THE RADIANCE E-NEWSLETTER 2023

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SDO Capiz picks Falcis as rep to nat’l teachers’ month kick off

No More Tiny Cracks: A response to DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda

A Tale As Old As Her: A granddaughter’s tribute

New Era of Golden Pride: Filipinos at Asian Games 2023

NEWS | Page 2

EDITORIAL | Page 6

FEATURE | Page 10

SPORTS | Page 14

BEACON OF FREEDOM AND FLAGSHIP OF CHANGE VOL. 12. NO. 2 | DECEMBER 2023

WELCOME HOME

CAPSU-Dumarao hails Paligumba as ‘Most Outstanding Alumna’

BY ROMEO HAQUIAS

A COLLECTIVE EFFORT. Teacher Robert Benosa believes tree planting activities are crucial to maintaining ecological balance and promoting environmental preservation and a sustainable future.

As a YES-O adviser, he takes the lead in ensuring that every leaf sown helps the environment.

(Photo by Ma. Nelshey Emilio)

LEAF OF HOPE Ramonians join DepEd’s Christmas gift for children project

BY BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON

Go green and breathe clean.

To ensure a clean and green environment for Filipino children and future generations, Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School through the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O), in partnership with the Supreme Secondary Learners Government (SSLG) and 4Ps beneficiaries, joined the simultaneous tree planting activity, Dec. 6.

A total of 160 fruit trees were planted in support of the “DepEd’s 236,000 Trees - A Christmas Gift for the Children” project, which hoped to create a more pleasant and conducive learning environment for students.

“It is crucial to conduct tree planting activities as a way of maintaining ecological balance and promoting environmental preservation and a sustainable future,” expressed Robert Benosa, YES-O Adviser.

Through the participation of 47,678 public schools, DepEd aims to plant over 236,000 trees.

DepEd explained that the project will provide a “unique educational opportunity” for students to actively participate in tree planting activities, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues and promoting conservation efforts.

Moreover, DepEd added that through hands-on learning and practical application

With her remarkable achievements and contribution in the field of education, Principal I of Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School Lourdes V. Paligumba is named one of the 10 Most Outstanding Alumni by Capiz State University-Dumarao Satellite Campus (formerly Panay State Polytechnic College), Oct. 13.

Paligumba received the award more than two months after she was installed as the new principal of RABSNHS on Aug. 2.

As a CAPSU and RABSNHS alumna, the new principal recalled that four decades ago, she enrolled as a freshman student at Dacuton Barangay High School before she finally became the principal exactly four decades later.

In her acceptance speech, Paligumba asked for support to have a collaborative and happy service for the learners, whom she described as the center of the teaching process.

Before her transfer to RABSNHS, Paligumba served as Principal I of San Antonio National High School.

of environmental concepts, “students will develop a strong sense of responsibility towards the environment.”

Planting trees, as the department noted, will “contribute to the beautification” of school grounds aside from educational benefits.

In-person classes are suspended to support this activity, as stated in DepEd Memorandum No. 69 series of 2023.

PALIGUMBA

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

02 Team Ponkans banner As the region’s best

VOL. 12. NO. 2

CAMPUS

NEWS

WV in NSPC ‘23 anew

DECEMBER 2023

BY MAXINE NATHANIA ORTEZA

Five campus journalists from The Radiance, along with their adviser, reached the National Schools Press Conference 2023 held in Cagayan de Oro City on July 17–21.

Brithney Kyle Lauron, Ike Jinon, Marianne Arguelles, Angel Bacia, and Jashmine Andrea Ventar, together with Philip Jayson Falcis, represented Region VI after winning champion in

the Online Publishing Filipino during the Regional School’s Press Conference at Punta Villa Resort Iloilo City on June 25.

“The chance given to me to reach NSPC is very rare, so I am blessed that God allowed me to experience the dream of every campus journalist—a chance of a lifetime,” said Lauron.

Bacia expressed her gratitude after being part of the NSPC 2023, knowing that there

were people who supported her on the journey. “I can still see the people who are always there for me, and I am very blessed to have them,” the Grade 12-HUMSS student noted.

On the other hand, Jinon exclaimed how honored he is to be a part of NSPC 2023 as a first-timer in joining a press conference.

“Being an NSPC qualifier is already a great honor,” he said,

CROWNED SIBLINGS P133,OOO raised from Mr. and Ms. Students’ Day to fund SSLG project

BY ROMEO HAQUIAS

For the first time, the Ramonian community witnessed a crowning moment of siblings who rose in the ranks on Mr. and Ms. Students’ Day 2023 held Dec. 7 at Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School.

Geo Mico Babol and Gea Mica Babol topped the other 22 representatives of every class section in the glass dance, which the Supreme Secondary Learners Government organized just for fun as one of the highlights of this year’s Students’ Day celebration.

PARENTAL SUPPORT “Waay gid ko nag-expect nga madaog ako kay damo man contestants na may kwarta, pero happy gid ako kay ako ang napilian kag gin-koronahan nga Ms. Students’ Day,” said Gea Mica Babol from Grade 11-GAS, who earned a sum of 35,024.00 pesos.

Meanwhile, Mr. Students’ Day winner Geo Mico Babol from Grade 10-Pearl expressed his gratitude after winning as the counterpart of her older sister after generating a sum of 10,110.00 pesos.

“Ginadedicate ko gid sa family

Ginadedicate ko gid sa family ko ang amon pagdaog, especially kay papa nga gasupport gid sa amon.

adding, “It was a wonderful experience—many firsts in my life as a graduating student— just to be there in Cagayan de Oro City.”

The National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) makes its faceto-face comeback this year after a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the theme “From Campus Journalism to Real-World Journalism: Shaping Minds from Schools to Societies.”.

Modern-day hero recognized

Ramonian studes, parents pay tribute to teachers

BY MARTHA CARMEL ALDABON

OFFICIAL PORTRAIT. The winners of the Mr. and Ms. Students’ Day 2023.

ko ang amon pagdaog, especially kay papa nga gasupport gid sa amon,” said Geo Mico Babol.

As a parent, Jeffrey Babol, who was represented by his sister Mary Love Babol, said he gave his 100 percent to make his children happy. “Masaya na rin ako na makita silang masaya, minsan lang yan sa buhay nila na maranasan ang ganitong mga events,” he shared, adding that he once experienced how to be crowned [as Mr. JS] in 2001 with the support of his parents.

Shanelle Huqueriza from Grade 8-Strawberry with 25,157.00 pesos and Sol Andrey Ojario from Grade 9-Mercury with 5,771.75 pesos landed as the first runners-up.

Moreover, Jera May Lasap from Grade 7-Lily with 7,282.00 pesos and Rey Hans King Buhayan of Grade 11-GAS with 4,384.00 pesos grabbed the second runner-up.

Completing the top five were Breyn Seyn Felarca from Grade 8-Cherry and Kent Paligumba from Grade 9-Jupiter as third runners-up, and Sweetlyn Mae Lasap from Grade 8-Apple and Carl Louise Asonada from Grade 8-Cherry as 4th runners-up.

