SEEN YOUR EYES

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEU CAVITE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT SY. 2017-2018

EDITOR’S NOTE

Opening up and laying it all BARE

Let’s talk about insecurities. Don’t deny it! I know you’ve had your fair share of individuals whom you’re insecure with. May that be a celebrity? Or just someone you would interact with in your everyday life? Whoever that may be, I know that you’re itching to wring his/her neck for being so perfect!!

Just Kidding. I know sometimes these insecurities may really get into your head and make you do irrational things. But kidding aside. Relax. It’s normal. I myself have gone through that stage, especially now that I’m in my high school year. I’ve been feeling insecure of a lot of people even those of my age. I’ve started comparing myself and because of that, so I tried to change, starting with my physique, then goes my routines, my style, and what I do. Basically, I maneuvered everything and tried to mimic other people. Just so that I could tell myself, “There you’re almost like those people you envy”, and with that in mind, I was hoping that the insecurities would fade and in replacement, it will grow confidence. As time passes by, the process

EDITOR IN CHIEF OF SIMBUHAN SY 2017-2018

of my so called “better change” received praises and compliments. I became satisfied with what I thought was self-improvement.

While on this phase, I was able to achieve what I never thought I could actually reach especially in academics, I was delighted of course! This made me feel determined to continue being like other people. Yet little did I know, I still felt like there was something wrong or missing and I

can’t contemplate on what it was.

Until one day, I noticed that this whole transition was drastically changing me inside and out. It was starting to wear me out. Physically, I became skinny. Gone is the girl who embraces her features. Emotionally, I became too anxious. Whenever I’m not able to be “that person” and align myself with them, I tell myself that I’m a failure. Intellectually, I became engaged but in

the expense of forgetting who I really was.

The past two years of my senior high was a mind opener, being so consumed of the society’s standard, I decided to withdraw and stop trying to be like other people. Instead, I gave time to enhance what I really am.

Embracing flaws is difficult ,yes. Often times, we are tempted to mask ourselves in order, to be in the same path with the people we envy. But one thing I realized, during my senior high, is that it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to walk a different path because that’s when I really felt fulfillment and satisfied on achieving my goals, when I’m being myself and doing what I do without trying to impress.

Being insecure is okay... Improving yourself is okay... BUT, changing yourself to be like other people and setting aside who you really are is not okay...

I was a faculty at FEU Cavite’s Higher Education Department when news about the new K to 12 Curriculum of DepEd stirred the world of Philippine Education. Various stakeholders shared different views about it, both positive and negative. To sum them up, those who were against it pointed out the additional burden that it will bring to parents and students, as well as the lack of preparation for the curriculum’s implementation. On the other hand, those who advocated it pointed out how we, as a nation, have been left behind since almost all countries in the world, have shifted to a twelve-year basic education program. They argue that we do not have any other choice but to add two years in our education system if we so wish to be at par with the world. In 2012, DepEd

started to roll out the K to 12 Program. Back then, the pioneer batch was in their 7th Grade.

As an Educator, I saw the need to overhaul our education system. The world is moving faster than it used to be. Globalization, technological innovations, and business expansions demand knowledge, skills, and competencies that go beyond the 20th century education model that we have been implementing among our schools. This era requires us to equip our learners for the future; for jobs that don’t even exist today; for businesses that may be considered peculiar presently. This is exactly why the K to 12 program becomes necessary— to equip and to prepare students now.

However, the introduction of SHS is a Pandora’s Box, so to speak. Various difficulties haunted its early stages: school administrators rushed to prepare the curriculum, facilities, among others; teachers fumbled in the dark to deliver lessons; and students searched and strategized to adjust and survive the additional two years.

When FEU Cavite assigned me to handle SHS, I took it as a challenge, just as everyone else did: parents, students, and teachers. If there’s anything we shared, it’s the fact that we are all novices in this unchartered territory. The past two years were very challenging years for me as an educator, but I would say that those two years were also learning opportunities. I am very blessed to have a very supportive school administration, a very effective team of teachers who delivered lessons, and most importantly very cooperative batches of students and parents, who worked with us to ensure that quality education is achieved.

To the parents and students of Batch 2018, I congratulate you for braving the storms and blazing the trails of this new era of education system that the country has. I am confident that our pioneer batch is more than ready to face the challenges of tertiary education, and later on, of their future career. God bless you all!

