Mr. Oscar S. Manalo Sr.
The Story of the Founder of FAST
On November 25, 1935, Oscar Suarez Manalo, better known as “Oca,” was born. With his two younger sisters, Celia and Flocer, he was the oldest of Mariano Marino Manalo and Corita Sanchez Suarez’s three children. He was married to Corazon Saret, a retired Supervisor of Narional Capital Region (Non Formal Education Assistant Chief) and they were blessed with three children: Grace, Marissa, and Jun as well as six grandchildren: Kim, Duane, Diane, Kyle, Faye and Oscar Jenrick.
In 1949, he began his basic education at Taal / P. Gomez Elementary School in Manila, and then finished his high school education at Arellano High School in 1953. He spent his days in college, BS Education at U.P. Diliman, where he earned his Masteral degree in Education Management and went on to earn his Doctorate degree.
He began his career in education and teaching at an early age. At the age of 19, he was hired as a High School Teacher at San Sebastian College, where he also served as an assistant principal. After that, he worked as a high school teacher at Manuel L. Quezon University, then as a part-time professor at Letran College, and last as an Instruction Specialist at Philippine Science High School. He was also a college lecturer at several institutions, including University of Santo Tomas (UST), Philippine Normal University (PNU) , and Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (E.A.R.I.S.T). He was the Area Supervisor of Rizal from 1973 to 1975, and the Private Schools Area Supervisor II of Region V from 1975 to 1982. He was the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Batangas from 1982 to 1989, and subsequently the Schools Division Superintendent of Mindoro between 1989 and 1992 and Batangas between 1994 and 2000. He was greatly known as the “SUPERMAN”, “BEST Dancing Professor”, and “DECS/DepEd DIAMOND.” He worked as an Instruction Specialist at Fame Academy of Science and Technology from June 2003 to July 2007. From June 2000 until January 2018, he served as the President of Saint Martin de Tours School of Cavite. Finally, from June 2003 until January 2018, he served as the School Director / Principal of Fame Academy of Science and Technology.
He was not only well-known in the field of education, but he also rose to prominence as a public servant. In 1953, he was elected vice president of the Arellano Public High School Supreme Student Council, and in 1957, he joined the Student Councils Association of the Philippines as a technical consultant. During 1956 and 1957, he was a regular member of the Pres. Magsaysay JUNIOR CABINET, a Consultative Council of Students and advisory body to the President on Youth and Student Affairs. In 1965 he was awarded a silver medal for excellent leadership in the District. He then became a member of the Taal Municipal Council from 1969 to 1973.
He was not just a public servant, but he also used his literary abilities to publish numerous books. Manlilikha Tao, Two for the Muse, Diwang Pilipino I, Diwang Pilipino II, Diwang Pilipino III, Diwang Pilipino IV, Halimuyak 101, and finally Sining ng Komunikasyon at Pahayagan are the eight books he authored.
He pursued a career as a journalist in addition to being an author. He was named Journalist of the Year at Arellano High School in 1954, and he served as President of the Literary Organization at the University of the Philippines and Arellano High School from 1953 to 1957. In 1957, he was a delegate at the 1st Asian News Seminar, he also became an advisor for a number of journalistic media and organizations. The SEBASTINIAN, the official publication of San Sebastian College (SSC) from 1957 to 1964, followed by the JUNIOR QUEZONIAN, the official publication of MLQU Science High School from 1962 to 1963, and the ANG LAGABLAB, the official publication of the Philippine High School from 1962 to 1963, THE STAG, the official news publication of the SSC student body in 1968, and the SSC Journalism Club from 1961 to 1969. In 1972-1973, he served as vice president of the NATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL PRESS ADVISERS ASSOCIATION and the Greater Manila Area Press Advisers Association. He served as an editor for many professional magazines and as the night editor for a national daily before becoming a columnist for BALISONG, a weekly journal in Batangas, in 1972 and the president of Kamanyang, Inc., a National Association of Pilipino Poets, in 1980.
He was also a member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. He joined the 35th World South Congress held in South Africa. National Council, BSP gave him a Certificate of Recognition for outstanding and meritorious service to the cause of scouting in the Philippines during the last twenty (20) years in October 26, 1965. He then received a Bronze Thanks Badge for meritorious and outstanding service rendered to BSP from National Council, Boy Scouts of the Philippines in May, 1966. In the same year, he gained Silver Medal, Manila Council for outstanding contribution to scouting.
He obtained countless awards to his name throughout his life. During 1953, he participated in the Declamation Contest and won the 2nd prize. In 1955, he achieved numerous wins.
1.) Poetry division, University of the Philippines (1st Prize)
2.) Poetry Division, U.P. (3rd Prize)
3.) Essay Division, U.P. (3rd Prize).
He gained multiple awards for being a prominent leader, the Regional Outstanding Bayaning KKK Presidential Diplome of Merits for Outstanding Youth Leadership in 1957, Presidential Diplome of Merits for Outstanding Youth Leadership in 1957, the Senate Awards of Leadership given on the 2nd of May, 1969, Student Leader of the Year awarded by the Institute of National language for the propagation of National Language. Making him the first student to be conferred with such honor (1957). He was a wise writer who showed his brilliance at an early age, winning the National Oratorical contest in Pilipino, receiving a 2-foot trophy, a gold medal & P500.00 sponsored by Senator Gil Puyat & Kapatirang Dimas-Alang in 1958, without a doubt. He triumphed in the Poetry Division in a national inter-collegiate contest sponsored by the KADIPAN, in the same year. In 1959, he earned the top spot in Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission Slogan Contest. In 1969, he also gained multiple awards, he won 1st place in an Essay Writing Contest, Faculty Division, at the Philippine College of Commerce, and also Senate Award of Leadership on May 2. In 1970, he got 3rd place at a National Essay Writing Contest which was sponsored by the Institute of National Language. He then received second place in an Essay Writing Contest, hosted by the MECS for the celebration of Re-Education Week, in 1981. The list of awards continued as he gained the International Outstanding Intellectual of the 20th century given by U.S.A. Biographical Center, International Leadership Award in Education and Culture awarded by International Biographical Center in England, the President’s Citation Award given by President Ramon Magsaysay, the Outstanding Taaleño in Education, the National Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Most Outstanding Implementor of GALINLUPA – Region IV, the Most Outstanding Implementor of SIGA, the Regional Outstanding Implementor of Non-Formal Education, and the Regional Outstanding Bayaning KKK.
This talented man continued to prove that he is magnificent by creating Himno ng Batangan, Himno ng Taal, Himno ng FAST, and Fame Academy of Science and Technology, his legacies.
“To predict what is seemingly unpredictable, expect the unexpected, and make the impossible, possible”
were the wise words of this truly honorable man, Sir Oscar S. Manalo, Sr.
Written By: Raiza Gatchalian, Alexandra Ryen Cuento, Akysha Carmel Umandap (Batch 15 Diamonds)