PSHS–MC celebrates 58th Foundation Day

BY AJ BITUIN & MIKKO SALVADOR

Last September 5, the Philippine Science High School–Main Campus (PSHS–MC) celebrated the PSHS System’s 58th Foundation Day.

The day commenced with a flag ceremony led by the Division of Student Affairs (DSA).

Afterwards, Catholic students, teachers, and staff had the option to attend a Thanksgiving Mass at the PSHS–MC Multi-purpose Gymnasium, where Himig Agham, the school’s glee club, and the symphony orchestra of Bravura, the music ensemble club, performed.

Evangelicals also had the option of a Thanksgiving Service at the Advanced Science and Technology Building (ASTB) Exhibit Hall.

After the Thanksgiving Mass and Service, students lined up to receive free scoops of ice cream at the Kalachuchi Lane. They then proceeded to their respective classrooms to attend their Homeroom Advising (HRA) and Academic and Scale Advising (ASA) classes.

Meanwhile, faculty and staff attended an awards ceremony at the gym, where employees were recognized for the achievements they attained over the previous year, along with their years of service.

Among these were the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awardees. Sir Quentin Tarcelo of the Social Science Unit was recognized for passing the 2020–2021 Bar Examinations, while Sir Warren Dula of the Accounting Office, Sir Francis Orque and Ma’am Flordeliza Fermin of the Filipino Unit, and Sir Alejandro Tuazon of the Technology Unit were recognized for finishing their graduate studies.

The Covidvax Team and support groups such as the PSHS Foundation, Inc. and the National Alumni Association were also recognized for their service.

Members of Bravura’s rondalla and selected personnel were featured during brief intermission numbers, where the latter gave a dance performance. A photo booth was also installed at the back of the gym for those who wanted a souvenir of the ceremony.

In the afternoon, students from Grades 7 to 8 and from Grades 9 to 10 attended separate general assemblies hosted by the Student Council (SC) at the gym, where they were reminded of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Meanwhile, Grades 11 and 12 students had their separate Service, Creativity, Action, and Leadership Enhancement (SCALE) Program orientations.

Ma’am Dinnie Morales, the SCALE Coordinator for Grade 11, held the event for Batch 2024 students at the Third Floor Auditorium. On the other hand, the SCALE Coordinator for Grade 12, Sir Edwin De Ocampo, oriented Batch 2023 students at the Fourth Floor Auditorium.

Rhyanna Melody Palisoc, a student of 8-Champaca and member of Himig Agham, remarked that the Foundation Day celebration was good and lively.

“It was so fun even though we only had Mass for the Foundation Day because I get to have a break from my studies and enhance my talent in singing,” she said. However, she shared that she expects something more in the next celebrations of PSHS’s Foundation Day.

PSHS started its operations on September 5, 1964. The school was previously established back in 1963 with the signing of Republic Act (R.A.) 3661, which offers a scholarship on secondary education emphasizing on science to prepare students for a science career.

When asked how PSHS has changed throughout his stay, a student from 12-F said: “I’ve felt that PSHS has become more prominent in my life . . . to the point where I can say that PSHS is part of my identity as a person. Watching students and teachers come and go also added in a sense of nostalgia.”

Now that PSHS is in its 58th year, the student also hopes that it will continue producing students who will live by the values of truth, excellence, and service.

Palisoc, meanwhile, looks forward to what will happen as she starts her first face-to-face classes, knowing that her first year as a PSHS–MC student went well because it was online. She hopes that lessons will be fun and not so difficult, and that the school would respect its students’ wishes.