THE BARANGAY ( 4 PAGES NEWSPAPER ) 2022-2023

BARANGAY

Batch Sikhay takes step in LDHS Vandalism

DC returns with Midnight Madness

Lakan Dula High School (LDHS) Dramatics Club's awaited showing of the stage play "Midnight Madness" took place on the school's Multi-purpose Hall, May 15 - 17, 2023.

Based on Mr. Edberg Morales writer of Midnight Madness and the advisor of Dramatics Club, Midnight Madness (MM), was inspired by the American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift's discography featuring her songs in the play.

Besides being inspired by Swift, the play tackles different struggles that every student faces. For example, Sunny and sky who are experiencing academic pressure together with Geo and Onyx being victims of bullying. “The LGBTQIA+ community is

not yet accepted, they are just being tolerated.” Mr. Morales said.

"Basically, acceptance is different from tolerance. People may think that the members of the LGBTQIA+ community are already accepted fully in our country, but basically not." he said. "Kasi when you see two boys holding hands, makikita niyo pa rin na may tumatawa, makikita niyo pa rin na may nagtataas ng kilay, so technically they're not yet accepted, they are just being tolerated." Morales added.

D'dhrei Pangan from section 9-20 expressed that she felt somehow safe and related to the play, "Relatable dahil maraming may galit sa akin for being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, kasi sabi nila it's a sin pero hindi naman

because I was born this way." she said.

"Pinapakita rin sa play na hindi kailangan i-treat kami nang tama like as a normal people na hindi kami weird, gano'n ang pinapalabas niya." she added.

Apart from this, MM is also facing its own. difficulties, "yung mga ganito maraming may nagtataas ng kilay kasi what's the purpose of this, is it related to academics? Hindi naman, kapag mga gano'n hindi naman nagdadala ng awards or whatsoever. Most of the time, you will not be receiving support, but thankfully, Ma'am Angon and Ma'am Linaja were all very open with this kind of production." Mr. Morales stated.

LDHS soars high on 2023 DSPC

Lakan Dula High School's (LDHS) Principal Ms. Merle B. Angon implemented an ordinance that prohibits students from bringing permanent markers and highlighters.

LDHS, Supreme Student Government (SSG) facebook page announced the restriction of permanent markers and highlighters because of the vandalism and graffiti incidents all over the school buildings and facilities.

Ms. Angon said that this order is made to stop mischief. To ensure that students will follow the rule, their bags will be inspected starting on Monday, April 24

SSG officer Andrei Rivera said that this ordinance will be repealed when they discover the culprit behind this incidents.

According to DepEd order No. 44 S. 2005 section 7.1, vandalism is punishable by suspension or expulsion depending on the seriousness of the offense.

Blaze Hits Pritil Public Market

Lakan Dula High School (LDHS) once again obtained victory at the 2023 Manila Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) held at Manila High School on May 13, Saturday.

With the theme "From Campus Journalism To Real-World Journalism: Shaping Minds From Schools To Society," schools from districts one to six competed to earn a spot to represent their school at the 2023 Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) on June 6-7.

Pink De Guzman earned the 1st place in Copyreading and heading together with Samantha Lonie Tecson, the 2nd place in Kartuning Pang-editorial, and Xylene Resha Terminio, the 1st place in Column Writing.

Both Alyssa Andrei Rimorin in Pagsulat ng Lathalain and Camille Rose Aquino in Pagsulat ng Column won 2nd place; Heather Chloe Pea won 3rd place in Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng Balita; Candice Michelle Nuez won 4th place in Feature Writing; and Mark Francisco won 4th place in Sports Writing, followed by Keisha Sabine Bungay in 6th place in Pagsulat ng Balita and Shajeena Mas- tura, 8th place in Pagsulat ng Editoryal.

In addition, Shajeena Mastura stood as vice president alongside Gerome Santos as secretary of the Editor's Guild for 2023-2024.

