PAMBANSANG PALARO 2013 gets the ball rolling for athletes all over the country as three new sports join the existing pool of events.
Sports played in the previous years will remain. Hoping to foster in young Filipinos a globally competitive spirit and provide a database for the improvement of school sports development programs, this weeklong “national Olympics,” slated for April 21 to 27, will be held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. To be hosted by Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and DepEd Regional Office VII, this program will “widen the base for talent identification, selection, recruitment, training and exposure of elementary students to serve as a feeder to the National Sports Associations (NSA) for international competitions,” as stated by Sec. Armin Luistro in the memorandum dated January 16, 2013. The different athletic delegations shall be composed of the
AIM TO SCORE. The sophomores strike a pose as they compete for the gold in the cheerleading division of Intrams ‘13. (Photo from C. Villonco) In accordance with the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) aim to promote games where Filipinos may excel, wushu and billiards will be added to the secondary level and futsal will be demonstrated by Elementary Girls.
LEARN NOW, pay later! Public and private schools are enjoined as students with unsettled fees are permitted to take their final exams.
best student-athletes, coaches and officials chosen by the DepEd regional offices (ROs). All technical, financial, administrative and operational aspects of the project will be managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs to be assisted by the School Sports Events and Activities Unit (SSEAU).
Public schools are reminded that mandatory contributions are prohibited.
In accordance with every child’s right to basic education, the
However, it is reiterated to both groups that although the
project aims to promote the vision that the “civil liabilities of parents
student may take their final exams regardless of financial obliga-
should not in any way jeopardize their children’s continued school-
tions, the parents must still come to terms with the eventual settle-
ing,” stressed former Sec. Jesli Lapus in DepEd Order No. 15, 2010.
ment of these fees subsequent to the exams.
Tuition fees are being serious consideration by private schools for the benefit of parents encountering economic difficulties.
The memorandum containing further information on this project was released on February 18, 2010.
THE DEPARTMENT of Education takes on the
and equality between gender roles, along
role of peace advocate as schools are de-
with understanding of peace and global is-
clared as “zones of peace” wherein the youth
sues will be recognized through the imple-
may find shelter from violent conflicts.
mentation of a specialized curriculum.
their vicinity is under control. The project’s implementation in the K to 12 curriculum will be monitored by the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE), the
In addition to this, teachers, school
This shall be characterized by the dis-
Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE), and
staff and administrators will be required to
tribution of modules promoting equality be-
the Bureau of Alternative Learning System
participate in the full implementation of the
tween Christians, Muslims and the Indige-
(BALS).
DepEd Child Protection Policy.
nous Peoples. Children will also be given the
The execution of these programs is marked by the release of Memorandum No. 14 entitled “DepEd Peace Movement in Mindanao.” Signed last January 18, 2013 by Sec. Br. Armin Luistro, this document aims to become the basis for the protection and awareness of children living in war torn areas. The need for respect for life, liberty, justice, solidarity, tolerance, human rights
opportunity to practice peace-making in the educational setting through clubs sponsoring Peace Village activities as initiated by Region X, XI, XII, Caraga and Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Assistance will be provided by the Instructional
Materials
Council
Secretariat
(IMCs), Bureau Directors and Education Program Specialists (EPCs). Luistro’s vision to “foster peace and
Students living in war torn areas shall be taught Peace Education under Araling
Panlipunan or Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao from Grade 1 onwards until the situation in
respect for a diverse cultural society, as well as to develop a culture of peace in basic education system,” is anchored on Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Change, in partnership with Kabataang Sama-Samang Maglilingkod (KASAMA), Inc., Miriam Public Education and Awareness Campaign THE YOUTH for Environment Summer (YES) Camp paves the way for a greener path in 2013 as its theme of “Reducing our Carbon Footprint” is released. With the basis of developing awareness on environmental issues and concerns, this program aims to concentrate on the “significance of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and how each individual, school and community nationwide can contribute in reducing the carbon footprint,” stressed DepEd Sec. Br. Armin Luistro in a memorandum dated February 26, 2013. This event, slated for April 9-12, 2013 at the Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City is a joint project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Special Concerns Officer-Youth Desk (DENR-SCOYouth Desk) and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Climate
for the Environment (PEACE) and the Department of Education through the Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs (DepEdCSCA). Participants of the camp shall include pupils and students from public and private schools, officers and members of various schoolbased organizations, including teachers, principals, Education and District Supervisors, and other education officials nationwide. It will feature activities such as fun plenary sessions, educational contests, YES-O Exhibits, the Kabataang Bayani ng Kalikasan Awards and the YES program Awards pursuant to the DepEd Order No. 52, s. 2011. The 2013 YES Camp, as stated by DepEd Memorandum No. 39, 2013, is anchored on the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 and the Climate Change Act of 2009.
