ACN

1950 - The Calling

Assumption College of Nabunturan (A C N) is an institution established, owned and run by a religious congregation of women called the fma sisters. The fma is from the French words, Les Filles de Marie-de-l’Assomption, which is translated to Daughters of Mary of the Assumption. The congregation was founded in 1922 by Msgr. Louis Joseph Arthur Melanson, an Acadian priest, who later became an Archbishop of Moncton in Canada. At present, the fma sisters’ Generalate or Mother House is in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada. The main aim of the congregation, as stated in the founder’s general objectives, is “Christian Education for the youth especially in the parishes too poor to maintain a Catholic school.” Driven by that aim, they responded by establishing a school of the then Barrio of Nabunturan. Hence, the birth of Assumption College of Nabunturan.

The establishment of the school, then named Assumption Academy of Nabunturan, was made possible through an invitation by the Church hierarchy, to the fma congregation in the early part of the 1950’s. Msgr. Clovis Thibault, the then Administrator of the Diocese of Davao, made a request to the fma sisters to send missionaries to teach Catholic education to the youth of Davao. On May 7, 1951, the congregation, through the fma General Council headed by the Superior General, Sr. AndrinaDube (Marie-de-Lourdes), responded positively to the invitation. Thus, the General Chapter decisions reads, “In thanksgiving to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the favors obtained after the foundation of the Institute particularly the definition of the dogma of the Assumption, the Daughters of Mary of the Assumption accepts the mission to the Philippines in 1954.” The said decision was precipitated by three very significant events.

The invitation in 1950 coincided with the Church’s official definition of the Dogma of the Assumption for which the congregation was named. The following year, 1951, Pope Pius XII sounded a call to all religious congregations for missionaries to foreign lands, which the congregation heeded. The year for the mission, 1954, was so chosen because this was the centennial year of the definition of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The sisters’ Marian devotion was inherited from the founder who was a profound devotee himself.

1954 - Inception

In March 1954, Sr. Andrina Dube (Superior General) and Sr. Mary Greene (General Assistant) came to Davao to make an ocular visit of the area. Among all the potential places they surveyed in the Davao area, they chose for their first seed of foreign mission to be sown in Nabunturan for no catholic school existed here. In November 1954, the two first sisters chosen for this mission in Nabunturan, Philippines were Sr. Marie-de-l’Annonciation (Elodie Richard) of St. Loius de Kent and Sr. Marie-Gaetane (Oveline Doucet) of Petit-Rocher. Their knowledge of the Philippines was almost nil but armed with deep conviction in the fidelity of God, they left the motherhouse on October 14, 1954 and sailed by boat to the Philippines for one month.

Nabunturan in 1954, when it received the first two fma missionaries in November 14, was a remote town. True to its name, the town is nestled in the mountain ranges of Compostela Valley, with dense forest and very few and difficult means of transportation. It was, however, inhabited by simple and hardworking people who came from different parts of the country especially the Visayas and who wanted to try their luck in this part of the Promised Land. Among the heritage of these people is their faith. They were ready to make sacrifices to have their children enjoy the benefits of Christian education. It was a joy for them to realize this dream in the birth and growth of Assumption Academy of Nabunturan. The dedication and zeal of the two pioneer sisters together with the support of the people and the local Church hastened the foundation of the first Catholic High School in Compostela Valley.

In order to formalize the foundation of Assumption Academy of Nabunturan, Inc., Articles of Incorporation, Trustees’ Certificate By-laws were executed duly signed by the incorporators. The Articles of Incorporation states the purpose of corporation, that is, to teach primary and secondary course of instruction including religious subjects, and that the corporation shall be governed by a Board of five members, all of legal age and residents of the Philippines. Of the five incorporators two are Canadians, two are Filipinos, and one American in nationality. The nationalities of foreign incorporators are certified by a certain Herminio Pavino, Immigration Officer of Davao. The document, marked received by SEC dated August 9, 1956 and signed by the Members of the Board and two witnesses, is executed 23rd day of July, 1956. On the other hand, the Trustees Certificate to By-Laws certified that the attached Code of By-Laws was unanimously adopted at the meeting of the Incorporators dated 29th day of October, 1956. It is written on November 3, 1956 and signed by Bishop Clovis Thibault, P.M.E., D.D., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Fr. Octave Rheaume, P.M.E., member, Sr. Elodie (Richard) de l’Annonciation, member, Atty. Manuel G. Cabaguio, Secretary, and Atty. Alfredo Benedicto, member. The purpose of the document is to certify the adoption of the Code of By-Laws.

