The Mayumo Special Flash Issue Vol. 2

THE

MAYUMO

Online Classes: Doors to Ecstatic Memories

The Official Student Publication of San Miguel National High School

PULSED SPECIAL REPORT

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When Learning is a Luxury

The price of education is high; it always has been.

02 Editor’s Note

CHECK-UP

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This issue is a check-up on the well-being of the school’s stakeholders, and a medium for their thoughts to be voiced.

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We all have our own challenges. The CoViD-19 pandemic still prevails all over the world a whole year after its emergence. Meanwhile, with the academic year ongoing within the country, many students face issues in regards to education; a dead weight to the youth struggling to stay afloat in these trying times.

Hence, The Mayumo sought to know the state of the students at San Miguel National High School; to put a finger on the wrist of the student population and feel their pulse, hear their thoughts and glimpse at the situation’s effect.

This issue is a check-up on the well-being of the school’s stakeholders, and a medium for their thoughts to be voiced.

Hear the resounding pulse.

Hear their voice.

In fulfillment of the promise to stay active amidst the difficulties presented by the new normal, we wrote the stories that needed to be told; a pulsating reaction to the responsibility rested upon journalists’ shoulders.

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Kalawakan: The Unexplored Universe of Nature and its People As world organizations like the United Nations hails the Philippines as the 3rd most climate change vulnerable country on earth...

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Raphael Evan Tecson Editor-in-Chief (External)

John Lawrence Trinidad

As the 2019 Novel Coronavirus took the world by storm, the sports industry around the globe had been taken aback;

Amberainne Mendoza Dann Emanuel Felipe Vanessa May Flores

Allan Jason P. Sarmiento Adviser

Section Editors

Maria Cecilia T. Manio

Justin Angelo Tabada

Joanna Mariel Villamor

Jeonrick Marcus Hipolito

Chief Cartoonist

Assistant Advisers

Judee Krizia Alvañiz

Carrie Anne Manlapas

Associate Editors

Layout Artist

Editor-in-Chief (Internal)

EDITORIAL BOARD

A Small Price to Pay

Rinzen Gonzales Dan Lloyd Fernandez Managing Editors

Andrea Mangalus Portia May Vargas Bea Denise Villanueva Jeremias Pablo Jed Rogem Santos Matthew James Santos Van Eduard Lumague Contributors

Maria C. Alvarez Head Teacher VI English Department

Marciano V. Cruz Jr Principal IV

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Special Report

Graphics by: Justin Angelo Tabada

Survey: SMNHSians say new normal not enough

A recent online survey conducted by The Mayumo showed that majority of San Miguel National High School students have found the new normal schooling to be inefficient.

The results revealed that out of 300 respondents, 270 or 90% said that they are not learning as much in online classes as they did in regular schooling.

According to a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics student, he finds that the new method of learning is disregarding the context of individual resources and is affecting his studies. “Many teachers dole out their funds to print modules for students, while students who cannot afford other equipment to facilitate learning are put at a disparity as well. The many events that occurred throughout this school year contradict the DepEd’s boastful claim about preparedness”.

A grade 10 student also shared her views about the matter and said that,

10% Satisfied 90% Unsatisfied

Pulsed Dan Lloyd Fernandez

The pandemic has ushered us with many changes, leading to the adjustment of many systems and routines in place. In pursuit of continuing education despite the times, the DepEd resorted to distance learning. The Mayumo takes a peek into the thoughts and experiences of students during this new learning method, essentially checking the pulse of the school.

“This new method of learning does not really ensure that the students are truly getting the knowledge brought by the modules, it’s all about submitting required works and answer sheets”.

Meanwhile, 30 or 10% of the students said that this new way of studying is more effective than face to face classes. They said that studying at home is easier and requires less effort and one may learn at their own pace.

One of the respondents said that he believes that the new way of learning is putting less stress to students “We can choose when to accomplish our tasks and study our lessons, we can do it when it is most convenient for us.”

The polled students were also asked to suggest adjustments to better the system of distance learning, and here are some of the responses/answers:

“If I were to recommend a solution to the problems of distance learning; I would ask for a nationwide academic break until no student is left behind.”

“Schools should ease their rules in regards to attendance, participation, submissions, and grades. In time, proper response to the pandemic such as mass testing should be conducted in order to alleviate the country from COVID-19, therefore ensuring that schools can again conduct face-to-face classes which poses to be more effective than distance learning.”

editorial

Graphics by: Justin Angelo Tabada

When Learning is a Luxury

The price of education is high; it always has been. But never before had it demanded lives. Now with questionable actions surfacing in the midst of a pandemic, The Department of Education’s current course of action heads towards endangering students and teachers alike, with hints of alleged corruption along the way.

