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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I C E N H S - S a n t i a g o A n n e x J une 2013 -March 2014

ICEHS-SANTIAGO PASSES LEVEL II IN rEGIONAL SBM-PASBE ACCrEDITATION

ANOTHER WIN FOR ICEHS-SANTIAGO

By: Jelma l. Pinote

By: Donna Gulay

Last November 2013, ICEHS-Santiago had reached another milestone for it passed the Level II SBM-PASBE accreditation conducted by the regional office. All the toils and sacrifices of the teachers and most especially the focal persons who were Kareen Rose J. Daang, Elizabeth T. Galit, Ryan Salomson, Aileen C. Bolocon, and Ruel Togonon and the school head, Dr. Reynilda C. Alferez had finally paid off big time. Of all the small schools being evaluated, it was only ICEHS-Santiago among the few who had passed the said evaluation. Getting into that level was no easy task-it was a herculean one. It took us six months to prepare for the big day. Being a small school with a small budget, funding the SBM preparation was no joke. And yet the school had managed to get by and emerged victorious.

What is SBM? In the education department, this seems to be the cause of stress and frustrations among teachers and administrators alike. Why would it not be when this has become the reason why teachers are not able to go home early from school,

A year ago, ICEHS-Santiago Annex received an accolade for winning the “Best Implementer of Brigada Eskwela” . This did not come without us exerting great effort on our part. In this new school year ;however, we did not do much. We just went with the motion and did not expect anything. Despite of these all, we still ranked second place in the whole Iligan City Division in the search for the “Best Brigada Eskwela Implementer. This only goes to show that we have already internalized the said program that even without any rewards in our minds, we were able to do the best practices of Brigada Eskwela, Congratulations to all who had labored and toiled for the success of this endeavor. Let us not also forget to thank the stakeholders who have supported us all the way. Special mention goes to Macalintal Tintil, the GPTA president, Marilyn Paz Semborio, the GPTA treasurer and to all the prime movers of Brigada Eskwela. 2013.

and get a goodnight sleep because they have to burn the midnight candle in order for them to comply with all the gargantuan requirements such as reports, lesson plans, classroom structuring, evaluations and etc. However tiring these things maybe; the outcome of these will bring great benefits not only to the teachers but to the students as well. Once a certain school has complied the requirements for the SBM accreditation, it means to see that it is providing quality education to the students it cater.

Theoretically speaking, School-based management (SBM) is a strategy to improve education by transferring significant decision-making authority from state and district offices to individual schools. SBM provides principals, teachers, students, and parents greater control over the education process by giving them responsibility for decisions about the budget, personnel, and the curriculum. Through the involvement of teachers, parents, and other community members in these key decisions, SBM can create more effective learning environments for

children. So for those teachers who abhor

SBM, I hope that through this article you now see it in a different light. It is you who are in the real scenario have the knowledge of what our school truly need. We can not rely forever for the central office to do

the improvement for us. Each of us must take part in changing the face of our school for the better may you be a student, teacher, principal or parent. All these years, we have been only observants——staying outside looking in the shaping of an individual into a better person through

education. We only stood waiting to be fed with everything and what’s worst was that we already did nothing and yet we were quick in complaining once things went wrong. Since, we are given the opportunity to take part now, grab it because chance like this only happens once in a lifetime.

SCHOOL EVALUATIONBy: Kristel V. Gomisong

The administration and faculty of ICEHS-Santiago along with its students know no ending to its endeavors. Just last week, March 18, 2014, we had another round of quarterly classroom evaluation. Queer, Isn’t it? All of us are used to having classroom evaluation at the start of the school year or in the middle but not during graduation time. We are not making “pauso” here. We just want to prove that we are this dedicated to our vocations and we don’t tolerate procrastination.

If we started the year with well-structured classrooms, we would also like to close the school year the way we had opened it up. Despite of us having our hands full with all the paper works, we had still managed to structure and beautify our classrooms and assigned areas.

For the said event, we had two sets of evaluators-the first set was composed of stakeholders who were the GPTA Officers and the some members of the Barangay Council of Santiago. The second set was

composed of our Division Supervisors in the persons of Mrs. Magbitang and Mrs. Virginia Nadayag. The event became more stressful and exciting when our Schools Division Superintendent, Randolph B. Tortola dropped by our school along with Dalipuga National High School principal, Mr. Ronilo Apas and Abuno High School principal, Mrs. Vicky Postrano to personally inspect and witness the fruits of our labors. The big boss came to evaluate our school! My! We al most ate our hearts out. Our tensions lessened only when he finally gave us his thumbs up. We were overjoyed because the other visitors commended our hard work as

well. Of all the improvements in

our school, what elicited so much appreciation from the visitors was the newly-constructed butterfly park. The park is situated in front of the classroom of Grade 8-Magalang. The idea of creating this one came out right after our bench marking from the different schools here in Iligan City last year. Since our school has only small space for an oval, our brilliant school head, Dr. Reynilda C. Alferez decided to make a park in it like what Tomas Cabili National High School has.

We were skeptics at first because we thought about the budget and labor. But after it was over and done, gone also all of our skepticism. Lo and behold! with Mr. Palisbo and Mr. Luzon’s golden touch, and most especially with the hands-on horticultural ingenuity of the school head and Mr. Ryan Salomsom’s day to day management of needs, a magnificent butterfly park now stands in the middle of or school.

The park is only the icing of the cake. The best improvement we have is in the Principal’s Office and in the different classrooms. So, why not spend some of your time and visit ICEHS-Santiago now and see for yourself.SDS TORTOLA and party during the quarterly evaluation

The regional SBM validating team and the SBM focal persons of ICEHS-Santiago Annex

ICEHS-Santiago Annex Nature’s Park

2 EDITORIALTYPHOON YOLANDA IN PERSPECTIVE

A CAMPAIGN FOR CLEAN SANTIAGO

By: Jelma L. Pinote

Typhoons are getting more frequent and more ferocious as the years go by. Behind this is climate change-the insidious killer that has altered weather patterns across the globe. No longer can we turn a blind eye nor deny this festering problem.

As we know too well, one of the most painful consequences of global warming is that tropical storms have become more unpredictable, more frequent, and more violent. The Philippines bears the brunt of weather disturbances due to a lethal combination of being near the equator and being fully exposed to Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Our geographic position has made us the third most vulnerable nation to climate change, according to ADB.

Typhoon Haiyan-Yolanda, which hit the Philippines in November 2013 was considered to be the strongest and most destructive typhoon to ever land on our countrys history. As the full devastation of Typhoon Haian came to light, it seemed that we

were not fully prepared despite all the warnings and safety measures that the citizens, and the government took beforehand. Residents had been warned of the wind, but the shocking 19-foot storm surge swept thousands out to the sea. Thousands of people had simply disappeared. Weather experts from all over the world have concluded that this super typhoon leaves no question that no amount of preparation could have prevented the kind of massive destruction inflicted on Tacloban, Guian, Ormoc, coastal communities in Panay and other areas.

NDRRMC said the total damage to infrastructure and agriculture amount to around P30.8 billion. Damage to infrastructure reached P15.7 billion while damage to agriculture at P15.1 billion. The affected families in Visayas region rose from2,335.031 to 2,376,217 or around 11.2 million individuals . Around 3,887,997 persons or 851,665 families were staying at 1,070

evacuation centers. The number of damaged house also went up to 1,168,958 from 1,168,909. Power outages are still being experienced in some provinces and municipalities in Mimaropa, Bicol region, Western,Central and Eastern Visayas.. The disaster council Council reported the death toll at 5,632 and up until now, authorities are still eyeing for the number to climb.

It seems these days that whenever Mother Nature wants to send an urgent message tohumankind, it sends it via the Philippines. That it was

The climate change that was creating super typhoons that were taking weird directions was a message that Nature was sending not just to Filipinos but to the whole world.

No doubt Yolanda left us with a lot of painful lessons that we must all learn from. Nature has shown us its wrath. These calamities were due to our careless and irresponsible actions. It is now time for us to wake up and change our ways.

Last September 2013, teachers and students alike joined hand in hand in conducting the coastal clean-up in line with the celebration of the International Earth Day. Groups of students being supervised by teachers were being dispatched in the coastal areas of Barangay Santiago to do the clean-up drive. Upon arriving in the area, we were dismayed with the amount of garbage that was disposed in the sea. Everywhere you look, you will see different kinds of trash like cellophanes, styrofoams, cans, leaves, dead animals and much to our chagrin-human wastes. Disgusted with what we had seen, we cleaned the area thoroughly because we all knew that most of the seafood that we ate were all taken from the sea

in this area. We also thought of educating the people living in the area about the hazards brought about by dumping garbage in the sea and in the river. It was high time that the people will learn to be responsible in disposing their waste. We didn’t want the tragedy brought by Typhoon Sendong to happen again.

