The Researcher First Magazine Issue by emil ubaldo

COVER STORY

Cherry: on her way to the TOP by Nomer Ivan Jethro A. Gaboy

Cherry has learned that the name she was given wasn’t as sweet as her life would be. Still, she managed to endure the bitterness fate laid down her hands, and after some time, redeemed herself by bringing pride and fulfillment not only to her family at home, but also to the family she had at USHS. page 10

Cover design by Martinne Cielo B. Elesango, Nomer Ivan Jethro A. Gaboy and Emil F. Ubaldo

of a

The

birth

magazine

or more than three decades, The Researcher has been USHS’s pride as it has marked its name in the history of high school journalism in the country as the home of perennial student winners in press conferences. The Researcher takes pride in having advisers with utmost dedication and compassionate campus journalists with burning passion for journalism throughout the years. This first-ever magazine issue is a daring attempt of the current people in the school publication to raise the bar of excellence in campus journalism at USHS and give their readers a whole new reading experience. Yes, it may be far from perfect and a break from the tradition but it heralds another milestone in the history of The Researcher. This issue also aims to further uplift the spirit of journalism and sense of commitment among the campus journalists; hence, keeping the distinct pride of being called CHER S TAFFER as THE RESEAR RESEARCHER ST AFFER. To all the men and women who became part of The Researcher’s history, this first-ever magazine issue is humbly dedicated. Justine Hiro D. Barot, Editor in Chief Martinne Cielo B. Elesango, Associate Editor/Lay-out artist Bea Cheyenne S. Belonio, Managing Editor Jamielyn S. Galleno, News Editor Patricia Clarisse P. Alvarez, Features Editor Jan Andrei B. Almazan, Niña Alyssa M. Barroga, Elizabeth Y. Borromeo, Ayra Patrice N. Espiritu, Dan Angelo S. Eligado, Nomer Ivan Jethro A. Gaboy, Patricia Gail A. Reyes, Ma. Angelyka S. Romano, Aeilar G. Sanin, Via Shane R. Santiago, Mary Katherine S. Soliven, Hannah Niña G. Vera Cruz Staffers

Leavel Marela L. de Guzman, Tristan Paul P. Espera, Irineo C. Dones Jr. Photojournalists

Ms. Cynthia Lyn P. Curada

Mr. Emil F. Ubaldo

Dr. Remedios Z. Panuyas

English Critic

Lay-out artist/Adviser

Consultant

contents TABLE

OPINION 6 | Editorial: Fun-tastic Philippines 7 | Not So Fast: Time-honored friendship 8 | Now or Never: Artificial Paradise 9 | Eye Opener: Judging the book by its cover

FEATURES 10 | Cherry: on her way to the TOP 12 | The elite UPCAT passer...he belongs to the top 10% 13 | The Michael I Knew

SCIENCE 14 | Knowledge Bang

4 NEWS

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

2 eds post back-to-back wins in RSPC by Via Shane R. Santiago

“

Days before the RSPC, nag-pray ako. Then, sabi ko sa Kanya, ibigay Niya sa akin kung anuman ang nararapat sa akin at tatanggapin ko ng buong puso and that I offer everything to Him. So when my name was called, I couldn’t believe it. Natauhan lang ako when Sir Emil said: Anak, pupunta tayo sa Palawan!

Two editors of The Researcher reaped awards during the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) in Olongapo City, Zambales on Jan. 24-27. Jamielyn S. Galleno, The Researcher news editor, placed third in Pagsulat ng Pangulong Tudling This was her first triumph and coincidentally, her first shot in the RSPC which made her an official representative of Region III for the final stage of the press conference in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Apr. 9-13. Just last year, then editor in chief, Felicia Anne I. Bulanan made the cut through the NSPC competing in the same category as Galleno. “Days before the RSPC, nag-pray ako. Then sabi ko sa Kanya, ibigay Niya sa akin kung anuman ang nararapat sa akin at tatanggapin ko ng buong puso and that I offer everything to Him. So when my name was called, I couldn’t believe it. Natauhan lang ako when Sir Emil said: Anak, pupunta tayo sa Palawan!” she said. Meanwhile, Martinne Cielo B. Elesango, The Researcher associate editor, won sixth place in Editorial Writing. Last year, she bagged the eighth place in the same category in San Fernando City, Pampanga. Other staffers who joined the RSPC were Justine Hiro D. Barot (Copyreading and Headline Writing) , Bea Cheyenne S. Belonio (Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng Balita), Patricia Clarisse P. Alvarez (Pagsulat ng Lathalain), Nomer Ivan Jethro A. Gaboy (Feature Writing), Leavel Marela L. De Guzman (Photojournalism), Tristan Paul P. Espera (Pagkuha ng Larawang Pampahayagan) , Niña Alyssa M. Barroga (News Writing), Via Shane R. Santiago (Pagsulat ng Balita), Ma. Angelyka C. Romano (Pagsulat ng Balitang Isports), and Virgil S. Abelardo (Sports Writing). Prof. Julie C. Domingo and Mr. Emil F. Ubaldo served as their advisers during the contest.

”

The Researcher makes ‘lucky win’ in reg’l paper tilt

Twin triumphs. Jamielyn S. Galleno and Martinne Cielo B. Elesango (inset) were joined by their adviser, Mr. Emil F. Ubaldo, during the RSPC 2012 awarding ceremony. Photo by LEAVEL MARELA L. DE GUZMAN

by Martinne Cielo B. Elesango

Lucky 13th! The Researcher staffers have proven that their school paper is not just full of news but also news worthy as it ranked 13th for the Best News Page (English Category) in the Regional Schools Press Conference in Olongapo City, Zambales on Jan. 24-27. Among the school papers in the division of the Science City of Muñoz, The Researcher was the only one who received a recognition. The Best in News Page was judged based on

the following criteria: (a) covers relevant school issues and events; (2) makes local, national and international events relevant to the students, and (3) utilizes facts from interview, document review, data analysis and other reliable sources. The 18 divisions in Region III were allowed to submit ten school paper finalists in their respective division both in English and in Filipino. “Finally, after decades of victory drought for the paper, The Researcher has redeemed its name. I hope that the next editorial board would surpass the accomplishments this year,” said Justine Hiro D. Barot, The Researcher’s editor in chief. “Winning in this category brought so much satisfaction and pride to our school. Considering the 150 school paper entries, bagging the 13th place is not a simple accomplishment. Truly, this winning is a testimony that the USHS adheres to its mission of developing students who are highly competitive in communication,” said Dr. Remedios Z. Panuyas, school principal, in an interview.

