Merlion Times Volume 16 Issue 4

WHAT'S WHAT'S

The Year-End Splash of Joy

Brushstrokes Of Brilliance: SSM's Art Gallery

Little Learners onto Bigger Adventures

Gearing Up for the Road Ahead

A Journey's Final Rewards

The First Steps To The Next Chapter

Honouring the Pillars

of of Parental L Parental L v v

By Aanv

Mother's and Father's Day are more than just events. It resembles a feeling emanating from the endless gratitude for the compassion showcased by the guiding lights of one’s life Singapore School Manila marked thesedayswithsimplebutheartfelttokensofgratitudefromtheirveryownstudents.

On the morning of May 11th, SSM mothers were greeted withsortshomemadeflowers,meaningfulcards and finally, mouth-watering pastries and chocolates! In a similarspirit,fathersreceiveddigitalcardsfromstudents on June 8th, recognising them as superheroes for their unwaveringsupportandsacrifices Ofcourse,itwouldnot beFather’sDaywithoutahotcupofcoffee!

However, material tokens are not the only things that brighten up a parent’s day. Sir Laurence highlights that simple gestures, such as the “mano po” - a Filipino practice of respecting elders, are the greatest token he

Teacher Jim values every second spent withhisfamilyincludingthehighsandlows, emphasisingthat

these are some

moments you can never get back.

Parenthood is filled with endless valuable lessonsandsomeofthebrightestmemories onecouldeverimagine

arolemodelandsettinganexampleforher cher Angeline, "The unconditional love and ring and watching my child grow” isthebestpartof

midable challenges of parenthood, Teacher Jim thers to cherish every moment spent with their nce, he reminds them to strike a balance between stfulfillingtheirfatherlyduties

To all SSM mothers, Teacher Syra says "You are superheroes for being a mom at home and the second mom of our students at school. You all rock!” Teacher Angelineagrees,adding

"You are extraordinary and deserve endless admiration. Keep shining your light!"

Everythingfromsweets,flowers,andcoffee,tounforgettablelaughterandjubilation, Mother’sandFather’sDay undoubtedlyengravedtouchingmemoriesinthelivesofeachSSMparent!

Embracing the Sacred Tradition

of RAMADAN RAMADAN

By Aanvi Bagga

Throughacenturies-oldtradition,Muslimfamilieswholeheartedlycommittedthemselvestothepractice ofself-disciplinefromMarch22ndtoApril21st,2023 Ramadaniscelebratedtoempathisewiththeless fortunateandunderstandtheexperiencesofthosewhodonothaveenoughfoodornecessities,through the custom of fasting. The celebration, which commences with the emergence of a crescent moon, concludes following a month of prayers and self-reflection with "Eid al-Fitr," – known as the 'Feast of Fast-Breaking'.

Onthisspecialoccasion,endlessmemoriesarecreatedinthe heartsofthosewhocelebrateRamadan.

TalaAlharbi,anArabicS4student,recallstheheartwarming momentswhensheandherfamilyreturntoSauditoprovide clothes,shoesandfoodtolocalhomelessfamilies Ramadan is a unique celebration, tailored to each individual’s purposeandjourneyoflife.Forsome,itiscommemorated togivebacktothoseinneed,andforothers,itmarksthetime of forming a closer relationship with God. Ms. Emma Mohammad, SSM’s school secretary and a Muslim convert, emphasises that “Ramadan strengthens my personal connection with the Almighty Allah and allows me to renew my connection with my creator.”

Duringthis Holy Month of Fasting,SSMwishestheMuslim communityajoyousRamadan!

THE RISE OF JUNIOR CHAMPIONS! JUNIOR CHAMPIONS!

By Charly Lam

No matter the grade, intramurals always manages to unite everyone towards a goal – the pursuit of camaraderie and victory!SingaporeSchoolManila’s Primary Intrams was held lastMay31st,toJune2nd,2023.

The sports-filled day started off with Preschoolers in 3 teams: Red, White, and Blue. First up was the ‘Colour Game’, consisting of players passing markers into a box with a pipe, relay-style Next was ‘Game Face’,whichhad3boxeswithfacesdrawninside,andtheyhadtoplace aballinside,runtowardstheboxaround10mfromthestartingline,and thengob

This was followed by football and then moved on to ‘Move the Cherry’ and ‘Chinese Hat’. ‘Move the Cherry’ consisted of transferring 6 balls whilst standing in a hoop, and ‘Chinese Hat’ required them to transfer balls by balancing them precariously on football markers atop their heads. After this came the well-known game of Tug Of War and an obstaclecourse!

Lastly, it ended with ‘Circles Away’, wherein they attempted to be the first to collect all the cut-outs scattered around the play area. They also played ‘Waddle like a Penguin’; they placed a ball between their legs and waddled towardsthefinishline.

andupperPrimary levels enjoyed the games, divided into 4 teams: Red, Blue, Yellow and Green. The fun started with a classicgameof Patintero,followedby‘RobtheNest’ Players collected items from hoops and attempted to rob the other team’s “nest” through intricate strategising. Alongside this, kids energetically ran to steal cloth cutout tails from the opposingteamforthe‘Tailgame’.

Soon,TugofWarwasnext–whichthewinningteam’sleader for the Lower Primary, Teacher Jowey of the Yellow Team mentioned to be what her students enjoyed the most! She explainedthatthekidsfoundthisthemostfunactivitydueto the game’s need for team strategising, helping them prove they’re strong as a cohesive unit After this ended, the lower PrimaryplayedaroundoffootballlikethePreschoolers.

Shortlyafterthis,thegames‘HulaHooprunningwithabaton’,‘Sushiballs’, and Dodgeball, which Teacher Belle of the Blue Team, the winning team’s leader for Upper Primary, noted as the activity her students found mostenjoyable.Duetothekids’intenseplanningandattentiontodetail,theyemergedvictoriousfromthegame, extremelyhappy.