After we were done cleaning the shoreline, we went ahead in cleaning the streets. Just like in the coastal area, there were also several garbage piles in the streets. Some of them were thrown carelessly while some of them were piled along the highway waiting for the garbage truck to pick them up. There was a definite schedule for the garbage truck to arrive but some people didn’t

follow the schedule. They just left their garbage along the highway even if the garbage truck was not still scheduled to arrive soon. Some of the people also just didn’t care of cleaning their surroundings. This was one of the problems of the people of Barangay Santiago. It seemed that they didn’t have a proper garbage disposal program. If the garbage truck were late in picking up the garbage, the trash will be left smelling in the whole place. So to make them become aware about the importance of cleanliness, we spearheaded the cleaning of the area for them to follow suit. Being abashed of what they saw, the people indeed followed suit. They began to pick up their brooms and bolos and cleaned the area.

THE EDITORIAL STAFFEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WRITERS

LAY-OUT ARTISTS

ADVISER

JELMA L. PINOTE

KRISTEL V. GOMISONG

SULTAN BOLKIAH LAO

SORAHAYDA B. SAMPORNA

KRISTEL MAE PISCOS

DARLIE ALONA TAGOYLO

RAMSIE MAMBESA

JESSA MAE NADAYAG

DONNA GULAY

FRACHESCA CLAIRE VEGA

By: The Vagabond

“Storm surge swept thousands out to the sea. Thousands of people had simply disappeared. Weather experts from all over the world have concluded that this super typhoon leaves no question that no amount of preparation could have prevented the kind of massive destruction .”

3EDITORIALTHE VALUE OF EDUCATION

PHILIPPINES VS CHINA? THE SENATE AND CONGRESS BROUHAHA

by: Jelma L. Pinote

Education is what will liberate us from the bondage of poverty. Many of us keep on complaining about the hardships in life. We are given a chance to improve our life’s situation through education and yet we don’t give it much value. Here in ICEHS-Santiago, most of the students are government scholars. Some are supported by NGOs. Most of the students’ needs are being backed up by these benefactors. Students are supposed to concentrate in their study with all the benefits they are enjoying because they have nothing to think about anymore when it comes to tuition fees and projects . But irony of all ironies, these students were the ones who usually neglected their studies. They didn’t attend classes regularly. If ever they attended, they cut classes or didn’t come back anymore for the afternoon session. When examination time came, they also didn’t study and submitted requirements very late. However, this was not always the case. There were also instances that they didn’t submit

they didn’t submit project at all. With no attendance, quizzes,

For several years now, the Spratlys Group of Islands has been contested upon by several countries like Malaysia, Brunei, China, Cambodia and the Philippines. Of all these countries who claim Spratlys Group of Islands to be part of their territory, it is the Philippines and China who press on the matter strongly. As days go by, things are heating up between the two countries over the disputed islands. Each country claims that it has historical and legal basis in claiming the islands as part of their territories. The Philippines bases of claim in the Spratly Group of Islands are that it is within its 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone based on the UNCLOS, it is also very close to the Philippines compare to Vietnam and China, and the historical rights as the ancestral domain of the Sultanate of Sulu which date backs from the Mahjapahit and Shrivijaya empires, which extended from Sabah(North Borneo), the Sulu archipelago, Palawan, parts of Mndanao, the islands now known as the Spratlys, Palawan, and up to the Visayas and Manila. The China on the other hand, anchored its claim on the following bases: its right to the area comes from 2,000 years of history where the Paracel and Spratly island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation. Legally, China claims sovereignty over the disputed islands and adjacent waters in the Sea and sovereign rights over relevant waters as well as the seabed and

projects and exam, teachers surely had a hard time figuring out whether to pass them or not.

If only the teachers are given the liberty to adapt their own grading system, these erring students would not proliferate. K-12 Curriculum mandates that those students whole fail in a certain subject should attend a summer class to be handled by teacher who fail them without any benefit on the teacher’s side. He will be doing it pro bono with only a service credit to remunerate their service.

Teachers find this arrangement so unfair so for fear of having to hold summer classes, they grudgingly pass these erring students. Moreover, the number of failing students in a class will also affect the rate of the teachers in their CB Past so a win-win solution is always made by the teachers at the expense of attaining quality education. The aforementioned measures implemented by the Department of Education to upgrade the educational system, on my part, seems to worsen rather than improve the situation. The students don’t fear of failing in

subsoil thereof — a claim in accordance with Law of the Seas (LOS) norms. But operationally, China’s oceanic law enforcement agencies have unilaterally, and at times forcefully, enforced their writ across the more expansive political perimeter bounded by the ‘nine-dashed line’.

With China’s aggressive move of declaring its sovereignty over the islands by sending its military troops to build infrastructure and conduct research on its mineral-rich seabed, the Philippines issued concern. It tried to have a dialogue with China over the resolution of the issue to no avail. China like the Philippines would not back out with its claim and continue to send military to patrol around the area who is fully-armed with high-powered weapons and more than ready to fire at anyone who tries to come to the islands that they occupy. The Philippines, too has its own troops stationed on one of the disputed islands. However, its troops are no match to their Chinese counterparts. In fact, it took 6 months for the last troops to be replaced because the Chinese would not allow the Philippines military ship passage in the area. The Philippine troops were only replaced when it brought with them some journalists and by outsmarting them with some navigation maneuvers. Observers both local and international call this act of China intimidating. Some also call China as bully because of its tendency of intimidating smaller countries. Just recently, its

class anymore because they know that this is not going to happen because the teacher always find a way to pass them. This is good if the teachers will do their part as an educator but sad to say some of them will treat these students as mere excess baggage only.We can’t blame them because their hands are already full with all their tasks here in school and they have their own families to attend to. So, if we truly value education and if we really want to unchain ourselves from the bondage of poverty, let us also do our parts as students. Time changes now. Gone are those days that we were being spoon-fed fed with everything we need. This is already the computer age. One must not rely too much on any individual to help him. One must learn to fend for himself. Because in the end, it is you, yourself who will bear the brunt of not having been able to attain quality education.

Young as we are, we still have plenty of time to rectify our errors. The future stares at us on the face. We must do something to make it brighter. As for those erring students, my message is this: If

military troops fired water cannon on the Vietnamese vessel which disrupted their drilling activity on the Paracel Island. Paracel Island is an island which is both claim by the Chinese and the Vietnamese.

Despite of the fact that the issue of who rightfully own the Spratly Groups of Islands is not resolved yet, China continues to build infrastructure and conduct exploration on the area. To avoid things to escalate into war, Philippines is now inviting China to let the United Nations Convention to resolve the issue but the latter would not concede to the idea and chooses to resolve the matter on a bicameral means by having closed meeting with the former. With this development, it seems that the Philippines is on its losing battle. Nothing is left to do now but wait for the proper authority to resolve the issue and ask the help of its allied countries like the United States to back it up with its fight with a much bigger and powerful country if ever this will escalate into a war. However, its much trusted ally it seems is not taking side on the issue so the Philippines is left to decide the matter on her own hands. The question now is that whether the Philippines is a match to China when its military alone is equivalent to the entire population of the US. Having colonized by three powerful countries before and having fought for its freedom, the Philippines is not daunted. As President Pnoy said, “We shall fight until the last man standing to defend our territory”.

Every time you watch or you listen to the news here in the Philippines, what you will hear is the endless fights among our senators and congressmen. Each one of them is aiming for nothing but his comrade’s falling apart. Instead of drafting laws or thinking of a good project that will alleviate poverty in our country, our lawmakers wasted our time and money in washing each other’s dirty linens in public. It seems to me that they don’t get tired of attacking their opponents. The most august halls of the senate and congress have now turned into a circus being witness to the shameless exchange of foul words between our dignified??? lawmakers. Remember the heated argument between Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Juan Ponce-Enrile? Who would forget their dialogues which had served as fodders for the nosy journalists for several days. Where on earth could you hear a highly-esteemed senator calling his co-senator “tanda” in the heat of their argument? Only here in the Philippines, eh! However comical all those debates in senates and congress had turned out to be, it had still yielded good results. After former presidents, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, other big -time politicians were sent into prison. They were Senators Ramon Revilla, Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce-Enrile. All three were found guilty of plunder cases in connection to

you will end up miserable in the future, you have no one to blame but yourselves.

