Envirex January - March 2022 Issue

ENVIREX

The Official Publication of Honorato C. Perez, Sr. Memorial Science High School Volume 35 | 6 pages January - March 2022 Issue

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NEWS

Sci Hi reallots SLM printing funds to campus refurb FIONA MALLARI

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s 94% of Scilinians selected the online learning modality this academic year, School Principal Leonora de Jesus, together with the faculty members of Sci Hi, wasted no resources and considered the circumstance as a window of opportunity to develop the campus using what should have been the money spent on the printing of modules.

The said campus development, dubbed, “Project Realizing Equitable and Accessible Education through Continued Honing of Outstanding and Useable Transformations in School”, or Project REACH OUT, aimed to better adapt the school to the new normal in education brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Alam naman natin na we are spending less on the printing of modules. Na hindi tayo katulad

nung ibang mga schools na talagang they are spending too much on the printing, since we have a greater number of students na nakaonline,” explained de Jesus in an interview.

Due to the large sum of online learners, specifically 1,512 out of the 1,608 total enrollees, the funds initially set for module printing were reallocated to other expenditures such as the installation of additional Wi-Fi routers for teachers.

“Syempre nilakihan yung sa internet connection allotment ng eskwelahan dahil iyon ang kinakailangan ng mga teachers para sa online classes. Kaya yung dating dalawang connection lang ng school ay nadadagdan pa iyon ng apat, kaya naging anim na yung naging connection natin,” the school principal stated.

This action, along with the rewiring of classrooms and replacement of lights, is part of the #ConnectedTayo component of Project REACH OUT,

which primarily targets a more convenient execution of online classes through enhancing internet accessibility.

In addition to #ConnectedTayo, the project also delves on the #ReadyTayo, #SafeTayo, and #InformedTayo components, each equipped with changes and innovations to the existing school system that are responsive to the new normal.

“That is how we have converted our school para maging adaptive sa change. Kasi ito na eh, ito na tayo, ‘di ba? We are adapting to certain change. Iyong pagbaba ng pandemic na iyan or yung pagbagsak sa atin ay hindi tayo kinakailangan na manatili na lamang na at loss. Kinakailangan maiconvert din natin paano tayo sumabay

SURVEY ASKS:

Are you willing to attend face-to-face classes this academic year?

YES (638) 42.9%

NO (848) 57.1%

Sci Hi reopens for F2F classes ROAN PALACIO & ALIANA SINGIAN

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fter closing its gates for almost two years as the country battled against COVID-19, Honorato C. Perez, Sr. Memorial Science High School welcomed back 84 students from all grade levels on campus as they started the first day of limited face-to-face classes. March 21.

School Principal Leonora De Jesus greeted the students with an opening remark where she highlighted the importance of the teachers’ guidance in imparting knowledge to learners, as well as how the success of this week’s classes will determine the progressiveness of the limited face-to-face modality with hopes for a bigger and safer number of students participating.

Headed by the faculty members, the launch of in-person classes commenced with a flag raising ceremony attended by 17 students from Grade 7, 13 students from Grade 8, 14 students from Grade 9, 15 from Grade 10, and 15 and 10 from Grade 11 to 12, respectively.

The school also established safety measures to re-

duce the risk of exposure and spread of the virus, such as the use of QR codes for contact tracing, and the placement of handwashing areas and non-contact thermal scanners.

The school also designated standard entrance and exit gates, placed markers on chairs and tables in the school canteen, and put up ‘transact at the window’ signages in each office—all to help implement social distancing and minimize person-to-person contact.

“It’s safe to say that the discussions were much clearer and more engaging compared to virtual classes. It was a good experience overall, “claimed Armel Armani Castillo, one of the 15 students from the Grade 10 level, when asked about his first day learning inside a classroom two years after the pandemic struck..

Due to the implemented blended learning, Castillo also brought up the differences in how the teachers distribute their work and how the students will handle their academic materials. To minimize contact between the educators and the students, activities and performance tasks will be given via Google Classroom; however, the discussions will be done in

a synchronous face-to-face modality, which Castillo applauds.

Grade 10 student Julianamarie Nicole Galman also expressed her gratitude for the improvements in learning, as she felt more comfortable in a familiar learning environment.

