HISTORY OF MOSTRO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” so the saying goes. Mostro National High
school came into being through the collective efforts of people who value the importance of education
as the great equalizer. The idea of establishing a high school at Brgy. Mostro was borne out of the desire
to provide quality secondary education to students of the barangay and its adjacent barrios without
additional costs to the parents who cannot afford to send their children to the main high school in
Anilao which is almost 9 km. away.
The idea was first floated by Mr. Edgardo Bandada, Sr., Anilao District Supervisor during that time, in
consultation with the local government officials headed by Mayor Igmedio Cabangal, Sr., because
parents of children studying in Mostro ES and neighboring ES in the area asked for the possibility of
putting up a high school in Mostro which is considered as the most strategic site. It went into motion
when on March 5, 1998, the PTA of Mostro ES headed by Mrs. Dalmacia Aquilisca through the guidance
of Mrs. Rosario Demitiva, principal of the school, passed a resolution seeking to establish a high school
at Brgy. Mostro.
The Barangay Council headed by Brgy. Capt. Nerio Arsenal supported the move by also passing a
resolution on August 21, 1998. It was followed by the passing of Sangguniang Bayan Resolution on
August 30, 1998 strongly endorsing House Bill # 154 of Cong. Narciso D. Monfort establishing Mostro
NHS. The PTCA of Anilao NHS also passed a resolution in support of the cause in January 1999.
All the efforts of the people pushing for the establishment of Mostro NHS bore fruit when on
November 03, 1998, a check containing P 150,000.00 was released by the DBM to the Municipality of
Anilao for the purchase of lot and other improvements of the school. The lot was purchased from Mr.
Mayo Lopez Carillo as Lot # 123-PSD 06-034281 having an area of 1.73772 has. The area where the
school now stands was exempted from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) because it
is above 18 degrees slope. But, it was only on August 31, 2000 that officially ushered the birth of Mostro
NHS in Brgy. Mostro. On that fateful date, Pres. Joseph Estrada signed into law RA 8947, an Act
Establishing a National High School at Mostro, Municipality of Anilao, Province of Iloilo authored by the
late Congressman Narciso D. Monfort.
Like newly established schools, MNHS suffered birth pains on its first years of existence. For one, it
doesn’t have its own classrooms and facilities. The school lacks the recognition of the Schools Division
because of some coordination problems. When the first batch of students were accepted, MNHS
squatted at Mostro ES. The principal, Mrs. Rosario Demitiva allowed the use of the school’s library as
temporary classroom. Seats were unavailable and a loose board served as blackboard during lectures.
Later, bamboo benches were built under a mango tree to serve as an alternative lecture venue. Adding
to the challenge is the lack of teachers items intended for the school.
Mrs. Marina C. Buyco, Principal III of Anilao NHS came to the rescue when she was assigned as
Principal III, Officer-in- Charge by Schools Division Supt. Raymundo A. Lapating, to oversee the
operation of the school. She assigned regular teachers from ANHSl to teach at MNHS. In order to make
the move legal, she made arrangements with the higher authorities of the division to make Mostro NHS
as an extension school of Anilao NHS.
The first mentors were a mix of regular and volunteers. Mrs. Liezyl Paez Sobrepena, Miss Maria
Teresa Dela Cruz Buyco and Mrs. Ma. Rima Casono were the first to render their voluntary services at
MNHS. Mr. Sony Panisales, a regular teacher of ANHS was later added to augment the teaching force.He
held classes in the morning and report back to the main campus in the afternoon. Mrs. Ma. Rima
Casono was the first teacher with a plantilla position followed by Mrs. Liezyl P. Sobrepena but the latter
was transferred to ANHS. More teachers from ANHS were assigned temporarily at MNHS. Mrs. Sandra
Agravante , Mrs. Susan Pendon, Mr. Gilbert Ulysses Garcia and Mr. Jaime Sargado also became part of
the school. Later, Mrs. Grace Zerrudo Gimotea was added as a regular/permanent teacher.
During this time, the school has already transferred to its present site. It was in the year 2003 when
the school had its first graduation program.It was also the year when the school welcomed the hiring of
more regular teachers. Mrs. Neo Rita Apig Buyco, Mrs. Muriel Antijendra, Mrs. Hasmin Delmo Bondad,
Miss Ana Rose Velasco, Mr. Arnold Aniversario, Mrs. Marissa Arsenal Pagdato and Mrs. Rhea Aniversario
Talaman were hired. They were followed by Mrs. Mary Grace Ansino Delmo, Mrs. Irene Baustista
Agsaluna, Mr. Raul Panada, Ms. Glennel Buizon, Mrs. Nelcy Aberde Baling, Ms. Geneve Solomon, Mrs.
Lerma Belvis, Mrs. Ruth Aquino, Ms. Nelein Joy Villanueva, Mrs. Fremzette Leah Nazareta, Mr. Franklin
James Diamante, Ms. Fritzel Amable, Mr. Rene Belgira, Mrs. Rhealyn Narciso Amable, and Mrs. Ronalyn
G. Libo-on with Mr. Jeriel D. Divino are the latest member added to the family this year. Mrs. Rhealyn
Amable and Mr. Divino are both alumni of MNHS.
Head Teachers from ANHS took turns in supervising the fledgling school. Mrs. Mae A. Langreo, Mrs.
Ninfa Arabejo, Mr. Renerio Limos and Mrs. Fely A. Bayona served as Officers-in-Charge before Mr.
Arnold Aniversario was appointed as Teacher-In-Charge from 2007-2015.When Mr. Arnold Aniversario
was detailed to ANHS, several OICs have served the school. Mrs. Roselyn Pedroso , HT III from Anilao
NHS was OIC from October 2016 to November 2017 replacing Mrs. Analisa Araola who was promoted to
Assistant School Principal II.
Presently, the school is headed by Mr. Sony A. Panisales, Principal I/Officer-in-Charge. It has twelve
regular/permanent teachers serving 340 plus students from Junior High to SHS Grade 11. For its senior
high school, the school offers the General Academic Track and TVL specializing in Agri-Crop Production.
Through the years of its existence, the school has undergone improvements with regards to
infrastructures. It was during the terms of the late Mayor Joel A. Debuque and during the term of Mayor
Ma. Teresa F. Debuque, now our Vice Mayor when most of the existing buildings were constructed.
Chairs, computers, printers and other office equipment were acquired courtesy of our present Mayor
Hon. Nathalie Ann F. Debuque who is very supportive especially with regards to the education of young
Anilaonons.
The school has garnered awards and recognitions in the congressional, division and regional levels.
With the help of all the internal and external stakeholders, the Parents Teachers Association, the SGC
and all people who still believe that the youth is the hope of the Motherland, Mostro NHS aims to
implement all the programs and projects of DepEd for the benefit of the students, the community where
the school is located and the country in general.