Republic of the Philippines

Philippine National School for the Blind

Schools Division Office - Pasay City

Philippine National School for the Blind Shines Bright with Multiple Wins Pasay City, Philippines — The Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB) has recently showcased their exceptional abilities, clinching an impressive array of victories across various competitions held throughout April 2024. At the NCR Palaro, PNSB athletes showcased remarkable spirit and skill, securing an impressive 18 gold medals and 1 silver in athletics and goal ball competitions. Their outstanding performance not only highlighted their athletic prowess but also served as an embodiment of the school’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for all. It also earned them the privilege of representing the NCR at the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City this July. Meanwhile, in the competitive arena of technology, PNSB emerged victorious, securing 1st and 3rd place rankings, along with one qualifier, at the National IT Challenge 2024. These talented students have earned the opportunity to compete in the Global IT Challenge in October, showcasing their expertise in digital information processing and reaffirming PNSB’s reputation for technological prowess. Furthermore, PNSB’s literary talents shone brightly at the Regional Festival of Talents Braille Reading Contest, where Edwin Andrei Nicolas Banzon, representing PNSB, claimed the coveted 1st place with exceptional fluency and speed in braille reading. Banzon’s remarkable talent will see him and his coach competing in the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) this July, leaving a lasting impression on judges with his ability to bring words to life through touch and sound. Finally, In the Division Muling Pagkukuwento (Storytelling) Competition, PNSB’s gifted storyteller, Rouvin Ivan Ducusin, secured the 3rd place award. Ducusin’s captivating narratives transported listeners into enchanting worlds, demonstrating that imagination knows no bounds, even in darkness.

PNSB launches reading month with an array of activities to enrich minds The National Reading Month kick off at the PNSB-covered court today, following the flag-raising ceremony. An annual undertaking observed every November, the National Reading Month is a concerted effort by the Department of Education to engage students across the country in a month-long reading program. The initiative aims not only to cultivate a culture of reading among students but also to divert their attention from excessive use of social media and technology. This year’s Reading Month is brimming with activities designed to reshape students’ perspectives on reading. Activities include the Reading Challenge, Book Buddy, Book Talk, Classroom Read-A-Thon, Mystery Reader, and Poster Making, among others. BIJI18 At PNSB, the highlight of the National Reading Month event is the Braille Reading Contest Year 2, sponsored by Bookshare Philippines, JCI Perlas, Pasay City Chapter, and Philippine Blind Union. This contest allows PNSB learners to showcase their skills in braille reading, as well as to demonstrate correct pronunciation and fluency in reading.  Learners can participate in this contest based on their Grade Level category, with prizes at stake for three winners in each category. Mr. Ronald Manguiat, the school’s reading focal person, passionately encourages students to cultivate a love for reading by emphasizing its invaluable benefits. These include motivation and inspiration derived from the stories we read, knowledge enhancement, enriched vocabulary, cultural awareness, cost-effective learning, improved memory, enhanced problem-solving ability, and expanded comprehension. The National Reading Month is anchored on the theme, “Reading Hope Resilience for the Future” (Pagbasa Pag-asa sa Matatag na Kinabukasan). Ms. Jackie Cordero, a reading ambassador, sparked students’ interest in reading by reading aloud a captivating story “My Father Goes to Court” written by Carlos Bulosan. Mrs. Corazon B. Salvador brought the kick-off event to a close by inspiring students to embrace the joy of reading and motivating the students to read more to learn more. The diverse range of activities during National Reading Month provides students with the opportunity to participate in the Division English Festival of Talents, further enhancing their overall learning experience. For the year’s National Reading Month (NRM) celebration, the Department has directed all relevant agencies to refer to the DepEd Memorandum No. 244, series of 2011, titled “Declaring November as National Reading Month Every Year and November 25, 2011, as the Nationwide Araw ng Pagbasa.” issued by the former Education Secretary, Armin Luistro. https://ibukotabaru.xyz/ https://weddinggratis.com/ https://www.proyekmrt.com/ https://siakad.stiapembangunanjember.ac.id/upload/store/ gudanggacor https://takjil.shop/ https://mabarmaxwin.shop/ toto togel dibayar https://ibukotabaru.xyz/ https://nanamid.lol/ https://mugen.lol/

