Merlion Times (Volume 15 Issue 1)

Official Newsletter of Singapore School Manila

MERLI

THE MERLION TIMES

Brought to you by the Merlion Times Editorial Board

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

WHAT'S 03

SSM's First Ever Service

05

It's The Little Things – A Love Letter to SSM's Staff

07

Ahoy New Students Welcome Aboard

08

Pilipino: Ang Ating Pambansang Wika

09

A Lesson in Language and a Class in Culture

11

Tricks and Treats - SSM Halloween Event

13

Service: Catalyst for change

17

30

The Secret Behind SSM's Staff - Shhh!

Did You Know?

18

31

Fresh of the Boat

When opportunity knocks

19

33 Test your Wits

23

35 Editorial Board & Contributors

SSM in Action

Penny For your thoughts

INSIDE

NEWS

SSM’S FIRST EVER

SERVICE FAIR

BY: KYLE BAYRON

Students are more than just their grades – always have been, always will be. That is the very principle that the IB CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) and Cambridge CSC (Creativity, Sports, and Community) programmes are based on. CAS & CSC are pre-university requirements designed to develop students to be more than just book-smart, through creative, physical, and community service experiences. Service has typically been the strand many students struggle with, especially while confined to the 4 walls of their homes. And so, an idea was born — the SSM Service Fair.

August 31, 2021 marks the first of many SSM Service Fairs. A fully-booked day devoted to deepening the grade 11 and grade 12 students' understanding of service whilst improving their CSC and CAS portfolios. By inviting 8 unique charitable organisations to come and meet the students, SSM hopes to give students the opportunity for an authentic and fruitful experience in service and the chance to be a part of something much much bigger than themselves.

SSM’S FIRST EVER S E R V I C E F A I R The day started off with a very moving talk by the opening speaker, Maria Fatima “Girlie” GarciaLorenzo, better known as the cofounder of Kythe — a non-profit organisation that aims to improve the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer.

Ms. Fatima, or “Ate Girlie”, shared a personal experience handling a young child with cancer named Paul. It was an emotional story of how she grew close to Paul and how his subsequent passing now fuels her in her everyday life.

Her message helped frame the importance of service for many of the PreUniversity students. The idea that the most effective and fruitful community service experiences are those that stem from a place of passion — out of desire, not obligation.

SERVICE FAIR The students actively participated in each breakout session with the invited organisations. As expected, they were greeted by a number of new SSM PreUniversity volunteers added to their team!

The Service Fair was a huge success with many students having gained a newfound appreciation for the very fortunate lives they live. From storytelling, fundraising, planting, and more, there are a myriad of ways that the students can find their own avenue to serve.

NEWS

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS – A LOVE LETTER TO SSM'S STAFF

BY: CHARLY LAM Singapore School Manila appreciates all its teachers and staff, and that’s why this day is oh so special for everyone! From October 4 to 8, 2021, SSM held a week-long World Teacher’s Day celebration with the beloved Student Council taking the lead.

What better opportunity to thank SSM's teaching and non-teaching staff for their constant hard work and dedication than through this event?

Before all the fun and festivities began, “room service” menus were sent out to the staff a week before the event so they could pick out the meal and drink of their choice that they’d like to enjoy as a token of everyone’s appreciation. There is nothing that comes close to the kind of love expressed through food — yum!

Every day of the week, special surprises were planned out for our teachers and staff, with each succeeding surprise greater than the last.

Starting off with Monday, three mystery songs with special significance were handpicked for our teachers. The SC most definitely stayed true to SSM favorites: “Don’t Stop Believin”, “CAN'T STOP THE FEELING!”, and “September”, which collectively spread positive energy to uplift the spirits of our hardworking teachers and staff. On Tuesday, special gifts in the form of heartwarming notes were prepared and placed in a jar for the teachers and staff to pick out and read. They even had the chance to win prizes through a mini game of guessing the secret amount of Hershey’s Kisses in a jar!

Moving on to Wednesday and Thursday, poems were written by the Student Council and dedicated towards our teachers to brighten their mornings with words of love and encouragement. Finally, for the last day, a heartfelt video created by the Student Council brought together all the class leaders to express our thankfulness towards the teachers. It was the final and most special surprise for our teaching and non-teaching staff who were delighted to see so many student faces again.

“I miss the students, hoping the pandemic will end so that you all can be back to school. I miss you all so much!”

- Ate Anna

“I would like to say thank you to all the students, they love us, they even make a video for anyone. I really appreciate it. I love and miss the students so much. May God guide all of you always, stay safe everyone! See you soon!"

- Ate Rona

“I felt the love and respect of the students. Despite our current situation of not seeing each other physically, I’m so touched how the students, under the leadership of the Student Council, really put an effort to make each day of the World Teacher’s Day celebration memorable this year. We miss you all so much!”

- Ms. Beng

TEACHER' S DAY VIDEO

Video Edited by: Miss Annaruth

NEWS

A H O YNEW S T U D E N T S : W E L CO M E A B BY: C

INA ANGGA L HAR

A

&

!

D OAR

SIM

YUNG SIOW

On October 7 and 8, 2021, the Student Council (SC) hosted a New Students Welcoming Party to formally welcome the new students to the SSM community. The event was divided into two parts: one for Primary and another for the Secondary and Pre-University students.

For the 8 new Primary students — Lucas, Reign, Angsen, Jimmy, Reese, Aria, Audrey, and Ki Leung — the SC did a general introduction on who the members of Bayanihan are, followed by a live tour of SSM’s campus. The live tour was hosted by none other than the school's Cambridge and IGCSE coordinator, Teacher Eduard. The students were able to finally catch a glimpse of how face-to-face school life may be, imagining how fun and exciting it would be once everyone is allowed back in school. The SC was delighted to see the new students pose a multitude of questions as they appeared ecstatic to see the campus for the first time ever. After ending the live tour, a surprise video from the Primary class leaders was presented to their respective new students. It was a personal and heartwarming video to welcome all these 8 new students individually, making them feel all the more accepted by their class.

For Secondary and Pre-University, the SC similarly prepared a live tour hosted by T. Eduard once again to greet our next batch of 11 new students: Paige, Franco (Heng Yu), Aragon (Hong Yu), Aanvi, Kate, Mark, Allen, Venice, Anikka, Kelsey, and Elle. The SC had breakout rooms to get to know each one of the new students on a more personal level.

