Reedley Blog

Here is Reedley International School’s statement on the government’s proposed mandatory random drug testing among Filipino students. This article is from GMAnews.tv:

MANILA, Philippines - An international school in the country on Monday said the random drug tests currently being conducted by the government for students is not an effective solution to the rising drug problem among Filipino youth.

In a statement, Reedley International School said that although laudable, drug tests will not provide students the proper tools to cope with drug addiction. 

“Random drug testing is laudable, but it’s just a cosmetic way of identifying how many addicts we have right now,” said RIS director for school development Emil Ong.

Ong said the best way to approach the menacing drug problem is for schools to teach life-skills to students. 

“Life-skills is a program where students learn the best tools to strengthen their character and leadership skills, and enhance relationships with peers, parents, and society,” Ong said.

The program emphasizes three things: values formation, self-regulation, and working with others, all of which significantly contribute to shaping competent, integral and consequently, successful individuals. 

“Many students lack the decision-making skills needed to enable them to cope with life’s challenges. Without options, many of them succumb to hallucinogens to escape from the pressures of everyday life,” Ong said.

The school official added that building character, values and equipping students with the right tools to self-management will greatly help in weaning students away from drugs. - GMANews.TV

Paul Michael Thomas Cruz and Anna Liwanag are the only two Filipinos invited to witness President Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20, 2009.Reedley International School is proud of Paul Michael Thomas Cruz, a former student, who is the only Filipino invited to Presidential-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20, 2009. This is an experience of a lifetime, to witness the inauguration of the first American black president, a man who many believe will bring much-needed change in global matters.

A Budding Young Leader

When Paul Michael Thomas Cruz was a senior at Reedley International School in 2007, he and fellow batchmate Anna Liwanag attended the Global Youth Leader Conference (GYLC) – a program that gathers youth leaders from around the globe for training as future leaders in the global arena.

Little did he know that his and Liwanag’s outstanding achievements in this program would lead to the invitation to the historic inauguration. Liwanag though, would not be able to make it because of a medical condition.

Questions For President Obama

Needless to say, this honor has brought much attention to Cruz, with numerous articles coming out about this exciting event, even on the ABC website– the American news channel’s online home. Cruz in the meantime, has been brushing up on world history and current world events, and has prepared a question for the president should he be given a chance to ask.

“First, [I would ask the president] what he could do to help in the economic problems of Third World Countries like the Philippines and personally, what advice would he give me to achieve what he achieved.”

Historic Event

The swearing-in of the President of the United States of America is a momentous event in and of itself, but this is an especially exciting one, as Barack Obama is being heralded as a symbol of hope and change for our troubled times.

Cruz and other participants will be watching firsthand the inaugural parade and presidential motorcade from the Capitol Building to the White House.

His family has been supportive all throughout, his mother has said that “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if he passes up this chance, it might not happen again, so we decided to support him.”

For his part, Cruz is ready and raring to go. Not only has he reviewed his world history, he plans to be there in style. “I am prepared, I have my tux packed,” Cruz says. The tux — a $638 suit, is a gift from his grandfather.