PNSB bagged 7 medals at the 2023 Palarong Pambansa Para Games The Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB) achieved a remarkable feat at the 2023 Palarong Pambansa Paragames, held in Marikina City from July 28 to August 5, 2023. The school’s athletes displayed exceptional talent and dedication, earning a total of 7 medals in various events. Among the notable achievements were the gold medal in the goalball team tournament, which showcases the team’s exceptional skills and coordination, a sport especially created for athletes with visual impairments, is among the squad’s major accomplishments. In addition to the gold medal, PNSB athletes also won four silver medals and two bronze medals in events like the 100-meter run, shotput, and standing long jump. These medals demonstrated how strong each athlete was on an individual level. This impressive performance marked a significant improvement compared to the school’s previous showing in 2019, where they only managed to secure 2 medals. The hard work and determination of the PNSB athletes paid off, increasing their medal total at the national games by a significant margin. . Their achievements not only brought honor to their school but also contributed to the pride of their country. The Palarong Pambansa Paragames in 2023 were particularly noteworthy since they brought the competition back after a four-year break caused by the pandemic. The event, organized by the Department of Education (DepEd), is a highly anticipated inter-regional school sports gathering in the Philippines. The chosen theme, “Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag” (A Strong Youth, A Stable Nation), emphasizes highlights the resilience of Filipino youth as the future leaders and builders of the nation. Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sarah Z. Duterte showed her enthusiasm for the young athletes during the Palarong Pambansa 2023 closing ceremony. She highlighted them as role models for their peers by praising their diligence, tenacity, and sportsmanship. Through their commitment and love for their country, these young athletes exemplified traits that are crucial for the advancement of the country. Overall, the PNSB athletes’ successes at the 2023 Palarong Pambansa Paragames provide an encouraging illustration of the potential of driven individuals to excel in sports and bring pride to their school and country.

Inauguration and blessing of the newly constructed PNSB dormitory On March 24, at 9:30 a.m., the PNSB held its inaugural in-person Holy Mass at the PNSB covered court. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the school’s once-a-month Holy Mass was a perennial event anticipated by everyone. San Rafael Parish Church, Rev. Fr. Edison D. Escario presided over this month’s Holy Mass. It was attended by all relevant stakeholders who happened to be present at the time, which included PNSB non-teaching personnel, teachers, students, and some parents. The liturgical songs were conducted by the PNSB choir, while the gospel was read by a teacher and a student. This month’s Holy Mass especially celebrates the blessing of the newly built school dormitories. The new dormitory is a four-story structure funded by the local government. It was designed to replace the original school dormitory, which was significantly smaller. The new dormitory was built to accommodate more students who can stay at the school throughout the week to attend classes, avoiding the need to commute daily. Because PNSB students have vision impairments and require a guide to travel, daily travel is a significant task for the family to manage. Presently, the dormitory houses more than 90 students. The ground floor of the building houses the dormitory dining area, the second floor houses the female dormitories, and the third floor houses the male dormitories. PNSB’s dormitorians are cared for by a male and female house parent, a dormitory cook, an administrative aide, and a dormitory manager. The entire PNSB community is truly grateful to God and the Pasay City local government for funding the construction of the new dormitory facility.

PNSB hailed Most Outstanding Program Implementer for GULAYAN SA PAARALAN PROGRAM PASAY CITY Philippine National School for the Blind was awarded Most Outstanding Program Implementer for Gulayan sa Paaralan in the recently concluded division-wide search for Gawad Siklab Most Outstanding  Implementers, Student Leader, Teacher-Adviser, School Head, and Division Youth Formation Coordinator.  School Gulayan is an integral component in the schoolyard. It is a wonder to see that amidst the pandemic and myriad of dramatic educational reforms taking place in school, there is one school program that thrive in the battlefield against Corona Virus that is the Gulayan sa Paaralan. Planting, nurturing the plants, and harvesting produce were a constant day-to-day activity in the school even at the onset of the pandemic in March. The greens and freshness in surrounding school backyard alleviated the cares of everyone who were locked down at the school that time. The “Luntiang Paaralan sa Pusod ng Lungsod” Project under the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program is very essential in the operation of the School Dormitory. As a residential school serving thirteen meals (13) in a week for the ninety-five dormitorians is a big challenge to the school operation. Considering the high price of goods and commodities, without sacrificing the nutrients, this school needs to find alternatives to augment the insufficient fund. Through the implementation of the Luntiang Paaralan, this problem was addressed. Moreover, this project has instill to its learners who are visually impaired love for the environment. The Luntiang Paaralan Project is one avenue, where the learners developed their “makakalikasan values through hands-on planting, and caring for the plants daily; valuing the plants and understanding how the farmers grow their plants make them aware and realize how laborious to produce those crops and vegetables. And at the same time fostering self-independent and self-reliant in them.   Aside from nutritious food provided by this project, it has a long-term impact to the beneficiary’s psychological attributes in terms of environmental management, project sustainability and adaptation to their family garden program. Overall, the “Luntiang Paaralan Project” promotes cleanliness and health and safety of the school is not the sole responsibility of the school maintenance. Everyone—the students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators, plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and green school. Luntiang Paaralan sa Pusod ng Lungsod aims to promote environmental stewardship and reflect the school’s commitment to act locally and think globally. 

