1st Serye Kabataan

Here is a copy of Ms. Rossana Llenado's speech delivered during the 1st Serye Kabataan held at the Ateneo De Manila High School.

I am very happy to be here today because this event – Serye Kabataan – is all about the youth. It is all about YOU.

Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. – This is something I’ve always believed in. In fact, I believe in it so much that I dedicated my life to helping make it come true.

You see, for almost 14 years, our company has been committed to young people, to you. We are committed to helping you achieve better performance in school, preparing you for admission to the best universities, motivating you to enjoy learning, and inspiring you to be the best that you can be.

We are committed to fulfilling the youth’s role in the future of our country, through quality education. We believe that with quality education, a person gains the capacity to achieve great things – great things that will help himself, his loved ones, the country, and maybe even the world.

Our original mission-vision states that every individual, given the proper guidance and the means to employ his talents and energies wisely, can realize his full potential as a student, a person, and a productive member of the community. This goes for each and every one of you.

You can reach your full potential if you pay attention to your studies and try to absorb what you can. Learning is not limited to the four walls of your classroom. Even while you’re outside of school or at home, you are still learning. This event is a perfect example of learning outside the classroom. I was a student leader like you myself. When I was a student in UP, I was a member of 10 organizations, in all of them I held important leadership roles. But before that I also attended various leadership training programs such as this. Seven years after I graduated, I again found myself to be a member and officer of again 10 organizations. And even now I attend several learning seminar and workshops sometimes as many as 3 a month. I even enrolled for masters in here in Ateneo and in AIM. You see I really believe in learning in and outside the classroom because I want to be able to learn how to help others reach their full potential.

You don’t have time to join 10 orgs or attend seminars while in high school. But as of now, you can apply what you learn in every situation you find yourself in, so that it will become embedded in your mind. For example, if you learn about proper money management, practice it to budget your allowance. Soon, it will become second nature to you and a normal part of your lifestyle.

You can reach your full potential when you practice the right values and attitude. Your principles and attitude build your character. Always work on your character because this is a big part of your success or failure. My favorite values are leadership, excellence, and responsibility. These are the values that we try to develop in our company and in all our students. And these values are part of what this event is teaching you as well.

Responsibility – As the future of the nation, you are taught to have the courage to rise to the challenge of taking the Philippines toward progress.

Excellence – Given the responsibility of helping the country, you must learn to always strive for the best, in order to take the Philippines to progress.

Leadership – If you are consistently pursuing excellence, you will emerge a leader. Leadership is not simply being the best of the best. It is about consistently being the best that you can be. And most of all, leadership is about helping others become leaders on their own or at least becoming the best that they can be. .

Your parents work hard to give you the best. You parents give you all the things that you need and more. They send you to the best schools so you can have the best teachers, the best lessons and the best campus experiences. This is why the best is also expected of you.

When you finish high school, aim for the best universities. Ateneo, La Salle, and UP are not just the best in the Philippines — they are among the best in the world. With a diploma from any of these schools, many opportunities will be opened up to you not only here but all over the world. But only 10% of the 100,000 who apply to Ateneo, La Salle, and UP get accepted. This is why you have to work hard for a slot. In many of the best schools in Metro Manila, only about 3% of the graduating class get in.

A bright future awaits you — if you are willing to stay ahead. Do more. Be more.

One way is going to a review center even if you are already at the top of your class. This is the mark of a true leader – taking responsibility for your skills and talents, and aiming for excellence by taking advantage of the resources available to you so that you can reach your full potential.

Many honour students and school leaders have even used the advantage of going to a tutorial center to help them in their daily lessons. Before getting help from a tutor, they had to study until midnight. But with a tutorial, they have more time to do the things they enjoy. After coming from only an hour long tutorial, they don’t even have to study at home anymore. They can just enjoy being with their family, or they can watch TV, sleep early – basically use the free time to do whatever they want. Before, without the help of the tutorial, they didn’t have time for anything else. Tutorial and review centers are most useful to student leaders because then they are free to do their project if they already understand their lessons.

