CMLI opens 33rd Annual Graders Convention By: Kuya Andrei Elinzano

September 1-4, 2012

FRESH. The 33rd Annual National Graders Convention fi-nally opened. Photo by Kevin Kho

CD, workshops on the run

Volume 2, Issue 1

By: Kuya Jarms Magalang

WELCOME. The CMLI doors finally reopened for the year 2012. Photo by Pao Racelis

B aguio City–Amidst the rainy setting, the 33rd CMLI An-

nual National Graders Convention opened on September 1, 2012 at T e a c h e r s ’ C a m p . CMLIers began the day with total vigor as they faced varieties of activi-ties and group dynamics that challenged their tal-ents and skills. The annual convention is scheduled to run from September 1 to 5.

Roughly 400 dele-gates have registered for this year’s CMLI event clustering into 3 1 p a r t i c i p a t i n g schools. This year, CMLI fo-cuses on the idea of the widespread use of social networking sites, particularly in the Fili-pino society.

The theme for this year’s Graders’

T he 33rd Graders Con kicked off with its work-

shops and commission discussions last Sep-tember 2, in different venues in Teachers’ Camp. The workshop sessions ended last September 3, 2012.

Commission discussions or CDs are considered the heart of the conven-tion. These discussions will further deepen the delegates’ understand-ing of the theme. This will also give them a chance to interact with the rest of the CMLIers (Continue to page 2)

2 (CMLI opens… Continued from page 1) convention is “iClick: Ignit-ing the Filipino Spirit through Responsible So-cial Networking.”

This theme relates with the CMLI Summer Con-vention 2012 which was “Mobilizing the Filipino Youth towards Responsi-ble Social Networking” which discussed the dif-ferent application of re-sponsible social network-ing.

(CD, workshops… Continued from page 1) from all over the country. This convention has 18 CD groups. Meanwhile, 9 work-shops were showcased in this convention, namely: News Writing, Poetry Writing (English and Fili-pino), Public Speaking, Photography, Theater, Modeling, and Art. These workshops aimed to de-velop enhance the dele-gates’ talents and skills. They were facilitated by speakers who are mas-ters of their craft. CMLI aims to equip the youth with the neces-sary skills and to prepare them to become leaders amongst fellow youth.

My Hot Cup of Responsibility By: Ate Jean Abordo

One morning, about 30 minutes early from the start of classes, I decided to make myself a hot cup of choco. Actually, I was not paying attention while pour-ing the hot water in the glass since I was very sleepy. A few seconds later, I got burnt. My clumsiness and carelessness indeed gave me a big red mark. Just like a Filipino who is known for his brave soul, he initiates and does not leave any game unfinished even if it pains him. We are known to be responsible in every way and as we face the scars of our journey here in the country, we always know that there is still hope in tomor-row beyond the scarred yesterday. As we reach one another, hand in hand, being responsible in every click, this small effort we do when we click, POWER is bestowed upon us. Having this great responsibility, it is vital for decisions to be made because a click can shape the world. This should remind us that we affect one another and can make a big difference in the generation of today. Do you think the Filipino Spirit is in you as you go online on Facebook? What are its contents? How do you feel about it? How will others feel about it? Where is the Filipino in you when you click? The clicking responsibility is like pouring a hot water on your glass of powdered choco, you have to be extra careful so that you will not hurt yourself or others as you serve them.

SUNRISE. A glimpse of Teachers’ Camp in the cold morning. Photo by Pao Racelis

3

Social Networking in Education By Bella May A. Perez, Teacher II, Iba Elementary

T he term social net-working is associ-ated with forming

connections with other peo-ple using the internet. It brings up images of web-sites that allow people to communicate with others regardless of geographic, social or economic barriers. This allows an incredible opportunity to connect with people of similar interest, when physical barriers might have kept them from even learning each other’s existence otherwise. The number of users and of the business opportunities rep-resenting such massive communities have also pro-vided a way to improve the technology. As things be-come more sophisticated, there are more ways to share information and to build connections.

These social media sites are interesting in more than a way. For one, we would be able to meet and make friends around the globe. In addition, it serves now as the platform for both local and interna-tional commerce. For in-stance, online services have changed the way we buy, sell, and exchange products, or even to apply for a job and/or to volunteer for charitable works. Al-though e-commerce sites do not technically belong under the social networking bracket, we can still expect comments from people who utilize the medium. Even if there are still peo-ple who prefer buying and selling, it cannot be denied that shopping has evolved to a unique social experi-ence.

