Pis Siyabit Volume 1(First Issue)

MAY-OCTOBER 2016 VOL. I, NO. 1 The new official English publication of

SIOCON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Mayor Lobrigas serves 2nd term of office Story on page 2

SHS in full swing

Story on page 2

SNHS holds quake drill Story on page 2

CHANGE HAS COME Mindanaoan Duterte elected new prexy

Sionahayz welcomes new principal, implements ‘MARLON’

By LIAM IÑAKI GILLAMAC

By VLESSY KAYE DAPLINAN MR. MARLON MICUBO was formally installed as the new principal of Siocon National High School (Sionahayz) June 10, taking over for Mr. Javier Salvador who retired from the service last February.

Before Mr. Micubo’s formal reassignment, Mr. Mario OnEDITORIAL Page 4 tanan, Head Teacher of Sta. Maria National High School took temporary school head role from MarchMay whose original plantilla is in Sionahayz.

On the other hand, Mr. Micubo was the principal of Julian Soriano Memorial Comprehensive High School (JSMCHS) for almost seven years before moving to Sionahayz.

Following his reassignment, Mr. Micubo received his promotion from Principal 1 to Principal 3 September 2.

Teachers who know him that has been known as a The Duterte dilemma said competitive and goal-driven leader.

SPORTS Page 12

As he takes his new role, he now implements the MARLON Program or “Make Achievement Rate Levitate ONward”.

“This is a program that all school-heads are aiming for to reach the 75% or higher achievement rate,” Mr. Marlon said during an interview.

He further revealed that the purpose of this program is to meet the standards of the department and to reach at least 75% for the National Achievement Test.

He believes that the dedication and commitment of the teachers and stakeholders will Taconing: From Siocon help him achieve the goals of the to the boxing ring program.

Left: New Principal Marlon P. Micubo addresses the students of Siocon National High School for the first time after the flag ceremony on the first day of classes, June 13.

Right: Newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Batasang Pambansa last July 25. Photo credit: Francis Malasig/rappler.com, used with permission

New Siocon public market and transport terminal to open

By LORRAINE VON CAPADA ONCE THE MARKET CODE will be approved, the new Siocon Public Market and Integrated Transport Terminal will begin operations in the third quarter of the year, the project consultant Engr. Jose Tolo, Jr. said.

The infrastructure project started construction on December 8, 2014 with a 60 million-peso budget acquired through a loan from the Development Bank of the

Philippines (DBP).

According to Engr. Tolo, this new local government project will be the future commercial hub that will accommodate the interested vendors and investors of the locality as well as support the increasing productivity of agrifishery products in Siocon.

“The ultimate goal of the new Integrated Transport Terminal is to provide an organized and

centralized transport terminal for buses, vans/jeepneys, tricycles, habal- habal and sikad to any point of destination within and outside Siocon,” Engr. Tolo explained.

Engr. Tolo added that it is the desire of the people as well as the municipal local officials that Siocon could provide a healthy and organized public market and integrated transport terminal before the year ends.

3rd work plan affirms ASEAN leaders’ commitment for integration

By CHRISTINE MAE JAVA VIENTIANE, LAOS – All ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Heads of State signed the Vientiane Declaration on the Adoption of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III in the ASEAN Summit 2016, September 6.

The five-year IAI is an integral part of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. It seeks to “further regional integration in order to narrow gap within ASEAN,” the work plan states.

According to an article in the ASEAN website, this is built upon the first IAI Work Plan that was launched in 2000.

“It focuses on five strategic

areas including food and agriculture; trade facilitation; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); education; as well as health and well-being,” the article reports.

In terms of education, the work plan promotes mutual recognition of qualifications standards for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and higher education as well as support for English language instruction.

It also aims to “enhance the region’s competitivenes and support the implemenation of the three Community Blueprints which ASEAN leaders adopted in November last year.”

Although having a great impact to all member states, the work plan focuses on providing technical assistance to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam which have lowest incomes among members.

IAI is part of the region’s economic integration agenda which includes the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. It can be recalled that this integration was one of the major reasons why the Department of Education implemented the K to 12 program.

SIOCON, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE — A landslide victory of over 16.6 million votes in the May 9 elections made former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte the 16th Philippine president, making him the first from Mindanao.

Before taking his oath, Duterte has earned the moniker “The Punisher” by Time magazine and “Duterte Harry” for supposedly tolerating extrajudicial killings of alleged criminals.

Together with Police Director General (PDG) Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, President Duterte vowed to suppress crime and drugs within his first six months in office.

“We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier and the last pusher have surrendered or are put, either behind bars or below the ground, if they so wish,” Duterte asserted during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.

It is also during his SONA that he expressed plans to increase spending on basic education and incorporate in the educational system the teaching of the “evils of drugs”. He further promised to intensify and expand the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

The president claims that he is already working at least half of the promises he made during his 90-day campaign. This includes minimizing all forms of crimes and the war against drugs through “Oplan Tokhang” of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We must have the courage to fight for what we believe in, undeterred by the fear of failing or losing. Indeed, courage knows no limit, cowardice does,” Duterte said in his SONA.

2 NEWS

May-October 2016 PIS SIYABIT

SHS in full swing despite building construction delay “I

By FARRAH MUTI, MARY LORD ECHEM AND FAISAL MUTI

t was really inconvenient.”

Omar Pawa, a senior high school (SHS) student described their experience as building construction delay forced some 300 pioneering SHS students to conduct classes in the school covered court and elsewhere until the second week of July.

The building contractor chairs and other classroom furniRCM Construction and Supplies ture are yet to be received. pointed to the unavailability of some “We took the initiative to construction supplies as the reason borrow chairs from far-flung elwhy they finished five months later ementary schools in Siocon that than the February deadline. have some excess chairs. The local

Students of Electrical In- government helped us transport the stallation and Maintenance (EIM), chairs through their trucks,” the General Academic Strand (GAS), principal Mr. Marlon Micubo said. and Caregiving strands had their Two more buildings are classes in the covered court while ongoing construction with each to students enrolled in Science, Tech- have three floors and nine classnology, Engineering and Mathemat- rooms. One of the buildings is exics (STEM), Computer Hardware pected to be functional before the Servicing and Computer Program- opening of classes next year. ming (ICT), and Technical-Voca- With the expected excess tional and Livelihood (TVL) com- of classrooms, Mr. Micubo revealed bination class used the Science that he is planning to add more MAKE DO. Senior High School (SHS) Electrical Installation and Maintenance students take their mid-term laboratory, Computer laboratory, track offerings for SHS next year. exams using armchairs meant for elementary pupils. The school administration took the initiative to borrow and school library, respectively.

The two-year SHS of the chairs while waiting for those intended for the new SHS building.

“Our resourcefulness and Department of Education’s (DepEd) resiliency as teachers were real- is the last phase of the K to 12 proly put to the test that time. Fortu- gram. The department believes that Sionahayz stude conquers nately our supportive principal was the additional years will enable always there to help us in his full learners to have enough skills and 1st Provincial TB Quiz Bee capacity,” Mr. Lorenzo Malabarbas, competencies to prepare them for an SHS teacher said. the world of work, entrepreneurBy FAISAL MUTI

By JUSTINE JEAN MAGHANOY

Aside from the building, ship, or college.

SIOCON, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE — A Grade 9 Siocon Na- The bell rang 8:30 a.m. Malacca explained. tional High School (Sionahayz) July 13 signaling an earthquake.

According to the Philipstudent was hailed champion in the Only it was just a simu- pine Volcanology and Seismology high school category of the 1st Pro- lation as Siocon National High (PHIVOLCs), the Sulu trench near vincial TB Quiz Bowl held at Zam- School (SNHS) students ducked, Zamboanga Peninsula can trigger boanga del Norte (ZN) Cultural and held and covered when the Zam- up to a magnitude 8 and intensity boanga del Norte (ZN) Red Cross 7 earthquake.

Sports Center, August 19.

Mary Lord Joanne Echem, Team led an earthquake drill in the PHIVOLCS described an who represented Siocon in the com- campus. intensity eight earthquake as ex“We intentionally did not treme ground shaking, making petition bested 26 others from dif- ferent municipalities throughout inform the students and had not it difficult for people to remain ZN. She was coached by Mrs. Paojia told them what to do in case of an standing up.

Bari, a Sionahayz Science teacher earthquake so that we can gauge Just last April 13, a magniand Ms. Gladys Eribal, a nurse from their natural reaction,” Michael tude 5.7 earthquake rattled Siocon Malacca of ZN Red Cross said. the Rural Health Unit (RHU).

The students were then and nearby places early dawn.

Other winners are Charish The tectonic quake’s epigathered in the school covered Aguhob of Sergio Osmeña Nationfor a lecture on what to do center had a depth of 15 kilometers al High School, second, and Devin court located 28 kilometers northwest of an earthquake.

Jasma of Southern Peninsula Col- during Siocon, the US Geological Survey

Malacca and some SNHS lege-Labason, third. teachers explained to the students revealed.

“I am so happy that I some basic information about “It was so helpful because brought pride not just to my school earthquake including tips on what I learned about the duck, hold and but to the whole Siocon. More im- to do once it occurs. cover. In case an earthquake like portantly, I have gained new knowl- “It is our aim to educate last April or worse happens, I now edge about tuberculosis or TB everyone especially the youth know that I should not panic,” Kriswhich I can share to my family and about earthquake safety as our tine Zia Dayaganon, a Grade 10 SHOOK IN SHOCK. Michael Mallaca of Philippine Red Cross Zamboanga del friends,” Echem said during an in- province is near the Sulu trench,” student said.

Norte Chapter demonstrates what a magnitude 8 earthquake feels like by terview. violently shaking a Grade 9 student’s armchair after the earthquake drill.

A division memorandum identifies the aim of the activity as to raise awareness to the students regarding TB.

By LORRAINE VON CAPADA

The ZN Provincial Health

By YAM FLYNGE FERRER Bills seeking the postpone- electoral process”.

Office (PHO) alongside the Depart- ment of the Sangguniang Kabat Senator Juan Edgardo Anment of Health (DOH) and the ProSIOCON, ZAMBOANGA DEL products, and the residual waste vincial Multisectoral Alliance-Zam- aan (SK) and barangay elections gara favors the bill to allow more NORTE — Schools here are di- will be placed in a specific area for boanga del Norte Coalition Against from October 31 this year to Octo- time for the full implementation of Tuberculosis (PMSA-ZaNCAT) ber 2017 passed the third and final the recently enacted SK Reform Act rected to implement the Ecological its final disposal.

On the other hand, the colWaste Management and Market spearheaded the event as part of reading in both the upper and lower or Republic Act 10742. lection of the solid waste will only Sanitation Code signed by the Local the National Lung Month and the houses.

House Speaker Pantaleon Senate Bill No. 1112 and Alvarez for his part said that the Government, May 31.

National Tuberculosis Awareness be picked up during and within one House Bill No. 3504 are expected postponement will allow Duterte to Month.

According to Billy Balum- hour before the arrival of the gar According to the Official to pass through a Bicameral Con- finish his appointments which will aga, Market Supervisor-in-Charge, bage truck.

Gazette of the Philippine Govern- ference Committee which will re- be hampered by a ban once elecFirst-time offenders are Municipal Ordinance No. 1, series ment, “National Lung Month aims solve conflicting provisions of the tions will pursue.

2016 is implemented to guarantee to pay 300 pesos or three hours to focus the public’s attention on bills.