“Handang Isip, Handang Bukas,” was the motto DepEd used as it launched academic year 2020-2021. Aimed to show some bravado against a challenging school year amidst the pandemic, the hashtag quickly wore off within the first week of the opening of classes with setbacks and errors plaguing the launch.

The education department all but swallowed their words about preparedness as they admit that there was not enough budget to sustain the academic year they initiated through the new learning modalities. Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla first clarified this in a press briefing in September 21, where she said that DepEd only has P15 billion worth of funding, whereas the production of modules required more than P35 billion. She added that students will have to share modules during the second semester, a method that could risk the spread of CoViD-19 and contradicts the purpose of distance learning.

It was a miscalculation on DepEd’s part, and yet somehow it’s the stakeholders once again that would suffer from it.

Now, the government scrambles to

find enough budget for DepEd to continue producing its modules, scraping the bottom of the national budget for bits and pieces that they may add to the pile.

In retrospect, perhaps more financial literacy is what DepEd needs as an alleged P1.9 billion balance in unliquidated funds surfaced recently, October 30. The balance, allegedly made up from accumulated cash advances from 2019, had been questioned by the Commission on Audit as early as then. And while DepEd is trying to comply with COA’s findings, the cause for such an issue remains questionable.

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As a department supposedly for education, DepEd seems to stray from its purpose.

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To add insult to injury, DepEd recently bought 254 Mitsubishi Stradas supposedly for engineers to use in travelling to far-flung areas to inspect schools and infrastructure.

The department was quick to defend, explaining that the alleged P370 million purchase was part of a set, now made of 437 vehicles, purchased before the pandemic. Several groups had cried out against this action, as DepEd did admit the lack of budget for modules and financial assistance for teachers and yet was able to afford such a number of vehicles.

If anything, those vehicles could have been used for module distribution in these times, and yet DepEd declined, saying such action or allowance cannot be authorized.

In an interview with Inquirer, Benjo Basas, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition national president, called out DepEd. “What buildings are they inspecting and how hard is it exactly to reach these schools? How often must they conduct inspections? If there is anyone who needs those vehicles more, it is the teachers,” Basas said.

As a department supposedly for education, DepEd seems to stray from its purpose.

The questionable finances and unpreparedness behind their actions not only take up a decent chunk of the country’s budget, but are disregarding those who DepEd should be serving most.

Teachers are clamoring for financial aid and compensation for their valiant efforts amidst the pandemic. Meanwhile, students suffer from the lack of modules they depend on for learning in these times.

Education shouldn’t be this expensive, where the future of the nation and their educators are gambling their well-being for an unwell education system hindered with neglect.

These facts are only proof that quality education, as demanded by the Philippine Constitution, is not being delivered and DepEd has been failing.

This must change. It’s about time education is educated.

Cry Me a River

opinion

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TRUE VANGUARD Vanessa May Flores

Once seen was the figure of an agonizing woman begging horrendously behind a rusty steel bar as she watched a shadow slowly being devoured by the dusk. In front of her eyes is the innocence whom she could only witness suffer from her greatest fear – the fear of losing her child.

On July 1, 2020, stated on Inquirer, Political prisoner Reina Mae Nasino gave birth to her daughter River who was separated from her barely at six weeks old after the court neglected the request of Ina Nasino to stay longer with her child for prenatal care. Instead, Ina was ordered to go back to jail.

Due to this merciless deed and lack of sympathy, the most tragic nightmare happened. On October 9, the sick 3-month old Baby River could no longer wait for her mother to return.

Baby River has been murdered by the injustice system of her own country.

Who killed Baby River? Is it the illness or the government who stole the rights of Ina to be a mother to her daughter? The government that kills our children who were said to be the hope of this country but where’s the hope if they were never heard?

In this society, vulnerable are the only one being targeted, a grieving mother who mourns for the death of her 3-month old infant would be surrounded by 30 armed military men yet powerful individuals will be offered compassion for visiting a sick relative.

If only real justice exists in this country then Baby River would still be in the arms of her loving mother. If only those inhumane had a bit of humanity in their hearts then Reina Mae Nasino would not have met her greatest fear. She wouldn’t have cried a River.

Request to Future: Pending CLAIRVOYANT Portia May R. Vargas

You woke up feeling unfamiliar about everything. You kept noticing the changes that showed out of nowhere: New academic calendar, no more face-to-face learning, and a so called blended learning system. It made you think: will this stay and last or will this be the last?

