THE HISTORY OF GUEVARA HIGH SCHOOL
Guevara High School is the largest secondary school in La Paz catering the educational needs of the youth of more or less eight (8) barangays of the municipality.
It is the living legacy of the collaborated efforts of Mr. Francisco Balmores, the founder; Brgy. Captain Mariano Paladan, Pelagia Taliwaga, Lucio Aningat, Marieta Cruzcosa, Patricio Feliciano, Alfredo de Guzman and Conrado de Guzman through the support of the Municipal Council.
The establishment of the school realized when R. A. No. 6054, otherwise known as “Charity for Barrio School”: was signed into law. The parents headed by the Brgy. Captain passed a joint resolution and petition at the Schools Division Superintendent, Mr. Alberto Talens. With this, Guevara Experimental High School was established on February 6, 1966 as a satellite school of Victoria High School. Prior to the approval of its establishment, the class sessions were done in two classrooms (Marcos Type Bldg.) borrowed from Guevara Elementary school. There were 40 students as a requirement to start classes.
The pioneering teachers were the following: Mr. Leodegario Vasquez, Mr. Esteban R. Corcuera, Mr. Roberto Mohamed, Mr. Epimaco Constantino, Ms. Gloria Macadangdang, Rizalinda Macadangdang, Maxima Derije and Mr. David Bautista.
In 1968 Mr. Arsenio Mamaradlo was assigned as the Head Teacher by Mr. Marcial Cabigting, the Principal of Victoria High School. Mr. Mamaradlo served as the School Head until 1994. He was replaced by Mrs. Gertrudes Bognot. In 1998, Ernesto S. Cunanan served as Principal II until 2004 and he was replaced by Mrs. Concepcion C. Almazan. She was then followed by Mr. Mario M. Tayag and Mrs. Ledesma D. Gabriel, Head Teacher III respectively.
In 1976, Guevara Experimental High School was named Guevara Barangay High School. It became Guevara Nationalized High School in 1986 due to the efforts of the two former PTA presidents, Mr. Francisco Balmores and Mr. Bernabe Taliwaga and the Brgy. Capt. Marieta V. Cruzcosa.
Inevitably, the consistent increase of enrollees required for more classrooms. A letter addressed to the newly elected PTA president, Mr. Romy Batad, from then Schools Division Superintendent, Dr5. Gerardo Erquiza solved the problem. Guevara High School was chosen as one of the recipients of classrooms (colonial type) from SEDP but it should be constructed in a lote titles and owned by the school with an attached deed of donation from the lot owner. Instantly, everything was settled through the support of Vice Gov. R. Llamas, the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Barangay, PTA Officials, Engr. Alexander Montemayor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Venustiano Martinez. The FVR Bldg. was added in 1994. In 2004, Guevara High School was the recipient of the JICA Bldg. from Japan. The following buildings were constructed during the administrations of the following principals: PPP/ Grade 7 bldg., Grade 7 computer room/ canteen bldg. and PPP/ Backstage bldg. (Sir Salviejo Admin), DPWH bldg. (Grade 10 bldg.), Laboratory bldg. and DPWH bldg. (SHS bldg.). (Dr. Corpuz Admin.), Grade 9 bldg. and school covered court (Dr. Magat Admin.)
Guevara High School at present, is an autonomous school comprising more than 80 personnel, Junior and Senior Department, with a total of more or less 1, 500 enrolees. Transforming the school into a place of leisure where teaching-learning takes place and the development of the learners as a joint responsibility of students, teachers, parents and the community are the visions of Guevara High School. Increase in participation rate, achievement rate, and enrolment rate by at least 2 percent every year, decrease dropped out rate by at least two (2) percent from the baseline and provide friendly and suitable teaching-learning environment through strong parents and community collaboration in all school programs and development endeavors are its mission.
THE PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOL HEADS OF GUEVARA HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Marcial Cabigting (Principal, Victoria High School)
Mr. Arsenio Mamaradlo (OIC, 1968-1994)
Mrs. Gertrudes Bognot (1994-1998)
Mr. Ernesto S. Cunanan (1998- 2004)
Mr. Wilfredo G. Salta (OIC)
Mrs. Concepcion C. Almazan (2004-2005)
Mr. Mario Tayag
Mrs. Ledesma D. Gabriel (OIC)
Mrs. Clarita C. Reyla (2009)
Mr. Arthur D.C. Sacatropez (OIC)
Mr. Armando G. Salviejo (2009-2014)
Dr. Melanie D. Corpuz (2014-May 2018)
Dr. Angelito S. Magat (May 2018-June 18, 2019)
Dr. Noel D. Palgue (June 19, 2019-September 16, 2019)
Mr. Paul D. Gamboa (September 17, 2019- January 03, 2021)
Dr. Marcelo T. Esteban (January 04, 2021- present)