Merlion Times Volume 15 Issue 3 by singaporeschoolmanila

Official Newsletter of Singapore School Manila

MERLI

THE MERLION TIMES

Brought to you by the Merlion Times Editorial Board

V O L U M E 1 5 I S S U E 3

WHAT'S 3

“Lights, Camera, Action!” A Merlion Film Festival 101

“Stay Clean; Go Green!” An Overview of Earth Week

SSM’s First CrossCampus Academic Competition!

Ending the School Year the SSM Way — Time for Wet Day!

“A Step Outside their Comfort Zone;” SSM’s WISES Program

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day — SSM’s Storytime Surprise

Art for a Cause! SSM’s 2022 Virtual Art Fair

Hello Little “Einsteins!” SSM’s 2022 Science Fair

To More New Beginnings! SSM’s Hyflex Graduation

15 SSM in ACTION 23 Staff Secrets 25 Dear SSM 27 Penny For Your Thoughts

33 Spring Soiree: An Event to Remember

34 SSM WRAPPED 38 Fresh of the Boat 39 When Opportunity Knocks

40 Test Your Wits

INSIDE

NEWS

N!” O I T C A , A R ME “LIGHTS, CA

A MERLION L A V I T S E F FILM By: Charly Lam

101

Widely acclaimed American director, Robert Rodriguez, once said, “When given an opportunity, deliver excellence and never quit,” and that is exactly what this year’s budding filmmakers have showcased with each of their films! On June 3rd, 2022, SSM held its annual Merlion Film Festival competition and its accompanying awarding ceremony on June 10th, 2022. What better way to display some of our finest filmmakers’ work than through these events? The Merlion Film Festival aimed to act as a basis for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their talents on the big screen. Students worked together in groups to write, direct, and edit their own short films, replicating the actual film-making process. They were screened on the official Merlion Film Festival’s YouTube channel, and assessed by a panel of the following esteemed judges: Mark Balce, Tristan Zinampan, and Don Senoc. Additionally, guest speakers Sean Tongco and Thomas Bienvenida – individuals who presently work in the film industry – shared their personal insights via online interviews that were uploaded onto the Merlion Film Festival’s social media. These events weren’t solely restricted to just the talents found in the SSM school! In fact, a number of guest schools had been involved, such as Singapore School Cebu, St. Peter’s College, Lagro High School, and Keys International School. The list of films that were screened is as follows — REM (SSC), Secret Recipe (Keys), Another Year (Lagro), ; (SSM), Right or Wrong (SSM), Grow Up (SSM), and The Welcome to Al-Balad (SSM). And of course, we can’t forget the pinnacle of every Merlion Film Festival — the Merlion Awards! The ceremony featured certificates, trophies, and cash prizes, which were awarded to the winners on the day. Presenters would be handed the card with the winner’s name on it — just like how it would be in the Oscars. The coveted Best Picture accolade came in the categories of gold, silver and bronze, which came with a trophy and an additional cash prize ranging from Php5,000 to Php10,000, and the respective winners of each were as follows — ; in the bronze category, Secret Recipe in the silver category, and Grow Up in the gold category. The Merlion Awards ceremony was held Hyflex-style, allowing audience members from across the different campuses to tune in via Google Meet, or to even come in person, and experience the ceremony firsthand.

All in all, the Merlion Film Festival and Merlion Awards were both equally wonderful experiences for cinephiles and budding filmmakers alike! These events certainly had everyone on the edges of their seats at every twist and turn!

SSM’s FIRST CROSS-CAMPUS ACADEMIC COMPETITION! By: Abi Co

Communication and teamwork. Two values that have faded over the duration of the pandemic, but are arguably some of the most important traits humans must possess. In an attempt to harness these values, Singapore School Manila, Singapore School Manila Green Campus and Singapore School Clark held their very first hybrid cross-campus Academic Quiz Bee. May 24th marked the beginning of the event when Nursery to P3 students drew their whiteboards and markers to begin the competition. This competition consisted of 3 rounds - easy, average and difficult - with questions ranging from various subjects including Science, Mathematics, English, etc. Fear was evident amongst students as the event began, however as the event progressed, they became more comfortable with the provided questions. And soon the winners were announced! These included: Savanah Sy (Nursery) , Liane Liu (Nursery) , Adira Felice Keng (K1) , Willow Reign Sy (K2) , Megan Shanelle Shi (K2) , Suhyeon Oh (P1) , Alessandro Ferreria (P2) , and Clovis-Maxi Lacour (P3). On May 26th, P4 - S4 students took their turn competing against one other in a long awaited battle of the minds! But this was far from the ordinary competitions hosted before the pandemic. This years’ Quiz Bee tested not only the students’ academic knowledge but their ability to communicate and work with people despite the long solitary years at home. Participants no longer competed individually, instead, they worked alongside one another in groups of 4 with a mix of members from SSM, SSMGC and SSCL. Similarly, this quiz entailed three rounds with questions of varying subjects of which teams were given the opportunity to select from. Throughout the competition, members were allowed to discuss answers amongst themselves via online meeting links set up prior to the event. As the morning progressed, the atmosphere was noticeably different from the first day. Due to years of the pandemic without a proper Quiz Bee, participants were enlivened and more than ready to battle for the champion spot. Accordingly, the champions of this years’ inter-campus Academic Quiz Bee for P4-P6 included: Yzadelle Caquioa (P4) , Elijah Gamis (P5) and Ki Leung Huang (P6) of Group 5. On the other hand, the winners for the S1-S4 competition were: Luke Diong (S1) , Yebin Kim (S2), Miguel Belen (S3) , and Tony Wu (S4) of Group 3. Moments after the champions were announced, fellow students rushed through the doors of the venue, erupting in endless praise to celebrate their peers.

Despite the nerves they may have faced, participants did a great job nonetheless and this event was certainly enjoyed by students and staff alike! These days were filled with much needed interactions between the students and sweet victories for the champions, and it was certainly a great way to commemorate the school’s first Academic Quiz Bee in almost two years!

NEWS

“A STEP OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE”

SSM’S WISES PROGRAM

By: Kyle Bayron

Empathy, the art of stepping imaginatively into the shoes of another person to understand their feelings and behaviors, serves as the core of the WISES (Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes) program. Though typical WISES days of the past involved students shadowing the SSM faculty, this year’s efforts pushed students on to a much larger stage. Throughout the duration of term 3, the students of SSM were given the opportunity to meet with underrepresented sectors of the Filipino population to explore different world views and lifestyles. For the Primary 5 levels and above, they were able to turn their newfound learnings into action through their supplementary outreach activities. Now that students were outside the comforts of the SSM halls, what new perspectives had they gained?

Starting with the Nursery to Primary 3 levels, they met people with disabilities. From visual impairment simulations to sign language 101, these levels had a holistic approach that allowed students to “dip their toe” into the lives of the differentlyabled community, and develop a greater sense of compassion and respect for others. Primary 4 and 5 students interacted with the informal sector, specifically the local street vendors and small unregistered business owners. They were taught how to be resourceful — a mandatory trait of aspiring business owners — by creating dog toys from old clothing. Afterwards, the students attempted to sell their toys to their close family and friends and donated all their earnings to Pag-Asa Sa Paglaya Multipurpose Cooperative.

Kids Who Farm made a reappearance as well after their successful involvement in SSM’s PreUniversity Service Fair, meeting with the Primary 6 levels to mentor them on how to grow plants, in the process, discovering the hardships farmers must face on a daily basis to keep their livelihood alive. To give back, the batch held a social media campaign to promote Kids Who Farm’s advocacy on urban farming and the youth’s involvement in agriculture.

Secondary 1 were educated about the impact of ageism, the stereotyping of individuals based on their age, on the Senior citizens. The advent of the age of technology has proven difficult for many elderly, and as such, the student volunteers coached online classes on how to traverse common online websites such as one’s email and Canva. Moreover, understanding the impact of hunger and its effects on school performance was the heart of Secondary 2’s WISES activity. Students sat through a day-in-the-life video of wealthy vs impoverished individuals, and saw firsthand the impact financial distress had on a person’s routine and mentality. Similarly to the Primary 6, they advertised the Veggie Donation Packs of the Giving Hope Foundation and Oplan Gulay, and within two weeks, they managed to raise an astounding 159 total packs. For Secondary 3, they were taught about out of school youth, and the causes that lead to such a decision. Through a tough resource-management game, students were forced to make choices on what daily necessities they must prioritize. From deciding between basic electricity to access to medicine, students learned that not everyone has it easy, and that they are very fortunate to lead the lives they live today. With that, the students partnered with KalyEskwela to teach a whole day of classes to street children via a jeepney transformed portable classroom.