“

Finally, after decades of victory drought for the paper, The Researcher has redeemed its name. I hope that the next editorial board would surpass the accomplishments this year.

”

December 2011 - April 2012

THE RESEARCHER

NEWS 5

CLSU staff’s son leads USHS Batch 2012 by Mary Katherine S. Soliven

The son of a CLSU staff who works as a university driver at the Motorpool section is this year’s class valedictorian. Michael Eric L. Lubrin, son of Mr. Felimon Lubrin, led the 66 graduates who received their diplomas during the 34 th Annual Recognition, Promotion and Commencement Exercises at the University Auditorium on Apr. 4. Lubrin received the University Gold Medal, the St. Louis University Gold Medal, Manny Villar Academic Excellence Gold Medal and the Insular Foundation Academic Excellence Gold Medal. He also received the Best Thesis Award together with Mark P. Buenaventura and Kathleen S. Corrales for their study, “Nutrient Analysis and Acceptability Evaluation of Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)- Based Surimi Pre-treated with Different Types of Milk.” Lubrin was the Brightest Student during his junior year. “Medals and honors are not that important. What is important is we graduated and we’re fully equipped with the things that will help us finish the last hurdle, our college life,” Lubrin said. Fevie Ann B. Ramos as the class salutatorian received the University Silver Medal and the Saint Louis University Silver Medal while Elizabeth Y. Borromeo received University Bronze Medal as the first honorable mention. Other students who received special recognitions were: Pauline A. Maramag - University Leadership Award and Cadette of the Year Award; Justine Hiro D. Barot - Campus Journalism Award and the Cultural Award; Jenn Mae Clarisse C. San Pedro - Gerry Roxas Leadership Award and Zhaira Mae A. Santiago - Athlete of the Year.

Freshmen, sophomores rule division MTAP by Hannah Niña G. Vera Cruz

The freshmen brought home the championship title in the Metrobank MTAP DepEd Math Challenge Division Finals at Muñoz National High School -Annex on Feb. 17. The duo of Moises Eleazar E. Ubungin and Gabrielle Enid C. Velasco and the sophomore pair of Ian Carlo V. Lazaro and Ma. Angelyka C. Romano grabbed the championship in their respective year levels besting the other schools in the division. Meanwhile, the juniors, Jan Andrei B. Almazan and Gabrielli M. Palomares and the seniors, Michael Eric L. Lubrin and Joenelle C. Donato placed second in their year levels. Mr. Aldous Cesar F. Bueno, Mr. Jordan F. Gundran and Mr. Lexter R. Natividad served as the coaches of the students.

Farewell Batch 2012. The newly-proclaimed graduates showcased what they have learned in their music class with their acoustic rendition of Farewell by Raymond Lauchengco. Photo contributed by MARIUS CASTILLO

Prof. Jerry D. Apolonio, first honorable mention of USHS Batch 1992, served as the guest of honor and commencement speaker. Dana Samantha S. Cahilig of I- Explorers, Ma. Angelyka C. Romano from II-Inventors and Hannah Niña G. Vera Cruz of III-Discoverers were also recognized that day for being the brightest students in their respective year levels.

College teams vow to USHS in history quiz

“

Medals and honors are not that important. What is important is we graduated and we’re fully equipped with the things that will help us finish the last hurdle, our college life.

”

by Jamielyn S. Galleno

The triumvirate of Greanne Fatima C. Valenton, Anna Mei G. Libunao and Dana Samantha S. Cahilig, representing the College of Education, bested other seven collegiate teams in history quiz bowl to bring home the championship during the 14th Literary-Musical Festival on Feb. 16. “I thought we were going to lose, but when we started pouring points on the scoreboard, I immediately felt we were going to win,” said Libunao in a text message. Prior to the university-wide competition, the three students topped the elimination round held at the College of Education to select the unit’s representative. Mr. Allan F. Antalan, Mr. Marlon V. Nolong, Mr. Randy B. Mergas (CEd) and Mr. Emil F. Ubaldo served as their trainers/coaches. Meanwhile, Ma. Fatima T. Astrero won as the first runner-up in dramatic reading of poetry. “I felt overwhelmed because I was able to beat other college contestants. It enhanced my skill in reading and speaking,” said Astrero. On the other hand, Niña Alyssa M. Barroga placed fourth in declamation contest.

“

I thought we were going to lose, but when we started pouring points on the scoreboard, I immediately felt we were going to win.

”

ORIAL 6 EDIT EDITORIAL

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

Fun-tastic Philippines EDITORIAL

“

There are more and more reasons to love our country and that is the best reason why ‘it is more fun in the Philippines.

he new campaign of the Department of Tourism has gone through a lot of criticisms and controversies. Nevertheless, it never failed to receive thumbs up, nods and smiles from people around the world as they agree that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines. Solving problems. ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ Filipinos are not only the most optimistic but also the happiest people in the world. They answer their problems with a smile and a positive attitude. They do not only smile frequently but also laugh boisterously. The best comedians in the world can be found in the Philippines no matter how corny they might get, they will never fail to put a smile on our faces. Who would have known that there is a city of smiles? Hello, Bacolod! Partying. ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ When Pinoys say ‘festival’ or ‘fiesta’, they mean what they say. We celebrate fiestas by attending church masses, street dancing and even setting up a long table along the road and serving the whole barangay with homemade dishes that will surely satisfy every hungry stomach. Who will forget the colorful costumes of the dancers in the street dancing during the fiestas at different cities in the Philippines? From head to toe, they are dressed with a very vibrant costume that will surely catch the eye of anyone passing by. We have Sinulog in Cebu, Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Panagbenga in Baguio, Moriones in Marinduque, Pahiyas in Lucban and a lot more.