June 1955 - Foundation

the Academy opened its doors to 206 first and second year students. Sr. Marie-de-l’Annonciation was its first directress until May 1957. The two pioneer sisters were assisted in their mission by 5 lay teachers. Two months later, two more Canadian sisters, Sr. Pierrette Marie (PierretteBabin) and Sr. Marie de la Salette (Lorraine Gallant) arrived to share the mission in Nabunturan.

March 1958 - First Batch

The very first graduation was held in March 1958 wherein 35 students received their high school diplomas from Sr. Marie de la Salette who was the School Directress. One among the first fruits of the academy, Eugenia Amora, later became the first fma Filipina Regional Superior.

SY 1958-1959 Government Recognition

The school was granted Government Recognition for 4th Year of the Secondary Course effective on June 9, 1958. It was signed by Manuel Lim, Secretary of Education per recommendation by Daniel M. Salcedo, the Director of Private Schools.

1960 - Transformation

To meet the demand for qualified teachers to staff the schools in Davao del Norte and to provide the College-bound youth of the locality an opportunity to get a college education, the college was established in 1960 with the support and encouragement of Mr. Felix Villarin, the Private School Superintendent. From an academy, the school became Assumption College of Nabunturan. The school offered Liberal Arts with an initial enrolment of 25 students. Eight from the first batch of College students received in March 1962 their degree, Associate in Arts.

In June 1962 to May 1970, the direction of the fastgrowing College was undertaken by Sr. Rosa Johnson. At that time, it was offering courses in Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Commerce. Grades I, II and III were also opened to provide laboratory for the Education courses. The first College Commencement Exercises was held in 1964 with six Bachelor of Arts graduates. From that year onwards, ACN was turning over to Nabunturan and Compostela Valley competent graduates and active contributors to the progress of their communities. Soon, the schools including those in Davao del Norte were being staffed by ACN graduates. In March 1965, ACN produced its first batch of elementary graduates.

1970-1980

In 1970, the government issued a directive that establishments in the Philippines should be owned and managed by Filipino citizens. Thus, former Sr. Carmencita Abear was assigned as School Directress from 1970-1973. In 1973, the school was under the direction of former Sr. Evelia Balacuit. Stiff requirements from the Bureau of Education and financial difficulties made the school decide to phase out the third and fourth year levels of the College courses. The following year, 1974, the school direction was turned over to former Sr. Narcisa Peque. In 1975, Sr. Peque took a one-year leave to finish her master’s degree and the school directorship was given to Sr. Constance Rice. During these two years, the school experienced decreases in the enrollment of the lower year levels as one of the effects of the phase-out. This led the school to suspend its college operations in 1976-1977. The temporary closure of the college provided a time for the administration, headed again by Sr. Peque, to reflect on the future of the college. A formal study was conducted. The results of the ACN Redirection Study affirmed the contributions of the college to the progress of the locality as well as the indispensability of its services to the youth of Compostela Valley. This led the administration to reopen the College in 1977. Sr. Peque continued to serve as Directress until 1981 and she spearheaded the celebration of the school’s Silver Jubilee in 1980.

1981-1985

The school was under the helm of Sr. Aurelia Bardenas from June 1981 to May 1985. During these years, many programs were granted government approvals namely authority to offer elementary course and government recognitions of Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) and Bachelor of Arts (AB) in 1982, recognition to offer Kindergarten effective on and government recognition of Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) in 1984 and finally, recognition of the Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) in 1985.

1985-1995

From June 1985 to May 1989, the school was under the leadership of Sr. Clarita Villaflor. In 1987, four Vocational/Technical Courses (One Year General Clerical Course, Two Year Personnel Administration, Two Year Office Management, Two Year Junior Secretarial) received government recognition. SY 1989-1990 saw a new directress in the person of Sr. Cecilia Josue while in the next school year, 1990- 1991, Sr. EstefaniaI bañez took over the school’s direction. At that time, there was a clash between the school administration and students, which led to a strike. The students were questioning the increase in school fees and where these fees would go. Both parties did not arrive at a peaceful resolution to the strife. As a result, some students were expelled and the student population dropped in the next few years.

From 1991-1995, Sr. Aurelia Bardenas headed the school for the second time. In 1992, the graduate school was opened, through the initiative of Sr. Clarita Villaflor, in response to the demand for qualified administrators for the surrounding public schools of Nabunturan as well as public and private schools of the localities of Compostela Valley Province. Also, the program sought to provide opportunities for teachers to upgrade themselves in their field. It started with 45 enrollees in the first semester and another four joined in the second semester. The course obtained government recognition the following year, 1993. In the same year, the first high school graduates of 1958 had a reunion after 35 years. They consolidated their desire to help the poor but deserving students of the locality and provide a legacy. Thus, the Mother Marie de’lAnnonciation Foundation, Inc., so named in honor of the first School Directress, Sr. Elodie Richard. They registered the foundation with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Through the initiative of the first President of the foundation, Mr. Manuel Marañon, Jr., several of them provided seed money which would be used to provide scholarship grants to students who would enroll in ACN. The sustainability of the foundation’s scholarship rests on the concept that the former scholarship grantees would sponsor one scholar once they will be gainfully employed. In 1995, the Foundation was duly registered by SEC.

