S ubjects under Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) have been an avenue for HUMSS students to develop critical viewpoint and understanding of governmental and social issues especially so that many senior high students are already participating in national election. SEE FULL STORY ON P
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epartment of Education (DepEd) released the DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2024 on February 19 stating that the current school year will conclude on May 29-31, respectively, while the opening of classes for the next school year will begin on July 29, 2024.
On a survey conducted across strands after the release of the DepEd Order, Seventy-seven percent (77%) of the Aurora Senior High School backed the re-opening of classes in July.
While most of the students supported this, there were still 23% of the 1,549 ASHSians who declined.
Based on the survey, the students who supported the reversion of the school calendar said that they are used to the original schedule besides the summer heat is unfavorable to learning.
“I support the DepEd memorandum; since last year, during the months of April and May, the heat was intense – I believe that returning the normal academic calendar will be more convenient for us,” Precious Rumbaoa, student of 12 - Fahrenheit said.
“I think mahihirapan lang naman tayo sa end ng sem na ito dahil pinaiksi kaya baka isisiksik ang mga lesson at activities natin.. Hindi naman biglaan
na ibalik ang klase agad sa June” Fatima Manucdoc, Grade 11- Diamond, seconded.
Meanwhile, students who declined the school calen-
dar reversion concern that there might be overloading of lessons and activities for this second semester which may be difficult to other learners to cope with. I n an ambush interview, Jerico Rañeses of 11-Diamond said that he is not in favor to the newly released adjustment of the school calendar because it is quite late. According to him, as the time for learning for the second semester would get shorter –lessons and activities will have less time as well to be properly executed.
In addition, Heherson David from TVL 11-Nephrite there is no need to revert the school calendar since students are already accustomed to the current school calendar.
“Hindi naman na kailangang baguhin yung schedule para sa susunod na school year, maraming estudyante na ang nakapag-adjust sa sitwasyong ito,” he told The Quest during an interview.
This move of the DepEd aims to gradually revert the school calendar to June without drastically affecting the vacation period of the learners and teachers.
Aurora Senior High School joined the banner of change as eager footsteps are echoing with the commencement of Project Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), where learners are encouraged to take part in various reading activities starting January 12.
Fresh excitement dawned as students, faculty, staff, and PTA representatives waved their books to mark the beginning of the new season of love for reading. These candid moments encapsulated the essence of Project DEAR – a shared celebration of knowledge, imagination, and the power of a good book. This sets the stage for an event that promised not
just academic growth but a cultural shift in how reading is perceived.
In classrooms, students embrace their literary companions, recognizing books as not just sources of information but as portals to new worlds and endless possibilities. Reading sessions, scrabble, word factories, word bingo and other enjoyable activities that promote reading comprehension
and help students develop a habit of reading take place in classrooms throughout the day. It was a different fun book-picnic day for ASHSians!
“The initiative is fun, from sharing books we brought to reading it altogether with our friends and classmates. It injects a peaceful and transformative atmosphere because we aren’t focused on our phones throughout the day
but with our books,” Kelley Saldivar, a STEM student conveyed when asked about her experience during the event.
Project DEAR aims to break down barriers to reading and instill a lifelong love to reading and construing the syntax in between.
More than a program, it is a philosophy—a belief that the simple act of reading has the
senior high school student should be able to
and comprehend independently’
T
o profile the reading level of the learners and to determine learners who need reading remediation, language teachers spearheaded the conduct of reading assessment to all learners of Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) in September 2023.
According to Abegail Escobar, school Reading Coordinator, this activity aims provide direction in reading recovery to sustain and re-intensify the culture of reading.
Based on the result, 609 of the 736 Grade 11 learners who took the reading pre-test fell under frustration, and only 3 were considered as independent readers. For the grade 12 students, 478 of the 894 were identified under frustration and at least 89 as independent readers.
In relation to this, various strategies and activities of the school’s reading program are implemented to address the dilemma in reading. Some of these include peer reading, reading remediations to identified learners who are struggling in reading and
comprehension, reading integration across strands, daily word bank in every classroom, and establishment of reading pantries to every classroom.
“It is expected that every senior high school learner should be able to read and comprehend independently,” Escobar stated during an interview with The Quest.
With the result of the pre-test, Escobar said that teachers are willing to remediate struggling readers but the willingness to learn and improve must start with the learners themselves and with the support of the parents at home.
Meanwhile, learners who are undergoing reading remediation responded positively to the program.
“Nagpupunta po ako kay Ma’am kapag pinapatawag niya akong magbasa dahil gusto ko talagang matuto. Nagbabasa din ako sa bahay dahil sabi ni Ma’am,” Anthony Cariaga of 12- Augustine said when asked about his remedial reading sessions.
Students from Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) are having a tough time managing their money as buying things like food and transportation are getting expensive, making it hard for them to afford what they need.
Based on an interview with Precious Foronda from 11-Peridot, she mentioned that the increase in prices of goods affect her as she has to contemplate how to budget the money given to her especially when there are expenses for school-related matters.
“Ang mahal na din ng mga pagkain or lunch naming mga student, mga bilihin sa canteen, nagmamahalan din kaya gusto man naming magtipid, hindi namin magawa, ” Beatriz Lagutan of 11 Carnelian also added added.
Moreover, according to Eirich Jacob, student from 11-Amethyst, she
has to carefully consider each purchase, weighing whether it fits her allowance.
“Sa bilis ng pagmahal ng bilihin, pati mga school supplies. Kung dito sa malapit sa school bibili, mas mahal. Kung pupunta naman ng palengke, mahal din ng pamasahe” Jacob further stated.
Meanwhile, Pete Lapuebla, of 11-Diamond stated that alongside the rising prices of food comes the successive increase of gas prices.
“I opted to use a motorcycle because I thought it would be cheaper, but as of now, that is not shaping up to be the case,” Lapuebla said.
Additionally, he explained that the gas prices have become so high that commuting and his weekly gas expenses became the same; the only advantage is that he can control his time.
Based on the report by Aljazeera, a global education survey has revealed an “unprecedented” drop in academic advancement across various nations after the release of the result of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Results show that the global mathematics score has decreased by 15 points since the 2018 assessments, representing a decline equivalent to three-fourths of a year’s worth of learning. While, reading scores also dropped, equivalent to a decrease of half a year, while science scores have remained relatively stable.
Locally, Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) also underscores the need to provide numeracy remediation among the learners.
With this, ASHS conducted a numeracy test to Grade 11 students to assess who among them need to have remediation class. The said assessment includes basic arithmetic including integers, fractions and one to two-step word problems.
Out of seven hundred thirty-six (736) Grade 11 students, forty-three (43) students scored very low on the assessment test.
The identified 43 students then undergo tutorials under the school’s Numeracy Program.
“This aims to ensure that all students at Aurora Senior High School are equipped with basic numeracy skills to help them grow as learners and, of course, with math-related problems,” Sannyval Estabillo, Numeracy Coordinator, stated.
Estabillo then advised the students to have patience in attending the program, as this is not a way to discriminate them but rather to help them overcome their fear in mathematics.
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hilippine National Police (PNP), Public Order and Safety Unit (POSU), Barangay Officials of Ballesteros, Aurora and parents conducted a meeting at Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) regarding the operation of those vehicles used as students’ service to travel to and from school on September 2.
Crista Asuncion, the then School Disaster Risk Reduction Management (SDRRM) Coordinator, along with the then Prefect of Discipline, Junel Madarang, EdD, initiated the assembly of the agencies.
This initiative aimed to re-intensify the Provincial Executive Order No. 18 which strengthens various traffic laws and road safety. This also requires that only those with a driver’s license, registered vehicles or motorcycles with complete document are allowed on the road.
Moreover, the school implemented a gate pass system as agreed during the joint meeting. This indicates that only those students and service drivers who have professional driver’s license can have access to park their own vehicle within the school premises.
In relation, Land Transportation Office (LTO) officers sometimes show their presence near the school or along Alfonso Lista- Aurora Road.
“As a student who is bringing my own car at times, I appreciate this because this shows that the school cares about safety and convenience of students by controlling who enters and exits the school. Through this scheme, they can monitor the environment and safety of students plus we do not have to go through the hassle of waiting outside the exit gate,” John Louise Portuguese of 11 Diamond stated.
With the aim to gain real life experiences within their chosen fields, the first batch of Work Immersion students of Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) were deployed to different partner industries on March 4, 2024.
Czarina Santiago, a Work Immersion student at Ester Garcia Medical Hospital, highlights the valuable opportunity to observe, practice, and learn directly from experienced nurses in a work environment.
Meanwhile, Jerelyn Apellido, Grade 12 TVL, also stated that she is hoping that the 80- hour work immersion would be enough to give them opportunity to apply the theories and soft skills they learned inside the classroom.
“Itong work immersion namin dito ay nagbibigay talaga ng way para mai-apply ‘yong
mga basic knowledge namin sa totoong buhay.” Apellido, who is deployed at Amancio- Agri-tourism Academy, further stated during a phone interview.
Before the students were deployed, orientation was conducted to ensure that students will display proper behavior while they are in the field. This is also to assure that everybody can follow the work immersion guidelines and procedures.
“We have tried our very best to teach our students the soft skills they needed before the go out in the field,” Roger Ariola, TVL Work Immersion Coordinator, stated.
Meanwhile, the students under Work Immersion, specially the TVL, also hope that through this, they an really acquire skills and be job-ready after their graduation.
Students at Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) expressed concern over the surcharged fare and the speeding of some tricycle drivers during their daily commute to and from school.
Gillian, a grade 11 student, mentioned that sometimes she experienced shortage in her school allowance because of transportation.
“Ang hirap talaga para sa aming estudyante na pagkasyahin ang aming baon lalo na at nagpapatong pa sa pamasahe minsan ang ibang tricycle driver,” Gillian mentioned.
Meanwhile, aside from overloading, students also voiced
out that some experienced overspeeding on some tricycles, which may put students at risk.
“Nakakatakot minsan dahil ang bibilis nilang magpatakbo para makabalik agad at makakuha ng pasahero,” Shiela of Grade 11 added.
With this, Juan Manuel Martinez of 11 Amethyst said that an increase in police visibility during the lunch break along Ballesteros Road may possibly lessen incidents of over speeding.
In relation, Rey B. Bugayong, Chairman of the Ballesteros Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (BALTODA), explained that he is constantly
reminding his fellow tricycle drivers to not rush while driving, especially when the passengers are students.
Bugayong also addressed the concern about the overcharge fare on the students.
