Sakya Timeline

1950

• Reverend Biao Khim conceived the dream of imparting the teachings of Buddha to children.

• Creation of a Sunday School materialized where monks taught Buddhism to the children of the parishioners of Seng Guan Temple and children in the neighborhood.

• The impact of the Sunday School to the children of the parishioners drove them to clamor for the establishment of a regular school.

1958

• The administrators of Seng Guan Temple responded to the clamor of the parents. An educational institution was born which included in their mission of imparting knowledge, skills and values and prepare the children to become good citizens of the country.

• Two classes were opened. One for children aged 4-6 and another group for children aged 7-10 years. The teachers were all volunteer monks and members of the Temple.

1959

• The success of the two classes inspired the administrators of the Temple to finally decide to purchase a small wooden building located at Benavidez St., Sta.Cruz, Manila.

• The building was renovated and almost the entire lot was used for the construction of more classrooms.

1960

• One kinder class and elementary levels grades 1 to 4 were formally opened with Rev.Biao Khim as Director.

• The school was registered under the name of Philippine Academy of Sakya. Sakya is a Buddhist term for Buddha.

• Rev.Biao Khim organized the system of the school and appointed the members of the Board of Trustees.

• The school was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit educational institution. It would serve as the mission school of Seng Guan Temple.

• Mr. Yao Shiong Shio was elected as President of the Board of Trustees.

1975

• Sakya was sadden with the deterioration of the health of Rev. Biao Khim.Who in spite of his poor health continued to attend to his duties.

1976, March

• Rev. Biao Khim succumbed to illness.

• Sr. Maria Say Kian Giap, a classroom teacher , left the school to complete her conversion as a nun and pursued her studies in Taiwan. Upon the death of Rev.Biao Khim, she was recalled and was appointed Director.

• Miss Severina De Joya had served as Principal during the time of Rev.Biao Khim. She left the school for a while to pursue her Masters Degree in the United States. She came back and was designated as Principal.

1976, August 24

• The complete secondary course, first year to fourth year, was granted government recognition.

• Two devoted followers, Mrs. Uy Tuan Te and Mrs. Tan Ulyong ensured that enough students would enroll in Sakya by recommending it to their friends and relatives.

• Sakya became known as the first Buddhist school in the Binondo area.

• With the recommendation of Rev. Biao Khim, the Board of Trustees facilitated the purchase of a nearby building for the expansion of the school. It was at this time when Rev. Biao Khim applied for government recognition of the high school courses.

1980

• Mrs. Ida O. Tuazon, the Academic Assistant, was appointed as Assistant Principal.

• The Board of Trustees felt it was time to transfer to another location as the place was becoming too small for the growing school. A 3000 square meter lot was purchased.

• A foundation for a seven-story structure was put in place but only a four-story building was erected due to financial constraint. ​

1981

• Miss Severina De Joya resigned as Principal to help out in their family business. Mrs. Ida O. Tuazon took over as Principal.

1982, June 9

• Sakya transferred to its new site in time for the opening of classes.

• The inconvenience of having to walk to a makeshift bridge and other difficulties forced the Board of Trustees to purchase the adjacent lot, which fortunately, was ideally situated along G. Masangkay St.. 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.

1989

• The construction of the fifth, sixth and seventh floors started. These floors would house the school auditorium, the Audio-Visual Room, the Computer laboratory, the speech laboratory and additional classrooms.

1990

• Construction of the additional floors and rooms was finished. These new facilities inspired the students to excel even more. The school continued to reap honors especially in the field of Mathematics and Athletics.

• Math continues to be the banner program but remarkable improvements are also made in the other areas. One or two students are sent every year to Math competitions such as the Metrobank MTAP competition in which Sakya was the champion in the 2004 sectoral contest. Sakya is also proud of the numerous honors it has garnered in the field of track and field where the Sakya coach and in trainer has earned a distinction as Philippine national coach and trainer. The school was the champion in the prestigious TV educational contest “ Battle of the Brains” in 1995 . Other medals were also earned in literary contests, lantern making contest Science quiz bee , History quiz bee, poster making contest and cultural festivals sponsored by the Association of Private Secondary School Administrators in Manila ( APSSAM ) and the Filipino-Chinese Associations and other schools.

