Ang Aplaya The Seaside Echo
Rylai Naisha Carreon
With every confident step in shoes and every striking turn in heels, the Oton National High School’s Gymnasium lit up with style, intelligence, and spirit during the recently concluded Mr. and Ms. Paindis-Indis 2025, September 6.
After a spectacular evening celebrating beauty, wit, and advocacy, Karl Lawrence L. Ferrer and Arieth Niren R. Llenado of the Grade 12 Curriculum, representing the Olympians, were crowned Mr. and Ms. Paindis-Indis 2025.
The crowd roared with applause as the candidates confidently showcased their outfits—from vibrant designs to modern silhouettes— during the Casual Wear, Playsuit, and Formal Wear segments.
One of the highlights of the competition was the Talent Portion, where Ferrer and Llenado captivated the audience through interpretative dance. Their lively performance told the tale of a blooming romance, bringing attention to tradition while leaving the audience entertained and inspired.
In the end, Ferrer walked away with multiple awards, including Best in Mythical Creature Wear, Best in Talent, Best in Casual Wear, Best in Playsuit, Best in Formal Wear, and Best in Interview.
Llenado also dominated her categories, receiving awards for Best in Casual Wear, Best in Playsuit, Best in Formal Wear, and Best in Interview.
Joining them on the winners’ circle were first runners-up Elkan Reegan Gascon (Gr. 10) and Joanna Lizle Demafiles (Gr. 11), along with second runners-up Zachary Karl Fontanillas (Gr. 11) and Allyza Pacifico (Gr. 10).
The program was hosted by Janine Grace Detaro, Joed Peñafiel, and Jo-Ann Grace Balandra, who served as the masters of ceremony for the event.
More than just a competition, Mr. and Ms. Paindis-Indis 2025 served as a platform to promote self-confidence, creativity, and community pride. Every moment onstage was a powerful reminder of the courage and excellence each participant brings—not just to the stage, but to the world beyond it.
Gascon and Demafiles Awarded as Darlings of the Press 2025
Mahfel Salulog
Elkan Reegan T. Gascon of Grade 10 (Red Dragons) and Joanna Lizle C. Demafiles of Grade 11 (The Alchemists) were awarded the titles of Mr. and Ms. Darling of the Press during Paindis-Indis 2025 held at the Oton National High School’s Gymnasium, September 6.
The recognition stemmed from the Mr. and Ms. Paindis-Indis Press Presentation, titled “Current Affairs”, held at the Oton NHS Training Center last August 15. In this segment, both candidates faced open-ended questions with charming confidence, earning the admiration of the student press corps.
As a student journalist, Joanna spoke of her stance on a matter—emphasizing that being a journalist means upholding truth and accuracy. With her answer, she shed light
on the importance of genuine service and authenticity, not only in the field of journalism but also in one’s chosen path in life.
Meanwhile, Elkan, a martial artist, spoke of his competence and reliability both as an athlete and as a member of the media club. His charisma shone throughout the interview, with sincere words that reflected his kind and responsible character. With their compelling answers, both Joanna and Elkan lit a match of inspiration to those their voices reached, proving themselves worthy of the title. In recognition of their eloquence and character, the two were officially awarded as Darlings of the Press.
NEWLY CROWNED. Arieth Niren Llenado and Karl Lawrence Ferrer of Gr. 12 — The Olympians have been hailed as the new Mr. and Ms. Paindis-Indis 2025.
