The Shrine Quill

03

06

DCNHSian beats 8 regions in battle of brains

12

04

The Feats

Pushing the Pen for Gov’t Transformation

Daughter school whips mother school

EDUCATION FOR ALL. Dapitan City National High School extends its arm to educate even the people locked in prison as it opens its Open High School Program in Dapitan Ctity Jail.

Dapitan City NHS launches Open High Mentors tutor 29 inmates PNoy signs anti-bullying law DCNHS intensifies campaign alongside Mary Belle H. Boralo

To prohibit incidents of bullying in schools all over the country, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 last on September 12.

The said law required all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address bullying in their institutions.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said the landmark piece of legislation further enhances the DepEd’s existing Child Protection Policy which puts primacy on the well-being of children.

On the other hand, Dapitan City National High School intensified its campaign against bullying so as to ensure a safe learning environment to its 1,864 students.

The Office of the Guidance Counselor had promptly kept records of students involved in bullying, conducted

appropriate investigation and provided corresponding action to those involved in it.

Mrs. Cora S. Palmere, the school’s Guidance Counselor reported more than 20 cases of bullying from the month of June to November all of which were given corresponding action.

“In our school, cases of bullying are more raging in Grade VII. This is maybe because it’s their adjustment period,” Mrs. Palmere said.

“Students involved in bullying underwent intensive counseling with their parents in some serious cases,” she added.

To intensify further its campaign against bullying, DCNHS sent SSG officer, Cykee Hannah Q. Lumongsod to attend in the Special Course on Integrating Leadership Values to Fight Against Bullying”, with the theme, “I am a Pupil; I am a Student: The End Of Bullying Begins With Me.”

Maricon E. Bobiles

Education knows no bound! This has been proven true to a forty nine year-old Grade VIII student Alberto B. Pableo who never stopped dreaming to finish high school even locked in a detention cell.

His dream came true indeed as Dapitan City National High School launched its Open High School Program (OHSP) with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Dapitan City Jail on September 12.

The said launching was highlighted by the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which was attended by

Writers are not born; they are developed and constantly equipped with practice.

To hone the writing skills of budding campus journalists in nine cluster areas throughout the province of Zamboanga del Norte, including the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC) has been conducting journalistic writing workshops for free from July to September each year.

The said group of media practitioners has been doing such activity for several decades now and since its start, ZNPC’s Campus Journalism Seminar had already benefited more than 40,000 students many of whom emerged as winners in the regional and national schools press

EDUCATING THE CREAM OF THE CROP. Rosemarie Miranda boosts the young writers to be promoters of responsible journalism.

conferences and quite a number of them are now professionals pursuing their respective careers but still consider writing as their first love.

“I feel great whenever I see improvements in the work of the participants, how they ap-

offered it to the inmates to provide them access to education,” Mr. Sagapsapan uttered.

The program offered an opportunity to inmates who desire to complete high school curriculum outside the formal school structure.

On the other hand, aside from the 29 inmates of Dapitan City Jail, DCNHS also catered 44 walk in students under the said program.

trust of the Dapitanons into the school’s capacity of carrying out quality education considering

that there are ten other public and private secondary schools in the city.

School enrolment hikes 8.4%

Regine V. Elopre

Due to the no collection policy upon enrolment, Dapitan City National High School registered an 8.4% increase in enrolment based on research of The Shrine Quill (TSQ).

Record shows that there are 1,864 students who enrolled this year compared to the 1,719 students last year.

In an interview with the acting school Planning Officer Mrs. Vina S. Baes, the administration is glad of the enrolment increase because it signifies the

ZN Press Club prepares next generation writers James Carlo B. Guira

S/Insp. Nathanel L. Aljas, City Jail Warden, Hon. Hermilo R. Hamak, Chairman of the Committee on Education of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dapitan, Sherlito E. Sagapsapan, School Principal of DCNHS and Ma.Liza Tabilon, Education Program Supervisor.

“OHSP is a project of the DepEd but we made a twist and

ply my tips in writing their pieces and when I sense their interest in writing,” said club president Rosemarie Patangan-Miranda, a former employee of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and now Civil Registrar of Dipolog City.

Holding writing workshops for free is baloney but for the men and women of this club, it is a priceless act of sharing and transferring knowledge and skills to budding campus writers.

During the early years of the project implementation, the club officers and members would contribute some amount in order to raise funds for the prizes of the winners of the different writing competitions

For the past five years now, cash prizes for the winners are provided by the US Embassy.

RP wins Asia’s best in gender equality Joel T. Baje

Wow Philippines!

Our country has etched another international mark that every Filipino should be proud of being the Asia’s best in gender equality.

Within the Asia-Pacific region, Philippines ranked first when it comes to gender equality and fifth place globally in the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report.

This latest annual gender-equality-focused report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked 136 countries on their ability to close the gender gap in four key areas—economic equality, political participation, health and survival, and educational attainment.

“The Philippines remains the most advanced country in the [Asia-Pacific] region in terms of gender equal-

ity, ranking fifth in the global index. It improved as a result of advances in economic participation and opportunity, a sub-index of the report, as well as by having a strong score in terms of political participation,” the WEF said.

The report said the Asia-Pacific region had now closed 67 percent of its gender gap but still lagged behind every region in the world except the Middle East and North Africa when it comes to economic equality between the sexes, having closed only 56 percent.

The eighth annual edition of the report ranked Iceland closest to equality for the fifth year running. Iceland, along with Finland (second), Norway (third) and Sweden (fourth), has now closed over 80 percent of its gender gap.

Source: goodnewspilinas.com

02

DCNHS studes rehabilitate marine environment Melvin R.Inding

NATURE GUARDIANS. The young environmentalists in their planting escapade ensuring love and care to Mother Nature.

DepEd, Smart introduce mobile app Jacinth Claire Cuevas

The Department of Education’s Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) partnered in pioneering mobile technologies to aid teachers across the country

BALS handled non-formal education, providing a venue for individuals of all ages that were not able to and cannot go through the formal classroom learning to still get education and secure their elementary and high school diplomas.

The method by which education is delivered is through 6,000 mobile teachers all over the country who go where the students are—in the mountains, isolated sitios, markets or barangay centers.

Smart, thru application

partner Orange Fix, has developed a mobile application that will allow these educators to access teaching materials anytime, anywhere, online or offline from their mobile devices like tablets.

Smart is offering the ALS mobile app free-of-charge and has bundled the app with lowcost tablets powered by Smart Bro.

Teachers will have the option to go prepaid or postpaid, depending on their preference and requirements.

“Smart is pleased to partner with BALS in introducing mobile technology in teaching.

Through this collaboration, we hope to democratize access to devices, connectivity and content,” said Darwin Flores, Smart department head for community partnerships.

Source: www.smart.com.ph

ZN execs mull measure to protect eagle’s habitat Darlyn C. Briones

Zamboanga del Norte environment officials were considering measures in declaring Linay mountain forests of Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte as protected area after two rare Philippine eagles were observed mating there on Sept. 9.

In a news release, Atty.

Liza Jane Estaño, chief of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) said such declaration would ensure protection and safety of the eagles.

“The birds were found mating in a forested area that can be reached after a threehour hike from the town center,”

Estaño said.

She further added that they were also pushing for the provincial legislative board to declare the Linay mountain range as “Eagle National Park of Zamboanga del Norte” to pumpprime the rehabilitation and development of its natural ecology for the sake of the pair of eagles and other rare and endangered species found therein.

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is a critically endangered species endemic to the tropical forests of the country. Its population has severely declined due to massive deforestation and hunting, according the Philippine Eagle Foundation based in Davao City.

LOST HOME. A pair of Philippine Eagles sighted in Zamboanga del Norte. SAMMY AMATONG

Dapitan City is blessed with vast ocean that served as the home of thousands of fishes and other aquatic organisms.

Protecting marine creature’s habitat is everyone’s responsibility so as to ensure its survival and continuous existence.

In connection with the celebration of the Fish Conservation Week, 23 biotechnology students of the Engineering and Science Education Program

(ESEP) of Dapitan City National High School participated in the mangrove planting at Brgy. Tagulo, Dapitan City on Oct.16.

The group was spearheaded by the school principal Mr. Sherlito E. Sagapsapan and was facilitated by the Biotechnology teacher Mrs. Jeanne T. Navaja with the support of other teachers- Mr. Randolph Navaja, Mr. Gerardo C. Jalosjos and Mr. Dexter M. Dubal.

“We are happy to be a part of this noble activity and very positive to see the mangroves we planted grow,” said Mrs. Navaja who also expressed her thanks to the City Government of Dapitan for providing them transportation.

The purpose of said ac-

tivity is to rehabilitate the mangrove diversity of the said place in order to ensure conservation of fish and other marine-breeding grounds so they will continue to provide nutrients to marine organisms.

“We are so fortunate to be given such a gift of nature and therefore we should be responsible wardens of that natural resource God ever entrusted to our care,” Mrs. Navaja further explained to the students.

Students in their young age must realize the importance of conserving marine creatures and should involve themselves in protecting and maintaining them because said living things constitute a balanced ecosystem.

dominating the IMC for several years, settled for second place with 153 medals – 22 gold, 44 silver and 87 bronze.

About 1,300 participants from 10 countries joined this year’s competition.

“This year is emerging as very fruitful for our young math wizards. The medals won in Singapore are in addition to the medals and awards we won in math contests in Bulgaria, Turkey, China and Hong Kong,” Dr.

Simon Chua, head of the Philippine delegation and president of MTG, said in a statement.

