Education is an essential part of life, and in a progressive and steadily growing metropolis like Cagayan de Oro, schools at all levels from primary, secondary, to tertiary are ever present and growing to provide this education. All in all, the city has 120 private schools at all levels registered with the Department of Education. If the count were to include all public schools, the number would more than triple.

Being the major flagship city of Northern Mindanao, its colleges and universities have their share of students coming to enroll from the other provinces in Region 10 as well as from the towns all over Misamis Oriental. From a mere 3 colleges in the 1950’s serving all levels, Cagayan de Oro can now boast of having 4 major universities and at least 6 major colleges. Featured here are the major universities and colleges only in Cagayan de Oro.

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

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From a humble start of a two-floor wooden building in 1933 as an all-boys school, Xavier University celebrated its Diamond Jubilee year in 2008. This makes the Ateneo de Cagayan the oldest university and school in Cagayan de Oro.

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Today, one of the oldest schools in the Jesuit Order’s education system now houses more than 11,000 students, faculty, and staff annually. Xavier was founded by Fr. James TG. Hayes, SJ, who would later on become Cagayan de Oro’s first bishop and archbishop. From 1933 the school steadily grew in size until it was almost destroyed by bombers in World War II.

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Rebuilding and reconstruction was begun in 1945 by Fr. Edward Haggerty, SJ. As the Ateneo de Cagayan steadily grew once again, it was granted university status in 1958, making it the first university in Mindanao. The university actually has five campuses aside from the main tertiary campus in Divisoria along Corrales Avenue.

There is the Manresa Agriculture extension, the Center for Industrial Technology (CIT), the High School Annex, and the Grade School Annex in Pueblo de Oro in upper Carmen, and the Grade School campus in Macasandig.

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Along with its primary and secondary schools, Xavier also offers courses from its School of Business and Management, School of Education, College of Agriculture, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Computer Studies, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, School of Medicine, Graduate School, and College of Law. It also has two- and three-year courses at the Center for Industrial Technology.

Liceo de Cagayan University

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The Liceo de Cagayan is the second non-sectarian college in the city to receive university status in 1998. The school was founded in 1955 by a native Cagayanon, Atty. Rodolfo N. Pelaez.

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It has since become a lean and close family corporation with its campus along Pelaez Boulevard in Kauswagan.

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After 59 years the university now serves the region from its main campus and a separate elementary and high school campus in Carmen.

Image Source | www.facebook.com/liceouniversity

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It now offers major courses from its 14 colleges and schools such as Arts and Sciences, Business and Accountancy, Criminal Justice, Education, Engineering, Information Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Sciences, Radiologic Technology, Law, and Graduate Studies.

Capitol University

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The former Cagayan de Oro Capitol College is a non-sectarian and private university, and the second school in the city to receive university status in 2003.

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The school first opened in CDO in 1971 and slowly but steadily grew to now have its enlarged main campus along Corrales Avenue Extension, with its medical programs at the Capitol University Medical Center in Gusa, and the M/V Capitol, a 650-ton freighter serving as training ship for its maritime courses.

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There was a bit of controversy when the school was granted university status since it was going to use Cagayan de Oro University for its inaugural name. The Cagayan de Oro College complained about this since it claimed to carry the rights to this name if ever it would gain university status in the future. Hence the name Capitol University.

Image Source | cu.edu.ph

Today, the university serves major courses from its undergraduate colleges in Computer Studies, Education, Engineering, Maritime Education, Nursing, Midwifery, and Graduate School.

Mindanao University of Science and Technology

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Formerly known as the Mindanao Polytechnic State College, the school is the fourth in Cagayan de Oro and the first public non-sectarian college to receive university status only in 2009.

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A great leap onwards from a small government trade school that opened back in 1927, it now has its main campus along C.M. Recto Avenue in Lapasan, with its satellite campuses in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, and Oroquieta City and Panaon, Misamis Occidental.

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Due to the American Commonwealth Act 3377, the Misamis Oriental Trade School was established in 1927, changing its name to Mindanao School of Arts and Trade in 1952, again in 1978 to Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Polytechnic State College, and again in 1991 to Mindanao Polytechnic State College.

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There is presently a pending bill in the senate to once again change the school’s name to the University of Science and Technology in the Philippines. Its major courses are offered under the Doctoral Degree Programs, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Policy Studies, Education and Management, College of Engineering and Architecture, College of Industrial and Information Technology, College of Arts and Sciences, Certificate Professional Programs, and Vocational Training Programs.

Cagayan de Oro College (COC-PHINMA)

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COC is a private non-sectarian established in the city in 1947, making it the second oldest school and college in Cagayan de Oro.

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It now stands in its new campus location along Max Suniel Street in Carmen. Formerly a family corporation under the Damasing Family, the college is now under the PHINMA Investment Group that runs businesses all over the country in property, energy, education, and business process outsourcing.

Image Source | http://www.panoramio.com/photo/538859

In 1947 up to 1955 the college had separated campuses on Apolinar Velez Street and Tiano Bros. Street. In 1955 the college transferred to its present location, though the original campus was only a two-floor building.

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Through the years COC has slowly grown and expanded its campus to serve its growing number of courses. Its major courses are served in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Education, Management and Accountancy, Engineering and Architecture, Information Technology, Nursing, Graduate School, as well as its elementary and secondary departments.

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There are other colleges in Cagayan de Oro like the Lourdes College, Southern Philippines College, STI College, Pilgrim Christian College, and AMA Computer College. These may be featured in a future article. For now, seeing this initial lineup of schools gives the impression of a city that has progressed from a “one-horse town” in the 20^th century to a major city player for Northern Mindanao.

The post Top Schools and Universities in Cagayan de Oro – Educational Facilities that Can Provide the Best Education for Your Children appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

High schools in Cagayan De Oro City Philippines are usually ranked based on its percentage grade from its results from the National Achievement Test (NAT).

The National Achievement Test for High School

The original high school achievement test that started in the 1970’s was the NCEE (National College Entrance Examination). The NCEE was replaced by the NSAT (National Secondary Achievement Test) in 1994. Basically the NCEE and NSAT were similar in that they served as a sort of college entrance grading system rather than a secondary level achievement rating. In 2006, the old Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) was converted to Department of Education (DepEd), and with this change came the shift to the NAT that served as a real achievement measurement not only for individual 4^th year high school students but also for the high school as a whole. Thus, high schools in a certain city or region can now be ranked based on its percentage grade from the NAT rankings.

Gusa Regional Science High School

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It’s not surprising that the most consistently top ranked high school in Cagayan de Oro happens to be the Regional Science High School, Region 10, Northern Mindanao. Many of its students actually hail from middle class income and high income families because of the high quality level of teaching in the school.

