Bunawan Aplaya Elementary School
"Where learning is a work of heart."
School History
Sometimes in the year 1961, Bunawan Aplaya Elementary School started only as extension class of Bunawan Central now known as Daniel M. Perez Central Elementary School. There was only a lone teacher in the person of MRS. CONCORDIA ESCUADRA. The pupils were housed in an old Sta. Cruz chapel located at kilometer 24, Barangay Bunawan. A lot was owned by the Tesorero family which was twenty-five (25) meters away from the national highway. Adjacent to it was the PTA building which was constructed for classroom used for the following school year.
MR. BADILLON, the head teacher of Licanan Elementary School, now known as Pablo M. Piatos Sr. Elementary School of Barangay San Isidro, a neighboringbarangay of Bunawan, was very insistent to avail the said extension class to support the dying school. A request was made with the permission of the district supervisor to ensure that the extensionclass be given to the interested party. The request was granted and Licanan Elementary School then became the mother school and Bunawan Aplaya Elementary School as annex up to the times of MRS. AMELIA FEROLINO, MRS. CUSTODIO DACUMOS and MR. ALEJANDRO D. PACBA as the assigned head teachers.
One time when MAYOR ELIAS B. LOPEZ was still a councilor, he incidentally passed by the school and saw the pupils waded with water while having their class. That was always the case every time it rained. The place easily got flooded because of overflowing of water from Bunawan River. He took pity on the children uncomfortable situation. So he made this as top priority among his projects to relocate the learning center to a better place if he becomes a mayor of Davao City
In 1965, he become the mayor of Davao City. Immediately, he visited Barangay Bunawan and made a contact with the two Barangay councilors namely: MR. AVELINO ENERO and MR.JESUS MEJIAS. They talk and discussed on the school problem. The two were advised to look for an ideal place for a school site. The custom area was presented. Since it was occupied and filled with houses, negotiations took place between the residence and the two Barangay councilors. Without delay, families who were affected had no choice but to vacate the area through bayanihan.
In the same year 1965 a cadastral survey was conducted by City Councilor Hon. Bonifacio Tamayo under the supervision of Field Engineer Abraham Dumlao and City Engineer Samuel Dumlao. The area covered was ½ of hectare.
After the survey PTA building were constructed to serve as classroom while waiting for the government aids to construct school buildings. As the years passed by the population increased in number so classes in the higher grades were moved to the new site leaving behind the lower grades and the office of the head teacher.
Year 1968, came their first graduation exercises. Since the main school now (Pablo M. Piatos) had only few candidates for graduation, the students were brought down to APLAYA (the annex school) to join the GRADUATION EXERCISES. Witnessing the scene, the people complained that it’s high time for APLAYA to stand as an independent school due to the increase of its population. A petition was made spearheaded by the late PTA president MR. AVELINO ENERO together with some PTA officers namely: MR. JESUS MEJIAS, MR. GRACIANO BALOMAGA SR.,MR CANDIDO MEJIAS, the PTA members, MR.ALEJANDRO D. PACBA, the head teacher, MR. ROQUE the Barangay Captain and the late HON. ELIAS B. LOPEZ, the Mayor of Davao City. The following school year 1968-1969, the petition was approved. Since then, BUNAWAN APLAYA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was born. A school situated near the seashore. This is 50 meter away from the National Highway. This is the only school that bears the name of Bunawan.
As The years go by improvements were made. More buildings and classrooms were constructed to accommodate the growing population. Many head teachers were promoted to principals and principals to supervisors. To mention, Mr. Alejandro D. Pacba, SY 1961-1969, Mrs. Leonora P. Laurel SY 1968-1972, Mr, Antonio Bulatao SY 1972-1978, Mr. Roberto R. Cadelina SY 1976-1984, Miss Estelita T. Tugna SY 1984-1986, Mr. Rizalino B. Solana SY 1986-1988, Mrs. Elena T. Tormis SY 1988-1992, Mr. Jesus C. Serrano SY 1992-1996, Mr. Rodrigo S. Ada, SY 1996-2005, Mrs. Christine B. Esteban, SY 2005-2006, Mr. Roland L Seras SY 2006-2007, Mrs. Consolacion C. Barrun SY 2007-2008, Ms.Mary Law D. Manongas, SY 2008- September, 2013, Mr. Gerardo D. Jualo, September, 2013- September 2014, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Cantiga, September 2014 – September 2015; Mr. Troy S. Mangopot, September 2015 – 2022; Renalyn S. Calunzag, January 2022-February 2023 At present Bunawan Aplaya E/S is spearheaded by Janice M.Ilaguison since February 2023 to present.
The change of administrators however did not change the spirit of the educators to deliver quality education by raising the student’s level of performance. Bunawan Aplaya E/S still serves as a good training ground for the school children.