Colegio San Agustin – Biñan

This article is about the Augustinian school in Biñan City, Laguna, Philippines. For other uses, see Colegio San Agustin (disambiguation).

Colegio San Agustin - Southwoods

Logo of Colegio San Agustin-Southwoods
Motto	Virtus et Scientia (Latin)
Motto in English	Virtue and Science
Type	Private school
Established	1985
Accreditation	PAASCU, Levels I and II
Affiliation	Augustinian Roman Catholic
President	Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, O.S.A.
Students	Approximately 3,016
Location	Biñan City , Laguna , Philippines
Campus	Urban, 5 hectares
Colors	Red for courage   Gold for victory over evil
Mascot	Eagle
Website	http://www.csa-binan.edu.ph/

Colegio San Agustin – Southwoods (abbreviated as CSA or CSA-Southwoods) is a Catholic school owned and managed by the Augustinian Friars of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu in Biñan City, Laguna, Philippines. Its primary and secondary education programs are accredited Level II by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.

History

The school began as a preparatory school for boys and girls attending preschool through third grade. Incorporated on November 16, 1984, it is located on a five-hectare site donated by a private land developer to the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu. The first faculty and staff consisted of twenty personnel and three priest-administrators catering to the needs of 646 students. The founding administrators included Rev. Rodolfo P. Sicio, OSA as Rector and Principal, Rev. Alfredo Jubac, OSA as treasurer and Rev. Marcelino Malana, OSA as guidance counselor and sports coordinator. Miss Doris S. Calog serves as the school Registrar, Assistant Principal and Academic Coordinator of all departments. Three of the pioneer personnel still connected/works at present namely: Nelia O. Villodres (Grade School Faculty), Adelfa Tamayo-Lira (Canteen-In-Charge), and Bernard G. Miranda (Digital Printing In-Charge).

The Preschool Department was part of the Colegio San Agustin since it started the operation in June 1985. There were 290 pupils in its first year of operation. The department continued to expand its structure as more pupils were added each year. Improving of the curriculum was done in response to the needs of the pupils. Total enrollment peaked to 790 in academic year 1992-1993. Appropriate measures were introduce effectively manage the growing pupils' populace and sustain the upgraded standard of instruction. Strict screening procedures were also implemented both for admission of pupils and for hiring of faculty.

Patron saint

St. Augustine of Hippo as pictured during the Renaissance

The College is named in honor of St. Augustine of Hippo, a key figure in the doctrinal development of Western Christianity and a "Doctor of the Church." Two of his surviving works, namely, "The Confessions" (his autobiography) and "The City of God," are regarded as Western classics. Augustine is often considered to be one of the theological fountainheads of the Reformation because of his teaching on salvation and grace. Martin Luther, perhaps the greatest figure of the Reformation, was himself an Augustinian friar.

Other English speaking Augustinian Schools with the same patron include Colegio San Agustin-Makati, Colegio Sto. Niño-Cebu, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, St. Augustine's College, Brookvale in Sydney, Australia, St. Augustine College Preparatory School, Richland, New Jersey; St. Augustine High School, San Diego, California; and Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Massachusetts - all three in the United States; and St. Augustine College in Malta.

Present status

Colegio San Agustin-Biñan features modern and air-conditioned classrooms and facilities, including a multi-purpose gymnasium. The school offers Wi-Fi Internet hotspots throughout the campus. The PAASCU, an accrediting entity that oversees strict compliance with educational standards, has awarded the school the Level II-accredited status.

School seal

Symbols and meanings

• Golden Eagle – represents the lofty intellect of St. Augustine as a soaring eagle.
• Heart – symbolizes love and charity, the first rule of St. Augustine.
• Crosier and mitre – represent the bishopric of St. Augustine.
• Book – symbolizes the writings of St. Augustine and his intellectual depth as a writer, making him the greatest Doctor of the Church.
• Tolle Lege, Tolle Lege – (Latin, "Take up and read"), the words spoken by a voice heard by St. Augustine which led to his conversion to Catholicism in the year 386.
• Colors – Red stands for courage, and gold for victory over evil.
• Virtus et Scientia – (Latin, "Virtue and Science"), the traditional motto of the Augustinians, representing the two pillars of the Augustinian way of education.