Stepped Up to Royalty; The Ones that
Golden Phoenix, Blue Titans, Red Dragons, The Alchemists, and The Olympians all gathered, their cheers echoed throughout representatives. The introductions of the glamorous and elegant candidates kept them erupting in yells. The alluring struts of the ladies and the refined strides of the gentlemen made quite the impression. Their first moments were striking and garnered
Two among the others stood out, taking not only the awards, but the hearts of the people. In showing off their talents, a lively dance of telling the tale of a blooming romance was performed. Karl Lawrence L. Ferrer showed off his dancing skills through their musical performance, earning the title of the best in talent of the male category. Acting as his partner, Arieth Niren R. Llenado enchanted the audience with her own
curriculum won the Casual Wear, Playsuit, and Formal Wear showoff. Ferrer displayed confident moves and refined poses, stunning audiences. While Llenado, using her graceful twirls and exquisite smile, took over the stage. In the interview portion, the pair exhibited wisdom and eloquence in speaking and answering questions. He showed his dedication to his academics by stating that he would choose to improve his time management, which is the key to sorting priorities and juggling responsibilities, a crucial factor in maintaining the balance in a busy student’s life. While she inspired audiences with her compassion after deciding to advocate for suicide prevention if given the chance, she highlighted the importance of helping those that have ideations to
With all that combined, Karl Lawrence L. Ferrer and Arieth Niren R. Llenado attained their new titles as the Mr. and Ms. Paindis-indis 2025. In that moment, the world let go of the breath it held; the stage became more than just the venue, but the very ground that upheld the weeks of hard work they poured into preparation. The cheers and yells blurred into the background, hearts beat fast and pumped adrenaline wildly—the Finale dawned upon them, the young night reached its prime. Once more, their heels clicked, this time joined by a multitude of others; their friends, family, and fans surrounded them. Their presence was a painting of beauty and extravagance indescribable beyond words as they descended down the stairs and their names were engraved in the tablet that listed all those that came before them. Now, they as well took their seats on the throne, crowned as
The
The Official
The Voice That Stole the Show
JC Fenequito
Lights hum above, casting a glow over the stage of Oton NHS Gymnasium. The seats are filled with students, teachers, and judges. The room filled with a heavy atmosphere as Chelsea Mae Trogani stood on the corner of the stage, waiting for her turn to perform. A tremor ran through her fingers, but as Chelsea’s mouth started to open, the silence shattered—her voice soared across the hall with a weight of conviction far beyond her years.
A high school freshman may seem too early an age to command a room of watchful eyes and sharp ears, but Chelsea’s voice and conviction say otherwise, maneuvering the stage and performing her piece with finesse. Each syllable was a brushstroke, painting emotions into the air. Her eyes, blazing with determination—facing the storm as if declamation ran through her veins. The rise and fall of her voice tugged at the audience, pulling them into the heart of her piece. By the time her final line rang out, her unwavering gaze made the hall erupt—not just a quiet clap but a thunderous one that confirmed what the judges would soon announce: first place, number 6 Chelsea Mae Trogani. After all, Chelsea is no stranger to challenge, as she had faced the same storm in her elementary school. That experience taught her that nervousness can be tamed and that the courage she builds along the way is the product of her passion. But victory for Chelsea wasn’t born on a random day. Behind the curtain, there were countless hours of intense practice—lines rehearsed until her throat ached, gestures repeated until every single move felt natural. Peers could recall how she would rehearse even in short breaks, her lips moving silently as though her declamation had become a second language.
What set her apart wasn’t just memorization, but the way she lived inside her piece. Every word had fire, every gesture seemed natural, every pause carried meaning. Where others might simply recite, Chelsea embod-
As she stepped off the stage, medal gleaming around her neck, Chelsea’s smile told a story all its own—of discipline, courage, and the thrill of standing tall at just the beginning of her journey. For her, the win wasn’t an ending, but the first note in what promises to be a symphony of voices, each one louder and braver than the last.
LITMUS 2025: Oton NHS Sets the Stage
Shayne Maris Haro
From the oratorical speeches to the extravagant cheers, from the soothing singing into the thunderous screams, the atmosphere of passion at Oton NHS welcomes participants to rise and step into the arena—a showcase of talents and eloquence where the best performer wins.
Every line and uttered word carries depth, every graceful and energetic movement along with sincere expressions becomes the key to judgement—the way toward triumph in the Literary Musical
(LITMUS), September 5, a celebration of artistry, voice, and brilliance.
As the drumroll begins inside Oton NHS’s Gymnasium, participants compete with commitment and determination in featured categories such as extemporaneous speaking, oration, dayaw, and declamation in English, Filipino, and Kinaray-a—each performance showing the prowess of the students.
