ISA Math Teams Pass 1st round Inter-school Math Competition

For the 3rd time, ISA joined the annual Metrobank - DepEd - MTAP Mathematics challenge last 26 January 2007, held at the Social Hall of Department of Education, Division of Iloilo City. This year more than 30 private and public schools in Iloilo City took the challenge.

After the written test, all the Grade 1 to 3rd year participants of ISA qualified to join the Division Team Finals on February 26-27. Quite expectedly, three ISAers made it to the Top: Jian Tiampong (Grade 1), 3rd Honors; Emma Rose Guanco (Grade V), 2nd Honors; and Jan Jarnel Geyenne Tiu (2nd Year), 2nd Place.

When ISA joined MTAP two years ago, only Grade 6 was able to survive the first round. Last year, ISA had two grade levels failed to qualify. Though they fared relatively well this year; collectively our math wizards still need to exert a great deal of effort before they could claim to be really on top.

Off-Campus Learning Experience

Grades 1 - 4 Learners explored the world through an Educational Tour last 19 January from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. as part of the requirements of Civics subject.

Grade 1 learners at the Airport Fire Rescue Station	Grade 3 ISAers explore the Pavia Garden.

Grade 1 learners went to Jalandoni Museum. There they saw historical pictures and statues of heroes, and masterpieces of Magdalena Jalandoni.Next, they went to the Airport Fire Station. They witnessed in close range firemen in their suit and how devises were used to put out fire. They then went to Camp Delgado, the city police headquarter.

Grade 2 learners on the other hand, went to Tipongs, Leganes. They spent several hours fishing. Then they visited PAG-ASA weather station and were introduced to some forecasting instruments. Their last stop was Jalandoni Museum.

Not to be outdone, the Grade 3 learners went to Pavia Garden. On their way home, they passed by Maasin Bamboo Cooperative.Their last stop was JD Bakeshop where Mrs. Gina Diez, the owner, helped them familiarize with the things needed in baking.

Grade 4 learners took interest on the weapons used by the Filipino evolutionary against American invaders during the time of General Martin Delgado	Grade 3 learners witness the making of pastries and bread at JD Bakeshop

Aside from visiting Jalandoni Museum, Grade 4 learners went to Santa Barbara Plaza and toured the Sta Barbara Centennial Museum and Sta Barbara Church where they saw antique structures of the church and the artifacts related to the history of the town and the contribution of General Martin Delgado.

It was indeed a great learning experience for these ISAers. It helped them understand better the knowledge learned in the classroom through direct contact with concrete reality.

An Encounter with SELF

In line with the requirements of ISAs values formation program, a recollection was held for the Second Year learners on 25 January at the Holy Rosary Prayer Center, Calumpang. Sister Fidelis was the speaker of the event that focused on the subject Discovering Your Best Self.

Learners were given tasks and discussion topics that helped them learn about the good qualities they have in themselves as well as their classmates. A special time with parents was also in order for the day. Learners opened up and shared their appreciation and concerns with their parents.

The event was a time for reflection and growth. The serenity of the place and the activities were aids for the learners to get in touch with their inner selves, and put in order a tumultuous heart and mind.

ISA Blossoming Poets Won First Place

Clarissa Joyce Tiu (2nd Year) and Michelle Louise Naces (Grade 5) were adjudged First Placers in the On-The-Spot Poem Writing Contest High School and Elementary levels, during the First Speechfest sponsored by the Private Secondary School Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISAAP) held in St. Joseph School, Iloilo City last 10 January.

Michelle and Clarissa then represented Division of Iloilo City in the next level contest that was held in St. Catherine Parochial School in Leon last 29 January. First placers from the three Divisions: Passi City, Iloilo City and Iloilo Province vied for the championship. Michelle and Clarissa won the laurels and will represent the 3 Divisions to the Regional Level on 8 February in Punta Villa, Iloilo City.

Intellectual Retreat to MV Doulos

On 20 December 2006, nine facilitators went to Bacolod to visit MV Doulos for a brief ‘intellectual retreat’.

Two European lady volunteers welcomed visitors with their newly learned Ilonggo. ISA facilitators could not wait to see all the books displayed on the shelves. Books were sold at affordable prices. Many ISA facilitators bought books to read and as souvenir of this famous vessel. There were also snacks sold and souvenir item such as mugs, posters, ballpens and key ring.