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It was founded in 1994 as a Regional Science Annex of Gusa National High School, eventually shifting to its present status in 2002. The school has been consistent not only its top ranking in the NAT but also in its academic fielding as one of the top 10 public high schools in the Philippines as well as bagging numerous national and international competitions in academics and campus journalism.

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Elementary graduates can only take the school’s entrance examination if they have a weighted average of at least 85% and a final grade of at least 85% in English, Science, and Math, and no grade lower than 83% in other subjects.

Oro Christian Grace School

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This non-profit, sectarian, and non-Catholic private high school was established in 1986 in a small lot in Biasong Tinib in Macasandig. Today, the school can be seen from the main roads due to its tall buildings, giving reality to its past dream to become CDO’s leading Christian School coupling academic excellence with spiritual development and competent character.

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The school also offers Chinese language arts. The school has a unique two-teachers-to-30-students-ratio, thus, making sure that teachers get to spend real quality time with all their students and to be able to pinpoint strengths or weaknesses in the students.

Xavier University High School

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Consistently placing in the top 5 of NAT rankings, Xavier High School’s low scoring for two straight years is probably due to the students having to adjust to occupying temporary classrooms at the SBM Commerce and Faber Hall Buildings at the main campus on Corrales Avenue. The high school campus at Pueblo de Oro had to undergo major renovations and reconstruction.

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In spite of this, Xavier High School has been consistently ranked high even during the NCEE and NSAT years, and now more than ever with NAT. A partnership of academic learning with Jesuit pedagogical character development enables the school to churn out quality graduates even in large numbers. This opening school year for 2015-2016 will see the students return to their Pueblo de Oro campus.

COC-PHINMA High School

With the shift from being a locally owned family business starting in 1947 to being run and managed by the PHINMA Education Network after it was acquired in 2005, physically and academically the school has grown and improved in great leaps forward, none more so than its high school department.

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Its high school is one of the few in the city that not only attracts Cagayanons but also students from as far as Bukidnon, Camiguin, and the neighboring towns and cities in Misamis Oriental. From its present main campus on Max Suniel Street in Carmen, it now has satellite locations in Agusan and Puerto.

Liceo de Cagayan University High School

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Liceo High School is part of the Liceo de Cagayan University basic education system as part of its non-sectarian thrust at their main campus on Rodelsa Avenue in Carmen. The high school came about only in 1981, but by 1998 when the school received its university status, the secondary education standard of teaching has greatly improved in great bounds, turning out hundreds of quality high school graduates each year. Its faculty focuses on teaching that prepares its students to the realities of college learning, possible vocational leanings, entrepreneurship, innovation, self-reliance, creativeness, and mature responsibilities.

Corpus Christi High School

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With its original and main campus in Macasandig since 1975 , and its new campus on Fr. Masterson Avenue in Upper Carmen, Corpus Christi is actually registered as a non-sectarian school, in spite of its given name. With its adherence to academic excellence also comes a tolerant balance to try to accommodate the different religions in its campuses.

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Thus, even while the school has regular catholic masses, it also allows other Christian sects and even its Muslim students to hold their own services. The original school in 1975 found its beginnings in The Little School House along Tomas Saco Street. Academic excellence is focused mostly on language, writing, science, and math.

 Consistent NAT rankings

Because of the constant shifting in NAT rankings for local high schools in the Cagayan de Oro area, the researchers faced the problem of disproportionate rankings between small high schools and large ones. For instance, a high school with only 100 4^th year students has a distinct advantage in percentage rankings over, say, a large high school with 500 4^th year students taking the NAT. Thus, consistency is important when ranking the top high schools. However, by 2016, NAT will no longer be the basis for ranking high schools; with the entry of the K-12 program, NAT will serve as the basis if a student should move on to college or take a specialized vocational program in Year 11 and 12.

The post Top High Schools in Cagayan de Oro City Based on Consistent NAT Rankings appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

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An international education search engine and directory, 4 International Colleges and Universities (4icu.org) which reviews accredited institutions in the world recently revealed its 2016 Most Popular Colleges and Universities in the Philippines list which is solely based on web ranking or online popularity. With 5 universities coming from Cagayan de Oro City.

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan ranked 20th on the list being the top University coming from Cagayan de Oro.

Image Source | www.skyscrapercity.com

On the 87th rank is Liceo de Cagayan University.

Image Source | Facebook: Lourdes College Cagayan de Oro City

Lourdes College is on the 97th rank.

With Capitol University and Mindanao University of Science and Technology on the 105th and 109th rank, respectively.

Image Source | www.skyscrapercity.com

See the full list below.