T. EDUARD!

CAMPUS TOUR WITH

In these breakout rooms, the new students shared their first impressions coming into SSM and also caught by surprise from a welcoming video from class leaders. To cap off the event, the students and the SC played an online game, "Gartic Phone", wherein they created hilarious drawings in response to some bizarre sentences.

The pandemic has undoubtedly added an extra layer of challenge for new students to assimilate into their classes. Bayanihan took it upon themselves to meet that need through this delightful event. Indeed, SSM is excited to be welcoming aboard our newest members of the SSM family.

From August 23-27, 2021, the SSM staff put together a celebration that re-opened the students' eyes to the traits and traditions that make the Philippines unlike any other.

PILIPINO: ANG ATING

PAMBANSANG WIKA

For the Nursery to K2 students, they channeled their inner creativity through various activities: flag making, bilao crafting, and even performing 3 traditional Filipino songs — "Tong Tong Tong Pakitong-Kitong", "Kamusta" and the "Gaway - Gaway dance."

The Primary levels, on the other hand, enjoyed decoding the Philippine script, formally known as Baybayin. They even furthered their understanding of Filipino culture by partcipating in an online meeting with Bahay Wika – an organization aiming to open society’s eyes to the overlooked indigenous tribes of the Philippines.

On the final day, the Secondary to Pre-University students sat through an informative online cultural immersion with Ms. Jeslie Del Ayre-Luza, the Senior Language Researcher and Programme Coordinator of Bahay Wika, and Ms. Rebecca C. Reyes, Tribal Affairs Assistant of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples in Bataan and member of the Ayta Magbukun tribe.

Ms. Jeslie Del Ayre-Luza shared how the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino were actively campaigning to preserve the interests of indigenous tribes, like the Ayta Magbukun. From legislations to school programmes, her work ensured that these indigenous tribes would be able to continue to survive in the growing digital age.

BY: ABI CO

Ms. Rebecca unveiled the beauty of the Ayta Magbukun culture by presenting a video of some of their community's traditional dances. She also surprised the students with a live performance of an Ayta love song.

From crafting activities to traditional performances, this event has been a successful exploration of the diverse Filipino identity. It is without a doubt that the students enjoyed the well-planned activities that the school had to offer.

To help celebrate Araw Ng Wika, the Merlion Times interviewed several Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) on their insights as to how they believe the Filipino identity can be better preserved. Who better to point out what makes the Philippines special than those who have lived a life outside of it?

"Returning To Their Roots: Conversations with OFWs – Our Modern Day Heroes"

Video Edited by Cambridge A Level Student: Althea Baluyut

NEWS

A LESSON

IN LANGUAGE

& A CLASS

IN CULTURE

BY: CHARLY LAM

From October 18 to 22, 2021, Singapore School Manila celebrated World Culture’s Day, which this year focused on the importance of learning languages to bridge cultural gaps.

This week was filled with a slew of activities, with each one catered perfectly to each grade level. From Preschool to Pre-University, the fun was endless!

Bonjour! The Preschool levels learnt how to say “Good morning!” and “Good bye!” in Spanish, French, Hindi, Japanese and even Korean. Meanwhile, Primary 1 to Primary 6 practiced unique cultural dances, with the Lower Primary having an additional fan-making activity.

To close the week, the Preschool had a reading of stories, followed by a game where students had to name different nationalities’ flags. Next, they did a show-and-tell of their costumes, while practising the greetings they have learnt over the past few days. For the Lower Primary, they were all taught how to make origami fortune tellers, and they danced to Arirang, a traditional Korean dance. For the Upper Primary, they played an Italian game called “Uno Due Tre Stella”, and danced to a traditional Irish dance by the name of Irish Meadow dance. They even learnt unique languages like Japanese, French, and Hindi from SSM's very own student language teachers.

For Secondary 1 to Pre-University students, they had an interactive talk, learning about three unique languages — Japanese, Italian and German. Each speaker gave an in-depth look at iconic aspects of each of these cultures: Germany's rich football history, Japan's famous landmarks, and Italy's delectable dishes. There was even a surprise Kahoot game at the end to test students' recollection.

The Pre-University had an additional part to their day, in the form of a talk by Mr. Javier Rico Israel R. Tionloc, about cultural diversity in the 21st century, particularly its role in offering a better understanding of new perspectives and providing more effective solutions to multilayered global problems.

Au revoir!

さようなら !

Arrivederci!

ADIÓS!

अलविदा!

SSM is truly a large hotpot of cultures. We may all come from different walks of life, but that doesn’t stop us from appreciating one another.

NEWS

TRICKS AND TREATS!

— SSM’S HALLOWEEN

BY: ABI CO EVENT Halloween: a day filled with treats, costumes, parties and spooky stories that would leave you lying awake and scared. Despite being celebrated every year, it is a day that is highly awaited by many individuals, whether it be children, teens, adults — you name it! It just never gets old! In SSM, it is tradition to host an unforgettable Halloween party that would leave students smiling with their bags of treats throughout the entire day!

The pandemic certainly altered the ways of celebrating this holiday, however, that didn’t stop the SSM staff from upholding the thrilling spirit of Halloween! On the morning of October 29th, students from all levels were invited to explore the treasures of the Enchanted Forest, which of course involved an array of mythical creatures that roamed its terrain. It was a Halloween drive-thru!

From 9am onwards, teachers and staff who were dressed in their creative and glamorous costumes, lined up around the school campus to greet the students that drove past to collect their longawaited bag of goodies. Students waved from their cars with smiles upon their faces as they exchanged joyful greetings with teachers. The morning was filled with laughter and joy as this event served as one of the first interactions between the teachers and the student body after what seemed to be years!

After the night had taken over, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm, the students were able to explore what had been said to be haunted landmarks of Intramuros, Balete Drive and the well-renowned University of Sto. Thomas. They listened in on some of the scariest tragedies that took place within the vicinity. It was a night filled with suspense and tension as stories were shared by students and anonymous tellers; the spine-chilling noises of screams, heavy footsteps and the staggered breathing of victims were unforgettable in the student’s minds that night as they lay alone, wrapped in their warm blankets — true signs of a great Halloween night!