The group had a chance to tour the living quarter through the help of newly acquainted friend from The People’ Republic of China, Mr. Jering Lee. He is one of a volunteer on board. They learned more about the history of the ship and its mission from Mr. Lee while moving around. They also had the opportunity to see the different sections of the ship including their canteen that could accommodate more than 300 crew members to dine simultaneously.

MV Doulos was built in 1914, two years younger than Titanic. Guinness Book of Records listed it as the oldest active ocean-going passenger ship in the world. Her main objective is “Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope”, and is presently managed by Good Books for All Company. There are more than 350 volunteer crew members coming from different countries: Africans, Australians, Chinese, Koreans and even Mongolians. The ship once called on the Iloilo port 16 years ago. Doulos sailed all over the world as God’s ambassador of love and peace, carrying the message of hope and reconciliation.

The visit was not complete without touring around Bacolod City. Because they had to catch up with the last trip going back to Iloilo, they did not have much time to go around the City of Smile. Instead they chose to stroll inside its largest mall, the Robinsons, and had a relaxing coffee break while leafing through the books they had just bought.

For the facilitators, this rare encounter with MV Doulos was a fruitful break that helps them gain knowledge not only through books but through observations and interactions with the volunteers. RMJ

K-2 Learners; Ready to Fight Fire

The social studies textbook of K2 depicts that each community helper plays a very important role in the community. Last 12 January 2007, 51 Kinder-2 ISAers were given a chance to have an educational trip to the head quarter of the Federation Iloilo Fire Brigade located along Mabini Street, at the commercial hub of Iloilo City. The children together with five ISA facilitators arrived at around 8:30 a.m. they were greeted by several young officers of the Federation Fire Brigade, Mr. Walter Uy, Mr. Kenneth Navarro, Mr. John Michael Ng …..and they were led to a mini conference room at the 3rd floor of the fire brigade building to listen to a brief lecture. While showing the kids some of the essential tools used by fire fighters, the Chinese-Filipino volunteer Mr. Navarro explained concisely and clearly the functions of each. The short lecture about precautionary measures in case of fire completely caught the attention of the kids and had certainly left a deep impression in their minds. Because when asked who likes to be a fireman when he grows up, many raised their brave hands. Besides, this activity enabled the learners to know more about the role and importance of firemen in our community. After the lecture and demonstration, all learners were allowed to go up the fire truck which made them jump with joy. Not only that, the group then proceeded to the Barracks where the firemen put up a “controlled fire” in the middle of an open ground and after showing how the fire by the use of fire hose could be put out, many learners took advantage of the opportunity to get hold of the fire hose and trait it to the fire. What an enviable experience the kids had!

China’s Volunteer Facilitators in Boracay

ISA’s semester break started on 29 October 2006. This is a day Ms. Elline Lin Meifang and Ms. Jessica Huang Jiabao, China’s volunteer facilitators, will never forget. ISA Board of Trustees has specially arranged a three-day trip to Boracay for them. They were accompanied by our Executive Director, Mr. Peter M. Chan, his wife Mrs. Debbie Chan and their two sons, Karl and Kevinn. Excitedly, they took the first trip Ceres and reached Catiklan, Aklan at about 10 a.m. It took the shuttle boat less than 10 minutes to bring them to the world renown Boracay Island. It was near noon when they stepped on the alluring white sand. Checking in at La Carmella Hotel was the first thing they did. The hotel is equipped with a swimming pool. But they said: “Why the swimming pool when we have the beach!” After checking in, the Chinese volunteers had their first meal on this world class vacation haven. While waiting for the food to be served, they took pictures – they just seemed can’t let a moment pass without taking pictures. Meals had somehow become a necessary interruption. They can hardly wait to roam around the beach side arcades looking for souvenirs to bring back home. They bought key chains, shawls, shirts with printed Boracay designs on them.

That very afternoon, one of the ISA Board members, Mr. Elpidio Barcarlos, invited them to a fun-filled island-hopping trip. As agreed, the boat stopped at the middle of the sea for snorkeling. Equipped with diving mask, all but Mrs. Chan and the two kids jumped overboard to have a closer look of the colorful corals spreading all over the seabed. The water was cool and clear. Exotic tropical fish playfully gliding to and fro, unmindful of the danger homo sapiens might have caused them. Indeed, the corals were one of their kinds, they come in ivory, red, green and blue (yes blue!)…very colorful and almost magical. It was quite an exciting experience for these city dwellers, specially for our Chinese friends. The boat then brought them back to the beach side. They spent the whole afternoon swimming and dipping in the clear water, and in the evening, strolling leisurely along the long strip of captivating white sand beach. They also took pictures with some French tourists; Ms. Huang and Ms. Lin were fascinated to hear the two French ladies speaking in fluent Chinese.

