Vol. XXI
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No. 1
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June - August, 2012
June - August, 2012 Vol. XXI No.1
Queen Sofia of Spain visits Ligao City ALL hail the queen! Waving the Spanish and Philippine flags, at least 5,000 Ligaoeños warmly welcomed Queen Sofia of Spain during her visit in Ligao City on July 4,2012. STORY ON PAGE 7
IN FRONT OF AROUND 4,000 STUDENTS, KABALIKAT CIVICOM member Ramon Portugal (left) rescues a supposed fire victim, Marco Historillo of IV-BS2 (right), from the LGU BLDG. 3 of Ligao National High School in a realistic Fire and Earthquake Drill on June 29, 2012. (STORY ON PAGE 6)
LNHS kicks off K-12 implementation 1,222 Grade VII to be K-12’s pioneer graduates
ONE THOUSAND two hundred twenty - two freshmen from Ligao National High School (LNHS) start the school year as the pioneer batch of the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum (BEC). The implementation is
In this issue ... Petals, Memories and Home
p. 4 LNHS dominates.
p. 7
Olympics 101
p. 8
in line with the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 31, s. 2012 which states the policy guidelines on the implementation of Grades 1 to 10 of the said curriculum effective this school year. Prior to the school year’s opening of classes, LNHS educators handling Grade 7 classes attended a summer training held at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Camarines Sur campus. K to 12 basically aims to equip students with necessary skills upon completion of the new curriculum and to train the students to apply those skills in real life situations. The new curriculum features an allotted time for Grade 7 to 10 students to develop the students’ capacity for self-directed learning, teamwork, goal-orientation, sense of responsibility, and accountability of results. Also among the key features of the K to 12’s implementation is the assessment and rating of the learning outcomes. The levels of assessment are Knowledge (15%), Process or Skills (25%),
Understanding(s) (30%), and Products or Performances (30%). The memorandum suggests a change in filling up report cards as stated under Levels of Proficiency. Expected to appear as ratings for the different subject areas are Beginner (B) (74% and below), Developing (D) (75-79%), Approaching Proficiency (AP) (80-85%), Proficient (P) (8589%), and Advanced (A) (90%). Under K to 12, schools are also mandated to conduct culminating activities for every grading period during the release of report cards. This is for the parents to see what the students have learned in the previous quarter. “Implementation is a very big thing no matter how good the program is,” commented Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson, Secondary School Principal III of LNHS in an interview. Mrs. Sinson also remarked that whether the program will last or dissolve within a few years depends upon the strict implementation of the school authorities and the unfailing compliance of the educators.
TLE teacher gets UNESCOICODel Fellowship Award
OUT OF FORTY SIX (46) papers presented during the concurrent sessions in the First International Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning (ICODeL), Mr. Elwood Prias, a Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) teacher of Ligao National High School was among the three paper presenters who were awarded the prestigious United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-ICODel Fellowship Award. Mr. Prias’ research entitled award I received,” Mr. Prias “Opening a New Road to said in an interview. Lifelong Learning” focused The UNESCO-ICODeL on uplifting the quality of award is given to a paper education in the country which discusses lifelong through the K to 12 Basic learning. The promotion of Education Program. activities for lifelong learning He likewise discussed is a priority program of the in his paper the forfeitures UNESCO National Commission pointed out by the critics of Philippines. the K to 12 program as well The event which was held as his proposal of a distance at the Century Park Hotel, education program which Manila on February 22 – 24, would be helpful in providing 2012 was spearheaded by the the Filipino student, the UP Open University, UPOU maximum education he needs Foundation Inc., and Philippine and deserves under the K to Society for E-learning. 12 curriculum. The conference enjoined “It [the award] came to me about 300 delegates of over as a surprise because I did not 100 institutions from around expect for recognition of such 20 countries. extent. I was humbled by the (FAV)
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Opinion
June - August, 2012 Vol. XXI No.1
We owe it to them
Half-baked Pie
K to 12 is a crucial attempt. Its target is to produce employable 18year old graduates by its so called “global educational competency.” However, are the preparations of the Department of Education enough to completely guarantee that the prize they offer is worth the risk? It is evident that DepEd has still several demands to answer. Even Raul Constantino, the Liaison Officer of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition admitted that according to their records the entire country is short by 132,564 teachers, 48,802 classrooms, and 106,604 toilets. In the recent opening of classes, DepEd has not yet met these needs. Until now, the many problems regarding this attempt are still unsolved. With these setbacks confronting the K to 12 program, many Filipinos doubt its success. Take for example two of the other programs of the Department of Education, the Bridge Program and the Understanding by Design (UBD). Both promised a seemingly productive result but turned out to be a failure in the long run, all because of its impractical approach and wrong ways of addressing the very problem. Not even for long, these previous attempts dissolved. And now, K to 12 is next. These constant failures only show that DepEd is uncertain when it comes to making decisions in terms of uplifting the education of the Filipinos. If its objective is to have our education at par with other countries, then they must trace the root problem and deviate from their errors. How can the problem be solved if they are not even aware what the real problem is. They must know the right cure for the right complication. They must be certain. Is it not alarming that DepEd seems to be following a trial and error process? What gives these people from DepEd the license to drop a launched program whenever they want? Are the Filipino students such a waste to be DepEd’s subject for its experiments? This treatment is disturbing for te fact that it greatly affects the lives of our Filipino students. The impact of even a single mistake committed, can go a very long way. Our students must not suffer from the wrong decisions of our leaders, and it is for this reason that K to 12 must be given utmost value and attention. DepEd must affirm that the program will not end up as frustrating, or even worse than the previous programs which failed. However, because of the undoubtedly poor preparations of DepEd, the K to 12 is foreseen by some to fail. This is the fear that DepEd must eliminate because K to 12 is very important, serious, and moreover, very crucial. If this K to 12 of the Philippines caves in, then the Filipinos might just become immune to the poverty threats that the world injects to their lives. This is something that the government can never evade for it will be obvious that they have failed the people once again. The Filipinos have long been suffering. Enough is enough. Our leaders, particularly the ones from the Department of Education must learn to own a firm grip of certain and upright decisions. We must straighten things up. The Filipinos deserve to get the best education, but with this half-baked pie served in a silver platter, the Philippine educational system may go haywire again.