1. Closing Ceremonies will be

tonight, September 4.

2. There will be a Cosplay-themed Disco Socials tonight after the Closing Ceremonies.

Wear your best costumes!

3. Always ignite the Filipino spirit within you.

4. Be responsible in using social

networking sites.

5. Move in real life.

6. See you next year!

TALENT DEVELOPMENT. One of CMLI’s objectives is to develop the talents of the country’s youth. This is done through workshops and competitions. Photo by Nate Gatchalian

Faces of the 33rd National An-nual Grade School Convention took center stage during the Mr. and Ms. Graders Con Pageant held last September 3, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Hall, Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City. Twenty-nine delegates, con-sisting of 15 male candidates and 14 female candidates repre-sented their schools as they donned their casual wear and social networking-inspired formal wear. The said pageant was two-pronged – modeling and question and answer. As preparation for the compe-tition, the 29 candidates under-

We are currently living in a high-technology world where the existence of social media, gadg-ets and devices are already an essential part in our daily living. To us, Filipino youth, it seems like our day won’t be complete if we will not be able to check and up-date our Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, Tumblr, Myspace, and other so-cial networking sites. We even register to internet promos in our mobile just to see if there is a comment, tweet, post, or up-loaded photo.

These social networking sites are indeed helpful to us as we use it to (I) communicate (II) con-nect with our friends from any-where in the world (III) express your feelings, and other more. With just a simple click and enter, you may already convey a mes-sage and know a lot of things about what’s happening in the

went a modeling workshop under renowned fashion designer and events director Dr. Tom L. Po. 2nd and 1st runner up awards were given as well as the first place award which is the Mr. Graders Con for males and Ms. Graders Con for females. Grabbing the 2nd runner up and 1st runner up awards for the female category were Ms. Hermina Gabriel Velasco of Lorma Elementary School and Ms. Ma. Alyssa Jhane M. Hanto of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, respectively. Ms. Gabriel O. Beniga of University of San Car-los was named Ms. Graders Con 2012.

In the male category, Mr. Ian Rafael Aguirre of San Beda Col-lege - Alabang was named as this year’s 2nd runner up, Mr. Lord Danly Mafe of Colegio San Agustin – Binan as 1st runner up. Mr. Matthew Jose Estenzo, also from the University of San Carlos bagged the Mr. Graderscon title. Dr. Tom L. Po, a well-known fash-ion designer, Mr. Carmelo Gutti-erez, an executive producer of GMA 7 and models Ms. Warren Mia Benedicto, Ms. Jennica Ollero, Mr. Ryan Jeffrey Reyes served as the judges for the pag-eant.

4 Estenzo, Beniga crowned Mr. and Miss Graders Con ‘12 By: Kuya LA Castro

From the President’s Notepad

world. It is a certainly a powerful tool as it goes beyond the bounda-ries of personal contact. This truly is an evolution in the advancing world for our generation.

As the technology advances, Globalization takes place. It cer-tainly brings unity among nations and economic balance in the field of commerce. It is also an igniting factor in discovering the cultures of other nationalities. Social Net-working Sites play a vital role in strengthening Globalization. We discover things around the globe through this powerful tool, thus we can also use it to let our identity be discovered by the world. Before promoting our identity to the world, it is our duty first to promote our Filipino spirit. Filipino Spirit is the innate values that are unique only to the Filipino people. And this Fili-pino Spirit can be ignited through the responsible use of Social Net-

working. We, the Filipino youth of the

modern day, are the most affected by the radical influences brought about by these Social Networking Sites. In effect, we should know our responsi-bilities in order to maximize the proper use of these certain Social Media. On behalf of the Junior Coun-cil National Executive Board 2012, I thank you dear delegates for attend-ing the 33rd Annual National Graders Convention with the theme, “I CLICK: Igniting the Filipino Spirit Through Responsible Social Net-working”!

I hope that this five-day conven-tion became a meaningful action in igniting the Filipino spirit through the use of Social Media. All Hail CMLI! #CMLIJCNEB2012

By: Kuya Jason Sevilla