You know, there's really no limit to learning. The best students still benefit from extra guidance. Many students running for honours or aiming to be Valedictorian seek and obtain extra help. Everybody needs a mentor, even teachers, trainers, advisers, and counsellors. Even athletes, dancers and swimmers need a coach, including those great players in the Olympics. Pacquiao even has Freddie Roach. Even the best basketball players need a coach.

Information is at your fingertips. When you need to learn about something, you can just "google" it. During our time, we had to go through the whole card catalogue before we could find the book that may or, as is the case most of the time, may NOT have the answers to our questions. Take advantage of every resources you have, every help you can find and every chance to learn. Be happy to be ahead.

I really believe that education is our country's only hope. When I was just a little older than you, I dreamt of improving the country's education by putting up a teacher training foundation which would give teachers free education. Since 2006, we have been training hundreds of teachers. We were chosen by DepEd to train the best teachers of Metro Manila’s public schools. And we have been conducting private seminars for teachers from all over the country.

I revised that dream a little bit by focusing on principals—who are really the prime movers of education. I am living that dream now. Through the Educ18 Foundation for School Leadership Excellence, we hope to inspire more people to be educators, to help more principals run their school excellently, and to make others more aware of the school principal's contribution to society. On December 5 & 6, we will again be holding a seminar for principals right here in Ateneo.

This was just a dream before, but it is now becoming a reality. You too can dream and make it real—if you set your heart and mind to it. You have all the reasons to succeed and no excuse to fail.

Much is expected of you. Some day you will be the leaders of this country. You will be making waves in business, in public service, in medicine and science, in law, and hopefully in education as well. Your peers will be following you, looking up to you.

When our company has training programs, I always tell my staff that they should also be at their best because we are serving the future. We are serving you.

During the training for our new lecturers, I always tell them that they are heroes. Because teachers will always be heroes.

We only get the top 1% of the graduating class from Ateneo Lasalle and UP as lecturers… Being at the top of their class, they have the responsibility of sharing their “galing.” Can you imagine if teachers are not “magaling?” But if teachers are good, they can develop good students, who can become good leaders, good doctors, lawyers, engineers, or teachers, and good voters – good voters who can vote for a good president and good lawmakers, who can make the country ahead of the rest.

You know, I’ve always believed that the Philippines is a paradise. Without politics and some greedy and irresponsible people, we have all that it takes to say we are. It’s up to the future to make it better every day.

So give the future a better chance. You are here and you have the responsibility to make it happen.

With that, I wish each of you a bright and promising future ahead.

I am really very happy being able to talk to you today. Thank you!

Youth = HOPE

If you are given a chance to speak to a crowd of young people coming from different parts of our country, what would you say?

With the future becoming more competitive, being ahead of the rest always count. Sure, you’ve heard of the saying “the youth is the hope of our nation”, but do you really believe in it?

Last November 30, the Ateneo de Manila High School organized the first Serye Kabataan. Young people from various cities and provinces of the Philippines gathered together to relive the commitment---Youth is HOPE.

Like what Ms. Rossana Llenado, president of Ahead Tutorial and Review Center, said in her speech during the Serye Kabataan:

“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. – This is something I’ve always believed in. In fact, I believe in it so much that I dedicated my life to helping make it come true…We are committed to fulfilling the youth’s role in the future of our country, through quality education. We believe that with quality education, a person gains the capacity to achieve great things – great things that will help himself, his loved ones, the country, and maybe even the world.”

So, it’s time to start believing, doing, and fulfilling this mission.
Take action and be part!!!

The TRAINS have arrived

Thinking about fun at the subway? The Ateneo De Manila High School held its Sophomores’ Night last November 15 at the AHS Covered Court. The entire gymnasium really looked like a subway! We had lots of food, games, dancing, modeling, and photos!

