By: Cynthia L. Abarquez

The Pasay City West High School (PCWHS) successfully embraced Brigada Eskwela 2023 despite the looming threat of heavy rain. The event took place on August 15, 2023, at the school’s gym.

Former PCWHS principal, Peter R. Cannon, Jr., opened the ceremony by expressing gratitude to the volunteers for their participation. He highlighted the significance of Brigada Eskwela in preparing the school for the upcoming academic year.

In his opening remarks, former PCWHS principal Peter R. Cannon, Jr., expressed gratitude to the volunteers for their presence. He also elaborated on the valuable role of Brigada Eskwela in preparing the school. Mr. Rizaldo Isales, the school’s event coordinator, then outlined the areas in need of cleaning and repairs. Specifically, these areas encompassed the Reading Remedial and Math Centers, Science laboratory, and classrooms in buildings 1, 2, 3, and 4 (including faculty rooms and the guidance center). The tasks included cleaning, repairing, and repainting roofs, gutters, walls, and ceilings, as well as chairs, tables, doors, windows, and comfort rooms. Additional efforts encompassed cleaning and repainting blackboards, school canteens, and the clinic, alongside the replacement of electrical connections and lighting facilities, improvements to water facilities and the drainage system, landscaping, and the rehabilitation of the school garden through weeding and replanting. The school’s dance troupe, along with the drum and lyre band, delivered special performances. The Bayanihan activities commenced immediately after the opening program, hosted by Ms. Cynthia L. Abarquez. Subsequently, an orientation for the parents of Grade 7 learners took place, facilitated by Mr. Dan Sajorda.

The school’s dance troupe and the drum and lyre band performed special numbers during the opening program. Coinciding with DepEd’s theme of Bayanihan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan, administrators, teachers, parents, and students worked together to make sure that the school would be conducive for the learners in the coming school year.

Several donations were received from various donors to support the event. Councilor Ken Magat contributed food, PCWHS-Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative provided refreshments, PCWHS-SPTA donated food, Mc Donald’s Philippines donated food and cleaning materials, Rotary Club of Pasay-MOA chapter provided paints and painting materials, Mrs. Herminia Balantakbo contributed cleaning materials, and Ms. Annabelle Genito donated a tarpaulin. Volunteers from McDonald’s and the Rotary Club also participated in the cleaning and painting activities in the classrooms.

The Brigada Eskwela event spanned five days, concluding on August 19, 2023, in the school’s Audio-Visual Room. Ms. Madelyn Cebuco and Mr. Dan Sajorda served as emcees for the closing ceremony. The success of the school’s Bayanihan event was the result of the combined efforts of Mr. Isales, Adopt-a-School Coordinator Mrs. Arlene Joy T. Jacob, Deped Partnership Database System Coordinator Ms. Almeda C. Macaranas, as well as all the committee members and chairpersons involved in Brigada Eskwela 2023.