Singapore placed third in this year’s IMC with 124 medals, followed by Taiwan (117 medals), Indonesia (93 medals), South Korea (78 medals), Thailand (51 medals), Hong Kong (six medals), Iran (five medals) and India (three medals).

Sagario were dubbed as good infomercial endorsers.

“I am very proud of my writers. Keep up the good work and strive more in our next battle,” TSQ adviser Mrs. Ana Fiela B. Quimiguing said when asked of her reaction after the awarding ceremony.

The said activity aimed to develop the journalistic talents and skills of the students and to let them discover their potential in the field of journalism.

The said seminar workshop was participated in by eleven secondary schools of Dapitan City division.

Pinoys dominate Singapore math tilt Anna Prees A. Mangubat

Filipino students brought 161 medals in the International Mathematics Contest (IMC) in Singapore, ending China’s dominance in the competition.

According to the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG), the Philippine team won 23 gold, 45 silver and 93 bronze medals, finishing first in the 9th IMC.

China, which has been

Source: abscbnnews.com

TSQ scribes amass awards in ZN Press confab Keith Alfred E. Bellingan

Giving pride and honor to their school, scribes of the Shrine Quill hoarded awards during the Campus Journalism Seminar- Workshop held at Dapitan City National High School sponsored by Zamboanga Del Norte Press Club on Aug. 24-25.

In individual contest, Kerth Jay O. Alunan got first in Sportswritting, first in Editorial Writing, first in Copyreading and Headline Writing, second in Newswriting and second in Feature Writing; Folyn B. Sales got first in Feature Writing, third in Editorial Writing and third in Copyreading and Headline Writing; Regine V. Elopre got first in News Writing.

In Radio Broadcasting, Herard B. Mandantes was adjudged as the better anchor and Katrina Lou S. Dinapo as good anchor. On the other hand, Mary Lyndie G. Borgonia, Lisette Joy B. Calasang and Marielle

Blaze of Glory. TSQ Editor-in-Chief Kerth Jay Alunan caps four medals in ZN Press Con

WECAN links DCNHS in clean-up drive Aubrey B. Elumbaring

Go for a clean and green Dapitan!

Yells reverberated every corner as students of Dapitan City National High School participated in the clean-up drive and tree planting activity initiated by the city’s youth organization, the Welfare Extended Creating Achievers of the Nation (WECAN) on October 12, at the Sunset Boulevard, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City.

The said activity was spearheaded by its adviser, the

26- year old elected member of the Sanguniang Panglungsod of Dapitan, Hon. Jimmy Patrick Israel B. Chan with the theme, “Clean up the world; Inspire and empower communities; Plant and protect the environment.”

DCNHS students’ involvement of the said activity is a strong manifestation of their support to the aim of the City Government in preserving, conserving, and safeguarding our environment for people’s very existence depends on it.

Other participants were officials from Brgy. Sta. Cruz, youths from the diferrent baran-

gays of Dapitan City, students from Jose Rizal Memorial State University specifically the officers and cadets of Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), leaders and members of Political Science Society, and Alpha Phi Omega of JRMSU Chapter.

The said activity ended with a program that highlighted a lecture on the proper garbage segregation and disposal which was delivered by Mr. Reynaldo A. Bangcua from the City Vice Mayor’s office with the presence of Vice Mayor Ruben E. Cad who extended his message of thanks to the participants

03 DCNHSian beats 8 regions in battle of brains Mary Lyndie G. Borgonia

Pamela C. Bation, a third year student of Dapitan City National High School brought home glory as she won second place in “ Pambansang Paindis-indis Talino sa Sagisag Kultura” held at UP Visayas, Iloilo City on Nov. 13.

Bation, represented Region IX together with Alesandara Eguia, a fourth year student of the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Corporate High School after they won the regional level. ` “Qualifying for the national level is already a victory for me and winning is more than a blessing I really did not expect but we also really worked hard

and burned midnight candles to make it to the top. I am so grateful to our coaches who have been there in our preparation,” Baition said.

Contenders from Region XI got the first place and Region V won the third place.

Bation and Eguia recived a cash prize of ₱10,000, a trophy and a certificate.

Beating eight other regions of the country, the said students were accompanied by their coaches Evelin E. Luzarita, a Filipino teacher of DCNHS and Paterno Baguinat, a teacher of Jose Rizal Memorial State University Corporate High School.

“Being her coach, I am very proud of Pamela’s achievement. It really inspires me a lot to

discover more students like her,” Luzarita said.

The said competition aimed to strengthen and disseminate awareness and understanding of the cultural icons representing Filipino identity.

Grand welcome awaited the team and as they arrived on Nov.15, sounds of bugles of DCNHS Drum and Bugle Corps resonated at Dapitan City Port as they were welcomed by their DCNHS family headed by its school principal Mr. Sherlito E. Sagapsapan together with some teachers and students.

Bation’s achievement marks another feat for DCNHS as it continues to soar higher in providing students a quality education and nurturing them to harness their potentials in preparation for a better future.

Armin Luistro, FSCt issued Memorandum No. 244 directing various reading activities as part of DepEd’s move to institutionalize the national “Every Child a Reader” program.

Activities were lined up such as the Read-a-Thon, which aims to discover outstanding readers in class; the Dear program, which engages students in 15 to 20 minutes of reading daily;

and the shared reading or readers’ mentoring program, where older students are encouraged to assist younger readers with reading difficulties.

Schools are also urged to hold vocabulary and “A Paragraph A Day” sessions, where students learn one new word a day and read aloud one or two paragraphs every day to enhance their speaking skills.

DepEd launches reading program Lovely Angel L. Abe

To bring back the interest of students in reading instead spending too much time on internet and online activities, the Department of Education launched a reading program and declared November as National Reading Month.

Education Secretary

DCNHS studes grab awards in reg’l English fest

Rizal Memorial Institute of Dapitan City Inc. on Nov. 7.

Bringing fame to their school in Jazz Chant were Cykee Hannah Lumongsod, Kimberly Cuenca, Renz Mark Ruiz, Folyn Sales, Glecyl Jean Sagapsapan, Marianne Palma, Cres John Montemayor, Jacinth Clair Cuevas, Herard Mandantes, Jason Padao, Jaime Dalman and Mel-

vin Inding.

On the other hand, proud in their performance in Reader’s Theatre were Katrina Lou Dinapo, Mariele Sagario, Renz Mark Ruiz and Herard Mandantes.

The said competition aimed to hone communicative skills and competence of the students with its theme “Effective Communication: A Tool for Good Governance.”

Based on the overall ranking of the different contested categories., Pagadian City got the first place, Zamboanga Sibugay, garnered second place, and Zamboanga del Sur earned the third place.

Seven divisions of Zamboanga Peninsula participated the said activity namely Zamboanga Sibugay Division, ZAmboanga del Norte Division, Zambonga del Sur Division, Pagadian City Division, Dipolog City Division, Isabela City Division, and the host division of the said activity, Dapitan City Division.

aid, medical supplies and equipments, foods for the victims of calamities and procurement of life saving devices whereas 30% of the Calamity Fund or Quick Response Fund is allocated to be used when disaster happens.

On the other hand, Mayor Rosalina G. Jalosjos stressed out that aside from the active emergency response team like the React Shriners Group and ORACIS, the local government should create city rescue teams and volunteers in every barangay to ensure immediate response when calamity comes.

The said gathering was attended by Mr. Jimmy L. Capuyan, city government operations officer; Psupt. Jerome D. Afuyog, chief of police; Lt. Aubrey Gale S. Maddul of the Philippine Army 101st Infantry Brigade; Insp. Ricardo I. Acaylar, city fire marshal; Dr. Rolito V. Cataluna, city health officer; Dr. Mark Ian L. Llagas, Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) coordinator, DepEd Supervisor Germanico C. Malacat; React Shriners group chief Eleno M. Lasola and other representatives from national and local offices.

REGION’S BEST. Chanters of DCNHS in their splendid performance Louie B. Cabilin

DCNHS studes grab awards in reg’l English fest

Fifteen students of Dapitan City National High School won second place in Jazz Chant contest and third place in Reader’s Theatre competition during the 2013 Regional English Festival held at the covered court of

Dapitan CDRRMC designs disaster plan Mikaela A. Bacalso

To prepare for possible calamities, the City Government of Dapitan through its City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council designed the 2014 Risk Reduction Management Plan last Oct. 10 at the Dapitan City Government Center.

Engr. Lasola, the focal person of the said convention reiterated that 70% of the 5% city’s regular income for calamity fund will be used for the training on basic life support and first

TESTAMENT OF SUCCESS. DCNHS wizard, Pamela Bati-on jovially holds the proof of her victory.

English Club initiates fund raising activity Carla Joy Denura

In pursuit of providing students a comfortable place for reading, researching and studying, Dapitan City National High School’s English Club initiated a fund raising activity called “Walk for a Reading Nook” on Oct. 25.

The said activity aimed to raise funds for the construction of a reading center and school publication office near the ESEP building

Students, office personnel, PTA officials and oth-

er guests responded positively to the said fund raising activity which started at the city plaza kiosk and finished at DCNHS’ ground.

After the walk for a cause, the school principal Mr. Sherlito E. Sagapsapan spearheaded the ceremonial piling of hollow blocks for the said construction together with the head of the English department Mrs. Ursulita Rafanan, English Club adviser Ms. Lydia I. Kilapkilap and Head Teacher of Talisay Extension Mr. Lindo Adasa, Jr..

PH students win in int’l trade tilt Danna Jean Dagpin

Two high school students from the Philippines won 1st place in the FedEx- Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge held on August 19 to 22, 2013 in Hong Kong.

