WEWEE

KAREN’S CONFESSION STORY ON PAGE FOUR

‘It’s never been this exciting,’ says alumna

By ANALYN P. LUZANO, Summit Correspondent

Where Excellence is not an Act but a Habit.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TAGUM CITY NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL COMPREHENSIAN SOCIETY 2K7

SPECIAL MAIDEN ISSUE

TAGUM CITY, PHILIPPINES

OCTOBER 2008

STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE — It started with such a big dream that was soon carried out into reality. Today, Lorenza Siasol, a IV-del Pilar Alumna, just can’t wait for December 20, 20 to come. She shared her insight that in by doing so, all Comprehensians will be awaken CONTINUED ON p.3

Reunion focused on making change

Countdown starts for ReBy GLECE ANTHONY ADLAWAN, Summit Correspondent

CREATING A BLUEPRINT of a happier world, the 2007 graduates of Tagum City National Comprehensive High School made a bold move to convene come December 20, 2008 in yet another event of showcasing the Comprehensian

CHANGE ON THE HORIZON. Members of the Reunion Pioneers pose for posterity during the 18th Birthday Celebration of Miss Analyn P. Luzano at Barret Beach Resort, Magdum, Tagum City.

Children play special focus on comprehensian gab

By ZYZLE JEAN ZARAGOSA, Summit Correspondent

Defining children's greatest role in making change in the future of this country, this year’s edition of the Comprehensian Reunion is set to focus on Tagum City’s children come December 20, 2008.

The reunion, dubbed as “Tawag ka ni Dodong,” will bring the children into the spotlight in line with the association’s belief that these children will stir up Dr. Jose Rizal’s promise once again.

“We want to conceptualize a reunion that will not only bring smiles to the faces of the alumni but also to the children of our community, especially those who are underprivileged,” shared Luigie Bago, a del Pilar alumnus.

To address this, an outreach program will be conducted on the morning session of the reunion to be held at Gloria Christi, Seminary Drive, Tagum City.

As part of the event, the organizing committee of the aforementioned gathering requested all alumni to bring with them items to be donated to the childre. They may contact Analyn P. Luzano, Glece Anthony Adlawan or Mary Grace Sefe for other inquiries. This event is also in partnership with TCNCHS-SSG and Peer Counsellors Club.

During the event, a special games session with the alumni will also be conducted plus the Story Reading with Regina Kate Tambal and Romeo P. Nasol, Jr.

Miss Diuda to keynote Reunion’s

By LUIGIE B. BAGO, Summit Correspondent

YEAH, MONA LISA will be in town on December 20 to address the wackiest TCNCHS alumni, another reason to be excited for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Hold on, that’s tentative, for now.

Organizers are still trying to contact with Miss Olivia Diuda to let her speak in the opening ceremony of the much-awaited reunion in two months time.

“I am sure he will not let us down, day, nindot man gud kung naa si madam,”

shared Jerwin Luisen, a del Pilar Alumus. He added that it would be very remarkable if Miss Diuda can attend it since her presence would really mean a lot to the alumni.

Miss Diuda is the class adviser of IV del Pilar where some of the wackiest and the craziest alumni of TCNCHS. “Duh, mayo jud na naa siya then mas nindot kung siya ang mahimong adviser emeritus sa atong alumni association,” exclaimed Luisen.

Mr. Teodorico S. Caballero, Principal IV of TCNCHS will also be speaking during the opening ceremony. with reports from MARY GRACE SEFE

Highlighting the event is an outreach program to Gloria Christi Orphanage House in Seminary Drive, Tagum City in which the 600-strong Comprehensian Society Members will give out gifts and other surprises to the kids in the said center.

“We included this outreach program because we would want that the kids too, that badly need our attention, will be happy during the reunion.

It’s a type of giving back to the community,” expressed Louie Bryan M. Lapat, one of the reunion pioneers.

He added that in time of the Christmas season, it is fitting to help others, especially the orphaned ones and “this should be the real meaning of the Comprehensian Spirit.”

An opening program will be held in morning sessions at Tagum City National Comprehensive High School gymnasium with Mr. Teodorico S. Caballero and some teachers in attendance. Section del Pilar Adviser Miss Olivia Diuda will serve as the keynote speaker. Outreach program will follow. .

In the afternoon session, the alumni group will then proceed to an undisclosed beach resort for the christmas party, the reunion proper This year’s reunion, dubbed as “Tawag ka ni Dodong,” focuses on advocating for children because the alumni association believes that these children will stir up to the promise of making this nation great again.

