History of Sakya

In 1950 , Rev.Biao Khim dreamed of leading the children to righteousness by imparting to them the teachings of Buddha. With this vision , he suggested the creation of a Sunday school where some monks will teach the ideals of Buddhism to the children of the parishioners , neighborhood and workers of the Seng Guan Temple. This was realized and the parents were so happy of the results . They clamored for the establishment of a regular school to be managed by the temple itself . With this clamor , the Seng Guan administrators put up a school which catered to children aged 4 –6 and another group of children aged 7 – 10 . The school imparted the knowledge, skills and values to make them good citizens of the country.

With the success of the initial endeavor , the Seng Guan administrators appropriated a small wooden building at Benevidez Street , Sta. Cruz, Manila. One kinder class and grade levels 1 – 4 were formally opened with Rev. Biao Khim as Director. The learning institution , which is a Buddhist school named Sakya , a Buddhist term for Buddha , was registered Philippine Academy of Sakya . Members of the Board of Trustees were appointed with Mr. Yao Shiong Shio as elected president. The school was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit educational institution of the Seng Guan Temple. Rev. Biao Khim worked for the government recognition of the courses offered. The kinder program was recognized by the government on April 16 , 1961;the complete elementary course on July 8 ,1973 and secondary course was recognized on August 24 , 1976 .

Philippine Academy of Sakya was the first Buddhist school in Binondo with initial enrolment of over a hundred pupils . After 3 yrs., the number of students tripled and subsequently grew to 800. Because of this , Rev. Biao Khim facilitated the purchase of the needed building to accommodate its growing student population . Unfortunately , Rev. Biao Khim’s health deteriorated in 1975 and finally succumbed in March , 1976. He is lovingly remembered to this day because of the major role he played as Sakya’s Director in its first fifteen years. In memory of this great man, the first batch of Sakya high school graduates put up the Rev. Biao Khim Memorial Scholarship foundation to finance the tuition fees of four poor but deserving Sakya students.

Sister Maria Say Kian Giap , classroom teacher, succeeded Rev. Biao Khim. When sister decided to be a nun , she went to Taiwan and completed her conversion and pursued her studies. As the new director , she was assisted by Miss De Joya as principal with Mrs. Ida Tuazon as assistant principal . Due to the busy schedule of Ms. De Joya, she resigned in 1981 and Mrs. Ida Tuazon took her place.

In 1980 , a 3,000 sq. meter lot was purchased by the Board of Trustees in Masangkay Street where a 4 storey building was erected. Sakya transferred to its new site on June 9 , 1982. The wide and attractive pagoda –inspired gate warmly welcomes the people to the school .The new building was blessed on the occasion of the school’s 25th anniversary high lighted by a special commemorative program was held and a beautiful exhibit .

The construction of the 5th , 6th and 7th floors started in 1989 to house the auditorium , audio-visual room, computer laboratory, speech laboratory and additional classrooms.

Amidst the fire that gutted the school auditorium on Oct. 16 , 1994 , the celebration for the Sakya ‘s 35 th founding anniversary were pushed through . There were exhibits in which the formal ribbon cutting was graced by Vice Mayor Lito Atienza. Other highlights of the celebration were the ballet ,entitled “ The Enlightened One “ which was staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines while the coronation of the Mr. And Ms. Sakya was also held at the Metropolitan Theatre , Manila. On January 15 , 1995. The burnt auditorium was reconstructed immediately through the assistance of Rev. Kwong Fan .

Sakya decided to undergo PAASCU accreditation after its very successful pre-survey visit of the high school department in January 1997 . The school received the formal acknowledgement from the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines which served as a go signal for the preparation for the PAASCU formal visit.

Sakya is now PAASCU Level II re- accreditatted. This only shows that it is continuously providing a well rounded, high quality education

In April , 1997 , Sakya auditorium became the venue of the World Buddhist Conference which was attended by Buddhist monks from the different parts of the world.

On November 14, 1998 , Sakya grieved on the death of Mr.Yao Shiong Shio , the founding chair of the Board of Trustees . He was replaced by Mr. Jacinto Uy. the current Chair.