Lastly, Secondary 4 had the unique chance to meet with former inmates and were informed of the stigmatization they face in the outside world. Their outreach program involved the selling of novelty candles made by Pagasa sa Paglaya, with all P17,465.00 of the total money raised going towards the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service.

With hearts swelling with compassion, gratitude, and kindness, the SSM students end their WISES and outreach experiences. The Life Coach department wishes that students will continue to wield the power of empathy in their daily lives, and hope that they will continue to carry these learnings with them as they traverse into the outside World.

NEWS

ART FOR A CAUSE! SSM’S 2022 VIRTUAL ART FAIR By: Ella Ortiz

Going once, going twice, Sold! June 10th marks the end of the week-long Art Fair entitled “Kultura't Kinabukasan,” led by Singapore School Philippines’ Pre-University students. For this year’s Art Fair, not only did the Art Auction Committee bring back the student-loved event, but they invited SSC and SSGC to join in on the fun as well! Through the Art Fair’s silent auction, more than PHP 100,000 was raised by the Singapore School Philippines community to donate to the following charities: Tulong Sa Kapwa Kapatid (2KK), Dar Amanah Children's Village Foundation, and Duyan ni Maria Children's Home, each chosen by SSM, SSC, and SSGC respectively. Similar to last year, the event included a virtual art exhibit, with the use of the online platform ‘Artsteps’ and Google Sites. Through this, the Singapore School community was able to view the 100+ works of PreUniversity, Secondary, and Primary students. With the use of Google Sites, viewers were able to browse through the auctioned artworks then proceed to bid for ones they were interested in through Google Forms. At the end of the week, the highest bidders of each art piece were revealed, and the works of art were packaged and delivered to their new homes, or picked up at the school. To spice things up from previous years, however, there was a physical art exhibition installed in the lobby of the Singapore School Manila campus that regularly cycled between many of the student compositions. Large canvases of handcrafted art pieces decorated the room, drawing in the attention of many parents, fetchers, and other out of school visitors that happened to drop by. This thrilling event was completely student-led by the hardworking Art Auction committee consisting of Kelsey Lim, Sanjay Nayar, Charlene Hernandez, Patricia Chua, Annika Buen, and Elle Sy. Alongside them were Teacher Argel and Teacher Adie who helped in assisting the art students from different art levels. From the creation of the virtual art exhibit to the handling of the silent auction, these dedicated students were able to create a successful event, making their tireless efforts all worth it. Hats off to Singapore Schools Philippines’ talented young artists for creating such wonderful artworks and to the committee for working so well behind the scenes!

HELLO, LITTLE SSM’S 2022

EINSTEINS!

SCIENCE FAIR

By: Luigi Diong

Every year, the Science Fair offers SSM students the unique opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and interest in the scientific field. Thankfully this year is no exception. With the theme of “Resiliency, Innovation, and Creativity amidst global crisis,” students were able to have a handson experience of what it takes to be a modern day scientist. The Science Fair was divided into 2 divisions: the Pre-school to Primary group, and the Secondary group. Pre-school to Primary students were tasked with creating a personal vlog of their experiment, and then had a 1-on-1 breakout room session with their assigned judge who asked questions about their research. On the other hand, Secondary students presented their experiments via Google slides in the style of an elevator pitch, with questions asked later on by a panel of judges. Speaking of judges, this year’s line-up of experts had quite the resume. For the Primary levels, there were some familiar faces, as many of the judges were SSM very own science teachers. They included Teacher Mark, Teacher Conrad, and Teacher Clarisse, the Pre-University Physics, Biology, and Chemistry teachers respectively. For the Secondary batches, special guest judges were invited: Mr. Michael Ben Joseph Coronel, a master teacher and assistant academic coordinator in Mano Amiga Academy, Mr. Pressor Perry Neil J. Fernandez, a professor at the University of the Philippines, and lastly, Miss Meril Kate Mariano, an associate of the Philippine Association of Entomologists and Biological Control Research Unit. Who were the great minds that took home the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes? For the younger levels, 3rd place was tied between siblings Willow Maxwell Reign Siy and Max Wriley Summer Siy for making a cloud in a bottle, and Carlos Inigo Salunday for making a lava lamp. 2nd place went to Paris Diong for making a project about the extraction of clean water. Lastly, the winner and 1st place of the Science Fair for the primary went to Joshua Bryant Sy and Savannah Jamie Sy for a project regarding the question, “Will it float?” For the Secondary division, 3rd place went to Nishita Moorjani for producing an environmentally-friendly wind turbine. 2nd place went to Aanvi Bagga for investigating how plants reduce soil erosion. Lastly, the winner of the Secondary division was Rishabh Jain on producing a homemade water desalination apparatus. All in all, the Science Fair allowed students to investigate innovative ways to tackle real world problems despite being in their respective homes. Headed by Pre-University Physics teacher, Teacher Jam, it was without a doubt a blast of an event; the findings are indisputable!

NEWS

STAY CLEAN, GO GREEN! AN OVERVIEW OF

EARTH WEEK By: Charly Lam

It is often said that people are the biggest causes of pollution, but they may also be its only solution. That is exactly what has been made an example of during Singapore School Manila’s Earth Week, with the help of the amazing student leaders here in school! This year, teams of students coordinated a weeklong campaign to improve environmental consciousness within their fellow students. Earth Week was held last April 25, 2022 to April 29, 2022. “Global Social Leaders'' (GSL) is a competition where teams of students attempt to make sustainable and practical projects that help in solving real world issues, such as climate change. In order to make this event become a reality, it was an all hands-on-deck scenario, calling upon the GSL groups to step up and act as the main contributors for the event planning and execution. The groups who helped out were Go Green Thumbs, Crystal Clear Koi, and Gocomotion. Gocomotion was assigned to the Preschool and Primary levels and showed them a cartoon video to present the impact of solid waste management into the ocean and water ecosystems. They also hosted a digital game called ‘Spot That Trash’, and winners were awarded trophies fashioned out of recycled paper. As for Go Green Thumbs and Crystal Clear Koi, they were assigned Upper Primary all the way to Pre-University levels. They held short presentations based on their chosen topics for GSL, which were about life on land and life under water respectively. Their presentations also were followed by a short Quizizz game. For Go Green Thumbs’ game, they gave prizes in the form of planting trees in the winner’s name, with a certificate for proof. Meanwhile, for Crystal Clear Koi’s competition, they gave out reusable water bottles to the highest scorers of their games. This event definitely proved to make a great impact on influencing SSM’s student body’s young minds to be more environmentally friendly! The student-led activities opened their eyes up to the various issues plaguing the planet, and to a plethora of practises that can combat them!

ENDING THE SCHOOL YEAR THE SSM WAY

TIME FOR WET DAY! By: Kyle Bayron

At the end of every subject, the bell rings. At the end of every school day, dismissal starts. And at the end of every school year, SSM celebrates Wet Day! An SSM classic, Wet Day, is a much anticipated end-of-the-year festivity where students kick off their summertime break with a refreshing day at the pool. From frolicking by the poolside to online water-based competitions, Wet Day is filled to the brim with activities for students to enjoy. 8 sizable bright blue inflatable pools were set up in the turf for Preschool to Primary 3 levels to splash around in. For the older primary students, they were given freedom to traverse the school’s very own indoor swimming pool. Of course, you can’t forget about the teachers! Many teachers came to school battle-ready, clad in swimwear and protective goggles, when attending this event as they seem to be a prime target for many of the young students’ attacks — a light-hearted come back for all the schoolwork they were put through this past year. For the stay-at-home students, they were able to partake in three funfilled activities: a difficult game of “I Spy”, an onthe-spot balancing cup challenge, and a beloved game of “Simon Says.”

Wet Day is a tradition that has existed even from the very earliest days of SSM. The idea for the event was born from the belief that the most effective way for students to engage in their studies was to make school both enjoyable and interactive. Hence, an annual celebration was born to give students something to look forward to each and every year. From the looks of many Primary students absolutely brimming with smiles, it’s easy to say mission accomplished!