“Nakadepende kasi sa capacity ang binabayaran, halimbawa mag-isa lang ang pasahero, magdadagdag ng pamasahe pero kapag sa katabing barangay, twenty (20) pesos lang ang babayaran,” he explained.
The BALTODA president then assured that measures are to be taken once a report or complaint is made regarding over speeding or overcharging fares.
“Ipaalala po namin ulit sa meeting dahil inaaksiyonan naman po namin agad ang mga bagay na ganito,” Bugayong added.
Meanwhile, Bugayong also made an appeal to students to also exercise discipline and care in using public transportations.
“May mga studyante din po kasi na ipilit nilang magkakasabay sila sa iisang tricycle kahit na higit sila sa lima.” he further explained.
Commission on Population and Development (CDP)-Region 2 reported through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Region 2 a significant decline in teenage pregnancy incidents in the region.
It is remembered that Region 2 ranked first with highest teenage pregnancy rate nationwide in 2013 after it posted 11.2 percent pregnant teenage girls ages 15 to 19.
In relation, Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) also sees a decrease in teenage pregnancy cases dropping from 14 students last school year 2022-2023 to 12 students of the current academic year.
In December, ASHS Peer Helpers Club and Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) conducted an Adolescent and Youth Pregnancy Symposium aiming to spread awareness about teenage pregnancy to senior high school students.
According to Zyryne Maguddayao, 11- Amber Vice President, symposium teach learners to make more informed choices and be more responsible in planning for the future.
“The teenage pregnancy symposium has opened my eyes to the reality and difficulty of teenage parenthood.
It has made me more mindful about the choices I make and has motivated me to think carefully before making any decisions that could affect my future”, Raja Prado of 11-Diamond explained.
According to Ms. Princess R. Concepcion, Guidance Counselor Designate, the bottom line of this initiative is
to remind students to make smart choices, knowing the consequences of their actions to drive their futures in the right direction.
“Piliin ang pangarap huwag ang panandaliang sarap,” Concepcion emphasized.
In a school-based survey, traffic congestion has emerged as one of the pressing concerns of the students at Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) as this causes them to arrive at school and home late and have a shorter time to do homeworks and household chores, which limits their time to rest.
Meanwhile, Bernard Sumbillo, Head of Public Order Safety Unit (POSU) of Aurora, explained that some undisciplined drivers add up to the traffic problems.
In addition, Sumbillo mentioned that students who are walking after school hours occupy almost half of the road, leading to a need for vehicles to maneuver around the students, impeding the traffic flow.
“Halos sabay-sabay po kasi ang labasan ng mga studyante, nagpapang-abot din ang galing sa ASHS, sa Doña at ang Central, malapit din po sa highway. At yung mga naglalakad na mga studyante, halos okupado na
nila yung daan,” he further mentioned.
However, Sumbillo reiterated that traffic only lasts for 20–30 minutes and subsides when students are already at home.
Likewise, considering the agricultural sector and booming economy of Aurora, large trucks sometimes coincide with the rush hour. Besides, almost all the intersections on the national highway are close to each other, resulting to busy roads. Sumbillo then added that the completion of the bypass road construction along San Pedro- San Pablo would significantly alleviate traffic congestion.
Moreover, Aurora serves as a thoroughfare to various other towns and a home to several students from the adjacent municipalities. In ASHS alone, based on the Registrar’s record, 26.45% of the whole population are coming from outside of the municipality.
Jefferson A. Nueva
Philippine National Police (PNP) and Public Order and Safety Unit (POSU) of Aurora increase their visibility and assistance to Aurora Senior High School to ensure the safety of students.
The PNP and POSU working together with the school’s security guards aims to alleviate the traffic and enforce road regulations, especially in the afternoon when many students are using single motorcycles.
“It’s good na laging nakikita ang mga pulis sa school dahil may ilang kapwa estudyante na naka-single motor ang nakakalimot sa batas lansangan at ang bibilis magpatakbo lalo kung magkakasama silang magkakatropa. Iwas din sa mga studyante gumagamit ng single motor kahit wala namang lisensiya”, Carl Josh Ralutin, grade 11 student, stated.
Regularly, the PNP and POSU positioned themselves in front of the school gate and command the flow of the vehicles during morning and after classes in the afternoon.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of the students from Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) are opting for a blended learning approach to mitigate the challenges posed by scorching summer heat, based on the school-based survey on April 1.
The data also shows that 22% of the students prefer a modular approach, while 15% still want face-to-face learning.
In an interview with Darwin Tolentino from 11-Pearl, he stated that the heat makes it incredibly hard for him to concentrate on his studies, which affects his performance.
“Sa ganitong init ay nakakahilo, para kaming niluluto. Hindi kaya ng electric fans lalo sa hapon dito sa building naming. Kawawa ang mga estudyante, lalo na ang mga may sakit,” Tolentino further stated.
Additionally, according to Eliza Baniqued from 11-Diamond, modular classes were previously implemented during the pandemic, so it is not hard for them to adjust if they were to be reinstated due to the intense heat.
Meanwhile, despite the rising temperature, there are still 15% of ASHSians who still want face-to-face learning.
The recent introduction of the Department of Education (DepEd) Memorandum No. 001 s.2024 or Implementation of Catch-Up Fridays represents a commendable stride towards addressing the educational setbacks caused by the prolonged disruptions.
Strengthened by Vice President’s Eight-Point SocioEconomic and MATATAG Education Agenda, all Fridays of January 2024 starting on the 12th of January will be allotted for Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) activity which aims to produce competent, job-ready, active, and responsible students equipped with essential competencies and skills for life-long learning.
This memorandum does not only address the challenges faced by students but also signifies a productive effort of DepEd to ensure an inclusive learning environment.
As students enter the post-pandemic era, the reading comprehension of many Filipino learners remains a challenge. This is manifested in the dismal performance of the Philippines in the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Locally, based on the School Reading Profile of Aurora Senior High School, 882 out of 1,591 students who took the comprehension assessment were under frustration level and 186 were considered as under the independent level.
“Embracing and supporting the new DepEd order is a positive move that demonstrates a dedication to academic excellence, diversity, and flexibility through providing a framework.
caters for the principle of diversity, and inclusivity ensuring that no learner is left behind regardless of their circumstances.
Furthermore, as students advance in education, learners face heavier workloads and when it becomes unbearable, it might lead to stress and poor academic performance.
Catch-up Fridays program serves as students’ breather-day from the piled up academic loads from Monday to Thursday.
In conclusion, embracing and supporting the new DepEd order is a positive move that demonstrates a dedication to academic excellence, diversity, and flexibility through providing a framework that may be able to close learning gaps and pave the way for the development of a more solid and dynamic educational system of the Philippines. As learners navigate the path ahead, it is essential to nurture a generation of well rounded, informed, and resilient individuals.
As students navigate to the rapidly progressing and modernizing society, a lot of them are stressed and burdened with the cost they must face financially in conducting research. Now it is important to address the financial load that learners carry for a study.
According to Czarina Santiago, 12 Stem student explained that research cost varies from the type of research to conduct and for their study, the cost was not cheap
due to the machinery that they used and technicians that were hired. The expense load of students in conducting research can widely affect their academic performances. Balancing the cost of research and other school responsibilities with their allowance creates stress to the students resulting to the decrease of their performances. In conclusion, the growth of society is not free. It comes with a cost that students
The Quest is the Official English School Publication of Aurora Senior
School. It was firstly named as ‘The Meridian’ by the pioneer School Paper adviser and Editorial Board. During the pandemic, it was rebranded and registered as ‘The Quest’ with the desire to fully establish the publication.
Dive into deeper, bolder, and more proactive sense of journalism.
With its new adviser and set of Editorial Board, The Quest made its first stint in the Division Schools Press Conference last school
Editor-In- Chief
Xye Louggie A. Dela Cruz
Associate Editor
Jhehu G. Domingo
Managing Editors
Jasper Rico M. Tulay I Jerico Lorenz O. Rañeses
I Czarina Lei T. Santiago
News Editors
Czarina Lei T. Santiago I Jefferson A. Nueva
Column Editor
Cyrille Mae Limos
Column Writers
Zyanne Danes B. Marzan I Terrence
Adlus
Feature Editors
Jhehu G. Domingo I Gene A. Carlo
Lintao
Feature Contributor
Abegail Dela Cruz
Science and Technology Editor
Jerico Lorenz O. Rañeses
Sports Writers
Jaycermel A. Manganaan I Jhon
Mark G. Pancho I Reyric L. Arellano
Cartoonists and Illustrators
Excel Alwyn A. Bernardo I Jerico
must carry but success in school and the discovery of new information shouldn’t be limited by the costs of doing research in schools.
Research should not be a luxury, it should be accessible to everyone including the students regardless of their financial status. Invest and support students research because they are the future of the society.
Lorenz O. Rañeses I Chrysberyl Santiago I Vicson Centinaje I Kristine Valeri C. Villame I Jeoffe Alejandrino I Carl Josh Ralutin I Juan I Manuel Marinez I Reyric Yervhin L. Arellano
Photojournalists
Harlyn Organista I Reyric Arellano I Yesha Mae Erece
Layout Artists
Jasper Rico M. Tulay I Princess Sarmiento I Carl Justin C. Butay I Mark V. Fabianes I Noreen P. Rosiete
Copyreader
Queen Angel Patricio
Practice of proper waste segregation is already taught over and over throughout elementary and high school. This act reduces pollution in landfills, and it also ensures the safety and well-being of human beings and all other living beings. However, there are students who are stubborn and lazy to properly do it.
During the first months of the school year, the SSLG promoted the maintenance of cleanliness and proper waste segregation by launching the search for the cleanest classroom. They provided guidelines and oriented the class presidents before it was implemented.
SSLG officers regularly check each classroom and designated areas, and announce winners during Mondays, after the flag ceremony. Be it just for the award or ASHSians simply being acculturated with the practice of cleanliness and proper waste management, somehow helped the school in maintaining clean environment.
However, the search for cleanest classroom was no longer active during the later months of the First Semester. It was re-established during the start of the Second Semester through the search of “Model Classroom.”
However, it is noticed that checking and
“ATo lessen my burden, I just conclude that though our eyes are open but we are actually blind and so we can’t see the trashes around.
evaluating of classroom is not consistent and regular.
For this, it may be due to the jampacked schedule of the SSLG Officers who are doing the checking. Other reason maybe, students became so used to it and so it no longer serves as motivation to them.
