IHMC
A BRIEF HISTORY
BRIEF HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL
Founded in June 1979 by the SUORE FRANCESCANE DEI SACRI CUORI, Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Paranaque (formerly the Immaculate Heart of Mary School) is a private, non-stock, Catholic school, owned and managed by the Franciscan Sisters of Sacred Hearts, whose apostolate is “the sanctification and formation of infant and youth” and “the pedagogical formative activity in education institute” (Const. Part Ch. V # 21).
It is one of the educational institutions bearing the same name spread out all over the Philippines. It is located at a two and a half hectare lot at the very heart of Barangay Don Bosco, Better Living Subdivision, and Parañaque City. The school caters mostly to students coming from nearby subdivisions of San Antonio Valley, Merville, Sun Valley, Greenheights and other neighboring barangays and the cities of Taguig, Alabang, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa. Moreover, admission is open to all students of all walks of life, race, creed, color, nationality or ethnic origin.
During the first year of its operation, the school offered two sections of Grade 1 and one section of Grade 2 for eighty (80) boys and girls. There were only three (3) teachers handling those classes and two (2) more teachers were assigned as staff personnel.
In 1982, kindergarten classes were opened and complete elementary education was offered. The following year, 1983 marked the first commencement exercises of the elementary department and the government recognition for complete elementary education was granted. In the same year, the offering of secondary education was blessed with one section (for first year). This year also was the blessing of the new building, the Preparatory School Department, the Nursery, the Kindergarten and the Preparatory classes which was officiated by late Monsignor Jaime Cardinal Sin.
The government recognition for both kindergarten and high school was granted in 1987 when the first batch of high school students graduated. During this year, there were a number of structures under construction like the IHMS Scouts Center, expansion of the campus, the multi-purpose hall/gymnasium, the canteen, the audio-visual room and the installation air-conditioned units in the classroom and computer units in each of the elementary and high school computer laboratory to provide better learning environment.
Since then, the enrolment rose tremendously to two thousand eight hundred (2,800) along with the staff consisting of 158 teaching and non-teaching personnel including the Franciscan Sisters.
Owing to persistent demand for the opening of tertiary programs, the school authorities worked for the renaming of the school to accommodate tertiary education. In 2004 during its 25th Founding anniversary, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the favorable recommendation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted a Certificate of Recognition, changing the name of the Immaculate Heart of Mary School to Immaculate Heart of Mary College.
To better serve its growing student population, the Immaculate Heart of Mary College- Parañaque keeps on upgrading its building and its facilities. In 2011, the construction of a new GYMNASIUM has started and now is serving the needs of the school during special assemblies, like First Friday masses, games and other events which need more space to accommodate its clientele.
Furthermore, the tertiary education is now on its 12 years of service and also caters the TESDA applicants for Booking, Housekeeping, and Household assessment to the teachers and nearby communities who would like to be assessed for the said competencies.
Now on its thirty-six (36) years, there is no turning back for Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque as it vows to continue its service with utmost dedication and commitment and passion for quality and excellence for all its recipients. The dream of the Franciscan brothers and sisters - to produce totally integrated men who, like St. Francis of Assisi will become “Man of Peace and Humble Service” will continue on, for generations to come, a reality to hope for, a legacy to be remembered.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI (FOUNDER OF THE FRANCISCAN FAMILY)
St. Francis was born in Assisi in the year 1181 / 1182 to Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy textile merchant and Pica of a distinguished French family. His wealth and love of life made him the leader of Assisi’s youth. He enlisted himself during the war between Assisi and Perugia and was held prisoner when the troops of Assisi lost. After his release, he returned to Assisi and turned his back from military career and the promising profession of the business world in order to respond to the impulse of the Lord that moved mysteriously within.
A meeting with a leper and hearing a voice from the cross of San Damiano, the Gospel message heard on the feast of Saint Matthias in 1208 resulted in his conversion and led him to embark on a life of a poor preacher. Soon he attracted many followers and thus he formed brotherhood dedicated to an intense living of the Gospel life. Francis of Assisi become the founder of the three orders of the Franciscan Family, the first, the Friars Minor, the second, the Poor Clares and the third, the lay Franciscans who wished to follow his ideals in the world.
The life of labor of the Poor Man of Assisi was characterized best by his total identification with the mysteries of Christ. On September 14, 1224, while Francis was immersed in a long period of prayer, he received the stigmata, which he bore until death. He died at Santa Maria Degli Angeli on October 4, 1226.
In less than two years, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX and in 1980 he was proclaimed Patron of Ecology by Pope John Paul II.
St. Francis, who like Christ, is the “Man of Peace and Service’’, remains an example for all of us. His joyous and simple spirit strengthens the church down the centuries.