RANK SCHOOL and LOCATION
1 University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City
2 De La Salle University Manila
3 University of the Philippines System Quezon City
4 Ateneo de Manila University Quezon City
5 University of the Philippines Los Baños Los Baños
6 University of Santo Tomas Manila
7 University of Southeastern Philippines Davao City
8 Universidad de Zamboanga Zamboanga City
9 Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila
10 University of San Carlos Cebu City
11 University of the Philippines Manila Manila
12 Mapua Institute of Technology Manila
13 Ateneo de Davao University Davao City
14 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University Iloilo City
15 Western Mindanao State University Zamboanga City
16 Ateneo de Zamboanga University Zamboanga City
17 University of the East Manila
18 Asian Institute of Management Makati City
19 Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology Iligan City
20 Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan Cagayan de Oro City
21 Aquinas University of Legazpi Legazpi City
22 Far Eastern University Manila
23 Central Philippine University Iloilo City
24 Centro Escolar University Manila
25 Saint Louis University Baguio City
26 Ateneo de Naga University Naga City
27 De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Manila
28 University of the Philippines Mindanao Davao City
29 Adamson University Manila
30 University of the Philippines in the Visayas Iloilo City
31 Miriam College Quezon City
32 Cebu Doctors’ University Mandaue City
33 University of the Philippines Baguio Baguio City
34 Philippine Normal University Manila
35 Angeles University Foundation Angeles City
36 Silliman University Dumaguete City
37 Mindanao State University Marawi City
38 AMA Computer University Quezon City
39 Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Manila
40 University of Asia and the Pacific Pasig City
41 Holy Name University Tagbilaran City
42 Father Saturnino Urios University Butuan City
43 St. Paul University Manila Manila
44 De La Salle Lipa Lipa City
45 Mariano Marcos State University Batac, Ilocos Norte
46 Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City
47 Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication San Juan
48 Holy Angel University Angeles City
49 The Philippine Women’s University Manila
50 Manila Central University Caloocan City
51 Asia Pacific College Makati City
52 Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila
53 San Beda College Manila
54 Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila
55 University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Las Piñas City
56 Southwestern University Cebu City
57 Misamis University Ozamiz City
58 Pangasinan State University Lingayen, Pangasinan
59 Bukidnon State University Malaybalay City
60 Benguet State University La Trinidad …
61 Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies Silang
62 University of the Assumption City of San Fernando
63 Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila
64 National Defense College of the Philippines Quezon City
65 Jose Rizal University Mandaluyong City
66 Technological University of the Philippines Manila
67 Adventist University of the Philippines Cavite City
68 Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College Ilocos Sur
69 St. Scholastica’s College Manila
70 University of Nueva Caceres Naga City
71 Bulacan State University City of Malolos
72 University of St. La Salle Bacolod City
73 University of Cebu Cebu City
74 Tarlac State University Tarlac City
75 University of Mindanao Davao City
76 Trinity University of Asia Quezon City
77 University of Southern Mindanao Kabacan …
78 Saint Mary’s University Bayombong
79 Cavite State University Indang, Cavite
80 West Visayas State University Iloilo City
81 University of San Agustin Iloilo City
82 Philippine School of Business Administration Manila
83 Bicol University Legazpi City
84 Arellano University Manila
85 Caraga State University Butuan City
86 Philippine Christian University Manila
87 Liceo de Cagayan University Cagayan de Oro City
88 Cebu Institute of Technology Cebu City
89 La Salle University Ozamiz City
90 University of the Cordilleras Baguio City
91 Tarlac College of Agriculture Camiling
92 De La Salle Health Sciences Institute Dasmariñas City
93 Don Bosco Technical College Mandaluyong City
94 Central Colleges of the Philippines Quezon City
95 Assumption College Makati City
96 Colegio de San Juan de Letran Manila
97 Lourdes College Cagayan de Oro City
98 FEU Institute of Technology Manila
99 Western Philippines University Aborlan, Palawan
100 St. Paul University Philippines Tuguegarao City
101 Aklan State University Banga, Aklan
102 Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Bacnotan, La Union
103 Cagayan State University Tuguegarao City
104 Angelicum College Quezon City
105 Capitol University Cagayan de Oro City
106 Leyte Normal University Tacloban City
107 University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos Bacolod City
108 Baliuag University Baliuag
109 Mindanao University of Science and Technology Cagayan de Oro City
110 Holy Cross of Davao College Davao City
111 Aurora State College of Technology Baler, Aurora
112 Batangas State University Batangas City
113 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Quezon City
114 Manuel L. Quezon University Quiapo
115 University of Batangas Batangas City
116 University of Baguio Baguio City
117 Central Luzon State University Science City of Muñoz
118 FEATI University Manila
119 St. Luke’s College of Medicine – WHQM Quezon City
120 National University Manila
121 La Consolacion College Manila Manila
122 Notre Dame of Marbel University Koronadal City
123 Rizal Technological University Mandaluyong City
124 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation Lucena City
125 University of Perpetual Help System Jonelta City of Biñan
126 Lorma Colleges City of San Fernando
127 Cebu Technological University Cebu City
128 Chiang Kai Shek College Manila
129 Bataan Peninsula State University Balanga City
130 Universidad de Sta. Isabel Naga City
131 Cebu Normal University Cebu City
132 University of Northern Philippines Vigan City
133 Negros Oriental State University Dumaguete City
134 Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation San Carlos City
135 Davao Doctors College Davao City
136 Isabela State University Echague, Isabela
137 University of Rizal System Tanay
138 Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Cabanatuan City
139 Ramon Magsaysay Technological University Iba, Zambales
140 University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao City
141 PATTS College of Aeronautics Parañaque City
142 Southern Luzon State University Lucban
143 Bohol Island State University Tagbilaran City
144 Northwestern University Laoag City
145 University of Southern Philippines Foundation Cebu City
146 Aldersgate College Solano
147 Notre Dame of Dadiangas University City of General Santos
148 Laguna State Polytechnic University Sta. Cruz, Laguna
149 San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite Cavite City
150 Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology Sampaloc
151 Lipa City Colleges Lipa City
152 Palawan State University Puerto Princesa City
153 Union Christian College City of San Fernando
154 New Era University Quezon City
155 Western Visayas College of Science and Technology Iloilo City
156 University of Antique Sibalom
157 Saint Jude College Manila
158 Camarines Norte State College Camarines Norte
159 Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology Zamboanga City
160 Samar State University Catbalogan City
161 St. Paul University Dumaguete Dumaguete City
162 Olivarez College Parañaque City
163 The National Teachers College Manila
164 Eastern Samar State University Borongan
165 Saint Michael’s College of Laguna Biñan City
166 Naval State University Biliran
167 Mountain View College Valencia City
168 Colegio de Dagupan Dagupan City
169 Capiz State University Roxas City
170 Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University Bacolor
171 Surigao del Sur State University Tandag
172 Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology Claveria
173 Southern Leyte State University Sogod
174 Catanduanes State University Virac
175 Western Institute of Technology Iloilo City
176 Cor Jesu College Digos City
177 St. Louis College Valenzuela Valenzuela City
178 Romblon State University Odiongan
179 Abra State Institute of Science and Technology Lagangilang
180 Cebu Institute of Medicine Cebu City
181 Wesleyan University-Philippines Cabanatuan City
182 University of Iloilo – PHINMA Iloilo City
183 Meycauayan College Meycauayan City
184 Lyceum-Northwestern University Dagupan City
185 La Consolacion University Philippines Malolos City
186 St. Paul University Iloilo Iloilo City
187 Central Mindanao University Maramag
188 St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City Quezon City
189 Northern Luzon Adventist College Pangasinan
190 Sacred Heart College Lucena City
191 West Negros University Bacolod City
192 University of the Immaculate Conception Davao City
193 University of Luzon Dagupan City
194 Central Philippine Adventist College Murcia
195 Bulacan Agricultural State College San Ildefonso
196 Saint Pedro Poveda College Quezon City
197 St. Paul University Surigao Surigao City
198 University of Manila Manila
199 Visayas State University Baybay, Leyte
200 Republic Central Colleges Angeles City
201 Siena College of Taytay Taytay
202 University of Cagayan Valley Tuguegarao City
203 University of Bohol Tagbilaran City
204 Marinduque State College Boac
205 Sorsogon State College Sorsogon City
206 St. Mary’s College Quezon City
207 Nueva Vizcaya State University Bayombong
208 Eastern Visayas State University Tacloban City
209 Asian Social Institute Manila
210 Pasig Catholic College Pasig City
211 Filamer Christian University Roxas City
212 Santa Isabel College Manila
213 St. Paul University Quezon City Quezon City
214 University of La Salette Santiago City
215 Saint Joseph Institute of Technology Butuan City
216 University of Pangasinan Dagupan City
217 University of Eastern Philippines Catarman
218 Partido State University Camarines Sur
219 Guagua National Colleges Guagua
220 Guimaras State College Buenavista Guimaras

In the global ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Harvard University in the United States dominated this year. And in Asia, Fudan University replaced last year’s number 1 Peking University in the Top 100 Universities and Colleges list.

