HISTORY OF NOTRE DAME OF MIDSAYAP COLLEGE When the Missionary Fathers came to Mindanao in 1939, they were confronted with the difficult problem on how to reach out to the people to spread the word of God. After much consideration, Fr. Gerard Mongeau, OMI and his Oblate brothers thought that the best way to reach as many people as possible was through the establishment of schools. They therefore decided to open the first high school in Midsayap because the system of highways at that time made Midsayap the crossroads of the province. The experiment was at the same time intended to test the reaction of the people to the idea of a Catholic school. Since the Philippines and Oblate congregation are both dedicated to our Lady, it was natural that the school should be placed under Her protection. It was Fr. Joseph Boyd, OMI who suggested the name NOTRE DAME. Hence, in July 1941, the NOTRE DAME ACADEMY in Midsayap opened its doors. It was the first link in the long chain of the NOTRE DAME schools which today numbered 194 and form the Notre Dame Educational Association. Fr. Edward Gordon, OMI was appointed the first Director and Mother Ma. Isabel Purification, RVM was the first principal. The school opened two first year and two second year sections in a four-room building made of wood, sawali and bamboo.Fr. Gil Beaudoin, OMI, Mrs. Rosario Medina and Mrs. Milagros Penson completed the teaching staff. The outbreak of World War II on December 8, 1941 put an end to this project. The Oblate Fathers, being Americans, were placed in internment in various places. Those in Santo Tomas talked about the Oblate commitment to education. The opinion prevailed that the Oblate should not expand into education, for it was felt that parochial work was more important and fulfilled the purpose for which the Oblate came to the Philippines. They agreed to re-open only the Notre Dame Academy in Midsayap since it was already started. Later events showed that the people of Cotabato thought otherwise. Notre Dame Academy was reopened in 1946 with Father Robert Sullivan, OMI as Director and Mother Belen Tolentino, RVM as the principal. There were 302 first and second year high school students. Later after the second world war, it was renamed Notre Dame of Midsayap College and has the distinction of being the first Notre Dame School in the Philippines. It continued to grow and succeeding Notre Dame Schools were established in the neighboring 1