Curtain Call Fritz Angelo Vargas
Editorial
EDITORIAL STAFF SY 2012 - 2013 MRS. CARMELITA A. SINSON Secondary School Principal III MRS. LOURDES P. PEDIR Consultant MS. PIA C. PONSONES Adviser Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor Features Editor Sports Editor DevCom Editor Graphic/Layout Artist Cartoonists Merlyn Castelo Prince Marylits Rapista Abegail Raneses Siariemae Recierdo
Richard Manuel de Castro Fritz Angelo Vargas John Phillip Buena Janelle Tanguin Kryss Dexter Mijares Arnel Olayes Angelo Christian Preligera John Phillip Buena Yves Allen Galicia Carl Josef Abuid
Staffers Aidan Kyle Sanglay Arrem Ceyzel Orbase Jay Ann Saenz Niño Mape
Jessica Monzol Jae Ann Par Ciara Talisaysay
Simply Speaking Beyond the Senses Richard Manuel De Castro “If you can’t explain it simply, you can’t understand it well enough.” K+12 is not the only new thing coming to revolutionize the Basic Education of the Philippines. The Department of Education (DepEd) issued Department Order 74 in July 2009 to launch the Mother Tongue-Based Multi-Lingual Education (MTB-MLE) project. At the start of School Year 2012-2013, 12 of the most spoken “mother tongues” will be used as the medium of instruction for the subjects taught in kindergarten up to Grade 3 (except for Filipino and English). The MTB-MLE project is said to be a way to make the flow of early learning smoother, and thus help the students understand the lessons well. Although the Filipinos are known for their fluency in English amid being Asians, we cannot deny the fact that the average Filipino household speaks the mother tongue as the first language inside the house. Hence, the mother tongue is the first language that most of the toddlers and kindergarteners recognize, speak, and comprehend. It is the language that they have stored in their memories, the language that enables effective communication, and the language that bridges them from the knowledge they are yet to discover at school. It is the language that enables
understanding, because it is the simplest and the first knowledge that the toddlers know. Teaching these toddlers lessons in English would be like groping in the dark. Both teaching and learning would be hard. In its press release for MTB-MLE, DepEd had specifically mentioned the case in an elementary school in Ilocos Norte where the teacher was discussing about earthen jars during Social Studies. The class fell silent as the teacher said earthen jar but when she said burnay, their local term for earthen jar, the class regained its enthusiasm to learn. The same results are observed in early learners from more than 900 schools in the country where MTBMLE was first institutionalized. The explanation for the similar positive results is simple: there is no better way to understand the subject matter than to express it in the simplest possible way, which is in the mother tongue. The project does not mean that English and Filipino are to be removed from the subjects to be taken up. Both will still be taught from Grade 1 to 3. The only difference is that the English language will only be used in English, Filipino in the subject Filipino, and then all the rest will be taught using
YOUth Speak
What can you say about the K-12 implementation? Being a math enthusiast, I greatly salute the Grade 7 students and I deeply admire the lessons they are having right now. I can`t help but overhear some parts of the discussions in the Grade 7 classrooms and think about how lucky they are to have Math structured like that. Sometimes I really wish that I was part of the pioneer Grade 7 batch. Well, good luck to this batch. (Richard Manuel de Castro – IV-MLQ1)
-Albert Einstein
the mother tongue. MTBMLE is a project that will just help the students understand the lesson concepts well with the aid of their first language but not make them forget about Filipino and English. The project aims to make students grasp and master the concepts using the mother tongue before translating the concepts in the second language (Filipino) and then to the third (English). As for the old materials, the textbooks in English that will all go to waste with the implementation of the project, they will not really be wasted. The same concepts will be taken from the books and they will just be translated to the mother tongue. The real waste happens if the student will keep a book that he or she hardly understands or if he or she will try fruitlessly to comprehend a book written in a foreign language. That way, time is wasted, effort is wasted, the book, is wasted. The new project is a commendable one from the DepEd. The project is simple, the method is simple, the logic is simple. It‘s beauty lies in its simplicity as well as its effectiveness. We need not complicate the simple things, especially for the early learners. Simple lang.
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Opinion
June - August, 2012 Vol. XXI No.1
Our teachers deserve a noble brand. This is certainly for numerous reasons that can strongly justify the claim. It is obvious, that our teachers treat their profession with prime importance. It’s not easy to do the talking over and over for more or less eight hours everyday. But our great teachers perfectly handle it, for they are equipped with their burning passion for teaching, and also learning. Indeed, we owe a great deal to our teachers. They are the ones responsible for the production of great minds that control the circulation of things in this world. And for that, I consider them the humble forerunners of the world. With the many great deeds of teachers that nobody can count, it is just right that
the World Teachers’ Day is annually held. In a year, it is the only time that our teachers are given due recognition and honor. However, the brilliant minds behind the said celebration are the teachers themselves particularly the ones from DepEd, which appears to be frustrating. It is a shameful display of total irony that reveals how students really appreciate the teachers. Now we ask, in case DepEd and other concerned institutions neglect the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day, will there still be students and other professionals to honor our great teachers? The answer is uncertain, but taking a deeper view of the observations, the answer could be a NO. The reason for the
We’re living in an alien planet. Surrounded by buildings instead of trees, roads instead of grass and plastics instead paper. The production and development of plastics is one of the many human discoveries that made a significant impact during the 21st century in terms of creating more durable products being sold commercially. Although plastic products are being widely used, still, people don’t forget their obligation in taking care of Mother Nature. Countries like the United States are still using paper bags to carry their groceries. Here in the Philippines, specifically in the province of Albay, thanks to Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, a campaign against the use of plastics is being implemented by the Local Government Units (LGUs) with the help of the Albayanos. Establishments are required to put their sold products or merchandises in paper bags or the customer’s own environmental friendly bag or ecobag, instead of using the traditional plastic bags that add up to soil and water pollution. I myself would consider this campaign a small way of helping the environment if it is just being done in Albay alone. But if the whole country participated, it would really help... a lot. Though we lessen the
On the Edge
possibility of having such outcome is uncertain. Could it be that the students, who are next in line to the professionals and the latter, are slowly losing their respect and admiration for teachers? It is quite disturbing that many seem to have forgotten that the teachers were the ones who molded them to what and who they are at this very moment. As products of teachers who willingly gave us a big a big part of their lives, we must do something to bring back the strong influence and importance they once had. Let us not just take a look at the fading image of this noble profession. If we let loose of our solid relationship with them, their passion that continues to burn will eventually fade. It is undeniable that our teachers are doing their part well enough. Now it is our turn to pay them back the glory we earned (and are yet to earn). After all, we owe it to them.