The practice of the 3R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) of waste management in the school is not consistent either. We can see the increase of trash around the corners, especially on hallways, stairs, and lawns. Many students
t times, I hear fellows of my age saying, “Send link, send link” little did I know, it was about yet another sexual “thing”. The law states it clear: Pornography is illegal in the Philippines. According to the Revised Penal Code it penalizes the selling, giving away, and exhibition of films, prints, sculptures, and literature which are offensive to morals, or those that serve no purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography. In addition, there are more specific crimes like the AntiChild Pornography Act of 2009.
The government has all the reason to ban pornography and Internet service providers have reason to be afraid of, as they are one of the main instruments for the exhibition and distribution of these materials. But, in the Filipino language, there are still ways around the ban. There are still roads to private pleasures.
At Aurora Senior High School alone, a survey conducted to 300 learners across strands shows that 47.12% have watched pornography while 51.86% have never watched pornography, and 1.02% gave no response. Those who experienced watching have two common reasons: curiosity and someone just show them or influenced them. These are Senior High School students, around my age, children aging from 1619 years old. This just underscores that for many young people, pornography has become the default sex educator. The quantity, variety, and age at which children and young people are exposed to pornography is increasing, which has an impact on the sexual lives of these individuals.
Numerous studies from various sources have indicated the detrimental effects of pornography on adults and young people. The relationship between pornography and sexual violence is one of the more alarming effects. However, this is an issue that would be hard to control that is due to such an open access to porn sites especially in our country. With one click at sites, with one link followed, with friends influencing other friends, it’s an unstoppable thing, or is there still a stop to it?
What we can do now as the youth is to be careful and vigilant on the content we want to see, let’s have self-assessments on how we can healthily manage our exposure to the things we see online, and instead of putting a stigma on the topic of Pornography, we should shed an educational light to it and make it a useful conversation we can all learn something from.
Let’s have selfassessments on how we can healthily manage our exposure to the things we see online, and instead of putting a stigma on the topic of Pornography, we should shed an educational light to it and make it a useful conversation we can all learn something from.
Zyanne Danes B. Marzan
also prefer buying bottled water at the canteen instead of bringing their own water jars and refill instead to reduce the production of plastic bottles in the school. It seems to be that many ASHSians forgot, if not unaware with, at least, the basics of maintaining cleanliness.
The sustained implementation and practice of the 3R’s to maintain cleanliness in our school need the collective efforts of all the students and school personnel, it is everyone’s responsibility.
At the end of the day, if no one will move to arrest the problem while it is still small, it will just grow bigger. Consistency is the key in maintaining the clean and refreshing environment that the school will always showcase.
The pandemic has seen drastic changes in the country’s educational setup, one of which is the school calendar, from the normal June-March schedule to now an AugustJuly, this has impacted students’ experience in learning. Being in a state of recovery, the DepEd’s move to revert to the original schedule is a significant step in coming back to pace.
DepEd’s currently implemented school calendar starts from August to end in June, the schedule goes through the summer, which is a season our classrooms are not capable of handling with the lack of ventilation and water supply, leaving the students to learn under extreme temperatures. Such circumstances distract the learners and result in a loss of focus to grasp the knowledge they need to have.
“Noong first time ko maexperience yung classes during summer, ang hirap talagang magfocus kase mainit, pag sa practice ng performance lalo na sa sayaw, ang hirap na nga kase mainit na, ang hirap pa’ng huminga” said
“
Being in a state of recovery, the DepEd’s move to revert to the original schedule is a significant step in coming back to pace.
Juan Manuel Martinez, a student of Aurora Senior High School.
Students lose consistency in their learning pace, the current calendar moves vacation and breaks much closer, Christmas holiday and semestrial break for example, the two are only weeks in intervals, closer school break means fewer school days, more vacation, and less knowledge for our learners, and the teachers will also be forced to fit the overloaded curriculum in a short period of time, which will stack up the burden of the students.
High School, in the movies have slways been romanticized. We see the characters living their best high school lives and they just seem so stress free. In reality, we are far from carefree, we are bombarded with activities, we are stressed, and we are tired. But, for some students, their school lives look a little bit better than others. Aside from academics, they also do extracurriculars, and maybe some might question, is that healthy at all?
Whether it’s campus journalism, sports, or other passions, these pursuits serve as more than just hobbies; they act as crucial resting points from the rigors of academia. However, the act of maintaining involvement in numerous activities while staying committed to academic excellence is no easy feat.
The Allure of Extracurriculars:
For many students, extracurricular activities offer a break from textbooks and lectures. Engaging in pursuits such as campus journalism, sports, or the arts provides an avenue for self-expression, skill development, and personal growth. These activities not only contribute to a well-rounded education but also foster a sense of community and camaraderie among students.
The Dangers of Overcommitment:
While the benefits of extracurricular involvement are undeniable, there exists a delicate balance that students must strike. Overcommitting to various activities can lead to burnout, fatigue, and, ironically, a decline in academic performance.
Time Management and Commitment:
Successful multitasking requires time management skills and unwavering commitment. Students who excel in both academics and extracurriculars are often
As students in our country struggle to read well and grasp words that should be easy for them to understand. However, the effectiveness of Catchup Fridays requires the multifaceted approaches that not only tell students to read but to make them internalize what they are reading.
In this support, ASHSians somehow finds Friday as something to wait for every week, not only because this gives them breather from their academic piles, but also because of the varied reading activities in every class.
Some of our teachers are also newbies in this set up and may feel doubt on how they
masters of prioritization. Learning to allocate time efficiently to each responsibility ensures that neither academic pursuits nor extracurricular passions suffer.
A Personal Journey: I, too, have navigated through academics and extracurriculars. As a campus journalist, public speaker, student leader, researcher and beauty queen, my days were filled with interviews, writing deadlines, and pageant preparations. However, I’ve learned that with careful planning and dedication, it’s possible to excel in both realms. My experiences have taught me the importance of setting realistic goals, staying organized, and making conscious choices about where to invest my time and energy.
Extracurricular activities serve as more than just a break from academics— they are essential components of education. As students, finding the balance between academic responsibilities and personal passions is a continuous journey. Through effective time management and unwavering commitment, it’s possible to thrive in both arenas, creating a rich and fulfilling student life. It may not be as ideal as those in the movies or books, but it’s definitely worth writing for.
can make this program a success despite the bunch of other workloads they have, especially if they do not have any previous
The Catch-up Fridays program is an opportunity not just to empower students to read proficiently, but also to help them develop a broader understanding of the values that underpin an ideal society.
experience in running reading classes.
Apart from building and partnering to create training programs with specialists, school administrators
Editor in Chief
The
juggling act of maintaining involvement in numerous activities while staying committed to academic excellence is no easy feat.
must support the work on the ground by committing to understanding and addressing the different challenges that the teachers may face during implementation. However, motivation comes from first from the us, students.
The Catch-up Fridays program is an opportunity not just to empower students to read proficiently, but also to help them develop a broader understanding of the values that underpin an ideal society.
We must not make our students say “gosh, it’s Friday again!” We must ensure that through the Catch-Up Fridays, they always say“Thank God it’s Friday!”
The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently informed the public of the minor amendment of the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act no. 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act allowing civilians to own semi-automatic rifles making the necessity for addressing risk of assault and murder among learning facilities crucial.
The new amendment mainly raises the concern of parents, teachers, and learners due to the possible increase of risk of the misuse of weapons in learning facilities that would result in out of hand acts of violence. It increases the fear and anxiety of any possible school shootings likened to school incidents in other countries.
It can be observed in Aurora Senior High School that certain students may be eligible to own weapons in accordance with the age range specified in the IRR of RA 10591. Not just that, but teachers and other personnel are also capable thus, the risks of danger in the school are now greater. Besides, there is no checking of bags of everyone as they enter the school.
Schools are meant to be the haven for students but with the
presence of firearms, the peace and security in these places can be affected. Hence, it is important to consider the possible psychological and physical impacts of the amendment to all individuals across sectors.
In conclusion, possessing of firearms takes heavy obligation and extreme discipline. And considering that not all individuals who meet the requirements for possession and permit to carry based on the IRR are also eligible based on their discipline, there is no way that this amendment be implemented.
Schools are meant to be the haven for students but with the presence of firearms, the peace and security in these places can be affected. Hence, it is important to consider the possible psychological and physical impacts of the amendment to all individuals across sectors.
SXye Louggie A. Dela Cruz
Editorial-In-Chief
ubjects under Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) have been an avenue for HUMSS students to develop critical viewpoint and understanding of governmental and social issues especially so that many senior high students are already participating in national election.
With this, they raised their concern over the People’s Initiative (PI) controversy. Is it genuine or merely a product of manipulation?
On a survey conducted to the grade 12- HUMSS learners, 41% of the respondents believe that the PI is under manipulation, 28% say it is realistic as many are looking for change in the government while 31% don’t care about the issue.
Under Republic Act 6735, a constitutional amendment through people’s initiative requires signatures from at least 12% of all registered voters and representation from at least 3% of voters in each legislative district. However, without presenting the purpose of the signature campaign to the voters, this PI is argued to contradict the essence of a genuine people’s
power.
People’s Initiative or ‘Pekeng Initiative’, as senators call it, became controversial after the ‘unexplained’ signature campaign in barangays brought to public attention. It is claimed to be a signature drive in support of amending the 1987 Constitution or Charter change (Cha-cha). Allegedly, people who signed the campaign were not informed of its factual purpose instead what they know was it is for government aid or ‘ayuda’.
Adding fuel to the fire, a TV ad supporting these changes has sparked controversy by blaming the 1986 EDSA revolution for current issues. Instead of promoting economic reforms, it has caused disagreement and doesn't seem to have a positive message.
Looking at the process and turn of events, the approach doesn't seem effective in gaining public support for this matter because it seems to be that the purpose is not genuine and some one is manipulating the process.
In relation, any initiative and
Students in this era often hear the line “bakit noong kami” from their teachers or parents as a response to their poor behavior or performance. They usually blame the students’ former learning status, surroundings, friends, and parents. And with this, sometimes students also raise their eyebrows and silently ask: Who made us?
Viral moments on social media often become controversial due to their ability to highlight the unspoken values within a community. One incident which was investigated by the Department of Education involved a public-school teacher seemingly expressing “words of discouragement and frustrations” to students during a TikTok livestream.
The diverse spectrum of reactions it stirred showed deeply held views concerning classroom management, changing perceptions of childcare, and the state of the country’s public education system, all of which may be contributing factors to these kinds of instances among teachers.
In this matter, some grieve the lack of order in classrooms and criticize child protection policies, blaming the government and educators for what they consider to be a “poorly implemented program.” This point of view holds that for students to control how they act; teachers must also exhibit it.