Here, take a peek…

Visit our Friendster for more pictures – review_ahead@yahoo.com
For high res photos, call us at 426-0034 to 36.

Battle of the Brains

De La Salle University-Manila recently organized a Math and Science quiz bee. Junior and senior students from the premier high schools within the Metro and surrounding provinces competed to know who the best is. To give you a taste of what happened, here are the winners:

Champion:
School: Philippine Science High School
Participants: Raymond Alibutud
Elvis Ayroso
Ralph Ugalino
Coach: Sir Jose Andaya

1st Runner Up:
School: Philippine Science High School
Participants: Julio Raphael U. Santos
Lance Co Ting Keh
Immanuel V. Encarnacion
Coach: Jose Andaya

2nd Runner Up:
School: Chang Kai Shek College
Participants: Ervin Fredrick Dy
Aldric Cristoval Reyes
Aibeemae Cua
Coach: Miss Monnette Estacio


Congratulations to the winners! See you next year for a more brain-wracking quiz contest!

Today is not just an ordinary Monday.

Today is not just an ordinary Monday.

To those taking up the La Salle Greenhills High School Entrance Exam, Monday is really the day to start with! Keep your head high and be confident.

We are greeting every LSGH HS exam takers a happy day AHEAD! Do well in the exam and congratulations!

For the aspiring Thomasians

This coming October 26, many will try to enter the grounds of the University of Santo Thomas. But only chosen ones will have the chance to really study there. We know that you want to be the chosen one, so take a look at these tips:

1. Eat brain food! Fish, vegetables, fruits and lots of water will help you in do your activities.
2. Review but don't overdo it. Relax and learn as you browse and recall what needs to be remembered.
3. Get enoough sleep.
4. Don't cram.

Hooray to the future Thomasians!

Who wants to take the test?

Let me see those hands? Don't be so nervous. Exams will help you gauge what you have learned for the past months in school. Taking tests doesn't have to be so stiff. Just relax, read, and review.

Like the high school students of OB Montessori Center who will take up their 2nd quarter exams, students should never be afraid of taking exams. This coming Oct 21 to 23, we know that OBMC high school students will make a difference! Cheers to all the exam takers!

Almost over with the 2nd quarter

Whhheewww! It's almost sem break for college students. But for the high schoolers, they have to prepare for their last blow this month -- the quarter exams.

The high school students of St. Jude will take their 2nd quarter exams this coming week. But before you get busy with your reviews, remember to take it easy because here at Ahead, we are already proud of you! Go guys!

It's a green world!

What do you think of color green?
Green reminds us of growth, renewal, and environment. It also signifies life.

But for those who just took up the De La Salle University College Entrance Test or DLSUCET, green means new beginings. Last October 5, 11 and 12, DLSU opened its gates for the aspiring green archers.

Likewise, La Salle Greenhills had their entrance exam for upcoming high school students last October 9.

We are greeting you in advance for a job well done! We hope to see you next year in De La Salle.

Soar and score for Ateneo

Not only did the Ateneo Blue Eagles and Eaglets soar high in the 71st UAAP Season Men's Basketball. They also proved that determination and teamwork pay off well.

Last October 4 and 5, a number of upcoming high school students took the Ateneo HS Entrance Exam. We know that all of you did well so put on that smiling face :)

Let us be the first one to welcome you to the Ateneo Community! Congratulations!

Hooray to the Paulinians!

Time flies sooooo fast! It's exam period once again.

Most of the students probably finished their 2nd quarter exams by now. We like to congratulate Saint Paul College Pasig grade school and high school departments for a job well done!

Thinking about my course

Remember how we used to imagine what we would like to be? Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions in our lives. After college graduation (once we have our dream job), your careers will act like a mirror and give you a piece of who you really are and what you are good at. This is also the reason why everybody tends to look at universities and other learning institutions as foundations before entering the "real world."

