P9
AND LENSES
P15 REGRETFULLY SATISFYING DEATH TRAP
45% of 300 ASHSIANS (aged 15 and above)
The Official English Publication of Aurora Senior High School Region 2, Division of Isabela Volume III, Issue No. 1 July 2024 - April 2025
RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM IS OUR AIM
Aware of what COMELEC is
*HALFof 45%have noideaof itsroles
DepEd eyes fewer SHS subjects to promote employability; ASHSians favor the plan
by Azlenne Timoteo
To better promote Senior High School (SHS) graduatesʼ employability, the Department of Education (DepEd) works on revising its curriculum by reducing the number of core subjects focusing more on work immersions.
ConferenceonEducationalPlanningin Asia. Withtheexpected implementationofitnextyear,Aurora SeniorHighSchool(ASHS)isreadyto adapttothenewguidelinesincaseit willbeimplemented.
Currently,theGrade11students aretaking10coresubjectswhilethe Grade12-studentsarerequiredtotake 5coresubjects.
First week of school, it is high time to elect the classroom officers. Back in grade school, the President should always be the smartest of the whole class. The one with the most legible handwriting will obviously get elected as the Secretary. Even the muse and the escort were chosen for their looks. Needless to say, children are choosing the ones who are actually qualified with the role. But as we grew up, we tend to deviate from what is basics.
“DahilpartangSeniorHigh SchoolsaBasicEducation,‘yung foundationdapattalagamatatagyung foundation,kayamagandanamaiwan yungmgasubjectnakakailanganinsa highereducation,entrepreneurship,at pagtatrabaho,”ArturoB.NoolJr., PrincipalIV,reiteratedinaninterview.
Ontheotherhand,forLanyG. Acang,motherofAndreaAcangof11 Archimedes,givingmoreattentionto workimmersionswillenhancetheskills ofthelearners.
“Nuad-adutiorasdangaagworkimmersion,ad-adumetti maadalandangaskills,”Mrs.Acang shared.
However,forDhionelleAndreigh Bernardo,agrade11HUMSSstudent
“kapagmaynatanggalkasinasubjects formeisparangmababawasandin yungmgabagaynadapatsana matututunannaminsasubjectsna tatanggalinnila.”
“Ifwereducethesubjectsofour SHScurriculum,thestudentswillhave moretimefortheon-the-jobtrainingor workimmersionneededbythe industrysothatourseniorhighschool graduateswillbecomemore employableeveniftheylackwork experience,”SecretarySonnyAngara highlightedduringthe2024Regional-
InasurveyconductedbyThe Quest,outof600interviewedlearners, 98%ofstudentsagreedwhile97%of parentsalsogoesalongwiththesaid revisedcurriculum.
Meanwhile,asStandAloneSenior HighSchool,teachers,parentsand studentsofASHSsupportthisagenda ofDepEd.
“Masmagandangmasmahaba angworkimmersionskasemasmaipepreparekamisamgatrabahoinreal life,”AlyshaBalbin,agrade11HUMSS learnersaid.
Meanwhile,forKatleenCapellan, aHUMSSteacherinASHS,reviewing thecontentofthecurriculumwill improvethelearningsgainedbythe learnersandwillgivethemmore experienceinthejobalignedtotheir tracks.
Recently,intheKapihansa ManilaBayForum,Angaraconfirmed thatfrom15coresubjects,itwillbe reducedtojust5to7,whichincludes Communications,Filipinohistory,Basic mathandScience,Computing,andLife orSoftskills,whilegivingtheschools theopportunitytoaddelective subjectstoofferbasedfromtheir preference.
Illustrated by Yz-ra Pajarillo
Photos from Vera Files (Willie Revillame), Philippine Star (Bong Revilla, Apollo Quiboloy)
2 NEWS CAMPUS TALKS Canteen Candy Change Controversy: ASHS students raise concerns over candy substitution by Zuleika Bimmoy
and financial literacy.
Magat Dam release triggers widespread flooding in Aurora, Isabela
by Jefferson Nueva
UndertheRepublicAct10909 orthe"NoShortchangingActof 2016,"businesses,includingschool canteens,areprohibitedfrom substitutingchangewithnonmonetaryitems,suchascandy,or evenaskingconsumersfor permissiontobeexemptedfromthe law,regardlessofthenonavailability ofsmallbillsorcoins.
Despitethis,inasurvey conductedlastDecember2024, 58%of137surveyedstudents reportedreceivingcandyinsteadof coinsasachangefromthecanteen.
AilynJoyPantefrom11Archimedessharedherexperienceof beinggivencandiesinsteadofcoins inchange,"Ihuhulogkosanasa alkansyakoyungbaryakasocandy namanangibinarya,"Pantesaid.
Sheaddedthatwhilethestaff politelyaskedpermission,shefelt pressuredtoagreeduetothefearof embarrassmentinsayingno.
Anotherstudentexpressedher concernabouttheimpactofthe practiceonstudentswhorelyontheir changefortransportationcost, "Paanonalangkungexactnalang parasapasaheedikukulanginna," thelearnerstated.
Meanwhile,Canteenstaffshad acknowledgedtheissue,statingthat theywereawareofthelawandthey alwaysseekstudents'permission firstbeforegivingcandyasa
substitutetothelearnerʼschange
AccordingtotheCanteen Manager,EmelitaCastillo,theissue onlyarisesduringpeakhours, particularlyinthemorningwhen studentsoftenpaywithlargebills rangingfromP100-P1000,leavingto theshortageofcoins.
“Althoughtinatrynaminna maghanapngbaryaperomeron talagayungtimenayungpisoang hiraphanapin.Perogagawannamin ngparaanparahindinamangyari yungganon,magdadagdagpakami ngpabaryaaheadoftime,”Castillo added.
Toaddresstheconcern,some studentsalsosuggestedhavinga “BaryamunasaUmaga”policy,a commonrulefromdriversinthe Philippineswherepassengersarenot allowedtopaylargeamountofbillsin themorning
Recently,inafollowup interview,thecanteenhasnow stoppedgivingcandyaschangeand nowensuresstudentstoreceive propermonetarychange.In response,studentsapplaudthe immediateactionofthecanteen management.
Withthis,theschool encouragesthestudentstoreport concernstoproperschoolauthorities toresolveissuesimmediatelyrather thanpostingitonsocialmediaor discussingthemoutsidetheschool.
TOTAL CASES IN YEAR 2024
SOURCE: RHU AURORA, OFFICE OF THE GUIDANCE COUNCILOR 4 from ASHS
PEERkada Symposium opens minds to Mental Health by Zuleika Bimmoy
Aurora Senior High Schoolʼs Peer Helpers Club hosts a World Mental Health day symposium aiming to dismantle myths and misconceptions surrounding mental health
Thelearnerswere engagedinaquestion-andanswerportion,evaluating thelearnerspriorknowledge aboutcommonmentalhealth conditionsaligningwiththe
theme"BreakingtheSilence: RaisingawarenessforMental HealthonWorldMental HealthDay"
AccordingtoAldrin JoshuaFajardo,resource speaker,seekingfor professionalhelpisthebest waytoovercomemental illnesandshouldnotbeself diagnosed.
"Maramipoakong natutunansasymposiumat masnaliwanaganpapoako
by Ralph Sadiwa
Through the Joint Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP), TechnicalVocational-Livelihood (TVL) students of Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) successfully earned their National Certificate (NC) II after passing the National Competency Assessment with a 100% passing rate.
JDVP,acollaborativeinitiativebetween theDepartmentofEducation(DepEd),and theTechnicalEducationandSkills DevelopmentAuthority(TESDA),providesa tuitionfeeassistanceintheformofvoucher tograde12studentsinpublicschoolsthat lackresourcesforTVLspecializations.
AtASHS,Grade12studentsofOrganic AgricultureProduction(OAP),ShieldedMetal ArcWelding(SMAW),andCookeryare amongthebeneficiariesofJDVP.
AccordingtoRaquelPunzalan,grade12 TVLadviser,thesupportfromJDVPiscrucial inensuringthatthestudentsreceiveproper skillsvalidationwithoutgettingworriedabout financialburden.
by Cassandra Javier
Due to the concerning number of teenage pregnancy cases among students, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Aurora raises awareness by organizing a Youth
sakahalagahanngating mentalhealth,"oneofthe participantsoftheevent shared,addingthattheevent ignitedherpassiontopursue psychiatryasacareer.
Aheartfeltlistening momentwasalsoincluded attheeventwerethe learnerswereaskedtoclose theireyesandconnectto thesongslyricswhile listeningto"AkoNaman Muna"byAngelaKen.
“AngassistancenabinibigayngJDVP, silayungmagbabayadsatrainingat assessmentngmgaestudyantekasiang bawatisasakanila,itcostsPhp12,000para dunsaassessment,”Punzalanstated RogerAriola,Cookeryteacher,also mentionedthatbeingaJDVPbeneficiary allowsstudentstoundergoadvancedtraining relatedtothecompetenciesrequiredforthe assessment.
Additionally,headdedthattheNCII receivedbythestudentsservedasa testamenttotheirexpertiseinthefield,giving themtheoptiontoeitherpursuecareersin organicfarming,agriculturalconsultancy,and otherrelatedindustriesortostartworking instantlyaftertheyfinishSeniorHighSchool.
“Kasisamgarequirementsaindustry ngayon,itshouldbespecializedordunsa specializationdapatmeronsilangpertinent papernaipapakitanatheyarequalified. Katuladdunsacollege,yungmganagstop marunongngasilamagturoperowalanaman silangcertificateganon,”Ariolaexplained.
LuckyJosonfrom12-Sandvikalso addedhowbeingaJDVPbeneficiaryand havingNCIIgivesthemanadvantageover otherstrandsduetotheoptionsitprovides.
AngpinakabenefitkasisaaminngNCII ehcomparedsaibangstrandsmayoption kamikungsakalimanghindikami makapagcollegepwedenakamimagtrabaho agaddahilsaNCIInaparangtestamentna skillednakamitodothejob,taslibrepasiya dahilJDVP,ehkungibayunmaybayadsiya.” Josonstated.
Moreover,inafollow-upinterviewwith Ariola,heclarifiedthatforstudentsunderthe fieldofInformationandCommunication Technology(ICT),Automotive,andEnterprise InformationManagement(EIM)availedfor thefreeassessment,astheyarenot beneficiariesofJDVP.
Asofnowthereare23OAPstudents and16studentsspecializinginSMAWwho areNCIIholders.Meanwhile,thestudents underCookeryarenowwaitingfortheirNCII assessmentschedule.
Aurora Senior High Schoolʼs canteen has sparked controversy for giving candy as change to students, raising concerns about students' rights
TASTE OF CHANGE. Maryjoy A. Trinidad (left), the canteen manager, gives candy instead of money as change to customers when she runs out of coins
Photo taken by Nicole Parangan
Caravan held at Aurora Senior High School (ASHS).
FLOOD GATES OPEN. Magat release
submerges a household at Balleteros, Aurora, Isabela. Barangay Ballesteros is one of the low-lying community and is located near Malacopa Creek.
Photo taken by Justine Butay
CERTIFICATE CLAIMED. Technical-VocationalLivelihood (TVL) Agri-Fishery Arts class under the Joint Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP) creates a concoction as part of their National Certificate (NC) II assessment at Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades (SICAT) in Santiago.
Photo retrieved from Racquel Punzalan
Numeracy Program targets Math-deficient learners by Ralph Sadiwa
The Math Club of Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) continued this school year its Numeracy Program which aims to strengthen the mathematics foundation of struggling grade 11 students lacking in basic numeracy.
Atotalof122studentsfalls underthebeginninglevelafter conductingthenumeracyaptitude testdoneinallgrade11studentsat theendofthefirstquarter.
Thesaidtestmeasuredthe currentleveloflearnersin mathematics.0-4Beginning;5-9 Developing;10-14Approaching Proficiency;15-19Proficient.
Studentsarerequiredto completeweeklyexamsandtwo sessionspriortograduating.
Asidefromthelectures;exams, boardgames,andinteractive activiteswerealsogiven.
“Learnersareexpectedto graduateinthesaidprogramonce theyhavescoredatleast15outof19 itemsintheweeklyassessmentwhile thestudentswhofailedneedto attendanotherweeklysessionuntil theyhavereachedthetargetscore,” SannyvalEstabillo,Numeracy ProgramCoordinatorsaid.
Toensurethesuccessofthe implementationoftheprogram,the MathClubisstrictlymonitoringthe attendanceofthelearners.Adviserʼs attentioniscaughtwhenacertain studentfailtoattend.
Studentswhomissedasession ordidnothaveachancetotakethe test,hadtorepeatanotherweekly tutoring.