Almost 600 stalls and estimated 100 million worth of commodities turned into ashes after the huge fire in Pritil Public Market Tondo, Manila around 10:43 PM on Saturday, April 29. The cause of fire is currently under investigation by the authorities.

According to Senior Inspector Alejandro Ramos of Manila fire district, the fire most likely started in the meat section.

“Ang hirap po pasukin gawang napaka init po talaga. Ang palengke po meron pong masasabi nating flammable materials”, Ramos said.

Moreover, the fire lasted nine hours and reached into 14th alarm that caused two injuries.

After the fire, the whole establishment turned completely black and numerous products were swallowed by the fire while other stall owners tried to salvage their items.

NEXT PAGE:

CRAWLING

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH PUBLICATION OF LAKAN DULA HIGH SCHOOL

Charles E. Donato

John Gabriel L. Nadura

Photo taken by Kirsten Sundian

Khiann Mae S. Stambough

Photo taken by Precious Arceo

Photo taken by Yanna Abitona

Ricshana Rose A. Valenzuela

Photo taken by Cassandra Serrano

MALICIOUS LOVE

Diana Sofia Murillo

People discipline their children in numerous ways, such as by spanking them with a belt or yelling at them whenever they do something wrong. But all of these simply cross the line. Violence is never an option nor a discipline method, no matter what context is in the book.

Patience should come beforehand to avoid stubbornness as it will result in violent disciplining. So why intercepting this a big deal? Simply because it will not do anything good for the child's concerns in every aspect. It will just leave a permanent scar within them, which could serve as a hindrance for their own development, considering the fact that they are still a child. There is still a long way for them to explore compared to adults. The tracks that they are currently taking are already rough enough; some bits of brutality from "disciplining" them will not get the job done.

Physical punishment indeed works its magic on a child's behavior, but at what cost? It is not enlightenment that changes the pigheaded; it is the fear instilled within the child's mind whenever he or she messes things up. Now, how is this a proper way to condemn them for their misbehavior? Treating them like a nonfunctional device that needed only a few hits in the back to be good as new.

It is unacceptable, especially due to the humiliation the child will feel when the punishment is done in public. Surprisingly, people still believe that it should be done in schools and institutions, such big places to exert violence within a student's playground, no matter how fun it is.

As of today, parents still use the traditional method of physical discipline, which they think is the “right" way to discipline a child. Having someone harmed on purpose doesn't sound to be the right path to take.

"Pagmamahal namin iyon"

This misconception serves as most adults' "justifiable reason" to harm their children with the objective of disciplining them. Even if their intent is for their children's own good, delivering it viciously defeats its purpose. Instead of a motivational headstart to grow, children consider it more of a living nightmare for the rest of their lives.

The trauma from this malicious discipline will only push the child towards disadvantage. This concerns how they make decisions as well as how they perform academically. Although, at some point, physical punishment is needed to prevent stubborn people from behaving improperly, it is still not the best option to choose.

Since it was abolished, parents had been using alternatives instead of using physical punishments such as using “time-outs” or confiscating their children's gadgets. These alternatives can help discipline them in a righteous manner, instead of scolding and punishing them physically. It opens an environment for them in which they can learn and make themselves better without being on the edge.

A CHILD OF EVIL

“I, take thee, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

The newlywed’s ride home took a twisted turn, revealing a cheater and abuser in spouse’s clothing. Were these vows worth anything anymore? For years, the victim and their children pondered - in a nation placing millions of people like them between a rock and a hard place, is it truly a sin to file for a divorce? Our answer - a cold, hard no. We reject that wish - the wish that prioritizes salvaging a burning ship over the innocents drowning under it. Yet they still do. After all these years, divorce remains unlawful and impossible. Ever since the Spaniards set foot on our land, absolute divorce was barred from the Philippines under the moral grounds that it violated the sanctity of marriage - and the American conquerors (who kept preaching freedom) made it harder to file one. Oh, the irony.

