Pamalagiin nang Liwanag. Does this motto resonate with you as we stand before Florentino Torres High School? It translates to “Let There Be Light.” This school has been a beacon of knowledge in Manila since 1925.
Florentino Torres High School is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a place of history. It is a place of dreams. It is a place where young minds ignite.
Originally, the school was named Legarda High School. James T. Burns founded it. He had only three teachers. They opened their doors to students rejected by other Manila schools.
In 1926, the school moved. It found a new home in the Sequoia Building near the Pritil Bridge. With the move came a new name. It became Manila West High School.
1928 was a landmark year. The first students graduated. School clubs began to form. Students organized around shared interests.
Marcelino Bautista became the first Filipino principal in 1930. He renamed Manila’s four public high schools after Supreme Court justices. Manila West became Florentino Torres High School. It honored Justice Florentino Torres. He was the first Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
“The Torres Torch” school paper debuted in 1930. Students found their voice. They shared stories and ideas.
The school moved again in 1937. It settled into the Constabulary Barracks in Gagalangin. Florentino Torres High School has been here ever since.
World War II brought hardship. The school closed in 1941. Buildings became military garrisons. School records were lost.
Hope returned after the war. The school reopened in 1945. Pablo Reyes was the principal. The first post-war graduates received diplomas in November of that year.
The school celebrated its first foundation day in 1953. Cesario Bandong was principal then. This tradition continues to this day.
Florentino Torres High School continued to grow. It provided quality education under principals like Emiliano Rafael and Severa Saldana. Saldana introduced the open-shelf library system. She also oversaw repairs to improve the school.
Principals like Romeo Santos brought innovations. He introduced the “Five Senses Approach” to teaching. Ayala Foundation’s “Adopt-a-School Program” provided computer equipment in 2003.
Today, Florentino Torres High School offers a Japanese language program. This program enriches students’ cultural understanding.
Many student organizations thrive here. They include the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and various clubs. The “orgs” offer diverse activities for student development.
Numerous alumni have achieved great things. They include National Artist Francisco Arcellana and former Justice Secretary Salvador Marino. These graduates embody the school’s motto.
From humble beginnings, Florentino Torres High School has become a pillar of education. It has shaped countless lives. It continues to shine as a beacon of hope. This institution fosters growth and knowledge for generations to come.