In 2023, a report by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies revealed that the country faces a significant lack of facilities and basic amenities among schools, entangling with EDCOM 2’s report of the shortage of 43,014 teachers. As for students in the specialized curriculum of Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE), such a plight is not fit for their future careers.
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In a 2022 National Baseline Study by the University of the Philippines Manila, three in five students suffer from peer abuse. As these numbers seep through the San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) system, the school’s guidance office aims to curb its upward trend quickly.
In an analytical record of the Office of Guidance and Counseling, peer abuse cases in San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) swelled last school year, comprising the highest percentage, 25%, in total violation reports. Seeking to curb its rise, School Guidance Counselor Jayson Hernandez instigated to launch Quick Response Mechanism for handling such issues.
According to the 2017 book “Abuse Between Young People: A Contextual Account”, peer abuse is defined as “physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse, and coercive control, exercised within young people’s relationships, including their intimate relationships, friendships, and wider peer associations.”
parents, and students of SMNHS as it is home to almost 10,000 learners.
He stated that their office has delegated a discipline officer per grade level who will be tasked with receiving the reports of peer abuse instead of previously handling it on his own. These teachers will assess the reports’ credibility and measures to be taken as Hernandez believes that students’ attitudes vary in each grade level.
He expressed hope that such addition of guidance counselors also serves as the school’s initial step in fulfilling the requirement of designating one officer in every 500 students as SMNHS is the biggest school in Bulacan.
(Learning Action Cell) session naming sa guidance na instead yung ESP teachers lang yung mag-LAC session, ibaba na ito sa lahat ng teachers,” he said.
Explaining that every grade level has different areas of need, Hernandez stressed that the LAC sessions will focus on instructing the teachers regarding the recognition of peer abuse or bullying cases. The guidance counser detailed that teachers should be well aware of the occurrence of such school rule violations. “Bullying or peer abuse siya kapag paulit-ulit, at tsaka kahit minsan lang pero severe yung damage, dapat nabibigyan agad ng action,” he highlighted.
in through the headship of the School Parent-Teacher Association (SPTA). Hernandez stressed that SPTA officers shall lead the initiative in fostering awareness and teaching parenting strategies. “Gagawa sila ng memo. Mag-train muna sila ng kapwa nila parents, then by class nila ibababa yung programs,” he furthered.
Also, he said that student clubs and organizations can influence the narrative of lowering the rise of peer abuse by opening their tables to the scenarios that other students may be scared to share with teachers.
DELEGATING RESPONSIBILITIES
In an interview with The Mayumo, Hernandez pointed out that the mechanism involves designating roles for new guidance counselors, teachers,
However, he mentioned that the mere designation of officers will not lead to the mechanism’s effective materialization, prompting him to also orient the SMNHS teaching force about their initiatives.
“Pinropose ko na yung LAC
STAKEHOLDERS MOBILIZED
Meanwhile, the child protection advocate also rallied the parents to safeguard their children through implementing parenting programs
However, Hernandez lamented that “student-leaders should be more empowered” to tie up with the school administration in advocating student empowerment in general.
With this issue at hand, he vowed that the school community will focus on maximizing the platforms that student clubs and organizations possess to be collaborators of the school’s causes.
‘Tanglaw sa Dilim’ brightens hope for
The Dumagat community in Sitio Cabiao, Kalawakan, DRT, Bulacan has long struggled without electricity. However, on February 14, they received Valentine’s gifts that served as a beacon of hope after grappling in darkness for so long.
Rated Korina-featured scholarship initiative aids 104 beneficiaries
With the mission to aid the education of financially struggling students, Raymond Dela Cruz, a teacher from San Miguel National High School (SMNHS), established SMNHS Cycle of Love and Giving, a scholarship program solely funded by donations.
In an interview with the staff of Rated Korina in August last year, Dela Cruz expressed that his experiences from his past socio-economic status inspired him to lend helping hands to 104 learners from the same background.
“After graduation, nag-stop ako for two years nagtrabaho ako ng iba-iba, construction, tricycle driver. Pinagsabay ko ang studies at pamamasada and nalaman ko na mahirap talaga, kaya ayoko na maexperience pa ng ibang students ‘yong naranasan ko.” the English teacher said, emphasizing the hardships he faced as a working student.
His two decades of service in
teaching also urged him to foster the cause as he witnessed the problems he once faced as they struggled with their finances. He stressed that the time is now to give back.
The scholarship founder pointed out that the program, which caters to all qualified students, has remained strong with the continuous generosity of multiple sponsors. “Malaki ang pagpapahalagang binibigay ng SMNHS Cycle of Love and Giving sa bawat sponsor, dahil sila ang nagtataguyod sa programa na ito,” he said.
Dela Cruz affirmed that the donors are entitled to set rules and qualifications for their select scholars. “Sila kasi ang talagang nagseset ng rules. Kung ilan ang gusto niyang scholar at kung magkano ang allowance na ipapadala o ibibigay niya,” he stated.
The scholars are mostly SMNHS students and alumni. However, Dela Cruz said that he eyes to expand the program outside Bulacan. Currently, there are scholars from Negros Occidental, Cagayan, and Nueva Ecija.
Through the effort of SMNHS Cycle of Love and Giving in collaboration with The Mayumo and the Local Government Unit of Barangay Kalawakan, DRT, Bulacan, 60 Dumagat families were given solar lights during the Tanglaw sa Dilim Outreach Program held at Calumpit Elementary School.
Among the recipients is the aged Ofelia Mangahas, who highlighted the need for solar lights in their
“
Mahirap po ang buhay namin sa Sitio Cabiao at mas mahirap dahil madilim sa gabi.
community. She stressed the difficulty of living without it especially at night.
“Mahirap po ang buhay namin sa Sitio Cabiao at mas mahirap dahil madilim sa gabi kaya malaking tulong po ang mga regalo ninyo sa amin,” she said.
In an interview, Raymond dela Cruz, the founder of the scholarshipgranting, SMNHS Cycle of Love and Giving, said that he learned from a Dumagat scholar that there is no electricity in the area. Through sponsorships, he managed to purchase 60 units of solar lights. “Hindi dito magtatapos ang Tanglaw sa Dilim Project kundi sa mas liblib na lugar pa ng DRT,” dela Cruz added.
More so, Barangay Captain Milagros Manguiat emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of the Dumagat people, stating that it is one of the top priorities of her governance. Manguiat shared plans to provide electricity to other Dumagatinhabited sitios in Kalawakan, alongside livelihood assistance initiatives.
“Marami pong salamat at
mag-aaral na naninirahan sa Sitio Cabiao,” she said.
THE PLIGHT OF IPs IN THE COUNTRY
According to International Labour Organization, despite the abundance of natural resources around the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the Philippines, they are ranked among the poorest and most disadvantaged sector. They are deprived of rights and opportunities to develop capacities to cope with the fast changing social, economic, and political environment.
Also, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), said that indigenous groups in the country are lacking access to social services and economic and political opportunities and battling high levels of pervasive illiteracy and unemployment , even accessing birth certificate can be a challenge.
Virgilio Almario, also known as Rio Alma, expressed his admiration for a Balagtasan piece penned by Marc Angelo Valmeo, a school paper adviser from San Miguel National High School.
During the Grand Finals of Diwang: Sagisag at Kultura ng Filipinas Balagtasan Competition, the acclaimed National Artist praised the meticulous poetic form and rhythm of Valmeo’s piece, noting that each line verse consists of 18 syllables divided into three groups of six. “Mahirap ‘yung ginawa niya. Ang galing nung piyesa,” he said.
In his speech, Almario also urged the participants, who had won the island cluster competitions, to actively contribute to the preservation of the Balagtasan culture in the country.
He acknowledged their journey to the final round held at Risen Garden, Quezon City Hall last November 22. 2023. Meanwhile, when asked about receiving praise from a National Artist, Valmeo, said it further ignited his passion to write. “ ‘Yung makaperform sa stage kasama mga kaibigan, mapansin ng mga tinitingila nating makata, marinig ‘yung sining at mensahe natin, tingin ko ay hindi ‘yun maibibigay sa akin ng kahit anong promotion, “ the Ang Mayumo adviser said.
SMNHS HAILED SECOND-BEST
Representing Luzon, the trio of Allan Jason Sarmiento, Theresa Marie Laron, and Marinel Antonio landed in second place.
The three, whose performance centered around a debate between social media and traditional media in
news reporting, fell short of beating the poets of Bagong Koronadal, Mindanao. The students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines won third place. The competition was spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and Arts and the Philippine Cultural Education Program.
IN TEEN PREGNANCY IN THE PHILIPPINES IN FEBRUARY 2024 PROMPTS CALL TO INCREASE SEX EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES
source: Save the Children International
4,613
pregnancy cases were recorderd in Bulacan based on the 2022 Civil Registry and Vital Statistic Data making it the province with the highest number of teenage pregnancy cases in Central Luzon
source: Commission on Population and Development
Following the 11 confirmed cases of teenage pregnancy in the previous school year, the School Guidance Office affirmed that they are taking necessary steps in strictly promoting sex education to keep the numbers down.
This is aimed at continuing the downward trajectory of pregnancy cases among Filipino women aged 15 to 19 years old after it fell from 8.6 percent in 2017 to 5.4 percent in 2022 as stated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in its 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey.
Jayson Hernandez, School Guidance Counselor said that in line with the Department of Education’s Order No. 31, s. 2018 or the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Program, their office is proposing several interventions to raise the youth’s awareness on preventing teenage pregnancies.
It was 2019 when Allan Jason Sarmiento was selected for the Korea-Philippines Teacher Exchange Programme. Five years later, another teacher from San Miguel National High School will fly to the Land of Morning Calm in April.
Clenmer Locsin, a Grade 10 Science teacher passed the national screening for this year’s KPTEP held at the Department of Education Central Office last January 18 and 19. He will be deployed in Seoul Technical High School from April 16 to July 13.
Locsin’s three-month sojourn in South Korea as an exchange teacher aims to provide him constructive experiences to learn the country’s educational system, deepen his understanding of Korean culture, and build an intercultural communicative competency in teaching while collaborating with the local teachers.
In an online interview, he said he is thankful to be qualified for KPTEP as it will give him a chance to be immersed in a different culture and share the Filipino culture to Korean learners. “I hope that I will be able to learn from their educational system and also share the best practices we have here in San Miguel National High School,” he added.
Meanwhile, School Principal Marciano Cruz, Jr. extended his congratulations to Locsin, recognizing this achievement as a significant milestone for SMNHS.
This is also pursuant to House Bill 8910 approved in 2023 which established the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Inter-Agency Council (APPIAC) to formulate and implement a national action plan on the prevention of teenage pregnancies and provide familyoriented health programs.
GUIDANCE OFFICE ON THE GO
In a project proposal, Hernandez introduced activities such as the ‘Sexually Healthy and Personally Empowered (SHAPE) Adolescents’
‘Toga Muna, Bago Traje De Boda’, and ‘Youth for Youth’. These programs aim to provide specialized support in preventing unintended teen pregnancies among learners.
“These are very important, especially sa panahon ngayon where ang mga bata ay nakakikita ng mga bagay sa internet that may pique their curiosity, kaya ginagawa namin ito para mabigyan sila ng idea about the consequences of such acts and kung hindi talaga mapipigilan, what are the ways to prevent teenage pregnancies,”
the counselor said.
He said that in partnership with the Municipal Population Commission (PopCom), the projects are targeted at female learners starting from Grade 9, where the cases start to emerge. It is set to roll out next school year.
The Guidance Counselor then mentioned that they will first focus on information dissemination as most cases of teenage pregnancy result from a lack of awareness about reproductive health and happen in “poorer and marginalized” communities.
Meanwhile, Rolando Santos, a school disciplinary officer, affirmed that these programs would contribute meaningfully in lessening the cases of teenage pregnancy.
“Iyong idea of having CSE is a good approach para ma-educate ‘yung mga estudyante natin na magkaroon ng tamang perspective when it comes to the issue of sexuality. Kahit sa school natin, tumataas ang cases, and magandang way ang CSE para mamitigate ito,” he added.
"As the prices of goods and commodities continue to rise, our school canteens have no choice but to do so accordingly," said Carmina Mapilis, Head Teacher VI of the TLE Department, addressing students' concern about rising prices in the school canteen.
SURVEY: Only 5% of STE...
Amidst their exposure to an advanced curriculum, only a slim five percent of STE students in San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) showed interest in pursuing teaching profession, while a dramatic majority of 95 percent expressed disapproval.
In a survey conducted by The Mayumo, only 16 out of 327 junior high school STE respondents said they are interested in becoming teachers mainly due to their ambition of teaching kids and contributing to the education sector’s improvement.
The remaining 311 who showed disinterest in teaching commonly cited that the current salary of teachers prompts them to disregard such work as an option, or that they just have another job in mind.
Even though the country’s inflation rate dipped to 3.5 percent in January 2024 from 5.4 percent in December, Mapilis said the compounded inflation in the past four years kept the price tag of food products from going down.
More so, she emphasized that to maintain the quality and quantity of the products, a price hike in the school canteens is needed following the opening of the school year.
Imelda Simbulan, a canteen manager, said that the step is not aimed at increasing the canteen’s income but only at covering the cost of goods brought by inflation, such as the price of ingredients, transportation, and labor.
