The Letranites who successfully hurdled the board exams are   Aries M. Briones, Cyrus S. Cunanan, Gil Martin C. Manalo IV, Mildred C. Manalo, Edward T. Ong, Jo Kristine E. Pachica, Isadora M. Tabirara and Charry May O. Torneros.  

The Colegio’s passing rate is 23.5%, way above the national rate of 19%. 

Ms. Mary Pauline S. Santos, the newly appointed area chairman of the Accountancy was pleased with the results of the recent board exams.  “We would not reach this point without the support of the Accountancy, Law and Taxation professors, the CBAA Dean’s Office headed by Dr. Nancy Eleria and the Colegio’s Rector and President, Fr. Edwin Lao, O.P.  “, she remarked.

As the new school year started last June 3, the Accountancy area has implemented a revised curriculum in consonance with the CHED Memorandum No. 26 series of 2001, which is also known as the Revised Curricular Requirement for the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Raising the units from 212 to 230, the revised curriculum is geared towards updating the Accountancy students with the international Accounting standards.  Among the new subjects are Systems Analysis and Design, Management Consultancy, Advanced        Accountancy III and Auditing and Assurance Services II.   

Meanwhile, hiring of faculty members entails rigid screening to suit the needs of the accounting profession. Those applicants with good professional exposure were given priority. 

According to Ms. Santos, all efforts will be exhausted to maintain or even surpass the passing percentage in the future board exams.  Upcoming graduates will be given special lectures on subjects such as Management Services and Auditing Problems. Similar with the recent reviewees, they will also be given the access to use the library facilities and the privilege to stay at the St. Liem dela Paz Dormitory.   

The new Letran CPAs took their oath last June 21, 2002 at  the Plenary Hall of the Philippine  International Convention Center (PICC).

In October 2001, Letran also had five (5) new CPAs in the persons of Alvin Largado, Mark David  Martinez, Reyan Paguirigan, Mary Grace Vasquez and Rhia Vejano. Ramon Marticio

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Management-HRM Area Conducts Freshman Orientation
By Ramon Marticio

The freshman orientation for Management students was held in the afternoon of June 27, 2002 at the Student Center Auditorium, SC Building. It was attended by first year students and transferees officially enrolled this school year.

The purpose of the activity is to make the freshmen students to be aware of the policies of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) and the Colegio as a whole. The affair started with a prayer and immediately followed by the recitation of the Colegio’s Vision-Mission in chorus.

Management professors were formally introduced by Mr. Ramon Marticio, chairperson of the Management and Human Resource Management (HRM) Area. He also discussed the general policies, rules and regulations of the institution and some provisions in the Student Manual. The new management curriculum was presented and thoroughly discussed by Mrs. mary Rosaleen Agaton.

Mr. Reiner Bautista presented to the Freshmen the Letran Management Society (LMS), the student organization of management students. He gave a background about the LMS and then introduced the elected officers this school year headed by Ms. Rosalina Manabat, LMS President, who together with the other officers assisted in the orientation proceedings.

Ms. Gesille Buot is the over-all coordinator for this year’s activity and the event was hosted by Mr. Menandro Espiritu.

Meeting on College Accreditation
By Ramon Marticio

The meeting on accreditation was held last July 17, 2002 at the Mabini Hall. It was attended by faculty members both from the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education (CLASEd) and the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA).

DR. NANCY ELERIA, the Dean of the CBAA and also the Chairman of the Faculty Area delivered the opening remarks. She mentioned about the importance of schools nowadays to be accredited such as that of the business sectors and industry where firms are applying to obtain the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certificate or the Malcolm Bridge Award for Excellence.

FR. ORLANDO ACERON, O.P., the Colegio’s Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and the concurrent Chairman of the PAASCU Self-Survey Working Committee, discussed comprehensively all areas of Accreditation. He started by presenting a brief history of the PAASCU.

Fr. Aceron emphasized that accreditation can be viewed in three aspects such as a process where institutions must continuously upgrade their systems and operations; a concept which is a self-evaluation on a continuing basis; and a status which is granted to educational institutions that meet standards of quality and excellence.

Fr. Aceron further explained that PAASCU is following the goal-model that requires an extensive evaluation of the school’s purposes and objectives. He also tackled the eight broad areas of Accreditation with their corresponding weights or points, such as Faculty (6 pts.); Instruction (6 pts.); Community Involvement (4 pts.); Library (4 pts.); Laboratory (4 pts.); Physical Plant (2 pts.); Student Services (4 pts.) and Administration (3 pts.).