Strangely, every country in the world except for the Vatican City (understandable) and the Philippines, permit divorce. According to various sources, there are at least 40 countries that are more Christian and religious than our motherland. So why is it that because of those same principles, we ended up on the opposite side? Maybe they all happen to be regressing, and each one of them misunderstood the Bible. Or perhaps, we were the ones with oversights.

Undeniably, some verses, such as Proverbs 22:10, “Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease,” tell that we must cut ties with the abuser, not simply by leaving them stranded, but by severing their connection to us completely. Interpreted in the context of marriage - it alludes to legal separation or annulment in the Philippines. So why aren’t we satisfied with it then?

Because of its grounds. It only applies when a spouse is infertile, mentally unstable, or has an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). Not exactly nonsensical reasons, admittedly a good range, but they are all far less common than adultery and abuse, both criminalized behaviors that leave permanent scars unto its victims, especially in a close and once loving relationship. The long-lasting damage is prevalent in adults, and more so in children.

The main, hard-hitting argument and in doing so, scapegoats for prohibiting divorce are always the children, the next generation born from this madness. “Think about the children!,” most say, yet did it not once cross their minds that the youth is not blind or completely oblivious of their surroundings. It’s why teaching right and wrong at an early age is an end-all be-all for the kid’s future - beating is bad, cursing is bad, caring is good, complimenting is good. Underestimate their moral compass however, as most do, and society receives a child unable to decide clearly, brought upon by hazy memories of parents screaming at each other. Children are innocent, but not robotic.

As much as that’s what the higher-ups like to think about marriages in the Philippines, not all of them are healthy. Not to undermine the sanctity of marriage, but failing to protect spouses and children from the gripes of those with a clear lack of intent to care for them and uphold their promised vow - then that “symbolic value” is lost. Victims are dying in their unnoticed plight - all because of the remaining rigidity of the old times that humanity unanimously left behind.

What good is a promise if it can’t be fulfilled? What good is a life if it remains unfulfilled? These are worthless for sure, but divorce brings meaning to the table, even if it is - a child of evil.

THE BARANGAY

S.Y. 2023-2024

Principal

School Paper Adviser

Editor In Chief:

Associate Director:

Managing Director:

Head Researcher:

Editorial Head:

Column Head: Feature Head: News Head: Sports Head:

Science Head:

Head Cartoonist:

Head Photojournalist:

Head Layout Artist: Head Copyreader:

Ms. Merle B. Angon

Ms. Christie E. Arceo

Gerome M. Santos

Micaella Mae G. Hernandez

Marion Gabrielle F. Lacasad

Xylene Resha M. Terminio

Hazel Joy D. Vea

Xylene Resha M. Terminio

David Joseph N. Español

Ricshana Rose A. Valenzuela

Geoffrey C. Garcia

Micaella Mae G. Hernandez

Charles James P. Salatambos

Yanna D. Abitona

Louise Hannah Adriano

Mark Jacob E. Mendoza

NEWS WRITER:

CHARLES E. DONATO

RICSHANA ROSE A. VALENZUELA

JOHN GABRIEL L. NADURA

KHIANN MAE S. STAMBOUGH

FEATURE WRITER:

LAWRENCE BENJAMIN PEREZ JR.

DRANREB PASTOR

FAYE DENISE CARREON

EDITORIAL WRITER:

XYLENE RESHA M. TERMINIO

HAZEL JOY D.VEA

DIANA SOPHIA E. MURILLO

CARTOONIST:

JANNRAE DIONISIO

PHOTOJOURNALIST:

JANRAE DIONISIO ILLUSTRATION BY:

TIGHTENED ROPE

Serenity Guevarra

Bad parenting can have profound impact on children's development and often leads to negative outcomes in their future. Children who grew up in households that are plagued by neglect, abuse or violence are often associated with numerous issues including poor mental health, behavioral disorders, and unstable academic performance. For those who are raised in such environments also tend to struggle with social relationships. Which can lead to long term consequences.

Children who (are) grew up in households where they are exposed to constant stress or abuse are at risk of developing serious mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety. The lack of stable support can also lead to a sense of insecurity, which makes it hard for them to see themselves in a positive light. This in turn can result to poor self-esteem. Which carries to adulthood.

