Republic of the Philippines

Dr. Arcadio Santos NHS

Schools Division of Paranaque City

  Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School is a secondary school located in the second legislative district of Barangay San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City. It has a splendid beginning that paved a remarkable milestone in the educational realm of the city.

 It all started from the noble dreams of the late former Mayor Walfrido N. Ferrer and his council to promote education among the school age children in Parañaque – the Paranaque Municipal High School which has already two annexes in La Huerta and Baclaran. In order to augment the shortage in secondary school, particularly in the second district, a resolution to establish a secondary school in the said barangay was created.  Upon the approval of this resolution, a two-storey, sixteen (16) classroom building was constructed in a vacant lot of United Paranaque ll, just behind the barangay hall. This lot was a donation of the United Paranaque Homeowners Association intended for the school building. Construction of the school building was finished in 1991 and was inaugurated bearing the name Ferrer building. In the same year, this building was occupied by 12 classes of first year students in the morning shift and 12 classes of second year students in the afternoon shift. Mrs. Rosa V. Sioson, who was then the principal of the mother school – the Paranaque Municipal High School (now Paranaque National High SchoolMain), assigned Mr. Urbano E. Agustin, who was then Department Head of Practical Arts, as the officer – in – charge of this annex school. Twenty-five teachers and some non-teaching staff from mother school were also given to Mr. Agustin to help him run the school. As an annex school of PMHS, Mrs. Rosa V. Sioson, principal and Dr. Filemon S. Salas, the Schools Division Superintendent strongly supported Mr. Urbano Agustin to soar in this realm, that is, to be at par with other high schools in the Division of Pasay  (where Parañaque was still part of) . With limited resources like: a makeshift canteen, two classrooms merged the library, few books donated by the mother school, a small clinic, guidance counselors’ office, Mr. Agustin was able to make education at DASHS  enjoyable in a meadow like environment of green mango trees full of fruits. A change in the administration of the local government crafted another direction to this school. On May 23, 1993, Hon. Mayor Pablo R. Olivarez and his council signed the Municipal Ordinance No. 93-10 s. of 1993, an ordinance that covered PMHS Annex in San Martin de Porres into an independent public high school. Atty. Manuel T. de Guia , one of the councilors proposed the name Dr. Arcadio Santos High School, named after the governor of Rizal, Dr. Arcadio Santos. This ordinance was formally signed on July 1, 1993 by the mayor and his councilors before the students, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents and other people in the community. In school year 1993-1994, DASHS’ enrolment grew remarkably. It had an enrolment of 2,203 from first year to fourth year, 62 teachers, 3 non-teaching staff and 13 support staff. In the succeeding years, DASHS demonstrated its magnificent performance, more when the division of Paranaque was made an independent division in 1994. In the school year 1996-1997, the first annex school was created and temporarily housed at Barangay Don Galo, j ust behind the Don Galo Elementary school in District 1 Mrs. Concepcion C. Bernaldez, the Asst. to the Principal was appointed Officer-inCharge who diligently supervised and oversaw this school.A year later, this school was transferred to Masville, Barangay BF Homes in District II and became the official annex school of DASHS. This was named “Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School- Masville Annex.

    Another significant milestone was added in the history of DASHS. The dream of converting this school into national high was realized when Hon. Congressman Roilo Golez passed his House Bill No. 436 in 1996 and was approved by former President Joseph E. Estrada on August 22, 2000 that became Republic Act No. 8844, an Act Converting Dr. Arcadio Santos High School into Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School. This brought a big change to this school. Mr. Urbano E. Agustin and all the staff of the school almost jumped with joy in the realization of this long-awaited dream.

   In the year 2000, the second annex school was established in Barangay Don Bosco. This was named “Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School – Moonwalk Annex”.  In June 2007, it was renamed Moonwalk High School but because of some technicalities in the resolution it was rechecked and officially introduced to all as Moonwalk High School in August 2007. Dr. Gregorio T. Capiral was then the OIC Principal.

