PART I – VISION MISSION OF THE SCHOOL

ACADEMY OF ST. JOSEPH

VISION-MISSION-GOALS-CORE VALUES

VISION

ACADEMY OF ST. JOSEPH: WITNESS TO THE WORLD.

MISSION

AS MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTION, WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE INTEGRAL HUMAN

FORMATION AND EXCELLENCE IN INSTRUCTION.

AS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WE ARE COMMITTED BE CHRIST-CENTERED IN THE CATHOLIC

TRADITION.

AS AN SVD SCHOOL, WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE PROPHETIC DIALOGUE THROUGH

MISSION AWARENESS, BIBLE APOSTOLATE, COMMUNICATION, JUSTICE AND PEACE
AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION.

GOALS

AS AN ACADEMY, WE AIM TO CREATE A CULTURE WHICH PLACES A HIGH QUALITY ON

THE PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, ACADEMIC CHARACTER; BUILDING SOCIAL, AFFECTIVE
AND APOSTOLIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENTS TO BE SERVICE – AND VALUES –
ORIENTED ACHIEVERS, AND GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE JOSEPHITES.

AS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WE AIM TO INCULCATE IN OUR STUDENTS AND PERSONNEL

CATHOLIC EDUCATION THAT IS HOLISTIC, SOCIAL, WELL-ROUNDED AND
DEVELOPMENTAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

AS AN SVD SCHOOL, WE AIM TO INTEGRATE PROPHETIC DIALOGUE AND THE SVD

CHARACTERISTIC DIMENSIONS IN THE CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES IN THE SCHOOL, TO DEVELOP OUR, SVD SPIRITUALLY AND CHARISM AND
SHARE IT WITH OTHER SCHOOLS IN CAGAYAN.

CORE VALUES

INTEGRITY, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, EXCELLENCE, EVANGELIZATION

PART II: GENERAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER I

A. PATRON SAINT

ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY

St. Joseph was an ordinary manual labourer although descended from the royal house of David.
In the designs of Providence he was destined to become the spouse of the Mother of God. His
high privilege is expressed in a single phrase, “foster father of Jesus.” About him Sacred
Scripture has little more to say than that he was just a man. That is an expression which
indicates how faithfully he fulfilled his high trust of protecting and guarding God’s greatest
treasures upon earth, Jesus and Mary.

The darkest hours of his life were those when he first learned of Mary’s pregnancy; but precisely
in this time of trial Joseph showed himself great. His suffering, which likewise formed a part of
the work of redemption, was without great providential importance: Joseph was to be, for all
times, the trustworthy witness of the Messiah’s virgin birth. After this, he modestly retires into
the background of the Holy Scripture.

Of St. Joseph’s death the Bible tells us nothing. There are indications, however, that he died
before the beginning of Christ’s public life. His was the most beautiful death that one could
have, in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Humbly and unknown, he passed his years at Nazareth,
silent and almost forgotten he remained in the background through centuries of Church history.
Only in more recent times has been accorded greater honor. Liturgical veneration of St. Joseph
began in the fifteenth century, fostered by St. Brigitte of Sweden and Bernadine of Siena.

At the present there are two major feasts in his honour. On March 1 our veneration is directed to
him personally and to his patron the work of redemption, while on May 1 we honour him as the
patron of workmen throughout the world and as our guide in the difficult matter of establishing
equitable norms regarding obligations and rights in the social order.

B. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACADEMY OF SAINT JOSEPH

On October 3, 1933, Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch, SVD THEN Regional Superior of the
Philippines SVD Region and Bishop Constance Jurjens, CICM Bishop of Tuguegarao signed a
two way contract: on the part of the Diocese of Tuguegarao, they will help the SVD build the
Christ the King Seminary; on the part of SVD, they will give personnel to help the mission in
Cagayan Valley.

On November 17, 1933, Fr. Miguel Anspach, SVD and Fr. William Schlombs, SVD both
Germans were sent to the northwest part of Cagayan, the town of Claveria to open a door to
many hearts. Thus, SVD Cagayan District was born.

