Pasig On the Go! - Changes in Pasig City

I've been living in Pasig for the past 18 years. Gosh! I never realized that I've been here that long. But the purpose of this blog is not to talk about my stay in Pasig but about the Pasig Government.

Lately, a lot of good things have been happening in Pasig. For one, there's an evident change in the traffic management of the pasig market. It used to be jammed right in front of the Police headquarters there which dragged on for so many years. This time, it's really clear. There might be some build up near the end of the market but it moves quickly enough to even say hello.

Another, is the active stand that the Pasig Livelihood Foundation is taking. Under the leadership of Mrs. Eusebio, wife of the present Mayor Bobby, the Pasig Government accepts Pasig residents to study courses that they can do to augment their income. As if a free course isn't good enough, the PLFI is even extending loans to those who really need to. After taking the course, a student may want to put up a business using the new knowledge earned from the attending the course.

There are lots of construction and repairs in the city. This is a sign of progress. At least we know that our taxes are indeed working for us.

I just would like to know from our able and active Mayor Bobby when the promised increase of 200 pesos to the scholars of Pasig City Science High School will be given. After all, the present 200 pesos stipend is a very little amount. I hope too that there'd be an additional increase next year. Of course, Pasig would like to be at par with Makati Science High School and Philippine Science High School. I hope that the facilities and the stipends will be improved.

My suggestion for the improvement of the PCSHS is to be given the additional books in the library, provision of at least 4 lcd projectors (1 for each level), a computer in each classroom for the students to use. This is not really impossible. I had the chance of going to a public school in Manila and found that this elementary school which is not even a science high school, has pc's in each room. Also, I hope there would be funds for the children competing and bringing honors to the City. After all, this is the vision of the school -

Also, I do appreciate the effort of the city government to protect its citizens. Recently it took action by putting up several checkpoints in the city because a serial killer has reportedly escaped from the Nagpayong Jail and is now prowling for unsuspecting victims in the area near the City hall to the area close to the Pasig City Science High School. I do hope though that the security measures in the Jail itself is stricter. How does one inmate escape if he were on close guarding?

Which School? - A list of recommended schools in Pasig

There's a gazillion of schools in Pasig that it's hard to find which one to send a child to. It cost me a lot of trouble to find the best ones here. But, I'm so happy that those troubles are now paying off because Ikee is doing quite well in school. though as a teacher I know that the school is not the only factor to a child's education, it is one of the major factors. The other major factors are the family specially the environment in the home, the child's own initiative and the teacher.

So to save you the trouble of going around, here's a list of the schools you might want to consider:

For Pre-school:
Mother Goose Playskool and Gradeschool - simpy the best. hey apply piagetian, montessori, and individual instruction. You can't get all three in one school but there. By the way, the ration of teacher to students is never over 1:12. Oftentimes, it's just 1:8 or even lower. It is a family-owned school. Their training come from the best schools in the Philippines and the US. Of course, it's a little expensive. What do you expect?

Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Don't be deceived by the name. It's not a Catholic school although it is run by a devout catholic. Great school - very personalized thus the child's development and achievements are monitored. Even their price is good too. Not too expensive. Just so you may know, the owner who also teaches there is a cum laude graduate of Merriam College and is a very nice lady. Way to go Tina!


For elementary

Mother Goose Playskool and Grade School - This is a special science school and is by far the best elementary school in Pasig. Yes, I mean the whole of Pasig. It costs just a little expensive than the other schools but it's all worth it. Application is best done by March since they have to assess whether the child needs to undergo summer school to be able to cope. Plenty of foreigners go there as it is way cheaper than the international schools nearby.

Pasig Catholic College - this is the only private school I can recommend within the city proper. The others don't perform too well. Entrance exams are given 1 month before the classes start at the very latest.

Lourdes School Mandaluyong - this is ok but it's an all-boys school.

Bob Garon

For high school
In the city proper:
Pasig City Science High School - this is a special science public high school and is the best in Pasig. All students there are sholars therefore noone pays tuition fees. Application period is from the 1st week of Nov to the 2nd week of Dec. The applicant's parents must be from pasig and the gen. average grade requirement is 85% with no grade lower than 83. The child must be focused because it's a really tough school to be in.

Rizal High School - the main branch and the one in Palatiw I heard are the best. This is a public school too

Pasig Catholic College

St. Paul's College - well, yeah,... personally I prefer other schools but I should say that their standard is ok.

College:

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig - a public school but doing very well. In fact, their nursing school produces at least 83% passing.

University of Asia and the Pacific - a business school

Arellano University Pasig Institute of Nursing - Just Pasig ok? I can't recommend the other branches. And oh, just the Institute of Nursing. The other courses? Judge for yourself.

So, there you have it. There must be others but I can't remember them right now. Perhaps, in the future I will.

A Silver Medal and A Scholarship

Tears of joy ran down my face as I stood there, reading out her name and reconfirming that it was really she that they were referring to. I was filled with awe and happiness that I had told the cab driver who I didn't know about her.

Can you blame me for being so proud? My daughter is graduating from her elementary education this March and she is one of the silver awardees. On top of this, we just learned that her application for scholarship was accepted and will be going to the Pasig City Science High School.

What's the secret? It was a dream,hard work, determination and the will power to persist. There were times in the past when my daughter would think she was not good enough because she got an average grade in Filipino (which happens to be her waterloo) and she cried over having 1 to 3 mistakes in some other exams. But I kept telling her that if she prepared and studied well, what ever the result would be acceptable to us. There was no pressure and she was happy. I asked her to engage in other activities such as playing the flute and doing kumon. I also asked her to exercise in the morning when she awoke. I prepared the food she ate both at home and in school. We went out on weekends as a family. She prayed and we prayed for her. She was in a good school (Mother Goose Playskool and Grade School is the 7th among the best elementary schools in the Philippines). I taught her about finances and about investing. She read a lot. Best of all, she is a good daughter, friend and student. Perhaps these things combined spelled the difference and we thank the Almighty for the blessings. Truly, when it rains, it pours.