    In November 2006, Mr. Urbano E. Agustin heartbreakingly left this school for a much bigger task at Paranaque National High School-Main. Mrs. Concepcion C. Bernaldez who was then the Division Science Supervisor took his place. DASNHS, under the leadership of Mrs. Bernaldez had significantly changed. The physical facilities had improved, school performance desirably raised, teachers and non-teaching staff increased in number and improved professionally.  In the years 2008 & 2009 under the efforts of Hon. Mayor Florencio M. Bernabe Jr., the third annex of DASNHS was established in Barangay Sun Valley, just beside the Sun Valley Elementary School. Miss Thelma Montiel was the appointed OIC-Principal. On March 24, 2000 these two annexes, the Moonwalk and Sun Valley were nationalized by virtue of RA 10065 and RA 10064 .  This was through the effort of Hon. Cong. Roilo S. Golez.

  In September 25, 2012, Dr. Gerry C. Catchillar , former principal of Parañaque National High School – Baclaran took over Mrs. Concepcion Bernaldez who was transferred to Moonwalk National High School.

  In October 1, 2013, Dr. Rosendo C. Abulog (Secondary School Principal IV) formerly the School Head of Parañaque National High School-Baclaran took over Dr. Gerry C. Catchillar who was transferred to Moonwalk National High School.  Mrs. Veronica M. Francisco was assigned as the Assistant-to-the-Principal.

  It is said that nothing is constant in this world except change, in October 28, 2014, Dr. Abulog, left this school for a much bigger task, to be the principal of Parañaque National High School-Main, the position vacated by the retired principal Mr. Urbano Agustin. The following day, October 29, 2014, Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School spearheaded by Mrs. Rhodora C. Espino, former Mathematics department head and current assistant-to-the-principal, warmly welcomed our new principal, Dr. Corazon B. Mandar, previously the school head of Baclaran National High School. The remaining days of 2014, the school has faced numerous challenges including limited resources and societal skepticism. However, the founders’ unwavering commitment ensure the school’s survival and gradual growth. It was the start of another reigning years of DASNHS as role model in innovative teaching methods making it an accessible and engaging institution for teachers and students in the Division of Paranaque City. Moreover, DASNHS continue bagging several winnings in various academic and non-academic areas. It has also established good rapport among its community stakeholders including the alumni association. For more than six years, indeed, it has marked the fruitful years of DASNHS under Dr. Mandar’s supervision making her exit a remarkable part of DASNHS history until December 2020 as she finally leave the portals of the institution for her retirement years ahead.

   In February, 2021, DASNHS welcomes the school’s new Officer-In-Charge,  Mrs. Alma M. Zamoranos, the Head Teacher III of Araling Panlipunan Department together with Mr. Ronald Allan A. Eroles, the Head Teacher III of Filipino Department as the Asst. OIC. It was a challenging period for everyone especially to the current administration battling with the societal changes brought by COVID-19 pandemic with strict restrictions turning the usual face-to-face classes into blended learning modalities. The school started offering online learning options reflecting the growing importance of digital literacy in the modern world. 

  In the same year of September, DASNHS welcomes its sixth school principal, Mrs. Marilou A. De Jesus. Today, our school stands as a testament to the vision of its founders and the dedication of the countless educators who have shaped its history. It is a vibrant, diverse, and innovative institution that continues to evolve to meet the demands of the 21^st century learners.At present, DASNHS continue to soar high with its numerous achievements together with the help of the stakeholders including the active participation of DASNHS Alumni Association, General Parent-Teacher Association, Teachers, and Students. With its growing family members, it has now over 138 members both from the Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel.

DASNHS is moving forward to meet the demands of time. It will continue to rise above the ordinary by developing education which can transform lives and communities. Inspired by our faith in Christ together with our parents, churches, government, nongovernment units, and communities, we dream of God-loving, morally and mentally upright, highly competent citizens who can contribute towards the building of a decent and productive society.

We at DASNHS serve with one heart and one goal, para sa bata, para sa bayan, at para sa Diyos.