Signum

STUDENT TEACHERS RE STUDENT TEACHERS RE

MATATAG CURRICU MATATAG CURRICU

by Marirose Nicole Ayson

The College of Arts, Sciences and Education (CASEd) student teachers attended the virtual Philippine Association of Teachers and Educators Region III (PAFTE 3) webinar at Holy Angel University via Zoom Meetings last April 03, 2024 as a part of their training as pre-service teachers.

This year’s PAFTE 3 webinar has its theme of “Transcending Teacher Education Training into the DepEd MATATAG Curriculum” that is pitched towards pre- service teachers in all Region

3 schools, colleges, and universities to prepare them for Department

which will be implemented for academic year 2024-2025.

The webinar started with t

from Holy Angel University’s president Leopoldo Jaime Valdes, followed by calling off

MATATAG.., page 4

GNCI students benefit from EFAP scholarship

by Jon Jancee Cate Cayanan

pproximately 850 GNCI students received Educational Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) scholarship for the second semester of the school year 20222023 at Guagua National Colleges covered court last April 03, 2024 to pursue their studies

This scholarship is a project of Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, along with the chosen board members and mayors of selected municipalities, to help the students cover their school-related expenses

One of the old applicants of EFAP, Princess Cosme, said that

“for me, it is a big help, especially for my needs at school, and the financial support that was given to us was 4,000 pesos Then, based on my experience, it is supposed to be every semester, but I think this coming school year, they will release the 1st semester 20232024 ”

Cosme expressed that this scholarship is a big privilege for education because it adds on their educational needs such as allowance, school supplies, and tuition

Meanwhile, Laica Chavez, a new applicant of the EFAP,

ncrease of energy fee affected students of Guagua National Colleges and their parents this second semester of academic year 2023-2024 in covering the installation of air conditioners across the campus. by Ivy Jamille Guinto

stated that this scholarship program is an opportunity that would be a big help, especially for personal matters and education

As per Chavez, “it is a big help for me because of my parents that would lessen our financial expenses, and the amount it was given to us was 4,000 Also, I can’t say if it’s yearly because I’m a new applicant ”

With those, EFAP is both a privilege and an opportunity for those who are seeking scholarships that would sustain their academic needs as well as their needs at home

HIKE , page 3

GNCI honors Lenten Season

by Jon Jancee Cate Cayanan

In commemoration of the Lenten Season, the GNCI Student Catholic Action called on everyone to join in chanting the Passion of Christ at Guagua National Colleges Oratory on March 18, 2024.

Truly, it celebrates and acknowledges the Lenten Season for what Christ has done on the cross, his death, and his resurrection

As John Jasper Ibay, the President of Student Catholic Action, said, “We conducted that event as part of the Lenten Season. Wherein we remember the life of our Lord Jesus from His nativity, passion, and death by chanting the Pasyong Mahal ”

Ibay emphasized that it was their first time at school, and their main objective is to get the students even closer to God by means of chanting the Passion, so as a part of their main goal

CASEd students play bring me with a twist

by Deborah Micah Diwa

The College of Arts and Sciences, and Education Department's students flaunted their partners through a ramp in a game segment called “bring me” during the Educators' Night at Tanjanco Hall last March 2, 2024, as part of the Education Festival.

This game segment was held for the first time through this year’s event

"Dean decided to make the participants ramp on the red carpet for a twist and for their outfits not to be wasted on that night " CASED Department Treasurer and emcee of the game, Kristine Kate Evangelista, said in a statement

One of the participants, Marjay Gonzales, a third year Filipino major student, was with her son during the event and she brought him to stage instead of a partner

“Napakasaya ko nung night na yun kasi kasama ko baby ko nun at sakto nagpalaro sila ng bring me

your bf at yun naisipan kong isama baby ko kasi yung baby ko yung partner ko nung time na yun at gusto ko rin na ipakita na yung anak ko ay bf kuna,” the Filipino major student said in an interview

She added that for all the mothers like her, their child gives them the courage and the confidence that being a mother is not an obstacle to continue their dreams

Citing CASED Department Internal Vice President, Micaela Vitug, the officers decided to have games during Educator's Night to lighten the mood and make enjoyment for the students

Vitug added that since Educ Night 2022 was a bit boring, they decided to integrate games in the middle of the program to ease the mood

Meanwhile, CASED Department conducts Educators' Night, commonly known as Acquaintance Party, every school year for their students to get to know each other

at Student Catholic Action (SCA), they aim to nurture the one virtue of the institution, which is faith

As per Mark Perreras, the liturgist of the Student Catholic Action, said, “We conducted that it is for us not to forget the Lord Jesus who sacrificed his life for our sins, and as far as my mind is concerned, we did that event last year ”

With this, the Student Catholic Action (SCA) concluded that this commemoration is not just about to impart information about Christ’s life, death, resurrection, but also to strengthen the faith of our fellow GNCians

It is part of the school’s mission to serve the students with quality education that is deeply rooted in Fides, which means faith in God and oneself

Junior High School Promenade Night nostalgizes Filipino culture

by Ivy Jamille Guinto

“Salamisim” was decided by the Junior High School Regular Department faculty as the theme in celebrating the Junior High School Promenade last March 21, 2024 at the Guagua National Colleges covered court

The said theme means a mirror of the past that leads to the future, as this showcases the culture and traditional way of life of Filipinos

The attendees, that includes the grade 9 and 10 students, JHS Regular Department faculty, and their principal, were required to wear a Filipiniana and Barong to embody the spirit and beauty of the Philippine fashion

According to Cristine Joy Salenga, a Junior High School Teacher, who organized the prom,

she decided to choose Salamisim as new to the eyes of others

With this, the unique theme satisfied the other employees of GNC, “sabi ng mga employees dito, kakaiba raw yung JS [JuniorSenior] prom kasi it is not the usual theme na JS [Junior-Senior] prom, it was actually new,” Salenga expressed

Additionally, the students were the most satisfied with this kind of theme, as they all attended and participated in the said event

Having this event proves that this provided good memories, that emphasizes the creativeness and uniqueness of celebrating promenade in Guagua National Colleges Junior High School Regular Department

GNC reimposes ‘No Sticker, No Entry’ policy

by Deborah Micah Diwa

G

uagua National Colleges administration reimplemented the “No Sticker, No Entry” policy this school year’s 2023-2024 second semester due to the massive amount of students’ vehicles in the campus’ parking area

With the increased number of students at the start of the school year, it has come to the attention of administration that employees under the said school do not have any parking space for their own vehicles

As of today, its reimplementation is seen as an effective way in limiting the number of vehicles entering inside the campus and maximizing the parking space needed by the employees

One of GNCI’s security guard assigned at the parking lot, Sigmund Salangsang, stated that “effective naman kaso ang nakikita ko naman na problema, minsan hindi natin maiiwasan na ‘yung mga bata nagtatamper ng sticker.”