"The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), on the other hand, classified schools on four levels such as Level 1-Applicant Status; Level 2-Institutions who acquired accredited status; Level 3-Re-accredited status characterized by among others high standard of instruction, quality teachers, linkages with other institutions; Level 4-Broad area of educational prestige comparable with that of an international university having excellence in research, quality instruction, international consortium and linkages", Fr. Aceron said.

"Benefits such as partial to full administrative deregulation, partial to full curriculum autonomy and financial deregulation can be derived from being accredited" Fr. Aceron added.

Dr. Eleria ended the meeting by encouraging full cooperation and support among all the members of the Colegio’s community as it is very vital to achieve the goal of Letran to be accredited soon.

The PAASCU accreditors are scheduled to have their preliminary visit in the College department in September.

School administrators who attended the meeting were, Mr. RONALD DUGANG, Chairman for Community Involvement, Ms. CAROLYN RULONA, Chairman for Library Services, Mr. REMIGIO TIAMBENG, a member of the Instruction Area, Mr. REYNALDO JAVIER, a member of the Laboratory area and Dr. MYRNA TORRELIZA, who is also the chairman for the Instruction area.

Accreditation began in the Philippines in 1954 for the Collegiate level, 1965 for High School, 1971 for Elementary and 1988 for the Graduate School.

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ALUMNI SEMINAR FOR THEIR TEACHERS
A revitalized teaching staff may be the result of a recent get-together seminar spearheaded by Fernan Lukban, Ph D., Director of University of Asia and Pacific with Marcial Balgos, Dr. Lionel Javier, Noel Flores and Jerry Lee, all of Batch ’78.

According to Dr. Lukban, the get-together was the batch’s way of saying "THANK YOU" to their former mentors and to their Alma Mater, Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

The seminar gave the attendees a review of what good teaching is by refocusing on the identity and integrity of the teacher. It emphasized the fact that teachers teach who they are.

Another highlight of the seminar was the new insights and advances made in medical science linked to educational practice – "Whole Brain Learning and Teaching." The Brain is the "seat" of thinking, hence, of learning. The brain defines what you want to learn and how to learn it. A teacher then must be aware of how a student learns to determine how to teach him effectively. There are as many learning styles as there are students; therefore, the teacher must be equipped with different teaching strategies and techniques to complement the different learning styles.

Attending the seminar were Rev. Fr. Edwin Lao, O.P., Rector and President, Dr. Lucita A. Villegas, H.S. Principal, Dr. Nancy Eleria, Ph.D., CBAA Dean, Melba Silvela, Guidance Head, Nympha Maduli, HRD Head, Edna Marco, Cultural Affairs Head, Eloisa Labrador, R & D Head, Rey Reyes, Registrar and the former teachers of the alumni.

Inspired by the reminded "truths" and updated with the recent trends in teaching and learning, the high school faculty are eager to go back to the classrooms and be more effective facilitators of learning.

85th Grand Alumni Homecoming Raffle Draw

As part of the 85th Grand Alumni Homecoming,the Letran Alumni Association will sponsor a raffle that features a double draw entitling ticket holders to participate in two draws with the following major prizes:

August 19 Draw

First Prize : P 20,000.00
Second Prize: P 10,000.00
Third Prize : P 5,000.00

November 23 Draw

First Prize : P100,000.00
Second Prize: P 50,000.00
Third Prize : P 25,000.00

The raffle’s net proceeds will benefit the various development projects of the school’s foundation, the San Vicente Liem de la Paz Foundation, Inc., the LAA Educational Assistance Program and the operational requirements of the secretariat.

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Email me here: rector@letran.edu

School Year 2001-2002 left Colegio de San Juan de Letran with significant events and activities through the collaborative efforts of the administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni.

The following executive reports were presented to the Board of Trustees of the Colegio on July 15, 2002. They are divided into two parts. Part One is the accomplishment report for SY 2001-2002, highlighting the activities during the year. Part Two is the operational plan of the Colegio for school year 2002-2003, designed to meet the thrusts of the four-year development plan which has the following objectives:

1. Accreditation of the academic programs of the elementary, high school and tertiary levels;

2. Improvement of the academic standards of the faculty;

3. Further professionalization of the administrative and support staff;

4. Construction, enhancement and renovation of facilities and physical plant directly related to instruction and learning.