A plastic-free plea Janelle Tanguin amount of non-biodegradable garbage, we add up to the number of cut trees that take several years to grow. But for me, that’s better. If you look at it this way, trees grow back after several years. On the other hand, plastics take not only a century to totally decompose. Just imagine how much plastic we’ve already thrown away. A piece of candy wrapper you threw away as a child would still be around when you’re already buried six feet underground. I (and I know that even you) wouldn’t want to watch the next generation suffer from trash floods and trash slides. I’d feel very sorry for them, and if I put myself in their shoes even I would feel sorry for myself for being born in that dim future. As we have been taught in our English class, “man must not only live for himself,” so we must also bear in mind that our planet should not be taken for granted for it is God’s blessing to us humans, that we may experience the wonders of his creations with other living things. That’s why in Elementary we are being taught about the 3Rs namely; Reuse Reduce and my favorite part... Recycle. Why Recycle? As we all know, not all Filipinos are
much disciplined when we talk about garbage disposal, an issue which is a very difficult topic to discuss to the ordinary Filipino man. Another reason why I love recycling is the application of creativity, and at the same time resourcefulness, a reason why Science classes, somehow make use of art. Having a Research class, I also noticed that many students are also developing eco-friendly investigatory projects, which only proves that even students care about the welfare of our planet. That not only adults are capable of developing products that will be of importance to the planet, and not only adults are the ones capable of feeling sympathetic when addressing this issue. In this world we cannot avoid plastics, but we also need to learn how to control our usage of plastics. We need to start before it’s too late. We need to stop, even little by little. It takes not only one to achieve success but a whole lot of people. NOTHING is more expensive than a missed opportunity, if we lose our home, it won’t be like the movies. It won’t be a happy ending like Disney Pixar’s “Wall-e”. We may never get to live here again.
MAILBOX
Dear Editor, I am just one of the 4 000 ordinary students of Ligao National High School. However, I feel that we are all sharing the same sentiment and that’s why I’m putting this down on paper. Majority of the student body (including I) all felt sad when we heard that there will be no more Kaogmahan Festival for this school year. The school year will be one event short of becoming as great or even greater a school year than the previous years. I believe that without Kaogmahan Festival, the school will be one week short of jam packed activities and fun-filled treks for students of all year levels. I will be missing those days of club displays, school radio station an music, film showings, and all other great things. I greatly believe that school will be duller without the festival, and, more importantly, we will be losing a part of our identity as the students of Ligao National High School. This is not a letter to discourage my fellow students. I shall not dwell on the loss of such event. However, I would like to inquire if there will be another program that will compensate for the removal of the Kaogmahan Festival. I, among all other students who will miss the Kaogmahan, am hoping for your positive reply. Yours truly, Marceline Castelo II-ESJ1 Dear Marceline, Even I carry the burden of the feeling that you have. You are certainly right that there will no longer be a week of jam packed activities and fun filled treks and all. Indeed, this year will never be the same again. Don’t be so sad though. The school is trying its best to attend to the students’ recreational activities. To attest to that, I am more than glad to inform you that this school year, the YES-O will be holding its first major project, the YES-O Day. Activities include the nature trek and eco jam. Although the activities are quite limited compared to last year’s Kaogmahan Festival, I assure you that you will enjoy because it’s like devoting a day for Mother Earth. Moreover, I believe that the joys of high school life does not depend on how long the activities were held nor the number of lecture-free days but on the essence of every simple activity and the advocacy behind it. Yours truly, The Editor
Suspending suspensions Turning Point Janelle Tanguin Arnel Olayes Alterations become a bane.
sometimes
Disasters usually come in June to August and it is not a surprise that the Department of Education often suspends classes especially in affected areas. Thus,Representatives Judy Syjuco, Mary Ann Susano, and Roger Mercado presented an alternative. It plans to begin classes in September and end in June. In a survey conducted by Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson in LNHS in 2009, majority of the parents disagreed about the changing of the start of classes. The parents reasoned out that they have been accustomed to such setup. Parents think too that
because their children cannot adapt easily it could destroy their focus and the adjustment period may be tough. The said proposal would likely solve Metro Manila’s problem about suspension of classes caused by constant flooding in the monsoon months. If the alteration would be implemented in Philippine schools, then summer would be part of the school year. Students have to bid the sweet bliss of summer goodbye. No more going to the beach, no more enjoyment of the summer heat. Whether they like it or not, they will say hello to the school with a heavy heart. Bye summers, hello SCHOOL...