”

Food tripping. ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ A lot of people are aligned to eating chicken egg, boiled and ready to go but a favorite treat of most Filipinos is a fertilized duck egg with an actual healthy duck embryo where you can really see the duck, with all the pink limbs, the eyes, the beak and of course, the feathers. Balut or boiled duck’s egg is actually one of the most famous exotic dishes in the country and probably, the most sought after by tourists. Not to mention also the famous Filipino street foods such as kwek kwek, isaw, helmet and adidas which CNN cited as one of the world’s best. Belting high notes. ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ You will never find a country where people are out at the streets facing the bright screen of the karaoke with a microphone in hand belting Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You or Frank Sinatra’s My Way. Filipinos do not care how they sound or what other people think of them as long as they have fun. Looking for giants. ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ Filipinos may not be the tallest people in the world because the average height of a Filipino is around 5’4" but we definitely have the biggest pair of shoes that can be found in Marikina which was dubbed as the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines” being the largest shoe manufacturer in the country. Even the world’s biggest flower, rafflesia or locally known as pungapung, blooms here. The giant but gentle creature butanding frequently visits Donsol. Who would ever forget that the world’s biggesdt

pearl, the Pearl of Lao Tzu, was found in the waters of Bataraza, Palawan? Blending history and nature. ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ The Philippines is a place of a lot of fascinating history and unspoiled natural beauty. We live in a very historical place. Remnants of colonial history dotted the archipelago from old Spanish stone churches and houses into old American structures. This is the seat of first republic in Asia. The world has admired the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution that marked the end of martial law. There is as much beauty as there is history in the archipelago. Palawan’s famed Underground River is one of the Seven Wonders of Nature. Considered as the Eighth Wonder of the World, Banaue Rice Terraces which was hand-carved by the Igorots can be found on the northern part of the country. World famous beaches like Boracay’s and Cebu’s are also hotspots for tourists. With all the beauty and history going on the 7, 107 islands, there is no doubt that tourists around the world love going to the country. It is a world-class getaway. Philippines showcases timeless beauty. There are more than thousands of reasons why it is more fun in the Philippines. There are still a lot of room for more discoveries and we have more reasons why it is happier in the country of the brave Filipinos. From the smallest islands in Batanes to the most colorful vintas in Mindanao, the country is definitely a fun-tastic destination. There are more and more reasons to love our country and that is the best reason why it is more fun in the Philippines.

December 2011 - April 2012

THE RESEARCHER

OPINION 7

NOT SO FAST Justine Hiro D. Barot | Editor in Chief

Time-honored friendship

ispute between the Philippines and China continues to intensify as both nations refuse to back off Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal. Even citizens of both countries join the issue, so far as to hack government websites and post insults to each other. Should this be the end of a timehonored friendship treasured by both sides that has rooted since ancient times? Of course not. Let us reflect on the friendship that Philippines and China has kindled for more than a millennium. Let us look back for we might realize that we are more Chinese than we recognize. The Philippine-Chinese relationship takes its roots back to the early ninth century when trade through barter flourished in Asia. Filipinos exported rice, indigo and sugar to mainland China while the Chinese brought porcelain and silk to the country. This pre-colonial trading relationship has resulted to several Chinese influences on the native Filipino people. Because of Emperor Yung Lo’s efforts to establish friendship with the Filipinos, Chinese influences haVEs gained permanent foothold in the country. You might think that lumpia, lechon, mami and pansit are all Filipino but actually, we got these from the Chinese.

“

The Philippine-Chinese relationship takes its roots back to the early ninth century when trade through barter flourished in Asia. Filipinos exported rice, indigo and sugar to mainland China while the Chinese brought porcelain and silk to the country.

Philippine-Chinese relationship remained strong for centuries and has withstood hundreds of revolts and wars in the country. The Chinese have been a part of the country before we could even imagine. Our deep connection with the Chinese was so valued that June 9 of every year has been declared the official Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day. You would probably be surprised to know that there is also a Rizal Park in Jinjiang City, Fujian Province. And to amaze you more, the Rizal statue in China is even a few meters taller than the one in Luneta. This is because even our national hero has a Chinese blood running through his veins. The Chinese value the Filipino that liberated them from discrimination from Spaniards. The Chinese value the Filipino friendship the way we valued them too. That is how profound our affinity with the Chinese is. Chinese immigrants have settled in a portion in Manila which bacame a haven of

Peaceful talks and giving way to each other is the best way to resolve argument, disagreements and rows between friends.

”

China’s culture and tradition in the Philippines. Binondo has become the home away from home of teh Chinese living here in teh country and our small window of mainland China. Chinese men have flourished in the country for far too long that many of Filipinos would, in one way or another, have at least a Chinese descendant. Filipino blood has been mixed with Chinese too much that you will find FilipinoChinese virtually anywhere. Even our president has Chinese roots as his mother is a fourth generation Filipino-Chinese descended from Mr. Co Yu Hwan, a Chinese immigrant from Hongjian Village who settled in the Philippines in 1861. Even the richest Filipinos are Tsinoys...think of mall mogul Henry Sy, Metrobank’s George Ty, Jollibee’s Tony Tan Caktiong and business tycoons Lucio Tan, Andrew Tan and John L. Gokongwei. Going back to the issue of the Scarborough Shoal, would we still want to settle this in a bloody manner? Would we resort to violence against the Chinese who have been our friends for a thousand years? Peaceful talks and giving way to each other is the best way to resolve argument, disagreements and rows between friends.

8 OPINION

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

NOW OR NEVER Martinne Cielo B. Elesango | Associate Editor

“

I always ask myself: what is the good thing in all of these developments or innovations when it means sacrificing Earth?

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hey paved paradise to put up a parking lot. People take desperate measures to feed their hunger for something, and this time SM takes desperation in feeding its hunger for more money by putting up a seven-storey parking lot beside its branch in Baguio City. In order to execute this, they must remove 182 trees out of the 2000 trees within the mall’s property. In the first month of 2012, SM intended to cut 43 trees and to earth-ball 139 more trees at Luneta Hill and now they have changed the plan to earth-ball all the 182 trees. Earth-balling is actually used by landscapers as a technique of transferring plants by carefully uprooting them and planting them to another place. Yes, it is tolerable to earth-ball small plants but to earth-ball 182 trees that have been on that land for decades is unthinkable. Earth-balling is actually very crucial to a tree’s life because you are uprooting it and not all of those 182 trees are going to survive. In other words, it is not a sure way of saving the trees’ lives; maybe it is another way of killing them, just slowly. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gave the green light to SM City Baguio to pursue its expansion project after ensuring that no trees will be cut in the process. DENR

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Artificial Paradise

representatives and University of the Philippines –Los Baños Professor, Dr. Jose Sargento monitored the earth-balling procedure and the replanting to the designated sites said that the whole procedure was done overnight. DENR required SM to plant over 5000 trees as replacement of the 182 trees they have earth-balled which SM vowed to comply. But we all know that out of these 5,000 replacement trees, not all can survive. This is just another promise to satisfy the protesters. In the first place, why does SM need to burlap all these trees and put up a sevenlevel parking lot? Is it for the people’s sake in order to serve them well? Or is it for the most obvious and probably the most accurate of all possible reasons, to satisfy their greed? I always ask myself: what is the good thing in all of these developments or innovations when it means sacrificing Earth? People tend to launch innovations, make new things out of nature’s products, and build sky-high buildings almost at the tip of the clouds and say that it is for the betterment of our daily lives. Well, I do not know if all of these will really benefit the people. There are a lot of things that people do for their own sake not for everybody’s, not

Even if we are still youngsters, we still have the power to persuade people to take care of our environment and become a model to everyone.

