Republic of the Philippines

Philippine National School for the Blind

Schools Division Office - Pasay City

PNSB all geared up for Brigada Eskwela Brigada Eskwela, the annual school preparation and maintenance week begins today, May 28 and ends on June 2. Brigada Eskwela is DepED’s initiative campaign for promoting Bayanihan in the community through the networking of volunteers from different stakeholders both public and private sectors. Brigada Eskwela ensure that schools nationwide are ready and safe for our learners before classes open on June 4. With the new school year just a few days away, PNSB along with its pool of diverse volunteers are all geared up towards completing its goal to work hand-in-hand to make the school ready and safe for its learners with visual impairment. This is in response to DepEd’s call for “Pagkakaisa para sa Handa, Ligtas, at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan” as its theme this year. Brigada Eskwela gearing up PNSB begins its week-long school clean up and maintenance drive with the kick off ceremony. It was Commenced by a parade along Figueroa St down to Galvez Avenue. On her opening remarks, Mrs. Corazon B. Salvador, Assistant Secondary School Principal and Officer-In-Charge of Philippine National School for the Blind extended her heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated stakeholders and friends who actively participated and contributed their time, effort, and resources to prepare the 8000 sq. m. of school ground and fixed facilities including the male and female dormitories to be ready for its learners at the opening of classes on June 4. Madam Salvador ended her talk with a challenge for everyone to work harmoniously and to finish the great tasks ahead of us with love and perseverance in spite of the intensity of the summer heat. She likewise admonished everyone by saying, “please to be on guard of your health. Keep yourselves hydrated at all times.” Drinking Water is available for everyone to drink to ease up fatigue, the heat as well as the filth that will surely embrace us throughout this activity.   After having firmed up the hearts and souls of all, the time to fortify everyone’s body in exercise was announced. It’s Zumba Time!  Everybody was set to sweat to the beat of Zumba. The crowd energized their bodies with dancing and prancing with the Zumba fever exercise for several minutes. Right after the Zumba exercise, Ms. Larnie Lebuna, the Brigada Eskwela Coordinator delegated the tasks to be accomplished for the entire week.  Throughout the day, everyone was occupied on cleaning, repairing, and maintaining the school surroundings. Special attention was given at the back area of the elementary and high school building. Trees had to be trimmed and dried leaves had to be swept off the ground, and garbage had to be collected for disposal. The Installation of air conditioning system at Senior High School E-lab and putting up of grills in selected classrooms were the major achievements of the day. It was so rewarding to see that much has been accomplished that day. Yet, there would have been more work awaiting to be done the next day.  Brigada Eskwela continuing on The second day of Brigada was officially opened with a few minutes of Zumba exercise. After everyone has charged up, cleaning of school surroundings, repair of school facilities and maintenance of elementary to high school areas were still in progress.  Other refurbishing done was the replacement of the division of the massage clinic. Repairs on the comfort rooms which included particularly the toilet bowls flash and faucets reconstructions, and the rehabilitation of the comfort room cubicle doors were successfully completed. Particularly the toilet bowls flash and faucets reconstructions, as well as, the rehabilitation of the comfort room cubicle doors. Later in the day, a monitoring team from the division office visited the school. They were pleased to see the accomplishments done for the past two days of the Brigada Eskwela. Brigada Eskwela moving forward Most of the day were spent in cleaning, repair and maintenance of the high school building and covered court area. Some volunteers worked together in gardening and landscaping around the covered court down to the kindergarten area.  Transferring of Science equipment and Math teaching devices to the Science Lab/Math Room was done by the Science and Math teachers. Furthermore, cleaning of the SBM corner and the placement of cabinets in the dressing room was led by Ma’am Gloria Jamandre. Other activities accomplished on the day were the continuation of the renovation of the massage clinic and pruning of trees and branches beside the high school building and the rehabilitation of the fish pond, clearing of debris in the old library and in front of the kindergarten area.  Brigada Eskwela moving ahead The fourth day of the Brigada was another busy yet fulfilling day for everyone. PNSB was the venue for the “Summer Music Workshop” conducted by James Mackay Foundation which aimed to enrich the participants’ musical skills, among others.  In addition to this activity, other developments were made throughout the day. The conference hall was repainted, drainages and gutters in the dormitory and transition building were disemboweled, and urinals in the elementary and kinder building were installed. Moreover, gardening in front of the dormitory was also completed by some volunteers at the end of the day.  Brigada Eskwela sprucing up On the fifth day of the Brigada, improvement of SDRRM Corner, installation of signage, installation of canopy in front of Senior High School building and sorting of recyclable materials in Material Recovery Facility (MRF) were accomplished. It was made possible through the continuous labor of the PNSB staff and volunteers from the different organizations, private and public. Brigada Eswela finishing up The last day was still a hectic day for everyone, cleaning and repairs were done in all the classrooms to ensure that all classrooms were prepared and has a welcoming atmosphere for all its learners. Another interesting activity done was the lecture/workshop provided by the Philippine Red Cross. They taught us how to properly respond on emergencies during disasters for instance. They likewise showed us how to correctly administer first continue reading : PNSB is all geared up for Brigada Eskwela