Overall, this year’s Halloween was undoubtedly one for the books! From the magical experience in the Enchanted Forest, to the the haunted virtual tour of famous Philippine landmarks, Halloween will continue being one of SSM's beloved events!

HALLOWEEN VIDEO

SPECIAL FEATURE

SERVICE: CATALYST THE

BY: KYLE BAYRON

FOR CHANGE

Why should I serve? Oftentimes, many people have difficulties in understanding the value of service. It’s not that we don’t understand its importance (helping others is always a good thing), but it's that we don’t understand why we should have a service commitment on top of school work, family responsibilities, and other extracurriculars.

However, a service experience is an amazing opportunity — a catalyst for growth. For this issue, the Merlion Times sat down with Ate Nena, Kuya Lino, Shana Lim, and Patricia Chua to ask them about their service experiences. What drives them to serve? How has service changed them for the better?

The first chat was with Ate Nena. Everyone knows and loves Ate Nena, she takes care of students from the moment they set foot in the school, until the last moment when they leave for college. For many, there is no SSM without Ate Nena. So what stroke of luck brought Ate Nena into the halls of the SSM school?

In the beginning, Ate Nena struggled to find herself a suitable job to support her family of four. However, she did eventually stumble across a work opportunity at a small inconspicuous baby-blue school found between a Metrobank and an open lot — the SSM school.

ATE NENA

The position of janitress is a thankless laborsome job that requires constant dedication and hard work, from keeping the classrooms tidy to helping out younger kids clean up in the bathroom. Ate Nena was proud knowing that she had found a means to support her own family, but what she didn’t expect was to be welcomed into another in the form of 400+ students and faculty.

7

SERVICE: THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE BY: KYLE BAYRON Despite the job's long hours and strenuous workload, Ate Nena found satisfaction in knowing that she was helping to look after the wonderful and ecstatic balls of energy that are the SSM students. These students would make small talk and crack jokes with Ate Nena as they passed each other in the halls and these small interactions always made her day. Tears welled up in Ate Nena’s eyes during the interview as she described the utter joy she felt in finding a second family.

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KUYA LINO

The next chat was with the head of security, Kuya Lino. The staunch protector found at the forefront of the school, ever-vigilant to keep SSM school safe from any and all outside threats. He’s been working to preserve the safety of the school even when SSM was a much smaller school, found along a parking strip in Paseo De Magallanes. What was the origin story for this superhero, or rather, “super-guard”?

Kuya Lino was constantly bouncing between banks, hotels, and businesses in his younger years. As a security guard, you work where you are assigned to, and that can change often. This made it hard for many security guards like Kuya Lino to develop long-lasting relationships with their workplaces. To Kuya Lino, life as a security guard was simply a way to make ends meet.

However, change was on the horizon.

"Na-mi-miss ko ang mga bata, kapag nakikita ko sila, nababawasan ang hirap ng trabaho ko.

In 2014, Kuya Lino was transferred to SSM, and for the past 7 years, has stayed on in the school.

This allowed him to develop relationships with not just the school personnel but more so, with the students. Kuya Lino mentions how he misses hearing students run down the halls, laughing and smiling, and that he is constantly looking forward to the day for

when the students return. It is these relationships that he cultivated over the years that drive him to work his hardest despite the rigorous work routine and responsibilities. He now protects people he knows personally ... and that has made all the difference for him.

SPECIAL FEATURE NEWS

Following Kuya Lino is Shana Lim, an executive at Para Sa Kapwa. “Para sa Kapwa” is a youth-led initiative that aims to act as a beacon of truth for the youth during these times of crisis. The greatest challenge Shana faced as an executive wasn’t the mountain of school and workload she had to accomplish, nor was it the constant fixation on her tight schedule. Her greatest challenge came on a much more personal level — overcoming her introverted self.

SHANA LIM

The original Para sa Kapwa team was very small.

It was a cozy group of 7 friends that had great communication and teamwork. However, feeling like they wanted to handle more, they decided to expand – an irrevocable decision that changed their lives, permanently. Suddenly, the core team had an influx of new members, from different walks of life. It was a sudden change that they were not expecting. Shana found herself needing to step up, not to a small degree like going up the stairs, but more like walking up a near-vertical mountain slope. Shana could no longer remain her naturally timid self since there was now a community of people looking up to her and the other executives for guidance.

So how did Shana overcome this barrier?

"I would consider myself quite introverted. It's sometimes hard to imagine how an introvert can be considered a leader.

Leaders need to be able to connect with others.”

“By being passionate with what I do, and from the support of my friends, I was able to push myself to meet all these new people ….. Now I would say my favourite thing about my service is meeting all these people from different backgrounds.”

Service pushes you to grow outside of your comfort zone. It’s never easy. It’s quite natural to feel stressed during your moments of growth, but it’s only by pushing yourself to your limits that you’re able to surpass them.

SERVICE: THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE Patricia’s service story starts off on a very different note from the previous tales. Belonging to a religious family, Patricia was already born into a life in service. As early as 4 years old, she was already serving in 2 different communities: “Missionaries of the Child Jesus,” a foundation led by nuns that aim to support less fortunate Filipino communities in the Makati area, as well as “Bahay ni Maria,” an orphanage that also seeks to evangelize to many young Filipinos to help them find a relationship with God. In both organizations, Patricia was a major figure that took part in the planning and execution of many charitable events. Food drives, fundraising events, Jollibee parties — you name it!

However, being born into a life in service isn’t always roses and rainbows. Oftentimes, those who are forced into service develop a dislike for it. A service experience motivated out of obligation is a whole different experience from a service motivated by passion, and here’s a hint: It’s not fun at all.

“You don’t really recognize your privileges everyday, we tend to brush it off as something that’s normal for us. But meeting these children out on the street, you sort of realize just how fortunate you really are.

Having the support you have, that they don’t, it really humbles you.”

BY: KYLE BAYRON

PATRICIA CHUA

So what drives Patricia to serve? She specifically mentioned feeling a sense of privilege as she watched other Filipinos her age knock on her car windows in order to ask for scraps of change. It moved her that people had to actually live this way on the streets. While she, and many of us, were born into a life of comfort.