“This modality gives our learning a more personal touch, allowing us to be more interactive and providing us with the opportunity for connection and intimacy in the classroom,” Galman added, emphasizing that she felt a better connection to her classmates while inside the classroom compared to the computer screen.

Furthermore, Andrei Clarence Adan, one of the participating students, mentioned that the face-to-face system has become stricter and more organized in terms of following the protocols set by the government that safeguard the safety of students and faculty.

All 84 students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 who attended the pilot classes received two envelopes of school supplies with contents such as notebooks, pad papers, pens, pencils, crayons, sharpeners, and glue that cater to all their academic needs for the rest of the school year.

SAFETY FIRST. Jan Ellis Lapada, President of Barkada Kontra Droga Sci Hi Chapter, uses the handwashing facility placed on the campus as part of the #SafeTayo component of Project REACH OUT to ensure virus-free transactions.

sa panahon,” she expressed.

Proving the success of Project REACH OUT, de Jesus attested that it reigned champion in the Search for Best Innovations in Education in the division level, making it the

official entry of the Schools Division of Cabanatuan in the regional level of the 2021 Education Innovation Conference, where it won fourth place.

Sci Hi hones world-class students JONATHAN BERNARDO

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mid the challenges brought forth by the pandemic in the education sector, one Scilinian acknowledges Honorato C. Perez, Sr. Memorial Science High School for reinforcing her skills, which led to her prevailing in several competitions both regionally and internationally.

“Studying in Science High School is an advantage because the lessons taught by the teachers act as a strong welded foundation for the various competitions. And since the school promotes proficiency and excellence, I was able to adopt these practices when preparing for the tests,” claimed Roan Alleah Palacio, who garnered 11 awards in different fields.

When asked about how she manages to win all these contests, Palacio said she views her competitions as training opportunities, which is why her motivation is to get better every time she participates in one, to bring honor to the school, and to give glory to God because she believes He is the

one who helps her in contests.

“My family and friends have always been supportive whenever I attend various competitions. I also want to give thanks to my coaches, teachers, and the faculty of this institution for their encouragement and for helping me prepare for the competitions,” she expressed.

Despite only being a grade 10 student, she received the Youth Excellence in Science Award granted by the Department of Science and Technology, in recognition of her exemplary achievement in the fields of science and mathematics.

In addition to this, Palacio was given a gold award in three international mathematical olympiads, where she was recognized as second top scorer in one; she also won two silver medals in the math and science category of the Siam International Math and Science Olympics, and one silver medal in a Hong Kong science olympiad.

For the regional level competitions, she emerged as champion in Science News Writing Filipino, in the drawing contest, and in Math quiz, while she was adjudged second place in Science quiz.

OPINION

Staring into medusa In defense of our country, staring into Medusa is like a gun destined to backfire. We may see mandatory military service as modern-day patriotism, but it is simply a wooden solution to a modern problem.

True patriotism requires the ability to see the truth, acknowledge failures, and find ways to solve them. To petrify the youth is not protection. And right now, we have bigger fish to fry.

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o stare into an attractive proposition is to turn the youth into stone.

Improving national security at the expense of the people protects no one.

Young Filipinos would be best served by seeking opportunities in business, education, and other ordeals. As much as national defense should take

precedence, doing so compulsorily will only ossify the Filipino people. Not to mention that privileged citizens may be able to dodge the draft.

The alternative is through these three actions: first is investing in the local military industry; in shipbuilders; in aerospace; and in small arms and vehicle manufacturers. Anoth-

INVICTUS Miarah Enriquez Kirby Nagaño Staffers

which makes the opening of face-to-face classes a beacon of hope for students.

Children’s Health and UT Southwestern clinical neuropsychologists claimed the brain was not built to learn from a screen; it was programmed to learn from human connection and the natural environment. This study shows how online learning

W

e must adapt again, this time to return to form our way of learning in the environment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weathering the storm through online learning, despite its viability, is simply a stopgap,

er is military research conducted with allies. Lastly, logistics, which includes increasing funding for training, high-quality vehicles and weapons.

However, candidates for national office tried to explain that countries like Israel and South Korea maintain this policy and that “you will be given a subsidy, [and] you will be asked

to serve the country.” These arguments are misconstrued to ignore the fact that Israel’s neighbors are historically hostile but are developing relations with them, that the policy is increasingly unpopular there, and that South Korea borders North Korea, which is hellbent on dominating the Korean Peninsula.