You maybe proud for always having taken the easy way out for now but the price of that is beyond more than you can pay. Please do change while there is still time.

We should strike hard while the iron is still hot. Later in your life , you will realize that I have not been wrong in my plea for you to turn over into a new leaf. Please don’t waste the money and effort invested on you by your parents, teachers and benefactors.

PDAF scam with Janet Napoles as the mastermind. The latter had long been sent into prison and was trying to extricate her way out with her request of acting as state witness. In order to lower her sentence, Napoles had let out the cat in the bag by divulging the names that were in her magic list. These were the politicians who took part in the PDAF scam by placing funds in a ghost NGO project with her maneuvering the process. Many were surprised and aghast to see the list for it also bears the names of those politicians that they have been looking up to all these years and whom they had believed were the answers to the long standing problems of the Philippines. If you thought that the imprisonment of Estrada and Revilla signaled the end of all the chaos in our government, you are all wrong. Just recently a group of congressmen filed an impeachment case against President Aquino for malversation of public funds through Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). They said that the said program was just a front on the President’s part for him to be given an access on the government’s wealth. The President on the other hand maintained that he needed the funds for funding government projects. Indeed, there is no end to all these hullabaloos. When one problem was resolved, another one surfaced. I wish you then good luck my dear countrymen.

By: The Vagabond

By: The Vagabond

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SCIENCE AND MATH CULMINATION PROGRAM

EDUCATION WEEK

By: Jelma L. Pinote

by: Kristel Mae Piscos

The Math and Science Month Celebration culminated with a bang. With the theme, “Science, Technology and Innovation; the road to a better Phillipines, the students performed several activities in line with it but what highlighted the celebration was the Futuristic at attire Competition. Everybody was amazed with the skills and imaginations shown by the students. One could not believe that there was still a room for imaginations in the minds of the students of ICEHS-Santiago after having been subjected to several calamities.

This could be seen in each unique and elaborate entry they presented in the competition. Armed only with indigenous materials, each group was able to create a futuristic attire mimicking some of the modern day robots. There were also some who had come out with their own creation much to amazement of the spectators.

Instead of having only a one-week-celebration for the Education Week, we made it one month. This was because we wanted to stress the importance of the English Language. Tests taken by students may it be national or local nowadays show a very alarming scores in English. Next to Science and Mathematics, it is one of those subjects that students seem to have low performance. The said fact alarm not only the school but the community as well. English is the global language so one must be good in it in order for him to compete globally. Based on the exam results, something must be done to improve the performance level of the students in English.

So, for us to be able to gauge the performance level of the students, the teachers together with the officers of the English Club decided to hold a literary contest. For the first week of the celebration, we had the poster and slogan making contest. The second week was scheduled for the essay writing and quiz bee. A extemporaneous speech competition then followed in the third week. We capped the celebration on the

Everybody had a grand day admiring and taking pictures and having their pictures taken with the student who was wearing the futuristic attire.

Meanwhile, the skills of the students in making Investigatory Research were also put into test. Their Science teachers did not only let them made a written report but had them put showcased it in public. They were like having their oral defense with not only their advisers present and some panelists but the entire school.

I could hardly forget the tension in the air that day. Just imagine the fact that all the people were there to witness the success or failure of their reports. Tension packed and exciting as it was, the day still ended with smiles painted on everybody’s face. The celebration did not only serve as a break from the routine of the sleepy school world but it gave them additional knowledge as well.

next week with a short program wherein all the winners of the different competition category were announced and were given prizes.

The Education Week culmination program was highlighted with the presentation of the “Nativity Story” by some select Grade 8 students. The Nativity Story may already be a cliché for most of us since it has been told to us over and over again but still it doesn’t fail to touch a chord in our hearts. For us Christians, The Nativity Story is the reminder of God’s great love for us human beings. Aside from some presentations, the declamation contest was also held during that day where Jessa Mae Jamorol’s performance stood out so she was able to bag the first prize. Hon. Evangelista Moleno, a retired teacher of Cabili Village Elementary School and now a Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Santiago was the guest speaker. She gave a very moving speech about the true meaning of Christmas that made us ponder about it until now. The program ended early to make way for the students’ Christmas party in the afternoon.

A BIG HURRAH FOR ICEHS-SANTIAGO’S VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAM

by: Jelma L. Pinote

Despite all the challenges that the students have had these past two years, those don’t stop them from being the best of what they can be. In the recent Inter-public schools athletic meet, the volleyball and basketball team of ICEHS-Santiago had brought honor to their Alma Mater by bagging the second and first runner up prizes respectively during the finals. The

volleyball team was composed of Korina Rico, Apple Jimenez, Gomez, Princess Nicole Layno and Kate Lasula while the basketball team was headed by Ariel Librado.

All of these winnings will not be possible without the help of their coaches , Ms. Aileen Bolocon and Cris Michael Padla. Both teams were grateful for having them as coaches because of the

kind of trainings they made them underwent just to bring home the bacon.

Compared to the players from the other school, they were a way much smaller but having mastered the skills and tricks of the said games through constant practice, they were able to match their playing prowess. Kudos to all of you!

NEWS STORIES

BUWAN NG WIKA CELEBRATION

ICEHS-SANTIAGO BRACES UP AGAINST DISASTER

by: Donna Gulay

By Donna Gulay

We celebrated Buwan ng Wika last year on the month of August with the theme “Ang Buwan ng Wika sa Daang Matuwid. “The faculty and staff of ICEHS-Santiago prepared many activities to participate on. One of the most awaited activities of the month was the Coronation of Ms. Lakambini and Mr. Lakandula for the school year 2013-2014. It became the most trending topic throughout the four corners of the school campus.

Slogan Making Contest, Poster Making Contest, Tagisan ng Talino, Vocal Solo, Declamation and Interpretative Dance were the other activities of the said event. Students were very cooperative during the contests. It was an evidence that they enjoyed the “Buwan ng Wika” Celebration.

On the Culmination Day at the same time, The Coronation of Mr. Lakandula and Ms. Lakambini, there was a total blackout in the area ,however; the students still waited for the electricity to come back.

It was already three in the afternoon when the electric power resumed. As the candidates ramped on the stage, the audience were shouting. Some were clapping their hands as support to their bets. One of the most beautiful exposures One of the best exposures that candidates had was the wearing of the Filipiniana Attire. Each candidate was stunningly beautiful but sad to say only one of the candidates was crowned as the Ms. Lakambini and Mr. Lakandula.

In the end, the pair of III-Matatag Contestants was crowned as Mr. Lakandula and

Ms. Lakambini 2013. They not only competed with their physical appearance but with their intelligence as well. After the culmination, most of the students congratulated the winners as they went downstage. The Buwan ng Wika celebration became one of the successful event of the year. Teachers and students alike are looking for a more fun-filled celebration next year. And each was also hoping that he will be the one to win this time.year. Not just the candidates were crowned but also the honor of celebrating the event was a victory.

To prepare the students in time of calamity, ICEHS-SANTIAGO conducted a seminar on Prevention and Disaster Risk Preparedness at the school campus last March 12, 2014. Among the speakers who were invited to grace the events were representative from the Bureau of Fire Protection and other NGOs. Each speaker discussed about the things to be done in times of disaster in order to be safe. They stressed on the importance of having knowledge on the safety measures to be taken to lessen the risk in times of typhoons, earthquake, fire, and etc.

Prior to the seminar, an earthquake drill was conducted by the students through the leadership of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Coordinator, Ms. Aileen C. Bolocon. The drill started with the blasting of the ceremonial siren which signals the exit of the students

from the classroom on a duck cover position with their hands covering their heads. This position is what they should emulate in time of earthquake in order to protect themselves from falling debris. They were then gathered in the school ground to listen to the discussion about the safety measures to practice in times

of calamity. The conduct of the activity was only done for an hour so as not to expose the students from the scorching heat of the sun. To deepen the students’ awareness about the things that need to be observed during disaster, the teachers integrated disaster risk reduction management in that day’s lesson.

ICEHS-Santiago Volleyball Team and Basketball Team

The Grade 8-Matatag As They Portrayed The Nativity Story.

“SAFER, ADAPTIVE and DISASTER RESILIENT FILIPINO COMMUNITIES TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.”Both the government and the non-government organizations work hand-in -hand towards the achievement of this goal.