According to him, if one of the guards assigned at the entrance of

the parking area is not familiar with the vehicles that he is allowing to enter, new stickered vehicles can enter even without official notice from the Security Office with regards to releasing new sets of stickers

Additionally, citing the Head of Security, Johnny Garcia, another loophole in the said reimplementation is the lack of guards since one guard cannot handle the number of students and vehicles entering the campus at the same time at the entrance of the parking lot

With that, Garcia emphasized that this resulted in having vehicles which are not meticulously checked upon entering the school grounds

Meanwhile, the Security Office released 300 stickers, and by availing it, one needed to present either professional or student license and registration of the vehicle from the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

Whiteboards take over the classrooms

by Marirose Nicole Ayson

Guagua National Colleges physical facilities department installed whiteboards in the rooms at Goseco Hall for an effective teaching and learning process that started last April 01, 2024

Teachers and students have been using chalk and chalkboards as their materials in the teaching and learning process ever since the classrooms were established at the said building

Getor Isip, Chief Financial Officer, who planned and approved the installation, addressed that this action was for efficiency, promoting low-cost materials, and ensuring the health of the students

Additionally, rather than removing the chalkboards and repainting the walls, placing the whiteboard on its previous frame lessens the cost in the installation process

are writing on it, the dusts would not go anywhere on their skin and even on the floor

HIKE.., from page 1

During the first semester of the said academic year, the school installed a minimum of one air conditioner in every classroom to enhance the learning environment and students will be comfortable especially in hot weather conditions

“‘Di ba shifting tayo? Yung morning junior high then yung afternoon may classes ang college Para flexible sa lahat, pinalitan na lang ng whiteboard,” Pusung added

In an interview with one of the members in the accounting office, who requested anonymity, the officer said that there has been an increase in energy fee, amounting 450 pesos, for this semester’s energy fee

However, this sudden decision has concerned one of the parents of a first year student taking Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management due to the financial constraints, Mary Jane Tolentino, stating that "sobra sakit bayaran ing tuition ning anak ku ngeni second sem midagdagan "

She also mentioned that with

the increased prices of the necessities, it was difficult for them to cope with the expenses, especially now that the tuition fee also increased

Alongside with it, her daughter, Micaella Tolentino, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, said that it also became a problem for her to pay the school fees on time because of the increase

Isip also emphasized that this would lower the health risks of the students by not having chalk dusts onto their skin, eyes, nose, and mouth directly

As per Shirley Pusung, one of Junior High School Regular Department teachers, who is using the whiteboard, said that cleanliness is one of the benefits of having whiteboards than having chalkboards, and since the high school students are the ones who

With that, this made all the teachers and students adjust from using chalkboard to whiteboard as one part of the advanced adaptations of materials in the school

This action was planned since face-to-face classes were implemented after the pandemic, but the process started in the first days of April, and the whiteboards are being installed

“Laging mag promissory note magkasakit kang mamayad kasi tatambak la deta lalo na ala nakami man pera talaga,” she explained.

In response to these concerns, Guagua National Colleges offers financial assistance, vouchers and discounts that students may apply to the GNC registrar offices, as they emphasize their support through the adjustment of students due to financial constraints

MATATAG..,frompage1

the participants, introducing guest speakers, and listing of the agenda led by Dr Riza B Lintag, PAFTE 3 Cluster Head of Pampanga

In the first part of the webinar, the first speaker, Dr. Runvi V. Manguerra, the Executive Director of the Teacher Education Council (TEC), discussed the aim of the theme, which is to recognize the existing and expected realities and adopt appropriate measures that are being experienced by our country’s educational system

“Teachers are expected to display content knowledge and pedagogy in the four corners of the classroom in order to ensure quality education,” he explained

Subsequently, Dir. Jocelyn DR. Andaya, Director of Bureau of Curriculum and Development of Department of Education, discussed the K-10 MATATAG Curriculum, providing the said attendees with background knowledge about what they need to remember and what challenges they could possibly encounter as they transition to the new curriculum

She reminded the pre-service teachers when it comes to learning under the educational management based on Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act (K to 12 Curriculum that mainly points out that learning involves progression where more complex skills are built on foundational skills

This webinar also discussed the updates from Professional Regulation Commission-Region III (PRC 3) to prepare the graduating student teachers for the upcoming Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) that was presented by Mr Paul H Aban, the Director of PRC 3 PAFTE 3 provided information on what they need to prepare for the upcoming school year’s implementation of MATATAG curriculum, shaping them to be at par with international

CASEd department hails 2 English major student teachers as most outstanding

unnel Calara an Carreon were an the Most Outstanding Teachers for this Acad 2023-2024 under the C Science, Arts and (CASEd) department posted last June 1, CASEd’s bulletin board.

