ANG BAHAY NI ATE OPENS TODAY

DRAFT

Closed for three years, Ang Bahay ni Ate, formerly Ang Bahay ni Kuya, opens today, June 24, 2008 after three "housemates" checked-in this morning.

At the Makati Science High School, Ang Bahay ni Ate is the Makati Science Dormitory at the fourth floor of its Buildings III and IV, which was closed in 2005 by Mr Roberto Vocis-Anir, then Makati Science principal, because of an anonymous letter of complaint.

For housemates, a maintainance fee of PhP500 per month will be collected from each teacher and student housemates who will avail of the said school service.

Teacher housemates have the option of availing board services of PhP500 per week, which is not an option for student housemates.

Its kitchen and three rooms, however, were converted as science stock room and physics and chemistry laboratories, respectively, in 2006 during the time of Mr Anir.

Because of this, teacher housemates and student housemates will stay together in one room, males and females separated from each other.

Dr Divinelinda Estrañero-Dela Cruz, the incumbent principal, plans to convert the Makati Science Cooperative Store to a study area, furnishing it with the needed equipment and furniture that will be purchased from maintainance fees that will be collected.

A Colombian exchange student will stay in the dormitory during week days and will stay with his foster family during week ends.

Ang Bahay ni Ate was inaugurated in 1997 during the time of Mrs Juliana Bolivar-de Guzman, then Makati Science principal.

Its first student housemates graduated in 2001.