The post Top Colleges and Universities 2016: 5 Universities in CDO with Xavier University at the 20th Rank appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

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Soraya Laut from the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City made it to the top 10 of the 2015 Bar Examinations with a grade of 85.85%.

The examination took place in November 2015. While the result has been released on Tuesday, May 3, by the Supreme Court

Rachel Angeli Miranda, a graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP), claimed the top spot with a grade of 87.40%. Three other UP students made it to the top 10.

Here’s the complete list of the top 10 passers of the exam:

* – Tied

The post 2015 Bar Exam Results Released! – Soraya Laut From Xavier University Made it in the Top 10. appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Image Source | Rappler.com

On 2014, a project has been created to give a quality education to the people of Cagayan de Oro city, until now, developments are being watched as Moreno plans to materialize it.

Oscar Moreno has been re-elected as the Mayor of Cagayan de Oro city, and his plans of creating that 4-structure building that is intended to be used as a School and an evacuation center as well can become a reality.

The building that will be called “Oro Central”, is expected to contain 200 classrooms, laboratories, office spaces, modern multimedia library, parks, and an eco-friendly rooftop garden.

“Normally, if you make the school the evacuation center you have to stop school. And the other thing is when the evacuees leave, invariably the school is damaged,” said, Judge Guillermo Luz, private sector co-chairman of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).

Its location is at the City Central School. The building is designed to have a comprehensive network of passages and exits to prevent stampedes.

The area is also near the track and field and football field where the people can relocate whenever there is an earthquake.

It is also away from flooding, and within two kilometers of hospitals and pharmacies, giving the people a lot of choices near the building to meet their needs.

But aside from its impressive design for safety, the architectural superiority of the building has not been compromised as well.

It parades an arsenal of awesome engineering elegance: natural ventilation, natural lighting, solar panels and a 900,000-liter tank for storing rainwater.

Outside the building, pathways and sidewalks will be created wide enough for the people not to crowd themselves within the area. There are also bicycle lanes to maintain minimal congestion between pedestrians and cyclists.

“We are looking at a private-public partnership (PPP) because the amount needed is quite big – P950 to 980 million initial cost,” said Dionel Albina, a professor at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology.

Under Moreno’s leadership, who has one of his focus is on quality education; this modern multi-purpose structure can become a reality before his term ends.

The post Oro Central Multi-Purpose Building Project – Quality Education Continues Under Moreno’s Leadership appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Arianwen Rollan, she’s the 17-year-old Pinay who developed a malunggay anti-tumor research and managed to grab the Qatar Foundation’s First Award for Research and Development in Medical Science at this year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest high school science research competition.

Aside from the prestigious recognition, a $1,000 prize has been given to Rollan.

Rollan used chick embryos to develop the research. The extract that she has been developing hinders the growth of blood vessels, which in the process starves tumor cells of nutrients.

“When there is a tumor, there will be a rapid development of blood vessels. The more blood vessels, there will be more nutrients supplied to the tumor. In this case, we need to inhibit the development of these blood vessels in order to cut off its source of nutrients,” said Rollan.

“In comparison with the leaves, the seeds have not been studied that much. Malunggay seeds are available anywhere here in the Philippines. In fact, it would be unusual if you don’t have the Malunggay tree in your own backyard especially in the rural areas,” Rollan said, emphasizing the overlooking of the malunggay seeds behind the overuse of its leaves as the subject for research and other medical breakthroughs.

Rollan is looking forward that her research will become a basis to develop an affordable and accessible anti-tumor treatment in the near future. She said, “I realized that cancer drugs are very expensive and these also have fatal side effects. This inspired me to look for a natural agent against cancer.”

She also hopes that her research will prompt the Philippine government to support local research, and inspire other students to pursue the study of sciences.

“I really hope that our government would establish a special organization with complete facilities that give more attention to these kinds of projects.” She also added, “There are a lot of bright young minds in our country and the only problem is that there is no one to help them fund their research.”

Prior to this achievement, Rollan started her journey in this line of research when she was inspired after the death of her grandmother from cancer. She had also won various local contests before, which prompted her parents, teachers, and mentors to join ISEF.

“I never thought that I would reach ISEF because before, I was just watching and reading about it from the internet. I thought that I never would have a chance to go that far,” she said.

Upon knowing that she got the award, she told her experience, “I didn’t expect my name to be called since there were only a few awards left to be given. When I reached backstage, I was really shaking because of shock and happiness.”

Full of enthusiasm, Rollan said, “Ten years from now, I see myself as a Filipina who have made waves in the field of research and at that time, I have already inspired the Filipino youth to think beyond.”

The post 17-year-old Pinay Won an International Science Research Award with Her Malunggay Anti-Tumor Research appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

On Monday, May 30, the Department of Education (DepEd) launches their annual Brigada Eskwela program.

The Brigada Eskwela program will last until June 4. Schools, particularly here in Cagayan de Oro City needs more volunteers to get the job done on this year’s Brigada.

Pedro Estaño Jr., the principal of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) said that they have accumulated P2 million donations from stakeholders that started as early as January this year.

“Ang among advocacy man gud is Brigada or the cleaning up of schools, should be on a daily basis, dili kay karon ra siya, all year-long kini siya nga buluhaton,”he emphasized.

“Ang problema man gud diri is kulang gyud ta kaayo ug classrooms mao kining dili kita maka-accommodate ug more students for the K-12. Ang proseso gane diri is double shift, lahi nga batch ang gabie ug buntag. Kung naay mag-enroll gyud, pwede gabie na gyud ang klase,” he also added.

Estaño praises the improvement of the classroom to student ratio for MOGCHS that went down from 1:50, now at 1:40. This is expected to improve again for this year as they are waiting for the promised 100 classrooms that are yet to be given by the city government.

Since Mayor Oscar Moreno had his focus on education, specifically in building school buildings, then the 100 classrooms that are planned to be erected for MOGCHS is anticipated.

Meanwhile, Arnold Tejero, the City Central School principal said that he is overwhelmed by the support from the government and various private companies. Manpower was sent to aid the program. He is expecting to have the support continue until Saturday and is eyeing for more help to further elevate their performance in executing Brigada.

“Overwhelming kaayo ang nangabot na materials ug financial support na gi-donate sa mga lain-laing grupo. Grabe gyud ang among paningkamot kay contest man gud ning Brigada so gitawag namo ang mga ginikanan ug uban pa na gusto lang gyud mutabang nga muanhi na sa atong tunghaan,” he said.