NEWS

MOTHER’S DAY & FATHER’S DAY: SSM’S STORYTIME SURPRISE By: Jaelyn Soliman

Mother’s and Father’s Day are wholesome celebrations wherein children are able to showcase their love for their parents — but parents don’t only come in twos. The SSM community is filled with caring “fathers” and “mothers” that have watched the many SSM students grow throughout their childhood. So throughout the months of May and June, a team of SSM students, assembled by the current Student Council, meticulously curated 5 specially made online storybooks with each book highlighting a different aspect of parenthood. The SSM parents, stay-at-home parents, and overall parental figures need appreciation, and this was the perfect way to do so! From Mother’s Day all the way to Father’s Day, a weekly email was sent out to all parents, containing the latest rendition of the student-made works. The online flipbooks were also made accessible for reading at the SSM lobbies as it flipped through the pages of heartwarming narratives. SSM mothers were also gifted with lovely flowers, while SSM fathers were given delectable coffee and pastries.

The first installment of the series of storybooks was dedicated to mothers in the SSM faculty. This love letter in the form of a picture book depicted the many ways the faculty have played a hand in guiding the SSM students. The 2nd book goes out to all mothers of SSM students, containing student-submitted anecdotes of their fondest memories with their moms. Book 3 fit a broader audience: all parental figures in general! In this book, a beautifully woven narrative of how parents act as a much needed constant in the lives of their children was available for all to view.

The next book was dedicated to SSM fathers, illustrating all the things fathers can’t do in a satirical manner; a humorous contrast that highlights the sacrifices fathers put themselves through for their children, like “losing” at hide-and-seek. Much like the 2nd book, the final book was based on student submitted prompts expressing their dearest memories of their fathers.

Bayanihan members Lea Gatchalian, Saira Saundh, Althea Baluyut and event-lead Erin Teng deserve a shoutout for their weeks of dedication to this surprise, alongside student volunteers Yvie Go, Jaelyn Soliman, Layla Go and Kyle Bayron. The touching memories made this Mother’s and Father’s Day were one for the books!

NEWS

G INNIN B E W E G N S O ! T SSM’S FIRST HYFLEX GRADUATION By: Vanessa Wong Graduation is perhaps the biggest, most anticipated event in a student's career, as it marks the end of one journey but also the fresh start of another. This June 25, 2022, the longawaited Graduation celebration took place, honouring the great young minds of the K2, P6, and Pre-University levels of the Singapore School Manila, Singapore School Green Campus, and Singapore School Clark communities. On the day of graduation, students from Singapore School Clark and Green Campus gathered at East Ocean as early as 7:00 am for their graduation practice. By 8:00 am, families and friends started taking their seats, which were ensured to be socially distanced in the venue. It was a magical hour watching the many students march down the centre aisle after 2 years of online graduations. After proceeding with the flag ceremony, a special guest was introduced to the stage, Ate Nena, who received the Service Award for serving SSM diligently for 15 years. The students, teachers, and staff then witnessed the final send off of the outgoing Student Council and the inauguration of the new Bayanihan — composed of Christian Kawsek, Gia Co, Vanessa Wong, Longfei Ju, Chesca Lauchengco, and Emil Hernandez. Soon after, each of the graduates from all Singapore School campuses had their achievements spotlighted centre stage. They were introduced and handed their diplomas, along with unique awards for the Pre-University students: Excellence in Service, Excellence in Academics, Excellence in Sports, Excellence in Arts, Conduct Award, Loyalty Award, and a Certificate of Recognition for service in the Merlion Times and Yearbook.

On stage, the graduates were greeted and awarded by Ms. Analei, Ms. Ina, and T. Denise before they stood proudly in front of their loved ones and fellow batchmates. Additionally, for the graduates who could not attend, they were personally sent a graduation box and asked to film themselves as a way to join the other students on Graduation Day and have their moment.

After every year level from each school was introduced, representatives from the batch were called to share their graduation speeches – definite tearjerkers filled with heartwarming messages and final farewells to the school community. This time around, Teacher Monica had prepared and worked together with the rest of the administrators to surprise the students and parents. A special SSM video was played, capturing the positive moments these batches had throughout the years. However, there was more! Custom-made videos from SSM to each batch of students were played, reliving the last few years of the students’ lives.

To wrap up, graduates gathered round and sang the SSM Song one final time, touching many of the SSM staff and parents’ hearts. Students left that stage with mixed emotions, feeling both nervous to let go of their simpler school lives, but 10 times more excited for the new prospects that lay before them. Knowing what wonderful people the graduates have grown to become these past few years, there surely is nothing but greatness left in store for them.

SPECIAL FEATURES

SSM IN ACTION

Meet This Year’s

GSL TEAMS!

GOCOMOTION By: Martina Isidro

“It really does feel good to make a change and impact somebody,” a line from The Current Clarity’s team leader: Yvie Go. GoCoMotion, the student-led group behind The Current Clarity, created the project for this year’s GSL competition and focused on the protection of the underwater environment. With GSL as a platform to solve prominent global issues, Yvie Go, Layla Go, Savannah Go, and Arianna Co’s journey to improve the marine habitation triumphed, one plastic bottle at a time. As high-achievers and believers in collaboration and unity, the group focused on an informative and inclusive movement to better connect with others despite the lockdown’s preventions. The team’s projects include: a beach cleanup with a non-profit organisation, a panel interview with the former superintendent of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, an environmentally-friendly art kit donation to an orphanage, raising PHP87,000 from selling eco bags with an Australian shop, a mass mangrove plantation with Kabanatan PH, and many more social media campaigns!

However, their success did not come easily. While the group had to sacrifice many projects that could have impacted their goal substantially, they continuously found ways to be resourceful amidst the pandemic’s restrictions. One thing that Yvie puts forward when asked about their biggest learning from the competition is how they have come to better balance extracurriculars, school, and personal lives — something all students can relate to. To achieve this balance, she says, “if you want to stand out, you really have to put your all into it, but at the same time you have to prioritise yourself and your health.” In the end, despite the challenges they faced, the ups surpass the downs. Showing us that though we may experience hardships, success will always be drawn in by the current — we just have to look for it.

CRYSTAL CLEAR KOI By: Gabby Rosales For Christian Kawsek, Zejin Chen, Elena Marquez, Deinica Anay, and Longfei Ju, the concern of clean water and sanitation was one that clearly needed attention. For this group’s GSL project, their mission was to assist communities with their water systems and provide seminars on the skills necessary to exercise a crystal clear livelihood. Struck by the events of Typhoon Odette, the Crystal Clear Koi team sought out avenues of support that would ensure a long-lasting impact on one of the affected communities, the Municipality of Samboan.

From raising funds and awareness through their massive social media reach, the group was able to achieve their goals of enhancing the municipality’s current water systems by providing water tanks, renewable water filters, and water pumps that are sure to last 5 years. Indeed, implementing a sustainable solution was important to the group. The fact that they could help a community close to them was also what made this project so personal. Christian says, “The familiarity with the community really made me want to step up.”

Though this project was executed during the pandemic, online barriers did not stop the team from pursuing connections with point persons, gathering sponsors, and most importantly, maintaining the team spirit. As a leader, Christian learned that things are best accomplished when done together: “no one should do everything by themselves. It is necessary to delegate tasks for yourself, your teammates, and the group as a whole.” This team has proven that youth leaders and advocates for local issues are claiming their place in the limelight. We can definitely await more GSL groups just like them to join in on a mission and advocacy just as powerful — and crystal clear — as theirs.

GO GREEN THUMBS By: Gabby Rosales Going green is among the main goals for this GSL group, Go Green Thumbs, as they stepped up to raise environmental awareness and spread the word on deforestation and pollution to their local communities. Consisting of Sophia Cabrera, Ocean Figueroa, Jedrick Ang, and Mohit Moorjani, this team of 4 are green thumbs through and through, as shown with their dedication and passion for the environment. Driven by their interest with environmental concerns paired with the urgency to act on the cause, this group believes, “if we don't act now, the damages may be irreversible.” The team created 3 campaigns that targeted their mission: a virtual seminar hosted by an environmental engineer, a massive social media reach that shares educational material to their communities, and a fundraising program that channelled funds to a non-profit tree-planting organization, One Tree Planted. Overall, this green-motivated cause was bolstered by the team’s ability to remain resourceful amidst the pandemic’s barriers.

Particularly, when it came to their online events, Sophia admitted, “it was hard to think of something engaging since people would just be staring at a screen.” Nonetheless, the online platform eventually revealed its benefits as the team interacted with other GSL groups through GSL Unify — a collaborative space where GSL groups alike could share their work and events with each other. Despite exciting plans for a tree planting activity having to be put on the back burner, Go Green Thumb’s flexibility indeed is a pillar to their success. For this group of passionate individuals, they believe that change is possible, no matter where it starts. “Despite just being students,” Sophia adds, “you can still make an impact even if it's small. If you have the passion and drive, anything is possible.” Go, go, go Green Thumbs!