“Kahit na nagprice increase kami, mas bumaba pa rin ang income compared sa pre-pandemic. Napakaliit na lang ng kita, halos ibigay na lang,“ she furthered, expressing dismay on its effect to the canteen’s income.
The canteen manager also pointed out that even though the cost of goods soared, the canteens are trying to keep their products as cheap
A freshman shared that witnessing the work of her family of teachers made her feel it would not be reasonable for her to be like them. “While they give their best for students, they are still poorly treated and are not even paid well,” she stated.
In the country’s salary grade system of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the teacher’s entry-level salary falls at Salary Grade 11, or approximately P27,000 per month.
Such salary is revealed to not go at par with neighboring countries, as stated in International Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Academy, that South Korea pays starting at $1,850, or approximately P103,000 monthly, while Japan starts at $1,700, or P95,000 per month.
On the other hand, a grade 9 learner explained that more teachers are needed in the workplace. “For me
as possible to help students cope with the prices.
“Ang kuha namin sa bigas is 1,450 pesos per 25 kilograms ngayon, before pandemic, 1,050 lang ang kuha namin, pero hanggang ngayon, 15 pesos pa rin ang benta ng canteen, kasi kawawa ang mga bata” she added.
In an interview, a tenth-grader voiced out his dismay on how more expensive the prices of goods in the canteen are compared to stores outside the school, considering that students don’t earn money on their own.
Meanwhile, a grade 12 student said the food within the school’s premises is quite affordable. He believes that at some point, they cannot take the less fortunate into mind as it’s a different story for them.
“Let’s keep in mind the canteen staff. They need to earn a living since their wages come from the profits generated,” he added.
A learner also shared that he patronizes the school canteen knowing that its income will be used to fund the school's projects.
naman po it’s not about the salary kung maliit man o malaki, basta po may maturuan yung mga bata na specially yung mga walang kaya,” she remarked.
In an interview, an anonymous teacher expressed his sadness over the survey result saying that the country is in need of highly-intellectual future teachers and that STE students must be encouraged to take education course.
CATCHING-UP.
Adhering to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) mandate of “Catch Up Fridays”, the majority of non-language teachers in San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) revealed that although the program remains a challenge as it lacked clear orientation, they stood tall every Friday morning with a proper plan on their own.
The said learning intervention was implemented among public schools pursuant to the DepEd Memorandum No. 001 s. 2024 dated January 10. Starting on January 12, all teachers are directed to engage classes in reading to enhance their literacy every Friday according to quarterly themes.
TEACHERS FACE CHALLENGE
In an interview, teachers from Mathematics, MAPEH, and Science subject groups shared that they try to integrate their fields’ targeted
learning competencies in their reading activities to ensure they remain on track with their teaching plans as the memorandum is their only reference.
Fatima Alonzo, a math teacher, stated that they need to replace their computation lessons with other searched materials. “Kung ano ‘yung lesson namin ng Friday na tatamaan, naghahanap kami ng mga readings tungkol dito, especially problem solving,” she mentioned.
Alonzo added that they mainly get the reading materials from old textbooks, old modules, and Google websites on their own.
Meanwhile, Alvin Mariano, a grade 7 teacher, pointed out that as science is an english-based subject, they adapted quickly to the reading program by incorporating curriculumbased instructions.
“May mga scientific terms kami or words na ine-emphasize, which is nadedevelop and naaayos naman namin sa vocabulary. We let our students choose the keywords and emphasize yung meaning na hindi nila alam,”
Mariano said.
This method, according to him, was the main practice science teachers employed based on their recent INSET (In-service Training for Teachers) session. They organized a system of designating teachers to provide reading materials every Friday aligned with the prescribed themes like peace, mental health, values education, and others.
MORE THAN READING
Likewise, Arleene Fernandez, a MAPEH teacher, explained that Catch-up Fridays are not just limited to reading in the students’ seats, and could be filled in as a part of the physical activity they do.
Fernandez remarked that it positively challenged them to creatively employ reading activities in Friday classes such as written instructions while they are teaching folk dance.
LEARNERS FEEL CHANGE
Moreover, JHS students shared in
“Ang role ng teacher is to teach, so kapag maraming trabahong binibigay na hindi naman related sa trabaho niya as a teacher, nakakapagod at syempre nakaka-exhaust ‘yun,” thus, said by an anonymous public school teacher explaining how ancillary tasks drain them.
However, through DepEd Order No. 002 s. 2024, non-teaching duties are being lifted from public school teachers to support them in better teaching and gearing toward a conducive environment for effective learning.
In an interview by The Mayumo, select teachers said that the Immediate Removal of Administrative Tasks of Public School Teachers relieved them.
Rhianna Santos (a pseudonym) emphasized freeing teachers from
duties not designated initially to them is good on paper. Despite this, she voiced disappointment over the persistence of administrative tasks that steal valuable time needed for instructional preparation. She believes strict policy implementation will lead to a more efficient teaching and learning process.
Similarly, a senior high school teacher welcomed the initiative but stressed the need to also eliminate irrelevant paper works. “I hope thru this policy, tuluyan nang mabawasan ang mga trabaho na hindi related sa teaching at para mabawasan na rin ang mga iniisip namin na tasks na need i-accomplish,” he said.
Meanwhile, perspectives vary, with one viewing such tasks as beneficial for career advancement, providing a foundation for those aspiring to administrative positions.
A science teacher said, “If they want to be promoted as a school head, may idea na sila kahit paano regarding sa
tasks na need nila gawin, mabibigyan sila ng magandang foundation,” she said.
Research from various institutions by the 2018 Teacher Workload Balance Study suggests that increased administrative assignments significantly impact teacher workload, ultimately affecting teaching quality and well-being.
an interview that the teaching styles of their non-language teachers have then changed every Friday with the reading mandate.
“Ang way na ginagawa ng teachers namin is pinapabasa na lang sa amin yung pang-discussion or pang-lectures na naka-hard copy. For example, sa science, ang topic is menstrual cycle so ang binabasa namin sa hard copy is kung ano yung definition n’on, paano nangyayari, and many more,” an anonymous grade 10 learner said.
A grade 8 student then voiced concern that learners who reached higher grade levels with low reading proficiency should be given utmost priority. “I will tell them to do it in a fun way not in a strict or demanding way so that the students can enjoy it po,” she stressed.
Sharing the same claim, a freshman added that the identification of students’ needs for more personalized support for their skills would be beneficial with the implementation.
Source: Philippine Information Agency
With regards to the implementation of the Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) Curriculum, Dr. Jay Arr V. Sangoyo, the Education Program Supervisor (EPS) in English, stressed that it is not designed for competition, rather a curriculum that aims to strengthen free and responsible journalism in secondary schools to develop learners’ skills required in mass media.
In an interview, Sangoyo stated that as journalism is a cocurricular activity, the Department of Education (DepEd) promotes different curricular programs to elevate their specialized skills, one of which is the special program intended for journalism that supports the Republic Act No. 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.
“Of course, number one is we have to showcase the talents of our learners in mass media, in the different categories, or even in the production of the school paper so we can nurture the learner’s skill by offering such programs necessary for their competencies,” Sangoyo said about the Division firmly encouraging schools to implement SPJ.
The program supervisor also mentioned SDO Bulacan’s Sustaining Performance in Campus Journalism (SPCJ) project that aims to direct exposures in the different print and non-print media and capture the necessary skills relevant to the promotion of campus journalism.
Furthermore, Dr. Sangoyo expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of potential school implementers, foreseeing that at least 30 to 40 SPJ curriculum implementers will also have a special program in foreign languages within the next five years.
To foster inclusivity in the campus level, the Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) laid out their plan to create a club dedicated to empowering LGBTQIA+ students.
In accordance with Department of Education’s (DepEd) Order No. 32, s. 2017 or the Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy, the said club commits to integrate the principles of gender equality, equity, and sensitivity to ensure access to quality basic education for all.
“The club can serve as a platform of representation for the gay and lesbian community because empowering them means letting them take the lead in such initiatives and the best place for them to start is in the school level,” said Thea Esguerra, SSLG President.
According to Esguerra, the said program will encompass measures to address the issues faced by the rainbow community such as dress codes and student haircut policies. Meanwhile, an anonymous member of the LGBT Community, voiced out their commendation, remarking the plan as ‘a one big leap’ for the LGBT community.
Because Philippine History was removed from high school and melded it into that mismash we know as Araling Panlipunan, students must relearn history double-time.
Disjunctures in Philippine History Education
Since the K to 12 Reform
Lee Candelaria
He shall return, and now, he is back with unfinished business.
Expressing gladness over his return to San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) after two years, Principal Marciano Cruz Jr. emphasized that he will continue his deferred plans by focusing on the school’s infrastructures, and instructional supervision.
In an interview with The Mayumo, Cruz pointed out that his projects prioritize facilities necessary for learners’ holistic academic growth. He sought to accomplish what the pandemic hindered him before getting transferred in 2020 at AFG Bernadino Memorial Trade School.
He shared that his first project will be establishing an athletic field for student-athletes to enhance their quality of training as SMNHS is the biggest school in Bulacan and has a sole delegation in the Provincial Athletic Meet.
“Pagdating sa imprastraktura, nakita ninyo naman ang development. Noong dumating ako rito, walang cemented ground, ang oval sira, ang plano ko riyan, magkaroon talaga ng athletic field na modern para sa mga magagaling na athletes natin, ‘yun na
In a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, Filipino high school students only have slight awareness of their local history amidst their high appreciation towards it. In San Miguel, it is proven to be the same.
A land of heroes – this is what San Miguel’s history entails. But for young San Migueleños, their memory of the town’s historical figures turned a bit rusty.
A dramatic majority or seven in 10 students of San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) failed to identify the town’s own history of heroes and other prominent figures, a survey by The Mayumo showed.
Of 66 respondents in both junior and senior high who are San Miguel citizens, 69% or a chunk of 46 students confirmed to have little to no knowledge of the town’s big historical names, while a slim 30% or a total of 20 young residents affirmed that they still remember such prominent people from the past.
The students who shared honesty that they are not familiar with the town’s historical figures showed worry that they need a refresher course to have holistic awareness of such people in their culture.
Meanwhile, some of the learners cited the names of local
heroes and artists like Trinidad Tecson, Maximo Viola, Felipe Buencamino, and Simon Tecson.
An anonymous junior high student voiced concern that the rise of technology and lack of exposure to such topics in the current curricula made a huge impact on how students retain information regarding their local culture and heritage as hearing stories from elders also got limited.
“As a San Migueleño, these heroes contributed in such a way that they are our leading light in different ways, including maintaining our traditions and being solicitous of our heritage. It’s about knowing our local heroes more and seeing their efforts eye to eye,” he said.
A senior high learner then stressed that bigger efforts could be taken for the part of students in immersing themselves in recognizing the heroes and their contributions, along with realizing its significance.
However, a grade 12 learner
emphasized that although he is familiar with the names of the heroes hailing from his hometown, he should do more research about it. “Even though I have an idea about these heroes, I think my ideas are not enough to fully know their sacrifices and heroism,” he mentioned.
A grade 11 student then called on the youth that they must ensure in keeping the spirit of prominent San Migueleños’ heroism and contribution to culture and heritage alive.
“Reviving the history of our town means bringing back to life the stories and triumphs of San Miguel heroes. This will emphasize the importance of valuing our history and showing us examples of courage and perseverance,” she pointed out.
Sharing the same claim, another grade 11 student, added that without recognizing the locality’s history, those who are unaware of it are just “slaves” to ignorance and “other countries that conquered” the Philippines.
ang maging training ground,” he said.
The Principal then explained that along with the school’s success in sports, he pledged to prioritize students’ academic standing, especially with their constant victories in different competitions.
“Sa larangan ng academic, namamayagpag ang SMNHS, kapag usapang journalism, talagang nakikilala hindi lang sa Region 3, maging sa buong bansa. Tapos ang mga estudyante rin dito ay magkakaroon ng one-of-a-kind learning experience through rigid instructional supervision,” he shared.
Cruz also voiced his determination to improve discipline among learners by conducting seminars with the guidance office to prevent common school violations like cutting classes and tardines.
Moreover, he highlighted that in motivating teachers, conducting training is necessary where the school will invite speakers to impart knowledge and elevate understanding of new pedagogical approaches and strategies.
Expressing his gratitude, the “Probinsyano” stated that returning to the school he used to study and teach is one of his most significant encounters in life.
To live for almost eight decades is a luxury in the Philippines. In a World Bank study in 2021, the average lifespan of Filipinos settled at 71 years old compared to the world’s highest of 85 years in Hong Kong. Driven to celebrate the citizens’ longevity, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an act granting 10,000 cash gifts for Pinoys reaching 80 years old.
According to Republic Act 11982, Filipino octogenarians, 80 to 89 years old, and nonagenarians, 90 to 99, will be granted the cash benefit every five years until they reach 95. The law serves as an expansion to RA 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016, granting 100-year-old Filipinos P100,000 cash gift. As for elders in San Miguel, this law is more than good news.
With the demands of their regular medicines and other daily needs, local elders voiced optimism that the law would provide a little comfort in their circumstances as it could aid them in managing their finances.
Couple Lolo Marcelino , 82, and Lola Emiliana Dela Mines, 80, from Brgy. Salangan pointed out that although the cash benefit would be insufficient considering the bills of one’s household, beneficiaries should be mindful of maximizing it in their budget.