Moreover, beyond the linguistic creativity, later upholds the musical category with vocal solo classical folk songs,
composo duets, and vocal solo pop songs, where students indulge with their voices—high or low, smooth or rough—their singing a mesmerizing melody drawing the audience, expressing a part of them. With every drop of sweat as proof of determination, the learners embraced the spotlight not merely to win, but to express, to connect, and to celebrate the art within themselves— and so win or lose, the performers still achieved a wondrous triumph in their hearts, leaving a legacy of passion and purpose.
WORDS TURNED INTO PERFORMANCE Oton NHS students proudly presented their curriculum in the Literary Musical Competition of the Paindis-indis 2025.
Photo by Chynn Trinity Villareal.
The Seaside Echo
Ang Aplaya
LITMUS 2025: Oton NHS Showcases Talent and Passion
Rylai Naisha Carreon
Oton National High School (ONHS) showcased the talents and creativity of its learners during the annual Literary Musical (LITMUS) as part of the school’s Intramurals 2025 celebration held at the ONHS Gymnasium, September 5.
The event featured a variety of literary competitions where participants demonstrated eloquence, wit, and confidence in categories such as extemporaneous speaking, oration, dayaw, and declamation in English, Filipino, and Kinaray-a. Each performance showcased the students’ mastery of language and their ability to deliver meaningful messages with clarity and impact.
Meanwhile, the musical segment brought the audience to a different stage of artistic expression. Participants captivated the crowd with their performances of classical folk songs, composo duets, and pop solos. From powerful high notes to soulful melodies, the performances reflected not only vocal skill but also a genuine passion for
self-expression, drawing loud cheers and applause from the audience.
More than a competition, LITMUS has long been regarded as a platform for students to celebrate creativity, build confidence, and connect with others through the arts.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG), in collaboration with various school clubs, organized a school carnival featuring fun games, delicious food, and engaging services such as face and body painting and unique souvenirs.
As one of the highlights of Intramurals 2025, the Literary-Musical Contest reaffirmed the school’s commitment to nurturing both talent and character, blending competition with culture in a vibrant showcase of student excellence.
Opening Program and Parade Slated for September 16
In consideration of the prevailing adverse weather conditions and to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, the Opening Program and Parade, originally scheduled on September 4, 2025, shall instead be conducted on the tentative date of September 16, 2025, subject to the improvement of weather conditions.
Oton NHS Crowns Winners of LiteraryMusical Contest 2025
Joemele Ciandel Panaguiton
The Oton NHS LiteraryMusical Contest 2025 highlighted outstanding performances in English, Filipino/Hiligaynon, and Musical categories.
In English Categories, Chelsea Mae Trogani of Grade 7 won Declamation, Mayumi Angel Ogata of Grade 10 topped Extemporaneous Speaking, and Raphael Angeles of Grade 11 led Oration.
For Filipino and Hiligaynon Categories, Carlos Agreda of Grade 12 secured first in Filipino Declamation, Jeferson Narzabal and James Yvon Momper of Grade 12 clinched victory in Dayaw, and Jewel Jaspe of Grade 12 won Kinaray-a Declamation.
In Musical Categories, Krizzalyn Ramos of Grade
12 won Vocal Solo Visayan Classical Folk Song, Shalani Zatarain and Vazel Hanz Batilaran of Grade 9 earned the top spot in Composo Duet, and Ronia Geduque of Grade 10 topped Vocal Solo Pop Song.
The medal tally recorded Grade 7 with one gold, Grade 8 with one silver, Grade 9 without a medal, Grade 10 with one gold, two silver, and two bronze, Grade 11 with one gold, one silver, and four bronze, and Grade 12 leading the tally with three gold and two silver.
As part of Paindis-indis 2025, the Literary-Musical Contest added to the events held during the school’s annual sports and cultural celebration, expanding the scope of activities beyond the playing field.
PRIDE AND TALENT. Jeferson Narzabal of 12-Zeus proudly represents The Grade 12 Curriculum –The Olympians in the Dayaw Contest of the 2025 Paindis-indis — Literary Musical Competition.
Photo by Chynn Trinity Villareal
Rylai Naisha Carreon