”

for Mother Earth. Up to now, I still cannot comprehend why people do such things and then blame each other for global warming. We cannot really find paradise behind glass doors and windows nor can we find it in shelves or hangers. We would not hear the sound of paradise through the “chaching” of cash registers and the beeping sounds of bar code scanners. Paradise can be found in the places where there are lots of greens and where you could hear the sounds of chirping birds, buzzing bees and gushing water. As for SM, they are trying to recreate paradise within a 4.1 hectare of land while they do not realize that all the trees that they uprooting is what we can really call paradise. Did you know that SM City Baguio dreams of becoming the first mall in Northern Luzon by the SM Group of Companies to be certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) which is “an internationally-recognized standard for green building and construction by the US Green Building Council”? How ironic! I do hope along with all the other people who were and still are against SM City Baguio’s expansion project that SM will stay true to its vow that they will plant 5,000 trees in replacement of the 182 decades old trees. Hopefully, more than half, if not all of the trees, will survive and grow. There have been a lot of changes done to our paradise and when you look at it from above it looks more of a canvas colored with brown and gray spattered with black dirt all over. It looks far from paradise. turn to page 9

December 2011 - April 2012

THE RESEARCHER

OPINION 9

EYE OPENER Jamielyn S. Galleno | News Editor

“

Patience is a virtue. Less expectations will lead you to less disappointments.

”

Judging the book by its cover

ilipinos have this habit of coining words – mainly just for fun and to express what’s on their minds, and partly because they have hidden meanings behind each term. “Planking” and “owling” are some of these terms, and nowadays, a much somber term- “Noynoying”. Noynoying is a term used for describing people who tend to do nothing, just sitting, sleeping, feeling lazy, and such. This is used to describe Philippine President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III’s government nowadays. One of the basic reasons why Filipinos coined this term is that they are not satisfied with the President’s way of ruling the

“

position in the government. Yes, he should be a role model to everyone but for goodness sake, he is also free to do mistakes, like any other normal person. Filipinos are incomprehensible at times. Protesters are complaining that the President is doing nothing in Malacañang. To satisfy them, the Palace has officially released photographs of the President sitting on his table and working on tons of papers. But, negative issues surfaced again. They believed that it is not the genuine scenario inside the presidential office. If the President is really not doing his job, then he shouldn’t be flying abroad to have meetings with people who can help the

He is also an ordinary person, with an extraordinary position in the government.

country. They seem to just see the visible parts, those issues about the President going to clubs at night, partying, and such and not doing his works well. Wait a second, does this mean that the President is not allowed to have a me-time? Yes, he has obligations to the country but is it enough for him to be banned from these things? He is also an ordinary person with an extraordinary

”

country solve its economic problems. Apparently, he was able to have a lawful system that will pursue a fair and equitable judgment of the pending big legal cases. He was able to limit “wang-wang”, and reduce the percentage of those who rated themselves poor or hungry from 20.5% to 15.1% as of 2011. Zero-based budgeting was also enforced to avoid wasting money with

The Researcher is greatly indebted to Dr. Regidor G. Gaboy for his constructive criticisms that help us a lot in the preparation of this gargantuan task of working for our first magazine issue. Likewise, The Researcher also expresses its sincerest thanks to Prof. Ben G. Domingo Jr. who together with Dr. Gaboy always lend a helping hand to us .

those unimportant things. Housing project for the policemen and military personnel were also brought in action. Unemployment rate was also decreased from 8% to 7.2% as of April 2011, and so much more. So is this what you call “Noynoying”? It is not really healthy to judge a president with just a short span of time. A result of an action sometimes cannot be seen right away. Malacañang is not a glass palace and it obviously is not the place for nosy people. The president’s job is not easy and not everything can be solved in just a blink of an eye, it takes time. And sometimes, six years is not enough to fully free the country from the problems and debts it is facing. Why should the people put all the blame to P-Noy? Oftentimes, this is a mainstream problem. All the mistakes in the past are blamed to the one who is trying to fix them. Patience is a virtue. Less expectations will lead you to less disappointments.

Artificial Paradise... from page 8 “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.” Take care of earth while we still have it, while we still have the chance to. Even if we are still youngsters, we still have the power to persuade people to take care of our environment and become a model to everyone. We need to take good care of what we have for the coming generations because once it is lost, we might never have it back again. While we still have the chance to make everything right, let us seize that chance.

TURES 10 FEA FEATURES

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

od didn’t promise life without painful days. Cherry Joy F. Tumampo knew that by heart. “Cherry ang ipinangalan sa akin para pangontra sa apelyido ko. Parang nagtampo kasi eh. So, para masaya yung pangalan ko, ‘Cherry’ tsaka ‘Joy’,” she explained. But at twenty, right in the middle of life’s journey, Cherry has learned that the name she was given wasn’t as sweet as her life would be. Still, she managed to endure the bitterness fate laid down her hands, and after some time, redeemed herself by bringing pride and fulfillment not only to her family at home, but also to the family she had at USHS. Life in her shoes Rolling back into Cherry’s life, we could say that she’s just among percentage of the population who simply fell through the cracks; she was born on August 6, 1991 to Ernesto Tumampo, a janitor and caretaker at Bureau of Postharvest, Research and Extension (BPRE), now Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), and Trina Tumampo who worked as a part-time laundry woman, house helper and other similar jobs to give additional support to

what her husband was already earning at that time. Her father had served the agency long enough for them to be given a small house within the BPRE compound, big enough for a family of five. This tiny, walled space was the very place Cherry called ‘home’; the same place where she and her dreams began to grow. She landed as valedictorian back when she was in the elementary at DepEd-CLSU Elementary (Lab.) School and at USHS she topped her batch in 2008, receiving awards such as the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award, Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Lopez Scholarship Award and the Muñozonian USA Achievement Gold Medal. Even though her parents were low on the bucks, it didn’t draw them back from giving Cherry the best education they can afford. Witnessing her parents’ tough grind to cut through the hard edges of life, at a young age Cherry knew what she had to do. She knew what her family has been through; she was there to experience it all. And it opened her up to the reality that their world’s not going to be a better place alone. Eyes set straight, she desired to give back all the lost breaths, the ounces of sweat and the long hours filled with toil and labor to the ones who gave it all to her. Determined to change the way of living she once knew, she strived hard to give relief to her family and reached milestones that prove that poverty can’t stop her from living her dreams.

