By: John Benedict Bambalan
The first semester’s Celebration of Learning (COL) took place in Philippine School Doha (PSD) on the 23rd of November with the theme of “Start-up: A Collaboration of Arts, Business, Science, And Technology in Celebrating Health and Wellness”. The COL integrated multiple areas of learning by streaming Facebook Live videos online and holding physical displays face-to-face.
The COL started with a ceremonious yet unconventional morning assembly; they had merged subjects like Arabic in the recitation of the PSD Vision and Mission and Filipino in the morning exercise by performing a folk dance.
Subsequently, in the opening remarks of Dr. Noemi Formaran, the vice principal of the senior high school department, she had quoted John F. Kennedy, stating: “Intelligence and skills can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong”. This was stated in relation to the theme of the school year’s COL, celebrating Health and Wellness.
Shortly after, Dr. Alexander Acosta, the principal, gave his inspirational speech. Since the COL is a group-based activity, he highlighted the fact that “Nothing can compare the idea of collaboration, after all, you are all winners”.
Moreover, the COL hosted numerous events, contained many projects, and set up several booths, examples of which include but are not limited to: scented candles that stimulate the sense of smell, fossilized leaves that show a glimpse of biology, eco-friendly health products that address health-related needs, flora and herbs that go hand-in-hand with medicine and nutrition, speeches that aim to foster healthy minds, a Filipino talent show that showcases people’s different capabilities, Math-based games that promote logical and critical thinking, and even a website that gathers all of these aforementioned events, projects, and booths in one place.
Furthermore, the COL included a segment that had interviews of multiple PSD alumni hailing from various professions, one of which was Dr. Naseef Askali. Askali told his story wherein he had directly impacted his patient’s life and because of it, he had found a reason to keep being a doctor and to help other people. Giving thanks to his alma mater, he praised PSD for teaching him lessons, supplying his happiness, and building his character.
Additionally, PSD alumnus, Eleennae Love Ayson, spoke of her anecdote, stating that she was inspired to become a publisher or textbook editor because she was once a part of the Link, the official campus journalism organization of PSD. She also expressed that even if her alma mater’s Vision and Mission was aimed towards producing globally competent learners, PSDians should not necessarily deem the Philippines as a lost cause and study or work in another foreign country. She went as far as to say that there is nothing more satisfying than leaving a mark that says you helped, that the goal of PSDians is to be a nation builder, no matter where they are.
In essence, Mr. Roberto Jacob, head of the COL program committee, affirmed that “the need to engage students is attained through the celebration of learning”.
Website link: sites.google.com/psdqatar.com/shscol2021