Pamela Frances T. Gaw and Katrina L. Chan, representing Immaculate Concepcion Academy Greenhills, were awarded the title of Entrepreneur of the Year during the threeday competition.

The Philippine Team impressed the panel of judges with their innovative business proposal in response to this year’s challenge in addressing the global issue of recycling materials by developing a new innovative product or service for the Argentinian market using reused jeans.

The said team came up with the concept of Eco-Gear, a set of recycled, durable and affordable sports equipment, including goalie gloves, a soccer

ball and shin guards, targeting the soccer-loving Argentinians.

The first runner-up was Team New Zealand, represented by James Rankin and Lauren McCarthy, who devised a plan to recycle denim to make shoes.

For every pair of shoes purchased, a pair was to be donated to the needy in Argentina.

Second runner-up was Team Hong Kong’s Ng Yu Hin and Wong Bo Hang who thought of manufacturing a denim “100 Wishes” quilt, from scraps of denim from China garment factories. The quilts were to be sold to lower income Argentinians from the south of the country.

This year 54 students, aged between 15 to 19, won a place to represent their markets in the FedEx/JA ITC Regional Finals by confidently demonstrating their teamwork, resourcefulness, creativity and entrepreneurial skills during the local market competitions.

Source: www.abscbnews.com

FILIPINO PRIDE. Standing front row left, the Philippine Team during the 2013 FedEx Trade Challenge.

04 Pushing the Pen for Gov’t Transformation

When President Benigno Simeon Aquino III rose into power as he won the 2010 elections, advocacy on good and clean governance has become so popular.

Transparency on the government has become a mandate towards what has been so popularized as transformational government. The advocacy has reached to an unprecedented level that since the annals of Philippine history, it is only during the occupancy of President Noynoy that a number of government officials and even non-government personalities in all echelons, were brought before the courts of justice to make them answer the crimes they committed against the Philippine Treasury and the Filipino people. The latest and the biggest scandal on graft and corruption was the Napoles phenomenon- the pork barrel scam. It was dealt with accordingly.

It is during these times of transformational leadership of the Noynoy Aquino government that campus writers boldly come to the open in sharp and strong criticisms against public figures – government and non-government. Not since that student-writers gained so much courage in expressing opinions even against the giants of politics and the fiercest thieves of people’s money.

Campus journalism indeed, waged a consistent and violent war against the evils of society perpetrated by the supposed leaders of the people and their cohorts.

Unwittingly, campus journalists has become trusted and faithful partners of the government towards achieving today’s governmental objective which is good and clean governance. Campus journalism has become a somewhat indispensable ally of the government towards realization of transformational leadership geared toward achieving its goals.

The blazing points of the students’ pen, the might of their fingers, the brilliance of their minds and the vigor of the young writers make campus journalism a very powerful vehicle into attaining bull’s eye the target of transformational leadership. The impact of the creative young minds of campus journalists could best be gleaned not only in the printed word but in illustrative and communicative graphs of figures or caricatures.

Campus journalism works and serves as check and balance to official and even personal affairs of key government figures and their connections in governmental transactions that involve public funds and wealth.

As the hands of time daily repeats its cycle, campus journalism keeps on maturing with enormous strength until it becomes established as a powerful avenue wherein governmental transformation is geared into fulfilling its very purposes.

E D I T O R I A L

James Carlo B. Guira

turned into something that is no longer in congruence with its original purKerth Jay O. Alunan pose. It has become a training ground of

The Department of graft and corruption as it was Interior and Local Governobserved.

The worst thing, ment (DILG) is studying the political clans controlled the proposal to abolish SangguSK, putting their youngest niang Kabataan. This creatkins in the councils until the ed a huge tremor especially latter could take over reguto young Filipinos like us. It lar government positions and needs broader understandeventually perpetuate the poing about the issue in order to litical dynasty. identify appropriate action to

Let us take a closer be taken. glimpse of the history of SK.

In its original context, Before, there was no budget SK has its noble purpose. allotted for the youth group.

It was created to serve as a The intent was clear, it was training ground for the young pure volunteerism, meaning minds who will be soon the to say, those who joined did country’s future leaders, a it with genuine desire to learn place for those who wanted to and to serve without expectknow about politics, thus acing monetary reward. It was quiring skills for what it takes far different from the current to become a future leader of trend of young politicians our nation. where their service is equally

The said noble purcompensated and allocated pose has been twisted and by the government.

Clever Sense

Lisette Joy B. Calasang Associate Editor

Mary Lyndie G. Borgonia Regine V. Elopre Katrina Lou S. Dinapo Claire Bagabuyo News Editors Christine Jera E. Quines Sports Editors Jacinth Claire A. Cuevas Herard B. Mandantes Feature Editors Maricon E. Bobiles Arce Dorn Tagalogon Photojournalists

James Carlo B. Guira Joel T. Baje Cartoonists

Folyn B. Sales Mary Belle H. Boralo Sci-Tech Editors

Lovely Angel L. Abe, Seth Nikko Dengal, Melvin R.Inding Anna Prees A. Mangubat, Darlyn C. Briones, Keith Alfred E. Bellingan Aubrey B. Elumbaring, Louie B. Cabilin, Danna Jean Dagpin Carla Joy Denura, Mikaela A. Bacalso News Correspondents Ana Fiela B. Quimiguing Adviser Ursulita A. Rafanan English Coordinator

Consultants Nieva M. Jarapan

Sherlito E. Sagapsapan School Principal II

Education Program Supervisor (English)

Tamtalier P. Nandu OIC Schools Division Superintendent

In the present system, a certain portion of the local budget is allocated for the SK to implement its own projects, thus, making them vulnerable to usury, fraud and corruption.

These are the reasons pointed out by those who favor on its abolition.

If corruption is really the reason, why not continue the SK but with zero budget?

Why not give the youth their organization to learn about politics so they will be prepared enough when their time comes?

Abolishing SK is not the best way to address the problem. It is a deliberate approach to discourage young Filipinos from participating in local governance and community service. It is a sort of deprivation of one’s right.

Let the youth be a part of building a better nation for themselves and their generation.

On SK’s Abolition

Let me see!

Kerth Jay O. Alunan Editor- In- Chief

A Wise Move

Fuzzy Bees

Regine V. Elopre

Let me hear!

Jacinth A. Cuevas

Let us hear the different views of students and see their points regarding the proposed abolition of the Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) in the government system of the Republic of the Philippines.

As I see it, SK has been used as

I am in favor of SK’s abolition. I believe a breeding ground for political dynasties. I it is a training ground of corruption. Young peolooked forward for some reforms in the system ple are early exposed to corrupt practices. but not to eradicate it totally.

Karla Laclac Jenelyn Jamarolin Grade 8 -Diamond IV- Edison

Money is the root of all evils. Youth can

I firmly say “no” to SK’s abolition. Youth still serve the country without monetary reempowerment is still needed in our governward. Why not serve with pure intention? Why ment. Therefore, we should not be deprived of not render free service? our right to be a part of national development.

Marian Palma April Tacbaya III- Virgo III- Pisces

Youth comprised the majority of population so our voice needs to be heard. We should have representation in the government.

Abolishing SK constitutes deprivation of our rights to be heard.

Aimer Dengal

Grade 7- Luna

SK needs reform not abolition. Government should realize this. This is one of the things that our government leaders should take into consideration.

Holly Ann Cabasag IV- Mendelev

05 Give Peace A Chance

Straight to the Point

dream in this promise land with endless wars from the Spanish era up to Lissette Joy B. Calasang the present.

Mindanao, the “Land

Nur Misuari, the fireof Promise” stayed true to brand of the Moro National its name. It is rich in natuLiberation Front (MNLF) conral resources- the bountiful tinues to chase the dream of source of national wealth. It an autonomous Bangsamoro is the melting pot of different republic. He has ended it in cultures, strains of millions of hostility.

Christians and Muslims trying

Ordinary Juan Dela to adapt to each other’s way Cruz suffers. He whose ultiof life. mate aim each day is to sim But at some point in ply survive amidst financial history, conflict mushroomed crisis- putting food in the tabetween these two groups of ble at least three times a day, people no matter how much sending children to school they tried to understand each and sheltering them in simple other’s differences. This could quarters. be traced in the olden times.

Because of the hostilA century old conflict bloomed ities between the government to its fullest. And peace has forces and MNLF in Zamboeventually become an elusive anga, many lives had been

Firm Stand

lost, a lot properties had been damaged and some livelihood had gone. The worst of all, children were traumatized.

The future of our country is very grim. Jose Rizal once said, “Youth is the hope of our motherland.”

At an early age, young people are being exposed to violence. This will continue to haunt them and no one can tell until when.

War is too immoral. In a war, nobody wins. It is sad to know that we are fighting against each other. We are all Filipinos and we are of the same breed. Why fight against each other? Let us not divide ourselves because of ideology. Let us stand together as one nation and give peace a chance to reign in our hearts.

Politics’ Surge

towns, cities and provinces.

These politiChristitne Jera E. Quines cal dynasties in the country mushroom

The issue of politiamidst the hullabacal dynasty in the country loos of those who are moving that stained our politics is heaven and hell to put a stop nothing short of a blotch to its proliferation as the Filion our honor as a people pino community prepares for and a hard-hitting blow on the coming elections. the pride of every Filipino.

Moreover, it can be

For many years of noted that in every election, elections, the same surgovernment officials who finnames are written in every ished their term limits are reballot and the same surplaced by a spouse, a son or names occupy the godly daughter, a sibling or a close seats of our government, relative. local or national; seems

This kind of set up like owning a designatis where corruption galore ed territory in their homestarts. This is the reason why

bloody violence and criminality during elections rise not only in the national arena but also in the local.