I wish to bring out salient points from my executive reports, outlined in the following major areas:

Academic Programs and Report

Part I. The academic departments reviewed, revised and upgraded the Colegio’s program of studies, curriculum and syllabi in line with the efforts to give up-to-date instruction to the students. Religion and theology subjects remained the core curriculum of the Colegio. Religion and values formation were integrated in every lesson whenever it is applicable. In order to ensure the academic success of the students, the Colegio scheduled academic consultations in the collegiate department and offered remedial and tutorial classes in the elementary and high school departments. As a requirement of globalization and international commerce, the Colegio strengthened and emphasized the use of English as the medium of instruction.

The Colegio’s admission posted a total percentage of 64 for school year 2002-2003. On enrollment statistics, the elementary department met their target. However, their enrollment was still lower by 14.15% compared to last year’s figures. The high school department enrollment was lower by 17.84%. Based on a semester to semester comparison in the collegiate department, there was a decline for school year 2001-2002, compared to the previous school year. For the 1st semester, a decline of 7.17%; for the 2nd semester, 7.45%. In the graduate school, there was a continuous decline of enrollment from 1st to the 3rd terms.

Part II. Among the plans and programs outlined in support of the academic programs of the Colegio are: review and evaluation of the course programs; strengthening the current flagship courses and opening new ones; and offering new courses in line with the demands of the industry today.

We need to focus and address the decline of enrollment by employing different strategies such as conducting intensive and extensive campaign and using tri-media marketing.

Human Resources Management

Part I. To further professionalize the administrators, faculty and non-teaching personnel, the performance appraisal system for promotion and merit incentive were reviewed and fully implemented. The faculty members were evaluated by students using the instructional survey. The Colegio sponsored training programs, seminars, conferences, recollection and retreats, and sportsfest activities. Financial assistance, through the faculty development program of the San Vicente Liem dela Paz Foundation (SVLPF), was also granted to faculty members who wished to finish their masteral and doctoral degrees. Research programs were also operational to encourage employees to do scholarly works.

Part II. The Colegio plans to conduct job evaluation for administrators and non-teaching personnel. The results of the student instructional survey will be incorporated to the performance management appraisal system (PMAS), used for teachers’ promotion and evaluation. Employees’ manuals will be reviewed. We will continue to hold retreats and recollections, conferences, trainings and seminars for the employees.

Student Services

Part I. The library services of the Colegio are now working through the Athena software. The library acquired 2,768 volumes of books and renewed subscription of 125 periodicals. The media center conducted orientation to faculty members on the use of media resources. The guidance and counseling services handled initial interviews of 1,437 students, exit interviews of 368 students, counseling cases of 1,137 and 93 group counseling. The guidance center also conducted 13 special guidance programs. The health services treated and attended to 19,148 cases and supervised the Letran Health Program for employees. Among the students’ co-curricular and extra-curricular activities was the recognition of 15 student organizations in the elementary department, 10 in the high school and 20 in the collegiate department. Students came out with 4 issues and 1 literary folio for the Lance, 3 issues for Scroll and for Page. The student council organized Balikatan dialogues with the administration.

Part II. The Colegio will focus on the development of a system that could immediately provide information on academic deficiencies of students. Faculty members will be required to include references materials found in the library in support of the efforts of the administration to increase the library utilization of students and faculty members.

Community Involvement

Part I. As part of the Colegio’s vision and mission of developing students to be dynamic leaders and builders of communities, the following communities were adopted and visited: Brgy. 655 Intramuros, Manila; Brgy. Sawata, Dagat-dagatan; Brgy. 399 Sampaloc, Manila; and the Community of Camiguin in North Batanes. The development plans for these adopted communities were finalized. The Colegio opted for the community welfare service training to complement the extension service programs and projects of the Colegio.

Part II. There is a need to involve all the sectors of the Colegio in extension service by site visitations to adopted barangays and communities. The Civic Welfare Service Training module will be reviewed.

Facilities

Part I. As part of the continuing effort to provide facilities for effective learning and instruction, the San Vicente Liem dela Paz Student Center was completed and inaugurated. Exterior walls of the high school and collegiate buildings were repainted and a number of offices were renovated.

Part II. The Colegio still needs to attend to other renovations left last school year. The water system and supply for the elementary, high school and collegiate buildings should be improved.

Administration

Part I. We prepared extensively for the level 1 accreditation of the collegiate and high school departments and level 2 accreditation of the elementary department. We focused and worked on the manuals of operation for the different offices, on the marketing programs, media plan and on the consistent use of Colegio’s symbols and marks.