In July 147, the Claveria Catholic High School opened its door to respond to the pressing need
and demand for an efficient and high standard secondary school where Christian Catholic
education is primordial. Through the initiative of Fr. Egon Strotmann, SVD, the founder, two
classroom edifices underwent construction. The first 87 enrolees became the first and second
years respectively which crowded the two rooms of the Catholic Rectory. Fr. Vicente Braganza,
SVD was the first director and Mr. Delfin Lopez was the first principal. Unfortunately the two
classrooms were devastated by a strong typhoon in October 1947 that was several months after
its completion. But this appalling incident did not dampen the enthusiasm and determination of
the Founding Fathers. Classes were carried on as usual and they made the best of what they
had.

In 149, the of the school was changed from Claveria Catholic High School to Academy of St.
Joseph to bring the school and the parish church closer with the same end and equal dedication
to St. Joseph their patron. During this year Fr. Vicente Braganza, SVD composed the ASJ
Hymn. It was also during this time that summer classes were offered to finish secondary
education for three years only. However, summer classes were stopped after the first batch
graduated in 1952.

In 1950, the Superior General of the SVD and the Provincial Superior visited Claveria and
approved the construction of the four-room building through the efforts of Fr. Ernest Keilen, SVD
who was the first full time school director. During this year the Academy of St. Joseph sent forth
its batch of graduates, fifty-five successful students.

In 1953 Fr. John Racz, SVD, a Hungarian, took over as the director of ASJ. His orientation was
communistic, hence, he expected a disciplined community. Yet, he showed exceeding kindness
to the indigent students.

In 1956, Fr. Miguel Garay, SVD an Argentine, became the next director. During this time a U-
shaped building was built by annexing an office and a three-classroom building at the eastern
side and another office at the western side and the construction of a stage and Home
Economics building. He bought a piano for the accomplishment of musical presentation of the
school. Stage operette was shown yearly.

In 1959, Fr. John Isenberg, SVD, a German priest, took over as the director. Mr. Marcelo
Singson succeeded Mr. Delfin Lopez as principal.

In 1962, Rev. Fr. Julio Barbieto, SVD was designated as a full time school director; Mr. Celso
Domingo was the principal but was not able to finish his term because of his equally pressing
work as municipal secretary, so his position was relinquished to Mr. Alfredo Fonacier Sr.

In 1964, Fr. Barbieto was succeeded by Fr. Bonifacio Nuval, SVD who in turn was succeeded
by Fr. Wenceslao Hernando, SVD in 1965.

In 1966, Fr. Agustin Tan, SVD became the director and during his term, three classrooms were
constructed to accommodate the increasing enrolment.

In 1968, Fr. Carlos Puetz, SVD was the director. It marked the influx of the students to the
academy despite the existence of three secondary schools in town. This prompted Fr. Puetz,
SVD, to construct a two-storey permanent building with eight classrooms, administrative offices,
and a faculty room in addition to the two-storey Home Economics building where the school
canteen is situated. Mr. Alfonso Raquel Sr. was the principal. St. Arnold Janssen building was
constructed through the magnanimous and philanthropic efforts of the SVD congregation
through the initiative of Fr. Carlos Puetz, SVD. Fr. Arturo Bautista, SVD was the director for a
year.

It was in 1970 that Fr. Philip Tennant; SVD did dual roles – parish priest and school director.
Mr. Alfonso Raquel died during his principalship and Miss Valeria Pedro was designated
principal. After a year Miss Pedro went on a study leave and Mr. Delfin Mina took over a year.

It was in 1970 that Fr. Philip Tennant; SVD did dual roles – parish priest and school director.

In 1979, Fr. Winston Cabahug, SVD, succeeded Fr. Tenant and Mr. Eduardo Guerin was the
principal. When Fr. Cabahug went on a study leave to Rome, Fr. Cesar Raval, SVD coming
from the Indonesia and newly – assigned parish priest of Claveria and District Superior of SVD
Cagayan, took over as the acting director in 1983.

School year 184 welcomed Fr. Dante Venus, SVD to become the school principal and director.
He made remarkable improvements in the school by converting the azotea into a faculty room,
constructing a convertible stage at the Jansenn Hall with comforts and dressing rooms.

From 1987 to 1990, Mrs. Perlita J. Somera took her first term as the principal with Fr. Jerome
Adriatico, SVD as Director. With their joint efforts and the full support of the Parent-Teacher
Council (PTC) and the Central Board of Students (CBS), they further improved the school
building, by grilling the windows in the first & second floors of the Janssen building and by
constructing shading walk from the main building to the canteen extending to the comfort rooms.
During this time the Student Manual was first drafted and implemented.