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by: Jelma L. Pinote

NEWS STORIES

By Kristel V. GomisongBy Donna Gulay

JOINT BSP/GSP CAMPORAL 2013

DENEICE QUIDLAT QUALIFIES IN THE REGIONAL TECHNOLYMPICS

ICEHS-SANTIAGO ANNEX TO RECEIVE 50 COMPUTER SETS

Last November 21-22, 2013, ICEHS-Santiago Annex held a joint BSP/GSP camp. It was participated by all registered BSP and GSP from all year levels. The said camporal was spearheaded by Manuel Palisbo and Henrylen McMichael, the BSP and GSP Coordinators.

Despite the rain, the camping went on smoothly. The first night was considered as the most memorable of all the campers because of the ceremonial campfire. Watching the gigantic bonfire as it glowed through the night was a once in a lifetime experience for the campers. Those who were not able to join in the camping had missed half of their adolescence’ lives. Activities such as this only happens during our youth. Once you grow old, you don’t have time anymore to enjoy the simple things of like

Deneice Quidlat, a senior student of this school qualified for the regional competition for webpage design. It was truly an achievement for Quidlat who was the only girl contestant during the web page design division level competition held at Iligan City National High School last September 3, 2013. She was accompanied by her class adviser, Ms. Aileen C. Bolocon . At first, she was apprehensive of winning in the competition because she was intimidated with his male co- contestants. For her and for most

The students of ICEHS-Santiago Annex has another thing to thank for the school year 2014-2015 because they will be receiving 50 computer sets from the Deped Computerization Program. For the longest time, the students’ ratio to the computer has been 20 is to 1. This has been the perennial cause of headaches for the computer teachers. Every time there is a computer class, 20 or more students have to crowd in a single computer set because the school at present has only 10 computer sets. It was real hard for each student to have a computer hands-on which is a must for them to learn. Learning is impossible in scenario like this.

because by that time your family name will be “always busy”.

The said camping will not be complete without the students learning about the basics of scouting such as knot tying, making fire without the aid of a lighter or a match, putting up tents, giving first aids and familiarization of the BSP/GSP laws. One would not be worthy of the name scout if you he/she knows nothing about survival and helping people during emergencies. Of course, he/she must be also familiar with the scout’s laws, oath, motto and outdoor behavior.

To add more fun to the camping, a competition for Mr. and Ms. BSP was being held. One of the criteria for judging was the correct way of donning the BSP/GSP uniform. It was sad to note that nowadays, the green uniform is fast disappearing

people, most of the computer-savvies belong to the male population. But she was able to surpass them all. At the end of the day, she was proclaimed champion much to the astonishment of all spectators.

ICEHS-Santiago Annex was very proud of the said achievement. Thanks to the computer- wizard teacher, in the person of Mr. Patrick Jhon Doplon who exhausted all the possibilities in making all students understand how the computer works and know all its parts like the palm of their own hands. Not only that,

Thanks to the Deped Computerization Program because they promise to give us 50 computer sets which are due to arrive soon.

As of present the school is busy prepping up the computer room to receive the said 50 computer sets. 50 computer tables are also being made to accommodate the incoming computer sets. The problem we have now is enough room to accommodate all of those. However crowded the computer room, we are still happy as it is because we will no longer be crowding in a single computer set. Now, we can say that we are ready to conquer the world with the Deped computerization program.

most especially in high schools. The ones who still wear it every Friday are those from the elementary schools. So, I was very thankful that the camping organizers decided to include it in the criteria for judging.

Although the camping lasted only for two days, the campers brought home with them enough memories to last a lifetime. We had not only made friends from the other year levels but learned a lot about the importance of scouting as well. Now, we can already say that we will be able to survive even if we will be left in the wilderness because scouting had taught us a thing or two about survival. Those may only be basics but it is very imperative in times of emergency. Lastly, we had also learned about the value of extending assistance to those who are in need .

he also made sure that his students know how to use the computers to her own advantage like what he had done to Deneice Quidlat. He was the one responsible in training her to master the craft of webpage designing.

Although luck was not at Deneice’s side during the Regional Competition, ICEHS-Santiago was proud of her just the same. Having represented the Iligan City Division was already honor enough for us.

More power to you, Ms. Deneice Quidlat!

NUTRITION MONTH CELEBRATIONby: Darlene Tagoylo

Last July, our school celebrated the Nutrition Month with the theme “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-Samang Wakasan.” The said celebration was highlighted by different activities such as Mr. and Ms. A1, food bazaar, cooking and poster/ slogan making contest.

The title Mr. and Ms. A1 were won by a junior and a senior student namely Fernando A and Claudine Castillo. Many were stunned with the result because they had different bets but in a beauty contest, beauty is not the only ticket you need to win. You must also have poise, confidence and wit. No matter how striking is your beauty but if you don’t have the skill to answer wittily, your chance of winning will be slim.

As for the other competition such as the cooking contest, the presentation of the food was not the only sole basis of the judgment. More

points were given to palatability and nutritious content. The entry of the III-Ma qualified for all of these so they bagged the first prize for this competition.

The food bazaar on the other hand, also went out successfully. The somber environment of the school was enlivened with the colorful display of tables laden with various fruits and vegetables. But the competition was not only all about whose table had the most abundant display of fruits and vegetables but in the creativity and presentation as well.

As for the slogan and poster making contest, the students had the time of their lives showcasing their talents in drawing and coining thoughts that were in line with celebration’s theme. The celebration ended with satisfaction painted on everybody’s face.

Proposed set-up of the computer room.

6 NEWS STORIESPALAKASAN 2013

REYNILDA C. ALFEREZ,PH.D. PUBLISHES ARTICLES IN THE PHILIPPINE POST

JUNIORS AND SENIORS PROMENADE 2014

KRISTEL GOMISONG BAGS THE THIRD PRIZE IN THE PHILIPPINE RED CROSS SANRUGO LITERARY CONTEST

SYMPOSIUM ON VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOL CAMPUS

Palakasan is the most awaited event of many students. For this school year, the students of ICEHS-Santiago Annex didn’t wait for so long because Palakasan which was usually done every September was moved to July in order to prepare the students for the division athletic meet. The two-day event was spearheaded by the small but terrible, MAPEH teacher, Ms. Aileen C. Bolocon.

As usual, Palakasan kicked off with a parade participated by the students, teachers and stakeholders. Right after the parade, the ceremonial lighting of the torch to signal the start of Palakasan was done by Bheen Malolot, a senior student. Then, representatives from each year level raced up in raising their banners in a pole. Just like in the other Palakasan that we had, the seniors proved themselves undefeatable in this field. However, when it was time for the yells competition, the Freshmen stupefied everyone. Small as they were but their thunderous yells brought their older competitors down. Time for the sophomores, the juniors and the seniors to get the message across that their size should not be underestimated

The faculty and students of ICEHS-Santiago are very proud of their school head, Dr. Reynilda C. Alferez. She has proven to the whole Iligan City division once more that she can be jill-in-all-trades by testing the waters. Just recently, she has made her journalistic writing debut in The Phillippine Post by publishing timely articles about NAT readiness and Child Abuse. The said

because as the proverbial saying says, “Might be little in your sight, can be a mote in the eye.”

The next hours were spent in playing major games such as basketball, volleyball, and badminton. But the said event was not only meant for major games. Laro ng Lahi were also given a chance to shine once more. Students were very much delighted in playing sepak takraw, Chinese garter, and maria went to town. The said games may have already seen better days but they never fail to give fun and happiness to the players. And most of all, they never fail to foster camaraderie among the players.

Palakasan 2013 was highlighted with the coronation of Mr. and Ms. Palakasan. The prestigious title was won by John Michael Palantang and Angelica Gementiza. The two-day event ended up with the awarding of the winner in each sports category. The over-all champion for this years’s palakasan was the juniors. Everyone went home happy and contented on that day. However, there were some who were not satisfied with the outcome of the game and vowed vengeance on the next year’s Palakasan.

The Philippine National Red cross held a Literary Contest dubbed as “Sanrugo” at Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital Colleges last November 09, 2013. It was participated by the different public and private schools here in Iligan City. The different contest categories for the event were chain-story telling, oratorical, and essay writing.

Winning was not in the thought of Kristel Gomisong who was intimidated with the presence of the students from private schools. For her, her chance of winning was slim for she thought that she was no match with those students who came from the prestigious school. So, she just did what she needed to

To foster awareness among the students regarding bullying, ICEHS-Santiago Annex conducted a symposium on violence which was spearheaded by Mr. Roel Togonon last February 12, 2014. Among the speakers on the said event were the school guidance counselor-

Icehs-Santiago Annex held its Juniors and Seniors Promenade last February 28, 2014 at Elena Tower Inn. A total of approximately 200 students attended the program. It was organized by the juniors with the main objective of giving send-off and subsequent tribute to the seniors who graduated in March as Batch 2013-2014.