The said student te two among the 35 stude of CASEd department

C a l a r a , a B a c h Secondary Education English student, gar average grade of 97 2

, g g 96 8 about what her ut the

Steachers assigned at Guillermo D. Mendoza National High School experienced both difficulty during their offcampus training because of the sudden shifting of learning modes due to extreme heat in the month of April

This situation affected them with the sudden change of learning mode every day and their completion of requirements as part of their training

Kristine Kate Evangelista, an English major student teacher, said that “we have limited hours of

observation, so we cannot really see much of students’ performances inside the cla ssroom ”

She also expressed that this had an effect when it comes to building rapport with the students, making it difficult for her to practice the teaching-learning process comfortably

In connection with their requirements, Evangelista stated that it is possible to for them not to complete the number of hours in off-campus training, which is 280 hours, since Mayor Anthony Joseph “Tonton” Torres, mayorelect of Guagua, mostly implemented either modular learning or having a half-day schedule

Similarly, a Filipino major student teacher, who requested anonymity, also indicated that they have inadequate time to be

uncement, Carreon said, “[I] surprised to see the awardees ed It was unexpected ” Carreon emphasized that she emotionally unprepared for her blessing that was given er that day

As advice to the next batch of ent teachers Carreon stated, you’re aiming to be most tanding, remember that ne can do it with their skills, ligence, and even cunning

Anyone can do it, but not yone can do it while keeping t their character, morality, principle ”

Dr Merlita Razon, Dean of Ed department and Instructor n and Off-campus Training, ioned that the basis of having recognition came from their ent teacher handbook: the mplished number of hours and ed evaluation forms during and final demonstrations their cooperating teachers in trainings

Together, both English major ent teachers will receive a al award for being the most tanding student teachers, g with the outstanding student hers, on their Graduation Day will be held on June 25, 2024 t is part of the curriculum that e student teachers will be ted as the Most Outstanding ent Teachers along with tanding Student Teachers that are based on their teaching demonstrations during On and Off-Campus Training

with the students, including getting to know them, as a part of a student teacher in their school for nearly two months

“Hindi ganoong natutukan, hindi gaanong nahahasa, natuturuan sa mga bagay na dapat namin malaman bilang guro sa hinaharap dahil madalas pa yung walang pasok at tila ba mas marami yung modular kaysa sa F2F [face-to-face],” the Filipino major student also added that as one of their hardships

With rising heat temperature in Pampanga, the Department of Education emphasized its Memorandum Order No 37, series of 2022, it is on the authority of the school heads and mayors to suspend classes based on the high heat temperature of a certain municipality and to implement modular or online learning as an alternative in catering the students’ education

tudent

MATAT

decided to implement another experimental education system, the MATATAG Curriculum or the K-10 Curriculum, which is based on another experimental scheme, K-12 Curriculum

The MATATAG’s pilot run started last September 25, 2023 in 35 schools nationwide to prepare for the phased introduction of the revised curriculum next school year (2024-2025) The upcoming implementation of the curriculum proposed new reading competencies, new learning strategies, and new tasks for teachers and support personnel

focusing on their lessons Leaving the four walls of the classroom bare seems to be clean, orderly, and functional, but it highly disregards one of the learning styles of students, which is visual learning style Also, this ignores the efforts of the teachers in mastering how to do and execute traditional visual aids as part of their curriculum in taking the course, education

teacher has discussed It is not simply removing all visual aids pasted inside the classroom, but to create an environment that is intended to the students’ grade level

Jamille Guinto

Arjay Bartolome

Given its aim to address the educational crisis in this country, it led to more downfalls, mainly handicapping students, teachers, and staff Due to its timing, more than a year after entering the new administration, the timetable does not guarantee that their aims and outcomes will be achieved, when in fact the K-12 Curriculum also had drawbacks during the past administrations hat were not yet solved nor improved Reading handicap (Reading comprehension)

The MATATAG curriculum has assigned the English reading

In relation to that, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)- National Capital Region Union president, Ruby Bernardo raised concerns to the DepEd order, labelling this order as irrational, teachers really take their time to transform the four walls of the classroom into a more motivating and engaging ambiance It was also implied that eliminating traditional visual aids from classroom affects the overall learning environment This action harms the teaching and learning process as far as visual aids are concerned, discouraging the students to retain the necessary information and even participating in classroom activities Staff handicap (Lack of education support system)

According to the reports of Commission on Audit, DepEd struggled to fill its number of

This is a call for the next teachers, current teachers, parents, students, and other concerned citizens to be knowledgeable in our education system, as they are the ones who undergo schooling, whether private or public, that have seen what is really happening inside and outside the classroom After all, the purpose of this is to give and support the education of the hope of the nation the students. This is also a call for the Department of Education to democratically consult the comprehensive suggestions of those who are highly involved in this matter before implementing another curriculum, that it is uncertain if that will address the underlying issues

Improving our education system is also improving our society, even our entire country From the Signum, ang lahat ng ito ay para sa bata at para sa bayan

OPINION

Just PRESS for Freedom

by Deborah Micah Diwa

During the 50th anniversary celebration of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) last April 15, 2024, President Marcos junior stated that unlike many of his predecessors, he does not seek collaboration, for it implies a surrender of independence He is of the opinion that national interest is better served by a press that is critical rather than a press that is cooperative Democracy, as defined by Abraham Lincoln, is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; and a free press is a major factor in it. Withholding a person's right to speak and criticize an issue that might concern or offend you cann b categorized as democracy Th a long history of battles for freedom in our country, journ needed more than to press to their freedom 5

declared Martial Law led to the arrest, imprisonment, and disappearance of journalists; and 4 years after one of the major news outlets in the Philippines was shut down under the leadership of Rodrigo Duterte, President Marcos Jr said that the president’s role is to defend press freedom, and not lead in destroying it or demeaning its practitioners

However, defending the press is not where our long list of presidents shine

When Marcos’ administration started, it was not far from what the journalists had experienced during Duterte’s regime, where killings, red-tagging, and even shutting down the country’s largest broadcasting system, ABS-CBN, prevailed

Throughout the Duterte Administration, there were about 23 journalists that were killed As of November 2023, 4 journalists have been killed under the Marcos administration, and one of them was shot deadduring a Facebook Li I Kh h

the Philippines remains a dangerous country for journalists, taking in mind the four media personnel that have been killed since President Marcos took office in 2022

“Red-tag” is the only nametag that the government can give to people who speak for themselves and others; in this case, journalists, and even activists put their lives at risk Wilnor Papa, Amnesty Philippines Activism and Mobilization manager said that there are growing numbers of human defenders that have been repeatedly red-tagged in Luzon resulting in killings, threats, and harassment Human Rights Watch Asia Director, Bryony Lau stated that red-tagging is a form of harassment that can lead to deadly abuses, and runs counter to Marcos’ pledge which is to improve human rights in the Philippines

Ever since the Marcoses returned to power, people have been worried that the administration might use its power to revise the bloody history of their family; from the time that Marcos Jr won, it is evident how he tried to change what truly happened when his father and their entire family was ousted in the country Marcos said that they were teaching lies to children with books that cover his father’s ime and called for a revision , people began to buy books out the late Marcos Senior and dictatorship era before the ministration will revise it.