OPINION “EVERY PAULINIAN bleeds green and gold. From trademark phrases like “Miss, washroom,” to accustomed mannerisms such as using any reflective
“IT’S HAVING all the benefits of ten thousand books minus the
surface as a mirror, SPCP students share the tendency to act in unison with
paper!” they scream. Right?
one another.
Wrong.
However, what makes one a true Pau-
Although eBooks are a school’s ticket to ushering in the
linian? If this question were to be posed in front of
technological era, they should not be deemed essential for a
a class, the first thing one would hear would be the
better education. When it boils down to reality, they are simply
Paulinian trademark of sitting on the floor.
EDITORIAL
an added expense meant to
Why has this become such a trending
boost a school’s ego. They
topic in our school? Could it simply be because of
are unnecessary but good
the cold feel of the cement in the morning? Is it
for show. Take away an eBook’s fancy touch screen options and home button and what is it? Frankly speaking, it’s nothing but a computer with a library app. It’s a distraction and most importantly, it’s unnecessary.
due to the fact that we have become so familiar with it because of the various group works that require us to meet on pre-assigned tiles of the classroom? Or can it be justified to the long-term effect of our exhaustion from the avalanche of homework that has led us to believe that Indian-sitting on a flat surface would preserve our energy?
Their acceptance into the modern-day curriculum is timely but it should not be done in the first place. Despite it being an option for students, it will pressure them into going to extremes to pay the rent for a “dignified” rank in society. People will eventually give in to the norm and the choice will turn into a requirement for a supposedly better education.
Whatever the reason may be, we have somehow become convinced that this is the biggest thing we have picked up from practically a lifetime of living atop our humble hill. And the fact is, we are not too far from the truth. Our tendency to sit on the floor can be likened to various qualities. Firstly, it is a symbol of how grounded we are (no pun intended). Paulinians
EBooks are more than just trends, they’re principles.
are epitomes of humility. We resonate this through our black and white ties,
When people see students with eBooks, they think “Sosyal ang
our simple shoes and our pulled-back hair. Also, we are not one to brag
mga iyan,” or “Wow naman, level up na sila.” These gadgets
about our achievements except, of course, in the form of various tarpaulins
become labels of one’s status in society. What happens to those
plastered across the stone walls. But that’s just being modest.
who are not able to pay the bill? Do they simply get cast aside as
Secondly, it shows our solid rock formation in society. We echo our
black sheep in a school that will eventually reek with the smell of
vision of being morally upright, socially responsible, and academically pre-
posh superiority? Do they get demoted to lower standards in the
pared students through the values that have become the primary focus of
eyes of those buying what they believe will help them achieve
our education since Day 1. If learning beyond textbooks and notepads were
the maximum learning experience?
to pass, we, as Paulinians, would still be known as decent and well-rounded
Ebooks are capable of becoming an excuse for students to be dependent on technology. However, as a school with the vision of promoting simplicity and humility, there is no reason for it to go against its code and join the bandwagon of a generation with too much of everything at their fingertips. It is said that education comes with a price. However, this is not one that we should have to pay.
young ladies. Last of all, our oneness with the earth has given us the ability to adapt to any situation. We are taught to familiarize ourselves with people of any social class. If there was a common theme to represent this thought, it would be “unity in diversity.” Although Paulinians come in different shapes and sizes, we continue to sit as one on the same cement floor to echo the very essence of a certified Paulinian as our hearts shine with green and gold.
