History of Capt. Mario T. Angeles Memorial School

The Capt. Mario T. Angeles Memorial School, commonly known as Matangtubig Elementary School, traces its origins to the early 1960s, when it was first established as the Paaralang Primarya ng Matangtubig. Founded in 1963, the school initially offered classes for Grades I to III and served as the primary educational institution for children in the community of Matangtubig, Baliwag, Bulacan.

Early Beginnings

At the time of its founding, the school did not yet possess its own land or buildings. Classes were temporarily conducted within the premises of the bisita (a small chapel used for community gatherings). When the structure of the bisita was later damaged, classes were relocated to the ground floors of elevated houses in the neighborhood. Despite the limited facilities, the community’s commitment to education remained strong.

The first teacher assigned to the school was Mr. Amancio Buenaventura, who was later succeeded by Mr. Antonio Reyes. Both educators are remembered for their dedication and service to the pupils of Matangtubig. Other notable teachers who contributed to the growth of the school in its early years were Mr. Norberto Gonzales and Mrs. Celerina Mananghaya (later Mrs. Marasigan), who were among the pioneers during the period when the school had only two classrooms.

The Establishment of a Permanent Site

The significant development of the school began through the generosity of Hon. Mario T. Angeles, who was then a konsehal (councilor) of Matangtubig and later became its kapitan del barrio (barangay captain). In 1965, he allowed the use of his family’s land for the construction of two classrooms, through the efforts of Barrio Captain Marciano Quizon and Mr. Antonio Reyes, then a teacher of the school. Funding for the construction was secured through the Build, Build, Build Program under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

At that time, access to the site was difficult because there were no established roads leading to Matangtubig. Community members—particularly the parents of the students—actively participated in transporting construction materials. Cement and hollow blocks were hauled by hand or with the aid of carabaos and carts, while wooden materials were floated through irrigation canals to reach the site. The construction of the classrooms symbolized the collective effort and unity of the people of Matangtubig.

Land Donation and Legalization

Recognizing the importance of having a permanent site for the school, Captain Mario T. Angeles officially donated a portion of his farmland measuring 5,000 square meters in 1975 for educational use. This donation was legalized through Sangguniang Bayan Kapasiyahan Blg. 80 (Series of 1976). Following this, the school was formally opened to the public in 1977 under the name Mababang Paaralan ng Matangtubig. Initially, it consisted of a single Bagong Lipunan building with two classrooms, and the classes were conducted in a multigrade setup (e.g., Grades 1 and 2 combined, and Grades 3 and 4 combined).

Transition to Independence

For several years, the school operated as a satellite institution of Pinagbarilan Elementary School, with pupils from Grade 5 transferring there to continue their studies. By School Year 1999–2000, the institution achieved full independence and became a complete elementary school, offering classes from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The first graduation ceremony was held in 2001 under the leadership of Mrs. Lorelina G. Sierra, who served as Teacher-in-Charge at that time.

Physical Features and Community Life

The school site, located in a naturally abundant area of Matangtubig, once had a fishpond and various plantations, reflecting the agricultural character of the community. The name “Matangtubig” itself is derived from the term meaning “spring” or “source of water,” highlighting the natural environment surrounding the school.

Renaming and Present Identity

Originally known as Paaralang Primarya ng Matangtubig and later Mababang Paaralan ng Matangtubig, the school was renamed in 2015 in recognition of the invaluable contributions of Captain Mario T. Angeles. Through Sangguniang Bayan Kapasiyahan Blg. 36 (Series of 2015) authored by former Municipal Councilor Hon. Roberto “Tisoy” E. Santos, the school’s name was changed to Mababang Paaralang Kapitan Mario T. Angeles. Later that same year, another resolution—Kapasiyahan Blg. 55 (Series of 2015)—was enacted, officially designating the school as Brgy. Capt. Mario T. Angeles Memorial School, in accordance with the Department of Education’s directive to remove the term “Mababang Paaralan” from the names of public elementary schools.

Legacy

Today, Capt. Mario T. Angeles Memorial School stands as a lasting testament to the spirit of volunteerism, generosity, and collective effort of the people of Matangtubig. From its humble beginnings in a chapel to its present status as a full-fledged public elementary school, it continues to uphold its mission of providing quality education to the children of the community—serving as both a memorial to its namesake and a beacon of learning for future generations.