The event started with a mini-program highlighting the turn-over of responsibilities from the seniors to the juniors. It was then followed by a cotillion, which officially opened the JS prom ball.

Intermissions were featured between the Prom, mostly with song and dance numbers from the students. Awards were also given during that night. The Eye catcher of the night award went to an odd couple in the persons of Mike Anthony Torrico and Junalyn Quiamzom . Among the other lookers in the Prom who

By Donna Gulay

By Darlie Alona TagoyloBy Kristel Gomisong

By: Kristel Mae Piscos

brought home the lady and man of the night awards were Honielene Laguindab and John Clark Cabasag. Jimmy Cabiara and April Joyce Alvarez were the recipients of the prince and princess of the night awards But the most coveted title Mr. and Ms. JS Prom went to Mr. and Ms. Jelma Pinote. The giving of awards did not end there. Gorgeous faculty members were also given awards and the lucky ones who were recipients of it were Chris Michael Padla and Kareen Rose Daang.

Response to the Promenade was generally favorable. “I loved the Prom”, stated Jelma Pinote, the reigning Prom Queen. “I wished everyday is a Prom day , she continued. Meanwhile, Jefferson Yanez, a Junior student said: “Generally it was good.” He added: Several students were late though even some teachers.

The Promenade wrapped up with a disco for all. At the struck of 11:00 o’clock, everybody went home happy and contented.

do-----poured everything what was in heart in what she was writing. After the contest, she went home without any expectation for the announcement of the winners would be done a week after during the culmination of their month-long celebration. So, she was really

designate, Mrs. Elizabeth T. Galit and Values Education teacher, Mr. Nardito Tumampil,Jr.

Mrs. Galit talked about bullying and its effects on the students who experienced it. She also discussed on the policies involving bullying and stressed on the punishments that will

surprised when Sir Roel Togonon, the PRC Coordinator in our school told her that she won the third place in the essay-writing contest. Seeing the potentials of the students, the teachers planned to train more students the likes of Kristel Gomisong for future contests.

be imposed for those students that will be caught in the act of bullying. Punishments for bullies range from reprimanding by school authorities up to expulsion from school or being reported to authorities.

Mr. Tumampil in the meanwhile, stressed on the importance of values to maintain peace and order inside the campus. According to him, no student will be harmed either physically or emotionally if he/she has value. He traced all the violence that was taking place in the whole world to the lack of value among the people. He further stressed that all the violence we were witnessing would all be gone if only we let love to reside in our heart.

Mr. Togonon on the other hand closed the symposium by educating us with our rights as a student s and on how are we going to maintain a violence-free school.

articles have not only proven her writing mettle but it has also received some positive feed backs from the readers.Because of this, we are looking forward to more articles written by her in the future. And we are also hoping that more school heads and teachers will follow suit. In this way, we will be able to revive the dying local newspaper industry in Iligan City. Thumbs up for Dr. Alferez!

The seniors and the juniors as they danced the traditional cotillion.

Kristel Gomisong and Jelma Pinote during the Sanrugo Literary Contest.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. This is what the speakers stressed to the students in order for them to avoid violence during the symposium. ( From left to right: Mr. Roel Togonon, Mr. Nardito Tumampil,Jr., Mrs. Elizabeth Galit, Jelma Pinote, Celeste Mendoza, Mary Apple Jaudian, Jessa Mae Jamorol, Rico Campana, and Pableo Gerolaga).

7

10 Ways to Relax and Relieve stRess on-the-spotBy: Jelma Pinote

Are you too busy and has no time to relax? Hectic life is getting too much and stress is finally taking its toll on you? Experts say relaxation techniques can bring you back into balance -- some in five minutes or less.

While experts say that some stress is good for you (it can sharpen your senses and your mind) too much stress is bad for your mental and physical health. At the same time, relaxation can do wonders to restore balance in your life and may even reduce some of the health risks associated with stress. What follows are 10 on-the-spot techniques you can use (any time and almost anywhere) to reduce tension in your life.

Meditate, Picture yourself relaxed, Breathe deeply, Look around, Drink tea, Show some love, Try self-massage, Take a break, Try a musical detour and Take an attitude break

Meditation is not just about bending your body in random uncomfortable positions and uttering sounds.

Dr Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Response, says any repetitive action can be a source of meditation. Benson, who is also director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine in the US, says meditation includes walking, swimming, painting, knitting - any activity that helps keep your attention calmly in the present moment.

If your mind wanders to things that will frustrate you, experts say to simply let the thought escape, and bring your mind back to the repetition of the activity. Try it for just five to 10 minutes a day and watch stress levels drop. Is your mind too messy, and full of things that you can’t meditate? Try creating a peaceful visualisation, or ‘dreamscape’. To start, simply visualise anything that keeps your thoughts away from current tensions. It may be a beach where you can just happily sun bathe and sip fresh coconut juice, a cherished memory where you could smile just by recalling it. The idea is to take your mind off your stress, and replace it with an image that evokes a sense of calm. The more realistic your daydream (in terms of colours, sights, sounds, even touch and feel) the more relaxation you’ll experience.

Feeling stressed evokes tense, shallow breathing, while calm is associated with relaxed breathing, says Michael Lee, author of Turn Stress into Bliss. So to turn tension into relaxation, he says, change the way you breathe. Try this: let out a big sigh, dropping your chest and exhaling through gently pursed lips, says Joan Borysenko, director of Harvard University’s Mind-Body Clinical Programmes. Now imagine your low tummy, or centre, as a deep powerful place. Feel your breath coming and going as your mind stays focused there. Inhale, feeling your entire tummy, sides and lower back expand. Exhale, sighing again as you drop your chest, and feeling your tummy, back and sides contract. Repeat 10 times, relaxing more fully each time.

‘Mindfulness is the here-and-now approach to living that makes daily life richer and more meaningful,’ says Dr Claire Michaels Wheeler, author of 10 Simple Solutions to Stress. It’s approaching life like a child, without passing judgement on what occurs. Mindfulness is doing things one at a time, so stop multitasking! Focusing in the present can help promote relaxation and provide a barrier against anxiety and depression.

Practise it by focusing on your immediate surroundings. If you’re outdoors, enjoy the shape and colours of flowers, hear a bird’s call or consider a tree. In the shopping centre look at the details of a dress in the window, examine a piece of jewellery and focus on how it’s made, or window-shop for furniture, checking out every detail of pattern and style. As long as you

Have you ever met a person who has the capacity of inspiring people by just looking at him. He’s no other than Mr. Ryan Salomsom, our new Filipino teacher. Are you wondering why he serves as an inspiration to us students? Here’s the reason why?

Sir Ryan was born in Tubod, Lanao del Norte on___________. He is now 28 years old. He has a polio since he was just three years old. Sir Ryan was a former teacher of Sacred Heart High School for three years before he transferred here tom ICEHS-Santiago Annex. Now, he is handling Filipino 8 and Filipino IV. Like him, I was also new in the school so the teachers were not known to me yet but among all of them, it was Sir Ryan’s name I’ve memorized first. I couldn’t forget his name for he was such a funny teacher. He always told us some jokes every time he entered our classroom. He is the kind of teacher every student want in school “a funny teacher.” We students don’t just like plain teaching, we want learning to be a fun-filled experience. That’s what we love about Sir Ryan. Sincerity is also there when he teaches us. Sir used to say, “Okay, let’s stop, let us all be serious now.” Then everybody would be silent and listened to his discussion. Everyone of us really understand what Sir Ryan had discussed. I can’t forget when he told us that he will be good to us now because he is a new teacher, and that later on he will become a strict teacher. I didn’t believe him because there is a saying that first impression lasts. I’ve known Sir Ryan as good and funny teacher ,not strict. I couldn’t really see the possibility of him becoming a strict teacher in the future.

As I’ve said earlier, Sir Ryan has a polio in his right hand. His right hand is short. There are many advantages in this situation. Sir can’t hold things properly. Putting on his own clothing on his body is already a struggle for him. Thing like this is a very simple task for us. We can do it even with our eyes closed. But not for Sir Ryan. Everyday in his life, he has to rely on other people for some of his needs. But this didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream. Instead, he used this physical defect of his to challenge himself to become a successful person. Look where he is now. Sir Ryan is already a teacher-not only an ordinary teacher but a good and a famous one too. This is all because he has determination to do things and with his faith to our loving God. He also don’t mind the bullies who always make fun of him by saying small hands, small hands. Ha ha ha! He just proudly say to himself,

“Yes, I have small hand, but look, I’m a teacher. For him, to be a teacher is to prove himself that he can also compete and join in the world of the normal people. And that touches the student’s hearts. I hope that this will serve an inspiration not just for me, but also for you that “there is always a reward in all the hard works. That even if you have that kind of physical defect, don’t lose hope, never give up and continue life, because life is beautiful when you begin to appreciate its beauty. And for our dear teacher, Sir Ryan, we salute you sir!

can keep your mind focused on something in the present, stress will take a back seat.If you’re a coffee guzzler, consider going green. Coffee raises levels of the notorious

stress hormone, cortisol, while green tea offers health and beauty, says Dr Nicholas Perricone. Perricone is the author of 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity.