“Kulang pa ‘yon, kasi bibili ka pang gamot, bibili ka pa ng pangkain mo araw-araw,” the husband said.
For Lola Emiliana, she
would allocate the 10,000-peso cash incentive for her fruits and vegetables stall which has stood strong ever since 1969 with the support of Lolo Marcelino. “Pero ilalaan na lang namin ‘yung pera sa tindahan namin na 55 years nang nakatayo. Naging hobby ko na lang din siya kahit pinapatigil na akong magtinda ng mga anak ko,” she mentioned.
Meanwhile, Trinidad Beltran, 78, a soon-to-be octogenarian from Brgy. Camias, expressed hope that the government aid would suffice for the delay of obtaining their pensions.
“Maliit lang siguro yung sampung libo para sa iba, pero malaki s’yang bagay para sa’kin, lalo pa ‘yung sa pension sa senior namin laging nagkakaproblema, ilang buwan ko na hindi nakukuha. Kung susumahin mo, ‘yung sampung libo na ‘yon, halos dalawang taon ko nang pension, marami na ‘kong gamot pang-maintenance tapos pagkain na mabibili doon,” Lola Trinidad stated.
With CHED ordering the discontinuation of the Senior High School (SHS) Program in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), DepEd must stand alone in limbo — a state that could push our educational system on the brink of permanent disfigurement.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) released a memorandum reiterating their decision to discontinue the SHS program in SUCs and LUCs last December 18, 2023. Despite earning ires, CHED emphasized that there was no longer any basis to fund the program as the transition period had already lapsed. For parents and current SHS students of SUCs and LUCs, this nightmare has haunted them since 2021.
To live with the constant threat of having their program underfunded and removed from SUCs was undoubtedly among the constraints that have affected the attention and focus of our students. But now, with this as our reality, students are forced to face the repercussions of our government’s failure to materialize their plans ten years into K–12’s implementation.
In a swift sense, we were robbed of the few chances we had to attain a quality education.
Over 17,000 grade 11 students are at risk of being displaced. With nowhere to go, DepEd must somehow find a way to fit them all in our already congested public schools. It is an open secret that the overcrowding of classrooms has played a detrimental role
“in the decline of our education, taking a toll not just on the mental health of our students but also on the welfare and performance of our teachers.
In San Miguel National High School, classes were divided into two shifts, with the number of functioning facilities unable to catch up with the influx of enrollment. Particularly in the senior high department, with obsolete classrooms and buildings, teachers are forced to maximize hallways and comfort rooms as their faculty.
To make them fit in a shoe not tailored for them would not turn this nightmare into a Cinderella fairytale.
DepEd can plan how to distribute these 17,000 students based on their geographic location, but it would not magically solve the problem of congestion that stems from their outstanding backlog of 159,000 classrooms, according to DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas. Students have another option - to transfer to private schools and avail of the SHS voucher program.
But such a default response should not even be put on the table by an agency supposedly filled with experts. Because
Over 17,000 grade 11 students are at risk of being displaced. With nowhere to go, DepEd must somehow find a way to fit them all in our already congested public schools.
Written Psyche
Dann Emanuel M. Felipe Dann Emanuel Felipe
while these vouchers are promising, it is not enough to emancipate students from financial constraints. Based on a 2020 Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report, private education remains unaffordable since the voucher only subsidizes a portion of their tuition, benefiting only those above the socioeconomic class C.
The grub is DepEd is farthest from ready to claim that this independence would not worsen our already declining educational system.
With a few months left before the school year 2024- 2025, we are in a state that could leave irrevocable damage to our bid for quality and equitable education. What we need now is a revolutionary change that will save our system. But first, we need to acknowledge the crisis we are in, the lapses, and the deficiencies of our education - so long as DepEd and CHED find a middle ground and compromise for the sake of our students.
After all, if we let things as they are, it is only a matter of time before we become a nation of illiterates, a frightening but possible reality for Philippine education.
Christian Owel Olan/Cyrus Castuera/Erich Reyes/Gio De Lara/ Hannah Francine Malang /Jamille Calayan/Jasem Llamado/J azmin Nicole Abanes/Jazmin Gallano/Jilin Lue Juarez/Jed Reuel Jose/ John Chester Mananquil/John Mico Bautista/John Vincent Libunao/ Ma. Andrea Athena E. Vanguardia/Marcos Clyne Catu IV/ Marifern Gervacio/Naiara Louise Acero/Pam Audrey Tamio/ Raine Averie Victoria/Ronaldo Lapuz Jr./Ronielle Therese Chan/ Shekinah Sta. Ana/Therese Maui Galvez/Vincent Emmanuel Villamer Adviser | Allan Jason P. Sarmiento Co Advisers | Maria Cecilia T. Manio/Joanna Marriel C. Villamor, PhD Head Teacher VI, English Department | Nilda G. Milan, PhD Assistant School Principal II, OLS, OIC-JHS | Joselito G. Milan, PhD Assistant School Principal II, SHS | Cherilyn R. Goyena, PhD School Principal IV | Marciano V. Cruz Jr. Education Program Supervisor, English | Jay Arr V. Sangoyo, PhD Schools Division Superintendent | Norma P. Esteban, EdD, CESO V
Every minute, we betray a generation for the future they fundamentally deserve.
Looking back to 1989, world leaders battled not for power but for peace, which resulted in the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child—an international pillar that clearly states what every child ought to possess: the right to survival, to protection, to development, and to participation—the very things that the children of Gaza are being deprived of this very moment.
As of writing, there is a total of 27,100 people in Gaza who have been made lifeless through death from the sky since the war began on October 7, 2023, of which a fraction of around 11,500 are innocent children who were intentionally made orphans by a genocidal army, based on the report of the international media network, Al Jazeera. Behind each of these statistics is a child, a child who is coming to terms with a horrible new reality, with sorrow too heavy for their young shoulders to carry.
All these acts against humanity are being legalized for those of Palestinian descent who have long been convicted by the court of loathe and hatred—for the crime that they were born in a land they could not fully claim and for being raised in a society that normalized their suffering.
During these times of absolute uncertainty, nothing is definite but the fact that silence and lack of action will only lead to more children being thrown into the open graves of Gaza.
What sins have they committed that deserve such punishments?
What prayer have they not uttered to be forgotten and forsaken?
What more should they suffer before they taste salvation?
During these times of absolute uncertainty, nothing is definite but the fact that silence and lack of action will only lead to more children being thrown into the open graves of Gaza. The dream of Karem Samra, an 11-year-old Palestinian refugee, will forever remain uncharted as he states in an interview with Al Jazeera, “I had dreamed of becoming a pilot when I grew up, but not after I saw all those planes killing us, destroying our house, schools, restaurants, and gardens and scaring me during the night.”
The killing of these children is not just a mere statistic or headline; it is a testament to the cruelty of humanity. Each life lost is a dream extinguished, a future snuffed out, and a soul left to mourn. The faces of these children, etched with pain and fear, are a stark reminder of the injustice that plagues our world.
As the WHO states, every 10 minutes, a child is killed in Gaza. Thus, we betray a generation for the future they fundamentally deserve every minute we fail to save them.
Bahay-bahayan is a traditional game wherein kids play around makeshift forts made from furniture and towels, clothes stolen from parents’ wardrobe to mimic characters, paper folded as wedding bands, and stuffed toys wrapped in blankets to look like babies to simulate a real home. It’s the epitome of most Filipino childhoods.
For some, the game was taken a little too seriously.
In our religious nation where abstinence is fiercely preached, lies a number of overlooked cases of teenage pregnancy, shown in a record from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which reports that one in 10 live births are from mothers aged between 10 and 19 years old. This could have been prevented if only we had introduced sex education in our curriculum.
Luckily, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian recently called for DepEd to review Comprehensive Sexuality Education programs in hopes of mitigating these rising numbers. It is the uncomfortable but necessary solution we desperately need. Educating about the aspect of health and reality is more crucial than advocating ignorance guised under morality.
From that simple game of bahaybahayan, a child’s curiosity is piqued. And when that isn’t appeased with society taught to disregard their question, they will, ultimately find another way to satisfy it - method that will turn what once was an innocent child’s play into society’s nightmare.
Depriving youngsters of the fruit of knowledge is better at corrupting their innocence than just opening their minds to it. The fragility of our youth should be guided with illuminated perception, not with us struggling in the dark.
Hey Sarah! I took this book titled “Step by Step Guide on How to Squeeze a Bottle” to read for today’s Catch-Up Fridays! You definitely should join me as well!
Indomitable. Iron-willed.
Invincible
Those are just three of the millions of words that can be used to describe the Philippines. For centuries, it has gracefully let the relentless rampage of typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, poverty, and armed conflicts into its doors. Yet, Pinoys always come out on top of every hurdle almost unfazed, shining with their ever-fading smiles.
We were raised to be tough, strong, and stoic. We were always told that we could claim our triumphs in life if our sufferings sucked out every life force there ever was within us.
This perception of life has been forged to our culture and passed on from previous generations to another, resulting in a never-ending cycle. It has taken the form of a poisonous chemical that constantly contaminates the formula of every individual who barely flourishes in their homeland in finding their way to comfortable circumstances. We have succumbed to toxic Filipino resiliency.
This “Kaya natin ‘yan” mindset has brought the total damages during major disasters in 2022 to nearly 29
George Ryan Tabada graduated from San Miguel National High School last 2020 wherein he also served as one of the Associate Editors of the publication, and was the Features Editor in 2019. He is currently a fourth-year journalism student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Main Campus.
George Ryan P. Tabada George Ryan Tabada
From the glossy surface of televised stories to the raw, unfiltered reality, I discovered as a journalism student, there lies a tale this truthteller hasn’t unveiled yet—his calvary.
Streets echoed with the resounding blasts of clamors, tears brimming from the pleading eyes of those chanting for mercy, all for their lambasted rights. Captivating placards, raging cries, restless marches,
“
But without my humble beginnings at The Mayumo, none of this journey would have ever existed.
Shh! I can’t listen to you when I’m fighting like hell to get a drop of ketchup from this thing!
Sarah! Are you even listening to me?! Stop wasting your lunch time on a ketchup that will never come out!
Alberto D. Suarez
Alberto Suarez
billion pesos, and 458 unfortunate deaths, according to Statista Research Department.
Equipment, infrastructure, and manpower could have been our saving grace, but its nonexistence would mean our massacre. The Pearl of the Orient’s suffering will not end unless Juan learns to hold themselves accountable.
Moreover, this issue is further exemplified by social media as it continues to romanticize life stories that revolve around the “Rags to Riches” storyline, which aims to entice, motivate, and bait the 26.14 million Filipinos who live in poverty in 2023, as stated by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
With these being displayed to the world, some may say that our country is the cradle of persistence and tenacity. However, contrary to popular belief, Filipinos are not resilient. We have just succumbed to the image that society has forced upon us – settling for the bare minimum as we continue to suffer from the havoc our pride has brought.
Indomitable. Iron-willed. Invincible.
I still believe that these adjectives describe our country, but I am hopeful that we’ll interpret it differently. It is my dream to see the indomitable Filipino spirit in times when we are being oppressed. I want to witness the iron-will of our countrymen while standing up for what is right. I crave to feel the crackles of invincible patriotism in my blood as we unite for the betterment of our country.
I long for an authentic Bagong Pilipinas.
We Filipinos deserve better; that’s why we must strive to forge our way out of the shackles from which we can’t seem to flee.
The Pearl of the Orient’s suffering will not end unless Juan learns to hold themselves accountable.
perpetual threats— I was there, under the blazing sun, armed only with an antiquated pen and paper stained with sweat drips. I was there, marching with peasants from Welcome Rotonda to España, Morayta, and Mendiola.
It was there, in the middle of the chaos, a moment when I realized the magnitude of my role as a journalist.
I had always been motivated to amplify by all of the resentment that slams our coverage and by the intimidation of the police on the sidelines. In my mind, if this is what it takes to be a journalist, then I will stand with the oppressed and let all my fears for this society fuel my pen.
But without my humble beginnings at The Mayumo, none of this journey would have ever existed.
From the arms of the school publication where I was first inspired to write and where I was given a lifelong commitment to the pursuit of truth, I’ve seen that truth-telling involves more than just producing polished reports for newspapers and television. It requires venturing outside the bounds of my comfort zone where I found my purpose; a calling to the quest for truth, for stories that matter, for what deserves to be told— for we hold the power to aspire and inspire change from one Filipino to another. And truth be told, this has not only shaped me as a journalist. It has factually deepened my understanding of my identity as a Filipino committed to justice, telling me that a truthtellers’ calvary isn’t the long march under the sun but the struggle against the forces that seek to distort and silence the truth and nothing but the truth.
Yes! Something finally came out from this damn bottle? What were you saying again Marcus?
I stepped into the water.
Dipping my feet into the freezing water was my first step in grade 12. Little did I know I would take the risk to run in the Secondary Learner Government (SLG) election. It was music to my ears as I heard my name hailed as the newly elected governor, not knowing what I would face next.
As I went down into the deepest part of the ocean, I met a huge, multiple-eyed monster. I shivered as those burning stares pierced my skin. Those eyes were the ones I used to avoid as I passed the hallways of the Grade 12 Province. I felt like drowning as I remembered the platforms I mentioned on the campaign, which were the ones I could not even do. It was a shame for me, as a student leader, to have the power of powerlessness - a student leader carrying a torch in the water.