Positive thinking and the law of attraction.

On August 2020, postponing the first declared opening of classes originally on August 24, President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to move the start of classes for the school year 2020-2021 to October 5. Since then, blended classes in the Philippines has been happening.

It was a great decision of still pursuing education despite the situation. It gave us the chance to study and learn even when not in any school. But with this kind of set-up, are we truly learning or just simply compromising?

In fact, as the future approaches, we’re tied by the uncertainty’s rope.

For example, despite the continuous rise of the number of COVID cases in the country, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Decemeber 14 that President Duterte has approved the dry run of face-to-face classes in low-risk areas for the month of January 2021 provided that parental consent is given.

The blended learning system brought the country to disarray. The challenges for the parents, the sacrifices of the teachers and the suffering of the students. Their own voices were shouting the same words, “we need help!” If we continue this kind of education, learning will not be the goal.

The government must focus and prioritize the problem regarding the virus.

They have to shed light on their plans regarding the country’s future. If the government remains nonchalant about the issue, we, the students, have to make the most of the remaining school year to come out of this pandemic as better individuals despite the struggles.

Mere positivity is not the key.

YOUNG INSIGHT Matthew James Santos

When War turned Lurid

War was nothing but a colorless scene of explosions. It is where soulless smoke suddenly turned vivid.

A ruler who once stood above his nation seems to be playing a game of fire against the people, igniting the flame as death peeked beyond ethereal skies.

Yet even the blinding lights can’t obscure the fragile reality of the Philippines’ bleeding governance within the Duterte regime’s hands.

Four years ruled with a chief executive that resorts to bickering, incompetence, dramatic stunts, axing, and killing; one that is a disciple with a territorial dispute between his nation and his master. Were the odds always in our favor?

Amid the COVID-19 scare, the news was always filled with the pitiful scene of the government. The world only revolved around the explicit blow of life, where the people were not the core. Even before the onset of the pandemic, the people have witnessed the government’s rampant anomalies and blunders.

And still, a Pulse Asia survey suddenly revealed that the administration has even gained a surge in trust and approval from the countrymen due to their response to the pandemic and in the SEA Games 2019.

As he revels in the strength of the figures, we mustn’t succumb to this propaganda.

For the administration to have painted the people’s fumes with blood, it already came vulnerable.

As a contradicting result, their incompetence surged into a high rating of trust and approval. The government silenced those heralds of truth, unheard of their woe. More medical professionals are needed and are in need, not retired military chiefs and incompetent officials. As for that, Pulse Asia turned into a liar and remained a curiosity. Despite the warriors’ clamors, they managed to pull off this trickery. The lucid figures don’t mask their facade of lurid lies.

Children fly high - there’s danger in this veiled battle zone. Because of the mist about, it can be difficult ti see the forest. Focus your ire on the real enemy.

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opinion

After four grueling years, most of us know by now that President Duterte is no fan of fairytales. He may not even have heard about the story of Cinderella - how her prince found her because the shoe fits her. This is quite evident with how the president chooses his appointees. He keeps on insisting the wrong feet to fill in the shoes of the crucial positions in the government.

Unqualified celebrities.

Cesar Montano was a good actor whom the president appointed as the head of the Tourism Promotions Board, the post that brought him numerous allegations regarding corruption that led to his resignation. Mocha Uson, once a sexy performer and a staunch supporter of the president, reassigned as the Deputy Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration after her gaffe in her previous post. MMDA Asec. Celine Pialago, a former TV anchor and beauty titlist wannabe, is more known for her harsh mouth than her work, the latest of which was some inhumane and uncaring remarks she made about the grieving mother of Baby River.

What I Have Learned

Upholding violators and inefficient leaders.

One big embodiment of how the

SPIT IT OUT Amberainne Mendoza

This Ain’t A Fairytale current government is indeed a cradle of ironies is Debold Sinas, the number one violator

You will need to use what you learned last grading to answer this test.

A Hopeless Future

Open your eyes. Wake up. A lot of lives have already been ended because of the eyes that chose to look away. A lot of stories have already been concluded right before they reach their climax.

Is this the sequel that we have been longing to have?

Amidst the battle with the unseen nemesis, new enemies treacherously attack from within – worsening the conflict in our plot.

Anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

According to a call received by Menardo Guevarra of IATF from its chief implementor Carlito Galvez, the rates of suicides in the Philippines was described by the latter as “alarming”.

