History
Founded by James T. Burns in 1925, Florentino Torres High School was originally named Legarda High School. With only three teachers, Burns opened the school to students who were refused admission by the three existing public high schools in Manila.
In 1926, the school moved to the Sequoia Building at the foot of Pritil Bridge along Juan Luna Street and was renamed Manila West High School. March 1928 marked the first group of students to graduate from the school as well as the initial appearance of various school clubs and organizations. In 1930, several changes took place under the supervision of Marcelino Bautista, the first Filipino principal, who renamed the four Manila public high schools after the first four Filipino Justices of the Supreme Court:
- Manila West High School became Florentino Torres High School, in honor of Justice Florentino Torres, the first Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
- Manila North High School became Arellano High School, in honor of Justice Cayetano Arellano
- Manila South High School became Araullo High School, in honor of Justice Manuel Araullo
- Manila East High School became V. Mapa High School, in honor of Justice Victorino Mapa
The maiden issue of The Torres Torch, the official school paper, was published in 1930. In 1937, the school formally occupied the Constabulary Barracks in Gagalangin, where it is located today. With the outbreak of World War II in 1941, the school ceased operation, and the buildings were redeployed as garrisons. During this period, all school records were destroyed.
On July 16, 1945, the school re-opened with Pablo Reyes as principal. On November 24, 1945, the first post-Liberation group of 30 students received their diplomas. On October 16, 1953, the school first celebrated its foundation day under Mr. Cesario Bandong as the principal.
On the following years, Florentino Torres High School had continued giving quality education to the youth of Manila under Dr. Emiliano Rafael (1968–1972), Mr. Alfonso Asuncion (1973), Mr. Rufino dela Cruz (1974–1976) and Dr. Dominador Wingsing (1977).
In 1978, the first female principal came, Mrs. Severa Saldana. She started the open-shelf system in the library to give the students the freedom to learn. She was also the one who headed the repairs of the corridor, school offices, media room and canteen, for the Torresians and teachers to be more persevering and efficient.
In addition, many projects were finished under her term, like classrooms and buildings of the Technology and Home Economics department. After Saldana, the next principals who governed FTHS were Dr. Consolacion Domingo (1984), Dr. Florie Balanag (1986-1991), Ms. Adoracion Acuna (1991–1995), Mrs. Norma Escobar (1995–1998), and Mrs. Pilar Pizarro (1998–2001) that were really great principals who brought out the success and progress of the school.
Year 2001, when another principal started his term and was in the person of Dr. Romeo Santos, who brought a lot of changes in the school. Dr. Santos was known for his program "Five Senses Approach" in teaching, and also, his untiring supervision of ongoing classes as part of his effective management of the school. The "Open Gate Policy" was also implemented by Dr. Santos to fully organize the class schedule of the students, specially in the lower sections. Year 2003, when the FTHS was chosen by the Ayala Foundation in their project "Adopt-a-School Program" wherein the school received free computer equipment. In addition, Dr. Santos gave more excitement and color for the lives of third and fourth year students when he brought back the Juniors-Seniors Promenade.
