BSHS_TheTrueReflections_2022-2023

REFLECTIONS.

DELEGATION

VISITS BSHS

Breaking Cultural Barriers!

It’s not every day that a group of Japanese students and professors travel all the way to the Philippines to observe high school classes and student engagement, but that’s exactly what happened on February 23 when a delegation from Ehime University and University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) visited Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS).

2.21%

were classified as independent learners

BSHS logs Low Literacy Rate

DepEd urges School Heads to adapt Alternative Delivery Mode

Justine Mationg

While,

89.31% belonged to the frustration level learners

High percentage of low literacy could be attributed to the effects of Covid-19 which widen the learning gap.

As the scorching summer heat continues to affect various parts of the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) has advised school heads to consider adapting classes from in-person to alternative delivery modes.

In line with these concerns, Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) has recently implemented a new schedule of classes, separating boys and girls into different schedules to reduce the heat caused by overcrowded rooms.

From May 8 to 12, all boys will attend school while girls will have their turn from May 15 to 19. This schedule lasts until June 2.

comfortable learning environment for the students and prevent them from suffering the effects of extreme heat during their classes.

I believe the new schedule of classes is a step in the right direction, as it allows us to manage the overcrowding issue and provides a more comfortable learning environment, prioritizing the well-being of our students during these weather conditions.

Voyage to Excellence

were classified under instructional readers

8.48%

Students who are not assigned to attend the scheduled in-person classes will have to accomplish asynchronous activities.

Teachers distributed learning materials in digital or print for the students to answer independently at home.

This move aims to provide a more

Erick Manibog, Math teacher

Some students voiced their discontent with the new schedule, expressing dissatisfaction with the gender-based separation and the belief that it doesn’t effectively address the problem of overcrowded classrooms and encourages the school head to have a consultative meeting with the stakeholders before deciding.

BSHS Teachers Excel in LIBRO 2022 Recognition

Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) was awarded an outstanding recognition in the LIBRO: LRMDS Implementation and Betterment Recognition Opportunity 2022, which showcased the exceptional achievements of its dedicated teachers in their exemplary performance.

This prestigious initiative, outlined in Division Memorandum No. 586 s 2022, seeks to acknowledge and celebrate

outstanding accomplishments in the implementation of the Learning Resource Management and Development System (LRMDS).

BSHS teachers have clinched the top spot in the category of Best Print Instructional Material, with their Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) being recognized as a stellar resources for effective teaching and learning.

In addition, the different subject areas

have been commended for their notable Print Instructional Materials: Araling Panlipunan LAS, English LAS, Filipino LAS, Mathematics LAS, MAPEH LAS, Science LAS, and TLE LAS. BSHS teachers’ commitment to excellence has resulted in the creation of LAS that empower students in their educational journey.

As of this writing, BSHS teachers continue to write LAS for use of their students.

Antiporta secures 3rd

Justine Mationg

ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU. Ehime University delegates visit Bagong Silangan High School to observe different teaching methods and to experience educational diversity.

Photo: Francheska Bautista

Nena Acosta, English teacher

BAGONG SILANGAN HIGH SCHOOL OFFICIAL ENGLISH JOURN PUBLICATION

Justine Mationg

BSHS LINK Club Holds Culminating Activity, Mental Health Promoted

Bagong Silangan High School’s Lusog Isip Ng Kabataan Club (LINK Club) concluded its Mental Health Week with a culminating activity that aimed to promote mental health and well-being among the students on October 14, 2022.

Ms. Lea Guevarra, LINK club adviser, spearheaded the activity which involved various booths set up in the school to help identify and address the students’ mental health concerns.

At one booth, students were asked to share their deepest thoughts and feelings, while at others, they were encouraged to engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as yoga and meditation. There was also a booth where students received candies with inspiring messages that aimed to spread positivity and encouragement.

“Nagtayo po tayo ng mga different booths in our school diba, such as a booth to identify and address that um, what they felt on that day, what are their deepest thoughts and mga iba pang booth and we give some candies with some encouraging thoughts on it so we think that is a better activity to end Mental health week,” Ms. Guevarra said. Moreover, the club hopes that through such activities, students will not only feel supported in dealing with their mental health concerns, but will also feel empowered to help others.

EHIME DELEGATION VISITS

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The day started with a warm welcome from the school administration, during which the Ehime students and professors had the opportunity to sit in on various classes from Grades 9-10, observing the teaching methods and student-teacher dynamics.

According to Sugaya Nariko, a professor of Ehime University, the main purpose of visiting BSHS was to experience educational diversity. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for academic exchange programs as part of the agreement signed between University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), College of Education and Ehime University was implemented.

“Our main program is based on the memorandum of understanding for the

BSHS Celebrates 51st Founding Anniversary

Marianne Silla

Celebration with a bang!

Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) celebrated its 51st founding anniversary on April 14, 2023, with a range of performances that aimed to strengthen the sense of community among students, teachers, and other members of the BSHS family.

The celebration showcased the students’ talents not only in academics but also in dancing as every grade level performed different dance presentation, from folk dance to tango and hip-hop.

The highlight of the celebration was the search for Mr. and Ms. Bagong Silangan 2023 teacher and student edition.

The pageant’s winners were Rani Eliah Doll Oscaris and Deniel Mapa, both Grade 10 students who bested their fellow candidates with their wit, charm, and grace.

Ms. Madz Escala and Mr. Ryan Dequina, teachers from the MAPEH department, were hailed as Mr. and Ms. Bagong Silangan 2023 in the teachers’ category.

Alyssa Tesado

academic exchange program with the UPIS. However, to learn about the diversity of Philippine society, culture, and educational environment, we also included a visit to a public school,” said Nariko.

Expressing hope to send students again starting in April next year, Sugaya Nariko explained that the students who visited BSHS were actually part of last year’s program, which was temporarily halted for three years due to the pandemic.

“We are planning to have another batch of students visit the Philippines for further experience but we don’t know how many of them will join due to various reasons such as graduation and different curriculum,” she said.

During the visit, 20 students and two professors from Ehime University took part in conducting the program, along with one of their own English teachers, Toshiko Ando.

Ando expressed her excitement in observing the lesson in the Philippines, especially in seeing how English and other subjects are taught to students.

“I wanted to enjoy visiting the Philippines to get to know the exchange program better, how Ehime University continued to collaborate with the University of the Philippines Integrated School and the school from the Philippines,” Ando said in an interview.

This program has been conducted since 2007, with more than 400 students having visited the Philippines in the past 15 years.

One of the Japanese students, Nishikado Haruna, shared that she enjoyed observing the classes and learned how the teacher and students collaborated. She said that she wanted to be a teacher in the future, so her experience in this visit meant a lot.

“I joined this program because I want to be a teacher in the future and I wanted to understand the differences between Philippine and Japanese classes,” said Haruna. “I enjoyed observing the class in the Philippines and have gained a lot of knowledge.”

BSHS Principal Maria Gina Rocena expressed her gratitude for the hospitality and generous welcome extended to Sugaya Nariko and Ehime students despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.

“We are honored to have the delegation from Ehime University visit our school and share their experience with us Silanganians,” Ms. Rocena, BSHS principal said.

In the past, the club has organized workshops and seminars that have helped students develop coping skills and strategies to manage stress and anxiety, which have become more prevalent since the pandemic began.

The LINK Club hopes that the event will continue to inspire and encourage students to prioritize their mental health and well-being, both during and beyond the pandemic.

Deniel Mapa, who was named Mr. Bagong Silangan 2023, shared his joy and gratitude for winning the title.

“The experience was overwhelming, and it was all worth it. I never expected to win, but I was grateful for the opportunity to represent my section and showcase my skills and talent,” he said.

“Masaya at grateful at the same time kasi bago ‘yun sa ‘kin and syempre marami akong naging bagong kaibigan halos lahat ng candidates naging kaibigan ko, super friendly rin kasi nila.

He admitted that the impromptu Q&A

was the most challenging part of the pageant, but he was able to handle it with grace and confidence.

On the other hand, students could not help but scream as they witnessed their teachers performed in an event that of a beauty pageant. All teacher participants in the pageant showcased their talents.

The celebration aimed to promote a sense of camaraderie among students and teachers, especially in these challenging times when the pandemic has affected the mental health and well-being of many for three years.

BSHS spearheads free haircut

BSHS spearheads free haircut Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) took a remarkable step towards inspiring its students with a groundbreaking initiative that gives students a free hair trimming service held at BSHS Open Area on October 12, 2022, from 9 a.m, to 12 p.m.

Spearheaded by the school principal, Ms. Maria Gina M. Rocena, the free trimming service (“Binata si Kuya Project”) aims to

boost confidence and provide inspiration to the students, with Grade 7 students sponsored by the Rotary Club and Grade 8 and 9 students receiving assistance from Police Station 13 and the Joint Task Force.

Rotary Club’s (RC) president Luther Punzalan emphasized the RC’s commitment to empowering the youth by saying that RC focuses on children being the country’s future, especially to help the less fortunate ones.

The goal was to make students feel good about themselves and recognize the impact

their appearance has on their self-esteem and performance.

The transformative experience of a haircut left students like Sherwin Libando with a mix of emotions. “Nahihiya, tsaka masaya na kinakabahan kasi hindi ko alam kung anong magiging tingin sakin ng iba.” Libando shared.

As BSHS continues to prioritize the holistic development of its students, projects like these pave the way for a brighter future, empowering young minds to strive for excellence in all their endeavors.

CELEBRATION WITH A BANG. Bagong Silangan High School celebrates the 51st founding anniversary with students and teachers pageant being its main event.

Photo: Francheska Bautista

I hope spreading positivity not only among members of LINK club but those who participated like students and teachers as well, we’ll continue to strengthen their mental health and positivity and be a blessing to others kasi yun yung talagang kailangan.”

Ms. Lea Guevarra LINK club adviser

Marianne D. Silla

Justine Mationg

ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU. Ehime University delegates visit Bagong Silangan High School to observe different teaching methods and to experience educational diversity. Photo: Francheska Bautista

“Breaking barriers, shaping the future”

Reflectioners finish DSSPC with 37 wins, 1 RSPC ticket

Bringing home the bacon!

The Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) campus journalists under the True Reflections once again made the Silanganians proud at the District Secondary School Press conference (DSSPC) held at Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma High School, on Dec. 3, 2022, bringing home 30 wins at various categories.

The campus journalists competed with 7 schools with 9 individual categories such as news, editorial, feature, sports, science, column, photojournalism, editorial cartooning and Copyreading and Headline writing (CRHW) and 3 group categories which were radio broadcasting, tv broadcasting, and collaborative desktop publishing.

Notable winners from The True Reflections included Ahron Briñas, who bagged first place in Editorial Cartooning, Mc Kenly Estrella, securing first place in Sports Writing, and Konelley Parada, taking the top spot in Science Writing.

In addition to the individual awards, The True Reflections excelled in group categories as well.

The Radio Broadcasting team secured third place in both Best Script and Best Infomercial.

The TV Broadcasting team achieved an overall third-place position and received accolades for Best Script, Best Technical Application, and Best News Presenter.

The Collaborative Desktop Publishing team showcased their skills by securing first place overall, winning first place in Layout,

News Page, Opinion Page, Feature Page, and Sports Page.

The True Reflections accumulated a total of 102 points in English journalism, earning them third place overall, while BSHS’s official Filipino publication, Ang Dalubwika, obtained 92 points, securing second place overall in Filipino journalism.

With a combined total of 192 points, BSHS ranked third among all schools in the CD2 region.

Division Press Triumphs

The success continued at the Division Secondary School Press Conference (DSSPC) held at San Francisco High School in February and March 2023.

The BSHS English journalists took home seven wins, with Ahron John Briñas, awarded as the champion in Editorial

Cartooning and earning a ticket to the Regional School Press Conference (RSPC).

The collaborative desktop publishing, TV broadcasting, and Online collaborative publishing proved thier powers by winning several special awards.

Despite the challenges due to the face-to-face platform of the District and Division after the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, the BSHS English journalists demonstrated their resilience and determination.

Under the guidance of their school paper adviser, Ms. Maria Lulu Tuason, The True Reflections maintained their competitive edge and brought home multiple accolades, cementing their position as talented journalists in the division.

BSHS conducts first in-person Oath-Taking Ceremony

For the first time, after 2 years of online classes and restrictions in social gatherings, Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) hosted a face-toface oath-taking ceremony for its newly elected club and organization officers on January 24, 2023.

After months of finding and selecting the ideal students who are qualified for the position of being a student leader who will lead the school’s official clubs and

organizations, BSHS successfully conducted the oath-taking for the academic year 2022-2023 with the help of the school principal, Ms. Maria Gina M. Rocena and the assistant principal, Mr. Ferdinand P. Noble, who spoke about the important values and characteristics that a student leader must possess in order to have an effective leadership.

In cooperation with the teachers in-charge of the recognized clubs and organizations,

the new set of student officers of the Filipino Club, Science Club, Damath Club, Junior Librarians Club, English Club, Math Club, MAPEH Club, KPSEP, CIC, SADAAC, GAD, Interact Club, MYM LINK Club, Yes-O Club, Filipino and English Journalism Club, BSP, Benevolence Officers from Grade 7 to Grade 10 and SSG Officers have simultaneously pledged their vows with sincerity and commitment to fulfill their tasks and responsibilities they bore as student leaders.

There is no doubt that BSHS produces outstanding student leaders. Even before they took their oaths, they have already proven that they are fully committed to their responsibilities because of how organized every club has been with the flow of their programs. Inspite all this, everyone still hopes that these newly elected officers will stay consistent with their promise and will continue to share their leadership skills for the betterment of the school.

Jhexie Lou Sablas

ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM. BSHS English Journalism’s DSSPC participants take a pose during their official pictorial with Ms. Maria Gina M. Rocena, school principal, Ms. Gloria G. Dela Cruz, HT VI English, and Ms. Maria Lulu Tuason, The True Reflections adviser. Photo: Laureen D. Tan

Sofia Yvonne De Guzman

PNP Intensifies Drug Awareness Campaign

The Community Immersion Program by Philippine National Police Basic Internal Security Operation Course (PNP-BISOC) was held at Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) on December 5, which aimed to raise Drug Awareness among students.

They discussed the aspects that causes the use of illegal drugs, including peer pressure and the problems inside their houses.

They also mentioned the causes why people do crime, like financial problem or the will of people.

“Hindi mapapagod ang PNP na magturo sa mga barangay at school para magkaroon kayo ng sapat na kaalaman pagdating sa mga bagay na maaaring makasira sa inyong kinabukasan.” Police Corporal Romel Buhangin, one of the police emphasized.

