Caceres Welcomes New Archbishop
BY MONICA JED MORADA
The former director and trustee of St. Bridget School, Most Rev. Fr. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, DD will now serve as the Fifth Archbishop of Caceres after he was appointed by Pope Francis in February and was recently installed last May 2, 2024.
Last May 1, 2024, before the day of the installation, the Archdiocese of Caceres organized a press conference at the Johannine Hall, Pastoral Center, Metropolitan Cathedral, Naga City.
The bishops across the country had also arrived to witness the solemn installation and canonical possession of the 35th Bishop and 5th Archbishop of Caceres, His grace, Most. Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon. Government leaders and the lay faithful gathered to have the civic reception for the Archbishopdesignate. The event was held to recognize Archbishop Alarcon's indispensable role and leadership and showcased the support of the city and the province as he treads his way
towards the local church of Caceres. The new archbishop joined a grand motorcade that painted a symbolic journey of the entrustment to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. The act of entrustment profoundly revealed Archbishop Alarcon’s unwavering faith, unrelenting commitment and selfless service to Caceres.
On May 2, 2024, the momentous event filled with excitement and anticipation finally took place. Most. Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon was
formally installed as the new archbishop of Caceres. Most. Rev. Charles John Brown D.D., the Apostolic Nuncio of the Philippines, led the rite of installation. After the solemn occasion, a testimonial luncheon honoring the new archbishop was held at the auditorium and the covered courts of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, Naga City. Relying on God’s abiding love and mercy, Archbishop Alarcon accepted his new position with humility and dedication.
CamSur heat index rises dramatically
BY JESSIE MEIRE LIBRANDO
Dangerous heat levels felt throughout the province as students continue to go to school
According to the Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office of Camarines Sur, the province had experienced moderate to extreme heat index during the month of April. The heat index ranged from 37°C – 46°C during the summer months. The heat index is a crucial measure that indicates how hot it feels to the human body by combining air temperature and relative humidity. This is essential for assessing the risk of heat-related illnesses during hot and humid weather conditions. This has significant considerations for the human body’s comfort.
The extreme heat levels resulted to the implementation of asynchronous classes or distance learning in both public and private schools. The memorandum on the temporary suspension of in-person classes was issued by the Office of the Governor. Some academic institutions, including St. Bridget School (SBS), had implemented this directive in a creative manner. The SBS administration decided to conduct the face-toface classes in the morning and in the afternoon, the teachers provided activities which the students had to comply with so that they could still continue their studies at the comfort of their homes.
During these days of relatively high temperature, the school set aside the use of school uniforms. The administration allowed the students to wear their comfortable casual attire while inside the campus. These measures were implemented to ensure the well-being of the students.
FILE PHOTO: Ramil Herrera Jr./Naga City CEPPIO
SBS holds student gov’t elections
New student leaders run to serve their fellow learners
BY RHODEX VALENCIANO II
Neophytes and veterans fight head-to-head to win the votes of fellow Bridgetines
The student elections were held on September 21, 2023 within the premises of St. Bridget School. The Student Council Organization (SCO) Election had 3 participating parties, namely LIWANAG, SLICK and SANDIGAN while the Supreme Student Government (SSG) Election had only two parties, that is PROGRESSIVISM and STUDENT ALLIANCE FOR INCLUSION AND LEADERSHIP (SAIL).
In the morning, the electoral campaign and the Miting de Avance were held to
allow the different groups to introduce themselves and to present their respective plans if they would be lucky enough to win in the elections. The candidates gave their speeches. After that, a Question & Answer portion was done. Each position had one specific question that the candidates must answer intelligently. The students cheered for their candidates and applauded the best answers.
The actual elections took place in the afternoon inside the classrooms which served as voting precincts. The teachers themselves served as the election officers, while a number of students were selected to assist the teachers during the counting of votes. The votes from different precincts were collected and brought to two separate venues:
Event seeks to ignite truth through journalism
ILAW Publication holds F irst-Ever Journalism Workshop
BY THAD NOBLE
On March 24th, ILAW held its inaugural seminar/workshop aimed at teaching aspiring and current student journalists about the ins and outs of journalism.
The seminar was graced with the appearance of Ms. Jinky Lou Castañeda, the Communication Arts Club moderator, who gave a talk
about the importance of responsible and ethical student journalism in the 21st century.
Throughout the day, various speakers from ILAW covered topics ranging from news, editorial, and feature writing; photojournalism; editorial cartooning; videography; and video editing. In the afternoon, hands-on activities were conducted to put the students’ learnings to the test.
the ballots of the SCO (Junior High School) were submitted at the Students Affairs Office while those for the SSG (Senior High School) were gathered at the SBS Auditorium. All the candidates were anxiously waiting for the results while the rest of the students were excited to know the winners. They kept on monitoring the progress of the counting of votes. When the counting ended, the official result of the SCO and SSG election was immediately announced.
Garnering 314 votes, Yeleina Marieth Kalyl C. Aman from the LIWANAG Party won as the Chairperson of the Student Council Organization. Likewise, Jay Mark O. Ojeda of the PROGRESSIVISM Party got 151 votes and became the Chairperson of the Supreme Student Government. When asked why they wanted to
become an officer, the elected SCO Chairperson declared she was confident in her ability to serve the school and the students. From assembling a lineup to planning and strategizing for her campaign, she showed her leadership skills and initiative by executing her plans in an organized manner
The elected SCO Chairperson also provided activities and projects which her team aimed to implement during the current school year. These included diverse seminars and outreach programs, strengthening the organizational routines and systems, increasing student participation, and monitoring student activities.
As for the elected SSG Chairperson of the PROGRESSIVISM Party, he expressed that becoming
part of the Supreme Student Government was a great experience for him. Driven by the aspiration to try something new and be of service to others, he decided to run for the SSG. He wanted to become a candidate to give the Supreme Student Government a new set of leaders who are capable, efficient, and responsible.
The elected SSG Chairperson’s policies and projects included the putting up of a suggestion box where students could list down their concerns and conducting team-building activities, such as the Leadership Summit for Students in order to hone their supervision and management skills. Through this activity, the leader in each and every one could be awakened and bring the student body into uncharted horizons.
SSG Auditor-elect Athaliah Claire Quebral, giving a speech at the 2023 Elections Miting de Avance.
PHOTO: John Sidrick Salamanque
Ms. Jinky Lou Castañeda giving a talk on responsible journalism. PHOTO: Erick Aguilar
New Officers Take Their Oath
BY FRANZINE MARIE GABALFIN
The elected officers of the Student Council Organization (SCO), the Supreme Student Government (SSG), the Parents Council Board (PCB), the Homeroom, the different organizations, and the various clubs of St. Bridget School (SBS) had their oath-taking ceremony at St. Francis of Assisi Parish for the school year 2023-2024. The school community – students, faculty, and staff – witnessed the meaningful oath taking ceremony that made public the commitment of the officers to be faithful to their duties, responsibilities and obligations associated with their respective positions.
On the first Friday of October 2023, the elected and appointed leaders of the school had their oath-taking ceremony within the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Rev. Fr. William M. Parde, the Parish Priest and at the same time, the Director and Principal of SBS. In the homily, Fr. Parde
imparted a meaningful reflection to serve as a poignant reminder for all. He says, “as leaders you should emphasize humility rather than superiority, character rather than competition.” He also pointed out that elected officers must take to heart the duties and responsibilities inherent to their roles or positions.
After the solemn occasion, the ILAW Publication conducted an interview with Yeleina Marieth Kalyl C. Aman, the SCO Chairperson, where she gave an insightful perspective on her role as a leader. She expressed that “As a Chairperson, I felt
the thrill as we went through the induction. I was ready to take on the role and perform the duties entrusted to me. I felt even more composed and proud when I observed that every officer was responsible enough to show a glimpse of their brand of leadership by simply behaving
well during the entire ceremony.” Furthermore, she shared a tip-off for her co-officers when she said, “I hope every officer would be able to perform his/her expected output – a leader who can be reliable, accountable, and consistent throughout the whole year.”
Duterte accuses Cha-cha of aiming to prolong Marcos Jr. presidency
Former president’s claim adds fuel to ongoing debates
BY JOHN ROBERT IBARLIN
Former President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his concerns about the proposed amendments, suggesting that there may be a motive to extend the term of president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. Duterte even compared Bongbong Marcos to his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., during a speech at a prayer gathering led by his adviser, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, in Liwasang Bonifacio.
"Ang una talagang gumalaw nito, iniba-iba niya, si Marcos (Sr.). Maniwala ka’t hindi, after a few decades, ang pangalawang taong gustong kumalkal ng konstitusyon natin… Marcos ulit!" Duterte stated. The
for re-election. He expressed his concern that by changing the constitution the term of the president could be extended, a similar tactic used by the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. With discussions unfolding in Congress regarding certain adjustments to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, Duterte urged caution and emphasized potential risks associated with initiating a series of changes. He warned that once changes are introduced into the Constitution, it might set off a chain reaction leading to modifications without clear boundaries and it may bring about undesired changes.
Newly-elected class officers take the pledge of service.
PHOTO: Dhen Marc Berot
...But remember hindi lulusot ‘yang Cha-cha mo at manatili ‘yung hanggang 6 years ka lang. Malapit na malapit na.
former president emphasized the similarities between both Rodrigo Duterte
VIVA LA VIRGEN!
SBS community welcomes Our Lady of Peñafrancia
BY MONICA JED MORADA
The St. Bridget School (SBS) family happily and successfully celebrated the Pagsungko ni Ina.
The students, faculty, and staff SBS cordially welcomed the miraculous image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia (also known as Ina) and the Holy Face of Jesus (Divino Rostro). These images were brought by the faculty and staff of Buhi Institute Foundation to the SBS quadrangle on the 24th of August.
Bridgetines win big at USANT’s 77th
BY TJAE DAUTIL
The University of Saint Anthony (USANT), Iriga City, opened its doors as it welcomed the celebration of its 77th Foundation Anniversary after more than a two-year quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The St. Bridget School (SBS) joined the seven-day activity and
won several awards from various competitions.
The inaugural participants were the DXC band, the Majorettes, and the MAPEH units of the school. The morning started with a lively parade through the streets of Iriga City with the enthusiastic support of the SBS faculty and students. Among the competitions
From Wood to Life Carving History, Shaping Tomorrow
Shrouded in deep color at the background is a man adding final touches to the saint. While bathed in cascade of warm sunlight at forefront of the image is his son carving fresh wood. The saint, the central element in the image, becomes a tangible link to old and new generations by unfolding two distinct elements: the defined and the formless.
The statue, with its refined details and polished surface, stands as
a monument to the expertise of the father. On the other hand, the raw wood still in the early stage of carving process exudes a fresh generation of sculptor, encapsulating the newly acquired artistic legacy passed down by the father to his son. The chisel, which was previously possessed by the father, is now in the hands of the son who will continue to carve their future still transforming humble material into timeless works of art The excellence in their carved creation stands as a witness to the legacy of their family’s craftmanship passed from a generation to another. All of these frozen through a lens.
lined up for the first day, the audience intensely looked forward to the Band and Majorette Exhibition. As the day comes to a close, the SBS contestants were able to reap several awards, namely 2nd place in Best Marching CTP/ MAPEH Girls, 4th place in Best Marching CTP/MAPEH Boys, 9th place in DBC/DLC Exhibition, and 10th place in the Majorette Exibition.
On the second day, other contests gradually unfolded, including the First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Competition, the Accounting Quiz Bee, and the Battle of the Brains. The SBS team got the 2nd place in the Battle of the Brains for Senior High School. The school’s involvement in the various matches continued. The
The Bridgetines attended a para-liturgy presided over by Rev. Fr. Daniel Vegas. The SBS family also participated in a series of vigils and novena prayers to honor the images of Ina and the Divino Rostro. The following day, the scheduled vigil for each class continued and in the afternoon, a Eucharistic celebration was led by the school principal and director of St. Bridget School, Rev. Fr. William M. Parde Jr. This served as the culminating activity where all teachers and students showed their reverence and love for Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro.