Supporting the said advocacy are the incumbent student leaders of TCNCHS under the Supreme Student Government and the Peer Counsellors Club/KPSEP. SSG President Joey Edison Fernando said that it is their pleasure to help fellow comprehensians in their cause. SSG Adviser Mrs. Bormelita R. Galo and Guidance Counsellor Mrs. Lina Salazar also said that they are happy that batch 2007 is still there, citing that this is the first time that happened in TCNCHS history.

Comprehensian Society 2k7 will also adopt its constitution and by-laws and elect its officers during the event.

Comprehensian Society goes online

By JENNIPER S. CABALUNA, Summit Correspondent

TO MEET the demands of You can visit the website in the wired world, Comprehensian t h e f ol l ow i n g U R L a d dr es s : Society is now online — in different www.wix.com/louielapat/reunion2k8. platforms, that is.

For those who would like to A flash website promoting watch the online advertisements on the December 20 YouTube, just reunion was type “tcnchs reunlaunched two ion” on the Youmonths ago to cater T ub e s e ar c h the needs of the engine. wired ComprehenThe website is sians. managed and A n developed by online advertiseComprehensian ment was also Productions and posted on YouTube Events. which aims to inwith reports from form the public Ric Kevin Conde about the event.

The welcome page of the website

Pioneers release reminders for alumni

By MAELYN ALOJEPAN, Summit Correspondent

THE COMPREHENSIAN ORGANIZING GROUP had released guidelines on what to do before attending December 20’s event. Louie Bryan M. Lapat, COG’s ad hoc chairman encouraged

all the alumni members of TCNCHS to spread the news .

He also shared that it is better to confirm your attendance as soon as possible through accessing the reunion’s website. This, according to him, would able to track down how many alumni members knows about the event. Just visit the website to confirm.

“Let’s do it,” Lapat shared to Summit News.

Paying the Ultimate Price An estimated 900 million people around the world do not have enough to eat.

The simple truth is that at a time of unprecedented technological progress, the disparity between rich and poor is increasing.

That anyone should be doomed to abject poverty and deprivation in an age of plenty is an unacceptable aberration. Today, thanks to the giant leaps in science and technology, man has access to resources and wealth as never before in history. Thus the conditions for the eradication of poverty from the face of the earth are present. What is lacking is the will to distribute wealth equitably.

A handful of great powers enriched themselves at the expense of colonized peoples subjected to poverty, hardship and deprivation, allowed wealth to be accumulated in the hands of a few while poverty remained the lot of the majority.

But now that globalization has become the frame of reference, there is no justification for an ever smaller minority to become richer while the majority poor become even poorer.

Grinding poverty should no longer be an inescapable fact of anybody’s life. In a globalized world order, there must be alternatives to poverty, exploitation and dependency. To establish a new world order which would bring an end to the enrichment of a few at the expense of the many and provide abundance for all would require a fundamental shift in perception toward a world view that considers man, not capital, to be the core element. This means transcending the profit motive as the main world order.

EDITORIAL

The global population is divided into two categories: those for whom living is perpetual suffering and those who benefit from the suffering of the latter; the haves and the have-nots, the dispossessed and the privileged. Not surprising is the tension this disparity has produced. The discrepancy between rich and poor is now at the forefront of global concerns, and the fight against poverty is high on the agenda of developed countries. Terrorism feeds on anger and despair, and it is now universally recognized that the war on terror is inextricably linked to the fight against poverty. Moreover, a situation in which one segment of the global population lives in opulence while most of the rest live in dire poverty is morally reprehensible.

Ironically, the two are now inextricably bound together in what has rightfully come to be called a global village. The barriers which once kept rich societies comfortably separated from poor ones have fallen.

A World Bank report in 1990 put the total number of extreme poor at 1.25 billion; thus there has been a drop in abject poverty. But the truth is that while the world is awash with capital, the incidence of poverty remains — on a global scale — overwhelming. To make the world safe for capitalism, the wretched of the earth — the hundreds of millions who die miserable deaths for less than a dollar a day — pay the ultimate price.

An estimated 246 million children are engaged in child labor.

About 211 million children between ages 5 and 14 can be found working. Globally, one in six children work.

Worldwide, 126 million children work in hazardous conditions.

Every year more than 1 million children get pulled into the sex trade.

An estimated 8.4 million children work under horrific circumstances: forced into debt bondage or other forms of slavery, prostitution, pornography, armed conflict or other illicit activities.