(Our police community will never get tired of informing the barangay and the school about things that may ruin your future.)

The purpose of it was to protect students from things that causes harm in their lives. According to Buhangin, they have been doing this for a long time that was why they expected that the number of people who used illegal drugs and the number of crime in the country have decreased because many people are aware nowadays.

BSHS shelters Paeng evacuees

Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) in coordination with the QCLGU sheltered approximately 500 residents of Bagong Silangan who were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng on October 29, 2022. Amidst the devastating weather conditions, BSHS swiftly mobilized its resources to accommodate families from low-lying areas seeking safety and assistance.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, BSHS staff worked to ensure the safety of the evacuees. BSHS Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee led the evacuation activities.

The school’s preparedness and effective coordination were evident as they provided support and assistance to those in need.

However, some concerns were raised regarding the entry process, which led to extended wait times due to the requirement of a valid ID.

Evacuees expressed their distress over the delays, highlighting the challenging

circumstances they faced during this critical time.

“They handled the situation well naman, kasi nakaready sila at may mga nag a-assist naman, but yun nga lang ang tagal nila magpapasok nakakaawa yung mga evacuees.” one evacuee said in acknowledging the efforts made by BSHS and its staff.

(They handled the situation well, they were prepared, and there were people assisting, but the entry process took a long time, which was unfortunate for the evacuees.)

In the aftermath of the typhoon, the community came together to support the recovery process.

Within a week, residents in various areas of Bagong Silangan received much-needed food packs, which aim to alleviate the immediate impact of the disaster and aid in their ongoing recovery.

BSHS Alumnus Tops Electrical Engineering Board Exam

Atoast to your success!

Bagong Silangan High School

(BSHS) alumnus Christian Dave Lozano Guevarra, who graduated from Rizal Technological University, has earned a well-deserved triumph by achieving the top spot in the Electrical Engineering Board Exam with an impressive rating of 93.25%.

In reflecting on his success, Guevarra expressed his surprise and gratitude for the achievement, stating, “To be honest, hindi ko talaga inexpect na magtop 1 sa board. Nangyari lang na binigay sakin yung pagiging top 1.”

Guevarra emphasized the importance of

aiming high and putting in consistent effort.

“Para sa’kin, lahat naman may kakayahang magtop sa board, it’s just a matter of the amount of effort na ibubuhos mo,” he said.

Guevarra also acknowledged the significance of guidance and support from others in honing one’s talents.

“Binigay sayo yan kaya need mo ng guidance kung pano mo gagamitin yung talent na yon,” he added.

With his remarkable achievement, Guevarra serves as an inspiration and highlights the excellence fostered by BSHS and Rizal Technological University in shaping future professionals in the field of electrical engineering.

QCLGU donates school supplies

To help lessen the burden of parents in providing school materials necessary for students, the Quezon City Local Government Unit (QCLGU) donated school supply kits to Grade 7 and Grace 8 students at Bagong Silangan High School from October 7 to 12, 2022.

Stationeries such as coloured papers, A4-size bond papers, intermediate pads, pencils, and pens are included in the school supply kits placed inside red bags which are distributed to the students.

After receiving the school kit, a Grade 7 student expresses her gratitude. She said that the school supplies will help them since they do not have to buy a set of new

ones.

“Masaya, kasi meron na po kaming school supplies. Hindi na po kami bibili, makakatulong din ito. As our parents need not to buy these school supplies anymore.”

Furthermore, teachers and school’s non-teaching personnels also received the school kits.

BSHS Launches Career Orientation Program

To help Grade 10 students make informed decisions about their Senior High School (SHS) track, Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) recently launched a career orientation program on February 28, 2023.

The program was organized by BSHS in collaboration with more than 20 senior high schools around the area.

Through the program, Grade 10 students were provided with the opportunity to meet representatives from different schools and gather information about the upcoming school year of 20232024.

This included presentations from each school about their campuses and booths where students could gather information

about different courses and requirements for enrollment.

According to Antonio Lumandaz, a Grade 10 student, the program helped him to decide which school to attend based on the requirements that the schools showed and offered.

“Para sa akin ano yung career orientation is binigyan ako ng idea at tinulungan

akong pumili ng strand na dapat kung piliin base sa kakayahan ko and sa connected course rin na kukunin ko sa college,” he said.

The career orientation program at BSHS is part of a larger effort to provide students with the tools and resources necessary to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.

Ariana Godoy and Marianne Silla

SAFE HAVEN. Bagong Silangan residents finds a temporary shelter in Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) as Tyhpoon Paeng hits and devastates their homes.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Mae bucad

Alyssa Tesado

Justine Mationg

Justine Mationg

Kim Lorenze Manota and Zedrick Rave Dela Cruz

“Empowering Learning and Collaboration”

QCPL Opens New Library in Bagong Silangan

Open Mind!

With hope to provide access to knowledge and promote lifelong learning, Bagong Silangan, the Quezon City Public Library (QCPL) was opened to public on November 16 in Bonifacio Street.

The opening was led by QCPL,OIC Ms. Mariza G. Chico and Library Assistant Ms. Maria Cristina V. Rabaja. The library aims to inspire and nurture the minds of the children in the community.

Visitors can enjoy free Wi-Fi for research purposes, use computers and read variety of books.

The library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during weekdays.

BSHS GAD CLUB PROMOTES “PURPLE WEDNESDAY CAMPAIGN”

In celebration of the National Women’s Month, Bagong Silangan High School observed “Purple Wednesday Campaign”led by the Gender and Development Club on March 16,17, to March 21, 2023.

BSHS GAD officers led the room-toroom campaign for National Women’s Month with a theme of “We for Gender Equality and Inclusive society”.

QCPL currently operates 22 public libraries in Quezon City, with District 1-6’s libraries specifically designed to help children within the barangay to learn and gain knowledge.

BSHS Mathematics Club holds leadership seminar

a crucial role in overcoming failures and transforming them into valuable learning experiences.

BSHS celebrates WTD,

GPTA treats teachers

In an effort to show appreciation for the hard work of Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) teachers, the General Parents Teacher Association(GPTA) conducted a Teachers Treat Program on October 28.

The program provided free services such as foot spa, massage, facial massage, hair spa, and a haircut, and aimed to give

teachers a chance to unwind after a long, exhausting month.

BSHS teacher Ms. Rosemarie Postriro said that the program was greatly beneficial, a big factor in helping to reduce the stress and fatigue of the teachers.

“Ito ay napakaganda sapagkat nakatutulong ito upang mabawasan yung pagod at stress ng mga guro dito sa Bagong Silangan High

School.” Ms. Rosemarie Postriro said. Head Teacher of BSHS Filipino Department, Ms. Gloria C. Cruz, also expressed appreciation for the program’s focus on the teachers’ health and wellbeing, noting that this act of kindness from the local officials and the GPTA was greatly appreciated by the teachers.

“Atleast ito, naa-appreciate ng teachers

It is a “purple Wednesday” for everyone to show support in celebration of National Women’s Month and supporting Gender Equality. Purple represents Dignity and Women’s Rights.

The Goal of this campaign is to recognize and acknowledge the women’s role and achievements in different fields, and to commend every women in the society for their determination and strength.

They also dealt and tackled the Gender Equality issues about the inequality between men, women, and part of LGBTQ+ community.

Throughout the years, women have defied and broken the prejudices and stereotyping against them, and they never failed to prove to us that women are unstoppable.

accomplished BSHS alumna and cum laude graduate from UP-Diliman, delivered an inspiring talk on the qualities and standards of effective leadership. She shared her own experiences and challenged the participants to step up and become leaders harnessing their unique strengths. The seminar served as a platform to empower BSHS students, equipping them with valuable leadership skills and highlighting the significance of mathematics beyond the classroom.

Adding a community perspective, Kagawad Feb Marcelo from Brgy. Bagong Silangan emphasized the importance of mathematics in making informed decisions and developing policies that benefit all members of the community.

The BSHS Mathematics Club expressed their heartfelt appreciation to all BSHS personnel, with special recognition extended to Dr. Abadilla and the Mathematics teachers, as well as the dedicated Math Club officers.

yung celebration namin kahit huli. Meron syang nagawa para sa teacher, and most especially yung concern sa health. Malaking benefit yun para sa teacher.” she added.

Ms. Ana Liza Lopez, the GPTA President said that the whole program was conducted by the GPTA, with the help of BSHS’ school principal Ms. Maria Gina M.

Alyssa Tesado

Hon. Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy”

Chester Mamaril

FEED THE MIND. A student reading a book about Science for her homework at the new Quezon City Public Library in Bagong Silangan.

Photo: Laureen D. Tan

Zedrick Rave Dela Cruz

WORDS OF WISDOM. Mr. Benigno Baluyut, Bagong Silangan High School’s (BSHS) Mathematics Club Adviser, inspires the students during the leadership seminar on November 25, 2022 at the school’s open area.

Photo: Asia Shane R. Saen

Belmonte-Alimurong, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and other local officials attended the opening of the QCPL-Bagong Silangan Public Library.

Celine Capilos

Bagong Silangan High School’s (BSHS) Mathematics Club organized a highly informative leadership seminar that took place at the BSHS covered court on November 25, 2022.

Mr. Benigno F. Baluyut, math teacher, shared his personal journey of how mathematics played

Ms. Joanna Antonnete Guadalupe, an

Under the guidance and approval of the school principal, Mrs. Maria Gina M. Rocena, and led by Dr. Estrella M. Abadilla, head of the Math department, the seminar aimed to instill leadership skills among students across all grade levels.

DYSFUNCTIONAL

How did the education system fail many Filipinos? The underlying truth is that we have been in the loop for many years to the point that we do not intently pay more attention to it. This education system is an obvious one, that years of experience as a student should be enough to jot down any red flags. No one did, we continue to just be “learners” of this system yet, nothing is harnessed from it. Are we just going to wait until our hair turns grey to stop the loop?

Another point here is the Filipino’s belief that in order to be successful, you have to be a graduate. Is that the only way? A seed doesn’t grow on its own, it needs good soil, water, and sunlight to bear fruit. Our education system is not good enough for us to be fruitful, it is also the reason why we are a “failed product” in our society because we are not properly developed. Why do we never see the big

nightmare that most of the companies’ requirements are pretty high seem unreachable. But who is to be blamed? Education is a right, not a privilege. What is the point of a diploma and certification if we are just going to be rejected even from a job that pays lower than the minimum wage? A standard is set by our society, but we can not even sustain a basic education. Is it the reason why there are job mismatch, under employment and unemployment?

These could be attributed to the different factors our education system has to face as a whole. Think about the academic performance of Filipino students. We are far below many countries with poor performance, ranking low at the global level. According to a study conducted in 2018, the Philippines ranked 79th in the Programme for International Assessment (PISA).

With the shift of the learning platform to hybrid learning, learning gap has been

essentials to help students learn. To add more, DepEd ordered overpriced laptops with low specs an additional controversial issue which reached the Senate for investigation. Sadly, it all fell into deaf ears. The fund could have been used for programs beneficial for both teachers and students, which could have at least lessened the burden of the already bruised stakeholders.

essentials to help students learn. To add more, DepEd ordered overpriced laptops with low specs an additional controversial issue which reached the Senate for investigation. Sadly, it all fell into deaf ears. The fund could have been used for programs beneficial for both teachers and students, which could have at least lessened the burden of the already bruised stakeholders.

Letter to the Editor

Small rooms can be a hindrance to effective learning.

To make matter worse, what an audacity for VP Sara Duterte to ask for 150 million confidential fund to “fix” the education system in six years. It takes a lot of nerve to say that to people who are already suffering from the poor system. Some might find it very offensive to hear that “fix” in six years, with the same issue that remained unfixed for over few decades now. Have they not thought of revisiting the K-to-12 curriculum instead? The modification of the education system could have a great impact in helping students maximize their potentials thus helping the students achieve learning experiences they need for future jobs. These words coming from the DepEd secretary herself is the same as saying that students to pay the price for a decent education.

To make matter worse, what an audacity for VP Sara Duterte to ask for 150 million confidential fund to “fix” the education system in six years. It takes a lot of nerve to say that to people who are already suffering from the poor system. Some might find it very offensive to hear that “fix” in six years, with the same issue that remained unfixed for over few decades now. Have they not thought of revisiting the K-to-12 curriculum instead? The modification of the education system could have a great impact in helping students maximize their potentials thus helping the students achieve learning experiences they need for their future These words coming from DepEd secretary herself is the same as saying that students need to pay the price decent education.

They can feel claustrophobic and cramped, leading to discomfort and distraction for students. The lack of proper ventilation in small rooms can also lead to health concerns, such as poor air quality and increased risk of infection. I hope that there will be a tangible solution to this problem that will address the needs of the students.

Krizzel Anne P. Pagayatan 10-Courtesy

Former president, now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on House Bill 7893 establishing the K+10+2 is a great consideration given that the K-12 curriculum has not brought

Former president, now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on House Bill 7893 establishing the K+10+2 is a great consideration given that the K-12 curriculum has not brought

As an SSG officer, I’m both overwhelmed and exhausted. It’s due of the never-ending barrage of negative comments about us. I believe that there is something both remarkable and exhausting about being able to learn at school and serve your fellow students. We are aware that it is our obligation to work and serve our fellow students, but I hope they are also aware that we are students who endure, and all we want is to serve well for the school and the students.