Nowadays, it is hard to become a student leader as there are limitations to pass through. According to the DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2005 entitled “Instituting Measures to Increase Engaged Time-On-Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith”, schools must follow the required number of school days in every school year. It is disappointing to think that students are prohibited to get out of the classroom even once.
However, student leaders still need to battle with time management
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We
are the socalled voices of the students, but our own voices cannot be heard.
as they must attend meetings and work on the school programs, sacrificing their class attendance. There are times when club officers cannot enter their classrooms just to fulfill their duties and finish the documents they need to accomplish. Hence, student leaders face struggles to cope with classroom tasks. Behind the face I display in this school are the unilluminated stars in a galaxy. We are the so-called role models, but we are the ones fighting without a weapon. We are the socalled voices of the students, but our own voices cannot be heard.
It is sad to say that student leaders lack empowerment. However, as I faced the monster from the depths of the ocean, I learned many things that I can use as I grow up and become a great individual.
After all, through this experience I faced, I can say that I can step out of the water.
“Young Insight Matthew James B. Santos | Matthew James Santos
All these stars, but it seems like I am in an abyss.
It seems that we are slowly turning into characters whose morale is heavily dependent on what we post, buy, and possess.
It is daunting to witness and realize that things we must persevere to obtain are in the hands of others with just a flick of a wand - better food at one’s table; better financial situation; better living conditions. These are always presented in a digital museum of many, if not all, social media users.
A usual internet user would utilize online platforms to store
With the Philippines two years into transitioning from the past to the current Marcos administration, the position of campus journalists remains blurry, with the government keeping mum on the menace that continues to plague journalists’ call to defend their right to fair and just reporting.
From the downfall of his dictator father to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trek back to the palace, 199 journalists have been killed, according to the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines. If there is anything that history taught us, it is that red tagging will continue to persist for as long as we fail to resist the current of this malevolent dynasty.
As campus journalists, however, it is our job to speak up during the times we are silenced the most. It is part of our creed to inform the people of the crises and problems that dampen their right to a democratic and free nation. And so, today is the most crucial time to use the law to our advantage.
As stated in R.A. No. 7079, or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, the state must uphold and protect press
Bared powerless in front of the monstrous pile of administrative tasks, the lack of materials, low salary, and other factors that continue to deter our bid for quality learning ground, our teachers are back at the forefront—now, with the renewed call for better education. After all, our teachers’ plight is also every student’s fight, a flight to undermine the Philippines’ already rotten system.
Dear Editor,
freedom at the campus level. For this reason, we are hosting the National School Press Conference yearly to hone students’ skills while fostering a community of campus journalists inclined toward fact-checking and serving truth.
But is it ‘all for show’ if our country keeps conducting contests with the student’s best interest in mind yet fails to protect them from press freedom attacks and red tagging?
Combatting this decadeslong prejudice and threats against journalists, we need more programs like the “Alisto! Alert System” of the Commission on Human Rights, a platform that will respond to the attacks and threats against our media practitioners. While not yet enough to fully empower our freedom of expression, it is a significant step in ensuring that there will be a safe space for journalists to practice their creed. It may seem like a long way for now, but we must be patient. For now, we have to test how deep the waters are. Because there is no point in jumping blindly and falling to death, for the dead cannot speak, we must be alive for the truth to prevail.
memories, share insights, and show their friends their life updates or “ganaps”. Social media has become everyone’s scrapbook. Among millions of Filipino users, Telenor Asia, an international telecommunications company, revealed in their Digital Lives Decoded study that the Philippines ranks highest in Asia on digital dependency at 24%. These numbers unveil Filipinos’ active engagement with the digital world.
Along with this, lies the way that we have shaped the environment of different platforms with our underlying worldview –idealism, an absolute fantasy of our reality.
We gravitate towards showing the best of our worlds in photos and films. From our out-of-town trips to a seemingly perfect celebration of Christmas. This prompts us to romanticize our lives and deepen our appreciation of the
The beast has awoken from a century of slumber to spread its crimson wings, ushering in a new era of regional turbulence in the Far East.
China’s economic miracle in the late 20th century brought immense prosperity and stability within its borders; but its rejuvenated power comes with ominous military strengthening as a materialization of its ever-growing desires to expand their influence.
Whatever their official statements might be, it is clear that China is making their power play in hotly contested regions such as the West Philippine Sea to secure their
“
But what can a smaller nation like the Philippines actually do in this seemingly David vs Goliath confrontation?
world, which is a celestial thing to know and must continue. But although it is generally good, this could leave us suffocating in our current circumstances, grappling with anxiety, and solidifying the mindset that we are getting behind in our generation - that we are stars of lesser significance and light than others and we are vacuum holes in a vast galaxy sucking in each monotonous day.
Should this monstrous gloom taint our perspectives, we are bound to build a lethal thirst for validation, luxury, and lurid reality. It seems that we are slowly turning into characters whose morale is heavily dependent on what we post, buy, and possess.
But if we learn to navigate our truths in this vast expanse of ideal narratives, we could elevate ourselves at the very least, and see the whole world anew.
Greetings!
I extend my admiration to The Mayumo, our exceptional student publication, as it eagerly prepares to unveil a new volume of the school paper. In this era dominated by digital communication, the online presence of The Mayumo plays a vital role in keeping students informed, and showcasing the endeavors of our budding journalists in a more contemporary light. It functions as a dynamic bulletin board, fostering a robust sense of inclusion within the school community.
As we eagerly await the new school paper release, allow me to acknowledge your continuous efforts to improve the publication’s vital online platform. Here’s to The Mayumo, not just for their achievements but for their profound impact reflected, not only in their school paper but also in their active and pulsating Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Ma. Rheana Althea DC. Esguerra SSLG President
Richard Louie P. Lamorena
Richard Louie Lamorena
position as the new regional Titan in Asia, at the expense of nearby countries like the Philippines that are directly at the crosshairs of their grand ambitions. Numerous reefs, shoals and atolls were illegally and forcibly occupied by the Chinese military in recent decades, compounded by their Coast Guard’s frequent harassment of sailors as a clear indication of their imperialistic behaviors.
This aggressive stance is not a mere coincidence, but a carefully crafted strategy also seen in other regions such as the Himalayas and Taiwan strait to flex their muscles to the world and fulfill their selfish national interests.
The Chinese dragon has a 21stcentury blueprint: a greater plan for Indo-Pacific supremacy.
But what can a smaller nation like the Philippines actually do in this seemingly David vs Goliath confrontation? Philippine Coast Guard’s continuous resupply missions in its major outposts in the region, despite constant harassment by their Chinese counterpart is
a concrete example of our act of defiance against China’s selfish motive. Furthermore, growing talks among South East Asian members for greater military and diplomatic cooperation is an indication that China might be a military and economic juggernaut now, but it should not be enough to break any nation’s resolve for what it deems to be rightfully theirs: an unalienable territorial right in their own maritime backyard.
The Philippines may lack the ability to go toe-to-toe with arguably the second biggest military in the planet, but our determination and resolve to fight modern imperialism has to be our country’s greatestever contribution in maintaining the rightful regional order in the West Philippine Sea.
It does not matter what islands, atolls, or reefs were lost, what’s important is that we chose to not kneel down the shadow of a new overlord, to be proud that we chose to heroically sink our teeth into the scales of a draconic Titan unfazed by a thousand bullets.
|noun| a group of three people engaged in the same activity
This isn’t a matter of perspectives as there is only one truth - our education system is in crisis.
We have been caught by the grasp of blind faith. In the Philippines, every household worships a universal ideology - “education is the only treasure a parent can pass onto you that no one else can take.” The belief is so strong that, in most cases, a piece of paper stating your completion of a course of study defines your worth.
I remember growing up witnessing my older cousins attaining this milestone. The pride in my family’s eyes is forever engraved in my brain. Hence, it’s always been a passionate goal of mine to live that moment when the time comes. It is ironic, however, that the education we worship so much is also one of the most neglected sectors in our country.
This notion was proven by the dismal performance of the Philippines in the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The result showed us falling five to six years behind in mathematics, reading, and science, with scores of 355, 347, and 373, respectively. These results should be the cold bucket of water to realize and efficiently address the problems.
Unfortunately, authorities are unbothered by the cold. DepEd undersecretary Gina Gonong stated that the public should take the report positively. She said that between 2018 and 2022, our performance remained stable despite the pandemic, unlike other countries whose performances fell. Is stagnancy the new standard for progress?
It isn’t a matter of perspective as there is only one truth - our education system is in crisis.
Accepting the hard truth is the first step. Maybe then, DepEd will be able to address the factors such as the lack of funding. The most significant share of the national budget goes to the education sector, so this excuse should not exist. Raising teachers’ salaries and providing students with better facilities should be the priority.
It makes me question the ideology Filipinos worship. How can education be a wealth no one can take from us if many learners are robbed of quality education? I hope that we stop living in comfortable delusions and finally face reality. I hope we can stop depriving the succeeding generations of the education system they deserve. We must break free from the grasp of blind faith.
As many campus publications fall into the pit of competitive journalism, we forget the ideology that should have been our foundation—for whom and why we
Maybe we are lost in the translation of how we define student publications today. It had become a trophy mill for some schools that would go as low as paying thousands of pesos in exchange for a well-made newspaper and better chances of winning. However, as they chase empty accolades and praises, they deny themselves and their students the opportunity to craft a newspaper that meets the needs of the studentry.
Now, whose sake was really at stake?
Either way, contests for best newspapers aren’t exactly a fair metric, with layouts prioritized over quality content. As a
There is no such thing as happy ever after.
Even now, I can still remember the first storybook I ever read. ‘May Magic Si Inay’, much to its title, brought me up believing the same kind of magic — that a mother’s touch can cure everything. But in reality, no touch can ever cure the disease that left our educational system rotting for more than half a century.
Catch-up Fridays, a policy born amidst the dismal showing of the Philippines in PISA 2022, was a mandate to cure the low reading proficiency level of our 15-yearold learners. It will reserve our Fridays for reading interventions while instilling values in our students.
Perhaps, the program is a step in the right direction, a long overdue action, I may say. What we need now are concrete solutions that will help us curb the illiteracy rate in the country. However, giving up our Fridays alone would not be enough to play catch-up with the rest of the world.
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Catch-up Fridays are merely a band-aid solution; another myopic policy would only feed our growing complacency in solving this educational crisis.
Reading is something that takes years, even decades, to master. Unless DepEd reinforces the reading and literacy standards that come with the K to 12 curriculum, Catch-up Fridays will be like the national reading programs in the past, the ‘Every Child A Reader Program’ in 2001 and the ‘Bawat Bata Bumabasa’ in 2019, which both failed due to the mass promotions of students. These practices foster a poor mindset among students, turning them into complacent and incompetent learners.
Catch-up Fridays are merely a band-aid solution; another myopic policy would only feed our growing complacency in solving this educational crisis. DepEd needs a total revamp of our current system and the stricter implementation of reading literacy standards.
As I replay my short but meaningful existence, ‘May Magic Si Inay’ remains as magical as when I first read it. I will always remember the lessons I have learned and how they got me to believe in happy endings. However, as I welcome seventeen, I have come to terms with reality.
There is no such thing as happy as ever after, not for the Philippines, and certainly not for Filipino kids robbed of the opportunity to read.
It was a finale that did not do its characters justice.
While practicing for our moving-up program for weeks on end under the scorching sun’s heat, I didn’t anticipate that a rainstorm was a factor to worry about–until the awaited day came when all expectations weren’t met.
I remember looking at my fellow students, who, like me, would be closing a memorable chapter on their journey as students, and seeing the look of discomfort in their eyes. We might be anxious, but we were all thrilled to have that brief moment on stage, reaping the accolades of our hard work. A moment made more special by the fact that it was the first after three years of virtual ceremonies. The pandemic didn’t simply halt lives for two years but also left almost irreparable damages, especially in the sector of education.
Due to the new normal, from the traditional opening and closing of classes in June and March, it became August and July. Students and teachers are forced to go to poorly ventilated school facilities during the two hottest months of the year, April and May.
In order to gradually revert back to the old school calendar, DepEd has drafted an amendment to DepEd Order 22, s. 2023, which pertains to the official calendar and schedule of activities for the school year 2023-2024.
As of the beginning of February, the end of this school year is said to be on May 31, instead of the originally announced June 17, which takes away from us more or less half a month of time to finish the two remaining quarters.
The pandemic is not an excuse; DepEd's continuous denial of this educational crisis is the real culprit. Although things did not go as planned, doing everything hurriedly just to conform to our plans is setting ourselves up for a disaster. This matter should have been decided earlier on for a more realistic and reasonable time management approach.
If this is how it goes, there might be another finale that wouldn’t serve the characters right, and, unlike our favorite movies, our stories continue even when cameras stop shooting.
Still, it’s not too late to rewrite our forthcoming ending and do ourselves justice because oftentimes we are the masterminds behind our own undoing.
“
The pandemic is not an excuse; DepEd's continuous denial of this educational crisis is the real culprit.
publication that worked tirelessly day and night to deliver ethical news and stories, it is unfair and disheartening to lose against schools that employ professional layout artists to ensure an easy ticket to the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC).
As mandated by the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, NSPC is more than just a venue to select the best school papers in the country. It extends far beyond the manner of winning and losing but for the greater goal of creating a youth-driven community where facts and truth thrive. Subscribing to contest journalism defeats the whole purpose of this event.