Hundreds of Siocon youths protection of public health and en- of Solid Waste Orientation plus a The bill will then be submit- the pulmonary system and illnesses of the lungs and urge everyone to ted to Malacañang and signed into aged 15-30 have already registered vironment of the municipality. four-hour community service, seccontribute to a better and healthier law by President Rodrigo Duterte. to the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) Among the provisions of ond-time offenders are to pay 500

Duterte already expressed this year. They will still be allowed environment.” support for the cancellation of to vote for SK next year as long as the ordinance is the color-coding of pesos or two-day community serSiyabit, Amanat journos his the elections, saying he is afraid they do not exceed the age require- garbage bins: green for biodegrada- vice, third-time offenders are to pay ble waste, blue for non-biodegrada- 1000 pesos or a five-day community reap awards in seminar that “drug money will seep into the ment at the election day. ble waste, black for residual waste, service and fourth-time offenders

By DANE SHANREIL TAGALOGUIN are to pay 2500 pesos or imprisonand yellow for toxic waste.

CAMPUS JOURNALISTS of Pis Si The recovered profitable ment from 7 to 15 days or both. yabit and In Amanat, new student The ordinance applies to materials will be sold to junk shops publications of Siocon National or to other interested buyers while all residences, commercial, governHigh School (SNHS) took home 21 the non-profitable materials will be ment, institutions and other estabawards in the Campus Journalism further processed into indigenous lishments within the municipality.

Seminar Workshop 2016, Siocon Cluster in Julian Soriano Memorial Briones named new DepEd Sec, supports K12 Comprehensive High School, September 10-11.

By ANJENETH YU

One hundred forty students PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE to 12 program, coming from seven high schools in appointed fellow Mindanaoan Le- saying it is benSiocon participated in the annual onor Briones as new Department of eficial in the ZN-Press Club-sponsored event.

Education (DepEd) secretary who long run which

Lectures and workshops assumed office June 30. were given in news writing, edito Briones succeeded Bro. will make the rial writing, sports writing, feature Armin Luistro, an appointee of for- country’s eduwriting, copyreading and headline mer president Benigno Aquino III. cation system BRIONES. Photo writing, editorial cartooning and

In a statement, Luistro at par with the from Facebook photojournalism and layouting. praised the former national treasur- rest of the world.

The seminar-workshop er Briones’s background in finance, aims to equip student journalists “Now that the major ‘star’ saying it would be beneficial to of the education reform process, the basic skills in campus journalism in DepEd, the agency with the largest Senior High School Program, has order for them to produce competitive school papers for the upcoming LINES TO LAYOUT. Campus journalists of Siocon National High School budget. prepare their layout, one of the workshops during the Campus

“We also know that educa- been launched, there is a need to schools press conferences.

Journalism Seminar-Workshop. tion is one of her top advocacies and continually monitor and assess the she considers it her lifelong mission progress of this program whose efWinners of the Campus Journalism Seminar ­Workshop-Siocon Cluster especially for the last mile learn- fects are expected to be wide-rangers,” Luistro said in the statement. ing. Admittedly, we still lack school In Amanat Staff (Filipino) Mill Torralba - 1st, Editorial Yako Gillamac - 1st, Sports Writing 2nd Best Layout Cartooning; 2nd, News Anchor

Luistro also hoped that buildings, computers, and tools, furYam Flynge Ferrer - 2nd, Sports Norman Dawami-1st, Copyreading (Broadcasting) the new secretary will further aid niture and fixtures and additional Writing; 2nd, Editorial Cartooning; and Headline Writing; 2nd, Feature Recel Faye V. Nantes - 3rd, News the continuing problems faced by teachers. These needs are being re3rd, Feature Writing; 3rd, Editorial Writing; 2nd, Editorial Writing; 3rd, Presenter (Broadcasting) DepEd especially as it implements Writing Sports Writing sponded to as quickly as possible,” the senior high school this year.

Lorraine Torres Capada - 2nd, News Kristine Zia Dayaganon-1st, Feature Pis Siyabit Staff (English)

Even before formally as- she stated during the Turnover CerWriting; 2nd, Feature Writing Writing; 2nd, Sports Writing 1st Best Layout suming office, Briones already ex- emony in the DepEd Main Office, Best Infomercial: Dawami, Quisido, Graciella Quisido - 3rd, Copyreading Crisbel Mendoza - 2nd, Editorial and Headline Writing Writing Sheila Marie Molina Junco pressed her full support of the K Pasig City.

SNHS holds earthquake drill

Congress OK’s SK election postponement

Schools adapt LGU waste management

NEWS 3

PIS SIYABIT May-October 2016

BITE-SIZE

Mayor Lobrigas takes oath

S

STEM admission test administered

By MARY CAMILLE LOBRIGAS

urrounded by his family, Mayor Julius Lobrigas raised his right hand and placed the other on a Bible held by his daughter as he took his second oath of office in the Siocon Cultural and Exhibition Center, July 2.

Re-elected Third District Congressman Isagani Amatong inducted the mayor in front of a crowd composed mostly of personnel from both public and private sectors.

During his inaugural speech, Mayor Lobrigas who is under Liberal Party called for unity within his constituents, saying the key to the coming huge change are unity, cooperation and hardwork.

“I want to be known as a unifying leader of Siocon. It is time to work for a better life. Therefore, let us work together as a team,” he asserted.

Mayor Lobrigas highlighted his achievements during his first term including the proper utilization of local government funds.

He also strongly expressed his full support on the programs and directives of President Rodrigo Duterte including his war against drugs.

“Operations against illegal drugs in Siocon will be full blast.

This is a stern warning to all personalities involved in illegal drugs (here),” he warned.

Aside from these, he also revealed his priorities during his

second term such as the continuation of the rehabilitation and concreting of streets and farm to market roads, proper solid waste management, strengthening of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management, giving of more local government-funded livelihood projects and strengthening of the peace, order and security of the municipality.

The inauguration ceremony also inducted into office twoterm Vice Mayor Nathaniel Usin and municipal councilors Emir Arabi, Rosalio Cardenas, Bonifacio Lobrigas, Jovelito Guardarama, Lunie Lucas, Joseph Garcia, Arsenia del Rosario, and Florian Apuli.

“For the Philippines, change is coming but for Siocon, I am proud to say that in the year 2013, when I first sat as municipal mayor, change has begun,” he said during his speech.

Mayor Lobrigas won landslide in the May 9 elections with around 11,000 votes against sole rival Ceasar Soriano who had almost 7,000 votes.

CAUGHT BY THE LENSE

THIRTY-SEVEN GRADE 7 students passed this year’s junior high school Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program admission test, July 28.

Mr. Mickrel Duller, education program supervisor of the division administered the exam which assessed students’ proficiency in Math, Science, and English.

Farrah Muti from Siocon Central School topped the test with a score of 78.

(Dane Shanreil Tagaloguin) SWEARING IN. Two-term mayor Julius Lobrigas takes his oath during the Oath-Taking Ceremony of Local Officials in front of re-elected Third Congressional District Representative Isagani Amatong.

500 drug suspects surrender, 6 arrested under ‘Tokhang’

By WALTER JAY MAGDUA SIOCON, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE — Approximately 500 suspected drug addicts here have surrendered while six others were captured since July 1 under the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) heightened campaign to eliminate illegal drugs and drug-related criminalities in the country dubbed as Oplan Tokhang, PNP-Siocon said.

According to PO3 Ronald Codoy, the captured dopers will undergo counselling under close supervision of the PNP. Their imprisonment will vary depending on the case filed against them.

“If the captured addicts are illegal drug pushers, they will not receive any bail bond from any person, agency, or corporation,” PO3 Codoy added.

On the other hand, those drug users who surrendered will get

rehabilitation and will be signing a contract stating that they will never be involved in any illegal drug cases again.

They will be listed on the PNP watch list and anytime the police will make surprise visits to their homes.

PO3 Codoy further revealed that surrendered minors aged 18 and below will be sent to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Sindangan.

Police Director General (PDG) Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa implemented Oplan Tokhang (from Visayan “Toktok-Hangyo”, literally “Knock-and-Beg”) which is now conducted nationwide to minimize the proliferation of illegal drug trade and use in the Philippines.

Highlights of

RA 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act RA 10724 was signed into law by former President Benigno Aquino III last January 15, 2016.

It seeks to improve and breathe new life to the already established Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) which has been marred by issues of corruption and nepotism. Here are some of the provisions of the law you need to know:

PLEASANT SURPRISE. Department of Education (DepEd) Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Director Isabelita Borres (right) pays Siocon National High School an unplanned visit June 12 right before the first day of classes to check if the school is ready to open its doors for the first batch of senior high school (SHS) students. With her is SNHS principal Mr. Marlon Micubo.

ZamPen set to host national schools press confab

By LORRAINE VON CAPADA AFTER THREE DECADES, region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) is again set to host next year’s National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) specifically in Pagadian City, Regional Director Isabelita Borres said.

The conference scheduled on January 22-25, 2017 in the Department of Education (DepEd) school calendar is expected to draw some 5,000 campus journalists and school publication advisers from all over the country to compete in different individual and group contests.

According to the DepEd ZamPen website, Director Borres has already started to initiate consultations regarding the upcoming event as early as April with DepEd regional officials, schools division superintendents and local government officials.

Gov. Antonio Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur and City Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones of Pagadian

have already expressed their intent to support the hosting of the press conference, the website reports.

DepEd regional officials have not decided yet on a specific venue for the conference while a memorandum from the central office is yet to be released.

Through an email correspondence, it was revealed that Regional Chief Education Supervisor Visminda Valde is the NSPC coordinator.

This annual activity is mandated by law under the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 “to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level and to promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth.”

ZamPen has hosted the NSPC in 1964 and 1985.

Anti-Dynasty

Under the new law, SK officials should not be related within the second degree of affinity or consanguinity of any incumbent national, regional, or local elected official at the city, municipality, or barangay level. This is a landmark provision as it is the first to comply with Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution.

Adjusted Age Limit The new law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions. The Katipunan ng Kabataan (Youth Assembly) expands its membership to include all youth of 15 to 30 years of age, and living in the community for at least 6 months.

Establishment of LYDC Each province, city, and municipality now has a Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), which is required to meet every 3 months, composed of representatives of youth and youth-serving organizations within their jurisdiction of the local government unit, who are mandated to assist in the planning and implementation of plans and programs of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

SK Leadership Trainings SK officials will now be required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

Instead of being required to meet at least quarterly (as mandated since 1991), the youth assembly is now only mandated to meet once every 6 months, and to review the annual performance and financial reports of the SK. Sources: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/120205-new-improved-sangguniang-kabataan http://interaksyon.com/article/122973/newly-signed-sk-reform-law-bars-govt-officials-relatives-from-running http://www.gov.ph/2016/01/15/republic-act-no-10742/

Volunteers join school maintenance week

By WALTER JAY MAGDUA MORE THAN 900 VOLUNTEERS coming from different community sectors proceeded to Siocon National High School (Sionahayz) May 30-June 4 to take part in this year’s Brigada Eskwela

Fire officers from the Bureau of Fire Protection helped in washing off hardened dirt from the concrete floor of the covered court while uniformed personnel checked the school’s preparedness in terms of safety and security.

On the other hand, students from Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Siocon repainted classroom walls and roofs and fixed electrical wirings. High school students and parents weeded school grounds and tidied rooms.

Donations also flowed in

including five units sewing machine from Barangay Poblacion to be used for the dressmaking classes in the Junior High School.

Anchored on the theme “Tayo para sa paaralang ligtas, maayos at handa mula kindergarten hanggang senior high school,” the Brigada Eskwela or National Schools Maintenance Week aims to make sure that classes will start immediately on June 13.