The Bridgetines also went through the traditional "Pagmanto" before transferring the images to the chapel of Brgy. Sta. Elena. The visit of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and Divino Rostro manifested the diversity of human spirituality and the depth of faith-experiences of SBS as one synodal community.
Junior High School students took the center stage in the Battle of the Brains, Extemporaneous Speaking, Cheer Dance and Modern Dance contests, while waiting for the awarding of the Short Film and Inter-School Photography Competitions. The school’s achievements shone brightly as they secured awards across various events, namely 1st runner-up in Cheer Dance along with Best Male and Female Performer in the said category; 2nd place in Cake Decoration; 4th place in Table Skirting and Centerpiece-Making; 3rd place in Modern Dance with an added award for Best Female Performer. Furthermore, in the Photography Contest, the SBS contestants captured two slots among the Top 10 photographers. Despite facing so many challenges and considering the number of participating schools in the week-long event, the Bridgetines had left an achievement that must be surpassed by future SBS contestants.
Selected students take part in various competitions throughout USANT’s 77th Foundation Anniversary. PHOTOS: Erick Aguilar, Dhen Marc Berot, Sidrick Salamanque
The SBS community joyfully welcomed the miraculous image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. PHOTO: Sidrick Salamanque
PHOTO STORY
PHOTO: Dhen Marc Berot
TOP 25 FINALIST
SULAYAW: USANT INTER-SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Students celebrate Christmas year-ender
BY NICOLE ASHLEY CLADO
On December 16, 2023, St. Bridget School had a Christmas party for its students to once again experience the spirit of Christmas. The occasion was filled with engaging class activities . Some teachers made their celebration extra special by giving away surprise gifts to the students.
One of the day's highlights was the arrival of a mascot from a popular fast-food chain. It brought smiles and laughter to everybody as they posed for individual or group photos. After the photo op, the class programs continued, while the others enjoyed the
food that they brought to the party.
As evening came, with the highly anticipated Christmas Ball, the excitement never waned. Smartly dressed for the night, the students arrived one by one. With the looming Christmas break, they were ready to dance all night long.
Throughout the Christmas party, the school’s faculty and staff ensured the safety and wellbeing of the students. The day was filled with memories as the students enjoyed the time celebrating with their friends and classmates.
Law prohibiting "No permit, no exam" policy signed
Newly-signed law aims to lighten the already heavy load students have
BY REIGNAN CALUBAD
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has signed into law the proposal filed by Kabataan Partylist rep Cong. Raoul Manuel that seeks to prohibit schools from barring students with unpaid tuition fees from taking their examinations.
This signifies a significant step in ensuring that financially challenged students are not overly affected. The newly enacted law puts an end to the troublesome ‘no permit, no exam’
policy, which previously barred students with unpaid tuition and other fees from taking exams. Its goal is to protect students from being penalized excessively due to financial limitations.
RA 11984 applies to all public and private schools, from elementary (K-12) to higher education and technicalvocational institutions (TVIs). It directs these schools to allow students with outstanding fees to take exams without needing a permit.
Violations of RA 11984 by educational institutions will
result in administrative penalties imposed by relevant authorities such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Moreover, the law empowers educational institutions to utilize legal and administrative measures, such as requesting promissory notes or withholding student records, to recover unpaid fees. However, it emphasizes that students
SocSci club holds clean-up crusade in Buhi Grade 12 students dance the night
BY CHARLIZZE CHLOE
The Senior High School Department together with the members of various clubs of the Junior High School Department conducted a cultural clean-up drive last May 4, 2024 in selected heritage sites of Buhi.
The Buhi Clean-Up Crusade was organized by the Social Science Club headed by Mr. Avelino Lavadia. It was a kickoff activity for the school’s celebration of its 61st Foundation Anniversary.
The students gathered at the school quadrangle at six in the morning where initial instructions were given. Afterwards, each group was deployed to their designated area together with the assigned school personnel who supervised the activity.
As they arrived at their designated areas, the students started picking up trash, unrooted overgrown grass, and cleaned the drainage. Some students brought steel brush to remove the moss from walls and statues, while other students
BY MARY CLAIRE FABRIGA
Last April 13, 2024, the St. Bridget School organized the Adieu for the graduating students with the theme: “Enchanted Night under the Northern Lights.”
The event started with an introduction by Ms. Gabrielle Joi Towne and Mr. Edgar Peter Collao who served as the hosts of the program. The promenade (archaic term for prom) showcased the students’ glamorous and well-fitted outfits designed by town’s local fashion
designers. The words of welcome were expressed by Mr. Junjun F. Espiritu, the Assistant Principal and the ceremonial toast was led by Ms. Karen B. Rabacal, the chairperson of the General Academic strand. Fr. William M. Parde, Jr. the Director and Principal delivered an inspiring message that officially marked the start of the program.
The chairpersons of the graduating classes prepared short farewell messages for their fellow graduates. Each class had their presentation after every parting message. There was also an audiovisual presentation that
showed the memories they made throughout their Junior and Senior High School years at St. Bridget School. It was followed by a slideshow that displayed everyone’s creative shots. The pictures exposed their dream careers as some of them were dressed as doctors, teachers, architects, pilots, and the like. After this, the most photogenic student received an award.
The most awaited portion was the announcement of the nominees for the Adieu King and Queen. Mr. Edgar Peter Collao and Ms. Daiha Valenciano were
PARCON
PHOTO: Harvey Valenzuela
The Grade 11 – GA/HUMSS conducted a clean-up drive at their designated area at the Old Parola
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar
Grade 12 students performed the cotillion dance with their partners as part of their Adieu.
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar
Bridgetines excel at OPSCI brain quest
BY MA. JOANA FE MAGULJADO
Selected Bridgetines competed in the Organization of Private Schools in Camarines Sur Inc. (OPSCSI) Brain Quest held online on the 3rd of April 2024. Two months prior to the scheduled date of the competition, the selected participants were invited to attend an online orientation. The competition was also
done online via Quipper – an online learning platform that is currently used by many schools all over the country. This is the first time that the competition was held in an online platform instead of the usual face-to-face contest.
The contestants were guided by their coaches during the two-month preparation. This was an
enormous challenge to many of the contestants as they needed to prepare for the competition and at the same time, to focus on the school’s academic requirements. They maximized their time to get everything set.
After the orientation for contestants on February 27, the actual competition happened on the 3rd of April. The day started with a short
program at exactly nine o’clock in the morning. Each grade level had a one-hour timeslot to finish everything. The first to participate was the Grade 7 students. Then it was followed by Grades 8,9 and 10. Senior High School participants had their contest in the afternoon. While waiting for their turn, majority of the participants used their time for review.
The competition ended up with mixed emotions. Some felt disappointed of the results while many felt remarkably pleased. Nevertheless, it was an exciting experience for everyone who proudly represented their respective schools. The activity had given them the chance to interact with their fellow students and to appreciate their God-given talents.
On the 22nd of April, the awarding ceremony was done where sixty Bridgetines received their awards while the top 10 winners were given medals. Once again, the Bridgetines had proven that they could compete with the other schools in the district while displaying the spirit of respect, humility and camaraderie among them.
SBS celebrates 61st year with Family Day
BY MA. JOANA FE MAGULJADO
On May 19, 2024, the SBS had a Family Day as part of the its Foundation Anniversary.
The occasion started with a Holy Mass that was led by the parish priest and SBS principal and director, Fr. William Parde Jr. It was followed by a Gimmick parade around the town’s processional route. Soon came the Band and Majorette Exhibition and the Mass Demonstrations from the different grade levels with their respective themes, namely Philippine culture for Grade 7, KPop for Grade 8, Bollywood for Grade 9, American Hip-hop for Grade 10, and Afro-American Dance for Grade 12. The Grade 11 students had their Festival Dances as part of their performance task (PT) in Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions. After the show, all students, parents, and advisers gathered in their designated rooms to have their lunch. Aside from partaking of what was prepared for their noontime meals, some classes organized a short program for their families.
11-ABM students wear their colorful masks during the parade for the Family Day Celebration.
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar
In the afternoon, the variety show was held at the school’s baskeball court. An invited Taekwondo team showed their fighting skills to everyone. Then came the announcement of winners of the Mass Demonstration and the Festival Dances. The MassKara Festival of Grade 11 - ABM became the overall winner. After that, the Rondalla enthusiasts manifested their awesome skills at playing stringed musical instruments. The
program was interrupted by a brief rainfall. When it subsided, a raffle draw was facilitated by the Parents Council Board (PCB) officers – ten consolation prizes were drawn. This was followed by a dance number coming
BY LOURDES THERESE DUQUE
The full implementation of the face-to-face classes at Saint Bridget School had begun on August 14, 2023. The academic and administrative personnel greeted the Bridgetines with a warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. Everything seemed brand new for everybody. A new school year gave everyone an opportunity to create helpful objectives and to become better versions of themselves than the previous one. This year is a fresh canvas for the students to paint their hopes, dreams, and achievements. Both old and new students entered the campus filled with excitement.
To start off the new school year, a short program unfolded on the school grounds. Ms. Genevic Calinagan gave the introductory remarks. She welcomed everyone with a great deal of encouraging words as she spoke about the first day of classes which eventually introduced the institution to the seventh graders and the transferees. The school director and principal, Fr. William M. Parde, shared a few inspiring words and some instructions. He also explained the school’s new logo that signaled a fresh start for everyone – students, faculty and staff. After the program, the students went to their respective classrooms to do the usual first-day-ofclass self-introduction and an overview of the different subjects. The students looked forward to what the school year had to offer them as they embarked on the journey of growth and learning.
from the PCB and selected homeroom parents. Next, the winners from various competitions outside SBS came in to perform – the pep squad, the K-pop dance number by selected faculty members, and the modern dance by the some students. After several performances, the raffle draw resumed as people expected to get the major prizes. The program ended with a community dance, the most anticipated part of the event. To prepare for the Foundation Ball in the evening the students, including their families, went home and take some rest. Then, the students were again gathered at the campus to have the late afternoon ball which is at the same time, a celebration that highlighted the multiple victories the students achieved from various competitions during the current school year. Indeed, the whole day event is a celebration of family, friendship, talent, and victory.
Grade
Senior High School Students pose for a picture before the start of the OPSCSI Brain Quest held virtually at the SBS computer laboratory.
Paghabi:
Wika at kultura
BY NATHAN XANDRE CAS
Ang St. Bridget School ay nag-organisa ng isang espesyal na selebrasyon para sa masining, makulay, at makabuluhan na wika at kultura ng Pilipinas. Upang makiisa sa Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa na ginanap noong Agosto 2023, na may temang “Filipino at mga Katutubong Wika: Wika ng Kapayapaan, Seguridad, at Inklusibong Pagpapatupad ng Katarungang Panlipunan.”
Ang programa ay pinamunuan ng mga magigiting na guro sa Filipino. Layunin ng pagdiriwang na ipakita ang kahalagahan ng wika at komunikasyon sa pagpapayabong ng ating sariling kultura. Sa pagsasagawa ng iba’t ibang makabuluhang aktibidad at mga palaro gaya ng pag-arte ng mga makasaysayan at kultural na kaganapan, hulaan ng mga Filipinong salita at iba pa. Namangha ang mga guro sa kaalaman at galing na ipinamalas ng mga mag-aaral sa mga palaro. Lubos na naipakita ang kanilang kasanayan at kaalaman sa paggamit ng wikang Filipino at kasaysayan ng bansa. Ang kaganapan na ito ay nakatulong sa pag-unlad at pagpapalaya ng kanilang diwa.