Alongside the beginning of the resumption of classes, several cases of student suicides that are allegedly related to pressure brought about by the new normal way of learning have been reported. As stated in an article published by the UPLB Perspective, the first and second

of quarantine protocols recently appointed as the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

There are also appointees, such as Department of Health Sec. Francisco Duque III and Department of Education Sec. Leonor Briones, who had faced a lot of public decry due to their inefficiencies in their respective agencies that only fall on the deaf ears of the president. Let us not forget the king of the dolomite sand, Usec. Benny Antiporda of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who falsely accused scientists from the University of the Philippines of being mercenaries after receiving scientific criticisms about the sand he seems to be so obsessed with.

And the list goes on and on and on...

When will we ever learn? Life has been anything but a fairytale under the Duterte administration. Aside from all his appointees who are now richer than they’ve ever imagined, is there anyone left hoping for a happy ending

Sir

Yes, Juan?

Can I see the answer key?

ADVANCE Andrea Mangalus cases of student suicide were reported last June 16 and August 18 respectively, involving a 19-year-old balik-aral student and a 21-yearold from Sitio San Antonio, Sto. Domingo, Albay, who are both unprivileged in life, causing them to take their own lives instead. While the third one was another 21-year-old from Sta. Elena, Iriga City who died last September 11, caused by her difficulty with her gadgets and internet connection.

No student is left behind.

Did we ever live through this motto? The youth is the hope of the future but it seems like they don’t have hope within themselves. The horrors of the pandemic along with the fear of being left behind are taking a toll on students’ mental health. This only shows the incompetence of the government in giving the students the quality education that they deserve.

opinion

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From Cancelled to Educated

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PRIMED

The movement and platform once used to raise the oppressed voice is now being taken advantage.

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The judgmental eyes of the internet gaze upon you. Here come the self-proclaimed judges and online police of social media with their endless rants and romanticized revelations with their true intention hidden behind the face mask and blurred vision from the face shield they wore.

Different trends emerged as the pandemic stormed the Philippines, from “plantitos” and “plantitas”, to online resellers and businesses. All of us our closer and delved deeper into the internet than never been before. These are some of the trends that emerged during this season of quarantine, and the “cancel culture” is one of those.

Canceling someone has been prevalent these past few years. The “Me Too Movement” served as a platform for those who experienced sexual abuse and sexual harassment, where they can use their voice to speak up and call those offenders. The Black Lives Matter Movement protests against incidents of police brutality and violence against black people.

The most recent #CancelKorea movement that sparked from criticisms of Koreans to a Filipino TikTok user due to a tattoo similar to the infamous rising sun is an example of a cancel movement that took the wrong path. The #CancelKorea trended in the Philippines

Commentary

Jeremias Pablo

“defending” the country from racism, but some also used racism as an answer to the criticisms. There is no point of stopping racism if you are a racist yourself.

People are abusing the cancel culture as time passes by. The movement and platform once used to raise the oppressed voice is now being taken advantage. People are canceling someone simply because they just hate them, opinions are based on subjectivity and not objectivity. Instead of correcting someone, they just chose to cancel them, ignoring the fact that people can still change, people grow from their experiences and canceling hinders that growth. Instead of hearing the two sides of the story, people tend to just choose one side and that will be their “solution” just to end the story instead of finding a way to further educate ourselves regarding the topic and finding ways to correct it.

Instead of promoting cancellation, let us promote education and truth backed by facts. Let us nurture this culture where true justice is served. Instead of calling-out or canceling, we must know how to correct it. In a negative-driven world filled with shallow and trivial thoughts especially during this pandemic, I urge you to be educated and be someone who can find a solution for a positive outcome.

The Joke’s on Us Amberainne Mendoza

Admit it or not, we are divided as a nation. The one thing that unites us, aside from Manny Pacquiao’s boxing games, is the annual Miss Universe Philippines (formerly Binibining Pilipinas) pageant.

Most of us applauded Pia Wurtzbach for showing the world, the universe rather, that she was confidently beautiful with a heart. We remember that Venus Raj almost had the Miss Universe crown in 2010 until she made a major, major blunder in the Q&A. The list of memorable moments will not be complete without mentioning that Gloria Diaz won the title the same day when the first man landed on the moon in 1969.

What we did not remember is to unite for the public interests of out country as much as we united for international competition.

Passion. Undying passion. This is what we’re lacking when it comes to the nation’s problems, including the inefficiency of our government.