CHERRY:

on her way to the TOP by Nomer Ivan Jethro A. Gaboy

December 2011 - April 2012 Of course, success doesn’t become reality through magic. Determination, hard work and faith have brought to where she is today: at the beginning of great heights, a summa cum laude of UP-Diliman.

THE RESEARCHER said Cherry Joy. So it started there, just like a romantic love story, though instead of falling for a guy, she instantly fell in love with the hospital. She was all set for UP, but there were just a few more loose ends to tie up. Still, a place to stay and a regular allowance to work with was stalling the take off. And just like angels to break her fall, Fe Amelia Garcia, Salutatorian of USHS Batch 1994 who happened to be their graduation speaker, provided her with free housing in Manila, furthermore helped her obtain a scholarship from her friend who was working abroad; Cristy Gragasin, an employee of PHilmech who also regularly gave laundry work to Cherry’s mom had a fair role in giving a big hand to Cherry as well, by having the employees of PhilMech step in and voluntarily offer what they had.

FEA TURES 11 FEATURES And so she took the first move and took BS Biology. But after a semester, she decided that she wanted to transfer to Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and shifted on the first semester of her 2nd year at UP. Cherry’s father has been a victim of diabetes for years which was one of the reasons that pushed the drive to pursue the dream career of being a doctor even more, hoping that someday, she would not only be able to help cure her family but other people as well who have families of their own. After four years of spending countless hours of studying, working her brain cells down to the last motivated neuron and trying to meet all of life’s demands, she still keeps balance and continues to walk steadily with her head down low. It might have been said a thousand times that hard work pays off, but it’s true; others might claim to know what it means, but Cherry Joy Tumampo not herself lived it.

You think that finally jumping into the college life is a joyride? You have no idea what she’s been through. Reaching where she is today wasn’t really a slice of cherry pie. Down the road she took, there were a lot of big decisions to juggle and risks to take. But along the journey, she was just being herself: a risk-taker. Fearless, no matter how much the odds were against the situation. It was April 2006 and the time came for Cherry to say good-bye to the high school she had grown to know. She left more than just an impression on USHS, and USHS gave more than just education to the fresh Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean high school grad. Carrying the name on your own understanding. In all your ways Summing up the Summa of a valedictorian and the acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. Cherry has learned a lot in a legacy of being a USHS span of four years in UP. To those alumnus, it was no who are wondering, the recipe to an surprise that she were to pass the UP College Admission Test. But there But Cherry thought that them having open attitude fit for the top is actually quite simple, and if you’re one of the aspiring USHSians who was just one little snag: financially, the chances shoulders to lean on shouldn’t be taken for want to be just like Ate Cherry someday, here are were disagreeing. granted; of course, she found solutions of her the great pieces of advice she can offer: “I-aim “Originally mayroong two choices: either own: she became a DOST scholar, and on her nating maging isang well-rounded person. Aim sa UP or CLSU. Sa sitwasyon namin noon, second semester in UP, she was granted a nating maging best sa lahat ng gagawin natin imposible talaga na makakapasok at scholarship from UP Alumni Association of at maging matalino pagdating sa decisions,” makakapagtapos ako sa UP, kasi nga medyo Singapore. Adding up to that, she earned she said. kapos,” she said. But nevertheless, she decided another scholarship from Inner Wheel Club Being a part of who she is, she never fails to take a leap of faith and tried to walk towards (thanks to Tess Cruz). her dreams to become a successful medical A line up of blessings just kept coming her to acknowledge God as the one who made all of this happen. The one guiding principle of her life doctor, even if it twisted around the possibilities. way, Cherry, a devout Iglesia Ni Cristo follower, is cited in the Bible, specifically Proverbs 3:5-6 She always said that in high school, knew in her soul that God was always by her which says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Biology was her favorite subject. The biology side. Raised as a God-fearing child by her and lean not on your own understanding. In all teacher Ma’am Evelyn M. Ben said herself that parents, she went through every obstacle that your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct being a doctor was what Cherry really wanted stood in her way, holding on to strong faith your path.” ever since. “Alam ko dream na niya talaga which fueled her fighting spirit more than Lastly, she also gives a heap load of maging doctor,” Ma’am Ben said. anything else. thanks to every single person who helped her go “Interested kasi ako sa human body kaya On the course of her boundless journey, through it all. “Sa lahat ng mga tumulong, nag-decide po ako mag-medicine. Hindi ko sure Cherry learned three important things in church. thank you. Sana ma-bless din yung mga buhay ang specialization. Noong bata kasi ako These are, as she says, “First, ipasa-Diyos ang nila as they have blessed mine. Promise ko rin sakitin ako, so lagi akong nasa ospital. Inelahat for He’s the one who writes your story; po na abot sa kung ano mang makakaya ko in enjoy ko yung stay ko dun lagi, kaya pag Next, igalang at sundin ang parents; at lastly, the future, magawa ko rin po yung ginawa nila pumupunta ako ng hospital ngayon, nae-excite sa lahat ng ating gagawin, isipin kung tama o para sa amin in one way or another.” ako. Nafi-feel ko po na andun yung calling ko,” mali ba ito.”

