Jumpstarting college preparations with Pathways

For the first time in three years, we finally had our first fully face-to-face project! And boy what a jam-packed July and August it has been for us here in Pathways. We'll start by sharing news about our newest and youngest batch.

Batch 19, our newest batch of participants just wrapped up their month-long preparation for the upcoming college entrance tests (CETs). Since they joined us for their Orientation Seminar last 9 July, they began reviewing for the CETs with the Loyola Student Center (LSC), thrice a week. In the afternoons, they also had Homeroom sessions and English Grammar classes. 

Since we first met them face to face during their Orientation Seminar last July 9, they have since been coming to the campus thrice a week. In the mornings they would have the College Entrance Test Review classes conducted by our longtime review partner, the Loyola Student Center. In the afternoons, they had English classes and Homeroom where they got to know each other and learned about time management techniques. This was when they also reviewed their topics in grammar such as prepositions, tenses, and sentence patterns. 

Additionally, Batch 19 also underwent a two-day hands-on English Writing Workshop led by Ateneo Junior High School faculty and long-time Pathways volunteer Ms Chris Lacdao. The workshop aimed to help them gain the confidence and tools to better craft their college application essays. 

While test-taking is important, we understand how intimidating it is to pick a college course. We are happy to share that for the first time, our students underwent the Harrison Assessments. This was made possible through the generosity and partnership with Innerview Consultancy Services International Inc (ICSI) led by Ms Tammy Bejar. ICSI is the prime distributor of Harrison Assessments (HA) in the Philippines. Harrison Assessments is a state-of-the-art web-based diagnostic solution that has been globally proven to predict job success with up to 90% accuracy.

Through the HA, our students gained a deeper understanding of their strengths, interests, and activities they might enjoy. They also familiarized themselves with the different career options that were best suited for them based on the above. In addition to the test, the students underwent group coaching sessions to better understand and clarify the assessment results. 

Pathways also organized a College, Course and Career (CCC) Day last 6 August, which participants attended together with their parents. They were oriented on the general college application process and what requirements they already need to prepare for their college applications. In CCC, they met and interacted with professionals as well as Pathways alumni from different schools and industries, and were able to ask the panel their burning questions on courses, colleges and career options after graduation.

Lisa Ellem, a new friend of Pathways from Australia, also took the time to share with the group her own experience of rooting her career in service and advocacy.

Batch 19 also got an exclusive audience with Ateneo's Office of Admission & Aid (OAA) Director Dr Jose Ma Edito K Tirol who personally shared what Ateneo has to offer. Here, he shared the various scholarships that they can apply to. His office also gamely gave the participants a special tour of the entire campus!

As we brought their “summer” to a close, we had one more surprise in store for them - a guided tour of the Ateneo Art Gallery. Following this, we all had a picnic where they shared the jingles they made about their Pathways experience so far while savoring their last activity before they go back to their respective schools. 

To our dear Pathways bunsos, a lot has happened since July and we hope this has been a school break you'll always remember. We look forward to seeing you confidently apply to your target universities as you have been prepared well. We're all rooting for you!

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the following for making our first face-to-face College Jumpstart a success:

Our friends within Ateneo
Ateneo Art Gallery
Central Facilities Management Office (CFMO)
Campus Safety and Mobility Office (CMO)
Gawad Kalinga (GK)
Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GSBEALD)
Office of Admission and Aid (OAA)
Office of the Vice President for Higher Education (OVPHE) 

Our friends at
Loyola Student Center, particularly Sir Jun Ramos, Sir Albert Siton, and Sir Ramos Reyes
Innerview Consultancy Services International, Inc, particularly Ms. Tammy Bejar

Our Course and College Talks resource persons
Maria Carmela Bandong
Engr. Hannah Besmonte
Micah Clemente
Rodante Dulay
Danica Jadaone
Anne Mangarin
Joshua Pocaan
Jasmine Tolentino

Our Career Talks resource persons
Chico Locsin, MD
Maria Elissa Lao, PhD
Micah Clemente
Christian San Juan
Mark Cancino

Our Writing Session resource persons
Chris Lacdao
Irish Adante
Nina Davide
Joan Dumo
Gleefer Jalea
Karen Macalalad
Leana Vibal

Our homeroom advisers
Mariah Agoncillo
Jannina Capco
Aaron Duque
Rina Janaban
Kristel Mangarin
Felix Miranda
Raiza Ragay
Alexa Reyes
Willy Santos
Patrick Valentin

Our English Tutors
Jannina Capco
Aenea Cabillos
Jerome dela Cruz
Kryzel Dequito
Tracy Descallar
Lucia Ramos
Frances Realda
Roselle Rioja
Anne Rubio
Dave Siman

Our volunteer ushers and logistics persons
Relly Adlawan
Franz Atanacio
Yuan Marquez
Irish Padre
Anna Pangilinan
Rachel Leigh Pepito
John Vincent Parayday
Kyla Umpad
John Michael Villar