In 1991 Fr. Raul Manaligod, SVD took over as the director but left in February 1992 so Fr.
Dominador Ramos, SVD replaced him until the next school year. Mr. Pablita P. Planta Sr. had
his first term as the principal from 1990 to 1993.

In 1993, Fr. Alberto Figueras, SVD was the director and Mrs. Perlita Somera was in her second
term as principal. During this period the Faculty Manual was revised.

In 1996, Fr. Randolph Botial, SVD became the director “ad experimentum” of the three schools
– Academy of St. Joseph – Claveria, Divine Word high School – Sanchez Mira, and Divine
Word High School – Danaili.

In 2002, Fr. Alberto Viernes, SVD stayed for a year as the director of the three schools.

From June-August of 2003, Fr. Nicandro Vergara, SVD was acting director of ASJ. Then Fr.
Silverio Mutia, SVD continued the school year as the director for the three schools until 2005.

In 2005, ASJ welcomed Fr. Edgardo C. Mendiguarin, SVD as the school director. When Fr.
Mendiguarin, SVD went for Nemi Course in Rome, Fr. Romeo S. Fajardo, SVD took over as the
acting director for six months.
In 2008, Fr. Tanyson C. Sunico, SVD served as the Principal with Mrs Marilyn B. Bayag as the
Teacher-in-charge. Fr. Sunico, SVD revived the school marketing to the elementary schools in
Claveria in order to showcase the integral human formation program of the school as well as the
scholarship grants that ASJ can offer to the students including EVS and ECS scholarships
grants from the government which started in 1998. Fr. Sunico became the Director and Mrs.
Marilyn B. Bayag was the principal was the principal from 2009-2011.

School Year 2011-2012 welcomed two school directors, Bro. Alfredo Corton, SVD who served
from June to October 15, 2011 and Fr. Bernard L. Teneza, SVD who served as the director from
October 16, 2011 to March 2012. Mrs. Marilyn B. Bayag was the Principal.

On May 1, 2012, a gymnasium fronting the main building started to be constructed upon
unanimous accord of the school administration with the Parent-Teacher Council and upon
approval of the Board Trustees and won encouraging contributions from the alumni. Fr. Bernard
L. Teneza, SVD continued as the school director with Mrs. Marilyn B. Bayag as the principal for
the school year 2012-2013. It was during the end of the SY 2013-2014 that the Student Manual
was revisited; amendments were made and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Fr. Bernard L. Teneza, SVD continued as school director with Mrs. Marilyn B. Bayag as
principal from 2012-2014. It was during the end of SY 2013-2014 THAT THE Student Manual
was revisited; ammendments were made and approved by the Board of Trustees.

In June 2014, Fr. Jerome A. Adriatico, SVD, took over as the director for the second time, and
Mrs. Marilyn B. Bayag served as principal until May 2015.

In June 2015, Fr. Jerome A. Adriatico, SVD, served as the director and Mr. Remar P. Agcaoili
as the Teacher-in-Charge. During this year, the school prepared the necessary requirements in
order to secure the Permit to Operate the Senior High School Program which was granted by
the Department of Education on August 25, 2015. The Board of trustees approved the
construction of a building worth more or less Php 7.5 M (seven and one-half million pesos). The
said amount will be also used for the improvement of classroom, laboratories, and some offices
for Grade 12.

In January 2016, Mr. Remar P. Agcaoili was appointed as principal.

In 2017, Rev. Fr. Jerome Adriatico, SVD, took another term as Director.

During its more than half a century of existence, the school has achieved the remarkable
distinction if having produced a notable number of successful graduates or alumni who hold key
positions of influence and are respected by the community. As such, the school can rightfully
claim that it has contributed its share in the transformation of our society.

Since the beginning, the Academy of St. Joseph had a colourful history through the selfless
dedication and tireless commitment of its PTC and homeroom officers, Alumni, Faculty
members and personnel, principal and director.
Indeed, service to God and to mankind is the vibrant history of the Academy of St. Joseph and
this is exactly its task today, tomorrow and in the future. True its commitment, ASJ stands firm
and faithful as Witness to the Word.