From the InboxDear Editor,
change that invoke the name of the people demands discussion and transparency and must be a result of informed choice.
“
In
relation, any initiative and change
that invoke
the name of the people demands discussion and transparency and must be a result of informed choice.
Instead of dismissing such outbursts as entitlement, it is important to recognize them as indicators of emotional instability. For a parent, a teacher, and a student, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the underlying emotional turmoil driving such behavior. Understanding and empathizing with individuals going through emotional distress does not excuse their actions, but rather opens the door for effective solutions.
Questions arise about what drives teachers to such emotional breaking points, what drives students to behave improperly and what support systems could help them manage stress and emotions in the classroom effectively. The question also includes what type and style of parenting and discipline parents apply to their children at home. It’s evident that promoting emotional well-being among educators and students is essential for fostering a conducive learning environment.
In conclusion, individuals should not point each other on whom to blame in a student’s behavior. And to foster a culture of both respect and discipline in the classroom, it’s important to address emotional health and regulation properly, both among teachers and students.
Kudos for re-establishing the English school paper of our school. On its first issue last school year, contents were plainly school based. I hope it will also highlight community events. Also, students, who are not staff of the school paper, will still be given a page to express themselves regarding current issues. Just a thought anyway.
Waiting for your next issue.
Respectfully, Jasmin
Dear Jas,
Thank you for expressing your idea about our school paper. We consider it constructive, and we will take your suggestion to widen the scope of our coverage to reach the community. As to students’ expressions of opinion, we gladly welcome articles from those who are willing to contribute. Besides, we are trying to hear your pulses regarding several current issues through our surveys.
TQ Editor
hile everyone is travelling their paths with speedily through less bumpy roads, there he was, Anthony Cariaga, 19, a Grade-12 student of Aurora Senior High School, still crossing the pedestrians by foot, sparing no effort as he navigates the road he still ought to find out where it leads to, hoping that maybe – just maybe, it could be the route to a place, where he can actually be in the pole position.
From the beginning, Anthony was fighting all the odds fate gave him, and he profusely tries to keep up, despite being in the unfortunate circumstances in his life, particularly in the chasm of poverty and academic struggle.
Light Bringer
He became his life’s own bringer of light. Although he is considered academically as least able in his section, he never falters. He still attends all the classes, hopeful that each time, he would change his fate. Since Grade-11, even without the teacher assigning him to sit in front, he takes the front seat, silently trying to absorb the knowledge handed over to him.
Anthony is not the sharpest tool in the shed, in fact, he struggles in almost all his subjects. He also struggles in reading whereas at some point, he had to take reading remediations, and he does so without shame. “Nagpupunta po ako kay Ma’am sa tuwing tinatawag niya akong magbasa kasi gusto ko pong matuto,” Anthony smilingly said when asked about his reading remediation. During DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time every Fridays, as if he is the favorite of the small reading pantry in his classroom. One book at time, with the hope of filling up the room for improvement.
Somehow, up to this day, he’s never gotten a single failing grade, a big wonder for his adviser, Ma’am Jonaed Abalos. According to her, perhaps it is only a matter of discipline and obedience because as she observed, in every remediation, a second chance from a failed score, he is always present and is determined to make up for his shortcomings. He only has but one record in the Prefect of Discipline when he was Grade 11 when he forgot his school ID and honestly admitted to the principal that he just borrowed an ID from his classmate just so he could enter the school and not to be absent.
Moreover, he does not take the fact for granted though he was not deprived of compassionate and supportive classmates and friends. He has them to run to if he needed help. “Nahihirapan ako sa mga subject ko po pero tinutulungan ako ng mga classmate ko,” he honestly said. When he was asked if
Just to provide for their children, his parents work themselves to the bones, even if they get toasted by the sun from drying rice crops, or even if their hands get worn out from washing clothes. “Mahirap po ang buhay pero kinakaya naman dahil gusto po namin siyang (Anthony) makatapos sa pag-aaral kahit ano na pong kurso,” Mr. Benigno Cariaga, Anthony’s father, said with a soft voice and a shy yet optimistic aura. Anthony recognizes these hardships and does not turn a blind eye on it, that even during his free times, he tries to help in any way he can. If truth be told, it becomes his strongest inspiration to strive harder.
Despite all the struggles, life gave him the kind of mother and father he can always count on, who cares to ask if he has problems at school, who wants to be a catalyst of a significant change in his life, and most specially, two people who
Abegail Delacruz
Photo: Princess Mae C. Sarmiento
(The Quest secured signed Parents’ consent prior to the publication)
With parents who are full- blooded Iloko, I have been exposed even to, I guess, weird Ilocano cuisine. From katuray to saluyot, Ilocanos find ways to incorporate weird ingredients into tasty dishes. One such vegetable that tickles my Ilocano tastebuds is the ‘Alukon’
‘Alukon’ also known as Alokon or Himbabao is the inflorescence of the Alukon tree, a member of the moraceae family of mulberries. They are long, spike-like and look like underweight caterpillars.
Its unusual shape is called a Catkin Inflorescence which is basically a bunch of tiny flower blossoms bundled into one long bouquet. This flower structure has a lot of benefits.
Alukon can be found in Luzon around the Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Region. They sell for pennies worth and is often unaffected by inflation. They are incredibly affordable and are often used by the common folks.
Several recipes use ‘alukon’ but my tried and tested “alukon inabraw” or “di-
nengdeng nga alukon” will always be a classic. Alukon can be also cooked along with other vegetables like kalabasa, string beans, eggplants, and saluyot in boiling water with some fish paste, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. It is served with meat and fish dishes like chicken adobo or fried galunggong.
According to the Horizon magazine of the University of the Philippines- Los Baños (UPLB), ‘alukon’ has a lot of health benefits including better digestion, blood production and bone health. Alukon contains a lot of carotenes, calcium, fiber, and calories. Combined with a balanced diet and healthy amount of exercise, eating alukon can satisfy more than your cravings but also your nutritional needs. However, Dr. Rio Mae Tolentino, resident doctor of Region II Trauma and Medical Center (R2 TMC), said that like any other foods, alukon though it is generally healthy, must be cooked properly to sustain its nutritional value.
For those who are craving for something different and unique without spending too much and sacrificing their health, Alukon may be the ingredient that could fill you
While on our way to the barrio, something caught my attention that caused me to stop for a while and watch how it is being operated.
As Mang Miguel Saludares, 56-yearold from Barangay Bagnos, pulls the rope of his favorite pet—his carabao—and maneuvers into the dusty paths, his ‘patuki’ carries not only his freshproduced crops but also rural culture and a sense of communal interaction. It is a transportation powered with only the carabao’s might as it trails in—a reality that sheer strength remains significant in rural areas amidst the advent of fuel-motorized
and sustainability, echoing the unwavering link between ecosystems and communities.
With the patuki’s flatbed design, strategic loading and transport of people and crops became possible. As it transforms into a communal space, stories are shared, family customs and laughter resonate, and a sense of camaraderie blossoms.
Change is inevitable.
I asked Mang Miguel if ‘patuki’ is still common to his fellow farmers and he said that only very few have still it. “Wala na, kahit ang mga
modernity. In fact, when I was asking my classmates if they still have ‘patuki’ at home, I needed to explain what ‘patuki’ looks like, others have zero knowledge about it. Similar with the other sections I asked about it. Its days have been numbered long ago. Communities opt for what is convenient, the likes of karison and tractor trucks, with extensive time spent in the fields. As these traveled with ease in the mud, the ‘patuki’ was left behind.
Like other forgotten cultural artifacts and traditions, the patuki have converted into a shared image of the old that has evolved into a progressive
Photo Credit: www.nhymbe.net
In the Philippines, the Filipino language acts as a unifying thread, connecting the diverse cultures entrenched within its borders.
The Iloko dialect, predominantly spoken in the Northern regions of Luzon, has etched its influence onto the linguistic setting of the Philippines. While Filipino assumes the role of being the national language, the impact of Ilocano among its locals persists in everyday conversations whether in the bustling markets of Metro Manila, the quaint streets of Vigan, or in the the vibrant corners of Baguio.
In daily conversation, the integration of Iloko words serves a dual purpose — it preserves cultural identity while amplifying the expressiveness of communication. Iloko terms, with their nuanced meanings and distinct sounds, add layers of depth to Filipino sentences, enabling speakers to convey emotions and ideas with precision.
Consider the warmth encapsulated in the term “kabsat,” signifying sibling or brother/ sister in Ilocano. In Filipino conversations, referring to someone as “kabsat” fosters
familiarity and closeness that transcends its literal translation. Similarly, the term ‘ngarud’ often employed to affirm or emphasize a point, injects a touch of Ilocano assertiveness into Filipino conversations. Its inclusion adds assurance and conviction, enriching the dialogue with a subtle yet impactful tone. For Ilokanos, Filipino, and even English sometimes, sentences seem to be incomplete without the addition of ‘ngarud’ at the end of it. Hence, we usually say,
‘Let’s go na ngarud.’, ‘Huwag na ngarud.’ ‘Talagang ganyan ngarud’ and the likes.
Philippines’ linguistic textile continues to evolve. The infusion of Iloko ensures that within the Filipino identity, there is space for every dialect, and every word adds a brushstroke to the canvas of cultural unity.
Indeed, language is dynamic. And if one asks why, I, being an Ilokano, would simply say “that’s just the way it is, language ‘ngarud’.”
Gene
Photo: Reyric Yervhin L. Arellano
Illustration By Jericho O. Rañeses
why its festival named such. Every year, Bambanti Festival has been the grandest in valley I ever witnessed. And for this year, after how many years of being halted due to the pandemic, it brought a subtle emotional pull to me as I was watching again the rich cultural heritage, agricultural prowess, and artistic ingenuity of the locals being showcased.
The Agri-Ecotourism exhibits made their way across the main thoroughfares as I strolled through the famed tracks of Bambanti Village. “Bambanti,” the Ilocano word for scarecrow, took the limelight as these are painstakingly crafted and ornamented using native materials. These, after all, signify safeguarding a wealth of produce and creative expression of the province’s artisans. And of course, municipality of Aurora, although not among the winners of Best Agri-Ecotourism Booth, this year’s booth entry is something to be proud of and worth visiting – truly, Aurora Umaarangkada!
During my leisure visits to the booths, I encountered a tourist coming from the neighboring province. He said that it was his first time to witness the scarecrows of Bambanti Festival.