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WWW.FACEBOOK.COM

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TURES 12 FEA FEATURES

assing the entrance exam for UP Diliman isn’t a stroll in the park. With all the glitters sprinkled over the golden name of UP, it gives quite a privelege and pride to its students, and can score one a lot more than just a few extra “pogi points”. But the real people who can only talk about pride are those who took the top spots. And one of them is actually USHS’ very own: Tristan Paul P. Espera, one of the top 10% passers of the 2012 UPCAT with the course BS Electronics and Communication Engineering. When we say one of the top ten per cent, we mean over thousands of UPCAT takers (and yes, it’s a big number). At first however, he had no expectations of ever getting into the list; he even had low hopes to even merely pass the exam. “Nagulat lang ako nung nalaman ko na kasama ako dun. Hindi ko kasi inaasahan. Kasi nung nagexam ako ng UPCAT, hindi talaga ako confident sa mga sagot ko. Pagkatapos nung exam, depressed na depressed ako, pakiramdam ko talagang wala. Pero ayun. Bigla na lang,” Espera said. Being usually a background type of person, he surely has gotten out of his box and into the light after being the only one from his batch to actually make it to the top ten per cent. Some claimed to have passed into Diliman by luck. Getting into the top 10 %, however,

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THE RESEARCHER UPCAT, he also qualified as a DOST Merit Scholar. When he was asked why he never topped the honor role although reached an achievement none of his batchmates did, he simply answered with a grin, “Kasi po yung mga subjects dito kailangan ng sipag. Masipag mag-review, gumawa ng requirements.” “Nahihirapan ako sa mga kailangan ng memorization,” he shared, but his field of expertise are those subjects that need analysis, calculation and critical thinking, gaining high grades in subjects such as Science, Math, Computer Science and the like. Having an engineer for a father and an accountant for a mother, we can say that the gift for math runs in the blood. Maybe this shed of brilliance was one of the reasons he rolled the test. But on the other hand, he actually admitted that he is, as he said, “the master of cramming.” He said, “Naa-absorb ko na ‘yung information habang discussion o lecture. Kapag exam, the day before lang ako nagrereview. Bihira ako mag-review. Laging stock knowledge.” So I guess his little words sum up that to spread the icing on exams, one does not need to memorize but to actually absorb the information to really stick up inside, not just

December 2011 - April 2012 on finishing college and take his master’s degree, if fate permits, at a good school out of the country. Tristan Espera has definitely proved himself to be one of the reasons why USHS should be proud. Take his words straight to the heart and look straight ahead towards what he has already achieved. You might be the next one to grab a place in the top 10 % of UPCAT passers or even surpass it, with enough

TRISTAN PAUL ESPERA

Sa school, hindi lang kailangan ng batang matalino, kailangan din ng sipag at tiyaga, determination at will.

Photo by LEAVEL MARELA L. DE GUZMAN

could not be luck alone. But even though being the only one in his batch to ace the top 10%, he was never really the top of the class. In his first year, he landed as 13th in the class, and in his 2nd year, he finally climbed up to the top ten. In his 3rd year, he played around the top five and in his 4th year, he only ranked top five once but never fell off the top ten. Not only did he top the

Photo contributed by CARLO ENRICO A. LATONIO

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determination, hard work and even just an ounce of luck. He would never have thought that he

The elite UPCAT passer...

he belongs to the

forcing them in tastelessly. But that doesn’t mean that memorizing should be out of the scene. As Espera said, “Sa school hindi lang kailangan ng batang matalino, kailangan din ng sipag at tiyaga, determination at will.” The top 10 % of UPCAT passers received an exclusive invitation from the UPDiliman President himself to their very own special welcome party. For now, Espera plans

top 10% by Nomer Ivan Jethro A. Gaboy

who used to capture amazing feats of other people would be one day, the one on focus. Indeed, an amazing turn of events. Editor’s Note: Tristan Paul Espera belongs to the top 10% of 12,900 high school students who qualified for admission at the University of the Philippines out of over 73,400 who took the 2012 UPCAT.

December 2011 - April 2012

FEA TURES 13 FEATURES

THE RESEARCHER

The

Michael I knew

A true Science High product, not just brains, not just wits, but full of fighting spirit.

by Patricia Clarisse P. Alvarez

Photo by MAAN S. GALLARDO

should be in his position.That is what I would have said four years ago. Four long years ago when I was a very competitive 11-year old girl fighting my way to be the valedictorian of my elementary batch. Born on the 20th of October 1995, he is the youngest among the three children of Mr. Felimon Diaz Lubrin and Ms. Milagros Leaño Lubrin. He grew up in San Juan Residences at Central Luzon State University and later on moved to the Old Trailer House before he started his schooling years. I have known Michael Eric Leaño Lubrin for 10 years now. We were classmates since first grade. I have witnessed how he achieved what he has now. Funny thing though, we started as “rivals”. He showed early signs of being a promising bright student he is today. “Noong kinder ako, before ako pumasok ng bahay dapat tapos ko na ‘yung assignments ko, nandoon pa lang ako sa hagdan ng bahay namin ginagawa ko na ‘yung assignment ko tapos magugulat na lang yung mama ko [na] tapos na ‘yung assignment ko,” said Lubrin when asked how he lived as a kindergartner. He constantly received the first honors during our elementary days. But I had my fair share of the spotlight though. I was a magnet for the gold during the second, third and fourth grade. To think that Michael Lubrin only placed second to me, looking back to those years makes me feel like a goddess.

I asked him what on earth happened to him during those years and he just laughed and said, “Hindi ko rin alam.” My efforts were just dusts under Michael’s fingernails. He got all the awards during our graduation day (except for the Campus Journalism award [thank God because I got this one] and Girl Scout of the year [thank God again for making me a girl because if Michael was a girl he would have gotten this award too]). He graduated as valedictorian and I as salutatorian. But speaking as a fifteen-year old high school senior student, I can now say that he really deserves the awards. Michael really is an intelligent person, no one can deny that. High school was approaching and we applied in the same school—the University Science High School. I was very anxious about the results of my entrance examination, I was very much worried about failing and ending up studying in a school I did not ever imagine myself going to. But when asked if Michael was confident he would pass the exam, he just said in a deadpan tone, “Oo, kasi medyo hindi naman ako nahirapan sa mga tanong,”. I jokingly replied that he was boastful and we just laughed. His answer might be misinterpreted by other people but as someone who has known him for a while, this just showed his funny side, with all the deadpan tone and the boasting statement. In our first year, although he ranked second in our class, he did not qualify for any award during the Achievement Day. I was surprised that he did not get the Best in Math because he is really good in Math during our elementary years. But because of perseverance and determination, he got the Best in Math award (both in Intermediate Algebra and Geometry) during our second year. I guessed he was just adjusting with the “Xs and Ys” during our first year. Still, he did not become the model or brightest student in our batch. I asked if this upset him and he replied that he just wants to be a normal student and he is not up for competition. All changed when our junior year came. “Parang naisip ko na lang bigla na gusto

kong mag-aral. Kung dati hanggang 10 p.m. lang ako nag-aaral, simula nung third year naging hanggang 1 a.m. na,”said Michael when asked how his study habits changed. I jokingly asked if he is still sane. Alas, after two years of drought in the land of victory, it rained. And as the cliché goes, when it rains, it pours. His staying up late during the wee hours in the morning paid off. He received awards for being the Brightest Junior, Model Student, Best in Chemistry, Economics, Carpentry and MAPEH.