By opening her eyes to the World around her, Patricia felt restless. A desire ignited in her to help out her kababayan — her fellow countrymen.

Now, she continues to stay an active member in both her communities, setting up food donations for the less fortunate Filipinos in her community, even in this online environment. Perhaps the greatest lesson one can learn from Patricia is that we should serve with a smile!

As seen from all these stories, service is truly an experience; it’s a journey and is largely why it’s difficult to quantify its value. Maybe you’ll find some similarities in your service experience with that of Shana Lim or Patricia Chua, being pushed to your limits or feeling restless to do good. You might have your own reasons to serve, your own ways to serve, your own goals in service. Not every person will have the same experiences, nor the same learnings and that makes service a little scary, but so much more exciting. It’s a unique experience specially made for you!

SPECIAL FEATURES

r e c t e s e S h T

Behind taff — S s ' !

M h S h S S itten by: Elle Sy Wr

Recently, someone special has earned an award from SSM for his perfect attendance, perseverance, and hard work — this is none other than Kuya Renato!

So, what is Kuya Renato’s secret to earning this award?

Kuya Renato never fails to express his love and passion for his job, thus inspiring him to earn the award of perfect attendance. As he shares his helpful advice for his colleagues, he hopes they can achieve such award as well: “Ang mga masasabi ko sa mga kasamahan ko, yung mga leave at sick leave nila 'wag basta basta nilang gamitin kung 'di naman emergency. Maaga din dapat magising para ang oras masusunod.” [Translation: "What I can tell my colleagues is to not unnecessarily use their leaves or sick leaves especially if it's not really an emergency. Also, wake up early so you get to work on time."]

Kuya Renato admitted that he did not expect to win the perfect attendance award given the circumstances of the pandemic. He said, “Hindi mo masigurado kung ano ang [lagay ng] kalusugan mo o ang katawan mo.

Pero sa awa ng diyos, naging malusog naman ang katawan ko. Ayon, nakuha ko [ang award]!” [Translation: “I can't ensure the state of my health or of my body, but by the mercy of God, my body was healthy. So there, I got it [the award]!”]. Despite the onslaught of the pandemic, Kuya Renato was able to show his perseverance to be a good staff member!

Even during these trying times, Kuya Renato remains grateful for the love and care he has received from the SSM community. As SSM slowly transitions to face to face classes, he can surely speak on behalf of the staff when he says they are all immensely excited!

They are eager to see students again this coming January.

SPECIAL FEATURES

FRESH OFF THE BOAT BY: CHESCA LAUCHENGCO

As Term 1 has made its departure, the new students are now officially fresh off the boat.

Find out what the journey was like for Aanvi Bagga (S3), Allen Wu (S4), and Kate Del Mundo (S4) — some of the newest members of the SSM community!

Every student has a special story as to why they transferred schools: Aanvi initially planned to study in India but her plans were postponed due to the pandemic. Kate was interested in the IBDP Programme SSM offered which would allow her to aim for international universities. Allen chose SSM in hopes of improving his communication skills, especially coming from a Taiwanese school.

“It’s a given that adjusting to a new school can be difficult at times. I didn’t know anyone in our class and I was new to the teachers as well. I had to adjust to the different teaching styles and the class environment. The online setup brought about the challenge of socializing. While I was able to make plenty of friends, it was still a bit more dffidinsdiksdnjdnsjjdnjsdnjsjsdmdifficult to bond understand my classsmats with classmates on a closer level.”

AANVI

AA

I NV

“Don't be afraid to speak English. Because of my fear of speaking English, I can't speak as well as I would like to. Never be afraid in expressing yourself, even with the possible language barriers in your way. Though I sometimes feel bad about my speaking skills, I decided to be more confident and speak more English!”

E

“I have learned a lot about the school through asking questions and inquiring about things in class. I got used to the environment by putting myself out there and talking openly. Other new students can also try and make new friends who can guide them through areas where they feel confused.”

EN'S AD VI ALL C

V IC

KATE

from the teachers and guidance counselors helped me cope. They’re really nice here!

The students are also really welcoming. I think that eased most of my worries. Don’t be afraid to reach out and express your difficulties. At SSM, you’re more than likely to find people to talk to.”

E

“This is my first time moving schools.

Growing up in one school my entire life, th major challenge was getting used to the new one online environment. Making new bonds, making new friends—there aren’t many opportunities to make connections with my classmates. Adjusting to the workload with extra requirements as a new student was overwhelming. I feel anxious asking for help because of my hesitancy to get to know others.”

'S ADVICE E AT K “The support I got

AD

However, transferring schools brings about new challenges that can make new students feel isolated and vulnerable. Hear their thoughts on the challenges they experienced while adjusting to a new school:

'S

To the new students: it takes immense courage to shift from a comfortable environment to one that's completely unfamiliar and even terrifying. The community looks forward to see more new students harnessing their SSM school spirit! Welcome aboard to your new home!

STUDENT FEATURE

M.I.A. isn’t something to describe the SSM community — hear some inspiring stories from among the most notable members, both current and graduated, who have truly made their mark in the world!

Meet Erin Teng & Christian Kawsek — the newest Level Representatives of SSM’s Student Council, Bayanihan.

Learning to Lead: An Interview with Bayanihan’s Erin and Christian By: Christiana Reyes Bayanihan was elected the official Student Council for S.Y. 2021 - 2022 with a mission to foster an inclusive community where “students can let their individual talents and potential shine in a constant pursuit of growth,” as introduced by Erin.

Despite only a few months of experience, Erin and Christian have learned the ropes, demonstrating significant growth and perseverance as newly appointed student leaders.

Currently an A-level student, Erin began her final year at SSM with a surge of inspiration to serve, join the Student Council, and leave her legacy in the school community. As a graduating senior, Erin skillfully juggles her time between academics and staying committed to her role as a Level Representative.

Christian, on the other hand, is now in Secondary 4 and on his way to Pre-University, carrying a genuine passion to hone essential skills in preparation for his future endeavors. With his newfound joy in the Student Council, he expressed that he would “love to take the knowledge learned from SC with me as I transfer to Pre-U."