Alongsidethesegames,theactivitiesof‘Passthe hula hoop’ and the ‘Maze game’ were also carried out. With regard to the first game, they worked together to transfer hoops from one end ofthecourttoanothertoactasabridgeinorder to reach the next player The next one involved boxes, balls and sticks, with them pairing up, positioning the ball between two sticks and workingtogethertodepositthemintotheboxon theotherside

‘Passthehulahoop’hadthekidsutilisingspeed,astheyhadtotransferallhoopsonasticktothepersonholding it on the other side. The last activity involved creating a maze with tape – if the ball rolled outside of it, the participantwouldbeeliminated Ifnot,theycouldplacetheballinacontainerattheendandthenpassittothe nextperson;theiraimwastogetthemostballsin

TheUpperPrimarystudentsadditionallyplayedCatch and Throw,‘Tic-Tac-ToewithaGoal’aswellastworelayraces –‘RaceofChange’and‘BallonTop’.ForTic-Tac-Toe,aball would be shot, and the player would place a marker in a hoop to replicate the original game. The races involved them running back and forth to transfer markers, and jumpingoverhoopstotransfermarkersperplayer.

With this, Teacher Belle mentioned that, besides winning, students had the takeaway that strategised teamwork can do wonders when combined effectively. Teacher Jowey added that her students realised they could do anything, as long as they put their heart into it.

Thougheveryteamstrivedtoreignvictorious,manygoon to remember this year’s intramurals for the precious memories. Together, students faced each game with determination and enthusiasm, savouring each thrilling momentregardlessofwhatthefinaloutcomemaybe.

Unveiling the GREATEST SHOW! GREATEST SHOW!

By Abi Co

In a world with endless opportunities, students venturefromtheircomfortzoneseveryday,honinga variety of skills outside their classrooms. From music tosports theyworktobecomeversatileindividuals, finallyshowcasingtheextentoftheirabilitiesthrough theCulminatingProgramforSSM'sextra-curricular activitiesheldonJune8thand13th,2023.

Parents gathered to watch their children on stage, demonstrating their learnings and passion for their respective after-school activities The days started with healthy competition as friendly matches were held for fencing and frisbee students. Adrenaline soared amongst students and parents alike as the matchesprogressed,waitingattheedgeoftheirseats for the awaited victory In the end, in the absence of medals was profound lessons that made everyone a truewinner.

To relax from the heated games, people ventured to themusicroom,greetedwithasymphonyofdelicate tunes Many were left enchanted by the heartfelt guitar and piano performances that vividly showcasedstudents’rootedpassionformusic.

Taekwondo students also had performances of their own, executing a variety of stances and moves. With weeks of preparation, they managed to capture the beauty of martial arts that merited themselves promotionstothenextlevel

However, beyond the gold hardware, wins, and certificates the joy from it all is what made these activitiesmeaningful

SaysfootballCoachAlfredOsei, “You could tell they gave their all.”

With the school year having its fair share of challenges, these two days were very much-needed. Whether it was strumming the guitar or running acrossthefield,eachstudentwasabletothoroughly enjoy themselves, finding comfort amidst all the academicpressureandcontinuingtofosterastronger lovefortheirsportortheircraft.

It seems like that’s their happy place and they enjoy being there to showcase their skills and talent, happy regardless of the results.

Weaving Cultures at at SSM SSM

By Aanvi Bagga

Embarking on a journey to foster cultural exchange beatsattheheartofanyculturalvisit ThePrimary 6 students had the privilege of hosting a group of enthusiastic students and parents from Hanoi Amsterdam School for the Gifted to experience Singapore School Manila’s community, on May 31st, 2023 The school buzzed with anticipation and warm greetingsastheP6studentsseizedtheopportunityto create new connections and welcome their fellow visitors.

To kick start their visit, the SSM and the Vietnamese studentswereintroducedtoeachother.Theymoved ontocarryoutatourofthecampusingroups,which the P6 students themselves had planned and coordinated.Thestudentsthenengagedinavarietyof activities that highlighted the distinctive aspects of SSM. They created acrostics out of their team members’ names, played basketball, football, and frisbee,andsharedsomeoftheirfondestexperiences astheyhadrecesstogether.

As the day progressed, cherishable memories were inevitablyfosteredfromamyriadofactivities.Teacher Joane,theP6LevelHead,recalled,

My favourite part was seeing the students take the lead. All we, teachers, had to do was follow them, and it was an easy approach for us to develop their leadership skills.”

SiddhiHastir,aprimary6studentfoundthevisittruly uniqueandexcitingandsays,

It was a wonderful opportunity for both schools to gain knowledge fromone another, expanding their horizons andfosteringadeeperunderstandingofothereducationalsystems.TeacherJoaneexplainsthatitisimportant thatthestudentslearntoappreciatedifferentculturesandrecognisehowthingsareinotherschools Toadd, Siddhi reflects on how she learnt the skill of hospitality from her Vietnamese friends, especially when they handedoutsouvenirstoherastheywereleaving.

Cultural visits often serve as a reminder that interacting with individuals from different backgrounds can help weaveastrongerandmoreharmoniousglobalcommunity.SSMisalwaysexcitedtoencouragefriendshipsand lifelonglearning!

“Getting to showcase our passion through the three different sports was the most memorable aspect of the visit because we got to play with our new friends.”

