St. Scholastica's Academy of Marikina
| St. Scholastica's Academy of Marikina Paaralan ng Santa Eskolastika ng Marikina | |
|---|---|
 SSAM official school logo | |
| Location | |
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Marikina, Metro Manila Philippines | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, Benedictine, exclusive all-girls Catholic school |
| Motto | Ora et Labora (Prayer and Work) |
| Patron saint(s) | St. Scholastica, St. Benedict |
| Established | 1961 |
| Color(s) | White and Blue |
| Nickname | Scholasticans / Kulasas |
| Publication | The Little Blue Star (Grade School), Blue Heights (Junior High School), The Blue Blazon (Senior High School), The Link (SDC) |
| Website | http://www.ssam.edu.ph |
St. Scholastica's Academy of Marikina (SSAM, SSA Marikina or colloquially St. Scho Marikina) is a private school exclusively for girls located at Marikina. It was founded in 1961 in response to the appeal of the alumnae of St. Scholastica's College Manila who resided in Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, San Mateo, and other neighbouring communities, for a Catholic school in the vicinity where their children could go.
Then owner of Marikina Heights Subdivision Mr. Jose Tuason, Sr. offered the lot to the Benedictine sisters of Tutzing at a very low price. The people who were given a direct hand in overseeing the construction were Sister Silvana, OSB, Mother Sub-Prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in the Philippines, Architect Imelda Borromeo Cancio and Project and Structural Engineer Ben Abastillas. Construction of the first phase of the physical plant followed immediately.
The pioneering sisters were Sister Eleonora Engelbrecht, OSB, Superior together with Sister Irmengardis Kuhn, OSB, Sister Joaquina Santos, OSB and Sister Andrea Yllana, OSB who opened classes in June 5, 1961 with only 62 pupils including young boys. Not to forget is Cardinal Rufino J. Santos who blessed the school on August 15, 1961 together with Cardinal Bishop Antiporda. Guests were Ambassador Von Fuerstenberg of Germany, Dr. Winternitz, representative of the Austrian Embassy and the priests and religious, alumnae, students and friends.
Until 1985, the school offered kindergarten which also admitted boys.
Benedictine motto
The Benedictine motto is Ora et Labora, meaning prayer and work, which was originally from St. Benedict. It means that prayer and work should always be balanced.
You could easily observe this because they start their day with a morning prayer which they called Morning Praise, start and end each class with a prayer, recite the Angelus at 12 noon and recite the 3 O'Clock Prayer. They also have First Friday masses and Lectio Divina every Friday.( In Lectio Divina the students and teachers read and reflect on the Gospel.)
Academics
SSAM is PAASCU-accredited and is also one of the prominent and top academic institutions in the city of Marikina.
Affiliations
It is a member of the Association of Benedictine Schools (ABS), the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), the Diocese of Antipolo Catholic Schools Association (DACSA), the Philippine Council for Peace and Global Education (PCPGE) and the Marikina Private Schools Association (MARIPRISA).
Famous/notable alumnae
- Amy Perez (actress)
- Rhea Santos (GMA reporter)
- Lala Roque (GMA reporter)
- Princess Punzalan (actress)
- Agot Isidro-Sandejas (actress, singer)
- Erika Padilla (ABS-CBN Star Magic Batch 16)
- Sarah Gaugler (Tattoo artist; vocalist of band Turbo Goth)
- Marina Benipayo (actress, model, 1992 Bb. Pilipinas-Maja International)
- Alma Concepcion (actress, 1994 Bb. Pilipinas International)
- Caselyn Francisco (actress, singer)
- Bing Loyzaga (actress)
- Coney Reyes (actress)
- Joannie Feliciano (recording artist) Grand Winner of the 8th Metro Manila Music Festival, 2 Aliw Awards, dancer, and producer for television. Marine Environmental advocate through her ties with the ABS-CBN Foundation. Daughter of famed Philippine Olympian - Chito Feliciano.
- Merille Raagas (international model)
- Marian Buitre (Current Volleyball Player of UP Lady Maroons)
- Elaine Margaret "Ela" Lisondra (International Performer: Dancer, Singer and Actress), Principal dancer and aerialist at The Festival of the Lion King at Hong Kong Disneyland; actor, puppeteer and lead singer for High School Musical Live; swing performer in Miss Saigon.