“The annual Brigada Eskwela is our version of modern ‘bayanihan’ where all sectors pitch in to make sure that our schools are clean, safe, disaster-prepared and conducive to learning when students troop back to the schools in June,” former Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a statement.

‘BAYANIHAN’. Criminology students of Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Siocon Campus help move the riser to be used for the painting of walls and roofs during the Brigada Eskwela 2016 at Siocon National High School.

G7 studes take G6 NAT

GRADE 7 STUDENTS nationwide took their Grade 6 National Achievement Test (NAT) June 17 after it was postponed from March 10 due to failed bidding, Undersecretary Dina Ocampo said in a video posted online.

The examination assessed students’ competencies in Mathematics, Science, English, Filipino, and Social Studies whose results become a part of the Department of Education’s decision making.

“I really had a hard time recalling my lessons in elementary but I tried my best in the test,” Collin Raye Villanueva, a Siocon National High School Grade 7 student said.

(Anjeneth Yu)

G8 jazz chanters 2nd in English Fest SALUG, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE — In Korean-inspired costumes, 12 Grade 8 jazz chanters of Siocon National High School (Sionahayz) placed second out of 23 competitors in the English Festival-Congressional District (CD) Level in the gymnasium here, August 26.

The festival was originally set in August 31 which was in conflict with the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) so it was later moved to September 2, which was also in conflict with the elementary level competitions and the next day is already the division level, so it was finally rescheduled to an earlier date.

A few days after the announcement, NCAE was postponed to December 7 and 8.

Mr. Kent Jestoni Gabo coached the students.

(Mary Lord Joanne Echem)

3 teens dead in road mishap

By LORRAINE VON CAPADA THREE TEENAGERS were killed in a vehicular accident along a national highway in Barangay Tibangao around 8:45 p.m., August 12.

Witnesses rushed Jovie Remedios, 16; Julius Dawis, 19; and Dennis Macas, 19 to Easternsun Medical and Diagnostic Center but Remedios and Dawis were declared dead on arrival.

Macas was in critical condition and was immediately evacuated to Zamboanga City Medical Center where he eventually died.

Before the mishap, the three were drinking together when Remedios and Dawis left to buy some more alcohol. After a moment, Macas followed his friends not knowing that they were already heading back.

Initial investigation of SPO2 Eduardo Calasang of Siocon Police Station showed that Macas was riding a Honda Wave 100 when he collided head-on with another Honda Wave 100 driven by Remedios along with Macas back riding.

Both have no driver licenses and registration papers, the investigation revealed.

Based on eye witness accounts, both vehicles had no headlights and it is dark on the accident area.

Following the incident, Police Chief Inspector Joseph Maulad warned against drunk driving especially minors and riding motorcycles without lights. He also encouraged registering vehicles and acquiring driver’s license as precautionary measures.

Remedios is a grade 10Ruby student of Siocon National High School while Dawis and Macas are both alumni of the school.

4 OPINION

Students’ Voice

May-October 2016 PIS SIYABIT

Do you think Duterte is a good influence to you as a youth?

“Yes, he influences me through his way of leadership and he acts with integrity.”

– Icon Jules Descallar, SSG President “No, because he promotes vigilantism and he speaks bad words and there is a possibility that the youth can imitate him.”

– Cindy Mae Saracho, G8-Mendel “Both, because he does not care about human rights anymore, he cuss in public and he is also insensitive.

But at the same time he made our country less prone to drugs and he saved the youth from drugs.”

– Abigail Subido, G9-Descartes

The Duterte dilemma

W

e as Mindanaoan youths celebrated when more than 16 million Filipinos decided to make then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte the new supreme leader of this republic. Finally, our muffled cry for genuine peace will be resounded in the walls of Malacañang whose former residents did not have first-hand experience on how it is to live here in unendless fear of random and senseless terrorism. Finally, our needs for rapid progress and development will be given more focus.

We rejoiced. And then the dear president opened his mouth.

Even during the campaign period, he already flaunted his fondness for foul language, accusing the mother of no one in particular for practicing the oldest profession. It is not uncommon to hear him utter the “PI” cuss in his public speeches.

What happened to the fundamental concept that leaders should set as good examples?

Let us look back on some of the instances wherein we just got to shake our heads about Mr. President:

He joked about rape—the infamous “The Mayor should go first”—in front of many people and in which he offended a lot of women’s group.

During an interview with Karen Davila, he described her as “delicious”. In another instance during a press conference in Davao City, he unceremoniously catcalled Mariz Umali of GMA News causing the ire of her husband Raffy Tima and of many netizens. He even shows public display of attention (PDA) not to his wife but towards strangers and even kissing girls nastily when he is asked to take pictures.

In each of these instances, we tried not to, but we cannot help but cringe. This kind of behavior is arguably the opposite of decency and civility. Women in general should be treated with much respect and should not be targets of gender-based harassment. Ironically, he has been a staunch prime mover of women’s rights with his signing of the Women Development Code of Davao City or Davao City Ordinance No. 5004 in 1997 which was considered as a landmark piece of legislation. Does this mean the president is above the law?

Moreover, our parents want us to have good grades earned honestly so we can graduate with honors and will have lots of opportunities. Contrarily, President Duterte boasts about having low grades and copying from his seatmates when he was still in elementary and high school like it is not a big deal.

Saying all these, we do not doubt nor belittle Duterte’s capabilities in implementing good policies. Nevertheless, he is a man of his words. We see clear agenda and a patriotic heart in him. We see fast government movement, effective system and a dedication to address issues that has since been a burden in the Philippines. However, he is a vaguely good example. Our only fear is that our fellow youth and children might think his antics are socially and morally acceptable.

Alarmingly, our student poll reinforces this as 45% of our respondents believe that Duterte is a good influence to them. We fear that there will come a time in his six-year term that we can no longer distinguish right from wrong.

After all, the president did it first.

EDITORIAL

Editorial Staff MAY-OCTOBER 2016; VOL. I, NO. 1

Editor-in-Chief: Yam Flynge R. Ferrer Managing Editor: Crisbel A. Mendoza Associate EIC: Mary Lord Joanne F. Echem News Editor: Lorraine Von T. Capada Feature Editor: Jayvie Shrine M. Felizarta Sci-Tech Editor: Mary Camille M. Lobrigas Cartoonists: Crisbel A. Mendoza, Nicole Marc A. Dahunan Photojournalist: Liam Iñaki B. Gillamac Layout Artist: Faisal A. Muti Copyreader: Dane Shanreil T. Tagaloguin Senior Writer: Walter Jay M. Magdua Junior Writers: Vlessy Kaye A. Daplinan, Justine Jean Y. Maghanoy, Christine Mae M. Java, Farrah A. Muti, Kimberly D. Baganao, Anjeneth B. Yu Advisers: Kent Jestoni Q. Gabo, Minerva P. Canagan Consultants: Marlon P. Micubo (Principal III), Sergio E. Tabiliran, Ed. D. (PTA Pres.)

Pis Siyabit rationale

THE DECISION OF THE editorial board to create a new school publication was not an easy one. The Spectrum, our former school paper, has served the school and the community for more than two decades.

It has left its mark in the history of campus journalism in the country as it has produced time and again student journalists competing in the National Schools Press Conference or NSPC.

However, the time has come for us to further invigorate the perceptible spirit of campus journalism in the institution. With the consultation from the new school administration, we unanimously agreed that there is a need to establish a new identity. A new identity that will reflect the beliefs and views of our readership without abandoning the principles that made The Spectrum great: responsible and truthful journalism.

And so Pis Siyabit was born.

Why Pis Siyabit?

When we announced through Facebook that we have changed the English school paper of Siocon National High School, there were mixed reactions. Most of these came from former editors of The Spectrum who asked why.

First, we wanted to represent our community, especially our indigenous ethnic groups. Since about half of the student population are Tausugs, we resolved that the name should come from their rich culture which has reverberated

throughout Siocon.

Second, we do not want to stray too far away from The Spectrum whose name is inspired denotatively by the continuum of color formed when a beam of light is dispersed. Connotatively, the word means a range of ideas or opinions.

Lastly, we opted for something which will symbolize the ideals and principles of the organization. A material object which has a profound underlying meaning.

There is no better name that will encapsulate all of these three other than the Tausug’s pis siyabit.

What is Pis Siyabit?

Pis siyabit is a colorful hand-woven cloth of the Tausug people. According to Pinagmulan: Enumeration from the Philippine Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the tapestry is worn as a headdress or as a clothing accessory draped over the left shoulder.

Traditionally, the pis siyabit with its sophisticated colorful geometric design reflects the wearer’s elevated position in society. Moreover, the cloth also symbolizes bravery and courage, two traits the Tausugs are famous of.

Literally, pis simply means head cloth while siyabit means to hook, “a direct reference to the production process of inserting or hooking-in disconnected wefts (the threads that run from side to side on a loom or in a woven fabric) of

various colors… across a generally dark yet finely striped body of warp threads,” Pinagmulan explains.

What changed?

Similar to the pis siyabit, our new school publication is a product of intricate interweaving of colorful ideas and opinions of the staff and the student body. It is worn on the head, the seat of intellect, or the shoulder which signifies power.

We believe that the power to inform and mold public opinion which can be achieved through the proper use of the intellect are the heart of our publication.

We embrace the symbols of bravery and courage pis siyabit signifies. These are traits our campus journalists must possess in order to be effective voices of the studentry.

And just like how the head cloth is made, we seek to hook our readers’ attention so that they will be informed of current events that affect them.

With these, it is our goal to become more responsive and more sensitive of the needs of our readers. We have adapted a customized nameplate that represents our ideals and our inspiration: the good people of Siocon.

It is our hope that Pis Siyabit will live up to its name, that those who will come after us will continue to uphold our ideals.

This is the Pis Siyabit. This is your Pis Siyabit.

-The Editors

Embracing the Scarborough victory

FILIPINOS REJOICED after the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands, July 12 declared that China has no right in claiming the Scarborough or Panatag Shoal and the Philippines is free to set sail in the area.

The case was filed by the Aquino administration because of China’s consistent invasion in the area and also for manhandling small fishing vessels. These pushed the Philippines to take its stand in the issue regarding the disputed area. The arbitral court admired the Philippines for standing on principle and consistently invoking international law and for bringing just and peaceful resolution to the conflicting claims.

But what are the exact points that led to the country’s victory?

The arbitral rejected China’s so-called ‘nine-dash line’ and that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling with-

Commentary

by Mary Lord Joanne Echem in the said line. The court also declared that China’s reclaimed islands have no Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ, that they have violated Philippines’ sovereign rights, and that Chinese law-enforcement vessels had unlawfully created serious risk of collision when they physically obstructed Philippine vessels.

The major point raised is that China violated international laws through large-scale land reclamation to build artificial islands causing severe harm to the coral reef environment. The country violated its obligation to preserve and protect fragile ecosystems. It was noted that China did not prevent its fishermen from harvesting endangered species and destroying the coral reef environment.

There were many instances when the coast guard intercepted

Chinese vessels carrying sea turtles, giant clams and corals that were taken illegally in Philippine waters.

Scarborough Shoal is known to be under the Philippine sovereignty. The natural resources including the different species of fishes, coral reefs and other marine organisms are essential to Filipino fisherfolks.

Although the Chinese government has not yet back down on their claim, from any aspect, it is indeed a sweet victory for the Philippines for we have the UN on our side. President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted to wait for this ruling before deciding on the country’s next move in the sea dispute.