FIRST IN HISTORY In an interview with The

Radiance, SSLG Adviser Ma. Cecilia Ibabao said she was overwhelmed by the proceeds of the glass dance after amassing more than 133,000.00 pesos. “[Actually] indi man gid sya siling nga fund-raising kay amon tani ya for fun, man lang kay para may mabalik lang sa amon igasto sa event,” said Ibabao, adding she is grateful for the cooperation and support of the parents and advisers, as well as the enthusiasm of the students who joined.

Ibabao further cited that it was historic for the school to raise such an amount for the glass dance, attributing the full support of Principal Lourdes Paligumba and Head Teacher III Ginalyn Huqueriza.

“Part sini ibakal gid sang printer kay need gid sang students sa ila mga research kg mga projects sa school kag ang nabilin planuhan pa namon.

Dapat bal-an concrete project nga makapulos gid tanan,” she added when asked about the proceeds of the generated fund.

Ibabao commends the SSLG (The Eagle) officers for spearheading the event.

“Appreciated ko gid sila bisan mga lapses, pero all is well that ends well,” she concluded.

“We are all connected.”

This was the statement of Rev. Fr. Jyryl John Advincula Esguerra as he delivered his inspirational message addressed to the Ramonians in line with the 2023 World Teachers’ Day Celebration.

The event, which is held every 5th day of October, is co-organized by the Supreme Secondary Learner Government and the Barkada Kontra Droga officers in collaboration with the School Parents Teachers Association.

“No student is greater than his or her teachers,” emphasized Rev. Fr. Esguerra as he shared his message anchored on the theme “Together4Teachers.”

Before the program, a tribute runway is held and attended by all teaching personnel assisted by a student in charge.

According to the Department of Education, the National Teachers’ Month aims to acknowledge and emphasize teachers’ crucial role, loyal service, and dedicated commitment to developing globally-minded citizens, nurturing families, strengthening communities, and building the nation.

DepEd further instructed elementary and secondary public schools to shift to various blended learning modalities to allow teachers to participate in WTD celebration.

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

NEWS

VOL. 12. NO. 2

N AT I O N

DECEMBER 2023

03

PONKAN’S PRIDE. (From left-right) Lauron, Jinon, Arguelles, Bacia, and Ventar brought honor to the school as qualifiers to the NSPC 2023.

GOING NATIONALS SDO Capiz picks Falcis as rep to nat’l teachers’ month kick off

BY MARTHA CARMEL ALDABON

FALCIS

“On rare opportunities like this, I always remain grateful.”

Thus, Philip Jayson Falcis said this after being selected by the Schools Division of Capiz as a teacher-patricipant for the National Teachers’ Month/ World Teachers’ Day kick-off held at Bohol Wisdom School, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on Sept.

5, 2023.

Some 2,000 teachers all over the Philippines are announced to participate in the said event, 50 of whom are from Vestern Visayas.

Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary

Sara Z. Duterte served as the woman of the hour at the said event.

“Teachers are the start of inspiration in every classroom, the guiding light of countless possibilities, and the bright future of the builders of our nation’s dreams. Many dreams stented inside the clascrooms. Many dreams were inspired by teachers,” said Duterte in her speech addressing the participants.

“I consider joining this event an award,” said Falcis, who has been chosen with his exemplary feet as an award-winning coach after bringing to SDO Capiz

for qualifying in the National Schools Press Conference 2023 last July 17–21 at Cagayan de Oro City.

Falcis has made significant achievements this year after being awarded 2nd place as the Most Outstanding School Paper Adviser in Western Visayas during the Regional Schools Press Conference on June 25.

Furthermore, the list goes on, as he was named Outstanding Teacher in the General Academic Strand during the Pagdayaw Awards by the District of Dumarao on Aug. 3, 2023.

PWARC mulls to lead agri enterprise in Panay

BY BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON

DUMARAO, Capiz - Women empowerment remains alive at Brgy. Gibato as a local cooperative marked its 24th year of existence with resilience and adaptability through the opening of the Golden Site Resort, Aug. 27 As a stakeholder for Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School, the Progressive Women Agrarian Reform Cooperative, through its Chairperson Ma. Cecilia Ibabao, discussed their plans to become a leading agricultural enterprise in Western Visayas during its latest assembly, and Golden Site is one of its innovative projects.

“The Golden Site offers a relaxing place, a refreshing ambiance, an Instagramable site, and food that can satisfy your cravings,” said Ma. Cecilia Ibabao, PWARC chairperson.

The newly-operated resort is one of the tourist attractions in Gibato, Dumarao, and Capiz as PWARC continues to become innovative, not just as an agribusiness enterprise but as a leading cooperative in Panay.

PWARC officers and members have worked hand-in-hand on the construction of the site since June this year, according to Ibabao.

Last March, “Ken Queenie R. Cunada,

provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry, affirmed PWARC as “women’s power is in Gibato.”

The cooperative’s assets climbed to 52 million as of March 2023 as its business operations were smooth in 2022, resulting in a higher net income.

“We have to prove that even in the midst of a crisis, as long as we are united and do the best we can to reach our targets, we can certainly succeed,” said Ibabao, who currently serves as Master Teacher I of the school.

As the cooperative is founded to help its members, PWARC always sees to it that the members are not disadvantaged.

According to Ibabao, unlike other lending companies or institutions, PWARC offers very low interest rates to its loan borrowers.

“We can be a channel of change in the lives of the farmers in the future through sustainable and effective programs that are resilient and adaptive to the climate we have today,” the Grade 10-Alexandrite adviser further stated.

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

04 CO M M U NIT Y VOL. 12. NO. 2

PHOTO STORY

NEWS

DECEMBER 2023

PADAGYAW SPIRIT ON HIGH. Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School placed 2nd runner-up in this year’s Padagyaw Cultural Show, out of nine competing tribes. This year’s presentation is marked by a narrative of Dumarao’s history and the rich tradition and beliefs of the Dumaraonon. This has been one of the highest placements for Hubon Dagisahanon in recent years. (Photo by Jashmine Andrea Ventar)

pon arriving in the upland barangays of Dumarao, guests

view Barangay Dacuton as a center for trade.

U consistently The market comes alive with the clamorous chants of various

vendors every Tuesday morning. The jam-packed buses and jeepneys traversing the heavily sealed road resemble a metropolis. Being a commercial hub lets you stay in the once peaceful neighborhood because everything is close by, saving you from having to travel to the nearest city.

Dacuton, a second-class barangay 17 kilometers from the town center, is a thriving community that values education from the schools that have been established here and even goes so far as to serve its feeder barangays.

Its genuine residents and endearing smiles can captivate people, drawing them into this joyful and harmonious place.

Every year on the 13th of October, Dacuton celebrates the religious fiesta in honor of its patron saint, Our Lady of Fatima. The festivities captivate and astound everyone in attendance, particularly the locals. The Radiance honors the lives of individuals who have achieved extraordinary feats during this celebration.

