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A Brief History of St. Augustine Academy
Borrowed from Jojo Chavez's Floriblancan Website
One year after liberation in 1946, Floridablanca still bore the imprint of poverty and the ravages of war, the result of atrocities
and exploitation on a conquered people. There was an urgent need for education and moral regeneration. As if in answer to
the prayers of the people, a U.S. Army Chaplain, Reverend Father Joseph A. Devlin, assigned at the Palacol Airbase, came and
proposed to the Parish Priest, Reverend Father Lucinio Valles, OSA, the opening of a Catholic high school for the parish in
Floridablanca. The townspeople received the proposal with joy. They gave him not only, moral support, but also their time
and effort.
Thus was born the SAINT AUGUSTINE ACADEMY, a NON-STOCK Catholic high school in the Perish of Saint Joseph,
Floridablanca, owned by the parishioners.
The school formally opened in July l, 1946, with one hundred thirty five students
enrolled (mostly in their twenties). For lack of room facilities, classes were held at the sacristy and inside the church
too. Handling the classes were Father Devlin, Director, Mr. Mariano Sagad as the Acting Principal, Miss Gregorio Dychitan,
Miss Dolores Enrile, and Miss Nunilon Vitug as classroom teachers, and Mr. Felipe O. Tungol as the acting Treasurer. Mr. Sagad
later resigned in October 1946 and Mr. Fermin L. Loredo was appointed the permanent Principal.
To obtain formal government
recognition and correct the physical deficiencies in facilities and other requirements to upgrade the school standards, the
school was formed into a corporation. Incorporators signed the documents of incorporation. His Grace Archbishop Michael J.
ODoherty, Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Rufino J. Santos, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, Reverend Father Lucianio Valles, OSA,
Parish Priest of Floridablanca, Dr. Ramon J. Mendiola, Mr. Dominador D. Songco, Mr. Geronimo D. Coronel, and Mr. Teofilo Gutierrez.
The government approved the incorporation papers of the Saint Augustine Academy, as a non-stock private catholic school
on April 20, 1948. By this time the school is now firmly established. In the same year the Schools Founder, Reverend Father
Joseph A. Devlin returned to the United States to serve as parish priest in one of the parishes for farm workers.
Since its foundation in 1946, the following have served as school directors:
1946 1948 Rev.Father Joseph A. Devlin
1948 1960 Rev.Father Lucinio
Valles, OSA
1960 1968 Msgr.Crispiniano Y. Gopez
1968 1974 Msgr.Vicente R. Navarro
1974 1987 Msgr.Felipe C. Pangilinan
Enrollment at the opening of the school in 1946 was 135 with a part time teaching staff of 5 teachers only. Since then, the
following data show the progress attained in its enrollment and graduates:
Freshmen School Year Graduates
( Seniors )
135 1946-1947 5
225 1948-1949 21
703
1963-1964 105
1436 1974-1975 284
2029 1980-1981
480
2346 1986-1987 540
In March 1987 Reverend Father Joseph A.
Devlin returned to the SAA 40 years after he founded it. During his sentimental visit he was adopted as "A Son of Floridablanca"
by the Municipal Council, participated in the unveiling of a marker for the School, festive celebrations & finally a motorcade
around town.
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