Chamomile tea is a traditional favourite for calming the mind and reducing stress. Black tea may be a stress fighter, too, researchers from University College London report. Participants who drank regular black tea displayed lower levels of cortisol, and reported feeling calmer during six weeks of stressful situations than those who drank a placebo with the same amount of caffeine.

Now let’s show some love. Instigate the relaxation response by cuddling your pet, giving an unexpected hug to a friend or family member, snuggling with your spouse or talking to a friend about the good things in your lives, says psychologist Deborah Rozman, co-author of Transforming Stress. When you do you’ll be reducing your stress levels.

Why? Experts say social interaction helps your brain think better, encouraging you to see new solutions to situations that once seemed impossible, she says. Studies have also shown that physical contact (such as stroking your dog or cat) may actually help lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormones.

Massage is another way to relax. When your muscles are tense and you’ve no time to visit a professional, try this simple self-massage technique from Darrin Zeer, author of Lover’s Massage and Office Yoga. Relax, and travel straight to zen-land.

Place both hands on your shoulders and neck.Squeeze with your fingers and palms.Rub vigorously, keeping shoulders relaxed.Wrap one hand around the other forearm.Squeeze the muscles with thumb and fingers.Move up and down from your elbow to fingertips and back again.Repeat with other arm. Adults need breaks too. So when you sense your temper is about to

erupt, Dr Jeff Brantley, author of Five Good Minutes In the Evening, suggests finding a quiet place to sit or lie down and put the stressful situation on hold. Take a few deep breaths and concentrate on releasing tension and calming your heartbeat. Quiet your mind and remember: time is always on your side, so relax. The stress can wait.

Music can calm the heartbeat and soothe the soul, the experts say. So, when things get tough, take a musical stress detour by aligning your heartbeat with the slow tempo of a relaxing song. Plus, you might think about listening to a classical tune. Research shows that listening to 30 minutes of classical music may produce calming effects equivalent to taking 10 milligrams of diazepam - a tranquilizing muscle-relaxant drug used chiefly to relieve anxiety.

Thirty seconds is enough time to shift your heart’s rhythm from stressed to relaxed, Rozman says. The way to do that: engage your heart and your mind in positive thinking. Start by envisioning anything that triggers a positive feeling - a vision of your child or spouse, the image of your pet, that great piece of jewellery you’re saving up to buy, a memento from a holiday - whatever it is, conjuring up the thought will help slow breathing, relax tense muscles and put a smile on your face. Rozman says that creating a positive emotional attitude can also calm and steady your heart rhythm, contributing to feelings of relaxation and peace.

A Different KinD of Hero PATRICKBy: Franchesca Claire L. Vega

Our pet dog ”Patrick”, a male poodle died today or last night. I did not know the exact time he died because I was too lazy to look for him. He had gone missing but I did not bother to make a search because it was one of my lazy days again. The moment I woke up, I knew that there was something wrong. Patrick was not able to go home that night which he never did in the past. No matter where he wandered, he always came home in the morning. But not this time. There will be no more that we’ll see him lying sprawled on the floor. And never again he will come knocking on my door begging me to take him inside because it is cold outside. Oh God! How could you take someone so dear to me again. But, I should not blame you for this. It was really my fault! Had I not been so lazy, I could have saved his dear life.

My heart really bled for my dog. Mama messaged me that they found Patrick on a brook. He drowned probable because of the heavy rain. The of our dog struggling on the water fighting for his life pained me. It felt like a heavy rock had settled on my chest. It hurt so bad that I wanted to shout and cry. Poor dog! If not for the presence of my students, I would have probably broke down.

Patrick had brought so much joy in our lives when my sister brought him to our house last December 2011. Like her,he was a survivor of “Sendong”. Aside from my sister’s Macbook, and Ipad, Patrick was one of the only valuable things that she had managed to save on her bag while she clung on a water tank together with my other sister praying for the raging floodwater to subside. After the flood, Patrick had become a regular resident in our house. He had been our ”baby” when our nephew, Ibn Anjho was not yet born. But Patrick hadn’t ceased to be our baby even when Ibn was born. Even when my nephew was already around, we still lavished him with our care and attention. We had two dogs at home; he and sponge bob but the lion share of food always went to Patrick. My mother even went out of her way of personally deboning a large fish or meat before feeding it to him for fear that he might not able to digest those and damage his intestines. We also confined him in an animal clinic everytime he got sick. Not only that, there were also many times that I had to get up in the middle of the night and surveyed the surroundings whenever I noticed hat Patrick was not at home yet. Despite of fear of nightly creature, bad people included, I still braved the darkness to look for him. That was why I really wondered why I didn’t look for him on that fateful night when I knew for the very fact that he wasn’t inside the house and it was raining cats and dogs outside. My family was blaming me over his death. It maybe painful but it was the truth. Patrick died because of my laziness. No one is to blame for what happened but me.

I have already have several dogs now but Patrick’s memory will be forever etched in my mind and heart. And I vow that from now on I will be a responsible pet owner. I will not let something or someone I love to be gone again because of my laziness.

FEATURE STORIES

By: The Vagabond

8

I. FACTS ABOUT PLASTIC BAGPlastic bags are mostly made of polyethylene which is known to be carcinogenic. Experts

find this as one of the leading cause of cancer in the whole world that is why they are the discouraging the public from using it.

Plastic is also a non-renewable material. It does not decompose easily. Fact has it that it will take 1,000 years for a single plastic to decompose. Just imagine the kind of scenario we will have if the whole world will continue to produce plastic every day. It will be worst than a nightmare. Such as the case of the plastic being non renewable material, you can see not only the streets littered with it but bodies of water as well. Thousands of marine animals die every day from swallowing plastics that are being thrown in their habitat. But the saddest thing is that, they only don’t die from swallowing plastics but from having no place to live in as well. We just don’t know but those plastics even just the piece of candy wrappers that we carelessly toss in the ocean or in the river destroy the habitat of these marine and aquatic animals big time.

Plastic production also requires lots of fuel to produce. According to Wall Street Journal, US produces 100 billion of plastic bags annually which require 12 million barrels of oil to make Therefore, it is very costly. Wonder if you’ll think of using it again after hearing this.

II. WHY PAPER BAG IS NOT A GOOD OPTION?In order to save the environment from total destruction, an option is given to shoppers

in some supermarkets whether they are going to use plastic or paper bag for their shopping. More shoppers have preferred to use the latter believing that paper are more safer to use and environment-friendly compared to plastic bags. However according to some environmentalists, paper bags, which many people consider safer than plastics bags, are more harmful than the latter not to mention the number of trees that need to be cut down for its production. It is more

harmful than plastic bags because when it is in the act of decomposition, it produces more greenhouse gasses that are harmful not only to the environment but to human beings as well.

III. REUSABLE PAPER BAG The whole world now is dealing with the adverse effect of climate change which is

also known as global warming. Abnormal change of weather pattern is experienced everywhere and environmental scientists are pointing their fingers to chemicals from paper and plastic as one of the culprits. Government now are taking measures on how to stop the weather disturbance by passing several laws that will contain the production of chemicals that destroy the environment. One of these measures is the campaign to use reusable shopping bag. This shopping bag is not only safe but environment-friendly as well. It is usually made from plant fibers so it is 100% natural. No need to worry about polluting the environment anymore. Aside from it being eco-friendly, it is also made to carry several grocery items at the same time. It is sturdier compared to plastic and paper bags. Plastic and paper bags failure will now just be a thing of the past. With the reusable shopping bag, shopping will be fun. You will not have a hard time anymore because your new shopping bag has enough room to carry several grocery items all at once thus, saving you time and energy from going to and fro to your car to load the things you buy. Another reason why this kind of shopping bag has gained the attention of the public is that it comes in different style. It is so fashionable that people use it not only to shop but in other activities as well. Shoppers are also delighted with the fact that they can use the said bags over and over again, thus they have not only saved money but have minimized clutter at their homes as well. Not only that, every time you buy this shopping bag, you also help those organization who are pioneering environmental cause.