After all, our worth as writers and publications does not equate to medals and trophies. We should not let our competitive spirit stop us from realizing that students should be the core of campus journalism.
To lose sight of our vision in pursuit of glory is to betray our duty as journalists.
Kate Tiffany S. del Rosario
After all, acceptance has long been cultivated in our all-embracing past our history books say so.
During the Philippines’ pre-colonial era, there were already visible trails of acceptance in terms of one’s gender identity in the form of Babaylans— they were a pillar in every community; someone who possessed existential powers, blessed with spirit guides and given gifts of healing, foretelling, and insight. They were revered. Respected. Accepted.
However, with the arrival of the colonizers, the Philippine society slowly began to unlearn its all-embracing past and absorbed the doctrine of a prejudicial mindset. No more Babaylan was seen. No more rainbow was illuminated—no more.
The bearers of the rainbow-colored flags faced society’s crucifixion. A dark era that brought bruises, scars, and trauma not until they grew tired of the system that had brought them too much hatred.
Reincarnation
In our present times, a Babaylan is reincarnated without existential powers but with powers of courage, wisdom, and glam. She is Barbie. Just like the Babaylans who led towards healing, Barbie leads toward acceptance. A Barbie named Mx. Amie Bernardo Ramos, a Bulacan State Agricultural University professor is an embodiment of finding one’s true identity and an epitome of transgender empowerment.
But, one’s fight for societal change can never remain unchallenged, like the journey against the tide of storms Mx. Amie’s journey towards embracing her identity has not been an easy ride, she faced discrimination, even in the place of sacrality—known to
be a refuge that embraces all creations.
With other Barbies like Mx. Amie who firmly faces the tides of the closeted mindsets, their fight did not turn meritless as the government passed into law the Republic Act No. 11313 otherwise known as the “Safe Spaces Act” which aims to strengthen our nation’s way of valuing every human person’s dignity and as an act of respect for human rights by reinforcing a protective shield for the victims of gender-based harassment.
Finally, their voices were heard. Finally, their rights were recognized. Finally, they finally took up space. Finally.
Republic Act No. 11313 “Safe Spaces Act”
The State also recognizes that both men and women must have equality, security and safety not only in private. but also on the streets, public spaces, online, workplaces and educational and training institutions.
Finding your one true self is already a task too heavy for our shoulders to carry. It loudly and proudly is another challenging mission for many. But with Mx. Amie, now a thriving educator, having been born in a family with love as their foundation, she is embraced not with disappointment but rather with wide nurturing open arms, which helped her become who she is today.
It is time that we realize that gender does not make anyone any less of themselves, most of the time, it is what makes them discover more of their true selves.
After all, acceptance has long been cultivated in our all-embracing past our history books say so.
It is the Babaylan’s unique presence that served as a testament to the fluidity of gender roles and the acceptance of diverse identities that prevailed during those pre-colonial times, just like how Mx. Amie Ramos does today, she is a living clear representation of the trans community and a bold statement that they do exist with a purpose and a mission, not to be treated just as a mere minority.
One day, just like every Barbie’s mission, our society will lead to acceptance. All the bruises and wounds borne from discrimination and hatred will turn into nothing but beautiful scars.
Among the rigid boulders dwelling the ranger, a rose blossoms.
With strong roots, it is proudly cemented to the ground; its stem is adorned with a platoon of protective thorns; beyond the layers of velvet petals is a beautiful bud hidden – a flower that truly encompasses both boldness and elegance.
SSG Reshil Roldan is the perfect epitome of it. November 1983 marks the sprout of her story. She was just an ordinary girl from Davao, until at 10 years old, she saw a woman in an army truck, wearing combative gear, holding a gun. It was a woman who screamed grace in a brute setting surrounded by rugged men. In a time where ladies are taught to embody a daisy – innocent and pure – it was fascinating to see a woman gloriously displaying her thorns.
In a garden of daisies, Reshil wanted to be a rose too.
Her roots were strong.
After graduating high school, she applied to the military without her family’s knowledge to avoid upsetting them. She is one of the first women to be a part of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, a Philippine Army unit specializing in anti-guerilla jungle warfare based in Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan. Twenty years later, she is now a staff sergeant and a senior instructor. Despite the doubts her short and feminine frame received, she strived to prove everyone wrong. She managed to prove that femininity isn’t fragile but a power. It brought well-rounded skills. She knew welding, became a backhoe excavator operator, and even being the driver of the regiment commander.
She had protective thorns.
Becoming a staff sergeant, of course, wasn’t easy, especially when hazing was still legal at the time. She withstood powerful blows to her head and body in respect of the initiation rites. Each scar ornamenting her skin represents courage and determination. And in those two decades, whenever her beauty was noticed by his male comrades, with others exploiting authority over her, she was smart in handling them. She knew how to take control of the situation. Her weapon: she knew her rights.
Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women states that the dignity of women in the military and other similar services shall always be respected. They are entitled to be provided the same treatment as their male counterpart. The law also aims to provide all female Filipinos equal rights and protection from any form of violence, including those committed by the State, and many other benefits.
SSG Roldan is a firm advocate of programs such as information dissemination through pamphlets because she wants people to know that women are not powerless, as long as they are armed with knowledge.
Republic Act No. 9710
“Magna Carta of Women”
The dignity of women in the military and other similar services shall always be respected. They are entitled to be provided the same treatment as their male counterpart.
Beyond her layers is a beautiful heart hidden. All the pain and hardships didn’t make her falter but shaped her into who she is now. Stripped of her stern façade, combat uniform, and SSG title is a loving wife, a kind mother of three, and an advocate for fellow women - a perfect epitome of boldness and elegance.
A field dominated by men didn’t intimidate her. Instead, it empowered her.
Staff Sergeant Reshil Roldan believes that with time, more powerful women will proudly blossom among the men dwelling our society.
Society has long confined us in its shrine daring to be different was considered a blasphemy, But look and behold as a generation of bravery fears not the rules, but fears being robbed Let us witness how these courageous individuals baptizing
27.3% of seats in national parliament were held by women in 2022 in the Philippines
Source: World Bank Gender Data Portal
69 % of men aged under 35 said that gender stereotyping of children has a damaging effect on their sexuality
Source: The Fawcett Society UK
of gender roles and standards. For centuries, blasphemy, punished with scrutiny and judgement. bravery is being resurrected, a generation who of a basic human right – speaking our truth. individuals and their stories influence our journey of baptizing society towards equality and inclusivity.
Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, in the land of San Miguel, Bulacan, there lived a boy named Ronnie Santos. He was the portrait of a gentleman. His hair was fixed dreamily, his facial features were a dashing harmony, his voice was full but calm. You would think he’d grow up to be the kind of prince you’ll see riding a white horse, ready to save his damsel in distress.
At least that’s what he wanted you to believe.
Early on in his childhood, he had known he was unique. When boys his age were busy engaging in rough scuffles during playtime, he daydreamed about flowy skirts and glittery makeup. He knew one thing - his world bled pink, not blue. With his family’s support, he slowly embraced his truth; and at grade 10, he understood his identity better. He knew that hidden deep inside is a princess. That’s when he started to transition, putting on Cinderella’s shoe.
From then on, Rie was born.
The dawning of her truth would’ve been a happy ever after, only if our society believed that embracing one’s color wasn’t a sin. Rie became no stranger to prejudice and judgement. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community like her have been deprived of acceptance for years. We created a harsh reality wherein disobeying the “default setting” was a license to treat them differently. That results in discrimination in supposed safe environments such as schools, workplaces, and sometimes even homes.
Religious traditions overpower their voices from being heard and the LGBTQIA+ youth is deemed weaker. They are deemed voiceless because of their age.
Fortunately, laws exist to back them up. Just in 2022, the Reiteration of DepEd Order No. 32 s. 2017, titled Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy was issued. The mandate aims to address basic education issues and concerns pertaining to gender and sexuality. It is a huge step towards ensuring that all learners are protected from all forms of gender-related violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and bullying.
Now 17, Rie stands tall and proud with her long hair swaying dreamily, her facial features emphasized in a dashing harmony with makeup. Her voice is calm and soft. She is the portrait of beauty. No amount of societal pressure can bring her spirit down. She is a student leader, an academic achiever, and a candidate of her school’s Ms. Pride pageant - a true role model for the youth. She is the living proof that gender isn’t what matters, but what’s within a person.
Rie’s journey hopefully becomes an eyeopener. She hopes that through her story, people will realize that policies guarantee equal rights and protections for everyone, no matter what their gender identity or sexual orientation is. She is hopeful for a world where everyone can live authentically without fear or prejudice, where love is simply love, a world wherein you and I can tell our own stories, confidently, without worrying what society thinks.
DepEd Order No. 32 s. 2017 “Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy” Schools shall address gender-based barriers and the different forms of discrimination as
She is hopeful for a world where everyone can live authentically without fear or prejudice, where love is simply love. A world wherein you and I can tell our own stories, confidently, without worrying what society thinks.
In the name of the mother, the son, and this holy job.
Our society has forced women to take pain as a universal teacher. We had to believe no other soul would ever understand the pain of carrying and giving birth to another life—not even men, who are supposed to be our counterparts. However, when we feel strong, we always overlook that not feeling pain does not mean we do not understand the experiences the women in their lives may be going through.
For Aries Bernardo, to become part of one’s childbirth journey is an epiphany.
Hailing from a family of midwives, the 32-year-old SMNHS alumnus was already familiar with this job. Despite not being his first choice, Aries fell in love with the mechanics of labor and birth. For him, midwifery is a fulfilling profession that brings to the world a new life, ensuring that both the mother and the baby are healthy, from antenatal to postnatal healthcare.
In his career spanning three years, Bernardo was able to experience the world from a different perspective. But when he thinks he has seen everything, the universe conspires to show him something new every time.
It was a simple day for Aries, on duty in their lying-in center, when a patient already in active labor
came. It must have been instinct and years of practice that made Aries automatically move to catch the newborn with bare hands while the mother was still standing—it was this very moment that cemented his resolve as a midwife. For him, cradling the newborn was the most rewarding part of being a midwife - a sense of fulfillment that transcends all gender boundaries.
Since time immemorial, women have dominated the field of midwifery. The term had been associated with them that no one thinks the opposite sex can take on this job. In San Miguel alone, finding a male midwife is as challenging as finding a needle in a haystack. For most people, their enormous hesitation about male midwives is the fact that men will never experience giving birth; they will never understand the weight of carrying a sprouting life for nine months. But to shatter these stereotypes is to promote inclusive maternal healthcare, ensuring every mother feels understood and respected. After all, one does not need a uterus to empathize with a woman’s plea.
To ignore the facts and
discriminate against someone’s gender in employment is a direct challenge to the sanctity of our Philippine Labor Code Article 3, the declaration of our basic policy. All of us are entitled to equal work opportunities regardless of sex and gender. It is our lawful right to have a just and humane work condition.
However, ultimately, it is the mother’s right to decide what is best for her and her child. Aries was dauntless for choosing to become a midwife in a society that feeds on and craves perfection and masculinity. But, there was no heavy ordeal for someone who knows what he wants and loves. He can do everything–in the name of every mother who longs for her ownas a loving son who will go as far as breaking the norms for this holy job of delivering innocent lives.
All of us are entitled to equal work opportunities regardless of sex and gender. It is our lawful right to have a just and humane work condition.
As you pass along the jarring streets of San Jose, it is not the gigantic monument in front of the yard of the Buencamino family that will catch your attention but the intriguing smell of Filipino delicacies cooking. It is a sweet-bounding spell Lani Buencamino has been brewing since 2010.
Ma’am Lani, a distinguished teacher at San Miguel National High School, has since made it her mission to prove the underlying sweetness of our people; hence, the name Sweet Bulakenya, which she lives up to. She continues to reinvent herself by bringing to the dining table traditional Filipino foods with a classic twist of her own.
From their very proud kesong puti-filled empanadas to the first giant empanadas in the Philippines, now, Ma’am Lani is back to serve Bulacan’s sweetest empanadas! Each flavor of her sweet-filled empanaditas unveils her story of perseverance—an inspiring journey of serving caliber Bulakenya foods.
Pastillas de Leche. Now enclosed in the empanaditas’ crust, the creamy
Family was the secret ingredient to Sweet Bulakenya’s successful vision and advancement in the market.
white consistency of pastillas de leche remains the same delicacy we once loved—just better. The perfect combination of the dough and the pastillas gives the best balance of sweetness that leaves you craving more. Belonging to a family with a great love for food made Ma’am Lani a food enthusiast and a businesswoman. She turned her late Nana Mona’s beloved empanada crust recipe into a meal now enchanting thousands of San Migueleños.
Yema de Leche. Their yema has a silky finish that penetrates one’s sweet tooth at just the right elevation of enthusiasm - an elation that Ma’am Lani similarly exuded upon brewing the right formula into her scientific venture in empanada making.
Ma’am Lani served not just to be a professional title but also her golden glory of almost three decades of magnifying students’ lenses in science.
This devotion to inculcating the basics of the scientific method even boosted its way into her kitchen as Sweet Bulakenya constantly improved with her organized approach to trials and experiments in her business.
Ube de Leche. Comparable to the best ube fillings in the Philippines,
the velvety purple cream seemed to have the ideal integration in the crust as its smoothness harmonized with the tender crunchiness. This balanced dynamic could also be seen in her life as the ‘ilaw ng tahanan ‘with their ‘haligi’. With her husband, they nourished a home that bore fruit to two daughters and a son, all of whom are academic achievers until their current college journey. Family was the secret ingredient to Sweet Bulakenya’s successful vision and advancement in the market.
