Albert A. Basa, Top 3, April 2009 LET (MindGym Coach – Associate Educational Director)

fell in love at the age of 10, as a young catechist, in his hometown in Aurora province.  And his first love: teaching.  Albert recalls, “It was fun and creative. After that first one-and-a-half-hour catechetical class, I knew I was destined to be a teacher.”

Being a consistent honor student, one could expect no less from him other than excellence. He is the Top3 in the April 2009 LET.  He graduated as Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines (UP); finished a course in Professional Education at UP; has a Masters in International Relations and Management at the Colombo Plan Staff College for Human Resources Development in Asia and the Pacific Region.  He is currently an A student, on his second term, taking Doctors in Public Administration at UP.

He is the “brain” and energy which keeps MindGym vibrantly alive.

Ma’m Alice, September 2008 LET (MindGym Coach – Educational Administrator)

is a gleeful golden girl who found a golden path in teaching’s wonderland.  Alice never dreamt of being a professional teacher though she has had several brief and diverse stints in training, teaching, and education administration locally and overseas.  She has been for most of her life a power economist and corporate planner; a mom for all seasons; a student for life; and noe, a fulfilled pathfinder in the field of nonformal, nontraditional education.

She has a degree in Business Economics and a Certificate in Professional Education  from UP, a Masters in Business Administration from De La Salle University; took two international courses (one at the University of Pennsylvania and another one from the San Jose State University).

She coaches LET reviewees in General English, Principles of Teaching, and Evaluation and Measurement; tackles day-to-day affairs at MindGym; and gives reviewees the warmth, care, and support that only the “heart” could afford to deliver — to spell LET success and a life of difference as a teacher.

Jean Millare, Top 1, September 2010 LET (MindGym Philippines alumni)

believes that she was destined to be a teacher and commits herself to growth and learning, to excellence, to service, and to making an impact in the community.  A graduate of Food Technology and a candidate for a Masters in Education at the University of the Philippines, Jean joined MindGym this 2011 no longer as a reviewee motivated to top the LET but as a reviewer: giving of her time, knowledge, and experience; driven by the simple reward (another personal victory) of someday meeting a LET reviewee who will tell her “Jean I did it too, because of you.”

Glenn Gilongos, Top 1, 2005 LET

garnered the highest score of 93.4% in the history of LET when he topped the 2005 LET. He has been a LET and Math reviewer for various universities and colleges for the past five years and a Math coach for MindGym’s intensive coaching for LET.  He is esteemed for his ability to explain complicated math concepts quickly, in an understandable manner.  He graduated from the De La Salle University.

Ma. Adeinev Reyes, Top 3, April 2010 LET, Values Education (MindGym Philippines alumni)

is a dedicated, resourceful and goal-driven professional teacher with the desire to share what she knows to help her students understand lessons clearly.  She dreams of becoming part of the country’s public school system someday so that she can help poor and underprivileged children in depressed areas.  She quickly develops rapport with her students and fellow-coaches because of her charm and warmth.  Nev is a graduate of A.B. Interdisciplinary Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University; has a Certificate in Professional Education from UP and a Masters in Global Development and Social Justice from the St. John’s University of New York..

Melane Manalo, Top 3, April 2010 LET, Social Studies (MindGym Philippines alumni)

as only fours years old when she asked her playmates to pose as students while she role played as a teacher-lecturer.  Decades hence, after completing a degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines, instead of public service, Melane reverted to her childhood role and taught at the tertiary level in a private school in Batangas.  She finished professional education and is currently working on her Master’s in Philippine Studies, major in Development, at UP.

Ma. Angelica Villafuerte, Top 4, Values Education (MindGym Philippines alumni)

is an accommodating and inspiring teacher with the talent to teach the fundamentals and enhance learning by drawing lessons from her own personal experiences and sharing these with her students.  She dreams of running her own pre-school for special children after she finishes her training overseas.  She is a graduate of Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University.  She finished a Certificate course in Professional Education at the UP and currently coaches MindGym reviewees in Evaluation and Measurement and Values Education.

Rona Lumba, Top 7, April 2010 LET (MindGym Philippines alumni)

finds simple joy in seeing a student learn, develop, and grow to his/her own potential.  She is a BS Early Childhood Education graduate from St. Paul University who currently teaches day care kids at the Philippine Cultural College Annex in Caloocan.  She coaches Early Childhood LET majors during the weekends.

Lizamarie Campoamor-Olegario, Professor, UP College of Education

has proven success in coaching MindGym LET reviewees in Facilitating Learning, Adolescent and Childhood Development.  Her broad range of exposure in Educational Psychology, guidance and couselling and academic interventions enabled her to help LET reviewees analyze relatively complex LET stituationals and draw the most meaningful option from the givens.  She is a Communications Research graduate from UP, with a Masters in Education, and a pending Doctorate in Educational Psychology., also from UP

Rizza Marie Magbuhat, Top 2, Licensure Exams for Dietician 2002

communicates her ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively to enable T. L. E. majors to understand the foundations of food and nutrition, food preparation and food service management within a very limited time schedule.  She is a Professor at the UP College of Home Economics where she graduated in her chosen field.

Raymond Salonga

is easily mistaken for a LET reviewee or a college student because of his boyish look and comical mannerisms.  His passion for teaching started when he was a student of Quezon City Science High School, with his siblings and neighbors as his first students.  He enjoyed making review notes and sharing them with classmates as a UP nursing student.  A full-fledged nurse permanently working for the UP Philippine General Hospital, Mon leaves weekends off to pursue his love for teaching at MindGym as a coach for Science.