FR. SIMPLICIANO OF NATIVITY, OFM (Founder of the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Sacred Hearts)
Fr. Simpliciano of Nativity whose name was Aniello Maresca was born at Meta of Sorrento on May 11, 1827. During his youth, he was a nautical student until he got inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and at the age of seventeen he joined the Friars Minor in Naples, Italy.
As a young Friar, he devoted himself to theological studies and was assiduous in his prayer life and asceticism. After his priestly ordination, he was appointed superior in the convent of Portici, where he used one wing of the convent for the free education of poor children.
On June 5, 1869, he served as the Secretary General of the Franciscan Alcantarins at the Roman Curia. During his free time, he heard confession in the nearby “La Consolazione” Hospital where wayward girls were being confined. Moved by the human miseries found there, he envisioned of redeeming these girls back into the path of Christian life.
Six years after, he founded an institution where 200 girls were rehabilitated to educate them toward self-sufficiency and to help them live a normal Christian life. He offered them vocational courses like embroidery, sewing, knitting and the like. The girls were also taught good housekeeping, good manners, hygiene and Christian education. Still moved by spirit of love for poor, he also opened an orphanage where free basic education was given. His strategy “prayer and work” targeted the prevention, redemption and preservation of the young against the “torments of egoism and immorality” (Const. 1886).
Among the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Simpliciano was most inspired by the image of the compassionate Christ. Indeed, if St. Francis had a preferential compassionate love towards the poor, Fr. Simpliciano’s compassionate love was towards the victim of moral leprosy in his own time. Thus, on January 4, 1886, his vision and dream was realized when a new third order of religious congregation branched out from the Franciscan family. It was named the “Margheritine” which he placed under the protection of St. Margareth of Contona. In 1909, this congregation was renamed, the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.
Fr. Simpliciano – the founder, the educator, the theologian, and the spiritual director died on May 25, 1898. His ideals and experiences with God remain an inspiration for us. Compassionate as he was like St. Francis of Assisi, Father Simpliciano is indeed another “Man of Peace and Service.”
Today, his Congregation has flourished in four continents: Europe, South America, Asia and Africa, dedicating itself to the education of the young in the schools, parishes, orphanages, rehabilitation centers and boarding houses. Fr. Simpliciano’s apostolic fervor is further extended to the aged, the sick in the hospital and the giving of assistance to priests.
BRIEF HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL
Founded in June 1979 by the SUORE FRANCESCANE DEI SACRI CUORI, Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Paranaque (formerly the Immaculate Heart of Mary School) is a private, non-stock, Catholic school, owned and managed by the Franciscan Sisters of Sacred Hearts, whose apostolate is “the sanctification and formation of infant and youth” and “the pedagogical formative activity in education institute” (Const. Part Ch. V # 21).
It is one of the educational institutions bearing the same name spread out all over the Philippines. It is located at a two and a half hectare lot at the very heart of Barangay Don Bosco, Better Living Subdivision, and Parañaque City. The school caters mostly to students coming from nearby subdivisions of San Antonio Valley, Merville, Sun Valley, Greenheights and other neighboring barangays and the cities of Taguig, Alabang, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa. Moreover, admission is open to all students of all walks of life, race, creed, color, nationality or ethnic origin.
During the first year of its operation, the school offered two sections of Grade 1 and one section of Grade 2 for eighty (80) boys and girls. There were only three (3) teachers handling those classes and two (2) more teachers were assigned as staff personnel.
In 1982, kindergarten classes were opened and complete elementary education was offered. The following year, 1983 marked the first commencement exercises of the elementary department and the government recognition for complete elementary education was granted. In the same year, the offering of secondary education was blessed with one section (for first year). This year also was the blessing of the new building, the Preparatory School Department, the Nursery, the Kindergarten and the Preparatory classes which was officiated by late Monsignor Jaime Cardinal Sin.
The government recognition for both kindergarten and high school was granted in 1987 when the first batch of high school students graduated. During this year, there were a number of structures under construction like the IHMS Scouts Center, expansion of the campus, the multi-purpose hall/gymnasium, the canteen, the audio-visual room and the installation air-conditioned units in the classroom and computer units in each of the elementary and high school computer laboratory to provide better learning environment.
Since then, the enrolment rose tremendously to two thousand eight hundred (2,800) along with the staff consisting of 158 teaching and non-teaching personnel including the Franciscan Sisters.
Owing to persistent demand for the opening of tertiary programs, the school authorities worked for the renaming of the school to accommodate tertiary education. In 2004 during its 25th Founding anniversary, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the favorable recommendation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted a Certificate of Recognition, changing the name of the Immaculate Heart of Mary School to Immaculate Heart of Mary College.
