Shaping minds and changing lives, one student at a time

One of the toughest choices parents make is where to send their children to school. Over the last three decades, MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) in Taguig has been top of the list among a growing number of parents who place a premium on quality education that promote Christian values and celebrate Asian heritage.

- By Aneth Ng-Lim

Much of the credit for the school's continuing success goes to its principal from day one, Helen Kwong Villanueva. From a young age, Villanueva had the thirst for learning and the love for teaching, thanks in large part to being around great teachers, until she herself has inspired a whole community of students, friends and family to embrace the same passion.

As she continued to rise the ranks in her education career, first as guidance counsellor, then teacher, then principal and now school director, Villanueva's joy in engaging with students remains steadfast, which is why she continues to be found in the school room, knowing the names of every student in MGCNLCA.

Did you always want to become a teacher?

When I was little, I loved playing "teacher-teacher." My younger sisters were my students, and I was all in blackboards, chalk and even record books to write down grades. But as I got older, reality hit. I realized teaching didn't exactly promise big pay checks, so I considered studying business or commerce.

Everything changed during a summer students' camp when I was 15. So I went to the University of Santo Tomas and studied Education. I also took up Christian Education at the Asian Theological Seminary. And when I became principal at MGCNLCA, I knew I needed to keep learning, so I enrolled in Educational Administration at the University of the Philippines. It's been quite the journey, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Were your parents supportive of you becoming a teacher considering it is seen as a low paying profession?