As I wrote a while back, two of my kids graduated from elementary school this year. That was a few weeks ago now, and I’ve been meaning to write about attending the graduation ceremonies, because it was an eye opener for me.
Over the past, I have been to Ateneo de Davao (ADDU) campus a number of times. My son Aaron goes to school at Ateneo. He has been attending ADDU ever since we lived in Davao. Ateneo is probably the best school in Davao, and even all of Mindanao.
My daughter, Jean, attended Ateneo in the past, but decided to transfer to Rizal Memorial College (RMC) a few years ago, it was her choice. RMC is a private school not far from my house. While it is a private school, RMC is much less expensive compared to ADDU. I have been outside of the RMC campus, but had never gone inside before.
Attending the ADDU Graduation was what I expected. Nice campus. Very well organized. First class facilities. There were nearly 500 kids graduating from Elementary School. The ceremony started with a full mass (it’s a Catholic school) followed by the graduation of nearly 500 kids. The entire ceremony, including the mass took almost 3 hours. This included giving a diploma to each kid individually, awards to various kids and such.
The following week, we attended the Graduation of Jean at RMC. As I said, this was my first time to visit the RMC Campus. I knew that it would be of a lower class compared to ADDU, but I was surprised at just how much difference there was.
At RMC there were 21 kids graduating. There was no mass. The ceremony took more than 2 hours! Organized? What is that? During the graduation, people were playing basketball in the same gym where the graduation was taking place! Some of the graduating kids were up in the bleachers running around and playing! It was totally unorganized. It was hot and uncomfortable. The wood floor of the gymnasium was rotten and the boards would give way under you. I was shocked at the sight of the place.
I don’t really regret having sent Jean to RMC, because she was not happy at ADDU. She did excel at RMC, which I am happy about. It gave her confidence, and a belief in herself. Next year, for high school, she is transferring to a better school, and I am sure that she will do well there. I know that she was happy during her time at RMC, and that makes me happy too.
So, if you are thinking of coming to live in the Philippines and you have kids, this just shows that there is a huge difference in the schools here. Just because a school is a private school doesn’t mean that it is of similar quality to other private schools.
That's an eye opener. When we get there, our daughter will be in grade 3 or 4, and now I'm sure I want to send her to Ateneo de Davao.
Hi Kevin – I think that ADDU is the best choice of school for your daughter. There are other good schools as well, but you can't go wrong with ADDU.
Good to here that all went will at the graduation ceremonies at both places Bob…. I'm to far in the sticks for a really good school,So I guess I will have to find a school ..One public school and 2 private schools in talasay ..Phil n Jess
Hi Phil – Do you have school aged kids? I didn't realize!
Kamusta ka Bob,
I know is very different there, Chesca who is getting ready for 2nd grade now, will be going back to a St. Josephs College & private school in Maasin City. Which she absolutely loves, and Rose said it is very good. But when she has described some of things to me about this school..for one thing, the prices for attending this school…no where near in the ball park of private schools in the USA. But the schools curriculum seems very good, and very structured. The other thing that surprised me about this private school, was that there isn't a lunch provided for them..so you either bring it with you or you go home and eat. Rose picks Chesca up each day and fixes lunch at home for her.
But the main thing is, is that she seems to be getting a good education, and I would probably say..a lot better than she would get living here in the USA. The public school system here is horrible in my opinion, and of course the children here are much more spoiled than the children there, and believe me, I am not blaming the kids, its the parents responsibility as well.
The children there(PI) seem to be a lot more respectful of there parents too.
This is another reason for wanting to move to the Philippines and raise my family there. Rose agrees with me on this subject, so this is what we will do, then when it comes time for college..then we'll decide what way we want to go with that.
Not sure what else I could say on this subject, but I really look forward to walking Chesca to school when I can, and participate in school activities with her.
Take care all,
Danny 🙂
HOLY COW!! That was an eye opener! The picture is worth 1000 words in itself.
Bob,
One of my nieces just graduated DMMA for nursing. On the Sunday before the graduation was the Pinning Ceremony at the Convention Center of 71 students. Then there was the Graduation at Sentral Bank. The ceremonies took so long because every speaker was introduced by someone and that person was introduced by the MC. IT took so long I almost feel asleep.
Bob what does Atenao cost per year?
My wife has a boy 14 ..cool kid too..I sent him to Cebu to see his dad but he came back 2 weeks later and doesn't want to see him anymore ..he always called me dad ..I like that ..Phil n Jess
Wow Bob I am dealing with a similar situation, we are supporting some of my wife's family in attending school as i feel education is of utmost importance in bettering yourself, well one of my sister in law's is attending Tagum National HS. which is a renowned school and purported to be very good and provide a great education. then i learned about gang activity and some of the truths about this public school so we are now enrolling both our junior and our freshman in St. Marys private school for about 1k per month each
Hey Tommy,
I hope you mean 1000 peso per month, thats about the average price I have heard of for a private school, about 1400 to 2000 peso each month.
Thanks,
Danny
lol yes Danny I'm sorry 1000 peso's + projects 🙂
Hi Danny – You are correct, even a very good private school here is cheap compared to the USA, no doubt about that. At Ateneo, they have about 14,000 students, it is a huge school and traffic is terrible. Because of that, we use a paid carpool service that brings the kids and picks them up daily. It works great, and we don't have to fight the traffic problems.
Hi brian – Yes, the picture alone tells the whole story! Amazing the difference.
Hi Bruce – I hear you! I was getting a little sleepy during those graduation ceremonies myself! The heat doesn't help!
Hi Ron – The amount varies depending on the grade level and such. For elementary school it is a little over P40k per year.