Even though we are far from the shoal, any issue in territorial sovereignty directly affects us as they have far-reaching consequences including economic and security risks. That is why we must be one with the government in taking what is rightfully ours.

This is senior high

NO AMOUNT OF OPPOSITION has prevented the opening of the doors of Senior High School (SHS) Program to its first few occupants.

Despite all the program’s good intentions, it cannot be denied that there are still a lot of things that the Department of Education (DepEd) should work on sooner rather than later for the successful maiden implementation of the program. Inevitably, there are downside implications resulting from this shift in the education system.

In the case of SHS in Siocon National High School (SNHS), 300 pioneering students enrolled here dispersed in the different strand offerings: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), General Academic Strand (GAS), Computer Hardware Servic-

Commentary

by Lorraine Von Capada ing, Computer Programming, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Caregiving, Bread and Pastry, Food and Beverage Services, and Technical Drafting.

The six-classroom SHS building was not finished on time prompting the students to have their classes in the covered court, science laboratory, computer laboratory, and library. They later occupied the new building mid-July.

Still, the program is surviving.

Aside from the classrooms, the students also need laboratories and equipment for Science, Information and Communication Tech-

nology (ICT) and Technical-Vocational (Tech-Voc) subjects. All of which are sadly nonexistent. They currently make do of what are available, compromising authentic learning. Still, the program is surviving.

SHS teachers who are experts in their fields are also badly needed. Only two teachers were hired this year: one for ICT and another for Food and Beverage Services. Junior High School teachers fill in for the deficit even if they have not undergone any training for SHS. Still, the program is surviving.

However, surviving is not enough. It needs to flourish. It needs to succeed. That is why these lapses must be addressed the soonest. Or else, instead of surviving, the program might perish.

OPINION 5

PIS SIYABIT May-October 2016

The Campus Journalism Act in times of turmoil

APPREHENSION ENVELOPED every journalist including us the campus press as President Rodrigo Duterte stated that corrupt journalists are also legitimate targets of assassination and they are not exempted from the operations done by the police. Needless to say, the word “bias” has been thrown here and there referring to how the media has been perennially portraying the president negatively. Conversely, the press people has been arguably painted in bad light.

This is our fear as young journalists: that press freedom might be put in jeopardy when bad turns worse.

During this time of uncertainty, it is but fitting to look back at why we are here, to the primordial force that gave birth to the vibrant campus journalism community in the country.

Let us take a quick tour of Republic Act No. 7079, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.

The policy declares: “the state must uphold and protect the freedom of the press even in the campus level and to provide the growth of campus journalism by means of strengthening ethical values (and) encouraging critical

Standpoint

by Mary Lord Joanne Echem

and creative thinking…”

This means that as long as this law which was signed by former President Corazon Aquino post-Martial Law is in effect, the government is not our enemy but rather our friend. The state cannot silence us nor harass us.

However, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines or CEGP believes that instead of giving voice to campus press, it has instead repressed the same.

The state has unfortunately failed to protect campus journalists as CEGP has documented 200-400 cases of campus press freedom since 2010, according to an article in the CEGP official website. Marc Lino Abila, national president of The Guild believes that the problem stems from the absence of a penalty clause in the law.

That is why it is the hope of every campus journalist that the law will be repealed by the passing of the Campus Press Freedom Bill introduced by the Kabataan Partylist in the 15th and 16th Con-

gress in 2013. The bill seeks to include administrative sanctions for campus press freedom violators and make the publication fee mandatory.

But as long as the poorly outdated RA 7079 is not yet rescinded, we have to make do. And with the power offered by the law comes great responsibility. This is where media ethics takes center stage. Media ethics are set of practices that is applicable to the specific challenges faced by journalists.

Ethical journalists should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest in gathering and interpreting information. We should respect our sources, subjects and colleagues when gathering data.

The highest and primary obligation of a journalist is to serve the public and to offer only reliable and truthful facts.

As journalists of the 21st century, we must carefully think about all the things we write and to offer only nothing but facts. We should never abuse the power of pen to destroy someone’s image.

As what President Duterte said, “If you are an upright journalist, nothing will happen to you.”

Curfew curbs the few

WHEN FERDINAND MARCOS sat on the presidency and declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972, Filipinos have experienced cruelty.

Lots of rights were taken away in his term and one popular order he enforced was General Order No. 4 which pertains to the implementation of a curfew from 12:00 midnight until 4:00 in the morning.

Curfew is a regulation requiring people to remain indoors between specific times.

It was February 1986 when Cory Aquino freed us from the dictatorship taking down oppressive ordinances including curfew.

Now here we are, curfew is being pushed again by our newly elected president Rodrigo Duterte.

His apparent support prompted cities and municipalities nationwide to impose their own curfew ordinances including Siocon where unescorted minors 18 years old below will not be allowed outside their home from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The police will apprehend the parents of the unescorted minor and will be charged with abandonment of children.

However, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) in the imposition of curfew ordinances on minors in Manila, Navotas City and Quezon City.

This is because despite the strong words expressed by Duterte last May that he will impose mandatory curfew for minors nationwide, he is yet to pass the same in Congress.

Saying all these, is curfew really good?

A curfew ordinance was

Perspective

by Yam Flynge Ferrer

first applied in Davao City during Duterte’s 22-year tenure as mayor there. This was part of Oplan “RODY” or “Rid the streets Of Drinkers and Youths”. As we all know, the city’s residence and the media paints Davao as one of the safest cities in the country if not in the world.

Duterte points out that this minors’ curfew will prevent minors from joining gangs and they will have enough energy to go to school for the next day.

All the same, our country is ruled by a government of the people, for the people and by the people. The Philippine Constitution ensures that we are free to decide on our own will as long as we do not step upon the rights of others. Looking at this perspective, curfew robs us of this right.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan said in a statement that imposing curfew is contrary to our constitution. Pangilinan also said that “curfew is an illegal act”. It is considered as unlawful since it would violate certain human rights for teenagers such as the right to liberty, our right to travel and our right to privacy.

A curfew holds up a lot of opportunities and things to do for teenagers such as having to stay out

late for valid youth-related activities.

Also, some teenagers who have to make ends meet have parttime jobs that force them to go home late. We cannot expect guardians or parents to escort them as they may also be in odd jobs to raise the family. If this will happen, parents of the minors would be arrested and a police record can have far-reaching consequences.

Minor curfew is also implemented in other countries like Iceland and United Kingdom for the same reasons. But according to NewsWorks an established news website in the US, in Detroit after embracing a youth curfew in 1976, juvenile crimes dropped six percent during the curfew hours, but increased 13 percent in the mid-afternoon.

Putting curfew is not an assurance—or for that matter—not the only way to a teenager’s safety. We need to look into other perspectives in order to solve the core problems a curfew wishes to end.

We know that in general, our president is concerned about the safety of every citizen, more so of minors.

Why not effectively enforce existing laws that seek to protect and secure us instead?

If the government wants the minors to be safe, they do not need curfews. Instead, they need the love and proper guidance of their parents and those they treat as parents. It goes without saying, it always starts at home.

Uniform: to wear or not to wear?

THE SCHOOL UNIFORM symbolizes the school’s identity. Wherever you go, the uniform will let other people know that you came from that certain school. However, do we really need to wear uniform?

Historically, wearing of school uniform started in the 16th century in the United Kingdom. The practice of having a school clothing has been adopted by other countries and is now being embraced in other places around the world which includes the Philippines.

Since then, the wearing of school uniforms has been the norm in both public and private schools.

However in 2008, due to well-founded fears that school uniforms encumber poor Filipino families, the former president Gloria Aroyo through former education secretary Jesli Lapuz ordered that school uniforms must not be mandatory requirement in public elementary and high schools. The main reason for this is that every Filipino child must be able to go to public

Campus in Focus

by Walter Jay Magdua

schools for free without being hampered by anything, uniforms included.

DepEd Order (DO) no. 45, series of 2008 states that wearing of uniform shall not be required in public schools. Furthermore, the order states that those students who have their own old uniform may continue using it, if they so wish to avoid additional cost for new attire.

Mr. Marlon Micubo, the school principal said that his administration fully supports this DO and has already informed all teachers about it. During the previous General Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting, he emphasized this to the parents. He also said that the ID’s freely provided by the government are already sufficient to identify the

students’ school.

Sadly, there are still teachers who have turned a blind eye and still require us to wear uniform especially during exams.

Evidently, the uniform does not in any way add or subtract our test scores. We students go to school to learn. Our garb does not reflect the contents of our brains. We can gain knowledge and wisdom without uniforms. Thus, this must not be a hindrance for us to be learned individuals.

Having said all these, even without wearing a uniform, we still have to exude a sense of decency in the way we clothe ourselves. Meaning, we should not wear something that is not reflective of an educated person. The school is an academic institution and we must respect it even through our choice of garment.

In uniform or not, what we must focus on is to do good with our studies and make our school proud even without wearing its symbol.

Surat

A Tausug term meaning letter, this corner of the paper publishes unfiltered and unedited opinions sent to us by the students.

“Students of SNHS don’t know where to throw their trash. They have no idea what will be the consequences they will encounter if they will not separate the biodegradable and nonbiodegradable wastes.”

-Recel Faye Nantes “Some students jump on walls and escape from their classes. They destroy the walls and make holes to pass through. There are also students who use prohibited drugs and it must be forbidden in our campus.”

-Vlessy Kaye Daplinan “The rooms are not directly connected to the school’s water supply and it is hot inside because every room has only one or two ceilling fans.”

-Icon Jules Descallar “Every time our school conducts programs or gatherings in the covered court, the students are unorganized because there are only few chairs and bleachers available that’s why some students tend to roam around during the program.”

-Eden Joy Daimba

The Desk Leadership by Example

by Mr. Marlon Micubo, Principal III

“LEADERSHIP is intentional influence.”

I encountered this quote

by Michael McKinney, a successful entrepreneur, as I had my readings about leadership. Indeed, leaders not just influence, they purposefully do so. Hence, leaders must do their best to positively influence their subordinates. This will make way to an organization working productively together for a common goal.

This is how important leadership by example is.

As students, you already need to practice leadership by example even in simple tasks like your classroom group activities and presentations during programs.

This will benefit you in the long run as you go out to the world and who knows, become great leaders of this country.

So how can you lead by example?

Let me share to you some ways how to lead by example taken from Carl Golden’s “Top 10 Ways to Lead by Example” posted in soulcraft.co.

1. Take responsibility.

Sometimes, things do not turn up as expected. This leads to tension within the group which may endanger relationships or worse, failure to achieve goals. In these instances, a good leader swallows pride and does not play the “blame game”. Instead, a good leader takes responsibility and immediately finds ways to resolve conflicts.

2. Be courageous. Be willing to take calculated risks. Take

the first step first. You cannot expect others to believe you if you yourself are not up for the challenge.

3. Acknowledge failure.

Know that failing is part of the process. No one became successful without encountering hurdles and problems along the way. Learn from these mistakes and make them your inspiration to try harder next time. Remember, a mistake is never wrong unless you refuse to correct it.

4. Listen. As what Woodrow Wilson said, “The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.” It does not hurt to gather valuable insights and opinions from your team. Brainstorm with your members and acknowledge those who contribute for the welfare of the group. Encourage healthy dialogues where everyone has a voice.

5. Take care of yourself.

You cannot lead effectively if you are not physically and emotionally sound. Do not overwork and do not stress yourself. Time and again, take a break and have fun. Tell your team to do the same.