“Nine billion, eight hundred seventy six million, five hundred forty three thousand, two hundred ten and a half.” That’s how many times I’ve said the words, “Once upon a time.” 9,876,543,210 and ½ times, I’ve narrated stories of princesses and pageboys from faraways lands, of evil stepmothers and their very own poisoned apples, of dreams upon wishing stars, of fairy godmothers, of the perfect prince...of true love’s kiss. I’ve uttered approximately 9,876,543,210 and ½ “happily ever afters.” And none of them were ever fully my own. It’s a cruel fate, sadly, that I cannot escape. I’m stuck, a puppet of another being’s imagination. TALL, DARK-HAIRED AND FACELESS. The narrator is confined within the boundaries of book covers and pages. (Photo from Google Images)
“The narrator who had no beginning...who will never have an end.” It all began when I took my first job. It was the world’s very first fairytale. “Cover to cover,” it said. And I followed. The minute I read the first 4 words, I couldn’t stop.
They enveloped me and dragged me in like a prisoner being led to the gallows. And I followed blindly. A century has passed and here I am. 9,876,543,210 and a half books later. And I’m tired. When will I get the chance to find my happily ever after? When will I finally stand up and tell them that they have got it all wrong? A narrator can be the story. A narrator can be a princess from a faraway land, can have an evil stepmother and bite her very own poisoned apple, can dream upon a wishing star, can have fairy godmothers, can meet the perfect prince...and eventually find true love’s kiss. It won’t be easy but my story’s a blank book and I’m starting like all the other 9,876,543,210 and ½ ones. With the first chapter.
For a movie loaded with bullets of profanities, “West is West” sure knows how to shoot straight. From the witty wordplay to the colorful shifts in scenario, it’s a never-ending journey through a multicultural dimension of life. Here, one can find a reality worth living in when each element is overflowing with enough heart to support the entire movie. Travelling from the urban to rural life becomes a breeze when the set-
“West is West”, the sequel to the comedy
ting provides a Bollywood-like atmosphere that never stops short of a paradise
“East is East”, puts a hilarious twist into the
high on sunshine and sand. Whereas England is presented in a bleak shade of
usual cliché story of the lost and finding of
grey, Pakistan, in all its unglamorous glory, shines through with its raw per-
one’s heritage. It begins with a glimpse of Sa-
spective on the Middle Eastern life. Whether it’s a glimpse of the scenery from
jid’s life as a rebellious outcast in England. He
Sajid’s ride to his home or a race through the streets, it’s easy to connect with
is constantly being victimized by his class-
the film when the background is a window to the actual locale. All in all, it’s the script that completes that becomes the foundation of the film. Despite the language barrier, “West is West” manages to deliver without a single moment being lost in translation. While some events verge on the point of slapstick, good old wit flies in and saves the day. It’s a balance like
mates for his Pakistani blood. When his father decides that he has had enough of his rude outbursts, he devises a plan to let him rediscover his roots. This leads to a journey to Pakistan that ultimately proves that home is where the heart is.
this that sets the scale in perfect equilibrium. When the dialogue is meant to confuse, it entertains instead with the numerous quips bounced back and forth from father and s on like balls in a tennis match. Even words like “chigi, chigi, chigi” echo in the heads of the audience after the credits roll in. Nevertheless, in the face of memorable lines like these, the script still transcends character diversity most evidently though the clash of the opposing wives. The scene, although defined in a greater degree by shared emotions than words, merges two different worlds with a result that bleeds gold. When east meets west, it’s a fusion that has the ability to break down language barriers and transcend cultural diversity. “West is West”, with its various storylines and rural wonderlands, reaps an uncommon victory that gives a whole new meaning to the Middle Eastern life and takes its deserving seat in the throne of comedic wins.