released the number of holidays, and one date is missing, February 25: The Edsa People Power Revolution anniversary President Bongbong Marcos Jr removed it as a public holiday which is yearly celebrated as a commemoration of Filipino liberty to his dictator father From abolishing it as a holiday, how far can he go in rewriting the history now that he is the head of the state? Even if he delisted it to the number of holidays this year and to the years ahead, it would not wipe out the truth of how people specially the journalists were treated during the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr administration

Recently, in the Philippines members of the senate are still hav debate about approving the Di Bill This made the Filipinos d their own standpoint, whether agree or disagree with the said There are so many things that ne be considered, especially in term marriage, for it to become useless

Last May 22, 2024, the House B Representatives has passed Hous (9349) also known as the “Ab Divorce Act,” which aims to absolute divorce as a legal resour Filipino couples trapped in irrepa broken marriages

In my own experience growing a home where love is silent, quar loud Watching my parents fig front of me and letting myself act as armor so that my mom won’t get hurt and get a bruise really make me feel sad Even if we are a complete family, it feels worse than divorce As a daughter, when I always remember that bad scenario, it gives me anxiety and trauma, as I overthink what if they will fight again? That scenario breaks my heart into pieces, and it scares me every day.

that are right to be called as husband and wife; if one is doing wrong things, such as having an affair; if one becomes abusive; one will not do his or her responsibility as mother or father If one does any of those, the concept of marriage will become useless Some are against because they had a strong and happy family Just because you do not need it, it does not mean that others do not need it as well

Last October 13, 2023, Malacañang

Journalists have great power, and they know it comes with great responsibility They can either make or break people’s opinions by giving them the truth I have a huge respect for them because providing us with the truth sometimes costs them their lives which is too high a price, yet they are willing to give it just for us not to be blinded with lies The least I can do is to let them say what should be known to the public Press or not, we all deserve the freedom to express our opinions and sides We all should be free to voice out when we are being served of the things we don't deserve Journalists serve as an important pillar of a democratic society and we could at least appreciate them because they are front liners too, they give us the most liberating thing here on the Earth the truth. Magsulat, magulat, at magmulat

Divorce is not for everyone

by Ivy Jamille Guinto

or every child who is in the situation of a broken family They will become rebels, and, as a parent you need to discuss and guide your children in terms of this matter than to regret it, for me it saves everyone from traumas and heartache

challenging because you will feel guilty; you will blame yourself; and you will have a roller-coaster of emotions, but it is right to put personal freedom and happiness first rather than to live in an unhappy and abusive marriage

According to the World Vision, if one is involved in the process of divorce, it may lead to a tendency of doing vicious acts that are unacceptable in the society, or worse, in the law, because of being emotionally unstable Everyone deserves a second chance to live and a chance to be better

Based on what I read on my social media feed, marriage will become useless if one does not fulfill the things

Another reason is the children will feel incomplete because they will experience a broken family Troubled marriage causes more trauma to children for I truly know that it is hard f

The National Library of Medicine found out that an estimated 1 5 to 9 million Filipino children lack adequate parenting, and most of the reasons are due to separation of both parents Take note, it may begin in early childhood where it affects their being holistically from cognitive, physical, emotional, to behavioral With this, there is a possibility that a child may not have a hundred percent assurance if the basic needs will be met since the foundation, the parents, are separated

One more reason is its emotional impact; it’s emotionally

The only thing that I can do about this Divorce Bill, if time will come that I can decide to get married, I will think twice if I am ready not just to be a wife, but also be a mother, I will surely do that before saying yes to all the responsibility, so things will be better

For everyone the only thing we can do now is to choose wisely and make a better decision, so that we cannot mislead on things that we wanted at the first place, maybe divorce is not for everyone because life does not always favor in each one of us If it does not apply to you then, so be it We are not on the same page, so this Divorce Bill gives justice to the ones who needed it the most

Filipinos are known to incorporate humor when such issues arise in the country The month of April welcomed the Philippines with an extreme high heat index while as May was about to end, typhoon Aghon greeted the Philippine Area of Responsibility Despite those alarming issues, the netizens easily took in the humor culture, making it a coping mechanism for almost all Filipinos by disregarding the actual issue concerning climate change that is considered inevitable at this point of time

During the continuous rise of the heat index, numerous posts passed by my social media feed, mainly Facebook and X, that went viral because of humorous acts One of which is when the GMA News posted a picture stating, “1-2 bagyo sa Pilipinas, posible sa Mayo 2024,” that made Filipino netizens dominate the post with heart reactions and even comments that are mostly about them wanting to have more typhoons and thinking that this will solve the extreme h e a t . R e c e n t l y , another humorous v i r a l p o s t f r o m

Follow The Trend Movement Facebook page, that were shared by many, flooded my feed that said, “Two seasons in the Philippines: Pantropiko [dry season] and Raining in Manila [rainy season],” and this, again, bypassed the concerning issue that is evidently facing our country climate change

It is true that humor is an often-cited element of Filipino resiliency in times of disasters and uncertainties This may be used to conceal the sudden change of climate from the irritable heat to the desired rainfall, but I am certain that this doesn’t address nor make any differences regarding climate concerns at all

“Bawat araw, mas sumasaya,” one of the famous lines in Bini’s hit song, Pantropiko, as this mainly connects to Filipino’s concentration in associating the humor of the line to what they are facing during the extreme heat followed by sudden rainfalls days According to the Frontiers in Psychology, when it comes to humor, it induces amusement and satisfaction to people who are delivering and receiving it, especially if the majority enjoys the humor itself In addition to that, this comes to a point when instead of focusing more on the main problem, it has come into a diversion of attention to the said acts that were presented in a humorous manner

The Psychological Association of the Philippines claimed that while humor helps Filipinos recover in times of climate change, they manage to overlook the effects of the issue to all citizens. Knowing Filipinos, it is laughable for them since their main concerns are mostly about them being optimistic in times of calamities With that, I cannot fathom how they managed to

Filipinos like huMORE than anything else

by Marirose Nicole Ayson

unexpected rainfalls made me find myself sitting on the corner of my bed, praying that the incident will not happen again