The post Brigada Eskwela Launched, More Volunteers Needed! appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

On Monday, June 6, the incoming Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones wants to revise the current Philippine history books in an objective manner of editing that will assess every era of Philippine history without bias.

The books that will be revised are for the elementary and high school levels, which previously the martial law era has been focused, without having the other periods of our history been objectively presented.

“If ever there will be a review of textbooks, it will not only be under the martial law, but we should review again the coverage of all the administrations,” Briones said.

She also added, “Not all the administrations have also been examined fairly. As they say, history is written by the victors. If we look at the Marcos period, then we look at all the other periods. We have to do our best in seeing to it that there are objective assessments.”

In her plans about having it edited while the K to 12 program is about to take off, she said that it is “to allow for more in-depth and enriched discussion on Philippine History.” With this, she is poised to edit the grade 5 and 6 Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) Philippine history books.

DepEd also supports the plans of their incoming head, they have stated that it is “learning the lessons of history and preserving the gains of democracy.”

The post Incoming DepEd Secretary Wants to revise Philippine History Books appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Patricia Licuanan said that CHED’s educational reform of strengthening regional institutions coincides with president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s plan of federal government for the Philippines.

‘As a psychologist, I always say that people adjust to their roles. When he’s president, he will really have to act like a president and think things through a little bit more,” she said.

Licuanan’s term as CHED chairperson will be until 2018. But she’s ready when Duterte’s unpredictability kicks in, she said, “I expect to stay, but he’s unpredictable at the moment. But I do have a term. So my term is over in 2018. Even if he appoints, I will inform him nicely that I have a term, and then sana nga if he needs me, he will see that he’ll be lucky to have me as chair of CHED.”

With the concern of the scholarship programs for students, she has no fear that the incoming president would support it, she said, “I think many of these things will fit the new president’s agenda because he talks about poverty a lot, and helping alleviate or lessen poverty.”

One of CHED’s focuses is the strengthening of regional institutions. This is a case where Duterte’s support drive for federalism coincides with the reform that CHED wants.

“We try to bring regional higher education institutions together so that they will work in a more coordinated manner, and then raise their quality. I think it dovetails very well with President Duterte’s ideas behind federalism, because, ostensibly, the reasons for that are so that you get out of imperial Manila and develop the regions. So I think that would be also very compatible with the President,” said Licuanan.

One of Licuanan’s concerns is the governance in CHED. She said that “we want state universities and colleges to be run honestly.” With Duterte’s desire of anti-graft and corruption, this aspiration by the CHED will be heard in no time.

K to 12’s transition period is also one issue that CHED wants to be addressed. Since Duterte is a K to 12 supporter, there will be no hassle in implementing it.

Overall, Duterte’s leadership is compatible with CHED’s plan for educational reforms.

The post CHED’s Educational Reform, Compatible with Duterte’s Leadership appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

In the 2016 QS University Rankings for Asia, 8 schools from the Philippines have made it into the top 350.

4 Schools have already made the list last year. These are the University of the Philippines (UP), the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), the De La Salle University (DLSU), and the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Joining them this year are Ateneo de Davao University (251-300), Silliman University (251-300), Xavier University (251-300), and University of San Carlos (301-350).

Ateneo de Davao University once made it to the list in 2014, ranking 251st among 350 top schools in Asia.

The previous 4 schools who have been included last year maintained their grip into their succession, but for two. Only the previously 3rd ranked University of Santo Tomas slipped to the 4th spot, while the former 4th-place De La Salle University grabbed the 3rd place among Philippine schools.

After UST was rated excellently on the following criteria: employability, facilities, social responsibility, and inclusiveness, it again received Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) stars (4 Stars).

The QS Asian University Rankings have been published annually by the QS since 2009.

The QS University Rankings for Asia adopts a methodology that consists of 10 indicators:

academic reputation (30%)
employer reputation (20%)
faculty-student ratio (15%)
citations per paper (10%)
papers per faculty (10%)
staff with a PhD (5%)
international faculty (2.5%)
international students (2.5%)
inbound exchange students (2.5%)
outbound exchange students (2.5%)

The Top 10 on the list are:
1. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (SINGAPORE)
2. UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HONG KONG)
3. NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (SINGAPORE)
4. THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG)
5. TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY (CHINA)
6. KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (SOUTH KOREA)
7. CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HONG KONG)
8. THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HONG KONG)
9. PEKING UNIVERSITY (CHINA)
10. SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (SOUTH KOREA)

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Cagayan de Oro has now become Northern Mindanao’s education center.

On Wednesday, June 15, during the celebration of the city’s 66th Charter Day at the Divisoria park, Mayor Oscar Moreno remains optimistic in his view of education, saying, “the city’s educational status is our crown jewel.”

He also added, “This is where future leaders of our country are being molded,” referring to the outstanding schools in the city where the future of the students is formed.

One triggering factor is the construction of 144 classrooms for elementary and secondary education under his 3-year tenure as city Mayor from 2013-2016. It has made Cagayan de Oro City as one of the cities that can manage the inrush of senior high school students under the government’s K to 12 program.

With this arsenal, it drives students from neighboring municipalities to enroll in Cagayan de Oro, which will eventually result in the rise in demand for services.

Even with the disapproval of the mayor’s executive budget in the last three years, Moreno’s attention in educational progress did not waver by utilizing the Special Education Fund (SEF) to purchase school sites, construct school buildings, promote sports development activities in public elementary and secondary schools, train teachers, and conduct researches.

Through the help of Synergeia Foundation, Inc. the city’s school community has improved the delivery of quality education for the students.

Also, the city has been chosen by the Ayala Foundation, Inc., to receive the Text2Teach Program which equipped Grade 5 and 6 teachers with the needed information and communication technology skills and hardware required by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

The Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education is also present in some schools within the city.

The post Cagayan de Oro City – Named as the Educational Center in Northern Mindanao appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

On Thursday, June 23, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will launch an ICT Skills Training and Internship Center here in Cagayan de Oro City.

ICTO projects such as the “Juan Konek Free Wi-Fi” for connectivity and “Tech4ED” modules are conducted to promote digital literacy among the residents of the city.

This will help the unemployed and those who have not finished college to get a job in the ICT. The skills that they will learn in the modules will help them for employment in Business Process Outsource (BPOs) and online jobs.

The city of Cagayan de Oro is a great place to create BPOs, considering that it is one of the next wave cities in the country.

With the knowledge equipped in Virtual Assistant, Telemarketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that people may acquire, they will not be forced to go to other cities to land a job for themselves.

Tech4Ed and Juan Konek Free Wi-Fi in public areas such as plazas and establishment of community e-center will be present soon as DICT plans to expand the program throughout the municipalities within the region.