Buko Pinya. Rooted in Ma’am Lani’s fondness of buko and pinya, the strikingly balanced fusion of the sweetness in coconut juice and the bitterness of pineapple juice is a product of her intuition. She recognized that such a savor of an improbable flavor had not been catalyzed yet—an oddly sour and bitter reality bitten by a sugary force, just like the pandemic’s near incineration of Sweet Bulakenya. The nationwide lockdown forced her shop to bitterly halt its transactions, even with full stocks in its second year of operation.
Next time, if you ever found yourself lost in
the minuscule streets of San Jose, you wouldn’t have to worry because the delicious and enchanting smell of delicacies will take you to the place of your destiny–to Ma’am Lani Buencamino’s abode, where the sweetest empanadas live.
having nearby water reservoir for it, it still is quite concerning for their health; and I can only imagine how they are able to navigate the dark at night and withstand the cold breeze of mountain air, especially in a place vulnerable to animal dangers and weather threats.
SECTION 26. Women. In a civilized town, being a woman is already hard, especially after puberty. There are periods, pregnancy, and natal care. It is fascinating how female Dumagats handle it. But the nearest health center is a journey away with medicines for the simplest symptoms like cough and common cold often inaccessible, putting them at such a high risk of infection. One that would probably remain untreated and even unknown due to the lack of information and resources.
SECTION 27. Children and Youth. A multigrade school was built near their Sitio. It was the awaited ignition to their hope for their younger generations’ brighter future. It is a 2-hour trek away from their homes, but they do not mind. Even if it involved waking up at the break of dawn to walk the rocky paths barefooted and wade across a river. For them, securing their youth’s future was a worthy cause.
In Brgy. Kalawakan, a constellation of silent dreams can be found. Doña Remedios Trinidad is what most tourists consider an escape. When life is moving too fast for us, we crave for a moment of peace and quiet - a moment of solace that the breathtaking mountains happily bring. However, for the Kabalats, also known as Dumagats of Sitio Cabiao, the place is more than just a temporary sanctuary. For them, it is a sacred home that bears years of their reality. A reality full of heartbreaks. A reality still brimming with undying hope. Up the mountains, civilization is not easily accessible. This also means that for years, some Kabalat people seem to be deprived of access to basic human rights, all despite the existence of Republic Act No. 8371 or The Indigenous People Rights Act of 1997 – recognizing, protecting, and promoting the rights of indigenous cultural people and communities. Most of us think that this law is only about ancestral domains. In media, indigenous people have only one problem: land title ownerships. They are always portrayed as helpless victims of greedy businesses threatening to intrude their territories. While it is true that these unfair circumstances happen, indigenous people face more challenges than we see on TV; and they have more overlooked rights than we think.
For our Kabalats in DRT, these are their IPRA stories untold.
SECTION 25. Basic Services. They live in a Sitio that has no electricity, making survival tasks like drinking, bathing, and laundry difficult. Despite
SECTION 30. Educational Systems. The young Kabalats know how to treasure the chances given to them. Some of them are scholars, showing impressive diligence and perseverance in studying. This proves that nothing can hinder a person from
their dreams. It is also heartwarming to see that they aren’t blinded by their desire for more. Even with their minds being exposed to the glimpse of a flashy modern life, they still honor their roots. Instead of seeing the city as an escape, it is more of a steppingstone for them to help their fellow Dumagats. Civilization does not make someone a better person. It does not define one’s status nor worth. A notion I hope we will keep in mind. For years, indigenous people have been in a constant battle for mere recognition. A bare minimum we are more than capable of granting. In fact, we could even do so much more. We can let them know that they are seen and heard through helping in ways such as respecting their land, sharing the resources that we can, and amplifying their voice. All these steps would take a moment of our days away but would add on to their lifetimes and even generations.
Dona Remedios Trinidad is more than just a tourist spot. It is a sanctuary of solace, a haven of hope.
In Brgy. Kalawakan, a constellation of dreams can be found. They have been silently shining while we continue to rapidly progress. Like the stars we see at night, they are concealed by the pollution of modernization. Like stars, we often only recognize them when there is nothing else to see. Like stars, Dumagats are the embodiment of beautiful resilience.
“
Ang walang-awang pagpaslang sa mga Palestino, ang kasamaan ni Quiboloy, ang harassment na dinaranas ng mga Pilipinong mangingisda sa West Philippine Sea, at ang tunay na motibo ng People’s Initiative - ang mga ito ay istorya ng lagim na dapat may pakialam ang bawat Pilipino.
-The Mayumo Editorial Board 2023-2024
To be honest, hell should not scare us.
As Christians, it is not death we are afraid of. Instead, it is the judgement day we must fear. We’ve been taught to spend our lifetimes devoted to follow His heavenly deeds to avoid an eternity with Satan. However, one should not believe that hell is the most horrifying punishment of all for it comes in different formslife on Earth is far scarier than a holy scripture’s hell could be.
HELL FOR INNOCENT CASUALTIES
Childhood is considered as the best period in life. Years of exciting memories filled with everyday adventures. Unfortunately, for the children of Gaza, childhood is defined as months of terror with everyday survival. More than 17,000 kids are separated from their parents or orphaned. In addition, an estimation of 10 children a day lose one or both of their legs based on the report of Al Jazeera.
Within six months, the Gaza Strip which was once a cradle of hope turned into an open graveyard
PHOTOS: Erich L. Reyes
Ava Louise F. Toledo
observed heat index
Local farmers of San Miguel, Bulacan are no strangers to the hot weather penetrating their skins. But this same heat leaves their livelihoods bleeding with dead palay and low income, especially during the El Niño season. However, last December 28, they found a little shelter in shifting to corn production.
Through their resolve to burn the sufferings of harvesters, Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) has trained numerous struggling farmers in Barangay Sta. Ines in cultivating corn as an alternative to rice by upskilling them in a farmer field school.
The school provides conventions and direct exposure for farmers to the
techniques employed in propagating yellow or white corn on their land as it can grow more efficiently in any weather due to less watering requirements than rice.
Mario Tecson, 59, expressed hope that their collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) empowers them to propagate corns that present better chances in the market.
“Mabilis siyang anihin. 60 days lang aanihin mo na. Pangalawang ani ko na ito [pertaining to his white corn crops] mula noong Disyembre,” Tecson said in an interview with The Mayumo.
The Sta. Ines local stressed that the program recognizes their plight and potentially gives a solution as their palays died early on. His rice
field is one of the many victims of El Niño’s dry spell that damaged over 1,500 hectares of land in San Miguel, as stated in an ABS-CBN News report on February 27.
The project’s agriculture technologist, Christopher Dionisio, pointed out in a separate interview that the training serves as the farmers’ investment in bigger production yield and better gain in income as the town’s LGU funds it.
Dionisio shared enthusiasm that the school’s current operations are focusing on Brgy. Sta Ines after its successful installation in approximately six barangays like Sibul and Magmarale. Their enrollees must attend farming school once a week until they complete 12 sessions of field application and wait for their harvest.
Quenching the Thirst of San Miguel's Barren Lands
Now is the time for the “hopes of the future” to deliver upon their sky-high promise and contribute to solving one of the greatest nightmares facing agriculture today.
To take part in lessening the impact of water scarcity due to various climate phenomena like as the current danger that is El Nino, grade 10 Science Technology and Engineering (STE) student researchers, Jasem Llamado, Christian Andrei Ibarra, and Christian Owel Olan developed an evapotranspiration-based irrigation system, finishing second in Regional Science Technology Fair (RSTF) 2023. By analyzing meteorological data to calculate the amount of moisture evaporating from the field within a period and accurately delivering water to replace that loss, this system can potentially minimize water usage by only providing
what the plants need, reducing loss from evaporation due to extreme heat like in an El Niño period.
This research effort is a direct metamorphosis of an urgent need to respond to the water crisis endured by our farmers that are at the forefront of drought’s consequences. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, a rice farmer from San Miguel, Bulacan named Fernando Santos stated that his three-hectare field was completely dried up, destroying what could have been a bountiful harvest that season.
The agriculture sector has already shouldered 1.23-billion peso worth of damage due to the El Niño phenomenon since January according
He added that upskilling does not urge the farmers to shift to corn planting permanently but instead gives them breathing spaces when their rice crops are deteriorating. The corn production school is set to extend operations in all 49 barangays that the drought has victimized for a long time.
to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), affecting close to 30 thousand farmers as well as 26,731 hectares of crops in the Philippines.
Santos, with millions of other farmers in the country, are the ones feeling the full terror of the nightmare brought upon by our ever-changing climate.
Now is the time for the youth, the hope of the future to finally use their forward-thinking and imaginative minds to solve the greatest issues of today, utilizing their playground of a modern, tech-based society to craft solutions not merely confined to the field of agriculture but further beyond.
You cannot serve two masters.
Going green has long been a scapegoat by deceptive companies aiming to satisfy their greed for money. To protect the image they have behind their mischievous schemes, adopting a look that they care for the environment has been their way to fool humanity, making us unknowingly annihilate our own homes.
Take your daily dose of soft drinks as an example. Consuming these “environment-friendly” refreshments may add up to the dread the world already has on its shoulders. As you digest it, you may see in your bottle that it is made up of marine plastics or made from recycling but behind those seemingly angelic lies, is the world’s biggest polluter.
You might think that only a small number of companies do this, but it only gets worse. Greenwashing initiatives have been in the game since time immemorial. It has been a trend companies use to attract more customers. Even the minty candies you always eat use grand eco claims about their greensaving packaging even though it’s an unrecyclable material made from card, aluminum and plastic.
Every company writes up its own stories to protect their image. There is nowhere safe, and no one is spared. The Philippines is no exception to this deceptive bloodfest.
However, the grave danger in greenwashing is that it misleads people into acting unsustainably. On the pretense of saving the environment, people fall for their false advertisement and branding, leading to nature’s further deterioration.
We unknowingly supply the bullets of the guns pointed at us.
Making eco-friendly claims is a powerful marketing tool. Eradicating the dark truth behind these Trojan nightmares is necessary. With every country suffering from this shameless culture, we must act to ensure that these companies are stripped bare of the lies and deceit they feed humanity.
The lesser evil is still evil. Companies should know that one cannot serve both money and the environment. But in a time when our only world drowns in its own waste, does money still matter?
After all, the only master we should have been serving in the first place is our Mother Earth, aching and bleeding for humans to regain their humanity.
After all, the only master we should have been serving in the first place is our Mother Earth, aching and bleeding for humans to regain their humanity.
To hide away from the excruciating pain and fear of being unseen and unheard is the easiest path to escape, but not for Neil Imperio Camilo, who chose bravery and has been conquering the world for seven years in his journey with HIV.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that targets the body’s immune system. It is a transmittable virus that has plagued 39 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Among these individuals is Neil, a 38-year-old transwoman make-up artist and event singer, now an HIV advocate. By joining different organizations, Neil learned how to stand up for herself and the causes she believes in. She chose to become part of the force that aims to change the narrative and educate the youth about the immense danger of remaining ignorant and unaware of the world’s wonders and dangers.
When she thought she would never recover from this, she found herself standing before the crowd, retelling her story of coming out and never coming back in the dark.
AN HIV STORY
In an interview with The Mayumo, Neil shared that it never crossed her mind that she would acquire HIV. It took her days before she made up her mind and decided to face the truth. Facing the reality was never easier, but she proved herself to be tougher than any disease there is.
Her journey was far from easy but with the constant support from her loved ones and special partner, other people’s judgment and prejudice did not matter. Neil breezed through everyday with the determination to heal, undergoing a series of psychological counseling and educational seminars through their local government.
Her life did not have to change. She was still able to perform her usual life with her
122,640
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and the inevitable shift to a healthier lifestyle. For Neil, giving up her vices is a small price for being alive.
REDRAWING THE CANVAS
As recommended by WHO, ART involves taking at least three HIV medicines as prescribed by their local health officers. While it is not a cure, the successive intake of these drugs will halt the progression of the disease to AIDS and lessen the viral load in the blood to an undetectable level.
Redrawing the canvas of our nation’s fight against the silent epidemic of HIV, the Philippine AIDS and HIV Policy Act of 2018 emerged to define ART as a mandatory treatment option. With this law, the government aims to close the gap of untreated patients by making healthcare services and medicine accessible in local communities.
Contrary to popular belief, HIV is no longer a death sentence; societal stigma and ignorance are far deadlier than any other symptoms it brings. The longer one hesitates to get tested, the more their treatment is delayed. In Neil’s case, her early detection led to a successful antiretroviral therapy.
To be able to turn this agony into something as beautiful as love and acceptance was Neil’s silver lining. When everyone thought she would falter, she defied all the odds and shattered even the grim reaper scythe - breaking the hourglass of her impending doom.
Because her life did not have to end with HIV, it began here.
total number of people living with HIV in the Philippines as of September 2023
source: HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines
The Mayumo has long commited to the advocacy of HIV-AIDS awareness. Let us look back on the small steps that the publication has done in fostering the cause on the campus level.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Showcasing their creativity, 86 junior high students from various grade levels and sections took San Miguel National High School’s centerstage in a “trashion” show, held by the Young Earth Lovers Society (YELS) Club in celebration of the Zero-Waste Month, January 24.
