Maria Corazon del Fierro, the maternal founder of Corpus Christi School (CCS), passed away on Sunday, August 22.

She was 80 years old.

Driven by her passion for teaching, Mrs. Del Fierro established in 1975 then-Little Schoolhouse, a nursery school, renting one Sunday-school room of the Cagayan Baptist Church along Tomas Saco Street in Barangay Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City.

In a 2016 interview with Sunstar Philippines, Dr. Alfonso del Fierro shared his wife’s passion for teaching. “Even when I was still studying in the US, we were already talking about putting up a school, and so when we came back here, that’s what she did. We rented a room in a Baptist Church in Tomas Saco for a few numbers of students, and it started from there.”

After a few years, the Sunday school rooms can no longer cater to the growing number of enrollees. So, with the help of some parents, the couple was able to construct classrooms. 

In 1980, Little Schoolhouse moved to where the Macasandig Campus is now presently located. Throughout the years, the school built a reputation as a grade school that produced quality students who are equipped and ready for high school.

Initially, Mrs. Del Fierro resisted the idea of expanding Little Schoolhouse and open a high school. However, after receiving support from parents and enlightenment from God while attending Mass on the feast of Corpus Christi, she finally caved in.

Little Schoolhouse then became what we know as Corpus Christi School. 

Notable students and graduates of Corpus Christi include personalities in government and public service, business and banking, religion, and sports. 

People on that list are Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano; Parish priest, Fr. Alain Nocete; Lee Cando-Noordhuizen, a consultant for the World Bank; Chef Mon Cardenas of Monster Kitchen; and Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, to name a few.

Today, CCS “continues to mold students to be excellent members” of the community and country.

Our deepest condolences to the family.

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