Furthermore, bad parenting can outcome to behavioral problems. Those who are raised in an environment where they are not given dear rules and guidelines are more likely to struggle with impulse control and tend to engage in risky behaviors. This is particularly true when parents have tendency to fail to look after their children's needs. Some often struggles to form healthy relationships with others, engage in menacing attitude, and have difficulty maintaining steady jobs and relationships throughout their lives.

Youth's who developed themselves in households where their parents are not involved in their education tend to struggle academically.

GOLD FOR A GOLD

Hazel Joy Vea

Currently, many students have become interested in journalism, so they chose it to be their subject. It may be as an extracurricular activity, or as a replacement for the Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) and TLE–Home Economics (THE). We believe that it should be an exchange to TLE/THE subject.

Campus journalists get to enhance their skills by spending extra time at school, however not everyone can manage taking nine subjects, as it is very stressful to handle for some of us. Therefore, journalism being an academic subject will be very helpful for students, because one less subject means that we, students get to have more leisure time, which helps in relaxing our physical bodies and replenishing our minds, thus we can be attentive when we are at school. Moreover, we can avoid having illnesses, and breakdowns, that will affect the progress of our article negatively.

If journalism becomes an after-school activity, our attention will be divided, as we are going to take journalism together with TLE/THE. When this happens, there is a tendency that some of us are not determined to do our tasks, that will take up much of our time, making us physically damaged, and mentally pressured. Because of this, we could lose focus on things that we are passionate about, and passionless work is soulless. Additionally, not everyone is enthusiastic about it, hence it just adds up to the tasks that we are supposed to accomplish, resulting in an unstable physical and mental health.

By taking journalism, we stay updated on issues that are currently happening around us. If students get the chance to take only journalism, we can be more engaged in writing stories that help other students remain updated as well. This is beneficial, especially for some of us who want to pursue journalism as a career. Since we get to concentrate more, we can easily improve our skills towards this. Even though we can learn many things in TLE/THE that can help us solve our problems, it is not enough to justify dividing our attention when we are uninterested.

They may not receive the encouragement and support they need to excel and may have trouble taking responsibility for their own academic success. The absence of a safe environment can also leave a child unable to focus on their academic pursuits, which will ultimately lead to poor performance.

Bad parenting in some other views is like a rope that keeps on tightening. Suffocating and leaving this lasting scars on someone's flesh. Traumas that can affect an individual's emotional, physical, and mental health, leading to negative consequences in their overall well-being.

It is the responsibility of all parents to ensure that they provide their children with a safe and supportive surrounding in which they can grow and flourish. The provision of such supportive environment can involve practicing good communication, setting clear rules, and enforcing them fairly amd consistently. Parents, A child's future depends on the quality of their upbringing, and it is essential to provide them with what they need to thrive.

Journalism plays an essential role to help us improve our skills in writing, speaking, and communicating. If it becomes an after-school subject we, campus journalists get the chance to build up our confidence, and ameliorate our capabilities as we are required to spend an extra time in school. In addition, it helps us, as we can learn useful things in TLE/THE though we are unaffiliated in it. Furthermore, there are also some campus journalists who wish to be in the field related to TLE/THE, so journalism being an after-school activity will be advantageous for them, as they get to gain more knowledge on things that they are passionate about.

Journalism is significant, not just to us journalists but also to our dear readers. It helps us handle controversial issues open-mindedly, hence we could expose and prepare ourselves for the real world soon to be encountered. We should write an article that can easily get our readers attention, therefore it must be relatable and neutral. As a result, we get to encourage them to be more observant, understanding, and less prejudiced. After all, it may be good or bad.

As campus journalists, we serve as the voice of the youth. We are the students' eyes and ears on current issues, especially those in school, so we are obligated to deliver factual information and truthful stories that would help other people see their surroundings clearly, therefore it is very important for us to focus on things that we are eager about. It is also crucial to practice this, and not divide our attention on things that we are passionless about, for the articles that we publish change the world everyday.