Let us be reminded that the intelligent voting public has the command and power to correct this debasing situation for it is in our hands lies the power to dump or allow political dynasty to flourish in our country.

It is now time to stand firmly and stop political dynasty by not allowing ourselves to be manipulated by favor-seekers and by not being threatened of risks posed by those who are hungry for government seats.

One Direction

during class hours for some valid reasons.

First, it is a sign of disrespect Katrina Lou S. Dinapo to the teacher or to anyone who speaks infront of the class. It should

Texting. Calling. Lisbe understood that respect tening to music. Taking picis very fundamental in a stutures. Opening Instagram and dent-teacher relationship.

Facebook. These are but a Second, student’s attention few of the daily activities stuis disrupted. Thus, he cannot dents engaged in even during concentrate to listen to the class hours inside their classdiscussion and engage himrooms. self in meaningful group activ While teachers are ities that would foster camaradelivering their lessons, underie among students. Third, deniably, some students are using cellphones during class not listening to them. Instead, hours deteriorates student’s they are hooked to their gadfocus which is highly needgets and found them more ed in order to assimilate new entertaining and instructive knowledge. And the last one, than the subject matter precellphones and other gadgets sented by the teacher. if used irresponsibly will ruin

No one will argue that one’s future. modern technology keeps

Therefore, our school people at pace with up-tois very reasonable to forbid the-minute news updates and the use of cellphones and othinformation as well as enterer modern gadgets inside the tainment. It also offers speedy classrooms especially during connection of people around class hours. the globe with just a click of

As students, we the mouse. should heed to this call. Let

Yes, gadgets are truus unite ourselves in sailing ly functional tools if used reone direction. We can prevent sponsibly especially by stuour boat from sinking and dents. dooming if we will cooperate

Our school strictly proin achieving the mission and hibits the use of cellphones vision of our school. and other gadgets specifically

Campus Spy

Soar High City High!

It is evident that our school had undergone lots of changes and im- Sherlito E. Sagapsapan provements.

T h e school administration, teaching and non-teaching staff, Parents-Teachers Association and other stakeholders passed through the entire process of brainstorming, strategic planning, multi-tasking and pooling of resources.

The school posted an average of 54.4% in the Mean Percentage Scores (MPS) in the National Achievement Test (NAT) for the past two school years. This only shows that the performance of our students has improved compared to the previous school years but we still need to do more to achieve at least 75% MPS.

Our students showed exemplary performance in the curricular and co-curricular activities. Ma. Pamela Bation brought honor and prestige to our school when she won as Second Placer in the 2013 Pambansang Paindis-indis sa Tagisan ng Talino sa Sagisag at Kultura . The recently concluded Regional English Festival provided our students with the avenue to showcase their talents and skills and emerged as Second Placer in the Jazz Chant Competition and Third Placer in the Readers’ Theater.

Not only those students who are in school are given the opportunity to excel but we also venture on educational innovation by reaching out to the inmates of Dapitan City Jail who are currently studying under the Open High School Program (OHSP) of the school. Our teachers hold classes inside the facility to check the modules given to the inmates.

We want to give them hope and to inspire those inmates who aspire to finish high school. A number of out-of-school youth are also enrolled under the OHSP. This is in response to the attainment of both Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

In line with our commitment to push through for higher quality standards, we double our efforts in improving our physical facilities. In School Year 2012-2013, we were able to construct a One-Storey Two-Classroom School Building with Comfort Rooms worth P 1,458,648.95 and Two-Storey Two-Classroom School Building worth P 1,743,503.10 funded by the Department of Education.

This school year, our school is a recipient of a Two-Storey Four- Classroom School Building, Two-Storey Six-Classroom School Building, One Classroom School Building with Comfort Rooms and Three units Comfort Rooms with a total cost of P 13,873,000. Upon completion of the projects, we are hopeful that shortage of classrooms will be addressed.

We have also improved our Security Services through the support of the Parents-Teachers Association and the City Government of Dapitan and they provided us with two watchmen to ensure the safety of our teachers and students as well as the properties of the school. The PTA had also constructed a concrete perimeter fence to secure the premises of the school and spent P 140,000 for the project.

Much has yet to be done for Dapitan City National High School but we remain steadfast with our vision of providing quality education and services to our students. We want to maintain the momentum that drives us towards our goal and to continue to soar high amidst the challenges that we meet along the way.

Head’s Corner

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor,

Have a pleasant day!

How glad am I that you allot a portion of this publication for us to convey our sentiments, express our voice and ask questions in order for us to be clarified.

We have noticed a tarpaulin posted on the gate of our school that says: No ID, No Uniform, No Entry.

For security reasons, this policy is really very beneficial for all of us. Indeed, it has been approved by the parents during the general PTA meeting.

We have read it very clear but what is not clear to us is that, is this only limited to students like us? What about the teachers and office personnel? Are they exception of this rule? I have seen some of them not wearing school ID and uniform. That is why I wonder if this policy is only for us students.

I hope we will be enlightened by your answer.

Sincerely yours,

Janeca B. Amigo IV - Einstein Dear Janeca,

I appreciate your concern about our school’s policy of wearing school ID and uniform.

I asked our school principal about this issue because I know he is the person in authority to answer this.

In our talk, he said that teachers and office personnel are also obliged to wear prescribed uniform.

However in their case, failure to do so does not mean they will not be allowed to enter the school premises.

Teachers not wearing prescribed uniform will be given corresponding sanctions as stipulated in DepEd Order No.7 s.2013 and reflected in DepEd Memo No.39 s.2012. In addition, frequent non-wearing of uniform will also affect teacher’s performance assessment at the end of the school year.

Our school principal is also challenging everyone to submit to his office names of teachers not wearing uniform.

Thank you so much for your concern.

Yours truly, Editor

06

THE FEATS Folyn B. Sales

Glorious moments. The deafening applause. The seemingly unending acclamation of feats and successes. This year, the Philippines once again was placed in the center of the spotlight in almost all fields of competition. Number one country in the whole Asia in gender equality and fifth in the whole world. Philippines also bagged International Transparency Award in UK Summit. Aren’t these feats?

In sports, Philippine national basketball team Gilas Filipinas defeated Korea earning to play Iran in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship Final. Rubylin Amit of Cebu grabbed the championship trophy of billiard in the 2nd Women’s World 10-Ball Championship.

2013 has been a very successful year for the Phil-

Minions! Minions! Minions!

Claire Bagabuyo

Oh! There they are again, talking in their nonsense incomprehensible language.

A skin of yellow and a jumper of color blue running like a duck all around the lab of Gru.

“Who are these guys?” said the lady in a floral patterned dress.

Questions just bounced out in her head. She unwind and unwind and unwind all around the room and asked each single person about these little creatures.

The kid in a pink top and a white pair of shorts replied, “They are called Minions, Ma’am!”

Confusion just came out in her head.

So much questions about these little ones.

As she watched the maie entitled “Despicable Me” with her family and friends, she asked herself once again, “Why are they called Minions?”

These little life forms are funny. They can entertain us by just doing some gibberish works. The way they laugh, it is so amusing. The crowd likely laughs hard and can even slap someone in the face because of the Minions’ wit.

These Minions are just so irresistible. They are so hard to forget. When someone will talk about the movie, all they can say about is the sense of humor of the minions.

Minions! Minions! Minions! They are just so hilarious.

The lady in a floral patterned dress replied, “Minions? I see…” And the kid in a pink top and a white pair of shorts nodded.

“They are just so charming just like you, pretty kid!” she said joyously.

Roaming around the lab again and again, these are so called “Minions” with a skin of yellow and a jumper of color blue. With or without hair, and with glasses or without, Minions your’re so entertaining.

ippines in international beauty pageants.

Four Filipinas took the top spots.

Mutya Johanna Datul became the first Filipina to have won the title Miss Supranational. Ariella Arida was hailed third runner-up in the Miss Universe beauty pageant. Annalie Forbes took third runner-up At Miss Grand International 2013. And the most astonishing and triumphant achievement which took the Philippines some decades or even centuries to produce, is its bagging of the Miss World title – courtesy of Miss Megan Young – the first ever Filipina who was crowned with one of the most coveted title ever won by any woman.

The psychedelic and intoxicating chains of victories lifted the heads of every Filipino which conveyed the message “proud ako to be Pinoy!” Both the spoken and unspoken screams of victory were aptly recorded in the pages of our history, printed in the mind and etched in the heart.

Never was there any year since history began that the Philippines has been so applauded but this instant year 2013.

07

THE DEFEATS? Christine Jera E. Quines

The astounding feats which placed the Philippines in the limelight of fame and honor, however seemed to have been neutralized or even swallowed up and suffocated by the series of calamities which not only rocked but shaken the very foundation of the nation that only the slightest debris of the zeal of its people remained.

While misfortunes during the past few years or even the past decades might have assaulted this country, yet this year’s series of force majeure or the most fitting term “acts of God” have bitterly drilled boundless and bottomless craters in the heart and mind of every Filipino.

Nobody could ever forget the howls, the screams of agonizing pains, the untold miseries and sorrows of the victims and survivors of Cebu Ferry mishap as St Thomas Aquinas ferry collided with the cargo vessel MV Sulpicio Express Siete last August 16, claiming more than 70 lives.

Not long after, magnitude 7.2 earthquake, one of the most horrendous quakes struck Cebu and Bohol on October 15 that claimed hundreds of lives and millions of properties – mostly the antiquated properties

of the nation.

This was followed by the harrowing wreckage cruelly inflicted by super typhoon Yolanda which tore down properties into pieces of rubbish. Thousands of people were slain like a school of tiny fishes thrown with an oversized dynamite.

