st. michael academy – catarman

The Meaning of the School Seal

The school adopted the centerpiece emblems (host, rose, flame, heart, scriptures, lily, cross) in the OP – Siena Congregation seal, even the official colors of the Order (black and white) being a member school of the Dominican – Siena Schools System. LAURELS – these symbolize the school’s aim for honor and excellence in all different fields of discipline.

CANDLE – it is meant to illuminate the Michaelians for their desire for knowledge, wisdom and understanding, and set it afire with quality Catholic education, a primary thrust of the school. Also, it represents Jesus Christ as the Light of the World.

RAYS – these represent the 10 commandments of God to which the Michaelians are guided by its fundamental truths, doctrines or moral rules.

The center is also divided by the cross into four parts which signify the four major means by which a Michaelian could sanctify himself and others: (a) living of the gospel values, (b) study habits, (c) prayer and (d) extension services.

1946 – the year which the school is founded by His Most Rev. Miguel Acebedo, DD., then Bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog.

The motto of the Dominican Order (Passion for Truth and Compassion for Humanity) is also indicated to remind Michaelians as a true, full-blooded Dominicans.

The outer circle represents the Holy Rosary through which the students of SMA dedicate themselves as a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It ties the emblems together in a circular shape representing equality, justice and unity for peace and development.


The Humble Beginnings of SMA It was in June 1946, when the Prioress General of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Rev. Mo. Natividad Pilapil, OP, received another invitation from the Bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog, Most Rev. Miguel Acebedo, DD. The request was to open a school in Catarman that would be of great help to the Church’s mission of teaching its doctrines and practicing its morals. In answer to the request of the good Bishop, the Prioress General instructed three Sisters assigned in La Milagrosa Academy in Calbayog City, Samar to proceed to Catarman and administer the opening of a new school. Immediately after receiving the orders, Mo. Teresita Hacbang, OP, Sr. Ma Rosa Santiago, OP, Sr. Magdalena Quisay, OP and two working students left for Catarman via Carangian [now San Jose, Northern Samar].

July 1946, a new and promising school was founded. And in grateful appreciation for Bishop Miguel Acebedo, the newly established school was named St. Michael Academy. To help the Sisters in the opening of the classes, a Board of Directors was created with Atty. Mariano Singzon as president, and benign members Rev. Fr. Potenciano Ortega, then parish priest of Catarman, Don Ignacio Lahorra, Señor Bernabe Figueroa, Señor Francisco Arraiza and Judge Alberto Lim. Some kindhearted families also lent some tables and chairs to the Sisters. Since there was no existing building yet for the students and for the Sisters, Mrs. Vicenta Marchan – Balite and Señor Joaquin Cardenas offered part of their houses to be used as classrooms for the incoming students and for the Sisters’ temporary convent for almost two years.

St. Michael Academy (SMA), the pioneer in tertiary and basic education in Catarman, opened its door on July 7, 1946. The first teaching staff was composed of Mo. Teresita, OP as head of the school, Sr. Ma Rosa, OP, Sr. Magdalena, OP and four lay BSE instructors. During the summer of 1948, SMA successfully produced 17 pioneer graduates in high school.

Also in the year 1948, a parcel of land near the church was provided by the good Bishop to the Congregation where the existing location of the school is situated up to this day. And the school decided to open college with courses: Associate in Arts and Elementary Teacher’s Certificate and elementary level; thus, changing the institution’s name to St. Michael Junior College (SMJC).

Only after a year, on April 28, 1949, SMJC conferred, for the first time in the history of northern-part of Samar Island, the degree of Associate in Arts to Jose “Peping” Figueroa, Lucia Reyes – Olmedo and nine others.

It was on April 1952 that SMJC produced its 21 pioneer graduates in elementary together with the 26 graduates in college, awarded with the degree in Elementary Teacher’s Certificate. Unfortunately, it was also in this era that the school decided to phase out the college department due to dearth of resources and manpower. In the 1960’s, the original name of the school was again used, St. Michael Academy. The 60’s was the celebrated days of SMA. It officially earned its name as one of the most prestigious Catholic educational institutions in Samar Island. The 1970’s was a time filled with uncertainties and fear. SMA did its share of instilling to the minds of our people the value of freedom, the good governance and the influence of unity to the country. Sad to say, during this period the elementary level was decided to be discontinued due to small number of enrollees. By this time SMA became an exclusive high school which has an increasing enrollment.

Today, St. Michael Academy of Catarman, Northern Samar, through the untiring efforts of the Dominican Sisters and its dedicated Mentors, continually reaps the fruits of its hard and unfaltering labor for the past 79 years of its existence and has been an institution constantly facing the challenging task of education, with ever creativity and generous commitment for the greater glory of God.

St. Michael Academy – Catarman will continue to hone and develop young people, remembering its rich and glorious history, witnessing God’s message by transforming lives into mature, educated Christians with greater devotion to Mary, ready to serve God, neighbor and country and celebrating God’s blessing by continuing its mission of proclaiming Christ through a quality Catholic education inspired by the Dominican Ideals of Passion for Truth and Compassion for Humanity.