SPECIAL FEATURES

A YEAR IN THE MAKING:

GET TO KNOW THE

YEARBOOK COMMITTEE By: Christiana Reyes

Yearbooks are permanent keepsakes that immortalize school memories and commemorate the end of fruitful school years that pass. With so much importance given to SSM’s archive of the past, who exactly is responsible for handling this annual publication? This year, the production process was unlike any other. Meticulously crafted by the hands of SSM’s first ever student-led yearbook committee, the yearbook has evolved into a more personal and creative publication made by students, for students. However, given their unfamiliarity with the experience, the members of the yearbook committee were tasked to develop a functional working system from scratch – making their journey all the more eventful, spontaneous, and fulfilling. To gain a behind-the-scenes perspective of this challenging yet rewarding year-long process, let’s hear from the people-in-charge: Jessica Snyder, the Editor-in-Chief, Kate Li, the Managing Editor, Chantelle Anggala, the Senior Layout and Photography Editor, and Aanvi Bagga, the Section Editor.

As the main visionary of the yearbook, Jessica as the Editorin-Chief oversees all major and minor aspects of the production process. From conceptualizing new page ideas, revising student write-ups, and directing the entire look of the layout, her goal seeing that the yearbook has newly become student-led was to “highlight student life and showcase who the students are behind their uniforms.” Kate, on the other hand, would describe her role as Managing Editor to be at the heart of interdepartmental communication, ensuring operations run smoothly and that deadlines are met. While a spot on the yearbook committee does have its perks, Kate and Jessica express that it also comes with a lot of pressure. The pressure to cater the yearbook to all graduating batches and parents. “I think there's a lot of pressure since we're the first committee to do this, so we cannot simply ask help from other students,” says Kate.

While both Kate and Jessica are the main executives of the team, they agree that the committee would not be considered whole without its unique, individual parts. Aanvi meets all graduates herself, as she reflects their different personalities in the write-ups that she is tasked to create. As a new student, Aanvi offers a unique take away, stating that “what makes my role unique is that I'm the one who really gets a glimpse of each of the students’ interesting lives.” Additionally, Chantelle and her junior editors Summer Chua and Renzo Flaviano are the other core members of the committee, managing the bulk of the yearbook — the layout. According to Chantelle, designing the yearbook isolated at home was a taxing process. Given the collaborative nature of their work, it was difficult to electronically communicate the Layout team’s creative vision to those involved. It was because of these barriers that made the process all the more challenging. Nonetheless, despite the occasional dips in motivation, the committee made sure to look towards their main support system — each other. “Having a good working relationship with your team is important.” as Aanvi puts it.

MEET THE TEAM

Overall, the completion of the yearbook has been one rollercoaster ride to remember. The team is proud to have still witnessed their plans come into fruition such as the unique addition of the informal shot for all graduates to enjoy. With everything in mind, the members of the yearbook committee would undoubtedly describe this journey as one wonderful year in the making.

SPECIAL FEATURES

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT

SSM’S STUDENT LEADERS GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE…

IN ACTION:

INSIDE SSM’S ART AUCTION! By: Shirin Saundh

Kelsey Lim, the Project Director of this year’s Art Auction and fundraiser, had 2 main goals: for students to embrace their rich culture through the form of elaborate art pieces, and for the proceeds to go to both local fundraisers and student artists. By holding a mini exhibit, the Art Auction team also intended to showcase the students’ artwork so that their impressive artistry may be displayed to the entire SSM community! Taking the role of Project Director, Kelsey felt it was her responsibility to dispel the idea that a leader is a commander. In her effort to establish teamwork and collaboration, she felt it was crucial to remain communicative when encountering an issue. As she says, “good communication opens up doors to new opportunities,” Kelsey believes it is possible to find the right solutions so long as everyone not only has the same vision, mission, and goals, but is also open to each other’s ideas. Assuming leadership is not something usual on Kelsey’s radar, but upon taking this role, she felt she had gained a greater sense of responsibility. “My biggest takeaway from the Art Auction, especially with my role as Project Leader was the rewarding feeling of taking responsibility.” Proving to herself that she is indeed capable of not only being responsible for others but also having the confidence to communicate with new people, it can be said that being a leader will definitely remain on her radar from here on out! With the overwhelming support and amazing feedback from the Art Auction, it can be said that Kelsey’s leadership has indeed bolstered the team’s ability to successfully carry it out. As she moves on to University, there will be more leadership opportunities for Kelsey to take on with the same eye for teamwork and open-mindedness we have just witnessed.

IT TAKES TWO:

Organizing This Year’s

MERLION FILM FESTIVAL

By: Gabby Rosales

As the first duo ensemble of Project Managers for the Merlion Film Festival, Tiffany Au-Yeung and Annika Budhrani have proven that two heads are indeed better than one in this year’s hyflex Merlion Film Festival — the first of its kind. From working through the ins and outs of organizing and leading, this pair demonstrates the power of a partner. From pitching full-proof proposals, creating promotional material, to holding several rehearsals and on-the-eventday preparations, organizing the Merlion Film Festival is quite the total experience, from start to finish. Taking months to prepare, their approaches to teamwork and leadership have evolved to fit their functioning dynamic. Annika says, “we worked well together from the beginning, and we learned that both of us have a specific style and method of accomplishing things.” This helped them play to their strengths and abilities as they delegated responsibilities not only to each other, but to the entire committee. Annika continues to say that her and Tiffany’s joint effort was, “worth so much more than the sum of its parts.” Together, they persevered through the demands of the event as they encountered more difficult challenges. Tiffany remarked they were overjoyed the day their proposal got approved, but quickly had to learn that, “though it was a large obstacle we finally overcame, it was just the beginning.” As time went on, they understood how to harness their paired potential, realizing, “we shouldn’t pay too much attention to our positions as who has more power and responsibilities,” but instead have the entire team focus on achieving a common goal, according to Tiffany. This duo has not only proven their individual capabilities for leadership, but have also shown to us that teamwork does in fact make the dream work, and in this case, a very successful first-ever hyflex Merlion Film Festival! Kudos to Tiffany and Annika!

SPECIAL FEATURES

THE TRIUMPHS OF TAYO:

FOSTERING FUTURE LEADERS

By: Christiana Reyes and Alexi Manzano

Learning to lead is no easy feat. The TAYO workshop, spearheaded by the Student Council, was created with the hopes of encouraging students to take the leap and become student leaders themselves. According to Erin Teng, the Student Council’s Level Representative, “What inspired us to start TAYO was how we noticed there began to be a lack of parties running for SC - we wanted to make sure that there was a predecessor group and a competing group!” Over the course of a few months, students took part in various activities that helped hone the qualities required to make a great student leader. To close up the workshop, students were given a final major task — to brainstorm a project of their own!

One group, in particular, was successful in putting their plans into action. The TAYO group composed of Jaelyn Soliman, Layla Go, Sophie Policarpio, and Yvie Go proved themselves as aspiring student leaders, executing a World Turtle's Day campaign to educate the Nursery, Kinder, and Primary on the state of marine life. After initially planning a oneday slogan competition, the group adapted to feedback and soon transformed their event into a whole campaign involving a series of activities: a digital storybook for the Nursery to Kinder, as well as an animated video and Kahoot game for the Primary. More specifically, the Kahoot game served as a quiz testing the Primary students on what they learned about World Turtle’s Day from the video. Those who exceeded expectations were the following students: Kyzen Lim (P1A), Hayden Ruben Ang (P2 F2F), and William Chua (P4B).

Event planning, however, is not always a smoothsailing and predictable task – a realization that the TAYO program aimed to impart through this final project. As said by Layla Go, “I realized the amount of planning and effort it takes to organize events, and how much thought needs to be put into it. I knew that it was hard being in the Student Council, but actually experiencing the whole process made me appreciate what the Student Council does more”. Despite the challenges of time management, communication, and balancing school work, the team executed the event to the best of their ability, even recruiting two voice actors and layout editors from their class to reinforce the goal of student participation.

Indeed, the TAYO program was a much-needed kick-starter to boost the confidence of the student body to assume leadership and responsibility within the school. With the recent passing of the Student Council elections, Bayanihan is proud to have been able to instill the necessary characteristics of a leader before their official turnover.

CLOSING AND BEGINNING NEW CHAPTERS: CONVERSATIONS WITH By: Gabby Rosales

Starting a new chapter, like life after SSM, often means facing contradicting feelings. The same way Seleena felt excited and nervous for the uncertainty to come, Andrea felt that entering college was an expansive yet humbling experience. She said, “I could be myself more outside high school, in the sense that college offered a more specialized way of learning I haven't experienced before.” However, leaving a close-knit community like SSM was never easy, as she reminisces on “the level of care and attention that you don't get in college.” Nonetheless, both of them speak highly of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, saying that a new environment “gave [Seleena] the courage to pursue things [she] didn't pursue before.” They tell us that the initial adjustment period of a new chapter is not forever, and “feeling small” is normal.