SSM IN ACTION “WHAT ARE YOUR ROLES AS SC LEVEL REPRESENTATIVES? TAKE US THROUGH YOUR PROCESS IN ORGANIZING EVENTS.” ERIN: “On behalf of both Christian and I, as Level Representatives, we handle communication and arrangements between our students and class leaders. I would split our events process into three phases. First would be a brainstorming phase where we meet with Ms. Ina and Ms. Kristiana to conceptualize ideas. The next phase is to make arrangements such as making a script, sending out questionnaires, talking to the class leaders, etc. And finally, we execute.”

“WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENT COUNCIL DO YOU PARTICULARLY LOVE?” ERIN: “I appreciate the opportunities we are given to give back to the SSM community. The Student Council gives us a challenge in terms of idea generation, time management, and planning skills.We also learn to juggle SC work and studying for tests, while still pursuing our personal hobbies.”

CHRISTIAN: “I love that I get to improve my own strengths and talents by joining SC! Other than giving me an edge when applying to university, working with Bayanihan overall is definitely a fulfilling experience that, to me, has been pretty good so far.”

Erin and Christian have flourished in their roles as Student Council officers.

According to them, joining the Student Council has drastically improved their character and confidence. "SC helped me learn more about a lot of essential skills, which I lacked from being a lone wolf," says Erin.

However, there is more to their journey than what meets the eye. In adjusting to their roles, Erin and Christian have undergone personal battles with pressure, anxiety, and self-doubt. "I often think my ideas would be overshadowed and that I am unable to communicate my thoughts concretely. But, I am fighting it," shares Christian.

These two are no strangers to challenge – but they say it has only made them stronger.

By opening their minds to failure, Erin and Christian have turned negativity into positive action, thus molding themselves into self-aware and resilient leaders.

Erin and Christian have proven that leadership is more about the action than the position. To demonstrate this further, our next chat is with an SSM Alumni and future Vet: Sophie Maitland-Smith!

ALUMNI FEATURE

Meet Sophie: one of SSM's beloved alumni!

For 13 years, the school has witnessed her blossom into a natural leader, fueled by passion and blessed with an intellect all molding her into a true model student!

A PAWssion Project Like No Other – Sophie's Crusade To Success By: Gabby Rosales

It was during the 2 years in the Student Coucil that Sophie shaped and sharpened her leadership skills. Sophie's 3 A’s to leadership include accountability, adaptability and approachability all of which would “reinforce trust between a leader and key members to create a work environment rooted in transparency.”

She further demonstrated her leadership skills in the creation of Cat Crusaders: a pawssion project aiming to improve the quality of stray cats’ lives by feeding, neutering, and re-homing one community at a time. Starting in Salcedo Village, Sophie filled bikes with cat food, vitamins, and bottles of water, helping stray cats along the way. Cat Crusaders has since then inspired guards and residents to likewise advocate for, “a stray-free Philippines!"

"TO WHAT EXTENT WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT, ‘PASSION PROJECTS ARE A POWERFUL DEMONSTRATION OF SELF MOTIVATION’?

“While a passion project shows you've encountered a challenge in your community and you're determined to act on it, something has to be said about exhaustion and burnout. Passion projects start and end with you. If I stop doing what I'm doing, cats won't get fed and find homes. Since my line of work involves animals, it is easy to fall into ‘compassion fatigue’ which is when you expend all your energy after showing compassion. It’s hard because after all of the effort I'm doing to feed and have cats adopted, neutered, and rehabilitated, I still can't save every cat.”

SSM IN ACTION "HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THIS DILEMMA?" “I think back to why Cat Crusaders started. I have since realized that starting a project out of your own love for the cause is really important, because when things get tough, you won't have a compelling enough reason to keep going. I remind myself, ‘You won't change the world by saving one cat. But by saving one cat you will change their world.’ and think about how many worlds Cat Crusaders has changed. I remain driven to to change the mindset that these stray animals deserve to be cared for too, especially in the Philippines where the attitude towards them isn't as developed.”

Since April 2020, Cat Crusaders has rescued upwards of 30 cats, found forever homes for at least 28, and had 40 cats neutered and vaccinated!

As Cat Crusader's success is a reflection of Sophie's passion, resilience, and hard work, she believes realizing and establishing your personal goals at the start is crucial to foreseeing a project's trajectory. If you truly have a desire to make a difference, she says, "go for it!" But if your main motivation is to create a good-looking CV, she believes it could lead to burnout too soon. "It's important to ensure your intentions are authentic."

As she begins college at the University of Connecticut as an animal science major, Sophie is beyond excited for her work as an animal rescue volunteer to translate into her VetMed studies—and vice versa! "They have always gone hand in hand.”

Sophie’s love for STEM—a huge driving force in shaping her Veterinarian dream—was reinforced in A-Level Biology, Chemistry, and Math. “I wouldn't be where I am today without the rigor of the AS and A level curriculum.” Her teachers, who have provided her encouragement, are hers to thank for their irreplaceable support. "I look forward to the day I see a familiar lesson in my college lecture and be reminded of them during my last years in SSM.”

Indeed, Sophie has blossomed more and more into a passionate woman in STEM. From Erin and Christian to Sophie, SSM students — both graduating and graduated — are truly never M.I.A.!

SPECIAL FEATURES

PENNY 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? Head over to When Opportunity Knocks to find out how!

The Wonders of Nature Around the World By: Renee Lim Nature’s beauty and grace Blesses us with the natural surroundings.

Soaring mountains, flowing lakes, Thriving forests and clear springs.

Life carries on, From when things were tiny and small, They develop to be big and strong, Continuing to give their all.

Nature is wonderfully diverse and unique, From the animals to the biomes, To the skies and waters mystique.

It is everything’s valuable home.

On the land where we stand, Are flowers of vibrant colours very bright; Trees growing to become grand.

The plants around look so alive under the sun’s light.

The The The The

sounds of splashing water, scent of beautiful flowers, sight of towering trees, feeling of a gentle breeze.

Nature’s gifts give us life.

We have much to appreciate from.

It can bring us a sense of peace and delight, Let’s treat it with respect and care for the times to come.