These series of catastrophes successfully “powderized” the spirit in the Filipino as the stigma of these disasters left them seemed to be drilling machines sadistically expanding and deepening the puncture, exploding the hearts of every survivor and even the heart of every compassionate Filipino. The haunting memories of these catastrophes indeed seemed to be sharp knives crossing to and fro a bleeding wound.

The Filipino, known for his resilience might have reached to his limits - he exploded. He was crushed. He lost his vigor. His spirit was without perceptible piece that remained. Yet the Filipino, wounded, broken, disheartened, desolate, a picture of total want and devastation – TODAY. But watch him RISE UP in the MORROW with a rejuvenated spirit and exclaim “Totoo ka talagang Pinoy!”

Life! Oh Life!

Herard B. Mandantes

Why life can’t be easy? If it were, then we would have traveled and toured all majestic places around the globe and have enjoyed life instead of going to school listening to boring lectures and doing endless homework.

Life is not easy as what you might think it is. It is unpredictable and nothing stays permanent. For instance, one day you’re on the utmost height of the world financially, the next day you just found yourself with just a bottom peso out in your pocket. Today, you look forward of getting to school for a better future, then tomorrow you will end up dead. This time you are at the zenith of your happiness and later you will end up crying in a corner. Yes, lovers and relatives die, close friends become worst enemies, buildings are torn down and replaced with new ones.

Nothing endures and the person who is not attuned to this reality often finds himself in quandary and cannot

figure out why.

Life is like a roller coaster ride.

It has its ups and downs. It’s like riding a plane or a ship with turbulent wind and waves so unkind. To smoothen the ride, we need to live with a purpose and direction. After all, without the former, we are merely existing not living; without the latter, life would be like a ship without the rudder.

Life is an odyssey. We journey and go on an exodus to the unknown future that is beyond human vision and perception. Only God knows our fate and destiny but He bestowed us with freewill so it’s up to us which road to take. It’s a matter of making the right choice. After all, we are the master of our fate and the captain of our soul.

Life is full of criticism. Despite all odds, we must live life to the fullest.

Criticisms leveled at us should be accepted with open arms should there be any because it spice up our lives. According to Plato, “a life without criticism is not worth living”. The reality is it adds meaning to our lives. Perhaps, without them life is devoid of color. After all, life should be colorful and wonderful.

08 Catalysts of Change Lissette Joy B. Calasang

“Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.” — Andy Rooney.

Teachers hold the noblest of all professions. From the days of Socrates to the time of Paul in the Bible, students had spoken highly of their teachers.

Educators make the medical doctors, the lawyers, the accountants, the engineers, the agriculturists, the musicians, the pastors, the politicians, the nurses, the computer analysts and many other workers who contribute effectively to the building of a nation anywhere thus, making them the most important person in any civilization. On them depends the molding of the nation.

Teaching is a lifetime experience and a ceaseless growth leading to a worthwhile destiny after the up and downs of struggles passing away times, effort and expertise in order to build monument of memoir into pupil’s or student’s heart. Its primary aim is to pave learners’ way in their quest for education and professional travels.

Knowledge is power. Teachers are the sole facilitators of transfer of learning to students and the catalysts of change in one’s individual make up. Their task is not as easy as one might think. It entails a lot of hardwork and sacrifices to the extent of sometimes forgetting themselves, their family and even their own happiness.

The world celebrated Teacher’s Day on October 5 to honor and thank teachers for their great contribution to the society.

In unison, Dapitan City National High School took part in the celebration for teachers. On October 5, through the initiative of the Supreme Student Government, series of activities were prepared to give tribute to teachers.

Teachers were given one day rest of classroom pressures as they were pampered with massage, manicure and pedicure by the TLE Cosmetology students.

What Inspires Teachers to Teach Maricon E. Bobiles

Along the celebration of World Teacher’s Day, scribes of The Shrine Quill took time in asking the mentors of Dapitan City National High School on what motivated them to teach knowing that teaching is a very tedious yet rewarding vocation. Let us share with you what we heard from them.

Sharing knowledge to students that they may use in their battle of life is what inspires me to teach.

This is a lifetime treasure they will always remember and being a part of that treasure is more than an achievement for me.

It’s very inspiring to see satisfied faces of students at the end of the lesson. All my efforts are worth it.

I am very happy to see students asking questions and showing their thirst for knowledge.

I feel more challenged to give them satisfactory answers.

Giving students the gift of education is what makes me smile. Only a few are given such an opportunity.

It is when I see my students succeed in their respective endeavors and me being a part of them.

They may forget me afterall but that won’t affect how I feel for them.

The hope of seeing them successful someday motivates me even more.

Seeing smiles of students after they learn a new skill makes me more energized to double my effort in transmitting knowledge to them.

An Open Letter to My Teacher Dear Teacher,

Recently, I heard October 5 is World Teacher’s Day, so I want to say “Happy Teacher’s Day” to you. I think cards seem impersonal. Writing a letter can really show my care, so I am trying that.

As you are my teacher, I want to thank for your help. I enjoy being taught by you. You are the most excellent I’ve ever seen.

To be a teacher must be very tiring and boring.

Especially for you, you are so young but you still chose this job in your youth. Everyday, you need to correct so much work but you enjoy it. Your spirit influences me!

In my view, great teachers do more than teach, they encourage and inspire. You’ve done all these. You make a dull lesson become exciting. You make me start loving English. Thank you all the time. No matter whether you still work as a teacher or not, I think you are the best!

Once again, Happy Teacher’s Day!

Wishing you happiness and health forever!

Your student,

GREGORIO G. ACAYLAR Jr.

How To Be The Best Student In Your Class Arce Dorn C. Tagalogon

Getting first rank in the class is desired by many students. The truth is that there is no proper alternative to hard work and having a plan.

Here are some tips on how to achieve this as best as you can.

1. Know what you want. It is very important that you realize that reading few articles on how to achieve the best grades is not going to help you out.

Whatever plan you make, you need to ensure that you stick to it. These are not just books but lessons for lifetime and if taken up with proper attitude you can enjoy studying as well.

2. Be attentive in class. Paying attention is a simple way to do well. Not only will your teacher appreciate it, but it’s a surefire way to score well on tests and be able to finish your homework faster.

Take proper notes. You should write anything important down, write to where you can read it, etc. This may seem like a pain but the notes will pay off when you’re studying for your next test.

3. Participate. More than just paying attention, participate!

Many teachers factor participation into their grading, but even if they don’t your participation is a great way to please your teacher by proving that you’re paying attention. Moreover, your mind will be less likely to wander if you’re constantly looking for ways to participate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It will only help you improve. Also, it is okay if you are wrong once in a while.

4. Sitting Partner. You will be able to concentrate better by sitting next to someone who is good in studies and you might also get some tips to do better.

5. Complete homework and assignments on time. Most teachers assign homework for a reason— to reinforce the things you learn in class. Completing your homework will help you prepare for tests and will also give you something to refer to when you participate (“I was a little lost on problem 5” or “This reminds me of chapter 9 from last night’s reading because...”)

09 What to Do During an Earthquake

Mary Belle H. Boralo

Indoor Safety

If you are inside, stay inside. DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during shaking.

In MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury from falling objects and even building collapse if you immediately: • DROP down onto your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down.

This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.

• COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under the shelter of a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall or next to low-lying

furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

• HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

DO NOT stand in a doorway. You are safer under a table.

In modern houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house. The doorway does not protect you from the most likely source of injury−falling or flying objects. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused by falling or flying objects (e.g., TVs, lamps, glass, bookcases), or by being knocked to the ground.

Source: www.bt.cdc.gov

Dengue tops moms’ most feared diseases Claire Bagabuyo

Together with the common flu, typhoid, hepatitis, among others, dengue is up there in the list as one of the most dreaded diseases that moms worry their kids may contract. Unlike the other illnesses, dengue does not have a vaccine that can provide immediate protection.

Prevalent in tropical countries such as the Philippines, dengue affects people differently. While others may stop at having flu-like symptoms such as high fever and muscleand-joint pains and rash, others suffer life-threatening complications.

A few succumb to Dengue Shock Syndrome, in which the patient’s white blood cells drop to a dangerous level, leading to internal bleeding. In some of these cases, dengue becomes fatal.

While it is true that all people, regardless of age, can be infected with dengue, statistics from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that children and

adolescents are hit the hardest.

Almost half of the dengue cases last year were from five-14 year age range.

Another alarming discovery is that the disease that many people think can be contracted only during the day is now a round-the-clock menace. Experts from the Philippine Association of Entomologists found out that another mosquito species, the Aedes albopictus, is known to have peak biting hours during the night: from 6 to 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. The well-studied species Aedes aegypti, the day-biter, has peak biting hours between 6 and 8 a.m., and 4 and 6 p.m.

It is no wonder that moms are looking for ways to protect their children from getting exposed to dengue, both during the day and night. “I make sure that there is no stagnant water in the house and make sure our surroundings are clear from mosquito-breeding grounds,” says Candice Arcangel, who has two sons, Carl and Craig, aged 12 and 10, respectively.

Researchers discover new species of bird in PH Regine V. Elopre

Birds are subjects of great interest to many people.

They are often easy-to-spot, charismatic and beautiful. Because of this interest, birds tend to be well-studied, and most years see only a handful of new bird species discovered and described in scientific journals.

However, this past year has seen 23 new birds described so far.

Remarkably, three of those new birds have been introduced to science by researchers at the University of Kansas’ Biodiversity Institute. And a KU graduate student in ecology and evolutionary biology, Pete Hosner, has co-authored two of those.