Brain Freeze hinders the ability of students to form relationships and connect with their peers.

Amidst a lack of a holistic educational system, schools must also respond with measures to combat academic dishonesty—strict controls ranging from software and hard penalties can discourage different forms of cheating, which has evidently become

easier for students to in the virtual setup. On top of that, when they get to spend more time alone, they are likely to overthink things, which can lead to worry and depression.

Sudden shifts have forced us to adapt to the times. The amount of stress this pandemic causes degrades the ability of students to reach their full potential

unless they are aided with supplementary efforts and backed up by the expertise of educators. Stopgaps exist to temporarily solve the problem. Online learning, in this environment, is simply a stopgap. Stopgaps, on the other hand, cannot be permanent.

To walk the fine line aking a stand on the Russo-Ukrainian War has its geopolitical costs, especially from Russia, and possibly China. But red lines must be drawn, even in pursuing an independent foreign policy.

The outgoing administration must realize that all they can do now is lay the groundwork for the next administration. Which is why proclaiming neutrality in a war, costing thousands of deaths and massive economic damage conti-

nents away, is shortsighted.

In facing the current economic crisis caused by the war, there is not much that can be done about the rising prices, particularly in oil and gas, outside of tax suspensions, increasing domestic production, and pressuring oil producers to do the same. However, the time to craft a comprehensive and concrete response is better late than never because, as it stands, one clearly cannot be seen.

On the other hand, as the war in Ukraine is seen by analysts as approaching a stalemate, we cannot help but think how a similar crisis could affect the Philippines. Learning from Ukraine is a must to prevent a similar situation with China, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. Because for sure, China will learn from Ukraine, and whether they will see our faces or our backs will certainly depend on how our leaders react.

Which is why the next adminis-

tration must prepare for any attempt to toe the line, especially in the WPS. In the end, we have stronger relations with the West, hence, we cannot further alienate them. We may not be in perfect parallel to Ukraine, but to see what parallels there are is to learn from this war and how we can respond if something similar happens at home.

We must learn from Ukraine as well.

Aaron Jan Estrada Opinion Editor

QUILL AND PARCHMENTS

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FEATURE

ONE IN A MILLION ROAN PALACIO & ALIANA SINGIAN

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Xyla Roliza P. Bolvar August 23, 2005 - January 16, 2022

Graphics by Justine Evangelista

good story starts with ‘once upon a time, however - unlike any normal fairytales where a princess resides at a castle far from civilization, a damsel in distress - blimey! Hers doesn’t flip a finger of any clichés, this story - far better than once maverick crafts their own, starts with ‘evermore’.

And it doesn’t end there.

Holly Bourne once wrote at ‘Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes’ that kindness, however fickle for the naked eye, takes time and patience.

And the girl that marvels into the wonders of Holly Bourne, Harry Potter, and Kim Taehyung (and six other superstars) - embodies it, in golden, and her name? It’s Xyla.

For the years that Xyla has been part of everyone’s lives, their anecdotes weave between the lines of, ‘she’s everyone’s friend’, ‘she’s a great groupmate’, ‘she loves like no other - but for those who grew up with her infectious smile and her bubbly personality, they sit between the lines of this, if a sunflower blooms within the first dew of spring, isn’t that what she is? After all, it’s her favorite flower.

It isn’t a hoax, no, it wasn’t. And for the years I’ve been her batchmate since elementary, what I can attest is that the sun

would never rival the love she bestowed to everyone, imperfect yet true, short, yet resplendent.

21st Century Girl, hands up! Almost everyone you ask has a testament to her kind-heartedness, and here goes mine. I was nervous as a fourth-grade transferee about fitting in and making new friends. But when I met Xyla in the journalism summer class, she welcomed me to the new environment with a warm and familiar smile.

She instantly became my great companion and my dearest friend. I was inspired by her optimistic attitude and her creative mind by witnessing her growth and achievements throughout the years.

She is a very skilled person and has shown great potential. She thrives in journalism as a radio broadcaster, and these are just a few of the many awards she has won in this field. First place in Radio Broadcasting and Best Script, second place in the Division Schools Press Conference Radio Broadcasting and Script Writing, third place in Grub Street Radio Broadcasting and Script Writing, fourth place in the group category, and sixth place in Best Anchor at the regional level. On top of this, she also has a noticeable angelic voice, which got her recognition in various singing competitions. While harnessing her prowess in extracurricular activities, Xyla also continued to be a consistent honor student, garnering great remarks from her teachers and classmates.