Livelihood and feeding projects highlight of SBS outreach program
BY LOURDES THERESE DUQUE
Aspecial outreach project was done as part of St. Bridget School's 61st Foundation Anniversary on May 11, 2024. The said activity was conducted in Barangay Sta. Isabel, Buhi, Camarines Sur. This was organized and facilitated by the faculty and staff. As an agriculturist of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Marlon R. Quirante, the resource speaker, prepared an overview of what backyard farming is all about. The attendees were then served a simple lunch and snack.
During the program, there was also a raffle draw to keep the guests entertained. Seeds were distributed which the attendees could use to start a small backyard farm. This can produce food for the family or they can sell their harvest. Most of the beneficiaries were the barangay
residents, including the indigenous people in Sta. Isabel. After lunch, the certificate of appreciation was given to the speaker who expertly discussed his topic to the people who were present. Training certificates
were also distributed to all the attendees.
For many years until now, St. Bridget School is known for its outreach activities which help build communities and provide support to the marginalized
sectors of society. It is not how much it gives, but how much love it puts into giving. Helping others may be the secret to living a happier, healthier, wealthier, more productive, and more meaningful life.
A Path of Devotion
Celebrating Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s Feast Day
BY SOFIA SIGUENZA
Filipino Catholics are well known for their strong devotion to Mary, the Mother of Christ. In Buhi, Camarines Sur, the massive Christianization of its settlers,v who were mostly from the mountains, began in 1605 through the efforts of Fr. Antonio Mendez, a Franciscan missionary. Every year, we experience different kinds of Marian celebrations. We express our love for Mary through prayers, processions and other devotional activities. Mary is an embodiment of
obedience and faith in God. Mary’s footsteps has inspired our culture as Catholic Christians.
Locally, we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Prompt Succor every January 8. This significant name was given to Mary by Mother Saint Michel. She promised that she would have her honored in New Orleans under the said title if she would receive a prompt reply to a letter she sent to Pope Pius VII, who was then Napoleon’s prisoner. Together with the other sisters of Mother Saint Andre Madier, she had
been asked to travel to the United States of America to provide assistance to the nuns who were running their schools.
On September 21,1851, Pope Pius IX promulgated the devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. On June 21, 1894, Pope Leo XIII approved the canonical coronation of the wooden image. On June 13, 1928, Pope Pius XI declared that the image of Mary as Our Lady of Prompt Succor be recognized as the Patroness of Louisiana and its protector against hurricanes.
St. Bridget School is known as the premier Catholic school in Buhi, which provides quality education to students
and a solid initiation to the Christian faith. On January 8, 2024, the St. Bridget School community joined the parish of St. Francis of Assisi in celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. A well-attended Eucharistic celebration took place in the church. Despite the rainy weather, the Bridgetines, the students from other schools and the parishioners took part in the Marian procession. As a culminating activity, a short program was organized at the parish patio. Among the performers was the SBS Rondalla. This was a fitting end to the novenary masses, processions and the visits (Pagsungko) of Prompt Succor to the different barangays and institutions within the parish.
Meanwhile, the construction of the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Prompt Succor is in progress. The Bridgetines continue to show their strong connection to and profound love for Mary. As a community, their faith in Jesus through Mary is sustained. In spite of the drizzly weather condition, the devotees of Prompt Succor were unaffected and went on to show their reverence and love for her. This emphasized her profound influence on their lives. She is truly a mother who takes care of the needs of her beloved children.
Devotion is an important aspect in Christian life. Marian devotions serve as a tower of strength in the midst of life’s challenges. In addition, they draw us closer to God who is the end point of Marian piety. Mary is the perfect example of a truly free human being. Mary was free either to accept or reject God’s offer, but her faith in God was complete. She, therefore, accepted the singular grace to become the Mother of the Savior. She teaches us how to express our freedom responsibly by always doing good. Mary reminds us that we should use our freedom in accordance with the will of God. We should use it not to harm other people, but instead choose to help the least, the last, and the lost.
SBS faculty and staff organized a livelihood and feeding program in Brgy. Sta. Isabel as part of the 61st Foundation Anniversary celebration of the school.
The carosa of Our Lady of Prompt Succor adorned with flowers during the procession held on her Feast Day.
PHOTO: Ezekiel Agravante, Kasandra Ahlea Cuya, Blair Michael Innocentes
FEATURE
Songs that quite literally changed our lives
In the age of sharing playlists, top song receipts, and Spotify links, our very own editorial board dug through their mixtapes and found deep cuts that really stuck with them.
THAD’S PICKS
SOMEBODY ELSE - THE 1975
I first listened to this song in 2017 when I was going through the Tumblr phase incredibly late. During that time, I listened to artists from the likes of Melanie Martinez to Arctic Monkeys, and this song stuck out to me the most. There have been many crying sessions where this song has been playing in the background at the loudest volume possible–without waking up anyone else in the house.
STARRY NIGHT - PEGGY GOU
One of the more upbeat songs on my list, this 90s Detroit house-meets-disco anthem is the perfect summer tune, the type you listen to lounging poolside with shades on.
TAMA NA ANG DRAMAANG BANDANG SHIRLEY
I first heard this song while watching I’m Drunk I Love You, specifically the part where Dio and Carson are en route to La Union and are shuffling through songs on his iPod, while a tired Jason Ty is out cold in the back seat. For me, this song evokes feelings of finally moving on and accepting your fate, and that being dramatic is not going to solve anything.
LINGER - THE CRANBERRIES
Are we sensing a bit of a theme here? Despite all the Matty Healy hate (I know he deserves some of it) and how overrated this song may seem to others, this song is one of the GOATs, and that is a hill that I will gladly die on. The dreamy vocals...
CYBER STOCKHOLM
SYNDROME - RINA
SAWAYAMA
The closing track on her first extended play (EP), RINA, this song explores themes of finding love in the 21st century, where almost everyone is connected to the Internet. Sawayama has explained that the song is about being pessimistic, optimistic, anxious, and free– while highlighting the highs and lows of the digital life that has consumed us.
ERICK’S PICKS
THE FALL - LOVEJOY
Starting strong and catching you with skillful bass and guitar play, the song paints the feeling of insecurity and fear amidst being caught in a system of privilege and wealth, accompanied by powerful vocals by the end, spot on!
ABBIE’S PICKS
DAISY - WAVE TO EARTH
I discovered this song after a close friend recommended me songs from this band. This song in particular has captured my heart and i find it to be the perfect tune to reminisce about happy moments and find comfort in the beauty of nature.
TELL ME IT’S NOT A DREAM - 10CM
This song has a unique way of touching my emotions and making me feel overwhelmed every time I listen to it. It’s a song you can really get lost in. I particularly like how this song conveys a slice-of-life feeling and how it captures the beauty
of Queen of Tears. Only K-drama addicts will understand.
TIP TOE - HYBS
If I were to chill and listen to some tunes, I would play this song. Ever since i discovered this, I have been playing it on repeat countless times. This song matches my vibe and lights up my mood!
YOUR LOVE - BRB. FEAT. JAMES BROWN
When I am feeling a little excited, I love to play this song. For me, This song is an underrated gem. There are more amazing songs from Brb. that deserve recognition, and ‘Your Love’ is definitely one of my favs. It is an upbeat song and uplifting song to brighten up your day.
DAPHNE’S PICKS
FALLING BEHINDLAUFEY
If you’re looking for the kind of music that you want to listen to all day, then you should definitely check out Laufey’s songs. Falling Behind is a summer jazz song for Gen-Z hopeless romantics.
CHRISTMAS TREE - V
During the pandemic, I entertained myself by watching K-Dramas and also grew fond of listening to OST’s. I first heard this song when Our Beloved Summer was aired then it eventually became one of my favorites. From the song’s sweet melody to its beautiful lyrics, it’s a track that is certainly worth dwelling on.
EIGHT - IU FEAT. SUGA
This song (best listened to during sunset) perfectly encapsulates one’s desire to have happiness and freedom. IU’s dreamy vocals paired with BTS Suga’s amazing rap verse make it one of the best collaborations in K-pop history.
MIRRORBALL - TAYLOR SWIFT
Everyone has that one song they can relate themselves to. As for me, it’s Mirrorball by Taylor Swift. This song from the album “Folklore” is for those who feel like they have to be different versions of themselves in order to fit in.
BIG DREAMER - THE COVASETTES
I discovered The Covasettes earlier this year, and I’ve been listening to their songs on repeat ever since! Big Dreamer is a feel-good upbeat song that’s underrated. As much as I want to gatekeep it, I believe it totally deserves recognition.
Complicity in genocide
Violence peaks after decades of apartheid Israel’s aggression
OBY THAD NOBLE
n the 7th of October, 2023, the world as we know it changed. Ever since, tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian men, women, and children have been massacred in attacks perpetrated by Israel, one of many acts of aggression that spanned decades. Despite all this, a lot of corporations and governments continue to fund the Israeli death machine, and the majority of public opinion still sides with Israel.
Arabic word for “catastrophe”, was the result of the 1948 conflict
between Arab and Israeli forces after Arabs refused to recognize a 1947 UN resolution dividing Palestine into two states. This caused native Palestinians to be forcefully removed and displaced from their homes en masse. 76 years on, Palestinians have been continually deprived of their rights.
They are held under a constant blockade, with residents in perpetual danger of being shot at or bombed by Israel’s Defence Forces, all the while making it extremely difficult for them to leave. In recent months, the Israeli government has continued to ignore calls for a ceasefire and have extended their attacks beyond the West Bank. As of writing this, the IDF is bombing Rafah, one of the last places for an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians fearing for their lives with nowhere else to go.
There’s a saying by Desmond Tutu that goes along the lines of “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the
side of the oppressor.” In times like these, staying quiet only helps the oppressive state of Israel accomplish its goal, which is to wipe out every single Palestinian, and at the same time steal the land that wasn’t theirs to begin with. Staying quiet while innocent children, men, and women are slaughtered makes you just as bad as say, Joe Biden, who is currently taking 26 billion dollars from his country’s coffers and corporations taking a portion of their profits and giving it to Israel for them to spend on missiles they can use on defenseless Palestinian men, women, and children.
What gives me a tiny sliver of hope is that this onslaught of attacks was not entirely met with thunderous applause. People are starting to wake up and hold people accountable. Around the world, grassroots movements and protests were organized, and boycotts arose against companies that have been
known to share their profits and work with the colonial state (most notably Google and McDonalds).
Recently, student-led protests have been flaring up in universities in the United States. One example is at Columbia University, where pro-Palestinian student activists have set up no less than 50 tents on campus demanding the institution stop funding Israel. When the university’s president took action, the students went to her house and screamed throughout the night. The protesters were soon forcefully dispersed by campus and city police, but that didn’t stop them. In fact, it sparked more encampments and protests demanding an end to Israel’s wrath.
Now recently, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for a bid to give Palestine member status in the United Nations–moving Palestine one step closer to becoming a state, and hopefully marking the end of the horrific attacks against them. Regardless
of how many resolutions the UN may pass, the Israeli government remains undeterred in wiping out what remains of Palestine.
