Sometime in 1934, the Kuo-Min-Tang (Bacolod Chapter), the Negros Occidental Chamber of Commerce, and the Fil-Sinc Organization, joined in establishing a Chinese school in Bacolod City. Chinese parents and community leaders had long felt the need for an educational institution where the children of the Chinese community could learn not only the rudiments of English studies, but also the arts and culture of the land of their ancestors.

TAY TUNG, meaning “equality for all, whether rich or poor, regardless of race, creed, and religion”, was chosen as the name of the school. This noble concept was greatly emphasized by Confucius and, appropriately, Tay Tung has for its Founder’s Day the date when that well-known sage was born on the 28th of September. The office of the Kuo- Min-Tang at Smith Street served as the first location of the school.

Mr. UY KONG HAN (1934-1939) was the first Principal of 17 enrolled students. Due to financial instability during the early years, there was a time when the school was forced to close its operation. Five years later, in 1939, the organizers were able to raise funds with which to buy a 2,645 square lot at Luzuriaga Street. Here, the school building, library and other school facilities were constructed.

With improved school facilities, more students enrolled under Mr. CHUANG CHAI CHZONG (1939- 1941). Unfortunately, when the Second World War broke out in the latter part of 1941, the school operation was suspended.

After the war in 1945, the school resumed operation with Mr. KHO.SIAK HI (1945-1946), the principal of Silay Puey Ching School, as concurrent Tay Tung Principal, and with Mr. Gil T. Severino as the School Head of the English Department (1945-1964). Mr. KHO SIAK HI resigned the following year.

Mr. SHIM CHI KONG (1946-1948), the school supervisor, was then elevated to the position of Principal, but he left for China in 1948.

As new Principal, Mr. ROBERT YU (1948-1953) helped in the expansion of our school building. In the summer of 1950, the high school curriculum was added to the school offering.

In 1951, a two-hectare lot in Libertad Street, the present site of the school, was acquired. A concrete building was erected through the joint efforts of the Bacolod Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Grocery Stores Association, Sugar Planters Association, Hardware Stores Association, Textile Stores Association, Department Stores Association, Sari-Sari Stores Association, Negros Occidental Rice and Corn Dealers Association, Bakery Stores Association, and other donors.

Mr. YAO E. CHING (1953-1954), the School Supervisor, was elevated to the position of Principal. Under his strict guidance and supervision, school documents and records were kept systematically. Mr. Yao reorganized the educational system, and reinforced it by the discipline of the mind and body. This he believed was the key to academic excellence. When he resigned the following year, Professor JEN TAI (1954-1955) succeeded him.

On April 5, 1955, a great conflagration destroyed several commercial stores and residential houses in Bacolod City, incurring huge financial tosses to many supporters of the school. As a result, financial support to the school decreased, thereby causing an irregular payment of compensation to the faculty members and other school personnel. But through the donations received from many Chinese sympathizers form all over the Philippines, Tay Tung High School was able to resume a smooth operation, and even up to the present accepts more indigent students who request for tuition privileges.

Mr. SHIM CHI KONG (1955- 1961) came back as Principal for the next six school years. It was during his administration that the school first offered 6 years for Chinese studies in the Secondary level with 3 years Senior high. The school was also recognized by the Department of Education under the Bureau of Private Schools. In addition, more reference books and laboratory equipment for Physics and Chemistry were brought from Taiwan in the summer of 1958. With great effort, the Board of Trustees constructed the two- storey building that covered an area of approximately 600 square meters at the left wing of the school in 1959. The first floor was for the elementary classrooms, while the second floor was made into a dormitory for boys and girls. Mr.SHIM CHI KONG resigned in 1961.

Mr. CUA SIOK PO (1961-1962) replaced Mr. SHIM CHI KONG, but he resigned the following year.

Mr. ONG BI CHEONG (1962-1968) took over as Principal in 1962. During the term of Mr. Ong Bi Cheong, another building at the right wing was built. In 1968 he resigned as principal.

Mr. YU AN SUN (1968-1970) succeeded Mr. Ong, He was the first Tay Tung alumnus to serve as Principal. He also served concurrently as a member of the Board of Trustees. His loyalty and love for his Alma Mater made him render his services for free during his two-year term as Principal.

Mr, BENITO O. MESINA (1970-1974) was installed as Principal. He believed that sports and cultural activities in education must be included to complete the curriculum.

Mr. YU AN SUN (1974-1975) returned to head the school. It was his voluntary contribution to his Alma Mater that he served as Principal without compensation. Moreover, he also donated books for our school children and initiated the renovation of our school structure especially the old kinder building. With the help of Mr. Yu an Sun and the Christmas Carolers composed of faculty and some selected students, the dream of having a cemented volleyball court and the improvement of the basketball court were realized.