Part II. We will continue to work in order to attain level 2 accreditation for the elementary department, level 1 accreditation for the high school, collegiate and graduate school departments. The organizational manual and the manual of operations will be attended to this current school year. The operations of the Alumni office will now be under the auspices of the Colegio.

Finance

Part I. The Colegio increased its tuition fee for the current school year. A 10% increase in the elementary and high school departments, 7% in the collegiate and graduate school departments and 10% on selected miscellaneous fees were granted. Showing their continuous support to the Colegio, the Letran Alumni Foundation , Inc. (LAFI) turned over their fund to the Colegio under the San Vicente Liem dela Paz Foundation (SVLPF).

Part II. There will be continuous efforts to establish contacts and linkages with agencies and persons providing donations and financial assistance. The Colegio’s master budget for the next school year will be prepared.

Special Projects

Part I. Among the special projects that the Colegio pursued were the inclusion of the San Vicente Liem dela Paz Foundation (SVLPF) in the marketing of the Colegio, solicitation of donations using the SVLPF development funds as recipients, the feasibility study of Letran-Bataan, and the preparation of the civil and architectural plans also for the Letran-Bataan.

Part II. The Colegio will continue to conduct fund raising activities for SVLPF, involving all sectors, particularly the alumni. The target date for Letran-Bataan to begin its operations is June, 2003.

Let me end by thanking the Letran community for the support and cooperation extended to me as we work and pursue our objectives. We had our accomplishments for the school year 2001-2002 because of the dedication and love expressed by all sectors of our Letran community. With all your support, I believe we can achieve more… for the love of Deus, Patria, Letran!

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Implementation of the NSTP-CWS Program in the Colegio
By Amur Mina Mayor

In response to the public outcry against the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program, her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, signed into law Republic Act 9163 or the National Service Training Program (NSTP).

The program aims to enhance the civic consciousness and defense preparedness of the youth by developing the value of service and patriotism. It has three service components: the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), the Literacy Training Service and the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWS).

Of the three, the Colegio opted to offer the CWS Program, for this is a realization of one of the Colegio’s vision for her students: to become dynamic builders and leaders of communities. In the said program, students will be trained to contribute to the general welfare and the betterment of life of the community. This will involve programs in the improvement of health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and morals of the citizenry.

This semester, about 1,400 students, both male and female, most of them from the first year level are enrolled in this program. Classes and community services are held every Saturday. Teachers from the Elementary, High School and Collegiate level and non-academic personnel are the ones handling the program in coordination with Mr. Ronald Dugang, Head of the Extension Services.

Among the activities for this semester are the tree-planting, visits to orphanages and outreach programs in the adopted barangays of the Colegio.

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Abing, Castillo Attend I.T. Conference
By Ramon M. Marticio

Microsoft Philippines, Inc. sponsored "Le@rn 2002: The 2nd Annual Education Leaders Conference" last June 27, 2002 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

The Colegio’s representatives to the event were Ms. Marilou Abing, Chairperson of Computer Management Area of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) and Mr. Randy Castillo, Head of Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Department. The event was participated in by computer instructors from different colleges and universities in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The purpose of the conference was to update Information Technology (IT) faculty members to the latest Microsoft programs aimed to help schools and IT students to be at par with current world trends in information technology and at the same time to promote the Microsoft products.

Coinciding the affair was the launching of the program of activities in Le@rn 2002 such as the holding of the 2nd Asian Students. Net come October of this year where the 2nd Inter-Collegiate Programming competition will culminate; the MSDN Academic Alliance where computer science department gains access to all Microsoft server and development tools through this program; the Office Olympics where 2 college students will be selected and represent he Philippines in a global competition on Microsoft word and Excel certification; the IT Academy program which will be launched late this year and will allow schools to offer Microsoft Certified courses; Class server, a classroom management system that will assist teachers and students manage school requirements and "MOST", the search for the Microsoft Outstanding Students and Teachers for SY 2002-2003.

The conference was hosted by Mr. Sam Jacoba II, the Director of Strategic Business Department of Microsoft Philippines, Inc.

NCAA at 78 Letran Honored as 2001 Over-all Champ!
By Ramon M. Marticio

The 78th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officially kicked-off last June 29, 2002 at the Araneta Coliseum. Hosted this year by San Beda College, the simple but exciting opening ceremonies were covered live by Studio 23, the official television network of the NCAA.