Rhansel Louise O. Matias 10- Courage | SSG AUDITOR

We have the strength to stop the loop that has been running in circles. Education will always be an essential part of our lives, as the saying goes “Knowledge is power.” It also is a treasure Hence, we will no longer be a “failed product”. No longer will we be ranking low in the global comprehension assessment, no longer will we lack the facilities in school, no longer we will be declined in our dream jobs. No longer will we be considered third class citizen, No longer, if only we fix the educational system which has been dysfunctional for

We have the strength to stop the loop that has been running in circles. Education will always be an essential part of our lives, as the saying goes “Knowledge is power.” It also is a treasure Hence, we will no longer be a “failed product”. No longer will we be ranking low in the global comprehension assessment, no longer will we lack the facilities in school, no longer we will be declined in our dream jobs. No longer will we be considered third class citizen, No longer, if only we fix the educational system which has been dysfunctional for

THE TRUE REFLECTIONS THE TRUE REFLECTIONS

BAGONG SILANGAN HIGH SCHOOL

J.P. RIZAL ST., BAGONG SILANGAN, QUEZON CITY

Ysha Kish Cyrill Aquino EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Althaea Ezra Moldez ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Justine Mationg NEWS EDITOR

John Francis Familara, Jonathan Gubatana OPINION EDITORS

Chelsea Mae Residuo FEATURE EDITOR

Konelley Parada SCIENCE EDITOR

Brian Rulloda, Antonio Lumandaz, Mc Kenley Estrella SPORTS EDITORS

Alexa Trafalgar, Hera de Guzman, Hera Keil, Jayrald Reyes, Nyah Infante, Shantle Tanaleon

Francheska Bautista, Asia Saen, Laureen Tan

Ivan Rubiales, Ahron Briñas, Mary May Taguinod, Mariel Estudillo, Patrick Nitura, Majella Solpico Aira Lucio, Alexandra Imbat, Iris Onrubia, Unique Inso, Maria Mañalac, Sarah Lacandile Selected Grade 9 and Grade 10 English Journalism Students

Maria Lulu P. Tuason SPA, The True Reflections

FRANchives

HALFBAKED

Face-to-face classes resumed in the country for school year 2022-2023 after two years of being stuck in blended learning at home. But, are the preparations of the Department of Education (DepEd) enough for a smooth transition into the now normal?

Along with the resumption of face-to-face classes, came the noticeable shortcomings in the implementation of on-site classes throughout the country, from the rooms which are not ready for classes yet to the disorganized schedule given to students causing a lot of confusion for both teachers and students.

Some classrooms are even undergoing wall division installations during the first day of classes. Making the matter worse was the lack of classroom ventilation which do not even have enough electric fans to comfort the students through the blazing heat they experience, fueled up by the tiring schedule they have to endure for the school year.

Blended learning had been tough, but the sudden shift to face-to-face classes made it a tougher experience for students, thanks to the rushed preparations for bringing back face-to-face classes.

DepEd is the head of the education sector; being so, the institution must be responsible for every action it makes. Preparation is the key, especially since it concerns education which would affect many especially the students who relies n their decision . Cramming the opening of classes does make matter worse.

Jon Marc Tinampay

EPS, Filipino and Journalism

JOHN FRANCIS FAMILARA

COPY EDITORS

Ferdinand P. Noble Asst. Principal II

Maria Lulu P. Tuason ESP, English and Journalism

Gloria G. Dela Cruz HT, VI, English

Maria Gina M. Rocena Principal IV Rodolfo N. De Jesus Ed. D.

Carleen S. Sedilla, CESCO V Schools Division Superintendent

SUMMER SUFFERINGS

“Beat the heat!” they say, but how can you beat something that has proven itself unbeatable? With the pandemic disrupting everything, including the schedules of every public school in the Philippines, students now have to suffer through the height of summer.

Through the ever-changing climate of the world, it is no surprise that summer in the Philippines is not the “rays of sunlight with the cool breeze of the air” that you expect. Just last week, Butuan City reached a sizzling 48°C heat index. How do we expect students to tolerate this?

If the heat in our homes were not enough, let us put ourselves in the shoes of the students who are currently studying in the public schools. Especially those public schools who do not have enough budget and equipment to fully provide the students with a good set of facilities. And that includes the electric fans, which seem to be the only weapon capable of fighting off the heatwaves.

The impacts of the lack of electric fans have been visible throughout the performance of not only the students but also the teachers in schools. The extreme heat is so unbearable that it makes it hard for everyone to focus and actually pick up

ALTHAEA EZRA MOLDEZ

on the lessons and learn.

Without learning, there is no future to look forward to. Do we really expect these learners to be the very best and be on top of the game in school if this is the situation that they are in?

People demand a greater economy and a greater set of children that will fill the country with success and hope. But how can we have the audacity to demand such things if these people do not even spend a single ounce of support to lessen the problems of these schools that are building the future of this country?

Funds that were supposed to aid these schools have constantly been stuffed into the pockets of these so-called public servants. If only the government always kept their vows and truly served their country instead of laundering money for their own greed, problems like this would not surround our nation. It has been clear time and time again that the greed of some results in the suffering of others.

As students and as Filipinos, we are deserving of the “quality education”. No learner should have to put up with a poor environment just to waste their time sitting on a chair and learning nothing. As the DepEd mantra goes “no students must be left behind.”

SAFETY OVER QUALITY

How can the school ensure the safety of the students while maintaining the quality of our education? After 2 years of online classes, Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) finally resumes face-to-face classes with necessary adjustment to accommodate its large student population amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the key adjustments for students at BSHS is their new schedule, which is organized in different sets: Set A, the first six sections attend Monday and Wednesday classes. Set B, attends Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday classes and Set C attends Tuesday and Thursday classes. This change can be challenging for students as they adapt to a new routine and balance their workload across different days of the week.

To compensate for the reduced school week, set A attends school for a full day. By extending their learning hours, these students are able to maintain a competitive edge and keep up with the rigorous academic demands of their curriculum. However, Set B and Set C continue to attend classes for half a day, which can be challenging for some students to keep up with the lessons.

Checking temperatures, wearing facemasks, and social distancing are one of the safety measures the school had observed. Arranging the chairs to maintain social distancing was also effectively implemented as there are less students inside the classroom. By maintaining a safe distance from one another, students can significantly reduce the risk of spreading the virus. This allows the school to transition to face-to-face learning while taking into account the possible risks posed to students by COVID-19.

However, for set A students, it is unrealistic to expect students to maintain their concentration for 11 hours straight,

even with two 15-minute breaks. This can lead to exhaustion and negatively impact their academic performance. Additionally, students are often burdened with homework, projects, and household chores after class, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

In order to mitigate the adverse impact of the current schedule, BSHS must provide students with a one-hour break throughout the day, as opposed to the previous 30-minute break. According to the University of North Carolina, taking regular breaks can reduce stress, enhance focus, as well as replenish our energy. This helps us to perform much better if we have regular breaks.

In addition, having a half day schedule for set B and Set C students, only to attend 3 days a week can result in less time of learning, thus affecting their academic performance. Even with the additional asynchronous activities which are somehow left untouched due to volumes works both at home and school.

With the resumption of face-to-face classes and the new schedule, BSHS administrators must have a consultative meeting to get the nod of its stakeholders. Furthermore, it is important to consider the potential negative impact of the schedule, as it will deteriorate both students academic performances as well as their well-being. We should prioritize the safety of the students without the cost of the quality education that they deserve.

The internet has gone through commotion caused by teachers and students remarks as well as complaints since the Department of Education issued an order on November 2, 2022, that seeks to promote professionalism among its personnel. Limiting the friendly relationship between teachers and students outside of school hours, especially on social media.

While DepEd Order 49 Series of 2022 urges teachers to strengthen professionalism in their delivery of basic education programs, we can not deny its cons as the teachers play a vital role in students’ lives. The order can only be seen as complicated to swallow by both teachers and students, just like a poison apple.

the students but also the teachers greatly. Limiting the connection between students and teachers also seems to put a hindrance on learning outside of the classroom. It is restraining the teachers from sharing and teaching their students through social media. Since education was not limited to the four walls of the classroom. It also goes beyond and above by reaching and involving the students. While the order may have the benefit of the doubt, we cannot dispute that the way it was carried out was not. Instead of focusing more on limiting the connection or interaction between the teachers and students, Why not put more effort into making the environment between teachers and students stronger or more effective so that everyone may benefit from it?

Therefore, teachers help their students by providing them with direction in life, guiding them in recognizing their own strengths and abilities, and encouraging them to develop into the best versions of themselves. For the students, teachers have served as their second parents. They serve as a second mother, father, brother, or sister within or outside the school, even for those who do not have one. They built a strong connection that might lose because of this order. One thing is for sure: it is essential to interact with their pupils.

This prevents the interaction between teachers and students. But are not teachers supposed to be the second parents that support and guide students in their lives? Does this mean that the teachers will just disregard their students’ concerns, difficulties, and complaints? How can they “serve and perform one’s duties and responsibilities in a prompt, courteous, and fair manner,” if there are orders that prohibit them from communicating on social media? This seems to affect not only

Students can talk about their personal experiences, including challenges, and ask for helpful advice. Additionally, building a rapport with them through social interaction will increase their enthusiasm to study. Both pupils and educators would greatly benefit by focusing on a more crucial problem or addressing issues like schools’ lack of facilities and learning resources. If they want this order to be far more effective, they must act with consideration and in everyone’s best interests, not just a small group of chosen individuals. DepEd should allow the communication between teachers and students at all times and at all costs.

Avoid relationships, interaction, and communication, including following social media with learners outside of the school setting, except if they are relatives.

A statement from DepEd Order 49 Series of 2022

Seeing the Unseen

PILES OF WORK

KARIZZA MANALIGOD

Nowadays, students are faced with an unbearable amount of schoolwork that seems irrelevant to the true meaning of learning and just produces robot-like students. Is this how the education system should pan out in our country?

Nonetheless, not all of the teachers overload their students. In fact, some give enough due dates to get the task done. While saying to students encouraging words such as “still have enough rest and sleep and never abuse our bodies doing different tasks,”

Giving enough time to finish a certain task is essential, especially for the well-being of students that would do such tasks, such as the performance task, wherein subjects usually have a large percentage allotted and students should have a high quality of work in order to obtain high grades.

In fact, students’ physical health is important. If physical health is not maintained, so is mental health. Students have a tendency to lean on academic validation, which causes a lot of peer pressure. The pressure will eventually become stress until the following mental health problems arise. From there, the determination among students dwindle, since the routine is always ticking on the clock. What will happen to the future of students when their determination is lacking?

If we just allow the youth of today maximize their potentials by having a compromise, school is a better place to live in. We will create an environment that is healthy not just for students but also for teachers, cooperation will be exhibited. It will spell a big difference in the field of the academic journey as well as the quality of the education system.

Schoolworks should be given and done one at a time. In as much as students deal with time management still we can not get rid of the fact that schoolworks pile up. Most of the time, schoolworks comes so suddenly. Consideration is the key, if it does so. Schoolworks can be a tool for enhancing skills, but too much is always harmful.

GUTLESS ON NET

Click, read, and scroll! That is a threeword summary of how the internet works. Accessing information immediately and conveniently, indeed, is one of the greatest discoveries. However, under this great innovation is a dirty linen that smears an issue that shall be taken seriously, cyber-bullying. A single click and tap can bring joy and misery. The internet is heaven for many people but often the internet is also someone’s worst nightmare.

Cyberbullying causes a lot of wounds that are hidden and can reflect through their emotional or physical state. This issue can badly affect a person’s mental health which can lead to a state of being depressed, or worse, suicidal.

Ruthless, that’s what it is but there is only one to blame, those people who click on a whim and degrade people on the internet. People who failed to have the guts to do it without their “social media” mask so they hide cowardly through their screens..

The victims of Cyberbullying are mostly the youth since they are the most exposed

Silang-ASK-nians

WHAT ARE YOUR MESSAGE TO THE VICTIMS OF BULLYING?

To all the victims of bullying, I want you all to know that you’re not alone, and I’m here to offer my support and encouragement. Bullying is a deeply hurtful experience, and it can leave lasting emotional scars. Please remember that the actions and words of the bullies are a reflection of their own insecurities and not a reflection of your worth or value as a person. You are unique, deserving of respect, and you have so much to offer the world.

You are not alone in this journey. Your strength and resilience inspire us all. Remember that you are worthy of love, respect, and kindness. Reach out to those who care and seek support.

Stay true to yourself and believe in your incredible potential. You have the power to rise above and create a brighter future. Keep shining, for the world needs your light.

Well, for those who have been bullied, of course it was a tough experience for them to conquer it. It’s not easy to get over those who are bullying you, because they will never leave you alone. But then in the end, they got over it. And maybe what they should do, is to fight for those who are getting bullied, stand for them and be their voice. For those who are getting bullied, always remember that once those people see that you are scared of them, they will only mock you farther because they enjoy it and they like seeing you afraid of them.

Stand up and show them what they really mean to you. Fight for yourself and be strong.

to social media. Data from 2019 regarding Cyberbullying reports that about 37% or so of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 have experienced internet bullying. 30% have experienced it multiple times. It also affects their mental health as they think that the only way that they can pass through this situation is by taking their own lives. Based on the Journal of Medical Internet Research about self-harm, Youth who suffer cyberbullying are more likely to engage in suicide and acts of self-harm than those who do not.

Social media sites are also the one to blame as they don’t strictly implement the prevention of cyber bullying. They should be the one to lead as they have the full authority when it comes to their own sites. Social media platforms came up with solutions such as report and block but why does cyberbullying still occur repeatedly? Does that mean that this way to combat cyberbullying failed?

In addition, social media sites should also strengthen the security of each profile of their users. More than 1 in 20 individuals

CED

who tormented someone online did so by creating fictitious personas before sending hurtful comments. This is also a fairly common technique for sextortion, catfishing, and other types of victim duping. To prevent the widespread of cyberbullying, the social media sites should lead as they need to protect their users. Social media businesses should take action against cyberbullying on their platforms. They can smear information through infographics that talk about cyberbullying.

It is evident that people who have been cyber bullied experienced such horrible effects as the traumatic event continues to torment them. Moreover, we should combat cyberbullying. Every click, consequences await. With the information provided above, the culprit of the casualties of cruelty is no other than the person hiding behind the screen, the coward, in short, the gutless on the internet.

We can do much on our end. We can either be at the winning or losing end. We decide whether we become victims of cyberbullying or not. Card is on us.

ABSTRACT SUPPORT

JOHN CEDRICK NEMEÑO

Nowadays, students not only study but also learn other things through extracurricular activities (ECAs). ECAs are activities that are not directly related to the general purpose of school education but rather teach students a variety of things that later on become their hobbies.

Like what happens at Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) and other schools throughout Quezon City. Many students commit themselves to campus journalism to expand their knowledge about the issues that surround their community. Some says that it is a good avenue to see what is actually happening in the real world, where people can freely and openly discuss ideas, debate, and point out the problems that need to be addressed.

However, it seems that the Department of Education (DepEd) ignores the request for a competent budget for public schools. Many student journalists in the past claimed that they personally provided the equipments they used in different press conferences even the laptops during the production of the school paper.

In addition, some students do not actually want to be campus journalists, but because Journalism is the only subject offered for

the two highest sections in Grade 10 in lieu of T.L.E. (Technology and Livelihood Education), they are obliged to choose and participate in the regular training and be part of this extracurricular activity in spite of having no money to buy a camera, laptop, or any gadgets that should be used to be “the best” journalist. Is this how the Executive Department of the Philippines should really act? Or maybe they just don’t care much about extracurricular activities?