“I am very blessed to have a very supportive school administration, a very effective team of teachers who delivered lessons, and most importantly very cooperative batches of students and parents, who worked with us to ensure that quality education is achieved. “

08 | SIMBUHAN SHS SIMBUHAN SHS | 09

THECLASS

TOP OF

From left to right: Angela Joyce Caligayahan, Amira Joyce Tisado, Jofamil Sevilleno, Carl Nicolas Morfe, Angelica Louisse Nollora, France Santos, and Joanne Mae Labio

She made a history. She didn’t win the Nobel Prize for Physics and Chemistry like Marie Curie back in 1903 and 1911. She didn’t stand up for Pakistan’s education for females just like

Q#1: What is your reaction on being the overall top 1 of the whole SHS community?

Angel: “I earnestly prayed to be given this chance, so when I heard the news, my first reaction was to praise the Lord Jesus Christ for He is the one who guided me through this journey. My heart was so overjoyed that I couldn’t help but sing praises!”

Q#2: What are the challenges you faced on your way to being a top 1?

Angel: “So, the challenges I faced are:

- Adapting to the dorm life

“It was difficult to adjust in the dormitory, especially with all tasks and responsibilities we have to do independently. Furthermore, when it was getting tough and school works pile up, I keep yearning for the comforts of our home. But of course, I’d have to wait until the weekend for that.”

Q#3: What do you think is the one thing that helped you in reaching the top spot?

Angel: “The Lord God Almighty. Before diving into my waist-deep checklist of tasks, I make sure that I am guided by His words first. When the going gets tough, all I do is bawl my eyes out on Him in my little dorm desk, then he gives me strength and I’m ready to go. In my section of the dorm room, I keep memory verses on sticky notes posted so I wouldn’t forget that Jesus is with me throughout the journey. The people around me are also very generous in giving words of

The Girl Who Made a History

By Ian Gabriel Trinidad & Jofamil Sevilleno

Malala Yousafzai in 2009. She didn’t even become the swimmer across the English Channel just like Gertrude Ederle in 1926. But still, she made a history.

Why? She just became the overall top 1of FEU Cavite batch 2017- 2018. After two years of Senior High, Angelica Louisse Nollora of HUMSS is crowned as the top 1

ANGELICA LOUISSE NOLLORATOP 1

encouragement that is why I’m very grateful to have them.”

Q#4: Finally, any words for your fellow Grade 12 students and to the upcoming batch of Grade 12 students?

Angel: “Keep pressing on to your goal. Never quit trying. But if you fail, do not be too hard on yourself. We are so goal-oriented that we lose all that is worthkeeping,

including ourselves, in the process. Sometimes, all we need is a mental pat-on- theshoulder, a‘you’re doing a good job, self,’ and a humbly spoken prayer and then we can appreciate our journey it all its essence. That’s when we learn the best. Also, be not afraid to comply with authority. Even the world, as unflattering as it is now, still has people who only want the best for us. Yes, we have our rights to fight for, but we’re still young, and compared to them, our knowledge is still limited. There are people who could help us, and all we have to do is raise our hands

overall of the Senior High School batch of 2017-2018.

To know more about her insights, we asked her several questions:

-Adjusting from JHS to SHS

“I think we can all agree that it was a lot of work to adapt, especially that our group is the first batch for the K-12 curriculum.”

-Chances and opportunities

“In my JHS University, I was shy to take on larger tasks. That is why when doors are opened for me in FEU Cavite, I entered without hesitation. Of course, it was very a challenging to accomplish everything that was given to me, but with the grace of God, not only did I finish but I also earned lessons to keep.”

-Strand-shaming

“In the beginning of 11th grade, when I was just starting to learn how to walk the FEU SHS journey, I was brutally kicked off my feet by the discrimination our strand received. My heart ached as I watch the class’ confidence drop, so I took it as a motivation to prove that not because the liberal arts is unique, doesn’t mean that it couldn’t be the best.”

