Academic excellence

On November 21, some of the finest musical artists produced by the University of the Philippines will perform in a spectacular music event dubbed “100 Years of World Class Music.” Many of these artists live abroad, but they will be back in Diliman for the event organized by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association as part of its continuing series of celebrations to commemorate the centennial of the University of the Philippines.

Sharing the UP Theatre stage in Diliman with the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the UP Singing Ambassadors, and the UP Concert Chorus will be musical greats Evelyn Mandac, Noel Velasco, Frankie Asinero, Camille Lopez-Molina, Nolyn Cabahug, Dondi Ong, Ana Feleo, Aileen Cura, Jean Velasco-Vicars, Emlyn Santos, Joseph Olfindo, Eric Ferrer, Joseph Esmilla, Tony Maigue and Lester Demetillo. They will be accompanied by fine musicians from the UP College of Music. Behn Cervantes will direct the event.

The program will include classical operatic masterpieces, soprano, tenor and baritone numbers, popular favorites, and specially crafted dance performances.

UPAA President Gari Tiongco says that by honoring UP in this concert, the UP also honors her grateful alumni who are performing in this concert. 

For details, call the UPAA secretariat at 920-6868 and 920-6871.

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A few months back I wrote about the Esteban School’s local alliance with the University of Western Australia (UWA). The UWA entered a partnership with the Esteban School to provide its Equis-accredited MBA program within the Esteban campus. During that time I had the opportunity to attend the UWA’s “Entrepreneurship and innovation” class and experienced a standard of education that I only heard of through books and movies. I can only describe the mind-opening session as probably the closest thing one can get to an Ivy League education without actually packing one’s luggage and moving abroad.

What amazed me the most was the fact that the school actually flew in top professors and practitioners from Australia to instruct the classes. Thanks to the sharp insight and candor of the instructors, my class felt more like an international symposium than your everyday classroom experience. I almost lost track of the fact that I was seated in a school located in Makati. The educational environment made me feel like I was partaking in a global network of information and learning.

During that time I also marveled at the Esteban School itself, which is considered “The Best International School in a Warming and Nurturing Environment.” I thoroughly enjoyed walking through the lush expanse of the Esteban School’s Pasong Tamo campus. (They were formerly located in Dasmarinas Village; another school is presently located in Alabang.( From brothers Tony and David Esteban who are in charge of running the institution, I learned that the school will be celebrating its 45th anniversary next year.

At the time of the school’s founding, a number of historic milestones in the international arena were taking shape. Then American President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. France and The People’s Republic of China announced their decision to finally establish diplomatic relations. The first Ford Mustang rolled down the assembly line. Encapsulating the Esteban School in this historic context makes one understand and appreciate the longevity of the institution.

The school was founded in Manila by Eleanor Esteban, an education visionary who was driven by the desire to prepare the next generation of responsible global citizens. Initially, the school accepted pre-school students, with classes being held in the Esteban family’s backyard. The Esteban school has since expanded to include primary and secondary curriculums, while pioneering offshore education (through its partnership with the UWA) in the Philippines.

One of the school’s guiding lights has been Mrs. Esteban’s willingness to adopt different methodologies to ensure the best education for her students. This pioneering spirit is proven by such endeavors as opening her first pre-school in 1964 to the establishing of one of the first K-12 Philippine International Schools in 1996.

The desire to break new ground and embrace new teaching methods is one advantage the Esteban school has over other educational institutions. Its relatively small size permits it to adapt to the ever-changing needs of today’s youth with more quickness. A larger university may not be able to modify its curriculum as quickly, due to its multi-tiered organization.

I am told that most schools adhere to an old-style education system whereby chairs are placed in neat rows and students are expected to conform to the standard courses. This structure has teachers lecturing to students — a situation that gives little opportunity for the free exchange of ideas from the students’ perspective. In contrast, Mrs. Esteban’s way has her school changing the old norms by fostering critical thinking and independent thought among the students.

Through the decades, the Esteban School has nourished the education needs of both Filipino and expatriate communities. Its experience has empowered the school to adopt an integrated, multi-faceted curriculum that adheres to global standards. Today, the school also taps into its heritage which look forward to equip students with the necessary skills to adapt and thrive in a global environment.

A balance between academic longevity and innovation is one of the primary standards of excellence needed to assess a school. As colleges and universities look to the future and try to adapt to the ever-fluctuating world of technology and change, one of principal virtue will always be heritage.

It is said that with age comes wisdom. It’s good to know that the deep roots of the Esteban School enable it to stake its claim on the future and break new academic ground.

For more details, log on to www.estebanschool.org.

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My e-mail:[email protected]