The nation was caught by surprise when President Duterte, who was only on his 6th month as the country’s top honcho in November 2016, allowed the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. It led to protests and cries to dig up the dictator’s remains. Four years after, the noises have died down; the former dictator still lies in the grave intended for a hero as his family regains political power.

It was a sign. Marcos’s burial turned out to be a sign of the

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Our silence and nonchalance about national issues boost the government’s drive to rob us off right before our very eyes. saga of mischiefs to come from this current administration.

Earlier in 2016, Duterte was vocal in his endorsement of the grant of bail to Juan Ponce Enrile and Bong Revilla, the senators who were jailed for the infamous pork barrel scam. They are now out, thanks but no thanks to this administration, and back in power. The president also offered a pardon to former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who was acquitted from graft charges under this regime. She is now part of his cabinet as the adviser for Clark projects.

This is not right. We can’t continue going on like this. Our silence and nonchalance about national issues boost the government’s drive to rob us off right before our very eyes. It is time to use the same raging passion we have in the pageant world in voicing out our genuine and unbiased opinions towards the government. No matter how small you think your voice is, it will help unravel the silver lining for the country and the Filipinos. May we never repeat committing the major, major mistake of giving the crown to the wrong clowns.

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features

Online Classes: Doors to Ecstatic Memories Ma. Amberainne Mendoza and Bea Denise Villanueva

Who would have thought that the time will come when we will be living the scenes we used to see in futuristic movies? It is exciting to see virtual happenings in films or TV shows, but living the life of being dependent on the Internet for school, work, shopping, you name it, is a whole lot different from what we have imagined.

How are you coping so far?

Since we are all quite new to online learning, we have asked select learners and faculty from the San Miguel National High School to share the most memorable or funniest experiences they’ve had while adapting to this so-called “new normal” in education.

1. “Habang nagtuturo yung teacher namin bigla umulan, nawalan siya ng signal, tapos biglang yung boses niya parang motor na sobrang ingay na ‘di ko maintindihan, kaya lahat ng kaklase ko tawa ng tawa kase yung boses ni maam parang broom broom; ‘di namin maintindihan”, Candy Barrios, 10- Jose Abad Santos

2. “Habang nagkaklase hindi ko nai-off yung mic ko pagkatapos mag recitation. Tapos sumigaw ako ng ‘Wag nyo ko uubusan ng ulam,’” Jonna Marisse Lumague, 9-SSC (B)

Our hardworking teachers are not spared from the laughs, especially those who had to learn the technology jargon from scratch.

1. “Salita ako nang salita, diretso ako ng discussion. ‘Yun pala hindi ko namalayan nawala na pala connection ko, mga 2 minutes na siguro akong nawala. Then bumalik ako sa Google Meet, narinig ko na silang nag-uusap - “Uy si maam biglang nawala, hindi yata niya alam,’ ‘Chat nyo si maam sa GC.’ - Mrs. Vivian Babaran, English 10 Teacher

2. “Noong August, nakisuyo ako sa advisory class ko na isend nila sa bagong gawa naming GC (group chat) ang mga kinakailangang detalye. Bawat isang nagmemessage ay binibigyan ko ng

Graphics by: John Lawrence Trinidad

‘like react’. Nagulat ako sa sagot ng isa kong estudyante - ‘Ayos ba tol hahahaha’. Gulat na gulat ako at natatawa ako sa nangyari. Nang hindi ako magreply, inulit nya pa ulit at nasabi ko na lang, ‘Ganoon po ba?’. Nagreply sya - ‘Hahaha walang po. Pantay pantay tau dito parrr’. Nabigla siya noong nalaman nya na ako ang kanilang adviser at humingi ng paumanhin. Mukha daw kasi akong bata. - Mr. Robert Jayson Morales, Filipino 10 Teacher

Virtual learning may be fun at times, but let us pair laughter with sprinkles of responsibility and understanding that we are not the only ones struggling with this modern way of education.

1. “Buong gabi, talagang hinahanda ko na ang mga gagamitin ko, laptop at iba pa, para maayos yung daloy ng klase kinabukasan. Kung kailan magsisimula na akong magklase, ayun, nawawala naman ako. Hihintayin ko na naman na umikot yung bilog (loading) nang kay tagal-tagal.” - Ms. Emeliza Vidal, Science 9 Teacher

Do you ever wonder how you look while wandering around your house, holding your phone up in search of the right spot with an excellent signal? Have you ever prayed before an online class starts for your internet connection to run fast like a cheetah, but it still often ends up moving slowly like a sloth?