This situation of mine is certainly not an isolated one, for extreme weather events that were and are being worsened by climate change impact not just only environmental and economic destruction, but now, even psychological With the survey done by Social Weather System (SWS) last December 2023, 81% of the Philippines’ population considered that climate change is dangerous to their mental health, as this includes anxiety,

resorting to humor However, it is important to recognize that laughter alone does not equate to solving any of the issues even for just a small action Having said that, I am certain that humor alone cannot produce a productive currency to thrive in a country that is frequently devastated by calamities, as those antics lay off to be laughable when we get to personally encounter the said climate change events and collateral damages

“Humor cannot compensate any disaster recovery plan during times of calamities.”

look on the so-called “silver lining” by means of incorporating humor to the said issue; netizens are so quick to share, react, comment, and post about issues that are being made fun of, but when it comes to addressing the climate change issue, they take no notice of it even a single post

“It’s been raining in Manila, hindi ka ba nilalamig?” Another well-known line from Lola Amour’s hit song, Raining in Manila, as this relates to the humor of having a rainy season, along with the cool temperature, in the Philippines This has been popularized again because of the upcoming typhoons that are about to enter our country, that from extreme heat, there comes extreme rainfalls In my case, this cannot be solved by humor anymore, this resulted in climate change anxiety

The first time I felt anxious with regards to typhoons was when typhoon Egay last July 2023 and typhoon Falcon last September of the same year powerfully hit Pampanga I spent sleepless nights because of the flood entering our house, and it took us hours for the flood to subside, as it brought me a lot of worries Even though that did not happen for a while now, this extreme heat followed by either expected or

depression, anger, and hopelessness With those, I believe that humor ceases to be therapeutic

Lastly, it is disheartening to observe instances where some Filipinos neglect the situations of others by easily cracking a joke in serious concerns such as the effects of climate change in our country, particularly if they haven’t directly experienced situations that were faced by others Recently, I overheard a conversation inside the jeepney on my way home One person jokingly expressed that the rainy season suggesting relief from the extreme heat temperature, the person’s companion conveyed genuine concern about the potential aftermaths regarding the labor and agricultural productivity Unfortunately, instead of acknowledging the said concerns, the passenger who kidded the companion invalidated the feeling of worry, underlining the troubling trend of humor towards pressing climate issues

Indeed, it is undeniable that there are Filipinos who neglect the responsibility of being a concerned citizen by just merely

Humor can be turned into something more, if so, this will be a serious plea to all, that just like what the elders used to say, “huwag mong gagawing biro ang lahat ” In short, Filipinos s h o u l d n o t b e bounded by jokes and antics: instead of posting memes, provide captions that tackles climate change; instead of clicking almost all humorous posts, click oneself and encourage others to save energy; and instead of just joking, use satirical platforms to let the almost every one be aware and alarmed about the said issue. For my final say, joke and laugh responsibly

Question : How does reading the news influence you?

Question 2: Do you agree or d sagree with the lega ization of d vorce in the Phi ippines? Why or why not?

FEATURE

Dreaming is free they say, you can go as high as the Mount Everest and as deep as the Mariana's Trench; or even higher and deeper However, to make those dreams real takes a toll that most people can't afford to pay Despite the challenges, the journey of pursuing dreams turns out to be something different that often reshapes one’s ways they could never imagine

This has been the case for one of the Guagua National Colleges' most known security guard, Sigmund Caezar Salangsang, commonly known as "Big Boy" A security guard that, despite of his frightening look, is still close to the students and respected by them.

Big boy had a big dream once, and it was to become a teacher someday He was an undergrad student under Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Physical Education in year 1998 at Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades (DHVCAT), which is now known as Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU).

He only finished two years taking the said course due to lack of finances that time "I want to finish my college degree but hindi kaya 'cause of financial problems Unlike ngayon, may mga scholarship program " Salangsang stated

Because of that, as the eldest son, he had to stop his studies to work in Manila as Black Dyak's assistant, which was his previous job before becoming a security guard at GNCI “Okay lang Maganda naman ‘yung sweldo Wala naman akong masamang experience sa kanya, mabait siya eh ” Salangsang said when asked about his experience to the said job

From then on, taking the job helped him provide his daily necessities such as food and housing It took him years to work in the mega city, which is widely known as the only solution for having financial problems back then until now

After few years, this didn’t stop him from working and providing their needs Salangsang, then, came back to the province to pursue another occupation security guard at

GNCI What he didn’t know back then that this was just the first of the many experiences he’ll get to encounter in this school

For almost 15 years serving GNCI, he is happy to be one of the security guards He gets to see and interact with different students and employees throughout the years

One of the students, Dionne Icban, shared that for 6 years being a student in GNC, he sees Salangsang doing his job by leading and training other security guards of the said school in maintaining orderliness, even the security guard himself takes charge of the students who are violating policies

“Well, since matagal na ako sa GNC, matagal ko na rin siyang nakikita at nakakasalamuha Kapag merong hindi naka-uniform, matic hindi papapasukin. Isa kasi ako doon, pero kahit ka-close ko siya at comfortable siya sa mga ibang students, may professionalism pa rin sa trabaho niya Dahil doon,

by DeborahMicahDiwa and AngelbertFypesJuanitez

nakukuha ring sumunod ng mga students ” Icban added

Salangsang turned his dream profession into other profession that he is happier and more passionate about When asked if he would still continue his studies when given a chance, Salangsang replied, “Hindi na siguro Okay na ko sa trabaho ko, wala akong problema Sanay na ko ”

He makes it clear that even though he did not pursue his prior course as planned, it remains something deeply within him He may not have a chalk nor whiteboard marker on his hands, but he is there willingly to lend a hand to every student and employee of the school; he may not have visual aids to show, but he shows passion to secure the peace and order around the school's premises; and he may not teach his supposed-to-be field of expertise [physical education] to students, but he teaches them to abide the policies of the school

BigBoy’s BigDream

Dreaming is not for free for whom even a college degree costs an arm and a leg For them to have food on the table, the thing they can only do is to give up the so-called “free dreams ” The hindrances in those dreams do not signify their failure, there are other ways to achieve it by trying a different approach. So, if you are privileged enough to fulfill a dream, don’t let it slip through your fingers because not all people can hold on to their dreams

