OLRA College Foundation

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OLRA COLLEGE FOUNDATION

In May of 1949, the Founders, Mr. Nemesio Gaviola and Mrs. Consuelo F. Gaviola while driving from Manila to visit their rice and sugar cane mills in Buenlag, Calasiao, Pangasinan noticed that San Manuel, Tarlac was the only town on their way without a high school.

A year ago, the couple closed the Trinity Institute of Technology which they founded in Tayuman, Manila, due to excessive rentals of the building which they occupied hence they were really looking for a place in the province where to establish it.

The couple dropped at the municipal building and talked with Mayor Dioscoro Felix and other officials who readily welcomed their proposal to put up a school. They were advised to come back after a week and then by then everything was ready for the talk which readily materialized.

On June 6, 1949, the founders applied for a government permit and opened the school in a rented house of Mr. Mariano Mendoza in Lanat, San Manuel, Tarlac. With an enrollment of 189 students they opened the First to Third Year. Many of the enrollees were old and matured.Mrs. Consuelo Gaviola engaged the part time services of two public school teachers, one for the Pilipino and another for English while all other subjects were taught by founder herself Mrs. Consuelo Gaviola.

In November of the same year they constructed the school building in the place it now occupies the site of the former Catholic church. They had originally four rooms and another for the family residence.The school was named San Manuel Academy which they changed later to Our Lady of Remedies Academy in honor of the town Patroness, Our Lady of Remedies. This school stressed on high standard and strict discipline so that as the years went by they produced graduates many of whom are board placers.

The population of this town were mostly tenants to thirteen landlords but with the introduction of land reform program of the government the people prospered on their lives and aspired to send their children to school.

During the school years 1960, 1961 and 1962 the DECS conducted National Examinations for high schools both Public and Private.

In 1960 the Our Lady of Remedies Academy now OLRA COLLEGE FOUNDATION ranked no. 332 out of 1,406 schools taking the test. This school belonged to the upper 25% of all the schools examined and that in all the subjects given, the school percentage median score were above the national percentage median scores.

In 1961 out of 1,487 schools tested in Physics, the school ranked No.5 thereby our median score was 27.5 against 46 as the national median, the national of 7. In English our school median score against 46 as the national median where 1,590 schools were tested. In Philippine History and Government, the school ranked No. 44.5 with a median of 63 where 1,025 schools were tested .

All the above results show the that OLRA enjoys a very high standard compared with other schools both public and private.

Concluding, the school maintains high standard of instruction. Since, education is the foundation of success, high educational standard be sustained for the success and prosperity of families and country.

With the 50th year of existence, the school is now giving education to the 3rd generation of every family.

Last 1988, my children Dr. & Mrs. Carlito Arenas put up the Tertiary Level so they have to change the name again to OLRA College Foundation. The school of Midwifery, College of Nursing, Computer Secretarial were opened, however these are housed in another lot which is located in San Vicente at a distance of two Km. from the Secondary school. There are two Barangay High Schools, one in the north and other in the south. However, most parents patronize the OLRA COLLEGE FOUNDATION.

The school now has graduated thousands of professionals scattered throughout the world. It is ranking high in standard as indicated by the NEAT results from year to year.

EMPHASIS IS GIVEN IN THE OBSERVANCE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. That diligence, devotion and industry are the keys to success.
2. That Life is what you make it.
3. That when ever you do a thing do it to the best of your ability.
4. Man is the architect of his own fate and the master of his own destiny.
5. That time is the most unrecoverable commodity hence do something pretty everyday.
6. That poverty is not a hindrance to education and progress.
7. That a positive thinker achieves more than one who thinks negatively.
8. That success is not denied to a diligent worker and persistent doer. Grasp the master key to riches through values education, positive mental attitude and self-discipline.
9. Let us work our own miracles, take that extra mile and with the intercession of our Lord, we can go onward to progress through Values Education, Positive Mental Attitude and Self-discipline. Yes, Man proposes, God disposes.



OLRA COLLEGE FOUNDATION – After its Golden Year Anniversary

OLRA College Foundation is continuing to reap the fruits of its success after the celebration of its Golden Anniversary in 1999.

What is OLRA College Foundation doing and where is it headed after its first 50 years as an educational institution?

The school has been successful in fulfilling its commitment to its graduates through quality education and values formation because it has uplifted the lives of its graduates and the community. Its vision – to produce self-directing graduates who are equipped with knowledge and skills and are guided by accepted social, spiritual and moral values – has been attained.

The realization of the school’s mission and vision can be observed in its present programs and improvements which are underway.



A. Elementary and High School Campus at Poblacion, San Manuel, Tarlac – Enrollment 400 high school; 100 elementary

A one story four-room building was constructed to serve the increasing number of enrollees. More laboratory facilities have been purchased to keep the students abreast with the latest technology in their science classes. The Sports Program of the school has been strengthened to produce graduates with well-rounded personalities.



B. College (tertiary) Campus based at OLRA Compound, San Vicente, San Manuel, Tarlac – Enrollment 3000

The College has purchased more computers in preparation for the offering of on-line classes for the Paramedical courses. The computer room is connected to the Local Area Network and the Internet. More facilities for the Skills laboratory of the Paramedical department have been acquired to keep the Nursing students abreast with current Nursing skills. The Speech laboratory has also been upgraded to more highly technical facilities to enhance the communication skills of the students. Instructors are continuously sent for training programs to update themselves in their respective curricula. A five-year Faculty Development Program has been prepared.

C. Scholarship programs

Another significant achievement of the school is its Scholarship program for students in all levels: elementary, secondary and college (tertiary) levels. Recipients of the Scholarship program are the poor but deserving students in the community who are either recommended by their principals, barangay captains or municipal mayors.



The Consuelo F. Gaviola Scholarship recipients (currently 30) are given a full tuition fee discount for the duration of their studies as long as they maintain an Average Grade of 85% or higher.



The Rene F. Gaviola Scholarship recipients (currently 300) also receive a 100% tuition fee discount.