1994, October 16

• A tragedy befell Sakya. The school auditorium was gutted with fire in the midst of the preparations for the celebration of the school 35th Anniversary.

1994, November 10

• Under the leadership of Sr. Maria who rallied everyone to go on with the celebration, the planned anniversary program pushed thru as scheduled. Inspired by the strong leadership of its Director, the hard working faculty and administrative staff, the supportive volunteer parents, the concerned alumni, the energetic studentry worked as one in making the 35th anniversary celebration a huge success.

• The highlights of the celebration included the staging of the ballet- The Enlightened One at the PICC; the holding of the Mr. And Miss Sakya coronation at the Metropolitan Theatre and the formal ribbon cutting for the exhibits with the former Vice-Mayor Lito Atienza as the special guest.

1995, November

• The construction of the burnt auditorium was made possible with the funds raised by the Board of Trustees of the Seng Guan Temple.

1996, December

• The newly constructed auditorium, hailed by many as “superior” was finally finished and has become the main feature of the building that Sakya is truly proud of.

• Batch ’97 was ecstatic to be the first one to use the newly renovated auditorium for their Commencement rites.

1997

• Under the leadership of Mr. Benson Coyuco, that the PAS Alumni Association was formally organized and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

1997, January

• Sakya underwent the PAASCU pre-survey visit of the high school department. Applying for PAASCU accreditation is a positive step towards further improving the educational services being offered by the school.

1997, April

• Sakya auditorium became the venue for the World Buddhist Conference. Buddhist monks from different parts of the world attended the conference.

1997, July

• The school received formal acknowledgment from the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines and a go signal to prepare for the PAASCU formal visit.

1998, January 17 and 18

• Inspired by the successful pre-survey visit of the high school department the school immediately prepared for the pre-survey visit of the elementary department.

1998, March 29

• A grand alumni homecoming was held together with the induction of officers.

1998-1999

• A sad note in this school year. The founding Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Yao Shiong Shio passed away on November 14, 1998. Mr. Yao was one of the original members of the Board of Trustees when Sakya was registered with the SEC. In all the years that he was Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Yao showed his genuine concern and love for Sakya. He generously gave of himself and was always looking after the welfare of the school. He would always be remembered with fondness and love. Mr. Yao was replaced by Mr. Jacinto Uy who was previously vice-president.

1999, November

• a Baratillo sale was undertaken for the 40th founding anniversary of the school.

2000, January

• Celebration of the 40th founding anniversary of the school. ​

• Opening of different exhibits where students and guests from other schools and other special guests came;

• Faculty and administrators sportsfest was held.

• A cultural presentation held in the evening of January, 2000 and matinee show the next day which showcased the talents of students, administrators and faculty members.

2001, November

• Equicom Computers under the leadership of Mr. Go donated 40 units of computer for research work of our students and faculty members. In line with this donation Sakya subscribed to the Internet to provide our students the opportunity to experience doing research on the Internet. The said computers were installed at the 2nd floor because of it’s accessibility to the users. Taiwan Overseas donated 2 computer units with Chinese software for the use of our Chinese staff.

2002, March 26

• Sakya auditorium became the venue of the World Vessak Day which is one of the most sacred celebrations among Buddhists throughout the world. The affair was attended by Buddhist diplomatic circle from different parts of the world. Sakya is proud to have been part of this momentous event.

2002, July 1

• Sakya inaugurated the two K-Act Centers. The inauguration was highlighted by the signing of a deed of donation of computer equipment by the Equicom. The signing was represented by two concerned parties.

2003, September 22 and 23

• Sakya was visited by the PAASCU accreditors and was given five year accreditation status of Level II-A

2006, July

• Mr. Tony Tan Caktiong, one of the members of the Board of Trustees and one of the school’s outstanding alumni donated 25 sets of computer units for the K-Act center. He is also the founder of the well-known Jollibee Foods Corporation.

2008, September

• On September, 2008 Sakya maintained the highest level accreditation status for consistently delivering its quality education.

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