Xylene Resha Terminio

Crawling In With The Society

Gerome M. Santos

ILLUSTRATION BY:

CHARLES SALATAMBOS

Juan Dela Cruz, With Honors

"Knowledge is power," a motto fueling Juan's desire to prove himself as a student worthy of recognition for his exceptional intellect. He never misses an opportunity to hit the books, giving up his eight hours of sleep in exchange for being well-prepared for the upcoming periodical exams. But why do so many people choose to hinder Juan?

Indeed, there is not a single valid reason to hold resentment towards what he is by nature. However, this appears to be a huge concern for those individuals who view the prosperity of others as an everlasting thorn on their flesh.

Every time someone is about to cross the finish line, there is always a whistle that will purposely stop them in their tracks. It feels like your accomplishments act as a siren which signals them to pull the trigger, bringing certainty to your downfall. Why is that so? At this point, crab mentality takes the spotlight.

This is based on an anecdotal statement about how crabs behave when they are imprisoned in a bucket: as soon as one crab begins to climb up, the other crabs will pull it back in. Ensuring that no one will ever taste something that the others are unable to.

Even though it is prevalent throughout society, it is still a crucial topic to tackle, particularly in schools. Since it only makes up a small portion of what the whole community sees, many people perceive this as an insignificant issue. They are unaware that one of the places where this outlook is being exercised to students is in their own institutions.

Familiar with the term "bida-bida"?

Each of you has undoubtedly heard the word mentioned by your classmates during quarterly recitations or perhaps you have been referred to as one by your own peers just because you are far more capable of guiding your group towards a 98 grade in reportings. Despite the fact that all you did was to showcase your expertise, people would see it literally as an act of arrogance.

UNCOVERING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SMOKE

David Joseph Español

Gerome M. Santos

Leisure comes in many different ways. Some people eat food, some go shopping, and some just stay at home. There's nothing wrong with relieving yourself from stress but sometimes, these "stress relievers" can cause even more of the stress you want to get rid of. Take smoking for example, sure, the puffs of smoke coming from your mouth might give you this euphoric feeling, but it's actually killing you from the inside. It doesn't matter if it's a stick of tobacco rolled in a piece of paper or an electronic vape, they are still harmful.

Cigarettes are easily accessible, since you can get them from your local sari-sari store for just a few coins, many prefer this than the very costly electronic cigarettes or vapes. An ₱8.00 cigarette is a very affordable price for anyone. Unfortunately, since cigarettes can be sold anywhere and are cheaper, many students (sometimes underaged) can just simply buy one. Vapes on the other hand are much more costly and can range from ₱250.00 to even a few thousands. Some vape shops can be found in malls or online. These aren't very easy to get since some stores require an ID as a proof of age.

ILLUSTRATION BY:

CHARLES SALATAMBOS

While vapes are not as dangerous as normal cigarettes, it doesn't come without risks. Both products contain nicotine, a highly addictive psychoactive drug. Many think that vapes are far more safer than cigarettes. While this is true, since vapes don't produce carbon monoxide —which can be poisonous if ingested in great amounts— and cigarettes contain tobacco, which can cause lung cancer.

Nicotine is a drug, it is a naturally produced alkaloid, or an organic compound that comes from plants. It is present in foods like eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes, but it the tobacco plant has the highest nicotine level. The effects of nicotine are increase of blood pressure or heart rate, hardening of arterial walls, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. It also has long term effects such as cancer, lung diseases, heart diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also has psychological effects such as mood swings and addiction. Nicotine are also in vapes, it is infused in the vape juice (also known as e-juice) that is used to add flavor and scent to the smoke that is emitted from the vape.

Us Gen-Zs love to try new things. When something is trending, we immediately want to get our hands and minds on that particular thing. But sometimes our enthusiasm can lead us damned. There's more to life than puffing smoke from a piece of paper or from an electronic device, it can and will kill us physically and emotionally. So, while we're still young, let's spend our time on eating, shopping or staying at home. Trust me, it's much more easier and safer.

