HISTORY OF BILAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

In the Year 1916 the Philippine legislative approved a bill presented by representative Isauro Gabaldon, a representative from Nueva Ecija appropriating money for the construction of school buildings. Camiling was lucky enough to acquire enough money for the construction of five Gabaldon school buildings. These were given to Sta. Maria, Malacampa, Matubog, Sinilian 2^nd and Bilad.

Eager to have a school, the people of Bilad constructed a temporary building to house the first grade class. The first teacher was known as Mr. Palodo.

The residence were acquired to produce lumber for the construction of the said building. Under the leadership of Faustino Sebastian, the teniente del barrio as they were called before, with Prime Concepcion went to the mountain to cut lumber. When the lumber was ready , the government gave other materials such as gravel and sand, cement, galvamized iron and other materials needed for the construction. The master carpenter was helped by the people of Bilad especially the Sebastian brothers Marcos, Maximo and Macario who know about carpentry. The building was constructed on the portion of the lot claimed by Macario Sagun. Since there was no cadastral survey at that time so the lot was considered public land. It was supposed to be a two room building but the people of Bacabac disagreed on some respect so one room building was constructed. The people of Bacabac get their lumber until their lumber was “binacabac” so te place was named Bacabac. When the building was finished, an American teacher come to teach known as Mr. Grove. Followed by Mr. Francisco Quirolico Mr. Manuel Mangrobang, followed by others.

In 1920 grade III was organized and the following year Grade IV. So the people again constructed another temporary building. In 1922 under the leadership of Mateo Gomez , then the teniente del barrio produced material for the construction of semi-permanent building. The municipal government also gave some construction materials. As enrolment increased, the government again gave two semi-permanent building.

In 1946, Mr. Roque Quejera the heard of the school saw the need to organize a Grade V class. The problem then was the site to constructed the said intermediate building. He then conferred with Vicente Ordinario who was the teniente del barrio. They talked to the family of the late Macario Sebastian and Lorenzo family for the school site to donate a portion of their lot. Felipe Lorenzo was their spokesman, when the construction of the temporary building began the Lorenzo Family retracted about the portion of their lot. Temporary building was constructed under the leadership of Vicente Ordinario. The Grade V was opened September 1947. Mr. Carlos Alonzo was the first principal teacher. The years later, the government supplied materials for the construction of semi-permanent building. The construction was done by the people of Bilad free of charge. A year later a semi-permanent Home Economics building was constructed, then followed the shop building was constructed, and the Magsaysay building in the primary site.

In the year 1967, Mr. Leopoldo Concepcion was elected Barangay Captain. He acquired three school buildings, two in the primary site and the Home Economics in the intermediate site. With the help of his barangay council they also acquired hollow blocks for the fencing of the primary school site.

In 1970 a first year class was organized, due to financial difficulties the Barangay could no longer support the high school as it was closed in 1972. We must also remember that Mr. Leopoldo Concepcion was awarded honor as the Most Outstanding Barangay Captain During his term.

In the year 1983 and 1985 under the leadership of our active principal Mr. Guillermo T. Labiano with the help pf our cooperative PTA President Mr. Apolonio Bumatay, they were able to acquire two-three rooms, building and repair of our original semi-permanent building and the Home Economics building. We must also remember that through the efforts of our principal Mr. Guillermo T. Labiano and our PTA President, great improvement was done in the school site, like repairing the cemented path going to the different buildings and others.

Since the establishment of the intermediate class the following served as principals, Mr. Carlos Alonzo, Mr. Adriatico Agustin, Miss Paz Eustaquio, Mr. Camilo ferrer, Mrs. Patrocenia Ponciano, Mr. Buenaventura Rabe, and Mr. Guillermo T. Labiano.

After the opening of the intermediate classs, Parents Teacher Association was formed. The first PTA President was Mr. Jacobo Corpuz, followed by Mr. Venancio Cortez, Mrs. Maria S. Concepcion, Mr. Federico Solis and at present Mr. Apolonio Bumatay.

Before the opening of the intermediate class some of the primary graduates became professionals. The first to become a professional was Atty. Faustino Concepcion. He thought for three years then continued his studies to become a full pledge lawyer. There are also graduates the nursing schools. They are Facunda Concepcion and Criselda Concepcion. In engineering was have Pacifico Lorenzo and Arsenio Sebastian, Mr. Onofre P. Lorenzo graduated in Business Administration. There are also who become professional teachers. They are Pedro Concepcion, Raymundo Sebastian, Crestita Concepcion, Marcelino Lorenzo and Andred Lorenzo.

Since the opening of the complete elementary classes in Bilad, many become professionals. The first graduate of this school was Fiscal Arestodes Sebastian. He graduated as first honor and a valedictorian from Camiling Secondary Institute. He was a scholar from High School to College. The next was Mr. Luperio Santiago. He studied law and new employed in Tarlac. He was also an outstanding student in Camiling Colleges during his turn.

Research by:

Florida D. Carasig