EDITOR IN CHIEF ANALYN P. LUZANO ASSOCIATE EDITOR GLECE ANTHONY ADLAWAN CHIEF CORRESPONDENT LOUIE BRYAN M. LAPAT DESK EDITOR LUIGIE BAGO CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER MARY GRACE SEFE CARTOONIST RIC KEVIN CONDE LAYOUT ARTIST MAELYN ALOJEPAN CORRESPONDENTS JENNIPER CABALUNA LORENZA SIASOL GENELOU MUNDIZ ZYZLE JEAN ZARAGOSA WEB DEVELOPERS JERWIN LUISEN KAREN SHANE CARTAGENA ANAFE REPONTE PUBLISHER COMPREHENSIAN SOCIETY 2K7 THE SUMMIT is published on special occasions by the Comprehensian Society 2k7 of Tagum City National Comprehensive High School.

Except permitted by law, no part of this newsletter shall be published without the prior written permission from the publisher. Comments and suggestions are welcome and should be sent through its official friendster profile. All Rights Reserved 2008. ®

LOUIE BRYAN M. LAPAT

E

Someday

VERY GENERATION has an obligation to work in behalf of the next generation. We have to work to make sure that the next generation gets what they deserve. What remains a puzzle is how dedicated are we to face and accept that great challenge. That should be the primary task everybody should dare to unmuzzle, to act upon and to be the subject of discussion for everyone. All over the world, we had seen drastic changes in our climate and in our environment, the threatening global economic recession and the rampant immorality. Is this what we had worked for in behalf of the future generation? Don’t get me wrong: we have a magnanimous job ahead of us.

And we can’t afford to procrastinate; the time falls short. In doing this, unity amidst diversity works. We must understand that progress and development never starts from top down, it’s bottom up. It’s pretty simple: Change starts from every individual that if together has the will to bring inner change, we can expect a better future ahead of us and for the next generation. In talking change, it’s just but proper to look the real meaning behind it in the child’s eye. It’s been said that “the child is nature’s way in giving the world another chance,” and it is in this fundamental belief that I wish to make a challenge to the present generation, especially to the youth. I believe that every child should be in the classroom taking

up the lessons. I believe that every child — as all of us should — should have the opportunity to live, to be loved, to have the freedom in pursuit of happiness and prosperity. I believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop his or her God-given potential. I believe, despite of the wrongs of the past, we all have the power to make this all come true. But, the fact is still there. We can never work this out not unless we won’t see kids involved in juvenile delinquency, kids who carry sacks and shovels instead of holding a pencil and a piece of paper and reading a book, kids who are abandoned, babies sold in return for a cash and kids who are deprived of their inalienable rights. . Over these years that I had gained my civilized thinking, I always say that there’s one thing more important than having a vision in life; and that is having a CAUSE. What is your cause? What on earth are you here for? Someday, somehow, we will all be very happy to look from up above thinking that in our years of working for the future generation and in living up for our that cause, we had achieved more than any country will do. It’s not just really about us and how to survive in our present time but it is how we dedicated our lives for the betterment of this country and our concerted work in behalf of my and your children’s children. That’s more important. That is worth fighting for.

SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE SUMMIT

EXCLUS

Off the Beaten Path

A proud alumna shares what makes the Comprehensian Spirit really distinct from the rest

FRIENDSHIP TEARS Louie Bryan Lapat

By ANALYN P. LUZANO, Summit Correspondent

It

started with such a big chance na makatabang sa mga dream that was soon car- bata and I think that is the true ried out into reality. Today, meaning of being a ComprehenLorenza Siasol, a IV-del Pilar sian.

Alumna, just can’t wait for December 20, 20 to come. She ‘ S P I R I T , DREAMS’ shared her insight that in by doing Lorenza is right. so, all Comprehensians will Aside from the be awaken that glitz and glamthe greatour of the est and comprehenbiggest sian worls, comprehenpublic sersion event is vice is at on the horizon.

E S the top.

O “Ako, L UP C L O It is in S personally, I am IA ZA S N E this premise that excited about the R LO we live up to every chalevent. Why? Nalenges that we come our way. miss na man guid nako ang High School,” This December 20, 2008, another challenge is posed on the horishared Lorenza to the SUMMIT. “ Excited mo lang,” zon: ghiving back to the commushared Lorenza. “Aside from the nity we live in. “I think mas maayo fact na magkauban na pud ang pud na we will put all our efforts into that and we’ll take the beaten mga mandaya, naa pa jud ta’y path,” she adds.

RECKONING FOR A BETTER WORLD Lorenza shared that in doing this, we should all reckon all the opportunities that come our way. She said that Comprehensians are indeed very lucky to be given an opportunity like this.

DOMINO EFFECT Lorenza added that she is very positive that the event will be a successful one, though it’s the first time that this event was initiated by the Comprehensian Society. “I know na naa jud nay mga gagmay nga problema pero nagatuo ko na magmalampuson na kay maayo man ang atong tumong.” That will be like a domino effect.

