A Better Space for Bigger Dreams

For thousands of students at Alaminos City National High School in Pangasinan, education has always been about perseverance. Every school day meant overcoming challenges that extended beyond textbooks and examinations, including crowded classrooms, limited facilities, and uncomfortable learning conditions.

Among them is Grade 7 student Krish Rasca, who developed a daily routine that many students could relate to. Before heading to school, she made sure to bring not only her learning materials but also a small electric fan to help her endure the heat inside their classroom. Long hours spent in poorly ventilated rooms often affected concentration, making even simple classroom activities more difficult.

Despite these obstacles, students remained determined to pursue their studies and work toward their goals.

This commitment to learning now finds renewed support through the recently completed two-story, four-classroom school building donated by SM Foundation. Designed to provide a more conducive learning environment, the new facility features spacious and well-ventilated classrooms, whiteboards, individual armchairs, storage spaces, and accessible comfort rooms.

For teachers, the improvement is equally significant. According to educator Prince Jiwani Aquino, previous classroom limitations often made it difficult to conduct group activities and closely monitor students’ progress. The new classrooms offer more room for movement, allowing teachers to engage learners more effectively and create a better educational experience.

The project also helps address a long-standing challenge faced by the school. Principal Rey Pascua shared that Alaminos City National High School serves students from all 39 barangays of the city, as well as nearby municipalities. As enrollment grew beyond 6,000 students after the pandemic, the school had to implement shifting schedules, with some classes starting before sunrise and ending late in the evening.

With the addition of the new classrooms, the school can gradually ease congestion and provide a more stable learning schedule beginning School Year 2026–2027.

Around 200 students enrolled in the Special Program in Mathematics will benefit directly from the facility. More than just a structure, the building represents opportunity, progress, and hope.

For Krish, whose dream is to become a lawyer someday, the new classrooms offer something invaluable—a learning environment where she can focus on achieving her ambitions rather than overcoming limitations. Here, education is no longer defined by obstacles but by possibilities.