The ceremonies opened with an invocation performed by selected boy’s choir from the host school followed by a production number by students from the participating schools and the traditional parade of athletes with their muses. Athletic officials and presidents of the member schools who composed the NCAA Board of Directors were formally introduced during the ceremonies.

Eight (8) schools comprise the NCAA league. They are the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R), Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), San Beda College (SBC), Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), Jose Rizal University (JRU), Philippine Christian University (PCU), University of Perpetual Help-Rizal (UPHR) and the College of Saint Benilde (CSB).

One of the highlights of the ceremonies was the awarding of the Over-all Championship last season which the Colegio captured for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year. Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P., Rector and President and Fr. Edgardo Alaurin, O.P., the Athletics Moderator accepted the championship trophy amidst the victorious chanting of the huge Letran community, alumni, friends and supporters at the big dome. The over-all championship is awarded to the school who exhibited excellent performance in all NCAA sporting events in a particular season.

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Educational Leadership in Changing Times
By Lucita Ablaza-Villegas, Ph.D.

There were about 120 attendees coming from all over the Philippines school, colleges and universities - sectarian and non-sectarian; private, government, SUC’s, 3-level and 2-level learning institutions.

The following are highlights of the resource speaker’s paper as they appear chronologically in the program.

I. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Cesar Antonio V. Purisima chairman and managing partner of SGV. He spoke of the new global environment particularly the business economic environment as a result of technological progress. He said "Market space (which refers to the virtual context in which buyers and sellers discover one another and transact business) will compete with marketplace." He went on to describe signs that globalization is upon us:

- organizations are flexible and based on meritocracy
- fast decision making (mere seconds)
- open trading system for goods and services
- a lot of mobility for businesses
- competition is the norm

He then gave a grim picture of the country’s standing in the 2002 World Competitiveness Yearbook of Switzerland’s Institute of Mgt. Development which ranked the Philippines 40th out 49 countries in terms of global competitiveness.

Inspite of this, Mr. Purisima was very optimistic.He believes the Philippines can compete and carve a niche of its own because of the following advantages:

1. Filipinos have an aptitude for technology

- Educated workforce that can man data processing and data - base operations of global companies.

- Architects can do computer-aided designs, systems and drawings, software development, graphics and animation.

2. Our country’s demographic situation is young vs. Japan’s the biggest economy in the world which has 1/3 of the world’s savings amounting to US 10 trillion. Therefore, the Philippines’ young population is aging.

Suggested Imperatives for Educational Leadership.

1. School curricula have to be reviewed and redesigned to take into account new skills required to meet changing market place. Invest in technology - driven audio-visual materials.

2. Make synergy work for the school. Partner with customers here and abroad especially with our target markets. Partner with corporate sector.

3. Invest in the faculty. Send them to training or recruit practitioners to teach.

"No matter how well-endowed an institution is, it cannot possibly have all the resources to be everything to all people."

II. EMERGING TRENDS in the ACADEME

Dr. Vic Ordoñez of the UNESCO, is a visiting professor at Hawaii University who flew here for the seminar. His presentation was replete with international data showing comparative analysis of enrollment figures, literacy rates, particularly in Asia. It is disheartening to note that 90 million children all over the world have not seen a classroom according to statistics.

He revealed the findings of the Delors Commission Education in the 21st Century which was crafted by 15 education experts all over the world, as follows:

Education is about balancing tensions in a Global Society:

- individual development vs. social cohesion (learning to live together)
- internationalism vs. community identities
- industrialized modernity vs. local cultures
- education based on long term (reason) vs. short term (emotion)
- materials values vs. moral values
- market place competition vs. social equity

knowledge explosion vs. human absorption "That a school community is a microcosm of bigger society."

Practical Steps in Paradigm Shifts

- needs analysis, goal setting
- strategic positioning
- identifying key performances indicators, critical competencies.
- planning and managing change: timing, ensuring wider ownership of change.
- institutionalizing innovations and need analysis watchtower for pedagogical innovations, systematic and institutional.

III. STRATEGIC POSITIONING OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Prof. Tommy B. Lopez, Jr. graduated from AIM and is presently the President of the Makati University (Pamantasant ng Makati), He spoke of his experiece in turning around (paradigm shift) the entire university’s mission/vision, plans, objectives and strategies in order to fit the target market and customers’ needs so that its graduates can actively participate in and competitively partake of the city’s economic progress, the largest LGU income in the country - Makati City.