Now what, shoppers? Take your pick. Plastic/ paper shopping bag or reusable shopping bag?

With the approval of our government of the Bangsamoro Framework of Agreement, there is much speculation among our people. Some are in favor of these agreement especially our Muslims brothers and sisters because at long last their century-old-fight for the right to self-determination was finally heard. However, non-muslims strongly opposed this agreement because according to them, the FAB was the MILF’s way of creating a Mindanao Republic. In order to shed light to this issue, this publication would like to clarify to the public what is really the truth behind the Bangsamoro Framework of Agreement by answering some facts about it.

By: Franchesca Claire L. Vega

FEATURE STORIESARE YOU A RESPONSIBLE SHOPPER? IS YOUR SHOPPING BAG AN

ECO-FRIENDLY ONE?

THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON THE BANGSAMORO (FAB)

Myths Facts

The Framework Agreement discriminates against those who are not “Bangsamoro” in identity.

The FAB recognizes that there are different peoples and identities in Mindanao and in the Bangsamoro. The FAB also recognizes rights already recognized in laws and other legal documents, including the following rights:

•Right to freedom and expression of religions and beliefs

•Right to freedom of speech•Right to express political opinion and pursue democratically political aspiration

•Right of women to meaningful political participation, and protection from all forms of violence

•Right to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in social and economic activity and the public service, regardless of class, creed, disability, gender and ethnicity

•Right to establish cultural and religious associations

•Right to freedom from religious, ethnic and sectarian harassment

Based on the FAB, the political entity that will be established will no longer be part of the Philippines, and thus, there is a need for the drafting of the entity’s constitution, i.e., the Bangsamoro Basic Law

The Bangsamoro will remain to be a part of the Philippines, but it will be an autonomous region. This means that it will enjoy a different set of governmental powers, compared to the local government units. The Bangsamoro Basic Law will be enacted by Congress and such shall lay down the structure of the Bangsamoro Government, in accordance with the provisions of the comprehensive peace agreement.

Because they are the ones who negotiated with the GPH, the MILF will run the ARMM up to 2016.

According to the Framework Agreement, both parties agreed that the status quo is not acceptable. Part of the status quo are the structure and the processes in the ARMM, and its relationship with the Central Government. Thus, even if the ARMM has been repeatedly offered to the MILF, the latter has not accepted the leadership of the ARMM. The MILF’s interest is a change in the relationship between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro, and not the leadership of the ARMM.

In fact, there will be elections in the ARMM (and the rest of the Philippines) this Mayo 2013. Whoever wins in the elections in the ARMM in May 2013 will lead the region for the coming term.

Myths Facts

The Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is tasked to monitor the implementation of the FAB

The mechanism for the monitoring of compliance of the parties of their obligations under the agreement is the “Third Party Monitoring Team” (TPMT). This will be composed of 2 local non-government organization (NGOs) and 2 international non-government organizations (INGOs), and to be led by an eminent person.

In the FAB, local government units will be dissolved once the Bangsamoro is established.

The Bangsamoro will remain to be a part of the Philippines, but it will be an autonomous region. This means that it will enjoy a different set of governmental powers, compared to the local government units. The Bangsamoro Basic Law will be enacted by Congress and such shall lay down the structure of the Bangsamoro Government, in accordance with the provisions of the comprehensive peace agreement.

According to the FAB, only men are allowed to run as leaders of the communities and of the Bangsamoro.

The FAB does not say this. In fact, what the FAB says is that the women will have the right to meaningful participation in the Bangsamoro. Furthermore, the FAB also provides that everyone is entitled to equal opportunity in social and economic activity and the public service, regardless of class, creed, disability, gender and ethnicity

The FAB will negate the 1996 Final Peace Agreement

The 1996 Final Peace Agreement is one of the bases of the negotiations between the GPH and the MILF. It is not negated but even used as a baseline in the current negotiations.

Source: SALIGAN Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal website

9

Icehs-Santiago is now in a buzz because of the fast approaching graduation. whew! I can’t believe that the school year is about to end when I am not very much prepared for it. I still thought that it is only June. wanna know why? it is all because, I still don’t get used to the students’ unruly behavior-I am still in the process of letting the reality sinks in me that the youth of today differ in a lot of ways from the youth of yesterday. Why it was only yesterday that a student suddenly shouted in the middle of my class for no reason at all . Was I really shocked? No! What I felt during that time was more than that. I felt hot all over as my blood rushed to my head. I was ready to wring my student’s neck if not for the little sanity that was left in me that made me held back. Incident like this didn’t only happen once. I can’t count in my fingers anymore the number of times that they had tested me to the limits. I am a quite person. I want peace and silence as much as possible and I don’t have patience. I am used to being left to myself and the last thing in this world that I want is to be surrounded with a bunch of noisy young people. It is really ironic for me to have chosen teaching as my profession because along with it comes incorrigible young people as a sort of package. Just my luck! But what else could I do? I am already here and turning back is out of the question. I have read somewhere that it’s not still too late for a career switch but that leaves me no options at all. Though I

Though I hate teaching, I have to do it because it has been my bread and butter and despite of everything I still feel fulfilled every time I have shared something insightful to my students. Since I become a teacher, my life has been a vicious cycle. Same things happen to me everyday. I wake up in the morning, eat and go to school. And when evening comes, I eat, make lesson plans and go to bed. The next day I do the same things and days thereafter. I hate monotony. I want to try and experience new things such as travelling and beach hopping which are impossible for me to do because teaching ties me up into the four-walled classroom. This is the part that I dreaded the most. I want to see the world but teaching holds me back from doing it.

I am trapped forever in a dull place with my books and naughty students. However, every time, I have made a difference to the life of my students, I feel high and my zest for living is renewed. Although, teaching has given me lots of headaches-naughty students, deadlines, projects and not to mention bitchy bosses but at the end of the day, nothing is more fulfilling than the feeling that you have not wasted a day of your life because you have done something in the lives of other people.

Yes, I may not fit in this mold but I have to carve my niche because fate chose me to be here. Indeed, God has his own plan for each of us and that He is the only one who knows about it. I may come from a family of teachers but way back younger, I didn’t possess the tell-tale signs of a teacher wanna be. Talking before a crowd or even in a small group was not my thing. I always chose to keep quiet in every class I had. If my teacher would make me report before the class, I would be absent the very next day. Such is the type of personality I have. I’d rather read an entire book than be made to talk. Because of this, I was often mistaken as stupid. This was okay with me so long as they did not make me talk. Never in my wildest dream that i would become a teacher. My taking of an education course was not my idea at all but my mother’s. I just went with their plans since at that time, i was still so unsure of what course to pursue. In short, I just went with the motion with no concrete plan of what i would like to be in the future. My favorite mantra during that time was que sera,sera. However, God had His eyes fixed on me to become a teacher. In 2009, I had packed my bag for good to try my luck abroad but fate held me back. I received a call and everything was history. So, here I am now doing everything I can to make better persons out of you, young people. I may not possess the gift of gab and my being a teacher didn’t come naturally but I choose to stick with this because God wants me to.

To God Be The Glory!

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? When I conducted a highly informal survey based on this question, the most common answer I received was:

“My alarm is on my phone. Once I have my phone in my hand, I check texts, email, and Facebook.”

The smartphone. I can’t imagine that any other gadget in history has changed how we function, spend time, and relate to ourselves and others more than this device. But this isn’t a diatribe against the smartphone; I love/hate my iPhone just as much as everyone else. It’s an invitation to ask yourself how, if you do begin your day by reaching for your phone (or television, computer, radio), that action may affect your levels of equanimity or anxiety.

When we first wake up in the morning, we’re in a highly vulnerable state. Fresh from the world of dreams and the unconscious, it always takes a few minutes for our psyche to plant fully back into our bodies. Some traditions teach that the soul travels between worlds when we sleep, and that the first words to break the silence each each morning should be, “Thank you for restoring my soul to me.” This speaks to the fact that morning is a time when the portal between conscious and unconscious is thin, the veil lifted.

So what happens when we fill this soft, vulnerable time with the loud sounds of the electronic world? And I’m not talking only about literal sound. I’m referring to the soundless chatter that emanates from scrolling through Facebook and absorbing the images and words of other people’s lives; the silent cry of news stories that scream the latest tragic headlines onto your screen; the boiling up of feeling that churns from reading a friend’s response to the email you sent last night; the rise and fall of self-esteem as you learn about news from work.

What I’ve observed with my clients is that the way you begin your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you start your day by externalizing your experience—as inevitably happens when you reach for a device—you’re already sending yourself the message that the world outside of you is more important than the world inside.