Petals, A Petal of Unwavering
Faith
I started as a young seed. May 17, 2012 8:15 pm
Dear Diary, I was in my usu al attire, my u titude. This da sual smile and y seemed ordin my usual atary but it was the fiesta of Viv actually the da a San Pascua y of l-a saint who Honestly, I don is fo n d of ’t a k n n im ow als. me. And I my self know tha him very much. He’s just fa miliar to t the absurdit me for as far a y doesn’t matt s I know, your er much to faith in your cannot be mea religion especia sured by how m lly to God uch you know many of them about the sain you know. It ts or how is how you dev live by His wor ote your life to ds. God and This devotion to Him will play to tell you. a very importa nt role to what I’m going Just this after noon, I was sta nding by the ri dred people, na verbank along tives and visit with a hunors (FYI: Bara ited place when n gay Pandan is it comes to fies th e most vistas in Ligao C that). We wer ity and many e there for one people approve purpose, to wit take place in ness the process the river. It is ion that will a tradition in ter almost thre m y place already. e hours of wait Finally, afing, we heard p ”.I saw the im eople cheering, age of the sain “V IVA! VIVA! t placed on a sm devotees. all raft held by at least six As the processio n passed before me, it left me the people alon wet. How? Alm g the procession splashed water ost half of is the only part on me and on the of the processio ot n h ers! That th so be it. at I hate. But still, I cannot stop them, Other baranga ys also have th eir own fiestas feast is the best but Barangay in Ligao. Inde ed it’s a fun a Pandan’s summer. I hope nd unique wa next year’s fea y to spend your st will be equa Till next time. lly fun to. ..
n io it d a r T e u iq n U a f A Petal o
Home t a e r T s u o t p m A Petal of a Su
I became a blade of grass.
always y do they h w , d o barbeque no fo ry, think of ut Bicola I o b o a Dear Dia d r y a h e d w ey h ress’? An When th e icol Exp ‘B t une to th u o b rt of imm think a s so y a m a lw a I at n’t ough I do an say th c th I d , instead? , d te a a n n c la la lo e ve ico
I greeted the happy world. I chased Mr. Sunshine, I unleashed my beauty. I swayed with grace... Here are the lives I’ve touched, the hearts I’ve warmed. Flip the pages. Indulge in the petals of memories. Welcome to my world -The Sunflower City of Ligao!
www.facebook.com/maogmangligaoeños
Sunday June 10, 2012
rt of that scene. And I was pa vie mo a as ing az am y, Dear Diar tnessed a moment as Friday. Tonight I wi an t called the “Patiribay amateur singing contes moment. ld . -o all ar m ye the 20 of the ox eb tch the best juk agreed to wa be to g tin pe com es ox We in our family all human jukeb orite movie channel. uld be all about those blockbuster on my fav ht nig my y sa Ligao.” Yes, it wo ida Fr the to my mother holding bidding farewell dad’s shoulders and re my the on ck And unfortunately, it’s ter stu sis s st wa ge I . un ge with my yo er on the sta mm gli e som er ow sh So we were all there to the limelight We were all waiting for rse than that. re under a brother’s hand so tight. . It couldn’t get any wo ng ssi mi s wa I t found shelter somewhe tha we vie lly mo t tua en tha t Ev ou rt. ab hu enough to still thinking ed down in droplets big ing But it did. Rain pour about the sudden rain. dly lou atiribayan” from push le muttering op pe er oth ny ma the rain could keep “P n th wi y, eve ed ot pla N to mm d. me cra rte , ca sta g of, m ro tin ogra the first son rain had come, the pr the tin roof but when on g in. din ra un po the in the Then as sudden as the gle by drowned ves that made spines tin voices were completely nt that 80’s song sent wa of ics lyr through. The emcees’ the worry about. Same we , be ld cou nt. Clear as it if there was nothing to sile as d e me tun see the in th ra wi the g n eve y glidin both singing, perfectl a bit fascinating. n fifteen Mom and dad were rain and all, that was t, tha t clearer, and in less tha r mi eve ad to ew d gr ha g I son es, e Y Th ver they stopped. with the other people. all crammed in where silent prayer, the rain re we my y the ing ed nt he me if mo as e , the like, on Then suddenly m run eagerly back to again. Wow. It was s so amazing to see the crowded in the plaza s wa wa It e t. on tes ry con eve ds the on sec to watching next, they were back s, teachers, could be dry and the lers, drivers, classmate dd pe se tho re we ere ore, most tching. Th pavilion. really busy. Furtherm se people who were wa lly tho ea re R we le. re op mo pe sy me k bu were all enty years. But what struc . I mean, whoa, they s been going on for tw ch ha t mu so tha ew ow sh kn e I ds sam en the playmates – the fri were all there watching their homes. But they in r. s ste worries TV bu ck ve ha blo m ht the nig of me, I let go of all of my that Friday th for wi le ret op reg pe of sy se bu se sen all tho I immediately lost I smiled. Just like all tiribayan is all about. rformance the singer onstage. So this is what the Pa joy the live musical pe d mom and dad and en ne d joi an I en nd wi Th . un ek n we ca en I And more and regrets for the next Friday night wh tter because it’s real. be the s to wa s rd thi wa t for Bu g . kin ne sce I’m really loo , tonight was a movie fellow Ligaoeños. True of ny pa com the d an s only in Ligao. importantly, it happen
8, 2011 August 1 9:30 PM
