(From July 6,1946 to present)
At the end of World War II in 1945, there was a clamor for high school by the parents of Irosin because of the growing number of elementary graduates. Many could not afford to pursue secondary education in Bulan, Sorsogon, and Gubat which has already establish a high school. And so in early 1946 incumbent Mayor Gregorio Gajo Sr., together with the municipal council, under the leadership of Vice Mayor Corazon Gallanosa, enacted a resolution to make a representation of Don Pedro Gallanosa and request for a high school site in Irosin.
The site, donated by Don Pedro D.H. Gallanosa was part of the Gallanosa estate at San Pedro (then Cluscus) on the western part, with some areas thick with knee –length “amorciso” , and “tangola” which serves as a haven for foraging and grazing domesticated animals, a few scattered coconut and kapok trees, a huge groups of water lilies and a clamp of nipa palms on a swampy portion inhabited by fresh water fishes like “pantat”, “iit”, “Haruan or Dalag”, and “Kasili”. On the West side, were “asin-asin” covered tombstones which are telltale signs of what is once a cemetery.
The late Don Pedro D.H Gallanosa who knew the needs of the students in Irosin eight hectares including the civil cemetery, a total of 8.5 hectares, the present site of Gallanosa National High School. Meanwhile, there are already first and second classes going on in the residence of Mr. Luis Chua Perez, farmer Mayor Victoriano Gamis and Mr. Martiniano “tawo” Fortes in San Pedro Irosin.
The need for high school building was a priority. In 1949 a hastily constructed temporary building was completed from a scratch made of native materials, so that one need not worry about ventilation. Security was never a problem et that time. It’s doors were officially opened to the students as Irosin Junior High School on July 6, 1946, its founding date with seven faculty members and a clerk. Mr. Jose P. Ventura was the pioneered Principal up to July 1956. Mr. Maximo Serrano taught English and Spanish; Mrs. Francisca Ventura, Home Economics; Engr. Jesus Ubalde, Mathematics, Algebra, and Geometry; Ms. Concepcion Fulleros, Philippine National Language and Physical Education; Ms. Consorcia Tagum, English and National Language; Mrs. Salud Beriña, Mrs. Felisa Barro, English; Mr. Amado Patria, Practical Agriculture; Mr. San Andres, Practical Arts and PMT; Mr. Ventura, the Principal handled History. These were the pioneered techers of Irosin Junior High School during the school year 1946-1947. There were two sections of fist and second year classes.
During the school year 1947-1948, Mr. Patria returned to Sorsogon National High School and Mr. San Andres was back to his home province. The remaining facukty members were: Mr. Jose Ventura, Mr. Maximo Serrano, Mrs. Francisca Ventura, Mrs. Salud Beriña, Mrs. Felisa Barro, Ms. Concepcion Fulleros, and Ms. Consorcia Tagum. There were three added faculty: Mr. Benidicto Gabito, Mr. Alfredo Gallinera, and Mr. Bernardo Gallinera. During the school year 1948-1949 Irosin National High School became a complete high school. Mrs. De Guzman and Mrs. Rivas were added to the faculty. The first graduates in 1949 were 30 seniors who passed through it’s portal.
In 1949-1950, Ms. Tagum, Mrs. Barro and Mrs. Beriña returned to their Districts. Mr. Alfredo Gallinera transferred to Pillar High School. The new faculty members were: Mr. Adolfo Cielo, Mr. Zacarias Cielo, Mr. Jesus Ortile, Mr. Reynaldo Cruz, Ms. Elpidia Ramos and Ms. Prescilla Ayson. They were appointed in July 19, 1949. Mrs. Luz Gajo handled Physical Education I-IV. Ms. Luz Bayan and the Montanyo sisters did not stay long. They resigned the following school year. In 1950-51, Mr. Cruz returned to Bulacan. Mr. de Guzman and Mr. Rivas resigned. Dr. Ignacio Navarro and Mrs. Visitacion Caysido also resigned.
From school year 1951-1954 the school Principal was Jose Ventura. The following year Mrs. Francisca Ventura transferred to Torres High School. She died the following year. Mr. Jose Ventura also transferred to Torres High School and later become the Supervisor in /Mindanao. In 1962 Mr. Bernardo Gallinera transferred to Irosin District. Duding the school year 1954-1955 Mr. Policarpio Evasco became Principal. Mr. Jesus Ortile was promoted as Principal of Sta. Magdalena High School up to 1963. When Mr. Evasco retired, Mr. Jasus Ortile take over as Principal. Later became Principal of Gubat National High School.
In 1971 Mr. Adolfo Cielo was promoted as Principal of Gallanosa High School. During his time Gallanosa was Nationalized on August 17, 1977 by virtue of Presidential decree no.1050. This year marks as the 27th year as a nationalized high school. Credits and thanks are long overdue to former Senator Francisco S. Tatad, then Minister of Public Information, Ex GNHSAA President Roque G. Dorotan, then PTA President, the late Isidro T. Mercado, Rev. Fr. Antonio Encinares and a host of other Irosinians who worked behind the Nationalization of what is now known as Gallanosa National High school.
Mr. Bernardo Gallinera, the first GNHS faculty retired on Sept. 3, 1983. The supervisor of the original teachers were: Mrs. Salud Beriña a widow who resides in Sorsogon, Mr. Bernardo Gallinera who served GNHS for 19 years. Mr. Adolfo G. Cielo the 4th Principal who died on Nov. 2003 at the age of 82. He was the longest surviving Principal.
Mr. Cielo retired from the servise on August 7, 1987. Then Mrs. Purita Jimenez was installed as officer-In-Charge from Aubust 8, 1987 to April, 1988. Later she became Principal of Gubat National High School and Sorsogon National High School. Mrs. Arlin G. Pereña took over as Principal in 1988. During her time JICA building and DOST buildings were constructed, GNHS became one of the ESEP high schools in Bicol Region. Likewise, a new curriculum for Science and Math Oriented Classes (SMOC) were organized. On April 29, 2003, she retired from service.
In 1998-1999 Dr. Librada H. Esplana took over the reigns of Officer-In-Charge from Mrs. Arlin G. Pereña who went on leave. Again in august 2001 she acted as OIC Principal of GNHS.
In 2003 Dr. Librada H. Esplana former Division Education Supervisor I (English) and an alumna of Irosin High School became the 6th Principal of this school. She envisioned Gallanosa National High School as the only CHARACTER SCHOOL in the Bicol Region and the premier school in the Division of Sorsogon. She was instrumental in the total renovation of school buildings and introduced innovation in her administration like improvement of physical facilities, curriculum development and maximizing community and PTCA as partners in school development. In her stint as Principal, some Sorsogueños like Governor and Mrs. Raul R. Lee and other GNHS alumni donated school buildings, stage, comfort rooms, and modern library plus number of number of books which was donated by Dr. Adolfo B. Cielo.
From Irosin Junior High School in 1946 with 8 original faculty members, 1 clerk and 120 students, Gallanosa National High School now has 99 faculty members, 23 Administrative staff and personnel and 3850 students.
Gallanosa National High School is already 61 years of existence and will continue to serve Irosin. As a CHARACTER SCHOOL, our school will strive to give a holistic secondary educational institution geared on enhancement and transformation of students’ moral values.