Therefore, if DepEd allocate more funds, the needs of the campus journalists could be addressed, they would be working more progressively and improving significantly. With their assistance, more campus journalists could have achieved their goals, more so they could be of service to their fellow students. The budget could have gone far, the campus journalists could have gone farther not just an abstract support.

KARIZZAmption of truth

Brielle Layne C. Layug 10-Peacefulness

Alyssa Mae P. Delos Santos 10-Benevolence

SEX ED, A MUST

“What’s wrong with teaching high school students about adolescent reproductive health?” The overreaction from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) about the Department of Education’s (DepEd) sex education program, that is to include sex education in the K-to-12 curriculum. The Philippines being predominantly a Christian nation makes sex a sensitive issue, thus, talking about it is still a taboo. This cause curiosity among teenagers thinking that it’s perfectly alright to engage in such activity. One’s view on sex can influence their attitude towards life. This attitude towards sex affects the lives of not only of the young unprepared mothers but also the lives of their future soon-to-be children. Sex is a part of our personality that must be properly developed, and sex education helps teenagers be aware of their own sexual well-being. Moreover, staying quiet about this matter will make teenagers more persistent about

sex, making them understand the subject in their “own ways” as they tend to get curious about it. Discussing this topic more with teenagers would help solve the country’s issue with teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. While sex education may be acceptable for secondary school students, DepEd must ensure that teachers assigned to handle the subject undergo appropriate training. Teachers must also ensure that discussions

ANNEX OF CONVENIENCE

kept at an educational level to help students learn the truth and consequences of sexual behavior that leads to a terrible situation, considering that most of the victims are youth.

The benefits of comprehensive sex ed go far beyond the information on reproduction and health risks. Sex ed is essential to combat the alarming rise of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines. In Bagong Silangan High School alone, there are several cases regarding the issue. Students must learn about sex ed, including information about contraception and safe sex. Educating the students about this sensitive issue at home is a big relief. It must be a basic knowledge given the fact that teens are vulnerable and lack awareness about this topic may lead to something else.

With sex still being a vulgar topic for others, it is a good thing to be open and talk about it as a way to break the ice. Teenagers should also learn from the right people—parents and teachers— rather than grasping it on the streets, or worse, from people who only want to take advantage of their innocence. In this way, teenagers will know that they are too young for this and are not ready to be responsible for the consequences of such behavior at their age.

FILIPINOS’ GREATEST TOTGA

Improving one’s learning skills is one of the main objectives of the school in the Philippines. But it is questionable whether the schools can achieve this objective or not. Mainly because of the poor education system that has been regulated in the country for years but is still left untouched. It is beyond doubt that the effectiveness of schools is debatable.

Nowadays, students are in a “read-toanswer”, not “read-to-understand” system in which they read their textbooks only to seek answers for their tasks but not to understand what the texts are all about. In this case, they also display the idea of “study to pass, not study to be educated” type of learning. Now you may ask, was it the education system and the educators who failed to educate the students, or was it the students’ ability to blame for having such poor learning skills?

Lapses in the education system are the one to blame for why educators cannot give quality education to students. Because how

can educators provide quality education when they never get the proper treatment from their department?

The government’s underfunding for the Department of Education also affects the quality of education that is given to students. With this poor quality of education given to the students, they will not be able to adapt the learning skills necessary for their proficiency.

As of 2021, the literacy rate in the Philippines had reached 99.27%. This means that almost all Filipino students know how to read, write, and count, according to a report from GlobalData.

However, on the other side of the coin, in terms of reading comprehension, the Philippines fell to the lowest rank among other countries. As reported by GMA News, the Philippines performed the poorest after ranking 78th out of 79 participating countries in a reading literacy test conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2018. This shows that most

students in the Philippines can read but cannot grasp the texts they are reading. Overall, reading proficiency is a crucial part of education. It is one of the most necessary learning skills that every student must have, as it helps us process and comprehend every word we read in a text. With poor reading comprehension among students serving as a threat to education in the Philippines, we must realize that there is something wrong with our education system. Furthermore, quality education is a necessary part of a student’s development of learning skills.

Education in our country needs more attention like any other government sector. Giving the quality education that the students creates the possibility that our country can produce more professional experts in different fields, to once again be the pride of our country and raise our respective flag globally because quality education among Filipinos can bring the “educated” title back to our nationality that was taken away from us.

READING LITERACY RATE

Students are thrilled about the increased school capacity, and they want an improvement for their school so that it could expand and accommodate more students. And having an extension to the school is not new at this point. Building an annex to a school in various parts of the Philippines has become the “norm”.

In the Philippines, the word “annex” in schools are usually just next to each other or separated by a footbridge. But in this case, the Bagong Silangan High School Annex is located in Sitio Veterans, which is relatively far from the location of the main school. It is supposed to be a stand-alone school, so if you think about it, it is not really an “annex”.

Gen. Licerio Geronimo Integrated High School (GLGHIS) is the supposed name of this upcoming school which is called the BSHS annex for now. The construction began in 2019, and the main goal as to why they decided to build the school is to lower the number of students at BSHS.

The ongoing construction of the school’s extension has the advantage of admitting students who live around the area. However, is it actually helpful?

It’s a long distance from our school, the BSHS, and I still need to commute to get there. Other students who cannot afford transportation choose to walk to school. Regardless of how far it is.

Their plan remains a plan, because up to this day they still do not have plans on what to actually put in that annex. They surveyed the students of BSHS to see what SHS strands will be offered in that annex.

On the contrary, it is a great leap that the school administrators have undertaken. Both teachers and students were asked as to whether they will be studying or willing to be assigned in that annex. Results show a positive response. Students and teachers are willing to give it a try.

I suppose it is a convenience to many stakeholders, including me, who live in Sitio Veterans. Every day when I go to school, I see transportation as the students’ worst enemy. Hence, I would say it is adequate that they build an annex at the Veterans’ site. This is not only beneficial for the students, but also for the teachers who live near the vicinity of the annex.

The problem with transportation among the students and teachers living in Veterans who do not have enough money to commute will be solved. Absences and tardiness will be minimized considering that their school is nearby. Out-of-school youth including drop out rate will possibly be lessened. I believe that the construction of the BSHS’ annex is a plus, the many positive aspects this project has underscored in this article outweighed its negative impacts. Though the BSHS annex may bring some negative effects to the students, surely it’s still beneficial to a number of its stakeholders near the school.

ARIANA GODOY

TECH FOR GRANTED

There is nothing wrong with wanting more, wanting for change, wanting to evolve, and wanting to keep up in a modern world. But wanting too much is definitely not good, especially if you want too much in technology—in short, taking advantage of it. Does it not bother you if you use too much technology? It can change how you act around others, view things on your own, and socialize. Wanting too much technology may have its adverse effect.

Technology surely make your work different. Is it convenient or inconvenient?

You should know the answer. The internet is convenient to some and might be an inconvenient for others, especially for those who work at home and for students doing their research or tasks in school. Some take advantage of the internet and became idle allowing the internet to do all the works. In particular, instead of looking for the right resources and information, they use the work of others without consent; In other words, students learn to plagiarize because they take advantage of technology the wrong way.

Using technology is indeed a great escape. Mental health has been one of the biggest issue right now, and one factor could be the excessive use of internet, the social media. People are addicted to technology and social media platforms, and for sure, the downside of being addicted is that people affect the way they view others and themselves as well. Negatively taking

advantage of technology distorts the way people think and for sure is manifested in their mental health.

A lot of people tend to see this coming, yet, another biggest downside of taking advantage of technology is the crimes that are being committed online with the use of technology. Cybercrimes are one of those crimes committed online. This is not new anymore, but it is still one of the biggest problems. Through cybercrimes, people can get theft of financial card payment data, internet fraud, and email fraud with alot of victims left in the shadow with no proper knowledge.

OPINION PAINT OVER MORALS

Taking advantage of the technology is one of the great steps in achieving personal and professional development. Knowledge about technology is an advantage. With technology, we can do great things but be mindful as too much use of technology may also have its negative effects. Thus, as the saying goes, do everything in moderation, but do not take technology for granted.

TRIAL AND ANSWERS

Since time immemorial, it has been a tradition to write down your answers on a piece of paper when taking a test or something to that effect. Gone were the days, because it has been changed to a more advanced answer sheet for taking a periodical test every quarter. It was said that it makes checking and item analysis accurate, easy and convenient for teachers. But does this new answer sheet really has an advantage? Is it way far better than writing down letters on a piece of paper?

As someone who constantly changes answers or is unsure of her own comprehension, who makes too many erasures here and there. I have always had trouble looking at tiny things; the new answer sheet that we are currently using for the periodic exams sure puts me at a disadvantage. As for these new and advanced answer sheets, though you are given the chance to correct your errors you will have a second thought, since if you tried to do so, a mark of erasure would be left and your answer would already be considered wrong even though it was right.

These tiny little circles for choices manage to confuse and make students dizzy every time they look at them. This make it harder for students to look for numbers they have skipped that could be one of the causes of losing a point or more. An hour is the time limit for taking the periodic exams, and the new answer sheet or the process of shading each of a student’s answers is much more time-consuming as the shading of answers needs to be done precisely within the circle. Instead of simply writing down the letter of the answer, which is what we are used to, students were hindered from maximizing or making use of their time more efficiently to focus on the exam questions since they needed to allocate some of their time for the shading part.

Furthermore, the fact that the school and the division office was still trying out the new answer sheets effectiveness already shows that they were not yet ready or fully functional to put into use. Letting the students use it as is before further

research or tests was already so unfair for us. As this new answer sheet prevents us from reaching the score goal we have set for ourselves or from at least passing the exam. Since it limits the students ability to correct our mistakes once we have found something wrong with our answers or could not see what number we have missed when taking the exam.

The new answer sheets truly do make the teachers’ work a lot easier, but we can not just turn a blind eye to the much bigger dilemma it causes for students. Making it harder for us due to a silly little mistake of missing a number because the choices or the mini-circles to be shaded are a little confusing. Thus, robbed us of the opportunity to have a point or to get a score higher than what the scan result has shown.

Periodic exams have a huge impact on students grade, if the answer sheet is one of the causes or reasons why a student would fail an exam or the quarter, just how could we say that the new answer sheets are really that convenient compared to what we were used to when it was actually one of the reasons for a student’s failing grade?

Does this actually help the students perform better and get good scores?

Those who are sitting on the chairs of the school government should listen to the students’ woes,so that the students’ potential would not be wasted just because of a piece of paper. It is high time to listen to the plea of the students, no to trial and answer.

We are taught what is right and wrong, yet only a few live up to it throughout their lives. That is why, we still see students who vandalize public areas and they must be stopped. Students should see the value of public properties, especially in school as it has consequences they have to face if they are caught red handed.

Vandalism has become one of today’s most serious issues among youngsters, commonly, teenagers who are the generation that one day might bring fundamental changes in our society. But how can we expect them to bring changes if they do not apply the morals we were taught?.

“Ang Bagong Silangan High School ay masasabi na isang malinis na paaralan kahit nung dumating pa si Dr. Ruth Yap, ang ating PSDS (Public School District Supervisor), napansin niya ang kalinisan, kaya nga lang may mga ilang talagang pader na... yung sa hallway natin na talagang mismong blackboard ay sinusulatan ng mga estudyante”. Mrs. Mary Jane Talag, Head Teacher of Grade 10 said. She also encountered some students who were painting in the corridors, some obscene paintings.

“Bagong Silangan High School is also known as a clean school even when Dr. Ruth Yap, our PSDS, noticed the cleanliness, that’s why there are actually some walls

that... the one in our hallway that is actually a blackboard was actually vandalized by students.”

The most serious consequence a student has to face in vandalism includes restitution, suspension, expulsion, and exclusion from school. Schools are against vandalism, as it ruins an honorable place where we learn moralities. In addition, students of Bagong Silangan High School play a vital role in understanding how consequential vandalism can be. The school should provide advice and guidance to students about the importance of respecting public property.

Students play an integral part in keeping the school’s environment clean and tidy. Vandalism is still and will always be a growing issue unless we take action. We must be an advocate for our fellow students and teach them how unethical vandalism is. Everyone needs to value everything, even if it’s a small thing. As simple as writing or painting on public property, we also put paint over morals.

Nowadays, mental health is still seen as an invalid excuse for students suffering from a certain problem, point in case, the impact on their academic achievement. The association between depression and lower general average has been pretty well established. Are students going to be left hanging by a thread in their mental health?

“Try to take a break, and just get back to it,” is the motto of most students whenever things don’t go in their favor, as so much is given to them without knowing they have already reached their breaking point. A typical scenario for every student is that they just want to do their best to achieve their desired academic achievement.

It is undeniable that having great mental health is an advantage in terms of learning, as students can focus and accomplish more compared to those who have mental health issue, as they tend to be stressed, out of focus, and can’t concentrate on things they need to accomplish.

Additionally, students tend to hide things about their mental health with fear

of being judged and not being heard by someone they really trust, a stigma that is highly observable not just at schools but also at their homes.

“Mental health matters”, it may mean a lot but was only left in words as no actions had been taken to address the issue. Without any proper care, students’ mental health would still and always be left hanging by a thread.

Allocating funds for the need of students in terms of mental health, such as counseling and wellness program would mean a lot to students, as they would somehow feel that the school care for them.

onymous

HANNA PALMA

“Land Ho!The beginning of something new” Voyage to Excellence

Aschool is like a ship, navigating through the vast ocean of knowledge, guided by a team of dedicated and hardworking sailors. Mr. Ferdinand P. Noble, a newly promoted assistant school principal II of Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS), is one of these sailors who have braved the tumultuous waves of the education sector, always steering towards a destination of excellence.

Aboard the ship of education, Sir Noble stands tall among the crew, fixed on the horizon of excellence. His promotion as assistant school principal of BSHS filled him with pride and joy, like a sailor reaching the shore after a perilous journey.

“Being appointed made me gain a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. It signifies that I successfully passed the national qualifying standards for the position,

he said with a bright smile.

Sir Noble's path on becoming an assistant school principal was marked by years of hard work and dedication. He began his teaching career at Cagayan Valley Colleges of Quirino after graduating with a Mathematics degree from the Philippine Normal University-Isabela Campus. During his time at Cagayan Valley Colleges of Quirino, he taught Mathematics, Statistics, General Science, and Physics to students in all grade levels.

After three years of teaching, Sir Noble joined the Department of Education and was assigned at Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science Technology High School in Quezon City, handling Mathematics. He also served as the Math Club and DaMath Adviser, Math and DaMath Trainer, and his students consistently won several awards

Justine Mationg

on various math competitions from district to regional levels.