Meanwhile,agraduatestudent fromtheprogram,AndreaAcang sharedhowthenumeracyprogram helpedhercatchupwithlessonsand improveherbasiccalculationskills.
“Kunghindidahilsanumeracy, hindikomage-getsyunglesson naminsaBusinessMathkasisimilar yungmgatopicsnanadiscussdoon sanumeracy,”Acangsaid.
Estabilloalsostatedthatdespite thisprogress,therearestillstudents havingdifficultiestoapplybasic mathematicaloperationsinintegers andfractions.
“Lackofearlydevelopmentng basicfoundationangdahilankung bakitsilanahihirapan,kasikapag batapasilamasmabilisangpagabsorbngknowledge,”headded.
Asofnow,33graduated studentsoutof120participants alreadyreachedtheproficientlevel andwerenowcapableofapplying theirlearningsonintegersand fractionsinproblem-solving.
Additionally,accordingto Estabillioparticipantswhowillnot graduateuntiltheendoftheschool yearwillcontinuetheirnumeracy enhancementduringgrade12.
Region 2 tops list of most Road traffic incidents in PH; PNP-Aurora reminds riders to wear helmet by Azlenne Timoteo
Region 2 ranks first among the list of most recorded Road Traffic incidents in the country in 2024.
Basedonthedatareleasedby DepartmentofHealth UndersecretaryDr.GlennMatthew Baggao,outof496totalroad accidents,Region2recordedatotal of32.45%or161incidents,followed byRegion7with101cases,Region9 with58cases,NationalCapital Regionwith53casesandRegion1 with38cases,mainlymenunderthe influenceofalcoholicdrinks.
Becauseofthis,Philippine NationalPolice(PNP)-Aurora remindedmotorcycleriders, especiallytheminors,totakeextra precautions.
“Pinapaalalahanannatinpalagi yungmganagmamaneholalona yungmgamenordeedadna magsuotnghelmetathuwag
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT masyadongmabilismagpatakbo kasihindinilaalamyungdisgrasya,” PoliceStaffSergeant(PSSg) JonathanDelaCruzemphasizedto theminorsinaninterviewwithThe Quest.
Inlinewiththis,duringthe secondParent-TeachersAssociation (PTA)GeneralMeeting,School PrincipalIVArturoB.NoolJr. remindedtheparentsoftheuseof motorcyclesoflearners,reiterating ProvincialE.O.No.18,especiallythat therewasarecentvehicular accidentinvolvingstudentsof AuroraSeniorHighSchool.
Itisrememberedthatthe ProvincialGovernmentofIsabelahas partneredwiththeSchoolsDivision OfficeofIsabelatoestablisha proactiveandpreventiveapproach forthesafetyofminorsand unlicensedmotorcycledrivers.
Withthis,learnerswhoare drivingtheirmotorcyclesandother
vehiclestoschoolarerequiredto wearsafetygearsuchashelmets andhaveeitherastudentor nonprofessionaldriverʼslicense.
“Matagalnangna-implement yungExecutiveOrder,yungmga licensedatregisteredstudents lamangangpinapayagang magpasokngmotor,”Nool emphasizedinaninterview, ensuringthattheorderwasbeing strictlyimplemented.
Meanwhile,forGerald Mendozaof11-Galilee,havinga licensewhiledrivingamotorcycleis importantbecausethispromotes safe-drivingandensuresthatthey areresponsibleforitsconsequences.
PNP-Auroraisconstantly conductingsurveillanceand monitoringtheroadsaroundthe campus-areatoensurethatthe learnerswereobservingtheright roadsafetymeasurement.
PROGRESS PAYS OFF by Zuleika Bimmoy
ASHS students seek class suspension at Signal No.2 instead UndertheRepublicAct11964, amunicipalitycanbeclassifiedasa first-classifitsaverageannual incomehasreachedatleastP200 MillionPesosoverthepreviousfour years.
Frombeingclassifiedasthirdclassmunicipality,Auroraʼs remarkableprogressinlocalincome anddevelopmenthaselevateditto first-class.
Withthisupgrade,Aurorawill receiveahigherInternalRevenue Allotment(IRA),allowingthelocal governmenttofundmore
infrastructureprojects,improve publicfacilities,andenhance essentialservicesforitsresidents.
Theadditionalbudgetwillbe directedtowardimproving transportationsystems,expanding roadnetworks,andupgradingpublic utilitiestoaccommodatethe municipalityʼsgrowingneeds.
Educationwillalsobenefitfrom increasedfunding,withplansto improveschoolfacilities,enhance teachertraining,andprovidebetter learningresourcesforstudents.
Withthereclassificationfrom beingathird-classmunicipalityto First-class,Auroraʼsstatusisalso expectedtoattractinvestors,asit signalsastrongerlocaleconomy, leadingtothecreationofnew businessesandmoreemployment opportunities.
Whilethetransitionbrings advantages,italsocomeswith greaterresponsibilities,asthelocal governmentfaceshigher expectationsinservicedeliveryand increasedadministrativedemands.
ASHS pioneers Red Cross Youth Council in Aurora by Zuleika Bimmoy
by Zuleika Bimmoy
Following the Department of Education's (DepEd) updated class suspension policy, students are voicing concerns over the decision to only suspend Senior High School (SHS) classes at Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TWCS) No. 3, calling for an adjustment to signal no. 2 instead.
DepEdOrderNo.22,s.2024,signed onDecember23,revisesclasssuspension rulestoalignwithstormseverity.Underthe newpolicy,onlyKindergartenclasseswill beautomaticallysuspendedatSignal No.1,whileKindergartentoJunior HighSchool(JHS)willtransitionto modularlearningatSignalNo.2. SHSandcollegestudents,however, arerequiredtoattendin-person classesunlessSignalNo.3israised.
Thepolicycomesafter36 learningdayswerelostnationwidedueto typhoon-inducedsuspensions,which DepEdseesasexcessive.
AleliRiaDeJesus,Administrative OfficerIIandSchoolDisasterRisk ReductionManagement(SDRRM) Coordinator,agreeswiththerevision, pointingoutthatprevioussuspensions underSignalNo.1oftenoccurredeven withoutheavyrain.
"Minsanwalanamangulanpero kasalisaSignalNo.1.Ehkayanamang pumasok,lalonasaSHSnaparangcollege narin,"DeJesusstated.
However,SHSstudentsare concernedaboutsafety,arguingthat classesshouldalreadybesuspendedat SignalNo.2,giventherisksofstrongwinds andflooding.
StefanieSarioof11-Argonexpressed herconcerns,saying,"KapagSignalNo.1, minsanumaarawlangnaman.Peroparang masmakatarungankungSignalNo.2na langangcutoffkaysaSignalNo.3,“Sario stated.
In accordance with the Department of Education Order no. 8, Series of 2013, Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) launches its first-ever Red Cross Youth Council (RCYC) on afternoon of November 04, for students safety and preparedness.
Withapprovalfromthe principalʼsofficeandalignedwith DepEddirectiveencouragingthe program,SirBryanConcepcion, whopreviouslyservedasRed CrosspresidentinManilain20092010,spearheadedtheRCYC initiativeafterameetingwiththe HeadofSafetyServicesatthe IlaganChapter,Ma'amFhel Buquel.
TheRCYCgathered membersfromthreeexisting
clubs—thePeerHelpers,First Responders(FiRes),andthe SchoolDisasterRiskReduction Management—toformacore groupof29students,supported bythreeRCYCadvisers.
Withthe29pioneering members,anelectionofofficers washeldappointingthepresident ofthePeerHelpersClub,Allyna AquinoasPresidentandtwoVice presidentsoneinternalisMa. KatrinaRamil,PresidentofFiRes Club,andCielloAllysonFelixfor external,thepresidentofDRRM club.
"Magandasiyakase makakapagprovidesiyangmga trainings,itwillencapsulateyung tatlongclubssotrainingsthatthey canoffer(are)Disaster management,HIVawareness, mentalhealthawareness,and
amongotherslikefirstaid,and basiclivesupport"Bryan Concepcionstated.
Concepcionalsonotedhow theRCYCwillunifypreviousclub effortsunderonecouncil.
ForstudentslikeJMEquias from11-Neon,joiningthecouncilis essential,especiallyinthefaceof frequentcalamities.
"Iwanttojointheclub becausetherearealotof calamities(like)typhoonscoming toourschool,soweshouldhave theseclubstostayalertand maintainstudentalertness,"he shared.
TheRCYCplanstorecruit additionalmembersthrougha school-widecampaignanda seriesofhands-ontraining sessions.
Theorderalsorequiresallpublic schoolsandDepEd-runAlternative LearningCenterstocomply.
Meanwhile,privateschoolsandALS providershavethediscretiontoadoptor modifytheguidelines.
AccordingtoDepEdSecretary SonnyAngara,therevisedpolicyaimsto ensurebothsafetyanduninterrupted learningtostudentsduringnatural calamities.
Following the new income classification outlined by the Department of Finance (DOF), the municipality of Aurora improves into a first-class municipality in the province of Isabela starting January 01, 2025.
TRAILBLAZERS OF RCYC. Aurora Senior High School opens its first-ever Red Cross Youth Council (RCYC), headed by Bryan Concepcion – Red Cross President Alumni in Manila in 2009-2010. In addition, election of officers was also conducted with the 29 pioneering members.
Photo taken by Reyric Arellano
Photo taken by Reyric Arellano Facebook | Aurora Isabela
school days affected by typhoons
SAFETY GEAR. Grade 11 student Gerald Mendoza wears a helmet for safety before driving home. The Philippine National Police (PNP)Aurora reminds motorcycle drivers, especially minors, to drive cautiously. Photo taken by Jerome Manumbale
A Seat at the Table look into the lens of reality, one that clarifies the focus on the truth – the lens of journalism. BEHIND THE LENSES cannot reflect what lies beyond its surface just as social media shows people what they want to see.
Article154ofRepublicAct10951 knownastheRevisedPenalCodeofthe Philippinespunishesunlawfuluseofmeans ofpublication.Thisincludesanypersonwho publishesfalsenewswhichmayharmpublic order,orcausedamagetotheinterestor creditoftheStatebyanymeansof publication.
TheriseofFilipinosocialmediausers with86.75millionor73.4percentofthe overallpopulationcametrueaccordingto theDigital2024:ThePhilippinesreportby DataReportal.
Goodthingjournalismhasadaptedto thedigitalmediawithFacebook,YouTube andInstagrampagestodisseminatenews thatwentunderfact-checkingtothepublic, buttheroleofonlineinfluencersasnews sourcesevolvesaswell.
Unfortunately,SocialWeatherStations (SWS)surveyalsofoundthat51percentof Filipinosfinditdifficulttospotfakenews fromtelevision,radioorsocialmedia,thisis alarmingwhenitcomestoalifeanddeath situation.
Journalismisaprofessionbuiltupona degreeinthefield,allowingonetoacquire
skillsinresearch,investigation,and responsibility.
Vlogger-influencersontheotherhand withoutpropertrainingunderminesthe processwhichmightleadtosuperficialor evenmisleadingcontentsmostofthetimes.
Unlikevloggers,journalistsfollowstrict rulesineveryarticletheypublishwhere accuracyisamustandwithoutroomfor mistakes.
Intimesofcrisislikethepandemic Covid-19,verifiednewsbasedonevidences fromexpertsdisseminatedtothepublic debunksconspiracytheoriescausing confusionratherthanawarenessonline.
Theevidentdeclineoftrustinmedia organizationsaccordingtothelatest2024 pollofPubliciusAsia,Inc.whiletheriseof influencercontentscontinuouslyposesrisks tothenation,well-informedpeopleisamust forwhenmisinformationdominatedthetruth anddecisionsarenolongerofvalue.
Insteadoflookingatwhatthesurface ofthemirrorreflects,orwhatthesocial mediawantspeopletosee,lookintothelens ofreality,theonethatclarifiesthefocuson thetruth–thelensesofjournalism.
Illustrated by Jerico Raneses
STUDENTS’ Hindinamanakoyungnagtaponngbasura don,batakoyungpinagpulot.
Curiosity, Consequences, Change This is a critical issue we need to address, especially in today’s digital age, where explicit content is so easily accessible.
As teenagers, I believe boredom and curiosity often lead us to explore the unknown. For some, this exploration is intentional, for others, it happens by accident— stumbling into pornography.
AccordingtoPornhubʼsyear-end report,thePhilippinesranked3rd amongthemostfrequentvisitorsofthe websitein2024,withthelargest percentageofviewersaged18-25,this showshowdeeplythisissueaffects youngpeople.
Thisproblemisoftenoverlooked ordismissedasunimportant,but behindthenumbersarerealpeople, manyofthemyoung—whomaybe strugglingsilentlywithfeelingsof shame,addiction,ordistortedviewsof relationships.
