On Friday, November 15, 20 student teachers from the University of the Philippines (UP), accompanied by two professors, visited GESM for an enriching exchange of knowledge and culture.
The day began with classroom observations, allowing the visitors to see how our secondary students engage with the curriculum and interact in a multicultural educational environment. This firsthand experience provided valuable insight into how GESM integrates global best practices while nurturing a rich local cultural context.
After the classroom visits, the UP students participated in a workshop on the GESM curriculum. The session focused on how GESM’s framework aligns with both the IB and IGCSE systems, offering a balanced approach to academic and personal growth for students. The workshop was graced by live performances from two of our talented IGCSE music students, Kimberly and Kaiwen. Their musical contributions not only highlighted the high caliber of our students but also added an inspiring touch to the session, showcasing the vibrant role of music in our curriculum.
The highlight of the visit was a lively session of traditional Filipino games and music, held for the enjoyment of our middle school students. The students participated enthusiastically in games such as luksong tinik, jackstones, piko, and Chinese garter — all classic Filipino pastimes. In addition, the UP group demonstrated two traditional Filipino musical ensembles: the Tongatong, a bamboo instrument ensemble from Kalinga province, and the gong ensemble, inspired by the sounds of Indonesian Gamelan and Balinese music. These performances provided an engaging way for the visitors to share Filipino cultural heritage with our students, while also sparking greater appreciation for these rich traditions.
The event was organized by our music teacher, Mrs. Sunshine Ferrandon, in collaboration with former GESM music teacher Ms. Joan Elgincolin, now an assistant professor at the renowned University of the Philippines (UP) College of Music. Their efforts in bringing this memorable experience to life are greatly appreciated. At GESM, we strive to foster a global perspective while staying rooted in our local traditions. This visit was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the connection between our school and the University of the Philippines. We look forward to more collaborative events in the future that continue to enrich the educational experience for our students.
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