‘Boracay is such a truly beautiful and enchanting place!’ exclaimed Ms. Huang, ‘When I go back to China I’ll show my family and friends our pictures and urge them to see this charming place themselves.’

‘Three days is not enough to savor the bewitching glamour of Boracay!…what a nice break after five months of busy schedule at ISA. I hope I can visit this place again and again in the future…and spend longer time here.’ Ms. Lin said nostalgically when it was time for them to leave Boracay finally. (kfc)

Angel Ong Champion in PRISAA 2006 English Oration 

Michiko de la Cruz Won 2nd Place Rotary’s ‘Voice of Our Youth’

Rotary International holds a yearly Impromptu Speaking Contest Known as the “Voice of Our Youth”. Any Filipino student between the ages of 14-17 can participate. The club level competition was held last October 27, 2006 at the Amigo Terrace Hotel where students from both private and public schools vied for the top three places. Participants were given the same question, “How can the youth lead the way in fighting poverty?” each of the participants did very well in articulating her views. A student from Ateneo de Iloilo emerged victor. The 2nd place, with only a 1-point difference, went to Michiko de la Cruz, a 3rd Year learner of ISA, for her candidness and honesty. A participant from Iloilo Central Commercial High School won 3rd place. The first 3 winners will join the district level competition in Bacolod City on November 26, 2006. Whoever wins will be qualified to the National Level to be held in Manila. This contest is a very good experience for students in making them understand that, though young, they can make a difference and they can lead in their own little way. 

Third Year ISAer Angelie Ong brought home ISA’s first gold medal in English Oration at the IloPRISAA Literary Contest. This is, so far,  the only award ISA won in the academic-literary-musical contests since it joined IloPRISAA last year.

In contrast to its successive impressive advancement in the field of sports during the week-long IloPRISAA meet, ISA has yet to prove its mettle in academic-literary-musical division. Although the high school freshmen-sophomore-junior math team (3rd Year Fritzie Gayle Diez, 2nd Year Jan Jarnel Geyenne Tiu and 1st Year James Eduard Chiu) was able to make a breakthrough by ranking 5th place; and, high school spelling contestant Julie Rose Luz (freshman) equaled the other best four by gaining perfect score in the easy, average and difficult rounds, only to miss one word in the clincher round, which regretfully lowered her ranking to a mere 5th. Another sophomore ISAer, Shireen Shahmardani, ranked 5th place in high school English declamation contest. And, Michiko Francene de la Cruz, a junior ISAer, ranked 7th in English extemporaneous speech.

Though they were not able to make it to the top three places, nevertheless, these ISAers were able to materialize ISA’s goal for this year’s IloPRISAA: ‘We Belong to Top 15%!’ Needless to say, we are proud of them.

ISA Celebrates International Literacy Month

ISA staged two successive literary grand variety shows at Robinsons Place and SM City on August 31, and September 8, 2006 to celebrate the International Literacy Month which falls on September.

ISA Administration saw this as an opportunity to hone and develop its learners creativity, talents and confidence through public exposures alongside their academic knowledge. The Robinsons show, with the theme "We are, we can! A Celebration of Literary Genres, was an array of English and Filipino literature and art expressed through songs, dances, play and declamation. The high school presentations included "The Parade of Literary Characters as tribute to the classic literary pieces and their authors; as well as an excerpt from the Disney Channel movie High School Musicals Stick to the Status Quo and We are all in This Together. The elementary learners charmed the audience with performances such as the verse choir "The Flowers and "Fairies Song; action songs "Glowing Inside; the Filipino folk dances "Pandanggo sa Ilaw and "Lapay Bantique, to mention a few.

The "One Nation, One Dream shown at SM City focuses solely on Chinese tradition and culture. From the stage decor to the songs, dances and declamations, everything appropriately depicted the distinct characteristics of Chinese artistry. A Chinese language review of the show was printed in the national Chinese newspapers "World News and "Commercial News on September 12 issues.