BasedonSageJournals,students
Minsannangalangdimag-uniform,nahuli panikuyaGuard.
Onerasuremeanswrong,hindinabatalaga pwedengitamaangmali.Paninindiganna langbatalagangmali?
JeromeManumbale, Grade11
Dikonamaintindihankungnagtuturoba talagayungteacheronagp-presentnalang ngvideolessonsaharap.
UnnamedStudent,Grade11
by Natahlie Villon
experienceirritability,difficultyin concentrating,stress,anxiety,and depressionduetoexcessive consumptionofporn,whichalsoleads todisturbingsexualbehaviorsand sexualdysfunctionorabnormality.
Thisisacriticalissueweneedto address,especiallyintodayʼsdigital age,whereexplicitcontentissoeasily accessible.Whilecuriosityisanatural partofgrowingup,Ifeelthatexcessive exposuretopornographycanharm mentalhealth,relationships,andthe perceptionofintimacy.
AsstatedinanarticlebyValley SpringRecoveryCenter,symptomsof thisarecompulsiveviewingdespite negativeconsequences,excessivetime spentonporn,neglecting responsibilities,experiencing withdrawalsymptomsorthefeelto watchwhennotviewing,andescalating tomoreextremecontentovertime.
A Seat at the Table Carrying the Weight of the Truth by Loraine Mendoza
The weight on our shoulders gets heavier. Each day, each year, each election cycle seems to be pressing harder. Truth is it is not just an imaginary burden, but a very real one.
“Youaretooyoungto understandpolitics.”Alinewhich youngjournalistsheartoooften, asifagesomehowhasacriterion forwhoshouldspeakaboutthe livesofeveryFilipino.Incontrary tothisbelief,theyouthdoesnot standonthemarginsofthese issues.Infact,theyarerightin themiddleofthem.They,too,feel theweightofeverydecision, everyunfulfilledpromisenotjust inhistorybooks,butintheirdaily lives.
Oneoutfortyeightstudentsina sectionexperiencethesesymptoms wheretheyfinditdifficulttostop.Thisis alarmingbecauseitisneverseenon theoutsidewhethersomebodyis strugglingornot.
Itʼstimetostarttalkingopenlybut withoutjudgmentaboutpornaddiction. Toomanypeoplearestrugglingin silence,andwecanʼtignoreitany longer.Weneedtofocusonteaching youngpeopleabouttherisks,raising awarenesstoclearup misunderstandings,andoffering supporttothosewhoneedhelp. Byhavinghonestandkind conversations,wecanhelpyoung peoplemakehealthierchoices,feel betteraboutthemselves,andbuild stronger,morepositiverelationships. Changebeginswithallofus,andit startswithaction.
by Loraine Mendoza
The table was set, but there were not enough seats for everyone. For many students in senior high school, everyone is supposedly equal, yet some strands experience being deemed more capable than others. Whether you are from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), Technical Vocational Livelihood (TVL), or the Arts and Design (A&D) track, there is always a table set with expectations.
Thetableofeducation.It mayalwaysbesetbutsome studentsarelefttoremain standingwithoutaseat.Their talentsandaspirationsareoften overshadowedbystereotypes. Eachstrandoffersstudents practicalskillsthatcanleadto meaningfulcareers.Yet,the societalstigmasurroundingthe differentstrandscanovershadow itsvalue,reducingstudentsto merelabelsratherthan acknowledgingtheirunique abilitiesandambitions.
Astohavingthemost prestigiousspot,STEMstudents seemtohavethisreserved.Often perceivedasthebest,theyface theimmensepressureofexcelling ineverythingasothersfrequently assumethatbeinginthatstrand, afterall,makesthemcapableof handlingtheexpectationshanded ontothem.
Thetableleavessomeofits guestsunattended.TVLstudents, forinstance,whofocusontheir practicalskillsandtechnical expertiseoftenreceiveless attention.Theirseatsareoftenthe leastprominentonesasmarkedin themindsofpeople.“TVLlang naman‘yan,”isacommonphrase saidbypeople.Thebeliefthathas beengrowingsteadilyoverthe years,thattheirstrandisseenasa
fallbackoption,orasonewould callthelastresort,underminesthe capabilitiesthattheyhold. Thesestereotypessubtly sendamessagethataHUMSSor anArtsandDesignʼscreativity,an ABMstudentʼsentrepreneurial mind,oraTVLstudentʼspractical skillsarenotasvaluable.The troubleisthattheseextend beyondindividualperceptions, theyareembeddedinthevery systemofeducation.These persistingbiasescreateaculture wherestudentsinacademic tracksmayfeelmoresuperiorthan thoseinthevocationaltrack.This rootsfromthenormsthatweigh academicachievementswith intelligenceandpracticalskills withlesserworth.
Asaresult,thestruggletofit inpersists.Whogetstositatthe table?Whogetsthebestmeal? Theexpectationsservedatthis tablelimitthesestudentsbefore theyevenhavethechanceto exploretheirfullpotential. Nevertheless,thetruthis thatsocietyreliesonskilled workersjustasmuchasitdoeson scholarsandexecutives.Every discipline—whetheritʼsscience, language,socialscience, technology,orbusiness—hasits ownuniquecontributionsto
Itisamotherworkingtwo jobs,strugglingtomakeends meet,afatherwhosacrifices yearsabroadtosustainafamily, orsiblingsforcedtoleavetheir hometogooverseassincethere aremoreopportunitiesthanthe scarceonesinourcountry.They donotjustobserveinjustice,they liveit.Thatispreciselywhythey choosetospeak.
Weareoftentoldtodream big.Butthereistheconstantfear thatevenwithadiploma,the futureisstillnotsecured.Forthe truthithasalwaysbeen disappointing.Wagesmaybarely coverlivingexpenses.Evenjobs thataresupposedtobenobledo notpayenoughtokeepa stomachfull.
Acountrywherepromises aremadeandrarelykept becomesevidentinthepoorly fundedschoolswhereresources arelackingandimprovementin educationfeelslikean afterthought,aswellasin communitieswherebasic servicessuchastransportation andhealthcarearenotprioritized. Incontrasttothelifepromisedfor theyoung,theyfacethese realitiesevenbeforetheywere born. Yet,theyareoftenbranded asinexperienceddespitetheir insightsthatareforgedintothe firesofreal-lifestruggles.Thisis whytheytellthestoriestheydo, theyknowtoowellhowheavyit istocarrytheweightofthetruth everyoneelsechoosestoignore.
Butsomeremainwatching themwhilethepeople responsibleforitare unbotheredinsidetheir air-conditionedcars. Nowonder,in thiscountry,the realitybendsfor thosewhoare privileged,andwe areherecarrying weight.Sure,they mightjustbetoo youngtounderstand politics.Ormaybe peoplearejustafraid toadmitthatthey understandbetter thanthosewhospent yearstryingtomake theweightvanish.
Illustrated by Jaycermel Manganaan
The Clear View
RANDOM VOICE
JeffersonNueva, Grade12
MarcUrielDelRosario, Grade12
The Clear View
Too Far, Too Soon There is a big difference between teaching children and confusing them. Senate Bill No. 1979, also called the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023, is meant to stop teenage pregnancies. But one of its key provisions—Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)—is causing concern.
SupporterssayCSEwillhelp youngpeoplemakeresponsible choicesabouttheirbodies.But criticsworryaboutsomeofthe lessonsitmightinclude.The problemwithsomeinterpretations ofcomprehensivesexuality educationisitstendencytolean heavilyonliberalWestern frameworksthatmaynotalignwith Filipinoculturalandreligiousvalues.
The table of education should be a place where every student’s skills are recognized, regardless of strand.
society.Insteadofenforcinga strictseatingarrangementbased onoutdatedbeliefs,weneeda collectivespacewhere opportunitiesareavailableto everyone.Itʼsnotaboutthe academicpathastudenttakes;itʼs abouthowtheyutilizetheir abilitiesandknowledgeto succeedinlife.Letʼsconfront thesestereotypesandrecognize thefullpotentialofeverystudent, regardlessoftheireducational journey.
Theeducationaltable shouldserveasaplatformwhere allstudentsʼabilitiesare acknowledged,nomatterwhat theirspecialization.Broadening thetableisnotmerelyanissueof equity;itisessentialforafuture whereeachlearnerisesteemed.If evenafewremainexcluded,the systemwillinevitablyfailtofulfill itscommitments.Byfostering respectandappreciationforall educationalpathways,wecan enablestudentstotakepridein theirselectedjourneys.Weneed tocreatespace,pullupadditional chairs,andensurethatnooneis leftwithoutaseat.Afterall, everybodydeservesaseatatthe table.
SenatorJoelVillanueva voicedhisopposition,arguingthat thebill'stitleismisleading.“Ang pointkolang[...]nakakabudolkasi yungtitlengbill,'Preventing TeenagePregnancy'meronpabang grupongtaoditosamundonaayaw itongtitulonaito,ipreventnatin 'yungteenagepregnancy?Pero 'pagbinasamo'yungbuongbill, sabinganila'thedevilisinthe detail',”hesaid.Healsostatedthat theconcernsarebothersomedueto differentgroupsandthatthisbillis damagingtochildren.
Thereareclaimsthatchildren asyoungaszerotofouryearsold willbeintroducedtomasturbation, andthatthoseagedsixtoninewill betaughtaboutbodilypleasureand sexualrights.Ifthisistrue,itraises seriousquestions:Isthisreally necessary?
by Natahlie Villon
Sexeducation,whendone correctly,isvaluable.Youngpeople needaccesstoaccurate,ageappropriateinformationtohelp themnavigateadolescencesafely. Butthereisacrucialdifference betweenteachingresponsibilityand introducingconceptsthatmightbe premature,confusing,oreven damaging.Whowillteachthese topicsandhowwilltheybe presented?Areteachersproperly trainedtodiscusssuchsensitive issueswithveryyoungchildren?
Ifthegoalistoprevent adolescentpregnancy,frommy perspective,thefocusshouldbeon values.Thereisnoquestionthat youngpeopleneedguidance,butit mustbedoneinawaythatrespects culturalvalues,parentalroles,and thenaturaldevelopmentofchildren. Thereʼsafinelinebetween
empoweringchildrenwith knowledgeandburdeningthem withadultconceptsprematurely.We havetobecareful.Inourattemptto addressteenagepregnancy,we mightendupdoingmoreharmthan good.Insteadofprotectingthe innocenceofouryouth,wecouldbe exposingthemtoideastheyarenot yetreadyfor.
Thebillisnottheenemy; ignoranceis.Ifwetrulywantto preventteenagepregnancies,we mustequipyoungpeoplewiththe righttools—knowledge,awareness, andtheabilitytomakeinformed decisions.
Sexeducationshould empower,notexpose.Andaswe navigatethesepolicies,wemust ensurethatwearetrulyprotecting theyouth—notpushingthemtoofar, toosoon.
QUALIFYING THE UNQUALIFIED Across Borders
Now Showing by Cyrille Limos
The screen lights up with the familiar energy. Now showing: Itʼs Showtime. The hosts are very lively, the audience roaring, while the contestants of their new segment took the stage confidently, until one was questioned: “What is your message to the COMELEC?” The show suddenly paused, for me, the contestant, and the whole nation. Funny how it took one single mistake to finally get everyoneʼs attention. This single mistake exposes the lapse.
Until we do not learn to choose facts over feelings, then we are the ones unqualified to vote.
Article5ofthe1987 Constitutionstatesthattherightsto suffragemaybeexercisedbyall citizensofthePhilippines,not otherwisedisqualifiedbylaw,who areatleasteighteenyearsofage.
BasedonComelecDataasof January2025,21.87millionvoters forNationalElectionareGenZ,born intheperiodfrom1997to2007, makingup28.79%ofthevotingagepopulationinwhichmany studentsatAuroraSeniorHigh Schoolbelongtothisbracketwhile therestoftheASHSians,basedon agegroup,arevotersofthe SangguniangKabataan(SK) Federation.Theybelongtothe youth,whorepresentalargeportion ofthevoterpopulation.
InSeniorHighSchool(SHS), particularlywithintheHumanities andSocialSciences(HUMSS) strand,studentsareintroducedto politics-relatedtopics,includingthe discussiononrighttosuffrage,to getthemreadyfortheirrightsand dutiesregardingtheelectionof
appropriategovernmentofficials.
Yet,regardlessofhoweducatedwe professtobe,thecontinuouscycle ofagovernmentrunninglikea circuscontinuestothrive.
Credentialsshouldweigh heavierthanplainactorʼspretty facesoranentertainerʼspunchline. Butwithonetrendycampaign video,theoppositehappens.The sadrealityisthatartistsand comedianscanbeelectedmerely bythefanclubstheyhavegained andnotthroughgovernanceskills theyoughttohave.Nowonderour lawsfeelliketragicscriptsor sometimesabadjoke.