The author (left) together with Michael Lubrin (right) during their elementary graduation. Photo contributed by MICHAEL ERIC L. LUBRIN

And he just kept the ball rolling from there. Although the stress of being a senior (with all the tons of requirements) is almost intolerable, he managed to stay on top of the class. There you go, Best in Thesis, Physics and Calculus and the class valedictorian of USHS Batch 2012, all in his shining glory, Michael Eric L. Lubrin. Just like in our elementary days, though he was inferior at first, he proved his gut and emerged as the class valedictorian. He is an inspiration to those who failed at first and are afraid to try again. A true Science High product, not just brains, not just wits, but full of fighting spirit.

14 NEWS

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

‘Batang Genius’ tops entrance exam

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by Jamielyn S. Galleno

At first, I thought I was dreaming because even though I answered the examination to the extent of my knowledge, it seems impossible to top the exam because my roommates seem more intelligent than me. I felt very happy because of the hundreds of exam takers, I still topped the exam.

Jomari C. Fernando, the young boy who rose to fame after winning the popular Batang Genius segment of the defunct Happy Yipee Yehey!, topped the USHS entrance examination. “At first, I thought I was dreaming because even though I answered the examination to the extent of my knowledge, it seems impossible to top the exam because my roommates seem more intelligent than me. I felt very happy because of the hundreds of exam takers, I still topped the exam,” he said in a text message sent to The Researcher. According to Asst. Prof. Aileen G. De Guzman, USHS registrar, this year’s number of examinees hiked by 422 students in a span of three years. This year’s top ten qualifiers in Happy Family. Jomari C. Fernando is joined by his parents after winning Photo courtesy by LIONHEART TV descending order are Jomari C. Fernando the Batang Genius contest. (DepEd CLSU Elementary (Bettbien CLSU Elementary School), Jose Antonio R. Gamboa School), Nicolas Czar B. Sanchez Antonio (Bettbien Montessori), Zeinareexenia Alyssa G. Fetalcorin (Muñoz (Bettbien Montessori) and Montessori), Ramiel Jan G. B. Macatula (Bettbien Central School), Jerico Regina Lianne N. Carganillo Dorothy Emmanuel R. Reyes (San (Bettbien Montessori). Rivera (Cabanatuan East Montessori), Central School), Cyril M. Kathleen F. Gundran (DepEd Jose EastCentral School),

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Outstanding vet prof graces Science Fair by Martinne Cielo B. Elesango

Dr. Clarissa Yvonne J. Domingo, 2012 Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) Outstanding Veterinarian in Education, led the opening ceremonies of the USHS Science Fair and Exhibits as the guest speaker on Feb. 21. Dr. Domingo, an associate professor of the CLSU College of Veterinary Science and Medicine (CVSM), stressed that the researches done by the students should benefit the humanity as she cited her work on rabies. Dr. Domingo formally opened the different exhibits in sciences, social sciences, mathematics and languages after the ribbon cutting ceremony. Events such as the USHS Genius, Sci-Math Amazing Race, Science Improvisation, Math Fun Activities, Sci-Wiz Quiz Bee, Jigsaw Puzzle Rush, Photo Contest and Cooking Contest were participated by USHS students. From the freshmen, the research “Growth and Survival of Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens) Fry Fed with Microworm (Panagrellus redivivus) and Commercial Fish Feed” by Mika Angelika H. Iglesia, Ervee P. Landingin and Juan Carlo R. Latonio ranked first.

In Biology category, “Teratogenic Effect and Embryotoxicity of Auricularia polytricha White Strain Extracts on the Development of Zebra Fish (Danio rerio) Embryos” by Christian Roden S. David and Laurence B. Dela Rosa received the first place. “Feasibility Study of Lanzones (Lansium domesticum) Peel Decoction as Mosquito Larvae Control” by Paolo Vittorio M. Muncal and Gabrielli M. Palomares got the first spot for Chemistry category. For Physics category, Kathleen S. Corrales, Tristan Paul P. Espera and Jianne Mae C. Ordonio with their project titled, “Ruben’s Flame Tube”, got the first place. Meanwhile, the study “Nutrient Analysis and Acceptability Evaluation of Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)- Based Surimi Pre-treated with Different Types of Milk” by Mark P. Buenaventura, Kathleen S. Corrales and Michael Eric L. Lubrin was declared as this year’s Best Thesis.

Photo by IRINEO C. DONES JR.

December 2011 - April 2012

NEWS 15

THE RESEARCHER

News ed vies in NSPC 2012 by Martinne Cielo B. Elesango

Planting: It’s more fun at USHS. The sophomores proved this line to be true as they planted several rice seedlings at the Agricultural Science and Technology School as one of their requirements in Integrated Technology II under Mr. Jaypee Estigoy. Photo contributed by JAYPEE ESTIGOY

News briefs in 5 seniors top CLSU CAT Another set of USHS graduates topped the Central Luzon State University-College Admission Test (CLSU-CAT). This year, five students made it into the top 20 and Justine Hiro D. Barot finished third among the thousands of students who took the exam. Michael Eric L. Lubrin took the sixth spot, Mark P. Buenaventura ranked 11.5, Virgilio S. Hilario placed 15.5 and Steffi L. Briones landed 19.5.

Assoc. ed cops 2nd place in essay tilt The Researcher Associate Editor Martinne Cielo B. Elesango emerged second place in the On-the-Spot Essay writing contest held at the College of Education, Central Luzon State University on Feb. 15. Elesango received a cash award of Php 1,000 and a medal. Mr. Emil F. Ubaldo, who is also The Researcher adviser, served as her coach.

Senior receives IMPACT’s Community Service award Jenn Mae Clarisse C. San Pedro, a USHS senior and also an SK chair in her barangay, received the Community Service Award of IMPACT-CLSU for her involvement and projects in her barangay on Feb. 2 at the CLSU-RSTC. Mr. Michael C. delos Santos served as her coach in the event.

