About
Philippine Southfield School
A school built for a community, by a community — and still growing three decades later.
History
In the summer of 1993, Mrs. Milagros P. Ortigas stood on a hill overlooking her family's subdivision, Villa Trinitas. Watching children play among the houses, a question stirred her heart: Where do these children go to school?
After speaking with residents and learning about the lack of nearby educational institutions, Mrs. Ortigas made a pivotal decision: she would build a school to serve the community. She gathered four like-minded friends, all fellow educators, with a shared passion for community service — together envisioning an institution rooted in the Jesuit ideal of being “men for others,” committed to educating the young generation of Filipinos.
The name Southfield was chosen for two reasons: its location in the southern region of the Philippines, and its metaphorical meaning — a “field” in which seeds of knowledge are sown in the minds and hearts of children, nurturing their growth in truth and wisdom.
In June 1994, Philippine Southfield School became operational with 165 students, six teachers, a principal, an academic supervisor, a five-member Board of Trustees, and two janitors — offering kindergarten and six years of elementary education. The high school department opened the following year, and in March 1998, Southfield celebrated the graduation of its first batch of fourth-year students.
In 2023, ownership and leadership of the school transitioned to the Tabanao family, headed by Mr. Ladislao C. Tabanao Jr. and his wife Mrs. Emily S. Tabanao. With full trust and confidence from the late Mrs. Ortigas, Mr. Tabanao took on the responsibility of leading the institution — and under their leadership, Southfield has continued to invest meaningfully in its facilities, academics, sports, and extracurricular programs.
Since School Year 2012–2013, Southfield has fully implemented the K to 12 Curriculum, and the school is certified under the Department of Education's Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program, affirming that it meets national standards in both faculty and facilities. Read the full history in the Student & Parent Handbook →
Mission
Philippine Southfield School delivers quality, inclusive, and values-driven education that fosters holistic skills and lifelong learning, preparing students to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Vision
A progressive learning institution nurturing future-ready learners to excel, think critically, act ethically, and contribute to a sustainable, inclusive society.
Education empowers every learner to realize their full potential and purpose. At Philippine Southfield School, holistic training and values-based education cultivate academic excellence, innovation, and leadership — where students are ready to shape a better, more sustainable world.
Community Involvement
Southfield exists because a community needed a school — and that spirit still shapes how PSS operates today. As a certified Educational Service Contracting (ESC) participant, the school welcomes Grade 7 public school completers with a DepEd tuition subsidy, and Grade 11–12 students benefit from the Senior High School Voucher Program, making a Southfield education reachable for more families in Bugo and the surrounding barangays.
Students carry that same spirit outward: Plogger, PSS's sustainability club, leads clean-up drives, tree planting, and recycling campaigns, while the GILAS Council and Supreme Pupil Government train student leaders in civic responsibility and public service. The school's Guidance Office also runs a Home Visitation Protocol grounded in DepEd's “No Learner Left Behind” principle, and the Parent-Teacher Association gives families a direct, ongoing role in school life. See student organizations →
School Hymn
Lyrics by Letty R. Cepeda · Music by Bong Genelago
We have marched on verdant plains, Raced in search for greener lanes, Fluttered over hills; hovered over dales, Followed winding trails at Southfield. Through Southfield, from Southfield, Always moving forward, fearless, heading upward, Selfless, giving hands in help and hearts in love.
Refrain
Southfield Alma Mater dear, You have sowed the grains of wisdom, You have planted the seeds of dignity On the fresh-brown realms of our midst. You have touched the brick-red zeal of youth in us, You have molded us into real Christians, And as Christ, may we learn to serve, May we live to love, And die that others may live.
Final Refrain
Southfield Alma Mater dear, Under your banner, Earth-colored bright, Brick-red tinted showing life and light. We pledge our love to you, We vow our love to others, We lay our hands on Mother Earth, Save this planet of our birth. Then sing praises to the Lord, Then sing praises to the Lord.
Want to know more
about PSS?
Reach out to our office — we're happy to answer any questions about our school.