| Lourdes School of Mandaluyong | |
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Pax et Bonum
Peace and all Good |
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| Location | |
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| Shaw Boulevard, Greenhills Mandaluyong City |
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| Information | |
| Principal | Ana Maria V. Barbieto (GS) Digna M. Marciano (HS) |
| Type | Private Catholic School |
| Campus | Urban |
| Established | 1958 |
| Homepage | www.lsm.edu.ph |
The Lourdes School of Mandaluyong (abbreviation: LSM) is a private, Catholic educational institution owned and founded by the Order of Friars Minor. The establishment of the school was the result of the missionary zeal of the Capuchin Fathers in the Philippines. The Lourdes School of Mandaluyong campus is located in the Ortigas Center commercial district, near popular malls such as SM Megamall and Shangri-La Plaza. As of 2006, the school rector is Fr. Edmundo Tiamson, OFM Capuchin.
History
The Capuchin Fathers arrived in the Philippines in 1886. They first settled in Intramuros in the city of Manila and later in Quezon City. It was during this time that the Ortigas family was under their spiritual guidance. In grateful appreciation, the Ortigas family offered the Fathers assistance and facilities. With this, the Order entered into a contract with Ortigas Company and acquired a three-hectare lot along Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong in Metro Manila.
In May 1957, the Very Reverend Father Adolfo de Echavarri, the Superior of the Capuchins, laid the cornerstone for the new building, which had an L-shaped structure, for the combined parish and school. On October 4, 1958, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the new parish was opened to the faithful by his Eminence, the late Rufino J. Cardinal Santos. In 1959, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong started with a hundred students from Grades One to Four with Fr. Gregorio Giocochea as the first Headmaster. The 1970s saw the rise of the St. Francis Church and the construction of the new high school building, a new canteen, an air conditioned library, a swimming pool, and a 521-seat air conditioned auditorium. The 1980s marked more improvements. With the support of the PTA, the school was able to construct the shower dressing rooms near the playground, the extension of the canteen, and the covered walk leading to the swimming pool area. In July 1986, a second floor was added to the high school building and additional facilities were provided. The old gymnasium gave way to the Pax Et Bonum Building, which was inaugurated last February 8, 1991. This building houses the Preparatory Level and Grade One classrooms, the Grade School Library, Technology and Home Economics classes, the Guidance, the PTA office, the Faculty Room and the gymnasium.
During school year 1996-1997, two projects were completed with the involvement of the PTA: the deep well water project and the full air conditioning of all classrooms in both the high school and elementary buildings. A multi-purpose hall with a tennis court on top was constructed alongside the covered walk going to the canteen during school year 1998-1999. Giving in to the demand for kindergarten classes, two kindergarten sections were also started that school year. Part of the high school library was set aside for several computer units connected to the internet via cable for the use of both faculty and students.
The school year 2006-2007 saw the construction of three new buildings on the campus. The first one, the St. Lawrence of Brindisi building, is a three-story building set to house various classrooms and a new science laboratory in the High School department. The building is named after St. Lawrence of Brindisi, a doctor of the church in the Order Of Friars Minor. The second building is the Padre Pio gymnasium. The gymnasium was built on top of the multi-purpose hall and has replaced the old tennis court. Lastly, a new parking lot was built as part of the PTA project of the school year 2005-2006. It faces the old Medical City and is right beside the soccer field. In less than 50 years, LSM has become an educational landmark, having graduated countless Lourdesians who have lived in the Franciscan spirit of minority, poverty, brotherhood and unselfish service inspired by the Gospel.
