MITIS Distinguishes Its Best Communicators thru an Impromptu Speaking Contest

It is more than English language skills that distinguishes the best speaker from the rest.

This is what transpired during the Impromptu Speaking Contest conducted by the MIT International School (MITIS) through its English Department on October 12, 2011. Packaged in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UNMDG) for 2015, the contest underscored the school’s vigorous efforts to develop and produce critical, reflective, and competent communicators and promote active global citizenship.

Ten brave and exceptional students from Grades 7 to 12 demonstrated their fluency in English as well as their social awareness as they expressed their knowledge and socially significant insights on different issues such as poverty alleviation, universal primary education, gender equality and women empowerment, and environment sustainability. Hyung Jun Woo (Peter) of Grade 12, currently the STRIPES (the school’s official publication) Editor-in-Chief, won the first place while Michael Andre Barbarona of Grade 8 bagged the second place. Dong Kyu Hyung of Grade 12, currently the Student Coordinating Board (SCB) President, placed third.

“We in the English Department believe that competitions like this will encourage and inspire the students to not just be good in the English language, but to become excellent and competent communicators,” said Ms. Mae Malanum, MITIS English Coordinator who is leading the school’s English Programs.

Dr. Bienvenido V. Santos, MITIS President and Principal, also added that to enhance the standard benefits that students gain in the academic and extra-curricular programs of the school, MITIS firmly highlights and promotes the Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs) in all possible venues. “We are keen on producing only the best [graduates] and that’s why we have to embed the concept of ESLRs in everything that we do,” said Dr. Santos.

The Impromptu Speaking Contest is in line with the school’s Speak English Campaign, a year-round program that aims to promote appreciation for the English language among its staff and students as a medium for bridging cultures and a tool for global advocacies.  More activities such as the oratorical, story-telling and poetry writing contests, writing workshops, and the Play Festival await the students in the succeeding months. Meanwhile, the Best English Speaking Class contest, where Grade 10-A was cited the winner for the first quarter, and the Weekly Trivia Contest are ongoing activities that students are encouraged to participate in until the end of the school year.

Photos:

Hyung Jun Woo, Grade 12, talks about lack of education being the primary cause of poverty among developing countries.

Michael Andre Barbarona, Grade 8, shares his ideas on how he and his schoolmates, in their own little ways, can promote gender equality. 

Dong Kyu Hyung, Grade 12, enlightens his schoolmates that education contributes significantly to a country’s development.

MITIS English Coordinator Ms. Mae Malanum talks about the UNMDG program prior to the contest proper. The Impromptu Speaking Contest questions were drawn from the Millennium Development Goals for 2015 to align with the Social Science Department’s efforts to support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The judges listening attentively to the contestants as they inform, convince, and at the same time impress the audience with their substantial speeches. The Panel of Judges includes former MITIS Math and English Teacher Ms. Gabby Buencamino (Chairman of the Board of Judges), MITIS Public Affairs and Communications Specialist Mr. AJ Tapia, and MITIS Foreign Language Teacher Ms. Anke Marie Morsheim.

MITIS President and Principal Dr. Bienvenido Santos handing over the certificates to the contest participants. 

The contestants, together with Dr. Santos, filled with thrill as they wait for the announcement of winners. The criteria for selecting the best speakers include grammar and delivery, content and organization, audience impact, and the speaker’s and the speech’s overall appeal.

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MITIS and Me (A Reflection from Teacher Val Angeline Ungson)

It has been a long journey for me trying to find a school that would fit the kind of perspective I have of education. I have been to several schools before and I noticed that very few of them give high value to each and every student. It has been an ongoing disease that most educators just teach and do not care if the seeds of knowledge that they plant on their students are absorbed well enough for them to grow, bloom, and move to the next level. 

I admire MITIS for its student-centered atmosphere. I cannot agree more with the line quoted by Dr. Santos from Ralph Waldo Emerson that “The secret of education is respect for the child.” For me, children are like sponges. They absorb what is readily given to them. They also learn best from example. If we respect our students, they will likely respect us in return and carry the same attitude when they are on their own. 

I think that students are the most essential part of the school. It’s true that we, teachers, are working for them. However, this idea is not in any way to make us feel inferior but to make us develop a heart that aims and hopes for the good of each student. In times when we feel down and we ask ourselves why we have entered into this kind of profession, we can just go back to the fact that students depend on us. 

Early on at this stage, I have already seen that MITIS really works for the learners. Most of the ideas included in the philosophy as well as the mission and vision of the school are well thought of to cater to the needs of the students. The whole school community is focused on how it can help achieve its students’ dreams and aspirations. 

I see that students are happy in this school. Happiness is such a common word but is not so commonly found in each individual. For me, happiness, more than just being a concept of having fun and enjoying school, serves as a fuel that make the students feel motivated. To motivate our students, we must also try and understand each level of learning as well as concepts and ideas that can get their attention most efficiently.

