On 24 March 2018, groundbreaking ceremony for the new Punlaan School was held at 173 M. Paterno St. San Juan Metro Manila.
“The edifice is simply the beginning. The more important work starts after: building of futures for the students and their families”, said Msgr. Carlos Estrada, Regional Vicar of Opus Dei in the Philippines who officiated the site blessing.
Opened in 1975, Punlaan School is a vocational-technical school catering to young women from families with scarce resources to provide them with training in the hospitality sector. With the help of generous individuals and visionary companies who saw the potential of the project, Punlaan has since then graduated over 3000 young industry workers who were readily absorbed by prestigious hotels, restaurants and residential institutions.
“We started with practically nothing”, quipped Chattina de Leon, one of the first promoters of the school, “only the confidence in the vision given us. From the first batch of students mostly composed of domestic staff in different residences, I am moved to see how far Punlaan has gone”.
Besides pioneering the dual-training program, i.e., consisting of one-year in-school theoretical classes and another year of on the job training in partner industries, Punlaan’s formula is well known among hoteliers and restaurateurs as a mix of excellent work attitudes and professional competence among the graduates.
“Having Punlaan graduates in my staff has greatly helped in building a fantastic work ethic in our branches”, said Mary Grace Dimacali, owner of the Mary Grace chain of restaurants. “They are very simple people, with few hang-ups – if at all- and they are very persevering. Above all, they are prayerful”.
The values acquired by Punlaan graduates draw their inspiration mostly from the teachings of St. Josemaria Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church entrusted with the spiritual and values formation in the school.
“My staff are one in saying that the Punlaan graduates exude a certain aura in the workplace”, said Angie Martinez, proprietor of Conti’s restaurant. “It’s hard to define but somehow, they have a certain joy and optimism that is contagious and does a lot of good to make the work atmosphere very positive. And we all know that when persons are happy, they work better; their competence is unquestionable”.
But beyond the influence that Punlaan has on the industry, greater still is its impact in the lives of its graduates since it opened its doors 43 years ago.
“I can never thank Punlaan enough for what it has helped me achieve”, so said Angelica Velasco, a 2012 graduate now Chef de Partie at the Solaire Restaurant, during the groundbreaking event. “With the training I received, I landed a good job which has empowered me to become the breadwinner in my family. I support my siblings’ education and provide for the medical needs of my mother who has lupus”.
The story of Angelica is repeated in the lives of hundreds of other graduates, here and abroad. They have helped build houses for their families, sent many siblings to school, supported ailing parents and relatives, set-up businesses that will make the family self-reliant. All these thanks to a world-class training received in Punlaan that resulted in a value-driven competence much sought after by establishments.
“The educational concept of Punlaan is undeniably socially relevant”, says Jojo Laurel, an educator and wife of Atty. Bobby Laurel, President, Lyceum of the Philippines University. “My own experience with pre-school students has shown me the power of education with a human touch. What I see in Punlaan is certainly inspiring especially in the area of women empowerment”.
Counting on the help of benefactors, Punlaan’s immediate project is putting up a new seven-storey building which can increase the number of students from the present 140 to 500 within the next 2 years. The design is courtesy of Arch. Don Caritativo of Arkitektii Philippines. “When I was asked to design the proposed Punlaan building, I did not hesitate to render my services”, said Arch. Caritativo, in a previous interview. “I think this is the right time for expansion, and this multi-level structure will help prepare more students who can really be of service to our society”, he added.
“This project took a long time coming for different motives. We are very happy that at last, it is taking off, thanks to all of our benefactors”, said Ms. Ana Pastelero, head of the Punlaan Development Board, the group in charge of promoting the project.
With this new building Punlaan hopes to give wings to at least 500 dreams of greater empowerment, of poverty alleviation, of building the Philippine society.
For more information on donations and sponsorships, please contact Ana Pastelero at +63 917 530 8802 or (02) 633 0621 and/or Mary Ann Garcia at +63 917 832 3488. The school’s website is www.punlaanschool.edu.ph.