Sir Noble's teaching career progressed steadily, earning him promotions from Teacher I and finally, as an Assistant School Principal. He also obtained a Master of Arts in Education and a Master in Educational Management, completing all academic requirements.

Like a seasoned sailor who has navigated many seas, Sir Noble knows that each ship has its own unique journey, with varying challenges to overcome.

He was one of the members of the School Planning Team who crafted and implemented the School Improvement Plan in his previous school, and he understands the importance of identifying the school’s priority areas for improvement.

“Basically, we have to know the school profile and the

school report card in order to identify the priority improvement areas of the school. These areas would then be the focus of our school improvement plan,” he said, ready to steer BSHS towards a greater destination.

Mr. Ferdinand P. Noble's journey on becoming an assistant school principal has been a long and challenging voyage, filled with years of hard work. However, his journey is a testament to the fact that with

I Love You L3000

CREATING

Competitions meant transportation and commuting, especially if the venue is far from where the school is located. And studying in a public school also meant that trying to get a vehicle will be a challenge, most of the time. But, that has never been a problem for me and my “Journos”.

Barangay Bagong Silangan is just like any other Barangays, we have our officials here and our Institutes. But a gem that we really have is our “Kapitan”, Kap. Willy Cara.

Kap. Cara has always been very supportive and responsive to the needs of our town, especially the students. If they have a concern, rest assured that they will be answered in no time. And that includes the transportation we needed to represent our barangay and our school in the District

transportation we needed to represent our barangay and our school in the District Competition for Journalism.

I remember the morning of that day, I was so nervous that it felt like I just wanted to puke right there and then. I did not know how to calm my nerves down and just waited for the arrival of our ride. Then it came. Our very own L300 that was given to us by our kapitan. It even had a driver who was willing to send us off and then wait for the contest to finish to drive us back to our homes. It was heartwarming, for someone to offer us so much of their time. We did not have to pay for anything, all we had to do was go to the competition and kill it.

I will never forget the experience I had with them in that L300. We started our trip with a prayer session. We prayed that

dedication, hard work, and commitment, one can make a meaningful impact in the lives of students and the education sector as a whole. As BSHS's new assistant school principal, Sir Noble is determined to use his knowledge and leadership wskills to help the school reach new heights of success, adding his expertise to the crew, and charting a course on a brighter future.

everything would go well and that no matter what the outcome of the contest was, we would enjoy the experience.

Throughout the whole ride, we were anything but quiet. We were talking about anything and everything, from topics that we prepared to write, to what meals each of us had before we left our houses.

Laughter filled that van, and with the laughter rising, my nerves started falling.

I did not worry about the competition as much as I did before. I thank the heavens for the set of people that was with me that day. And of course, the L300 that was the witness of every little smile that decorated our faces.

Without that ride, I would not have these memories that I so very much cherish with my fellow writers. The trip made it seem like we did not have a competition that we will eventually stress ourselves out about in a few hours.

Without that ride, we would not have achieved the winnings that we did. Both District and Division Level, we did not come home empty handed. That van is the soul proof of everything that happened before and after our competitions, and for that, I can say that that L300 is something that I will forever remember.

This would not have been possible without our Kap. Cara. He blessed us, the journalism team, with memories to treasure without even knowing it. And if it were not for those people who were around me, I probably would not even know how to calm myself to get ready for the storm that was about to come. With a simple L300 life that day was a bit more easier and enjoyable.

We are all trees at some point in our lives. A tree that sits still with authority, independence, maturity, and connection even after a strong wind blows. Just like trees, we tend to encounter storms. We got blown by tasks, missions, and orders. But in the end, we are known to be the unrelenting trunks.

As the wind blows, it shapes us into someone we never thought we would be, just like Asia Shane Saen and Karizza Manaligod, grade 10 students from Bagong Silangan High School, who happens to become one of the trees.

At seven, they already started leading the people they were unfamiliar with. But sometimes, we will realize that those people are the ones who built who we are today. They are the tree branches that support our growth. Like the two, even though they grew from different environments wherein Asia trained to be a leader at a young age while Karizza trained herself to lead her own. They still clicked with each other with the same principles and beliefs.

Eight years have passed since they started learning to be a great leader, and became the school's well-known leaders because of their never-ending leadership. This school year 2022-2023, Karizza was elected as the president of BSHS's Supreme Student Government, while Asia was elected as the Vice President.

A tree has its strengths and weaknesses, flaws, and imperfections. Just like a tree, their journey was never that easy. But they remain standing no matter how cold, dark, and mysterious the night is. No matter how hard and violent the winds blow, they are inseparable.

Even after these hardships, luck remains on their side. Last February, their SSG adviser chose the two to represent the school. They got the chance and opportunity to be one of the scholars of Centrex, Quezon City’s training ground for future leaders,because of their numerous achievements.

Leadership might sound stressful, and some may hate it. You can’t move people to action unless you move them with emotion. The heart always comes before the head. So, to move people into action, leaders need to engage and connect emotionally to their followers.”

Beneath the ground, a tree has a root system that acts as an anchor. Even before we became a tree, it is already engraved in our souls. Integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, empathy, and gratitude; without this, even with a gentle blow of the wind, you will fall.

APPRECIATON POSE. Students from Bagong Silangan High School show appreciation to Kap. Willy Cara for being supportive and for transporting them to different venues using the L300 van during the District and the Division Confab for Journalism.

Photo by: Ivan Gabriel Rubiales

Althaea Ezra Moldez

Ferdinand Noble Assistant Principal

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Ahron John Briñas

LEADERS. Supreme Student Government’s President and Vice President of Bagong Silangan High School works on their research about mental health for the Centrex scholarship program. Photo by: Francheska Bautista

Built to Beat the Heat

“Ding! Ding’’ That’s when I realized it’s lunchtime and I still don’t know what to eat. And because it’s scorching hot, I want to eat something cold and refreshing. I continuously walk around the canteen trying to decide what to eat to fulfill what I’m craving.

Many students visit the canteen during recess to purchase various things such as carbonara, palabok, biscuit, juice, and many others. However, because the weather is so hot, the students are looking for ways to cool off gradually while being hunger-free.

We have numerous options for staying cool now that the weather is boiling. In today’s sweltering heat, who wouldn’t want something cold? We share similarities with ice that breaks down in hot weather. With the heat we’re now experiencing, we need something cold to combat it.

Saging Con Yelo is coming your way!

This is the most popular dessert among Bagong Silangan High School students. This is the ideal dessert or snack for the hot summer days.

But how does it actually taste?

Of course, if you’re a fan, you already know what it tastes like. Its innate sweetness, but massive structure, is enhanced by the syrup, shaved ice, and

It’s the time of the month again where I get to shine as much and as hard as I want. I know it’s cruel and I don’t intend to hurt anybody, but beaming is what I’m meant to do.

I stretched my arms and climbed above the mountain. I looked down and smiled but the next thing I knew, I suddenly let out the loudest sneeze I’ve ever had. “Achoo!”

Oh no! What a bad way to start a day. Are they frowning at me? This is not what I wanted to happen. I wanted them to smile back and spread positivity.

I decided that today will be the usual, another sunny day. But what makes today unique compared to other days is that it’s actually more vivid, maybe more than what I’d typically prefer. Everything seems so normal, birds keep chirping as well as the people who keep chattering. But I noticed something, a room full of people who’s scorched with flames.

There is not a time where you would not see them not using anything that they can to fan themselves in order to let some air kiss their sweaty skin. From their handheld fans, to even using their hands as a way to cope with the heat. If they were given a chance just to be hit by the “air producing appliance” they would definitely get it. Oh I wish I could make the cool breath of nature leap through their open window and offer them some kind of relief. But I can’t, after all I cannot call the wind to fall.

Something caught my attention, I turned to my left and suddenly, my ears were filled with the noise coming from what they call a “canteen”. A bell rang that made almost everyone leave their rooms, not because there’s an ongoing drill but because it’s already break time and they can now leave the most boring place on earth. Parched, exhausted, and gasping for something to give them a sense of relief from the agonizing heat. As usual,

Denise Gail Agresor

evaporated milk.

If your mouth is now watering just by thinking of how it will taste like, then try to make it! It is relatively easy and enjoyable. Simply follow the procedures and your picture of a refreshing and cold snack comes to fruition.

The ingredients you will be needing are as follows: saba banana, brown sugar, water, vanilla extract/essence, salt, shaved ice, and evaporated milk.

S- SLIP THE BANANA’S SKIN OFF Get rid of the skin from the banana, section it to the desired proportions, and set it aside.

A- ADD WATER AND BROWN SUGAR TO THE POT Stir the sugar into the water, and add vanilla extract/essence, bring to a boil, and cover with a lid. When the water is boiling, gently add the sliced banana, and cover with a lid.

G- GO FURTHER TO COOK THE SYRUP.

Continue to heat until the syrup thickens slightly. When the syrup has thickened slightly and the desired amount of sauce has been reached. Remove from the heat. You’ll notice the sweetness of

the syrup, which is made from caramelized sugar. The flavor of the syrup is not sticky at all, yet it features a watery consistency.

I- INVITE IT TO COOL ONTO A SERVING BOWL

The syrup must be cooled down before serving. It must be chilled so that the ice, which is the key element in Saging Con Yelo, does not melt instantly.

N- NOTE: CRUSHED ICE AND MILK SHOULD BE ADDED

Of course, it’s not Saging Con Yelo if you forget the crushed ice and milk. Serve the saging minatamis with milk and crushed ice. Sago pearls or corn flakes are optional.

G- GOOD TO GO

You can now serve and eat the Saging Con Yelo, sweetened banana in brown sugar syrup served on crushed ice with milk.

Now you can make your own refreshing drink that is cost-effective and enjoyable. Eating Saging Con Yelo is one way to cool off the body. That is why it is popular among students because it is relatively affordable and mouthwatering, especially now in the summertime.

Cruel Summer

the room this whole time. She has been interacting with the students and asking them questions like “Did you all bring your own bottled water today?. I listened to their conversation very closely and heard the teacher’s reminder to always drink water especially once the afternoon rolls around. Why is their topic all about the weather today? Don’t they have something new to talk about?

Ough ough! Oh my God! I totally forgot that I am sick today. When I looked back at what had happened, I thought, was it all my fault? Is it my fault that I’m sick, or should I blame others who are more responsible for what they’re going through right now? I have been going from room to room trying to share my glow, but all I have been doing is spread my sickness. I cast all my worries away. Instead of questioning, I should just go around once again. For the last time, I just want to see people who are genuinely happy and don’t even give a damn about me. I noticed a group of people at the top of the building on the school’s “covered court”. This is different huh... despite the hot weather, they’re still having fun and even though they are already sweating, they continue dancing

some were trying to find their friends, while most of them were trying to find the most refreshing drink that they could find.

“Palamig”,”halo-halo”, and “juices” are the three beverages I constantly hear that the students buy to satisfy their needs. I wonder what those drinks taste like, and why they are the “best sellers” for today’s menu.

After roaming the whole canteen, I have decided to ease up a bit to lighten the mood. Angling my position, directly hitting another room full of people. But

I think these students are much younger than the others I saw previously. They look so serious while answering something on a sheet of paper, almost like it is too embarrassing to even cough. Minutes had passed since I stayed here watching them. I saw once again

the frowning faces that the others wore before, but unlike those students, they are just probably having a hard time answering their exams. It is not my fault right? I did not even do anything! Or so I thought… They started fake crying and being dramatic because they said that they felt very “hot”.

Just like what I saw from the rooms I have been in before, these children are doing the same thing again. This time, they have someone in front of them. I think this is who they call a “teacher”. This tall human is talking about something that I cannot comprehend. It seems like she is acting like the students in front of her, she is also fanning herself and making sure that the fan hits the portion of the room that she is in.

This teacher has been walking around

enthusiastically to every beat of the music. All of a sudden, someone made a mistake, and they all laughed. I also found the incident to be hilarious, so I laughed too. Hahaha! It was a rollercoaster ride, exploring this school. But it is getting quite late, so I must go. I think my friend is here to replace me for the night.

As I was about to leave, I heard someone say, “Oh Mr. Sun, why must you hurt me this way?”. I do not know how to tell them that I did not mean for this to happen! My bright golden arms have a mind of their own and I have no control over them. I wish I could tell them that they could help by taking better care of the nature that controls my system, the same nature that they live in. Maybe then we will have a common ground and have an enjoyable and not such a cruel summer.

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Mariel Estudillo

Althaea Ezra Moldez & Chelsea Mae Residuo

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Alexander Patrick Nitura

Maria

Moon Over the

Feeling the beat and music down their bodies, they found themselves dancing along with those performing. Screaming, shouting, and clapping as the candidates of the pageant walked down the runway. Too much has happened, but one thing bides in the student’s mind; that sure was a day to remember.

Years have passed as hope starts to disappear from students’ eyes. Flashbacks from the past celebration of the school’s foundation failed to give them peace of mind. But inside a tunnel, so dark, a light suddenly shines. Smiling ear to ear as the news of a face-to-face foundation day coming had come to the students’ reach.

Surprise as the students were from the news of the foundation day coming they completely doubted the outcome of the event. But that didn’t stop the participants from giving their best. As weeks before the awaited event were overflowed by hard work of teachers prepping up the stage and the flow of the event to go smoothly. At last! The awaited event has come! The past that keeps hunting the students’ peace of mind would be replaced by a better and more joyful one. Students cheering from the top of their lungs welcomed the event the moment, the emcee spoke, to the point it over-shadow the emcee’s voice. The celebration started with different dances performed by each grade level, from folk dance to tango and hip-hop. The students of Bagong Silangan were able to show that they’re not made just for academics and that they too can

From turmoil to triumph

Ithought I was living in a different world. As someone who was used to a fast-paced routine, I found myself struggling to adjust to the new normal. It swept in like a tide, crashing against the shore of our lives and leaving us gasping for breath. The once bustling city streets were deserted, and the daily rhythms of life were disrupted.

excel in dance.

The event continues with students with beaut and brains walking down the runway to compete for the title of Mr & Ms. Bagong Silangan. Showcasing their sense of fashion with the fresh look of casual and breath-taking sports attire, followed by dashing nightgowns, and q and’s wouldn’t be missing. The contestants who astonishingly won the competition were: Ranni Doll, candidate number six, and Deniel Mapa, candidate number two for Mr. & Ms. Bagong Silangan High School.

