ACOMPAÑAMOS
JESSA JANE SUPILANAS AP for Academics
A WOMAN’S SEAT
Supilanas, Alegado appointed APs
New hires and appointees welcomed, signals transition in leadership and staffing
FATIMA AISHA JIKILULLA
The Junior High School welcomed 31 new faculty and staff members, along with several internal appointees, during its 2025–2026 in-service training, signaling a strengthened team for the year ahead.
New Faculty and Staff Join the JHS Community
The faculty welcomed 24 new teachers, with the English and Science Departments each onboarding six, the Mathematics and Filipino Departments each onboarding three, the MAPEH and CLE Departments onboarding two, and the Social Studies and TLE Departments onboarding one each.
The JHS staff welcomed seven new members: one each in the Campus Ministry, Laboratory, and Registrar offices; four in the Guidance and Counseling Center; and two more nurses are expected to join the Infirmary. The Science Laboratory is still in the process of hiring.
Stepping Up to Leadership
A fresh graduate, Maylyn Vicente, admitted she is still adjusting to the work environment and responsibilities.
It feels overwhelming because I didn’t expect to be here. But I’m grateful to be part of this community. I’m looking forward to an exciting new journey.
MAYLYN VICENTE
Stepping Up to Leadership
Leah Angelic Bilbar, newly appointed Filipino Department Chair, took her appointment as a new challenge since this is new to her, because she’s been “comfortable” being a class moderator and a club moderator for a long time.
Syempre
or
department as one.
Academic Year 2025–2026 Appointments
In University Memorandum 24-25:82, effective June 1, 2025, the following new appointments were also confirmed:
JESSA JANE S. SUPILANAS Assistant Principal for Academics
CRISTINA P. ALEGADO Assistant Principal for Administration and Finance
LEAH ANGELIC C. BILBAR Chair, Filipino Department
JUNREY C. GEMARINO Chair, Mathematics Department
ANGELICA GRACE R. IGNACIO Chair, English Department
JULIE ANGELA M. MANUEL Chair, Social Studies Department
CARMELA THERESE M. TEVES Chair, MAPEH Department
AL-SHARAD I. JOAQUINO Coordinator,Athletics Office
MA. SILVIA ISABEL T. LIM Coordinator, Guidance and Counseling Office
MARIA RICANELROSS A. ESTRADA Grade Level Leader, Grade 9
DAVE M. NATIVIDAD Grade Level Leader, Grade 8
ESTHER Q. MONDIDO Coordinator, Research Office
Special Roles Designated
The JHS unit also announced special appointments, including:
PILAMER ARANETA
Safety Officer
JULIE ROSE VILLARIN
Information Officer
CHRISTIAN DALE PUNZALAN
Documenter
GERALVE SERAFIN
Documenter
JANELLE CAÑETE
Assistant Prefect of Discipline
LYKA CALAGO Quality Assurance Officer
The Junior High School (JHS) unit appointed its new Assistant Principal (AP) for Academics, Jessa Jane S. Supilanas, and Assistant Principal (AP) for Administration and Finance, Cristina P. Alegado, for the incoming school year2025-2026.
Supilanas has been with the JHS for 8 years since 2018 serving as the department chairperson of the Kagawaran ng Filipino for 4 years, moderator of La Liga Atenista for 3 years, and a Grade Level Leader. On the other hand, Alegado served the JHS community for 13 years since 2012 serving as the department chairperson of the Mathematics Department, Student Activities Coordinator for 2 years, and the Council of Leader’s Moderator for 1 year.
Despite coming from different backgrounds, both newly appointed assistant principals admitted feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about stepping into their roles.
Jesuits Join the JHS
There are also 2 Jesuits who newly joined the JHS community. Sch. James Ryan Seneriches, SJ in the Science Department and Sch. Thanh Tu Phan, SJ in the Campus Ministry Office. However, Bro. Tu is still in Vietnam and no updates yet of his arrival.
Currently, the JHS unit is composed of 150 members. With these new members, the JHS community begins the year with fresh energy and renewed commitment to excellence.
Mohammad Wahid (left) and Jayson Mahilum (right) share insight during the reflection period on day 1 of the SHIFT 5.0 In-Service Training.
ADZU JHS
In preparation for School Year 2025–2026, the Junior High School (JHS) building is undergoing a series of upgrades and maintenance projects aimed at improving safety, comfort, and functionality.
Since its inauguration on July 30, 2006, the JHS facility has seen multiple enhancements. Among the most notable was the construction of new classrooms on the third-floor bridges in 2024.
