Luli graces ANS centennial celeb opening
Presidential daughter Luli Macapagal Arroyo recently graced the opening program of the centenary of Antique's premier high school, the Antique National School (ANS), formerly Antique High School (AHS) last February 8, 2006.
After Luli explained her reasons for coming to the said occasion, she finally rounded up to how her grandfather, former President Diosdado Macapagal has had close relationships with the Antiqueños and how she was invited by her "Tita Sally", referring to Gov. Sally Z. Perez, during one of their dinners together. "I also hope that among the students now, the future president would come from you", she also quipped, causing a stir in the studentry. She amused her audience as she also spoke in Visayan just as her mother Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Luli, together with Gov. Salvacion Z. Perez, Department of Education Secretary Fe Hidalgo and Mayor Fernando Corvera also inaugurated the newly renovated Gabaldon building and the Information Technology Center (ITC). Both Luli and Sec. Hidalgo commended ANS for setting high education standards which allows its students to be competitive, having produced remarkable leaders not only in the province, but also in the Philippines and the whole world.
Likewise, Gov. Perez lauded ANS for its one hundred years of providing "solid foundation for all our young people, as they go out and go to higher schools of learning." Perez also declared that she, together with San Jose mayor Fernando Corvera and the ANS alumni, exerted all efforts to renovate the Gabaldon building, despite the limited resources.
The 18 classroom Gabaldon building was rehabilitated under the Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project (SEDIP), a program of the national government in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The total rehabilitation costs an estimated P12,190,014.28. The provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Salvacion Z. Perez provided P2 million while the municipal government shelled out P1.47 million as LGU equity. According to Mr. Rodolfo J. Caberoy, ANS OIC Principal, the building will not be used until next year as it will include all facilities necessary to make it a disabled-friendly building. All additional funds collected, including those collected by the ANS Alumni Association which amounted to approximately P700,000 will cover other expenses needed to finish the building.
The Information Technology Center was also established through the concerted efforts of the school's administration and stakeholders. The center will serve as a venue for developing students' knowledge and potentials in the field of multimedia.
The Antique National School is the oldest and the biggest secondary school in the province. Established in 1906, it was first named, Antique Provincial High School, then Antique High School in the year 1918-1919 and was later renamed to Antique National School through Republic Act 3657.
Over the years, the Antique National School has produced thousands of graduates, some of whom have already become leaders and officials of the province.