Palawan Jewels Learning Center — History

Palawan Jewels Learning Center was first established in 1999 at the compound of Palawan Adventist Hospital (PAH) in Junction 1, Bgy. San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City and registered in the name of HEAVEN’S JEWELS LEARNING CENTER (HJLC). Dr. Martin, the primary financial sponsor of the construction of the church in Adventist Hospital-Palawan (AHP) suggested that the church should put up a school which the Church Board under the leadership of Ronnie Fiedacan, Church Elder, approved and thus, a KINDERGARTEN School was opened with Mary Grace D. Diamante as its first School Principal.

All through the years, Mrs. Diamante’s able management and exceptional learning strategies had made the school one of the best KINDERGARTEN Schools in Puerto Princesa City turning out graduates who became Valedictorians in the schools they transferred with. They already have produced unnumbered graduates who excel and succeed in their chosen field of endeavor.

During the visit in 2013 by Medical Doctors from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Church at AHP, they advised the hospital management to close the school for reason of health and safety of the pupils. The school board considers the recommendation and decided to close the school to the dismay of most. However, in consideration of the request of the parents, Ma'am Grace decided to continue the educational work of HJLC outside of the AHP compound. In the same year, HJLC was incorporated retaining the word “JEWELS” in its new name, the “PALAWAN JEWELS LEARNING CENTER” was born.

The parents were greatly relieved of their anxieties and despite undergoing lots of adjustment in that year as the Department of Education started to implement the DepEd K-12 program, PJLC faced the new challenge. The Covid-19 lockdown on schools presented another challenge as the school's enrollment dropped by almost 75%. In spite of this insurmountable odd, PJLC has remained committed to continue with its mission of providing basic education to the young children of Puerto Princesa City.

In its inception, PJLC cannot forget the people who have given their unwavering and wholehearted support for making PJLC what it is now today, many of whom served at formerly Palawan Adventist Hospital: Roselyn Bautista, Jesus Bautista, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Benitado, Ronnie Fiedacan, Dr. Alan Macalintal, Marijoe Pialago, Dr. Leni Amor Macalintal-Pialago, Ann Yanson-Palmon, Pacita Siglos, Alne Mae Caldito Dionaldo, Mitchie Hitosis Meneses, Pastor Ramil Rey, and the parents of PJLC who believe and trust the leadership of PJLC in making a difference in the lives of young children who desire a quality Christian education.