MEET THE WRITER Renee Lim is currently a Secondary 3 student who likes to take a long nap after completing her school work. She enjoys chatting with her friends online, reading books, and doodling in her notebook.

She strives to give her best efforts in the opportunities she’s given!

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Re-emergence of Cards — Pure Nostalgia or Pool for Profit?

By Massi Chua

Ever since 1996, Pokemon has undoubtedly become a global phenomenon. Pokemon has released new sets of their trading card game to celebrate their 25th anniversary. However, intentions filled with nostalgia instead turned to profit for many “trainers” out there.

Pokemon cards have seen a recent resurgence over the past few years, with prices of rarer cards like Charizard cards "Team Rocket"-ing to unbelievable prices.

For instance, a PSA 10 1st edition base set holographic Charizard (in layman’s terms, a perfect condition Charizard card) reached over 300,000 USD (yes, you read that right). Frankly, getting hold of a vintage box of Pokemon cards is quite a painful process for both your mental health and your wallet.

Knowing this, Pokemon conveniently released their 25th anniversary set called “Celebrations”. This featured selected cards from past card sets throughout the years, including quite a few Charizard cards with the exact same design. In stores, aisles of Pokemon cards sold out in a day or two. Online shopping? All out of stock. Online resellers? Sold like crazy.

Truth is, the majority of these buyers probably only got into Pokemon cards because of the profit they earn from the flabbergasting prices people are willing to pay. These trend hoppers are simply ruining the nostalgia meant for those that genuinely love Pokemon. They aren’t ruining the nostalgia, but also the experience of newer Pokemon fans as well.

Pokemon partnered with McDonalds to release a special promo pack with 4 Pokemon cards in Happy Meals. Guess what? Happy Meal sales skyrocketed because of these very cards. But where did they end up? Ebay.

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS Going to the extent of buying Happy Meals is simply outrageous. Last time I checked, Happy Meals were supposed to be for children.

Exploiting Pokemon cards because of how much profit you can gain is not an acceptable reason to get greedy and “catch ‘em all”.

But nevertheless, those that buy all these packs are probably the reason for the recent surge in popularity. The extreme prices people are willing to pay over a single card spikes interest among more “investors” who don’t even like Pokemon to begin with. No matter if you view it – a heartbreaker for true Pokemon fans or a smart move – the publicity gained from media outlets reporting such absurd prices for cards is unmatched. In fact, it is probably a marketing strategy by Pokemon itself to keep releasing Charizards into the market.

Nevertheless, it really depends on how you see it. For one, the astonishing price of a single card may prove the value Pokemon has developed over the years. But it can also be argued that it is just destroying hopes and dreams of those that want to experience the nostalgia of pulling a Charizard. What do you think? Is it beneficial in terms of boosting the newfound popularity of Pokemon cards – or is this scheme simply sabotaging nostalgia?

MEET THE WRITER Massi Chua is a Grade 12 student currently taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme who is known for not smiling in the majority of photos (as legend says). If Massi ever does become a criminal, he would be guilty of robbing an instant noodle factory after leaving traces of MSG packets to his home.

SPECIAL FEATURES

CREATIVE VS. CORPORATE: The Music Industry’s Understanding the paradoxical nature of the music industry, and why heartfelt Oil and Water melodies and manufactured tracks By: Annika Budhrani

From the moment music is created, it is free in every sense of the word. Unbound by any rules, methods, or procedure, it is borne without purpose; open to be consumed and interpreted by how the listener sees fit. But in recent years, artists and producers alike have tapped into the industry’s commercial potential, turning it into one of the most profitable industries anywhere in the world.

With this teetering line dividing the two, I’d like to delve into how they conflict with each other, what factors contribute to change in the music industry, and how the interplay between audience and artist truly shapes musical perception in the current society.

To become successful, artists need to wear both creative and corporate hats. As innovative performers, they have an implicit responsibility to contribute to the current music culture by playing, writing, and conceptualizing innovative music that is wellwritten, honest to their style, and conveys insightful themes and messages. And as business-minded entrepreneurs, they constantly need to be taking in information and adjusting their outputs to meet the needs and wants of the market, to create long-term plans for themselves, and come up with ideas to grow and bring in more money.

Now that may sound simple, but it’s much easier said than done. More often than not, many musicians struggle with aligning their artistic intention with strategic production.

Take Hayley Williams for example. Her music r

have become one and the same.

repertoire spans multiple genres such as rock, indie, and alternative fusions. As a “current" artist, Hayley puts out very challenging pieces that contemporary music continues to see. Her work is a great example of harnessing the promise of music; playing new rhythms and sounds to create fresh pieces. I feel artists should be self-aware of the grasp they have over the current music era and use their influence to put out genuine works that diversify the media by representing who they are, which Hayley does in spades. And despite this, her music has significantly been rejected by mainstream stations — it doesn’t fit “trending” types of music, and thus will not sell well. So although Hayley Williams has done her part in sharing honest and well-written music, it goes to waste when no one is willing to play it.

On the other end of the spectrum, some artists put out pieces that cater to the tastes of consumers, and are glorified for doing so.

Let’s now take Drake for example. It is very easy to copy music, whether through digital streaming, or online performances. Drake is deft in spotting the quality in new trends because he knows to keep his ear to the mainstream, riding out the waves of each passing craze. He definitely should be credited for his stunning visuals, and his ability to churn o

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS out global hits. However, it feels as if he simply sees a growing fad, does a certain amount of work, and then leaves the rest up to his extravagant videos, large publicity, and marketing tactics. It’s precisely because he has built up such a large brand image for himself, potentially billions of people will consume his work, without a second thought.

Drake did not necessarily do anything wrong — there’s just a certain lack of integrity that comes across with a disregard for artistic individuality and personal expression.

But it becomes so hard to make a living because of how the big names run the place, rewarding commercialism in place of individuality. With this in mind, the producers and labels only make up half the battle — artists care about what we think too. So on our part, we can actively listen to local artists to combat the control the media has over us, and set the trends they must follow. Opening our minds to new musicians who aren’t corporately endorsed is the best way in which we can underpin the creative agenda, creating a safe and equitable space for vision and business practice.