If you still have no idea what path to take, or if you have no idea what course to take before entering college, think AHEAD. These guidelines would help you figure out what you'd like to pursue:

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Who am I right now?
  Take time to recall your attitudes, achievements, and aspirations.

• What do I enjoy doing? In what areas do I excel?
  Usually, we do things well because we love doing it. Remember the things you are passionate about, and the activities you did that gave you a lot of fulfillment.
  
• Science or Arts?
  Be involved in social activities such as seminars, community programs, and other curricular activities that will help you develop your skills and flesh out your interests.
  

Have your goals set. List down what you want to achieve in life. Do you want to be a doctor? An astronaut? Aim high but remain realistic. Are you disciplined enough to take medicine? Do you have the concentration and will to keep in tiptop shape for space flights?

Engage yourself in career guidance seminars or workshops. Take time answering personality or career tests online with your friends.

Attitude determines your perspective in life. Own that positive attitude. If you wish to be involved in the health care industry, believe that you have what it takes to be a good nurse or doctor and act on it!

Dig up pieces of advice. Don't be afraid to seek advice from your parents, career counselors, and friends. Listen to their ideas and suggestions before making an informed decision.

How to pass the ACET

Students aspiring to take off with the wings of an eagle will have to take the first bout before soaring with their college career.


The ACET Refresher Course does not only help the students remember the past lessons. More importantly, it motivates them to do better, gain confidence, and be prepared. This is what Tiffany Kintanar did when she took the ACET last year. She inspired the students to do more and remain positive during the ACET Refresher Course held at Quezon City Sports Complex last August 31. Samantha Fajardo, also an ACET Passer, gave her testimony before the students who attended the ACET Refresher Course in Alabang last August 10 and 17.


There really is no secret ingredient on how to pass the ACET. Just remember what we took up during the Refresher Course and do the best you can! So, free your mind from worries! Good luck to everyone who will take the ACET this weekend!


Here are the answers to the Ateneo Trivia!
1. b(1959)
2. a (Escuela Municipal de Manila)
3. b (Intramuros and Padre Faura, both in Manila)
4. a (A Song for Mary)
5. False (Ateneo is a founding member of NCAA)
6. b (1987, 1988, 2002)
7. a (Lux in domino)
8. b (wolves)
9. a (1930's)
10. c (Pres. Aquino was given an honorary doctorate by the university in 1986, but she never studied there)

Refreshments at the Refresher Course

Wondering who's that pretty lady in red on our brochures and flyers? That's Carmina Mangalindan -- an UPCAT and ACET Passer and Ahead College Entrance Test Review Student. She shared her experience about the UPCAT during the Refresher Course held in Quezon City Sports Complex last July 20. The program was packed with lessons, games, and some gentle but useful reminders. Do you know what to do the night before the exam? Don't cram! Students who attended the review class know these by heart. Let us share them to you:

1. Remember to bring your test permit, ID, pencils with erasers, pens, and small ruler with you. Don't forget your jacket, hand fan, analog wristwatch and of course, snacks and drinks. These will really help you during exams especially when you feel uncomfortable inside the testing rooms.

2. Prepare for calamities. No matter how bad the weather is, the UPCAT will go on!

3.Don't wear new clothes and shoes which you haven't "broken in".

4.Don't study anymore. Let your brain rest.

5. Get enough sleep. Eight hours is enough—nothing more, nothing less.

6. Don't eat new food to avoid allergy and indigestion.

7. Relax!

Students had a great time re-learning the lessons, meeting new and old friends, and of course, getting freebies from our sponsors! Thanks to Royal Tru-Orange, Quake Cake, Mentos Chewing Gum, Lucky Me! Supreme, Chippy, Dynamite candy, and Multivitamins Enervon – More Energy, Mas Happy!

Surely, the students didn't go home empty-handed!

What you should know about Ateneo

During Ahead's Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET) Refresher in Alabang, students were given a chance to answer trivia about Ateneo de Manila University before they take the college exam scheduled on September 13 and 14. Everybody had a great time answering and guessing what lies beneath the well-known university.

