Ministry > Education
& Catechetics
MANILA ARCHDIOCESAN
AND
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION (MAPSA)
6th Flr., Saint John Bldg.
Paco Catholic School
1521 Paz St., Paco, Manila
Tel: 564-3712/13; 564-4264
Telefax: 564-9452
Superintendent: Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos
Asst. Superintendent: Msgr. Pacifico Mendoza
Finance Officer: Msgr. Domingo A. Cirilos, Jr.
Brief History
The idea of unifying the archdiocese and parochial
schools in the Archdiocese or Manila under one umbrella organization was conceived as early as the 1950’s. It was
the consensus of the Archbishop’s Council to improve the direction and
administration of the twenty-nine (29) schools already existing at the
time. The set-up was quit informal for several years under the late Rufino
J. Cardinal Santos, then Archbishop of Manila, who to call meetings occasionally.
In 1956, the Archbishop appointed the first Committee
of the Archdiocesan priests to act as a Board and to lay out policies
for the organization. Concrete steps were taken which led to the promulgation
of a decree on November 15, 1960 by the Archbishop, which created the Manila Archdiocesan Parochial Schools Association
(MAPSA), followed by the ratification of its constitution.
After this, the committees held monthly meetings and
study the needs and problems of the member-schools in relation to their
role in the Catholic Education of the youth. A school Superintendent
and Supervisor were appointed who conducted school visits as well as helping
upgrade the standard of the system.
In 1982, the Archdiocesan School Board was created
with Msgr. Pedro N. Bantique as chairman and five priests as board members.
Committees were formed to implement the following objectives: school visitation
and assistance, develop a Religion textbooks, religious education program
for the faculty. Simultaneously the Board conducted a study to formulate
a handbook, which would contain administrative policies in school management,
which would serve as a guide for school directors. The Superintendent
of schools was sent abroad for an observation-upgrading tour to study
the administration of parochial schools in certain dioceses in the United States.
Meanwhile, several parishes established their own schools inspires
by the dictum of the late Cardinal Santos: “...a parochial school in every
parish of my Archdiocese…” he addressed this to the MAPSA school directors
and principals in the joint meeting in November 1960. The year 1967 marked
the chairmanship of Msgr. Justino O. Ortiz on the Archdiocesan School
Board. Under the new leadership, membership increased to thirty–eight
(38) member schools. The MAPSA Administrative Handbook was promulgated.
A joint resolution enacted in 1968 led to bring about an extensive program
geared to professional and religious updating of the faculty and administrators
through seminars, workshops, and conventions. Interaction of the MAPSA
schools increased and widened as academic and sports competitions among
members were held. To help finance the operation, annual dues were solicited
and a secretary was employed to assist the Board in its communications
and housekeeping activities.
When His Eminence, Jaime L. Cardinal Sin was installed
as the Archbishop of Manila in 1973, the MAPSA probed its status with
the new administration. Like his predecessor, Cardinal Sin recognized
the vital role parochial and archdiocesan schools are playing in the pastoral
program of the Archdiocese. In January 1974, he called a general meeting
of all MAPSA school directors and principals enjoined them revitalizing
of the MAPSA program. To give more boost to the Association, he appointed
Bishop Gaudencio B. Rosales, DD, chairman of the MAPSA Executive Board.
Consequently, the Archdiocesan School Board was phased out.
Another era of development opened to MAPSA as the new Chairman worked
his way to better stabilize the association. Realizing that operations
were hampered due to the absence of a central office, the Board studied
the feasibility maintaining an office. In March 1975, the MAPSA Secretariat
was established in Room 205 of Pius XII Catholic center and a full-time
secretary was hired in the person of Mrs. Scarlette S. Niedao. The economic
status of the association was evaluated, and there was a great need to
devise ways and means to finance the member-schools. To this end, a position
paper was prepared and submitted to the Archbishop of Manila who finally
granted MAPSA a foundation in June 1975 which paved the way to the establishment
of MAPSA retirement Pan for Academic end Non-Academic Personnel. On account
of more steady source of funds, the Secretariat extended the customary
services to the member-schools in terms of liaison with government agencies
like the DECS seminars and workshops to update administrators and teachers
of the member schools, operation of the MAPSA Retirement Plan.
In February 1980, Bishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, DD,
took over the chairmanship of the MAPSA. The new chairman mapped out
a program, which thrust, consisted of implementation of policies and procedures
and upgrading of school personnel. An Organizational revamp was made
to further strengthen the association. The MAPSA Executive Board remained
as the policy-making body; MAPSA was divided into six school districts
in order to facilitate communication and coordination of activities; each
district was headed by an area chairman; chairmen for religious formation
and faulty development were appointed to look into the various training
programs in their respective field; annual assemblies of directors and
principals were revived in order to allow participative decision-making,
as the body evaluates an plans together the MAPSA activities during the
year.