Also,leadershipisnot hereditary,butinthiscountry, recycledsurnamesandrecycled powersbecamenormal.Worstiswe donotjustinherittheleaders,but alsotheirbrokenpromisesmade yearafteryear.
Oftentimeswesaywehatethe incompetentleadershipand wrongdoingsofthosewhoarein
When the Morning Comes The clock hits twelve midnight but my eyes remained widely open as the wind continued its roars in my ears. When the wind blows, it is the poorly constructed houses that suffer the most, too weak to protect the family that reside within. Then, when the morning comes, we are left to pick up the pieces.
Everyyear,weexperiencestrong storms,butthetruestormlieswithin theyearsofcorruptioninoursystem. Ourcountryisleftwithonefragile foundation,unabletoprotectits peopleduringtimesofcrisis.They oftenpromisestrongpoliciesforthe people,anhonestgovernment,but toooftentheyarejustfortheshow.
Thedebrisleftbythetyphoons mirrorthecostofcorruption,where
theelectedgovernmentseats,but thenagain,wegivethepositionto themwhohaveperfectedthiskind ofcraft-betrayaltothepublic.We demandchange,yetweourselves choosetheverypeoplewhodid nothing.Wemayhaveourrightto suffrage,butwearenotexercisingit responsibly.Instead,wecontinue qualifyingtheunqualifiedones whileunqualifyingthequalifiedand latersuffertheconsequences.
Ifwelookatthenumbers,the youthhavetheupperhand.Aswe makeupahugeportionofthe votingpopulation.Ifweusedthis powerwisely,wecouldhave reshapedthenation,yetweletitslip throughourfingers;westillclapfor thoseperforminginthecircus.First graderscanjudgewhoisfittedfora roleandwhoisnot,soweshoulddo sotoo.Untilwedonotlearnto choosefactsoverfeelings,thenwe remaintheonesunqualifiedtovote.
theresourcesintendedtobefor disasterpreparednessareotherwise usedforpersonalgainsofthosewith power,leavingsomeevacuation centerswithoutenoughsupplies, infrastructuresareunderfunded, inadequatecommunication,and homeswithoutpropersupport.Some areasmayhavebeenaidedquickly butothersarestillleftbehind becauseofpoliticalfavoritism.Each yearisthesameastheother;relief goodsareunevenlydistributed,some familiesreceivemorethanwhatthey need,whileotherswhoaremuch affectedarealmostleftwithnothing. Thelackofaccountabilityjust enlargesthecracks,itcausesthe struggletosurvivetheweightthatthe stormcarries.
Whileresiliencyistrueforthe Filipinoculture,wehavebeenfacing thesamebattlesoverandover.The
by Loraine Mendoza
The20-yearoldSexyBabe candidateadmittedshehavenʼtevenvoted eventhoughshehasreachedlegalage.No televisionandnoappearanceonhersocial medianewsfeedwereherreasonsforher lapsesonbeinganinformedcitizen.Vice Gandawasright,itwastoobothersometo ignorethisrealizationinnationalTV,whata shametoourcountrythisis.Thiswasmore thanapersonallapse,itreflectsamedia thatentertainsmorethanitinforms.
Rewind.HowoldwasIwhenIfirst learnedabouttheCommissionon Elections?Maybeitwasonetimewhen motheransweredmycuriousquestion aboutelections.Butonethingisclear,our nationaltelevisionisfloodedwithpolitical advertisementseveryelectionseasonbut therewerelimitedscreentimeforthose educatingvoters.
Intheabsenceofmedia,schoolsare supposedtobeourbestshotonlearning aboutourcivicresponsibility.Butinsidea classroomreality,itisnotgivenasmuch importancethanothertopics.Intheend, studentsleavetheirclassestograduate withoutevenknowinghowtheir governmentworks.
Thenthereʼstheenvironment,the communitiesshapingourawareness.For many,politicaldialoguesareavoidedas theyaredeemedtoocomplexortoo destructive.Withouttheseconversations, youngpeoplegrowupunbotheredfrom theircivicduties,unawarethattheirvoices matterinshapingthecountryʼsfuture.
Play.Theshowgoeson,the COMELEChasalreadyinvitedthegirl. Eitherway,thiswillsoonbeforgotten. However,thefactwillremainthatmany watchingfromtheirscreensarealsojustas uninformedassheis.
Fastforward.Whenelectionday arrives,campaignjingleswillonceagain dominatestreetsineverycorner.Others mayfollowtheloudestvoices,those personswhowalkintoprecinctsbutstill unawareofwhattheCOMELECactually does.
Troubleisthatwearegluedtowatch justtheonesthatgoin“NowShowing”. Littledidweknow,propereducationon civicdutyisslowlyfadingbehindthe screens,withoutevenasingleline.
constantrebuildingofahousethatis justdoomedtocollapseagaininthe nextstorm.Truthiswehavebeen usingthesameweakfoundation, entrustingpowertothosewhoclearly donotservethenationanditspeople, usingcheapmaterialstosave themselvesandsacrificethepeople. Thus,thecycleofconstructionand reconstructioncontinues.Thetrouble isthat,theordinarypeople,farmers, fishermen,families,aretheonesto paytheprice.
Relyingsolelyonresiliency providesonlyashort-termsolution;it doesnottackletheunderlyingissues contributingtoournationʼs weaknesses.Likehowhousesrequire robustfoundationstowithstand storms,ourcountryneedsstrong leaderstodisruptthecontinuous patternofvulnerabilityandrecovery. Weneedleaderswhoareopen,
equitable,andfocusonthelong-term well-beingoftheFilipinopeople.
Morethanstrongwindsand rainfall,typhoonsareourwake-upcall todemandforrealchange.They exposethetruth,leavingourleaders scramblingtopatchupthedamage theycouldhavepreventedhadthey donemorethanbeingcomfortableon theirseatswhiletheirpeoplepainfully struggleoutside.
Filipinosdeserveasystemthat canwithstandanystormforfuture generationstocome,onethat protectseveryfamilywhenthewind startstogetstrong.Afterall,weall wantleaderswhocanensurethat, whentheclockstrikesmidnight,we cansleepsoundlyknowingthatour homes,ourcountry,andourfuturewill standstrongwhenthemorning comes.
Farmersareattheforefront,balancing traditionwithinnovation.Itʼsaworldwhere everyseedplantedholdsthepromiseof growth,notjustforcrops,butfor communitiesandfuturegenerations.
Inthevastfieldsofruralcommunities, smallholderfarmersworkfromdawnto dusk.Thesefarmersmaynotownmassive machineryorhaveflashytechnology,but theirhandshavebeennurturingthesoilfor generations.Despitetheirhardwork,these smallfarmersfaceanuphillbattleina globalizedworlddominatedbybig agribusinesses.
UNSETTLING PRICE TAG
Oneofthebiggeststrugglessmall farmersfacesisthelowpriceoftheir crops.Imaginespending monthsgrowingrice,onlyto sellitatapricethatbarely coversyourexpenses.
by Xyrene Ordinario
Itʼsaheartbreakingrealityformany smallholderfarmers.Largecorporations cansellatlowerpricesbecausethey produceinbulkandhaveaccessto internationalmarkets.Butforsmallfarmers, whodependonseasonalharvestsand localbuyers,everypesocounts.
Smallfarmersoftenfindthemselvesat themercyofmarketforcestheycanʼt control.Theglobaldemandforcropscan pushpricesdown,leavingthemwithlittle profittosustaintheirfamiliesorinvestin theirfarms.Itʼsafrustratingcycle:theywork hard,buttherewardsaresmall.
LOST INNOVATION
Technologyistransformingthe agricultureindustry,butmanysmallfarmers areleftbehind.Largecompaniesuse drones,automatedirrigationsystems,and advanceddatatomonitortheircrops
andincreaseefficiency.Butforsmall farmers,evenasimpletractororareaper canbeoutofreach.
Becauseoflackofaccesstomodern tools,smallholderfarmersrelyontraditional methods,whichcanbeslowandlaborintensive.Theyʼrecompetinginarace wherethebigplayershaveaheadstart. Evenwhentheywanttoadapt,thecostof moderntechnologycanbetoohigh, keepingthemstuckinoutdatedpractices.
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF GIANTS
Butifthereʼsonethingsmallfarmers know,itʼshowtosurvive.Theirstrengthlies intheiradaptabilityandresilience.When timesgettough,theyfindwaystoinnovate. Someareturningtoorganicfarming, focusingonqualityoverquantity.Others arebandingtogetherin cooperatives,
poolingresourcestobuybetterequipment andgainaccesstobiggermarkets.
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Whilethestruggleisreal,thefuture isnʼthopeless.GovernmentsandNGOsare startingtorecognizetheimportanceof smallholderfarmersinfoodsecurity. Programsthatofferaffordabletechnology, training,andaccesstobettermarketsare slowlymakingadifference.Butthereʼsstilla longwaytogo.
Thestoryofsmallfarmersisoneof quietdetermination.Theymaynot havethepowerofbigagribusiness, buttheyhavesomethingjustas valuable:thehearttokeepgoing,no matterwhat.Andaslongasthey continuetofindwaystoadaptand innovate,theirfarmswillremaina significantpartofour world.
by Dorothy Diaz
In Aurora, Isabela, street food isnʼt just about satisfying hunger—itʼs a way of life. For students rushing between classes and extracurriculars, the sizzling stalls that line the streets are a welcome escape from their demanding schedules. With each bite of isaw or kwek-kwek, these small snacks offer big comfort and a sense of connection.
THE FIRST BITE For17-year-oldClara,agrade12 studentatAuroraSeniorHighSchool,street foodismorethanaquickmeal—itʼsadaily tradition.Afteralongday,sheandher friendsgatherattheirfavoritestall, greetedbythefamiliararomaofgrilled skewersandfryingbatter.
“Itʼsnotjustthetastethatbringsme back,”Claraexplains.“Itʼsthefeelingof takingabreak,sharinglaughs,and findingjoyinsomethingsimple.”From thetangofvinegardippingsauceto thecrunchofturon,everybiteisa smallmomentofcelebration.
A MEETING PLACE FOR ALL StreetfoodinAuroraismorethansustenance,itʼsa meetingplaceforthecommunity.Vendors,often fixturesinthetownforyears,knowtheircustomersby nameandaskabouttheirday.Theseinteractionscreate asenseofbelongingforstudentslikeClara,whofinds comfortinthesefamiliarfaces.
“Itfeelslikehome,”sheshares.“Evenwhenthe dayfeelsoverwhelming,thesesmallmomentsremind youthatthereʼsalwayssomethingtolookforwardto.” CULTURE ON A STICK
ThestreetfoodscenereflectsAuroraʼsresilience andcreativity.Vendorstransformsimpleingredients intoflavorfulsnacksthatresonatewithtraditionand resourcefulness.Whetheritʼsthesweetglazeofbanana cueorthesmokycharofbarbecue,eachdishtellsa storyofthetownʼsidentity.
ForClaraandmanyothers,Auroraʼsstreetfood isnʼtjustapartoftheirroutine—itʼsasymbolof communityandcomfort.Everybiteremindsthem thatevenamidstlifeʼschallenges,the simplestjoyscanbringthegreatest senseofbelonging.
Aurora, Isabela is a town that doesnʼt shout its story but rather whispers it in quiet, meaningful ways. From its rolling rice fields to the steady hum of daily life, at first glance, it may seem like just another rural municipality. But take a moment, and youʼll realize Aurora is more than that—itʼs a rich, living tapestry, each thread representing the townʼs history, growth, and resilience.
Pulse of Progress IntheveryfabricofAuroraliesits commitmenttoeducation,adrivingforcebehind itsprogress.“AuroraCentralSchoolandDoña AuroraNationalHighSchoolarenotjust educationalinstitutions—theyarepillarsofthe community,knownacrosstheregionfornurturing youngmindsandshapingthefuture.These schoolsserveasbothrootsandwings, groundingstudentsintheirheritagewhile propellingthemintothefuture.
Nestledamongthisevolvingtownis “CasaFamilia”aplacewherethewarmthof Auroraʼspastmeetsthecomfortsof modernlife.Itʼsmorethanjustacozy retreat—itʼsastorybookwaitingtoberead. Withrusticcharmandaninviting
atmosphere,“CasaFamilia”feelslikeahome awayfromhome,offeringtravelersachanceto pauseandabsorbthesurroundingbeauty. Fromitsrooms,theviewofthecountryside offersacalmingreminderofsimplertimes, whilethetownʼspulsebeatsjustbeyondthe horizon.