Every day is a challenge filled with unpredictability we have no control of. These discrepancies must not hinder our thirst to serve and discover new wisdom amidst this pandemic. We are the protagonists of this story. We’re in charge of making a good ending. Let us prove how resilient SMNHS students and teachers are. No matter what life gives us – bad signal, neighbors quarreling or roosters’ crowing in the background, let us always get up, log into our virtual classrooms, and say, “It’s time to shine.”

features

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We ourselves are the trained armies of our own kingdom, we are what we dream

’’ When It’s The World That Does Graphics by: Van Eduard Lumague

Not Need Changing

Dann Emanuel Felipe

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world —— but can it still be, when the world has already changed.

It is said to be the path to success, the key for endless door of opportunities, an incomparable treasure that is never to vanish. It is all created upon the horizon of hope where forces for the future are armed with sharpened minds and hearts beating for growth. This is the refuge of all dreamers, it is entitled as home with chalks and blackboards, it is a haven with classrooms and books. It is unlike home, but it is one.

Not until, gates and streets are seized from the people, each peaceful blow of the wind came to carry million of tiny droplets of death. This is how the world turned upside down. This is how death came to be the weapon that changed the world unexpectedly.

THE ROTATION OF THE WORLD’S REVOLUTION

The once pure breath of the fresh air all of a sudden got infected with the deadly pandemic; COVID-19. All the eyes and ears came yearning for updates and precautions with the latest report of the Department of Health, a total of 406,337 confirmed cases and 7,791 total for deaths. It is when tragedy created the peace on the streets but brought the dread screams of fear present on every home.

If staying at home can guarantee our safety, will it also guarantee our knowledge and future?

Fear of being stuck on fright and terror had the agenda of the Department of Education as the pandemic hit the Academic Year 2020-2021, everything came tumbling upside down. Altering the opening of classes, revamping from the traditional teaching and coping

up with the “new normal learning”.

I never have imagined a day with more loads of work and responsibilities to do until classes eventually started last October 05, 2020. My first week of online classes under the “new normal learning”, concluded as if I finally tasted the real meaning of it. But suddenly, as Week 2, 3, 4, passes by, I found myself wrong about the real denotation of learning in the new normal way. I experienced pressure, time-allotment issues and lots of sleepless nights.

But with our responses heard, our teachers have felt us, having an intimate consultation about the clarity of lessons and things to accomplish. I finally can conclude that the “new normal learning” can be a true synonym to the traditional way we used to wake up to.

No pandemic can hinder our desire for our dreams, nothing in this world can oppose the power of education, and so I believe in Sarah Ban Breathnach, an American author saying “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” We ourselves are the trained armies for of our own kingdom, we are what we dream, we are what we want to be in this world.

Education is said to be the path to success, the key for endless door of opportunities, an incomparable treasure that is never to vanish.

Even if the world comes to complete change, even if the world collides with another tragedy as long as we have the passion burning, education will always be the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.

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features

Unseen Fight of the Unforeseen Heroes Portia May R. Vargas Graphics by: Justin Angelo Tabada

I can hear the passionate battle cry of the unexpected warriors.

It is a war happening right in front of me, a battle between the chaos brought by an unseen enemy and the accidental fighters whose weapons are their intelligence and patience. As the war transpires, the arrows shot with passion pierced through my mind down to my heart.

The world’s hidden monster had been unleashed.

The first case in the Philippines was identified on January 30, 2020, causing a ruckus to the whole nation. It affected the economy and normal living of every Filipino.

Many woes were faced, but most of all education had been challenged. Since then, the way of learning has been changed.

But it does not end here.

The new way of learning is enough to say that houses became schools, and parents became teachers. But how would an undergraduate parent teach his/her child when he/she didn’t have any idea of what is written?

Passion.

Selected parents from Lambakin, San Miguel, Bulacan have been asked to share their thoughts about this “new normal” education.

Catherine De Guzman, mother – “Medyo mahirap po kasi mas iba sa nakasanayan. Ngayon kailangan talagang pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagtuturo sa mga anak.

Minsan kailangan din naming aralin ng mabuti bago namin ituro sa kanila, mahirap, kaya sana po next year maging normal at bumalik na sa dating pag-aaral.”

Yolanda Dela Cruz – grandmother – “Sa lagay ng aking apo na may kapansanan, kahit noong pumapasok pa sa paaralan talagang kailangan ko na ng pasensya at tiyaga para siya ay maturuan, ngayon ay mas dumoble o triple ang hirap pero gumagawa pa rin ako ng paraan para matuto at matulungan ko siya.”

