ABOUT US

The Bataan High School for the Arts (BHSA) stands as a premier specialized public secondary institution dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Filipino artists. The school began as the dream of a visionary leader, the Honorable Jose Enrique S. Garcia III, Congressman of the 2nd District of Bataan, who sought to create a dedicated sanctuary for creative excellence. To realize this vision, Congressman Garcia filed House Bill No. 7784 in May 2018. This legislative effort reached a historic milestone on January 10, 2019, when the bill was enacted into law as Republic Act No. 11190, officially establishing the institution and providing the necessary funds for its operation.

From 2020 onwards, the development of BHSA was a collaborative effort involving various government sectors. Congressman Garcia coordinated with the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Bataan to form a core group of seasoned art teachers from the Special Program in the Arts (SPA). Under the oversight of Roland M. Fronda, EdD, CESO VI, this group crafted the school’s strategic direction, a five-year implementation plan, and the initial curricular offerings. The physical foundation of the school was made possible through the Provincial Government of Bataan, which funded the first two phases of the school building’s construction, ensuring that students would have a modern environment conducive to artistic growth.

The school’s academic and artistic standards were further refined under the guidance of DepEd Regional Office III Director May B. Eclar, PhD, CESO III, who convened the BHSA Advisory Board. To ensure the curriculum met world-class standards, Victor Emmanuel Nadera, former Director of the Philippine High School for the Arts, was hired as a consultant. Furthermore, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) collaborated extensively on the creation and finalization of the arts curricula. Following the approval of plantilla positions by the Department of Budget and Management, the Advisory Board proceeded with the school’s pilot operation for School Year 2021-2022, appointing Dr. Roland M. Fronda as the Officer-in-Charge School Director and Bryan M. Santos as the Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director. Today, BHSA continues to empower young Filipinos to excel in their craft while remaining grounded in the core values of heritage and nationalism.