La Bella Maestra
NELSON Navarro’s most recent biography “La Bella Maestra” is the story of Dr. Preciosa S. Soliven’ s life and career. It was launched two weekends ago at the Marriott Hotel where she was honored with a musical program based on her life story. Guests included family members, colleagues, friends, and members of the OB Montessori family. The occasion also marked the celebration of OB Montessori’s 50th anniversary.
The book describes the making of the OB Montessori Center primarily through the contribution of this remarkable institution builder. The Introduction says it all:
”Inextricably connected to the nation’s contemporary history of constant conflict and rapid change, OB Montessori presents a strong voice for educational reforms – for espousing creativity over traditional methods for school children and as a tool for lifelong learning through its “Pagsasarili” (SelfInitiative) program for underprivileged youth.”
Here are excerpts of Nelson’s description of Precious’ as well as the school’s early beginnings:
“The eldest of three children of a provincial judge and his conventeducated wife, Precious was a Manilena all her life….She broke off from her tightly-knit family as the 19-year -old bride of the fast-rising journalist Maximo V. Soliven, some eight years her senior and destined to become the most influential columnist and newspaper publisher of the Philippines in the post-Marcos dictatorship period. Before Max, the towering figure in her life was Don Manuel Quiogue, a dashing veteran of the Philippine Revolution…It would take some 10 years of a charmed marriage that would last almost half a century for Precious to gradually come out of Max’s shadow as a woman of substance and character in her own right…. Back in Manila after a year in Vietnam , she was drafted by Operation Brotherhood, a Filipinoled non-governmental humanitarian mission to teach kindergarten to the children of informal settlers just relocated to Sapang Palay. This assignment would lead to the establishment of OB Montessori Center, perhaps the largest and most celebrated of the worldwide early childhood schools inspired by Maria Montessori, the pioneering Italian educator.
“She was influenced 80 percent by Maria Montessori and 20 percent by Max Soliven,” says Sara Soliven-de Guzman, her youngest daughter and, since 2002, OB Montessori’s Chief Operations Officer of Precious, who, today, remains chairman of the school’s board of trustees. “Precious Soliven breathes Montessori in everything she does and she has been just as determined in adapting the method to Philippine conditions. Our family has always stood for nationalism and human rights. Like Maria Montessori, my mother opposes colonialism and dictatorship and believes in the total development of the child as crucial to the well-being of society. She has conducted her life and built the school on the solid foundation of these principles.”
Two other books were also launched during the occasion – “Young and Ready for the World,” which traces the historical beginnings of the OB Montessori school and Teaching in a Prepared Environment, and “How Well Do you Know the Wonders of Your Children?” by Preciosa Soliven, the foreword of which was written by former UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura who headed this UN agency for education, culture, communication, social sciences, and science for ten years. In his speech during the book launch, Dr. Matsuura read portions from his foreword: “The publication corresponds to the new development goals -Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030) which replaced the Millennium Development Goals. Both goals, aim at developing the full potential of children to achieve self-sufficiency. The system created by Maria Montessori which was employed by the Montessori schools for disadvantaged mothers and children resonates well with Filipino youth. Dr. Soliven’s team of ‘new teacher’ and ‘new children’ continue to inspire over these past 50 years the school systems in both the Philippines and other ASEAN countries.” He also recalled his former friend and colleague Max and the time he visited the country during the celebration of 2002 World Press Freedom Day.
Earlier, at a dinner for DG Mastuura given by former Ambassador to France and UNESCO, Hector Villaroel at his Ayala Alabang home, guests which included former Ambassador to France Jose Zaide, and former UNESCO National Commissioners Mona Valisno, Carmen Padilla, Nona Ricafort, and yours truly, joined the host in welcoming the former UNESCO chief.