The message I’m trying to get across is that we should acknowledge how lucky and privileged we are right now, that we have electricity, clean running water, and internet and cell service, the many liberties that Palestinians are currently denied access to. Not only that, we have a voice we can use to speak up and raise awareness about what our fellow brothers and sisters in Palestine are currently going through. If you want to stop seeing pictures and videos on your social media feeds of homes and buildings turned into dust or grieving parents holding their dead and mutilated children, screaming for justice which they are slowly losing hope of getting, feel for them and hold those in positions of power and are not doing anything accountable, use your voice and stop being complicit
FEATURE
Practicality Over Passion
I have only been a senior high school student for a year, and yet I have already noticed what I think is a very unfortunate pattern among most senior high school and even college students. I have observed this both in some aspects of my own personal life and in the lives of some of my closest friends and acquaintances. Choosing strands or courses is already a tough task as it is compounded by the lack of job opportunities in certain fields in our country. Most senior high school or college students probably know this, but if it is not obvious enough, I’m referring to having to choose practical courses that would lead to practical jobs over choosing a career based on your own passions and interests. Although that may sound vague, I’m specifically referring to instances where, even though you want to pursue something you are interested in as a possible profession, it isn’t as “practical” as, let’s say, being a doctor, an accountant, an engineer, an architect, a lawyer, and other more commonly known “practical” jobs. Before I go more in depth about this, I’d like to briefly mention that determining whether a job is “practical” or not depends a lot on which type of person you ask. But for this article, I’ll be using the word “practical” relating to common, usually financially stable jobs like the ones I have previously mentioned, as well as jobs or courses that most young people like students are encouraged to take. Think about the jobs most parents usually encourage their children to pursue, those are the types of “practical” jobs I’m referring to. Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against those jobs. They’re great jobs that many people have been successful in. There’s a good reason why students are usually encouraged to pursue those jobs. If you’re someone who genuinely wants to pursue any of those aforementioned jobs, or a job that most people commonly deem practical, then that’s great, especially if it is what you are passionate about. But if that’s the case, then this article is likely not for you.
I am calling out to students who are like myself, who want to pursue something but are constantly being told to take something more practical. Most cases of this I have seen, at least in my personal surroundings, are with those who want to pursue Psychology, Veterinary courses, Social Sciences, Communication, and even some more creative jobs like becoming a designer or a musician. In my personal case, it’s Animation and Illustration. I have noticed that it is usually students who end up in STEM or ABM while actually wanting to pursue something else, but they choose those strands to gain more opportunities. And I respect that decision.
If you think about it, there isn’t anything inherently wrong with choosing practicality over passion. In our current economic state, it is more than wise to choose jobs that will bring us financial stability over the years. These jobs are essentially
FRANCES SALVE R. TEMPLONUEVO
investments for our future. And it is common to hear people say we should just pursue our passions and interests on the side. But it’s still quite unfortunate to think that so many students are putting aside their personal interests and goals for something they might not enjoy or might even complain about. I personally believe it is much more fulfilling to pursue a career you personally enjoy. Because if you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick to it in the long run. Not only that, you will also have your personal, intrinsic motivation to keep pursuing whatever it is you want to pursue. By that, I mean you’re not just motivated by external values like your salary or retirement. I think working solely for retirement is not a good life goal, but that would be a separate topic.
On the flip side, everything I just mentioned in the previous paragraph is just rich and pretty talk. It’s quite a privilege to say that it would be better to pursue something you enjoy rather than something that may provide you with more financial stability. Let alone to say it would be easy. Because in reality, it’s not. Especially when you are young. I mean, this is the future we’re talking about. We are talking in terms of something you may end up doing for the rest of your life. It is definitely not easy. I am still trying to figure it out myself and all I know for sure is that there are far too many students right now weighing their options about which path to take. It’s a difficult choice and I don’t have the answer. At least not right now. But I do still think it’s important to put more attention into this topic, because it’s one that most students get stuck on once they move onto the next stages of higher education. If you’re a junior high school student and this gets a bit overwhelming to read, I don’t blame you. It’s a bit overwhelming for me to write too. Putting those thoughts aside for a moment, we cannot deny that this is likely a dilemma that generations of students before us faced, and generations of students that will be coming after us are still going to face in the future. There are many factors that come into play when it comes to choosing a course and possibly putting aside what you want for something that may benefit you more in the long run. In fact, to say there are many is merely an understatement. Things like your current financial situation, your current living situation, the current economic state of the world, the demand your home country has for a particular job or service, and even some psychological factors like peer pressure may have an effect on your ability to make the right decision. All of that is blended together in a smoothie of confusion and madness. And I bet that smoothie doesn’t even taste good. Another thing that I have noticed is that in most cases, students get discouraged from pursuing what they want due to the lack of opportunities for that particular career in our country. This stems from a lot more issues that I would not be able to cover in this article. If you go to a more developed
Pag-äbeg
Preserving the cultural identity of Buhi through weaving
TEXT BY MONICA JED MORADA PHOTOS BY ERICK AGUILAR
Pag-äbeg promotes the unique heritage of the town of Buhi. Weaving is one of the most wellknown talents of Buhinons. Buhinons continued the legacy of beautiful designs and strength of a proud resident of Buhi. This fabric of cotton changed the lives of so many people and influenced them to create these kinds of unique features.
Women are the weavers of their local weaving communities. They typically pass this to the younger generations especially to their daughters to continue the weaving process. In Buhi, there is no such thing as distinct designs or patterns in weaving. The weavers just use their inner creativity and craftsmanship in themselves to create a successful
output. Weaving is not the center of a worth-it task, because it requires an amount of artistry and patience to achieve a better purpose, As this is one of the town’s traditions, we tend to expand the true heart and talent of Buhinons. This brings great focus to the subject and shares the history and legacy of Buhi through its crafts. The locals appreciate the effort of many traditional Buhinen women to continue and establish the beauty of weaving.
TOP 10 FINALIST
SULAYAW: USANT INTER-SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar
country, there will most likely be more opportunities for occupations relating to Psychology or Veterinary Medicine. But unfortunately, not everyone has the means to just go to another country and work there. There are a lot of factors to consider and, honestly, it’s hard to figure out where to begin. If that sounds discouraging, let us go back to what I mentioned before about choosing a job you enjoy, and possibly something you are actually passionate about. Andrew Huberman is an American neuroscientist and a podcaster. He did a study, and I’ll be paraphrasing it a bit, where they asked people to walk and measured the speed of these people. The people who were told to just walk, walked slower in comparison to those who were told to walk towards a certain end destination. However, those who actually enjoyed walking tended to walk for much longer. How does that connect? Well, if, somehow, you do end up having to pursue something that isn’t what you originally wanted for the sake of practicality, and you manage to make that a goal for yourself,
you might find yourself aiming to achieve that goal faster. But you still have to find something, even just one thing, you enjoy about that process or that job so you can actually stick to it in the long run. No one wants to end up miserable in a job they don’t like and didn’t even want in the first place. I know for sure I wouldn’t want that for myself. So if, in case, you don’t have a choice but to push your own passions aside, you still have to find something that will keep you from quitting immediately. Let’s say you put your interests and passions aside in a figurative box and store it somewhere in an archive. Maybe in the future, when you are in a position where you can actually revisit those passions of yours, go do that. Go into that figurative archive and pull out that box and open it again. In most realistic scenarios, that’s usually the case. You usually have to take the more practical route until you’re stable enough to actually revisit your passions again. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Of course, it’s easier said than done. I’m lucky that, in my case, my passions are more creative and technological. There are many
The town of Buhi gained so much recognition through these masterpieces. They continue to inspire others and make their own unique story with a simple but special fabric. They hereby declare this as a cultural identity that would be kept and preserved continuously. Inabëg products hold such an important role in encouraging and stimulating others to declare their local identity.
The path to greatness was never easy. Life comes with a lot of challenges and hardships. It all comes down to our resolve, on how we face and overcome such difficulty. With ‘Nay Mercy, she wove her path to success. From a young age, she grasped the skill her mother passed down. Back to the present, ‘Nay Mercy used the same skill that her mother weaved to achieve her children’s dreams. Through such simple and delicate threads, she formed her own greatness and continued to weave the path to excellence, while at the same time, preserving the Buhinon culture and identity, she is truly a lasting legacy.
outlets I have online and options I can choose to still pursue my passions remotely. I can still make the kinds of personal art or animation projects I want at home with the use of a laptop, while still balancing maybe taking a more practical course. But that’s not the case for everyone. Not everyone can pursue what they are actually passionate about on the side. And that’s where I think it’s difficult to find a balance.
Don’t take this as if I am encouraging you to take one route or the other, because I’m not. Again, I don’t have the answer. From one stressed out student to another, all I can say is that it’s important to find some sort of middle ground or a compromise. Personally, if I ever end up in a position where I have to choose the more practical route over my passions, I’d feel bitter, that’s for sure. But I also know I’ll find a way and make the effort to pursue what I genuinely want either way. It’s a very difficult decision to make and a tough balance to achieve. And in the end, it’s your choice. I just hope you don’t end up making a choice you might regret.
2024 OrSem ignites the hearts of Bridgetines
BY GEORGE DUQUE, JR.
The annual Orientation Seminar, also known as ORSEM, was held at the school auditorium with the theme, “Illuminating Growth, Nurturing Innovators, and Transforming Education.” From August 7 – 11, 2024, the students managed their time well as they followed the schedule assigned to the different grade levels.
The ORSEM was done to educate freshmen, transferees, and returning students about the school’s policies, the calendar for the entire school year, the salient points of the students handbook, the faculty and staff, and many more. The administrator, the heads of the different offices, the subject area coordinators
and the other members of the administrative staff were involved in the prepared overall program for ORSEM.
During the event, the students are given various fun-filled activities to promote positive social interaction with their fellow
learners. Some faculty members also entertained the students with their own presentation. The event was again a great success
as everybody gave their best to make ORSEM 2024 memorable and meaningful, especially for the newcomers to SBS.
SBS celebrates World Teacher's Day 2024
BY BLAIR MICHAEL INOCENTES
The St. Bridget School (SBS) academic personnel joined the celebration of the World Teachers' Day. A simple program was organized by the Student Council Organization (SCO) and the Supreme Student Government (SSG) as a simple gesture of paying tribute to their beloved educators. The teachers were overwhelmed by the messages of gratitude expressed the students.
Before the program started, the letters of gratitude from different grade levels were read by their representatives. It was basically a recognition and an appreciation of the hard work of the faculty and staff that mainly led to the goal of providing the students with quality education.
The program opened with a dance number performed by the members of the Tingraw Artists Company that relayed a
story of gratitude towards their teachers. This was followed by the musical bands that presented a mini-concert which regaled the audience. Finally, before the program ended, the School Director and Principal, Fr. William M. Parde Jr., delivered his remarks and led the closing prayer that signaled the conclusion of the activity.
Incidentally, the Organization of Private School in Camarines Sur Inc. (OPSCSI)
organized a separate Teachers’ Day celebration on October 25, 2023 at the Robinson’s Place Mall in Naga City. Selected SBS teachers participated in various competitions, including vocal solo, spoken poetry and the K-Pop dance where they grabbed the first place. This OPSCSI event recognized the passion and talent of educators and appreciated their selfless service – some kind of heroism that is worth emulating.
The faculty and staff joined the OPSCI’s Teachers’ Day Celebration at the Robinsons Place Naga. Selected participants competed during the event on which the school championed the KPop Dance Competition.
PHOTO: Giorgen De Leon
Grade 7 students danced to the music as the school welcomed the new batch of Bridgetines.
PHOTO: Harvey Valenzuela
The Bridgetines honored the school’s faculty and staff during the World Teachers’ Day Celebration. PHOTO: Sidrick Salamanque
FEATURE
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
- George Santayana
BY DAPHNE DE LEON
The numerous societal injustices faced by many Filipinos during the Spanish Colonial Era were depicted in Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa,” which features the story of three martyr priests: Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora. They were wrongfully accused of starting the Cavite mutiny in 1872 and were executed by garrote. Aside from the story of the said priests, the award-winning film also addressed many social concerns that are still relevant to what our country is facing nowadays.