Friendship: Push and Pull

Micaella Mae G. Hernandez

Let me get this straight: peer pressure is not always bad. It can be a good thing from time to time. When your friends are all high academic achievers, don't you feel the need to do better too to reach their level? If they're not condoning your inadequate actions and are calling you out for your mistakes, doesn't that push you to correct your behaviors? Peer pressure is not bad all the time, but it's best to know that it's not a full-time good thing either.

Influence can sometimes alter our decision-making, and we all know that decisions are best made when no one else forces anything on you. If it comes, then it goes; the right thing will always come at the right time. So don't let anyone coerce you into something you're not willing to do, friends or not.

For them, labeling someone who is active in their academics as "pabida" seems to be a humorous joke. Little did they know how this simple pun would have left such an impact on someone's confidence which makes them incapable of bringing out their best. They also consider them as a threat to their current class rankings as they are worried that others who are working equally hard might replace them.

These situations often result in bullying among students since some do not want their fellow students to grow above what they are capable of. They assault them by any means in an effort to tear down their self-confidence until it is ruined. But should they really be held accountable just because they expressed their knowledge? Of course not, since research on human behavior shows that personal insecurities and low self-esteem, rather than someone showcasing their capabilities, are the main causes of crab mentality. This results in envy, which pushes someone to act desperately to prevent anyone from achieving the blue ribbon until he does.

Despite knowing that they are just trying to reach the pinnacle of their career, most people have an urge to bring others down. The fact that crab mentality is their doing and has been around for centuries, perhaps longer than our great-grandfather, they still turn a blind eye to it. We wanted for change to happen, yet here we are, mourning the same foolishness over and over again instead of starting to change ourselves.

Seriously, people need to settle down. There are no tricks involved; it is just people sharing their knowledge on what they are good at. There is nothing wrong with someone making a lot of progress while leaving us in the dust. Why don't we just be happy for them and follow them to the finish line? It is a rewarding thing to do while still coming off with flying colors!

You are no longer a baby, incapable of understanding that someone will be better than you one day. Instead of becoming envious, we should cheer them on for their accomplishments; after all, they have earned the right for our praises. It is up to us whether the crab mentality will continue to stand on its legs, crawling in our society or not. As you start to be enlightened on just how menacing this mindset is for our society, crab would be merely a nice meal to serve on your plate.

WITHSTANDING THE FLAMES

Lawrence Benjamin Perez Jr

Ever experience hell? Shouldering heavy load of assignments and due dates. waking up every morning feeling helpless and defeated, going to bed at night worrying about your responsibilities and unfinished tasks as a student.

It drains your energy and makes you feel miserable therefore easy task becomes difficult, it creates a cycle of mental fog and emotional exhaustion making everything feel harder.

It becomes difficult to concentrate and make decisions as your negative thoughts take over. With racing thoughts and restless nights, the Inability to sleep occurs which can be dangerous and deadly if proper treatment is not given, while it may seem absurd, you are not an exemption, especially since it is common in schools and work settings. This situation commonly leads to burnout.

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, It embodies the flames within us; our passion and energy which slowly become extinguished due to prolonged and intense stress, This typically happens when you are taking tasks more than you can handle, It overwhelms your physical and mental resources, leading to exhaustion. The pressure to meet unrealistic expectations intensifies the flames that causes burnout.

According to leading statistics, 81% of Filipino Students experience academic burn out which leads to increased cases of dropouts and failure rates. this causes anxiety, depression, or even suicide among students. Although the fact that 81% of the nation's population is a student is crucial, does this mean that there is no way to eliminate those numbers?

We know that we all want to prove something, but the most important aspect of learning is not about awards but rather what you have learned. Education is powerful because it has the ability to change the world, it provides knowledge, skills, and opportunities that can help us understand each other for a better future.