You Never Walk Alone In This Spring Day. If you saw the biggest Kim Taehyung and ARMY out there, you haven’t seen Xyla talk about her adoration of BTS, believe me, you’ll be surprised.

K-Pop lightstick? Check! Twice Taste of Love album?

Double Check! Best K-Pop bestie to fangirl with? She is definitely qualified, during the face-to-face classes you will either see her dancing to Momoland’s Boom Boom or singing a verse from BTS’ Boy with Luv, she’s infectious like that, and if you would ask her K-Pop besties if what’s her K-Pop group position if ever she would debut as one - well, you guessed it right! She would be the center maknae of the group.

How Whalen 52 Found Her Company. To Amara Ria Insela, a student from 10-Faraday and a friend of Xyla since seventh grade remembered how silence was never an option between their conversations and how one sitting arrangement on seventh grade somehow colored her canvas, something out of the ordinary, it may be cliché and could pass a coming of age film moment where the protagonist felt a sudden tug inside her chest and a montage happens right before her eyes, but it’s just - them.

“Even though everything is difficult for her, kasi sa totoo lang madami na ‘ring nalagpasan ‘yan sa buhay. Hinarap niya lahat, hindi ‘yan palakibo kapag sa problema niya, pero kayang-kaya niyang saluhin ‘yung ibang problema ng tao.” She mentioned. And it is fairly evident that she left a token of gratitude and love to her friends before she arrives home, truly home.

Her stay was short, yet true, imperfect, but transcendent.

A good story starts with ‘once upon a time, however for Xyla’s continuous story, it doesn’t just end there.

For this story is one in a million, and shall live on, evermore.

LATHALAIN

ALIANA SINGIAN

Para po!

Alas-sais na naman, humahayo at nilalakad muli ng limang dipang taong nagtutulakan ang pumatak na nag-aalimpuyong hirit ng jeepney, pawisan, siksikan, at minsan walang pagitan ang bawat espasyong sasalubong sa madla at binabagtas na muli ang daan papunta sa bayan.

Bayad po, isang estudyante.

Datapwa’t, sa humigit kumulang apat na raang pagkakataong sumukbit ng dyip ang isang mag-aaral, ngayo’y hindi na muling mabibilang. Wala namang dyip sa pagsagot ng Module, o sa Google Form, o sa kahit

ano pa mang ihain na pira-pirasong magkakatabing papel sa harapan na dapat naipasa bago pumatak ang pasahan.

Sa minsang siksikang dyip na pinagtutulakan na minsang patago, masyado na atang malaki ang bawat pagitan ng bawat espasyo.

Sa kahabaan ng byahe ng buhay, hindi na ata sapat ang sampung piso sa isang holistikong pag-aaral.

Hindi nakalagpas sa gulong ng palad ang pandemyang dumaan sa buong mundo.

Ang dagok na ito ay unti-unting lumason sa lipunan at nagdulot ng kapighatian sa siyamnapu’t apat na porsyentong populasyon ng mga mag-aaral sa buong mundo, pati na rin ang pagsasara ng maliliit na paaralan.

Subalit, tulad nga naman

sa pilosopiyang komyuter, ‘magtabi-tabi tayo, isa sa kaliwa, isa sa kanan’ ay pinagtabi ng mga kaguruan ang mga mag-aaral sa kanilang pag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay impormasyon sa importansya ng kalusugan ngayong pandemya, ang pagkausap at pagkilala sa mga bata sa likod ng kanilang kamera, ang pagbibigay kaalaman sa pagitan ng mga linya ng telepono.

Hindi na bago ang ganitong sistema sa Pilipinong estudyante na bumabagtas sa kahabaan ng byahe ng buhay upang marating sa paroroonan. Ito na nga ang simula

Grapiks ni Aliana Singian

Para po!: Paano Ipaglilimi Ang Pagitan ng Bawat Espasyo

ng paghahabi, paglilimi, ang muling pagsasama, ang bagong taon ay makinang, malinaw para sa mga batang may iisang hiling, pasok na tayo.

