THE BRIEF HISTORY OF CATHOLIC CENTRAL SCHOOL OF TABACO, ALBAY, INC.
THE BEGINNING. The Catholic Central School (CCS) was founded in 1912 by Rev. Fr. Damian Ravago, a diocesan priest. His objective was to train the youth in scientific and religious knowledge. CCS is a witness of love and dedication of the Bicolano students. It has unique distinction of being the oldest institution of learning in the Bicol Region that can trace its origin to a Bicolano priest.
Only the primary and the intermediate departments were offered from the beginning. Three years after its foundation, the government not only recognized the CCS Elementary department, but also gave permission to the operation of the first and second year High School, which received recognition in 1919. Authorization to open the third and fourth year came in 1937 and 1938 respectively. In 1940, full government recognition of the complete General Secondary Course was granted. In the same year the CCS held its first High School Commencement Exercises.
The Parish Rectors of Tabaco had been the Director of the Catholic Central School with the exemption of one or two priests, the administration of CCS had been invariably entrusted to a team of lay teachers until the war broke out in 1941. When in that war, the St. Agnes Academy of Legazpi was destroyed, the Benedictine Sisters came to Tabaco and administered the institution for the school year 1945 – 1946. They were followed by another lay administration that lasted also for one year. The next religious congregation that came was the RVM Sisters who conducted the school from 1947 – 1954. The school year 1954 – 1955 found CCS again under the lay administration.
The quality of instruction offered by the Catholic Central School has always found enthusiastic response from students not only from Tabaco and the neighboring towns of Albay, but also from Catanduanes and Camarines Sur. At one time, the administration had to rent two other buildings to house the students. Products of that Golden age of the Catholic Central School are Ex – Governor Venancio Ziga, his brother, late Congressman Lorenzo Ziga, his wife Congresswoman Tecla San Andres Ziga, Judge Zosimo Almonte, former Secretary of Finance, Sixto Ortiz, Ex-Judge Jesus Zurban, Ambassador Leandro Verceles, and many other unknown soldiers and unsung heroes whose legitimate pride is to call the Catholic Central School, their Alma Mater.
The years 1946 to 1955 may be considered crucial Years for CCS. In 1946, some faculty members decided to put up another school, which in the beginning posed as the boys’ department of the Catholic Central School but finally turned against the CCS and exerted every effort to discredit and destroy it. The most challenging period started, and burden gradually became heavier as six other secondary schools sprouted in the same locality. Thus, came the continuous change in the administration, which proved highly detrimental and demoralizing for the CCS.
In 1955 upon the request of the late Fr. Pastor Ragos, the Catholic Central School welcomed the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. They found the school in great need of development both human and material. They did not leave any stone untouched and made effort to rebuild it.
The Vision-Mission of the Education Ministry of the Daughters of Charity answers the need for which CCS exists: to form enlightened and committed Filipino Christian community and contribute to social transformation. This translated to specific areas: showing respect for human dignity promoting the integrity of creation, putting their personal gifts and talents at the service of the common good, with a preferential love for the poor, working for justice, peace and solidarity.
The Daughters of Charity and their partners in education are called to promote integral formation for the service of the Church and society us they build Christian communities and witness to Christian and Vincentian values through relevant quality education made accessible especially to the less privileged. In January 12, 2002, the name of the school was changed to St. Louise De Marillac School of Tabaco, Inc.
In 2017, the Daughters of Charity turned over the school administration to the Diocese of Legazpi. This was accepted by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, D.D. on May 3, 2017. The school is now officially known and registered as Catholic Central School of Tabaco, Albay, Inc (or CCSTAI).