After an hour’s break, the pageant for teachers started. They showcased their national Costumes, talents, and their formal wear. In the end, Mr. Rhyan Dequina and Ms. Escala from the MAPEH Department were able to bring home the bacon.

Students and teachers went home with their hands reddened as they couldn’t stop clapping for the students who performed. Aching arms are lingering from holding up their phone to record each performance. A hoarse voice from non-stop cheering, a smile on their faces, and a memorable memory to remember no matter what is bound to happen next.

Like a pin on a calendar, the 14th of April will always have a place in the students’ hearts. Delightful as they can be, a thought stands still. None of this would’ve come to life if it wasn’t for the principal so dear, Ms. Maria Gina M. Rocena, the mastermind behind the students’ smiles and the lovely memory in the core of their hearts.

Overcoming the

“Don’t wait for the water.” It was seven in the evening, hearing a wake-up call, the sign of a beast at night for Celine and her family. Who were among the hundreds who were greatly affected by Typhoon Paeng in Bagong Silangan last October.

In the immediate hours afterwards, they tried to make haste to go out of their house to what they thought was safer. Walking a step ahead, waiting for the rescuers in the middle of the darkness, prior to their escape.

Celine and her family, together with the Bagong Silangan community whose residences were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon were about to pass through

Bagong Silangan Elementary School but seeing it was overloaded, they decided to pass through Bagong Silangan High School. Finally, they are now housed at the evacuation center.

With hundreds of individuals displaced by the series of Typhoon Paeng that wreaked havoc, including the COVID-19, the Bagong Silangan High School coordinated with local government and dispatched members and volunteers to the affected areas and evacuees to provide urgently needed aid, as well as to ensure minimum health standards that there is adequate, effective, and supportive tracing, social distancing, isolation facilities to limit transmission, and feeding stranded

I grew accustomed to the hustle and bustle of campus life, I felt like a fish out of water in this new, uncertain world. Instead of attending classes in person, I found myself staring at a computer screen for hours on end, trying to stay focused and engaged in virtual classrooms. It was a far cry from the lively and dynamic discussions that I was used to, and I felt as if I was just going through the motions at times.

I was living in a different world altogether. I missed the spontaneous conversations with friends during lunch breaks and the energy of participating in group projects or extracurricular activities. It was difficult to feel connected to my classmates and teachers, especially since everything was happening on a computer screen. It felt like I was wandering in a dark and unfamiliar forest, unsure of where to go or what to do. The isolation of remote learning made it difficult to stay motivated, and the constant distractions of home life made it hard to focus on my studies.

But amidst the chaos, there were glimmers of hope. With more time on my hands, I dove into new hobbies and rekindle old friendships through the virtual world. I began reading comics, watching dramas, and even found peace through writing poems. These small moments of joy became life rafts, keeping me afloat in the stormy sea. I discovered new online tools and resources that helped me stay connected with my classmates and teachers. I learned to manage my time more efficiently and to create a dedicated space for learning in my home.

As the pandemic subsided and restrictions lifted, I emerged from my

cocoon, blinking in the light of a world that felt both foreign and familiar. I felt a flutter of excitement mixed with apprehension as I reconnected with the people and places that I had taken for granted. It taught me to appreciate the beauty in the mundane, to find magic in the everyday. It showed me the power of human connection, and how our shared experiences can bring us closer together. In the midst of uncertainty, I found my footing and learned to adapt to the constantly shifting tides of life. But despite the difficulties, there was also a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. We were all finally able to connect with each other in person, to have real conversations and engage in meaningful interactions. The classroom was no longer a pixelated screen, but a dynamic space brimming with life and energy; and as I looked around, I noticed a sea of faces, each with its own narrative of survival and resilience. We had all weathered the storm of the pandemic, and had come out the other side stronger and more resilient than before. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we are capable of adapting and thriving.

As I look to the future, I am both optimistic and wary. The pandemic has forever changed the landscape of our lives, leaving us to navigate uncharted waters. But I am reminded that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope on the horizon. As we move forward, let us hold onto the lessons we've learned and continue to find joy and wonder in the world around us.

TIDES

residents by providing hot porridge and bread.

“Sadly, I could hear the buzz of impatience and tired people. At that moment, I could see the worry in their eyes that they were trying to hide, and saving what needed to be saved,” she said. It was very complicated during the situation, as the country was facing a natural hazard while dealing with a health pandemic. “Double challenge” as what they say, keeping their residents safe from both the Typhoon Paeng and COVID-19, while the difficulty in maintaining physical distance throughout temporary shelters.

Celine’s sense of wariness: A sound of despair and impatience, the perfect recipe for a stampede. It was noisy and tense all

throughout. Likewise, Celine felt frustrated about their situation and describes what it feels like to be a survivor “One question that can describe what I felt, ‘What if it might happen again?’ a heartbreaking reality that our home might no longer be the same - and it never will be.” She added.

However, in the midst of devastation and the pandemic, their hearts race and remain alight.

Celine is just one of the survivors of the traumatic typhoon forces that have passed for now, not just survivors but astounding within itself. Finding her way to underline sheer vulnerability and seek courage to such an experience she will never forget for the rest of her life.

Hanna Jay Palma

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Majella Geralding Solpico

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Ivan Gabriel Rubiales

Feangilie Soriano

John Harold Pamesa

When we were kids, we learned how to read, to write and to count. Teachers are our second parents in school. As we grow up, we learn some valuable lessons and try to improve with our teachers who help us understand and resolve our curiosity step by step.

Here at Bagong Silangan High School, teachers wear a different hat in the performance of their duties aside from being a good mentors. They really influence and shape our lives as their students. BSHS’ students are lucky because we have brilliant, caring, and intelligent teachers. They are multi-talented. In fact, they have joined and won different contests and demonstration in both district and division level.

Ms. Mae

“Triumphant Stories brought by hard work”

Celebrating Success

L. Bucad, ESP teacher won “The most Outstanding Demonstration Teaching of Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao”. It was momentous. It was a mixed of emotions because by the time she was declared winner was also the same moment her mother was breathing her last.

An addition to the list is no less than Ms. Anna Rose Penero who was awarded as the “Most Outstanding Demonstration Teacher in A. P. and HUMSS” at the division level. It wasn’t easy for her to win, especially in the division level. She was so proud and happy to raise the flag of BSHS.

Ms. Jennifer R. Ecsrey, also a teacher from Araling Panlipunan department, exhibited her intelligence in the search for “Natatanging Guro sa Panahon ng Pandemya, National Teachers’ Day 2022”

where she was hailed as Top 13 in the division level.

A young, promising, and dedicated teacher, Mr. Erick O. Manibog added a feather in his cap when he was procalimed as a second placer in the search for “ Outstanding Demonstration Teacher for Mathematics,” district level.

Not only does BSHS’ teachers excel in the academic field, some teachers are born artists. Mr. Allan Francis Escario, a TLE teacher proved his power in the field of arts after receiving a recognition as he won first place in the “ Art on Bench Painting Contest” sponsored by the QC LGU.

Just recently, another teacher from the TLE department spiced up the heat by winning 3rd place, Food category in the

Wonders

It's a girl! The world turned over a new leaf as the joys of spring filled the room after they saw a glimpse of a child inside the mother’s womb. It was like a dream they always wish to have, a dream that can make them forget about all the nightmares they’ve seen. A girl, a girl that they will watch as she grows into a woman they want her to be. Her being born is the most surreal feeling they've ever felt. She was like a breath of fresh air, she changed everything they used to do. Starting from their sleeping schedules up to the necessities she needs. They will walk and look in every aisle of the store to find the goods for their little one, especially the soft and comfortable thing that gets them through the night, a nappy. They say that the best buddy of a baby is a nappy as it is the comfort that they need to break from the cries of discomfort .

As she grows like a seed to a plant, she started to make a fresh start, she began to walk, to talk, and to kick off the nappy that used to be her best buddy during her younger years. A new era has begun, a new chapter has unfold, and a new journey is yet to be done. She was now over through her diaper days, she’s now a girl. A girl that is ready to acquire memories she would never forget.

Her quest has been doing well, a new chapter has been written, and a new era shall be mold. Little she didn't know is that the soft and comfortable thing that

she used to wear in her infancy will come back as a new period of journey she’s about to encounter.

She’s now the one walking through the store and finding the aisle of a pad that will become a part of her life almost every month for the half of her life. A sanitary pad make everything far from sad, it is her savior every time she deals with her body undergoing changes.

Division TechnoFair.

These are living testaments that BSHS’ students are truly fortunate to have such skillful and talented teachers who wears different hats in the lives of their students. With these teachers as trainers, it is guaranteed that students will pave their way in crafting their own name harnessing their skills and talents.

They are all committed to creating a positive and engaging learning environment that fosters academic excellence, success and personal growth. The determination that they have shown, has greatly improved BSHS. We, students, are indeed lucky to have them as our teachers. So we have to always remember keep moving forward until we reach our goal with our dear teachers as guide.

of LIFE

The feeling she feels is unexplainable, she’s confused and having really strong emotions she never felt before. She knew that this era wasn't the same one back then. The pad isn’t that comfortable as a nappy was. The pad doesn’t have the same genuine comfort and care as a nappy was. She knew that this is something she should face, she knew that her little girl chapter has come to an end.

The period of her new chapter becomes evident not just on her emotional progress but also on her body. It was hard, especially when she meets people everyday and then points out what has changed. But her going to school and seeing a lot of students that felt and experienced the exact same thing became the comfort she truly needed. It was a big hug for her, knowing that she’s normal and assuring that there's nothing wrong with what she feels. But she was a

strong woman that will face the obstacles eye-to-eye and overcome them with a smile. She is still new to the concept of “developing to be a woman” but she knows that her life isn’t about finding what you seek but rather facing what you fear. She stood confidently and embraced her changes like how a mother embraces her child. To embrace all the change, to accept the growth, to write a new chapter, to run for a journey, to discover new things –––That is the growth of a woman her mother aspires her to be, and she is still on her quest, but her being able to face these changes dead to the eye is an example of true score bullseye. All these she counts as wonders of life.

Clara Astrid Solleza

MR. ERICK MANIBOG MR. ALLAN FRANCIS ESCARIO

MS. JENNIFER ECSREY

MS. ANNA ROSE PENERO

MS. MAE BUCAD

MR. MARVIN DELA CRUZ

YshaKish

CyrillAquino

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Ahron Jhon Briñas

QCHD, PBSP, Village Chief, Willy Cara sponsors Free TB Screening, Xray

Free tuberculosis (TB) screening and X-ray were conducted in collaboration with the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and village chief Willy L. Cara on March 24 at Brgy. Bagong Silangan Health Center.

QCHD provided a mobile X-ray van that was used in conducting the tuberculosis (TB) screening and chest X-ray for all residents.

The initiative was anchored on promoting lung health for residents of Barangay Bagong Silangan, with the theme “Ayos Ka Lungs Ba?” The screening to determine whether individuals are positive for TB were made possible by using mobile X-rays equipped with computer-aided detection or artificial intelligence in just 5 to 10 minutes.

They conducted this free X-ray screening in collaboration with Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to check if a person has tuberculosis (TB) or not. Also, conducting this active case finding helps them find a person with and immediately cure them.

Majarilo

Residents who are 15 years old and older were given free access to chest X-rays in order to detect TB-positive cases and provide early treatment to those who were diagnosed.

The mobile clinic program has been making its rounds across the city in order to serve as many residents as possible.

Rotaract Club Celebrates Earth Day

Rotaract Club (RC) President, John Mark Abad conducted a River Clean-Up Drive at the New Greenland Garden to celebrate the Earth day. The project was made possible through the assistance of the different clubs of Brgy. Bagong Silangan on April 22.

The River Clean Up Drive officially began at New Greenland Garden with the assistance of Rotaract Club, Interact Club, Guardian Brotherhood Inc., Bagong Silangan High School Supreme Student Government (SSG), New Greenland Youth Organization, Tumana Youth Organization, and Rotary Community Corps of Bagong Silangan.

“The project aims to prevent calamities and to protect the community who are prone to calamities,” Mr. Abad, the RC president said in an interview with The True Reflections.

Unlocking Risk

Today, the global spread of COVID-19 is subsiding, implying a reduction in its adverse effects in various ways. The virus is still not eradicated, although its spread is not as bad as during the pandemic when the virus’ range of dissemination was out of control. From the current updates of health organizations, they are considering the possibility that COVID-19 will shift from pandemic to endemic in different countries as it is no longer a global emergency. But seeing the status of the Philippines and the growth rate of the virus, it is not yet the time to declare it as an endemic of COVID-19 in our country.

Looking back, the last three years of fighting the COVID-19 surge, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a pandemic. The virus can spread and affect neighboring countries, making its infection rates skyrocket daily. While the endemic level is now being discussed in light of the evident easing of contagious disease, it is clear that the difference between pandemic and endemic is not about the severity of the virus but the degree to which it has spread.

The restrictions on activities in the Philippines have begun to ease in the past few months. But is it enough to apply the endemic peculiarity to the country? There could be a valid reason for this consideration if only people consistently followed existing rules. The status is vulnerable; there is no certainty, and nothing can prove that the virus has been cleared.

Earth Day Organization conducts Tree Growing Activity

Mr. Clarence Gio Almoite, ambassador of the Earth day Organization conducted a tree growing activity with the participation of the two buses from the PayPal company at the New Greenland Garden on April 22. Over 80 people participated in the activity including the 60 participants from the Paypal and 20 persons in the community. They planted 100 trees along the river, surrounding the farm of the Greenland garden.

“The purpose of this tree growing activity is to see the trees growing in 3 years, the first year in 2023, second year in 2024, third year in 2025. In the long run, the trees that have been planted here it will grow taller like this tree, Bagong Silangan being vulnerable to floods, will have these trees as their refuge. So in the next few years in case of flooding, if there are trees to protect them, if ever the river overflows, these will sip the water,” Mr. Almoite said in an interview.

On May 15, the local government of Baguio City reimposed the mandatory use of face masks. Mayor Benjamin Magalong encouraged the people to practice the minimum public health protocols.

Over 25 people joined the river clean-up drive, including the eight students, the adviser of the Interact Club, and the four officers of the Rotaract Club.

“It’s fun because we got to exercise this morning, it also serves as a preparation because we have a practice later and we also cleaned a lot of clutter that was blocking where they were planting,” Jewel Galos, a Grade 9 student said when asked about her experience during the clean up drive.

“Therefore, it will not be hard if there is 20 feet above water level of flood, that is the reason why we need to do the tree growing activity, supposedly tree planting season is June to July but I pushed it for the sake of the company but we will monitor the tree growing.” he continued.