Discovering theTrue Meaning EMPATHY EMPATHY of By Abi

Co

Homework, worksheets, unit tests a student's life is constantly filled with endless academic responsibilities that it becomes difficult to picture a world outside it all. But beyond achieving perfect scores and exceptional grades,SSMaimstocreateempatheticindividualsbyimmersingstudentsintheexperiencesofothersthrough the“WalkInSomeoneElse'sShoes”(WISES)programme

Over the course of a few months, various activities were prepared for each level. Nursery to Primary 3 students learnt all about people with disabilities through different games that challenged their 3 abilities:sight,hearing,andmobility

LowerPrimarystudentshadsimilaractivitieswithan extra bonus! They listened as guest speakers shared experiences with hearing and mobility impairments beforereflectingontheirstoriesandthinkingofways theycouldshowsupporttothoseinneed.

While the unique stories of new individuals help in fostering a broader perspective, viewing the world throughthelensoffamiliarfacesisjustasimportant

Primary 5 and 6 acquainted themselves with SSM’s staff, working together to clean the hallways, watch overyoungerstudents,preparefoodandmore!

Similarly,secondarylevelsbecameteachersforaday, spendingtheirdayscheckingworkbooks,worksheets, and supervising activities “It really makes you appreciate our teachers”, Layan Alharbi of Secondary1says,sharingheroverwhelminggratitude. “It takes a lot of bravery to stand in front of that many students so for that alone, thank you!”

Despite the long days and tasks they were unaccustomed to, the students overcame each obstacle with high spiritsandopenminds.EndingtheirWISESdaybydiscoveringthetruemeaningofempathytogether.

“Justbenice,”Primary1studentLorenzoLimpreaches,“treat everyonewithrespectnomatterwhat.Itdoesn’ttakealotanyway.”

MIRACLES BY MIRACLES BY THE SHORE THE SHORE

By Abi Co

Reduce,reuse,recycle.The3R'sthatmanyaretaughtfromayoungage.Withsomuchtodoyetsuchlittletime, many tend to forget the simple saying, unaware of its true significance To create a more socially-responsible society,Secondary3and4studentssetoutonajourneyonJune7th2023,touncoverthetrueextentofthese globalissues.

Asdawnbroke,studentsboardedabusboundfortheLasPiñas-ParañaqueCriticalHabitatandEco-Tourism Area. After a quick orientation, the students were grouped, each responsible for different types of trash: PET bottles,single-useplastic,rubber,styrofoam,andglass.Gearedwithtrashbagsandgloves,theyheadedoutto thesite.

“I was surprised by the variety of trash,” Sophia Castro, an S4 student shared, “pillows, a lot of shoes, toys…” She further expounded on her growing concern for these issues, noticing the aquaticcreaturesthathavebeenactivelyconsuming the waste thrown into their homes. “The more polluted our waters get, the more plastic our seafood ingest. Those plastics in the seafood that we eat. And that causes cancer.”

For two hours, the students tirelessly cleaned the coast under the blazing heat. “We have this mentality that there’s someone who’ll deal with our problems, like managing waste,” Renee Lim says, explaining how all thesechallengesarewhatmadetheexperiencesogratifying “But now that you’re the one cleaning, you can’t help but feel annoyed at those who litter.”

Returning from their trip, students pondered on the little things they could do to help the environment

Secondary3studentVivienLi encouraged individuals to “reduce the use of plastic or even reuse it.”. CayenneChong of S3B suggests to simply “reuse the back of scrap papers” asastepevenyoungerstudents cantaketobenefittheenvironment

Thoughtiringandfacedwithamagnitudeofobstacles, many found the day to be fulfilling nonetheless. It opened their eyes to numerous global issues that tend to be downplayed by many, teaching them the importanceofprotectingtheworldwelivein.

Brushstrokes of Brilliance:

SPLASH OF J Y The Year-End

By Liana Wu

Beating the heat as they welcome the warm summer, SSM students were in for a refreshing day of playing in the water! Datingbacktothebeginning,SSMhasmadeitapointtohave Wet Day to cap off every school year This beloved SSM tradition has survived a campus move (a decade ago), a pandemic,andotherobstacles.

Thisschoolyear,WetDayreturnedfor students to enjoy an in-person splash after two years! With its fitting theme of Tropical Summer, Preschool and Lower Primary students gathered on the turf to dip their toes in inflatable pools. Some children chose to embrace the chill, while others readied for a drenching battle against each other - armed with water guns, balloons, and buckets filledwithwater.Meanwhile,theUpper Primary enjoyed a blissful swim in the pool,awayfromtheblazingsun.

However, the students are not theonlyoneswholookforward toWetDay.Withteachersdiving into the summer spirit, they playfully soaked each other with water guns. Teacher Marge and Ms.Annaruthevenwenthead-tohead in a competitive swimming race It was safe to say our teachershadplentyoffuntoo!

The laughter and splashing water that echoed through the poolandturfevidentlyshowthatWetDayisanirreplaceable eventinSSMthatgetseveryoneexcitedeachyear.

By Jessica Snyder & Vanessa Wong

Each artwork tells a thousand stories, leaving the meaning behind it up to the audience’s interpretation. In an effort to highlight students’ inner artists, SSM decorated the halls of the first floor with the vibrant visions of students in the year-endArtGallery.

Behindeach3-Drobot,2-Dlandscape,and artworkfromseveralmediumswereweeks of preparation and effort to ensure that their masterpieces would dazzle any passerby. Aside from the use of different techniques,manyofthecraftsweremade out of cardboard and other recycled materials - a true show of the students’ innovation

The Art Gallery offered a glimpse into the artistic abilities of SSM students of all ages. It ignited their creativity and fostered an environment where their voices could be heard through art Who knows, the next Picasso may just be aroundus!

LITTLE LITTLE LEARNERS LEARNERS onto onto

GREATER ADVENTURES GREATER ADVENTURES

By Yvie Go

SignifiersofnewbeginningswerepresentduringKinder2’sMovingUpDaylastJune13thwithstudentsinwhite, alongwiththeproudlooksoftheirfamilymembersandteachers.Everystudentpresentworkedhardtodevelop thebasicskillsneededforPrimary,thusthiswasajoyousoccasiontomarktheirtransition.