“Naging curious ako sa festival since sikat siya at palagi siyang kinukuwento sa akin ng cousins ko and naging parte ng Guinness World Records noon,” he replied when I asked him what motivated him to travel all the way just to partake and visit the Bambanti Festival.
As the celebration continues, I and my newly found friend became witnesses to both the Street Dance Competition and Festival Dance Showdown, which pitted students and youth against one another to present traditional dances coupled with imaginatively choreographed routines.
As hand movements and footwork reflect the eagerness of the contingents rocking breathtaking performances, I am one of those who are enthralled with their zeal and elaborate costumes that drew inspiration from local flora and fauna.
Beyond the parades and performances I attended, the festival also paid homage to the province’s agricultural heritage paired with the booming economic activities. The Agri-Eco Trade Fair featured a diverse array of local products, from succulent fruits and vegetables, intricately woven textiles, and baskets to processed products and earth-fired clay pots.
The ‘Makan ken Mainum’ highlighted the contestants’ ability to think outside the box and market their culinary creations effectively to a wider audience as they demonstrate their local dishes transforming into successful business ventures.
Growing art scene and after
One’s artsy self commends the Bambanti Art Exhibit as it gave artists a stage that presents their takes on the culture of the locale by the lavishly embellished costumes worn by the Festival Kings and Queens. The exhibition through my lens is a meeting point of heritage and modern expression, a tribute to the province’s flourishing artistic community.
Despite the challenges especially the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bambanti Festival remains as a beacon of hope and resilience amidst adversity as it showcased the unwavering spirit of the Isabela community.
As I bid farewell to the curtains of its 2024 edition, the echoes of laughter and upbeat music, and the vibrant colors of the celebration again lingered in the air. Once again proving the deep-rooted connection between the Isabeliños and the land they cultivate.
Before I set my feet away from the main
event to find the ‘bibe’ clip vendor and have at least two for Bambanti 2024 remembrance, I asked my newly found friend of his experience. “PangGuiness ba talaga?” I teasingly asked. “Pwede, daming tao, dinarayo talaga,” he said. “Pag-uwi mo, sabihin mo sa kanila dun, tara na sa Isabela,” I jokingly responded back. Then, we laughed together and parted ways.
Shining brightly and growing vastly, is the town of Aurora. Just recently, the municipality has been recognized as a First-Class municipality from being third class. Evidently, Aurora is racing to number one, in agriculture, industrialization and, in education.
Agriculture
Its booming agriculture can be mirrored by the unique naming of the Barangays with vegetables that are planted and capitalized in the town like Barangay Kalabaza, Sili, and Camarunggayan.
The agricultural sector in Aurora is expanding wider, stepping up the game to the diverse crops like, corn, palay, varieties of vegetables, tobacco, and its prime crop, calamansi, in the hopes of bringing it to become an agricultural hub of Isabela.
Putting it on a different level is through the new building of Isabela State University- Aurora Campus. It will focus mainly on agriculture courses, establishing a foundation for budding agriculture enthusiasts, encouraging more students to become the reason of a broad development in the sector, not only in Aurora,
but in the entire Philippines.
Industrialization
Aurora’s economic status is also not last in the line. Commercial buildings are being built catering to the needs of families, students, and the whole community. This provides a more accessible way to different resources, while providing citizens with new job opportunities.
Not to mention the large biomass factory, gasoline stations and all other commercial buildings that are evidently being established in the center of the town, escalating the economic growth of the municipality.
Education The education sector of the municipality is also dominating. Its teaching
institutions ever since it was established has been, and still is well-known up to this day, almost being feared at in every competition, whether it is in journalism, science fairs and even in sports.
Aurora has been home to various learners, offering the best quality of education, not only to Auroranians, but to students from different municipalities outside the town. In Aurora Senior High School alone, 26.48% of the students’ population are from other towns, despite the fact that these places also have their own schools. Indeed, Aurora is Umaarangkada! The three skylights; Agriculture, Industrialization and Education, lighting every corner or the town, igniting unity, passion and pride within the hearts of its citizens.
Abegail Delacruz Photo Credit: Isabela PIO Gene Carlo A. LintaoGrowing up in a quite accomplished family, I’ve always felt the need to do better than best. I can’t settle for less, but I struggle to find time to deliver the desired outputs. The pressure to excel often leaves me scrambling for room to maximize my time and productivity. But just like the evil queen in Snow White who holds a tempting apple, I have the same apple of temptation: AI. The entry of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is genuinely tempting.
As a student, but more importantly as a writer, navigating through the digitalized world, I find myself fascinated with the duplicity of AI, especially tools like ChatGPT, which, when used correctly, can be a lifesaver.
The benefits of AI tools in different fields, such as education, are undeniable. With the increasing complexity of schoolwork and the ever-growing demand for creativ ity, the vision of just asking a question or asking someone to do a task and then getting an answer and output that looks very promising in seconds is like a breath of relief.
ChatGPT has become a “reliable” companion in my academic journey, offering instant assistance when the workload becomes too much. It’s like
Ihaving a 24/7 study buddy who never tires, never complains, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. However, AI tools’ convenience also raises concerns about their potential misuse. The fine
critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.
It is crucial for us, as students, to recognize that AI should match our efforts, not substitute them entirely.
In my pursuit of trying to prove something in my academic life, I’ve come to understand the importance of striking a balance. AI tools should serve as assistance, not pure reliance.
The use and abuse of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, underscore the invisible string between convenience and critical thinking. As a student who has experienced the benefits firsthand, I advocate for a mindful approach to AI integration in our academic lives. The age of AI is here, and by adapting wisely, we can gain even more knowledge and not drain our present capabilities.
“It is crucial for us, as students, to recognize that AI should match our efforts, not substitute them entirely.
t has almost been a year since GPT-4 by the company of Open AI has been released and whilst it is being used by the public to do tasks, it’s current use in education should be restricted heavily due to how it may affect the learning capabilities of students and our society’s communication improvements.
GPT-4 like the previous Chat-GPT is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot made to mimic the speech patterns and way of communication of humans by using machine learning software and although it is useful, it may limit the development of a learner.
In an article posted by RegenApps listing the pros and cons of AI in
learning, a major downside of using AI programs is the over dependency on technology and how it can lead to the decline of student’s critical-thinking abilities.
AI chatbots have been famously used to make essay making automated. They are given a prompt by the user that creates an output based on the public and private information licensed from third party providers.
One of the major issues is that AI chatbots don’t teach the user how to gather safe and reliable information. Instead, it provides information without stating where it originates.
To check the sources of these chatbots, the user must individually check each statement or information
through the web and most rarely do so as it is a cause for.
Another major issue with AI chatbots is that usually, the user does not learn anything from the interaction with the program.
This would not be a major problem if most users of the chatbot are professionals who already know how to think critically and organize their thoughts in a written form and are only using AI to speed up their work.
However, many students also use the program to finish essays and homework which does not instill in them the knowledge they would have gained by doing these tasks on their own.
Furthermore, AIdriven chatbots often offer an instant engagement of
human-like conversations and because it is minimally regulated, further improvements to users’ data and security is needed.
In conclusion, AI in its current state shows a higher risk of losing the creativity and skills of students than the benefits it provides. Thus, it should not replace traditional ways of gathering data, learning, and teaching, communicating, and building relationships.
The education system must instead incorporate its usefulness as a tool that could guide learners in the right direction for everyone to see real and actual advancements instead of enjoying carelessly on the alluring but artificial improvements it offer.
Limos, Cyrille Mae B.
After a hot and tiring day, a cold bottled water might be the best solution to ease thirst. But is the relief from thirst the only thing it gives you?
Due to the increasing concerns about the quality and availability of water, bottled waters have been the go-to solution of students at Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) for their water intake.
In fact, statistics says that the demand of bottled water has skyrocketed not only the in Philippines but even in other countries.
Recently however, there’s been an alarming increase of concerns and now being recognized as a major environmental issue about tiny fragments of plastic measuring less than one micrometer in size are found in water bottles.
A research team, led by scientists from Columbia University, found that 1 liter of bottled water contained approximately 240,000 detectable plastic fragments on average, a value that is greater than previously reported in studies.
Even though plastics make human life easier, there is no other material that has entered almost the entire sphere of lives and carries so much risk.
The Department of Health (DOH) also clarified that there’s a great threat of nano plastics or nanoparticles found in water bottles.
According to DOH undersecretary and spokesperson Eric Tayag, experts are continuing to study because there is no clever, and clear evidence on how to stay in the body and how to remove nano plastics, so avoiding drinking bottled water is what they can advise for now.
Doctor (Rio) of (workplace) stated in a private interview that nano-plastics may also impact the endocrine system resulting in an abnormal pattern of hormones. Not only that but nano platics are also carcinogenic which means it could lead to all types of cancer although Doctor (Rio) says there are no cases where nanoplastics were directly linked to the development of cancer.
Not just in our health but plastics are also the major factor of environmental problems as plastic bottles can be found scattered around school premises.
According to Sedat Gundogdu, an expert on sea waste and microplastics at Turkey’s Cordova University, plastics and garbage overshadowed the living creatures in the sea.
In conclusion, bottled water may ease and make lives easier, but the health-related threats are greater than the advantages it presents. Water bottles are Trojan Horse, though it brings relief, there’s a lingering danger hiding inside of it.
Jerico Lorenz O. Rañeses
As summer heat becomes intense and so with the acne breakout due to skin sweating more and producing more oil which clogs the pores. Indeed, pimples are a pain to have, they make you look bad in selfies, lowers self-confidence level, are tempting to pop, and might just kill you?
In a recent “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode, Justin, a 17-yearold teenager unknowingly risk his life when he popped a pimple on his nose. It happened that the pimple was situated within the so-called “danger triangle” or “death triangle” of the face which is between the two corners of the mouth and the midpoint between the two eyebrows.
Dr. Rio Mae Tolentino, resident doctor of Region II Trauma and Medical Center (R2 TMC), explains that by popping a pimple within the ‘danger triangle’, there is a high risk of infection which could easily reach the brain. This is due to the large system of veins called the cavernous sinus which is directly connected to the brain.
Although unlikely, it could near the cavernous infections. And inflammation, meningitis, caused by pressure
These consequences is not advised. your face and medical professional
The original Kangkong chips has taken over the social media most prominently TikTok with millions of videos featuring the delicacy. On the surface, it is just another weird food craze that is promoting a healthy alternative to mainstream chips however, the trend may be putting the entire public health at risk.