In your own little way, I hope you apply these things when you are designated as a leader either by your classmates or your teacher. If you do so, you will find out that they will make leadership an enjoyable experience where you can learn and improve yourself to be of service to the people surrounding you.

Lead and influence!

Letter to the Editors Dear Editor,

I can say that bullying is in every corner of our school.

One time I have seen students fist fighting at the first year building.

And the worst thing is that the students around are taunting them and saying nasty things.

Even in our class I can say that bullies are present. There was a time when our teacher said something about a carabao and they all started laughing about my classmate. This classmate has been teased for a long time for looking like a carabao and now he became a bully himself.

I know my concern will barely make a change in our school. I just want to know if our publication is also doing things to help spread awareness about bullying.

Sincerely, Melanie Hamid 10-Euler Dear Melanie,

Thank you for raising this issue. You created a way to bring this very serious problem here in school and the society to the consciousness of our students.

The publication is doing everything in its capacity to bring awareness to all students in our school by making informative articles. However, not all students are fond of reading. That is why it is our responsibility as informed citizens to educate our friends and classmates about the Republic Act No. 10627 or Anti-Bullying Act of 2013. They should learn the negative impacts bullying does to an individual.

Let us speak up and stand up above bullying. Let us create a positive environment where everyone is sensitive of each other’s feelings. It always starts within ourselves. I hope that you will help spread love within the four corners of our school.

Truly, Yam Flynge Ferrer Editor-in-Chief

FEAT

6 PIS SIYABIT

W

hat is a father?

Typically, most people would say that he is a man who has a child or children from his own. He is the bread winner, protects and always takes care of his family. The one who is always there at your side when you need someone to be there. And most Filipinos would say, “Ang haligi ng tahanan.”

Let me tell you a tale carefully sewed together by The Fates. A tale of two fathers with the same children, with the same home, but with a different journey.

The Beginning of Two Legends

It was a fine February afternoon. A mundane day in the small fishing village of Sta. Maria in Siocon. And so everyone thought. Because through the stillness of the waters of Sta. Maria’s cove, in between the songs of the cicadas in the adjoining mountains, the air was punctuated by a humanly shriek, a cry for help.

Then silence.

Suddenly, an innocent cry filled the air again, an infant filling his lungs with his first breath of life outside the womb. It was Javier Salvador. It was Badong. The son of a peasant. A man with no title but a name regardless.

Fast forward decades after. Year 1970. May 29.

Another life breathed its first in Sibuco. His indecipherable bawls were music to the ears of Augustine and Virginia. They knew their little Marlon Micubo is destined for greatness. They just knew.

So both our protagonists lived in a different world, in a different generation, and in still different circumstances.

By YAM FLYNGE FERRER

The Two Life Travellers

there but he never got lucky. Clearly, God has better plans for him.

In 1996, he was pulled again, as if by an invisible magnet to the town that nurtured him, back to the school that started everything, which during that time was renamed to Siocon National High School. Just three short years after, he assumed the position of principal and the rest, as they say, is history for indeed he made history.

As Sir Badong found his pot of gold, so did Sir Marlon. Sir Marlon also went back to Siocon at the age of 21 and became a teacher at SNVS then later to SNHS. This is where the lives of the characters of this narrative crossed.

After serving the school, he was asked by the superintendent that time to assume the role of teacher-in-charge at SNHS-Sta. Maria Annex which is already an independent school today.

Meeting at the Crossroads

Badong lived a life scarce of all life’s necessities.

His feet have been his only treasures for they were the ones that carried him to Sta. Maria Primary School and then farther away to Malipot Elementary School to learn his ABC’s and 1-2-3’s. His callous feet swollen, he surmised he can no longer trek the farthest peregrination to secondary school. He rested his feet for two years before he packed his bags again, wore his best pair of slippers, and attended Siocon Barangay High School which is the Siocon National High School of today.

On the other hand, Marlon the schoolboy went to school, or more fittingly, to schools for he has been schooled transiently, jumping from one institution to another from elementary to high school. He had his Grade 1 and 2 at Andres Bonifacio College Dipolog (ABC Dipolog) with his Tita Carol on With a similar In 1996, he was pulled again, his side, his Grade 3 passion for the field of eduas if by an invisible magnet cation and good drinks, they at Bucana Elementary School here in Siocon became good to the town that nurtured him, eventually and he went back to friends. Sir Marlon became Dipolog for his Grades back to the school that started one of Sir Badong’s trusted 4, 5 and 6 at Dipolog men, knowing in his heart everything.

Pilot Demonstration that the former is destined School. for great things.

With a joyful Being fondly called “The ballad, Marlon turned into a young man. He spent his first year Godfather”, Sir Badong watched in great pride as his comin high school at Siocon National Vocational School (SNVS), petent subordinate was making a name of his own until such now known as the Jose Rizal State University Siocon Campus. time that Sir Marlon was promoted to a fully-pledged princiThe year after, Siocon Barangay High School. And his feet pal at Julian Soriano Memorial Comprehensive High School settled at Dipolog for him to finish his high school at ABC (JSMCHS). He fathered the school from November 2009.

Dipolog.

Going back in time, Badong was taking little by little Now and the Good Things to Come steps to success. He beat all odds and finished two bachelor degrees: one for Postal Administration and another for Sec- Just as Sir Badong has reached the peak of his career, ondary Education where he majored Social Studies. He pur- he took off his symbolic uniform as a public school teacher for sued the latter as his profession. good as he retired last February 26. One of the things that wor A few years later, it was on the same walls that Mar- ried him in leaving the school he treats as home is that it will lon finished his bachelor’s degree in Physics wherein he was be losing a loving father. He knew then that there is no other the only student in his class who marched in his graduation. person who can continue what he has started in bringing the Being a very pious man all throughout his lifetime, he chose school to greater heights. He intently prayed that Sir Marlon to become a church missionary assigned at Lake Wood, Zam- would continue his legacy. boanga del Sur for one year before pursuing the career he His prayers were answered. dreamed. Subsequently, he became an assistant to the church During the start of this school year, Sir Marlon was at Gutalac. introduced as the new father of SNHS. Taking Sir Badong as his inspiration, he aims to apply his well-planned Program Building Up the Dream MARLON—“Make Achievement Rate Levitate ONward”.

He wants to upgrade the school so it can keep up with the

Unlike Marlon, Badong immediately set his career demands of the present time and plans to put projectors, telepath and had his first taste of teaching at Siocon Barangay vision and a strong internet connectivity in school. He does not High School, serving the school for four years. The Fates only want to improve the things in school but also the people knew what they were doing when he transferred to the now around it, he wants to refresh the dedication of all the teachers. defunct Filipinas Technical Institute (FTI) in Zamboanga City because this is where he met his “forever”, the now Mrs. Agnes Salvador. It is also in this institution that his administrative Their story does not end here. It will continue as long skills were first tested as he was then a Department Head and as lips tell tales of these honorable men. It will continue as the School Disciplinarian for 12 years. All this time, he never long as Siocon National High School and its unsoiled princiceased to chase his childhood dream: to become part of the ples continue to live. This is a tale of two fathers. A tale to be country’s men in uniform. Anywhere he learns that there is an told and retold until the end of time. enlistment for the then Philippine Constabulary, he would be

“

TURES

MAY-OCT. 2016 7 To celebrate our 50 years of bringing quality education to Siocon, we launched a Facebook campaign dubbed “#sionahayzthrowback”. We encouraged alumni of the school to send us some of their memorable pictures during those “good ol’ days”. We definitely had a good dose of nostalgia and we have shared some of the contributions here.

By YAM FLYNGE FERRER, WALTER JAY MAGDUA and LORRAINE VON CAPADA

H

alf a century has passed since Siocon National High School was born and it is time to look back at the school which has given massive opportunities to all Sioconians.

1996 when the school was still made of wood and nipa hut. There were two rooms–The Magsaysay and Rizal–which were named after the two standing statues in the plaza fronting the school, those of President Ramon Magsaysay and Dr. Jose Rizal.

Each room was occupied with less than 50 students.

During this time, they only had a few number of skilled teachers. Some of them were Ma’am Soledad, Sir Imlan, Ma’am Redulla and Ma’am Inding. The school was located then at Plaza Miranda, specifically on the tennis court we have today.

At that time, the school was known as General High School. It was remarkably handled by the inspiring Mrs. Mercedes Ybarsabal who was also the principal of the elementary school in those days.

The school was still under Siocon Farm School now Siocon Central School with the supervision of Mrs. Rosario Brillantes.

Time passed, birds flew, rivers flowed, General High School turned into Barrio High School. It was said that the mango tree in front of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) building

“

“

was still as tall as a ruler. The school was relocated to Siocon Farm School’s grades 5 and 6 rooms and transformed it for first and second year students. The school’s current location was used to be a small market and the center of trades in Siocon and behind it was a wide farmland.

In the blink of an eye Barrio High School became the Siocon Barangay High School.

It was called Barangay High School until 1983 during

becoming a principal in another school in town.

With only 100 students before, now the school has a population of more than a thousand. The then two rooms are turned now into nine buildings with two two-storey buildings and an upcoming two three-storey buildings. There are currently 25 Junior High School classes including the STEM program with a total of 48 teaching personnel.

Currently, the school prides itself as With only 100 students one of the first schools before, now the school has that offer the Senior a population of more than High School (SHS) a thousand. The then two Program. There are six classes—STEM, rooms are turned now into SHS General Academic nine buildings Strand, Information and Communication the term of Raymundo Riconalla Technology (Computer Hardware and Computer as Barangay Captain when the Servicing Electrical school’s name was changed again Programming), Installation and Maintenance, into Siocon National High School by the virtue of laws promulgated Caregiving, and a combination class composed of Technical

by President Cory Aquino.

For nine years it was Drafting, Food and Beverage, under the administration of the and Bread and Pastry Production. late Mrs. Nely Baradas as teacher The school projects to offer more in charge. Eventually, Mr. Wilson strands next year.

And so our cherished Sevilla came to Siocon and started molding the school until school which extraordinarily 1998. He was then replaced by faced many changes stood Mr. Javier Salvador who was the incredibly still despite the school’s principal for 17 years, challenges and trials throughout the longest in the school’s entire the 50 years of its existence.

Indeed, Siocon National High history.

After his retirement last School is the premier school in year, Mr. Salvador was replaced Siocon that provides a clear path

by Mr. Marlon Micubo who was that leads to the learners’ bright a faculty of the school before future.

-Diana Roten, Director of the Digital Media and Learning Project

I

Weird Word

Learning the content is very much the 20th century idea around education. But in the 21st century, it’s learning the tools and the skills of remaking that content and becoming the creator and the producer.

am a 21st century learner.

I know that learning nowadays is limitless. Knowledge can be attained at ease by my fellow 21st century learners.

I am a 21st century learner and I can proudly say that I am skillful enough to adapt into the changing world.

I can think critically whenever I am curious about the things around me. I can completely analyze a certain problem and determine the appropriate solution.

I have the ability to separate truth from fabrication.

Eventually, whenever I encounter these kinds of problems in real life, I will face it with lesser struggles.

defecate ORIGINAL DEFINITION: to purify; cleanse NEW DEFINITION: to poop

By CRISBEL MENDOZA

I am flexible enough to adapt to changes every day. This then improve my innovative skills and creativity that will give me the ability to try and produce something new which may boost up my productivity.

Through collaboration, I am now socially friendly and knowledgeable about the true essence of teamwork by reducing my introversive actions. I can even facilitate with a group to reach triumph as a team.