Beyondthisserenerespite,Aurorais provingthatprogressdoesnʼthavetomean leavingthepastbehind. Anexcellent illustrationofthisisthe"LaSuerteBiomass Plant,"whichconvertsagriculturalwasteinto renewableelectricity. It'sadaringmoveinthe directionofsustainability,demonstratinghow creativitycanflourishinthemostimprobable settings. Beyondsimplyprovidingclean energy,thisplantisarepresentationofthe town'sadaptabilityandresiliency whilerespectingits
by Xyrene Ordinario
watcheshismothercarefullypourextrawater
motherworkedasalaundrywoman,hisfather
Sometimes,theyʼdsprinklesalttothebrothto
On weddings, pageants and other festive occasions, he shines in the backstage as he skillfully sways makeup brushes like itʼs his own magic wand of passing confidence to his clients as a makeup artist.
Andintheworldofsocial media,hebecomeshisownmain character.Whatheshowsinfront ofthecameraiswhathetrulyis behindit,andthatʼswhat differentiateshimfromyour regularvloggers.
EhmjayMuncalalsoknown as“Marekongkong,”isa31-yearold,Grade12-Sandvickstudentin AuroraSeniorHighSchool,witha bravehearttostartagainwithhis journeytoeducation.Despitehis agenotbeingthenormforhigh schoolstudents,heisafirm believerthatitisneveramatterof age,butamatterofapersonʼs willingnesstolearn–thedrivethat keepshimwantingtopursue somethingnoonecanevertake awayfromhim.
GRACE THROUGH PAIN
Hispathtothisacademic dreamwasasmoothsailinginthe beginning.However,ashe reachedthesecondyearof college,almostallofhisefforts wentdownthedraindueto financialproblemsinhisfamily, leavinghimnoother choicebuttomake aliving–thatis howhe
discoveredtheknackofbeingan artistinthehairandmakeup industry.Andalthoughhegrew andflourishedinhisjob,thereis stillalongingtogetthatdiploma thathealwaysdreamedof.
Timebecamehisbiggest enemy.Hewasleftbehinddueto thechangesinthecurriculum, fromtheremaining3yearto completecollege,henowgoes backtozero,leavinghimwith almost6moreyearstofollow.It alsotookawhileforEmjhaytoget usedwithenteringschoolagain; thefirstweekswerefilledwith unfamiliaritywithhisclassmates thataremuchyoungerthanhim, butinduetime,theybeganto accepthimashealsostarted acceptedthem.
Asabalik-aralstudent,he alsosomehowbecamethecenter ofdiscriminationwithhisfellow students;a“repeater,”people wouldoftensay,astheytryto bringhimdown,underestimating hiscapacities.Andwhileitshould nothavebeennecessaryfor anyonetobuildtoleranceortoturn
showingthemthatthebarriers canneverbetoohigh;thatthey canclimbandstrivetobea catalystofasignificantchangenot onlyfortheirlives,butfortheentire community.
Whiletherearemanypeople whomhecalls“haters”,henever hadreservationsinbranchingout toallthepossibilities.Heisnowa graduatingstudentrunningfor honors,excellingundertheTVL strandasanICTstudentwithinthe wallsofaclassroom.Ehmjayis alsothrivinginhisextracurricular activities,asherantobecomean SSLGofficerwiththehopesof straighteningthedisciplineand instillingasenseofmaturitywith ASHSstudents.
Manypeoplemayseethe horizonasaplacefullof uncertainties,butEhmjayseesitin adifferentlight,onethatisfullof endlesspossibilitiesand opportunitiestogrowasaperson. INSPIRING INSPIRATION
Inthefuture,hecansee himselfassomeonewhowould standinfrontofaclassroom,with handscoveredinchalk,anda stancetoimpartknowledgetohis students–ateacherwithaclear andkindintentionofhelping studentsinneedofcare,love,and
craftcannurturepersonalgrowthandempower
Thisdemonstrateshowstudentjournalists canbeeffectivechangeagentsbyutilizingtheir educate,uplift,anddrawattentiontoissuesthat
Stickingtohismottothat“A personwithoutambitionislikea rollingstonewithoutdestination” heplanstoneverstopbeing inspired,andtoneverstop inspiring.Heisnotone,nottwo, buta3-in-1dreamer.Ehmjay Muncal,student,makeup artist,andvloggerof AuroraSeniorHigh
I know that my family loves me. They let me sleep outside so that I can enjoy the fresh air and I can protect them. That's what you call trust right? They gave me this beautiful silver collar, it's too small for me but I like it. I know they'll give me a new one soon. I know they love me and I wish I could tell them that I love them too.
They'reinsiderightnowbecause they'regettingreadytoevacuatetothe nearestevacuationcenter.I'llstayhere andwaitforthem.I'llwaitpatientlyandI'll alertthemwhenthefloodcomes. I'llbarkasloudasIcansothat they'llknowthatI'mdoingmy jobasagoodboy.Myfamily lovesme—theywon'tleaveme behind.Ishouldsleepforabit whilewaitingforthem.It'sreally coldhereandI'malreadysoaking wet.Butit'sok,They'llbeheresoon. I'llrestfornowsothatI'llhavealotof energytoplaywiththemoncewereach
theevacuationcenter.
...Ifeelstrange,whycan'tIbreathe? Isthisadream?Ofcoursethisisjusta dream.Ishouldjustclosemyeyesand waitformyfamily.Iknowtheyloveme andtheywillneverleavemebehind.
What'sgoingon?Mr.Death,whyare youhere?
Areyoucrying?You'renottakingmy familyrightsir?I'llprotectthem,I'mnot lettingyoutakethemsir,I'msorry.
"I'msorrylittleone.It'stimeformeto takeyou"
WhatdoyoumeanMr.Death?Ican't leavemyfamily.Ineedtoprotectthem fromthestorm.
"They'relonggonelittleone,theyleft you"
AfterhearingthosewordsIsawmy lifelessbodystillchainedtoapole. Mr. Death,didtheyleavemebecauseIwasnʼt agoodboy?IwishIcouldcallthem,but allIcandoisbark.
Illustrated by Angelica Limbauan
SECTION HIGHLIGHT Historic Feat AERIAL INTELLECT by Vinz Spencer Hao
Intellect is not only found at the bosom of the human mind. It is also found within a swiftly zooming aerial device.
ThesunnybreezeofbarangayKalabaza, Aurora,IsabelahailedabrightdayforDariusAbad, 45,asifpullinghimtograbhissprayerfilledwith seeminglyharmlessinsecticidesandheadtohis preciouscalamansihan(calamansifarm).Littledid heknowthatheputshimselfintheriskof contributingtothe190,00cancerpatientsinthe Philippinesduetohisfrequentexposuretothe toxicinsecticides,asstatedbythePhilippine SocietyMedicalOncology(PSMO).
Withthisconcern,theDepartmentof Agriculture(DA)RegionalFieldOfficeNo.02in tandemwiththeLocalGovernmentUnit(LGU)of SolanoIsabelaandNewHopeCorporation presentedamodernwayofcontrollingricepests tofarmersandagriculturalextensionworkersina flightdemoofthefuturisticdronesprayer.
Adronesprayerisahumancontrolledaerial devicethatappliesagriculturalchemicalsto crops.Withtheuseofthisdrone,farmerscan effectivelycontrolpestsintheirfarms.Itcanalso beusedinothercropssuchascorn,calamansi, andtobacco.
SWIFTLY SAFE ADVANTAGES
AccordingtotheSunStarPhilippines,the droneusedinthedronesprayercanreachspeeds thatcancoveraone-hectarelandinjustunder10 minutes.Inaddition,onetotwogallonsof
NATURE’S FORGOTTEN MACHINE by Jerico Raneses
Modern society revolves around technology. From cooking to cleaning, work and everything in between, most jobs have been automated to the point that we often forget about their environmental effects.Say for example, how the automotive industry replaced animal transportation.
Gaspoweredvehicleslikecarsandmotorcyclesare frequentlyusedduetotheirconvenience,however,theyare alsoenvironmentallyharmful.
insecticide(fourto8liters)peracre(2/5ofa hectare).Thisshowsthatlesserinsecticidesare usedindronescomparedtothetraditional methodofspraying.
Fueledbycuriosity,Dariuscontactedthe NewHopeCorporationtopurchaseadroneto testitonhisglowingjadecalamansihan. Afterthe dronearrivedathishome,heimmediatelywentto hisfarm.Afewtrieslater,heidentifiedvarious benefitsofthedronesuchasitsefficiency, sustainability,andlesserrisksofcontracting cancer.
CHEMICAL ERROR Despitethevibrantbenefitsofdrone sprayers,Dariusnoticedseveralflawsofthe innovativedronesprayerwhichare,itsexpensive pricerangingfrom500,000toonemillion PhilippinePesosanditisnotportable, transportingthedronerequiresavanjustto transportit.
“Safetyinexchangeforadime”,Dariussaid withanuncertainexpression,asherealizedthat thesafetyoffarmersfromthecelldeteriorating propertiesofinsecticidesrequirealargeamount ofmoneyinreturn.Hehopesthatinthenear future,humanswillbeabletofindawaywhere everyhardworkingfarmer,richorpoor,isableto useandwitnessthebreathtakingfeaturesofthe aerialintellect.
Intellectisnotonlyfoundatthebosomofthe humanmind.Itisalsofoundwithinathezooming safepresenceofthedronesprayers.
AccordingtoIQAir,theairqualityinthePhilippinesin 2023isrankedat79outof134countrieswiththeaverage PM2.5concentrationat2.7timestheWHOstandards. ConsideringthatstudiesdonebyDENRrevealsthat80%of theairpollutioninthePhilippinesiscausedbyautomotive,itis importanttoaddresstheenvironmentaleffectsofvehiclesin thecountry.
Asidefromgaspoweredvehicles,anotherpopular alternativearee-vehicles.Thesee-vehiclesmayseemsafefor theenvironmenthowever,theelectricityusedtopowerthem arealsoproducedusingfossilfuels.
In2023,OurWorldinData.orgrevealedthataround61.92% ofthePhilippines'electricitywasmadeusingcoalalone.Coalis, ofcourse,anon-renewableandunsustainablesourceofenergy thatalsoproducespollution.
Comparedtothese,animaltransportationdoesnotrelease anyharmfulpollutants.Theonlymaintenancerequiredforthese arefoodandtheirhealth.
Therearealsodistinctadvantagestousingtheseanimals. FAO.orgsaysthatanormalcarabaoisabletopull150-450kg weightsoverlongdistanceswhilepetMDsaysthathorseson averagerunat61kilometersperhour.Theseanimalsalsodonot requireapavedroadandcangooffroadduetotheirhoovesthat allowthemtowalklongdistancesinuneventerrain.
Ofcourse,animalsdohavelimitations.Noteverything couldandshouldbecompletelyreplaced.Noonewantsto rideonacarabaofromBaguiotoDavaohowever,thereare manycaseswherevehiclesaresimplytoomuch.
Withhowoverreliantwearewithtechnology,it'soften thesimplethingswhichmakesabigdifference.Ourcurrent formsoftravelcausetoomuchenvironmentalproblems anditiswithduediligencethatwetrytopreventit.
5.4M units sold in the Philippines as of 2022 DATA REVEALS
Graphics by Reyric Arellano Elements from Canva, Pinterest
Graphics by Reyric Arellano Elements from DJI
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Regretfully Satisfying Death Trap by Vinz Spencer Hao
89-year-old farmer from the plains of Isabela, Tinong Abucay. While old feathers like him are about to be replaced by new feathers that are reliant towards intelligence stored in a metal enclosure called AI.
Artificialintelligence,orAI,istheability ofacomputerrobottoperformhuman-like tasksandiscommonlyassociatedwith humancognitiveprocesses.
FORESEEING VIBRANCE
Tinonghasacataractonhislefteye, makinghimunabletoseethingsclearly. Withthisconcern,hisfamilyurgedhimto undergoacataractextractionsurgery
Diseases are not only found flowing freely in the air or inhibiting on the surface of saliva inducing foods. It can also be found in the remorseful gratification of an unavoidable
InFebruary2025,a17-yearoldstudentnamedRodGaliza heardtroublewhisperedinhisears bythecalmbreezeofthestarry nightinSaranay,Aurora,Isabela. Helearnedthatthelustfuldangers ofHIVhadreachedtheir mountainousprovincefromhis mother,whoworksattheRural HealthUnit(RHU)of Isabela.
LIGHT OF HOPE contact,sharingneedlesor injectingillegaldrugs,andcoming intocontactwithcontaminated bloodareallwaystotransmitit.It canalsobepassedfrommotherto childwhilenursing,givingbirth,or duringpregnancy.