REA

SELEE

A N

As old doors close and new chapters soon begin, it is only fitting to hear from certain SSM Alumni who are in vastly different chapters than the ones they have had with SSM years ago. Andrea Gerada, SSM class of 2018 and a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, along with Seleena Jarligo, SSM class of 2014 and a graduate of Western University, are precious gems in SSM’s treasure chest of students. Looking back at themselves as SSM Seniors, they are generous with advice, imparting a few words of wisdom to you and I.

AND

SSM ALUMNI

As someone who envisions the next chapters of her life, whether it be university or her 20s, Seleena informs us that things don’t always turn out how you expect them to be – and it isn’t the end of the world. Her advice: “I think what's meant for you works out in the end. There's an element of being adaptable and flexible, because situations will change as life throws you curveballs.” For Andrea, someone who was warned that “writing is daunting” and “print is dead”, she has still never once lost sight of her lifelong dream to craft stories. As she starts the chapter of making her dream a reality, her advice is: “life is so much clearer when you approach things from a place of passion.” Closing and beginning new chapters is never easy, but that does not mean it is impossible. As we close off S.Y. 2021-2022 and approach a new year, let us remember that looking forward to the new does not mean forgetting the old.

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STAFF SECRETS

THE SECRETS BEHIND SSM’S STAFF…SHH!

MS. LEIGH BY: LONGFEI JU

Ms. Leigh — the leading lady that welcomes the newest members of the SSM student community. Admitting new students into school is no easy job, yet she handles the responsibility with grace. Arranging tours and reviewing applications are Ms. Leigh’s top tasks during application season, and with every question a parent has about SSM, Ms. Leigh ensures none of them go unanswered. So, how does Ms. Leigh successfully enrol students into SSM and how was she able to do this during the pandemic?

For someone who claims themselves not-so tech-savvy, having admissions digitally administered was a challenge. Nonetheless, no setback was too difficult for Ms. Leigh as she eventually mastered platforms like Google Meet and Google Calendar. She does still look forward to face-to-face admissions where things like her daily routine can go back to normal. Did you know she plays the National Anthems and school song every morning? When face-to-face classes finally become 5 times a week, Ms. Leigh will be truly ecstatic to hear students singing again! With the new school year right around the corner, there have been a myriad of new applicants and Ms. Leigh is right on top of it! “Our enrollment is just around the corner and we have a lot to prepare for!” She is truly ready to welcome both new and returning students back for physical classes!

This individual needs no introduction. With her great impact on SSM for over 11 years, she is none other than Ms. Beng — a true pillar of the SSM community!

MS. BENG BY: CHESCA LAUCHENGCO

As an Administrative Assistant, it is Ms. Beng's duty to ensure that no calls are left unanswered. "I believe that I act as the pathway to connect the parents to the school.” The constant interaction has given her the opportunity to converse with individuals of various backgrounds, while also staying fully aware of the affairs inside of the school. Usually, Ms. Beng starts her morning by jotting down her tasks in a notebook: replying to emails, printing important documents, monitoring bus routes, sending out cupcakes for birthdays, and giving announcements during the morning ceremony. According to her, there hasn't been much change since the pandemic hit except for the minimal interaction she has with parents and students. “We have to accept the changes that are happening. Eventually, you get used to it.”

Finally, Ms. Beng shared: "My secret to being an Administrative Assistant? Learn to listen to the people around you, and have a lot of patience – especially with the kids. But most of all, love, love, love what you're doing."

SIR CHEVY

BY: CHESCA LAUCHENGCO

Problems with your computer? Your internet suddenly slowing down? Who you gonna call? Sir Chevy! Meet Singapore School Manila, Clark, and Green Campus' sole IT Technician responsible for ensuring the optimal performance of all technical equipment. Without Sir Chevy, the facilitation of school events, hyflex setup, and online teaching would not be possible. With this being said, what is Sir Chevy's secret to being in charge of handling the devices of the school?

While usually hidden behind a screen, Sir Chevy's workload varies depending on the day. As his mornings unfold, he's typically greeted with support requests from teachers asking for his aid to fix their devices or internet connectivity. You can likewise spot him in the corner of the room during any school event, managing the sound system and flipping through presentations. However, one challenge that had occurred while adjusting to the Hyflex setup was completely adapting the classrooms to the new system. Currently, he has been tasked to create a new layout system where another ICT room is going to be introduced. So, what is his secret to balancing it all at once? Well, according to Sir Chevy, it's simple! "IT officers like me should have good problem solving skills. They should be knowledgeable in their field so that problems can be easily diagnosed, adaptable, and carry a sense of willingness to learn as technology is always evolving." Unlike the ever-changing technology that Sir Chevy has dedicated his work to, we are confident that his passion towards helping the SSM community will never waver. If there’s one person who sparks creativity in the SSM community, it would definitely be our very own Graphic Designer – Sir Lester! On a daily basis, Sir Lester travels to school on his motorcycle where he has his hearty breakfast and jumpstarts his computer in the Library. He later checks and responds to emails or messages for any new updates.

SIR LESTER BY: CHESCA LAUCHENGCO

Sir Lester's daily tasks are often unpredictable as he assists in the many different aspects that bring events to life. As a graphic designer, his main role – and favorite part of the job – is to brainstorm ideas and create posters or flyers that bring attention to SSM’s school events. According to Sir Lester, “When I see my work get printed, it’s a satisfying feeling for me!” Since the ongoing pandemic, Sir Lester has experienced little to no change in his workflow. "I can work as long as I have the files on my computer and online connection!" he stated. His secret to staying creative and motivated? Well, to Sir Lester there is none! "Just persevere and have patience. It is one's resourcefulness and creativity that aids in the creation of a quality piece of work." as he puts it. In his perspective, this is what also makes his job special. "You are responsible for thinking of a design solution to a problem that can work in many ways." For the past 3 years, Sir Lester has indeed worked hard, using natural knack for design for the good of the school. Keep up the good work, Sir!

SPECIAL FEATURES

DEAR SSM,

H HO OW WC CA AN N II TTR RA AN NS SIITTIIO ON N TTO O......?? WRITTEN BY: VANESSA WONG

School is a lot about moving up, but that does not mean you have to experience it in the dark! Some fellow upperclassmen are here to share a few words of wisdom as they have moved up throughout the years.

DEAR SSM, HOW CAN I TRANSITION TO S1?

DEAR SSM, HOW CAN I TRANSITION TO S3?

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MOVING TO SECONDARY? WHAT DO I STUDY DURING THE BREAK TO MAKE S1 EASIER FOR ME?

Mentally preparing to work more in Secondary 1 than Primary 6 is a great way to equip yourself for the transition! Start acquainting yourselves with your textbooks as early as possible so you can get a grasp of what to expect when school starts. Mind setting for the new lessons will also effectively help you internalize them easier when they are eventually taught to you in class! It also helps to review topics from Primary 6 to strengthen your stock knowledge. However, do remember that mentally preparing also means to enjoy the break to relieve yourself from stress. This way, by the time Secondary 1 rolls around, you are well-rested and ready!

DID TRANSITIONING FROM S2 TO S3 FEEL DRASTIC OR EASY? WHAT WERE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN S2 AND S3? S3 is like a fresh routine. The workload is significantly more and different, because this time, you get to have electives. While this is a great way to specialize into your strengths and interests, lesser subjects does not mean lesser work! Prepare yourselves to have more intensely-packed artwork assignments or Literature essays should you choose those subjects. S3 is where things get more serious, since you start thinking about college applications in the near future. So, equip yourselves with a more serious attitude when it comes to school!

DEAR SSM, HOW CAN I TRANSITION TO IB?

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE IN THE START OF IBDP1 WHERE THE ADJUSTMENT PERIOD IS THE MOST CHALLENGING AND DISCOURAGING?

Be kind to yourself! Remember that every IB student starts their journey in the program with a little bit of a culture shock, so these feelings of discouragement are normal and part of the process. Some practical advice would be to start developing the habit of staying on top of your work by doing it immediately before it piles up and becomes too difficult to juggle. By adapting to the business of the program with the right work ethic, you can more easily grasp the program's demands. However, remember that along the way, these feelings of discouragement and unfamiliarity will resurface. In these moments, though it may not be clear just yet, there will always be avenues and opportunities for growth and self-discovery. So, trust the process and most importantly, trust yourself! You will eventually get the hang of it, just like every IB student has.