MORE THAN

Unsung stories of ordinary Dac

BY THE RADIAN

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

NEWS

05

SDO Capiz supports ordinance for tourism

BY MAXINE NATHANIA ORTEZA

In support of the efforts of the provincial government of Capiz to further enhance the tourism experience here, Capiz Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Miguel Mac Aposin released a memorandum that institutionalizes the use of “Mabuhay” and “Salamat” gestures in academic institutions.

The said move is in

by PTCAO Officer Alphonsus accordance with Division Memo esoro, the gesture of uttering No. 487, citing a letter from the word “Mabuhay” is desired the Provincial Tourism and with the right hand in open Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) palm [close knitted] placed to disseminate Provincial on the left side of the chest, Ordinance No. 237, s. 2023. sporting a smile and eye contact Ordinance No. 237 Series with the person to be greeted. was entitled “Institutionalizing Furthermore, during the Use of Mabuhay and Salamat speeches, as part of the Gestures in Government salutation, after acknowledging Offices, Local Government the guests or visitors, the word Units, Academic Institutions, “Mabuhay”, is said. At the end of and Tourism Establishments each speech, closing statements in Welcoming and Thanking may include “Thank you and Guests, Answering Telephone Mabuhay!” or “Salamat and Calls, and Interacting with Mabuhay!” or “Mabuhay tayong Clients in the Province of Capiz,” lahat!”. urging the said offices and For Head Teacher III institutions to use the words Ginalyn Huqueriza, the said “Mabuhay” and “Salamat.” gesture is a simple act of According to the letter sent promoting social distancing

while displaying our culture of warmth and unique sense of hospitality and respect.

“I give my fullest support to the PTCAO for institutionalizing the use of Mabuhay and Salamat gestures in all offices in the entire province of Capiz,” said Huqueriza. The word “Mabuhay” is also instructed to be used as a greeting when answering telephone call concerns.

Tesoro expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of the DepEd Capiz in making the Province of Capiz a premier tourist destination.

The institutionalization of Mabuhay and Salamat gestures is considered part of the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Program initiated by the Department of Tourism to promote the best qualities and positive values of Filipino hospitality.

I give my fullest support to the PTCAO for stitutionalizing the use of Mabuhay and Salamat gestures in all offices.

HUQUERIZA

SPECIAL REPORT

N JUST A MARKET

cuton people in this year’s fiesta celebration

NCE FEATURES SQUAD

The unsung stories of everyday Dacuton people are embodied by individuals like Jose Ramiro Caballero, Edwin Parreño, Jun Arroyo, Analina Fontiveros, and Marcial and Analie, the owners of the Lagaña Store.

As would be expected in a typical market situation, each person is given an equal amount of responsibility.

Like everyone’s life in the Dacutons community, time flies by. The unique quality of the fiesta is a result of every citizen’s true nature, their tranquil baranggay lifestyle, and their steadfast devotion to the community, and that makes Dacuton more than just a market.

GRAPHICS BY KURT SIANDHEL PEDROSA

Addressing the tiny cracks in our education system is crucial if we aim to improve the academic performance and learning abilities of our students.

These tiny cracks, when left unattended, can form bigger fissures until they shatter the entire system into smithereens. In light of this, the Department of Education (DepEd), under the helm of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, launched the MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa program this year to resolve the perennial woes of basic education in the Philippines.

Education is a great social and economic equalizer. A well-educated citizenry is vital to society’s progress, but optimum learning can only take place in well-structured curricula and conducive learning environments. We believe that the MATATAG agenda of DepEd is a huge step toward the realization of a learnercentered institution attuned to serving its stakeholders more effectively.

One of the components of MATATAG is to make the curriculum relevant to produce competent, job-ready, transformative, and responsible citizens.

CARTOON BYCHRIS DANIEL DAQUILANEA

EDITORIAL

06

NO MORE TINY CRACKS This move is geared toward troubleshooting the loopholes in the K–12 curriculum. The congested curriculum burdens the students with backbreaking tasks, but the result is underwhelming. The curriculum promised to produce employable graduates, but the promise did not deliver. Based on the DepEd tracer study of senior high school graduates, only a meager 10% landed a job, while 83% continued to pursue higher education.

MATATAG will also accelerate the delivery of basic education facilities and services. More than ever, the Philippine primary education system needs more school infrastructure and resources to support the ideal teachinglearning process. With more funds injected into facilities and services, MATATAG should be able to address the structural integrity issues of the classrooms enough to protect the students from heavy rains and extreme heat.

To ensure teachers are provided support,

collaboration with other government agencies has been established to hone teacher-scholars and recognize specializations in the field. With this kind of orientation, MATATAG paints a rosy future for teachers, replete with opportunities for more growth.

Although programs have been put in place by former DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones to globalize the quality of Philippine primary education, we believe that the move is not enough. The World Bank reported that 9 out of 10 children in the Philippines are not proficient in reading at a late primary age. MATATAG, with more comprehensive and inclusive programs, remains a solid solution to redirect the Philippine education system to a better state.

As campus journalists, we need to use the power of our pens and papers to inform the community of the salient features of the MATATAG program. We need to rally the support of our fellow students so the programs can be implemented

efficiently and effectively. We can write about the stories of learners and schools that are marginalized and need intervention. Our stories of truth can make a difference and empower a nation where journalism is given the utmost priority. We can promote real-world journalism and be responsible journalists through these.

The government should assist the school and allocate enough funds to build student facilities. No matter how innovative the MATATAG program is, it remains a vision and a promise if not adequately funded. With the current 710.6 billion peso budget of DepEd, the highest in the 2023 National Budget, the vision must have a clear direction.

Education should have no cracks that may shatter the whole system. As VP Duterte noted, ‘’We know the road will be bumpy, but our direction is clear”. Together, let us support the MATATAG program and work on fixing the fissures and friction that continue to haunt our educational system. It is high time for a more responsive quality education system to take space, paving the way to an inclusive, responsive education system—one without tiny cracks.

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

VOL. 12. NO. 2

OPINION

VOI C ES

DECEMBER 2023

07

CHANGE FORWARD, NOT BACKWARD BRILLIANT PHOENIX

R

eform the output, not the input. If I had the opportunity to change my name, would it guarantee a change in my behavior? What about an increase in my grade? Or a sure spot for landing a decent job?

I perfectly understand why former President Gloria Arroyo and now Pampanga representative proposed some time this year House Bill No. 7893, which aims to change the name of K-12 to K-10+2 as the current K-12 program is not producing job-ready graduates, thus adjustments have to be made.

Changing the name of the K–12 program, however, cannot solve the problem confronting students and teachers in the present educational landscape.

Looking at the critical and practical aspects, why not opt for initiatives on much neglected and weak areas of education like reforms to the curriculum content to reduce academic loads, improvement of school facilities to provide meaningful learning experiences to students, and reaching out to uplift the

status quo among the last-mile schools rather than proposing a reform that may not necessarily be far-reaching, impactful, and beneficial to the lives of students and teachers at the grassroots?

Will this notion end up adding additional tasks for teachers or students like us? I hope the initiative in progress will not lead to futility, as it wastes people’s money. I stand firm to be one of the many dissenters that this bill is nothing but a nonsense idiocracy that provoked the unprivileged people to understand the law by making it more ridiculous.

