mulat-mata (eye-open[er])

My International Contacts

Since I had quite some difficulty establishing contacts with early childhood professionals listed in the Global Alliance Website, I decided to use personal contacts instead.

1. Dr. Carolyn U. Ronquillo -  My first contact was a former professor, mentor and colleague of mine from the University of the Philipines Department of Family Life and Child Development.  She has taught in the Department for 30 years.  In the 30 years, Dr. Ronquillo held different administrative positions while she taught; she was the chair of the department for four years, was college secretary for another four, was the faculty in charge for the laboratory preschool of the Department for a few years and was even the head of the Office of Community Extension and Services.  After UP, Dr. Ronquillo moved to the US where she taught preschool and primary grades for more than 3 years.  In a few days, Dr. Ronquillo will be starting her work as a professor of early childhood in South Korea.
2. Ms. Grace Windell Masayon - My second international contact was a former teacher in the preschool (Hands at Play Center) I managed a few years ago.  She taught preschool-aged and primary-aged children during her 10 years at the Hands At Play Center.  Two years ago, she left for the Cayman Islands where she is now teaching at the Discovery Kids Preschool, Cayman Islands and is the head teacher in the infants class but also gets to teach and help out in the toddlers class as well as the young child class (3-5 years old). 
3. Mr. Cyril Siasoco - I decided to contact another person who is based in another country just in case my two contacts were not able to reply in time for me to meet deadlines as I know they are all very busy too. Mr. Siasoco owns a school (preschool to elementary) called KidsTech Learning Center since 1997 here in the Philippines. But in October 2007, Mr. Siasoco decided to ask a friend manage his school here while he went to New Zealand to teach in Marian Early Childhood Centre (he is still working in this school).  

In the first few exchanges with my international contacts, I was able to gather some more information.

• Dr. Ronquillo - I was able to learn that Dr. Ronquillo is now in vacation with her family before she starts work at Korea.  Also, that she believes in the progressive philosophy and uses the developmental interaction approach.  She is married, with one child and has a 4 year old grand son.  
• Mr. Siasoco - According to Mr. Siasoco, Marian Early Childhood Centre at Auckland, New Zealand is a Catholic School owned by the Catholic Diocese of Auckland.  He is the Early childhood teacher and says that their center is licensed to handle up to 30 children per session.  They currently have two sessions: Am and PM.  Mr. Siasoco said that in New Zealand, early childhood education is to be play based so their Centre is play-oriented.  They follow the "TE WHAARIKI" which is the NZ Early childhood curriculum.  
• Ms. Masayon -  Teacher Grace informed me that the school she teaches in uses the highscope curriculum.  She also gets to teach a very diverse classroom as she has children of different races.  Their school is also said to be play-oriented. 

Poverty Information from my contacts:

• I was not able to get a response from Dr. Ronquillo about poverty yet as she is in vacation.
• I am also still awaiting Mr. Siasoco's response on my more specific questions but from what I gathered, New Zealand children have access to free education, and health benefits and they even get allowance from the government.  
• Ms. Masayon informed me that the Grand Cayman Island is generally affluent as is has the lowest poverty rate among the English-speaking Islands in the Caribbean.  She said however, that there are still a few who are considered poor but these are usually immigrants/non-nationals.  The nationals who are "poor" are not really living in poverty as they are supported by the government even the children's education.  Children there also get allowances.  Ms. Masayon also said that the government there supports children with disabilities really well and that the Cayman Island has a good educational system.  She was not able to give more information as poverty is not really an issue in Grand Cayman Island.  

Because of my interaction with my contacts, I was able to see that different countries have different issues especially with relation to poverty.  I just hope that the Philippines will one day be able to say that poverty is also not an issue for us like New Zealand and Grand Cayman Island.  I wish there will come a day when Filipino children will get free education, health benefits and allowances too.  That will be a great day, indeed.
               

posted by Elizabeth King Santos @ 6:27 AM