FROM SCREEN TO REALITY GomBurZa
How a historical biopic mirrors the present day
of politics, where politicians offer influencers huge sums of money just to spread destructive information about their opponents. This tactic has been proven to be somewhat effective, as some Filipinos can be easily deceived, lacking the capacity to fact-check such information
RED-TAGGING
In the film, the three priests were advocating for secularism in the priesthood. However, their idealism was interpreted as a threat during the Spanish era, as anyone who opposed the church during that time was considered a subversion against the Spanish authority. This is also the case for those who are often labeled as communist rebels in the current time for trying to promote progress. Aiming to create positive societal reform is not an act of rebellion, especially if you’re only prioritizing the welfare of your countrymen and the betterment of society. Being a catalyst for radical change is not an act of subversion but an act of nationalism.
MAL-INFORMATION
The film shows that the spread of false and malicious information has been a historical trend. It also highlighted how mainstream news outlets can be used to spread propaganda and harm others. In the modern world, fake news can be easily spread and potentially harm someone’s reputation. This is particularly evident in the world
they see on social media platforms.
ACT OF LIBERALISM
During Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre's term, two of Father Burgos' students from the University of Santo Tomas, Felipe Buencamino and Paciano Mercado, established the Juventud Escolar Liberal. This student movement aimed to advocate for progressive change and protect students' rights in response to the abuses by a Dominican friar teacher at the university. However, this ultimately led to Buencamino's arrest, as they believed that they had the support of the GovernorGeneral, who was known to be a liberal leader. We should all be aware that conservative ideology does not contribute to societal
progress. Recently, the Philippine Senate abolished the Divorce Bill since most senators used the argument of religion, like Richard Gomez, who said that the Philippines is “largely a Catholic country.” However, despite this, we can all agree that domestic violence is never acceptable; thus, the legalization of divorce will allow spouses to escape abusive relationships. The youth of today are already well-informed about social issues such as these and actively participate in discussions on how they could help make a positive change in our society, like how the youth during the Spanish period called for progressive change in the education system.
INJUSTICE
As the three priests were imprisoned after being accused, they did not have the opportunity to defend themselves properly against the evidence the authorities had against them. Father Zamora, who enjoyed gambling, was taken into custody after a letter discovered in his home was misread. His arrest resulted from the letter's reference to "bullets and gunpowder," which was meant to be a code for gambling money but was interpreted literally. During former President Duterte’s time, there was significant debate in Congress about reinstating the death penalty. There is no such thing as a perfect justice system. Even if we are going to review our very own, the Philippine justice system is flawed, with injustices
prevailing in many courts. The privileged few and those who have connections can escape the justice system, while some are wrongly accused and receive unfair trials, as seen in the case of the three priests who were not given a chance to defend themselves before a verdict was reached. What’s even worse is that, under Duterte’s leadership, “Operation Tokhang” resulted in the deaths of many innocent individuals. Injustice is not limited to the criminal justice system; it also affects various aspects of our society, as some people experience poverty due to a lack of opportunities caused by corruption and mismanagement within government agencies.
SLANDER
These accusations were later retracted, leading to her release. Making false statements and accusations can severely impact someone’s life, and the former senator was a victim of an attempt to silence her for being vocal about Duterte’s case about the Davao Death Squad.
PADRINO SYSTEM
In the scene where the conviction was declared, the three priests were to be executed along with Francisco Zaldua. However, the real masterminds behind the mutiny, masons Maximo Inocencio, Crisanto de los Reyes, and Enrique Paraiso, were released from prison and were only exiled to the Marianas in Guam. According to Filipino Jesuit historian John Schumacher’s theory, the masons were excluded from the execution because of their masonic connection with the Governor-General Rafael de Izquierdo. This implies that the three masons were able to avoid punishment for their actions due to their influential connections. The Padrino System is still prevalent in many sectors of our society. It is a practice where individuals gain favor or promotion through family affiliation or friendship. For example, during calamities, clans with close ties to certain politicians are often given priority in receiving government aid. The Padrino System is also rooted in one of the Filipino values that is commonly abused by many: the value of “utang na loob.”
The story of GomBurZa shows that justice cannot prevail within an unfair and biased system. Their deaths inspired individuals like Jose Rizal, who dedicated his novel
Francisco Zaldua was the main contributor to the three priests' convictions. He was beaten up by Spanish authorities and was promised a pardon in exchange for his court testimony against Father Burgos, but even after doing so, he still received the death penalty along with the priests. During the Duterte administration, former Senator Leila de Lima was wrongfully imprisoned for years based on false accusations against her.
"El Filibusterismo" to the three priests featured at the end of the movie. This dedication had a massive effect on Filipinos' views of national identity and their awareness of the mistreatment by the Spaniards.
The film has brought to light a part of history that changed our nation forever. It serves as a reminder that history repeats itself and reflects our tendency to forget our past. The film also serves as proof that we have failed to learn from our nation’s past struggles. Let us all hope that films like this inspire us to reflect on the past and learn valuable lessons to prevent the recurrence of our nation’s dark history.
The Great Fake-Out
Alice Guo’s identity raises concerns over national security
Are we going to let foreigners invade our politics?
BY ANGELA ISHII RICAFRANCA
Trust and familiarity, which come from shared events and a common heritage, are at the foundation of a local government. If you choose a mayor who is not from the Philippines, there might be a gap between what the people want and what the leader wants to do. While her qualifications and experience are impressive, her status as a non-Filipino raises legitimate concerns about her ability to fully understand and represent the interests of the people of Bamban, Tarlac. The issue here is not just about being a foreigner; it is also about manipulating our local politics. As per Risa Hontiveros, “bad in one thing, bad in all.”
Alice Guo, being accused as a non-Filipino by Sen. Hontiveros, might lack a deep cultural connection and understanding of her constituents, which are crucial in truly representing and advocating their interests. Mayor Guo is so deceptive. She does not even know where she was born or who was her homeschool provider. Also, her birth certificate was stamped 17 years after she was born. The most shocking thing was when she denied having any ties to Hong Sheng, probably the owner of the Hongsheng Gaming Technology, even if the documents say that Guo is the head.
Another thing that makes the issue more complicated is the idea that Mayor Guo supports the POGO industry. In the Philippines, the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) business has caused a lot of troubles because of the alleged illegal activities and social issues that came with it. By working with this controversial industry, Guo
IBY THAD NOBLE
don’t know if it’s because I’m graduating soon, and the many years I have spent in high school occasionally rush through my brain in the form of memories, but an almost common occurrence for me nowadays is going to our balcony in the dead of night with a pillow, blanket, headphones, and my MacBook; listening to an assortment of moody playlists that I have curated; and I would just sit there– on a sleeping bag spread across the concrete, wrapped in the softest blanket I dug out from my dresser, the night breeze flowing with a distinct hum–thinking of the many things in my life that would have panned out differently if I somewhat played my cards just right.
Whether it be a lost love, a friendship that somehow turned into a sham, or something to do with my future, I would reminisce, and at that moment, nothing else came between me and my thoughts. Nothing else would matter. That habit of mine is called yearning, it’s defined as an “intense longing for something”, it’s the sense of wanting something out of your reach. Part of the beauty in yearning is that it comes in all forms, whether romantic or existential. You can yearn for unrequited love, or that person who never texted you back and just left you on read, or you can yearn for the uneasiness and the uncertainty the future brings you. For me, nostalgia and yearning often go hand in hand, when I listen to a certain song, or look at a photo of me and my friends enjoying life, or a photograph of me and my classmates, it evokes a certain
feeling inside me, a heaviness in my chest that sometimes makes me think I’m having a heart attack. At times, I would lose my appetite and forgo eating the entire day. Neuroscience says that nostalgia and yearning makes our brain release dopamine, triggering feelings of satisfaction and motivation. Somehow, the opposite happens with me. Rather than feeling happy, I gain feelings of pain, melancholy, and longing. While we’re on topic, I recently rewatched one of my most favorite films, Past Lives by Celine Song. This is one of the films that despite being my favorite, I would avoid like the plague simply because it breaks me every time I watch it. The film revolves around Nora Moon, formerly named Na Young, a writer who immigrated from South Korea to Toronto with her family when she was young. From that point on, when they
runs the risk of putting the needs of foreign companies ahead of the people of Bamban. The local residents of the town deserve a mayor who will deliver the basic services they badly need. She should not stand with questionable businesses that threaten the town's safety and well-being.
It is depressing to note that the majority of Filipinos struggle to get a National ID, Birth Certificate and other government documents, while these people with money, power, and influence can easily fabricate these papers. Because of such concerns, is it not clear that Alice Guo as mayor poses a big threat to Bamban's welfare and ethics? The town or even the whole country cannot risk its future by choosing a politician who might not have its best interests at heart. It is more important than ever for the people of Bamban to work together to protect the town's character, values, and independence.
boarded the plane to Toronto, her life back home as she knew it was officially over, including her relationship with her childhood love Hae Sung, whom she has built a deep connection with. Though they reunite 20 years later, Nora is left wondering what her life would be like now if she stayed in Korea with Hae Sung, now that she’s married to a fellow writer, Arthur, who she met at an artist residency after briefly reuniting with Hae Sung through the internet. This film left me teary-eyed and at the same time wondering where would I be now if I lived life differently. In-yun is powerful, I guess. Yearning is an art, and despite the heartfelt pain it gives me, It gives me hope that one day I can actually live a life wherein I am satisfied and content. It’s the source of the energy that keeps me going. It’s ingrained in us to long and hanker for the things we want or those we used to have. It’s all a part of human behavior.
The heartfelt ache that moves us forward
Artist: Nigella Alexandra Noble
In the digital age where the ability to create content is at everyone’s fingertips, almost anyone can be famous. Behind the screens however, there’s a contagious disease that affects every single one of us. Trends come and go, but at their peak, droves of people flock to it. Some of these trends are harmful and downright dangerous. Now, the question is, are there “good influencers?” Do they positively affect the youth-one of the groups easily swayed and one of the most frequent social media users? Despite the advanced features of the camera and editing, influencers are not without their fair share of controversies.
Not long ago, social media personality and business mogul Rosemarie Tan Pamulaklakin, most notably known as Rosmar, along with fitness influencer and life coach Rendon Labador with their posse of fellow influencers called Team Malakas, went to Coron, Palawan for an outreach program. Things got heated after one of the mayor’s staff took to social media to vent her frustrations regarding the program, and how the vloggers merely drummed up the program with ill intentions. They are only using the people of Coron for their gain. The Facebook post gained traction prompting the two influencers to storm the local government’s office, confronting the poster and demanding a recorded apology. Word got out and their actions were met with immense backlash, so much so that the provincial government moved to declare the group as “persona non grata.” Barring them from entering the province of Palawan.
Mr. Labador seems to be unable to free himself from the pitchforks of netizens nationwide because aside from the Coron fiasco, he is endlessly ridiculed for the price of one item on the menu of his newly opened restaurant. Dubbed as “motivational rice,” one cup of this “infused” with pandan costs 100 pesos.
Labador defended his pricing by calling it a symbol of people who fight and don’t give up in life. He added that this is also his way of supporting the local farmers. Furthermore, he also said that it should serve as a wake-up call for citizens to raise their standards.
On April 2023, three vloggers of the YouTube channel “Tukomi” (brothers Mark Hiroshi San Rafael and Mark Lester San Rafael, along with Eleazar Steven Fuentes) staged a kidnapping prank that sparked a controversy.
The three were dressed up in black outfits and also had black bonnets for that particular content. While doing their so-called “prank,” a police officer who saw them immediately drew his gun against the vloggers, unaware that they were doing it for content. Sgt. Ronnie Conmingo, then, filed a complaint for alarm and scandal against the vloggers to teach them a lesson and raise awareness that influencers should not go to such lengths only to gain more online views.