He applied his AIM learned corporate principles to the academic institution which he started in the year 2000. He said, Fit defines Values - "The specialness of a product or service to the wants of a special group of buyers."

IV. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI) AND CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

Prof. Jacinto Gavino teaches at the AIM. He presented the four generic competitive strategies in determing market target such as: Low-Cost leadership, Differentiation, Best-Cost provider, Focused-niche and their advantages and disadvantages. He asked this crucial question - "Does your positioning (vision-mission) statement lead to an indicator; that can be measured?" "Then he went on to to cite the obstacles in determining the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) such as: lack of appreciation of data, factors difficult to measure (culture values), lack of time, etc.

In introducing any CHANGE one should:

"Look outside (scan environment beyond)
"Look inside (analyze internal operation effectiveness)
"Look forward (revisit mission)

Consider the following in reviewing mission

a) global and local market demands
b) who is really your market?
c) What do you want to be known as?

Ask question - what are the KPI’s that are relevant to your mission? List them down and rank according to what’s important to the organization / school. Then list down as many COMPETENCIES (people, facilities, skills, attitudes/values) required for each KPI.

Last, identify the changes you will do to align people with competencies and indicators. Identify all stakeholders and those who oppose/support the change and how to make them own the change.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

- I am heartened and inspired by Mr. Purisma’s optimistic attitude about the Philippines’ hope for the future by seizing our demographic advantage (young population) in the next 10-20 years. Around the globe birthrates are falling especially in Europe and America with Fertility rate of 1.57 children per woman (U.N.) There’s a "one-child family syndrome."

- Although we have course offering in Computer Education, I wonder if they are technology-driven enough for our graduates to be able to compete worldwide. 

"We can’t possibly have all the resources to be everything to all people" Should we continue offering those courses that we have at present? Are we not spreading ourselves (resources) too thinly? Or focus only on Flagship courses? Maybe, we need to start specialization as early as in the Secondary level.

- I think for Education, to be responsive to the 21st century (age of Globalization), teachers must have a clear grasp and broad understanding of the "balancing of tensions" because anything done in extreme will be hazardous to both individual and society. After all globalization should not be taken only in the context of growth but most importantly in its capability to improve human relations. Globalization should make people all over the world more tolerant and understanding of each other.

- If the school community is a microcosm of the society, then we must deal with dishonesty, greediness and other students’ weaknesses, with truth and justice so that correct value system will be ingrained in them before they go out in to the real world.

- Maybe the "best cost provider" strategy is to focus / niche or differentiation. It is said that if the world is shrinking (smaller) because of new technology the more we have to show our uniqueness (specialization).

- We can use the KPI - Competency model in concretizing our ‘DEUS, PATRIA, LETRAN so that it will not remain only as an abstract "slogan" It can be integrated in the relevant lessons; and relate it to everyday experience where students will find meaning until it becomes a way of life.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Colegio particularly the Fr. Rector for giving me the opportunity to attend this seminar which served as a refresher course for me. The informal interaction that took place among the participants is the hidden value of this seminar which re-aligned me back to the academe.

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Orientation on the Implementation of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) NCR School Registrars’ Association
By Rey Reyes

In accordance with the request of the CHED during the 8th FOSRA Conference in Dagupan, the various registrars’ associations in the different regions were instructed to give the NSTP the widest dissemination.

The orientation for schools in the NCR was held at the FEU auditorium last May 24. The resource persons were Dr. Isabel F. Inlayo of the CHED-OSS and Col. Reynaldo Silvestre, Asst. Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs.

Dr. Inlayo focused on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the NSTP which was similar to her presentation at Dagupan. Col. Silvestre began by explaining the history of the ROTC and gave statistics on the number of graduates actually needed by the reservist forces of the AFP. He also explained what the AFP is doing to attract students to opt to ROTC. This includes a revamped program of instruction and full scholarships to students who are willing to finish the advanced course.

The distributed kit includes copies of a CHED Memorandum providing a suggested curricular program for CWS and LTS.

Among the salient points clarified during the open forum were the following:

1. The program of instruction of the ROTC will be more conceptual in orientation, similar to subjects in the general education program. The goal of the AFP is to have a reservist force about 4 times the size of the regular army. This translates to only about 22,000 cadet graduates a year.

2..Schools with less than 350 student-cadets shall have their ROTC units deactivated. A clarification was made that all office equipment in the deactivated units bought out of the share of ROTC fees or trust find belong to the AFP and may be pulled out. Letran was cited as a case in point.