This year, additional classrooms and office spaces are being built on the fourth-floor bridge.
Air conditioning units have also been installed in fifthfloor classrooms, aligning with the administration's plan to gradually cool all learning spaces—an initiative prompted by rising heat indices in the city.
According to Pilamer Araneta, Assistant Principal for Administration and Finance, these upgrades are part of the school's long-term facility development plan, funded through students’ miscellaneous fees. “Further improvements are expected in the coming years,” Araneta shared.
Meanwhile, the installation of balustrades across all floors is nearing completion. Visitors to the JHS building
can expect to see caution lines and experience occasional construction noise while work continues.
To prepare for the anticipated PAASCU visit in 2027, the building’s façade has also been freshly repainted, signaling the school’s commitment to maintaining a conducive and welcoming learning environment.
SHIFT 5.0 prepares FS for S.Y. ‘25-’26,
OSH, PhilHealth orientation, BLS highlighted
IVEN JAVIER
As part of its annual in-service training, Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School (ADZU JHS) launched SHIFT 5.0: Shaping and Highlighting Ignatian Formation and Teaching, a program designed to prepare faculty and staff (FS) for the upcoming academic year through safety, health, and wellness sessions.
Promoting Workplace Safety and Readiness
On May 20, 2025, JHS faculty and staff gathered at AVR 2 for the Mandatory EightHour Safety and Health (MESH) Seminar. In collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region IX, the seminar emphasized the importance of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards in academic settings.
Makaraya U. Adil, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer, started the session with foundational insights on OSH principles, workplace hazards, and the responsibilities of employees in ensuring a safe environment.
This was followed by the presentation of the JHS Emergency Preparedness Plan by Pilamer Araneta, outgoing Assistant Principal for Administration and Finance, detailing protocols for crisis response and risk mitigation.
...appointed APs
Both share a deep sense of purpose and a desire to grow into the role and serve the school community with dedication. They also recognize their limitations but are determined to give their best.
Supilanas will take over the position of Arvin J. Giva, outgoing AP for Academics, while Alegado will take over the position of Pilamer J. Araneta, outgoing AP for Administration and Finance.
Supilanas highlighted a collaborative and missionaligned approach, aiming to work closely with teachers and students. She sees her role as a shared journey, progressing “one year at a time” while aligning practices with the school’s core values.
Alegado, acknowledging her unfamiliarity with administrative work, said she plans to spend time learning the systems and organizational structure. Her focus is on understanding the expectations of the role and developing the skills needed to manage effectively. The appointment of the new APs was based on the JHS succession plan.
In the afternoon, Engr. Leni R. Garcia, Administrative Officer II and OSH Regional Focal Person, discussed industrial hygiene and chemical safety. Her session empowered participants to identify hazards, apply preventive measures, and promote health and safety within their respective workspaces.
Health Benefits and Life-Saving Skills
On May 21, 2025, faculty and staff from both the Grade School and Junior High School units attended the PhilHealth Konsulta Package Orientation at Regis Hall. The session aimed to clarify employee benefits and
improve access to government healthcare services. Representatives from PhilHealth R9 explained the benefits of the package and the process of availing it.
In the afternoon, participants received hands-on training in Basic Life Support (BLS) led by James Lao and his team from the Zamboanga City Health Emergency Medical Services. The workshop equipped the JHS faculty and staff with life-saving techniques to respond to school-related medical incidents such as asthma attacks, nosebleeds, seizures, hyperventilation, and minor injuries.
“There’s no single process involved—each unit has its own succession plan. As a newcomer, I had to study the environment and get to know the people. I sent an email to all teachers and staff asking for names, not to vote, but to get a sense of who might be fit for the role. I then compared those names with the succession plan and observed how they work.”
FR. ROBERTO M. BOHOLST, SJ Principal
Fr. Boholst emphasized that the role of the principal includes identifying and recommending candidates, and that these appointments are also based on the feedback given to the qualified individuals and the Academic Management Team’s (AMT) decision.
Their term officially begins on June 1, 2025, marking a new chapter of leadership that blends experience, vision, and a commitment to serve the evolving needs of the JHS community.
EUNICA NORMIN KANINDOT
ANIKA MAE DELGADO
ADZU JHS
ADZU JHS
Gino Calumpang (left) and Bro. James Seneriches (right) follow the proper CPR procedure during the BLS training.
A construction worker focused on welding the balustrade on the second floor of the JHS building.