Tech4Ed is designed to promote ICT skills for the people, while Juan Konek Free Wi-Fi is established to provide Internet access to people across the country to develop socio-economic growth.

According to DICT Mindanao Cluster II Director Evamay Dela Rosa, the Out of School Youth (OSY) may employ the digitized Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd). When one will pass the ALS and its final exam, they will be granted a high school diploma in return.

In recent reports, Tech4Ed has already started in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

The post DICT Provides Training and Internship Center in CDO appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Image Source | tesda10.org

On July 12, Tuesday, during the 2016 Philippine National Skills Competition, the representatives of Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) region X stood tall in the categories of Mechatronics and Electrical Installations, grabbing the gold and silver medals in these sections respectively.

Students of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) remained impressive as they have always been, by getting the gold medal for Mechatronics. The University has known for its brilliance in Mechatronics from recent competitions countrywide and even abroad. The competitors are Gelmar Coniendo and Junnel Cagampang. Their coach is Cesar Gabo.

Image Source | tesda10.org

Image Source | tesda10.org

Orlie Barioga of Regional Training Center (RTC) Iligan got the Silver Medal with Mr. Peter Agustine as his coach for the category of Electrical Installations.

Image Source | tesda10.org

12 trade areas have been contested by 43 teams, these are welding; graphic design technology; mechatronics; web design; industrial automation; IT network cabling; mechanical CAD; electronics; ITS solution for business; refrigeration and air-conditioning; IT network system administration; and electrical installations.

The Philippine National Skills Competition is the stage for tech-voc graduates and students from all the regions in the Philippines to display their skills in front of the people.

The winners of the contest are set to represent the Philippines in the upcoming 11th ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this coming October.

All of the participants in this contest have undergone training on Gold Camp 2. The winners will then have their training on the much challenging Gold Camp 3 from July 3 – September 25, in preparation for their stint in Malaysia.

The TESDA X Regional Director Edgar A. Sales is proud of the recent achievements of the representatives from region X, taking part of the TEAM Pilipinas at the ASC 2016.

The post 2016 Philippine National Skills Competition Results: TESDA Region X Wins Gold and Silver appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Philip John Badong Zuchetti grabs the top rank in Radiologic Technologist Licensure Examination (July 2016). Philip who graduated from Liceo de Cagayan University got the best score which is 89.20%.

A total of 1639 passed the exam and Philip got the best score grabbing the top rank. John Mark Enerio Nacua also ranked top 10 which is also a graduate of Liceo de Cagayan University. A total of 44 from Liceo de Cagayan University passed the exam.

Congratulations to all newly registered Radiologic Technologists.

The post Philip, a Liceo Grad Grabs Top Rank in Radiologic Technologist Licensure Examination (July 2016) and another Liceo Grad as Top 10 appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

In the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad held on July 6 to 16, 2016, the Philippines made a historic feat by bagging 2 golds in this prestigious event!

The drought of Gold medals in this event has spanned for 18 years when the Philippines first joined the competition in 1988 headed by the late Ateneo math professor Jose Marasigan. Finally, this year’s representatives Farrell Eldrian Wu of Makati Gospel Church-New Life Christian Academy and Kyle Patrick Dulay of Philippine Science High School got us Gold medals.

Aside from the Gold, the country also got 2 Silvers and 2 honorable mentions as well.

Clyde Wesley Ang (Chiang Kai Shek College) and Albert John Patupat (De La Salle University Integrated School) both won silver medals.

Vince Jan Torres (Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School) and Shaquille Wyan Que (Grace Christian College) both had given honorable mentions after completing at least one problem.

The Philippines ranked 13th overall after getting a total score of 133 in this year’s event where 109 countries participated. This is marked as an improvement compared to the 36th spot we had in 2015 against103 countries.

Team Philippines’ IMO Facebook page stated in a post, “This brought us closer to Southeast Asian powerhouses like Thailand (#12) and Vietnam (#11), and ranked us higher than usually strong countries like Bulgaria (#18), Germany (#19) and Romania (#20). This is the best finish of the country since it first participated in 1988.”

The top spots in this year’s competition belonged to the United States, followed by South Korea, China, Singapore, and Taiwan.

“The 6 problems appearing at the IMO are certainly very difficult that even the easiest of these is several times harder than the math problems that are usually encountered by high school students,” also stated in the Facebook post.

They added, “These 6 problems are administered to all contestants over the span of two days, and the 3 problems in each day are to be tackled within 4 and 1/2 hours.”

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From July 23-28 this week, the Department of Science and Technology Region (DOST)-Northern Mindanao has held its first-ever week-long annual National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) in the region at the Grand Caprice Hotel.

The event highlights Science and Technology activities that promote Science and Technology initiatives and Filipino-led programs offered by DOST in Northern Mindanao region.

DOST Northern Mindanao Regional Director Alfonso P. Alamban said, “This year we put the emphasis on the regional celebration because we would like to really develop this region of the country when it comes to science innovations and we think that we do not have to limit our celebration in Manila. Perhaps in the very near future, we can have annual provincial celebrations already.”

Engineer Elpidio Paras of the Parasat HD company and Northern Mindanao region’s Science Ambassador also added, saying, “Under this year’s slogan ‘Juan Science, One Nation’, we should continue to support the DOST in its mission, ‘To be the direction provider, leader and coordinator of the country’s scientific and technological efforts, ensuring that these are geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people.”

“We named it ‘Juan Science’ because we’d like to focus on the ordinary Juan on the street, on the ordinary Filipino because so far the traditional mindset of the reason about science is something very isolated, very elite that it is just relegated to laboratories, to the classrooms. But we’d like the ordinary man on the streets to appreciate that science can do a difference in his life, can do something with regards to his economic development and social development and if we are well develop and if every Juan on the streets can advance economically and make socially then we will have a very educated country. We will have a very strong country and that could be the major tool towards the national unity with that one nation,” said Alamban.

Luchin Valrian Pueblos and John Rinno Sanchez from Philippine Science High School described their invention, saying, “It is actually a kit made by a lego. It incorporates robotics with lego so basically, it is the typical lego that we love, the bricks incorporated with robotics. We started making this about a week ago but we started building the stuff a year ago. The main purpose of our invention is for fun but basically it could be used for simulation on the environment perhaps just like what happened in Mars where they use the same technology. It’s a Lego that is similar to robots.”

Aside from the science and technology exhibit, another key event in the celebration is the DOST Youth Excellence in Science (YES) awards. The YES Award is a DOST institutional honor for an excellent achievement of the youth in the fields of science and mathematics.