By transforming trash can-bound wastes into remarkable pieces of ecofriendly art, the event aims to prove the concept of a world that is not shying away from using seemingly useless ‘trash’ in fashion and reduce the sectors’ already sizable environmental footprint.
In accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 760, which declares the month of January as a “Zero-Waste Month”, the event aims to highlight the urgency for effective waste
management in the country.
GARBAGE’S GLAMOUR
Recycled papers and plastic wrappers were used to make Grade 7-Manganese Cazpher Sumulong’s captivating Mulawin-inspired costume come to life, clinching the crown of ‘Mr. Trashionista 2024’; while the Philippine flag-inspired costume of ‘Ms. Trashionista 2024’ Iris Nichole De Guzman of Grade 9-Sampaguita. Meanwhile, among the 37 males and 49 females who lit the runway with their upcycled costumes, Brix Lazaro and Winrich Santos claimed the overall male’s second and third place respectively, while Raine Averie Victoria and Iesha Delos Santos were crowned the runner’s up in the female category. Additionally, Cazpher Sumulong and Ashley Del Rosario claimed the ‘Eco-Chic Award’, while Timothy Del
Rosario and Gillian Valtiendaz grabbed the ‘Darling of the Crowd’. The ‘Best in Runway’ was given to Robbie Demate and Cazandra Ayeza Lalo, and Winrich Santos and Hannah Nicole Roallos received the ‘Sustainability Stunner Award’ to conclude the event.
FAR FROM OVER
According to the Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment, our country is the world’s third largest contributor to global plastic pollution, responsible for producing 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste every year. This means that on average, a single Pinoy produces around 400 grams of waste every day.
John Chester Mananquil, YELS Club President said that these data were the basis for the event’s creation — to contribute in lessening the amount of plastic laying waste to
Mother Nature. Mananquil admitted that these measures are just small steps, but it plays a big part in mitigating pollution. “This trashion show takes a moment to show love to our nature,” the club president added.
Evnyteirgh si a zluepp. Rwos upno rosw fo ttxes era tteirlde wtih nonsneical words, jbmuled ltetres and mielspalcde carachretts taht trsei its bset ot cioencal its manenig wtnihi a mzae of iocpehnrehmnsbie linguicsits. A seimlengy iuntrsoanmtnble brerair to cros, iomspbsile even for thsoe who daers to cilm the trcaoheeruus hill of sntdeut jlorunalsim.
If the first paragraph looks like a bunch of nonsense to you, then do not worry, because this puzzle has a name: Dyslexia. Experienced by 1 in 10 people worldwide, it is a learning disorder of neurological (relating to brain) origin that has a significant effect on how a person is able to speak, read, and spell written texts. As a consequence, dyslexic individuals usually have a harder time than most in scanning and skimming articles, and have a harder time comprehending information. Beyond the aspect of literacy, dyslexia can also affect one’s memory, focus, and time-keeping.
SPELLING DYSLEXIA
In the hectic world of student journalism that demands utmost commitment and concentration to beat and surpass the deadlines, dyslexia seems to be way too big of a baggage for anyone wishing to enter its doors.
Dyslexia can also potentially affect one’s ability to excel in school,
source: International Dyslexia Association
or to perform well in work due to lowered productivity. Because of this, a US-based management firm, Boston Consulting Group estimated that the far-reaching impacts of Dyslexia are costing the state of California 12 billion dollars annually, a rising price that can cumulatively amount to 1 trillion dollars in 60 years.
You will be forgiven for thinking that dyslexia would be a game-ending kryptonite to any dyslexic student who dreams of writing for their school publication or competing in press conferences.
But with the seemingly impassable barrier thrown by dyslexia towards the path of a writer wanting to enter the realm they desire, is an indomitable spirit destined to conquer the odds and win.
REWRITING THE ODDS
Anne Jobert Perez, a Grade 12 student from the ABM strand has managed to claw through the meat grinder that is The Mayumo qualification rounds, earning her spot as a staff member in the publication’s Editorial Board as well as being one of San Miguel National High School’s
After every storm, a monster is ravaging the country. Whole communities are devoured - drowning the population and suffocating them in a sea of seasonal suffering.
Invading homes and conquering the streets of San Miguel are floods from the overflow of San Juan River, as it did during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding in 2022 where the lives of five valiant rescuers paid the price of nature’s vindication.
The floods are a problem and the lack of a warning system makes it even more deadly, endangering the citizens and the lives of rescuers. But amidst the chaos, young warriors stepped in - guarding the citizens in the form of a local flood detector.
The young Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) researchers of San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) made a solar-powered flood detection system, a warning machine to the impending dangers of flood through the use of flashing lights and sounds. This invention is more than just a fulfillment of their research subjectsit is driven by their desire to address the problems that constantly threaten San Migueleños.
Lance Gabriel Salvador and Yasmine Faye Viola, with the guidance of their adviser, Lex Vernon Anzano, made the innovation research as they
In the midst of blinding uncertainty, the flood detection system serves as a shining beacon of safety and resiliency.
were alarmed that there is no existing system that alerts the populace about the rising water levels of San Juan river. They made their flood detection prototype using a long PVC pipe with circuits that act like the mind of the machine. The pipe is marked and divided into three levels: 1 meter, 1.5 meters, and 2 meters.
Utilizing the floodwater itself, open wires are located at every level. Water acts as a conductor of electricity that lets electric current pass through. Once the water reaches a specific point, touching the open wires, it sparks the warning system into action alerting everyone in its near vicinity about the current status of the river through sounds and lights.
Both Salvador and Viola stressed the importance of structures dedicated to disaster prevention in the community and their flood detector aims in fulfilling that responsibility. Their prototype has the capacity to be adopted by the local government and further improved to suit the needs of the municipality in withstanding the wrath of Mother Nature.
The Philippines is in the path of the worst typhoons known to man where widespread floodwaters consume the entirety of the land. In fact, according to Statista Research, the confirmed death toll from natural disasters from 2012 to 2022 reached 10,198 - the leading causes are typhoons and flooding.
Moreover, PAGASA announced that an El Niño is imminent coming this June where stronger
typhoons would bring monstrous floods that has the capacity to swallow communities whole.
Having an eye that watches and observes the way how floodwater behaves can ensure the calm before the storm - eradicating the treacherous effects of distress and panic.
In the midst of blinding uncertainty, the flood detection system serves as a shining beacon of safety and resiliency. This invention is a shield capable of safeguarding San Migueleños from the sea of seasonal suffering.
133,095
number of San Miguel locals affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Karding in 2022
source: MSWDO and MDRRMO San Miguel
contestants for the Editorial Writing Category in EDDIS Schools Press Conference.
On becoming an editorial board staff member, she initially felt a sensation of excitement but she also felt an understandable apprehensiveness. Despite this, she encourages dyslexic students aspiring to join their publications to pursue their passion for writing, reminding them to not let dyslexia or any other hindrances hold them back.
DECODING THE FUTURE
Just like how her journey to publication was not impossible, alleviating the effects of dyslexia is also feasible under various coping therapies and unique educational approaches to learning.
With dyslexia, everything becomes a puzzle, a jigsaw of jumbled letters and mismatched words that Anne Jobert solves with determination every single day. Dyslexia is indeed a seemingly insurmountable barrier to cross, but it is not indestructible, especially not with the unstoppable grit of a student with a dream to write and speak for her fellow Filipinos.
Meeting a former mentee and teammate on the other side of the court as rivals are already demoralizing enough; to be defeated by the same hand you used to help is another level of pain coaches bear.
As the Provincial Athletic Meet (PAM) concluded last February, it was evident that there is another category where public schools lost — the piracy game. Commercializing amateur sports by poaching student-athletes is another dirty tactic private institutions are willing to undertake to reach the top.
It was no surprise how private schools went on a rampage again in PAM 2024 after copping 97 golds, 41 percent of the total gold haul in the tournament. EDDIS VI, who came in second, only bagged 36, while EDDIS V got 25, securing the second-runner-up position.
Placing as third runner-up, San Miguel National High School is in no way a sorry state in a highly competitive tournament such as this. But to garner 19 golds, six of which were by default from wrestling, magnifies a headache our teacher-coaches have long been grieving about—losing at the hands of the same players they valued and nurtured for years.
In an interview with The Mayumo, Eric Hernandez, coach of volleyball (boys), aired his dismay on this piracy issue. “First year, second year, third year, tinuruan ko sila. Pero pagdating nung fourth year kung kailan sila pinakakailangan, saka sila nakuha ng ibang school. Dapat champion kami ngayong taon eh”, he expressed . Hernandez added how this dilemma had plagued their determination and motivation to train because all their efforts always seemed to go down the drain. Meeting a former mentee and teammate on the other side of the court as rivals are already demoralizing enough; to be defeated by the same hand you used to help is another level of pain coaches bear.
Biting the hands that fed you is a cruel way to spell out loyalty and gratitude.
For Esperanza Gonzales, Head Teacher of the MAPEH Department, it is heartbreaking to know how easy it is for players to throw away their commitment to the school in exchange for monetary benefits and university scholarships. Loyalty had undoubtedly become a thing of the past.
Similarly, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), there was an even bigger cahoots game of pirating players. Last 2019, during the middle of UAAP Season 82, Rhenz Abando of the UST Growling Tigers was marred by controversy after two famous schools attempted to poach him. These acts were not only unethical; they were also insulting.
While the systems in collegiate and high school ranks are different, this does not make the commercialization of studentathletes less pressing. Any form of poaching defeats the sole purpose of amateur sports, which is building a team from the grassroots level.
Hence, in this piracy game, only public schools are disadvantaged.
Nevertheless, athletes have the prerogative. We can’t force people to stay with only loyalty as our hold if they want to pursue a greener pasture because we all know why. It is as clear as daylight how the limitations and setbacks of sports programs in public schools, from the lack of funding and facilities to the lack of coaches and exposure to tournaments, affect the holistic growth of players.
In the end, we must remember that athletes are still students. Our school must protect them and their rights from being commercialized and taken advantage of by private entities.
Failing to preserve the essence of amateur sports only meant one thing for SMNHS. After over two decades of drought, returning to the PAM championship title will remain a downhill climb.
Unveiling the body’s treasure trove, athletes with disabilities (AWDs) go beyond their limits, claiming their place in the national and international scene, as they indirectly voice their grievances and call for equality among their counterparts.
After all, until now, the para-athletes are treated as a residue of the nation, an imperfect product born from the scraps of so-called human perfection.
From rigorous training regimens to intense competition, athletes face numerous challenges on their path to success. Through countless hours of practice and sacrifice, they hone their skills, pushing the boundaries of their abilities - that is the price they must pay to achieve excellence.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, traditional resistance training enhances physical fitness performance by gradually increasing exercise load during the training process.
The study Effect of Functional
At the 2023 Southeast Asian Para Games, the Philippines secured 5th place overall. This achievement led to the filing of Senate Resolution No. 713, which acknowledges the dedication and talents of the athletes, according to Philippine Star.
Beyond the international stage, Filipinos continue to show dedication locally, as nine persons with disabilities competed undeterred against able-bodied racers in the 7th edition of Mount Mayon Triathlon. Their will to compete highlights their limitations, not as hindrances but as motivation to move forward and conquer various sports.
Physical limitations were meant to be surpassed by mental endurance and dedication.
Training on Physical Fitness Among Athletes: A Systematic Review by frontiersin.org in 2021 also concluded that functional training improves the speed, muscular strength, power, balance, and agility of athletes while there is moderate evidence of its effect on flexibility and muscular endurance.
However, even those wellequipped for battle are not guaranteed to win, but every setback is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow stronger as defeat is not a failure but rather a stepping stone towards improvement. Behind every victory lies countless hours of sweat, tears, and dedication. Whether it’s overcoming injuries or facing defeat, athletes refuse to succumb to adversity.
Yet, it’s not only athletes with physical abilities who shine. Few may know, but 17 Filipino athletes with intellectual disabilities made their mark at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. They clinched three gold medals in swimming and one in athletics.
These athletes represent a fragment of the society one rarely talks about. Their efforts and achievements speak volumes on the societal norms and misconceptions they have long proven wrong.
To be able to create a just society where they are treated for who they are, beyond their disabilities, the government must intensify the enforcement of laws like the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities and pertinent laws that support them.
After all, until now, the paraathletes are treated as a residue of the nation, an imperfect product born from the scraps of so-called human perfection.
They hit the stars after missing the moon – It was a DEFEAT.
SMNHS E-Athletes swears to enact a next year vengeance after bagging Silver in their first-ever Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament at the 2024 Provincial Athletic Meet as they executed their adversaries along their way to a finals-rout, February 22-23, Malolos,
Although their Finals enemy Eddis 6 had flickered in a surprise pick to leave the SanMig E-boys stunned and short for gold, they had left an indelible record in the SMNHS’s history as its E-Athletes pioneer via their Silver placement.
Despite the unexpected situation in the finals, through Roamer Vincent Villamer’s trustful leadership paired with their outstanding teamwork, they whitewashed their opponents at the quarters and semis with the help of their coach, Jose Raul Sinaguinan.
“Backbone ng team namin si Vincent, siya ‘yung tagabigay ng shout calls at morale sa team, taga-strategize din siya. Nagkulang kami sa preparedness at equipment.