The children themselves are not excluded to the unfamiliar environment, hence, they are voicing out their opinions on this matter.

Gilbert Recto Jr., Grade four student – “Para po sa akin okay lang dito sa bahay

dahil natuturuan pa rin ako ni mama pero mahirap din po, kaya iba parin po kapag sa paaralan talaga nag-aaral. Hiling ko po na sana maging normal at bumalik na po sa dati yung paraan ng pag-aaral namin.”

John Paul Calizon, Grade five student – “Kahit po walang guro hindi naman po ako masiyadong nahihirapan dahil marami pa rin po akong natututunan sa tulong ng aking mga magulang at tita pero iba pa rin po kapag pumapasok sa paaralan kasi nakikita ko yung mga kaklase at kaibigan ko.”

It is enough to make us wonder, how about the situation of other parents just like Ms. De Guzman and Mrs. Dela Cruz? How are they coping with this new set-up?

As Charles Darwin said “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

I can hear the passionate battle cry of the unexpected warriors. It made way to flourish the withered and a sign of reinforcement against the great enemy.

Lagging BEHIND

The whistle has sounded. The steam engine had gathered speed to dash away from the station, leaving behind an old lady who had just arrived in the platform. She was too late. She could now only see the drifting smoke above the train as it would evolve more and more later in the near future.

As she sat down, Mrs. Josephine P. Cruz of Pacalag Elementary School wondered about her retirement. It’s a dismal way of spending her last year as a mentor if she wont be able to give her best for her students.

Alas, this year is quite different. “I can no longer adapt with the technology in teaching,” she said somberly.

The faint chugging sound of the train can still be heard. Left in the platform was now not just the old lady but many, many teachers from different elementary schools, high schools and even colleges. Stuck within the traditional way, they were forced to cease

Jed Rogem Santos

in fulfilling their duties.

Yet Mrs. Cruz wants to prove that “once a teacher, always a teacher,” and no pandemic is a barricade. The train isn’t the only way to reach the finish line. If they’re forsaken for access there, then they’ll journey afoot.

“There might be ways that are convenient for both teachers and students. The challenge is to find them,” she said with glowing eyes of determination.

Currently, Mrs. Cruz is on her quest to seek ways for her students to catch up. The way to success is not just through one door. They might only take a step at a time but they’ll still reach the end.

As Mrs. Cruz will reach the threshold of senior citizenship and retirement, she’ll do so in pride and satisfaction that she had fulfilled her duty so that no student will be left behind.

Kalawakan:

The Unexplored Universe of Nature and its People Rinzen Gonzales

As world organizations like the United Nations hails the Philippines as the 3rd most climate change vulnerable country on earth, there is an unexplored universe where its citizens used nature to fight its dreaded effects - Barangay Kalawakan.

Located in Bulacan’s last frontier of Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT), Kalawakan boasts its rolling hills, majestic mountains, serene waterfalls and ancient caves safeguarded by tourism against the repercussions of global warming.

Locals like Ms. Tessie Evangelista, a kagawad in Barangay Kalawakan, who grew old in the hidden sanctuary, testified that the lush emerald forests were once devoid of color.

She reminisced how she and her family used to cut trees down to make charcoals in order to make a living.

“Talagang sobrang hirap na,” she said. “’Pag nag-uling ka, pahid-pahiran ka talaga. Halos ang mga bata nga hindi na maibili ng kasuotan,” she added.

Meanwhile, the municipal government of DRT has taken initiatives to turn the town inhabited by 20,000 people into a paradise in the mountains. Under the current administration, tourism boomed with travelers from the neighboring towns and provinces frequently visit its wonders.

Sites like the Talumpari Falls, Camalig Cave, Tila Pilon and Balistada HIlls, and Mt. Pinagbanderahan, are its flagship spots often travelled. According to Eric Hernandez, a kagawad in barangay and head of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Office, the opening of many tourism destinations gave the residents a new source of income - becoming tour guides.

Financial security even amidst the pandemic is not a burden for the residents especially the tour guides for tourists flock the barangay nonstop while observing regulations instilled regarding social distancing. Children whose parents are working in the tourism industry can attend and are provided with basic necessities.

The officials in Barangay Kalawakan stressed enough that their secluded town behind the virgin mountains of Sierra Madre is doing better than before. With limited resources and manpower, their community transitioned into a tourism destination for travelers - a universe where locals battled their problems with nature that propagates sustainable tourism and mitigates climate change in the process.