Theeventstartedoutwiththephotowall,designedtoserveasacolorfulopportunitytostorefuturememories. Parents, guardians, and extended family of the students were all smiles as they immortalized this day with a picture!

It was then time for the students dressed in white to walk across the botanically decorated stage to receive their well-deserved Kindergarten diplomas and even special honors. These individual awards were made to celebrateeachchild’sindividualstrengths,motivatingthemfortheirPrimary yearsahead!Fromthe“LittleInquirerAward”forthosewithinborncuriosity to the “Little Leader Award” for proactive students, to the “Little Picasso Award” for those leaning towards their creative side There was much to celebrateandrecognizeamongtheKinder2students,evenattheirextremely young ages! This goes to show that children are capable of developing their personalitiesandskillseventhisearlyoninlife.

Performancesbythegraduatesfollowed,withthestudentssharingthe stagewiththeirfellowclassmates.Kinder2AMsteppedtotherhythm to “Beautiful Day,” Kinder 2 PM-A moved to the beat in “Ready to Go,” andKinder2PM-Bbroughtouttheirdancemovesin “Paprika.”

Lastly,aKinder2culminatingvideowasplayedsummarisingtheentire academicyear sparkingforgottenmemoriesandwaterworks.Inthe video,Kinder2studentsplayedrolesfromteachersandweathermenin scenes showcasing their biggest learnings and favourite memories Finally, the creative ensemble ended with everybody singing a “Goodbye Song.”

Drawing the curtains on the ceremony, a closing song was played to end a memorable event for everyone in attendance. It was a great kick-off to this year’s school break and marked a satisfying finale to the students’ Preschoolyears Primaryawaits!

Gearing Up For The Road Ahead

By Abi Co

Inevitable,butnotimpossiblewiththerighttools Ina student's world, change is the transition from one grade to another, a scary process that many face feeling unsupported. Determined not to let that happen, SSM held a week-long camp from June 8th to 16th, 2023 in preparationfortherigorousInternationalBaccalaureateDiplomaProgramme(IBDP)aheadfortheincoming

Changeisdifficult,butitisalsothekeytoone’ssuccess

Grade11

Studentsspentthefirsttwodayshoningessentialskillsfor any successful school year: time management, critical thinking, and effective learning habits. From performing individualtasksunderpressuretoopendiscussionsinthe classroom eachactivitywasdesignedtobuildstudents’ confidenceinapplyingthenecessaryskillswhenneeded

“I was intimidated by the thought (of speaking),” Jaelyn Soliman shared, stating that although challenging,theseactivitiespushedhertobecomemoreaccustomedtopublicspeaking. “But the fear I got from it was a bit lessened from the times they called everybody to share their insights.”

Althoughtimemanagementandsimilarskillsareessential, these would be meaningless without a solid foundation. With guidance from their future teachers, students reinforced their knowledge of the basics of research, academicwriting,andtextualanalysisforthelastfewdays ofthecamp.

Onthefinalday,thebatchtookthetimetoreflectontheir Prep Camp experience. “I learnt that learning has many different approaches,” Timothy Lo states, “and that no one is necessarily better than others.” Healsosharedhow his perception of the future programme altered, now motivatedmorethaneverfortheincomingschoolyear. “I believed that IB would be insurmountable, but now, growing as a student in the programme is something that I look forward to.”

The activities came to an end, but the journey for these young students is far from over Armed with improved skills and brighter mindsets, they eagerly move onto a new chapter in their lives, ready to face the challenging roadofPre-Universityahead.

A JOURNEY'S A JOURNEY'S FINAL REWARDS FINAL REWARDS

By Yvie Go

Asthedaysgrowhotterandsummerapproaches,manyprepareforthelongvacationahead.However,forPreUniversitygraduates,onefinaltaskremained:theend-of-yearpresentations. A-Level and IB students, respectively, needed to present their experiencesforCommunity,Sports&Creativity(CSC)andCreativity, Activity&Service(CAS).CSCandCASfocusonnon-academicaspects thataidinbuildingholisticindividuals,ensuringSSMstudentsareable toseetheworldatitsfullest

RecallinghernoteworthyCSCjourney,VeniceCruzreminisceshervisit toalocalorphanage, AHomeForTheAngels. “It was memorable as we brought happiness to these kids, and they also brought happiness to us, volunteers.”

Although technically a presentation, students utilized it as an opportunity to share their experiences that prompted growth outside traditionallearning

CAS generally was an eye-opening experience, it allows each individual to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses; go beyond their limits as to what else they can do besides academics.

Best described in words by IB graduate Charina Anggala

ntations were the finishing touch of the ese graduates, and it was finally time to eir grit and hard work! Due to the theSeniorSend-OffheldlastJune13th e first semi-formal high school event for nganticipationforthesurpriseahead.

Arrivingatthevenue,studentsweregreetedwitha grand dinner buffet which was then followed by classicpartygamestostartthecelebration!

TheexcitingcombinationofMusicalChairsandTruthorDareasaconsequencequicklybecamethehighlightof everyone’snightasstudentsrelishedtheirlastfewmomentsasseniors.

Time quickly flew by and classmatesweresayingtheir last farewells before they knew it. Regardless, the memoriesovertheyearswill forever remain in their heartswherevertheygo.

“The Send-Off is definitely one of my top highlights of senior high as it felt like a proper ending in a book chapter,” Anikka Buen says as she reminisces theunforgettablenight, “it just wraps things up perfectly.”

The The First Steps First Steps to the Next Chapter

By Charly Lam

Fromdaysoflate-nightcrammingtomakingunforgettablememories inbetween Primary6andGrade12havecertainlycomealongway!