Pero kahit ganun, nakaya pa rin namin dahil sa teamwork nila at cooperation, magkakaibigan na sila bago ‘to e, kaya ginamit nila ito para
manalo sunod-sunod.” said coach.
A Joy comfort pick by SMNHS’ Marcos Clyne Catu IV at the first game draft quickly turned sour after getting counter-picked by hard crowd control Ruby and Vexana, paired with a monstrous Martis and an out-of-the-blue Freya. Their early defense was shredded to the point of an uncontested decimation, 1 – 0 for EDDIS 6.
After their first game blunder, San Miguel E-boys quickly shifted their drafting gears, highlighting support for early pickings. But beneath their tactical adjustment was a counter-play by their opponents, a tragic trump card, Fanny. The EDDIS 6 Jungler, with no counter, ran amok and skillfully slaughtered the SMNHS’ backlines, fully running away with a 2 – 0 slate.
magwagi, ang mahalaga ay ikaw ay nakibahagi. Salamat, Urada.” Villamer said.
“Next year, paghahandaan na talaga namin ang mga unexpected pickings. Sabi nga, hindi mahalaga ang
Succeeding the heartbreaking end of their MLBB PAM journey, their League of Legends Wild Rift tale was also swiftly scrapped after losing bitterly in the quarterfinals.
Basketball coach shares reason over bronze finish in ‘probi’
Despite the efforts to improve the two-consecutive silver finishes in 5v5 Basketball - Boys, Jifferson Mendoza admitted they faced time constraints in training for the 2024 Provincial Athletic Meet.
In an interview, Mendoza emphasized that the short preparation time led the boys team to its bronze stint this year. “Sa Basketball 5v5 Boys, kulang tatlong buwan siguro ang practice; nitong mga huling araw lang talaga whole day, eh. Noong mga nakaraan kasi two hours lang, nitong last one month, ‘yon dire-diretso.”
The coach further elaborated that this time constraint heavily affected their performance as players were relying too heavily on their skills for the majority of the players are newcomers.
When asked about improvements for the next Athletic Meet, the 5v5 trainer suggested “Siguro mas mahaba ‘yung preparation at saka suporta ng magulang." he said.
THE 3X3 CHALLENGE
Meanwhile, Abelito Alabado, 3x3 instructor, shed light on the challenges that the school’s 3x3 team is facing. “Kung magkaka-interes sana ang mga estudyanteng mahilig sa basketball sa 3x3 kagaya ng sa 5v5, makikita nila na mas may edge din 'yung school dito."
In the recent Provincial Meet, the men’s half-court ballers bagged fourth place against the delegates of the Bulacan Private Schools Athletic Association (BULPRISAA).
"Hindi naman natin masisisi yung mga players dahil natatabunan talaga ng fame ng 5v5 yung 3x3,” the coach also added.
Alabado then pointed out the
DIGITAL CLASH. Christian Andrei Ibarra, and Marcos Clyne Catu IV play a practice match in preparation for the Provincial Athletic Meet 2024.
need for more practice and the importance of physical, emotional, and mental preparation. He further explained that often their athletes were not physically prepared, while their opponents appeared more muscular.
"Kalahati ng laban ng mga athletes ay nangyayari sa training, kaya naman next year mas magpupursigi pa kami na mahasa ang skills ng mga bata natin." the trainer added.
Wushu coach vows to ‘bounce back’ after only securing third place in PAM
Despite securing two bronzes, Wushu coach Verona Verian pledged to continue fighting until they clinch the championship in the next Provincial Athletic Meet (PAM).
Among the four delegates that participated in the combative sport were EDDIS 2, EDDIS 6, the National Vocational Schools Athletic Association (NVSAA), and San Miguel National High School (SMNHS). However, only three of them, including SMNHS, competed in Wushu Sanda.
Verian also revealed that this was SMNHS’s first entry in wushu in PAM. She expressed, “Nag-umpisa ang aming training na walang kagamitan, kaya’t kinakailangan naming dumayo sa lugar na may sapat na pasilidad at kakulangan sa pondo upang matustusan ang mga pangangailangan sa pagte-training ng mga manlalaro.”
She also mentioned that they had only brief stints for preparation due to the sport being unfamiliar to the students and the delayed equipment procurement.
Nonetheless, she emphasized the significance of the training, as it always instilled discipline in the athletes. “Dahil sa disiplina nagmumula ang lahat gaya ng pagsunod, respeto, at pagiging responsible.”
Furthermore, she clarified the difference between wrestling and wushu, noting that while both are combative sports, wrestling involves grappling techniques to gain control over an opponent and pin them to the ground while wushu incorporates acrobatics and various forms.
SMNHS dazzles with better performance in Dancesport, pockets
Risen from the ashes.
Waltzing over six other delegations, the sibling duo of Charlez Daniel B. Trimucha and Ma. Myra B. Trimucha made history for San Miguel National High School after notching six golds in the Latin Discipline, spoiling the Provincial Athletic Meet, February 22-23.
Backed by their perfect synchronicity and chemistry, the siblings claimed ownership of the Latin Discipline after they came out on top of all six dances, from Samba, Rumba, ChaCha-Cha, Paso Doble, Jive, and Grade A mixed dances.
While short of gold, partners Tristan Martin Cruz and Gilliane Elyza Pineda did not fall short of the same
There were no jitters for Princess Yhurie De Vera as she proved her name true after copping the lone gold out of 40 medals at stake, marking her royal debut in the Provincial Athletic Meet (PAM) on February 22–25.
Without succumbing to pressure, the young tracker brought home another bronze medal in Triple Jump and 4x100m Relay with Bernadeth Cabubas, Kate Divine Vidal, and Mica Joy Tolentino.
Despite falling short of gold, the boys’ team shared the same intensity and determination with De Vera. Both John Lloyd A. Bulandres and Andrei DC. Angulo nabbed silver in the 800-meter run and 5000-meter run respectively. Bulandres and Angulo pitted against each other in the 3000-meter run, where they settled for bronze and silver apiece.
Compared to their previous performance, the SMNHS athletic team displayed an enormous improvement with their medal haul, sparking a significant change for their next Provincial Meet berth.
In an interview, Esperanza Gonzales, Head Teacher VI of MAPEH Department, shared her delight with the athletic team's success. “Natutuwa ako sa improvement ng school natin sa athletics. Malaki ang nakikita kong potential lalo pa at Grade 7 pa lang yung nag-gold natin ngayon. Hanga ako sa dedication nila para mag-train kahit sobrang init sa oval, " said Gonzales.
Earlier, De Vera punched her ticket to the SMNHS athletic team after being crowned the Most Valuable Player for this year’s Intramural, capturing all the golds for the High Jump, Long Jump, and Triple Jump.
The rookie gears up to showcase her prowess in the CLRAA and what seems to be her early career’s highest stage.
intensity of the sibling duo, setting the dance floor ablazed after stashing away the silver in the Standard Discipline in three dances, Slow Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot.
Following their dancer’s compass, Cruz and Pineda lunged through Viennese Waltz, Quick Step, and mixed dances to bag bronze medals.
From last year’s stark performance, the SMNHS dancesport team sees this year’s medal haul as the beginning of their team’s golden era. “This is the first time in the history of San Miguel National High na nakakuha ng gold and six golds na dati ay puro silver at bronze lang, sa danceports” Coach Gwendaly Cruz proudly said.
Having prowess in dancesports, the dancer-trainer further stated that everything she knows is passed on to her students, even the technicalities, choreography, and other factors.
Additionally, Cruz remarked that she also needs improvement and is open to learning.
“Gusto ko nag-eexplore ako. Nagkakaro’n pa ‘ko ng ibang knowledge when it comes to dancesports, so lahat ‘yun ibinibigay ko para sa mga bata, [at] para maging matagumpay sila sa dancesports,” she furthered.
The team is set to showcase their talents once again in the CLRAA from April 27 to May 3 in Tarlac.
Nineteen
3
17
San Miguel National High School (SMNHS) captured the championship in the Galaw Pilipinas and Cheerdance competition in its Provincial Athletic Meet debut held at the Bulacan Sports Complex, February 21.
Representing the school’s solo delegation, the 49 dancers grooved their way to victory after outclassing Angel M. Del Rosario High School of EDDIS VI and Sta. Peregrina High School of the EDDIS I under the sweltering Malolos heat.
Vivien Santos and Jocelyn Morales, the team’s coaches said that their victory in the online preliminary eliminations gave them a much-needed momentum boost and paved the way for the championship.
In an interview, Santos proudly said that they expected to win the competition despite feeling anxious due to the inevitable comparisons during the contest. However, they remained hopeful and they believed in the dancers’ abilities and the countless hours they had dedicated to training and preparation.
“We focused on several key areas like rigorous training sessions to refine our routines and synchronize movements, strategic planning of choreography to highlight our team’s strengths, meticulous attention to detail in costume design and music selection to enhance our performance’s impact, and fostering strong teamwork among team members to ensure seamless execution on competition day,” she commented.
Fortifying not only their physical attributes, the dancers also strengthened their mental fortitude to build confidence
support of Ma’am Esperanza Gonzales and Sir Arnold Turla for finding spaces for our training ground.” She also thanked Gwendaly Cruz, who served as their mentor.
The School Principal, Marciano V. Cruz expressed his commendation on the performance of the cheerdance team in the competition’s provincial debut. “ I would like to congratulate all the talented athletes and coaches natin for their excellent performance in the recently concluded Provincial Meet.”
For the rookie-laden wrestling team of San Miguel National High School (SMNHS), one need not be a predator if the victory and the title of top dog are bestowed without breaking a sweat. Thus, no one could be more lucky than them after slithering into Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) to represent Bulacan, marking their inaugural entry into the combat sport.
In the previous Provincial Athletic Meet (PAM), the rookie competitors faced no formidable opponents, completely dominating the tally with a swift and smooth sweep, easily securing six gold medals without encountering any resistance.
Jonald Belvider Cruz felt very excited despite being newbies as they wanted to experience playing in the said sport. Furthermore, they underlined that the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) also influenced their decision.
“Noong bata pa po talaga ako, hilig ko na pong manood ng mga wrestling. Kaya noong nakakita na ako ng opportunity dito sa school natin, hindi ko na pinalampas dahil alam kong mag-eenjoy ako sa sports na ‘to at sigurado akong maipapanalo namin ‘to.” Mendoza proudly shared in an interview with The Mayumo, displaying his eagerness to win. Cruz then stretched their enthusiasm by pointing out that winning can be achieved through partaking to rigorous and intense training. Despite the sweat and efforts they shed, he assured themselves that all of those will pay off one day.
“Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng kasama ko at ng coach namin.”
With a tricky punch to reach Palarong Pambansa, Michael
Angelo Reyes, the wrestlers’ trainer, asserted confidence that their team could knock their way into the championship with their level of training as they set to finally showcase their skills on the wrestling mat on May 3-10 in Tarlac Province. Reyes mentioned that he underscored the athletes’ discipline in training along with strengthening their values and awareness of the sports.
“Sa simula palang ng training namin, sinigurado ko na hindi mawawala ‘yung aspects ng mindset nila about sa prior beliefs na madugo agad ‘pag ang usapan ay wrestling. Hindi makakapag-perform nang maayos ang mga bata kung gano’n pa rin ang way of thinking nila.” said the coach.
Reyes commented that he assured to change the wrestler’s common thinking that wrestling is a violent sport but is rather a combat contest anchored on techniques and sportsmanship.
As the Bulacan Provincial Athletic Meet (PAM) concluded last February, it was evident that there is another category where public schools lose—the piracy game. Commercializing amateur sports by poaching student-athletes is another dirty tactic private institutions are willing to undertake to reach the top.
Dashing through society’s boundaries and stereotypes, LGBT athletes now stand in the daylight in hopes of leaping forward a more gender-inclusive education with a sports community where competence matters over gender.
Kate Tiffany S. del Rosario
the top. For gender roles are merely guiding lines; shattering them is the way of life.
Over the years, our industry has grown to be more welcoming to gay athletes, not without having to withstand the prying eyes of spectators who expect basketball players to be straight masculine males and female gymnasts to be ‘girly’ girls. They have been exposed to discrimination and scrutiny for being true to who they are. But to succeed in sports, it goes beyond the matter of gender to thrive—what you need are skills and the passion to make it to
It was the same principles our proud LGBT athletes from San Miguel National High School used to triumph over the Intramural and the recently concluded Provincial Meet.
Hailing from all kinds of sports, from basketball, volleyball, and sepak takraw to billiards, taekwondo, softball, and cheerdance, each fought for their place on the podium, withstanding the same vigorous and competitive training other athletes went through.
Hearing their pleas, our bid for a Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy should also encompass and address the limitations faced by LGBT athletes in the sports industry. After COMMENTARY
all, the call for inclusive education does not end on the academic scene; for our gay athletes, the athletic field is their battleground.
The call for inclusive education does not end on the academic scene; for our gay athletes, the athletic field is their battleground.
others succumbed against the province’s towering hunters.
Elizabeth Mandapat, their coach said that the players were trained physically, especially their skills on how to be adept but the skill alone will not work and that is why she always reminds her players to pull themselves together regarding attitude, behavior, and discipline.
Meanwhile, Paguinto shared his sentiments about their silver in the team competition and the 4th spot in single FITA. “I never really thought na mananalo ako because during our training, ako po ‘yung palaging lowest when it comes to scoring and palaging napagsasabihan but
