Beginnings
Officially established in 1936 by the husband and wife team of Luis Abiva Sr. and Asuncion Quiray Abiva, both Filipino educators, Abiva Publishing House, then known as Abiva Press, initially published reviewer manuals for civil service examinations of patrolmen and junior and senior teachers. The first office was located in Evangelista St., Quiapo, Manila. From a one-room office, the small printing press transferred to a bigger office in Misericordia St. (now T. Mapua) in 1939.
Asuncion Abiva took the helm of the company in 1943 after the sudden death of her husband due to a heart attack. With her courage, strength, and entrepreneurship, she led her young family to continue publishing excellent educational materials. To succeed, she developed a philosophy in life and core values that guided her in running the printing press and publishing business. Among them were Christ-centeredness, integrity, excellence, commitment, productivity, costumer satisfaction, and team-work.
In 1945, Abiva Publishing House finally ventured in publishing textbooks for elementary and high school students. Abiva also pioneered in publishing Oral English Skills Program (OESP) which featured state-of-the art listening centers and language laboratories. These backed-up Abiva's audio cassette tape kits and instructional materials in reading. A string of bestsellers followed: Hiyas (high school textbook series on Filipino by Fernando Monleon), Modern Math, Wikang Sarili, Exercises in English Composition, Florante at Laura, Hiyas ng Wika, Growing in Oral Language Skills, Basic Speech for You and Me, and the phenomenal SRA Reading.
The second and third generation leaders of Abiva continue to banner the core values of Luis and Asuncion Abiva and integrated them in the mission and vision of the company.
Abiva's Battle Cry Abiva's original slogan is "Helping Teachers Help Their Students". On its 65th anniversary in 2001, Abiva launched a campaign on the theme YES Abiva! YES stands for Your Educational Source, Your Educational Standard, and Years of Excellence in Service.
Asuncion Abiva took the helm of the company in 1943 after the sudden death of her husband due to a heart attack. With her courage, strength, and entrepreneurship, she led her young family to continue publishing excellent educational materials. To succeed, she developed a philosophy in life and core values that guided her in running the printing press and publishing business. Among them were Christ-centeredness, integrity, excellence, commitment, productivity, costumer satisfaction, and team-work.
In 1945, Abiva Publishing House finally ventured in publishing textbooks for elementary and high school students. Abiva also pioneered in publishing Oral English Skills Program (OESP) which featured state-of-the art listening centers and language laboratories. These backed-up Abiva's audio cassette tape kits and instructional materials in reading. A string of bestsellers followed: Hiyas (high school textbook series on Filipino by Fernando Monleon), Modern Math, Wikang Sarili, Exercises in English Composition, Florante at Laura, Hiyas ng Wika, Growing in Oral Language Skills, Basic Speech for You and Me, and the phenomenal SRA Reading.
The second and third generation leaders of Abiva continue to banner the core values of Luis and Asuncion Abiva and integrated them in the mission and vision of the company.
Abiva's Battle Cry Abiva's original slogan is "Helping Teachers Help Their Students". On its 65th anniversary in 2001, Abiva launched a campaign on the theme YES Abiva! YES stands for Your Educational Source, Your Educational Standard, and Years of Excellence in Service.
Milestones: 75 years of publishing success
- Abiva is considered the "Home of SRA in the Philippines". In 1965 it became the exclusive Philippine distributor of SRA (Science and Research Associates), developed and introduced in the country by Dr. Don H. Parker. The SRA Reading Program represents Abiva's proactive response to the concern of publishers and educators in enforcing DepEd's policy of "Every Child a Reader".
- Abiva pioneered in publishing Oral English Skills Program (OESP) covering preschool to the high school levels. This program features listening center and language laboratories using state-of-the-art technology. These systems are at par with European brands but can be installed at a much lower cost.
- Abiva has eventually grown and ventured into another business. Hiyas Press, a printing company, was established in 1969 to serve as the printing arm of Abiva.
- Abiva formed in 1986 the Government Sales Division to service the textbook and reference material requirements of the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports. To date, the series Mathematics in Action 1—6, Basic Speech for You and Me P—6, Hiyas ng Filipino I—IV, and Science and Technology I—IV are being used as approved supplementary materials for public schools all over the country.
- Aside from its main office in G. Araneta Avenue, Abiva serves the whole nation with its strategically located branches in Cebu and in Davao with its own building just in front of NCCC Mall ready to serve regional clients from Visayas and Mindanao.
- Abiva launched in 2000 a comprehensive set of educational materials — the SRA Reading and Writing Kits, SRA Mathematics, and Scholastic Concepts in Science. Abiva and SRA believe that good instructional materials and packages play a crucial role in helping today's students become functionally literate and progressive achievers.
- Abiva launched a campaign on the theme YES! Abiva on its 65th year in 2001. This affirms Abiva's commitment to service. YES means "Years of Excellence in Service". It also stands for "Your Educational Source" and "Your Educational Standard".
- Another first of its kind, an interactive CD on Philippine history based on the textbook Agos ng Dugong Kayumanggi by renowned UP History professor, Dr. Jaime Veneracion was launched. The CD uniquely features a timeline accompanied by a music anthology which highlights significant historical events from prehistory to post-Edsa revolution.
- Abiva has published more than 700 books in Filipino and English from preschool to college. Among the company's bestsellers are Basic Speech for You and Me (Grades 1—6); Soaring High with Reading (Grades 1—6); Science, Health and Environment (Grades 1—6); Science and Technology I—IV; and Hiyas ng Filipino I—IV.
- In 2006, APHI celebrated its 70 years of excellent service in education with an enduring legacy of successful partnership with educators, authors, educational institutions, and recognized experts in the academe. After 70 years as one of the country's most trusted and respected names in the textbook publishing industry, Abiva always sets its vision to continuously develop, reach more classrooms, serve more students, and acquire more insights to achieve synergy.
- In 2011, APHI celebrated its 75th year of providing quality, affordable books to Filipino learners.
- It looks forward to celebrating its 80th year in 2016.