Faith Christian School
The years of toil from 1985 up to the present are marked with milestones, one after the other, for Faith Christian School. This school, to begin with, was the answer to a one-line prayer of its founder, Mrs. Filomena G. Escobido: "Lord, give me a school and I will teach Your Word." Inspired by the biblical instruction in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it", Mrs. Escobido, whose milieu of teaching exposure was at the public school, had a dream. One day, she stepped out of that dream, realizing her prayer was answered. It was like standing on a higher plane, encompassing a wider perspective when she caught and drew up her vision. Mrs. Escobido was indeed to teach God's word. She was also to be the steward of this vineyard called Faith Christian School.
But prior to 1985 (1976, to be exact), Mrs. Escobido started with a school in Green Park Pasig, which she named Alice in Wonderland School. It operated for 28 years.
In 1985, when Alice in Wonderland was on its way to its 10th year, the Lord provided an opportunity for Mrs. Escobido to acquire a property for a larger school facility in Cainta, Rizal within Vista Verde Executive Village. This is the place where Faith Christian School would have to be.
The school year 1985-86 was memorable. Enrollment was done in a room building where 249 students, from Pre-School to Second Year High School, got in. There were only 13 Faculty and Staff then. The school operation, led by Mrs. Escobido, was a family affair. As the Escobido children were enjoined in this very noble business of molding, nurturing, and educating learners, the nobler it all became because the Word of God was its base.
School year 1987-88, the first batch of graduates were conferred in this school. These 30 graduates all came back after some years bringing good reports about their collegiate achievements and their practice as professionals.
Today, the campus that has been established within an approximate of 5,000 square meter total area of lots is a picture of success. In 1991, three buildings that were built around a spacious quadrangle made a conspicuous sight of Faith Christian School, around a vicinity and elsewhere in the Province of Rizal.
The school has been a mission field for loving and competent Christian teachers. Biblical truths are carefully integrated into all subjects, thereby making Christ known, giving them every opportunity to accept Jesus to be their personal Lord and Savior - that is every teacher's top priority - to change lives!
It has been the experience - from top management to faculty and staff - the faithfulness of God in this school because this institution strives to bring every soul to Jesus, that their changed lives might be God's instrument to change our society.
1998 was when the school became a bonafide member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). ACSI then, from this year on, included FCS in all its activities, like hosting Enabler Seminars and requiring all faculty to attend ACSI Conventions.
FCS each year conducts activities on Christian Emphasis Week. Geared to uplift Spiritual truths, lecture, workshop and Bible Studies are given by Pastors. Campus Ministry is meant to develop a strong relationship with God and to put their faith and trust on Him, training them in leading young people outside the school.
From 2001 to 2005, Faith Christian School has moved toward prominence especially as emphasis to improve its curriculum has been on its way. Facilities were improved especially in the AVR, Library and the Pre-School Department was renovated to create a playful atmosphere for the very young learners. The school has undergone a PAASCU Preliminary Survey Visit in the Elementary Department in August 12 and 13, 2004. The High School Department's turn was on December 9 and 10, 2004.
Mrs. Filomena Escobido has been so successful in involving her children into this educational ministry of the family. It is also such a blessing that her daughters who are involved in the business are fully equipped and passionate in running the school. While them being fully geared toward achieving greater heights, Mrs. Escobido is on a partial retirement, staying most of the time in the U.S. She comes home during Commencement Exercises and she would express the joy and satisfaction as her eldest and youngest daughters, Mrs. Marilou Escobido-Habacon and Mrs. Sarah E. Balce respectively, run the whole show.
Scholastically, it was in the year 2005-2006 when the school was granted permit to operate as a Science High School (R-IVA Permit # 137 s. 2004) where the Special Science Curriculum is applied to all Pilot Classes of the High School Department. Special Arts Program, along with the Basic Educational Curriculum (BEC) to all classes is given emphasis. The enrichment of the curriculum includes Journalism, Dramatics, Creative Writing, Painting on Canvas, Chorale and Musical Instruments, to name a few. It is designed to address the multiple intelligences among the students, providing them ample opportunity to excel in any area that has been mentioned.
