VICTORIA C. WACEK

St. Matthew’s High School is the only Catholic Parochial School in the town of Aloran in Misamis Occidental, in the northwestern region of Mindanao, Philippines. It was founded in 1951 by Rev. Fr. Robert Stack, a Columban Missionary.

 

Rev. Fr. Robert Stack served as the Parish Priest and utilized the ground floor of the St. Matthew’s Catholic Rectory as a Parochial School. During the first week of its opening, fifty boys and girls were enrolled. Through the recommendation of the late Mr. Eufemio R. Cajita, Miss Perpetua C. Ocaya was named as the first teacher. In the second week, enrollment increased to 72 students, and Mr. Luis Gimeno was brought on as an additional teacher. The choir loft of the old church was then utilized as a classroom.

 

Later that year, the Bureau of Private Schools approved the opening of St. Matthew’s High School and, at the end of the school year 1951-1952, the cornerstone of St. Matthew’s High School building was laid. A two-storey building was constructed and ready for use the following year. The ground floor accommodated two classrooms and the Principal’s Office, and the second floor accommodated three more classrooms. As enrollment grew throughout the years, the school building was further expanded.

 

Since its inception in 1951, St. Matthew’s High School has achieved great milestones and has also faced challenges. During difficult economic times, St. Matthew’s High School has endured through the exceptional support of its faculty, administration, alumni, parishioners and fellow Aloranons. To maintain steady enrollment during the 1990’s, philanthropic alumni were encouraged to assist and sponsor indigent but deserving students. Rev. Fr. Illuminado G. Rojo called on the Catholic parishioners to offer their support and to make St. Matthew’s High School truly a school of the parish and the community.

 

The Parents and Teachers Association has offered tremendous support to the needs of the school, helping to construct the ICT Servicing Room and two classrooms for Senior High School students. The Alumni Association has also contributed significantly toward the prosperity of the school by supporting projects such as the Home Economics Building and school fence and by providing funds for annual bonuses for teachers and cash awards to deserving students.

 

Throughout the years, Dr. Victoria Celemin Wacek and her family have made very generous donations to St. Matthew’s High School, including the funds to support the construction of the Edward & Dorothy Wacek Science Laboratory Room.

 

Today, with approximately 550 students currently enrolled, St. Matthew’s High School aims to be a source of light in its community by instilling in its students a strong educational foundation rooted in Christian faith and values.