Holy Family Academy: A Century of Benedictine Presence

Benedictine Presence: A Century of History

Early Years (1922-1941)

  • June 1922: The Missionary Benedictine Sisters, upon invitation from the Archbishop of Manila, took over the management of the school and renamed it Holy Family Academy (HFA).

  • The first group of sisters was headed by Sister Crescentia Veser, Order of Saint Benedict (OSB).

  • December 1922: Sister Winfrieda Mueller, OSB, became the superior of the school in Angeles.

  • 1922-1923: Two high school levels were opened but closed the following year.

  • 1925: HFA became independent from Saint Mary's Academy in Bacolor. Sister Pacifica Gerding , OSB, was the first resident superior.

  • 1941: HFA continued to operate during the Japanese occupation, closing only briefly during the change of political administration before reopening after World War II.

  • December 8, 1941: Bombing of Pearl Harbor.

    • News of the bombing reached Angeles residents through newsboys.

    • It was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Students from first to seventh grade were required to attend the 08:00 mass.

Post-War and Expansion (1942-1977)

  • May 1942: HFA reopened with enrollment for first to sixth grade, starting in June.

  • 1945: The school and the Benedictine Sisters survived despite inflation.

  • June 1945: Under Sister Lucilla Boegner, OSB, classes reopened with hundreds of enrollees.

  • 1960: HFA opened the high school department exclusively for girls.

  • During the term of Sister Albana Sutter, OSB, the Saint Joseph Building was built.

  • 1965: Sister Concepcion Pellosa, OSB, became the first Filipino superior of Holy Family Academy.

  • 1966: Cor Unum, the school's official organ and yearbook, was established.

    • Sister Concepcion suggested the name Cor unum, meaning "one heart."

  • 1967: Sister Concepcion introduced constructions, including the Saint Mary Building and the four-story Saint Benedict Building with an auditorium.

  • August 12, 1968: HFA began catechetical instruction in public schools.

  • January 1969: Fun Time, a school event, began during the Foundation Day celebration.

  • 1969: The Sisters Indigenous Apostolate was established, leading to a missionary commitment to the Aetas of Mt. Pinatubo.

  • 1972: Calamities prompted intensified social action projects.

    • Sister Winfrieda Bugayong, OSB, led the rehabilitation of Tibagin.

    • The project, Operation Cortasa, involved the school community.

  • 1974: Onward Familians was proposed and copyrighted.

    • Lyrics were written by Sister M. Celestine Mariño, OSB, emphasizing faith in God.

  • 1975: Holy Family Academy became an archdiocesan school.

  • 1971-1977: During Sister Winfrieda Bugayong's term, the fifth floor of Saint Benedict Building and a two-story home economics building were constructed.

  • 1977: Sister Simeona Ricalde, OSB, facilitated the construction of the left wing of Saint Mary Building.

Expansion and Challenges (1978-2002)

  • 1983: Sister Mary Bernard Lansang, OSB, and the sisters started the construction of Saint Mary's second week.

  • Sister Mary Bernard Lansang, OSB, initiated the formation of a foundation with parents and alumni.

  • Sister Ildephonsa Pineda, OSB, and Mr. Florenta Timbol incorporated the HFA PTA Foundation.

  • 1986: The foundation, along with Sister Ildephonsa Pineda embarked on a building construction program.

  • A five-hectare lot in Barrio Cutcut was acquired for the new site.

  • June 12, 1991: Mount Pinatubo showed signs of eruption after over 500 years of calm.

  • The volcano erupted three days later, leading to evacuations and suspension of classes.

  • The administration redefined its mission and goals, identifying with the poor and weak.

  • Despite the impending Lahar, the Santo Niño and San Lorenzo Ruis buildings were completed.

  • 1994: Sister Fe Andrea Collantes, OSB, introduced the vision-mission statement.

  • December 1995: Sister Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB, introduced Basic Ecclesial Communities to the faculty, staff, and maintenance personnel.

  • The school advocated on local issues, protesting against plans to build a dike and make the school a catch basin for Lahar.

  • The career tracking system was introduced.

  • The Jubilee Cross visited Holy Family Academy.

  • 2001-2002: Sister Vicenta Anuran, OSB, outlined the institutional direction based on the priory's vision, building a transforming community of peace and joy based on the rule of St. Benedict.

  • The vacant lot at the back of the Santo Niño Building was transformed into a garden.

  • January 7, 2002: The Archdiocese of San Fernando recognized the 80th year of Benedictine presence, awarding a plaque to Mother Prioress Angelica Leviste, OSB.

  • February 26, 2002: Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Building were held.

  • February 10, 2004: The refurbished HFA School auditorium was blessed.

Centennial Celebration and Beyond (2005-2022)

  • 2005-2006: The school celebrated its centennial with the theme "HFA, one community, one academy, a century of Familian spirit."

    • Activities included Centennial Service Awards Day, Centennial Flores de Mayo, alumni centennial homecoming, blessing of the centennial archives, blessing of the centennial rides, motorcade, unveiling of the centennial marker, and a centennial eucharistic celebration.

    • The school produced its first stage play, Panunuluyan

  • 2009-2010 The administration produced Benedict Man of God.

  • July 4, 2011: Groundbreaking of the seven-story St. Joseph Building.

  • June 2012: The school celebrated the ninetieth year of Benedictine Presence.

    • Panunuluyan was organized and staged.

  • 2013: Sister Edna M. Quiambao, OSB, assumed office as school director.

  • August 16 2014: The sisters general meet took place at Holy Family Academy.

  • November 15 2014: The newly renovated convent of the Benedictine Sisters was blessed.

  • 2014-2015: Groundbreaking for the Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica buildings.

  • 2015-2016: New building was completed and blessed.

  • June 18 2015: Mother Angela Strobel, OSB, and the IFM delegates visited Holy Family Academy.

  • The Benedictine community held the Vocation Jamboree.

  • 2017: The ninety-fifth year of Benedictine presence was celebrated.

    • Facilitated spiritual talk to Benedictine educators.

  • 2019: Sister Mary Francis F. Dizon, OSB, initiated the institutional information program.

  • 2020: Onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and shift to online distance learning.

  • The HFA community strived to adjust to the new normal, and equip themselves spiritually and professionally.

  • Outreach programs continued, expressing HFA's commitment to social transformation.

  • The missionary Benedictine sisters continue to reach out and share God's grace through different initiatives.