Basic education

• Preschool Department
  • Junior Kinder (Nursery)
  • Senior Kinder
  • Preparatory (with Diploma)
• Grade School Department
  • Grades 1-6
• Junior High School Department
  • Grades 7-10
• Senior High School
  • Grades 11-12

Co-Curricular Clubs and Organization in the School

Co-Curricular Clubs in the High School

• Area Based
  • English Club
  • Samahan ng Makabayang Agustino
  • Mathenics Society
  • Biochemysics Society
    • Youth Earth Savers Club
  • Histonomics Society
  • Circle of Human Ecologists
  • Augustinian Computer Enthusiasts Society
• Institutional - Center for Performing Arts and Culture Studies (CPACS)
  • Himnayon (Music)
  • CSA Raptors (Cheering and Pep Squad)
  • Dulaang Kruhay (Theater Arts)
  • Bailagos Dance Company (Dance)
  • Katribo (Visual Arts)
• Mandatory
  • Augustinian Youth Council (Student Government)
  • Augustinian Herald (Student Publications)
  • CAT-1 Corps of Junior Officers
• Religious
  • Friends of Saint Augustine
  • Roses of Saint Rita
• Interests
  • Blue Ribbon Club
  • Augustinian Peer Facilitators
• Recreational
  • Sports (for Varsitarian and Non-Varsitarian)
    • Basketball
    • Football
    • Volleyball
    • Tennis
    • Triathlon
    • Swimming
    • Table Tennis
    • Cross Country
    • Tae Kwon Do

Co-Curricular Clubs in the Grade School

• St. Rita's Choir
• Kalinangan Dance troupe
• Book Lovers' Club
• Scouting
  • KAB Scout
  • Star Scout
  • Boy Scout
  • Junior Girl Scout
• Art Club/Young Designers' Club
• Homemakers' Club
• Samahan ng mga Munting Kwentista
• Samahan ng mga Makabayang Agustino
• Organization of Garden Jewels
• Society of Numbers
• Angels of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Roses of St. Rita of Cascia
• Friends of St. Augustine (Acolytes)
• Lectors and Commentators Ministry
• Sports
  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Badminton
  • Chess

College Courses

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
  • Major in Marketing Management
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service
• Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Tourism

Present Augustinian Administrators

• Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, OSA – President; VP for Augustinian Formation and Religious Affairs; Director, Augustinian Formation
• Rev. Fr. Arnel Antonio S. Dizon, OSA – VP for Academic Affairs; Principal; Director, Human Resource Development; Regent, College Department
• Rev. Fr. Edgardo L. Lazo, OSA – VP for Administration and Finance; School Treasurer; In-Charge, Auxiliary Services; Regent, Grade School Department
• Rev. Fr. Dante O. Juloc, OSA – VP for Student Affairs; Director, Sports & Co-Curricular Activities; Regent, Junior High School Department
• Rev. Fr. John Jericho F. Mier, OSA – Director, General Services; Director, Libraries; Regent, Personnel
• Rev. Fr. Jose R. Gonzales, OSA – VP for Augustinian Formation & Religious Affairs; Chaplain, Campus Ministry; Regent, Preschool Department
• Rev. Fr. Alberto L. Esmeralda, OSA – Member, Advisory Council
• Rev. Fr. Danilo C. Dagsaan, OSA – Parish Priest, Sto. Nino de Cebu Parish - Binan
• Rev. Aimark P. Asor, OSA – Director, Religious Education Department
• Mr. Elmer M. Apistar - School Registrar

See also

• Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines
• Colegio San Agustin - Makati
• Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod
• University of San Agustin
• Santo Niño de Cebu

Gallery

• 
  The school gymnasium
• 
  St. Augustine's statue
• 
  Statue of St. Augustine in the school garden
• 
  View of the school from the South Super Highway

External links

• Text of the Rule of St. Augustine
• Official Web Site of the Order of St. Augustine
• Augnet: A reference Web site on St. Augustine and the Order of Saint Augustine
• Search, The Augustinian Journal of Cultural Excellence.