Basta Keng GNC, Manyaman Keni!

by Jon Jancee Cate Cayanan & Ivy Jamille Guinto

Before heading to school, students are fearful of forgetting their allowance rather than forgetting what they have studied for their quiz It is no lie that school is a combination of endurance and excellence Amidst all of those, the school

canteen was one of the best and comfort place, as the teacher says, “you may now have your recess/lunch,” it sounds like a soothing melody after a heavy storm In Guagua National Colleges (GNC), one of the best comfort

places is the school cafeteria This makes everyone crave for their favorite foods such as glazed chicken with java rice, that balances the savoriness and sweetness; doughnuts with bunch of flavors, that will satisfy one’s sweet tooth;

First stop, Chong’s Siomai Food House [name of store ng glazed chicken] Who would’ve thought that their glazed chicken would be the bestselling food of their store? Almost all students are lining up just to buy and enjoy the honeycoated chicken that oozes savory inside their mouths Just be careful when you buy it past lunch time, you may not get the glazed chicken that you are extremely craving for

For the next one, the cafeteria has Coffee and Milktea Oops! Do not be deceived by the name of their store for they also serve meals, which are Korean and Japanese meals such as bibimbap and pork tonkatsu, and those are their bestseller ones The sweet and spicy flavor will surely linger in your mouth as you eat their bibimbap that includes, kimchi, shredded seaweed and carrots, corn, pork or beef flakes, and their Korean sauce Of course, pork tonkatsu will satisfy the crunch and savor that your mouth is going to feel and taste

The GNCI’s cafeteria was alive a year after the pandemic This really contributes to the convenience of the students and employees, so that instead of going outside the school, the food is already accessible in just

Korean and Japanese meals, as if you are either in South Korea or Japan; ice scramble, that will heal your inner child; homemade siomai, where you could feel your mom’s homemade meals; and also for drinks that refresh the soul

For the main attraction of them all, Alma’s Homemade Siomai

This store is truly famous for their homemade foods, including their best of the best product, siomai (either steamed or fried) When you eat it, it feels that your mind and soul will be taken to another dimension And again, this will make almost everyone remember how their moms and grandmother cook the meals soulfully Believe it or not, last year, student would risk their lives just to go outside the school just to buy these homemade products

one snap of a finger The students wouldn’t be filled and quenched if it weren’t for the dedication of the vendors, as they provide affordable food, meals, and drinks at GNC

There you have it! There is a

Next stop, Happy Haus Donut It was a surprise to the students that Happy Haus Food Corporation franchised their store in GNC; students, especially high school students, will not have a difficult time buying a doughnut when they crave one There are lots of flavors to choose from, there is sansrival, tsok butternut, donut bites, tsoko supremo, and many more; this makes the consumers take time to buy doughnuts, so why not buy every flavor?

lot of variety to choose from other than that mentioned above We may have different choices when it comes to food, but we can all agree that in choosing the food that will satisfy our hunger, we go with

Next destination, Ysabel’s Ice Scramble Their ice scramble makes every student try to eat something new icy products (other than ice cream, shakes, and milktea), heal their inner child, reminisce about the old days, and satisfy the cravings for dessert It comes with different flavors, chocolate, strawberry, and ube, topped with different sweets such as marshmallows, sprinkles, coated chocolate candy, and everyone’s favorite skimmed milk Also, you can also choose the syrup flavor that will be glazed inside and on top of the cup, so, choose your favorite!

Oh, how could we forget the drinks? The cafeteria has tons of drinks to choose from One of which is Mrs E Their lychee drink will let you experience the Mogu-Mogu taste, and this drink is truly affordable than the commercialized one; if you need something to boost your body, their choco drink saves the day with its milo-like taste that surely equates to beating the energy gap; and if you need something to boost your mind, coffee jelly is present for you to drink and not to palpitate Just like the saying of Filipinos, “syempre, kailangan din natin ng panulak sa nakabara ”

what is reasonable price without sacrificing the quality and taste of the meal Bon appetit!

Basta keng GNC, manyaman Keni!

BTS: Behind the Screens

by Marirose Nicole Ayson

Read the caption? Check. Gave reactions? Check. Left comments? Check. Fact? Not checked.

The rise of netizens nowadays has become rampant; there are a lot of users in every application the mostly Filipinos use such as Facebook, X, and the relevant social media platform, TikTok They are easily swayed by the creative sounds, edits, convincing voices, persuasive words, and even good-looking physical appearance without validating the information that they have received Sadly, fake news is still a part of the biggest issues in our country, especially now with the use of artificial intelligence, but what they don’t know is that there are causes and effects if one becomes a victim, and worse, if one becomes a peddler

Generally speaking, fake news concerns the democratic countries With the survey of Pulse Asia, 86% of Filipino adults perceive the proliferation of fake news as a major problem in the country and 58% of Filipinos feel that social media influencers, bloggers and vloggers as peddlers of fake news about government and politics This has come to a result that most victims are the youth today

Believe it or not, we are once victims of this; some chose to open their eyes to the truth, and some turned their blind eye even when everything is served on their plates Gladly, there are people who really take their time to have the facts checked and use their social media platforms wisely, as they use it to search for credible sources about disinformation, malformation, and misinformation This leads to resourcefully influencing other people who are not educated enough when it comes to these concerns

However, the trolls in our country won’t raise their white flags If this darkness continues, it will create a domino effect for the upcoming generations Would you want them to be blind just because you won’t step up and be educated? As adults, most of everything that we do is not just for our future, but also for the future of our country and the people in it

This has become more prevalent in the last 2022’s national and local elections, as lies and rumors spread across the public, ruining one’s image It was prevalent once again with the upcoming 2025 senatorial elections, that includes fake credentials, pointless hearsays, and netizen-exposed candidates who buy the votes of the

people, taking advantage of those who are still victims of fake news With that, many people are easily convinced that the upcoming servants of their own country itself are eligible for their desired position

In just one snap of a finger, a single post on social media can be seen by thousands of social media users This opened the doors for people who are vying for the hearts of the masses With this, fake news can be easily spread, yet hard to stop