Hi Phil – Several of my nieces and nephews call me "Dad" and it always makes me feel special too.
Hi Tommy – I have heard that St. Mary's is a good school. Don't know much about it, but that is what I've heard. P1K is cheap.
How times have changed! I graduated from Ateneo de Manila (college) in the early 90s and I distinctly remember the whole 4 years costing around P64,000 give or take because some of my batchmates then made shirts which said "This shirt cost my parents P64,000." Crazy to think that my whole college education can now only pay for a year and a half at ADDU. Btw, I remember Blogie Robillo from ADMU, I think he was a batch or two below me and Milper Bolodo was co-member of an organization but I'm sure they don't even remember me :).
Congrats, Dad!
One can't go wrong by providing offspring with the best education (which, as you know, includes matching the school to the child and vice versa).
Always obtained the best available for my two sons. Now, they're both computer engineers working for the same hi-tech corp on different projects – each project matching the associated son's strengths.
One of the few joys of being an "empty-nester" is success in gettin dem kids learned up real gud. 😆
Hi Danny,
I think that was very well said and I can tell that you are a very good Dad. I could not agree with you more about the way the kids are being spoiled in U.S.more and more. I am a single parent of a 17 yr. old son and stopped my career so I could be with him helping the teachers and being there for his class. He will be graduating this May 19th with high honors and was offered scholarships in track but turned them down to go to the Army to train in the Special Forces. This was not really what I had in mind for him, but it was his choice and I have to encourage him. I always wanted him to be a football star.
The point I am trying to make is that it's so important to put the right foundation in your kids and it sure sounds like you're doing that. Can't tell you enough how good it makes me feel to see a dad hugging his kids like yourself in the picture.
I see that you are planning to move there and I assume it's from the U.S.and I also plan to move there when my farm here in Texas is sold.
Keep up your good attitude and participate in every school activity with Chesca that you can because you and she will always treasure it.
God Bless Your Family,
Dale
Hi mia – Yep, things are a little more expensive these days! BTW, Blogie and Milper are both good friends!
Hi Paul – Thanks for the tips. Yes, education is a very important thing!
Ateneo is indeed the best school in the country.
Hi Philmor – I couldn't help but agree with you there. Some others have other opinions though! 😆
Tom 1000 pesos ? I was paying 1600 pesos a month in the sticks ( in the Province ) plus projects..
Yes a 1000 peso is cheap..but thats ok..if it is good school. I pay about 1800 + special projects.
If I did not go to Davao City I would have thought the first picture would be a doctored pic of Aussie students using photo shop to blacken everyones hair. The second pic is more of what I am used to here. Goes to show it pays to shop around and do some homework, there is quality out there, just gotta find it.
Congratulations on the graduation of your children Bob. This is a milestone you will cherish for the rest of your life.
I noticed several comments insinuating U.S. schools aren't very good. While I agree cetain schools may not be as good as others, making blanket statements about the school system in the U.S. demonstrates ignorance. School systems vary widely from state to state and from district to district within a state. Assuming all or even most of them are the same would be a mistake. The majority of schools in the U.S. compare favorably to those in other first world countries.
As far as the values of children in the U.S. are concerned, parents play a major role in shapping their children. If you don't like how your child turned out go look in a mirror and you'll see who's to blame.
Hi Bob.
Congrats. with your kids.
I cannot comment on wich school is the best in RP, however I would be happy if anyone can give any comment on Siliman University, since one of our nieces would like to attend there. They do have a web-site, but it would be nice with outside valuation.
I agree with you 100% David S.
My sister-in-law's five children are one of the best behaved, polite kids I have ever encountered and they are NOT from the Philippines, they are Caucasian born and raise here in the US.
When I was in the Philippines in Feb 09, we had several family get together and one of my first cousin's grandchild is such a spoiled brat, obnoxious and generally misbehave wherever she went. She didn't want to share the toys with other children. And she smack my 3 yr old daughter-to-be (were in the middle of adopting her)on the head. I was so mad that I wanted to spank the little brat!
Quoted for truth:
"Parents play a major role in shaping their children. If you don’t like how your child turned out go look in a mirror and you’ll see who’s to blame."
Hi Boss – Yep, that first picture looks like some kind of military academy or something, everybody really in their place and doing as they are supposed to do. It's an amazing difference.
Hi David – Yes, it's a good feeling to see your kids reach milestones in their life, and know that you had something to do with pushing them to where they are.
I love your last statement about looking in the mirror… nothing could be more true!
Hi Preben – thank you. Siliman? They have an excellent reputation!
Hi Miss August – Isn't that a wonderful quote about looking in the mirror? I love it, and David really hit a nice note of truth there.
Hi David,
Your right about the statements you have made. Also, I apologize for generalizing or insinuating "all" US school systems are bad. I didn't mean to do that, was just speaking of the ones I have been involved with here in the USA..which in include Maryland and Florida. Sorry for the "blanket" statement.
Salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Bob,
Ateneo grade school maybe coed, but as far as I know, Ateneo HS is exclusive only for boys, at least true when I was still in ADMU back in 1990. So if you have a daughter in high school, where would you send her?
Juan
dear JuanDaBest:
fyi – ateneo de davao (AdDU)’s grade school and high school has been coed for a long time already. I’m not so sure with the grade school, but the HS started admitting female students in 1977, with the first batch of graduates in 1981. The grade school, I am told by my aunts and older female cousins who went there, admitted girls starting in the mid-sixties.
Hello JeanDaBest – I can't speak for ADMU, but ADDU HS is indeed coed, there are plenty of girl students! My daughter, though does not wish to attend ADDU. She has chosen another high school in Davao.