THE ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC SCHOOL OF MIAGAO

St. Louise de Marillac School of Miagao (SLMSM), formerly Marillac Academy, is a Catholic school owned and run by the Daughters of Charity. Situated just across Miagao Church, some 40 kilometers from Iloilo City, it was originally a parochial school. On August 9, 1964, the cornerstone was solemnly blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Juan N. Nilmar, a Miagaoweño who also provided seed money for the construction of the building. This event was witnessed by many parishioners, among them were municipal and school officials of the town. Aware of the difficulties of running a school and a parish then the Parish Priest Msgr. Fernando S. Javillo offered the ownership to the Daughters of Charity. In September 1968, the Daughters of Charity accepted the offer of the Archdiocese to own and run the school. The document of the sale of the lot and school was signed by Archbishop Jose Ma. Cuenco and Sister Filomena Zulueta, the Provincial Visitatrix of the Congregation in the Philippines. Among the pioneer Sisters were Sr. Epifania Sotelo - Superior, Sr. Lilia Islao - Principal and Sr. Sonia Rocha - In-Charge of the Kindergarten.

Preparations for the opening of the school were immediately made by the Sisters from Colegio de San Jose, Jaro, Iloilo under the supervision of Sister Tarsila Palermo, then Superior of that college. On July 06, 1969, Archbishop Cuenco, Vincentian Fathers and Daughters of Charity from Iloilo City went to Miagao to formally open the school. This was attended by government officials, parishioners and Miagaoweños who hailed the opening of a Catholic school in this part of the province.

During its first operation in SY1969-70, some 150 enrolled and in April 1972, Marillac Academy turned out its first batch 43 graduates. From then on, the school has been serving Miagao and neighboring towns of San Joaquin, Guimbal and Igbaras. As a secondary school, basically, Marillac Academy prepares its students for college as it integrates the DC Mission-Vision and core values with Christian Living as the core of the curriculum.

To this day, some 2,500 students have passed the gates of Marillac Academy to pursue college and later join the world of work. Presently, a new two-storey building has been put up to meet its growing population. Computer education is offered to keep abreast of the times and be at pace with the expanding world.

With the active support and cooperation of benefactors, students alumni and their parents and teachers as lay partners, Marillac Academy continues to serve carrying the vision-mission, core values and chrisms of its patrons -- St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac.

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