It is also worth noting that several factors contribute to this drastic shift in purpose — catalyzing the industry change from artistic exhibition to a commercial market. The d

development of technology has increased the pool of opportunities open for aspiring artists to make a name for themselves. In prior decades, artists would go through rigorous stages of scouting, spending hefty fees to get an audience with possible producers who have every chance of rejecting them. This strict procedure was indeed tiring but was necessary to weed out those only in it for the money or fame. Nowadays, platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter give aspiring musicians more exposure, meaning more candidates to be compared against. Hence, tactical methods such as intensive promotions or shock value are commonly used to gain a competitive edge by immediately capturing the attention of the viewers.

In the end, the industry is still a wonderful place for one to pursue their musical dreams and passions. But it becomes so hard to make a living because of how the big names run the place, rewarding commercialism in place of individuality. With this in mind, the producers and labels only make up half the battle — artists care about what we think too. So on our part, we can actively listen to local artists to combat the control the media has over us, and set the trends they must follow. Opening our minds to new musicians who aren’t corporately endorsed is the best way in which we can underpin the creative agenda, creating a safe and equitable space for vision and business practice.

MEET THE WRITER

Annika loves to dabble in all things creative, like music, arts, reading. As a senior, she writes pieces from essays, narratives, to poetry – commentaries are her favorite. When she's not drowning in homework, you can find her lost in a book, jamming on a guitar, or gaming with friends at ungodly hours.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Are they really better?

By: Erin Teng

Nearly every student — from P1 to PreUniversity — has felt the sense of dread, worry, and jealousy upon hearing your classmates getting a higher score on a test you struggled in. Whether you got an F, C, B, or A — whatever you perceive as a “low score” can cause you to feel isolated and ashamed, thinking that your classmates have it better than you. After all, getting low in a class with high expectations just hurts.

In building up a skill, setting your first “checkpoint” at an unrealistically far development stage can cause you to feel that you are not really achieving anything. It can set a subconsciously harsh expectation for yourself as you essentially set yourself up for failure.

Whether it be with students, adults, or elders, this is a very normal occurrence called ‘upward social comparison’. We constantly use others, even our past selves, as references for personal growth in many aspects (Psychology Today, n.d.). Without this natural human behaviour, self-reflection will end up like trying to measure height without a ruler. Growing taller would be meaningless, but when you grow a few inches taller compared to a friend, you can’t help but feel good about your growth!

If applied to grades, comparison can give you constant motivation. After all, working hard and achieving success — especially in a high-standards class — would lift anyone’s spirits. With a built up confidence, one can either keep working harder and harder to keep that euphoria going, or finally relax after finally reaching the throne of satisfaction one has worked so hard for. However, like many other behaviours, comparison is a doubleedged sword. Making comparisons with paragons and people who are specialised in a certain skill can diminish your self-esteem.

Social comparison poses a prominent, unseen issue that still must be addressed. The mental health of hundreds of high school students is damaged or at risk due to the unhealthy usage of comparison. It being a source of self-doubt and discouragement can hinder one’s progress and end up becoming counterproductive. If comparison really is necessary for human achievement, what causes toxicity in this behaviour?

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS Comparison usually starts off from childhood, when parents begin comparing their child to others. It makes sense; it starts off the child with consciousness of people around them and their progress. Although, it is very common for a parent’s comparison to go overboard to the point of reprimanding and embarrassing their child in front of strangers, friends, or other family members.

Their general goal is to push their child into something better in their eyes and give them the drive to work towards a bigger goal like the person they are comparing their child to.

Does this sound familiar to you? Good news is, it is possible to address this by moderating the level of comparison. To put it simply, you need self-evaluation and time to heal. First, ask yourself: “Is this making me happy?”, “Does this goal really matter to me?”, or “Is this realistic?”. Observing and trusting your instinctual answers for these questions can make or break your work ethic.

For all you know, your expectations of yourself have inflated to a point of subconscious discouragement.

The next time you receive a disappointing score on a test, pat yourself on the back nonetheless, even if others outperform you.

Everyone has their strengths and ambitions.

You are not obligated to be perfect in every subject, nor succeed in the way others do.

Always remember: you have your own path of happiness to follow.

Naturally, children who had to endure that shame would have a reinforced tendency to compare themselves. However, this would not equate to the children pushing themselves to become better, nor would it equate to a good work ethic. What parents fail to realise is that by doing this, they represent themselves as aversive stimuli, or as a bad guy to their child, and end up causing their child to distrust and withdraw.

Another possibility is they could have damaged their child’s self-esteem and will to work.

There are also children who successfully learned to push themselves to be better than others around them, but that could lead to yet another problem: perfectionism and self-deprecating habits.

What each of these consequences have in common is that the child will end up not ever feeling enough to their parents and their peers.

MEET THE WRITER Erin Teng is an ALevel student and one of two Student Council Level Representatives who has a passion in illustration and the arts.

As much as she loves drawing and designing, she also finds interest and enjoyment in maths and the sciences, and is excited to learn more in any interesting field. Among many other things, she hopes to get her artistic work to improve, and become a future marketing artist.

TRIVIA

DID YOU KNOW… DID YOU KNOW your teachers have secrets too? Read on below to know some of the bloopers they've faced during online class!

Can you tell who's who?

Did you know... that one SSM teacher made a joke in class only to realize their mic was muted? Oh, the bloopers of online class–they get the best of us!

Did you know... that one SSM teacher always keeps a stash of chocolates by their side? They are quite the stress relievers, they'd say!

Did you know.... one SSM teacher asked a class to sing a birthday song for a student BUT...the student already celebrated their birthday months ago? At least they had a double celebration!

Did you know... that one SSM teacher's cat jumped on their face while they were teaching an online class? Now we know cats really are curious!

Did you know... that one SSM teacher tried to hold their laugh in class after hearing another teacher’s voice crack? That must’ve really cracked them up!

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

Want to step out of your comfort zone?

Looking for new ways to enhance your skills? Look no further! Explore the various experiences available for SSM students in Term 2 onwards — Does anything catch your eye? Scan the QR code to learn more about the experience!

VOCABULARY VIDEO COMPETITION Find a word from the New York Times Word of the Day collection particularly interesting?

The Vocabulary Video Competition gives anyone from ages 11 to 19 the opportunity to share these words through a video submission.