Originally film and television personality, Alex Gonzaga, rode the YouTube hype train in 2017. When she created a channel where she would upload vlogs, comedy skits, and music
videos. On her 35th birthday, celebrated with her friends and loved ones, somebody took a video of her smearing cake frosting on the forehead of a waiter as she blew her birthday candles. The original video was swiftly deleted, but it took no time for netizens to re-upload it everywhere. She was criticized tremendously, forcing her to apologize to the server for her actions. This shows us that most influencers have a different personality from what they show in front of the camera.
Like a broken record, you would hear the same indignant remarks and sentiments every time Josh Mojica opens his mouth. He is notably known as the man behind KCO, or Kangkong Chips Original. Many people admired him after his story was featured on TV for becoming a millionaire at a young age. After several years, he was featured in a vlog where he was asked the question “diskarte o diploma” on which his indirect answer was interpreted by netizens as “diskarte,” since he later said that he would no longer finish his studies. He recently went viral again after he posted a video saying that he is not lazy, prompting a businessman and an Oxford graduate to challenge him to finish his studies to prove that
he is indeed “masipag” while emphasizing the importance of education.
According to a blog post by Meltwater and We Are Social, the number of online users in the Philippines is rapidly increasing as the years pass. As of 2024, 86.75 million Filipinos are using social media, equivalent to 73.4% of the country’s population. The internet has surely been part of Filipinos’ daily lives. The average time spent online is 8 hours and 52 minutes per day, mostly by the younger generation.
Social media algorithms practically feed us what we see and hear. They aim to increase our screen time and reduce our attention span by prioritizing content that pushes us to engage with it. It is up to us to tailor them in a way that positively impacts our mental health, making sure that we interact with influencers who are true to themselves and not so much for the attention and the money. In China, Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) users under the age of 14 only get educational content like science experiments and museum exhibits as well as the occasional government propaganda, pushed in their for you pages. Not only that, they are only limited to 40
minutes of use per day. They are forced by the Chinese government to make these changes to their app, but why can’t other countries implement that, minus the brainwashing, of course?
The issues we brought up are just the tip of the iceberg. They, however, have one thing in common, that is the engagement they constantly get from producing content feeds their ego to the point of becoming abusive. The more we patronize their content, the more their viewers, unconsciously or consciously, adopt what they see in their own lives. Internet personalities are called influencers for a reason. Their purpose must be to use their platform for good causes. In the modern era, where most people’s lives revolve around social media, online users should follow influencers who set a positive example, both on-screen and off-screen. For content creators, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.” The only antidote to this is to continue ignoring these influencers who simply do not care about their material. Apart from that, we should be mindful of how different social media algorithms work, so that we are more watchful of the content we consume daily.
SBS gives back to the community
BY HAYA CARLOS
St. Bridget School had organized the annual Share-A-Joy Project – a charitable undertaking activity that has touched the hearts of its beneficiaries and has made others realized their God-given blessings.
Last September 2023, the Campus Ministry headed by Sr. Rosa Bella Tosoc, DM, launched the Share-A-Joy Project where reusable plastic containers were distributed to all classrooms to collect donations from students. Each month, the Campus Ministry handed awards to the top five classes with the highest collections.
The beneficiaries were determined by Ms. Marichu Yaguel, the Outreach Coordinator, together with some barangay officials. Volunteer students and faculty members made an effort to prepare all the Christmas
packs for the recipients.
Last December 19, 2023, the project was finally realized. Ninety households with PWD and senior citizens from selected barangays received Christmas packs. The event would not have been possible without the generous contributions of the SBS students and the assistance of the teachers and other volunteers.
Truly, the material gifts were just a wayof leading people to the real cause of joy every Christmas – Jesus of Nazareth. The Share-AJoy Project made people realize that joy was never dependent on
SBS Holds Student Gov’t Elections
RHODEX R. VALENCIANO III
The student elections were held on September 21, 2023 within the premises of St. Bridget School. The Student Council Organization (SCO) Election had 3 participating parties, namely LIWANAG, SLICK and SANDIGAN while the Supreme Student Government (SSG) Election had only two parties, that is PROGRESSIVISM and STUDENT ALLIANCE FOR INCLUSION AND LEADERSHIP (SAIL).
In the morning, the electoral campaign and the Miting de Avance were held to allow the different groups to introduce themselves and to present their respective plans if they would be lucky enough to win in the elections. The candidates gave their speeches. After that, a Question & Answer portion was done. Each position had one specific question that the candidates must answer intelligently. The students cheered for their candidates and applauded the best answers. The actual elections took place in the afternoon inside the classrooms which served as voting precincts. The teachers
themselves served as the election officers, while a number of students were selected to assist the teachers during the counting of votes. The votes from different precincts were collected and brought to two separate venues: the ballots of the SCO (Junior High School) were submitted at the Students Affairs Office while those for the SSG (Senior High School) were gathered at the SBS Auditorium. All the candidates were anxiously waiting for the results while the rest of the students were excited to know the winners. They kept on monitoring the progress of the counting of votes. When the counting ended, the official result
what they had, but on the Lord who taught people to give so that those who are in need may also have decent lives. The teachers and students, who implemented the outreach program, also discovered that sharing uplifts the spirit and brought some kind of fulfilment.
The “Share-A-Joy” showed how collaborative efforts of like-minded individuals can make a positive difference in the community. Small acts of kindness do not remain small as they could generate countless other good deeds from those who received them first.
of the SCO and SSG election was immediately announced. Garnering 314 votes, Yeleina Marieth Kalyl C. Aman from the LIWANAG Party won as the Chairperson of the Student Council Organization. Likewise, Jay Mark O. Ojeda of the PROGRESSIVISM Party got 151 votes and became the Chairperson of the Supreme Student Government. When asked why they wanted to become an officer, the elected SCO Chairperson declared she was confident in her ability to serve the school and the students. From assembling a lineup to planning and strategizing for her campaign, she showed her leadership skills and initiative by executing her plans in an organized manner.
The elected SCO Chairperson also provided activities and projects which her team aimed to implement during the current school year. These included diverse seminars and outreach programs, strengthening the organizational routines and systems, increasing student participation, and monitoring student activities.
As for the elected SSG Chairperson of the PROGRESSIVISM Party, he expressed that becoming part of the Supreme Student Government was a great experience for him. Driven by the aspiration to try something new and be of service to others, he decided to run for the SSG. He wanted to become a candidate to give the Supreme Student Government a new set of leaders who are capable, efficient, and responsible.
The elected SSG Chairperson’s policies and projects included the putting up of a suggestion box where students could list down their concerns and conducting teambuilding activities, such as the Leadership Summit for Students in order to hone their supervision and management skills. Through this activity, the leader in each and every one could be awakened and bring the student body into uncharted horizons.
The Campus Ministry, together with the SBS faculty and staff handed out Christmas packs to Senior Citizens and PWDs in selected barangays in Buhi.
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar, Dhen Marc Berrot
Wildfire Broke Out
In Mt. Asog
On April 22, 2024, a wildfire broke out in Mt. Asog, located at San Nicolas, Iriga City, about a kilometer away from Lake Buhi. Mt. Asog is an active stratovolcano located in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. The mountain has an elevation of 2,011.6 meters (6,600 ft) above mean sea level. The wildfire lasted for several hours before it was put out by local authorities.
News Gulf reported that the Iriga City administrators had employed an incident management team consisting of 250 people, including Barangay Officials, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. In an interview by the Inquirer, Oaferina said, “The team was dispatched on the ground to create a fire lane in order to prevent loss of lives, further damage to properties and protect the environment.”
According to the Inquirer, the City Mayor suspended all adventures and mountain climbing activities until further notice due to the wildfire at Mt. Asog. This precaution was taken to ensure the safety and well-being of hikers and mountaineers. As the fire spread, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) also joined the incident management team. According to the PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo, one Super Huey II and a Bell 205 helicopter under the Tactical Operations Wing of Southern Luzon were deployed to perform “heli-bucket” operations in response to the fire outbreak. Meanwhile, the cause of the forest fire is under investigation, and there are
many speculations about what could have caused it. Some say that the first day of the incident started with a bush fire on a Sunday, April 21, which began to conflagrate in the morning. On the second day, April 22, 2024, a Facebook video post of Mayor Wilferdo Rex Oliva confirmed that the said bush fires were responsible for the subsequent wildfire outbreak.
Mt. Asog has active fumaroles and hot springs and is home to the newly discovered smallest variant of Rafflesia, the Rafflesia camarinensis, which is endemic in the area. Rafflesia is known as a traditional medicine that aids women during pregnancy and is considered an aphrodisiac which the locals can use as a natural substitute when other medications are not available.
The mountain serves as a rich habitat for some species like fungi, fauna and animals native to the area. It also supplies drinking and irrigation water to surrounding localities and is home to tenured migrants and indigenous people living around the location.
Keeping this information in mind, as a community, we should protect Mt. Asog with respect to the beneficial impact it has on the environment and to its
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JOHN SIDRICK A. SALAMANQUE and BLAIR MICHAEL J. INNOCENTES
Bridgetines celebrate Rosary Month with culminating activity
BY LEIRA MARGARETH DAUTIL
St. Bridget School conducted a culminating event to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Rosary last October 27, 2023.
Law pro....from Page 5
Grade 12 stu...from Page 5 must be allowed to take exams regardless of their financial status. For students affected by disasters, emergencies, or other valid reasons, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is tasked with issuing certificates confirming their disadvantaged status. These certificates, issued by appropriate authorities, are crucial for the effective enforcement of the law.
Despite the enactment of RA 11984, an official copy of the law from Malacañang is pending, suggesting that additional details regarding its implementation may emerge. This legislative stride represents a significant advancement in promoting inclusivity and accessibility in education.
SocSci club...from Page 5
brought pails of water to wash away the unpleasant odor from the walls and floors of certain sites.
The LGU’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office deployed garbage trucks to carry the collected trash from different heritage sites to the garbage site.
The clean-up drive was successfully concluded at around 9 o’clock in the morning. The objective of the activity was to help students realize the importance of protecting the local heritage sites, since these places hold an important part in the history of a particular locality.
The initiative also helped create a sense of pride and responsibility among the students of St. Bridget School as they were able to contribute something to preserve and protect historical places.
The month of October, not only celebrates the devotion to the Holy Rosary, but it is also a time for repentance and peace. The rosary was prayed daily in the school by every class inside their respective classrooms.
recognized as the night’s royalty. After they were awarded, they had their first dance at the school quadrangle. It was followed by the batch’s cotillion accompanied by the beautiful tune and lyrics of the song “Golden Hour.”
Everyone enjoyed the dancing and the friendly associations. As the event drew to a close, more and more pictures were taken to immortalize the experience. The graduating batch went home with significant memories they would never want to lose. This night was filled with laughter and tears as they came closer to their graduation day.
A Path of...from Page 7
The abuse of freedom leads to misery and oppression. Devotion involves getting our hearts to really believe in something and putting our words into loving actions. It may not be an easy task to fulfill, but as long as we trust and believe in the grace of God and Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we can surely face anything that life throws at us.
Wildfire...from Page 15
inhabitants. To contribute to the betterment of our surroundings, we must learn the importance of our environment, and as a start, contribute to overall cleanliness and spread awareness of Mt. Asog’s importance.
The culminating activity of the rosary month, organized by the Campus Ministry coincided with the declaration of October
27 as a day of fasting, penance, and prayer for peace every year. The event was called “Roses for Mary” that made the students offer roses to the image of Mary that symbolized the beads of the rosary.
For each decade, the Tingraw Artists Company reenacted the corresponding Biblical scenes and ended their presentation with a tableau.
