THE 60-year-old Chevalier School bounced back from the brink of extinction over a land dispute between the Missionaries of Sacred Heart and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga. Amid much furor— from students, PTA, employees, alumni, and retired teachers— the Angeles City Council upheld the Regional Trial Court Branch 58 ruling to continue its existence in providing quality Catholic education.
City Councilor Alfie Bonifacio, Batch ‘90 and chairman of the committee on education asked: Why not give the school heritage status and protect it as part of Angeles City’s history?
Hence, the Angeles City Council unanimously approved on February 16, 2021 Resolution No. 9397, entitled, ”Recommending the Frontage of Chevalier School (Chapel and School Building) with Sixty (60) Years of Existence as One of the Heritage Sites in Angeles City. Authored and sponsored by City Councilors Joseph Alfie Bonifacio, Arvin Suller, Jesus Sangil, Danilo Lacson, Jeremias Alejandrino, Marino Banola, Joan Crystal Aguas, Raco Paolo Del Rosario, Joseph Ponce, Arnoah Prince Mandani and presided by Vice-Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting.
It was in Chevalier School where Bonifacio learned about how democracy worked through school elections. “This was done to replicate an election campaign, how a candidate would rally support and get elected as class president and student council officer, just like how local and national election campaigns are run,” the two-termer councilor said.
Rotarian, businessman and alumni president, Veejay Tanglao, Batch ’87, credits his years in CS for helping to build up his confidence for the civic projects he does today. “Chevalier was so popular being the longest reigning champion of the University of the Philippines – Aguman’s Pautakan (the most prestigious and most awaited academic competition in Pampanga). We cradled the so-called revolving UP Oblation trophy for three straight years in the 1980s. We also excelled in sports particularly soccer, and the Glee club popularized by its founder Fr. Art Mateo. Those experiences were priceless and contributed so much to my work today. The love of Caballeros and Fairladies to our Alma Mater never diminished. The indomitable spirit for our second home to continue its existence lives on,” Tanglao told Iorbitnewsonline.
A student from 1987 to 1990, Bonifacio also urged the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to protect Chevalier School.
The “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009” (Republic Act No. 10066) provides protection on a cultural property against exportation, modification or demolition for structures dating at least fifty (50) years old.
All cultural properties of the country deemed important to cultural heritage shall be registered in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property. Local government units (LGUs), through their cultural offices, shall likewise maintain an inventory of cultural property under its jurisdiction and shall furnish the NCCA a copy. The NCCA, cultural agencies concerned and LGUs shall continuously coordinate in making entries and in monitoring the various cultural properties in their respective inventory. When the physical integrity of the national cultural treasures or important cultural properties are found to be in danger of destruction or significant alteration from its original state, the appropriate cultural agency shall immediately issue a Cease and Desist Order ex parte suspending all activities that will affect the cultural property. The LGU which has the jurisdiction over the site where the immovable cultural property is located shall report the same to the appropriate cultural agency immediately upon discovery and shall promptly adopt measures to secure the integrity of such immovable cultural property. Upon conviction, the offender shall be subject to a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment for a term of not less than ten (10) years, or both, upon the discretion of the court.
PTA President Fernan Panlilio, Batch ’85, said the school is an important part of Angeles City’s history and heritage, both in terms of education and the architecture of its buildings. “If the school is gone, it would mean a little less soul in the heart of the city,” he said.
PTA Vice-President Glenn Zamora, Batch ’96, said the school has produced many of the country’s talents in medicine, law, archaeology, information technology, engineering, education, public service, military, media, sports, business, foreign service, culinary, architecture, agriculture, tourism, fashion, entertainment and other fields.
Banker and financial adviser Ador Lorenzo, Batch ’87, like Tanglao, Panlilio and Zamora, said the school helped shape who he is today. “I’m not so sentimental that I look back and see only a perfect education; it had its flaws. But within its walls I learned what I was passionate about, found teachers who understood who I was and how I learned, and made friends I still hold dear,” he said.
For Mabalacat City Prosecutor Normandick De Guzman, 55, Batch ’83, CS was where much of his personality was developed. “My memories were all great at CS. It was a place where I could be myself, where I managed to shape my interests through extra-curricular activities. CS taught boys to be independent and to just go for it. We empowered each other,” he explained.
“I am relieved that the RTC and the City Council did the right thing to protect the students and stakeholders. However, to ensure that CS is never torn down, it must be declared a heritage site,” said Atty. Regina Cortez Gopez-Agustin, CS parent and petitioners’ lawyer. “Governments come and go, this decision may be revoked. So, we must take legal steps to ensure that our buildings are protected now and forever. This is a permanent solution where it doesn’t have to be an issue every couple of decades. Thank you to the City Council particularly Councilor Bonifacio for declaring CS a local heritage site and hopefully someday gazetted a national heritage site as well,” she said.
The contract of lease entered into by and between the MSC and the RCASF stipulated that the duration of the lease shall be for a period of 99 years from the date it was signed which is until 2057. It was signed in October 1958 by Msgr. Emilio Avera Cinense, Roman Catholic Bishop of Pampanga – lessor, and Rev. Fr. Cornelio Lagerwey, Sacred Heart Mission Seminary, Inc. – lessee, and duly notarized by Atty. Valeriano Silva in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The school chapel’s cornerstone was laid by Congresswoman Juanita “Apung Saning” L. Nepomuceno, Representative of the First District of Pampanga in 1964.