Despite the education department’s firestorm of reforms and preparations, students in the Philippines remain among the world’s weakest in math, reading, and science, new findings by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed, with recent test scores showing no significant improvement from the country’s performance in 2018.

We need concrete proposals when it comes to education

because, for several decades, our country has been facing various chronic issues that only education could break.

Thus, changing the name of the curriculum is not a responsive move towards maladaptation happening on the grounds. It is better to find and explore other ways of educational reform from which students are benefiting and teachers are heard from their stories of realities.

Are we really on track towards DepEd as nationbuilding? Vis-à-vis this concern, we must always be reminded by the fact that, besides the unusual steps happening in the top management, our teachers are always selfless to offer their lives in order to transform one’s life, living their symbolic status as the noblest among professions.

Over the years, nothing really significant has changed.

Renaming the curriculum won’t necessarily improve the same system. If changing the name will also uplift the quality and quantity of the education system, then why not?

BY BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON

Despite the education department’s firestorm of reforms and preparations, students in the Philippines remain among the world’s weakest in math, reading, and science, new findings by the PISA showed.

WARM WELCOME FOR CHANGE GROWLING OWL

I

must take heed of the possibility that the government may have understood how challenging it would be for me to adapt to these changes. Why should we change something that doesn’t have to be changed?

I don’t understand the point of changing something that works perfectly fine.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools and universities, have adjusted their school calendars to accommodate remote and distance learning—a form of learning continuity in the heights of the global health crisis. While these changes were necessary for the safety of students and teachers, they have created a degree of uncertainty.

It brought nothing but contested thoughts on how to manage and adapt to the event of precarity when we don’t have sufficient resources to cope. The change in school calendars in the current education landscape, however,

has varying sides of impact, but the bottom line is, are we really on track?

April and May are supposedly my summer breaks, but because of the said changes, they turned into summer classes. I should wake up early, go to school, and learn while suffering from an extreme heat index. Obviously, our classrooms don’t have air conditioning units; the ventilation depends on the limited number of electric fans available just to mitigate the sweltering heat that engulfs us.

However, the return of the traditional school calendar couldn’t get any more comfortable for me. Being in the class set up with an altered schedule is not quite easy since you have to adjust to the learning task in the summer heat while reckoning with the fact that you were supposedly on vacation. Nevertheless, I need to adapt to the various changes because, as a student,

my education trained me to become adaptive, versatile, and flexible. On the other hand, returning to the pre-pandemic school calendar is nothing but a requisite for a more conducive learning experience, as it gives me an ample amount of time to relax during summer break. It also relieves some of the pressure I experienced throughout the entire academic year and helps me prepare for the next level of learning.

As a student, there is nothing more comforting than having a schedule we used to have previously. The return to the traditional school calendar would bring a sense of normalcy to the routine of my academic life. The return of the traditional school calendar would provide the structure, stability, and routine. While the pandemic has forced schools and universities to make changes to their schedules, for many students, its return would be a warm welcome for change.

BY SHANEL ASHLEY VALDEZ

Being in the class set up with an altered schedule is not quite easy since you have to adjust to the learning task in the summer heat while reckoning with the fact that you were supposedly on vacation.

FEAT

08

EXTRA SPECIAL HA When passion in baking and in teaching intertwine for a dedicated mother

BY ROMELA SUASINA AND KURT SIANDHEL PEDROSA

W

hat else is beyond the powers of a multi-tasker? Being a mother, wife, teacher, and baker all at once is the most difficult job a person can have, but according to 38-yearold Ariane Parreño Pedrosa, being a multitasker makes one extraordinary.

Ma’am Ariane, the youngest of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and Gilda Parreno’s seven children, is married to Rodhel Pedrosa and has a 16-year-old son named Kurt Siandhel Pedrosa. She teaches Filipino and Araling Panlipunan to fifth-graders at Dacuton Elementary School, a public school.

She owns Cravings Solution, a cake and pastry shop, in addition to working as a full-time teacher. Since the last quarter of 2018, Ariane and her family have been selling a variety of foods since their establishment in 2020.

Her business started with the idea of selling desserts around their area. When she started making mango floats,

it gave them a reasonable income, so she urged herself to learn and discover new and more recipes.

They then offered leche flan, puto cheese, and kutsinta until they could finally purchase an oven. For others, it is a small thing, but for them, it is a big blessing for their business. The moment their business started to gain more buyers, they acquired their first electric conventional oven.

“The first commercial cake that we marketed was the money cake for an 80-year-old mom of my co-teacher,” she says. After the guests tasted their cakes, they received good

feedback, and they became more motivated to sell cakes.

She was unable to run the company on her own, so her husband gave up his position as a sales agent. They have cooperated up until this point to fulfill the orders. When she is extremely busy in school, her sister, Jonah Parreño, helps her out.

Ariane believes time management is essential. Even at lunch, she decorates a cake.

Aside from cakes and sweets, they also sell other delights.

In addition, they sell pastries, noodle goodies, pasta, and kakanins. She also takes trays of food orders and snack packs.

Her magical hands allow her to prepare and bake delectable pastries, yet she never loses sight of her role as

her son’s mother.

She asserted that their son’s school matters could always be discussed over dinner, particularly when it came to meetings and events that required a parent’s attendance. Her spouse took over to support her son in school matters if she was unable to

TURE

FURRY GOOD MOTHER Ma’am Mediatrix Gonzales and her noble act of caring for dogs - her second learners

BY ROSE LEONARDO

I

NDS attend.

“More than anything my son knows, buligay lang man kami; siya man ang priority namon,” she says, adding, “We are always here to help man sa iya.”

What keeps her inspired and motivated are the customer feedback and the success stories of the other entrepreneurs she has witnessed on social media and in real life. It also includes the profit they gain from their business, which pays off their bills.

Her small business has, up to this point, gradually gained recognition as a result of the high-quality goods they have given their clients. She made the decision to follow her heart and do things with a pair of extra special hands, for as long as anything is done with love, it always comes out extraordinary.

t is typical in schools to see a teacher carrying books and instructional materials while her students follow her. However, not all teachers are able to watch her have fun with her dog friends as if they were her students without risking her safety.

For more than 27 years, Ma’am Mediatrix Gonzales has already embraced the different facets of being a teacher at Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School, from being a planning coordinator to an industrial artist to a sports enthusiast, among others. She knows the way.

AWAY FROM HOME Before the rooster’s crow sounds at dawn every Monday, Ma’am Gonzales had to leave her hometown of Oton, Iloilo, to catch the early bus back to her station. Of all the faculty here, she holds the record of traversing more than a hundred kilometers for almost three decades just to come over.

Days are short for her three children whenever they are together only on weekends. From afar, she never lets a day pass without checking on them as a gesture of her motherly love and care.

On the verge of the pandemic, Ma’am Gonzales had to brave the deafening silence of the classroom. She was not used to it. But what comforted her enough to get along during those times were the dogs who would often visit her classroom.

