derkum’s term when the Tarlac High School was transferred to its present site, his wife Agnes served as
THS Acting Principal for a short time. In the year 1918 – 1935, the last four Americans to serve as Tarlac
chools Division Superintendents were Aothui G. Spiller, Arthur G. Whitman, Lyle G. James and Harry
Manselmayer, the end of “Maestro Americano” period in Tarlac.

THE FIRST AMERICAN AND FILIPINO TEACHERS

NAME OF TEACHER STATION REMARKS

Frank Russell White Tarlac July 1901

Teacher, Principal,
Deputy Superintendent, Superintendent
Nina F. Sargent Paniqui September 1, 1902
Perry Sargent Paniqui September 1, 1902
Sidney A. Campbell Victoria, Tarlac September 1, 1902, 1903
Teacher, Principal, Superintendent
L. D. Baun Moncada September 1 1902
Henrietta M. Albright Tarlac September 1 1902
L. H. Bonelli, Jr. Concepcion September 1 1902
C. V. Valentine Gerona September 1 1902
Fannie McGee Tarlac September 1 1902
O. S. Reimold Tarlac September 1 1902, 1903 Teacher to Superintendent
Mr. & Mrs. Hampton 1903
M. A. Butler Gerona 1903
Elizabeth Brenizer Tarlac 1903
Blaine Free Moore Moncada 1903
A. V. Dalrymple Camiling 1903, Teacher to Superintendent
George Eegan Tarlac 1903 Teacher to Principal
Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Hoover Paniqui 1903
Isaac D. Wall Victoria 1903
C. F. Young Victoria 1903
H. W. S. Roberts Capas 1903
W. O. Kaminer Camiling
William Parsons Tarlac
Willam A. Wedgeworth Tarlac Superintendent in 1906
Carroll A. Peabody Teacher to Superintendent
Fred J. Waters Paniqui Intermediate School Teacher to Superintendent
Edmund J. Gibbons
Lucinda Ansbro Tarlac
Perry Lincoln
Mr. Byron F. Barton Capas, Concepcion Supervising teacher
Lawrence H. Schwartz G 5 n 6 Teacher
Frank T. Reising
Charles E. Lucas
George W. Betz
August L. Proedehl
Matthew D. Ashe
George L. Parks
Agnes Derkum
Willam F. Braden Moncada Supervising Teacher
Leo J. Grove Camiling Central School Teacher in March 5, 1904
Supervising Teacher in 1906
Morton C. Helm Paniqui Supervising Teacher
Gustave T. Herrmann Pura Supervising Teacher
Herbert Haynor Victoria Supervising Teacher
John J. Heffington Camiling Central school
Hattie Grove Camiling Central School
Jerry H. Cook Camiling Intermediate School
Ralph Taylor
Anna l. Davis
Amos A. Davis
H. C. Russell
Florence E. Russell
Willam Beckener
Joseph Barlow
John Roberts
David Loveland Tarlac Supervisor, 1912
George W. Betz
Ernest A. Briles
Reece A. Oliver
William l. Mayo
Mrs. Martin
Mr. Tejada
Jaime Puno Bamban District Supervising Teacher
Fausto de Guzman San Clemente In charge of barrio school
Simeon Curaming Malacampa
Francisco Reyes
Angelo Cabrera Camiling Central School
Vicente Sicam
Nemesio Sison Sta. Ignacia
Miss Ester Angeles Pura Third grade Teacher
Clemente Terso Capas Central School Principal
Alberto San Miguel Tarlac
Note: Names in italic form were allegedly the first Filipino teachers

EDUCATIONAL SITUATION DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME

Tarlac held the distinction of being the first province to erect the first public high school in the
Philippines. Tarlac Provincial High School was opened on September 01, 1901 to people who wanted to
learn. It was a school of six (6) American teachers (four males and two females), with Mr. Frank Russel
White as the first principal.

Their curriculum was short and simple, consisting of Language, Physiology, Music and History.
There was no standard method in teaching and the principle behind instruction was “Learn no matter
how”. It was a hit-or-miss system that persisted from 1901-1905, until the so-called purely Academic
System was introduced, which was also modified with the adoption of Type- A Curriculum.

Initially, classes were conducted in rented buildings until Mr. White and Mr. S. A Campbell
decided to have a building constructed in a temporary site, south of plaza. The two-story building was 76
feet long and 42 feet wide. Lumber used was “Oregon Pine” imported from United States. The
construction cost was approximately P48, 000. Building the school proved to be difficult because of the
lack of engineers and competent contractors. Mr. White and the provincial governor, Alfonso Ramos,
supervised the construction. But it was Superintendent O. S. Reimold who saw the completion of the
school.
The inauguration of the school was held on January, 1904. A large American flag was the most
conspicuous decoration during the affair. This flag was a gift of the Martha Washington Society of New
York to the Tarlac High School, in recognition of the rare distinction of being the first public high school
in the country.

A monument in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal was erected in front of the building in 1905, by order of
Mr. Mariano Barrera of Concepcion, Tarlac. In 1901, with the acquisition of the lot opposite it, a
concrete building was constructed with modern wood-working machinery installed in it. The Provincial
High School housed its students until 1915, and was abandoned when it was condemned by the district
engineer. From 1915-1917, the Provincial High School occupied the Tarlac Municipal Building.

