Xavier School

Xavier School (Abbreviation: XS; simplified Chinese: 光启学校; traditional Chinese: å…‰å•"學校; pinyin: GuāngqÄ­ Xúexìao; Hokkien: Kông KhÄ" Hák Hàu), is school located at 64 Xavier Street, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a private Catholic college preparatory school for boys run by the Society of Jesus' Philippine Province. Its K-12 curriculum includes a mandatory Chinese language program. It also offers the IB Diploma Program in Grades 11 and 12 to selected students.

Founded in 1956 as Kuang Chi School by a group of Jesuits expelled from China, Kuang Chi School opened its doors on June 6 of that year. Kuang Chi School was named after Paul Hsü Kuangchi, Minister of Rites during the Ming Dynasty. Xavier School currently bears the name of St. Francis Xavier, a Christian missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. The school has recently concluded celebrating its Golden Jubilee. Former and current students include sons and grandsons of industrialists and politicians.

It is one of the few basic education institutions in the Philippines to receive a 7-year accreditation, the longest possible period, and one of the only three institutions, besides De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University, to receive the Level III accreditation for both the Grade School and the High School unit by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities. In January 2010, Xavier School was granted International Baccalaureate (IB) World School status.

After serving for 12 years, Fr. Johnny Go, S.J. from the Xavier School class of 1979 ended his presidency of the school. He was the first alumnus to serve as school president.

The current School President or School Director is Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, S.J. Fr. Dy, who is an alumnus of Xavier School from the class of 1989. He is only the second alumnus to hold the presidency.

History

Many Jesuit missionaries who were obliged to leave China in 1949 found a new home and mission in the overseas Chinese community of the Philippines. To facilitate their evangelization of the Chinese community, the Jesuits decided to set up a school in downtown Manila. Begging for donations by going door-to-door in Chinatown, Fr. Jean Desautels, S.J., a French-Canadian Jesuit who was part of the China mission, worked with Basilio King and Ambrose Chiu, two Chinese businessmen, both Ateneo de Manila alumni, who wanted to help set up an Ateneo de Chino.

At 3:30 pm on December 15, 1955, Fr. Desautels closed the deal and purchased the land, an hour and a half before the 5:00 pm deadline agreed by Fr. Desautels and the seller of the land. Eventually, the group of Jesuits led by the late Frs. Jean Desautels, Louis Papilla, and Cornelius Pineau founded Xavier School (Kuang Chi).

In 1956, in a converted warehouse in Echague, Manila, the school opened its doors to its initial batch of students â€" 170 children of Chinese immigrants in the Philippines. The school was named after St. Francis Xavier, one of the first leaders of Jesuit missions in China, which was pursued but unwillingly left unfinished by the school’s Jesuit founders. The school was also named after Paul Hsü Kuangchi (Pinyin: XÅ­ GuāngqÄ­; Simplified Chinese: 徐光启; Traditional Chinese: 徐光å•"), a 16th-century Chinese nobleman and high court official who converted to Christianity and supported its spread in China.

Being a Jesuit school helped establish the school’s reputation. In 1960, Xavier School transferred to a 7-hectare property in Greenhills, San Juan, then only an area of rice fields and grasslands. Within a decade, the outlying areas became home to many Xavier families. The campus is a complex of 12 buildings housing over 4,000 students from Nursery to High School.

Xavier has been educating Chinese Filipinos from the very beginning. Part of its mission is evangelizing the local Chinese and promoting their integration into Philippine society.

Unlike other Chinese schools in the Philippines, Xavier School was established as an all-boys school, a Catholic school with an English curriculum that integrated Chinese studies. Through its Grant-in-Aid program, the school offers financially challenged but otherwise qualified students the opportunity of a Xavier education.

Organization and Administration

The school is composed of two units: Grade School Unit 1 (Kindergarten to Grade 2), Grade School Unit 2 (Grades 3 to 6), and High School (Grades 7 to 12). Each of the units in the Grade School is led by an Assistant Principal, who reports to the Grade School Principal. The High School is led by the High School Principal, assisted by the Assistant Principal for Academics and the Assistant Principal for Formation. Both the Grade School and High School Principals report to the School President.

Other top-level administrators reporting directly to the School President are the Personnel Officer and the School Treasurer.