To commemorate their achievements, Singapore Schools Philippines heldtheirCommencementceremonylastJune17th,2023

ThedoorstotheballroomopenedasgraduatesofPrimary6fromSSM, SSCL, and SSGC alongside SSM’s Grade 12, proudly walked down the aisle to commence the celebration. Following the national anthems, studentsweregracedwithwordsofwisdomfromtheguestspeaker,Ms. LisaMacuja-Elizalde, a decorated ballerina. The new Student Council officers across each campus joined the momentous occasion too! Deliveringoathsandreceivingpins,theymarkedthebeginningoftheir incomingyear-longservice.

Thencamethemainevent!Studentsmadetheirwayonstagetoaccept theirhard-earneddiplomas,withGrade12studentsbeinggivenspecial awardsforsportsmanship,loyalty,academics,service,andconduct

Arepresentativefromeachlevelthenbravelytookthestage,deliveringheartwarmingspeechesthatresonatedin theheartsoflisteners.ForPrimary6,itwasSiddhiHastir(SSM),LorenzoRabinovich(SSMGC),andSaraPatel (SSCL) WhilstJetHernandezandCharinaAnggalarepresentedA-LevelandIBDP2respectively,bytakingawalk downmemorylaneandthankingeveryonewhohadleftamarkontheseniors’life

However,thedaywasnotoverjustyet!SSMhadonelast surprise for its graduates: a special video montage for each grade reminiscing the myriad of memories that havebeencreatedovertheyears Studentsthengoton stage to sing the school song which was then followed byapicture-takingofeachbatch.Thiswasaparticularly emotional moment for the Grade 12 seniors as they stoodtogetherforthelasttimeasSSMstudents.

To wrap up this milestone, those who have witnessed their remarkable journey shared final words of encouragement forthegraduates.

TEACHER

TEACHER KRISTEEN

“Seek out the beauty of now and the ordinary With the busyness of life, we tend to forget the beauty of ordinary things. As they embark on the new chapter, may they embrace every step of the way.”

CLAIRE

“Go and explore new things. You’ll never know what doors will open that’ll make you stronger.”

As another school year comes to a close, graduates move on to the next journey Flipping thepagetobeginanotherchapterwithgreaterthingsahead.

A Decade Of DEDICATIO

By Martina Isidro

Withaknackforeducatingyoungadults,Teacher C had numerous experiences teaching in the country overseas. Starting from teaching accounting marketing in many schools and universities locally her extraordinary path as a teacher at Ra International College in Vietnam. Teacher Cora alwaysputherloveforteachingattheheartofherw inshapingthemindsofthefuture

WhenshearrivedasabusinessteacherforSeconda yearsago,shehadnotanticipatedtheamountofgro the school would go through. The changes she contributed to and witnessed bloom into the cur school traditions, such as the Business Ventures

Morethanaknowledgeableeducator,themostheartfelt recollections of Teacher Cora also come from her compassion towards her students and her exceptional teaching methods. Many of her students look back to challenging lectures that they passed with flying colours due to her tenacious encouragement and understanding of their particular needs and learning styles Sheneverhesitatedtoassiststudents,evenifthat meant going past her own hours, just to see them succeed.Itisnotuncommontohearabouthowmuchher students felt accepted and energised in every class with her.Beithermomentsofreflectionandgratitudeatthe startoftheclass,uptodismissalattheendoftheday.

In all moments with Teacher Cora, it depicts someone who is committed, encouraging, doting, and definitely, someone who always displays unwavering faith in her students. In every day that she showedupforherbelovedstudents,everydaytheyprogresstobeleadersoftomorrow.Hersupport has been and forever will be something that her students will carry with them into their future successes,becauseofhowimportantitistoastudenttohaveteachersthatalwayshavetheirback. TeacherCorawillneverbeforgottenasalovedandhighlyregardedteacherinSSM.

Buzzing to VICTORY

By Elle Sy

SingaporeSchoolPhilippinesrecentlyheldanAcademicQuizBeefromNurserytoSecondary3lastMay30thand June5th,2023.where3differentcategorieswereheld:MathandScience,SpellingandWriting.

With the word “competition” comes the pressure, doubts, and uncertaintiesinourselves Inaroomwherewecaneasilyfeelsmall competingagainstotherstudents,therewillalwaysbereasonswhy we should believe in ourselves. Take a look at the wise pieces of advice from the AQB winners themselves, to help you perform at yourbestinanycircumstance

1

Each competition is an experience that will prepare you for bigger and better challenges.

3

Recognize that participating in competitions offers more than just winning or losing. These experiences open doors to new friendships and create memories that will last a lifetime.

2

Remember

that you are never alone. Friends and family will always be supporting you in your journey.

4

Everyone is pressured and occupied with their own thoughts, do everything you can to focus on yourself.

5

You are there for a reason, be confident in your own skills.

7

6

We all learn from taking risks.

Visualize the positive outcomes and picture yourself overcoming situations with grace and determination.

8

Put in the time and effort to practice your skills and become well-versed in the competition requirements.

9

Let your love for what you're doing be the driving force that motivates you to overcome your fears and give it your best shot.

10

Lastly, remember to enjoy and embrace the joyful moments in competing.

AsanotheryearofAQBremainssuccessful,remembertocelebrateallyouraccomplishments, nomatterhowbigorsmallitis.

KICKING ADVERSITY ASIDE ADVERSITY ASIDE

By Yvie Go & Chesca Lauchengco

Inorderforaplanetosoaracrossthesky,ittakesaplethoraofcomponentstogetittotakeoff Eachpartplays theirownimportantroleinflyingtheairplaneacrossseas.