TheDepartmentofHealth (DOH)reportedthatyoungkey populations,aged15to24, accountedforapproximately47% ofnewHIVcasesin2024.During aSenatehearingonSenateBill 1979,alsoknownasthe AdolescentPregnancyPrevention Bill,onTuesday,DOHAssistant SecretaryAlbertDomingo revealedthisstatisticinanattempt toaddresstheescalatingHIV crisis.
TEMPTING HISTORY
TheMayoClinicclaimsthata virusisthecauseofHIV.Sexual
Thehuman immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV)isavirusthatattacks theimmunesystem.Themost advancedstageofinfectionis whenacquiredimmunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)occurs, accordingtotheWorldHealth Organization(WHO).
AIF SAVER by Vinz Spencer Hao
makinghimoneoutofthe1.06%Filipinos diagnosedwithcataract,basedfromthe datareleasedbytheNationalInstituteof Health(NIH).
Tinongʼsdaughterssawanarticlefrom theHorizonSurgicalSystems(HSS),in whichtheystatedthattheirnewprototype surgicalrobot‘Polarisʼisabletoperform cataractextractionsurgerieswitha successratesimilartotraditionalsurgeries.
Tinongʼsheartgraduallychangedits perceptiontowardsAIuponhearingthis prototype.Despiteagradualchangeinhis heart,Tinongwasstillskepticaldueto multiplereasonssuchasitsexpensive price,inaccessibility,unreliability,andvery limitedfeatures.
CHANGE OF HEART
Despiteknowingthevibrantexistence ofPolaris,Tinongʼsskepticalintuition
As the moon shifts its form into an ominous eye, whistling winds mark the start of a bloody massacre. A mask of misery was worn by a 16-year-old student, Tristan Jerick Tauyan, while he felt icy tingles down in his spine due to a dark veil shrouding his beloved town.
Novemberof2024,fourconsecutive typhoonsbroughtdespairtothe sunnybreezeofLuzon,Philippines. Burstsofjoyfilledthequietand busycorridorsofAuroraSenior HighSchool,asthestudents celebratedafterhearingtheir classesweresuspendeddue toaveilofatyphoon enteringthePhilippineArea ofResponsibility(PAR),not knowingthataneverendingnightmarishloop willdisrupttheir days.
resurfaced.InDecemberof2024,his grandchildrengiftedhimasmartwatchthat hasabuilt-inAIandcandetecthisblood pressurethroughtheprocessofpulse waveanalysis.ThismadeTinongʼsheart movetowardsAI.
IMAGING THE FUTURE
WhileTinongwaswatchingtelevision, hestumbleduponanewssegmentabouta medicalimagingAIcalled‘NanoxAIʼ.In whichthisAIisusedtohelpdetect undetectablelong-termillnessesthatare notdetectablebyanormaldiagnosis.
Astheoldwitheringfeathersofan eaglewithersaway,anewsetofstronger feathersshallriseintheplaceofyouththat willleadthehumancivilizationtowardsa futurewherenostalgicrefreshingbreeze fromTinongʼsfarmisstillexperiencedby thefuturegeneration.
Forastormtobeconsideredasa typhoon,windspeedsmustreachatleast74 milesperhour.Onceastormbecomesa typhoon,windspeedalsodeterminesthe categoryofthestorm.Acategoryonestorm isthelowestlevel,withwindsrangingfrom 74to95milesperhour.Meanwhile,category fivehurricanesarethestrongestandmost damagingwithwindgustsof157kilometers perhourormore.
Typhoonsaretropicalcyclonesthat formintheNorthernHemispherebetween 180°and100°Eandhavesustained hurricane-forcewindsofatleast119km/h (74mph).KnownastheNorthwestern PacificBasin,thisareaisresponsibleforover one-thirdofalltropicalcyclonesworldwide.
AccordingtotheWorldWeather Association(WWA),climatechangewasone ofthecausesthatcontributedtothefour consecutivetyphoonsthatstruckthe PhilippinesinNovember2024.Climate changeworsentheconditionsthatenable thepowerfulstormstoform.Conditionssuch
DEFENSE KILLER
Fueledbycuriosity,Rod searchedtheinternetandfound outthatHIVopensthedefense systemofthehumanbody,letting inseverediseasessuchas Tuberculosis(TB),Pneumocystis pneumonia(afungalinfection), andCandidiasis(thickwhite coatingonthemouth,tongue, esophagus,orvagina.Italso increasesthechanceofapatient tocontractcancer,asstatedby theMayoClinic.
AccordingtotheNational InstituteofHealth(NIH),thereis nocureforHIVbutthereare variouswaysofprevention.Simple hygienicmeasuresuchasthe prohibitionofsharingneedles, usingcontraceptives,and preventingdirectbloodcontact cangreatlyhindertheriseofHIV cases.
“Preventionisbetterthan cure”,Rodsaidwithbittersweet expressionasherealizedthat preventingHIVisfarbetterthan resortingtoabitternonexistent treatment.
Diseasesarenotonlyfound flowingfreelyintheairorinhibiting onthesurfaceofsalivainducing foods.Itisalsofoundwithingthe inescapablebloodypitofHIV.
asawarmeroceantemperatureandhigher humiditylevelsmostlikelyresultedinthe creationofanenvironmentmoreconducive tothedevelopmentofthefourpreviously continuoustyphoons.
Thesemajorfactorsledtotheincrease ofintensityandfrequencyoftyphoons, makingthemmoredestructiveandemerge frequently.Leadingtothetyphoonstohitthe Philippinesduetothecountryʼsgeological locationbeingneartheequator,whereocean watersarewarmthatisintensifiedbythe catastrophiceffectsofclimatechange.
Despitetheviciouswhistlingwindsof typhoons,amotherlyprotectorshieldsits loomingthreatwithitsmountainousterrain. SierraMadreactsasanaturalbarrieragainst tropicalcyclones,slowingdownand deflectingstrongwinds,significantly reducingtheirintensitybeforetheyreach inlandareas.
Thereisagrayscaleworldbehindthe vibrantjoyofstudentsduetothesuspended classes.Afterthenever-endingloopof typhoons,Tristan,alongwithhisfellow studentsarenowstrugglingtocatchupto themissedlessons,asaresultofthe nightmarishloopoftyphoons.
Asthemoonshiftsitsformintoawarm lightinthestarrynight,soothingwindsmark theendofabloodymassacre.Amaskof twistedreliefwaswornbyTristan,whilehe realizedthatdisastersshouldnotbetaken lightlyandjoyfully.Foritshouldbetaken seriouslyinordertoavoidtheloopingtrapof thetwistingwickedtyphoons.
CLIMATE
Illustrated by Yz-ra Pajarillo
Illustrated by Ira Elegado
STEM Students explore scientific concepts through hands-on experience by Zuleika Bimmoy
Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students of Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) immersed themselves in actual laboratory experiments investigating biological processes through direct observation and analysis, one of highlight of their first semester experience.
Undertheguidanceoftheir GeneralBiologyteacher,SirBryan Concepcion,RN,studentsperformed variousexperiments.Twoofthemost notableexperiencesfromtheirfirst semesterweretheinvestigationof spontaneousgenerationinthefirst quarterandexperimentsonplant
processes,suchasphotosynthesis, transpiration,andpigmentextraction, inthesecondquarter.
Inthefirstexperiment,students testedthespontaneousgeneration theorybyplacingrawmeatinthree differentcontainers:onesealed,one open,andonecoveredwithgauze.
Over14days,theyobservedthe presenceofmaggotsineachsetup analyzinghowenvironmentalexposure affectsthedecompositionprocess.
Duringthesecondexperiment, studentsexaminedplantfunctionsby usingacetonetoextractpigmentsfrom leaves,observingrootgrowthina hydroponicmonggosetup,andtesting
Akeyobservationwashow shakingatesttubecontaining choppedleavesandacetoneturned theliquidadifferentcolor,revealingthe presenceofplantpigments.
"Anggaling,akalakokasikapag kulaypurpleyungkulayngleaf,purple rinyunglalabasnakulayngtubig,hindi pala,"JohnMarkEquiasfrom11-Neon, shared
AccordingtoConcepcion,these laboratoryactivitieshelpstudents understandscientificconceptsbeyond textbooksandheencouragesthe studentstomakeobservations,ask questions, anddrawconclusions based onexperimental results.
SEATCA calls for e-cigarettes ban; ASHS admins strengthen rules against vape, tobacco by Azlenne Timoteo
“These products are harmful and not effective for quitting tobacco us.”
This was the call of Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) as they appeal for e-cigarettes ban, reinforcing the call of World Health Organization (WHO) for urgent action to prevent the trend of e-cigarettes use among the youth and adults.
Theassociationpointedout thatASEANnationslikethe Philippinesthatpermitthesaleof e-cigaretteshavethehighestrates ofe-cigaretteuse.Accordingto them,teensbetweentheagesof13 and15aretheoneswhouseecigarettesthemost.
Accordingtothedatafromthe 2019GlobalYouthTobaccoSurvey (GYTS),morethan14%ofFilipino
adolescentsbetweentheagesof 13and15usee-cigarettes;the prevalenceishigherformalesthan forgirls,atover20%and7.5%, respectively.
Inaddition,accordingtothe DepartmentofScienceand Technology-FoodandNutrition ResearchInstitute's(DOST-FNRI) ExpandedNationalNutrition Survey,thepercentageof adolescentsaged10to19who currentlysmokeincreasedfrom 1.6%in2019to4.2%in2022.
Pursuanttothis,accordingto theAuroraSeniorHighSchool (ASHS)StudentʼsHandbookArticle XSection7inlinewiththeDepEd OrderNo.48,s.2016orthePolicy andGuidelinesonComprehensive TobaccoControl,theuseofecigarettesandothertypesof tobaccoisconsideredasagrave offense.
Misconceptions Lead to Low Turnout at ASHS Deworming Event by Zuleika Bimmoy
Despite efforts to promote National Deworming Month, misconceptions and fears about deworming led to a low participation at Aurora Senior High School (ASHS), where the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Aurora conducted its First Patient Encounter, February 17.
Fearandmisconception appearedtobemajorfactorsbehind thelowturnout,withoneparticipant from11-Archimedes,sixfrom11Beryllium,andonlyfourfrom11Neonavailingthemselvesofthefree dewormingactivity.
"Nakakatakotkasi,bakamay lumabasnabulatesakatawanko," KnightGalizafrom11-Archimedes shared.
RuzzelGuillermofrom11Berylliumalsoexpressedhisdoubts, sayinghedoesnʼtbelieveinthe
However,inasurvey conductedbyTheQuest,23% learnersareconfirmede-cigarette usersintheschoolwiththeage rangingfrom15-19.
“Nagvevapepoakokasi pinasubokposaakinngmgatropa ko,”anASHSstudentwho requestedforanonymityshared, addingthatdespiteknowingthe riskofusinge-cigarettes,he cannotavoidusingitonadaily basis.
Inlightwiththebarely controlledtrendine-cigaretteuse, theWHOadvisedcountriesthat permitthesale,commercialization, importation,andproductionofecigarettestoimplementstrict regulationstolessenitsappealand harmtothepublic,suchaslimiting theamountandqualityofnicotine theycontainandimposingtaxes.
effectivenessofthedewormingpill.
“Yungporgakasesaakineh parangditotoo,taposehparangdi akonaniniwalanamaylalabasna uod.Kasenungnagpupurgaako nun,walanamanglumalabasnauod kahitnamaramingbesesnaakong nagpupurga,”Guillermostated.
Inresponsetothelow participation,BryanR.Conception, RN,theschoolnurse,emphasized theneedforbetterinformation disseminationtoaddress misconceptionsaboutdeworming.
“Moreoninformation disseminationangkailangankasi maramingmisconceptionsangmga estudyantetungkolsadeworming. Maramiangtakotmag-deworm kahitnaligtasatgoodforourhealth namansiya,”ConceptionStated.
NurseAbigailDeJesusOpido ofRHU-Auroraemphasizedthat dewormingisconductedeverysix
monthstomaintaingoodhealthand improvelearningamongyoung ones.
"Sinasagawaitokasemaari yungmgabatanalilimutannanila yungproperhygiene,yung paghuhugasngkamaybagoat pagkataposkumain,tsaka pagsusuotngtsinelaspagnasa labas,"sheexplained.
Sheaddedthattheprogram wasextendedtoseniorhighschool studentstopreventanemiacaused byintestinalparasites.
Additionally,moststudents whoattendedtheeventonly participatedinbloodtestingto determinetheirbloodtyperather thanavailingthedeworming service.
IMPACT OF MISCONCEPTIONS. Although National Deworming Month was actively promoted, misconceptions and fears surrounding deworming resulted in low participation at Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) during the Rural Health Unit's (RHU) First Patient Encounter on February 17.