My main philosophy of education is to meet the needs of the students in all areas of learning as well as in experiences they would go through within the school. With MITIS, I have now found a partner in meeting this goal.

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Success for Every Learner (A Reflection from Teacher Carmina Ambrosio)

Learning can be achieved when individuals have the drive or the desire to learn.  Anything is possible for a person with a burning desire to learn and the passion to achieve whatever goal he sets for himself. A person who is highly motivated wouldn’t be easily distracted by setbacks and other extrinsic factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural differences, peer pressure, and many others that may affect him along the way. A properly motivated person sees an opportunity in every setback and circumstances.

However, it is also the role of the school, the teacher in partnership with the parents to help the students uncover their potential and develop them holistically. The learning and the development of a child will not be a success if one of the essential factors is lacking. The school, the teachers and the parents should work hand in hand for the student to achieve success.

The role of the school is to provide a safe environment where the students feel secured, welcomed and respected whatever their race, color and nationality may be. The school also provides the curriculum that is suited to what every child should learn. 

The role of the parents is to provide unconditional love and support. Parents should supervise their children's development because children do well in school when parents are involved and aware of their children's progress.

The role of the teacher is not just to transmit knowledge but to ensure that learning is taking place inside the classroom. Teachers make the students realize their dreams and help them develop their full potential. They push and motivate the children to be the best they can possibly be.

Therefore, the school, the teachers and the parents play an important role in learning and achieving success.

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Life Is Education (A Reflection from Teacher Carmina Ambrocio)

“Empowered academic achievers and lifelong learners…”

We start the course of learning during infancy and it continues until we get old. Everything we know is a product of what we had learned, whether it was taught in school or it was grasped from our environment and our everyday experiences. Our life is indeed is a constant lesson for us to discover and learn. Therefore, as students of life we should be equipped with the proper attitude towards learning and that is what the school is preparing us for.

As a teacher I want my students to imbibe the attitude of zeal and passion for learning. I want to motivate them and help them persevere to achieve their full potential and prepare them to be lifelong learners. We are not just responsible to teach them what is in the book, but it is also our responsibility to teach them how to think and how to learn. We should ignite their intellectual curiosity and their reasoning. The students should also learn how to acquire knowledge and how to apply this in real life situations. We are most certain that the students learn once they can confidently apply and relate knowledge to their every day experiences.

Lifelong learners aren’t solely focused on academic achievements but they are also equipped with the right conduct. To be successful in everything we do, we need to have the balance of good character and fully develop abilities. Abilities can lead us to success, but character is what will keep us successful.

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MITIS Parents Association Oath-taking Ceremony

The newly-elected officers of the MIT International School (MITIS) Parents Association took their oath of office before Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro on September 26, 2011 at the Muntinlupa City Hall.  The new officers were headed by the association’s president, businesswoman Mariselle Revita who was for many years  was the Executive Secretary of the Muntinlupa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She succeeded John Prior, a corporate executive, whose daughter, Maria, graduated from Grade 12 in May 2011.

The parents were accompanied by MITIS officials Marciano Rebollos, Charlene Salvador, and Lei Pangilinan. Their presence affirmed the school’s belief that the highest standards of learning can be achieved through close collaboration with the students’ families.  In his brief remarks, Mayor San Pedro expressed hopes that the parents will be helpful to the school.

The association’s first president was banker Raymond Reboredo whose son, Franco, is a mainstay of the school’s varsity basketball team.  The first set of officers served for two school years highlighted by the parents’ participation in the initial accreditation visit of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in March, 2009. 

The present officers were earlier exhorted by the school Principal, Dr. Bienvenido V. Santos, to undertake programs in support of the school’s expected schoolwide learning results (ESLRs).  Ms. Revita and two other officers are members of the Leadership Team which is responsible for the preparation of the Self-Study Report in preparation for the WASC accreditation visit in March, 2012.   

The following form the complete set of officers for SY 2011-2012:  Mariselle Revita, President; Lee Yeon Soo, Vice President; Susan Barbarona, Secretary; Veronica Yco, Assistant Secretary; Hyun Kyong Kim, Treasurer; Jong Im Lee, Asst. Treasurer; Shinshi Ireneo, Auditor; Flor Castolo and Mrs. Chung, Business Managers; Elyza Rivera and Seyeon Lim, Public Information Officers.

 

Top photo shows MITIS Parents Association officers during the Oath-Taking Ceremony. Other photo shows Oath-taking Ceremony attendees (from left to right) MITIS Parents Association Auditor Shinshi Ireneo, Business Manager Flor Castolo, Assistant Secretary Veronica Yco, Treasurer Hyun Kyong Kim, President Mrs. Mariselle Revita, Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, Muntinlupa Youth Leaders Council Mayor for District 4-Elementary Level Bettina Mendoza, MITIS Registrar Charlene Salvador, MITIS Student Activity Coordinator Lei Pangilinan, and MITIS Administrative Services Liaison Officer Marciano Rebollos.

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