This trend started on December of 2023 with viral videos from Josh Mojica, a famous self-made millionaire known for his business of selling chips. He promotes his product as a healthy snack fit for anyone who likes to eat delicious food without sacrificing their health.
The ingredients of the viral Kangkong Chips are healthy. The chips are made of fresh water spinach covered with a simple egg and flour batter.
Water spinach has high vitamin C content and is a good source of magnesium, potassium, and iron. It also has a lot of dietary fiber which is important for a healthy bowel movement. It also contains a lot of antioxidants. Overall, kangkong can reduce blood pressure, give immunity to cancer, improve vision, boost immunity, and treat skin diseases.
“When on soaps or facial because our dermatologists prescribe for appropriate Tolentino further advised If acne continues dermatologist. It is better
making the chips crunchy, it also provides the body carbohydrates and protein. It encases the kangkong leaves preventing it from being burnt during the cooking process preserving its nutritional benefits.
The butter that covers the water spinach has another purpose other than
foods that the current younger generation is so obsessed with.
It is all good except for the fact that although tasty, kangkong chips are nowhere near healthy. A bag of kangkong chips is just as healthy as a serving of french fries. This is because both, although made of healthy ingredients, are deep fried in vats of cooking oil which makes them oily, greasy, and unhealthy. Oily foods when consumed in large quantities may lead to heart disease, diabetes, bloating, diarrhea, and impaired brain function. It also increases acne and other skin problems. Health oriented food reviews of the product online also complained about its high calorie content compared to its nutritional content mainly due to the thick coating of
Photo Credit: https://www.ajinomoto.com.ph/ajinomoto-static/crispy-kangkong/index.html
A
part of a culture worth experiencing
Aside from garbage, Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) is facing another mess, the red paints in the corners or even along the corridors sometimes. These red paints are caused by the colored spit from students who are chewing ‘nganga’. Students from the nearby town of Alfonso Lista, Ifugao province are usually accused of being the culprit of this red paints but these students, including Ma’am Jonaed Abalos, an Ifugao teacher in the school, deny the allegations because as per observation, those who are chewing ‘nganga’ are not natives of Ifugao or Igorot. Although maybe they are influenced since many perceived that ‘nganga or momma’ is a healthier alternative of cigarette.
The betel nut or more commonly known locally as “nganga or momma” is a nut that grows from the areca palm. Usually, the nut is cut into pieces wrapped in a betel leaf pepper (locally known as gawed), flavored with a lime powder (locally known as apog and usually made of freshwater snail shells) and sometimes with the addition of dried tobacco leaf.
Originally, chewing betel nuts is part of the culture
especially of the natives of Cordillera region however, now it becomes a part of the leisure of the non-natives alike. In fact, a part of the Aurora Public Market is occupied by ‘momma’ sellers.
Amazingly, ‘nganga’ has benefits that helped early people in their survival. Most old folks claim that chewing betel nuts improve tolerance to hunger and increases vitality. This claim was confirmed to be true by Dr. Hanalee Polanco, Associate Dentist at Flores Dental Specialty Clinic, who also added that chewing betel nuts helps tremendously in strengthening teeth and bones specially the molars.
Although beneficial, Dr. Polanco advised the limited use of betel nuts. Overuse of betel nuts may lead to addiction, oral cancer, mucus fibrosis and oral lesions. Betel nuts also lead to the development of tartar which for young people, could lower self-confidence if teeth are not regularly cleaned.
“We cannot say
dapat
being different. This certainly is a culture worth experiencing.
naman na madumi ang nganga, pero
lang mag-spit sa tamang lugar for sanitation
Photo Credit: Dr. Hanalee Polanco, DMD
Photo: Reyric Yervhin L. Arellano
Illustration by Jericho O. Rañeses
Although death due to pimple popping is highly could still happen. Dr. Tolentino warns of infections cavernous sinus, not just from pimples but also tooth when infection happens, this can lead to fevers, meningitis, brain abscess and intense headaches pressure within the brain itself and worst is death. consequences are why pimple popping in general Observe proper hygiene and avoid touching and use only soaps suitable for your skin. Also, visit a professional for prescription. suffering from acne outbreak, do not experiment facial skincare. Better yet consult a dermatologist dermatologists can determine your skin type and appropriate skin care based on your skin type,” Dr. advised during the online interview with The Quest. continues to persist, skip the squeezing and consult a better to do so than getting put on an obituary list.
Technology has changed our era more than we can imagine. As we enter a new age of technical advancements, Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) had offered its benefits on the different sectors that could alleviate the entire status of our country, especially our agriculture.
For the past several years, our agricultural sector faced a lot of problems in terms of climate change, lack of infrastructures and pest infestations that results in a lesser yield for our farmers. Although there are present methods that can solve these, the utilization of Artificial Intelligence could potentially revolutionized our agriculture.
One of the most popular contributions of AI are chat bots, a computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users, typically through text or speech interactions. A study by a group of students from Aurora Senior High School - Airah Asuncion, Jhehu Domingo and Czarina Santiago used chat bots to control and monitor electrical appliances that are left unopened solving the ongoing problem with fire and electrical outbreaks in facilities.
This could be applied in our irrigation systems, with just one tap and message, farmers can now easily power on and off irrigation systems and monitor them without sacrificing the time and effort to go in the fields.
Another research proposal is the use of AI cameras to identify pests in the fields and alert the farmer. This is presented by the group of Gene Carlo Lintao during the school based Research Proposal Defense. With the presence of Artificial Intelligence, the problem with pest infestation could be eliminated with proper and early observation made possible with AI.
These are only some possible applications of AI, with the ever changing world and its unstoppable technological growth, we can see a future where AI could change every aspect of our lives. But as we go forward, responsibility is what we need when handling our own technology, we want to live in a world where we control AI for the better, not the other way around.
Artificial Intelligence is crucial on our development, with our education, economy and the linebacker of our future - our agriculture. We could have a world where everything is easier with a touch and click that’ll make you say, What a bot!
Despite having typhoons, even as worst as typhoon Yolanda, the Philippines also experiences droughts. According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), although El Niño reached its mature stage in February, its impact will still be experienced throughout the country. In fact, majority of global climate models indicate that El Niño will probably continue until the March–April–May 2024 season.
To at least lessen the effect of drought to agriculture, the Department of Agriculture Region 2 (DA-RO2) in collaboration with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and the Philippine Air Force, targets to produce artificial rain through cloud seeding. As of early March, three sorties of vacuum pack salt as condensation nuclei had already been seeded over Northern Isabela and Southern Cagayan which successfully induced small to moderate rain in the area. The DA-RO2 plans 75 sorties more over the next 3 months.
What is Cloud seeding?
Naturally, rain happens because water vapor in the air condenses and falls back to the ground while rain produced by Cloud seeding is considered ‘artificial’. According to Desert Research Institute (DRI), Cloud seeding is a technique in manipulating the weather to induce artificial rain by making existing clouds “grow.” Substances are thrown into clouds helping them make rain droplets. There are specific clouds that are needed for cloud seeding. In fact, planned cloud seeding operations in Quirino Province were not yet conducted due to the lack of suitable clouds.
There are many ways of doing this, such as using dry ice however, in the Philippines, we do it by releasing vacuum packed salt into the clouds for nuclei condensation.
Why use salt?
Salt has a high porosity. Its structure has lots of voids in between. These pockets of nothing let small water particles seep in. It is also hygroscopic, having a net positive charge that attracts the negative water molecules. Once the bags of salt are released into the clouds, small water particles attach to the salt, making water droplets. The small water droplets then attract even more moisture from the atmosphere, creating larger water droplets. Once heavy enough, these droplets fall into the ground, supplying the soil and flora with water.
Is it safe?
Despite claims that releasing chemicals into the atmosphere sounds a lot like an environmental safety violation waiting to happen because of the silver iodide compound, Fredelyn T. Gajes, Local Government Unit (LGU)- Aurora Municipal Agriculturist, states during an interview with The Quest that cloud seeding using salt is generally safe. “As of now, wala pa naman pong significant scientific ev idence na nagsasabing hindi safe ang cloud seeding gamit ang asin,” Gajes elaborated.
department will not conduct something that is costly that may also cause costly dan gers. Besides, our government closely monitors the possible environmental hazards that cloud seeding poses. In similar projects from the past, the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources has shown con cern and has helped in monitor ing the state of the environment.
Can humans do something?
we may also help with this
impending crisis. Just saving water helps a lot. Saving water prevents water reservoirs from drying up.
Gajes also said that our farmers should learn the cropping pattern based on the changes of climate. “Bago pa naman nagkaroon ng El Niño, nag-forecast na ang PAG-ASA. So ang mga farmer natin, dapat nag-adjust na din sa period ng pagtatanim,” she added.
Furthermore, farmers can also utilize El Niño ready crop varieties. The Agricultural Training Institute endorses rice plant varieties such as NSIC Rc23, NSIC Rc160, or NSIC Rc192 which are all early-maturing and drought-tolerant. By doing so, our supply of food would not be easily affected by water shortages.
Although the droplets from the artificial rain of cloud seeding spark relief amid the danger of recurring El Niño every year, let us not rely on it. Our preventive actions might not stop El Niño from causing major droughts; however, if it keeps us from losing
Scientists and mathematicians of Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) bagged awards from the District Level to the Regional Level in the Science and Technology Fair (Sci-Fair).
For the Individual category during the Legislative District 5 Sci-Fair, Twinkle Labog topped in the Innovation Expo. Shakira Javier also ranked 1st in Robotics and Intelligent Machines and so for Angel Guzman for Life Science. Meanwhile, Jerico Rañeses (Physical Science) and Allaiza Juan (Mathematics and Computational Sciences) garnered 2nd place.
Meanwhile, for the Team Category, 1st place was awarded to Eve Laurado, Gilliana Bedaña, and Euxene Bagullo (Innovation Expo); Jhehu Domingo, Czarina Santiago, and Airah Asuncion (Robotics and Intelligent Machines); Xye Dela Cruz, Gene Carlo Lintao, and Ellen Domingo (Life Science); Jairo Sales, Kelly Nool, Angel Patricio (Mathematics and Computational Sciences); and May Dela Cruz, Ritchine Cantila, and Kiel Domingo (Poster Making).
The study on Robotics and Intelligent Ma-
chines Watt-A-Bot: A GPT-Powered Chatbot for Enhanced School Automation System offers a possible and doable way of reducing fire risks at Aurora Senior High School from electrical appliances left on in classrooms.
In relation to this, during the awarding of the winners of DSTF, the Innovation Individual, Robotics, and Poster Making team clinched 1st place, 3rd place for the Mathematics and Computational Sciences Individual, and 5th place for the team category.