A New “Plant-toon” of Superheroes Rinzen Gonzales

Amidst the crushing winds, thunderous storms, and ear-piercing thunder, do you hear Mother Nature’s cries for help? Fear not, a new band of heroes will give voice to the voiceless and they are found right here in the center of San Miguel - our very own Plantitos and Plantitas.

These unusual superheroes found their powers not too long ago in the middle of community quarantines. They are Filipinos who found their hobbies in raising ornamental plants like succulents and recycling plastic bottles into personalized pots.

Nancy Gaerlan, a Plantita from Biclat, shared the benefits of her leisure in an online interview. “It [planting] affects me in a way that everyday parang may purpose ako.”

With their fondness with greenery, their pastime can surely help in mitigating deforestation in Bulacan that destroyed 424 hectares of forestry in the last decade according to the Global Forest Watch, an international organization tasked to monitor global land cover. With

their help, they can plant native trees from seeds to grow them into saplings that may be used in tree planting projects.

“It is a good idea of course,” said Gaerlan when asked about the initiative. She also encouraged individuals to take up planting. “Once kase na nag start ka na, doon mo ma-fi-feel ang saya sa pagtatanim. Di ka lang sa sarili mo nakatutulong kundi pati na rin sa community natin,” she added.

Living in a world where climate change threatens our existence, we must huddle into the trees for shelter but how can something protect us when it’s already gone? We must undo this and start rebuilding our forests. Just like Nancy Gaerlan, grow plants, ornamental or native trees, for us to safeguard ourselves from the rapid shift of our climate

Who would have thought that a form of leisure can be a superpower than can heed the silent cries of pain of our dying environment?

Graphics by: John Lawrence Trinidad

Editorial

sports

PREP FOR HOME COURT

Hosting the FIBA Asia qualifiers next year will not only serve as a testament of our capacity to hold international sporting events but also as a foreshadowing of how we will FIBA World Cup come 2023.

A few days ago, FIBA announced that Philippines will be one of the hosts of the upcoming FIBA Asia Qualifiers on February.

The upcoming tournament, which will decide which teams are qualified for the upcoming FIBA Asia Championships will include basketball teams in Asia and the Pacific.

Clark, Pampanga, who was also the

host of the recently concluded PBA Philippine Cup was

tapped by FIBA to be the

venue of the events.

With the success of the

PBA bubble, we can expect that our

: ics by Tabada Graph Angelo in Just

We cannot risk the lives and health of our athletes so we had to choose the lesser evil.

‘‘

government can do such success in a much more important tournament.

Being one of the hosts will boost the confidence of our national team, which will also compete against several title contenders including South Korea and Indonesia and despite of the absence of audience in the arena, playing on our own grounds will be of great help to our locals.

This opportunity will further enhance our capability as we are also one of the hosts of the upcoming FIBA World Cup, including Japan and Indonesia.

Moreover, our national team will also be qualified to participate in World Cup, and what better way to prepare for such prestigious tournaments than to practice in our own lands.

As a basketball crazy country, this will be a great platform for us to show the world our passion and commitment to our basketball program.

A Small Price to Pay NEW PROWESS Jeonrick Marcus Hipolito

As the 2019 Novel Coronavirus took the world by storm, the sports industry around the globe had been taken aback; Temporarily, sporting events ranging from the small leagues up to the major ones had to stop worldwide.

And now, after almost a year of being declared as a global health emergency, still, the Covid-19 outbreak is yet to be curbed here in our country. Hence, it continues to shatter robust possibilities for Filipino athletes including our SMNHian players.

No back-to-back championships, no comeback victories, no podium finishes, no qualification stints, no anything at all… The yearned aspirations of our athletes had been crushed this year as tournaments from EDDIS to Palarong Pambansa were ceased as a counter-measure. And I could only express dismay especially for the graduating ones who lost their last chance of playing their beloved sport in a tournament, bannering our school’s name.

However, the fact that the pandemic is alarming enough to displace our sports timeline into a frozen chapter is a reason that further justifies that the adjustments and sacrifices done are completely necessary. We cannot risk the lives and health of our athletes so we had to choose the lesser evil.

Traditional school tournaments will be a haven for virus transmission; If these were to occur without proper protocols, not only the competitors but also all the persons that came in contact with the event will be exposed to hazard.

Hopefully, after the desired number of Filipino population is vaccinated, we will be able to execute a safe return to the customary sport in gradual steps. In the meantime, our athletes’ patience and goals may be tested and hindered, but for their safety and the greater good, it’s a small price to pay.