by Prime Sarmiento

    LOS BANOS, Philippines, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Criselda Go is happy, because she is studying at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).

    Her happiness arises from the credits of PHSA, one of the elite schools in the Philippines, which has produced renowned artists like concert pianist Rowena Arrieta, sculptor Gerry Leonardo, independent filmmaker Raymond Red and ballerina Nonoy Froilan.

    Alyssa is also happy, because she is studying at another such elite school in the Manila Science High School which is more popularly known as MaSci.

    Her happiness comes from the MaSci prospects in turning out distinguished graduates like former Director of National Institute of Physics Jose Magpantay; environmental activist Von Glenn Hernandez, and visiting scientist at the Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden of Germany, Arnold Guloy.

    Criselda Go, 14, aspires to become an opera diva like U.S.-born Greek Maria Callas or a composer like compatriot Nicanor Abelardo while 13-year-old Alyssa simply expects to resort to her algebra forte to fly an airplane some day.

    Families in the Philippines that can afford tend to send their kids to elite schools, hoping that one day they would graduate into some kind of fame or fortune, or better still both, in the country.

    PHSA executive director Fernando Josef has described being able to study in elite schools as the "most important gift that parents can give to their kids in the country."

    He added that both parents and their kids would do anything to get a studying place in PHSA or MaSci or other elite schools.

    But entrance exams are not easy to sit through, in that these schools are established by the government to nurture students with exceptional gifts, through high academic standards and a teaching faculty chosen from among the most respected and capable in their respective fields.

    Criselda Go has to learn the basics of math, science and English in the morning, before she can devote the afternoon to composition, solo and choir singing and practice of the school's annual recital.

    The hectic schedule leaves little time for her to hang around with friends but Criselda Go does not feel missing anything there.

    Alyssa has already made herself a math whiz before the end of Year Two in MaSci thanks to her thorough knowledge about intermediate algebra.

Special report: Global News Day for Children