“When the going gets tough, all I do is bawl my eyes out on Him in my little dorm desk, then he gives me strength and I’m ready to go.”

so they can see. Lastly, do not stop praying, even if you already received what you’re praying for. And always keep in mind that we can do all things through Christ alone” Senior High School has not been easy. From school works to exams and to the most dreaded research, this year has been filled with hardships and difficulties. Finally, it is over now. With it, Ms. Angelica Louisse Nollora rose above it all. She may not be Curie or Yousafzai or Ederle, but look, she made a history in her own way.

SIMBUHAN SHS | 25

ADVENTURE TAM!

FIRST IN THE HISTORY

Aspire to Perspire,

IMBUHAN

SQUAD

Perspire to Inspire

By Lean Jane A. Pantorilla

Luzon to Mindanao, Silang to Marawi – who would’ve thought that such distance could be covered within the space of a single step?

From the refreshing greenery of Metrogate Estates to the besieged ruins of Marawi, FEU Cavite SHS Department were given the chance to run for a cause, to run for a purpose, and take that one single step that will bring them closer to the war-stricken hearts of a desolate city.

On January 22, 2018, during the week of the 9th founding anniversary celebration of FEU Cavite, a total of 353 students met at the starting line, with no inkling of whoever was about to finish first.

TamaRun, TaMarawi is the first fundraiser of SHS Department ever held in FEU Cavite history. Originally meant as an outreach program towards Marawi, it has evolved as a part of the annual intramurals for the SHS community.

Sportsmanship aside, TamaRun goes to show what it means to lend a helping hand. As a Tamaraw, we ask many things: How far will we stretch our hand? How far will our step take us? How far can we run? Can we go from Luzon all the way to Mindanao, straight from Silang and into the heart of Marawi? Is distance really the matter? Either way, we ru

One, two, three places ahead of you. Rivals of different colors conquer the field while you’re struggling at the brink of defeat, your feet failing and knees crumbling from the countless leaps of faith. In the end, you only land on terrains of desperation. This is what it feels like to be an underdog. To be someone not expected to win the stage, only to lose. and try again. But whoever thought that underdogs were not meant to rise and become the ‘big dogs’—was a bit of a coward himself. Who said underdogs were never meant to win? Sometimes, it isn’t about who you are at the moment, but who you can be after conquering the torment. In last January 39 Intramurals, we witnessed a similar story as the Red Werewolves went on a coaster ride on their way to the championship. With three opposing teams leading the Sportsfest, it was not easy to claim a winning spot. Down 325 points as the last day dawned, the wolves was slowly sinking as they grasped to one crucial quality they were working so desperately for unity.

UNDERDOGS

By Jan Adriel Villafranca

Dapat yun yung unang winowork ng isang together kapag comfortable na kayo team. Kasi if comfortable na kayo sa isa’t magshare ng ideas, grabe yun,”Joanne isa, you can do many amazing things. Labio and Ronald Gica, team leaders, Tsaka yung chemistry ng isang team, the reminiscent of the unity, they sparked in ideas na magwowork the last hours of the Sportsfest. It was at

this moment when the alphas of the pack realized they lacked what a team needs most. They forgot to lead their pack with the strongest weapon any team can have. They forgot unity was all they needed, and that it was resting in each Werewolf’s heart, just waiting to be lit up. Speaking of ‘lighting up,’with the dawn of the last day was also the new hope of the Werewolves kindled. This time, they poured every energy out to conquer the Cheerdance competition, giving them additional 500 points to top the competition. However, the race was far from over, as the other teams still had a 500-point opportunity from the Mr. & Ms. Intramurals. Guess who’s at the top now? The Red team was crowned 2018 Sportsfest champions! For these Werewolves, the downfalls they faced only gave them the fire to light up the unity they needed. As the famous aphorism by Publilius Syrus goes, Where there is unity, there is always victory.

From left to right (topmost): Aldie James Caligayahan, Ms. Niezel Buso, Angela Joyce Caligayahan, Ms. Aumi Manansala, Lean Jane Pantorilla, Jazzen del Mundo, Rommuel Mojica, Angelica Luisse Nollora, Jofamil Sevilleno, Jan Adriel Villafranca, Christine Anne Asistio, Jaasiel Oriondo, Arela Chiara Espiritu, Rhouie Resubal, Nigel Andrei Yu, Christine Haley Asistio, Carl Nicolas Morfe, Ronald Gica, and John Meliton Mata

28 | SIMBUHAN SHS SIMBUHAN SHS | 29