Photo taken by Zuleika Bimmoy
BOOK LESSONS TO REAL LIFE EXPERIMENTATION.
Grade 11 STEM students at Aurora Senior High School, led by Bryan Concepcion, conducted hands-on experiments to explore biological processes, including spontaneous generation, photosynthesis, and transpiration, to enhance their understanding on scientific concepts.
Photos retrieved from Bryan Concepcion
Illustrated by Jerico Raneses
HISTORIC FEAT ASHS scientists, mathematicians stand tall in RSTF 2025 by Jefferson Nueva
Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) researchers dominate in the in the Regional Science Technology Fair (RSTF) competition at Santiago City High School, January 24.
JanelBiltzelSimonsecuredfirstplace earningherspotasaNationaland InternationalQualifierintheLifeScience Individualcategory,withJenniferA.Olaldeas hercoach.
AccordingtoSimon,sheherselfdidthe revisionsandpaperworksundertheguidance ofMaamJenneferOlaldeandMaam JonnabelleGamino.
“Myfriendsalsohelpedwiththedisplay board,myfamilysupportedmethroughout, andIcouldnʼthavedoneitwithoutHis(God) guidance,"Simonfurthersaidassheshared thereasonsbehindachievinghervictory.
Meanwhile,JohnZyrilleK.Lazaro,Cyrille MaeB.Limos,andJeoffeHeardyR. AlejandrinoearnedsecondplaceinthePoster Making(Secondary)category,withBryanR. Concepcionastheircoach.
ShahhadManejaplacedthirdinthe RoboticsandIntelligentMachinesIndividual category,alsoundertheguidanceofBryanR. Concepcion.
Additionally,duringtheDivisionScience TechnologyFair(DSTF)competition,Kelly MishaNool,JohnZyrilleLazaro,PeteAndrei LapueblaintheScienceInnovationExpo,Life ScienceTeamMa.PiaJanineDuque,Cyrille
TINGLING LIGHT by Vinz Spencer Hao
As the malicious shadows shrouded a bountiful field shining with gold, faint creepy tingles were heard in the veiled space. Cold shivers run down the spine of a 17-year-old student researcher, Janel Blitzel Simon, while she swiftly scrambles over the internet, searching for light within the spreading dangers of darkness.
AnewsarticlemadeJanelʼsheartrace withtremorsineverybeat.Forshefoundout thattheRegionalAgriculturalCouncilin Region2(RAFC2)hasofficiallydeclaredwar againstthewickedappetiteoftheRiceBlack Bugs(RBB)duetoitsendlessspreadstarting fromPalawanandspreadingallacrossthe Philippines.
Withthisconcern,Janelstarteda researchstudythatwasabletoqualifyforthe NationalScienceandTechnologyFair(NSTF), titled“Bio-PesticidalPotentialofMahogany LeavesEthanolicExtractAgainstRiceBlack BugforSustainablePesManagement”to addressthisspreadingdilemma.
Mahoganyleaves(Swietenia macrophylla)containanethanolicextractthat haspestcontrolpropertiesorbio-pesticidal properties.Ithasthepotentialofeliminating pestsespeciallytheRiceBlackBugs(RBB), locallyknownas“itimnaatangya”,isasapsuckinginsectthattargetsriceplantsatall stagesofgrowthandcauseseverecropless.
ASHS STEM students show off innovative solutions by Jefferson Nueva
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students showcased their skills and creativity in Problem Scilution competition, an on the spot creative problem-solving using research investigation, during the Science Week Celebration with the theme “Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maaginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan,” September 12.
Participantsfromsixsectionsof—11Argon,11-Beryllium,11-Neon,12-Cepheus,12Orion,and12-Polaris—competedintheProblem Sci-lutionwithinathree-hourtimeframe startingat1:09pm.
AccordingtoJunelMadarang,EdD,wholed theprogram,themaingoaloftheeventisto helpstudentsimprovetheircriticalthinking skillsandteachthemtosolveproblemsusing scientificevidences.
“Dahilitoangisasamgakailangannatin ngayonangscientificintelligence”,“hindilang bastaisip.weneedtobaseourdecisionson factsandproof,”Madarangfurtherstated.
Moreover,JericoRañesesof12-Polaris, mentionedthat,inProblemSci-Lutiontheyare givenaspecificproblemthatconcernsthe generalpublicandtheyneedtomakeasolution fortheproblem.
“Anyonecanthinkofaproblem,butinscilution,youneedtomakethatideaintoaplan thatfollowsscientificmethod,thattakesmore thanjustintelligencebutalsocreativity,”he furtherdescribed.
DaniellaMabuti,PreciousLhynZalunand IanneBagcalof11-Argonsecuredfirstplace, JericoRañeses,JanelSimon,andJanelle Yamsonof12-Polarisearnedsecondplaceand VinzHao,OlivheaVergara,andJayrelLaureta from11-Neongotthirdplacer.
Limos,andKeithXyreneOrdinariosecured firstplacewhile,thePhysicalScienceTeam composedofJeoffeHeardyAlejandrino, JustinDalauidao,andAldrinMamaspas,got secondplaceduringtheDSTFandlanded finalistsintheRSTF.
JanelBiltzelSimonwillrepresentRegion 2intheNationalScienceTechnologyFair (NSTF)LifeSciencecategorywhichwillbe heldatLaoagCity,IlocosNorteonFebruary 2025,withallofthefirstplaceNational qualifierswhoarealsoqualifiedforthe Internationallevel.
“Weareproudofourselvesaseveryone knowsintelligenceisanimportantpartof science,butaswehaveshowedtoday researchersareabletothinkcreatively”,Daniella Mabuti,oneofthewinners,said.
TheScienceDepartment,in partnershipwiththeSTEMClub,YES-OClub, DRRMClub,STARClub,andMathClub, organizedtheeventaimedtoshowcase students'creativeideas.
UNIQUE LIGHT OF BRILLIANCY
Thesaidstudyaimstodiscussthebiopesticidalpotentialofmahoganyleaves extractagainstRBBsinAuroraIsabelathrough determiningthephytochemicals(compunds foundinplantsthathelpprotectthemfrom diseasesandenvironmentaldamage)present inmahoganyleavesextractanddeterminethe motralityrateoftheRBBswhenexposedto thesaidextract.
LIGHT WITHIN DARK
AccordingtothedataanalysisofJanelʼs researchstudy,50%ofthetestorganisms consistingRBBsdiedduringtheconduction ofvariousdoseresponsemethods.This showsthatthemahoganyleavesextracthad a50%mortalityratetowardstheRBBs.
Thestudyusedaquantitative–experimentalresearchdesignspecifically RandomizedCompleteBlockDesign(RCBD). Janelwasableoextracttheleavesextractof themahoganyleavesbyshredding,thenairdriedforanhourbeforebeingimmersedina 95%ethanolfor14days.
SPREADING DARKNESS
Despiteofthepromisingresultsof Janelʼsstudy,mahoganyleavesas insecticidescanhinderthegrowthof seedlingsotherthanricesuchaslettuce seedlings,asstatedbytheIndonesianJournal ofBiotechnology.
“Theaimofsciencefairsisnottofind technologicalbreakthroughsovernight.Italso
aims toopen new pathways forfuture researchersto walkonto”,Janel saidwithaglimmering faceofhope.Janelhad wontheRegionalScience andTechnologyfairheldat SantiagoCity,Isabelawithan astonishing1stplace.Janel fueledwithatechnological visiontoshapethefuturetoa bettertomorrow.
shadowsoftheRiceBlack Bugsdecayintonothingness, acalmsoothingtinglewas heardbyJanel.Forshedreams ofaworldwherethetingling lightoftechnologyshines throughthespreading darknessofRBBs,freefromits infestingshadows.
18 SPORTS ASHS varsities take podium finish in IsPAA 2025 by Reyric Arellano
Student athletes from Legislative District 5 (LD5) represented by Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) secures podium finish in multiple sporting events in this yearʼs recently concluded Isabela Provincial Athletic Association (IsPAA) meet held on February 12 to 15, 2025.
EventsinwhichASHSdelegates representedincludes,VolleyballGirls, Basketball5x5forbothBoysandGirls category,Athletics,andDancesport.
LD5FemaleSpikerssealedtheirthird consecutiveIsPAAchampionshipwiththe helpoftheirteamcaptainandMVP MichaelaJaneGregorio.
Otherplayersfromtheteamwere alsorecognizedwithspecialawards,Lyka MaeBauiwasawaredastheBestServer, BeverlynRufinasBestLibero,andDevora MaeBartolomefortheBestSetter.
BasketballGirls5x5placedsecond, takinghomeaSilverMedalaftersuffering alossinaclosegameof61-63against AliciafromLD3.
However,threeplayersfromLD5— AireenAraza,PrincessPagador,andYjhae DelaCruz—caughtpeopleʼsattentionwith theirpresenceonthecourt,givingthema tickettocompetewithLD3torepresent theProvinceofIsabelaintheCagayan ValleyRegionalAthleticAssociation (CAVRAA)meet.
Ontheotherhand,intheboys categoryofthesameevent,LD5secured aBronzeMedal,afterendingtheir2-1 recordthroughoutthewholetournament inalossagainstLD1intheQuarterfinals.
Meanwhile,oneof thesolodelegatesfrom LD5,JerwinDomingo, securedapodium finishinthe4x100m Hurdleseventinthe Athletics,placing3rdto takehometheBronze.
Despitenottaking homeasinglemedal, theDancesportLatin teamareabletoreach theSemifinalsround, somethingthedancers areproudof.
AccordingtoJhon MarkPancho,oneof thedancersfrom ASHS,tobeableto reachthesemifinals roundissuchabig achievementforhim.
“Kahitnahindi kaminakaabotng finals,yungnakapagperform kamiandnairepresentnaminsasemifinals roundyungschool[namin]malakingtuwa nanaminyun,”Panchoadded.
Athleteswhoqualifiedforthe CAVRAA2025willrepresentIsabelalater thisMarchatSantiagoCity,Isabela.
LARONG LAHI: PAWAY LATA (TUMBANG PRESO) by Jaycermel Manganaan
Empty and silent are words that could describe most streets and neighborhoods nowadays, far from the old days, when it was always full of life with people outside their houses having their everyday chitchat or conversations, and loud children running around, playing their favorite traditional Filipino games or Laro ng lahi.
Laronglahiaregamesthatareplayed acrossmultiplegenerations,usuallyusing nativematerials.Oneofthecrowd-favorite Laronglahithatismostlyseenonevery streetistheTumbangPreso(Knockdown theprisoner),whichhighlightsits popularitybybeingplayedoutdoorsandits benefitsforchildren'shealthandfitness.
Thegameinvolvesmultipleplayers, withtheuseofsimplematerialssuchasa slipperandacan,orifnot,ausedwater bottle.Themechanicsaresimple,aplayer justneedstothrowtheslipperaimingto knockdownthecan,andanotherplayer,on theopposingsidecalledthe“taya”(the "it")attemptstoguardit.
Toearnapoint,onejustneeds precisionandguts,whetheritbeinaiming oringuarding.Oncethegamestarts, competitivespiritsarefiredup,andwitha littletensionintheair,eachplayerareeager towinnomatterwhat.
Unfortunately,thisgame,alongside otherLarongLahi,areslowlyfadinginthe backgroundduetothefastadvancement
oftechnology,beingreplacedbyvideo games,notonlyinthebusyurbansetting, butalsoinruralareaslikeAurora.
Howeveritisnevertrulygone, becausetherearestillsomeplaceswhere youcanfindnotonlychildren,butadults playinggameslikeTumbangpresoto amuseandprovideasenseofrelaxationfor themselves,oneofwhichisAuroraSenior HighSchool.Itisoneofthefewplaces whereyoucanstillfindstudentsplaying variousLaronglahi,showcasingstudents whoaretryingtostayphysicallyactive,and havefun,whilealsotryingtopreserve FilipinoculturalHeritage.
ForJoanaNicoleAntinor,agrade12 studentfromAuroraSeniorHighSchool whostillentertainherselfbyplaying Traditionalgamessays"Ibaparinang laronglahi,angamingmgalaronoon kumparangayon.Masmasayaatmas nadaramamoangkaligayahannoonsa tuwingnasalabaskaatnakikipaglarosa kapwabatahindituladngayonna,mas babadnasamgagadgetangilangmga
kabataannaminsa'ynaririnigpang nagmumurasapakikipaglarosakanikanilangmgacellphones.”
Therearealsodifferentplacesand instanceswheretraditionalgamesare utilizedtoestablishcountlesstournaments andevents,liketheDeped's2023 PalarongPambansawhichshowcased gameslikeKadang-kadang,Patinteroand TumbangPreso.
