A. MABINI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

THE MAGICAL TRANSFORMATION AND EVOLUTION     

            It was 1940 when Tala has been considered as a Leper colony. Central Luzon Leprosarium is one of the eight Sanitaria mandated to serve patients afflicted with Hansen’s Disease popularly known as leprosy. It was established by virtue of Commonwealth Act no. 161 along with two other leper colonies declaring the Leprosarium as a reservoir and settlement area for Hashemites and their immediate families.

          Located in Tala Caloocan City with a total of 130,000 hectares, Central Luzon Leprosarium is now referred to as Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium (DJNRMHS) after it started allowing non-Hansenite patients in 1970. The Hospital also conducts other services available for patients such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiology, laboratory and medical-social services and assistance.

Due to exclusivity, the people living in the area experienced extreme isolation, bullying, avoidance, and hatred from other people especially that information about the disease during that time is limited. People outside the area thought that leprosy has no cure, and it can be transferred through skin contact or through air which was proven wrong as years go by.

Amidst the pain and suffering, a ray of hope suddenly burst out for the young Hansenites’ dreams when an exclusive school offering free education to those affected by the disease was established in July 1946 headed by its first principal Mr. Antonio M. Berron. The school, known as Central Luzon Leprosarium Elementary School, used the DJNRMHS facilities for its operation in the first two months. The Hospital Annex Building and the old Laboratory Building served as classrooms shared by 20-30 pupils in multi-grade level

Inside a room with sawali walls and wooden floor, two grade levels were handled by one teacher at the same time. Books and other school supplies were provided primarily by the government though some are donated by American Red Cross and late Rev. Fr. Anthony Leo Hofstee, founder of Central Luzon Leprosarium Elementary School (later known as A.Mabini Elementary School) and the Holy Rosary College Foundation in 1952.

Soon after, Central Luzon Leprosarium Elementary School decided to change its name to Sanitarium Elementary School and moved to Barrio San Roque where it finally acquired its own campus – a well-ventilated building made up of sawali walls, wooden floors, and chicken-wire windows. Teachers and pupils felt at ease with everyone on the campus. They even encouraged young adult pupils and married ones to enroll. Enrollment during that time was said to be less than 100 and first graduates were around 17. Later on, three (3) buildings were added with seven (7) classrooms.

Early 1960’s, the school remained exclusive in order to prevent the spread of Hansen’s disease. The medical doctors and staff rigidly monitored the school to ensure that there were no children of Hansen’s, also called Sanos, staying in the area. However, no matter how strict they were, some Sanos got enrolled and were kept to secretly stay and study in the place. They escaped and jumped over the fence whenever inspections were done, pursued their studies and soon graduated from the school.

In 1970, during the management of Mrs. Cleotilde S. Javier, an elected PTA officer known as Professor Reyes shared an idea of changing the name to Apolinario Mabini Elementary School. It was in honor of the disabled hero who proved to the world that no physical disability hinders a great mind. This idea was also to protect the stigma that patients had experienced whenever people heard the name.

Soon after changing the name, A. Mabini Elementary School (shortened version of the school’s name) began accepting non-patient pupils. It was later noticed that there was a huge increase in the number of enrollees as residents in nearby areas like Bagong Silang and Camarin became interested and enrolled. During the management of Mrs. Javier, there were five (5) buildings with fifteen (15) classrooms.

Decades have passed since the school was managed by a male Principal. The school has been missing a father-like figure and care. And after so many years of waiting, a new father came last January 18th of year 2021.

Mr. Pedro P. Inocando, our present principal assigned to A. Mabini Elementary School while the Pandemic surge has been endured by the whole community.