“ I think

ONLY IN THE PHIL. Sierra Madre Ground Warblers only found in Luzon.

these discoveries reflect the opportunities I’ve had to work in tropical forests, where most new bird species are found,” said Hosner. “Since I began my doctorate in 2007, KU ornithology has had active field research in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania. Even though undescribed bird species are a rare find, with such a broad search radius, new things are bound to turn up.”

The KU researcher’s most recent find is dubbed the Sierra Madre Ground-Warbler, a ground-dwelling forest bird that lives on Luzon Island of the Philippine archipelago. Its description is published in the August issue of The Condor, a scientific journal of the Cooper Ornithological Society. “ T h e ground-warblers are very unique birds,” said Hosner. “They’re only known from the northern Philippines, and they have no close relatives.

Source: phys.org/news

SCIENCE TRIVIA

Scientists detect pirate ant in the Phil Folyn B. Sales

DID YOU KNOW THAT………

A cricket’s ears are on its knees? That a fly has tastebuds on its feet?

---o0o-- Mexico City is sinking at a rate of 18 inches per year as a result of draining the water table for human consumption.

---o0o-- Pure water does not conduct electricity - Impurities found in water conduct electricity (such as salt).

---o0o-- If one places 2 straws in one’s mouth, one inside of a drink and the other on the outside - one won’t be able to drink through either of them.

---o0o-- A can of diet coke will float in water, while a can of regular coke will sink.

It’s because that if an object displaces more than its weight in liquid, it floats; otherwise it sinks...

---o0o-- A ball made of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber. And a ball entirely made of steel will bounce even higher than a ball of glass.

The pirate ant might not be able to make you walk the plank, but dark-colored patches around their eyes certainly make this new species look like they could bully ants off a ship.

Discovered by a team of German scientists while on a trip to the Philippines, Cardiocondyla pirata was found living under a rock—literally. PhD student Sabine Frohschammer from the University of Regensburg and her colleague Bernhard Seifert from Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Gorlitz were searching for Cardiocondyla ants in a shady streambed when she saw individuals that didn’t look like any other known species.

“Due to the darkness of the rainforest and the translucent body parts of the tiny ants, they were nearly invisible,” Frohschammer said in a press release.

As she looked more closely, however, Frohschammer knew she had found something special.

Some of the females she had gathered had unusual coloration around their eyes—dark patches that reminded Frohschammer of the eye patches worn by some pirates.

A search of the research literature revealed that Frohschammer’s initial hunch was correct: Not only was this an entirely new species of ant, the coloration was unique as well. The researchersrecently reported their find in the journal ZooKeys.

But unlike Captain Hook, these ants don’t live on a pirate ship. Instead, Frohschammer believes that the ants live their entire lives buried underground in almost complete darkness.

Their eyes reflect their lives in the dark, as they contain an abnormally small number of light receptors.

Source: nationalgeographic.com

ONE OF A KIND. Cardiocondyla Pirata has a dark eye-patch-light pattern. BEMHARD SEIFERT

Amazing Medical Breakthrough Lissette Joy B. Calasang

Filipinos the world over will be proud to know that a Filipino-American, Dr. Katherine Luzuriaga is a part of the team responsible for an amazing medical breakthrough.

CNN reported on March 4, 2013 the incredible news about a baby who was cured of HIV as announced at the 2013 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Atlanta. The baby girl from Mississippi is the first child to be “functionally cured” of HIV. “This is the very first case in which we’ve conclusively been able to document that the baby was infected and then after a period of treatment has been able to go off treatment without viral rebound,” Dr. Katherine Luzuriaga told CNN.

A pediatric allergist, im-

munologist and professor from the University of Massachusetts, Luzuriaga revealed that the unidentified girl was born HIV-positive to a mother who received no pre-natal care and was not diagnosed as HIV-positive herself until just before delivery.

The baby was immediately given treatment after birth.

Two years later, the toddler was found to have no virus in her blood, even after her mother stopped giving her treatment for 8 to 10 months.

The finding may help pave the way to eliminating HIV infection in children. Luzuriaga headed a team of laboratory investigators on the discovery.

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center virologist Deborah Persaud, MD, was lead author on the report, and pediatric HIV specialist Hannah Gay, MD, associate profes-

sor of pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, provided treatment for the baby.

For the astounding work of effectively curing a child with HIV/AIDS, Luzuriaga (along with Drs. Gay and Persaud) was named one of TIME Magazine’s 2013 list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world.

The full list and related tributes appeared on the April 29 issue of TIME, which became available on newsstands and tablets since April 19, and at time.com/time100.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III also made it to this prestigious list. They were among the distinguished personalities who were honored during the awards ceremony at the Time Warner Center on April 23.

Source: asianjournal.com

10 Filipino invents energy saving devices Mary Lyndie G. Borgonia

Climate Change: Havoc to Philippines

EDITORIAL

Our country is not spared from the devastating effects of climate change.

When the United Nations opened its 19th Framework Convention on Climate Change in Warsaw, Poland, delegate of the Philippines Naderey “Yeb” Sano exasperated resounding remarks saying, “To anyone who continues to deny the reality that is climate change, I dare you to get off your ivory tower and away from the comfort of your armchair. I dare you to go to the islands of the Pacific, the islands of the Caribbean and the islands of the Indian Ocean and see the impacts of rising sea levels; to the mountainous regions of the Himalayas and the Andes to see communities confronting glacial floods, to the Arctic where communities grapple with the fast dwindling polar ice caps, to the large deltas of the Mekong, the Ganges, the Amazon and the Nile where lives and livelihoods are drowned, to the hills of Central America that confront similar monstrous hurricanes, to the vast savannas of Africa where climate change has likewise become a matter of life and death as food and water become scarce.”

Those were the exact words reverberated from the heart of a Filipino representing his countrymen.

No nation on earth has more to fear from its climate than the Philippines, an archipelago of 7,100 islands and 98 million souls. The climate has always wrought havoc in our country. Now it’s getting worse. The storms are becoming more frequent and more intense.

Super typhoon Haiyan popularly known as Yolanda in our country was the most powerful typhoon ever to hit our land and it claimed more than 2000 lives.

Since then, benign neglect and a succession of corrupt governments didn’t build the infrastructure that might have helped mitigate the effect of Haiyan. Now climate disasters are coming so fast that our country can’t catch up.

All government structures around the globe could not simply set aside the problem of climate change. It is tailing the leaders who are as of the present, seemed helpless in settling down with the issue. Until now, no scientist or environmentalist could present a truly intelligent move for the extermination of this highly gigantic problem. It remains a gripping challenge humanity is yet to win.

A Grappling Call

Loud Speak Folyn B. Sales

People nowadays are getting entangled with diverse everyday business – expanding establishments, bank accounts, business and political jurisdictions, knowledge, skills and many other factors that seemed to have consumed their effort and time but of course, with the corresponding growth of savings, control and power. Little is given to the real threatening problem which has confronted the world communities decades now – the climate change phenomenon.

The United Nations meteorological agency has found the effects of climate change making the impact of severe storms like Typhoon Haiyan worse.

The World Meteorological Organization’s Michel Jarraud says Australia’s re-

cord-breaking summer helped push average global temperatures higher this year, and rising sea levels worsened the situation in the Philippines.

Jarraud further stressed out that the impact of this cyclone was definitely and significantly more than what it would have been 100 years ago because of the simple mechanical fact that the sea level is higher.

Storm surges have a much more devastating effect than they would have had decades ago.The same typhoon 50 years ago would have had less impact because the sea level was lower.

Catastrophic events are getting worse every year. These could never be solved unless given utmost attention by our government leaders. Should we wait for another disaster to come before making a move?

Aiming to help his Filipino countrymen, Stevenson “Steve” Rejuso invented the LED Lamp Portable DC Generator or simply known as 2BIG POWER.

The said invention generates electricity and enables to light its LED bulb using water as a fuel.

According to him, 2BIG POWER lights up to 3-4 days depending on the amount of water added and capable of producing 3-10 watts. The device doesn’t need clean water for it to light. It works also with dirty water, seawater, freshwater, buko juice, or even wastewater.

Along with 2BIG POWER, he also invented the Tubig-powered Machine prompted with the shortage of electricity in their area. The device can light a flashlight, a lamp post, charge batteries and battery pack of cellular phones or even power a transistor radio and can light a village for two weeks. Same with

his 2BIG POWER, it generates electricity using water.

The principle for both of his devices is simple. The production of electricity happens through a reaction between the

Sir Rejuso is a member of the Filipino Inventors Society (FIS) and known for his inventions here and abroad. He was featured in ABS-CBN separate programs, IMBENSIYON and Kabuhayang Swak na Swak. He said that many foreign countries are interested for the sale of his inventions. However, he refused the offer because he wants that Filipinos to benefit first.

2BIG POWER is safe to use compared to the candles and oil lamps as source of light. It is more economical and environment-friendly. On the other hand, Tubig-powered MaEDIFICE OF INNOVATION. Stevenson Rejuso’s chine is now functioning at 2Big Power provides solution to energy crisis.

Brgy. Greater Lagro, Queseveral metal plates inside the zon City, Metro Manila. device chamber aided by the

His inventions are very addition of water. Water serves useful especially in areas where as an electrolyte that enables electricity is scarce. He is aimthe ions from different plates to ing to reach far-flung places of pass through. Since it consists the Philippines where service of of many plates, it produces elecelectricity is not available.

Source: filipinoinventionsanddiscovtricity strong enough to have an eries.blogspot.com economical value.

Pinoy scientist wins American Biz Award Katrina Lou S. Dinapo

Filipino research geneticist Alfredo Galvez was awarded the 2013 People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite New Consumer Product and a bronze Stevie Award at the 11th American Business Awards in San Francisco.