Less than two years later, Dr. WILLIAM HSIEH (1975-1976) acted
as principal for only 1 year.

MISS LUZ V. NAVARRA (1976-1979), a newly retired public school supervisor, was hired by the Board of Trustees to be the Academic Director for a three-year term. Without a Principal, the Academic Affairs Committee (1976-1979), composed of five members namely: Mr. ALFONSO LUIS G. TAN (Chairperson), Mr. Jose Go (Chairperson), Mr. MANUEL ALBAY, Mr. CESAR YULO CHUA, and Mr. JUANITO R. LEONG, managed the affairs of the school with Miss Navarra.

After Miss Navarra’s term, the committee, with yearly alternating chairpersons, namely, Mr. ALFONSO LUIS G. TAN (1979-1980) and Mr. JOSE GO (1979-1980), continued to administer the school operation for another school year; with its Executive Secretary, Miss LEU LITA L. CU, performing the duties of a principal.

Miss LEU LITA L. CU (1980-1986) was appointed Principal for five years. During Miss Cu’s administration, the standard of the school had been uplifted. She had helped in the formulation of the rules and regulations of the school, the standardization of the teachers’ salaries and in the improvement of the standard of teaching by encouraging her faculty force to go back to school and study. The co-curricular program headed by the Student Council Organization was given much emphasis to achieve total development of the students. She fostered excellent inter-personal relationships and effective communication links with the internal and external affairs of the school such as the NOPSSCEA, civic organizations and other national and international affairs. It was also in Miss Cu’s time, in 1984, wherein the school’s 50th Golden Anniversary Celebration was successfully celebrated.

The new school year 1986-1987 opened when Mrs. ERLINDA T. LEONARDO (1986 took over as Principal. During her administration, Chinese education was given more importance. Aside from Foreign Language Arts I and II, Speech subject had been added to both High School and Elementary Chinese Curriculum which prompted the administration to add Saturday morning classes. Students were taught dances, songs, and stories. In this way, artistic values were ingrained to the student’s mind. Students were also taught to speak Mandarin and Amoy more fluently.

In 1998, Mrs. EMELITA M. CHEN (1998-2001), an alumna, was named Principal with Mr. Dy Kian Kun as the Academic Affairs Chairperson. Even up to her time, Mrs. Chen served with the vision and commitment of improving classroom management and other teaching-learning strategies.

In Second Semester of 2001, Mrs. DY KIAN BEE (2001-2004), an alumna, Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee SY 2002 and Member of the Board of Trustees of the school, guided the school affairs. In the following school year, Mrs. Dy accepted the offer and became the next principal. Her primary thrust was to make the Bacolod Tay Tung High School educational program more relevant and effective in meeting the needs of the learners. She also made sure that the curricular and co- curricular activities of the learners are extensive so as to equip them with a more functional knowledge and skills in a friendly school system. With the Chiao Kuang Educational Center (2002), the new Pre-school Building (2004), the renovation of Home Economics, offices and classrooms; and training of educators, it is believed that the teaching-learning conditions will improve and excellence will be reached.

Mrs. MA.VICTORIA T. AVANCE (2004-2006)was appointed Principal with Mr. JOHN WEI KUN TSAI (Chinese Studies Consultant in SY 2003-2005; Assistant Principal in SY 2005-2006). With the aim to continue the restructured curriculum, Mrs. Avance focused on inter-disciplinary curriculum to effect excellent classroom performance. More in-service training services were done and participated in by teachers. She served Tay Tung as Principal for two years.

For three years, the Board of Trustees through the 3-Man Administrative Committee (2006-2009) composed of Mr. ANDRES S. VALENCIA (President – Board of Trustees); Mr. EUSEBIO W. PO (BOT Chairman- Academic Affairs Committee); Mrs. DY KIAN BEE (BOT Administrative Director and Former Principal) administered the school with Dr. MARY JANE C. UY (Educational Consultant). It was during this period that more educational innovations were implemented in all departments, and the Foreign Language Enhancement Curriculum became the year’s academic focus for the students’ Chinese Language Arts development.

Last September of 2008, Mrs. NILDA M. MONGE (2008-present) was installed as the new Principal of the school. At present, she pursues the new paradigm of change that will strengthen BTTHS, and ensure that the school will continue its relevance to its stakeholders and the community at large.

Together with the Board of Trustees, Teachers and Staff, the new administration aims to enhance the lives of Tay Tung students, to help them grow and succeed using the vision and mission of the school as the guiding torch in achieving its goals.