With his outstanding qualifications and vast experience as leader-educator,
Bishop Leonardo S. Legaspi, O.P, DD, continued to work his way towards
streamlining the association. The Manual of Accounting and Managements
Information System was Published to standardize the accounting practices
of the members-schools. As aid to the school directors, the Organizational
Planning and Design Manual was published to provide guidelines in establishing
and improving organizational structures. The greatest step however, was
the formulation of comprehensive Administrators Handbook, which contains
policies governing the MAPSA School System as well as the administration,
faculty, and students of member-schools. The document, as resolved by
the members in the General Assembly of April 16, 1982, defines the norm for all the schools in the archdiocesan school system.
The thrust of his administration was confined not only
to making the organization structurally sound. Services to assist the
member –schools, (54 in number) to upgrade the system were also extended.
Continuing development programs were conducted for religion teachers,
academic and non-academic personnel, as well as spiritual formation of
lay administrators. A legal counsel was retained to assist member-schools
on the legal aspect of school administration. (Atty. Amado Dizon followed
by Atty. Sabino Padilla).
In January 1984, Msgr. Legaspi was installed as the
Archbishop of Nueva Caceres. In his place, Bishop Manuel C. Sobreviñas,
Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, was appointed chairman. Although by nature a pastoral bishop, he assumed his
position with wise management decisions. At the first General Assembly
he presided in April 1984, Bishop Sobreviñas said, "nothing that the MAPSA
member-schools are already enjoying, has been taken away or reduced, but
even improved to their better advantage…” Indeed, his chairmanship has
to what his predecessors had set, and he improved the set-up as may be
necessary. Short-term training programs were converted into planned long-range
activities, some leading to Masteral degrees. A project, which was reeled
into action, aimed to develop and provide member-schools with model syllabi
and classroom lessons with value integration in each subject in the curriculum.
In the year 1985 there were fifty-seven (57) member-school
including the 12 schools in the Diocese of Antipolo and 3 schools in the
Diocese of Malolos. In 1990 the MASPA Office moved to the Arzobispado
de Manila Building in Intramuros. A better office was provided for the
secretariat.
Upon the designation of His Excellency Manuel C. Sobreviñas
as Bishop of Cavite, he handed over the stewardship of MAPSA to a very
able Catholic educator – Father Gerardo O. Santos, who was appointed officially
as MAPSA Chairman by His Eminence, Jaime Cardinal Sin.
It was in the 1993 MAPSA General Assembly of Administrators
(Baguio City) that Father Gerry formally delivered his
5-point agenda, namely;
- to strengthen Religion as the core of the curriculum;
- to intensify the spiritual formation of the school community;
- to upgrade the instructional standards of the teaching personnel;
- to strengthen the corporate structure of the schools; and
- to review and revise the MAPSA Handbook.
Believing then, that this 5-point agenda
would be response to the needs of MAPSA; he strongly convinced his constituents
to put this into concrete living action.
School year 1003-1994 was named the year of “Veritatis
Splendor,,,” for the highlights of MAPSA accomplishments were evidently
felt and seen…Thanks to the joint efforts of minds and hands of the organized
committees delegated to complete certain tasks. Inspired by the Spirit
that moved the Second Vatican Council and the Second Plenary Council of
the Philippines, a renewed and meaningful MAPSA Vision-Mission statement was formulated. A
dissertation was prepared by Sister Ma. Clarita Balleque, RVM on “The
MAPSA School System: An Assessment as Basis for Upgraded
Management.” As chairman of the committee on the revision of the MAPSA
Educational Norms and Policies, Sister worked on it’s revision. The draft
was presented to the General Assembly in DAP, Tagaytay City in April 11-14, 1985.
Upon completion of the final draft, one year of experimentation was given
for its implementation in all the MAPSA schools. The last insertions
or amendments were finally made by those present in the assembly and they
were incorporated for the finalization of the Norms and Policies.
The school year 1994-1995 was the year of spiritual
preparations for the four hundred years of existence of the Archdiocese
of Manila. The continuation of work for the development of the MAPSA
Educational system would be the best gift to the Church of Manila. This particular year was a gainful
experience of realization. The school visitations were very successful
and thoroughly made by the visiting team headed by the MAPSA chairman.
It was indeed an occasion of great preparation for all schools to show
the best of their continuing existence as a Catholic institution and Community.
