O

ur Lady of Mercy Academy, which was originally named Our Lady of Mercy High School, was
founded by the Oblates of St. Joseph thru Rev. Fr. Vito Sorrenti, OSJ in 1961. The school was
named after the parish patroness, the Nuestra Seora de la Merced, who was also hailed as

the Star and Inspiration of the school. It started with 40 students who were patiently taught in a
vacant room under the parish convent by the two pioneer teachers:

Mr. Marcelino Martinez of

Calamba, Laguna, and Ms. Emiliana Magmanlac of Mabini, Batangas.

In 1962, the number of students increased. Along with that, a new roster of teachers and staf
made up the community in the person of Ms. Juanita Lagasca, Ms. Remedios de Guzman, Mr.
Bienvenido Breiz, and the school janitor, Mr. Atanacio Baes. The third year curriculum was opened the
following year. In 1965, the first commencement exercise was fulfilled under the new principal, Ms.
Isabel Reyes.
The student population increased. Due to such, the Oblates of St. Joseph priests headed by Rev. Fr.
Guido Colleti, OSJ, deemed it necessary to acquire a lot area to better cater to needs of the students.
The school was then transferred in Brgy. Mahanadiong which is a kilometre away from the town proper.
The new school main building was two-storey high with 16 classrooms. Just behind the main
building is Multi-purpose auditorium along with Home Economics Building and restrooms. The growth
of the student population continued as well as the teachers, Directors, Assistant Directors and
principals came in, one after another.
In 1994, the pre-elementary education level was opened under the management of the new
principal, Miss Isabelita C. Baes through the then Director of the Oblates of St. Joseph Schools, Rev. Fr.
Rony B. Alkonga, OSJ. The Kindergarten level started with 15 pupils mentored by a nun, Sis. Mary
Raphael, CSFN. The school was then renamed as Our Lady of Mercy Academy.
On March 2001, the first commencement exercise in the elementary department was
accomplished. Apart from such achievement, the school ascribed its continuous success on how it has
made a name in providing quality education through the patronage of the community. Such has been
evident in the increase of enrolment, both for elementary and high school department.
Added facilities, buildings and reconstruction were materialized such as the annex building for the
computer room, library and laboratory rooms, a classroom and a playroom for the pre-elementary
department, a new school canteen, a waiting shed and pathway, a change of roof for the whole
building, and the construction of the Vito Sorrenti Gymnasium were all under the initiative of School
Directors and Assistant Directors, Rev. Fr. Randy Marquez, OSJ and Rev. Fr. Restituto O. Rosales, OSJ
among others, who wholeheartedly ofered their assistance for the improvement and development of
the school.
All these improvements go hand in hand with the most important event, the Canonization of the
OSJ Founder, St. Joseph Marello on November 25, 2001.