FRIENDLY BARKS The Grade 10-Ruby adviser was not barking up the wrong tree when she

found a company with adopted pets. When she had nobody to talk with during the modular learning, she found a friend with a female dog whom she named Spootnik.

It has become her hobby to bathe and feed the dog.

Whenever the teacher brought the new-found pet to their boarding house, Pipoy would eventually spend the night lying next to her in bed.

Spootnik and Pipoy developed a bond with Ma’am Gonzales. Until such time, two other dogs joined them—Fizer and Icey—who are considered

by Ma’am Gonzales as her second children.

But adopting dogs was never new to a furry mother like Ma’am Gonzales. Back in her home, she also has two more dogs, Arya and Elven.

She discovered from a friend the idea of loving and caring for pets like dogs, which eventually made her consider them like her own children.

“Once I see them, I have fun. I feel really happy, and my stress is relieved,” says Ma’am Gonzales.

OVERCOMING STRESS At the height of the pandemic, some people turned to pets to help us endure this challenging time in history.

In fact, the demand

for adopting or fostering pets, particularly dogs, has risen worldwide, according to PetPoint, which collects industry data on pet adoption.

Ma’am Gonzales is one of those who overcame stress during those difficult times with the loyalty and diversion she found with dogs in school.

As a teacher in modular learning, surviving the pandemic would be entirely different without her friend’s dogs, whom she considers her comforting pill.

According to her, fostering pets like dogs is not something to be taken for granted. You must treat them with love and consider them like family.

Just like how she cares for her three children and loves them, so is the love she gives to her dogs.

For the likes of Pipoy, Spootnik, Fizer, and Icey, Ma’am Gonzales is also their teacher in school, just like her students. But for Arya and Elven, she is also their mother at home, just like her children.

Now that students are back in face-to-face classes, they see how Ma’am Gonzales treats her pets just like she treats her students and her children.

Ma’am Gonzales might have been performing various roles in school or at home, but one scenario will be the same: whether she goes to work or comes back to school, the loyal dogs are right there patiently waiting at the step of the door with their welcoming licks for the loving and caring hand of whom they consider mother, teacher, and above all, dog lover.

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

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VOL. 12. NO. 2

SOCIET Y

DECEMBER 2023

A TALE AS OLD AS HER My grandma, her not-so-Taylor Swift’s love story, and her lessons from history

BY BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON

I

n a world where resilience and determination reign, my 84-year-old grandmother, Emerecenciana Lauron, is a testament to women’s indomitable spirit. Born into an underprivileged family, she defied the odds and carved her path towards success. Her story reflects not just her triumphs but a timeless lesson in overcoming life’s challenges.

She was my first adviser, mentor, and teacher. And the insightful lessons she taught me influenced the way I see the world.

My grandmother proved to everyone that she could do everything her heart desired, and no one could stop her from reaching her goals. Her dreams were still alive, and her youthful vigor was visible in her sagging face. She continued to fight the biggest fights of her life while being judged by others.

LESSONS FROM THE BIG CITY Back in 1957, at the tender age of 17, armed with a mere 25 pesos, my grandmother ventured into the bustling streets of Mandaluyong City with no family or friends she could stay with, armed only with courage and determination to survive.

The folks in her village of Gibato labeled her as an arisgada, the risk-taker. Who else would go to the metro without anyone or anywhere to stay?

But her path took an unforeseen detour. Seeking a more comfortable work environment, she transitioned to become a housemaid for Antonio Araneta’s family. Little did she know that this decision would keep her away from her own family for a staggering 16 years.

She nevertheless took on the obstacles head-on, equipped with a resolute work ethic and drive.

COMING HOME When the time finally came

for her to return home after 17 years, she carried with her the fruits of her labor and a profound sense of joy. Yet her family had a different plan in store for her.

When she arrived at their house, her family introduced her to a man, a stranger, who they believed would be her life partner.

Unwilling to enter a marriage that wasn’t her own, my grandmother initially resisted the idea.

She feels that working her entire life is preferable to having a ton of obligations.

“Indi ko gid gusto mamana!

Hay insat mamana gid ako kung pwede man nga samtang mapagsik pako matipon nako kwarta para mag mal am ako mapa-alaga ako sa mga Madre may isuhol ako,” she says.

She was fighting for her

fate. Her personal choice was to stay away from married life.

Unfortunately, her family was persistent enough to control her. She ended up marrying the man her heart didn’t even desire, giving in to her parents’ wishes.

On January 27, 1968, my grandmother and this man (who became my lolo) exchanged vows at the altar, pledging to spend their lives together. “Bisan indi gid ako gusto mag pakasal nagpasugot dulang ako hay amo day-a ya pamaagi nga naisip ko nga basi makapasadya kanday nanay kag para bisan ano matabo indi nanda ako pagbasulon,” she asserts.

KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED My grandmother has given me priceless life lessons over the course of her lifetime. She always tells me that I should use my disappointments to fuel something worthwhile and significant that I can one day attest to, rather than merely concentrating on the good things that are occurring to me. She

inspires me to accept the highs and lows of life and to treat everyone with kindness and respect, no matter what they do.

“Sa mga kabataan ilabi nagid sa akon mga apo permi ko gid ginahambal sa anda nga dapat bisan diin kag kung sin o man upod da dapat may respeto gid sanda,” is the advice she gives, and it sounds true to me.

A SCAR IS A REMINDER In times when I was heedless of this advice, her words were like lightning without thunder that would hit me, leaving a scar. But it is a scar that I will continuously accept, no matter how painful it may be for my heart.

“Bisan ano pa ang matabo, masadya man or masubo dapat mo gid isipon nga bisan diin lang kita dal-on sang aton mga handom sa kabuhi indi ta gid pagkalipatan ang kung ano ka importante ang good manners kag right conduct nga ara sa aton,” she adds.

MY HEROINE As I reflect on her tale, as old as she is, I recognize her as a heroine—a ray of courage and resiliency. Her teachings are not just lessons from history but timeless reminders that continue to shape my world today.My grandmother’s voyage serves as a moving example of the perseverance and bravery of the human spirit, encouraging us to set out on our own adventures with a firm belief in who we are.

This tale, as old as her, never goes out of style. Her lessons, which I continue to be in awe of, find their way into the realities of my modern life.

This is the tale I will tell my future children.

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

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VOL. 12. NO. 2

SC I EN C E

DECEMBER 2023

FLORA AND FAUNA OF CAPIZ The hidden treasure nestled as nature’s gems in the mountains of Tapaz , Capiz

I

magine a place where every aspect of biodiversity is a treasure waiting to be discovered and preserved—a place where you can witness the tranquility of nature and the relaxing green forests. Capiz, known for its unique seafood offerings and stunning beaches, also holds a hidden gem within its mountains.

The Tapaz municipality in Capiz is home to a treasure trove of undiscovered natural beauty that is essential to the biodiversity of the area.

Enchanting lush green forests, foothills, and mountains with clouds gently touching the peaks surround this very obscure location. This is probably because of how difficult it is to get there.

This is Brgy. Tabon, a spot where you may feel the warmth of its kind residents and enjoy the fresh breeze.