PNSB concludes its 48th commencement exercises On April 6, 2018, the Philippine National School for the Blind held its 48th Commencement Exercises with the theme “K to 12 Learners: Ready to Face Life’s Challenges.” This theme highlights the role of K to 12 Basic Education Program in harnessing the skills and competencies of the Filipino learners to face life’s challenges. The Special event was attended by Local officials headed by Lone Representative, Hon. Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Hon. Joey Calixto– Isidro, Deped Pasay Officials lead by Public School Supervisor-ALS Mrs. Edna Madrid, Public School District Supervisor Mrs. Asucena Evardone, School Administrators headed by Mrs. Corazon B. Salvador and the distinguished guest speaker in the person of Mrs. Maria Eliza A. Rebadulla. The graduates from elementary school were comprised 4 pupils under the supervision of Ms. Annilou Mendoza, while the graduates of senior high school, the pioneers of grade 12 under k-12 curriculum were 13 students under the supervision of Mrs. Sheryl Grace Prades. The highlights of the ceremony were the awarding of medals and the distribution of certificates of graduation. The student who obtained the highest academic award from grade 6 was Treizy Mae Samonte and the student who obtained the highest academic award from Grade 12 was Christian Evangelista.

PNSB held a thanksgiving baccalaureate mass The Philippine National School for the Blind held its Baccalaureate Mass on April 3 at PNSB covered court. The event was attended by the entire school community headed by school head Assistant Secondary Schools Principal II-OIC Mrs. Corazon B. Salvador. This liturgical ceremony is a thanksgiving for the blessings God has bestowed upon the teachers, the graduates and their families. The presiding priest of the mass was Rev. Fr. Rey Bungay from San Rafael Parish Church Pasay City.

PNSB learners hold A Mini– Concert dedicated to the Senior Citizens of the Little Sister of the Poor San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly On March 23, the selected students, teachers and staff headed by the Administrative Officer IV Mrs. Mary Anne G. Santilices,   together with the school social worker; Mrs. Elena Cariño, Special education teacher; Nelson Tapel and Music teacher; Grace Garrol visited the senior citizens of the Little Sister of the Poor San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly at Lancaster St. Pasay City to give entertainment. The visitors were warmly welcomed with a big smile by the residents. The oldest of whom is already 102 years old.  They were all excited to find out when visually impaired students will be singing the hit songs of their generation. The elders were all delighted as they sang along with members of the PNSB Glee Club accompanied by the PNSB Mighty Band. Together, they sang kundiman and other folks songs.  The audience were all amazed by the fantastic performances of the visually impaired students; this brings joy and light to the faces of the elderly. Overall, the mini-concert was truly a successful event and it just proved once again that having a disability is not a hindrance in bringing happiness to other people’s lives and for making other people lives worth remembering.

PNSB held a “Concert for a Cause” for rebuilding Marawi In response to the challenge posed by the Department of Education Secretary Dr. Leonor M. Briones to rebuild and rehabilitate the schools and most specially to help the learners who have been  displaced after the five-month insurgency in Marawi City, the Philippine National School for the Blind headed by its school head, Assistant Secondary Principal II-OIC Mrs. Corazon B. Salvador spearheaded a two day  benefit concert entitled “Rebuilding Marawi: A Concert for a Cause”on March 1-2, 2018.  The entire school community worked tirelessly to make the two-day concert successful. The production team was composed of Program Director, Ronald Manguiat; Marketing Director, Rex Cautiverio, Musical Director, Grace Garrol; Floor Director, Larne Lebuna; Trainor, Lizalyn Lopez; Production Assistants headed by Memie Gumba; and Choreographer/Over-all Director; Gloria Jamandre. This special event was in partnership with the Pasay City Sped Center of P. Villanueva Elementary School headed by its Principal Mrs. Lea M. Marcelo. The two-day concert was filled with splendid performances which showcased the rich Filipino culture through folk songs and folk dances. The spectators were amazed by the spectacular talents of students, alumni and staff who belong to different groups namely: The PNSB Mighty Band, PNSB Angklong Ensemble, PNSB Glee Club, PNSB Dance Troupe, Vincent Maranan, Alibelle Magno, and The Advocates Band of Call Foundation. Also a special intermission number was rendered by teaching staff of PVES and Pasay City Sped Center. Overall, the two-day concert for a cause was truly a successful event, raising more than    Php. 220,000 to help rehabilitate the schools in Marawi City. Once again, it just proved that disability is not a hindrance to be part of nation-building.