I know that the law of the jungle applies on this age as it did before: that “the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”

With the help of technology, collaboration and learning are infinite. Using various platforms and websites, I can now literally access the world with my fingers. I am never left behind with the most current information just like how I get trending news and updates coming from the different places.

Luckily, I know how to use computermediated tools responsibly and decisively. Because if I do not, I will just depend on unreliable gossips and will not be able to take hold of what really matters.

I am a 21st century learner.

I am and I can.

“Ah,” someone might have said circa 1570. “It smells so nice in here.

Someone must have defecated!

At that time, the word suggested purification, cleaning, getting rid of clutter. “Defecation” comes from a Latin word meaning to purify or cleanse from dregs—dregs being the last little bit of liquid in a container, the stuff that’s probably 90 percent backwash. Getting rid of that stuff left your wineskins much more sanitary.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the word began to take on its main present-day meaning: to have a bowel movement. Those refined Victorians needed polite ways to discuss horrid bodily functions, and besides, bowel movements “purify” the body and gets rid of the “dregs” of last night’s repast.

It’s likely those same Victorians would have fainted dead away if they’d known a term their earthier Old English ancestors used for defecation: arse-gang or “ass going.”

From The Unexpected Evolution of Language by Justin Cord Hayes.

Copyright © 1995 by F+W Media, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

8 FEATURE

Water spinach for sale!

May-October 2016 PIS SIYABIT

By CRISBEL MENDOZA and YAM FLYNGE FERRER with concept from MILL CYBERT TORRALBA

Some students nowadays do not really give importance to their studies. They say that staying at school is too boring and useless. They even cut classes or are marked absent in the class attendance records, not knowing that education is a great privilege served to them on a silver platter. Not knowing that some can only wish they had the same privilege. One of these wishers is 65-year-old Minda Magpili, a water spinach or more commonly known as ‘kangkong’ vendor. But that is just one of her vibrant dimensions. She has a story to tell. And we listened.

You definitely have noticed Aling Minda selling her water spinach when you go home from school. She is there. A couple meters away from the gate. On the crossing towards the central school. Usually with her husband and some children. She might just be sitting on a trisikad. Or standing, looking left and right. You might have seen her wiping the sweat running through the deep creases on her face. But you probably did not give another glance. You probably did not see the look in her eyes as she hopes that the approaching motor bike will stop just in front of her and ask “How much is a bundle?”

Those words are music to her ears.

“They’re ten pesos each!” She’ll respond.

Aling Minda was born in the mountainous terrains of Negros Oriental. Where she lived, there was no school. There were no books to read nor teachers to listen to. Worse, they were dirt poor, the kind you see on television documentaries about rural poverty. At a young age, she went all the way to Siocon to visit her ailing brother-in-law and at the same time to try if her luck is better here.

This is where she met Benito Magpili, Jr. Love made ways to connect their hearts and eventually be married. Fate gave them six children, only to take away two of them too soon. Unfortunately, during the Siocon siege in 2003, they were accidentally killed.

Now, their eldest child has his own family while the other three still depend on them.

She was also a farmer. She bathed under the blazing heat of the sun on the muddy fields of Pangian, permanently changing the pigment of her skin from brown to dark brown. But when machines took over the rice fields, she lost her job.

Aling Minda sells water spinach for almost a year now. She harvests the plant from the swamp near their home in Pangian. Despite the leeches sucking blood from her arms as she cuts the vines, she does not care as long as she and her family can survive for the next day.

Because of working so hard beyond the limits of her age, she can now barely hear a word. Even if she will sell water spinach from dawn until twilight, her income can never be enough for the treatment. She would rather use the money to provide food on their dilapidated table.

Aside from food, another thing that matters to Aling Minda is her grandchildren’s education. In fact, as we were about to end our interview, we noticed that her eyes were getting teary and with a shaky voice she uttered, “Puriso kamo, magtinarung jud mo ug eskwela.

[So you, you should take your studies very seriously]”.

This is also her inspiring advice to her grandson, who is currently a Grade 2 student.

Water spinach for her customers may just be for feeding their livestock. But for Aling Minda, it is not just a dark green plant that grows in swamps and other watery areas. It is a plant that changed her life. A plant that has provided food for her family. A plant that will hopefully fulfill her dreams for her children and grandchild, and that is to lead a life much better than hers.

But as long as she can, she would proudly shout at the top of her lungs, “Water spinach for sale!”

PIS SIYABIT May-October 2016

Quick, an earthquake!

The future of resilient infrastructures

SCI-TECH 9

By MARY LORD JOANNE ECHEM

O

ne of the unpredictable catastrophes that the world can experience is earthquake. But how can we ensure that our homes and buildings will be certified earthquake-proof? Here are top ten ways that will make our current and future buildings resistive to earthquake by William Harris (2013).

1. Base Isolation

It separates the substructure of the building from its superstructure. This involves floating a building above its foundation on lead-rubber bearings which contain a lead core wrapped in alternating layers of rubber and steel.

Moreover, Japanese engineers take this technique to a higher level. Sensors of a building detect the telltale seismic activity of an earthquake. The network of servers communicates within air compressor, which within half a second of being alerted forces between the building and its foundation. The cushion of air lifts the structure 1.18 inches (three centimeters) off the ground, isolating it from the forces that could tear it apart.

When the earthquake subsides, the compressor turns off.

2. Shock Absorbers/Dampers

They slow down and reduce the magnitude of vibratory motions by turning kinetic energy into heat energy that can be dissipated through hydraulic fluid.

Engineers place dampers at each level of building, with one end attached to a column and the other end attached to a beam. Each damper consists of a piston head that moves inside a cylinder filled with silicone oil. When an earthquake strikes, the horizontal motion of the building causes the piston in each damper to push against the oil, transforming the quake’s mechanical energy to heat.

3. Tuned Mass Dampers Steel cables support the mass, while viscous fluid dampers lie between the mass and the building to sway, the pendulum moves in the opposite direction, dissipating the energy. Taipei 101 has the largest and heaviest pendulum in the world.

plastic fixed to earth’s surface.

The stiffness and elasticity of the rings must be precisely controlled to ensure that any surface wave pass smoothly into the material rather than reflecting or scattering at the material’s surface. It can be attached on foundations. (Collin Barras, 2009) 7. Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)

SMA endures heavy strain and still return to their original state when heated. SMAs demonstrate an ability to re-center bridge columns, which minimizes the permanent tilt columns experience after an earthquake. (Misha Rafiee, 2012) 8. Fiber-reinforced Plastic Wrap (FRP)

FRP is a mixture of binding polymers such as epoxy to create lightweight but incredibly strong composite material. Engineers simply wrap the material around concrete support columns of bridges or buildings and then pump pressurized epoxy into the gap between the column and the material. Engineers repeat this process six or eight times to create a mummy-wrapped beam with significant higher strength and ductility.

9. Biomaterials

Many earthquake-resistant materials are found in the animal kingdom like a lowly mussel. Mussels secrete sticky fibers known as abyssal threads which are stiff and rigid. The threads are flexible and absorb shock and dissipate energy. Researchers and engineers are developing construction material that mimic the mussel and its uncanny ability to stay put.

10. Cardboard Tubes

Cardboard and woods structures are naturally earthquake resistant because of its flexibility, which means they have more strength under tension, and can absorb a lot of energy with collapse. Transitional Cathedral in New Zealand is made of woods and cardboards by Shigeru Ban, a Source: http://vivohealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/EARTHQUAKE-POSTER-DURING-700x990.jpg 5. Rocking Core Wall

A reinforced concrete core Japanese architect. runs through the heart of a strucAs our world evolves into ture, surrounding the elevator banks. Although this is not a per- a higher level, people made many

By YAM FLYNGE FERRER fect technology, but a better solu- innovations that made our homes tion is to combine rocking core and buildings safer. These techTHE RURAL HEALTH UNIT (RHU) to eliminate helminthic-related dis- (WHO) website states. niques can be applied in school wall and base isolation.

Although Siocon has zero buildings, , gymnasiums and many along with the Department of Ed- eases and infections in the country. ucation (DepED) directed the NaHelminths are parasitic worms that cases yet, nearby municipalities public places that can prevent 6. Seismic Invisibility Cloak

It comprises a number casualties, even in the most unpre- tional School Deworming to 26 feed on a living host to gain nour- already have reported cases of the barangays in Siocon for the public ishment and protection. infection. of large concentric rings made of dictable disasters. elementary and secondary schools, Dr. Acevedo also added “For 20 years this drug has starting January 27 until July 31. that this is a strategy of DOH to been proven effective. If you buy

The program is under the eliminate malnutrition because this drug it will cause you much, We know that an earthquake is the shaking of a part of the earth’s surface that of- Department of Health (DOH) and Philippines is one of the top five but the government is giving this ten causes great damage. However, there are still information that we need to know the Local Government Unit (LGU). countries with the most cases of for free so I encourage you to take regarding this phenomenon. So, prepare yourselves for the most astonishing and According to Nurse Neori- worm-related diseases. the medicine,” Dr. Acevedo said. mind-blowing facts about earthquake that will make you say “Wow!” ente Ferrer, focal person of DepED, The drug used is called 98 percent took the deworming abendozol, a 400 milligram tabEarthquakes kill approximately 8,000 people each year and have caused medicine this year. However, there let which can remove all kinds of estimated 13 million deaths in the past 4,000 years. are still few students who do not parasitic worms in the body. This want to take the deworming medi- drug drastically reduced malnutricine because of the issues last year. tion rate in India so now it is being A magnitude 8.0 earthquake shook Mindanao, August 17, 1976. The

It can be recalled that a adopted in the Philippines. earthquake claimed 8,000 lives and caused a four to five meter tsunami. deworming scare erupted last year The drug was administered with false rumors of fatalities due to in the municipality together with Sunda Megathrust is the biggest fault line up to 5,500 km and is found in the intake of the deworming tablet. that for filariasis.

“Eventually, if you explain “Lymphatic filariasis, comSouth East Asia. well to them and the benefits in tak- monly known as elephantiasis, is ing the meds they would comply,” a neglected tropical disease. InfecAn earthquake is capable of releasing energy which is 100 times more Dr. Marie Acevedo said, focal per- tion occurs when filarial parasites powerful than the energy released by atomic bomb dropped on Japan son of RHU. are transmitted to humans through Hiroshima in 1945.

She stressed that it is nec- mosquitoes. Infection is usually acessary for all schools to have their quired in childhood causing hidden DEWORMED. A grade 9 student Sources: www.affordablecebu.com students take part in the campaign. damage to the lymphatic system,” takes abendozol, a deworming www.insidermonkey.com Adam Clarck, October 2, 2014; https://dsiris.edu

This program is conducted the World Health Organization drug.

4. Controlled Rocking Frame

It is designed with a self-centering steel structure and engineered with replaceable shock diffusers that absorb energy as the building moves laterally and vertically. (www.aisc.org.com)

DOH administers deworming, filarial drugs to Siocon schools

Quake Quick Facts 1

2

3

4

10 SCI-TECH

May-October 2016 PIS SIYABIT

Right lighting may support academic performance—study

By MARY CAMILLE LOBRIGAS Photo credit: http://s01. shiftdelete.net KOREA ADVANCE Institute of

The huge step from virtual to augmented reality

By WALTER JAY MAGDUA AND FAISAL MUTI

A POKÉMON IN REAL LIFE?

How would you feel seeing a Pikachu on your roads, a Snorlax sleeping in our paths, or a Pidgeotto flying in our skies? Would it not be great? Well we are going to enter a world where virtual meets reality.