IT SEEMS THAT THE BIGGEST PART OF THE TRANSITION FROM SECONDARY TO PREUNIVERSITY IS THE NEED FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY. HOW CAN WE KEEP OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AND REMAIN DISCIPLINED?

While self-discipline is the key to successfully studying independently, it isn’t easy to harness the skill. It is best to eliminate distractions by, for example, putting your gadgets away or restricting sites to stop yourself from getting sidetracked. Your designated work space also plays a part in setting your mind to working mode. Besides keeping it clean and conducive, separating it from your leisure space will help you determine when it’s time to work and rest. At the root of it, however, selfdiscipline comes with the right mindset and attitude. At the end of the 2 years when you can finally look back at what you’ve accomplished, it will be rewarding to see all your hard work pay off. Let this kind of outlook motivate you during the times self-discipline seems to be unachievable, because it can be done!

SPECIAL FEATURES

THE POWER OF BELIEF:

A FILM REVIEW ON ‘SCHUMACHER’ PENNY By: Aanvi Bagga FOR YOUR THOUGHTS? Hear SSM's writers' two cents on their favorite topics! A safe space for SSM’s talented writers, “Penny For Your Thoughts” is a platform where we shine a light on the many ways with words SSM’s students have! Read their pieces and get inspired!

Interested in writing for PFYT? Look out for openings and applications soon!

Formula One is one of the world's most prestigious motor racing sports, full of thrills, action, and intense drama. Today, the world of motor racing has advanced to new heights, and many new drivers are entering the sport to create a name for themselves and leave their mark. Regardless of whichever team or driver you support, there is only one name who nearly everyone believes redefined the entire definition of brilliance in Formula One: Michael Schumacher. ‘Schumacher’, which was made available on Netflix on September 15, 2021, is a documentary mainly about how a four-year-old boy knows exactly what he wants to be: a Formula One racer. This tenacious and skilful yet underprivileged driver would often fish for old and worn tyres out of the garbage and reuse them on his own kart to win races. Though he had humble beginnings, his pure talent, along with the support of his family and wife, pushed him to make a name for himself in the racing industry. I believe the film was able to capture the audience's interest right away since it clearly showcased some of Schumacher's most important successes: the 1994 and 1995 world titles. However, the film is not only focused on his achievements, but it actually dives deep into his true and difficult battle in 1996 when he joined Ferrari as a driver. Although, I find that it would have been better if the film had featured more footage of Schumacher’s genuine struggle and perseverance, as I believe there were limited clips of those instances in 1996.

Moreover, the documentary reveals how despite all of Schumacher’s efforts and attempts made by the team to extend his lead in the battle, they failed to snatch the title and crashed 10 laps before the finish line. Schumacher was also disqualified from the Championship run that year after colliding with a competitor's car. The film then goes on to explain how he endured the same fate in 1998 and 1999, losing multiple races and championships. However, one thing I believe the film did excellent at was to still bring an element of suspense to those racing sequences, which made the whole mood incredibly exciting. Rather than only displaying behind-the-scenes footage of the driver's life, the filmmakers also added a personal touch to the film by showcasing important voices who played a significant role in Schumacher's journey. Figures such as his family, former teammates, mentors, and competitors were included in the film to depict both Schumacher’s skill and personality from a personal level – an element that humanizes the legend that is Michael Schumacher. However, the film does not exactly have a happy ending as it shows Schumacher remaining in a coma after being hospitalised in critical condition following a skiing accident in 2013. Ultimately, this demonstrated that with continuous prosperity comes downfall as well, which I believe was a central theme of the film.

One of the best aspects of this documentary, in my opinion, is how smoothly it transitions across all Schumacher’s achievements and setbacks: his early successes, his rollercoaster ride with Ferrari, to finally, his legendary years of making history by winning seven World Championships. What I enjoy best about this film is that it was able to achieve its primary goal of imparting the message that the components of personal and professional success are hard work, faith, consistency, and perseverance — all captured through the life and journey of Schumacher himself.

All in all, this documentary effectively depicted Schumacher's victories, failures, and life lessons throughout his life and profession. It aims to inspire today's youth by presenting Schumacher's battling spirit and determination to be on top. What we can learn from this film is that no matter what obstacles life may throw at us, be it poverty, pressure, stress, or even failures, we should continue to stay focused and believe that when the right time comes, everything will fall into place.

MEET THE WRITER Aanvi Bagga is an incoming S4 student who writes to express her views and feelings. When she isn't busy completing assignments, she takes care of her pet hamsters and attempts new and exciting recipes. Given her passion for the sport, it wouldn't be surprising if she was named, “The World's Greatest Human Encyclopaedia of Formula 1”. In the future, she intends to pursue a medical career as she enjoys the sciences and maths.

SPECIAL FEATURES

THE LEGEND OF GENJI,

BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL By: Ashank Sundaram

“The Legend of Genji” is a web novel/manga released on Webtoons. It was created to expand beyond the current canon material released by Avatar Studios, the studio responsible for creating one of my favourite series from my childhood. Titles such as “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “Avatar: The Legend of Korra” are under their belt. However, if you happen to wonder what exactly these titles are, I got you. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “Avatar: The Legend of Korra” are Nickelodeon owned shows that present the world of “bending”. In the Avatar universe, nearly everyone possesses this fantastical power that allows them to mould one of the elements of their world: Water, Earth, Fire and Air. However, a character called the “Avatar” is the only one able to control all 4! There are currently 2 shows released by Nickelodeon. The first in the series is “Avatar: The Last Airbender” which portrays the story of Avatar Aang travelling with his team of friends to defeat a corrupt leader. The second in the Avatar franchise is “Avatar: The Legend of Korra” which revolves around the main character, Avatar Korra, as she attempts to fix political issues and heal broken bonds between nations.

Now, we have “The Legend of Genji”, an unofficial, fan-made spin-off of both these series. The reason it was initially created was because the last time us Avatar fans got a show was in 2016, and we couldn’t wait any longer to get any new content. “The Legend of Genji” picks up around 14 years after the death of Avatar Korra, and this story revolves around, you guessed it, Genji! Genji is a humble repair-man for automobiles, living in the city of Jinsha, a desert city on the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom. Though only a few chapters have been released, I believe this series has a lot of potential. This is why:

“Avatar: The Legend of Genji” is fantastic at worldbuilding. Right off the bat, the exposition already captures our attention with the lore of the new bending elements. One of the main ones is Sand bending, a subset of Earth bending that Genji has basic control over. With reference to "The Legend of Genji"’s own Wiki site, the new and fresh aspects of the plot are great indicators of this series’ worldbuilding potential. Next, “The Legend of Genji” has perfectly managed to nail down a time skip. If you don’t know what a time skip is, it is when an author takes the liberty to skip a set amount of time in the story. This is done to expose details about what happened during that specific time skip as the story keeps rolling. It effectively creates better character arcs as it highlights the contrast and evolution in certain characters. “The Legend of Genji” has applied this concept and technique without sacrificing the quality of storytelling that us readers may have enjoyed if it was told to us chronologically. Let’s circle back to “The Legend of Korra”, which “The Legend of Genji” is aiming to supersede. The plot of TLOK mainly focuses on fixing political issues between nations and stopping villains from ruining the bonds between nations. TLOK abruptly ended after the conflict was resolved. In TLOG, the writer is able to write more into how the conflict was resolved, which TLOK did not go into so much. “The Legend of Genji” made me feel satisfied with the plot, which is something I’ve never had from any other fan-made series. I am happy I can enjoy my favorite series being brought into more modern times, while still being able to follow along from where the original plot left off. The type of exposition and worldbuilding in “The Legend of Genji” is the reason I hold this series in such high regard. I would recommend it to nearly every Avatar fan that has been eagerly waiting for something new like me.

MEET THE WRITER Ashank is an S3 student who is known among his classmates for his confident and people-oriented personality. Known for his presence in HMCA, he is always ready to let his enriching insights and opinions speak through his work.

SPECIAL FEATURES

BARBIE: A FEMINIST?