WHAT ARE FLORA AND FAUNA? The two fundamental elements of an ecosystem are flora and fauna. Together, they symbolize the complex web of connections that exists between all living things, places, and times, creating a fragile bubble of life. Flora, according to Conserve Energy Future, is the collective term for all plant life that currently exists or has historically grown in a specific place or time period. It was once introduced and mostly consists of native plant species. Fauna, on the other hand, denotes the collective animal life that existed or thrived in a particular area or time.

The Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (CaPENRO) has established partnerships with experts from the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (PhilBio) and the Capiz Ecology and Conservation Center at Capiz State University.

With the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, they obtained a gratuitous permit and received assistance from the Local Government Unit of Tapaz to conduct the third leg of the Capiz Flora and Fauna survey in Brgy.

Tabon, Tapaz, Capiz.

THE EXPEDITION Accessing the survey location presented considerable difficulties.

The steep road had become muddy and slippery due to the rain the day before, and individuals were frequently spotted walking or removing their cars from the muck. The bad weather made the already difficult work of surveying even more difficult. Camped out beside the stream at risk of flooding, the team was alert the

entire time. But despite all this, the survey yielded great results.

The four-day trip produced a wealth of information about the ecosystem of the forest and its abundant animals. Being close to the stream, which serves as a habitat for a variety of species, allows plants and animals that depend on flowing water to persist in their growth.

Despite human disturbances and influences, flora and fauna coexist harmoniously.

THE RESULT In Brgy. Tabon, Tapaz, Capiz, a total of 76 vascular plant species were gathered and identified. This species is a member of 35 plant families, of which 38% are classified as herbs. There were not many data for trees and shrubs because the survey was done in the off-flowering season. With nine genera included, the Orchidaceae family of plants was the most prevalent among those that

were recognized. Eight species were determined to be endemic to the nation based on the original identification, whereas eight species were considered native. Curcuma zedoaria, Musa sp., and Chromolaena odorata were the three species that were categorized as exotic. To complete the plant identification, distribution, and classification—including new local distributions—more work is being done. Brgy. Tabon also has a variety of bats, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.

During the survey, the team identified 51 bird species in total, 24 of which are endemic, including eight endemic to the West Visayas. Additionally, five threatened species were recorded under the DAO 2019–09: the southern indigobanded kingfisher, the fragile Visayan flowerpecker, the highly endangered blue-naped parrot, the Visayan tarictic hornbill, and the Visayan scops owl.

Furthermore, three frugivorous bat species were identified, one of which is an indigenous species.

Conducting the Flora and Fauna study is crucial as it has significant implications for biodiversity. Insufficient information about living organisms can lead to human activities that pose a risk to their existence. To reduce these risks and save these species, it is crucial to collect thorough data.

An important resource for the protection of species and preservation of the natural world, the Flora and Fauna Survey captures the spirit of a great subject in the art of exploration.

It offers a beautiful voyage full of learning experiences and discoveries.

REFERENCE AND PHOTO CREDIT: Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (CaPENRO)

BY RUCHEL ANN CARMEN

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

OPINION

12 EDEN GRACE GARBOSA Senior Editorial Assistant

EDITORIAL BOARD BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON Editor-in-chief

YURI SIOSON LESEL JOY PENAFLORIDA Science Writers

EDITORIAL STAFF

ROMEO HAQUIAS RUCHEL ANN CARMEN Associate Editors

MARTHA CARMELA ALDABON JOICE ALEXINE SONDIA MAXINE NATHANIA ORTEZA News Writers

ANGEL BACIA JASHMINE ANDREA VENTAR Managing Editor

SHANELLE HUQUERIZA REYCEL JOCANAS KATHLEEN FONTIVEROS ALENA RAMIREZ Feature Writers

CHRIS DANIEL DAQUILANEA Asst. Managing Editor

DEPARTMENT EDITORS SHANEL ASHLEY VALDEZ Head, News Department JODEL JINON Head, Current Affairs Department

AMEZA GANGOSO MA. NELSHEY EMILIO RICHALYN ALFUENTE GRACIELLE CAJURAO MD GALLEGO Photojournalists

ROSE LEONARDO THEA MAE COLOCAR ADRIAN JOHN MAPUTOL MAEKIELALYN GRACE LASAP Sports Writers JOSHUA YCOGO Layout Artists KURT SIANDHEL PEDROSA LIESTER MAYOR REY HANS KING BUHAYAN Mobile Journalists KEITH BRYAN MINGUILLO JANEDELLE ERICH LATO MARK RENAN CALIMPONG CHARLES BUCSIT Editorial Assistants

JUVY MAYOR ROXANNE GUILLERMO Department Heads SHINA MAY LANTORIA GISELLE RENDON Co-advisers CHRISTIAN BASCO Asst. School Paper Adviser PHILIP JAYSON FALCIS School Publication Adviser GINALYN HUQUERIZA Head Teacher III LOURDES PALIGUMBA Principal I

EDITORIAL POLICY The Radiance is the official student press corps of Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School located at Dacuton, Dumarao, Capiz. It is published twice every school year which stands as a breed of scholastic campus writers center of campus journalism as the voice of the studentry waving the BEACON OF FREEDOM and FLAGSHIP OF CHANGE. Contributors, comments and suggestions may be sent to the editors. The opinions herein are the views of the authors and cannot be taken as the position of the school as such. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent to the press corps.

All rights reserved.

NEVER BLINDS, NOR PUPPETS SOARING FALCON

BY KRISTINE ALFUENTE

We have the right to take control of the information that affects us. Think of it as swimming in clear blue water when we see everything, so we dive in, but who will swim in a brown and murky river?

W

ho wants to be a blind follower? Who wants a faceless leader?

The currency of leadership is transparency, which forges credibility and integrity. And I strongly believe that for a country to be successful, its people should support its actions. A great leader should gain the trust of his people.

People don’t just trust you because you want to; it is gained. But will you trust and support someone who is like a sealed book, afraid to be read?

To bring issues of vital public concern into the public domain, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Law has been enacted through Executive No. 2, s.

2016, to provide citizens with a formal mechanism to access government documents without the necessity of justifying a legal interest in such information under the Executive branch.

I see transparency as a strength at the core level, but never a weakness. Amidst the spread of misinformation, I think people don’t even know where to get credible information because there are thousands of websites claiming to be credible but aren’t. A Therefore, channeling FOI to a broader community of critical thinkers on the campuses through school publications addresses the gap between the well-informed and the misinformed 21st-century learners.

I believe that the government should be an open book to gain people’s trust. Think of it as swimming in clear blue water when we see everything, so we dive in, but I will never swim in a brown and murky river. You never know what a quiet lake is hiding; you never know what kind of bones are hidden behind a silent leader’s closet. So FOI is the government’s response to the call for transparency and full public disclosure of information. If it does not

jeopardize privacy or matters of national security, then every Filipino citizen can request any information about government transactions and operations.

In this digital age, the need to become critical thinkers requires transparency and access to truthful information.

