During the later part of the year 1940, a handful of Catholic Women Leaders were animated by their genuine desire to help build up firmly the moral and spiritual fibre of the tuberculosis patients confined and treated at the Quezon Institute. The women’s solicitude was basically religious. They were firm in their conviction that the fortitude of spirit and faith in the Lord go hand in hand with the physical well-being of the sick. So the women formed themselves into an association called LA LIGA CATOLICA Pro-Quezon Institute. With its president, Dona Julia Vargas Vda. De Ortigas, the La Liga ceaselessly labored towards the accomplishments of its objectives; odds and difficulties did not deter its sponsors from carrying on and as a result, the La Liga received a donation from His Excellency the then Archbishop Michael O’Dougherty. A chapel then was built adjoining the Quezon Institute.In October 1940, with simple but fitting and solemn ceremony the laying of the cornerstone of the chapel was done by the late First Lady of the Land, Mrs. Aurora A. Quezon with His Excellency, the Archbishop of Manila officiating. When the construction work of the chapel was about to start, World War II broke out and the work on the project was entirely disrupted. Five years later, with the indomitable spirit of Dona Julia, the La Liga resumed the work.
Having completed the chapel and secure in the thought that they have done some soul-satisfying project, the La Liga did not rest on its laurels. The respectable members and their active charitable president continued to do something spiritually valuable to the residents near by. Scanning the neighborhood, the good-hearted women saw the pathetic plight of the children whose impoverished parents are too poor to give them a Catholic Education. There must be a Catholic school for these less fortunate children. With an enthusiastic desire to put up a school for the poor, the La Liga once again rolled up its sleeves and started to work. In less then a year the school building with all its modern facilities was completed. Dona Julia then made a formal request to the most Rev. Mo. Carmen de la sagrada familya, superior General of the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries of the Philippines to administer the new institution. Finding the school building and all facilities and equipment satisfactory, the ARM Superior General signed a contract on August 6, 1959. Behold, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School was born.
On August 16, 1959 the A.R.M. Sisters commenced their work. A permit to offer Kindergarten and primary courses was granted by the Bureau of Private Schools on August 4, 1959. On Aug 6, 1959, the one-storey building (Elementary Department) was inaugurated by the Archbishop pf Manila with the president of the La Liga, Dona Julia Vargas Vda. De Ortigas cutting the ribbon. The administrative officers, faculty members, parents of the children, benefactors and friends witnessed the blessing ceremonies. Since then the school has been blessed with a steady increase of enrolment.
During the school year 1961-62, a permit to open Grade V & VI was granted thus the 1st batch of Elementary pupils graduated in 1965. That same year Mother Superior proposed the construction of a 2 storey building for the Secondary Education with 18 spacious classrooms completed. The initial enrolment of 70 which has increased to 640 indicated clearly the progress and success of this educational institution.
In 1985, a non-stock and non-profit corporation was formed and established by the general Administration of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters. This corporation is named DONA JULIA VARGAS VDA. DE ORTIGAS FOUNDATION, INC. Since August is too close to the month of June which is the opening of the academic school year and the month of rains and typhoons, it has become a tradition that OLSHS FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY is celebrated in February.
OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART SCHOOL, in line with the desires and aspirations of the members of the LA LIGA CATOLICA envisions a community of disciples, to achieve authentic Catholic Christian Education and keeping the humanitarian services to the poor. These are carried on in a climate of fraternal charity which each AR Educator commits to establish in the school community. Programs, disciplines, ministries are geared towards the development of a fully human, modern Filipino youth who will cherish his traditions, values and culture which are integrated in the context of quality and relevant education.
With the school continuous desire to produce authentic Catholic Christian OLSHSians working purposively toward academic excellence, the school submitted to PAASCU accreditation.
With the number of years of the school’s existence, it has contributed to the country’s educative goal. The extent of its contribution is still on the process of evaluation. To fulfill its educational goals it has taken seriously the situation of the Philippine Educational system and blend with human culture with the message of salvation. As proclaimers of the Good News of salvation, the school and its constituents identify themselves with the less fortunate ones and distinctively witness to their charism.
