Home > Op-ed > ADVOCATE'S OVERVIEW > February 13, 2005 | To bottom

Easter College

The community of Easter College Inc. (ECI), formerly Easter School, was so busy this week doing the rounds for the college’s 99th Foundation Day which was celebrated from February 9 to 11.

The school was founded by the first missionary Bishop Charles Henry Brent on Easter Week in 1906, hence its name Easter School. It was incorporated as non-stock institution into government office on February 9, 1934 hence the Foundation Day celebrated on the 9th of February.

* * * * *

What caught my attention are the first 8 students in the school year 1906. The students were recruited by Bishop Brent and Rev. Walter Clayton Clapp from the Ifontok youths. Yes you heard (or read) it right – IFONTOK.

I got the names of the eight from a book kept in the office of the registrar Mrs. Annie Bawayan. The students were identified as Hilary P. Clapp, Clement Irving, Saturnino Moldero, Anacleto Galo, Narciso Cariño, Edward Muket, Stanley Kalingan, and James Amok. Clapp and Irving are not Americans but adopted American family names as baptized by the Anglican priests.

These students excelled in government services after 20 years. Clapp became a doctor and held the position as chief of the Bontoc Hospital and district health officer of Mountain Province (covering the whole Cordillera area except Abra). Stanley Kalingan became the superintendent of the Bontoc Hospital.

Three among the first eight students became prominent in politics. The Jones Law of 1916 created three districts in Mt. Province: the sub-provinces of Kalinga and Apayao, and East and Central Bontoc composing the 1st District; Benguet, Lepanto, and Baguio City as 2nd District; and, the sub-province of Ifugao and Western Mountain Province composing the 3rd District.

Two Easter graduates, namely Clement Irving and Saturnino Moldero became representatives of the 2nd and 3rd districts respectively to the Philippine legislature for the 1928 to 1931 congressional term.

Anacleto Galo, another Easter graduate, entered local governance when he became the provincial secretary of Mt. Province.

Another Easter graduate joined the government service. Benjamin Pelew became a messenger of government schools in Bontoc. Joining the Philippine Scouts tasked for internal peace were Narciso Cariño and Edward Muket as Sergeant and Corporal, respectively.

* * * * *

Like other areas in the country, World War II ruined Easter School. Seven of its 9 buildings were reduced to ashes when the Americans bombed the area. The Japanese later turned it into a garrison area. Students and faculty then took refuge at St. Mary’s in Sagada during the height of the war.

Despite the ruin and displacement, one of the first 8 Easter students achieved distinctive honors. James Amok was cited for his bravery when he joined Filipino guerillas and later, the Americans against the Japanese forces in the World War II. Many Igorots during the Japanese occupation joined the guerilla movement. They were instrumental in the downfall of General Yamashita when he was holed in Ifugao.

* * * * *

American administrators managed Easter School until 1957 when new administrators rose from the ranks of the Igorot teachers. It became a distinctive school when its College opened in 1995, offering alternative courses offered by Manila-based universities; a step considered to rectify the earlier purpose of education. Valuable information is contained in the Easter College 99th Foundation Day souvenir program. Watch out for this souvenir which will come out before the end of February this year. Better yet, call Easter College for your advertisement. #

Home > Op-ed > ADVOCATE'S OVERVIEW > February 13, 2005 | Back to top