The Pokémon Company along with Nintendo and Niantic Incorporated introduced and released a new game for Android and iOS devices called Pokémon Go.

With the use of your cameras you can see them and all you need to do is to walk around. You can also catch them, evolve them and train them to battle with other Pokémon Go players.

It uses augmented reality technology in which you have “a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data.” (Graham, M., Zook, M., and Boulton, A., 2012).

The concept of augmented reality comes from virtual reality, a term used to describe “a three-dimensional, computer generated environment which can be explored and interacted with by a person.

It is the creation of a virtual environment presented to our senses in such a way that we experience it as if we were really there.” (vrs.org.uk, 2016)

The Pokémon Go was first announced at a press conference in Japan on September 10, 2015, and the field tests for Pokémon Go were held from March 29 to June 30, 2016. And was released on July 6, 2016.

There are 151 Pokémon monsters to catch, so it is a long journey around your country. This game was released on certain parts of the world like Japan, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, most of Europe and Hong Kong and in the Philippines it was released last August 6.

According to the president of Nintendo Company, Tatsumi Kimishima, more Pokémon monsters will be added to the game and on September, Pokémon Go Plus will be released.

Now you can roam around and exercise your feet and at the same time you will enjoy playing Pokemon Go. Now take your journey and train them and catch ‘em all.

Science and Technology found that lighting can improve human well-being and performance which can optimize for many various activities such as test-taking to recess to reading.

According to Dr. HyeonJeong Suk, associate professor at the institute, variable lighting Correlating color temperature (CCTs) also exert a great influence on human’s physical and mental conditions.

Color temperatures over 5000 K are called cool colors (bluish white), while lower color temperatures (2700–3000 K) are called warm colors (yellowish white through red). (Bruce MacEvoy, 2015)

The result of the study showed that students in a classroom with 6500 K lighting were more alert and scored higher during their test.

“We were surprised by the fact that besides observing the perfomance improvement during the mathematical test, the interview results with young children- who have almost no background knowledge on lighting- were also in line with our empirical results,” Suk said.

Consequently, the researchers infer the following: 3500 K warm lighting may provide a relaxing environment to patronize recess activities, 3500 K standard lighting may be applied for readers, and 6500 K dynamic lighting supports students’ performance in intensive academic activities.

SBI achieves 99% G7 participation

By YAM FLYNGE FERRER

THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT Grade 7 students of Siocon National High School (SNHS) participated in the Siocon School Based Immunization (SBI) Program August 22, the district nurse Neoriente Ferrer revealed.

The immunization program is headed by the Department of Health (DOH) along with the Department of Education (DepEd).

This program is conducted to protect the individual and the public from vaccine-preventable diseases.

In SNHS, 99 percent took the Measles-Containing Vaccine (MCV). However, nobody was able to take the Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) due to the unavailability of OUCH! A grade 7 student covers the said vaccine.

Additionally, Nurse Ferrer his eyes as a rural health worker injects him with a MeaslesContaining Vaccine (MCV).

said that MCV is a vaccine used to eliminate or prevent measles diseases such as Rubella or also known as German measles. Rubella is full-body red or reddish-brown rash. The symptoms are hacking cough, runny nose and high fever.

On the other hand, Td is a vaccine used to prevent diphtheria infection. Diphtheria is an infection of local tissue of the upper respiratory track with production of toxin which causes systematic effects on heart and peripheral tissue.

“This program has been done for a very long time already.

Although we lack vaccine this year I only hope that students will still be happy to participate because this is also for their own good,” Nurse Ferrer said.

SNHS opens senior high STEM strand

By CHRISTINE MAE JAVA AS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (SHS) opens this year, Siocon National High School (SNHS) offered the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand in congruence with the Junior High School (JHS) program.

Thirty students enrolled in the class who are currently taking specialized subjects namely General Biology, Pre-Calculus and Earth Science.

They are expected to take more subjects in the coming semesters.

Although some of these subjects especially in Science need a laboratory, none is established yet.

They are currently sharing equipment with the JHS.

STEM has been emphasized in educational systems throughout the world.

“Educating students in STEM subjects (if taught correctly) prepares students for life, regardless of the profession they choose to follow. Those subjects teach students how to think critically and how to solve problems — skills that can be used throughout life to help them get through tough times and take advantage of opportunities whenever they appear,” Stephen DeAngelis, President and CEO of the Enterra Solutions, said.

This mine is ours?

Commentary

by Crisbel Mendoza

TVI RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Philippines) Inc. (TVIRD) was a mining company that operated in the gold/silver, copper/zinc open-pit mine of Sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte until early 2014.

After ending their operations, existing environmental laws most especially Republic Act No. 7942 or also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 compel the mining company to rehabilitate the area to minimize environmental impact of their operations.

Chapter XI, Section 71 of said law states that “Contractors and permittees shall technically and biologically rehabilitate the excavated, mined out, tailings covered and disturbed areas to the condition of environmental safety

However, the provincial government has found violations committed by TVIRD in terms of their rehabilitation efforts.

“We want them to correct their massive rehabilitation,” Engr.

Sonny Canama, a provincial government representative monitoring the mining area said.

Engr. Canama was referring to the apparent lousy rehabilitation efforts of the mining company. During their inspections, they found out that the barricades used to prevent silts from running down to Siocon’s body of waters were made from feeble materials such as recycled tires and woods.

The Oxford Dictionary defines silt as “fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment, especially in a channel or harbor”.

When the mud caused by siltation accumulates below the

river, this will cause shallowness.

Eventually, the lowland areas, such as the town site are more prone to flood during heavy rains. Moreover, the siltation also affects the aquatic biodiversity in the river, which is a primary source of food for the townspeople.

Unfortunately, if the siltation will be neglected, probably in the near future, the lowland areas of Siocon will be Venice-like.

Engr. Canama and his team also saw the Lumot Creek being polluted. The creek flows down to Lituban river.

“We believe that the tailings from the dam have reached the creek,” Engr. Canama concluded.

TVIRD has made initiatives to rehabilitate the area. This mainly focuses on tree planting. However, the allocated ₱130 million budget for the recovery must not only focus on reforestation of the mining area that covers 508 hectares. Instead, it should also be used for other aspects to holistically mitigate environmental impact such as sturdy and state-of-the-art landslide prevention measures.

Because of this, Engr. Canama and his team initiated a petition drive collecting signatures from the people of Siocon to be sent to the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This will hopefully gain the attention of the government in order for proper actions to be taken.

We tried to reach TVIRD through email to comment on this issue but we have not receive a reply yet as of this writing.

As our new DENR secretary Gina Lopez is a responsible mining advocate, we believe that this impending catastrophe, an accident waiting to happen will be addressed sooner rather than later.

Solid waste: a global problem you can help solve

By LIAM IÑAKI GILLAMAC

HARVESTING TECHIE. Farmers use the new Rice Combination Harvester in a rice field in Manaol. They claim that it increases their productivity.

Rice Combination Harvester ups farmers’ productivity, income

By MARY CAMILLE LOBRIGAS SIOCON, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE—The Department of Agriculture (DAR) has procured a technologically-advanced Rice Combination Harvester (RCH) this year which is utilized by the local farmers.

RCH is a machine developed by the Philippine Rice Research (PhilRice) to assist farmers in shortening harvesting time. It also has threshing and grain cleaning mechanisms, efficiently combining three separate processes in one. Only two to three people are required for this machine to work.

Furthermore, another advantage of RCH is it will increase income because it reduces amount of grain loss from ten percent to less than one percent.

The RCH in Siocon is cur-

WASTE, GARBAGE, TRASH or whatever you want to call the unwanted residues you can almost see everywhere has been negatively changing the life of everyone because of mismanagement.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 12.6 million deaths annually are attributable to unhealthy environment, nearly 1 in 4 global deaths.

And in the Philippines, about 10,000 million tons per year is being generated and only 12 percent of the waste is recycled and reused.

Clearly, solid waste management has been a global problem even in unindustrialized areas like Siocon. This prompted the establishment of Republic Act 9003 or “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

This law seeks to “ensure the protection of the public health and environment” and “set guide-

lines and targets for solid waste avoidance and volume reduction through source reduction and waste minimization measures”.

The local government through the leadership of Mayor Julius Lobrigas echoed the law with the Ecological Waste Management and Market Sanitation Code.

Among the provisions contained in both the law and municipal code is the proper disposal of wastes by segregating them into biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste, residual waste and toxic waste. This makes sure that the 4R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover will be easily implemented.

However, these will just be words on paper if we do not do our part. We are the primary implementers of these provisions for we will also reap the negative consequences once we fail to care for our environment. We need to make the first move if we want change.

rently in the management of the local farmer’s association.

Farmers who will use the said machine will be giving eight sacks of rice in every one hundred sacks they will harvest to the association. This will be used for the machine’s maintenance.

According to Robert Rivera, a farmer from Manaol, it only took him three hours to harvest his two-hectare rice field which usually takes him three to four days.

“Now that the Philippines steps up for a greater opportunity with technology, there is no doubt that we farmers will no longer sweat like rain when farming. May RCH continue to help farmers all over the Philippines,” Rivera said Photo: http://www.zipmatch.com/blog/best-green-practices-in-philippines/ in Visayan.

PIS SIYABIT May-October 2016

SPORTS 11 Sionahayz Softball Team ends 2-year drought, nips Siay

By CRISBEL MENDOZA SIONAHAYZ SOFTBALL TEAM regained momentum while putting an end to a two-year drought after squeaking past Siay, 3-2 in the Siocon Meet Softball Championship at Julian Soriano Memorial Sports Complex, September 9.

Bernel Joy Asna of Siay initiated the game with a vigorous bat and dashing sprint, giving them the first score of the game.

However, Sionahayz’s Randa Ganua did not hold back and showed off her light-speed dash to

BACK TO BASE. Sionahayz’s Jackilyn Labastilla bats during the Siocon Meet Softball Championship Game as she returns to the softball field after sustaining a leg injury during last year’s Palarong Pambansa.

Zamboangeña brings home Olympic silver

By LIAM IÑAKI GILLAMAC SIOCON, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE—Hidilyn Diaz brings home silver Olympic medal after winning in the women’s 53kg weightlifting division in the Rio Olympics 2016.

Diaz made history in the Philippines finishing PH’s 20year Olympic medal drought in the Summer Games after Onyok Velasco took silver two decades ago.

The Zamboangeña recorded a total weight of 200 kg.

In the snatch lift, Diaz failed to lift two of her three attempts and tallied just 88 kg placing her in 6th place, led by Hsu Shu-Ching of Chinese Taipei tallying 100 kg and Li Yajun of China who broke an Olympic Record tallying 101 kg.

Despite the far lead of Diaz from the other competitors, she still managed to be optimistic with whatever happens.

Recovering in the clean and jerk event Diaz successfully lifted two of her three attempts tallying 111 kg in the first attempt and 112 kg in her second attempt. Sadly, she failed to lift 117 kg on her third.

Unfortunately for Li Yajun of China, who was leading

tie the inning, 1-1.

The second inning saw Siay’s Monah Maranga leading her team and unmercifully blanking the opposing team, 2-1.

Sionahayz snapped out of immobilization in the final inning.

Queenie Villasis gave her godlike swing that allowed Jesefel Calabria and Chaterine Pacot at first and second base to sprint time-defyingly to the home base, 3-2.

Their win left their coach Jeano Maghanoy in tears who was

not unsurprised by the victory.

“I thought of not sending our team this year because I felt the defending champion could not be defeated. This is a lesson for all of us that we should never lose hope,” Maghanoy said.