Over 100 trees were planted that day with the goal to plant over 400 trees to be surrounded in the river and into the farm. This project was originally organized last 2020 when Mr. Clarence Gio Almoite became the ambassador of the Earth Day. Org.

This has been a wake up call for the Silanganian community to be extra cautious in observing COVID-19 protocols, considering reports of a new variant. Otherwise, we will go back to time when all movements are limited.

It is clear that the risk of the virus is unpredictable, and the Philippines can further make a wrong move. Inspite of the immediate response and strong health security in our country, the people are the only ones who hold the future, and those who are responsible and willing to face the consequences with strong forces are the only ones who can unlock the risks.

This is one way of mitigating, and at the same time, hopefully, we can reduce the number of COVID cases. Our forecast is that there will be an increasing trend for the next three to four weeks, pa bago natin ma-realize talaga ‘yung pag-pa-plateau niya,”

Benjamin Magalong City Mayor of Baguio

“

The purpose of this activity is to unite the youth sector so that we can take care of or manage the proper segregation of garbage. For me, that is the purpose of the clean-up drive; it is not just about picking up garbage but it's also about segregating,"

Joshua Flores Asne Sangguniang Kabataan Officer

Irish Juanillo

Uziel Gubguban

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Mariel Estudillo

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Majella Solpico

BSHS Yes-O Conducts Hydroponics Planting

The Bagong Silangan High School Yes-o Club, conducted Hydroponics Planting on May 10, 2023, 8:00 AM at Bagong Silangan High School.

BSHS Yes-o Club is constantly promoting hydroponics planting since it cultivates plants without the usage of soil by using water and air. This process is more environmentally friendly and efficient.

In hydroponics planting, plants can be produced through hydroponics or water. That water has a chemical formula so that the plants can survive for a longer period of time.

Ms. Mary Grace Falcutila Yes-O Adviser

This type of planting is also gaining popularity because it is better for the environment. It provides huge benefits in our food supply because it uses less area and produces food without polluting the environment.

According to Yes-o Club Adviser Ms. Mary Grace Falcutila, the purpose of hydroponics planting is alternate for the soil which is not much available here, and also it uses less space and can also be in places that don't get space.

Hydroponics planting yields more than traditional agricultural methods, which is why it has grown in popularity. It has the potential to feed a larger population while using less space and resources.

Nutrients are more easily absorbed by the plant when using hydroponics. Plants will actually grow faster in hydroponics planting. It also prioritizes the health of our food, bodies, and environment while avoiding the usage of harsh chemicals.

The absence of disease or infirmity is not the only definition of health. It is a measure of metabolic and functional efficiency. Mental health is one of its dimensions that is currently a global health concern.

The term “mental” refers to something related to the mind, and the World Health Organization (WHO) defines “health” as a condition of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Therefore, mental health refers to a state that impacts a man’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In addition to how they deal with their emotions and make decisions. And there are several possible causes of mental health problems, including psychological trauma, genetics, physical health conditions, social relations issues, and bereavement.

Statistics from previous years show that mental health disorders are becoming more common, while access to care is more difficult for marginalized groups. From this,

it is clear that numerous elements and consequences may contribute to various disorders in people. Consequently, it is essential to first understand what to defend against, such as illnesses. Depending on the individual, mental illness will have diverse impacts. Everybody in the world experiences suffering, though not to the same extent. And one of the things that impacts the effort to overcome any conditions brought on by mental health is financial capacity.

According to the World Bank, almost 1 billion people live with mental illnesses as of 2021, and in low-income countries, more than 75% of people with the disorder do not receive treatment. Unfortunately, not everyone has easy access to adequate mental health care. Therefore, one of the primary goals of global health should be to increase understanding, recognition, support, and treatment for this wide range of illnesses, as no one should have to worry

about such seemingly incurable damage to their health to live in peace.

As we stand at the confluence of scientific progress and societal change, it is imperative to recognize mental health as a fundamental aspect of human wellbeing. No one deserves to fear living in this world. Life can throw anything at anyone, and during difficult times, a person may feel hopelessness and a lack of energy to plan for the future. Things to look forward to, such as getting closer to nature, learning to understand and manage your feelings and thoughts, and helping to create a better world, can help everyone cope with difficult situations. In the end, only man can discover a means of curing himself. Abwove all, protecting your mind means progressing in life.

To conclude, we are all responsible for our own well-being. Practice self care. Above all, health is wealth, so goes with mental health.

Life Brought at a Tender Age

Life Brought at a Tender Age

Adolescent pregnancies are a global issue but most often occur in poorer and marginalized communities. Many girls face considerable pressure to marry early, this becoming into one of the pressing issues Filipino youths are facing today

Teenage pregnancy has become a national epidemic, partly because more and more teenagers who give birth decide to keep and raise their children. There is a great cost to individuals, families and society when children have children of their own.

The Philippines has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates among the ASEAN member states despite the decrease of total live births of teenage mothers aged 10-19 in 2016, from 203,085 to 183,000 in 2019. According to the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), the Philippines has recorded a 7% increase in births among girls aged 15 and below in 2019.

Filipino minors who gave birth in 2019 increased to 62,510 from 62,341 in 2018. In 2019, 2,411 very young adolescents

aged 10 to 14 gave birth, or almost seven every day.

Pregnancy during teenage years is also associated with a higher risk of health problems such as preeclampsia, anemia, contracting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), premature delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and poor mental health outcomes.

According to the World Health Organization, pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading causes of death among girls aged 15-19 years globally, with low and middle-income countries accounting for 99% of global maternal deaths of women aged 15-49 years. Teenage pregnancy was declared as a “National Social Emergency’’ in the Philippines.

The children of teenage mothers are more likely to become teenage mothers, perpetuating the intergenerational cycle of teenage pregnancies. Through collective efforts and commitment, we can reduce teenage pregnancy rates and create a more inclusive and supportive society for all young individuals.

Silang-ASK-nians

Should Sex Education Be Taught in Schools?

“When the pandemic hit, a lot of teenagers became pregnant because of their lack of knowledge about sex education. They don’t know how to prevent early pregnancy and what to do if ever they want to have intercourse with other people. Sex education in the curriculum will help us prevent teenage pregnancy and other outcomes of unsafe sex. Therefore, I agree with it being included in the information that we intake.”

Judy V. Chavez | 10- Courage

“ I agree that sex education should be included in the present curriculum. Sadly, the parents bear the brunt of the untimely pregnancy. Sex education will improve students’ knowledge of what they can learn about sex because it will extend their comprehension”

Zairuss Mebreian M. Sahay | 10- Courage

“Yes. Sex education is required in schools to expand pupils’ knowledge of sex-related topics and to help improve their behavior.”

Christian Rubillos | 9-Perfection

CONTEXT: Sex education in schools remains to be a controversial topic as various members of the community shares their views over its appropriateness.

Konelley Parada

Uziel Gubguban

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Mariel Estudillo

Hope-Filled Pond

Most people associate fishponds as a place where you stock fishes or something that is used for farming. However, it serves as a relaxation hobby and also a living for Sir Jonathan Bigtas. The Bigtas Farm is one of the city's first agricultural alternative fishpond established to provide people with an additional source of livelihood.

Sir Bigtas was a hog-raiser before, but due to Bagong Silangan being highly urbanized especially in resident areas, the Local Government Unit (LGU) passed down a law that banned hog-raisers. As a

Do you think that changing the schedule is the best way to deal with the heat in the classroom?

CONTEXT: Heat indices

between 41°C and 54°C are dangerous and can cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion hence a survey was conducted to see if recent adjustments to the schedule of Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) are helping to ease the heat.

Konelley Parada

law-abiding citizen, he then thought of a way to convert his livelihood.

Having the fishpond contains a lot of advantages—not keen to the eye. It serves as a livelihood and also a healthy leisure— relaxing the person psychologically and mentally. It helps economically and in sustainability due to the demand being huge—meaning the market is also huge.

The fishpond benefits as a source of income in addition to being a model farm. It serves as an encouragement to others by LGU, that it is possible to convert their livelihood from hog-raising to something else. They built an association called

Silang-ASK-nians

NO YES

"Samahang Mangingisda ng Bagong Silangan" whereas they're spreading awareness of the potential of having a backyard fishpond to the residents.

According to Sir Bigtas, one of the challenges he encountered in terms of raising fishes or any livestock in that matter is number one—mortality rate, if the mortality rate is high, there's a chance that you will lose money. Number two—is man-power, in reality it's time consuming, therefore one of his challenges is how he can take care of his fishpond without sacrificing his other commitments.

Considering how well the fishpond is in

31%

progress, in terms of livelihood and profit, many people have expressed interest in turning their vacant plot into a backyard fishpond. Their association has continued, serving as a model for future possible backyard fishponds.

I started from zero, therefore the number one thing for me is learning, I want to learn although—a bit risky but you know “knowledge is very expensive” so if you really want to learn you have to have the guts to take that risk.

Jonathan Bigtas Owner of the Fishpond

Mayor Joy Belmonte Donates Eyeglasses

59%

Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City gave the students of Bagong- Silangan High School an opportunity to get their eyes checked up and received graded eyeglasses. The eye check up happpened on December 7 inside BSHS clinic.

10%

Sanctuary Inside The New Greenland Farm

to three months to accrue.

According to Miles Lilio, director and chairperson of the Savings Committee, cooperatives received 2% of profit sharing, 30% of the money earned goes to the owner of the rights, while 70% went to the work of the farmers.

They handed forms for students to fill up with their personal information and then they waited in line until their turn. The ophthalmologist who consulted the students’ eyes used a tonometer and phoropter for their eye check up. They also had a chance to choose the frame they liked. And lastly, they’ll list their names. However, they did not get their glasses on the same day.

“I think the main purpose of the event is to give students with poor eyesight the opportunity to have free glasses to make it easier for them to study properly," Majella Solpico, a student from 10-Benevolence said in an interview.

According to Nyah Infante, another student from 10-Benevolence that she was happy and aware the purpose of the event was to help the students with poor eyesight or blurry vision eye glasses for them to have a good and clear eyesight.

Most people think of a farm as a plot of land where crops are grown or animals are kept. However, it serves as a home for farmers. The new Greenland Farm in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, is the first agricultural cooperative farm established in the city for the purpose of giving an alternate source of income to the selected residents.

The farm was built through the initiative of the Local Government Unit (LGU) led by Mayor Joy Belmonte when she discovered the land after typhoon Ulysses. With the assistance of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the barangay officials,

the cooperative aims to teach the residents about the importance of farming. To help with their start-up, the residents receive free instruction in farming and vegetable harvesting.

The city established nutritious foodproducing urban garden distributions as a response to the lockdown’s negative effects on supply networks. As a result of insufficient food supply from other neighboring cities, urban farms help to address the dilemma of food scarcity. Most of the farm’s leafy vegetables that are harvested within a month are typically available for purchase. Fruity vegetables’ profits, on the other hand, take about two

One of the farmers at the new Greenland Farm, Ferlita Daelto, said that one of the challenges she encountered was the lack of machinery that helped farmers to grow more crops in less time and with greater efficiency. She also admits having issues with water flowing from the well. Despite difficulties, she was able to resolve the issue through communication and cooperation among the farmers.

The new Greenland Farm also benefits as a tourism destination and holds immense potential to being a community model. Visitors from various countries make their way to the farm, which serves as a marketing platform for nearby small farmers and results in enhanced revenue.

Considering how well the farm is in terms of income and market, many people have expressed interest in turning their lands into urban farms. The relationship with the stakeholders has continued at New Greenland, serving as a model for possible future urban farms.

However, not all of the students were satisfied with the free eyeglasses because of the lenses that don't suit some students’ eyesight.

Meanwhile, majority of the students are hoping that they could be the next recipient of the free eyeglasses adding that hopefully in their time they will be receiving eyeglasses with correct eye grade.

“For me, it was a good experience because it’s free and fast but unfortunately the lens they gave does not fit some of the students eyesight which is not good for them.

Nyah Izabelle Infante 10 - Benevolence

Amanda Luardo

PRESERVING THE NATURE. Farmer of the New Greenland farm secures the plants by putting strings to attach it so that it will not fall off. Photo: Asia Shane Saen

Prince Paguio

Science Feature

“Empowering Youth - For a Greener Future”

Antiporta secures 3rd in Chess Tilt

“Passion first and everything will fall into place.”

In a stunning display of skill and determination, Jayrald Jade Antiporta proved himself to be one of the best wood pushers in Bagong Silangan High Schoolearning him an impressive 3rd place in the First Inter School Chess Team Tournament on Monday, February 27 at Marikina NSDGA.

In the first and subsequent game, the 13 years old high school student from Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) initiated his opening moves in an Italian Game. The momentum of the game was sustained by Antiporta’s introduction of Queens Gambit and Englund Gambit as an inception throughout the third and fourth game.

The commencement made by Antiporta catalyzed an anxiousness within his opponents, pushing them to attentively consider their next actions given the nature of Antiporta’s moves.

In the midst of the fifth match, Antiporta took an unexpected turn when he altered his opening strategy from Englund to Queen Gambit which made his rival grapple with the situation, devising more lethal tactics to use against him.

At this moment, Antiporta encompasses his premeditated and fatal tactics as he sees that employing the Queen Gambit strategy will lead him to a successful win in this match. He knew that he couldn’t let his guard down as his opponent is a skilled player, however, as the game continued,

EDITORIAL

Farewell, But Not Goodbye

The towering Filipina Volleyball player, Alyja Daphne Santiago (Jaja Santiago), has recently made headlines in the sports world as she acquired Japanese citizenship. The news has generated mixed reactions from her fans and supporters, with some expressing disappointment and others showing understanding.

Santiago’s acquisition of Japanese citizenship reflects the growing trend of Filipino Athletes moving to other countries to seek superior prospects in their respective athletic fields. This phenomenon has been going on for several decades now, and it emphasizes the urgency for the Philippine Sports Industry to step up and take more actions to keep its outstanding athletes.

Inadequate resources and insufficient support are some of the significant reasons

why most of them choose to leave the Philippines. A dearth of efficient coaching and adequate funds pose hindrance to countless athletes, restraining their progress. Thus, numerous skillful athletes have sought opportunities abroad where they can gain access and experience greater exposure to advanced levels of competitions.

While it is understandable for athletes’ desires to chase their aspirations and secure better opportunities, it may still lead to undeniably loss for the Philippines. Their departure poses a significant challenge that requires a substantial amount of time and resources in order to develop new athletes who are capable of achieving the same level of proficiency they had.

