School News...

Typhoon Emong wrecked havoc on Asbury College; Operation ASCO Relief Fund initiated (May 29, 2009)

A reliable source confirmed Asbury College sustained substantial damage from recent Super Typhoon Emong which ravaged much of the western Pangasinan in May. All the dormitories and two classrooms were badly damaged almost beyond repair. Other staff residences on campus also weren't spared. The cost of the damage is unknown at this time.

The Asbury College Alumni Association of North America launched a project called "Operation ASCO Relief Fund" to solicit monetary donations from alumni, friends, and sponsors around the world. Proceeds will go toward the repair or replacement of facilities, equipment, and services on the campus. If you wish to donate, please proceed to our Pledge webpage. Your support is greatly appreciated.

The internet Bulletin Board (or BBoard) has been taken offline for maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please stay tuned for more updates.

The school's first internet Bulletin Board (or BBoard) is now online. All school alumni, officers, staff, employees, students and friends are encouraged to register and avail many of its features. To acces the Bboard, click the "Bulletin Board" link found on the left frame of this page. If you wish to have a designated forum created to suit a particular need and/or would like become a forum moderator, please inform the website administrator via e-mail or private messager (PM) found on the BBoard.

Remember, the BBoard was created especially for you--not for the moderators or the administrator. So, register now.

The BBoard is another great service brought to you by the alumni of NA.

In addition to being the new Director, Dr. Gemina Celso still taking an active role as College Dean of the school and teaching college courses.

ASCO's Status of Enrollment (June 2008)

Asbury College Director Rev. Harrison Caasi is proud to report the institution's enrollment status for school year 2007-08..... Pre-elementary (Nursery, Kindergarten & Preparatory) - 29 pupils; Elementary (grades 1-4) - 30 pupils; Secondary - 312 students, and out of these number, 63 students have graduated; Tertiary - 1st sem.- 121 students (AB - 40; BEED - 47 and BSED - 34); 2nd sem. - 120 students (AB - 35 of which 7 graduated; BEED -53 & BSED - 32 of which 4 could have graduated if the education program was already recognized.

Government recognized ASCO's Education Course Program (June 2008)

ASCO's Education Course Program (BEED and BSED) was finally granted government recognition by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) early this year. This recognition will continue until Asbury College will be unable to meet CHED standard. So, there is no need to renew every year. Director Rev. Harry Caasi is preparing two streamers announcing the recognition to be posted one in the town plaza and the other at the main gate of Asbury to make sure that education students will not transfer but continue at ASCO. The advertisement may even attract more students to enroll in the education program.

Rev. Harrison Caasi retiring; new Director appointed... (June 2008)

ASCO Director Rev. Harrison Caasi announced last May at the Annual UMC Conference in Bani, Pangasinan his intention to retire in June 2008. The announcement came while delivering his last report as Director of Asbury College at the conference. Dr. Gemina Celzo, the current college dean, was appointed the new ASCO Director effective this month. Congratulations to both!

Super typhon left the island in the dark... (May 2008)

Super typhoon Cosme hit western Pangasinan on May 13, 2008 and left a trail of destructions. The damage was terrible which resulted to almost two weeks of brownouts on the island. Electricity was restored on May 28.

Commencement exercises, etc. (March 2008)

Asbury College will be holding its 59th COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES on April 2, 2008. A baccalaureate service is scheduled in the morning with Mrs. Elvira Aqui as the guest speaker. This will be followed immediately by the Annual Meeting of the ASCO Alumni Association to welcome the graduates as new members. The commencement exercises will begin at 1:00 pm with Dr. Ellen White Caras as the keynote speaker. Congratulations to all Class 2008 graduates!!!

Junior-Seniors Prom 2008 (March 2008)

Last March 11, the school once again held its traditional JUNIOR-SENIORS PROM. After this successful event, Director Caasi declared that from now on there will be J-S Prom every year.

ASCO's 61st Founding Anniversary held. (February 2008)

Asbury College successfully celebrated its 61st Founding Anniversary on February 28-29, 2008. "STRENGTHENING ASBURY FOR EDUCATIONAL COMPETENCE" was the theme of the event. Rev. Lelita Pascua, an alumna, served as the thanksgiving service speaker. A fellowship lunch was held at the quadrangle participated by all students, parents, faculty and staff and the guest speaker. This is the second year a founding anniversary was observed and enjoyed by everyone.

A million thanks to Loly Tabiando...(February 2008)

We like to recognize Mrs. Loly Tabiando of Guam for donating the following items to Asbury College: The World Book Science Annual (1975-86); 1 set (22 volumes) of The World Book Encyclopedia; The World Year Book (1975-85); 1 set (20 volumes) of The New Illustrated Medical Health Encyclopedia; Earthquake Engineering; National Geographic Picture Atlas of the 50 United States; World Book Comprehensive Educational Plan; 41 pieces of Time Magazine; 47 pieces of World Maps and many others.

ASCO enrollment increased in 2007!!! (July 2007)

Generally, there was an increase in enrollment in all levels. In the Pre-elem, there were 28 pupils together with the elementary level (grades 1-4) of 29, a total of 57 pupils versus 32 last year. High school enrollment has rebounced quite a bit to 313 students against 303 last year. In the college department, there were 109 students registered in the first semester of SY 2007 versus 75 (as of 2nd semester) in the previous year.

High School Enrollment Has Dropped....Need for More Scholarship Fund... (2006)

Mrs. Jerry Oria, the High School Principal, recently reported that the enrollment in the high school department has dropped during the current school year. She said that more and more families are unable to afford to send their children to school. She also reported that due to low financial resources for scholarships, the school could only offer scholarship grants to very few indigent students. Due to this drop of enrollment the school also suffers financial loss. She is appealing to all Asbury alumni to please support the school Scholarship Fund/Program.

With the offering of two new college degrees, the enrollment in the college department has gone up a little bit. However, because college tuition fees are a little bit more expensive, the school is also in need of scholarship funds for indigent students entering college.

Mrs. Oria also gave the following information on Tuition Fees for High School students for one School Year and for college students for one semester:

First to Third Year students ........... P4,000.00
Fourth Year students..................... P5,000.00
College students.............................P5,000.00

Mrs. Oria and the whole Asbury community continue to pray that alumni and friends will support the Scholarship Fund/Program. If anyone is able to generously support this program, please send your financial support to: Asbury College, Inc., Anda 2405 PHILIPPINES, and designate it to High School or College Scholarship Fund. Any financial help anyone could share will be greatly appreciated by the whole Asbury family. May God continue to bless us all more abundantly.

On Faculty Development... (2006)

Congratulations to two members of our Faculty who successfully finished their advanced education.

Ms. Annabelle C. Celeste graduated in April 2005 with a degree in Masters of Arts in Education with a major in Educational Management.

Ms. Gemina C. Celzo, our College Dean, also graduated in April 2005 with a Doctorate in Educational Management.

It is our hope and prayer that more faculty and staff will be able to take advanced courses for them to be more skilled and effective teachers and leaders of our School. A lot of them need financial support to be able to do this. May we take the challenge to support our teachers in this endeavor. It was reported that it will cost about $75.00 (US Dollars) per semester for a teacher to enroll in a Master's program. One can sponsor a teacher/faculty. If anyone is able to help in this endeavor, please feel free to write Rev. Caasi and let him know your intentions. Or, you can send him an e-mail at this address: caasiharry@yahoo.com.