Further, the Innovation and Robotics Individual and Robotics Team represented the school in the Regional Science and Technology Fair (RSTF) where the Robotics Team seized 2nd place in Best Display Board.
According to Junel Madarang, one of the coaches, the main goal of the different studies conducted is not for the contests but the possible development of tangible and doable solutions various problems that these studies may offer.
Grade 11 and 12 learners from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are benefiting from immersive laboratory activities that go beyond traditional classroom learning in their Biology and Chemistry subjects
Recently, Grade 11 students participated in their first laboratory activity for the 4th quarter, titled Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Extraction of Vegetables, Fruits, and Liver of Chickens or Swine, for them to better understand the genetic code that makes up organisms.
Moreover, Grade 12 students are engaged in the mixing of solutions to observe color changes and classify reactions in their chemistry subject.
In an interview with Crista Asuncion, chemistry teacher, she emphasized that laboratory experiences provide a unique opportunity for students to apply theories learned in the classroom to practical situations.
Series of laboratory activities are already scheduled based on the learning competency set for the whole semester.
“We are fortunate that we have enough laboratory equipments. At least we can utilize them for our learning. And I hope, students take extra care everytime they use it so that more students will benefit from them.
“I hope there will be more laboratory activities in the future so we can experience other things related to experimentation,” Reyric Arellano of 11-Amethyst stated.
Grade 12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students from sections Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Rankine recently underwent their research proposal defense during the 2024 STEM Research Proposal Defense held at the Multi-Purpose Hall, January 17.
During the defense proper, students highlighted their presentations on anticipated outcomes of their research and how these studies could contribute to the community.
Specifically, the research on The Effectiveness of Soursop Leaves (Annona Muricata) Extract in Lowering Blood Sugar Levels in Albino Rats (Life Science) aims to add medical solutions as it seek for natural lowering of blood sugar. AgriMAN: Rice Crop Disease Detection Device Using Image Processing with Centralized Data Hub (Robotics and Intelligent Machines) aims to provide aid in the agricultural sector while the Wibuy: An Automated
Recyclable Segregating Waste Collector with Wi-Fi Trading System (Robotics and Intelligent Machines) aims to address garbage management concerns through an automated device.
In an interview with Makaila Besa, team leader of the group, she explains that this research study will not only contribute and support proper recycling of local waste but also help local trash collectors to lessen labor since the waste materials are already segregated and dry upon collection.
Additionally, it will also provide time-limited internet connection to the users upon inserting plastic bottles or cans in the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM).
In relation, some of the research proposals will be continued in the Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion (III) subject in the second semester.
Aurorabasketball team’s run on the 1st JCDY Intertown Cup Basketball tournament 2nd-5th class category brought challenges as they climbed to the top, a cruise through hell in order to bring pride to their municipality, the team’s journey never went as easy as an open layup, but rather a drive to the basket through a tight defense.
Luis Magtuto of 11-Topaz dominates the discus throw (26.6 m) and javelin throw (43.4 m) during the Aurora District Athletic Meet on Aurora Central School Ground on November 10, 2023.
Amidst the heat, the discus throw event started. Athletes from different schools participated in the elimination round, thinning the number of participants to four for the final round: Luis Magtuto from ASHS, Fhairy Muhammad and Jehu Juan Lajorda from DANHS, and Christian Guitang from VFIS. The finals ended with Magtuto’s impressive 26.6-meter throw.
After the discus throw event, the elimination round for javelin throw commenced with 7 athletes participating among different schools in Aurora where familiar faces joining from the earlier discus throw event, Luis leading with a big margin. The 4 best athletes advanced to the final round, Luis Magtuto(ASHS), Jian Mark Besco and Jay Mark Dela Cruz(DANHS), and Jackson Cattagan(VFIS) where Luis recorded an outstanding 43.4m, a personal record that wowed the crowd. Magtuto dominated the remaining finalists from Doña Aurora NHS and Villa Fugu IS who went home with the silver and bronze medal.
Luis’ achievement added 2 gold medals to ASHS. According to him, he worked hard during the 3-day duration of his practice from tuesday to thursday, strengthening his muscles and improving his stamina as a preparation for the contest. He is delighted to win the event as he wasn’t expecting to win the gold medal. “Masaya, di ko ineexpect na mananalo ako” he said. “Masaya na ako dito”, he added that he is already contented on what he achieved but he’ll try his best to triumph on the higher meets.
Start of the Journey
Being the lowest seed, Aurora faced a challenge right away in the first round of the tournament, a twice-to-beat advantaged fourth-seed municipality of San Isidro, one loss and it’s all over for the team.
But Aurora showed their prowess inside the court and made it to the next round, sweeping San Isidro to escape an early retirement from the tournament.
It is as if the team defeated the final boss, yet, another giant awaits in the upcoming match.
Next Challenge
After escaping a twiceto-beat disadvantage, there is yet another challenge for the
team—facing the first seed Naguilian in the Quarterfinals.
Naguilian in the first round, got a twice-to-beat advantage over San Agustin, which the team used to advance to the Quarterfinals, waiting for yet another team to be their victim.
Aurora never let Naguilian take over the Quarterfinals, Jordan Medios led the Aurora Basketball team in game one to force a do-or-die game.
MJ Joson of Aurora handles the final match, finishing with a triple-double 32-point game to sweep Naguilian in a huge win, 106-68, and advance to the semifinals, overcoming yet another challenge for the team.
Into the Narrow Way Aurora’s semifinal stint was as hard as their past matches, the team lost their crucial first game against Reina Mercedes, which forced them into yet another twice-tobeat match.
The final game against Reina Mercedes was the closest for them to leave the tournament, tensions arose during the game, causing a brawl between players of opposing sides. Aurora escapes near defeat against Reina Mercedes in an overtime match to advance to the Finals game.
Steps Closer to the Dream
In their JCDY Intertown Cup Journey, the team learned from their past games and their experiences, seem-
ingly showing all that
According to Jake Urbano, a Grade 12 student at Aurora Senior High School and one of the players for the Aurora team, he mentioned that the journey was exciting and full of challenges, which is why their team really pushed hard to win.
“Players of Aurora showed an amazing game and Joson was truly outstanding, he’s my idol”, Vicson Centinaje, one of the fans, said.
Roxas’ Men’s Volleyball dominated Aurora’s men’s volleyball team represented by Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) in their own hometown during the LD5 meet championship match, held at the auditorium in Sta. Rosa Aurora, Isabela, on December 2, 2023, 2-0.
The Roxas team took an early lead with their strong offense, gaining significant gaps on the first 10 minutes of the first set, 6-14.
Moreover, Roxas’ with their offensive technique along with their good strikers, pointed them on capturing the victory on the first set of the match, 12-25.
In the first 10 minutes of the second set, Aurora improved their play with better offensive strategy, taking the lead with a score of 14-12.
However, on the next minutes, team Aurora struggled with their defense against the opponent’s barraging attackers, allowing Roxas to maintain their momentum
and ultimately win the second set, 22-25.
“I think a part of how we lost, is we lack a bit on our defense, and the opponents were really good at keeping their momentum, and balancing their offensive performance,” John Lloyd Luna of the Aurora Team, stated.
Furthermore, due to their unbeatable technique, Roxas’s Men’s volleyball won the championship round effortlessly, claiming the title and advancing to the division meet.
“Masakit ang pagkatalo naming kasi umasa kami na backto-back champion sana pero medyo
kinapos. Bawi nalang next year ang district natin,” graduating team captain Justine Lantano of ASHS added. Despite being in the homecourt, and with the advantage of cheering crowd for Aurora, Roxas men’s volleyball effectively employed their destructive technique and managed to win the gold as they claimed the championship title and advances to the provincial meet.
This victory of the team Roxas’s Men’s volleyball team broke the Aurora’s Men’s volleyball team’s record of winning every game several years in a row, ending Aurora’s reign as lords of the volleyball court.
they got during this final bout. The Aurora Basketball team sweeps Mallig in the finals game, 3-0, to take home the first-ever JCDY Intertown Cup trophy.
The absence of a partner did not diminish the radiance of her performance; instead, it accentuated her ability to stand alone and shine. Her dance was not just a series of steps but a narrative of strength, individuality, and the sheer joy of embracing one’s true self.
CAVRAA Ticket Secured
ithin the hallowed halls of ASHS Industrial Complex during the SchoolIntramurals 2023, where the rhythm of excitement echoed through the air, despite the scorching heat inballroom and the beautifully adorned velvet garments, one name stood alone, yet gracefully conquered the dance floor with unmatched eleand determination.
In a sea of partnered dancers, Anthea continued through the competition as the only participant in the solo category. As the solo dancer of the bunch, she moved gracefully that transcended the ordinary, navigating the waters of artistry.
Like a lone swan gliding across a moonlit lake, Anthea entered the room with an aura of serenity that belied the intensity beneath. With every poised movement, she carved an ethereal path through the dance floor, a testament to the undeniable power of individuality.
Her movements, akin to the wings of a swan, conveying a story of resilience, courage, and the undeniable allure of an individual dancing to the rhythm of their own heartbeat.
Swans, renowned for their solitary elegance, symbolize beauty, grace,
and self-sufficiency. Much like these ma jestic creatures, Anthea transformed the stage into her own canvas, where each step became a brushstroke, and every twirl an artistic expression of her spirit.
She illuminated the floor with her brilliance. The absence of a partner did not diminish the radiance of her performance; instead, it accentuated her ability to stand alone and shine. Her dance was not just a series of steps but a narrative of strength, individuality, and the sheer joy of embracing one’s true self.
As the audience witnessed Ant hea performance, they became captivat ed bythe singular beauty of her dance. The applause that followed was not just for her technical prowess but for the courage she displayed in standing solo, defying conventions, and proving that true artistry knows no bounds.
In the tapestry of ASHS Intra murals 2023, Anthea Lynelle Corpuz emerged as a lone swan, a symbol of the power that lies within an individual, a reminder that even in solitude, one can radiate a brilliance that captivates and inspires. Anthea’s dance was not just a performance; it’s a celebration of individuality that ASHS caters; much like a lone swan gracing a tranquil pond under the moonlight.
egislative District 5 (LD5) volleyball team girls, represented by Aurora Senior High School (ASHS), dominated the court taking against the Legislative District 3 (LD3) through their offensive skills and techniques during the Provincial Athletic Meet held at Alicia Isabela, February 29, 2024, 1-2.