Indubitably, ACN is growing. In response to the increasing demand for more accountants and accounting personnel for local industries and the government sector, the school offered Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) in SY 1993-1994. Thus, the old building for the Basic Education proved to be too small as the student population increased. College classes used to start at around 4:00 in the afternoon (when classes in the Basic Education were finished) until late at night. Through the generosity of the fma sisters in Canada, a new building for the college was constructed and blessed in 1995 on a lot that was just across the Basic Education campus. At the same time, the Motherhouse also donated a new convent building in order to accommodate more conveniently the sisters assigned in the Nabunturan community.

1995

At the start of June 1995 to May 2000, the school was headed by Sr. Villaflor and all college classes were already held at the new building with morning and afternoon schedules. The new building proved to be helpful in delivering instruction for the school’s growing list of college program offerings. The Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) received its government recognition in 1995.

1996 - Alumni Association

Established to maintain a link with ACN's growing number of graduates, a group of alumni headed by then Mayor Joel Bugas, together with the support of the school administration, founded the Assumption College of Nabunturan Alumni Association, Inc. (ACNAAI) in 1996. On that same year, the association got its Certificate of Recognition with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The alumni would come together for the annual Grand Alumni Homecoming held every 30th of December.

2000 - PAASCU Accreditation

In the quest to provide quality, relevant and responsive educational services, Sr. Villaflor pushed for the College Department to face the challenge of PAASCU accreditation. Self-survey was conducted starting 1998. The school had a consultancy visit in February 1999 while the preliminary visit was made in October 1999. In May 2000, the school was granted Level I accreditation for the Liberal Arts, Commerce and Education programs good for three years.

2004 - BEAM

In June 2004, ACN welcomed a new President, Sr. Veronica Tuazon. During her one-year term, the school became involved with the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) program of the Australian government. This involvement later paved the way for the school to send several faculty scholars to study in Australia for one year under the Philippine-Australia Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF). To date, seven members of the faculty had been sent to Australia. On that same year, the construction of the bleachers for the gymnasium was completed in time for the 50th year anniversary celebration of the fma mission in the Philippines in December.

2005 - Golden Jubilee

From June 2005 to May 2009, the ACN administration was again led by Sr. Villaflor. In December 2005, ACN celebrated its Golden Jubilee year as an institution. Some of the Canadian sisters who were assigned in Nabunturan came to join in the celebration.

2009-2014

In June 2009, ACN has a new administrator at its helm, Sr. Myrna D. Taganas, fma. During this year, the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy was reopened after it was advised for phase out five years back due to lack of CPA passers. The school had a new CPA passer the previous year that made the school qualified again to open the program. Every year, hence, the school had been blessed by alumni who were able to hurdle the CPA Board Examinations.

In 2011, ACN was making headway in terms of TESDA course offerings as shown in the granting of Certificate of TVET Program Registration on four programs. These were the Certificate of TVET Program Registration in Bookkeeping NC III, Computer Hardware Servicing NC II, Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II and Commercial Cooking NC II.

Cognizant of the need to provide a more conducive environment for holistic learning, major physical developments are undertaken in 2012. One of these is the construction of the new building for Basic Education to replace the old building constructed in 1954, which is already fire-prone. Another wing was added to the Extension building to accommodate the academic needs of the College.

In 2013, the TESDA building was constructed at the Basic Education campus in preparation for the implementation of the K-12 curriculum in 2016. Also, major renovations were made to the Basic Education Library, AVR and Computer Laboratory as well as the school clinic.

The following year, 2014, the Basic Education under headship of Ms. Eugenia I. Mencidor, underwent the preliminary visit for PAACSU accreditation on September 29-30 and was given the Candidate Status in February 2015. It was awarded Level 1 PAASCU accredited in August 2016.

2015 - 60th Year

In 2015, Assumption College of Nabunturan celebrates its 60th year of providing educational services to Compostela Valley and nearby provinces.

2016

In June of 2016, ACN opened the Senior High School Department with Mr. Delfin J. Enargan, MA as its principal. It offers Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Accounting, Business and Management (ABM), General Academic Strand (GAS), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), and Technical, Vocational and Livelihood Education Strands. The first group of Senior High School graduated last April 4, 2018 with 276 graduates.