Hundreds of people gathered recently at the Glorietta activity center in Makati for what turned out to be the first major youth event of 2002, the “Get Ahead Gimik @ Glorietta,” presented by Ahead Tutorial and Review Center (now a division of AHEAD Learning Systems, Inc.) and MTV Philippines.
The event featured performances by the bands K-24/7 and Sandwich, with the bands Crash Kills 5 of Ateneo de Manila High School, Contented Cows of Xavier School, the Ateneo Music Industry and Cakewalk performing as front acts. Also appearing during the event was matinee teen idol Cogie Domingo and Anna Shier, one of the two winners in last year’s MTV Philippines’ VJ Hunt.
“This was truly a memorable event, the first of its kind in the country,” said Rossana L. Llenado, managing director of AHEAD Tutorial and Review Center, which organized the affair.
According to Llenado, the “Get AHEAD Gimik @ Glorietta” was originally meant for AHEAD’s 2001 college entrance exam reviewees, in anticipation of their gaining admission to the country’s top colleges and universities.
It was however, expanded to a celebration of youth in general, of the promise that they hold for the future, and not just for themselves but for their families, their communities, and their country as well.
“This is what we do at AHEAD,” Llenado explained. “We help young people to realize their dreams, whether by helping them improve academic performance or get into the college or university of the choice.”
Aside from Anna Shier, other personalities who served as hosts during the affair were Rod Nepomuceno of MTV Philippines, Eric Resureccion and ABS-CBN Talent Center figure and Close Up model, Marco Torres of the Katipunan Jaycees, and Sherry Bautista of WorldPrep, a pre-school in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Inspirational messages were delivered by the youngest Congressman in the House of Representative Felix Fuentebella and by Atty. Mabel Villanueva Manha, president of both the National Youth Council and the Junior Chamber of the Philippines.
The various sponsors treated participants to games, giveaways and free services. Goldilocks, MR. Donut, Don Henricos, Hersheys, and KFC flooded the event with free food for the pre-registered participants.
MEG and FWD magazines, Mentos, Bausch & Lamb, Maybelline, L’Oreal Studio, L’Oreal Plenitude, Feria, Ralp by Lauren, Emporio Armani White, MTV, Bratz, Serbisyo Pinoy and Mr. Magioo sponsored the games, giveaways and prizes. Mentos sponsored the free tattoo booth and gave a P3,000 prize money in the coolest band which was won by Ateneo’s Crash Kills 5. Additional entertainment was provided by the Miriam College cheer dancing team and the Innerzone Dancers.
The MTV Penshoppe Youth Council was launched during the event.
“Get AHEAD Gimik @ Glorietta” turned out to be another first from an institution that has managed to assume leadership status in the first summer review.
“We’re often copied, but then that’s the price you pay for being first,” said Llenado.
Ahead Tutorial and Review is considered by many to be a leader in the review course industry because its reviewers, as a group, have registered the highest passing rate in the admission tests of the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University.
Its tutorial services and summer enrichment programs have also drawn praise from many satisfied students and parents.
“We’re now looking to the future, especially with our college entrance exam review courses which will be held starting April,” Llenado said. “We’re here to help.”
Aside from those who gave away prizes and giveaways, “Get Ahead Gimik & Glorietta” was sponsored by ABS-CBN Foundation, WordPrep, iAcademy, Human Concepts, John Robert Powers, Timex, Mongol Pencils, and Lotus Ballpens.
Other firsts from Ahead: The first and only UPCAT review book in the country: Score Higher in UPCAT and other College Admission Tests; the first summer review camp; and the first and only national chemistry quiz contest: Chemical Reaction.
“With the success of Get Ahead Gimik @ Glorietta, we have another reason to celebrate,” says Llenado.