[2] There was also at Manila, for many years, a military academy for the education of the sons of military men residing in the colony, as well as for soldiers and non-commissioned officers who desired to fit themselves for promotion. The son of a native needed great influence to enable him to enter, and such had generally to enlist as a soldier, more especially since the age-limit was lowered. Formerly, when the scale of ages was different in the colonies from the scale in Spain, officers graduated from this academy, but later when the scales were made uniform, this academy was closed, and opened again afterward under different conditions. Its candidates were eligible candidates for admission to the general military academy of Spain at Toledo, which annually gave notice to the academy of the number of scholars which it could accommodate. Many Filipinos took advantage of this and became efficient military men. The instruction given in the academy seems to have been superior to that afforded in many of the other institutions, and examinations were comparatively strict. Annual attendance was generally about 100. Since American occupation a military academy has been suggested for the Filipinos. See Report of Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 40, 1900–1903, p. 128; and Report of Commissioner of Education, 1899–1900, ii, pp. 1627, 1628. [↑]
[3] This is the oldest educational institution of the Philippines under the supervision of the Bureau of Education. The building of the school was destroyed by the earthquake of 1863. A nautical school was opened by the American government in Manila, December 15, 1899, with an enrolment of 22 pupils, and under the superintendency of Lieut. Commander V. S. Cottman, U.S.N., who was assisted by three instructors. He was relieved by Lieut. George F. Cooper, December 25, 1899. The course of instruction was at first for three years. At the beginning of the new term in June, 1900, four more instructors were appointed. There were five instructors at the opening of the first term in 1901. The instruction was first in Spanish, but for the sake of greater efficiency English was substituted. In July, 1901, the school opened with 83 pupils. In October, 1901, the course was extended to four years. The studies include English, mathematics, history, drawing, mechanics, and practical seamanship. The method of instruction and discipline are based upon those of the United States Naval Academy. The building, although well equipped in many ways, is not itself adequate for the purpose for which it is used. The school has not attained the excellence desired, due in part to the irregular attendance and lack of discipline, although attendance continues to increase. See Report of the Commissioner of Education (Department of the Interior), 1901, ii, pp. 1421–1423, and 1902, ii, pp. 2244–2246; Report of the Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 39, ii, p. 473, 1900–1903, p. 271, 1904, iii, pp. 826, 827, and 888, 889; and Census of Philippines, iii, pp. 663, 664.
The Philippine budget for 1880–81 included 4,397.33 pesos for the staff of the nautical academy, and those of painting and designing, history and bookkeeping, and the botanical garden; and 7,786.32 pesos for equipment. See Sanciano y Goson’s Progreso de Filipinas (Madrid, 1881), pp. 23, 24. [↑]
BOYS’ SINGING SCHOOL
This school, whose chief end was to furnish good soprano voices for the singing in the holy cathedral church of Manila, was founded in 1742 by the right reverend Señor Rodriguez, archbishop of these islands, and it has subsisted and still subsists with the same property from the pious bequest of its foundation.
It consists of a director and a teacher of primary instruction, both priests; one teacher of singing, chanting, and vocalization; another of the piano, organ, and composition; and another of stringed instruments. The children sopranos number eighteen, though at times there have been more, and all have been supported, clothed, and, as well, frequently assisted in the career which they have desired to adopt.
The musical instruction given to those boys is according to the methods pursued in the conservatory of Madrid; for singing and harmony, Eslava; for the piano, Aranguren; for the organ, Gimeno; for the violin, its method and studies, Alard; and for vocalization, Romero.
Because of the tender age of these boys, since they enter at the age of six or eight years, and remain until that of fourteen, they are not permitted, except in rare exceptions, to play wind instruments. The gain due to this institution is public and well known to all who have heard the harmony produced by those sopranos in the churches of Manila, and the skill demonstrated by the same in instrumental music for almost three centuries past. Not few of them have been justly praised and rewarded in musical contests where they were presented, for example, in the Liceo Artístico [i.e., Artistic Lyceum] later the Sociedad Musical Filipina de Santa Cecilia [i.e., Filipino musical society of St. Cecilia].[1] This institution has contributed not a little to the propagation of musical art and good taste.