O, aarangkada na, gusto mo bang sumama?

Ang Huling El Bimbo (Scilinian’s Version) (From The Vault)

I

sipin mo: Kumakain sa unang subject, alas otso en punto salamat kay Mang Rey na nagbubukas nang maaga sapagka’t hindi ka naman nakatikim ng agahan.

Samantalang ang nasa kabilang upuan malapit sa lababo sa bandang likuran ay nagpapasahan ng bagong lutong Emong’s Pandesal. Alas tres ng hapon

hinihintay mong uminit ang tubig sa tubigan para makapag kape ka sa klase ng Mathematics teacher mong abalang nagtuturo ng Polynomial equations.

(At totoo ang himala! Papayagan ka niyang maglabas ng Nescafe 3-in-1 kahit umaalingasaw ang kape sa apat na sulok ng inyong silid.)

Alas kwatro ng hapon, pauwi na.

Alas otso ng gabi, namumulaklak ang kaligayahan sa iyong labi dahil sa dalawang linggong bakasyon na nangangahulugang may oras ka pa para mag-aral sa inyong huling lagumang pagsusulit.

Subalit wala man lang atang kumalabit sa balikat mong humahalina na ang isang linggong bakasyon noong Pebrero 2020 ay

aabot na hanggang 2022?

Hindi lamang ikaw, kundi higit kumulang 500 na Scilinian ang biglaang napatigil sa kanilang pag-indak sa El Bimbo ng buhay dahil sa paglagapak ng pandemya na hindi lamang nakaapekto sa mga mag-aaral, kundi pati sa mga kaguruan.

At hindi ka nag-iisa sa ilang taong animo’y pagtigil ng panahon, kung

mawari mo ma’y ang mga alaala ng huling oras bago tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo at pipiliin mo ‘yon. Dahil maligalig ang mga panahong nagpaparaya, bago huminto ang ating pag-indak sa El Bimbo, simulan na natin ang pag-indak ng musika.

ALIANA SINGIAN

Hahanap-hanapin mo ‘no? Subalit, unting kembot na lamang, kaibigan, tayo’y muling iindak sa El Bimbo ng buhay at magkahawak kamay natin itong isasayaw na walang kamalay-malay.

about the cover.

Before a breakthrough, there is a ripple, before a ripple, there is a noise—— continuous, valiant noise.

To ripples of truth that broke walls of fallacies and rampant lies of history’s darkest horrors, may these voices vibrate through the thickest of the walls and break free from constant fears and lies that itched the skin of more than a hundred million voices. May this be a ceaseless vanquish of what binds us, of what silenced us, of what kept us from breaking these borders.

And with this, we relinquish that our truth will not only cause a crack, a fissure to lies, a fracture on boulders, but a complete destruction of our history’s darkest walls, and reclaim what really is ours—— our freedom, possessed by truth.

This is our reclamation, this is our breakthrough.

editor’s note.

In an age where fake news and misinformation have become increasingly prevalent, truth is the only thing that can save us from injustices, abuse of power, and tyranny.

The truth may seem scarce, but with the collective voices of the youth, yearning for a generation no longer brainwashed, looking forward to a future no longer dictated—— we trust that the power it holds will break walls of fallacies, walls which constructions appear perpetual.

This month, Envirex brings you its first issue for the school year, imploring everyone to break free from the lies and break out the truths in order to bring breakthroughs in our lives.

Fiona Mae C. Mallari Editor-in-Chief

envirex editorial board 2022 Editor-in-Chief: Fiona Mae C. Mallari Associate Editor: Roan Alleah I. Palacio Managing Editor: Aliana Joy M. Singian Christiane C. Rumingan News Editor: Jonathan Simon DG. Bernardo Opinion Editor: Aaron Jan S. Estrada Feature Editor: Ma. Ericka Lyn Q. Villaseñor Cartoonist: Waldy Hans V. De Castro Layout Artist: Justine Alexandra A. Evangelista Shane Lei T. Mercado Circulation Manager: Angela H. Flores Contributors: Miarah Ithiel Y. Enriquez Kirby Cheska E. Nagaño Brianna Freddi Faye M. Bautista Sabriah Nicole F. Gallardo Micheoziah Joxien Candelaria Frances Janine P. Tolentino