Legislative
2024, 1-2
Both teams showed solid defense on the 1st set, but LD5, led by Team Captain Princess Lara Agcaoili's offensive combos, claimed victory with a score of 17-25.
On the second set, the mood of the court switched as LD3 went neck and neck with LD5’s defense, performing offensive tactics, although Michaela Jane Gregorio managed to secure saves, LD3 successfully took over the set, 25-23.
Team LD5 on the 3rd set performed offense with a 5-0 start, showing great performance on attacks gaining lots of consecutive points, flooding the court with aces and taking the victory on the last set, 18-25.
“The reason why we won the match is because of our teamwork, trust to each other and nakikinig sa turo ng coaches and trainors namin.”, Team captain Princess Lara Agcaoli said.
LD5's victory earns them a spot in the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) meet in April.
Meanwhile, the basketball team (girls) clinched silver medal after the LD3 defeated them on the semifinals.
“Dahil buong Isabela na ang ire-represent namin, doble ang pressure kaya kailangan ding mag-double effort kami sa paghahanda. Gusto talaga namin na marana-
san naman ang maki-Palarong Pambansa, “ Agcoili added.
Meanwhile, according to Michaela Jane Gregorio, she felt again the same as last year when she qualified for the CAVRAA in her final year as a junior high school student.
“It is good to be here again, to represent Isabela in CAVRAA, sana magtuloy-tuloy ulit katulad ng last year na makaabot for pre-palaro qualifiers” she further stated. Additionally, LD5 dance sport team also represented by Aurora Senior High School bagged awards in different dance sports categories.
Jaycermel A. Manganaan POWER SPIKE. Team Captain Princess Lara Agcaoili of Legislative District 5 (LD5) Volleyball team represented by Aurora Senior High School (ASHS) hit a spike against LD3 defense during the gold medal bout during the Isabela Provincial Athletic Meet, March 1. Photo Credit: Harold B. Lustina
Jeoffe Heardy R. Alejandrino
A new sport flourishes in Aurora Senior High School’s quiet hallways and behind closed classroom doors. Amidst the bustle of academic life, a few students have discovered the thrill and comfort in the shadowy world of 8-ball pool. Beneath their textbooks and notebooks, there is a desire for strategy and accuracy as they deftly manipulate cue sticks in an attempt to win and escape the attack of boredom.
The secret 8-ball pool games played in the Aurora Senior High School are the stuff of legends.
Students hurry to the allotted improvised pool tables, dustpan handles as cue sticks, crumpled papers, or even plastic bottle caps are used as pool balls. Jonaed Ambulan-Abalos, 12- Augustine adviser, states that her students often play 8-ball pool in their classroom. “Pina-stop ko yung laro nilang yan dahil nasira nila yung isang teacher’s table dahil sa kalalaro nila ng ganyan, “ Abalos added.
Customarily, educational tasks may grow monotonous, leading students to become disinterested. During breaks, the
8-ball pool can be introduced to add excitement and offer a welcome change of pace.
The pool is a social game by nature, promoting cooperation and conversation. Students can form bonds, grow friendships, and improve peer relationships by playing together. This promotes a feeling of belonging and camaraderie in the classroom.
Playing pool is one of the recreational activities that can genuinely enhance cognitive performance. It takes focus and concentration to analyze angles, plan shots, and predict opponents’ movements. These skills are applicable to academic work. Hence. playing pool in the classroom can help students stay attentive and involved.
Besides amusement and to escape boredom, the 8-ball pool promotes social connection, breaks up the monotony, and improves cognitive abilities. Teachers can build dynamic classrooms where students succeed intellectually and socially by embracing creative ways to develop their skills and abilities. So, let’s break the rack and use the improvised cue and tables the next time we’re bored for a little poolside
urora Senior High School (ASHS) Football team blasted an astonishing victory against Doña Aurora National High School (DANHS), 4-1, during the Municipal Meet held at Aurora Senior High School grounds on November 11.
The pour of the rain and the rocky ground added drama to the atmosphere as the game began intensely, resulting in an equal and tightly contested match as both teams display prowess in handling defensive and offensive tactics.
ASHS dominated in the first half of the match, as the sweats of players also clash with the challenging field condition.
At the first 15-minute mark of the first half, the ASHS team managed to secure a corner ball and successfully scores a phenomenal goal, making it 1-0.
It went downhill for team DANHS, after ASHS team got another goal as striker Jojo Sagaysay scored in the early two minutes on the next half of the game, 2-0.
ASHS team executed a great plan and strategy, adding another goal after three minutes of play in an offensive tactic, making it 3-0.
Despite having a significant lead against the opposing team, the ASHS players maintained their focus and momentum in their gameplay.
The wet rocky field failed to deter the ASHS Team from scoring a 4-0 run between the 16th and 18th minutes of
the second half of the game.
DANHS, however, managed to score its first goal in the final seconds of the game, making it 4-1.
“Siguro isang dahilan ng pagkapanalo namin ay instead na maging complacent kami dahil sa kalamangan namin, mas lalo pa kaming nag-focus,” winning team’s top scorer and captain, Alvin Dela Cruz, stated.
With a great strategy and strong leadership, the Aurora Senior High School’s football team secured a slot to advance to the Legislative District 5 (LD5) Congressional Meet.
Jaycermel A. Manganaan
Jhon Mark G. Pancho
Pulang Matatag secured the championship against Bughaw na Pagkakaisa in the Sepak Takraw Finals during the 2023 Intramurals with 2 sets.
Mark Joseph Macadaeg showcased prowess, leading the Pulang Matatag team to a commanding three-point lead of 21-18 in the initial Regu.
As the game progressed, Macadaeg's performance continued, guiding Pulang Matatag to a sure victory over Bughaw na Pagkakaisa in the second Regu.
The intensity peaked when Bughaw na Pagkakaisa leveled the score at 20-20, yet Macadaeg's exceptional play secured the final two points, ultimately sealing Pulang Matatag's triumph, 22 – 20.
Macadaeg also clinched the star player title after winning the Single Elimination Championship.
"Sobrang saya sa feeling na nanalo ang team namin, hindi ko ineexpect na magiging star player ako," Macadaeg stated.
According to coach Annaliza Hernando some of the qualities that led to Pulang Matatag’s triumph, were teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.
“They have the talents and skills, and the last thing I could do before the game was to pray for them,” she stated.
Team R15:1 secures a resounding victory over J29:11 team in the best of three Championship round of the E-sportscall of duty Stemfusion Tournament hosted by the Stemclub, held at Senior High School’s computer lab in Building E, December 24, 2023.
On the First match of the game, R:15:1 player Mark Fabianes with his Aimbot accuracy pushes the team to make a bombingvictory, bursting every match of the First game, 3-0. The second match, was a quite tight one with team J29:11 advancing their lineup and strategy making this match Long. However, R15:1 Still manages to secure their win on the second game, countering the teams technique with their offense advantage due to the player’s good accuracy, 3-0. On the last game, the R15:1 Plays unexpectedly faster and better.
On the last game, the R15:1 Plays unexpectedly faster and better, the opposing team just can’t reach their hopes of winning with their players playing poorly, and gives R15:1 team to rush their victory on each game, 3-0.
The R15:1 team now claims the title of the first ever COD tournament Champions, Fabianes of R15:1 was hailed as the first Call of Duty tournament MVP, after winning three consecutive sets of the games against J29:11, making the team J29:11 the 1st runner up.
People might think that Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged in our generation’s latest era; however, in sports, AI was already used in the early 1990s. It was when the American football teams started to use computer simulations to analyze players’ performance and game strategies.
Now, it is slowly dominating the bigger parts of sports, not just in analyzing players’ performance and strategies but also the sports process per se. There is now a thin line between what humans can do and what AI can do better.
When we think of AI in sports, we might imagine robots playing soccer and AI thinking like humans. However, it only helps detect patterns and predict specific outcomes based on massive amounts of data.
Similarly, those broadcasted games we see on television use AI to track players or objects like balls on the field to precisely facilitate games and ensure a more accurate game flow.
An AI sports algorithm can also detect poor performance amongst players; this helps teams plan their game and player rotations more effectively.
For teams with massive budgets, it is also used to monitor player’s health. Its advanced system lets the team anticipate potential injuries. In fact, Rugby Association is investing in smart mouthguard technology to detect potential brain injuries among players.
Additionally, in the Philippines, AI in sports journalism has also become popular due to the recent experiment of GMA Network Inc. of using AI to deliver sports news using avatars called AI sportscasters in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
A public, NMI Studios Head
of Creatives Ramil Escarda explained, “It doesn’t replace human ingenuity; instead, it amplifies it, making our storytelling more powerful and accessible.”
Danger from AI is gradually growing. It’s important to fight the impulse to use AI to fill in every gap and solve every issue in sports. It should not trade humans and their
“
Danger from AI is gradually growing. It’s important to fight the impulse to use AI to fill in every gap and solve every issue in sports. It should not trade humans and their occupations.
occupations. Besides, given the current state of disinformation in the globe, media outlets in the sports journalism industry need to capitalize on the potential that true journalists offer. AI undoubtedly revolutionize data-driven decisions, optimize performances and accurate health monitoring systems, and overall reshape sports in the long run. But still, the ability to tell stories, connect with athletes, play the truth to power, and develop skills without it must be embraced. Sports are unfiltered, and athletes can learn from their own without an “algorithm” to dictate.
TJeoffe Heardy R. Alejandrino
Seior High School (ASHS) and is not merely a far-off idea. We see firsthand the ability of sports diplomacy to mold young minds and hearts, to heal cultural gaps with every match, practice, and competitions.
During school events, teams from different sports have a long history of success, every year is an opportunity to compete beyond the quest for triumph. Students participate in cultural exchange through athletic events, which promotes respect and understanding.
international relations, but it can also lead to misinterpretations or personal judgments of each participant. It is undeniable that sports diplomacy offers a unique platform for positive communication and can, at a sur face level, foster tolerance through mutual respect and understanding.
Essentially, through shared experiences, sports diplomacy offers a way to diffuse political tensions and foster peace.
Sports diplomacy can bridge cultural divides in international relations, but it can also lead to misinterpretations or personal judgments of each participant.
While some individuals who are not interested in sports do not view sports as a means of fostering positive relationships, sports enthusiasts believe that sports advocacy is the most effective approach to foster goodwill among others.
Sports diplomacy can bridge cultural divides in
Sports, not only entertainment, but a bridge that connects people, a way of fostering peace and relation behind the time of dispute and war. We can fit in a new era of international relations by embracing the power of sports to foster communication and collaboration.