It’s as if you had a young child who wanted to snuggle and share her dreams in the morning but you were constantly pushing her aside so that you could read your phone. Would the child feel loved and appreciated or rejected and cast aside? That’s what we do on the inner level: When we fail to give ourselves attention by spending a few quiet minutes attending to our inner world upon awakening, we send ourselves the message that everything else and everyone else is more important.

As an experiment, I invite you to begin your day in one of the following ways for the next week. (If your alarm is on your phone, turn it off, set it aside and resist the impulse to “check.”) The work is to create a gap between the tender “being” realm of sleep and the fast-paced “doing” realm that defines most people’s days.

1. Practice mindfulness.Even five minutes of mindfulness practice can set a calmer tone for your day.

Mindfulness helps you come into the present moment and ground yourself to the here and now (here I am in space; right now in time). Cultivating that pause each morning will help you anchor back into it if the busyness reaches a crescendo as your day progresses.

2. Write down your dreams.While dream-tending is an art and a science that usually requires the guidance

of a skilled therapist, even taking a few minutes to jot down last night’s dream can help you honor the vulnerable space of morning and fill yourself with soulful energy instead of technology energy. You may not understand what your dreams are trying to communicate, but if you carry one dream image with you throughout the day and roll it around inside your mind, you’ll be able to maintain a tether to Self that will serve you well.

3. Journal.When’s the last time you journaled? Journaling is one of the most effective ways

to know yourself and fill your inner well with self-love and self-knowledge. If you find that journaling makes you feel more flooded with negative feelings, you’re not journaling effectively. An effective journaling technique should leave you feeling more clear and grounded than when you started. It’s a great way to start the day. Even just writing down a few simple sentences of what you appreciate can set a positive tone.

4. Practice simple yoga exercises.Yoga is a mind/body practice that is meant to be done at home. The world has

climbed aboard the yoga train with a frenzy, which is mostly positive, but we also transmit the message that you have to take a yoga class in a studio in order to learn and practice yoga legitimately. There are many excellent yoga videos that can safely teach you the basics,including one from MindBodyGreen! Once you learn basic poses, you can practice without a video if that feels more natural for you.

5. Open the window or step outside and let the light rush in.There’s nothing like fresh air and sunshine to reconnect to you to your essential

nature, which is good, loving, and worthy exactly as you are.Into the open vessel of our morning-selves we can pour technology or we can

choose actions that will fill the inner well with positive energy. Which do you choose?

A TEACHER’S CONFESSION

5 Life-Changing Ways To sTarT your Day

By: The Vagabond

FEATURE STORIES

10

A NOCTURNAL DREAM

WEREN’T MEANT TO BE

By: Jelma Pinote

By: Jelma Pinote

By: Jelma Pinote

LITERARY SECTION

I dreamt of flying in the night sky Gliding through waters that shimmer Under the moonlight I touched the clouds and watched the city lights I flew between high mountains and long rivers to silent streams Soaring high up in the beautiful horizon With birds and so many flying creatures With my heart Like rapid somersaults The icy wind against my skin Dew drops in my wings Truly the most enchanting moment of my life I finally felt that I belonged, there-in the Night At last I was contented To my soul the wondrous feeling resonated “Do Right” From the very start, you have purpose in your Heart To do what’s right and never question why??? Never count the cost though everything seems Lost

Since the day you left meI’ve never been the sameTears fell from my eyesBt I know I’m to blame

The words you said sweetlyStill a ponder in my mind;The question of I’ll get over yoHaunts me all the time

Now that I’m living without youThis life can get much worseBut my heart still hurtsFor you’ll be gone forever

I’m slowly getting better,Though you already found your destiny;For I know it’s over

You’ve gone on with your lifeI guess now I must seeThat though it’s good while it lastedWe just weren’t meant to be

From the very startHave purpose in your heartTo do what’s right and never questions whyNever count the cost though everything seems lostThe price of doing right is sometimes high

Do right ‘till stars fallDo right ‘till the last callDo right when there’s no one else to stand by you.Do right when you’re all aloneDo right though it’s never knownDo right because you love the Lord

Right is always rightAnd wrong is always wrongAnd we must learn to separate the twoIf you love the right,The Lord will give you lightSo choose right in everything you do

FORBIDDEN RED STRING OF FATE

Do Right

Such a deceitful man you areDifferent unlike any other, you are rarePossessing a silver tongue and a devilish charmI knew we were meant to be in each other’s armsYou’re deceiving and I am cunning We’d trick each other, until one of us surrendersOur souls sync together, they both shiverYou’d lie to me and shower me with sweet wordsI’d listen to you and take it all, like fencing knives and swordsI’ll give you thorns and you’ll offer me roseWe are poison to the other but we have each other as cureHow different yet similar we areOur threads of fate have been intertwinedSuch beautiful nightmare it is that we shareBut what we have is forbidden they have saidFor I am dark and despite everythingyour heart contains lightWe are creatures of different worlds,and this is what must be doneThis feeling will be both our doom thus it shall be gone,Our bond cannot be condonedAs a symbol I’ll set free a pure doveThis is farewell my loveBut we both know the truthOur fervor will forever burn forth.

do You Know? Strange But True Facts & Trivia

By Donna Gulay

11

A Daily Dose of Meranao Words and PhrasesMeranao English

Koman tano! Let us eat!Antona-a i ngaran ka? What is your name?Anda ka mababaling? Where do you live?

Pira ini? How much is this?So osto a? Is that so?

Aydaw! Ouch!Ngkainoto? Why is that?

They say that knowledge is power. You’re never suppose to be through acquiring or learning new things just because you’re out of school. Learning should be a lifelong process. Learning something new everyday can assist in making you wiser and helps keep your mind intact by acquiring and absorbing more information. Just like exercise is good for your body, learning something new is basically exercise for your brain. It keeps your mind sharp. Studies have shown it may also be a good way to help delay or fight against dementia.

Some of the facts you’ll find here may already be familiar to you. Some you may even have doubts about. All of the information contained here was derived from multiple sources both on as well as offline. Who knows — It may even prompt you to seek more information if your curiosity gets the best of you!

1 Did You Know? ….. Mosquito repellents don’t really “repel”. All they actually do is hide or “camouflage” you. The spray blocks the mosquito’s sensors so they don’t know you are there!2. – Did You Know? ….. The first CD pressed in the United States was Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.”3. – Did You Know? ….. Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept a minimum of 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles that

result from the toilet being flushed.4. – Did You Know? ….. If you chew gum while peeling onions, you won’t tear up or cry.5. – Did You Know? ….. No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times.6. – Did You Know? ….. Honey is the only food that doesn’t spoil.7. – Did You Know? ….. You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.8. – Did You Know? ….. In a deck of cards, the king of hearts is the only king without a mustache.9. – Did You Know? ….. Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.10. – Did You Know? ….. Apples are more efficient at waking you up in the morning than . – caffeine.11. – Did You Know? ….. Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.12. – Did You Know? ….. The more intelligent you are, the more zinc and copper you have in your hair.13. – Did You Know? ….. Pearls melt in vinegar.14. – Did You Know? ….. Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.15. – Did You Know? ….. Turtles can breathe through their butts.16. – Did You Know? ….. Butterflies taste with their feet.17. – Did You Know? ….. A rat can last longer without water than a camel.18. – Did You Know? ….. In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all of the world’s nuclear weapons combined.19. – Did You Know? ….. Your stomach must produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it will digest itself.20. – Did You Know? ….. Elephants are the only animals that can’t jump.21. – Did You Know? ….. Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.22. – Did You Know? ….. Women blink nearly twice as much as men.23. – Did You Know? ….. It’s physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.24. – Did You Know? ….. Our eyes always remain the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.25. – Did You Know? ….. By raising your legs slowly while lying on your back, you cannot sink into quicksand.26. – Did You Know? ….. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.27. – Did You Know? ….. There are no words in the American dictionary that rhyme with orange, purple and silver.28. – Did You Know? ….. TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made in the English language using the letters from only one row of the keyboard.29. – Did You Know? ….. Because metal was scarce during World War II, all Oscars given out during the Academy Awards were made of wood.30. – Did You Know? ….. The first couple to be shown in the same bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.31. – Did You Know? ….. “Go,” is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.32. – Did You Know? ….. A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.33. – Did You Know? ….. If you place a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death.34. – Did You Know? ….. The average number of people airborne over the United States at any given hour is approximately 61,000.35. – Did You Know? ….. The Guinness Book of World Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from public libraries.

do You Know? Strange But True Facts & Trivia