A persistent campaign for a new high school site resulted in acquisition of a lot measuring 78,
405 square meters. The Provincial High School did not only serve the Tarlac Province, but the
neighboring provinces, as well, because of its accessibility to the railroad lines. The first enrollment was
ten students which grew steadily. According to the report of the provincial governor in 1905, “Public
education progressed as much in the municipalities as in the high school of this provincial capital, as,
according to data furnished by the upright division superintendent of schools. 9,907 pupils of both sexes
have attended the municipal schools and 241 in the provincial high school, which is a larger number than
last year.”

Up to 1916, third year was the highest secondary level offered in the school. In 1917, fourth
year courses were offered to make the school a full-pledge high school. The total enrollment was 730
students with 382 in the secondary level and 348 at the intermediate level for 1917. Due to the lack of
rooms to accommodate such a big student population, some 150 students were denied enrolment by
the school. In 1919, the number of students reached a total of 382. The different secondary levels in
Tarlac Provincial High School were instituted in the following years First Year in 1905, Second Year in
1908, Third Year in 1910 and Fourth Year in 1917. (Cojuangco, Margarita Delos Reyes. Tarlac: Prehistory
to World War II, pp.166-168)

Educational Changes in Tarlac During the Commonwealth Period

In keeping with the various thrust of the Department of Public Instruction, the
educational system in the province underwent some changes. The constitution provided that “all
schools shall aim to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic consciousness, vocational
efficiency and to teach the duties of citizenship”. On February 1936, as provided for in this provision, the
National Council of Education (NCE) was created for the purposes of implementing effectively
educational policies and necessary changes to make learning effective and relevant to the Filipino
studentry. Strategies for the Filipinization of education resulted in;

• Adoption of the national language and its inclusion in the course of study with the enforcement
of an executive order making the local dialect as the auxiliary medium of instruction in the
primary grades.
• More Philippine-related materials for inclusion in the curriculum
• The observance of a patriotic calendar
• Character education to be given in a separate period of instruction
• Preparatory military training to be enforced both in the public and private schools
• The adoption of a code of citizenship and ethics
• The implementation of adult education
• The inclusion of miscellaneous activities, like school program and folk dancing, and
• The use of a prescribed school program of activities.

The growth of educational system could be seen in the increasing number of schools. Private
Education prospered in the province, too. Five Private Schools opened their doors to the students in
1937.

Victoria- “Plaridel Memorial institute” offered general subjects for the first-year high school students
Gerona- “Gerona Institute” a complete four-year high school
Camiling- “Camiling Secondary Institute” a four-year high school was offered
Concepcion- “The Little Flower Academy” catered to grades 1-4 in its primary department, grades 5-7 in
its intermediate. First year to second year levels were offered by its high school division
San Miguel, Tarlac- “Central Azucarera School Inc.” had grades 1 and 2 and grades 5 and 6 and offered
special high school education

While the Bureau of Education in 1937-1938 employed Supervisors of Secondary English, Tarlac,
like other provinces did not have a Secondary English Supervisor. However, Division Industrial
Supervisors were designated to supervise their respective areas. In Tarlac, Isaias Maclang was
employed in an acting capacity to supervise Tarlac’s Industrial Division. Supervisors of the academic
divisions were also given employment to supervise the academic subjects being offered in their areas
Gabriel Salgado was the Supervisor for Tarlac, from school year 1937 to 1938.

Tarlaquenos, like most Filipinos, valued education. As of 1938, the province had a number of
successful professionals which it could be proud of. A reprint of the Statistics Abstract of the Philippines
in 1950 revealed that as of 1938, there were 29 physicians, 26 lawyers, 7 engineers and other
professionals totaling to fifty-four in Tarlac.

The Bureau of Census reported that the percentage of Literacy among the population in Tarlac
was 55.8 % while literacy rate was 44.1 %.

Educational System During the Japanese Period

Order emanating from Manila at the end of May, 1942, authorized all schools to re-open. The
Holy Ghosts Nuns could not hold classes in their building on F. Tañedo Street because it was still
occupied by the provincial hospital. Mayor Arsenio Lugay helped the nuns seek the help of Colonel Ugi, a
Japanese officer, who made arrangements for some rooms at Tarlac Trade School be made available for
educational purposes. When the provincial hospital vacated the school building in July, the sisters re-
opened for kindergarten and grade school classes. Most schools could only open for the school year in
1943-1944.

The Japanese also asserted their supremacy over the Filipinos through the educational system.
Teachers had to undergo retraining to orient them in the ways of the truly Asian culture. Rudiments of
the conquerors language were taught, textbooks printed in the pre-war days were subjected to
censorship. It was de rigeur to sing the Japanese Imperial Anthem in school and bow before the
Emperor’s photograph.

The Japanese language (Nippongo) and Japanese culture were aggressively propagated. They
were offered as compulsory courses in schools and were included in civil service tests. A Nippongo week
was celebrated each year. Books, pamphlets, and periodicals glorifying Japanese history, Japanese’s
military achievements, and unity of all Asians flooded the bookstores. It was total control that the
Japanese wanted to achieve.

