By Xyrel James Canonoy
Copyedited by: Ayesha Julia Ronquillo
Publication by: Claire Mendoza
This is probably one of the last write-ups I’ll ever publish under The Quantum, and honestly, I didn’t expect to be the one assigned to this. But maybe it makes sense. Maybe some stories are best told by someone who’s seen things unfold up close—someone who’s had the chance to witness the subtle shifts and silent growth of a school under new leadership.
So, allow me to write this piece in the language I know I can be personal at best: a mix of English and Tagalog. A little unusual, just like this story.
Today marks the first year of Dr. Mark Anthony Familaran as Principal of Pasay City National Science High School.
Now, let me say this upfront: I’m not a mathematician. I’ve always been more of a writer than a problem-solver. I can’t recite trigonometric identities from memory, and math was never my strong suit. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from math, it’s that every good solution starts with understanding the problem, finding patterns, and working patiently toward progress. If there’s one thing I’ve seen in Dr. Familaran’s leadership, it’s exactly that.
I never really enjoyed solving for x, and my mind works better with metaphors than formulas. But I’ve learned that in every math problem, consistency matters. And in this school, since this year, we have seen that consistency in him.
You’ll notice his mathematical background in the way he runs the school: organized, structured, may sistema. But what makes it work is that he leads with empathy. Hindi lang puro rules, kundi may rason. Hindi lang puro “no,” kundi may paliwanag. May disiplina, pero hindi nawawalan ng malasakit.
When I first heard we had a new principal last year, natural lang na kabahan. I didn’t know what to expect. Strict ba siya? Mahirap kausap? Magpapatawag kaya bigla pag may editorial article na pinost sa page?
Pero sa unang buwan pa lang, ramdam ko na agad: he wasn’t that kind of principal. In fact, opposite siya. Dr. Familaran has what I can only describe as an “open-door” presence. Literally and figuratively.
Never naging nakakatakot pumasok sa opisina niya. In fact, minsan siya pa ang magsasabing, “Halika, upo ka muna.” Whether it was to clarify a project, update him on a publication, or just share ideas, he always made time. Laging may space—hindi lang sa upuan sa harap ng desk niya, kundi sa mismong conversation.
He gives that space for the faculty and students to grow, to experiment, to make mistakes—pero hindi tayo pinababayaan. That, I believe, is what real leadership looks like.
As a student and as someone who led the school publication for a time, I felt the difference. The trust he gave us. The way he supported student initiatives without taking control. The way he made everyone feel seen—students, teachers, staff.
I may no longer be the Editor-in-Chief of The Quantum, but it feels right that this article, one of my last for the publication, is about someone who continuously leads with heart and humility.
This might sound dramatic, pero totoo: Pasay Science felt more like home this past year, and a huge part of that is because of Dr. Familaran.
He created a culture where students felt heard and faculty felt respected. A place where collaboration thrived, all while staying humble, lowkey, and unshaken.
Leading a science high school is no easy task. But he did it, and continues to do it, with grace, patience, and authenticity.
Sir Fam, thank you. For showing us that leadership doesn’t need to be loud to be strong. That rules can come with understanding. That even in a school built on science and logic, empathy can still be the formula that holds everything together.
Happy first anniversary as our Principal. You are, without a doubt, the best kind of constant this school could ever have.
And if life really is one big equation, then this year, under your leadership, we found balance.