Benilde students renovate school for the blind equipped with braille system for digital learning The PNSB computer area as designed by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Interior Design students. By the Manila Times  May 20, 2021 Motivated with the mission to promote inclusive education and empathetic design to foster growth and development among people with specific needs, 24 students from the Interior Design Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde have teamed up to renovate the e-Learning Resource Center of the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB). The 63-square-meter room houses audio-visual aids and online materials for the PNSB community, specifically for the junior and senior high school students. The PNSB computer area as designed by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Interior Design students. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO “We aim to provide an innovative learning environment that promotes educational technology and empowers the students to go beyond their limitations. As designers, not only do we build and enhance spaces but we also create meaningful experiences for long-term sustainability,” the Benilde team shared. The room will be complete with an announcement board, interactive walls for activities, an array of bookshelves, a computer area and a reading nook. It will house a teacher’s desk and workstations with supplies and facilities. “Interior design should enable and empower people regardless of their unique deviations by guiding them through their daily challenges. We envision a pathway for blind and visually impaired students to learn and grow,” the Benilde team said. “By promoting inclusive learning and designing without barriers, we hope to make an impact that will remove the stigma of interior design as an exclusive status symbol or solely as a visual decorative aesthetic,” the artists added. The team is comprised of Pamela Aldaba, Jallf Alora, Andro Bonoan, Nina Cabral, Dan Camus, Moira Campoy, Andrea de Castro, Janus De Guzman, Katrina Del Rosario, Martin Dena, Sophia De Jesus, Nigel Delos Santos, Tommy Escay, Jennifer Gongora, Raven Landicho, Nicole Lopez, Krishna Loquinte, Se Vin Moon, Jazel Ong, Arrah Pamintuan, Nicole Quiat, Paola Sarmiento, Margaux Sia and Katrina Viloria. The renovation project is scheduled to be completed next month. Once renovated, the center will be equipped with assistive features such as a braille system for digital learning to become a multisensory educational experience for the blind learners. ADVERTISING The center will incorporate two types of flooring — directional tactile, a series of raised, elongated bars installed to the walking surface for a continuous accessible path of travel; and blister tactile, rows of flat-topped blisters in a square pattern that provide warning where the footway ends. Other factors considered were the textures on surfaces as well as proper play of color blocking, plus the combination of high contrasting hues for better identification of different areas, spaces and furniture.

School-Based Braille reading and writing contest conducted Philippine National School for the Blind conducted the first-ever Braille Reading and Writing contest for all its learners.  The contest is open to all learners blind and low vision alike. The contest is divided into two categories: Braille Reading in Filipino and English and Braille Writing in Filipino and English.   In Braille reading, contestants can opt to read the passage in uncontracted (It is a letter for letter translation of print to braille) or contracted Baille (it is the short ways of writing braille that make reading and writing braille faster, and the braille takes less space). While in Braille writing, contestants are scored according to their ability to spell words(s) correctly and use the Braille contractions accurately. Furthermore, there are different reading selection and words to write for elementary and high school students. Braille reading is timed. Each contestant is given 3 minutes to read the selection silently, after which, the contestant is given another 3 minutes to read the selection aloud in front of the panel of judges. Braille reading is scored base on the learner’s diction and pronunciation, expression, including the use of punctuation, and mannerism while reading. Just like in Braille reading, Braille writing is likewise timed. Contestants must be able to braille the given word or words in 10 seconds. Braille writing is judged base on the frequency of errors committed in spelling and in the use of braille contractions. More than 100 learners joined the competition. Learners as young as grade three participated in the contest. A total of 16 prizes and awards were given in the contest. This contest is just the first of three series. The 16 winners will again compete for the second time sometime in November during the celebration of the Reading Month. Winners from the second round of the competition will again compete for the final round. The two participants who will emerge “best” in braille reading and writing will compete in the 6th International Braille Reading and Writing Contest to be held in Thailand. This undertaking is the initiative of Mr. Ronald Manguiat, English teacher in the Junior High School as well as the trainer on the international Braille reading and writing competition held in Thailand for three years.

Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, matagumpay na ipinagdiwang Bilang pagpapahalaga sa ating sariling wika, idinaos ng buong lupon ng paaralan ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa na may tema sa taong ito na “Wikang Katutubo: Tungo sa Isang Bansang Filipino”. Layunin ng pagdiriwang ang patuluyang pagpapaunlad, pagpapayaman, at pagpapalaganap ng mga katutubong wika na makapag-aambag sa higit na kagalingan at kalinangang pambansa ng mga Filipino. Pakakaisa ito ng Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino (KWF) sa proklamasyon ng UNESCO ng 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL). Sa buong buwan ng Agosto, iba’t-ibang uri ng patimpalak ang inilunsad ng mga guro sa Filipino at Ingles ang nilahukan ng mga mag-aaral mula ika-isa hanggang ika-labindalawang baitang ng mataas na paaralan. Ilan sa mga ito ay ang pagbigkas ng tula, madulang pagbasa, pagbigkas ng talumpati, dgliang pananalita, at sabayang bigkas. Isang Makulay at magiliw na pangwakas na palatuntunan ang idinaos noong ika-30 ng Agosto. Ito ay sinimulan sa pamamagitan ng isang parada ng mga pambansang kasuotan at sinundan ng pagtatanghal ng iba’t-ibang pambansang kasuotan ng bawat antas ng mag-aaral mula Kinder hanggang High School, maging mga kaguru Gayundin, ang bawat baitang ay nagbigay impormasyon sa rehiyong naatang sa kanila lalo’t higit ang kanilang salita at ilang pagkakakilanlan. Bukod pa dito’y, taas noo ring nagtanghal ang mga mag-aaral na nagwagi sa iba’t-ibang tagisang ginanap. Mayroon ding mga natatanging bilang mula sa mga mag-aaral, magulang, guro, at kawani ng paaralan. Ang pinakatampok ng palatuntunan ay ang pagpili ng apat na pares na pararangalan na pinakamahusay sa pagdadala ng Pilipinong kasuotan. Ang mga hurado ay punili ng Isang pares ng babae at lalaki mula sa kinder, sa elementarya, sa Junior High School, at sa Senior High School. Itinanghal naman na Lakan at Lakanbini ng taong ito ang mga mag-aaral sa ika-labindalawang baitang na sina Bb. Rosselyn Agulto at Ginoong Christian Elviña dahil sa kanilang Pilipinong kaanyuan, kaakmaan ng kilos at gawi, tindig at tikas, at sa mahusay ng pagdadala ng kasuotan at ng sarili. Ang pang-umagang bahagi ng programa ay winakasan sa salo-salo ng lahat para sa isang boodle fight na kung saan tampok ang mga kilalang paboritong pagkaing Pinoy tulad ng mga kakanin, dinuguan, tinapa, hipon, adobo, at iba pa. Samantalang, sa hapon naman ay ginawa ang iba’t-ibang katutbong laro tulad ng pabitin, pukpok palayok, tumbang preso, patintero, at iba pa.   Ang taunang pagdiriwang na alinsunod sa alinsunod sa itinakdang Pampanguluhang Proklamasyon Big. 1041, s. 1997 ni Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos. 

Grade 11 student bound to U.S. to study Grade 11 student, Lyka Crebilio flies to Ohio USA to study there for a year. Lyka will be completing her grade 11 studies at Winterwoods High School from September to July next year. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is afforded through the support of AFS’s – Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange Study (YES) Program. How did Lyka embark on her journey to USA?  Each year in July, PNSB encourages them to enjoin their students to apply to the YES Program. Upon the submission of duly filled out application forms. Chosen candidates would undergo a series of intercultural learning activities that aims to develop them holistically. This includes leadership building, English communication, and social skills, among others. In addition, applicants also undergo a series of interviews and medical tests ensuring that they are physically healthy upon entering USA. Finally, AFS candidates for the YES program undergo a Comprehensive  English Examination to ensure that they have proficient command of the English language. When all requirements are met, AFS will take care of all the student’s needsthe  including school, residence, and the family who will take good care of the student for a year. Lyka is home to couples who have visual impairment themselves.  She is very active and busy in her studies and at the same time, engaged in several visually impaired related activities. When asked about her exchange program experience, she said: “It a long journey to be accepted in this program (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) Program. As I walk through this path, I realized how blessed I am and how I should be grateful for this opportunity. So far I have tried rowing, gone to the recreational center where we play goal ball, I’m also a choir member where we perform concerts, and I’m also part of an international club.  Of course, one of my highlights for this month, as I have had tried skiing; one of the things people would think that visually impaired cannot do. Then last October, I am very thankful to go to Columbus (the capital of Ohio) to attend state convention of National Federation of the Blind (NFB) where I had so much fun and overloaded with valuable knowledge whereas I also became one of the board members for the student division. Although this program is not yet finished, I know I will have productive and enjoyable moments for the rest of my year.”  “I am so thankful that I have a chance to walk around here in the museum. Where all things are space and air crafts. Person with disability like me, really appreciate that they have small models for us to touch.” —Lyka Crebillo