Louise Anne Porciuncula, High Rater, April 2010 LET (MindGym Philippines alumni)

realized her calling to be a teacher when she first taught young kids and teeners at Sunday school.  This is where she felt fulfilled sharing her linguistic talents and inspired to give generously since she grows in the teaching process itself.  Louie has been a welcome hand in Mindgym’s coaching efforts for English majors and blended well with MindGym’s LET mission, as she expressed “I love helping LET trainees simply because I know how it feels be one. I myself have been through the stress, anxiety and hours of review.” Louie is a graduate of two courses at the University of the Philippines:  Development Communication and Professional Teaching.  She currently teaches English at the Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries and is taking her Masters in English Studies at UP.”

Carol Acebron, High Rater, April 2010 LET, Physical Science (MindGym Phlippines alumni)

is an enthusiastic teacher and learner with  an upbeat and positive attitude which enables LET reviewees to be proactive and to focus on their review goals despite challenges along the way.  She decided to shift from the field of engineering to education because of her preference for people-oriented rather than machine-based jobs.  She has a Professional Teacher Certification from the University of the Philippines Open University.  She coaches Physics majors in their specialization review and hopes to operate her own school someday.

Rodrigo Quinto, April 2010 LET, English (MindGym Philippines alumni)

has demonstrated high energy and drive in helping LET trainees review for English majorship and cope with test anxieties and worries as he relates how he manages his challenges as military officer of the Philippine Army to LET test taking.  He practices his teaching profession by leading trainings for reserved officers.  He is a graduate of the Officer Candidate School, with English education units from the State University

Mary Grace Palad, April 2010 LET T. L. E. (MindGym Philippines alumni)

teaches Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) reviewees about Cosmetology.  Her outgoing personality makes reviewees at ease with her; thus, promoting better information exchanges.  She is a Nutrition-Dietetics for Teachers graduate from the Philippine Normal University.

Melvin Pascua

has first class analytical ability and a very strong functional knowledge in a broad range of subjects.  He has a nurturing personality which allows his students to feel comfortable in his presence.  He teaches T.L.E. to LET majors in an understandable and uncomplicated manner.  He graduated from UP, Hotel and Restaurant Management and is finishing up with his Masters in Education specializing in Educational Administration.  He is the present Human Resources Manager of the Meridian International School.

Hazel Tanabe, UP

is a junior MindGym coach for Mathematics.  She thinks critically, strategically, and systematically.  For her, time is so precious that she always looks for ways s

Raymark Salonga, UP

is a junior MindGym coach for Science and Mathematics.  He has a very strong working knowledge of Mathematics.  Like his elder brother Raymond Salonga, he was a scholar at the Quezon City Science High School and is now a nursing senior at the UP-Philippine General Hospital.  He is a MindGym Math and Science reviewer for College Entrance Tests.

Darwin Manalo, Top 1, 2009 Metallurgical Engineering Board

demonstrates extensive knowledge in Mathematical constructs and shows talent in simplifying the way mathematical problems are to be solved.  He helps facilitate in General Mathematics.  He was a valedictorian in high school and Magna Cum Laude in Metallurgical Engineering at UP.

Jose Monteverde

has a comprehensive understanding of philosophy as applied to teaching since he has a degree in Classical Philosophy from the Maria Assumpta Seminary and Theology at the Maryhill School of Theology.  He helps facilitate LET review on the Philosophies affecting education.  He is currently completing his professional education course at the Marikina Polytechnic University.

Evangeline Isidro

unselfishly shares her expertise on laws and legal issues affecting education with MindGym LET reviewees, whenever invited for LET coaching.  She has made reviewing salient facts on the Philippine Constitution and other legislations interesting and enlightening.  She is a BS Psychology graduate of St. Paul’s College of QC., currently completing Bachelor of Laws at FEU.

Mary Joshua Delfin, UP

is an petite and vivacious P.E. teacher trained and experienced in a dance, sports, and fitness activities.  She was a women’s university softball champion, a volleyball varsity player, and a dance teacher-choreographer with the heart to coach as a volunteer teacher for sports and dance in several church and community events.  To be a better coach and teacher, Mary Joshua, who graduated cum laude in Physical Education from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, is pursuing a Masters in Science in Human Movement Science at the University of the Philippines. Mary Joshua currently teaches Grade School P.E. at the Meridian International Learning center.  She handles the bulk of MAPEH review for MindGym’s reviewees, focusing mainly in Physical Education.

Coach Mar Bongalon

Art Coach, Professional Portrait Artist (Portfolio)

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Coach Mar graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in 1967.

He has won several national art competitions and has had several one-man shows and group exhibits (in the Philippines, in Mardrid and New York). He is renowned as a portrait artist, who “paints from life”, having captured on canvass some of Philippine society’s elite, like the Cojuancos, Baby Araneta Fores, Cristina Ponce-Enrile, the Revillas, Vicky Zubiri, and more; corporate and government executives; Binibining Pilipinas candidates, actors and actresses of the Filipino entertainment scene.

Sir Mar draws out his students’ artistic creativity by motivating them to use both sides of their brains when they plan, sketch, and color.

He is actively involved with art exhibits of the UP Centennial group of artists.