Hall of Fame in Teaching Profession

Evelyn Caja, a Special Education (SPED) Teacher and Master Teacher I in Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila were conferred the 2009 Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES). A pastor's daughter, Caja was keen on serving others early in life. But it was a blind girl she encountered in practical teaching that led her to pursue special education. Caja was inspired by the girl whose condition did not stop her from continuing her education. 

Teacher Caja is the Principal for the Center for Developmental Intervention Foundation, Inc., at the Philippine Children Medical Center. She is also the national treasurer of the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED), an organization of past and current SOT awardees. 

Teacher Caja has been a SPED teacher particularly to the visually impaired for some 41 years now. Among the awards she has received after winning in SOT are: the 2002 Lingkod Bayan Award, Civil Service Commission, 2002 Thomasite Centennial International Visitor Award, Metrobank Foundation and the US Government; Finalist, 2003 Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Award, ABS-CBN and UGAT Foundation; and the 2004 Outstanding Manilan Award 

Today, teacher Caja is considered the 'Anne Sullivan'—tutor of the famous deaf blind author Helen Keller – of many students whom she has helped become productive and self-reliant individuals. Caja encourages fellow teachers to love their work and to continue to serve silently and sincerely.  "Without love, easy things become difficult. But with love difficult things become easy. Nothing is impossible when you love your work," she said. 

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The search is on for the next batch of Filipino World Class Artist

Leila Florentino, played Kim in the Broadway-run of Miss Saigon; Grace Nono, a
multi-awarded folk music vocalist; and Rowena Arrieta, a concert pianist based
in New York – all accomplished world-class talents -- share the same school,
the Philippine High School for the Arts.
And the school is in search for the next batch of world-class artists and cultural
leaders as PHSA opens the 2009 Annual Nationwide Search for Young Arts
Scholars (ANSYAS).
A haven for the artistically gifted and talented children and adolescents, PHSA
provides a special secondary education curriculum oriented to the arts while
offering the Basic Education subjects prescribed by the Department of
Education (DepEd).
The 31-year old government-run school is committed to the conservation and
promotion of the Filipino artistic and cultural traditions. As such it provides
specialized studies for creative and artistic expressions in the following
disciplines: Creative Writing (Fiction, Poetry, Playwriting, and Journalism in
English and Filipino); Dance (Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, Philippine Folk
Dance, Dance Composition and Staging); Music (Solo Voice/Solo Instrument,
Theory, Composition, and Ensemble Classes (Chorus and Chamber); Theater
Arts (Acting, Production Management, Technical Theater, History of the
Theater, Theater Theory and Directing); and Visual Arts (Visual Perception,
Sculpture, Art Appreciation, Studio Painting, Materials and Techniques,
Figuration, Pottery, and Printmaking).
Applicants must meet the following criteria: a Filipino citizen with outstanding
ability in an art discipline: Music (instrument and voice), Dance (ballet and folk),
Theater Arts, Visual Arts, and Creative Writing; graduating Grade VI or VII pupils
this School Year 2008-2009; of above-average intelligence; proficient in oral and
written Filipino and English; without any debilitating illness; and willing to study
in a residential high school.
Likewise, applicants must be determined to pursue a college degree in
Architecture, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theater Arts, Journalism or any related
courses upon graduation from PHSA.
As a state-supported special secondary school, PHSA accepts only a limited
number of freshmen every year. Annual intake averages 40-50 students only to
ensure a more individualized and differentiated academic and arts training
programs.

plus the chance to represent the
country and the school in international festivals, competitions and exchange
programs. Application is likewise free.
PHSA students have recitals, exhibits, competitions, and festivals slated
regularly. They also participate in outreach projects held in rural and urban
communities where they share their experiences. With their teachers, students
attend educational and exposure trips locally and abroad.
Recently, six dancers from the Juilliard School of Dance in New York City came
to PHSA for in-depth contemporary dance technique workshops for its students
in ballet and theater arts.
Application forms and the list of requirements per discipline are downloadable
from the PHSA website www.phsa.edu.ph.
All application requirements and documents must be sent directly to ANSYAS
2009 c/o Assistant Director Reynaldo O. Wong, Philippine High School for the
Arts, National Arts Center, Mt Makiling, Los Baños 4030, Laguna. For enquiries,
please email phsa@laguna.net or call telefax: (+6349)5365971 to 73 and
5362862.
All applications, documents, and requirements must be received by the
ANSYAS Committee on or before 30 September 2008 for Luzon applicants; 15
October 2008 for Visayas applicants; and 30 October 2008 for applicants from
Mindanao.