By: Saira Saundh

"My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices." — Ruth Handler, Inventor of Barbie Dolls Barbara Millicent Roberts, better known as Barbie, is a fashion doll launched in the 1960s by the American company Mattel, that has now become a common household name as its popularity has picked up throughout the years. For its time, Barbie was a groundbreaking invention and thus it captured the attention of girls throughout the globe. While many see her as a feminist icon and source of empowerment to young girls, she still has been the grounds of several controversies throughout the years. With this, a question arises — is Barbie truly a feminist? With the slogan, “You Can Be Anything”, Barbie has taken over a wide range of careers over the years: an astronaut, race car driver, the first American female president — you name it! Through her diverse occupations and academic achievements, Barbie empowers young girls to break the typical female gender role by becoming anything they want to be. At the same time, however, she also inspires them with the message that achieving a great deal is indeed possible without having to sacrifice their femininity. By presenting Barbie as a multidimensional being that is both ambitious and girly at the same time, the doll company combats the stereotype that girls must choose between beauty and brains — as they are often conditioned by society to do so.

Alongside this, the Barbie franchise can be said to successfully promote feminism without demeaning men and erasing them from the narrative — a criticism that most feminist movements face. By introducing Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend, the company tells girls that having a partner does not necessarily take away from their independence and individuality, and that they can continue to take center stage in their lives, in command of their own actions and decisions.

However, on the flip side, Barbie is no stranger to being harshly criticized by society. By far, the biggest criticism Barbie faces is that she promotes unattainable beauty standards and white supremacy to young girls. Her perfect blue-eyed, blonde-haired, and flawless hourglass body suggests that she was created with the intention to satisfy the male gaze — meaning she purposefully projects a fantasized version of a woman, which ultimately leads to their objectification and dehumanization in society. Although Barbie has recently launched dolls that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, for the longest time, the face of the company was an unrealistic ideal of what girls should aspire to look like, which perhaps is a cause for many parents to overlook Mattel’s advocacy. But with all this said, we must question if Barbie, a mere toy company, is deserving of such negative claims. Sure, there can be more inclusivity and representation, but should her body size or fondness for fashion trump her professional achievements? For the most part, young kids cannot conceptualize things like beauty standards and colorism, so to completely dismiss a toy that encourages imagination and creativity may be somewhat uncalled for.

In the end, perhaps the question isn’t whether or not Barbie is a feminist, but rather if society has unecessarily projected its own constructs and insecurities onto a toy doll. As a company, Barbie owes us, consumers, nothing. Considering we live in a more socially and politically aware world, the company can still do better by adapting to modern social norms and addressing the high demand for companies to uphold a more conscious outlook on the toys they create. At the end of the day, the toy industry plays a great role in shaping the thoughts and beliefs of young boys and girls. It is then and only then can we confidently say that Barbie is deserving of being called a feminist.

MEET THE WRITER Saira is an incoming student at the University of Toronto, wherein she plans to study commerce to pursue her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Aside from feminism, Saira is always up for a conversation about anything with the likes of music, art, and culture!

SPECIAL FEATURES

SPRING SOIREE : By: Elle Sy

AN EVENT TO REMEMBER

Meeting new people has proven to be a challenge amidst the pandemic but nothing too hard for the students of Singapore Schools! The Spring Soirée, organized by Singapore School Manila’s Bayanihan Student Council and Singapore School Clark’s Pupil Council, took place last June 1, 2022. Students from both campuses took part in a variety of games, won prizes, and most of all, got to know each other. Let's hear about their experiences:

What was your favorite part about the event? My favorite part was when we played the games! It was very fun to interact with different people. - Carl Lim, S1B SSC

The event in general was pretty fun! The Spyfall game was funny because I didn’t expect one of my friends to be the spy. I liked that I was able to interact with students from a sister school since the pandemic has made it hard to get to know other people. - Savannah Go, S2A SSM

Can you recall a memory from the event where you interacted with someone from another school? I was able to interact with fellow students from our sister school during the Spyfall game. We worked together to figure out who the spy was! - Kenji Mikhail Maquiling, S3A SSC

Do you believe that inter school events between sister schools generate a better sense of camaraderie? Yes! Through this, I got to know the SSC students better. I'm also friends with one of them now — Blake, I see you! - Jaelyn Soliman, S3A SSM Yes, it’s good as the students from both schools get to know each other better. - Blake Lagon, S3B SSC

Would you want more inter school events? Perhaps you can suggest an interaction you would like to participate in! Definitely! I enjoyed the overall format of the games. Maybe we give others the chance to talk to each other and share contact details next time! - Savannah Go, S2A SSM

What would you like to tell other students to further encourage them to join interschool events? Don't get nervous! It's really fun and with just a little bit of confidence, it would feel like you've all known each other for ages. There's this sense of instant comfort that makes you feel welcome in events like these. - Martina Isidro, S2A SSM

NEWS FEATURE

SSM WRAPPED BEHIND EACH ISSUE: WRAPPING UP THIS YEAR’S

MERLION TIMES

By: Sophie Policarpio

The Merlion Times Editorial Board has been producing issues packed with student experiences, school news updates, and everything in between, giving the entire SSM community interesting perspectives to know and learn about. This year was the first time the school newsletter was managed by SSM students, and their hard work is reflected in every issue. When the Editorial Board was first formed, Christiana Reyes, the Editor-in-Chief, said, “[they] didn't have a template or a system in place to draw ideas from,” making the production of the first issue overwhelming in the beginning. Before writing, members of the Board undergo several preliminary steps that many do not see: intensive brainstorming sessions, formal pitch meetings, scheduling interviews, and more. In reality, creating an issue for the newsletter meant having to take note of even the “small” details like color scheme or font, which actually contributes greatly to the appeal of the newsletter. Indeed, the newsletter production process is not a walk in the park. But the Editorial Board has grown over the school year and a lot of initial challenges have turned into advantages. Despite students from different year levels having to comfortably work together, Alexi Manzano, the Board’s Managing Editor, shares that “having a level of diversity really helps in motivating each member because everyone plays a special role within the team.” By stepping out of their comfort zones, the members have gained collaboration and communication skills, both of which have helped the 3 departments, News, Special Features, and Layout, function effectively. From acquiring leadership qualities, building stronger connections, to better connecting with the SSM community, the members can all agree that these have been meaningful parts of working in the Editorial Board. As both new and old members of the Editorial Board face another school year, they look forward to producing quality newsletters with fresher ideas for the whole SSM community to enjoy. Some advice for next year’s members? Don’t be overwhelmed — take it one day at a time! Remember to be flexible and accept that spontaneity can sometimes be beneficial in the creative process. As Christiana puts it, “placing no limit on your creative thinking is essential to generating innovative writing that anyone can appreciate.”

NEWS FEATURE

EXTRACURRICULARS & EXTRAORDINARY STUDENTS!

SSM’S

By: Vince Go and Kyle Bayron SSM has always been a place for more than just learning. Here, students are highly encouraged to join in any of the school’s constantly evolving set of extracurriculars. Debate, Python programming, photography and basic filmmaking — the list of SSM’s clubs goes on and on, certainly piquing the interest of any student willing to try something new. With the school year coming to a close, it is time to shine a light on the students that have been developing new skills and have them share what they enjoyed the most in their afterschool activities. Python programming and “Little Coders” were clubs dedicated to the basics of coding, giving the opportunity for young students to discover a love for binary language at a young age. Primary 4 student, Adrika Sinha, thoroughly enjoyed learning to code some of her favorite games in the Python program. “I learnt how to make the classics: Snake and Flappy Bird. It was really interesting learning the fundamentals of game design, and I was really lucky that my teacher was kind enough to guide me through each stage of development.” To practise one’s language and literacy skills, students could enroll in Spanish for Kids or Reading Circles. For the more eloquent speakers, Debate club was a popular choice to put their argumentative skills to the test. A live debate showdown took place online — finally time to showcase their talents on the big stage. While many students commonly shared about their nervousness speaking in front of an audience, all of them could agree that they walked away from the showcase full of adrenaline.

For the artistically-inclined students, SSM offers painting and photography plus basic filmmaking classes. Samira Castro from Secondary 2 shares that through her photography classes, she’s come to appreciate the previously mundane aspects of her home. “Playing around with angles and framing has led me to find beauty in the most unexpected of places.” These next two activities have cemented themselves as well-loved extracurriculars that must be in every school year: Piano and Taekwondo. Dublyn Ty of the Primary 4 levels, shares that learning piano at school has turned into a family bonding experience. “What I enjoyed the most about my piano lessons was getting home and being able to show my parents what I learned that day, and if they had time, even teaching them how to do it as well.”

Without question, SSM’s expansive list of extracurricular activities has enabled many students to find new joys and interests for themselves. Expanding one’s skills and learning from some of SSM’s teachers, there is no downside to signing up for an activity. Looking forward to what clubs are available for next school year!