The school was lucky enough to be visited by well known personalities who became guest speakers in symposia. Pres. Gloria Arroyo ,then senator in 1997, talked about the role of the Chinese in the Centennial Celebration. In 1998 , Sen. Raul Roco came for the centennial celebration . In 1999 , Former Sec. of Tourism , Ms. Gemma Cruz - Araneta was the guest speaker . In 2000 , Sen. Juan Flavier came and encouraged the youth to take part in nation building. In 2001 , Sen. Francis Pangilinan was the guest and discussed about unity and hope among Filipinos and Chinese towards national development. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Congressmen Nestor Ponce ,Jr. and Congressman Edgar Mendoza also visited the school during special affairs. All of the above personalities added color to Sakya history.

The school celebrated its 40th founding anniversary from January 13 – 16 , 2000. The affair was highlighted by FASAM or sportsfest among the faculty and staff held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, awarding of plaque and token for teachers and administrators who served from 10 years and above ; an exhibit ; baratillo, and with the gala night for the cultural presentation which was a showcase of the talent of students’ and teachers.

In May 26 , 2002 , Sakya auditorium was the venue of one of the most sacred celebrations among the Buddhists , World Vessak Day .This world wide affair was attended by different Buddhist diplomat circles from all over the world. Sakya is proud to have been part of this momentous event.

In keeping with the advances in technology and communication, Sakya has computerized all its offices. It now boasts of the two modern and fully equipped computer laboratories; 2 K-Act or Knowledge Activity Centers ; world class auditorium , audio –visual room, cooking room , sewing rooms ,social hall, viewing room ,alumni hall , social hall , conference room and director’s conference room.

Sakya is so proud of numerous honors in different fields of competitions . An alumnus and MAPEH coordinator Mr. Joseph Sy is already the national coach in athletics It has garnered medals of honor in national and international math competitions ; track and field ; 1995 Battle of the Brains champion in the elementary level; medals on swimming ,literary contests , History quiz bee , Science Quiz Bee, consistent winner in the APSSAM’s ( Association of Secondary School Administrators of Manila )cultural fest - dance and song categories since 1997 ,and other medals earned that only prove that Sakya is always on the go to victory.

Sakya is also actively involved in socio-civic action projects where in parents , alumni and the entire Sakya community are involved . They had visitations to Silong Tanglaw Foundation (home for streetchildren )in Quezon City and Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta , Rizal. It also reaches out to neighboring barangays especially Barangay 261 and 264 for the literacy project or “ Aral Lingap “ as well as livelihood project “ Balikatan sa Sakya “.Other charitable institutions such as Hospicio de San Jose ,St. Jerome of Emiliani were already visited by the members of the Caregivers’Club and Apostles of Buddha. Giving of donations to victims of flood ,lahar and other calamities is already a part of the Sakya outreach program. The school is also active in the Filipino Chinese Association in giving donations to victims of natural calamities . The December gift giving and medical mission are held annually to give service to nine surrounding barangays. Since December 2002 , Sister Maria Say Kian Giap’s scholarship to indigent and deserving 5 primary pupils of the Francisco Balagtas Elementary School – a neighboring school of the Phil. Academy of Sakya . Each scholar receives P500.00 from Sister Maria every December .

Sakya is also very lucky to be recipient of 40 computer units from Equicom Computers under the leadership of Mr. Go which are utilized for faculty and students’ research work . These were installed at the Knowledge Activity Center ( K- ACT ) at the second floor . Instruction is already computer aided with students surfing through the internet for researches ,power point presentations and other computer aided activities.

Special people played major roles in building Sakya’s history . These are the pillars of the school who made all the visions come to reality - Sr. Maria Say Kian Giap , Rev. Biao Khim, Rev. Kwong Fan. It is also equally grateful to a dedicated principal Mrs. Ida Tuazon who passed away on Sept. 20 ,2000. Sakya lives on and continues to make history. It continues to thrive under the inspired learning environment managed by Rev. Tuan In , Sister Maria Say Kian Giap , school director , and with the able supervision of the principal Ms. Elvira B. Go . With the better performances of highly qualified coordinators , dedicated and committed teachers and staff ;active students , alumni and parents we are certain to face each school year with optimism and high hopes for a brighter future.

#History