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In 1966, the people of Cabatuan were clamoring for another school that would cater to the Catholic Families in the community. At first, the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette were hesitant due to the existence of two existing learning institutions in the locality - a Chinese Private School and the government-run Cabatuan High School. However, realizing the need for a Catholic secondary school in the Parish, the missionaries worked hard for its establishment.
On May 1967, Fr. Andre Lussier, MS, the parish priest since 1960, assisted Bishop Teodulfo Domingo, DD at the laying of the cornerstone for the new school. He was not to see, however, the completion he worked hard to help set up. Fr. Rutillo Mallillin, MS was the one who had the privilege of being the first Rector in 1968 with Mr. Leonardo Ong, a former teacher from La Salette of Santiago High School, as its first principal. After Mallillin came Fr. Efren Musngi, MS, Fr. William Slight, MS.
Fr. Maurice Cardinal, MS stayed only for a short time during the Sabbatical leave of Fr. Slight but his work cannot be overlooked.
He was instrumental in the fight to have the right to establish a Catholic School in Cabatuan.
From documentation of exchanges between the school and the Department of Education and the pressures brought to bear against the project, it became an uphill battle which included even mustering political muscle and support of Catholic leaders from all over the Province of Isabela.
La Salette of Cabatuan has grown, blossomed and seasoned with an image of credibility and trust of parents in the municipality. Everyone recognized the unique role of a Catholic School in promoting a wholistically Christian Education immensely need through the formative years of the youth of Cabatuan, Isabela.
Fr. Manuel Medina, MS, Provincial Vicar of
the Missionaries of Our La Salette is the current Director for SY
2006-2007.
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