TO REACH THE FINAL CHAPTER — SSM'S PRE-UNIVERSITY

FINAL DAYS

By: Massi Chua

It’s that time of the year! From May to June, the seniors have been capping off a splendid two years in their respective programs by focusing on their culminating activities before their final farewell to high school life. The IBDP students showcased their work in the program’s core trio subjects: the Extended Essays (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Exhibitions and a Creativity Activity Service (CAS) experience. Aside from this, the seniors had their very own Senior Teach-Out — a day dedicated to passing on off-the-book knowledge to the next generation of students. As for the Cambridge students, they ended the year with the Project Wheel, an internship with various companies to hone their skills, followed by their Creativity, Sports, Community (CSC) Presentations where they explain the experiences they accomplished over two years. The EE poster presentations culminate the end of the 2year process for a 4000-word essay on a subject chosen by the student. The IBDP students were tasked with converting their EE into a poster — diverting from the usual presentations to capture the audiences’ attention while giving bite-sized information. The TOK Exhibition involves the presentation of 3 different objects chosen by students that relate to their given prompt, provoking challenging questions to both the audience and presenter alike. Seniors of the IBDP then display their CAS experiences, displaying the capabilities of the IB students while completing a rigorous course. Lastly, the Senior Teach-Out, the only non-IBDP requirement, highlights the skills all IB students mastered throughout their 2 years — helping the incoming IB students with tips and tricks to succeed while simultaneously sharing about their personal experiences in the IB household.

As for the Cambridge students, they were given the month-long task of interning at highly-esteemed companies: Unilever, Mondelez, Ateneo Art Gallery and the British Council. From developing marketing materials to analyzing E-Commerce trends, the “Project Wheel” covered a wide range of business-related topics in different fields — allowing the seniors to glimpse the different careers that they could possibly pursue. Afterwards, all the Cambridge students prepared for their CSC Presentations — wherein a handful of future PreUniversity students, along with different subject teachers, tuned in to listen to the extracurricular experiences each student accomplished over the course of two years. Truly, the seniors of SSM have stayed resilient throughout their final years in SSM despite having to adjust from online learning back to face-to-face classes. Both Teacher Denise and Teacher Eduard, the heads of the IB and Cambridge departments respectively, want the seniors to know that they are both proud of all their accomplishments in their last years in SSM.

NEWS FEATURES

SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, GOODBYE! nity, Dear SSM Commu

Before ending this school year, the Student Council of S.Y. 2021-2022, Bayanihan, bids a heartfelt farewell to the entire SSM community. To Bayanihan, thank you for your unwavering dedication to service!

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SPECIAL FEATURES

FRESH OFF THE BOAT THE STUDENT COUNCIL OF ARE

S.Y. 2022-2023

FRESH OFF THE BOAT! By: Gabby Rosales

Among the many things we can look forward to next school year is the newly elected Student Council! Get to know Christian Kawsek, Vanessa Wong, Gia Co, Longfei Ju, Chesca Lauchengco, and Emil Hernandez and what they are anticipating in the year ahead…

What do you currently feel having obtained this new position?

What are you most excited for next year, with your new position?

I feel surprised that the student body deems my party suitable for the Student council. Nonetheless, I have high hopes that the power of my position could change the SSM community.

We've been planning to bring back old events SSM couldn't hold due to the pandemic. We're also looking forward to coordinating with other Singapore Schools, which I think is pretty exciting! - Gia Co, External Vice President

- Vanessa Wong, Internal Vice President

Is there anything that you would like to see for the future of SC? Share it with us! I hope that the incoming Student Council can continue serving the SSM community with love and compassion. I can promise that we’ll try our best to ensure events that will satisfy and bring all aspects of the community together! - Chesca Lauchengco, Level Representative

What message would you like to tell the SSM community students to further excite them for the new SC plans? We are pleased to announce exciting new events and activities at SSM. We will do our very best to make the school year enjoyable! - Emil Hernandez, Level Representative

Look out everyone — new events and changes are coming. Whether it be bringing back old events or creating new ones, we are sure to take your suggestions and ideas when planning and executing events. - Christian Kawsek, President

We have a lot in store for you, so look forward to it! - Longfei Ju, Secretary

WHEN WHEN BY: ALEXI MANZANO OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS... KNOCKS...LET LET IT IT IN! IN!

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS THIS SUMMER? Looking for ways to keep active and artistic this summer? Look no further — this article has got you covered! For this edition of When Opportunity Knocks, we delve into all sorts of activities YOU can do in the summer. From extracurricular activities to university preparation, we cover it!

JOIN A CLUB — BETTER YET, START ONE!

With the extra time on your hands, club or youth organizations are great ways to meet and connect with other people your age — something we definitely all need amidst the online barriers. Be sure to search your social media platforms for any youth organizations with open applications. However, if you can’t find any that just quite sparks your interest, round up a few interested people and don’t be afraid to start your own! From youth organization to local swim team to online book club, the choices for your unique summer project are endless!

TAKE AN ONLINE SUMMER CLASS Joining a summer class, whether online or face-toface, is a productive way to spend summer break. Many universities offer summer classes — some even free! — which you can utilize to learn new skills or further hone your interests. If you are eyeing a certain university already, take up any opportunity they can offer prospective undergraduates. Who knows? Eventually putting it on your college application could make you a standout candidate!

UNIVERSITY HUNTING

Speaking of university, it is never too early to start preparing, whether you are an S3 or incoming IBDP1 student! The biggest mistake anyone can make when entering the rabbit hole of university preparations is underestimating the time you need. Remember that taking the first step by reflecting on where you see yourself in the future is already a great way to get the ball rolling. Here are two tips to help you get started: 1. Live life through the screen — watch YouTube videos for inspiration! An emerging trend on Youtube is university students vlogging the days of their lives. Sometimes, all you need is a spark of excitement to shrug off the nerves and get you ready to start preparing. The best insight into student life at specific universities is from the students themselves. So start living vicariously through your favorite student vloggers and simultaneously acquaint yourselves with the university playing field ! 2. Keep a running record. Once you have researched enough and have a few universities in mind, keep track of them on a Google Sheet! Think about what factors you need to consider when determining your dream school. Is it location and weather? Student life and population? Scholarship options? Organizing all of this in a document will allow you to clearly weigh different universities with each other until you finally arrive at the perfect, unique choice for YOU.

TEST YOUR WITS! PICTURE GRID PUZZLE!

The numbers in the topmost and leftmost of each grid represents the number of shaded squares present in that column/row respectively. Find the hidden image!

The hidden image is: _____________

WANT TO WIN PRIZES? There are 3 simple steps!

STEP 1: COMPLETE BOTH picture grids and GUESS what the hidden images are!

STEP 2: Send a clear photo of your answers to merliontimes@singaporeschoolmanila.com.ph.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE'S WINNERS! KATE LI AND ELLA ORTIZ

STEP 3: The FIRST to send the CORRECT answers win PRIZES! Prizes are first-come-first-serve, so be sure to send them quickly!

THE EDITORIAL BOARD Meet the Editors behind the Merlion Times Newsletter

OUR MISSION

CHRISTIANA REYES Editor-in-chief

ALEXI MANZANO Managing Editor

VANESSA WONG

Junior E.I.C and M.Editor

To reinvent and elevate the Merlion Times publication to engage readers of all backgrounds and interests. As a team, we strive to promote SSM school spirit and togetherness in times of uncertainty and separation.

GET IN TOUCH Any feedback or questions? Looking for ways YOU can contribute? KYLE BAYRON

Senior News Editor

CHARLY LAM

ABIGAIL CO

Junior News Editor

EMAIL merliontimes@singaporeschoolmanila.com.ph

INSTAGRAM @merliontimes

GABBY ROSALES

ELLE SY

CHESCA LAUCHENGCO

Senior Special Features Editor

Junior Special Features Editor

CHARINA ANGGALA SIMYUNG SIOW

ERIN TENG

Junior Layout Editor

Photo Editor

Senior Layout Editor

CONTRIBUTORS PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS CONTRIBUTORS: Aanvi Bagga, Secondary 3 Ashank Sundaram, Secondary 3 Saira Saundh, IBDP2

SPECIAL FEATURES CONTRIBUTORS

NEWS CONTRIBUTORS Ella Ortiz, Secondary 3 Vince Go, A Level Massi Chua, IBDP2 Jaelyn Soliman, Secondary 3 Luigi Diong, Secondary 3

Sophie Policarpio, Secondary 3 Shirin Saundh, Secondary 2 Bruce Ju, Secondary 4 Martina Isidro, Secondary 2

COVER ARTIST FEATURE: DANI TANCHAY

''SETTING ON'' The end of this year is approaching, and after all we've been through we have the tools to set on and face bigger difficulties.