Board of Trustees

Officers

• Chairman: Mr. Johnip Cua
• President: Rev. Johnny Go, S.J.
• Treasurer: Mr. Frederick Tiu

Jesuits

• Rev. Ernesto Javier, S.J. â€" Director, Sacred Heart School
• Rev. Manuel Uy, S.J. â€" Director, Ateneo de Iloilo
• Rev. Ismael Zuloaga, S.J. â€" Head of Alumni Relations & China Office, Xavier School
• Rev. Guy Guibelondo, S.J. â€" Chaplain, Xavier School

Academics

Admission

Admission to Xavier School is very competitive. Generally, students enter Xavier as kindergarten students. Boys may also try to be part of the student population as high school freshmen (Grade 7), by taking the Xavier High School Entrance Examination. Transfer students are also accepted but the requirements are high.

The Xavier Education has two important elements: Personal Formation and Academic Formation.

The Xavier School Song

The official Xavier School Song was composed by Dolores Avelino. The history of the song may be found in Fr. Santos Mena, S.J.'s book, "Luceat Lux." Lyrics and an MP3 version of the song may be found on the Xavier School website.

In 2002, X-Squad, the school's cheering team, came up with the Xavier Rap. Xavier Rap is the school song in rap format and people can dance to the beat. In the same year, a violin and acoustic guitar version were produced as well. These two instrumental versions provide an atmosphere for reflectionâ€"a common Jesuit trait and activityâ€"derived from the Examen.

Activities

Xavier School has activity groups, including Christian life communities (Companions, Crusaders, Youth Christian Life Community), student governments (Student Councils), SIGs (Debate Team, Song Writers Guild), publications (Hoofprint, Stallion), performance groups (Glee Club, Stage FX, Dance X), and club sport teams. Likas Gilas in the High School and SIKLAB in the Grade School provides alternative classes for the students to explore their interests in a short span of time. Citizen Advancement Training (CAdT) is a unique disciplining experience for graduating high school students.

During the 3rd quarter, Grades 8, 10, and 12 students undergo the Synthesis Quarter, with the choice of having the local Flexible Curriculum, or, embarking on an adventure with the Xavier China Experience (XCE). The Flexible Curriculum, also known as the Flexi, clusters subjects that are usually separate to make learning more integrated. A select number of students may opt for the XCE which offers a more intensive (Mandarin) Chinese component, as they spend their 3rd quarter in Fujian (Grade 8), Yunnan (Grade 10), or Beijing/Shanghai (Grade 12). The XCE is a requirement for high school graduation.

Recollections and retreats are treasured moments in the life of a Xaverian. In Grade 6, one has the "Persons are Gifts" recollection. In Grade 7, Bukas Palad (Open Hands), which features a Mother and Son recollection. In Grade 8, Ignite. Grade 9 students go on a trip to the Bilibid prison, and have a recollection the day after. The Grade 10 have the Fire and Wind recollection, and the juniors have the Days With The Lord Program. In his senior year, he joins the SM Immersion, which allows him to experience working as a supermarket bagger for a number of days, and joins the Pathfinding retreat.

On February 18, 2008, the school had a Tree Planting activity that took place in Caliraya Lake, Laguna.

Athletics

The school athletics programs are part of a selection of co-curricular activities available to its students. Xavier School fields over thirty teams in twelve sports. Students are not required to take part in organized athletics, but many do. In 2005, XS had 488 athletes who competed in tournaments and leagues in different age-groups in one level or another. The teams are selected on a competitive basis.

Xavier School considers commitment as the theme of its athletics program. The biggest, and maybe the only, incentive of XS student-athletes in making a commitment is the privilege of carrying the school flag in interscholastic athletic competitions. In the same way, the school is committed in supporting its student-athletes, as stated by the school's athletics program coordinator.

Athletics are not only available to Xavier students. They also extend to the larger Xavier School community. Every year, a fun run is held whereby students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni and friends participate in a marathon around the Greenhills area, in friendly competition for the top prize. Everyone, including the public, may use Xavier School's sports facilities upon obtaining permission to do so from the school.

Mascot

The mascot is a golden stallion.

The stallion is a popular image used in Chinese culture.

In the school year 2002 to 2003, Hoofy, the official caricature of the school mascot, was created. It was designed by David Gonzales of the class of 2005.

A life-size model of Hoofy goes around campus and is available for performance at special events.

Service

Part of Xavier School's programs is social service. Nursery students begin with interactions with household help, seventh-graders help their younger brothers with their bags as well as interact with kids in Boystown, a facility which houses youths in need. High school sophomores are sent to "do work" in Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City with other people, and seniors are sent as baggers in a supermarket.