Jaja’s decision to acquire Japanese citizenship may be seen by some as a loss for Philippine Volleyball, it is important to

Antiporta and his opponent grew confident as they scored equally.

With a surprise move that no one had anticipated, Antiporta pulled out the stops by executing his first and second Italian openings in his 6th and final match, knowing that his initial move could pave the path to triumph.

Antiporta focused on maintaining his momentum and he defended his chess pieces in every move he made, not until his rival made mistakes. These mistakes by his foe made Antiporta grab the time and opportunity to take and capture most of the important and powerful pieces of his opponent by strategically destroying them.

With just a few steps left to win, his rival made one final error that sealed the game

recognize that it highlights Filipino athletes seeking better opportunities abroad. There should be greater efforts to retain top talents by creating more opportunities for athletes to compete and excel in their respective sports here in our country.

The Philippine Sports Industry has the potential to be a driving force for national development, in the creation of a culture of excellence. With the right policies and investments, the industry can attract and retain talented athletes and coaches, creating a thriving system that strengthen growth and innovation.

In order to tackle this concern, the (PSI) must make it a priority to enhance its athletes abilities by organizing more prospects for their field, as well as Domestic Leagues competitions with adequate support. Thus, we are filled with pride and honor when our athletes put forth their best efforts in performing overseas and come back with success!.

in Antiporta’s favor and he masterfully secured the checkmate win over their king.

However, in the 7th and final match of the game, due to Antiporta’s careless gameplay, his queen was devoured that led him to a challenging situation that ultimately contributed to his defeat. On the Contrary, in spite of this loss, Antiporta still managed to take over the 3rd place in the Chess Tournament..

“We practice almost every day, then we practice our calculation in doing puzzles, then when we play with blind fold and we spar with Aviel because he is the strongest in the team, then it seems like our 3rd place in this tournament is not worth it. if I had won the last one, we would have been in 2nd place” Antiporta said.

Antonio Lumandaz and Alexa Jualo Trafalgar

Mc Kenly Estrella

MIND OVER BOARD. Jayrald Jade Antiporta (13), chess player from Bagong Silangan High school gets the third place in the first school chess team tilt, Monday February 27, 2023 at Marikina NSDGA.

Photo: Asia Shane Saen

The True Reflections Digital Art by: Ivan Rubiales

SPORTS

GROWING PASSION

the Badminton Team, the fact that he was received with an open arms did not prepare him for the shock of actually being

After countless attempts, he became a member of the Badminton Club, that’s where fate led him to meet Sir. Ryan S. Dequina and with that door open. He impressed his coach through his diligent and unwavering determination, his relentless efforts towards his training paid off when his coach acknowledged his eagerness to compete and granted him an opportunity to participate in the District Badminton Tournament.

Upon discovering his participation in the competition, he devoted himself to rigorous training in order to enhance his proficiency, boost his stamina, dexterity,

The first time he competed in a competition, he emerged as a surprising winner in the opening round of the District Badminton Competition. He said he was nervous that time but covered it up with the idea that he needed to enjoy it. His opponent was defeated thanks to his

After his triumph, a ferocious storm rolled in, rendering him unable to partake in the subsequent round due to a headache, nauseousness, and he almost collapsed before the day of the competition. As soon as he informed his coach about his condition, Coach Ryan decided to forfeit Nuñez without any second thoughts. Sir. Ryan stated that he prioritized the athletes health and safety, which is why he did not feel any regrets about his decision.

turn would come soon.

What was admirable was that he resisted the temptation to fixate on his inability to participate and instead acknowledged the difficulties he had overcome.

Despite missing out on a potential competition, he was still determined to pursue his sporting dreams. He also claimed that nothing could keep him from pursuing his sport and passion, and he would persist until he uncovered the extent of his abilities. In the face of obstacles, he remained convinced that Badminton was his vocation and resolved to persevere no matter what. Giving up is not in his vocabulary list.

PH to send 905 athletes to 32nd SEA Games

Following the General Assembly (GA) on Wednesday, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino revealed that the Philippines will dispatch 905 athletes and 257 officials to the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which will take place in Cambodia in May.

about taking up his friend’s invitation to give it a shot during his final year of HS.

He was fortunate to be accepted into the Badminton Team at his school, although he was certain that he would make it onto

FEATURE

When he discovered that he was forfeited from the game, he was sulky towards his coach. Nuñez said that he was deeply disappointed that he was unable to compete and in spite of their opponents effortless victory, he considered it as it is not his time yet and anticipated that his

ASPIRING VICTOR

As time passes by, the things we used to be familiar with are starting to gradually disappear. Each passing generation makes way for the next to take its place in history. In today’s generation, chess does not seem to be a popular choice among the majority of youngsters, they tend to opt for physical activities and online games rather than engaging in the intellectual challenge of chess. But for Angelito Langgam, it was a different story.

Come, and be a part of something extraordinary by uplifting the inspiring life story of Angelito Langgam, one of the best wood pushers of Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS), together. At the age of 11, Angelito Langgam Jr, started to hone his skills after being introduced to chess by his friend. But at such a young age, he didn’t get any chance to participate in any competitions in his school.

Now that he is in his Junior High School, he got a lot of opportunities to try out and partake in his School’s Chess Club Team. He

works hard to prepare for the competitions he will join in the future, he trained, solved puzzles, watched Youtube tutorials that can help him to enhance his skills.

It’s only natural for people to get nervous when going to a competition. Langgam felt the same way when he competed with seven different schools in the District Level held at Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science Technology High School. But on the contrary, he ate and left no crumbs with a standing of five wins and 2 losses.

When Langgam competed in the Division Chess Competition, even though he was thrilled yet anxious because his opponents are skilled players, he still managed to triumph in four games against his seven opponents, making him take the second place. He claimed that he was delighted at that time and cried out of joy because it’s his first year competing in such a prestigious competition.

After he won at the Division Level Contest, he joined the 3-man contest held in Marikina with his subordinates Jayrald Jade Antiporta and Aviel Carredo. He was so glad when he got to be the third placer

in the said competition, anyone will be glad when you achieved something worth it yet unpredictable.

After all of his winnings, he still had more opportunities to partake in different competitions. With the door open, he still wants to continue his journey to be a skilled chess player in the near future, he wants to be a better version of himself and wants his name to get known in his field of passion just like Aviel Carredo, a Grade 6 student from Bagong Silangan Elementary School (BSES), a young prodigy chess player. It’s the first yet main reason why he wanted to pursue his dream is also because he wanted to be praised by many and appreciate his efforts.

Langgam stated in his interview that he will never forget where he came from when he was just a beginner, and if he’s not fortunate enough to become a chess master, he plans to teach his younger sibling and other youngsters to play chess. His passion in his field will forever be linked with him until he gets older. ”It’s not what we can do that defines us, it’s what decisions we make.”

This group of Nationals will easily outnumber the 656 Filipino athletes who competed in 38 sports in last year’s SEA Games held in Vietnam, where the Philippines overall acquired fourth place with 52 gold medals, 70 silver medals, and 104 bronze medals.

“I’m confident these are all fighting athletes,” Tolentino said, “They will be competing in all the events despite the odds,” he added.

The 608 events in 38 sports that Cambodia has planned are still needed to be competed in by the Filipino competitors, despite the fact that the host country is favored by a certain set of regulations, particularly in combat sports.

The host is the only nation allowed to field full teams in combat sports from May 5 through May 17, all other countries are forbidden to do so.

FUN FACT ON SEA GAMES

Cambodia is their first time to host the 32nd Southeast Asian Games for the first time in 2023. The country is gearing up to showcase its best to the world by upgrading its sports facilities and infrastructure. Cambodia’s official mascot for the SEA Games is a cute and cuddly rabbits named “borey” and “rumduol“ were chosen as the mascot of Cambodia 2023 as it’s a lovable character in the Cambodia folk tales, that depicts strong values in the teaching of Buddhism- inspiring, fairness, justice, knowledge, and helpful in the community. The choice of the rabbits also highlights gender equality in sports.

there are many problems.

Carlo Antonio Nuñez 10-Harmony

Iris Jade Onrubia

Anne Reyl Yulores and Iris Jade Onrubia

Brian Rulloda

Brian Rulloda

OH HIT DONT QUIT. Carlos Antonio Nuñez, badminton player from Bagong Silangan High School, continue to pursue his sport and passion. Despite of difficulties and challenges in his life.

Photo: Asia Shane Saen

SPORTS

REFLECTIONS.

Beyond Disability, an extraordinary journey

In a world often divided by differences there are countless stories of individuals who rise above limitations and overcome obstacles to pursue their passion. One such remarkable story of John Loyd Villaroya, a young athlete who has carved a path of triumph in the world of Boccia.

In 2010, at the tender age of six, John Loyd discovered the captivating sport of Boccia. It was during a friendly competition at a local mall where he showcased his innate talent, securing an impressive 2nd place in his group. Recognizing his potential, John Loyd’s journey towards greatness began.

With each passing year, John Loyd’s dedication and skills flourished. By 2012, at the age of eight, he had already started participating in Boccia contests. The turning point came in 2018 when his remarkable talent was recognized during an event in Bulacan. He earned an opportunity to compete at the Malaysia Boccia Friendship Games, a significant milestone in his young career. However, passport issues prevented him from seizing the moment. It was a disheartening setback, but it did not extinguish his burning passion.

The year 2021 held the promise of another milestone for John Loyd, as he prepared to compete in the Bahrain Youth Boccia Competition. Unfortunately, the global pandemic disrupted his plans as COVID restrictions led to the cancellation of the event. As fate would have it, age restrictions barred John Loyd from participating in the Indonesia Para Games in 2022. Undeterred John Loyd, overcoming the disappointment with grace and determination.

and offering his encouragement. Together, their united front became the backbone of John Loyd’s pursuit of excellence.

In an exclusive interview, John Loyd offered insights into his journey and offered advice to aspiring athletes. When asked about his inspiration, he credited his family, friends, and teachers. John Loyd believes that his key to success lies in his determination to constantly improve, ensuring that he reaches his dreams. Balancing his athletic career with other

Behind every great athlete stands a pillar of support, and John Loyd is no exception. At the onset of his journey, it was his mother who stood by his side regardless the financial challenges their family faced. Through her love, she ensured John Loyd had the necessary care to manage his cerebral palsy condition. Over time, John Loyd’s father also joined, swelling with pride for his son’s achievements

Silanganians bag gold, silver medals in the 32nd SEAGAMES

Silanganians bagged gold and silver medals in the recently concluded 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAGAMES)2023 held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

30-year-old Gold medalist Silanganian Alvin Lobreguito bagged a gold medal for wrestling while Hergie Tao-wag Bacyadan clinched a silver medal in vovinam, a type of martial arts for the Philippines during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAGAMES).

Lobreguito was born and raised in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. He studied at Quezon City Polytechnic University before he decided to stop so he can concentrate on his

trainings.

“My inspiration to pursue my career in sports is my family and my wife, besides, I love what I do, so even though it’s hard, I still continue.” Lobreguito said as he pursues sports over his studies and take home the gold medal. “Hard work and consistency on training.”he added.

The Gold Medalist also left a message for those aspiring athletes “All I can say is for them to enjoy what they do and lovethe sport

they play.”

Meanwhile, Hergie Bacyadan was on a roll in the women’s 65kg Vovinam competition during the 32nd Southeast (SEA) Games. Bacyadan suffered from the same fate back in 2021 SEA Games held in Hanoi, Vietnam. As the Philippines protest was rejected, the technical committee said the rule was to declare the winner via a raffle. Bacyadan was the first one who will draw and Vietnam was the second. While opening the paper, Vietnam was delighted what she saw and instantly hugged bacyadan. On the contrary, bacyadan seemed disappointed with the results.

“Let’s say that what happened was a bit disappointing, but we don’t have a choice.” Bacyadan said.

aspects of life has been no small feat, but John Loyd faces each day with resilience, knowing that he is capable of overcoming any challenge. He envisions a future where Boccia expands its horizons, allowing him to venture into uncharted territories and compete on a global scale.

John Loyd Villaroya’s journey is an indomitable human spirit. From age of six, he has defied the odds, proving that limitations are illusions in the pursuit of dreams.

EDITORIAL

BSHS Deserves Better

As the world of sports continues to grow, it became increasingly important for schools to support and facilitate the growth of student athletes. Unfortunately, many schools are facing obstacles when it comes to providing necessary resources such as equipment, proper attires, and training facilities. This is the case at Bagong Silangan High School, where student athletes were struggling to get the assistance they needed to succeed.

It’s no secret that participating in sports is not just to stay fit and healthy, but also to develop important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and discipline. That’s why it’s so important for schools like BSHS to provide student athletes with the assistance they need to succeed.

One of the biggest issues that student athletes are facing at BSHS is the lack of equipment and proper attire. It’s difficult for them to perform at their fullest because they don’t have any access to gain necessary gears and equipment. The validity of this claim is heightened for students who happen to come from impoverished backgrounds that hinder them from obtaining expensive gear. Regardless of financial status, BSHS must ensure that all student athletes have access

to necessary equipment and clothing as a primary concern.

Another issue for the student athletes at BSHS is the lack of training facilities. It is crucial for athletes to have a dedicated space to train and practice, but at BSHS, there simply isn’t enough space for everyone. This is a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. BSHS should consider investing in additional training facilities, or partnering with local organizations to provide student athletes with access to alternative training spaces. But providing equipment and training facilities is only part of the solution. BSHS also needs to provide support for its student athletes in other ways, such as offering mentorship programs, counseling services, and academic support. By providing a comprehensive support system for student athletes, BSHS can help them succeed not just in sports, but also in aspects of their lives. This will improve their performance greatly.

All in all, it’s time for BSHS to step up and support its student athletes. By providing the necessary comprehensive support system, BSHS can help its athletes succeed both on and off the field. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for our athletes.

RISE UP. John Loyd Villaroya a young athlete rises to carve a path in the triumphant world of Boccia and proves that limits are illusions in the pursuit of dreams.

Contributive Photo: John Loyd Villaroya

Photo: Asia Shane Saen

Brian Rulloda and Mc Kenly Estrella

Nyah Izabelle Infante and Brian Rulloda

Mc Kenly Estrella

Don't stop dreaming;don't give up fighting!

John Loyd Villaroya, young athlete

CHAMPIONS. Mr. Alvin Lobreguito and Mr. Hergie Bacyadan pose during the SEA Games 2023 awarding ceremony. Contributed Photos.