y nati barbequ Being a B t the best fered by m a of e s r ”. e ie c th a a c r on’t , I’d ree Lights spicy deli , in Ligao call , “Thr live to eat. But w ll y e e W th . e se n e eo ve ou’re prefer th e city. Th at to live , but ne te when y th a of iv r r p te e of n at the ce that we should to be sort can’t supposed is I agree g n ti a oon you e n t r ? e a u ft o th a y e g n gre nish hin - a you also a home to fi eople watc rnoon I ate there t p n r e e w h I ot of was fte efore of mine unaware dinary a y to eat b r te b o a d m e st p ss o p o la lm c st One a wly. I just cifically a to eat slo eone , spe e. e m u o cess q m e S t b c r t. e a p u ex lly, Prin my b p g outp u in d k a le b m (specifica b o at k g sk re th a y h sl m d S u e y m notic on of onscio si ’t c r n n e d u v a I h s le a a I fem re , ring watching didn’t ca uth-wate ed like a o I k o m t , u lo r B e I . d e w n I kne ) that tim ut the sweet, hot, te ogre form in ome . d abo kept a n io F the way h . I just care noon , he y ll r e a a ft w d a y e n st is a e dig PEH t th someone bout tha ed my MA a ed up and ss w e a e p m h I c I st ld e a e to ously at le barbequ her gorge ate of min humiliating, but ot m e ss th la c h t Tha room wit at was so on the art at me . Th g g n in u t it ’s h h g u it la art is tha . I saw e. p e d st a m e ti m b s e n o te d th mom ma project to” that night, an s my class u to p sk a e te m ic la r d “ t ou the nd of decorate erfect ble get to stay rward to p I fo e d g n th a in t . k u o .F uko lo e b T.G.I strips of b e barbequ orrow. I’m k d e m li n to t te y ee ee a d sw ’s trees of sw a Satur market. It o coconut omposed c e ls a th is t re a a in y th re will bu e filling n fact the uto and th ywhere in Ligao(i by just r the rice p st eve alertness o . le in lm b a a a s rt st e w c si o sting lop irre that gr ess for ta ould deve s it more n c e d k u a n o y m fo w l) o o in guess, dh erta at scho oconuts. I , and a c e surprise c b ee t of tr h t se ig u u m n a c You m a coco ao, all be inches fro ere in Lig icy. h sp to e rare d u p n a e standing all hot ’s still th the ric g e re e k in li th e s b t t ie a c th abou d sweet delica concludes not only night an d ’s o re o re fo e G h re ”. e d ss ess th the foo icol Expre gre Princ all the “B of So, the O e it sp present in sweetness me . dreams to
Wednesday July 18, 2012
LEAFING THROUGH THE SUNFLOWER CITY’S GOLDEN PAGES In July 1575, Juan de Salcedo, the Spanish Conquistador, founded in the province of Albay the town Santiago de Libong, now known as Libon. One of Libon’s big sitios was Polangui which was made a municipality in 1585, with Oas as a Sitio. In 1587, Oas was also made into a municipality. The thriving settlement of Cavasi was made a sitio of Polangui in 1608. In 1614, it was annexed as a sitio of Oas. Cavasi’s developing place of detour thrived and was made a municipality known as Ligao in 1665 with Cavasi as a sitio. The present official name of the town Ligao, a word said to be derived from the name of a tree called “TICAU”. This tree with leaves used to poison fishes was known to abound in Ligao. Long ago a group of Spanish soldiers passed by the place and took shelter from the heat of the sun under the “ticau” tree. They asked the natives for the name of the place. The natives thinking they were asking for the name of the tree answered, ‘TICAU”. The Spaniards mispronounced “ticao” to “LIGAO” and since then the place was called LIGAO. A more logical version says that Ligao comes from a Bicol word “LICAW” which means detour or a by road substituted for part of the main road temporarily impassable. During the earliest settlement period of the town, Chinese traders called the place along the riverbank “Cavasi” mispronounced to “Cavasi” meaning a commercial center or leader. The early inhabitants and traders from Libon, Polangui and Oas passed Cavasi on their way to the port of Legazpi to transport abaca fibers and other products. During rainy days transportation to Cavasi became difficult for they had to pass by lowland places called Bobonsuran and Ranao-Ranao. Whenever the road to Cavasi becomes flooded, the traders would order their cart drivers to “Licaw” or detour to a trail on a higher plain. After sometime the place of detour was known as “Licaw”. Licaw was mispronounced to Ligao and developing place of detour became known as Ligao. The earliest settlement of Cavasi was made only a sitio when Ligao was made a municipality.
A Petal of a Fascinating
Sight
Dear Diary, I was sad to de part a castle with br eathtaking views. After the seem ingly endless climb atop Mt. Kawa K off. Aside from the awa was over, everyt smothering fog, ever hing paid ything else about it one side to the other, was captivating. M nothing but perfectio ov ing from n awaited me there. The mountains , endlessly running throughout the horiz lies at its feet. The houses, clustered to on were caged the ge gether, were plotted ntle giant that Ligao by connectin in the vast landscap g the dots, forming e forming the city figures open to inter top, the billowing clo of pretation. Above al uds like snow white l these is the cherry cottons cooling, shad was taken all at once on ing the giant below. - simply stupefying. Its magnificence I felt the swift wind in my face, th e freshest of fresh ai slowly perishing wo r. It is indeed a wond rld, a place like this er to find out that in sti ll ex ists, where man and My thoughts start this beauty meets. ed to wander away as missing. In their liv I fe ll to th e ground and though es of circuits and ho t about what many lograms, how could Raindrops began fa people are they not feel the deep lling on my head th va cu ity in sid at e fo of rced me to take cove It was true, wherev themselves? er you go, you see be r in the cottages. auty all around in a of rain, the contour place like this. Und and the silhouette sti eterred by the blan ll radiates its origin beauty is never subj kets al beauty. Despite th ugated. e sto rms, Mother Natur When the rain final e’s ly stopped, I decided forget the magnific th at it is tim e fo r me to leave. It’s tim ence this place besto wed upon me. It is e to leave yet not tim again battle with th the time for me to re e to e cruel world. tu rn to my normal life, to on But in all this, I wi ce ll never consign to ob livion, that there is a me as its king and m place, this place that aking her my wond waits for me, crowni rous castle. She’ll be This castle is not on ng there, forever waiting ly mine. It opens its fo r my return. elf to anyone who wi be its only king. To shes to see its beauty be royalty is everyo . And I also hope I ne’s wish, so let us vi leaves and the scepter won’t sit and experience th of flowers found on e grass carpet, the cr ly here at the Kingd ow n of om of Mt. Kawa K awa, Ligao City.