SBS participates in Himuloan Procession
BY Karl Friedrich A. Brazal
On October 3, 2023, St. Bridget School participated in the Himuloan Procession. After the Mass, the students, armed with their rosaries, joined the procession around the poblacion of Buhi. The students together with the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi lined up and filled the streets as they recited the Holy Rosary while walking along the designated route.
The Himuloan is a kind of a religious custom that gathers the best fruits of the land and offer them to God as act of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. This practice, which is part of the parish day activity, is a great opportunity to share the goods that are collected with people who are in need –
a practice that is close to the heart of St. Francis of Assisi, the beloved patron saint of Buhi. Besides the Himuloan, the parishioners brought their pets to be blessed by the priests, considering the love that St. Francis had shown to animals and to the environment.
These traditional
practices are well loved by the townspeople as they remind them to be grateful at all times and to take care of everything as trustworthy stewards of the land. The sense of being interconnected with one another and with the whole of creation manifests clearly the mind and heart of St. Francis.
The SBS community prayed solemnly as they meditated to the sorrowful mysteries as part of the culminating activity for the Rosary Month.
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar and Dhen Marc Berrot
Challenging The Status Quo
DAPHNE C. DE LEON
Due to the significant changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s academic calendar was greatly affected, causing the original schedule of classes from June to March to shift to August until May. Given that the pandemic is no longer a global concern, the Department of Education (DepEd) now intends to gradually revert to the old school calendar starting in the upcoming school year (SY) 2025-2026. But was the pandemic the sole reason for the change of the beginning and the end of the school year?
Something that may not be known to many is that there had already been discussions about shifting the academic calendar even before the COVID-19 outbreak. The main purpose was to align our school calendar with those of other countries, which typically begin in August. This adjustment was intended for students to have greater chances of getting into international programs, which would be beneficial to the country’s current education system. Since the August-May schedule became possible after the pandemic, let us reflect on the huge impact it made on student learning during the school year 2023-2024.
As the country reached the peak of the dry season, schools nationwide suffered because of the scorching heat. Instead of enjoying the supposed summer break from April to May, students
and teachers were confined to the four walls of their classrooms, enduring the intense heat that was not conducive to learning. The lack of cooling devices such as electric fans, which are essential during hot weather, made it more difficult for everyone to be able to focus during class discussions. This eventually led to the Department of Education’s declaration to suspend in-person classes. More than 7,000 out of the 47,000 schools across the country implemented asynchronous and online modes of learning. The high risk of learners and educators getting heat-related illnesses resulted in the public requesting a reversion to the old school calendar from DepEd.
Despite the clamor to revert back to the original June to March cycle, DepEd cannot implement it immediately due to several considerations. For
instance, students and teachers would not have enough time to get the rest that they need after the recently concluded school year. Furthermore, once the transition is carried out, the teachers and other school personnel will also have insufficient time to prepare for the new academic year. Because of these circumstances, the DepEd’s move to revert to the old school calendar may take two to three years. If the government truly wants to make a positive change in the educational system, it should begin by addressing and resolving issues that affect the well-being of students and educators as well.
Only one thing remains clear, that is, the present AugustMay schedule is not ideal in the Philippines. In general, however, is there really a certain period when we can go to school without such climate issues? As
climate change worsens over the years, shifting the school calendar will not allow us to avoid these unpredictable weather conditions. High temperatures and sudden heavy rainfall happen throughout the year, and what we can only do is to ensure that we are always prepared for them. We should prioritize investing on improving the classrooms to withstand extreme temperatures. Additionally, alternative learning modalities, such as modular or online learning, should be made accessible to every student. Having these alternatives will surely benefit learners, especially during times when going to school is not advisable. The Department of Education should always be ready to implement feasible measures in situations like this, rather than simply returning to the old school calendar at the expense of the students.
Sources: https://www.philstar.com/ headlines/2024/04/11/2346772/governmentworking-revert-old-school-calendar-marcos https://newsinfo.inquirer. net/1928960/hot-weather-prompts-5800schools-to-switch-to-online-classesother-modes#:~:text=MANILA%2C%20 Philippines%20%E2%80%94%20The%20 Department%20of,(ADM)%20in%20their%20 classes https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/ in-depth/why-reverting-old-academicschool-calendar-just-stopgap-measure/ https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/6/teachersgroups-react-to-marcos-backing-thereversion-to-old-school-calendar https://www.pna.gov.ph/ articles/1223632#:~:text=MANILA%20 %E2%80%93%20Amid%20the%20extreme%20 heat,in%20the%20upcoming%20school%20 year https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/ topstories/nation/905842/marcos-saysreverting-to-old-school-calendar-better-forkids/story/#:~:text=We%20also%20have%20 to%20keep,in%202020%2C%22%20he%20 added https://opinion.inquirer.net/171174/ changing-calendars-for-changing-times https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/ planned-return-to-old-school-calendar-maytake-two-years-says-deped https://www.philstar.com/ other-sections/education-andhome/2017/05/24/1703321/synchronizedschool-calendar-eneficial-education-system https://www.universityworldnews.com/ post.php?story=20140422133320354
FEATURE
“Para po!” is a phrase commonly known among millions of Filipinos as they ride these colorfully painted jeepneys, often packed with passengers, along with the loud noise, fuming exhaust, and screeching sounds when rumbled to a stop. This is the daily commuting experience for many who rely on these jeepneys.
Jeepneys are typically a cheaper and more affordable means of public transportation, with fares lower than those of buses, trains, and other options for as low as 13 pesos. Jeepney operators also claim that they have lower maintenance costs compared to other vehicles. With approximately 200,000 jeepneys nationwide, they are known as the “Hari ng Kalsada” for a reason.
But this large scale of jeepneys is bound to change after the government’s plan to replace traditional jeepneys with new minibuses for a better transportation system which led to a crisis.
Over the past few years, countless opinions have led to heated debate on the topic of jeepney modernization. The authorities were aware of the situation but made no effort to make a difference. Despite having numerous jeepney drivers going on strike, their concerns were still ignored, with little regard for many factors that can impact the livelihood of both drivers
and commuters. This raises the question of whether there is a much-needed upgrade to our transportation system, or if this will only result in leaving drivers and commuters behind.
On June 19, 2017, the Department of Transportation issued the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. This program aims to have safer, more sustainable, and road-worthy vehicles.
Unlike larger cities, this program also covers all provinces nationwide. However, the necessity of this program in smaller towns like Buhi is being questioned.
These modern or e-jeepneys, imported from other countries, feature larger capacities, are air-conditioned for added comfort, emit lower pollution to reduce environmental impact and have a more standardized design.
Many may not be opposed to modernization, but officials should consider that the amount of 2.5 million pesos per unit for modern jeepneys is out of reach for ordinary jeepney drivers, even if the government subsidizes
8.4%, which will reduce the cost by 210,000 pesos. This will not be enough for jeepney drivers to cover all the remaining expenses. According to a Buhinon jeepney driver, local drivers simply wait for what the government wants to imply regarding any potential changes in public transportation. He also mentioned that minibuses are not quite necessary for provinces. Traditional jeepneys are more accessible and practical for transporting goods in rural areas. Considering the price and the availability of other public vehicles such as tricycles and motorcycles, as well as the short distance from Buhi to Iriga, it would not be worth investing in
Couples who break up are always a hot topic to talk about. Recently, numerous splits have occurred, mostly between celebrity couples. For instance, the breakup of the KathNiel love team shocked Filipinos worldwide. Fans were speechless; some were heartbroken, and others were overjoyed. People had different views about the situation, reflecting the mixed reactions. Most people are already referring to it as the “breakup of the decade.” Now, if we were to take this up a notch and add a bit of politics to the concoction, what do you think we would get?
The unique dynamic between our President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte is a hot topic among the Filipino people. Their alliance, named “UniTeam,” a play on words for unity, became iconic as it struck the hearts of its supporters after winning a landslide of votes and support in the 2022 national elections. Just recently, Vice President Sara Duterte announced her resignation as a member of the presidential cabinet. Aside from leaving the cabinet, she also left the position of Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Co-Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) effective July 19, 2024. President Marcos Jr. duly accepted the resignation, so I guess we could say that they’ve “split” and “gone on their separate ways,” and the “UniTeam” Alliance is no more than a myth.
Furthermore, the Duterte family’s beef with President Marcos Jr. adds fuel to the fire, making the
President and Vice President’s alliance and relationship bleak. During a prayer rally in Davao City that coincided with President Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas rally in Manila last January, the Vice President’s father and former President Duterte called Marcos “bangag,” meaning high on drugs, as well as someone who wanted to be a dictator just like his late father, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Moreover, the Vice President’s brother and current Davao City Mayor, Sebastian Duterte, said Marcos should step down from his post because he lacks vision for the country. Their relationship is somewhat similar to a failing marriage that they are trying to hold together. However, it is a futile attempt, as it causes more harm than good. I don’t oppose the Vice President’s decision to resign as Secretary of the Department of Education; it is favorable, as she lacks vision for this department as well as transparency, which many Filipinos are asking from
her. During her time as secretary, her actions only brought dissatisfaction and difficulties. The infamous P150 million in confidential funds, used for unknown reasons, says a lot. The education sector would be in shambles if this continued for the following years. What I am concerned about is her decision to leave the President’s Cabinet. Considering the numerous problems we are currently facing, especially the issue with China in the West Philippine Sea, the President will need all the support he can get. It would have been wise if they kept personal matters to themselves, especially when they had bigger things to deal with. They should have left the discord between their families in the past. But they didn’t, which makes me wonder about their ability to lead and how the following years will play out.
This begs me to question: what happened to the “unity” they are proud of? Is unity still in the room with us? It is quite ironic for their
the new units.
While jeepney drivers are being pressured to comply with the modernization program, they face uncertainty about what the future holds for them. During the Finance Subcommittee K’s second hearing, Gatchalian noted a “zero” allocation for the program in 2024. “In other words, we compel them to modernize, but we don’t have any support to be given in the next few years,” said Gatchalian. After numerous protests, the DOTr has only granted jeepney operators an extended consolidation deadline, which has left drivers concerned about having to take on significant debt to meet the modernization
requirements and cover other expenses themselves, with a lack of support from the government.
The plea made by the jeepney driver reflects genuine concern about the implications of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP). It would not be fair to assign blame to Jeepney drivers for organizing these transport strikes, for they too have valid justifications.
The current situation arising from this crisis has sparked numerous doubts and fears among jeepney drivers. They have once again been out on the streets to protest, continuing to hope for change. Perhaps their voices will be heard to advocate for further research and analysis of the program’s impact, rather than coercing drivers into participating in the government’s plan.
To fully embrace modernization, it is important for us to thoroughly explore and consider alternative approaches that can provide benefits for everyone involved. Remember that change can be positive if it ultimately leads to improvement and progress for all.
tagline and motto to be “sama sama tayong babangon muli,” when their situation makes it clear that the unity they have been building is a total hoax. The absence of unity, along with their separation, sparks the question of competence. If they cannot duly uphold the values they present and recognize as truth, they are not fit to serve in their position. Seeing how the Vice President decided to step down from her position as the Secretary of the Department of Education and Co-Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict when the president himself chose to give the Vice President these responsibilities further support what I claim and believe in. Are they not on the same page? If
they know they can’t perform the expected duties, why take the job?
Having a clear vision is important for a leader; without it, they can never be as effective as you’d expect them to be. Thus, the question of their leadership’s effectiveness and competence remains, regardless of their relationship. Saying they lack the redeeming qualities and values of a leader isn’t far-fetched either, considering their reason for running seem to be driven by personal interests. Seeing how the President ran to clear his family’s name while the Vice President ran to maintain their political dynasty, it’s not outlandish to think they ran without the people’s interests in mind, focusing instead on what they could gain for themselves.