Putting your mental health first over meeting education requirements is a must. Our passion for learning is sparked by the value and joy of knowledge itself, Just like how fire needs fuel to blaze. Knowledge is the key that keeps it ignited. Motivation and curiosity is the way enabling you to change the world in an outstanding way. It gives your educational journey meaning and purpose.

We all have our priorities and we exert time and effort to meet our own expectations, But that does not mean we should neglect ourselves in order for us to gain recognition. Instead, we should care and love ourselves more than anything else. Everyone experiences burnout, It is natural. But, how we respond to it depends on us. We must love and surround ourselves with people who love and understands us. As Charles Bukowski an American poet once said, “ If you have the ability to love, love yourself first “.

It is essential for one to learn how to say no. That two-letter word will go a long way, as it is the first step in refusing to be a victim of peer pressure: flat-out saying no.

Enter confidence and self-esteem. These two play a huge role when it comes to standing up for yourself, and firmly so. How can one gather the courage to disagree with an idea presented by a friend? Well, it does sound easy enough, but not when you have weak resolve. In the end, it will take a lot of bravery and boldness to achieve something like this. Before one can get out of a friendship's malicious grasp, they must first learn how to untangle themselves from the insecure mess embedded deeply in their minds.

FRIEND TO ALL IS FRIEND TO NONE

Learn to feel comfortable saying "no." With good friends, you should never have to offer an explanation or apology. Spend time with others who share your sentiments. Choose friends who will stand up for you when you need moral support, and always be ready to do the same for said friend. Your choice of friends reveals who you are. Friends have a significant impact on how you live your life, including how you think and feel, how you act, and how you conduct yourself.

CHARLES SALATAMBOS ILLUSTRATION BY:

We all have that one friend whose influence is much stronger than anyone else's, the one that will do anything to push you in the right direction—or the wrong one. Either way, do you know when it's time to pull away?

Most people succumb to peer pressure because they want to fit in, they want to join the trend, or perhaps they're interested in what other people their age are doing. Because of this, adolescents are so easily persuaded and swayed that they lose their ability to distinguish between right and wrong, leading them to start acting against their better judgment. Now the real question is, how would you walk away from a friendship that's stringing you along with trouble?

Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. It might be all too easy to recognize the signs of peer pressure, but avoiding it is a whole other conversation. According to studies, some teens have felt coerced into doing something they don't feel comfortable with and have experienced physical reactions. For instance, signs of negative pressure include shaking legs, stomach "butterflies," a quicker heartbeat, and other symptoms that just wouldn't feel "right"

YOU SHOULD'VE SAID NO!

You shouldn't feel the need to do something so out of will, but how will you escape something that seemingly stripped you of your rights to choose? .

We devote our entire lives to developing and maintaining connections. Quite like how we invest our time studying, investing wisely in friendships can result in enormous mutual returns. Studying with dedication will bring you a successful life, while having good peers will result in a life blessed with people who will stay regardless of anything and everything. Though it is wise to remember that quantity does not equate to quality, You don't need a lot of people to make yourself a good friend.

REMOVE THE STIGMA

It's not always easy to resist negative peer pressure, but when you do, it's easy to feel good about it afterward. And you might even be a good role model for your friends who share your ideas; frequently, all it takes is one individual to speak up or choose an alternative course of action to change a circumstance. If you have the guts to go against the grain or defy the crowd, your buddies could follow. You see yourself as a leader and are aware of your ability to influence others. You can't stop peer pressure. No one can. The least you could do is change its concept for the better. If you can't stop it, then recreate it. As stated, peer pressure is not always bad. You can start proving this by becoming a bigger, better person for yourself and, by extension, for society. Man up and be the role model; show them how it's done and how it should've been. After all, what bad can happen with a good ole little push and pull?

Source One Sports

PHILIPPINES DOMINATES CAMBODIA IN WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

The Philippines women's volleyball team showed no mercy against first-timer and host country, Cambodia, with a 25-05, 25-05, 25-05 sweeping victory.