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News
June - August, 2012 Vol. XXI No.1
ACROSS THE CITY
TGS-LNHS partnership beefed up
Aussie studes undergo immersion
OCEANS DID NOT HINDER in fostering a strong partnership between Ligao National High School and Trinity Grammar School (TGS) in Kew, Australia as six TGS students engaged in a six-day immersion in Ligao National High School on December 13-18, 2012. Students Con Melanitis, Aidan Paus, Alex Peters, Chas Roberts, Al Shannon, and Chris Thuring had a home visitation where they stayed with selected LNHS students Dondie Colle, John Paul Revilla, Romwen Orante, Melvin Mirabite, Francis Navo, and Ericson Mendoza. The IMMERSION, MORE FUN IN LNHS. Con Melanitis, a Trinity Grammar School (TGS) TGS students were with staff student in Australia, eagerly shares his thoughts in class during an immersion on December 13-18, 2012. members Reverend Tom Stokes and Reverend Matt Campbell. The selection of studenthosts for the home visitation was based on whether the student belonged to either SIRENS WAILED. Fire Volunteer Brigade rescuers the ESEP, SPA, or Tech-Voc trucks and ambulances filled carefully and successfully Curriculum, the proximity of the school grounds, and fire saved the supposed victims’ his residence to the school, his victims were rescued from lives using harness and the three-story building. ropes to descend from the Such were the scenes in third floor of the LGU Bldg. Ligao National High School 3. when a Fire and Earthquake After the drill, Mr. Drill which aims to develop Rolando Cruz, the Chief national awareness in Fire Marshal evaluated the ACROSS THE CITY saving lives and properties conduct of the activity. was held on June 29, 2012. He noted that not all Observing the duck- students were covering their cover-and-hold positions heads and were not walking in leaving the classrooms fast enough. MEMORANDUM OF upon hearing the school “There should have been A (MOA) bell, the students and a wider space provided for AGREEEMENT teachers headed to the flag the vehicles to penetrate,” was signed by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of ceremony area. he added. After which, the school The conduct of the Ligao City with the Bureau of made an immediate call to activity is pursuant to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (BARBD), the Bureau of Fire Protection DepEd Order No. 48 s. Development of Agrarian (BFP) Unit to rescue ten of 2012 which directs all Department Reform (DAR) and Philippine acting victims trapped public and private schools inside the supposed to be nationwide as well as offices Center for Water and Sanitation burning Local Government and attached agencies of (PCWS) on a project dubbed as Unit (LGU) Bldg 3. the DepEd to undertake Community-Managed Potable With the use of the national simultaneous Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (CPWASH). necessary equipment, emergency drills. The MOA aims to reduce gadgets, and procedures, Only last June, a and combat health issues from the BFP, Philippine National magnitude-6.0 quake jolted Police and Fire Luzon early Sunday and poor waste water system and was felt in Metro Manila sanitation management. Furthermore, a two-day and other neighboring provinces.(FAV) training was conducted by DAR representative Norberto Quite. Said training tackled the inevitable effects of poor water management by the people and how these technologies could answer the ever- growing health problems regarding solid waste management. To date, Ligao City is now included among the different cities and provinces piloted by the CPWASH Project. (JPB)
and his parents’ willingness to let the visitors stay, the peace and order situation in the community of the host, and if the student does not belong to a well-funded family. When asked about the visitors’ comments after the immersion, Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson, Secondary School Principal III of LNHS replied, “They (the visitors) went back to TGS with happy and grateful hearts. They’re so eager to come back and to help the students and LNHS as a whole.” The six-day visit was packed with activities arranged by the LNHS family for the eight representatives from TGS. Such activities included a campus tour; a chance for the student-visitors to be part of the classroom instruction from the Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP), Special Program in the Arts (SPA), and TechnicalV o c a t i o n a l ( Te c h - V o c )
SAFETY FIRST. Freshmen observe the duck cover and hold position while evacuating from the LGU Bldg. 3 during the Fire and Earthquake Drill on June 29, 2012
GENEROUS ROTARIANS. Four computer sets were donated byt the Rotary Club Makati - West to LNHS for its e-library on December 16, 2012.
LNHS takes part in fire, quake drill
Curricula; a Cooking Festival that involved parent-and-child tandems and teams of LNHS students with TGS students; a community outreach program to Barangay Pandan; a meeting with selected beneficiaries of TGS (pedicab drivers whose children are enrolled in LNHS); and a hike to Kawa-kawa, one of the famed destinations of the city. Aside from the recent immersion activity and financial assistance, TGS is also planning to give scholarship to graduates, to give financial assistance to the dressmaking or tailoring class under the Tech-Voc Curriculum, and to send exchange students (still for deliberation to be approved by the TGS staff) to Australia. Mrs. Sinson also said that the TGS representatives promised to come back, though plans for the activities for the next visit are yet to be finalized. (RMDC)
Rotary Club Makati-West donates computers to LNHS LGU Ligao City inks MOA on CPWASH project
AS PART OF ITS “District Grant Project”, the Rotary Club of Pasay West (RCPW) District 3810, donated four (4) sets of computers to Ligao National High School on December 16, 2012. Said computers are intended for the putting up of an e-library which aims to provide students access to information. The donated computers which can be found at the LNHS Library, second floor of Ligao Arts and Technological Building (LAT) are only available for paperworks according to Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson. The RCPW team was headed by Ma. Victoria R.