In December 2004, super typhoon Yoyong (international code name: Nanmadol) struck the province of Quezon. A member of the Xavier High School faculty initiated Sagip Pasko 2004: Donate-A-Can Project. Sagip Pasko which means "save Christmas" was spearheaded by Grade School and High School Student Councils, Stallion (the official high school student publication), Metamorphosis (the high school yearbook organization), and the XS Youth Christian Life Community. During the Christmas break, volunteers from the student body organized themselves and headed towards major supermarkets and malls to solicit donations from shoppers. Locations included Robinson's Galleria Supermarket, Unimart, SM Megamall's Supermarket, and Rustan's Supermarket in Shangri-La EDSA. After eight hours of volunteer work and literal begging, the students went home to Xavier with two coasters and four vans full of donations from shoppers. These were then brought to the victims in Quezon.

In February 2006, a super typhoon hit the Philippines hitting Southern Leyte and triggering landslides. Richard Uy and Brian Ong, high school seniors then, initiated Xavier Project DoTA: Donate to Aid. Through internal coordinations with the Student Councils and major organizations within the school, Uy and Ong had booths were set up to receive donations in cash and in kind. Student volunteers spent their recess and lunch hours soliciting and helping sort the donations. Some also stayed overtime after class to do that. Externally, Richard and Brian coordinated with the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Philippine National Red Cross and the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. So far, their project has garnered close to half-a-million pesos, all in a very short span of time.

Campus

The school campus in Greenhills houses buildings in its 7-hectare lot, including the Fr. Eugene Moran S.J. Early Education (EED) Building, the Fr. Rafael Cortina S.J. Sports Center, the High School building, the Grade School buildings, the Xavier School-Angelo King Multi-purpose Center, the Jesuit Residence and the Central Administration building.

Sports facilities on campus include a swimming pool, a deep pool with diving facilities, covered courts, a wooden court, a wall climbing facility, badminton courts, two football fields, a driving range, a quadrangle, an oval track, a basketball stadium, and workout gyms.

Among the facilities is the Fr. Rafael Cortina, S.J. Sports center, which was inaugurated on June 9. 2006. Among its amenities are a multi-purpose gym with three basketball courts and a stage for school events, table tennis facilities, an open shower area, a swimming pool, a sepak takraw venue, badminton courts, two basketball stadiums with bleacher seating for 1,400, a 2-lane rubber-matted track oval, exercise rooms, an air-conditioned hall for meetings and other activities, a workout gym, a badminton court, a tennis court, and parking facilities. The Center was designed by alumnus Jonathan O. Gan of the class of 1984 and was built over two years under the supervision of Fr. Santos Mena, S.J.

Pocket gardens are now along the corridors. Two statues have been added to the campus scenery â€" one of Kuang Chi, a replica of one found in Xujiahui in Shanghai, and a larger-than-life sculpture of St Ignatius of Loyola, reminiscent of that in Santa Clara University.

In 1999, the official Jesuit Residence was transferred to the fourth floor of the MPC and the former Jesuit Residence, still known as the Jesuit Residence building (or JR), was converted to classrooms for high school seniors, as well as a faculty room for High 4 faculty. Most recently, the High 4 classrooms were transferred back to the High School building, while the Information Technology Center was transferred to the JR building.

Xavier School Nuvali

Opened in June 2012, Xavier School Nuvali in Laguna is a 15-hectare campus that aims to have at least 25% of its students as scholars. It offers a flexible coeducational school, where boys and girls study together for selected subjects and grade levels, and separately in others.

Community

Xavier School's community consists of its students, faculty, staff, an active Alumni Association of Xavier School [1], the Xavier School Parents Auxiliary, and the friends of Xavier School.