ALEXANDRA GABRIELLE B. LAVADIA
ERICK ROVIC AGUILAR
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Bicolano Engineer Invents Thermal Insulating Powder
RHODEX R. VALENCIANO II
April 29, 2024 – An engineer from Naga City, Dexter de Castro, invented a solution to the heat problem that many Filipinos are currently worried about. He invented a thermal insulating powder that reduces indoor heat temperature to as much as sixty percent. According to the information gathered by Jan Milo Severo, a PhilStar writer, Engr. Dexter de Castro expressed that his invention was inspired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) technology.
According to Engr. De Castro, the coating used in space shuttles are made of pre-cracked ceramic tiles. This coating acts as a preventive measure for accidents that may lead people to be burned inside the space shuttle. The inventor used this as a model for his invention. He also used similar materials found in pre-cracked ceramic tiles like
silica, alumina, and nano ceramic particles. These components create the heat-reducing effect
in the paint mixture he invented.
Last year, Engr. Junval Parco tested this invention by applying
two coatings of the said paint on the walls of his own residential house while directly exposed
to the sun. He observed sudden decrease in temperature inside his house. Before, according to Engr. Parco, he could not get a good sleep because of the intense heat inside his house. But after using the paint on his house, the heat subsided.
After testing the product, Engr. Parco now uses Engr. De Castro’s paint mixture in his projects. He claimed that he gets positive feedback from his customers. After a year of studying the quality of his invention, Engr. De Castro had started selling it. A bucket of his powder costs one thousand six hundred twenty pesos or three hundred thirty pesos per kilogram. He now plans to apply for a patent at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to secure a copyright for his invention.
Source:https://www.google.com/ amp/s/www.philstar.com/lifestyle/ modernliving/2024/04/29/235132.6/bicolanoengineer-invents-paint-reportedly-reduces60-percent-heat/amp/
With the recent events that 2024 has for us, the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, also known as the Great North American Eclipse, became a highly anticipated event. Beholding the sight of the lifetime, the syzygy of the sun, moon, and Earth, the total solar eclipse moved across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Eclipses occur on our planet when the sun, moon, and Earth line up. The exact alignment determines what kind of eclipse we see. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking at least some of the sun and casting a shadow on our planet. The moon can block the sun because, on average, it is 400 times smaller than the sun but also 400 times closer to Earth. The two objects thus have a very similar apparent size in our sky. This only occurs during the alignment of the sun and moon when the moon enters the new moon phase and is on the same side of the Earth.
Though one may wonder if a solar eclipse only occurs during a new moon, knowing that a
new moon happens once a month, why is this not true for a solar eclipse?
Well, due to the moon’s orbit around Earth being tilted by approximately five degrees it does not orbit in the same plane as the sun and Earth. Now, this does not necessarily mean that a solar eclipse is not plausible; it is just that the conditions are way too specific. Conditions like the moon’s shadow hitting Earth when passing the sun only happen twice a year, known as “eclipse season.” When the new moon crosses the Earth-sun or ecliptic plane, a solar eclipse occurs. Additionally, it needs to be perfectly accurate, especially for a total solar eclipse to happen. In other words, it is pretty rare.
The last total solar eclipse in the Philippines occurred on October 24, 1995, which was almost three decades ago. During the 1995 eclipse, only TawiTawi, an island province located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), experienced totality. However, the province was not blessed with clear skies, and since then, there has not been a solar eclipse in the country.
Knowing this, when can we witness a solar eclipse here in the Philippines? According to NASA, the next one will not be until April 20, 2042. Astronomers refer to the April 2042 eclipse as part of the “Saros 139.” The Saros cycle governs the periodicity and recurrence of solar eclipses, which happen every 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours. The first of this
series of eclipses occurred in the year 1501 and will end in 2763. Although the series of eclipses is repeating, their locations still vary.
The solar eclipse will trace its darkest shadow over the entire stretch of Palawan, then go eastward over Masbate, and finally exit the Philippines over Albay. We can expect to see the beautiful Mayon volcano and the solar eclipse—truly a sight of the century. These will surely be a hotspot for spectators and astrophotographers. Aside from the Philippines, the eclipse will also be prominent on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, Eastern Malaysia, and Brunei.
LITERARY
Eternal Despair
by: Alessandra Ciedelle Morada
You contemplate the night sky
Seeing you shine made me cry
Things will never be the same
That's why you never came
Little did I know you're hurting
Now, here I am regretting
Can't you stay for a while?
I'll even run a mile
You've become a star
Even though April is still far You made the world look different I really wish you were more patient.
My eyes became swollen
Visit my dreams more often I was never a good person
That's why I couldn't give you any reason.
With You by My Side
by: Jessie Librando
With you by my side, oh I can see it all, those sparkly eyes that make things fall. Those lovely smiles with the joyous atmosphere make my heart flutter, my dear.
With you by my side, oh I can appreciate it all, your loving and caring attitude makes me want it more. The way you act got me thinking: This girl’s personality is a blessing, truly a heaven-sent I can’t deny. So will you embark on this journey without saying goodbye? Being loved by you is the greatest feeling and I’m never fleeing, from your love so warm and gentle that it makes my life worth living.
With you by my side, oh I can imagine it all, the endless possibilities you and I have together; So won’t you stick with me forever?
Your love makes me delusional to the point that I know it’s not natural; So I just lie here in an empty room feeling emotional. Thinking of our future makes me nervous, but when I’m with you it’s obvious that whatever the future holds, with you and me, I know it’s going to be easy.
With you by my side, yes I want you by my side forever, I want to be better and grow with you.
With you by my side, I’m happy you’re the best thing that happened to me my whole life.
I know there’s a lot of overthinking, I know there are dark days but trust me I’ll stay with you
And choose you; because that’s how much I trust you, adore you, and love you.
Thank you for coming into my life and making it better by simply sticking together.
I wrote this poem not to inspire, but to show my never-ending desire –Desire to love you and protect you at all cost.
In this cruel world, we’ll always be together forever.
Sincerely, Jessie
A Heart’s Soliloquy
By Hannah Sanglay
The beauty of a transparent heart is knowing what’s within In its depths, where love begins, Within my heart’s soliloquy Your name echoes out a symphony.
Your presence, a hypnotic view that transcends into an everlasting beauty Amidst of great despair and sorrow Embrace of solitude, granting my serenity. Through the labyrinthine depths of your embrace
I find solace in every winding trace
To love you, a privilege, as if whispered by fate, our paths align In your presence, serendipity intertwines. With every glance, we see through the veil In love’s sanctuary, we never fail.
A Distance Admiration
by: Prince Sarto
Thinking of you might be crazy,
But you lived in my head rent-free. If too, spill the tea, Admiring you from afar is the only key.
It hurts loving you unfairly, Like a dove, I’ll release you peacefully. Looking at you from afar tearfully, But still, admiring you is lovely.
Perishing Psyche
by: Ianah Punzalan
Drowning so deep, losing hope, Lies a soul trying to cope. Silent cries, no one shall know, As tears led to sorrow.
Lost in darkness, seeking light, Can’t be found in sight. Where to go, mind so lost, Needing serenity the most.
Stuck in a cage, breaking through, Chained at this infantile age. Heart so fragile, it doesn’t speak, Breaking apart, blood will leak.
“Surrender’s
Symphony”
By: Maria Socorro R. Templonuevo
For all those countless days and nights
Somehow, I’m losing all of sight
Hiding within the lush bushes
The blood in my veins then rushes
Eyes that seemingly aimed at me
Piercing gazes shot painfully
The jungle called you pulls me in The bugs creeping under my skin
Ah, it’s eerily calling me
Fill my ears with your melody
You, whose habit of controlling
All I hear is heavy breathing
With both of my eyes blindfolded I shall give it up all to you
My own wounded heart, soul and mind
There is nothing else I can do
Ending with only destruction
A penetrating attraction
HEART HUSTLE AND HONOR
T2023 Intramurals return in full force
BY ANGELA ISHII RICAFRANCA
he intramurals, one of the most anticipated events every school year, took place to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The competition was fierce for the very beginning. The Junior High School and Senior High School teams gave their all for the gimmick parade that happened around the población of Buhi. This was followed by the Best Yell contest to show their utmost support to their own respective teams. After the health break and the necessary preparations, the intramurals proceeded with the raising of team flags, taking the oath of sportsmanship, and the lighting of the torch. The SSG Chairperson on Sports, Marc Dominic Corral, oversaw the general flow of the activities. And the ceremonial lighting of the torch officially began the Intramurals 2023.
The Envoys ranked first in badminton (Men’s doubles), table tennis (Women’s singles), dart, volleyball (Boys), and scrabble making them the overall champion for the Junior High
School Department. For the Senior High School Department, the Sentinels got the first place in chess, scrabble, badminton (women’s singles), Game of the Generals, basketball (boys), and
volleyball (boys) and was declared the overall champion in the SBS Intramurals 2023, which took place on November 24-27 with the theme “BËGKËS: Together We LIVE, LOVE, LEARN, and PLAY.”
Bridgetine athletes shine at 5th OPSCSI Congressional Meet
BY PHOEBE SALTARIN
The athletes of St. Bridget School demonstrated remarkable performances at the OPSCSI 5th Congressional Meet held in Baao, Camarines Sur on January 20 to 21, 2024. The event brought together athletes from various schools which competed with each other across multiple disciplines.
On day one, the participants representing St. Bridget School joined the parade that served as the start of the two-day event. After the parade, a short program was held at the Baao Municipal Covered Court. In the afternoon, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, badminton, billiards, and kick volleyball (sepak takraw) were among the games that were played. Angel Aguinillo and Kirsten Ilumin finished 4th place in the women’s badminton singles category, while Carl Merilles earned 3rd place in the men’s singles category. The players of basketball and kick volleyball finished 3rd place,
while the other remaining athletes continued to fight for the championship title. Kirsten Ilumin said, “We are okey, even there are many things that could have done and the obstables abound; many did not believe in us and they told us, we cannot win but we still managed to achieve something” (Okay lang po, kahit maraming pagkukulang, maraming obstacles, maraming hindi naniniwala, nagsasabi sa amin na hindi kami makakaplace man lang, naka-place pa rin kami.) Badminton player Kirsten Ilumin added, “Because of what we had been through, I discovered more and more my
strengths and weaknesses; what I needed to develop and where I excelled in” (Dahil din dito, natutuhan ko yung mga strengths and weaknesses ko, kung saan ako nagkulang, and kung saan ako magaling.).
On the second day of the competition, the athletes competed in women’s volleyball, badminton singles for men, badminton doubles for women, table tennis, and billiards. The Badminton women’s doubles won 2nd place, while the badminton player Vince Azcarraga, the table tennis players Giorgen De Leon and Johanna Arcilla, the billiards player Matthew Padilla,
The winners were announced during the Intramural Ball held in the evening of November 27, 2023. Even if there was an intermittent rainfall, it did not stop the students from dancing. The rainfall was a sign
of blessing for the students who participated in the intramurals. It was nature’s way of applauding the achievements of the participants and acknowledging their best efforts in the different competitions.
and the volleyball women’s team got first place in their respective games.
Ishii Ricafranca, the team captain of the volleyball team, said, “It is such an honor for us to be able to represent our school in our favorite sport at the OPSCSI meet. All I can say is that I am proud of each and every one of us. I also want to thank our coaches and trainers
for their help and support – mentally and physically throughout the entire journey.” Indeed, the performance of the athletes reflects their extreme dedication and training and displayed their skills and sportsmanship on the competitive stage without being affected by the numerous limitations and shortcomings.
Volleyball girls players from SBS Shepherds took a photo op before the start of the game together with their coach, Ms. Russel Yamar (back/center).
PHOTO: Erick Aguilar