OnMay20th,2023,SSM’sfootballteamtooktothefield competing in their first official match since the pandemic. The team’s mentality was built on the effort and training that had been acquired throughout the schoolyear Whilethegamemayhaveendedinvictory, therewerecertainlydoubtsalongtheway

Theseuncertaintiesstemmedfromtheabsenceofthe roster's main goalkeeper, Chance Chen, who had playerswonderingwhethertheywouldbeabletopull their own weight to seal the holes in their defense AccordingtoKenjieRejuso,theLeftWingoftheteam, Whiletensionswerehigh,theteam'schemistrydidnot falteraseachplayerusedtheirownmethodstocope with pressure and maintain a positive mindset. As mentioned by Calvin Li, the Central Midfielder, "Personally, I act like the game is not competitive so I feel comfortable playing."

Ontheotherhand,VincentRitter,theteam'sLeft Back,shares "You should know your abilities; know what you can do and can't do. And what you can’t do is play comfortably and relaxed."

Whether it's a striker scoring goals or a goalkeeper saving shots, if one player is unable to fulfil their end of the stick, it leaves a crack in the group ' s teamwork.

voicedRafaLi,theDefenderoftheroster.

Likewise,whensomeoneismissing,thetriumphdoesnotoriginatefromsimpletalentandskillbuttheplayer's ability to discipline themselves and adapt to the situations at hand It requires a driving force, chemistry, and strategyinordertogettheballrolling.Asacclaimedbytheplayers,eachmemberunlocksadoorthatessentially triggersthechiefmotiveoftheteam.

Untilthelastsecond,itwasevidentthateachplayer’sversatilityamidstuncertaintywasthekeytovictory, trumpingtalent.

"Everybody plays a big role during the game. "

Family dynamics are unique for everyone. Need some guidance on how to navigate them? The Life Coaches are here to help!

As I grow up, I find it harder to talk to my parents about my problems and emotions because I do not know how they will react. How can I overcome this?

Dear Dear SSM, SSM,

FIGURING OUT FAMILY

By Jessica Snyder

Sometimes I feel like my parents still treat me like a child. How can I communicate to them that I am more independent now?

There’salwaysanopportune timeforeverything.

Fortheconversationtobetruly productive,bothpartiesmust enterintherightattitudeandan openmind Toeaseyourworries, youcanevenseektheadviceof someonewhohasalreadybeenin asimilarsituation.Younever know,theirinsightsmayjustbe valuable.

Goinghandinhandwithtiming, thecourageousfirststepalso entailsmanagingyour expectationsandemotions.Be preparedforthepossibilityofa differentresponsethanwhatyou werehopingfor-sometimesnot everythingwillgoourway But,thefactthatyouwerebrave enoughtoopenupwillalways countforsomething,sodon’tbe tooquicktoclosethedoor.

“Independence”encompassesalotofthings Startbyclearly definingwhatthatmeanstoyou-it’llhelptogetyourparentson thesamepageandunderstandwhatitisyou’rehopingforbetter. Meanwhile,otherdisplaysofmaturity?Consistencyand compromise.Showyourparentsthatyou’rereadytohandle moreresponsibilitiesandmeetthemhalfway

It’strulyablessingsomeoneislookingoutforyou.Whenyou bothestablishthatallyouwantiswhat’sbestforyourgrowth,it maybethesecretingredientthatpavesthewaytobuildingthat trustandconfidenceinyourmaturitytohavemoreliberty

Growing up, my parents were busy. Now, I feel like I have not been able to form a deep connection with them yet. What can I do to bond with them more?

Thegoodnews?It’snevertoolatetostartformingthatbond!You stillhavetime.Tryindulginginthelittlethingsyouenjoytogether, whetherit’ssettingasidetimetowatchagoodmovie,orsharinga mealafteralongday.Peopletendtooverlookthebriefmoments andgestures,butit’sintheseseeminglyinsignificanttimesthat beautyandgrowthinarelationshiplie.

Whilelovelanguagesareusuallyassociatedwithfriendshipsor romanticrelationships,understandingthatofyourparents’also helps Someparentsarecommunicativewiththeirlove,somedoit throughactsofserviceorgifts.Whatmaybeconstruedas compensationfortheirabsencecouldjustbetheiruniquewayof showingaffection.Thismightevenopenyoureyestoseeingthings fromtheirperspective,helpingyourealisethattheirlove manifestsinseveralforms Byembracingthediversityoflove languages,youforgeadeeperunderstandingwithyourparents!

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Born A

LEADER LEADER

By Chesca Lauchengco

ThehoroscopeofbeinganAriesentailsthatoneisconfident,determinedandaboveall,anaturalbornleader.

Throughout the course of my life, I feel like I have carried the accumulatingburdenofresponsibilitytocareforthepeoplearound me.TheburdendoesnotcomefromthereasonthatIdonotwantto care,butitisbecauseIcaretoomuch.

Ultimately,whenyoucaretoomuchabouttheactionsyoumakeand thepeoplewhowillbeaffectedbythem,youareforcedtogrowfast withoutrealisinghowfaryouhavesprungfromtheground.Whether it is out of the fear of looking back at disappointment, or the inevitabletunnelvisionfuelledbyadirectresultofsuccess.

WhenIwasinPrimaryschool,IneverdoubtedthatIpossessedtheknacktolead.Asa3rdgradestudent,Ihad recognised an urge to make my voice heard Because of this, I was labelled the bossy kid who would never let anyoneelsetalk Iwasloudandunnerving Asa7or8year-old,Iwastooyoungtorealisethatthisassetofmine wasnotsomethingIneededtohide,butreconstruct.Ifoundmyselftobecometheclassmateeveryonereliedon ingroupworks.Pullingintomystrengthsinliteratureandarts,Iwouldoftendirectourspontaneouslyassigned roleplaysanddesigntheposterswhenweweretaskedto.Atfirst,Iquiteenjoyedtheattention.Ilikedthatmy ideaswererespectedandvalidated IlikedthatIcouldbeseenasacreativemind Mostofall,IlikedthatIwas heardamidstthechaosofprimaryschool.