Pesito, an alumnae of LNHS and in charge of the Vocational Service. During the Turn-Over Ceremony held at the 2nd floor LAT Bldg. Mrs. Pesito expressed her thanks to her former school and assured that the club will continue to reach out to more schools through their programs. Rotary Club is a grassroots organization consisting of business professionals and community leaders that volunteer time, talent and resources in order to remedy vital community needs. (JT)
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News
June - August, 2012 Vol. XXI No.1
Ligao City Hall Annex opens in Paulba
UNLEASH THE WIT IN YOU. Jervy Anne Romero cautiously answers the test given during the Karangahan nin Dunong kan Albay Academic Olympics held at Bicol University on December 8, 2011.
LNHS dominatesKarangahan Academic Olympics Out of 30 competing schools and three students representing each school, LNHS clinched the championship title bringing home a hefty sum of P 60,000, trophy, and certificates in the Karanghan nin Dunong kan Albay Academic Olympics 2011 held at Bicol University last December 8, 2011. After the two stages of the competition (individual and team) and with 10 teams per subject area, the pride of LNHS, Jervy Anne Romero and Norman Manlangit were both declared Champion in
Mathematics and Araling Panlipunan (AP) respectively while Ralf Grandon Dy placed 4th in Science. Romero and Manlangit took home a trophy, certificate, and P 5,000.00 each and Dy was awarded a certificate in the contest sponsored by the Provincial Government of Albay; Department of Education; Education, Quality, Albayanos (EQUAL); and Bicol University. Meanwhile, the coaches of the students were Mr. Jojim Cordova and Mrs. Brenly
“THIS IS A FIRST in the Bicol region,” remarked Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Director Blandino Maceda during the opening and blessing of the City Hall Annex cum Upland Central Extension Office in Paulba, Ligao City on June 4, 2012. Maceda who was the guest speaker in the occasion lauded Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez who led to the creation of this extension services to 12 upland and three coastal barangays in the city. “If Mohammed cannot go to the mountain, the mountain will go to Mohammed,” the mayor said. The event was succeeded by the ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiling of the marker of the newly-erected building that will be manned by a skeletal force to replicate the services being provided by the City Hall. Now, the distance, time and security of service that had long delayed progress have been breached. Through the annex, people in the upland and coastal areas are assured of easier access to opportunities for their future development. (RMDC) Mendoza (Mathematics), Mr. Romeo Lorico (AP) and Ms. Aster Malto (Science). The competition which was held as part of the Albay Green Christmas celebration aims to showcase the talents and “karangahan” or pride of young Albayanos. (AO)
11-11-11 FEAT
De Castro prevails in on-the-spot writing tilt
RICHARD MANUEL DE CASTRO grabbed the first place in the On the Spot Essay Writing Contest sponsored by the Philippine Pediatrics Society Bicol Chapter held on the 11th day of November 2011 at SM Naga Activity Center, Naga City. De Castro bested 10 other third year students from various schools in the Bicol Region and received a cash prize of Php 5,000, one-year Health Insurance, Gualderma products, gift packs, and a trophy. Pegged on the theme “Creating Sound Minds and Bodies: Health and Education Working Together”, De Castro’s essay noted how computer addiction could turn
a potential school athlete into a weakling, or a possible honor student into a sleep-deprived junkie who could barely keep up with the day’s lessons. “With every hour that the oblivious student spends in front of the radio-emitting LCD screen, his grades suffer,” De Castro wrote. He also stated how the teenager’s love for junk food can be detrimental to health. He called on parents and teachers to guide children toward healthy eating, adding that “educators hold the responsibility of giving detailed discussions on the significance of healthy lifestyles.” “Children eating junk foods are proven to become less immune to diseases,
[or] physically and mentally weaker, and it can also lead to obesity…It still depends on the collaboration of the teachers, the parents, and the students themselves to save them from these health demons,” he wrote. Part of his winning essay was featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on November 26, 2011 in the article entitled “Students give Rx for Ph health care system”. The second prize winner came from Tabaco National High School, while the third place was bagged by Catanduanes State College High School Department. He was coached by Ms. Pia C. Ponsones. (JPB)
ROYAL AID. Queen Sofia of Spain (left) together with Albay Gov. Joey Salceda and Ligao City Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez, unveil and lead the inaguration of the Dialysis Facility of Josefina Belmonte Duran Memorial District Hospital (JBDMDH), July 4, 2012
Queen Sofia of Spain visits Ligao City ALL hail the queen! WAVING the Spanish and Philippine flags, at least 5,000 Ligaoeños warmly welcomed Queen Sofia of Spain during her visit in Ligao City on July 4,2012. As part of her purpose of inspecting Spanish-funded projects and renewing its partnership with the province of Albay, Queen Sofia visited the Josefina Belmonte Duran Memorial District Hospital (JBDMDH) in Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City where she was met by Ligao City Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez and the flag-waving school children and residents. Funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarullo (AECID), JBDMDH showcased the hospital facilities and equipment worth P 14.4 million. She also graced the inauguration of the dialysis facility of the JBDMDH. During the seven-hour visit of Queen Sofia in Albay, she unveiled the life-size statue
of Jose Maria Peñaranda, the first Spanish national to sit as governor of the province. She also went to the evacuation center in Camalig, Albay and to the Climate Change Academy which is a research and educational center on climate change in Bicol University. The queen’s visit is the second high dignitary to tour the province after Pope John Paul’s visit in February 1991. Meanwhile, in an article at the Manila Times.net, it was said that Queen Sofia was greatly impressed by Albay province’s big strides in human development despite the constant threats of disasters. “Before leaving for Manila, the Queen also asked me to tell Albayanos how happy she was in Albay and to thank everyone for one of the warmest and most fantastic welcomes she was ever accorded on her foreign visits,” Governor Joey Salceda of Albay added. (JT)
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. De Castro bags trophy, cash award, a one-year health insurance, and free give-aways. However, in an interview, he claims that more than these, the greatest award he has brought is the honor and recogniton to the school.
