John & Camille inspire kids to pursue their dreams

MANILA, Philippines - While most celebrities tend to invest in tangible assets that appreciate over the years, a few others channel their hard-earned money into more meaningful, nobler and longer-lasting investments that benefit not only themselves, but other people as well.

A firm believer in the value of proper education, showbiz siblings John and Camille Prats recently led the groundbreaking ceremonies for the expansion and improvement of Divine Angels Montessori, their very own pre-school situated in Cainta, Rizal.

From its original 400-square meter lot situated along the main avenue of Executive Homes’ Village East, the school is expanding its floor area into an 860-square meter lot located just a few blocks away.

Upon completion, the new four-story school building will have 22 classrooms, a basketball court, an auditorium, computer rooms and laboratories and other modern-day teaching amenities.

Under the stewardship of its academic head Carmela Enriquez, the school mobilizes its faculty members to consistently inspire academic excellence.

Although initially geared towards pre-school and elementary education, Divine Angels might be able to expand its curricula to accommodate up to Grade 10 by schoolyear 2015 to 2016.

It was John and Camille’s dad, Dondie Prats, who encouraged his kids to invest in real estate. The fruition of the dream culminated around 2005 when Camille was pregnant with her first child, and seriously pursued her training in Montessori education during her stay in the US.

Despite its humble beginnings, Divine Angels Montessori slowly earned the respect of parents and the academic community as well for its dedicated teaching staff and relevant and results-oriented curricula.

With the new school building, John feels they can do so much more in giving back to the community that helped mold them into God-fearing and family-oriented citizens — a rarity in today’s scandal-laden showbiz world.

He says, “When we think of investments, we think of ways that will not only enrich us, but enrich and empower other people as well. That’s a more lasting legacy that you can leave behind, and which more people will remember you by.”

Although she doesn’t actually teach at the school, Camille is very much hands-on with everything from administration, finance, marketing, curriculum development and other important details.

So, despite having her hands full taking care of six-year-old son Nathan, Camille is equally proud and fiercely protective of her other “baby.”

“More than a labor of love, it represents a dream come true for me and my family, because there’s a bigger joy in seeing the faces of the kids as they embrace the world with their newfound learnings. And as these kids grow up and you see how crucial your role is in molding them their dreams, aspirations and ideals, that’s when you realize how important and priceless education really is. It’s really the best gift we can give our children,” Camille says.

Divine Angels Montessori is scheduled for completion before June 2014.