Included in the award receivers are Hailie Saavedra of City Central School, Jet Amber Salape of Liceo de Cagayan University, Rianna Gabrielle Gamboa of Rosevale University, Eleanor Radaza of the Philippine Science High School, Charmaine Garridos & Andrei Felix Tan of of Central Mindanao Campus, and Alena Taladua of Tambo Central School.

The post DOST’s First Annual National Science and Technology Week Held in Cagayan de Oro City appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Two Kagayanons from Cagayan de Oro Kong Hua School, Benn Jethro Sia (Grade 4) and Derek Limketkai (Grade 7), secured 2 bronze medals in the recently concluded 2016 International Mathematics Wizard Challenge (IMWiC) held in Thailand last July 23-23, 2016.

With the team Philippines’ 350 delegates, our country got a total of 240 medals and 87 merit awards. The 240 medals are composed of 34 golds, 74 silvers, and 132 bronzes.

Nine nations and territories participated in the event, among the participating teams are Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Thailand and China (Guangzhou and Xiamen), having 868 delegates all in all.

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First ever graduates of Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Management (REM) at Xavier University (XU) – Ateneo de Cagayan dominates the August 2016 Real Estate Appraiser (REA) Licensure Examination.

16 REM graduates of XU batch 2016 passed the REA examination and there were only 20 exam passers nationwide. Above the national passing rate of 74.07% (20 out of 27), the university garnered a passing rate of 84.21% (16 among 19 takers).

Fr. Roberto C. Yap SJ, XU president congratulated the passers saying, “Congratulations to our new Real Estate Appraisers! All 16 graduated in March and are already Licensed Real Estate Brokers. They have done really well in the [two] licensure exams.”

“Let us thank SBM dean Dr. Ruth Love V. Russell, REM coordinator Edgardo A. Palasan, the SBM faculty and staff for the guidance and support they have given to our students,” Yap added as he expressed his appreciation to the School of Business and Management (SBM) on this latest accomplishment of the inaugural REM graduates of XU.

The REA exam was conducted last August 14 by the Board of Real Estate Service in the cities of Manila and Cagayan de Oro.

The exam results were disclosed on August 17, two days earlier than the expected date and was announced by the Professional Regulation Commission.

REM graduates and passers are the following:

• Andaling, Lovie Leannie Legara
• Baldon, Lianne Bantugan
• Calingin, Cleo Jovie Tomines
• Calva, Krizia Camelle Ordiz
• Gaputan, Lyrra Carmel Odchigue
• Guerra, Mike Edgielou Dagumo
• Meneses, Arsenio III Fermano
• Mercado, Yrna May Dalman
• Nisperos, Clarmagne Adelan
• Pacana, Easter Angela Torres
• Pailagao, Ivana Alech Nario
• Palarca, Mari Kris Evans Deloso
• Plaza, Glorie Mae Daaca
• Potolin, Jecelle Gepiga
• Ramos, Maria Elena Kriztina Bugo
• Salcedo, Vanesa de los Reyes

Earlier on May, 17 XU-REM graduates also passed the Real Estate Broker Licensure Examination.

The post 16 XU-REM Graduates Dominated Real Estate Appraiser (REA) Licensure Exam appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Image Source | noelautor.blogspot.com

Last July 27, 2016, the Congress approved the Republic Act No. 10919 making the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) become University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTSP). It was then lapsed into law last July 21, 2016, in the absence of the signature of the President of the Philippines, analogously with Article IV Section 27 (1) of the Constitution. Read the RA 10919 below. You can also fully read it here.

As can be read in Section 4, USTP’s main campus will be located in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental. The said main campus will cover about 292 hectares in Barangay Lourdes in Alubijid which was stated in Presidential Proclamation 739. Read the proclamation here.

The main campus features 3 areas of development namely the academic campus, government buildings and commercial center.

1. Academic Campus

• Engineering Building
• Architecture Building
• Science Building
• Education Building
• Technology Building
• Library
• Administration Building
• Finance Building
• Student Center Building
• Cafeteria
• Techno Park
• Open Theater
• Sports Complex
• Convention Center
• Student’s Dormitory
• Staff Housing
• Ecumenical Church
• Main Gate
• Gate 2

2. Government Buildings

• Commission on Audit
• Commission on Election
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Commission on Higher Education
• National Statistics Office
• Department of Agrarian Reform
• Department of Foreign Affairs
• Department of Science and Technology
• Civil Service
• Northern Mindanao Medical Center

3.Commercial Center

• Hotel and Restaurant
• Cottages
• Commercial Arcade

The post It’s Official! MUST Now USTSP with Main Campus in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.

Nowadays, we need to do hard work in order to keep up in living. And most of our jobs require us to go out from our homes. When with a family, of course, we can’t bring with us our kids to work, thus, we need to leave them at home. This kind of scenario sometimes makes us worry, most especially among mothers, for not being able to monitor our kids. With them being young at age, they are more prone to danger and definitely, that’s a nightmare to us.

Also, sometimes we do struggle at teaching our kids for them to be ready for actual schooling. And as parents, aside from taking care of them, we have many other things to do.

Know that there is this center in Cagayan de Oro which is highly recommended in providing the solution to the aforementioned problems among parents called iPrep Play & Learn Center.

About iPrep

iPrep Play & Learn is a learning center designed to provide an avenue for kids where they can learn through playing, enabling them to be kindergarten ready.

The name was coined from combining “i” which means integrated, synonymous to the word complete, and “PREP” which means preparatory. Thus, forming iPREP which means INTEGRATED PREPARATORY play and learn center that offers independent purposeful play, and interactive learning activities that will make children ready for Kindergarten. Definitely, an ideal place for parents where they can leave their children should the need arise.

iPrep Play & Learn is being headed by Academic Director Maria Kristine M. Lasque, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at Liceo de Cagayan University in 1999. 50% Batanguena and 50% Bulacena but 100% Kagay-anon, born and raised in Cagayan de Oro. She took masters in Management Major in Educational Management XU-IDEA Program in the year 2002-2004, then took Professional Education at MUST in 2004-2005. In the long run, she served 17 years as a school teacher and 9 years as a school principal.

iPrep’s goal, mission and vision are as follows:

GOAL

• We make sure that the 6 languages ( I  play. I think. I solve. I create. I Question. I learn.) of children are fully expressed!
  

MISSION

• We aim to build a lifetime love of learning and a sound educational foundation.
  

VISION

• A joyful child ready for kindergarten!

iPREP and its History

It all started when there was an absence of such services that iPREP provides in the city. It also happened that the administrators became mothers. True that when motherhood strikes among women, they tend to think about everything that could work best for their children. Even question about, “Is home the only place where children can learn?”

More when parents also work and being not at home, they tend to worry about their children who was left at home. They tend to worry about the number of hours their children spend in watching television, of which all parents can really relate.