This boils down to addressing a national dilemma, as the proliferation of fake news has been a growing problem in the Philippines with the widespread use of social media, where content is not immediately verifiable.

As a young campus journalist who is promoting empowerment through campus journalism, I help promote press freedom, freedom of speech, opinion, and expression.

I stand against fake news and misinformation through pens and paper and make use of Facebook to deliver accurate information. Now, we are never alone; together with the FOI Law, we will continue to empower and awaken citizens to the importance of reliable, balanced, and transparent information. We will continue to provide reliable data and fight side by side with freedom of information.

“Government is ourselves and not an alien power over us,” former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt once reminded us. As the ultimate rulers of democracy are the voters of

this country, I believe that our government should never neglect misinformation and should support those who are proving that they are worthy of the trust of every citizen.

We should embrace transparency to eliminate misinformation, as this society is becoming more and more full of fake news. The role of campus journalists and school publications is relevant in promoting access to information as one of the effective tools in institutionalizing transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and open governance in the country.

I stand together with the citizens who know their rights and with those who are taking steps forward toward empowerment. Now that we are given an opportunity to be knowledgeable and empowered, let us all untie our feet and never be afraid to take our first step because I know that the door toward success is always transparent. All we need to do is take our blindfold and walk on the right track the government has given us. *** The columnist is a multiawarded former associate editor of The Radiance who was also a recipient of the Iwag Award in 2023. This contributed article sought permission from the writer for publication.

GRAPHICS BY KURT SIANDHEL PEDROSA AND JOSHUA YCOGO

TEXT BY KURT SIANDHEL PEDROSA

CARTOON BY CHRIS DANIEL DAQUILANEA

(Photo Credit: National Sports Commission

SPORTS

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OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

NEW ERA OF GOLDEN PRIDE Why Filipino gold medalists at the 19th Asian Games excel in unconventional sports

BY BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON, THEA MAE COLOCAR, AND MACKIELALYN GRACE LASAP

N

ot just one, not two, but three.

As the Philippine delegation sent some 400 athletes to compete in 40 sports for the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8, 2023, three Filipino athletes proved they were the rulers of their respective individual sports events all over Asia.

Held every four years, despite last year’s postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers of the continent’s biggest quadrennial sports have claimed that they have brought the “real world and virtual world together” in the staging of the multi-sport event.

The Philippines secured the 16th rank in the recent Asian Games, three ranks higher than its 2018 Asian Games placement, following the historic victory booked by Gilas Pilipinas on October 6. The Philippine Olympic Committee aimed to match or surpass its previous record—4 gold, 2 silver, and 15 bronze—held in Indonesia.

However, as sports evolved, it was also clear as crystal that Filipinos excelled in unconventional sports.

Opportunities for nontraditional sports became widespread, and this era proved that nothing is impossible when playing games that aren’t usually played.

Exhibiting a dazzling performance to crash his opponents’ hopes to clinch the crown for their country, Obiena showed off his intergalactic techniques, securing the top spot.

“It has been an amazing year for me, and I’m proud of it,” Obiena said in an interview with Inquirer.net after nabbing the first Asiad gold home.

Trying short enough to snatch the crown from the World No. 2 Filipino pole vaulter, Huang Bokai of China manifested his signature tactics, but for a silver finish.

In a span of a year, Obiena nabbed silver in the World Athletics Championships, earned a sport in the Paris Olympics, and now shattered the Asian Games records.

Obiena has accomplished his goal of winning an Asian Games gold, marking the Philippines’ first gold in athletics in 37 years since Lydia de Vega’s 100-meter victory in the Seoul Asian.

GOLDEN RECORD Ernest John “EJ” Obiena wrecked the pole vault records, having 5.90 m, enough to clutch the first gold medal for the Philippines during the 19th Asian Games pole vault finals at Hangzhou Olympic Sports on Sept. 30.

GOLDEN PRAYERS Two-time world champion Meggie Ochoa shrugged it off and struck gold in the women’s jiu jitsu by downing Balqees Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates by advantage in the -48kg final on Oct. 5 in the 19th Asian Games.

Despite running a high fever the past three days and feeling hopeless coming into her opening bout, the 33-yearold veteran grappler subdued Mongolia’s Odgerel Batbayar in the sound of 16, submitted Kazakhstan’s Nazgul Rakhayeva in the quarterfinal, and tripped Thailand’s Pechrada Kacie Tan, 4-2, in the semifinals.

“I have been sick since I arrived here. I tried all sorts of medicine to get well and prayed hard to give me the strength to compete,” said Ochoa, who uncontrollably wept on her way to the athlete’s dugout.

In the championship match, tears of joy flowed as soon as Ochoa’s hand was lifted by the referee after their three-minute duel, which rewarded Team Philippines with its second gold medal in these games.

“My prayers got answered.

This victory is different from the rest because here, I represent our country,” said Ochoa, a bronze medalist in the previous edition of the Games in 2018 in Indonesia.

GOLDEN REDEMPTION Apart from Ochoa, never dare a blazing Filipino fighter with an unwavering quest for victory and redemption in the same sports event.

This was proven by Annie Ramirez as she turned a deep wound—a memory of defeat in 2018 that left her haunted and sleepless at night—into a symbol of triumphant redemption as she clinched gold in the women’s jiu-jitsu 57kg medal collision at the 19th Asian Games against Kazakhstan’s Galina Duvanova on Oct. 6.

“I felt really bad after losing in the previous Asian Games that I just couldn’t wait to recover from that defeat.

Winning the gold here is sweet redemption for me,’’ Ramirez stated in Filipino.

Showing her incredible tenacity during the fight despite spending most of the match underneath her opponent, the three-time Asian champion seized a critical moment in the final 30 seconds, executing a winning sweep against the tall and talented Kazakhstan’s fighter.

“This is the only medal that’s lacking in my collection.

I’ve been thinking about this almost every day since that (Asian) defeat,’’ said the 32-yearold Ramirez. *** Dedication. Resilience.

Patience. These are just some of the qualities with which our Filipino athletes succeeded with their significant contribution to the Philippines’s success at the 19th Asian Games. With this recent feat, the coveted victory, however, becomes more possible in unconventional sports, a testament to the fact that over the years, we all have had reasons to venture into sports outside the box of familiarity.

But whether they win or not, carrying the banner representing the country is already a reason to be proud of, and to land a podium finish on top among over 45 participating nations shows that in the world of sports, Filipinos can always transform adversity into victory—and that alone is golden pride.

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

VOL. 12. NO. 2

SP O RTS B R I E F DECEMBER 2023

SPORTS

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Redeemed victory

Grade 12 Ocheas snags ML tourney championship

‘NEVER GIVE UP’

BY BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON

BY BRITHNEY KYLE LAURON

S hegold.succeeded in winning people over in the race for the In spite of the intense downpour, the large margin, and her deteriorating health, Cambodian runner Bou Samnang—who had low blood pressure—fought valiantly to complete her race and demonstrate that champions never give up and quitters never succeed.

Notwithstanding her home court advantage at a spacious stadium in Morodok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, most Cambodians supported their national pride and skill during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, but she was unable to advance and finished last with a time of 22 minutes and 54 seconds.