Management wise, the school now whose motto is "Changing lives to change the world" is geared to reach new heights. Under the leadership of Mrs. Marilou E. Habacon, the School Director, every step is carefully studied. Workers are so that their needs are heard, students displaying excellence are recognized and those that need encouragement are seen to it inspired.
February 22, 2006 Faith Christian School was awarded as the Best Christian School in Rizal, 2005 by the National Council for Product and Service Quality in the National Product Excellence Awards (Seal of Quality).
November 29, 2007, FCS Director, Mrs. Marilou E. Habacon was awarded as the Most Outstanding School Administrator in the province of Rizal by the Guronasyon Foundation, chaired by former Congressman, Hon. Michael John R. Duavit. This is in cooperation with the Department of Education, Division of Rizal, headed by Dr. Edith A. Doblada, former Schools Division Superintendent.
On May 3, 2008, Mrs. Habacon was recognized by the MOVEment Inc., of Village East Executive Homes as a MOVER (Most Outstanding Village East Resident) Awardee in the field of Education.
Effective June 2006, the Pilot Classes using the Special Science Curriculum is reported to the Dep Ed separately under Faith Christian-Science High School with SEC registration CN00806275.
While it is true that it's all because of the corporate effort given by everyone in the organization, the testimonial from the parents of the schoolers are heartwarming and inspirational. Many parents would want their children transferred to this school but sometimes the distance would give them predicament, especially if they live in Quezon City.
Architect Lamberto Balce displayed his building perspective. The proposed multi-purpose 4-storey building will house additional classrooms. A Speech and Music Studio, Laboratories and new facilities are due for installation. This building will rise in the year 2010 - in time for Faith Christian School's 25th Anniversary.
ACSI ACCREDITATION
ACSI ACCREDITATION VISIT PROVIDES GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FCS
By Margaret Jill Tinsay and Marilou Habacon
From October 5-8, 2008, the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) paid a visit to Faith Christian School to complete the school's two-year accreditation process. In October 2006, FCS was granted a candidate status for becoming an internationally-accredited school by the ACSI team headed by Dr. David Wilcox, the International Director for Latin America and Asia. Dr. Wilcox and four other members of the ACSI team visited the school this year to observe the day-to-day operations of the school. Faculty, students, parents, and staff members were interviewed and classes were observed.
According to the ACSI Accreditation Manual, the process of accrediting a school is based on its philosophy and foundations, organization, community, personnel, library and media resources, student services, support services, and facilities. These guidelines were used by the ACSI team while they visited the school.
During the ACSI visit, four major activities were conducted: the observation of school operations and interviews with members of the school community, particularly teachers and students; the compilation of the team's findings in a written report; the interview with the school's leadership team to summarize the findings gathered in the report; and the submission of the accreditation recommendation to the Regional Commission. The ACSI Regional Accreditation Commission in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA will review the team's report about the school and hopefully forward their decision to make FCS an internationally-accredited school sometime in February 2009.
The accreditation program of the ACSI helps schools attain and maintain the highest standards possible. The pursuit of accreditation indicates the commitment of the school to serve the children of Cainta and the neighboring municipalities in Rizal with excellence. It is the desire of FCS's administration to prepare its students for the future and open bigger and better opportunities for them to enter the best universities. Apart from this, the school wishes to see its students become blessings to the community, to the nation, to the Philippines, and even to the entire world.
So far, the ACSI has over 5400 member schools in 106 nations in the world. There are approximately 850 schools which are already accredited or are undergoing accreditation processes. So far, Faith Christian School is one of only three schools in the Philippines under the Department of Education to undergo an ACSI accreditation process.
Praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity He has given to FCS!