LarongLahiisamajorpartofthe Philippineculturalheritage,showing Filipinoʼsingenuityandresourcefulness, findingenjoymentinthesimplestitemslike cansandslippers.Itisimportantforusto keepthesetraditionsalive,preservingthe filipinoidentity,catchinguptothe steadfastdevelopmentoftheworld.
Soinsteadofshrinkingyourworld toasingletinyscreen,getting swallowedupbytechnologyevery minuteofeveryday,itʼshightimeyoupick yourselfup,andrelivetheoldculturesof ourveryownheritage,LarongLahiTumbangPreso.
Inlastyear'sCAVRAA, Isabelateamwhichwasalso delegatedbyathletesfromASHS, whoarethenthedefending champions,sufferedfromanupset inthesemifinalsroundagainst NuevaViscayawhichwasthen crownedaschamps.
Determinedtotakebacktheir throne;startingtherunhot handed,teamIsabelaalready establishedtheircontrolinthe courtduringtheeliminationround, throughtheirwell-executed servicesandrotationsagainst Ilagan,settinga2-0scoreintheir firstgame.
Intheirsecondgame,Isabela retainedtheircomposureasthey onceagainsweptQuirinooffthe courtwithascoreof2-0.
However,theirthirdgame becameintenseastheirNueva Vizcayaopponentscoredaone setwin.
Isabelathenregainedtheir momentumwinningtwosetsin thegame,sendingthemto CAVRAAsemifinals.
Duringthesemifinalsround againstthedelegatesfrom Tuguegarao,Isabelateamscoreda hard-fought2-1winastheir opponentwonthesecondset.
Determinedtomakea comebackfromlastyear'ssemis setback,Isabelashowedtheir aggressivesetsandspikes winningthedecidingsetofthe game,advancingtotheFinals roundtoonceagainfighthead-tohead.
Inthefinalsroundagainstthe defendingchampions—Nueva Vizcaya,Isabelaeasilysecuredthe firsttwosetsofthegamesetting uptheirtempoforthematch.
However,theirgamebecame intenseonthelasttwosetswhen NuevaViscayatookover
Illustrated by Jerico Raneses
by Azlenne Timoteo
Isabela Netters reclaims championship crown, spikes back to Pambansa
Isabela Secondary Girls Volleyball team, represented by athletes from Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) redeems their lost glory, clinching their Palarong Pambansa ticket after taking over Nueva Vizcaya in a 3-1 fashion in the Volleyball Girls finals match of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet on April 26.
Photo taken by Jim Bautista
thethirdset,aimingtorecover fromtheir2-setdeficit.
Withtheirburningdesireto securetheirchancetorepresent CagayanValleyintheNationals onceagain,Isabelaregainedtheir momentuminthedecidingset, endingthegamewithan impactfulspikefromthe Captain,MichaelaJane Gregorio,eventuallysealing a3-1setvictorytobag hometheGold.
Meanwhile,Abegail Escobar,oneoftheteam's coachessharedinaninterview thattheteamwentintoarigid trainingandmonitoreddiet, addingthattheyassuredthat theirathleteshaveenoughtimeto bondwitheachothertomake theirteamworkbetter,andalways prayedtoGod.
"Struggletalaganaminis yungstaminanamin,mabilis kamingmapagodkayamas papatibayinpaponaminyung staminanamin,"Michaela Gregorio,theteam'sCaptain alsoshared,addingthatthe teamwilldotheirbetto improvetheirflawsforthe upcomingnationals.
Aurora Footballers fight until the end, settles for Bronze in Area Meet
athrow-inwasthrownwell,leadingto adecisivegoalfromaheaderby forwardCarlJohnMingming.
Aurorawasforcedontheback footintheopeningminutesofthe match,asLuna'srelentlessattacks resultedinseveralshotsongoal.
Itdidn'ttakelongforLunato scorethefirstandonlygoalofthe matchthatcamefromawell-placed throw-inthatwaskeptoutby Aurora'sgoalkeeperbuteventually
THE STARS ALL ALIGNED Amidst the bustling noise and loud shouts echoing around the space full of skilled dancers, an unexplained feeling of quietness struck the Dance Sports Team of Aurora Senior High School as the blinding gleam of the spotlight, that was once pointed towards them now faded dim.
Yes,thelightswereblinding,but thatlightwasthegoal.Despitethe painandsacrificesitcarries.
MAGNETIC CONSTELLATION
Theteamʼsformationwasno accident,theyarechosen,thesame waythedancechosethem.Drawing themtotheworkbytheirburning passionandcoveteddesireto competeatthehighestlevelofthe competitionintheregion;the CagayanValleyRegionalAthletic Association(CaVRAA)Meet.
However,nomatterhow passionateanddedicatedtheteamis tograbthatfinaltrophy,theyaremet withroadblocksalongtheway,making theirjourneyfarfromasmooth-sail. Justlastyear,astheteamwasonthe vergeofcapturingthatspotinthe CaVRAA,aninjurywassufferedbyone athlete,makinganalmost-but-notquitemomentonceagainforhow manyyears.
Butasateam,eveninthatshort periodoftime,theylearnednotonlyto co-existwithoneanother,buttogive eachotheralift-upduringthehardest
headedbyMingmingintothebackof thenet,1-0.
Aurorabecamemore aggressivewithquickcounterattacks inthesecondhalfastheysearched foranequalizerforthematch.
Towardsthedyingmomentsof thematch,Aurorafoundit increasinglychallengingtokeep Luna'sdefenseatbay,asthey slumpedintoamoredefensive
falls.Theycreatedamagneticfield thatkeptthemcomingbackinthe armsofoneanother,todanceandbet theirchancesnomatterhowhardit couldget.
THE LAST PLACE
Theirtimeisnotinfinite,given thattheyarealsojuststudentswho havealottocatchuponlecturesand lessons.Buttheymakeeverysecond countbystudyingindaylight,and traininginnighttime,sacrificingtheir supposedrestsandotherpersonal commitments,whichisnosmallfeat.
Astheydancetheirwaybackto thesportonelasttime,theiraimisto comebackstronger,notcomparedto othercontenders,butcomparedtothe performancetheyhaveputupinthe previousyear.Thisisthelast redemption,butitisalsoachanceto putupaworthwhilefightwithin themselves,witheffortandneverwith regret.
QUIET SUPERNOVA
Aspeoplefromdifferentdistricts filledtheSportsComplexofCordon,
mindsetandwerenotableto penetrateLunaʼsformation. TheirvictoryallowedLunato reachthefinals,inwhichtheywent upandbeatQuirinoDistrict,who haveatwice-to-beatadvantageto bringhometheGoldandadvanceto IsabelaProvincialAthletic Association(IsPAA)Meet.
Ontheotherhand,Aurora wouldhavetobesatisfiedwiththe bronzemedal.
wheretheIsabelaProvincialAthletic AssociationMeet(ISPAA)isheldfor DanceSports,agrowingtension loomedovertheathletes,butwhat roseaboveallistheirurgetopour everythingontheirfinalperformance.
Theircalculatedfootworkand gracefulmovementsmadeamarkon everycorner,alongwiththatfulfilling senseofenjoymentastheydanced acrossthedancefloor.Theygaveit theirbestshot,buttheirlastdancejust fellshortonmakingthecut–close enoughtosting,butnotcloseenough togainaspot.
Thestarsallalignedwithfate,but notintheirfavor,theirending explodedquitelikeaquietsupernova; thedeathofastarthatleftitscore–its heart–behind.Theyhavegottenlost intheranks,butthatonlyignitedthe flamebrighterwithineverysingleone ofthem,makingthemwanttokeep comingback,totheworldthat completedthem–theworldwhere theyfeelmostalive;theworldof dance.
LD5 AREA MEET LUNA VS QUIRINO FINALS RESULT
by Abegail Dela Cruz
by Jim Bautista
LAST DANCE. Despite facing setbacks and heartbreak, Princess Nicole Mendoza (Left) and Jhon Mark Pancho (Right), danced with unwavering passion, leaving it all on the floor in their final performance. According to Mendoza and Pancho, their journey may have ended but the fire they ignited within themselves will continue to burn brightly, propelling them to return stronger.
Photo taken by Abegail Dela Cruz
BRONZE FINISH. John Loyd Bagcal, basketball boys representative for Legislative District (LD) 5, competes against LD1 for the bronze medal in the quarterfinals.
In addition, LD5 basketball boys finished the game with a bronze finish.
Photo taken by Olvhea Vergara
CAME-BACK STRONGER.Aurora Senior High School
Volleyball girls team determinedly prepares for their next match with Legislatives District 1 for the championship.
Photo retreived from Abegail Escobar
Luna District's tenacious attacks outlasts Aurora District's defense which led to a narrow
Hearingtheloudsoundwasthesignal,adrenalinerushedoffthroughthebody.The worldaroundisnowjustablur,allthatmattersisthefinishlinegrowingclosereverysecond thatpasses.Thoseracesarenevereasy,thepressureneverreallystopsasyoureachtheend. Oneraceeventuallycomesafteranother.
Thefeelinga student-athleteknows andlivestoowellin sportsisthetiring trainingformonths,or evenyears,toreach excellencedemandedin everyskill.Despitethe exhaustiontheyfeel, movingforwardbecomes theironlyoption. Sometimes,their dedicationinthefieldof sportscomesatacost.
Student-athletes juggledualresponsibilities astheyhavetoexcelin sportswhilemaintaining theiracademicperformance aswell.Theyrepresentthe school,theregion,invarious competitionsthatdemands muchoftheirtimeand attention,leavinglittletono roomfortheiracademic responsibilities.
leadtocomplacencyinthelongrun, makingthemforgetthevalueof disciplinethatbotheducationand sportsaimtoinstillonstudents.
Therearelessonsyoucan neverlearnanywherebutinschool. Educationoffersopportunities beyondthetrack,itopensdoorsfor broaderfieldsforlifeaftersports.No matterhowmuchwedenyit, educationisthetoolforlasting success,itarmsuswiththeskills,it teachesstudentstheknowledge neededtosurviveinan unpredictableworld,noother achievementscanreplace.
Moreover,thereareothersthat workhardwithouttheprivileges.We havetokeepfairnessrunning always,anyimbalancescanbreak thetruststudentsplaceinthe educationsystem.Sojustasyou wouldnotaffordtomissapractice, attendingtoschoolwheneveryou canisabigdeal.Everydayisa chancetogetprovethatyoucan balanceboth.
Itwillnotbeaseasy,the pressurewillsurelyintensify,butno oneisholdingyoubackbutyourself. Keeprunningasyoufacethereality, thattheworldwillnotstopforyou, andyourfuturewillnotwaituntilyou reachthefinishline.Lifeitselfisa sport,butinthisrace,nomatterhow fastyousprint,youcanneveroutrun reality.
Aurora V-ballers secure three national tickets
Isabela's Volleyball
Secondary Girls, and Elementary Girls and Boys, all delegated by Aurora netters, dominates the recently concluded Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet to advance to Palarong Pambansa.
SecondaryGirlsfromASHS reclaimedtheirspotaschamps afterwinningagainstdefending champsNuevaViscaya.
ElementaryGirlsfromACS defendedtheircrown,while BoysalsofromACSupgraded theirlastyearʼssilvertogold.
Three ASHS Female Hoopers advances to Palarong Pambansa
Isabela's Basketball 5x5 Secondary Girls team grabs their Palarong Pambansa ticket with a 59-54 score from Cagayan who holds the last year's championship title in the recently concluded Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet.
FemaleHooperswho representedIsabelain CAVRAAincludedthree fromrepresentativesfrom AuroraSeniorHighSchool; YjhaeDelaCruz,Aireen Araza,andPrincess Pagador
Tosupportthem, educationalinstitutionsoffer themtheneeded consideration,withthem automaticallygettinghighest marksobtained,theynolonger havetoworrymuchaboutbeing leftbehindlessonsandtheir peers.
However,nosuchsystemis withoutaflaw.Whileitistruethat manystudentathletesare responsibleenoughtoattend theirclassesevenwhentheyare tiredfromtraining,sometimes,the specialbenefitsaretakenfor granted.Somestudent-athletes becometemptedtotakethe shorteuts,sincetheyalready expectthebestasagiven.Thiscan
Youarenotastudentin oneworldandanathletein another.Youarea student-athleteandthat meansexcellinginboth. Truly,doingitisneveras easyassaying,butfor anathletethatis honedforyears,itis neverimpossible.The sprintyouhavetomake isnotagainstyour competitors,itisagainst yourself.Thedouble-burden youhavetocarrywhileyour bodycravesrestandyour academicresponsibilitieskeep youupneedsyoutopushagainst yourlimits.
The Quest is now ONLINE