He received the award for LunaRich X, a nutritional product made from the anti-cancer properties of soybeans which he developed in partnership with Reliv International, manufacturer of patented nutritional supplements.

A research scientist at the Center of Excellence in Nutritional Genomics at the University of California in Davis, and director of research for the Missouri Plant Science Center in Mexico, Galvez said Lunasin’s discovery was a “lucky mistake.”

Galvez shared that he discovered an extraordinary plant peptide as an accidental by-product of the work conducted in a gene cloning laboratory at the University of California in

Berkeley in 1996.

He named t h e by-product Lunasin – a Filipino word for “to heal” or “to remedy” –-which was shown

to disrupt cancer cell division and prevent tumor formation.

He conducted further research on the cancer-inhibiting peptide and found that Lunasin, in its bioactive form, had the ability to essentially turn off the bad genes, and turn on the

good genes in our bodies. In other words, Lunasin, found in miniscule quantities in soybeans, makes cells less receptive to disease.

Galvez’s findings were published in the Journal of Cancer Research and other prestigious journals. Since then, Lunasin has become one of the most heavily researched and scientifically supported nutritional compounds available today, with more than 50 published papers from more than 25 research institutions.

Lunasin is a naturally occurring peptide that has been identified as responsible for many of soy’s documented health benefits, including cholesterol support and general cellular health, Galvez added.

Lunasin is one of the first bioactive compounds identified to affect expression and promote optimum health at the epigenetic level. The epigenome, which literally means “beyond the genome,” is a higher level of complexity within the cell, he explained.

Source: goodnewspilipinas.com

How Water Could Help Make Better Batteries

Lisette Joy B. Calasang

Water could be the key to producing a cheaper, more environmentally friendly and less dangerous way of making the lithium-ion batteries that power so many everyday gadgets, researchers say.

Currently, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are typically found in mobile devices such as cellphones, laptops and tablet computers, and they are increasingly being used to power hybrid and electric vehicles. As their uses grow, scientists would like to manufacture the batteries in a manner that’s both less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

“The application of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles is hindered by their high cost,” researcher Jianlin Li, a

materials scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, told TechNewsDaily. “For example, the cost of the lithium-ion batteries in the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Colt is about $500 per kilowatt-hour, which is almost five times of the target cost — $110 per kilowatt-hour — of an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery set by the president’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge.”

Currently, more than 80 percent of the costs of making lithium-ion batteries are due to materials and the processing of those materials. Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee are now aiming to reduce the price of both of these factors.

All batteries generate electricity by flowing electric current between two electrodes —

a positively charged cathode and a negatively charged anode. Cathodes make up about 70 percent of the total cost of high-power batteries, and the organic solvent used to make the lithium ion battery cathodes, N-methylpyrrolidone or NMP, is expensive, toxic and generates flammable vapors. Making batteries with this solvent also requires expensive, explosion-proof processing equipment and costly solvent recovery and recycling systems.

Instead of using NMP, the researchers say they can replace it with a system that uses water, which is much safer, greener and at least 150 times cheaper than the organic solvent.

Source: technews.com

11 Sharks regain victory

Kerth Jay O. Alunan

morial State University (JRMSU) Sports Complex and Dapitan City Cultural and Sports Center.

gles (girls), chess (boys and girls), lawn tennis-singles (boys),

Punches of cheers and shot put (boys) and triple jump kicks of screams (boys). struck the air as Meanthe Blue Sharks while, Yellow celebrated their Tigers clinched reclaimed victothe top rank ry after throwing in table tennis out the Yellow (boys), badminTigers, 274,252 ton (boys), lawn in the 2013 Daptennis doubles itan City National (girls), running High School Inby jump (boys tramural Meet on and girls).

Oct. 24-26.

On the Overall other hand, ranking revealed Red Dragons Sharks’ edge of dominated in 22 points over volleyball (girls) Yellow Tigers and badminton took the second (boys). place with 252 T h e points and Red three-day 2013 Dragons got the A PROOF OF MIGHT. Giant Seniors trounce their opponents to reclaim Intramural Meet victory during the 2013 DCNHS Intramural Meet. third place with of DCNHS was 217 points. facilitated by

Athletes from five deMrs. Minerva Catahay as Gen Blue Sharks stole the partments competed in 13 events crown from the Red Dragons aferal Athletic Manager and Mr. throughout the 3-day sportsfest ter reigning in basketball (boys Sherlito E. Sagapsapan as Genat the Dapitan City National High and girls), sepak takraw (boys), eral Referee.

School’s ground, Jose Rizal Mevolleyball (boys), badminton-sin-

Amit wins 2nd Women’s World 10-Ball Championship

lie Williams.

“I never had much ex Rubilen Amit ruled the pectations here so as not to 2013 Yalin Women’s World 10pressure myself further. I just Ball Championtrained so hard and left ship in a pulsatit all to God,” said Amit. ing 10-7 triumph

“This title is over Kelly Fisher sweeter than the first. of Britain at ReAlthough I did prepare sorts World Mafor the 2009 tournanila, Nov. 18. ment, the preparation I A m i t did for this one is truly proved steadier more rigid,” said Amit, than the Britwho spent the last two ish ace in the months in serious trainsee-sawing ing for the worlds. match, pouncing Fisher settled for on world No. 4 $10,000.

Fisher’s cost Next up for Amit ly miscues in is the Southeast Asian the 15th to 17th Games in Myanmar, racks to break SMILE OF JOY. Rubilen Amit gives pride to her country in claiming victory where she will carry the during 2013 Yalin Women’s World 10 Ball Championship. Bob Guerrero free from a 7-7 fight for the country in standoff and cart the 9-ball and 10-ball events.

The Cebuana had previaway with the plum to the delight

Earlier, Amit outlasted ously reigned in the prestigious of a good-sized local crowd.

Chinese-Taipei’s Pei Chen Tsai competition in 2009 and with this

The victory, worth in a nerve-wracking semifinal latest triumph, she has crowned $21,000 (P900,000) validated encounter, 9-7, to arrange a titherself as the very first two-time Amit’s status as one of the rewinner. Told about this during the ular showdown with Fisher, who gion’s top female cuemasters. live TV interview, Amit planted a dominated Chinese Yu Han, 9-2.

“I just feel so blessed,” kiss on host and organizer CharSource: gmanetwork.com

Herard B. Mandantes

said Amit, raising a Philippine flag as she said her piece to the happy audience and thanked them profusely.

DepEd paralympics training up

Aubrey B. Elumbaring

Education and sports officials scheduled a training for coaches for differently abled athletes, the Department of Education said.

The DepEd said it is undertaking the training with the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled National Paralympics Committee of the Philippines.

“These athletes are equally capable and deserving of all the state support they need,” DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said.

Luistro added the training seminar also aims to establish a pool of coaches, trainors,

technical officials and classifiers who will “help differently-abled athletes in all levels of competition.”

A news release by the DepEd cited DepEd Memo no.

159 providing for the training of trainors, technical and classification seminars for the differently-abled persons.

The DepEd said the training started August 30 until September 1 in Cagayan de Oro City for the Mindanao leg.

A Visayas leg will be held from September 20 to 22 in Tacloban, and the Luzon leg from October 11 to 13 in Baguio City.

Luistro said the seminars aim to boost public awareness

on the government’s sports program for differently-abled athletes from the grassroots up to the national level.

The training-seminar has three components: training of trainors and coaches; technical and classification seminars; and talent identification.

“Participants of the Talent Identification in athletics, swimming, table tennis, goalball, futsal, and boccia are orthopedically-handicapped and visually-impaired athletes. Their training will serve as a basis for the selection of the members of the Philippine team for future international competitions,” the DepEd said.

Source: www.gmanetwork.com

Sporting World: In Unity Amidst Calamity

The wreckage brought by super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas called for national unity not only among Filipinos but among nations as well. People all over the globe came together as one in alleviating the plight of the victims whose lives will be forever changed by Yolanda.

Filipino people resonated in a unison voice as the country struggled to get back on its feet after the storm. Tacloban bore the brunt of Yolanda’s fury as estimated 2,500 lost their lives from howling winds of 275 kilometers per hour and 20-foot high storm surges. The Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Yolanda has brought grief to 4.3 million people.

The sporting world has not closed its eyes of what has happened in the Philippines. The NBA has coursed a donation of $250,000 to the US Fund for UNICEF. This is such an act of compassion for the Filipinos.

NBA commissioner David Stern himself witnessed the Filipinos’ passion and enthusiasm for the sports with the staging of the first-ever game between two NBA teams in Manila. The warmth that the Filipinos showed to the NBA has been reciprocated in a sincere way. Perhaps, FIBA might do something similar considering what the country did in hosting the FIBA-Asia Championships last July. Now more than ever, basketball should seize the opportunity to give back to a country whose love for the game is unbridled.

In many ways, sports bring people together as one and help bridge national boundaries without reference to color, creed, religion or cast. It indeed unites societies even in most outrageous situations.

Rising Again

Fist to Fist

T h e world has witnessed how Manny Pacquiao etched a name in Mary Lyndie G. Borgonia boxing. From his entrance to the sporting world, he page of Miguel Cotto four years has been sought after. Bringing ago. fame to his country, he became

Manny was so emotiona modern hero of his time but his al as he told his fellow Filipinos two straight defeats from Timthat his victory was not about his othy Bradley and Juan Manucomeback but a symbol of Filiel Marquez and a year off from pinos’ comeback from a natural boxing scared everyone that his disaster and a natural calamity career was coming to an end. that struck his country. He dedEven his own trainer expressed icated his triumph to his fellow doubts about his future. countrymen in the Central Philip On November 24 at Copines whose world were recently tai Arena, Venetian Macau, Manturned upside down in the wake ny proved that he still has many of Supertyphoon Yolanda. of the skills that made him one of

Indeed, Filipinos somethe best fighters in the world and what has something to cheer that his fighting career is far from about, forgetting the agony for over as he defeated Brandon once and recharging vigor that Rios in the WBO international has been terribly exasperated. welterweight title.