DepEd Tarlac Province Milestones and Achievements Through the Years

Through the years, a century and a decade now, forty three (43) schools division
superintendents committed serving with quality public service to Tarlaqueños. Seventeen (17) “Maestro
Americano” pioneers started by Frank Russel White in 1901 to Harry Manselmayer in 1935 had served
for 34 years. The remaining 26 superintendents continued improving the system the Filipino perspective
by initiating important programs, projects and thrust of the department.
 Under the tutelage of the incumbent superintendent, Dr. Antonieta B. Tiotuico, inspired by her
fashion of achieving implementing professionalism and academic excellence for the schools division of
Tarlac province saw great achievements such as raising its Mean Percentage Scores (MPS) in the
National Achievement Test (NAT) from _______ in 2009, ______ 2010 and ______ 2011, back to back
championship in the National Population Quiz in 2010 and 2011 and hopefully this year as Tarlac
Province to represent Region III in the National Level, 2012 Metro Bank most outstanding teacher
awards received by Dr. Roberto Santos to name a few.

MetroBank Awardees: National Outstanding Teachers

1. Mrs. Jessie A. Villegas

2. Mr. Wilfredo V. Salta

3. Dr. Roberto O. Santos (2012)

Former Secretaries of Education from Tarlac

DepEd Schools Division of Tarlac Province must be proud of to have honed four prominent
personalities who have held good and high positions in the government as Secretaries of the
Department of Education.

Jorge C. Bocobo, Secretary of Public Instruction, April 19, 1939 to January 22, 1941. He is a native of
Gerona, Tarlac and studied at Tarlac High School in ------ and became the Secretary of Education. As
secretary of education, he had, 1. Instituted curricular reforms reviving Philippine culture, arts and
letters; 2. Started crusade for adherence to moral standards; 3. Preached accountability to educational
community; 4.worked to instill nationalism in the youth; 5.promoted more Filipino courses in education,
and the observance of a patriotic calendar whereby historical events were taught and observed in public
schools.

As Secretary he affirmed that the direct aim of the new education is character development-all-round
character, well-adjusted personality and looking always towards improving the life lived.

Carlos P. Romulo, Designated Secretary of Public Instruction (after the Leyte Landing) from October 23,
1944 – February 26, 1945 and Secretary of Education from December 30, 1965 to December 16, 1967.
Romulo is a citizen from Camiling, Tarlac and schooled at Tarlac High School.

His significant contributions to education are;

1. stressed the basics in education

2. more school buildings and books
3. introduced curricular reforms with focus on social sciences and humanities, and
4. emphasized teaching about the United Nations and peace

Being a statesman, he was elected fourth president of the United Nations General Assembly, an
outstanding honor that has not yet been duplicated by any Filipino in terms of global leadership.

He also served as the tenth president of the University of the Philippines with concurrent position as
secretary of Education and became Secretary of foreign affairs in 1968. He also received around sixty
honorary decorations from local and international universities and colleges, he became famous as a
journalist when he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1942. He also received many awards and decorations. The
more outstanding of which are; Distinguished Service Star of the Philippines, silver Star, Purple Heart
with clusters, Presidential Unit citations with two oak leaf clusters and many more.

Onofre D. Corpuz

Secretary of Education, December 17, 1967 – April 20, 1971

Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, July 1979 – 1984

Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz, a scholar, a historian, a writer and most of all an educator, has gained for himself
the distinction of becoming the eleventh president of the University of the Philippines to head the
prmier institution. Dr. corpus is also the founding president and organizer of the Development Academy
of the Philippines. He believed that “Education is not for the past. The education of men and women
and their children is not designed to improve their past, education is for the future. He stressed that the
Philippine educational system must include apprentice system, industrial training, agricultural extension,
management training centers, community programs, adult education, and other activities”. Education
for development is therefore not only educating individuals, but educating entire society.

Dr. Corpuz’s pioneering efforts provided the framework of the values orientation program for school
executives, teachers and students, contributing to the moral and spiritual regeneration of the country.
He inspired leadership in putting curricular emphasis on the development of Filipinism, national identity,
moral pride, and national unity and in revising the elementary education program.

Dr. Corpuz’s landmark contribution to education is the Education Act of 1982 which provided for an
integrated system of education.

Jesli A. Lapus
Secretary of Education, August 2006 – 2010

Sources:

Buan, Virgilio Y., The Tarlac Book 2007.

Cornejo’s Commonwealth Directory of the Philippines.
Cojuangco, Gov. Margarita Delos Reyes. Tarlac Prehistory to World War II. Tarlac Provincial
Government, 1997.
Dizon, Lino L. Mr. White A Thomasite History of Tarlac Province 1901 – 1913. Center for Tarlaqueño
Studies, 2002.
Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Facts and Figures on Philippine Education, February
1997
Mindo, Dinah F.
______. Milestones in the Different Learning Areas. DepEd tarlac Province, 2012
R3 Link (Educational Journal of DepEd Region III)