WORLD OF 7 BILLION VIDEO CONTEST It is no mistake that the world’s population is steadily increasing. The World of 7 Billion Video Contest will give YOU the opportunity to share your thoughts on possible solutions to the challenges of the world’s growing population.

SCIENCE COMPETITIONS: JUNIOR BREAKTHROUGH CHALLENGE The Junior Breakthrough Challenge gives students the opportunity to share their learnings on different scientific theories or concepts! In a 3-minute video submission, YOU will have the chance to wear the scientist hat!

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION INTERNATIONAL LETTER WRITING COMPETITION The art of writing letters is one that is timeless.

Should you be interested in joining this competition, you will be challenged to write letters around a specific theme!

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS? Want to submit your own writing to get the chance to be featured on MT? Stay tuned for Issue 2 and you might be among the next writers of Penny For Your Thoughts!

Email the Merlion Times Editorial Board if you are interested! merliontimes@singaporeschoolmanila.com.ph

NYT WRITING COMPETITIONS From topics about STEM to different influential figures, the various NYT Writing Competitions are striking opportunities for SSM’s writers– especially YOU!

NYT PROFILE WRITING COMPETITION Find any influential figure interesting and want to share their life with others?

If so, the NYT Profile Competition is surely a competition to think about!

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW!

NYT EDITORIAL COMPETITION Perhaps there is a global issue you advocate for! The NYT Editorial Competition happening from March 2 to April 13, 2022 will give YOU the opportunity to write about them!

NYT STEM WRITING COMPETITION Calling all STEM lovers! The NYT STEM Writing Competition, running from February 2, 2022 to March 9, 2022 will allow YOU to write about various topics related to science.

Email your program coordinator to express your interest for any of the competitions or activities you are willing to join and are eligible for!

TEST YOUR WITS! WORD SEARCH: LEARNER PROFILE

FIND: Balanced Caring Communicators Creative Decisive Enquirers Knowledgeable Open-Minded Principled Reflective Resilient Responsible Risk-takers Thinkers

Are you ready to test your wits? Challenge yourself here in the Merlion Times' fun and games section where the winners can have the chance to win a prize!

SUDOKU PUZZLE 4

Want to win the prize?

There are just 3 simple rules!

RULE #1: Prizes are available for the winners of Sudoku and Word Search only.

RULE #2: The fastest one to answer the puzzles correctly wins!

RULE #3: Send a clear photo of your answers to merliontimes@singaporeschoolmanila.com.ph.

Remember, first-come-first-serve so be sure to send them quickly!** **Please use your school Gmail account.

Otherwise, your photo/s will not be accepted.

3

6

5

6

1 4

3

1

PERSONALITY QUIZ

WHAT ANIMAL ARE YOU BASED ON YOUR ACTIONS? 1. Someone punches your friend... You:

a

Punch them back! No one hurts my friends.

b

Rush to your friend and tend to their bruises.

c

Immediately ask for help from the school nurse. She’d surely know what to do!

2. There’s a rabid dog in the front yard, aggressively barking at you while you casually stroll along the sidewalk...... You:

a

I’d simply puff up my shoulders!

Nothing scares me!

b

Oh, what a cute dog! I’d go over and pet him. I love all kinds of animals!

c

a

b

“Watch out!”

Scream and warn your classmate to move out of the way!

“No sweat!

Anything to help my best friend!”

b

“Sure, why not?” I don’t want to risk our friendship.

c

Protect yourself!

Cover your eyes from the shatter and blow the emergency whistle. Pftt!

Fweep!!!

c

“Hmm I’ll think about it!” They’re my friends, but it still doesn’t feel right.

5. A seemingly gentle ghost glides through the wall of the bathroom.......... You:

a

“You freeze up!

You’re shocked and scared, hoping it does not harm anyone.

b

You’re curious and set right out to investigate! “If it went through the wall...can it go though my hand too?”

the warm and fluffy animals that are man’s best friend. You are ready to protect those you love no matter what!

MOSTLY B:

4. Quick! Your friend asks you to complete their share of the group work for them........ You:

a

DOG

Oh no! I’d better stray away from danger!

3. You notice a clay pot in the art room falling from above...and it’s about to hit your classmate! .... You: Grab and pull your classmate away. Phew, close call.

MOSTLY A:

c

You remind yourself ghosts aren’t real. You walk out the door thinking it simply is not possible.

COCKATOO the social birds that are popular within the pet community.

You definitely have high EQ and are ready to help anytime

MOSTLY C:

CHIMPANZEE one of the smartest animals in our world. You know your priorities and are more logical amidst every situation.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD Meet the Editors behind the Merlion Times Newsletter

OUR MISSION

CHRISTIANA REYES

ALEXI MANZANO

VANESSA WONG

Editor-in-chief

Managing Editor

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 KYLE BAYRON

Senior News Editor

ABIGAIL CO

Junior News Editor

CHARLY LAM

Any feedback or questions?

Looking for ways YOU can contribute?

Junior News Editor

EMAIL merliontimes@singaporeschoolmanila.com.ph

INSTAGRAM @merliontimes GABBY ROSALES Senior Special Features Editor

ELLE SY

CHESCA LAUCHENGCO

Junior Special Features Editor

CHARINA ANGGALA Senior Layout Editor

Junior Special Features Editor

SIMYUNG SIOW Junior Layout Editor

CONTRIBUTORS PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS CONTRIBUTORS:

VIDEO EDITORS: Althea Baluyut, Cambridge A-Level Araw ng Wika Video

Annika Budhrani, Cambridge A-Level "Creative vs. Corporate: The Music Industry’s Oil and Water"

Anna Ruth Ayala, SSM Librarian Teacher's Day Special Video

Erin Teng, Cambridge A-Level "Are they really better?"

Massimillano Ray Chua, IBDP 2 "The Re-emergence of Pokémon Cards — Pure Nostalgia or Pool for Profit?"

Renee Lim, Secondary 3 "The Wonders of Nature Around the World"

COVER ARTIST FEATURE: CYDNEY SOCO

"HIRAETH"

When we stay in one place for too long, our hiraeth, the welsh word for longing or yearning, to return to places we never called home but found a sense of belonging to, grows stronger