Onofre R. Pagsanghan

Onofre R. Pagsanghan (born June 12, 1927) is a teacher, playwright, and stage director from the Ateneo de Manila High School, Philippines. An Ateneo alumnus himself, Mr. Pagsi—as he is fondly called by students and colleagues—began his teaching career in his alma mater in 1951. He taught Latin, English, and Filipino to high school students over several decades. In addition, he is also the moderator of the theater group Dulaang Sibol, which he founded in 1956. Before he officially retired in 2020, he received numerous awards in the fields of teaching and theater.

Early life Pagsanghan was born in Tondo, Manila, on June 12, 1927, to parents Hipolito Pagsanghan and Vicenta Rivera. Raised in poverty, Pagsanghan was able to study in Ateneo through a scholarship. Through the president of Ateneo, who was a friend of their parish priest, he was able to get a 50% discount. It was a big help, but he still could not afford the remainder, so the priest handled the other 50% (based on an interview with him). Unfortunately, his schooling was halted due to the invasion of the Japanese. Classes eventually resumed in 1945 and he was able to graduate high school in 1947. He earned an AB in education in 1951, and an MA in English in 1984.

Teaching and theater career Pagsanghan decided to become a teacher after graduation. He was inspired to take this vocation by his own high school teacher, Fr. John Delaney, S.J. Fr. Delaney asked him to become a teacher during his high school days, and Pagsanghan took up the challenge in 1951, after graduating college. He applied to be a teacher in Ateneo High School. However, the principal back then, an American Jesuit, was unsure if he could last as a teacher because of his frail and weak structure. The principal eventually accepted him, under the condition that during lunch breaks, he would sleep in one of the unused rooms in order to gain his strength. Pagsanghan agreed, and began teaching English and Filipino to freshmen high school students. He chose to teach in first year high school because this was the time children could be molded the most, and he wanted to influence and change his students in the right way

He was able to write several books, which were integrated into the curriculum of several schools. “Hasik”, “Layag” and “Makabagong Pilipino” are three of those books that are now used in different high schools. Two of his other books, “Reaching Out” and “Sagwan”, are still being used by the Ateneo High School.

Pagsanghan began teaching theater in 1956. He founded the Ateneo High School Dramatics Society, which was later renamed Dulaang Sibol in 1966. Under his guidance, numerous critically acclaimed plays were staged, such as “Doon Po sa Amin”, “Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio” and “Sinta!”; all of which he translated from their English counterpart and adapted to the Philippine context. The group became nationally renowned for its polished and professional presentations. Bayaning Gurong Pilipino Award from the ABS-CBN Foundation and UGAT (2003) Metrobank Outstanding Educators Award for excellence as a high school teacher (1985, the first year of the Metrobank Awards) E.A.G.L.E. Fund Teacher Award for excellence in the teaching profession from the Ateneo de Manila University (every year from its inception in 1980 up to the present) First Irwin Memorial Award for excellence in the teaching profession from the Ateneo de Manila University (1977) Ozanam Award for Outstanding Service as a Catholic teacher from the Ateneo de Manila University (1970) Citizens’ Award for Television, Best Educational Television Program, for a televised series of lessons in Filipino (1964)

Cultural awards "Yes The Filipino Can!" award by the RFM Corp. (2008) Centennial Honors for the Arts (Theater) from the National Centennial Commission (1999) Gawad Manuel L. Quezon from Quezon City and the Taliba ng Inang Wika (1996) Gawad CCP para sa Sining (Dulaan) from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (1992) Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas from Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (1992) FAMAS Best Musical Film Award for Sinta (1976) Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award for national contribution in the field of theater from the City of Manila (1970) Gawad Balagtas for significant work in Philippine theater from the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa in (1970)