Asoflate,Ileavethe10thgradewithmanythingsundermybelt.I walkoutoftheclassroomtheCEOofourbusiness,Edi-Dough;the SpecialFeaturesSeniorEditoroftheMerlionTimesEditorialBoard; and the Bayanihan Student Council Level Representative Not to mentionthemanyothersideprojectsthrownatmethroughoutthe schoolyear.Bychoosingtoinvolvemyselfintheseendeavoursthat overlapped and conflicted with each other, I was given the opportunitytolearnhowtoleadinaplethoraofvibrantlydifferent situations. Beyond that, I was tasked to work under and over new sets of people with personalities I learnt to adapt to. It was a refreshingrestarttotheusualactivitiesthatneverreallychallenged myleadershipcapabilities.

As school life picked up and responsibilities gained weight,theconfidenceIhadbuiltovertheyearsbegan to crumble. I could not get myself to fathom how my seniors were so put-together and so much more reliablethanIcouldeverbeinmylifetime Suddenly, itfeltlikethiswholetimeIhadbeenleadingmypeers through an unsteady path simply because I was not competent enough. Suddenly, I had become hyper focused on the need to be on top of everything and lookintoeverydetailthatcausedmyteamtostruggle Suddenly, I was a counterfeit of the leader my classmatesdeserved.

In complete honesty, I do not believe I have become the leader that going through these projects would have shaped me or anyone else to be With taxing projects, extracurriculars, and academics pulling on every limb, I have eventually been stretched out and watered down to nothing but a girl who dared to fly too close to the sun Rather than flourishing with growthandnewfoundskills,Isuccumbedtothemany doubtsofwhetherornotIdeservedtolead.

TothisdayIcontemplatewhyIhavebeengrantedthemanychancestobealeader.Shouldsomeonehaveasked whyIwasthegroupleaderforacertainprojectafewyearsago,Iwouldhaveansweredwiththestatement, “They just chose me to be the leader ” with a smug look on my face At this very moment, should you ask the same question,Iwouldhavetoaskaroundfirstbeforereturningtogivemyresponse NotbecauseIneedanegoboost tomyalreadyoverlyconfidentpersonabutbecauseItrulywouldnotknowwhattosay.Icouldcomeupwitha measly one-liner from the back of my head claiming that I was the leader because I am strong-willed and passionateaboutthethingsIdo,butthatisnotreallysomethingIbelievetobetrue.

TobeanAries,amiddlechild,anENFPorallthe other textbook definitions that catalyse what beingagoodleaderentailshaveforgedmyselfto believe that this is who I am supposed to be However, I realise now that we should not seek comfortinthewaythingsaresupposedtobe.We should not abide by descriptions that define us but live through the experiences and challenges thatwehavefaced Becausethisway,youdonot have to shield yourself from finding your best potential.IamaleadernotbecauseofwhoIam butbecauseofwhoIhavebecome.

Tothosewhofindthemselvesin thesameposition,Ileaveyou withapieceofadviceoneofmy teachersleftmewith.

Make yourself irreplaceable.

MEET THE WRITER

Bydoingso,nomatterhow manydoubtsfloataboutinthe backofyourhead,youwill knowthatsomeoneiscounting onyoutodobetter

Chesca is an incoming IBDP1 student who you can often find loudly chattingwithfriendswhilewalkinginthehallway.Despiteheroutgoing personality,sheusuallyspendsherfreetimebingewatchingTVshows orsleeping.

INKING OUR Final Lines

I’llalwaysbeimmenselygratefultohavehadtheopportunitytoleadtheMerlionTimesandworkwithanEditorial Boardoftalentedindividuals.Everyonebringssomethingfreshanddifferenttothetable,whichiswhathasmade itajoytocreatethenewsletterstogether.Eachissueposeditsownchallenges-tightdeadlines,strikingabalance with other responsibilities, and everything in between However, through these trials and tribulations, I am immenselyproudofeveryoneontheteamforturningblankpagesintomeaningfulstories Memoriesofwriting articlesandapplyingeditswithNewsandSpecialFeatures,tostayinguptocompletetheissues’designswiththe Layoutteam,aretimesIwillalwaysholddear.ThoughleadingastheEIChasbeennothingshortoffulfilling,the learningsfromeachpersonIworkedwiththroughoutthejourneywouldbethemostmemorable.

Ihopelaunchingthespecialedition,theMiniMT,thisschoolyearwilljustbethestarttomanyyearsofeven biggeraccomplishmentsforthenewsletter.WishingallthebesttothenewMTEditorialBoard!SigningOff!

beproudtohavehadtheopportunityto MerlionTimesastheManagingEditorand all the unique individuals in the board. ngapartoftheEditorialBoardhascome hallenges,Iconsiderthesetobelessons elped me grow which have made my here even more meaningful and I will make sure to treasure and carry memories and lessons I’ve made during ingMT.

Liana Wu, Managing Editor

Jessica Snyder, Editor In Chief

As our final issue of Volume 16 joins the collection on the shelf, the Merlion Times Editorial Board would like to express our gratitude with a few messages as some bid farewell to the MT.

Itwasafulfilling2yearjourneywithMTas ithashonedmywritingskillsandfostereda deeperappreciationforthecommunity My experience in working under the special features department has been nothing but a bliss with the talented and hard working membersIworkwith.WitheachinterviewI conduct, there is no doubt that I always walked away with newfound wisdom and inspiration. I always loved and am truly gratefulforhowtheMTwasabletoserveas a platform to amplify the voices and passionsofmany.

