School History

Marikina High School was established by virtue of Executive Order No. 5-77, issued in July 8, 1977 by then Metro Manila Governor, Imelda Romualdez Marcos, which provided that all municipalities in Metro Manila should have at least one public school. The opening of Marikina High School opened the door to the graduates of 17 elementary schools in the Municipality of Marikina, as well as to neighboring towns like, San Mateo, Montalban, Cainta and Antipolo, all from the province of Rizal. The establishment of the first public high school in Marikina provided the young populace the right and privilege to free education. In the absence of a permanent site and facilities, classes were held at Marikina Elementary School, which was considered the main campus with Mr. San Andres as Officer-In- Charge. During the year 1978-1979, 38 items were created by the Municipality of Marikina to augment the existing staff. The population reached to 2241 with only eight rooms lent by MES. Teachers were forced to hold classes under the trees. At the middle of the year, the number of teachers rose to seventy-two. After the term of Mr. Roman Nava, Mr. Romeo San Juan took over; however he stayed for only three months. He initiated the construction of pathways for garbage/trash aligned and cemented across the middle isle of the elementary campus used by the students during change period. Thereafter, Mrs. Amelia V. Casteltort headed the school for three years (1979-1981). She organized the student canteen especially for the second shift students for their food safety. It was at this time when a permanent site was identified at Concepcion Uno for the use of Marikina High School.In school year 1979-1980, the First Commencement Exercises was held at Our Lady of the Abandoned Church at San Roque, Marikina City. Mr. Florencio Lucas became the first Principal who assumed office in September 1, 1981. In April 21, 1983, he decided to transfer the main campus from Marikina Elementary School to Concepcion Uno with a lot area of approximately 9,112 square meters. It was during this time when he was able to solicit donations of classrooms from the Federation of Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Lucio Tan and the Allied Banking Corporation were the prominent donors of the two-room building constructed in the new campus. When Mr. Lucas’ term ended in 1984, Mrs. Milagros C. Mendoza was detailed at Marikina High School as Acting Assistant Principal and subsequently became the Department Head In-Charge in 1985-1986. In August 1985, another two-room building was donated and constructed by the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. By 1986, Mrs. Teresita V. Dimagmaliw, General Education Supervisor, acted as the Officer-In- Charge. In her time, five-room building and two-storey, four classroom building were constructed. Classes at Kalumpang Elementary School were transferred to Rodriguez Sports Center with Mrs. Florfina Torres as the Head Teacher-In- Charge. In 1989, Mrs. Lydia D. Flojo took over as principal in September 1989, but eventually retired from the service in 1990. The school was then headed by Dr. Marcial F. Domingo, Supervisor-In- Charge from 1990- 1992. To alleviate the classroom shortage at the main campus, a starter school was opened at Concepcion Elementary School with Mrs. Lagrimas B. Garcia as Head Teacher-In- Charge. Aside from these, another two-storey, six classrooms ESF building was constructed at the main campus. When Dr. Marcial F. Domingo was recalled at the Division of Quezon City, Mrs. Dimagmaliw again took over in September 1992. Other improvements were made and a twelve-room, three-storey building was constructed. In 1993, Mrs. Florfina Torres was promoted as Principal at Flora Ylagan High School in Quezon City and Mrs. Lagrimas B. Garcia took over as Head Teacher In-Charge of MHS-Parang Annex. Soon, she became the Principal of the newly independent Parang High School. It was on June 6, 1993 when a full-fledged principal from San Juan High School, Mrs. Florencia M. Lopez, with an item of Principal IV took over. She stayed up to 1998 and it was during her time when the Cariño, Fabella and SEDP buildings were constructed to accommodate the tremendously increasing school population. In 1993, Mrs. Victoria D. Naranja became Head Teacher-In- Charge of Concepcion Annex. When Dr. Rebecca S. Santos became the officer-in- charge of Marikina High School, the population boomed to 10,444 with 305 teachers. This gave rise to another annex, the Tañong Annex with Dr. Lydia B. Timoteo as the Head Teacher-In- Charge. When Dr. Rebecca Santos was recalled to the Division of PAMARISAN, Mrs. Lagrimas B. Garcia assumed office as principal from 1999-2003. She gave priority to the improvement of the physical facilities to make the school conducive for learning. It was in her time when Marikina High School was transferred to its current location in answer to the education thrust of then Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes C. Fernando to provide an excellent learning environment for quality education for the Marikeños. Two 3-storey buildings were constructed in the new site: the BF building and the MCF building both inaugurated in October, 2002. It was also during that time when the most wanted vehicle for the school was acquired, a Toyota Tamaraw FX and another Susuki Chariot, donated by Cong. Del De Guzman. In July 21, 2003 Mrs. Lagrimas Garcia was recalled to Parang High School and Mrs. Victoria D. Naranja took over. Mrs. Victoria D. Naranja served the school from 2003-2010. She envisioned Marikina High School to produce citizens who are knowledgeable, disciplined and productive. She opened the door to computer literacy. She also facilitated the opening of a program for out-of- school youth, and students at risk of dropping thru the Open High School Program (OHSP). By 2010, Mr. Edgardo L. Nieto, a military man, who had given up the profession for a better place in the academe, led the school. He aimed to produce well-trained and disciplined students so that they may become the pride of the school and the nation as well. He did not take any problems sitting down but acted on them accordingly. Concerned about the welfare of the students, he posted several securities to see to it that no untoward incidents may happen in the school which that time was prone to the infiltration of undesirables. He facilitated several programs and informative training to educate the youth on the evils of drug abuse and the like. He continuously reminded the students of their responsibilities as good citizens. He facilitated the making of the Open High School as a Learning Center in the Division of Marikina. In July, 2012, Mr. Albert B. Mutia assumed office as the new principal. He was a former English teacher of the school who was promoted by the merits of his credentials. He envisioned the school to be the number one general high school in the Division of Marikina City. He initiated the quarterly holding of Convocation Day. His transfer to Marikina High School would make one realize that there is wisdom in the turnover of leadership. His constant meetings with the faculty and staff concretized that there was much to learn from each other. Moreover, teachers, staff and students were motivated by his act of recognition in their accomplishments. August, 2014 marked another milestone for the school as a new era of leadership was instituted by Mr. Lauro Z. De Guzman, Public Schools District Supervisor who assumed office as OIC. With his mantra “Enter to learn, Leave to achieve” students and teachers alike equipped with discipline and good value system are encouraged to work with greater efficiency. To date, Marikina High School is geared towards becoming the center of excellence in Basic Secondary Education in Marikina City and beyond.