To better serve its growing student population, the Immaculate Heart of Mary College- Parañaque keeps on upgrading its building and its facilities. In 2011, the construction of a new GYMNASIUM has started and now is serving the needs of the school during special assemblies, like First Friday masses, games and other events which need more space to accommodate its clientele.
Furthermore, the tertiary education is now on its 12 years of service and also caters the TESDA applicants for Booking, Housekeeping, and Household assessment to the teachers and nearby communities who would like to be assessed for the said competencies.
Now on its thirty-six (36) years, there is no turning back for Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque as it vows to continue its service with utmost dedication and commitment and passion for quality and excellence for all its recipients. The dream of the Franciscan brothers and sisters - to produce totally integrated men who, like St. Francis of Assisi will become “Man of Peace and Humble Service” will continue on, for generations to come, a reality to hope for, a legacy to be remembered.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI (FOUNDER OF THE FRANCISCAN FAMILY)
St. Francis was born in Assisi in the year 1181 / 1182 to Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy textile merchant and Pica of a distinguished French family. His wealth and love of life made him the leader of Assisi’s youth. He enlisted himself during the war between Assisi and Perugia and was held prisoner when the troops of Assisi lost. After his release, he returned to Assisi and turned his back from military career and the promising profession of the business world in order to respond to the impulse of the Lord that moved mysteriously within.
A meeting with a leper and hearing a voice from the cross of San Damiano, the Gospel message heard on the feast of Saint Matthias in 1208 resulted in his conversion and led him to embark on a life of a poor preacher. Soon he attracted many followers and thus he formed brotherhood dedicated to an intense living of the Gospel life. Francis of Assisi become the founder of the three orders of the Franciscan Family, the first, the Friars Minor, the second, the Poor Clares and the third, the lay Franciscans who wished to follow his ideals in the world.
The life of labor of the Poor Man of Assisi was characterized best by his total identification with the mysteries of Christ. On September 14, 1224, while Francis was immersed in a long period of prayer, he received the stigmata, which he bore until death. He died at Santa Maria Degli Angeli on October 4, 1226.
In less than two years, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX and in 1980 he was proclaimed Patron of Ecology by Pope John Paul II.
St. Francis, who like Christ, is the “Man of Peace and Service’’, remains an example for all of us. His joyous and simple spirit strengthens the church down the centuries.
FR. SIMPLICIANO OF NATIVITY, OFM (Founder of the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Sacred Hearts)
Fr. Simpliciano of Nativity whose name was Aniello Maresca was born at Meta of Sorrento on May 11, 1827. During his youth, he was a nautical student until he got inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and at the age of seventeen he joined the Friars Minor in Naples, Italy.
As a young Friar, he devoted himself to theological studies and was assiduous in his prayer life and asceticism. After his priestly ordination, he was appointed superior in the convent of Portici, where he used one wing of the convent for the free education of poor children.
On June 5, 1869, he served as the Secretary General of the Franciscan Alcantarins at the Roman Curia. During his free time, he heard confession in the nearby “La Consolazione” Hospital where wayward girls were being confined. Moved by the human miseries found there, he envisioned of redeeming these girls back into the path of Christian life.
Six years after, he founded an institution where 200 girls were rehabilitated to educate them toward self-sufficiency and to help them live a normal Christian life. He offered them vocational courses like embroidery, sewing, knitting and the like. The girls were also taught good housekeeping, good manners, hygiene and Christian education. Still moved by spirit of love for poor, he also opened an orphanage where free basic education was given. His strategy “prayer and work” targeted the prevention, redemption and preservation of the young against the “torments of egoism and immorality” (Const. 1886).
Among the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Simpliciano was most inspired by the image of the compassionate Christ. Indeed, if St. Francis had a preferential compassionate love towards the poor, Fr. Simpliciano’s compassionate love was towards the victim of moral leprosy in his own time. Thus, on January 4, 1886, his vision and dream was realized when a new third order of religious congregation branched out from the Franciscan family. It was named the “Margheritine” which he placed under the protection of St. Margareth of Contona. In 1909, this congregation was renamed, the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.
Fr. Simpliciano – the founder, the educator, the theologian, and the spiritual director died on May 25, 1898. His ideals and experiences with God remain an inspiration for us. Compassionate as he was like St. Francis of Assisi, Father Simpliciano is indeed another “Man of Peace and Service.”
Today, his Congregation has flourished in four continents: Europe, South America, Asia and Africa, dedicating itself to the education of the young in the schools, parishes, orphanages, rehabilitation centers and boarding houses. Fr. Simpliciano’s apostolic fervor is further extended to the aged, the sick in the hospital and the giving of assistance to priests.