The warm reception extended to the visiting team was an indication of
the true spirit of MAPSA as One Big Family where its strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and treats (SWOT) have become the focus of attention for
each member-school and for MAPSA as a whole. The KRA (Key Results Area
of concern) were analyzed and brought about specific thrusts and goals
for achievement for the succeeding years to come. Hopefully a self-institutional
survey (SIS) would be the springboard towards a realization of the school’s
Vision/Mission and the attainments of its set goals and objectives.
MAPSA as an Association has been accepted by the Catholic
Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP).
Presently, some Priest-Directors of MAPSA have taken
up studies at De La Salle University Graduate School of Education, evidence
that there is a progressive move towards their active participation and
involvement in their respective parochial Schools.
Statistics show that there is an upward trend of membership
in MAPSA. Based on its geographical locations and areas, the system is
group in ten divisions. Each is headed by a district supervisor, who
in her/his role as well as his given functions, may act as supervisor
of their district/diocese schools and may sit as a member of the local
school Board of Trustees.
District of South Manila - 8 schools
District of North Manila - 6 schools
District of Central Manila - 5 schools
District of Makati - 8 schools
Diocese of Novaliches - 9 schools
District of Cubao - 7 schools
District of Pasig - 10 schools
Diocese of Parañaque - 9 schools
District of KAL-MA-NA - 5 schools
Diocese of Malolos - 4 schools
Total
- 71 schools
Presently MAPSA Secretariat has Mrs. Marilou “Malou”
Sagun as the Administrative Supervisor, Mr. Jaime Pineda as the Finance
and Retirement Supervisor, Mr. Regalado Tayag as Audit Supervisor, Mr.
Romulo Brazal as Religious Education Coordinator and staff of seven office
personnel.
MAPSA looks back to thirty-five years of humble existence.
Its progress has been towards the betterment of its member-schools, which
rebounds to the benefit of the Catholic community at large. With continued
effort and cooperation of its members and the indispensable support and
assistance of the Archbishop, through the guidance and blessing of Our
Lady Seat of Wisdom, our patroness, MAPSA shall always strive to achieve
its most cherished goals.
VISION
The Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA) envisions itself
as a Communion of Schools, in mission of promoting evangelized
globalization in the light of the Church’s love and preference
for the poor.
MISSION
In view of the above vision, MAPSA
is committed to:
- Assisting its school members in their ministry of accompanying the human person
towards his/her total development with emphasis on moral conscience
and maturity in faith;
- Promoting quality and excellent academic and non-formal education programs pursuant
to constitutional norms, national development goals and the guidelines
set by the Catholic Church;
- Strengthening of religion as the core of the curriculum;
- Recognizing co-partnership among the laity, religious and clergy and;
- Exercising dynamic educational leadership, characterized by creative fidelity,
unselfish service, and responsible stewardship grounded in faith and
spirituality.
CORE VALUES
In keeping with, the above vision and mission,
MAPSA advocates and adheres to these distinctive organizational
core values.
1. Integral Formation
Fellowship
- Sense of communion and belongings
- Unity in diversity
- Eucharist as the core and the sacrament of love and unity
Discipleship
- Know, love and serve the Lord
- Constant faithfulness to following of Christ
- Advocacy of Church teaching
Total Development
- Development of total person, respect of love, academic excellence,
social responsibility, competence, entrepreneurship, global orientation
- Development in the context of national goals and socio – cultural imperatives
- Development towards the family of God.
Quality and Excellence
- Equity of access, especially for the poor
- Harmony of process and performance
- Focused concern for learning, growth and development
- Systematic empowerment of the human person to achieve the best
- Accreditation of schools, school programs
2. Alliances
Solidarity
- Professional Partnership
- Membership in local, international professional association
- Supportive of education efforts of external organizations
- Obedience to rules and-regulations promulgated by the DECS and SEC
3. Leadership
STEWARDSHIP
- Fidelity to the use of institutional resources talent and treasures
- Transparency in one's practice of leadership
- Guided by the principles of subsidiary and fraternal correction in managing human
resources
DYNAMISM
- Creative and entrepreneurship leadership
- Openness to innovation and change
- Enthusiasm, and optimistic view of reality
- Concern for continuing and sustained renewal
TEAM BUILDING
- Recognizing the gifts and talents of others
- Sharing and delegation of decision-making/responsibilities
- Continuous training and formation of persons in the organization
- Observing due process as a step towards sanctions
4. Service
LOVE OF PREFERENCE FOR THE POOR
- Sense of solidarity with the less fortunate
- Compassion with the suffering
- Self-sacrificing in favor of common good especially the poor
- Helping without counting the cost
SOCIAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE
- Giving what is due to persons
- Exercising fairness and objective treatment of issues
- Assuring personnel the protection of their rights and freedom in the workplace
- Advocating for social justice at all time
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