The returning setter Jia De Guzman provided the brilliant plays while Jema Calanza, Toes Carlos, and Mylene Phat formed a formidable offense.

"I think the Philippines did the job: serves, receives: They really committed to it to just push the opponent to stay at different levels. Also, it's hard to play when the difference is so much, but our team is really good today. They kept the pressure and I like this," said the national team's coach, Jorge Souza De Brito.

Dell Palomata started the opening set with a kill spike as they continued to score against Cambodia.

NU BULLDOGS GRABS FOUR-PEAT CHAMPION

Mark Jacob E. Mendoza

National University (NU) Bulldogs triumph over University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers in UAAP Season 85 Men's Volleyball, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11 in Finals on May 10, 2023 at SM Mall of Asia.

Joshua Retamar led the team after performing 25 excellent sets in game one and 17 excellent sets in game two.

Angelo "Nico" Almendras allowed his team to get the first set, ending it with an attack that broke the Golden Spiker's floor defense.

Bulldogs came out short in the third set after Joshua Ybañez finished it with a power tip.

However, UST Golden Spikers caught up with NU Bulldogs in the 4th set after Michaelo Buddin delivered an attack error during UST's set point.

Bulldogs were successful to make a comeback in the fifth set after Almendras end it with a block that gave them the championship point.

During the awarding, three players from NU Bulldog's received individual awards.

They announced Obed Mukaba as the 1st Best Middle Blocker, Michaelo Buddin as the 2nd Best Outside Spiker, and Retamar as Best Setter and Finals MVP.

The NU Bulldog's overall performance made them the UAAP Men's Volleyball Season 85 Champion.

"Ito talaga first game pa lang goal na namin 'to na manalo kami, na masweep namin itong elimination na ito and sobrang thankful kami na nakuha pa rin namin itong panalo na ito," NU Head Coach Dante Alinsunurin said in a post-game interview.

The Cambodians gave their fans something to cheer for when Phay Makara drilled Cambodia's first attack. Vi Sineut blocked Numag to save a match point but Molika ended the set with a service error.

The second stringers Michele Gumabao, Chai Troncoso, Kat Tolentino, and setter Gel Caysia contributed off the bench as De Brito gave them the chance to show their skills.

Gumabao scared to put the Philippines to match point, before Cayum ace to end the match

The Philippines will be back in action on Wednesday, facing the 2021 SEA Games silver medalist Vietnam, which came victorious against Singapore with a score of, 25-13, 25-08, 25-07.

SLDT SHOWCASES CULTURAL DANCES IN FLAVORS OF NCR

Marion Gabrielle F. Lacasad

Sining Lahi Dance Troupe (SLDT) of Lakan Dula High School ebodied the elegance of the Philippines' cultural dances by leading the Colors of the NCR opening on April 27 at the KKK Monument.

They performed a total of 13 folk dances, mainly: The opening number, Rigodon, Polka sa Plaza, Putritos, Panderetas, Pindulas, Magigal, Hapattong, Karatong, Pasiguin, Binasuan, and Tinikling.a

While the program's main purpose is to showcase the uniqueness of Filipino cuisine, the dance troupe's purpose is to appreciate and relive the ancient culture for the country people. However, behind the curtains of this events, lies the difficulties that the dancers had to go through.

"Marami pong preparations ang ginawa namin for this event po, pero unang una na po dun yung pagrerehearse po talaga since kami lang din po yung nagperform doon. Need po talaga ang puspusang rehearsal para hindi rin po mabigo ang audience." said by Rheann Delos Santos, the SLDT President.

Students from grade 9 and 10 are the ones who mostly performs in special events like this, which requires them to attend the morning shift to rehearse properly in the afternoon. With little time to spare, they had to sacrifice their academics.

Paula David, a grade 9 dancer of SLDT said: "Since we only had three days to prepare which required practicing all day for our show, we gave up our class that week. We gave every bit of ourselves throughout practice so that we may provide a fantastic performance on stage."

Geoffrey C. Garcia