Yap, Erika Hanne E.

2011-32221 Reflecting on Philippine High School for the Arts I was able to gain much knowledge from the educational trip to Philippine High School for the Arts. It was a very fruitful experience because of the students we met, educators we got to interview and the sample performances we got to see. We have met a number of students in the trip. Generally, their physical appearance is the same as most regular teenagers, but their gross and fine motor skills are more advanced because of the training they received. Dancers and actors have better body coordination. Ballerinas are very flexible. Most artists have excellent fine motor skills to be able to create much detail in their artworks. Musicians practice their eye-hand coordination to play their instruments well. All of their physical abilities are beyond that of regular teenagers because of the training they received in school. The cognitive ability of the students studying in the school may be divided into twoacademic and artistic ability. Academically, the students are lagging behind. Due to the long hours they put into practicing their art, they lose time to study their general education courses. Sometimes they get too sleepy in class to even pay attention. Since not much pressure is placed on their core subjects, the teachers pacing and discussions are much slower. Students also do not give much importance to these subjects. On the other hand, the artistic knowledge of the students is very outstanding. Students are able to explore their talents and expand their knowledge regarding their craft. I saw that they enjoy their stay in PHSA improving their knowledge, and I also saw that they were not getting tired of cultivating their talents. Emotionally, I can say that the students were mature and independent in some aspects. They learn how to be independent in the school because of the boarding school type adaptation. They are left to take care of themselves and learn to take care of their friends as well. They say, We only have each other. They learn how to make their own decisions especially when it comes to performing, where they are required to create their own outputs. Still, I saw some attitudes that are quite childish like how level of competition is still very high, which can cause incidents of bullying (this was mentioned by Maam Olegario upon our meeting the day after the field trip). Their social growth is also much more advanced than others. Their projects require them to work not only with their same-aged peers, but with other batches as well. Being with the same people for four years has been helping them build friendships. Relationships inside the campus also evolve into something much more than just friendship. Despite the new relationships established in the campus, interactions with family and friends outside the school become strained. Students have little to no time to talk to their family because of school work. Some of them miss family gatherings and celebrations because of school rehearsals. Friends outside are also often forgotten because of the lack of communication. Thus, the students are all much closer to each other, especially since the number of students in the campus is quite small.

Students in PHSA are not just like regular high school students, but they adapt a lifestyle much similar to college students, which I think is very unhealthy. They live off energy drinks especially when recitals draw near. They cram. Though, they hang out and jam with friends whenever they are stressed out, their sleepless lifestyle is detrimental to their physical health. Others may view this positively, that the students are mature and are more than competent in their chosen tracks, but in some cases, they do not get to fully enjoy their young lives and are forced to be mature ahead of time. Some may end up breaking down because of unattainable expectations. Like all students, the learners in this school also have needs to be met. Cognitively, they are given the same core subjects similar to the public schools all over the country. But, the students, themselves, feel that the pacing is too slow, though they know this is because of the work load their talent classes give them. Still, the academic aspect of their curriculum should not be left out since not all of them will continue pursuing an art-related college degree. Also, students would have to take college entrance tests which are primarily based on the lesson from the general education curriculum. Schedules may be designed much like a block format, whereas certain subject would occur for a longer period of time, but with fewer days in the week. This gives students more time to accomplish the assignments needed to be done. Students emotional and social needs are met by their school mates. They all share a common lunch break so that they would be able to communicate with all kinds of students. Also, students, who share the same fields, are grouped together which encourage cooperative learning, and in the morning, students are grouped according to their year level. This is a great way for them to work with all kinds of people. The school should ensure the social development of the students since they are exposed to only a few people. The school should work hard to maintain peace and a harmonious relationship within the school by providing venues for students to work with others. The curriculum of the school places a much bigger importance on talent development than academic development. This is clearly seen in the division of time for both aspects. Talent classes occur from 2pm- 6pm or even 11 pm. General education courses have a much lighter weight in the computation of grades and are much more lenient. The school should instill in the students the importance of studying the general education courses to develop not just talented students, but well-rounded individuals. I also saw the lack of sports in the curriculum. Other than the PE class, no other sports outlet is present. The campus is perfect for other outdoor activities, which would develop sense of camaraderie and friendly completion. This would also serve as a stress relief for the students. I also like how each talent has its own curriculum. This provides the student with depth to the certain talent. Along with every curriculum is a mentor. Each student has a mentor that would guide them in their craft. This mentor provides them with knowledge that can never be taught inside the classrooms- lessons from the life of an artist. Not only that but also, the curriculum gives the students an opportunity to explore other arts as well. It opens a wider range of possibilities for them.

Being an art school, of course talents are being developed. They are given mentors who help train their abilities. Of course, mentors play a big role in the development of talent of the students. They are expected to be expert in their field, and students see much value in this. Students want teachers who are strict and are serious in the art. They want teachers who impose rules on them because they know that this would help them develop. They do not want teachers who do not take anything seriously. I was at first surprised by their initial answer because most students would not think of it that way, but then I saw how serious the students were when practicing their talents. I also heard how performing arts mentors teach students about reality and practicality. They encourage the students to pursue a different course in college for several reasons, and the students do so. Mentors say that students have already studied much about art and should pursue something else, since they may get bored. They also explicitly tell the students that there is no money in performing arts, thus should choose a more stable profession before pursuing their passion. Due to this, most students end up choosing a different career other than their talent. Mentors also provide inspiration for the students. Since they are veterans in the field, they share much knowledge about the art to their students. Students are motivated to learn and be just like their mentors. Situated on Mount Makiling, PHSA is quite difficult to go to. It is very much disconnected from the outside world with limited technology inside the campus. Students become unaware of the events occurring outside the campus gates. This also becomes a problem to students since they need internet connection to accomplish their homework. Nonetheless, the campus is a wonderland for creativity. The surreal atmosphere of the campus gives the students the place to relax and let ideas flow. It provides them with a healthy environment. Exercise becomes mandatory as students need to walk more than 1 kilometer to reach one place to another. The campus also gives them much time to reflect due to the lack of technology. It instills in them the love for nature. It lets them live in a slow paced environment, without the hustle and bustle required of city life. This environment eases the stress students receive from their requirements. Some people would argue that having PHSA is no longer relevant to society. The study of the arts would be impractical since students end up pursuing a different course in college, but I believe otherwise. I think that PHSA is the only school that caters to developing the talents of the students. Most students do not pursue a degree in their art, but it does not mean that they forget their talent completely. Almost all of the students we interviewed responded that they would not be pursuing careers in art, but would do so when they have earned enough to support it on their own. The school has taught them how to be practical. Some of the students would teach their art, something the school aimed to achieve- to further improve the Filipinos appreciation of art through the success of the young students. The school has also produced numerous award winning artists which Filipinos become proud of. Also, students learn to have a sense of responsibility to protecting Filipino culture through art. These young and talented students are more than just students. They are gems that need to be polished to shine brighter. And it is up to us, as teachers, to guide them to become the best they can be. After all, they would be the ones to carry the nation culture and future.