Tan shoves Eagles to victory
Another bitter pill
After the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, all hopes of bringing glory and recognition to the Philippines were lost as none of the 11 athletes from the Philippines brought home even a single medal. Instead of a sweet victory, another bitter pill would be swallowed by a race that, despite not having enough resources to compete in international sports competitions still hoped and tried much. This, plus our country’s disappointing performance in last year’s South East Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia, prompted Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to call for an inquiry to probe the condition of our sports development. Apparently, lack of funds, poor coordination between agencies, and red tape appear to be the hindrances that keep the sports sector from having satisfactory – if not outstanding – performance in the various international athletic competitions. But beyond these hindrances, it is clear that the real problem lies in how we address our very problems. What went wrong indeed? Why is the gold still elusive? We go back then to the grassroots level. The Sports Development Program (SDP) focuses on producing critically measured sport and recreational programs. But it seems that it’s the one critical in the Philippines. What happened to its aim to lift up sports quality in the country? We have to face the truth –the truth that it’s really difficult to blame one’s self, the truth that politicians are real experts in either finding or constructing holes by just poking the issues. The people throw the blame on them. The politicians then pass it to the departments that hold the sports. But the latter cannot blame the sports coaches or the athletes for the loss. Then there ends their blame game, the country then hopes again for a win. If unfortunately, the history repeats, from there begins another game. This is not the first time that the authorities have played the blame game or displayed their abilities to make alibis to evade the issue. The only difference this time is that the sports commissions are tagged “it.” And the Philippines’ losing streak, which is now on its 16th year, is just long enough to play dodge ball with the issue. It’s high time that we stop evading the issue. Sports in our country seems to be a desert, empty with but one oasis that’s starting to dry. But the government keeps their eyes closed, paying very less attention to it, giving the least bit of help. If the government have no plans to change their attitude, why not just drop sports and let the Philippines drown in shame? What’s the SDP for? If you want gold, then value athletes. If you want victory, value honesty and good leadership.
Editorial
IN THE WINNING seconds, Eagles ace Jeffrey Tan glided for a finishing dunk amidst three Bullets on defense. Tan drove Junior Eagles to victory after shooting an auspicious dunk to lead by a one-point difference, 7, tromping over Senior Bullets in the School Basketball Championship held at the Ligao City Gymnasium, Ligao City on August 15, 2012. Tan sent thunderous shots in the second half totaling 31 points that left the opposing team gaping in awe as the Eagles advanced on them. “I had been playing the game [basketball] since elementary. But still, I couldn’t have done it without God, my coach, and my teammates,” Tan quoted humbly in an interview. Bullets cracked open the bout with an easy lay-up from Phillip Lopino sending the audience to an uproar, 6-2. In their remorseless executions, they singlehandedly pulled the first quarter to their side, 20-12. Seeing the game slowly inclining away from them, Eagles got back as Joey Ganarja unleashed his sizzling sure three-pointers that sparked the team to a vigorous campaign. June
Alpar of the same team assisted by Alex Tumpar poured his quick jump shots unblocked leaving the Bullets in a desperate struggle to maintain their first quarter lead. The second quarter terminated by 30-28, the seniors still leading. After receiving a foul-out, Bullets` point guard Timmy Sumapak exited the court, leaving his team one man short of a possible victory, having inflated the team`s score by earning 20 points in the first half. Jim Bakan substituted Sumapak, letting loose ill-advised shots which the Eagles used to their advantage. Assisted by Tan, Ganarja spawned three straight three-pointers, carving up 53-42, with Eagles on the lead. In the last seconds of the quarter, the Bullets managed to deliver lay-ups to lessen the gap to six points, 57-51. Con Davago of the senior league led his team in the fourth quarter firing a couple of slam-banging threepoint shots that made the spectators burst into cheers.
TAN maneuvers in desperation, paving way to his epic dunk during the School Championship held at the Ligao City Gym, August 15, 2012
After a roller-coaster game, the scores reached 67-66, seniors leading. In the last seven seconds of the game, Tan forcefully overpowered three guards to squeeze in the epic dunk to seal the match. After their victory, the Junior Eagles will represent the school in the Division Meet. (AO)
Olympics 101 The first Olympics The very term ``Olympics`` came from the very place it was first held –Olympia in Greece during 776 BC. The games involved very traditional and included running, javelin throwing, wrestling and boxing. The games took place every four years and only men took part in it. Women could not compete in them or even watch them for the reason that the players wear no clothes. The prizes the winners receive were crowns made of olive leaves. The main purpose of this was to salute the gods. It also featured competitions in music, oratory, and theater performance. What`s shockingly amazing in this was that all wars between Greeks would cease for the contest. When the powerful, warlike Spartans began to compete, they influenced the agenda. The 18th Olympiad included wrestling
and a pentathlon consisting of running, jumping, spear throwing (the javelin), discus throwing, and wrestling. Boxing was added at the 23d Olympiad, and the Games continued to expand, with the addition of chariot racing and other sports. The Olympic flame The Olympic flame is an important symbol of the Games. It commemorates the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus. It means endeavor for protection and struggle for victory. A few months before the games start, the flame is carried from Greece to the country holding the Olympics. Often it is carried by runners with torches. On the first day of the Olympic Games the flame is used to light a much bigger fire usually at the centre of the Olympic stadium and it will burn for as long as the games
last. A fuel blend of propane and isobutane allows the torch to burn in colder temperatures as low as -40 °C. A vent in the side of the torch allows the Olympic Flame to unfurl like a flag. The Torch Relay represents the passing of Olympic traditions from one generation to the next. The flag The flag of the Olympic Games is white with five rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. The five interlocking rings represent the five continents brought together by the Olympic Movement, or the five main regions: Africa, the Americas (North and South America are combined), Asia, Europe and Oceania. Every national flag in the world includes at least one of the five colors, which are (from left to right) blue, yellow, black, green, and red. (AO)