The administrators then realized that there is no actual center in the city that offers the kind of services that they had in mind, and as fueled by their passion in teaching, playing and designing activities for kids, they decided to open iPREP Play & Learn.

The center has been around for 3 years already. Officially started in 2013 serving the uptown Carmen for 2 years, then moved to Nazareth just this year, 2016.

Setting up the physical structure and the formulation of the programs and activities were quite easy, for according to Ms. K,

“I think when you know what you want from the very start, everything is just easy.”

… and that letting parents know about the existence of iPrep was rather the difficult part, especially, during their first 2 years of operation when iPrep was formerly located in an exclusive subdivision where there were a lot of restrictions provided by the homeowners. Adding that the most challenging part is to design activities that will cater to all diverse kids. Consider that in a traditional school, teachers can make lesson plans in just an hour or two, however, in iPrep, it takes 4-5 days to finish a week long PLP (play & learn plan) for with every activity, each child’s learning style is taken into consideration. This assures parents and the teachers that each of the children is actually learning regardless of their style of learning.

iPrep Features

iPrep houses 3 rooms they call “centers” namely the Integrated Language Arts, Arts & Numbers Center, and the Play & Music Center.

• The Integrated Language Arts Center is an engaging area where the child exposes himself to the basics of reading and writing through books, iPads and other  academic and language manipulatives and activities

• The Arts & Numbers Center is an exploratory area where children can develop their creativeness and critical thinking more

• The Play & Music Center is an exciting area where children can develop more values through guided and free play, singing and socializing with each other.

The aforementioned centers were named from the programs, Integrated Language Arts, Arts & Numbers Center, and Play & Music Center, of which iPrep specializes in. They are handled by professional teachers who got degrees in Special Education or Early Childhood Education and are trained in music fundamentals, child care, and first aid.

With the recognition of all children being unique who learn at different rates and in different ways, iPrep is equipped with a variety of teaching methods and strategies. And since children learn through play, iPrep provides a diverse program that is play-based, child-centered with hands-on exploration.

Currently, iPrep has 7 personnel composed of 4 misses (teachers), 1 additional Saturday miss, 1 admin officer and 1 guard.

The play & learn center also features Drop & Go Services which is perfect for working or busy parents who have no caregiver (yaya, guardian) to look after their little ones while they attend work, meetings, appointments, lunch dates or spend time with friends , ate the gym or salon, buy groceries or do shopping. They can drop their children to iPrep, and compared to those that are in malls where children are being left only to play with themselves or with other children without adult supervision, iPrep’s Drop & Go provides assurance that their children are safe and will actually have fun learning while they are away.

Drop & Go is also the program perfect for those parents who are still unsure as to how their little ones adjust to a regular school schedule. So they can just have their children drop in for an hour or two just to familiarize with “school set up” and see how their children fit in iPrep’s environment.

Admission in iPrep

Kids in iPrep are divided into 3 age groups namely Tods (18 months to 2 years old), Twos (2-3 years old) and Beginners (3-4 years old). Each group then has a maximum of 8 kids which are to spend 3 hours per day. Old fashioned “bring your own baon” is being practiced in iPrep, however, they provide a free flowing purified water. And to ensure the wellness of the kids, iPrep uses natural products such as sanitizers, hand wash, surface cleaners, and room sprays.

Based on iPrep enrollment records, there are overwhelmingly a lot of students in mid-June to the 1st-2nd week of July. But since registration in the center is year-round, admission of enrollees continue until the present, thus, every month is an overwhelming month for iPrep.

iPrep accepts enrollees with disabilities as long as there is a provided recommendation that they are fit for iPrep and have their respective shadow teacher.

With iPrep’s accessible location, they don’t have a school bus service of which they deem not that necessary.

iPrep’s Uniqueness

In no particular order,

• iPrep gives parents a particular contradiction: INEXPENSIVE RATE – BEST FACILITIES
• iPrep has Saturday Program which is the first and only in Cagayan de Oro right now.

• The enrollment (registration) is YEAR ROUND. Meaning, parents can register their children as early as June or as late as December!
• iPrep strictly follow child:teacher ratio of 8 is to 1. So when a particular class is filled up, new enrollees won’t be accepted for that particular class. Just like their current Beginners Saturday program – am and pm session – both are already filled up, however, families can enlist their children to iPrep’s waitlist. The reason for this is for each of the children to be given the attention they deserve.

• All iPrep’s staff members are CPR and First Aid Red Cross certified and trained to handle emergencies. This is an added assurance to parents of the safety of their children when with iPrep.
• iPrep’s curriculum is play based, very interactive and fun; so you won’t see the iPreppers sitting down the whole session with pencil and paper with a teacher writing on the blackboard.

• The iPrep’s setup. Once you enter the center, you’ll know what iPrep and its services are all about.

iPrep’s Contact Details and More Info

Interested to avail their services? Know their rates by visiting their location which is at the 8th Street, Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro, contact them via landline at 088-8806550 or via mobile at 09274165190, send them an email at iprepplayandlearn@yahoo.com

You can also reach out to them socially via Facebook at www.facebook.com/iprepplayandlearn or Instagram at @iprepplayandlearn. Their official website is currently being made and is expected to be up by December of this year.

For the meantime, they only accept cash and check payments.

Currently, iPrep is accepting registration for the 2nd term of their program with parents to only pay half of the miscellaneous fee. The said 2nd term will begin on November 5, 2016.

To follow, iPrep is developing a Summer Program which is going to be launched by February next year.

iPrep is going to open two (2) more centers soon hoping that residents from the east will get ready for the center’s Gusa branch opening this December 2016, and families who think Capistrano is more accessible for them, iPrep for Twos will open come December as well.

In the works are the Manila branch and another in the Visayas.

iPrep Milestones

According to iPrep, their completers who are now enrolled in regular and formal schools and doing so well in their kindergarten classes is a milestone, adding that last school year’s enrollment compared to this year is a milestone too. They are proud that they are now open for franchising after a handful of entrepreneurs from outside Cagayan de Oro touched base with them.

“To parents, registration is ongoing for our program’s 2nd term covering November to March. Then we are already filling up slot reservations for our Gusa and Capistrano Centers which will open this January. So to families interested to register their children with us, whether in Nazareth or in our two (2) soon-to-open centers, we invite you to register your children now or reserve a slot for them because slots, especially for the twos (2-3 years old) & beginners (3-4 years old), quickly fill up in both the Regular and Saturday Programs.

Entrust your children to us. iPrep is a super growing community of joyful children ages 18months to 4 years old that you might want your little one to be counted in!”

~iPrep Play and Learn Center

The post iPrep Play & Learn Center CDO: A Play-Based Learning Center For Kids To Be Kindergarten Ready appeared first on About Cagayan de Oro.