Manny’s victory revealed Filipi Eventhough their fight nos’ strong spirit of hope to see did not end up with Brandon Rios the light once more after the soul slumped on the canvas as what wrecking fall from a knockdown. his fans had wanted, Manny He lifted up the country from an Pacquiao was still able to chalk emotional quagmire intricate to up as good a comeback as any. bear.

What the fans saw was

Truly, Manny Pacquiao a wiser Pacman who learned manifests unequalled resilienhis lessons well in the past. Yes, cy of a typical Filipino whose there was not a knockout, stopstrength surpassed the tests of page nor even a knockdown but times.Here, he is rising again his performance nonetheless from the storm of his career and showed flashes of his old self as proving to the whole world that he circled around a flat-footed Filipinos are tough fighters.

Rios throwing combination after

In our every fall, we shall combination like that of his stershout in a unison voice, we can rise again! ling show in his 12th round stop-

Gilas earns World Cup berth Christine Jera E. Quines

In cheerdance tilt

Daughter school whips mother school Mary Lyndie G. Borgonia gers claimed second place ,

Panthers of Talisay the fiery Red Dragons Extension trounced settled the third their four opplace, the ponents mighty Blue f r o m Sharks were mothdrowned e r ’ s to fourh school in place, and claiming the Green victory Phytons for the crawled Cheerto fifth d a n c e place.

Competi “ T h e tion during SPECTACULAR DISPLAY OF PROWESS. Talisay victory of the 2013 InPanthers wow the audience in their stunts and choreTalisay team is betramural Meet of Dapitan ography to clinch the cheering title. yond expectation. I City National High School told our cheerdancon Oct. 24 at the school’s unity. They don’t give up on what ers to give their best Mango Park. we ask them to do. They maxiand enjoy their performance but

Delivering flawless mize their effort and spend their it turned out more than what I performances and breathtaktime for practice after their class,” expect. In fairness, they are reing moves, Panthers edged coach Josephine Cabasag said ally good and I am very proud other teams and drowned when asked by TSQ sportswriter of them,” exclaimed Mr. Lindo them deep clinching its first of their secret in winning.

Adasa, Head Teacher of Talisay ever cheerdance title.

The growling Yellow TiExtension.

“The team’s secret is

Sharks clobber Pythons, 2-1 Katrina Lou S. Dinapo

Through powerful spikes, hard work and strong determination, Blue Sharks lambasted Green Pythons in volleyball boys champonship, 2-1 (1821, 25-23, 25-9) during the 2013 Intramural Meet of Dapitan City National High School on October 25, 2013 at the school’s volleyball court.

James Barol of the Green Pythons launched his devastating spikes which left the Blue Sharks into crucial condition on the first set, 18-21.

The crucial play came right on the second set when several rallies were observed in the game as if the ball was

dancing on both sides of the court but both teams were very desperate to grab the gold which resulted to numerous deadlocks.

With the sharks’ fear of losing, team giants Samuel Lelic and Jose Miggie Saguin worked with their deadly spikes and wall blocks that ended the second set for a two-point margin, 25-23.

The highly spirited sharks assure their victory in the decision set through their power service and tricky placing which finished the breathtaking match to score 25-9.

“They are great players but maybe this is not their lucky day to win the gold,” uttered Lelic after the breathtaking game.

The run of South Korea tormenting the Philippine team in basketball is over.

Gilas Pilipinas defeated South Korea, 86-79, on August 10, to earn the right to play Iran in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship Finals, at the Mall of Asia Arena. With the win, the Philippines also earned a berth in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

“To all the haters and the skeptics, I forgive you,” said a triumphant Gilas head coach Chot Reyes. “God bless you and mabuhay ang Pilipinas.”

“Our game plan was to force their big men to beat us.

We didn’t want their shooters to beat us,” Reyes added. “That was for Jong [Uichico], for Olsen [Racela], for Rajko [Toroman] and for all those who had a hard time against Korea.”

Gilas opened the game with two defensive stops, and Jeff Chan triple from the top of the key. Kim Joo-Sung replied with a layup and a short jumper, both over Marcus Douthit to give Korea a 4-3 lead.

Marc Pingris scored down low to reclaim the lead for Gilas at the 7:00 mark, but Cho Sungmin scored his side’s first triple for a 7-5 lead. Another triple from Cho gave Korea the lead at 10-9, but Larry Fonacier swished a floater at the 3:28 to put the home team ahead anew.

Kim Joo-Sung strung together five straight points for Korea to give them a 17-13 lead with 1:26 left in the first, but Jayson Castro swooped in for a layup to put the Philippines within four points, at 19-15, to end the first quarter.

Castro scored the first four points of the second quarter to knot the game at 19-all, but

the Koreans had their own 4-0 run for 23-19 lead.

Lee Jong Hyun heated up from mid-range for a 27-21 count in their favor. Lee Sung Joon added a free throw to bump the Korean lead up to seven points.

Jimmy Alapag nailed a triple at the 5:00 mark of the second to get to within two points, but Gilas had to sub Douthit out as he re-injured his left leg.

Korea capitalized and went on a 5-0 run, but a Pingris and-one play trimmed their lead down to four points with 3:28 left in the second.

Gilas went on a run led

by Pingris to get to within a point of Korea, but Kim Mingoo made a difficult reverse layup to make it a 39-36 buffer in favor of the visitors at the end of the second period.

At the half, Pingris led Gilas with 10 points while Castro added eight. They only got two points from Douthit, who as it turned out, would not return.

Korea, on the other hand, was led by Kim Joo-Sung who outplayed both Douthit and Japeth Aguilar in the first quarter.

Instead of succumbing to the pressure of possibly playing without their big man in the middle, Gilas went wild in the third quarter.

Castro knew that he had a distinct speed advantage on offense against the Korean defenders. He scored on two straight layups to give the Philippines a 40-39 lead, before converting on another daredevil drive at the 7:35 mark to give Gilas a three-point lead. Pingris then added a tip-in, followed by a Castro triple to bring the packed crowd into a frenzy.

Source: inquirer.net

Paras earns FIBA dunk title Claire Bagabuyo

Though the Philippines was unable to qualify in the quarterfinal round of the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Championship, Filipino baller Kobe Paras was still able to give pride to the country after running away with the slam dunk title.

The son of PBA Great Benjie Paras, the 15-year-old third year high school student from La Salle Greenhills wowed the audience and impressed the judges by perfecting his first three dunks in the championship round of the dunk contest.

The high-flyer showed flare in his first dunk by jumping over teammate, UAAP Juniors Most Valuable Player Thirdy Rav-

ena

In a May 29 episode of Solar Sports Desk, Kobe’s dad admitted that he named his son, who was born in 1997, to a then promising basketball player.

“From Kobe Bryant, of course,” revealed the elder Paras. “During that time (when my son was born) I think Kobe Bryant was an upcoming superstar.”

Interestingly, Kobe Bryant won a slam dunk title during the year Kobe Paras was born.

Last night, Paras outdueled Demonte Flannigan of the United States of America and Antonio Morales of Spain in the fi-

nals held at Indonesia’s Merdeka Square.

The slam dunk contest served as a side event to the 3-on-3 street basketball tournament.

The Philippines, which came to Jakarta, Indonesia as the FIBA-Asia 3x3 U18 champions, were ousted in the tourney after finishing the elimination round with a 3-4 win-loss card.

Source: http://www.solarsportsdesk.ph

IMPECCABLE PLUNGE. Philippine pride Kobe Paras gives amazing and flawless dunks in FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Championship.

Blood to Blood Game

Regine V. Elopre

The clock seems to stop turning as everyone watches the basketball game live on television. Loud screams and yells of avid fans and supporters reverberate everywhere.

“He is now running for the three-point shot, here he goes, he shots the ball! Three points!” says a sports commentator.

Cheers are running across the hard court. The world is seen in an instant stop and starts to move downward while the Filipino fans jump as players get points in every shot.

This only proves how Filipinos love basketball. Holding foods and drinks in their hands while watching a basketball game on TV is a common scenario in every house of a

typical Filipio. In our school, teachers even played basketball in the afternoon.

Basketball is one way of creating bond with friends and family. It is also considered a great exercise and a sort of relaxation.

Yes, many young Fili-

FEATURE pinos love basketball that even brothers become great rivals.

To name a few, the Teng brothers- Jeron and Jeric (sons of Basketball legend Alvin Teng) who played for La Salle Green Archers and UST Growling tigers, the Paras brothers- Andre and Kobe (sons of the basketball star-turned actor Benjie Paras)

who fought for UP Fighting Maroons and La Salle Greenhills respectively.

This scenario does not only happen with famous sports celebrities. Here at Dapitan City National High School are basketball sports rival Melendrez brothers- Archie Lloyd, Adrian Reed and Alvin Swiss all sharing the same passion. Archie played for the Blue Sharks, Adrian for the Red Dragons and Alvin for the Green Pythons. They fought head to head during the 2013 Intramural Meet’s basketball game for boys.

Brother to brother competition is not a big deal in basketball. The rivalry only happens at the four corners of the court.

The relationship remains the same. Love and respect for each other never fouls.