45 SVD-ALS take A&E Test

Photo taken as our SVD-ALS test-takers are about to enter
Dasmarinas National High School (Oct 25, 2009, around 6:00 am)

Around 4:00 am yesterday (25 Oct 09, Sunday), I brought our 45 SVD-ALS learners to Dasmarinas National High School to take the Accreditation and Equivalency test (A&E test) being conducted by the Department of Education. The SVD-ALS learners were part of the 4,324 test-takers from the whole province of Cavite, 330 of these were under the 8 learning centers supervised by Arnold Janssen Catholic Mission Foundation led by Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD of St. Jude Catholic School.

Their instructional managers (teachers) and I expect a high passing rate for the SVD-ALS. Our students were well-prepared and said that the test was "madali" (easy).

The A&E test" is designed to measure competencies of those who have not finished either the formal elementary or secondary education." Those who registered for the test consisted of unemployed/underemployed out-of-school youth and adults;formal schools leavers/drop-outs; persons with physical disabilities; inmates, rebel/soldier integrees; members of cultural minorities; indigenous peoples;Industry-based workers,housewives, helpers, factory, workers, drivers.

The afternoon batch of ALS A&E test-takers

Most of our 45 SVD-ALS learners are formal school leavers (drop-outs) from Tagaytay City, Amadeo and Silang; 2 workers of Divine Word Seminary, 1 housewife; 2 workers of the FMM; and 2 workers of the Dominican Sisters.

With the SVD-ALS inside our compound and being supported by DWST, our seminary does its part in what we SVDs call "prophetic dialogue" with the poor and marginalized.

SVD-ALS during President's Cory's Funeral

What does one benefit after passing the ALS A&E Test? The following came from DepEd's website:

• Enroll as High School Freshman for elementary level passers;
• Enroll in post-secondary courses (tech/voc, two/three/four/five-year course of the
CHED and PASUC member institutions);
• Access to Meralco Foundation, Inc. and TESDA skills training programs; and
• Opportunity to acquire eligibility to government employment positions under CSC
Resolution No. 499.

The ALS, if I may add, is not only about passing the A&E test but, in the modules, there are a lot sessions about good values and moral conduct, becoming good citizens, and the awareness of the issues of justice, peace and integrity of creation (e.g. preserving the environment).

SVD-ALS learners with Father Superior General
(Philippine SVD Centennial at DWST)

In behalf of the 126 SVD-ALS learners (45 of whom were qualified to take the test) let me express my personal gratitude and deep appreciation to the following who lent a hand to make the first batch of SVD-ALS a success:

• Fr. Fred Saniel, SVD, our rector and the rest of the Divine Word Seminary community for the all-out support including the use of the Dispensary building, free use of water and electricity, and basketball gym.
  
• Ma'am Olive Tolentino - our head instructional manager; Perla B. Costa and Ritchelle Q. Razon, our instructional managers. They did an admirable job (in spite of meager remuneration).
  
• Ma'am Gemma Patricio, ALS Supervisor of Arnold Janssen learning centers
• Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD and the Board of Trustees of the Arnold Janssen Catholic Mission Foundation.
• Fr. Nielo Cantilado, SVD and the provincialate of Philippine Central Province for the significant financial assistance.
• Revs. Jong Biton, Ferds Bajao, and Dante Barril - SVD deacons who assisted in the administration.
• Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD and his friends. Fr. Flavie is tasked to conceptualize the livelihood skill program for "graduates" of SVD-ALS.
  
• Atty Yolly Doblon; Ms. Nini Carbon, and Ms. Seni Basilio, Ms. Tess Tatlonghari (soup kitchen), Ms. Truly Griffiths (Hongkong), and last but not the least, the CTS 2009-2010 students.

From left: Rev. Dante, Rev. Jong, Ma'am Che,
Rev. Ferdie, Ma'am Perla, and Ma'am Olive.
Our SVD deacons will be ordained on Dec. 5, 2009

Our three SVD-ALS instructional managers (teachers)

From: Fr. Randy Flores, SVD - SVD-ALS Site Coordinator.