Samnang stated in an interview that “I know I would not win, but I told myself that I should not stop.”

Despite the difficulty during the match, Samnang executed a remarkable impact, and although she felt that she couldn’t win the crown for her country, she still finished her 5,000-meter sprint.

Ended up last but has been able to touch the nation’s heart.

Despite not making it, Samnang demonstrated on becoming an inspiration to all. “That’s what life’s about: moving forward and using failures as lessons to bounce back.” Expressed by Samnang’s coach, Kieng Samorn.

She had fallen significantly behind after just a few minutes of the game, but she attempted to employ a combination play that displayed her speed and agility to catch up to her opponent.

Following her effort, Samnang’s commitment to finishing her race regardless of any unforeseen circumstances was highlighted by both Reuters and The New York Times, two prominent media agencies.

The fact that Cambodian athletes often perform better in combat sports than track events made Samnang’s contribution noteworthy.

Grade 11 Warriors top Hinampang 2023

BY RUCHEL ANN CARMEN

Amassing a total of 10 gold medals in the series of events for Hinampang 2023, the Grade 11 Warriors is declarred this year’s overall champion, Nov. 11.

The Grade 12 Titans follow in a tight race for the second spot with 8 gold, while the Grade 10 Fighters secured the third spot with 4 gold.

This year’s Hinampang aims to offer

students a chance to showcase their athletic abilities and promote a healthy competitive spirit capped with an empowering message of becoming a real champion.

“You may play well and show your best in your respective game, [but] be a champion for the rest of the day,” said Lourdes V. Paligumba, school principal, while challenging the young athletes to become ‘real champions’.

(Photo Credit: The New York Times)

The Grade 12 Ocheas unleashed their superiority to earn a championship title in the Mobile Legends (ML), a special event in this year’s Hinampang, in an unstoppable clash of exceptional game abilities, following their overwhelming victory over the Grade 11 Black Imperial in a 5v5 custom draft pick, Nov. 9.

In the opening game of the best-of-three championship tournament, Ocheas, represented by Grade 12GAS, ended its undefeated streak by denying the Black Imperial, represented by Grade 11-HUMSS, a perfect victory, 1-0.

With shrewd decisions and cunning maneuvers, Ocheas shown once again that they are capable of making a comeback and winning the game they had been hoping for since the previous school year.

Mike Franco, Jaybee Bangcoyo, Jhon Ronel Panganiban, Carl Lister Alvarez, and Marc Daryl San Diego of Ocheas made up the team. “May teamwork kami kag ang teamwork namon ya nag pa daog sa amon,” Franco expressed after his team grabbed the crown.

Ocheas rose in after their sudden loss last school year and promised themselves to come back stronger and own the victorious crown.

The Ocheas developed a strong defense and scored a 2-0 run thanks to the Black Imperial players Dream Lister Aberde, Kent John Huqueriza, Arnel Lasap, Darwin Dadivas, and Joshua Borres’ inability to influence the Ocheas’ strategies.

Cambodian runner stuns world stage despite losing in SEA games

OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS PRESS OPERATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY OF RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

A FLY OF GLORY. Athlete Justin Pamuceno harvested two gold medals in Athetics, significantly contributing to the championship bagged by Ramonian Phoenix. Pamuceno is set to compete in the upcoming Unit IV meet.

(Photo by Ma. Nelshey Emilio)

DUMSISSAA MEET COVERAGE

JUMP FOR GOLD Ramonian Phoenix soars in DumSISSAA; Spikers enter finals after five years

BY ROMEO HAQUIAS

A

fter all is said and done in the Dumarao Secondary and Integrated Schools Sports and Athletic Association (DumSISSAA) Meet 2023, the Ramonian Phoenix soared higher to notch the 1st runner-up in the overall medal tally, Nov. 26.

Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School athletes barreled through the field of the town’s highly anticipated sports event, way behind eventual champion and host school Bungsuan National High School and dislodging third-placer Estefania Montemayor National High School and fourth-ranked Manuel F. Onato National High School.

The Dacuton-representing team pulled its weight through the sporting events in athletics for boys after raking in six gold medals, dominating half of the events in badminton tournament with three gold medals, and marking a sweep in all billiards events with four gold medals.

Chessers also chalked up the championship for boys after leading the overall ranking, while the Sepak Takraw for both boys and girls remains unbowed and unbent as the school’s primary team sports to qualify in the higher meet uncontested at the district level.

“Despite our short period of preparation, it only proves that the Ramonian Phoenix fires on the battlefield of sports,” said Francis Gil Berana, school sports

coordinator. “We have proven the rise of the Phoenix from the ashes,” he added.

Meanwhile, after five years, Ramonian Phoenix delivered an impressive performance in volleyball boys after landing in the finals to vie against 2023 WVRAA qualifiers from Bungsuan NHS. Coach Raffy Sonido believes that time will come for the Ramonian Phoenix to shine in the volleyball court.

“Definitely, I am so happy. I didn’t expect that we will make it to the semis and even [to] the championship,” said Sonido adding “God has a purpose why we were able to reach this far.”

Ramonian Phoenix bested the Jr. Tigers of Manuel F. Onato NHS in the semis edging two sets, 25-19, 25-23 to book a championship match against Bungsuan NHS after five years.

As a volleyball coach during her teaching years, Principal Lourdes Paligumba congratulated the efforts of the team and assured to strengthen the sports program in the coming years.

The winning athletes will represent Dumarao in the upcoming Unit IV meet this January at Tapaz, Capiz.

Definitely, I am so happy.

I didn’t expect that we will make it to the semis and even [to] the championship.

Height not a limit

Warriors rule as basketball kings

BY ANGEL BACIA

Luck? Chance? Coincidence? Nay, it’s the determination and the synergy to excel despite the limits.

Proving that size doesn’t matter when it comes to playing basketball, the Grade 11 Warriors hauled back-to-back supremacy in the Hinampang events this year, Nov. 10.

Tension filled the court at Dacuton gym as the likes of Gilas Pilipinas, personified by the Grade 11 Warriors, outsmarted the Grade 12 Titans, 57-50, in a 5×5 tight championship basketball match held yesterday.

When Grade 11 puts more effort into their defense and denies their seniors the opportunity to score, the court is killed by silence as their drive remains unhammered.

“Naghampang gid kami tanan kag nagamit gid ang teamwork namun,” said fivefooter Martin Dale Cardo, one of the outstanding players in the game, along with his teammates Jayvee Sunico, Reymark Doministo, James Billones, Joshua Ycogo, Andy Garcia, Justin Pamuceno, Jessie John Sinoy, and Harold Carmen. The Grade 11 GAS student claims that one of their successproducing tactics is constant collaboration and teamwork.

Additionally, the Warriors’ dominance was evident in the 3x3 match, as the team consisting of Doministo, Pamuceno, and Sinoy defeated the competing Grade 12 team to win yet another championship, 19-14.

The said sports event is facilitated by Rose Mae Brillo and Giselle Rendon under the headship of Elmer Venus as the referee.