Furthermore, disinformation has long been considered as a global danger to democracy and liberty because of the people who are using social media The American Psychological Association claimed that we tend to put our attention in understanding false information rather than evaluating its accuracy This comes with the emotional outrage of the audience that mostly appeals to the information rather than having the intellectual ability do its job

This won’t stop the concerned and informed citizens from educating the youth about differences of disinformation, misinformation, and malformation; using credible sources to read and evaluate information; and spreading what they have learned The University of Maryland Global Campus advised that starting from oneself, absorb the information backed up by credible and reliable sources by looking at the website, if it is reputable or not; the author, if he/she has mastery of his/her field; and choice of words, if it is unbiased or not

If there are many social media platforms that spread fake news, there are also ways of combating fake news using those platforms Speak up and use the power to stop the spread of fake news, as we let humanity win by making the truth dominate against all odds

As concerned citizens, open your eyes and amplify the voices that need to be heard amidst the fake news Once that happened, this goes with the Filipino saying, “kapag namulat ka sa katotohanan, kasalanan na ang pumikit ”

Significant truths must stay unhidden even behind the screens

It has been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that chess is a sport for the game requires immense skill, mental acuity, strategic thinking, and even lasting physical endurance required to remain focused for the duration of matches that can last for hours Even though it has been decided by International Olympic Committee (IOC), it is still a debatable topic whether chess is considered a sport or not, especially when it comes to including it during athletic meets

Chess is like a war game between two players that requires board reading so that you can write your moves It is not just a game

The Filipina athletes has again proven their fighting spirit, as the gained victory in the 13th ASEAN School Games that was held at Da Nang, Vietnam last June 5, 2024 With the collected medals, 2 golds; 1 silver; and 3 bronze, the Philippines claim its control in the regional arena With these concerns, it is time to focus on those who have an edge in the sports business, especially those who are not wellknown enough in the Philippines

With Courtney Trangia and Bhianca Espenilla acing as champions the javelin throw events; Lorraine Audrey Batalla hurdled the bronze medal in 400m track and field; Zyche Mae Jizmundo and Xavier Malic outdone silver and bronze medals respectively in pencak silat (martial arts); and Jasmine Mojdeh swam her way to get the bronze medal in 100m butterfly swimming category, it has been proven than Philippines is crowded with record-smashing Filipina athletes

OPINION

Chess is an art, science, and SPORT

where you could place all the pieces anywhere, it requires strategic thinking in every move you make. Believe me, every move counts, whether it can lead you to win or to fail, as the movements of the pieces eat one another

Despite the fact that chess is a game of mind that does not require physical activity, we cannot deny the competitive side of it like other sports, and it requires skills that are common in other sports like volleyball, basketball, and football; they are using strategies and tactics.

Chess shouldn’t only be an intellectual game but rather a science, an art, and a sports game Firstly, chess is a science that deals with mental capacity, analyzing, and problem solving

According to Gary Kasparov, chess is mainly a science of logical thinking When I was a teenager, I do like reading books such as mysteries and suspense that would trigger my

The said female athletes surely shared their success to our country, as those greatly emphasizes their strength, determination, and competence in their respective fields. The challenge that they faced and are still facing is the inequality of treatment with male athletes, especially in funding, media

coverage, and opportunities Despite all of those, it has come to the attention of the people and government to support female athletes as well

If the government supports sports, especially female athletes, it's better for me because it will be a big help to our Filipina athletes who work hard just to achieve their goals And of course, their support also played a huge part for the players to continue playing

The budget provided by the government is not enough to sustain all of the athletes, and occasionally the money handled by others doesn’t end up going to the players, which is why our athletes

by Jon Jancee Cate Cayanan

analyze, that's why I could say chess is a science

Second, chess is an art that deals with beauty and how to solve puzzles, as Gary Kasparov further said that chess is an art that brings happiness and makes leisure meaningful At the same time, there are many chess enthusiasts who can spend night after night trying to solve one problem Just like those enthusiasts, growing up as an adult, I am fun of organizing things such as plates, clothes, and other stuff, and with that, I do like the beauty of patterns and combination that's why I applied it in chess as an art

Lastly, chess is a sport that deals with competition that aims to win and a game that is surrounded by rules Chess players participate in tournaments and matches; they fight to win; the result is important for them; this means that chess is a sport

However, the physical demands and effort involved are not as evident as they are in other sports, such as basketball, volleyball, sepak takraw, etc Chess is the longest game that lasts 2 hours for only one round, and in that round lots of activities happen, which makes us,

She Shoots, She Scores!

by Angelbert Fypes Juanitez

may not receive enough money Somehow the reason for this is insufficient government resources in the development of sport It can be possible that the government are much prioritizing other sector than sport and lack of sponsorship

It was said by Senator Bong Go last June 7, 2024, that our athletes must have access to all of the resources they need for them to succeed That we need to cultivate their abilities while also igniting the national spirit and pride by ensuring they are well-prepared and motivated Because our athletes serve as advocates for our country rather than merely competitors With the right backing, I believe they will shine on the global field of sports

As of June 10, 2024, Filipinos will get to witness the world's best athletes compete in Paris 2024 through multiple streaming platforms courtesy of the MVP Group of Companies, said Kiko Demigillo Also, Cignal FVP, Head Channel Management &

the players, more tired than other athletes that use their physical capability We must also engage in an activity that targets our speed in thinking and speed to stop our clock from ticking, so we won’t lose time

As a chess player, I defined chess as a sport by means of competition of game and as for its definition sports need some physical exertion in accordance that requires not only a sharp mind but body too Moreover, the nature of thinking is intertwined with your overall health Just as the world’s top chess players that they are fit

Additionally, people must remove the stereotype that chess is just a mind-game Just like sports, requires consistency, practice, and discipline Learning how to play chess has a method by practicing with better technique and leveraging tools just like, again, other sports Lastly, chess includes sportsmanship, and like any other sport, it offers an initial handshake, exchanges advice at the end of the game, and of course, leads to having fun

Programming Sienna Olaso said that the events of the Philippine team, as they said that despite of the schedule of the competition, whether at the same time or not, they will cover everything live for the athletes and for Filipino sports lovers With those, it will hinder their talents as athletes because there are chances to emerge in securing their funds, making them have more endorsements

