Even athletes benefit from 'lifeskills'

MANILA, Philippines - International schools are now a dime a dozen in Metro Manila. According to the Department of Education (DECS), there are nearly 450 schools bearing the name of “international school”. However, there are a few which advocates both academic excellence and values formation.

One of these schools, Reedley International School, has a unique program called “lifeskills” which teaches students effective time management, mediation skills and problem-solving. Based in Libis, Quezon City, Reedley focuses on a Singaporean-American education which emphasizes on proficiency in math and English.

A perfect example of a Reesian is young basketball player Japeth Aguilar. Aguilar, one of the members of the RP Basketball team, attributes his current success as a student and an amateur basketball player to the life skills he got as a student of Reedley.

The 6’10 Aguilar, who now plays for the Western Kentucky University in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) got his secondary education at Reedley. Studying at Reedley is tough. You need to devote time doing all those assignments while going to the gym and practising for your games. Aguilar said that he learned how to manage his time, juggling between school and the hardcourt. Aguilar said that when he moved to Ateneo as a college student, it was easier for him to excel as a student and an athlete. Right now, Aguilar is one of the most promising basketball players in our country.

At the UAAP, 16-year-old point guard Joseph Tolentino and Philip Paredes also benefited from the lifeskills program of Reedley. Tolentino plays for the Dela Salle Green Archers, while Philip Paredes was plucked out of Cagayan de Oro to strengthen the RP Youth Team.

Paredes consistently performed well in his studies, while Tolentino credits his composure at the court with the lessons he got from Reedley’s life skills program.

Emil Ong says that these players were able to reach their personal goals because of their hard work, perseverance and patience — qualities which makes them top Reesians. Ong says Reedley emphasizes not just in providing world-class academic training but also in giving their students important skills to cope with life.