Lorenza will also celebrate her 18th birthday comes December, sharing it with a fellow TCNCHS alumnus, Mary Grace Sefe. She presently lives in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Note. “ Mandaya na jud ta!,” closes Lorenza.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

TO

LIVE IS TO LEARN, to go beyond what is real, what is obvious, what is evil and to discover why God placed us to the situations we are in.

High School Life is indeed the best chapter each one may experience. It is the transition between childhood and adulthood making this reason as a fundamental foundation to cherish it for a lifetime. We always look back to our high school life with fondness and sense of nostalgia. This is the time we explore, we try out new things and try to find our real place under the sun.

This is the reason why we always look back and remember those moments, those challenges and storms we had experienced, the people we had mingled with under the bamboo shade or walked with on our way home via the long stretch of the provincial capitol, the lovely — and well, terrorists, to put in our own words — teachers we idolized and has became our source of inspiration, the funniest moments, our great friends and even the “one” who made us smile and giggle every time we see them: our crushes and special someones.

Last week’s edition of Maalaala Mo Kaya on ABS-CBN stirred up emotions, moments and that kilig factor, as what all of us would put it in our colloquial lingua. Starring Kim Chiu and Matt Evans, this blockbuster episode made me remember my experiences in Tagum Compre High. .

But, really, it enliven the mode of HS Magic in me! If you saw that episode, you will really agree with me: it brings about the magic in that first love experience, the beauty and the serenity of the infatuation and puppy love and gugmang giatay, the pain of the first major heartbreak and nervous breakdown (is there really?) and the multifarious lessons it bring. That’s the audacity of Love! I will always remember and I will never forget the time I received a letter from someone via a confidant expressing her desire to recover the broken friendship with me because of that damn thing Cupid specializes, the time I took stolen glances to a crush from the second floor of the new building, the time of unlimited texting anchored on the reason of reaching out to ena, the worry-free day after seeing her smile and sweet eyes, the smile painted on my face, the glances from the Office of the Supreme Student Government just to see her dance, the advices of a comrade and the day of graduation. I will always remember and I will never forget, too, the great love of my friend, Jenniper, to Romeo, Jr., my opponentbut-a-good-friend in the SSG presidential race, the undying admiration of the latter to Rhea, the shouts of Karen and Jezzel Jane, the roses and chocolates and stuff toys received by Zyzle and the great love-turned-hopeless romantic-state of Ric Kevin to the latter, the secret love of Mary Grace, Imang to be more popular and Analyn, the

unbeknownst state of Maelyn, the flings of Ken and Ryan “Esyot”. And of course — drum rolls, please… tentenenen… — who would forget the case of Glece Anthony Adlawan?

Falling in love in high school is indeed a magical feeling. And I think it is one of the prime reasons why we always look back to that four years of great time. But there’s also the sad realities.

Any story without this is indeed boring and not news-worthy! Wahahaha. But cling on this: All the sad realities in life need to be cured with a positive outlook and a positive response. “The response to pain and sufferings is to forget,” says Ann Rice. “Flesh and blood, bodily needs: this is what inspire memory to a man. But if these things are wholly absent, it can be sweet to remember nothing at all!”

Everyone of us has a story worthy to be inscribed in the notebook. Everyone of us has high school moments and stories. While it maybe impossible to travel back through time, just enliven the moments and you’ll find yourself smiling and inspired.

Ikaw, What is your high school story?

I see your tears stream down your face you say everything is alright when deep down you know you're lyin' You say it is over between you and him I've seen you both, walk past each other throughout these halls, things seem so clear to you things appear so clear to him he can't live without you and you can live without him I lean against the wall my heart is leaping out I wish I could tell you how I fully feel about you I see you cry seeing the tears run down your face breaks my heart I get to know you better This is what I've always wanted to do.

I see a smile on your face I think I've brushed all the tears away My hand is reaching out Won't you give me the chance?

If you will, please take my hand....

IT’LL ALWAYS BE Elisha Grace Royo Not a day slips by, that your voice doesn't break on the wind of my mind, echoes that break through complication.

There is nothing so unrepayable.

Such a chore of love divine.

I was scared & alone in a world that I knew for sure could certainly swallow me whole.

You made works of art in everything you touched.

You even turned my heart to an open canvass.

You taught me to live in the truth and the light.

To take off the rose-colored glasses.

You brought to me a gift of friendship that I shall never forget.

You helped me to see through a heavy fog of confusion.

I had staggered off the path.

You taught me to move and stop looking at my feet standing still.

No gift compares to the person.

The person you were for me.

And remember you; friend ; I always will.

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have any literary works, don’t hesitate to send it to THE SUMMIT so that we may publish it. See website for details.