Awards

• National Champion, 1987 Caltex-DOST Young Scientists' Quiz Team Category.
• Xavier's Dance X is the champion of the 2006 Skechers Street Dancing competition (High School division).
• 2nd place in the 2006 Interscholastic Sports Association (ISSA) volleyball tournament
• Two time champions (2006) and (2007) in the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) volleyball league.
• The Xavier Football club won 3rd place in the 2006 Alaska Football Cup.
• The Xavier Team A of the Grade School Division went on an undefeated season and also collected the CHAMPIONSHIP in the Interscholastic Sports Association (ISSA) basketball tournament
• The Xavier Volleyball Team (Grade School) secured the championship in the Philippine Athletic Youth Association (PAYA) volleyball league while the High School Division won the championship in the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) volleyball league, both in 2011.
• 3-time NaSHDC Champions, has produced national best speakers, 2007 PSDC champs.
• 3-Time Fil-Chi Badminton Champions 06-07, 07-08, 08-09
• RIFA 2011 Season 2nd Conference Champion (Midget H Division 1)

Notable alumni

• Harry Angping (1968) â€" former Representative, 3rd District of Manila, House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines
• Johnip Cua (1973) â€" former President and General Manager, Procter & Gamble Philippines
• Hans Sy (1973) â€" President, SM Prime Holdings
• Michael P. Elbinias (1975 - 2014) â€" Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals
• Mark O. Cojuangco (1975) â€" Representative of Pangasinan, 5th District
• Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro, Jr. (1981) â€" Candidate for the 2010 Presidential Elections under the Lakas Kampi CMD banner. 1989 bar topnotcher. Former congressman of Tarlac. Youngest secretary of the Department of National Defense.
• Lance Gokongwei (1983) â€" President, Cebu Pacific Air; President JG Summit
• Michael Tan (1983) â€" COO, Asia Brewery
• Arthur Ty (1983) â€" President, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company
• Arthur Yap (1983) â€" Representative of Bohol, Third District (2010 â€" present)
• Mark Roa Gimenez (1984) â€" former Councilor (1992â€"95), former Vice-Mayor (1995â€"98), former Mayor (1998â€"2001) Municipality of Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines
• Tobirey Tiangco (1985) â€" Mayor of Navotas
• J. V. Ejercito (1987) â€" Senator of the Philippines. Former Representative and Former Mayor, Municipality of San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
• Enrique Cojuangco (1987) - Vice-Governor of Tarlac
• Juan Edgardo Angara (1989) â€" incumbent Representative, Aurora Quezon, House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines
• Michael John "Jack" R. Duavit|Jack Duavit (1987) â€" Representative, Rizal, 1st District
• Jovit Moya (1990) â€" movie actor/cast member, That's Entertainment (GMA 7)
• Paolo Antonio S. Silva, M.D. (1993) â€" Ophthalmologist; Instructor, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
• Richard Ang (1993) â€" film and television commercial director, CEO of Motionlab Inc. Finalist in the London International Ad awards, Winner of the Big Kahuna Visual Effects Awards, Hollywood CA.
• Dakila Carlo Cua|Dakila Carlo "Dax" Cua (1995) â€" Vice-governor, Governor of Quirino, Representative Lone District of Quirino
• Kelvin Yu (1996) and Eric "Jugs" Jugueta (1996) â€" members of the band Itchyworms
• Rexlon T. Gatchalian (1997) â€" Representative, Valenzuela City, 1st District
• Drew Arellano (1997) â€" commercial model/TV show host
• Joseph Henry Yeo (2001) â€" Air21 Express Philippine Basketball Association; Former Team Captain, De La Salle University-Manila Green Archers
• Christopher John Tiu (2003) â€" Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Philippine Basketball Association college basketball star; Captain, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles; TV advertisement endorser
• Lance Lerrick Co (2005) â€" 2nd Place, Loreal e-Strat Challenge (2008)
• Jeric Teng (2009) â€" Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Philippine Basketball Association UAAP Season 72 Rookie of the Year; Captain, University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers
• Jeron Teng (2012) - UAAP Season 75 Rookie of the Year; UAAP Season 76 Finals MVP; Member, De La Salle University Green Archers
• David Leechiu (1989)- International Director, Jones Lang LaSalle
• Arthur Tan (1977) - President, Integrated Micro Electronics (IMI) Philippines

Further reading

• Mena SJ, Santos. Luceat Lux: The Story of Xavier School. 2005.
• Dy SJ, Aristotle (ed.). Our Pride and Glory, Xavier School at Fifty. 2006.
• Palanca, Ellen / Clinton (ed.). Chinese Filipinos. 2003.
• Gomez, Peter Martin (ed.). The Xavier School Institutional Identity Book. 2005.
• Dy SJ, Aristotle. Weaving a Dream: Reflections for Chinese-Filipino Catholics Today. 2000.

See also

• Francis Xavier
• Ignatius of Loyola
• Matteo Ricci
• Xu Guangqi

References

External links

• Official website
• Alumni Association of Xavier School website