Take the test and let's see how much you know! You have 30 seconds to answer the questions below. Oops, no cheating!

1. Next year, the Ateneo de Manila University will be celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary. What year then was the Ateneo founded?
a. 1860
b. 1863
c. 1859
d. 1849

2. What was Ateneo's original name?
a. Escuela Municipal de Manila
b. Escuela Municipal Manila
c. Ateneo Municipal de Manila

3. Name the two places where Ateneo established itself before coming to Loyola Heights.
a. Malate and Pedro Gil
b. Intramuros and Padre Faura
c. Intramuros and Malate

4. What is the title of Ateneo's alma mater song?
a. A Song for Mary
b. Song of Ruth
c. The Magnificat

5. TRUE or FALSE: Ateneo is an original founding member of the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)

6. How many UAAP senior men's basketball championships has Ateneo won so far?
a. 4
b. 3
c. 2

7. What is the official motto of Ateneo?
a. Lux in domino
b.. ut res Magis valeat quam pereat
c. et admirabile sacramentum

8. What are the only animals that can be found depicted in the official seal of Ateneo?
a. Eagles
b. Wolves
c. Tigers

9. In what decade was the Blue Eagle adopted as the Ateneo mascot?
a. 1930's
b. 1940's
c. 1950's

10. Who among the following never studied in Ateneo?
a. Gary Lising (comedian)
b. Jose Maria Sison (founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines)
c. Corazon Aquino (former President of the Philippines)
d. Jose Miguel Arroyo (First Gentleman)
e. Gregorio del Pilar (hero of the Revolution and Philippine-American War)
f. Rico Blanco (former Rivermaya vocalist)

Answers will be posted in the next blog entry. Let's hope you get a passing score!

Make Way for the UPCAT exam takers

One effective way of preparing for a college entrance exam is to go over past lessons a month or two before the actual exam. This will help exam takers become more relaxed and confident in answering any test.

Ahead's Refresher Courses for the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) were held in various venues around the metro.

In Alabang, the Refresher Course took place last July 6 at the Hall of St. James the Great Parish (What a beautiful church!). Everybody was excited to meet up with the new friends they made during the summer review class in Ahead Alabang.

The program started with the singing of our National Anthem (which everybody sang in good note) and an inspirational talk from Mrs. Cecile Cuna, Ahead Tutorial and Review Center Alabang franchise owner. Michael Kakulitan, an UPCAT passer and Ahead College Entrance Test Review student, shared his ups and downs during the UPCAT exam. Then, there were giving out of certificates and ice breakers to perk up the students in between lectures. The students made sure that they are up to the challenge.

The UPCAT was held last August 2 and 3 at different testing centers all over the country. Imagine over 70,000 students flocked to the designated centers just to take this five-hour test. Many are called, but few are chosen, so they say. On average, out of the thousands taking the UPCAT, only about 10% actual pass.

So, as early as now, we would like to commend everybody who took the exam. Taking the UPCAT is hard work. Pat yourselves on the back for getting through it. Congratulations!

For more pictures, check out our friendster account: review_ahead@yahoo.com

Exam! Exam! Exam!

August has passed and September is almost halfway through! For incoming college students, these are among the most dreaded months of their lives. Why? Because it's the season for entrance exams to the top universities of the country! But have no fear! Reviewing and taking the exams can be fun and exciting.

For those who attended Ahead's Refresher Courses, we can say that learning is fun! More than 1,000 students from different schools attended the UPCAT and ACET Refresher Courses. Besides brushing up on the lessons taken, the Do's and Dont's of taking exams were also shared to the students. Most importantly, the Refresher Courses were a great way of catching up with newfound friends from the review classes. Everyone had a spankin' good time re-learning the lessons through lectures, activities, and games!

For more pictures, check out our friendster account: review_ahead@yahoo.com