Villasis together with Jackilyn Labastilla were Palarong Pambansa players but their team went to a downward spiral after Labastilla sustained a leg injury in the said national competition.

Blue Knights destroy D’ Challengers, 54-45

By VLESSY KAYE DAPLINAN SIOCON NATIONAL High School’s ferocious G10 Blue Knights showed heart and skill after massacring the G7 D’ Challengers, 54-45 August 29 in the Intramurals Basketball Championship Game at the Tanghalan ng Paraiso court.

Scores were on their heels during the first quarter causing both robust teams to strive harder to achieve more points.

Halfway through the quarter, Knights’ captain ball Aljhan Abalos gave his first blazing threepoint shot. His fire was not hot enough to spread throughout the team leading to the Challengers’ slight advantage, 15-13.

The next breath-taking quarter was the best game played

by the unstoppable Blue Knights.

Mark Lloyd Gadem made a series of jump shots bringing them up by nine points.

Hopes were still high for the younger team upping their offense but they were banging their heads against a brick wall.

On the last mind-blowing quarter, the crowds’ roaring cheers tripled for Knights’ Kimhar Asim was dreadfully blocked by center Edgar Dusing on the two-minute mark.

The game ended with Dusing’s missed three-point shot, 54-45.

“It was a justified game.

They have a good defense but less teamwork,” Gadem said after being declared MVP.

in the snatch, she failed to clear any of her three attempts at the clean and jerk event, opening an opportunity for Diaz to win silver instead of bronze.

Hsu Shu-Ching won gold with a total weight of 212 kg while Yoon Jin Hee of Korea place third grabbing bronze with 199 kg, 1 kg less than that of Diaz.

The 25-year old became the first female athlete to win an Olympic medal from Philippines, the first to earn medal in weightlifting from Philippines and the first non-boxer to medal for PH since 1936.

Due to her historic win, Diaz has been receiving millions of money from government officials and others, and lately she received a new house and lot as part of her incentives for winning an Olympic medal.

The Olympic silver medalist also planned to build up a gym in Zamboanga City to train more Filipino Weightlifters.

A Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) official also assured that they are now training athletes who will follow in LIFT FOR SILVER. Hidilyn Diaz successfully lifts during the weighlifting competition in the Rio Olympics. The Zamboangeña brought home the the steps of the Pinay lifter.

Philippines’ second Olympic silver after 20 years. Photo credit: EPA/Nic Bothma

Sioconian Taconing bows down to Lopez

By LORRAINE VON CAPADA WORLD RATED light flyweight Jonathan Taconing fell short in his second world title attempt losing by unanimous decision against defending WBC world lightflyweight champion Ganigan Lopez at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City, Mexico, July 30.

Taconing who comes from Siocon, Philippines, lost a point in the fifth round for a head butt.

Lopez was cut over the left eye.

The Filipino was invariably

putting pressure on Lopez, but he had problems connecting with his shots. He was throwing wild shots and getting countered by staff jabs and left hands from Lopez.

Taconing seldom successfully lure Lopez to a brawl, but Lopez proved he can take the opponent’s best punches for 12 rounds.

The final judges’ scores were 78-72, 79-75 and 80-84, in favor of Lopez.

IN IT TO WIN IT. Blue Knights’ Mark Lloyd Gadem tackles D’ Challengers’ Edgar Dusing in the last quarter of the Intramural Basketball Championship.

Tibli preps for next Palarong Pambansa bid

By VLESSY KAYE DAPLINAN Two-time Palarong Pambansa lawn tennis player Noor-Kharym Tibli is back on his feet in a bid to make his way again in next year’s competition happening in Negros Occidental.

The Grade 8 lad has started training with his father-slash-trainer CPL Edris Tibli along with his mother-slash-coach Mrs. Eugelyn Tibli, a teacher in Siocon National High School.

Intense training started a week before Siocon Meet hoping to beat the odds and slowly move up to the competition from the provincial and regional sports meets.

He can be seen playing every afternoon in the tennis court in front of Tanghalan ng Paraiso every afternoon except Saturdays.

“Every time I have my training, I enjoy it even I get tired because it enhances my skills,” the younger Tibli said in an interview.

In last year’s Palaro, he and his team from Region 9 won bronze in the team competition.

Aside from the Palaro, he was also a two-time Batang Pinoy qualifier in grades four and six.

“I am not sure this year because there are many good players in the Regionals but I am very much praying that he will be qualified again,” Mrs. Tibli said.

Pioneers tames Wildcats, 3-1

PROUDLY SIOCONIAN. Jonathan Taconing, a native from Siocon tackles Ganigan Lopez in the WBC world light flyweight division. He later

By JUSTINE JEAN MAGHANOY failed to snatch the belt from the defending champion. Photo credit: César Cerón/facebook.com GRADE 11 PIONEERS nailed the by their younger rival.

Grade 8 Wildcats 3-1 in the Intra- Pioneers’ AJ Esposo murals Volleyball Men Finals Au- gracefully tipped the ball which gust 28 at Julian Soriano Memorial the Wildcats miraculously failed to Sports Complex. hit back, leading to a disappointed

The nine a.m. sun warmed gasp from their side of the quadup Wildcats’ small but terrible rangle and the beginning of their Mark Bryan Molina as he fearless- fall, 25-15, Pioneers. ly attacked through a perfectly set Wildcats never gained ball by Jonas Sala right on the first momentum again as hot rains of serve. spikes and smashes came from the

Pioneers retaliated led by opponents, mostly from Tolentino. team captain Kenneth Dreg Tolen- Third and fourth set ended tino who waited no time to show with Pioneers leading, 25-18, 25off his perfectly executed hits that 13, respectively. dumbfounded the opponent more Kenneth Dreg Tolentino than once. scored the most during the game.

Scores went flying left “Alyssa Valdez is my inspiration, then right ending the set with an she’s the reason why I am striving exciting 25-24, Wildcats. hard in playing volleyball,” Tolen Second set started with tino expressed in between gasps Crisente Tialan of Wildcats gain- for air. ing confidence only to have his Tolentino is qualified for AT THE TIP. Jonas Sala of G8 Wildcats tries to tip the ball while the ball off court. This fired up the Pi- the upcoming Provincial Meet to Pioneers do their best to block during the Intramurals Volleyball Men oneers, not wanting to be stamped be held at Sindangan.

Finals.

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE. Noor-Kharym Tibli, a Palarong Pambansa player during his regular practice at the tennis court in front of Tanghalan ng Paraiso.

SP RTS TACONING:

Vol. 1, No. 1 May-October 2016

FROM SIOCON TO BOXING RING

By YAM FLYNGE FERRER

L

Photo from Jonathan Taconing’s Facebook page

Looking back to traditional Filipino games

By JAYVIE SHRINE FELIZARTA

Technology has taken almost all aspects of our lives including the way we play. Today, you barely can see children in the streets playing. They are usually found cuddled on the sofa, holding their phones and playing Mini Militia or Clash of Clans.

That is why Pis Siyabit and In Amanat, the official publications of Siocon National High School in both English and Filipino, have taken the initiative to reintroduce to our fellow students the traditional Filipino games those who came before us learned to love.

We launched Larong Pinoy (Filipino Games) during the celebration of the Language Month in August. Not just that, we gave a modern twist to these games so that they will become relatable to the modern Filipino youth.

Hopefully, this will breathe new life to these simple games that brought so much joy to Filipinos for many generations.

Here we share some of the highlights during the event.

Luksong Lubid

Tug-of-War

Dampa

Patintero

Sungka

Bahay Shakay

Schools’ sports playing field SPORTS EDITORIAL

W

HEN WE HEAR the names Hidilyn Diaz and Manny Pacquiao, we feel proud because of these Filipino athletes have given prestige to the Philippines in the field of sports. As a result, more Filipinos are inspired to engage in sports, particularly the students. But how could these budding athletes pursue their burning passion for sports if their equipment is insufficient or worse, inexistent?

In order to play and practice well, athletes need good equipment. Just imagine the baseball players, gloveless and bat-less. How could they hit a homerun to attain their dreamed sweet triumph?

As a result of Republic Act No. 9155, the Depart-

ments of Education, Culture, and Sports was diverged. As a result, Department of Education (DepEd) is not obliged to support the schools’ sport-related events even though schools still implement sports fests and meets.

To participate in this activities, schools still need to ask a slice from the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the Local Government Unit (LGU). SEF comes from the additional one percent tax from real property that was mandated by Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Unit Code of 1991.

This fund is expected to supplement the financial support to public basic education.

However, sports-related

funding is just one of the many allocations for this fund.

If we will think about last year’s provincial meet, some sports were removed to represent the municipality. This was because it is deemed that student-athletes in these sports do not excel that much in the higher competitions.

But is it not that we start by failing in order to succeed?

How can these students hone their talents and skills if they are not given the chance to?

It would be such a waste if their dreams to reach Olympic will be unfulfilled. How can we have better athletes to represent the country, if the country itself can not completely support them?

IFE IS A GAMBLE. It has lots of doors in it. You do not know which door to choose for you to be successful, you do not know which door leads you to failure and you do not know which door gives you liberty. But still you open one door even though you know you might fail, even though you know there will be consequences and even though your choice is uncertain. But still you take risk.

That is what Jonathan Taconing did. He did all his best to open one door of his life. He was born and raised where he started boxing at age 14 in an amateur boxing contest. A man who used to be just fighting 500 pesos in fiestas is now fighting for our country bringing the name of Siocon in his heart. Now he is ranked number 6 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Flyweight Division.

As Taconinng steps on the spotlight bringing the blood of a Sioconian with pride, who would not be proud?

After seeing his boxing idol Manny Pacquiao fight against Fahsan “3k Battery” of Thailand in 2007, Taconing took his chance to be a professional boxer and at the young age of 19, he bravely travelled to Manila to try his luck at professional boxing. He eventually became associated with Johnny, the son of Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and has been with him as his manager since then. On the other hand, Taconing is trained by former Filipino skilled boxer Eddie Ballaran.

Elorde not only helped Taconing fulfil his goal in boxing career, he also gave Taconing a place to stay for free at his compound. It was also in Manila where Taconing met his loving wife, Marybeth Francisco-Taconing and they were blessedly given three children.

On his journey to success there was a lot of hindrances he had undertaken. One was on June 6, when his older brother Felix died. This really shocked the fighter. There was even a time when he was in tears before climbing the ring in the training camp.

Sadly, Taconing cannot manage to go home because the fight with Ganigan López is getting near. He realized that if he will go home, his training would be affected. So instead of coming home he only called his parents and asked for understanding that he cannot make it because he has an important fight coming up.

This really bothered the Sioconian fighter.

Taconing said he has not seen his older brother for over fifteen years, and on his death he could not even get a glimpse of him because of his upcoming fight. Nevertheless, he dedicated that fight to his brother.

On July 2, Taconing bravely fought in the ring of Arena Coliseo, Mexico City against the WBC Light Flyweight Champion Lopez. Sadly, he lost another title fight for the second time.

All in all, on his professional boxing record he has 22 wins, three defeats and one draw.

In spite of what happened, he did all his best to overcome the challenges in his life. With his hard work and perseverance, Taconing is the reigning light flyweight champion of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, and the former International light flyweight champion of the World Boxing Council. Not just that, he is named one of the Most Promising Boxers of the Year at the 2016 Elorde Boxing Awards.

When wanting to succeed, you need to fight for life. Life is a game and you need to play it hard like Jonathan Taconing.

As Taconing slowly makes his way to boxing stardom, we Sioconians are there by his side.