Their success is also the success of the Philippines I, myself, celebrate their success because of the great interest that I have for sports, as well as being empowered by these women who never backed down regardless of the challenges they faced. With that, my support would always go to the female athletes by letting them be known by the greater mass who also love sports

This serves as a reminder for everyone that the potential of our female athletes still calls for more support, resources, and recognition not just to value the female athletes as athletes only, but also to promote gender equality in sports This promotes collaborative efforts on the playing field and empowers all athletes to reach their full potential After all, regardless of anyone’s gender, once a Filipino athlete, always a Filipino athlete

SPORTS

GNCI’s firsttime chess player goes for gold

by Jon Jancee Cate Cayanan

Guagua National Colleges

Inc ’s Alexander Almario swept the tiebreaks of the final round and checkmated Wesleyan University’s Era Bauto in the Regional Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) at Columban College, Olongapo City last June 9, 2024

With the seven challengers in two rounds per day, Almario finished with 5 2 points, 3 2 points ahead of the pack that included Josh Lemuel Christian Tungol, Clarence Santiago, and 2 points for Justine Cholo Panlaqui Almario, a first-time GNCI PRISAA athlete, took the third gold after 30 moves of repetition, after tiebreaks were applied with his Wesleyan challenger

On the other hand, Bauto was queened by the opponent during the tiebreaks, making the scores break with 2 points

FEATURE

Swipe your fingers to the left, then to the right, then tap it as many times as you can Slain the enemy not Just once, not just twice, but until you shout “VICTORY” at the top of your lungs as you stand up and do your victory dance, too

As of 2023, there are a total of 28 72 million Filipino online gamers, and 48% of those are students They say, playing online games makes them relieve stress with their academics and at the same time, they enhance their critical skills in doing so However, there is still a price to pay when spending more time playing rather than focusing on academics

One reason why Filipino students are playing games is to soothe their minds from stress in doing their schoolworks With the consent of the parent, Ramela Galang, a Filipino

The GNCI’s chess player double attacked the Wesleyan athlete in the ninth and final round to win the place, having a total of 32 points and 22 75 Sonneborn value

“Actually, di ko talaga inexpect na mananalo ako kasi first time ko lang sa PRISAA tapos ganto ung result. Nung nanalo ako na feel ko na masaya siya, masaya dahil makakapunta ako sa Legazpi, Albay kung saan gaganapin ang nationals,” Almario expressed Unexpectedly, four of the GNCI chess players will be going to the National PRISAA, that includes the first-time gold medalist Alexander Almario, together with Franchezka Paule, Radmondell Villaflores, and Ashanti Adri Mangondaya

That was a great finish for the team coached by coach Anthony Tungul and teacher coach Cristine Joy Salenga

Continuing HERstory: Alas Pilipinas pitches in the upcoming FIVB Challenger’s Cup

by Ivy Jamille Guinto

After bagging the remarkable bronze medal in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup, Alas Pilipinas is gearing up for Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Women’s Challenger’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on July 4 to July 7, 2024

It was another journey of Philippines Volleyball team Alas Pilipinas to be ready for FIVB also another milestone in Philippine Sport

As Alas Pilipinas swept Australia with 25-23, 25-15, 25-7, the Philippine team have earned additional 9 44 points, making the Philippines land on 55th place globally and rise from 12th to 8th place in Asia as of May 27, 2024

The team’s captain, who was hailed as AVC Challenge Cup’s Best Setter, Jia De Guzman expressed that\ they are looking forward for more tournaments that will serve as preparation and training for their game on the upcoming challenger’s cup

With that, they were invited to play

with Powerful Daegu in the Serve-Spike Unite Philippines-Korea Women’s Volleyball Exhibition Game at Daegu, South Korea last June 7, 2024

The Philippine representative absorbed a 26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 25-16, 15-8 loss against South Korea’s team

Alas Pilipinas’ head coach, Jorge Souza De Brito, added that he remained committed and had a higher expectation on Alas Pilipinas even though his contract is still uncertain, and he will still focus on guiding the team to be at its best

Moreover, this exhibition game emphasized the maintains improvement and it expressed optimism for future matches and as preparation for the said challenger’s cup

These Filipinas carry on building their history to elevate the international standing of the country

Next up, with less than a month left for preparation, Alas Pilipinas will continue to hit new heights on their home soil at FIVB

The Double-edged Sword of ESports

by Marirose Nicole Ayson

junior high school student said, “sa paglalaro ko ng online games, narerelieve [nito] ang stress ko sa mga ginagawa sa school Nagkakaroon din ako ng time para magbreak sa pagaaral.”

The Journal of Psychiatric Research in 2021 found out that online gaming relieves tension such as stress among high school students At their age, it is still a factor that they are still looking for leisure time amidst the amount of projects, quizzes, and performance tasks in school

Another junior high school student, who requested anonymity with the consent of the parents, when asked about how they strategize in team playing, the student stated that before playing the game, they already had plans to attack, however, it might change in just one snap of a finger This will

come to a result that the players will, then, think about new plans, and that might happen many times in just one game Additionally, the said research also found out that this affects focus and implementation of strategies as part of the critical thinking skills, which make the player come up with different ways to execute the game on-the-spot or instantly

Despite those positive benefits, playing online games might be enjoyable but it will increase the likelihood of addiction; the coping method that one has can soon be come dependency With this, it might lead to neglecting the tasks needed for school and will just focus on playing online games As a result, this leads the players to having difficulties in quitting the game

Furthermore, National Institutes of Health stated that playing online games, students have a high risk of neglecting their responsibilities in school because of the habits being set by the said activity. With that, it still affects their academic performances negatively. Thus, it must be instilled to student online gamers to balance the time between doing academic tasks and playing games. This is a reminder for them to play online games in moderation, especially in this modern era that we live in Click the exit icon and tap the home button when needed With this, you will not just shout “victory” when you won the game, but also you will shout the same word because you passed all the subjects in school

Play to enjoy, not to destroy

UPHERE LADIES AasPilpinasgoesontotheFIVBafteracingthebronze

meda atAVC-Photocredt:onesportsphcom

THETHINKER AlexanderAlmaroathisfinalroundwith EraBauto-Photocredt:CrstneJoySalenga