Joining Merlion to me was something unexpected because I didn’t really see myself fitting in an editorial boardsetting.But,becomingapartofitwasoneofthe morefulfillingthingsIdidinthe2yearsofPre-U,AsifI was meant to do something more aside from purely academics and explore something new I remember thosedayswhenMerlionTimeshadjustbecamestudent initiated I didn’t really have an exact vision of what I wanted Merlion to be and I was the youngest senior editoratthattime,soIfeltsomewhatmisplaced But,I found inspiration from the people around me and from that helped me form the vision of Merlion today. I rememberthosedaysIwaseditinga70pagenewsletter withthoseallnighters.ThosearethedaysIwouldnever forget, because it reminded me of how everything startedandeventuallyhowitgrewtobecomewhatitis today.OnethingIcherishbeingintheeditorialboardis the passion of the individuals part of it. Each person brought something special to the newsletter and more andmorewecanfeeltheeffortofeachstudentintothe newsletter which made it even more special I am truly grateful for this opportunity to make a big contribution to our school community and I am excited to see what theeditorialboardwillbecomeinthefuture.

Elle Sy, Junior Special Features Editor

Charina Anggala, Senior Layout Editor

Here are a few words from familiar faces you will see next year too!

Overthecourseoftheyear,ourpassionforthenewsletteronlygrew.Eventhroughdifficultieslikedeadlines and article-titling, we had an amazing time contributing to connecting the school through articles and showcases of the student body’s voices. The growth of our little newsletter was something we had been hopingforfromthestart,andwe’reonlymoreexcitedtoshowyouwhatelsetheMerlionTimeshasinstore forthenextschoolyear–seeyouthere!

Cross Logic Cross Logic Puzzle Puzzle

By Vanessa Wong

Your goal is to figure out each item's matches because one item can only have one box not crossed out, using just the clues given and pure logical deduction.

CLUES

NeitherJessicanorCharinawroteTalesof Talents

Charinadoesn'thave200words. EllewroteabouttheOutreach.

Jessicahas150wordsinherwordcount. NeitherCharinanorEllehas300wordsyet Someonewith"-na"endingoftheirname wroteFather'sDay.

Step3:Prizesarefirst-come-first-serve.TheFIRSTpersontosend intheCORRECTanswerwillbeconsideredthewinner!

When Opportunity When Opportunity Knocks... Knocks...

By Liana Wu

With the school year flying by in the blink of an eye, another awaits just around the corner. Make the most out of your summer break with these classes that are packed with fun while giving you a new skill or two!

SSM-Offered External Opportunities

SWIMMING

Have trouble conquering your fear of water? Bert Lozada’s swimming classes will not only provideachanceforstudentstoovercomethis and learn a new survival skill but will also let themenjoyaquaticadventuresthissummer

TAEKWONDO

The perfect way to kick-start your summer is here! Whether students are a beginner or a novice, SSM’s taekwondo class will be able to equip them with self-defence techniques and polished strikes that could come in handy someday.

INSTRUMENTS

For those who do not necessarily have their heart in sports, Yamaha Music School offers classes on a variety of instruments catered to youraptitudeandstyle

FOOTBALL

Looking to score a shot at getting to play on the realfield?SSMpresentsagreatopportunitytoget a feel for the sport and learn about different football techniques On the other hand, experiencedplayerscanalsopracticeandmaster their dribbling or passing, in order to achieve greatergoals.

VOLUME 16 COVER ARTISTS VOLUME 16 COVER ARTISTS

Meet all of the talented artists behind our covers for Volume 16!

Meet all of the talented artists behind our covers for Volume 16!

ISSUE I

ISSUE II

MINI MT

Jaelynlikestoexplorehercreativityinart She lovesscience,fencing,andtakingphotographs Sheaspirestobeasuccessfulengineersomeday

Saharaenjoysartindifferent forms.Playinginstruments, listeningtomusic,drawing, andpaintingtonameafew. Shealsolikestowatch sitcomsandperformancesof herfavouritegroupsonline.

Jasmineenjoysexpressingher creativitythroughdrawingand baking,whichherclassmates oftenpraiseherfor.Inherfree time,shepracticestheartof origamitoo.

Morganconsidersherselfanoldsoul.Sheloves 80’sfashionandoff-beatmusic,butisalsointo currentonlinetrendsandpopculture.Whileshe lovescreativewriting,Morganisavisualartistat heart.

ISSUE III

ISSUE IV

Laylaisinterestedinartandanimation Inher freetimeshepracticesdrawing,looksfornew musictolistento,andchatswithfriendsand family

Yvie

Interestedinreadingandanalysinghuman intellect,Yvie aspirestoenterthemedicalfield asapsychiatrist.Occasionally,she’llpickupa paintbrushwhenjournalingorslurpinginstant noodleslosetheirusualappeal

Withanaturalborntalentinthe arts,Ryanviewstheworldwith limitlesscreativity.Throughhis imagination,hecancreate artisticpieces.Heaspirestobe rememberedthroughthis dedicatedcontribution.

Jenelynispassionateabout artandcrafts,withher favouritesbeingpainting andcrocheting.Sheis happytoshareherartworks witheveryone,evident throughthemanypaintings shehascreatedinSSM.

Sahara Go, S2

Jaelyn Soliman, S4

Morgan Morada, S4

Layla Go, S3

Ryan Wu, IBDP1

Go, S3

Jenelyn Shi, A Level

Jasmine Nogollos, P5

THE EDITORIAL BOARD THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Meet the Editors behind the Merlion Times Newsletter

Meet the Editors behind the Merlion Times Newsletter

OUR MISSION

We strive to promote school spirit & camaraderie across the community through the newsletter

CONNECT WITH US

Any suggestions or questions? Looking to be a part of the next issue?

EMAIL merliontimes@singaporeschoolmanila.com.ph

INSTAGRAM @merliontimes

CONTRIBUTORS

Chesca Lauchengco, Secondary 4

COVER ART

Jenelyn Shi, A Level