The heat of summer does not stop USHS student from being competitive as a first timer makes it to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for the National Schools Press Conference. Jamielyn S. Galleno, the news editor of The Researcher and also a neophyte in press conferences represented Region III as she competed against 50 editorial writers nationwide on Apr. 9-13. "It was really a big accomplishment for me even though I didn't win, since I didn't really dream of this. Being in the 2012 NSPC was already a trophy for me," Galleno said in an interview. The theme of the conference is "Promoting Digital Literacy through Campus Journalism”. Prof. Julie C. Domingo and Mr. Emil F. Ubaldo accompanied Galleno during the competition.

“

It was really a big accomplishment for me even though I didn't win, since I didn't really dream of this. Being in the 2012 NSPC was already a trophy for me.

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USHS faculty makes USHS faculty makes name in int’l journal name in int’l journal by: Niña Alyssa M. Barroga

Mr. Lexter R. Natividad marked his name in two international journals in mathematics after two of his articles were published. His first research paper, Deriving a Formula in solving Fibonacci-like sequence, was published on International Journal of Mathematics and Scientific Computing in Aug. 2011, is about the finding of missing terms in Fibonacci-like sequence using his derived formula. His second paper, On Solving Pell means, was published on International Journal of Mathematical Archive in Jan. 2012, is about presenting formulas in solving Pell means as well as solving the sequence itself. ”I felt happy that they were published in an international journal and I am proud that I am now a certified mathematician since I already contributed to the mathematical society,” Natividad said. The articles can be read on-line at http:// www.veltechuniv.edu.in/ijmsc/current_issues/ijmscjune2011-paper-04.pdf and http://www.ijma.info/index.php/ ijma/article/viewFile/807/443.

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I felt happy that they were published in an international journal and I am proud that I am now a certified mathematician since I already contributed to the mathematical society.

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Youngest triumvirate secures award in reg’l history quiz bowl Age is not the measure of one’s knowledge. The USHS trio of Greanne Fatima C. Valenton, Anna Mei G. Libuna, Dana Samantha S. Cahilig, also the only high school contestants among all college groups, landed fifth place in the DC-SUC Literary Musical Festival (History and Current Events quiz bee) held at Ramon Magsaysay Technological University on Mar. 8-9. The youngest trio managed to defeat eight other college groups from all over Region III. Mr. Randy B. Mergas, College of Education faculty, and Mr. Emil F. Ubaldo, USHS faculty, served as their coach in the two-day event.

The youngest trio managed to defeat eight other college groups from all over Region III.

16 SCIENCE

T he FFountain ountain of Y outh Youth in Y ou You

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

by Justine Hiro D. Barot

From FFa antasy to REALITY

www.healthyconcepts.co

It seems that one of the most sought-after medieval treasure is now found by scientists. And the secret of Peter Pan may be in us after all. What is this ‘secret’? It’s not a fountain but a part of the human chromosomes. These are called the telomeres. The telomeres protect chromosomes from fusing together with other chromosomes. However, these fellas become shorter each time the cell divides. Once it becomes too short, the cell will stop replicating and stays like that thus becoming old. Luckily scientists have found a way to retain the size of these telomeres, thereby keeping the cells immortal, and ultimately reduce or even stop the aging signs. The enzyme for the job is telomerase. It is harnessed in an Astragus plant and is now being used as a supplement. This enzyme is also found naturally in the body, in the sex cells for them to replicate undyingly. The telomerase will stop the shortening of telomeres thereby keeping cells immortal. Isn’t that amazing? Another group of scientists have devised another way to keep aging away. Instead of keeping cells immortal, they kill off cells that have become old because of very short telomeres. These cells, called senescent cells, were flushed out from the body. This has been proven effective in mice, wherein they were kept healthy all throughout their lives with minimal or no aging signs and age-related diseases at all. Keep in mind however, that this will not make one immortal ‘cause that would be creepy. But, to be forever young, that’s amazing.

Who wouldn’t want to have an invisibility cloak? Pull pranks on others, or stalk your crushes, just put on this garment. Such fashion accessory has become standard in the world of sci-fi and fantasy. From the boy who lived to intergalactic hunters, all had at least one in their wardrobe. But how about the poor fellas in the real world? Well, here’s some news for all you Muggles (as normal people are called in HP series)! No need to wait for your Hogwarts acceptance letter for Japanese Scientist Susumu Tachi of Tokyo University has developed a special cloak that would allow people to see through you. The invisibility cloak is indeed a reality. Thanks, not a hocus pocus magic, but to science. Here’s how it works, a camera in the cloak takes in the scene behind the wearer. Then, according to Creator’s Project: “A computer processes the background imagery and relays it to a projector that filters through a half mirror and projects the scene onto the wearer. From a certain angle, the cloaked person looks transparent to onlookers.”

Modern-day

While the cloak is still far from perfect it has a much wider application, not just for stalking people, in medicine and machineries.It’s hoped the technology will be useful for surgeons to be able to see through their hands and tools and also for pilots so the cockpit floor will be transparent for landings Indeed invisibility has taken a sharp turn from fantasy to reality.

Frankenstein

What would you do if Frankenstein suddenly pops out from the 18th century horror sciencefiction novel? Soil yourselves in fear? Probably. Well, modernday science has given life to a modern-day ‘Frankenstein’. Except that it’s not as big, not half, not even a quarter. The ‘Frankenstein’ I’m blabbing about is a

singular cell. Yes, you heard it right, it’s a SINGLE CELL. Not something to be afraid of, I guess. How cute is that? The creator of the synthetic cell is Dr. J. Craig Venter. According to some scientists,his work is “a big step for synthetic biology.” This scientist copied practically the whole cell, every bit of it, from head to foot, or should I say from mitochondrion to cell wall. So basically, he mimicked life, not created it. President Barrack Obama asked a sixmonth investigation of the said breakthrough, its implications and risks. Venter’s breakthrough is just a proof of endless possibilities of ideas in the human mind. We may not be far from a live walking synthetic human-being.

December 2011 - April 2012

THE RESEARCHER

NEWS 17

USHS students, faculty stage benefit concert by Elizabeth Y. Borromeo

USHS proved it once again. Four years after the mUSHSical Variety Show, students and faculty showcased their talents in the USHS in Concert held on Feb. 29 at the CLSU Auditorium. Cyril Joy V. Balais and Joey Pepe R. Eligado opened the event with their dance interpretation of The Prayer. Marifi Anne R. Salvador, Mishaelle S. Quitos, Ma. Angelica G. De Guzman and Anna Mei G. Libunao dazzled the night with their golden voices as they sang From this Moment, Don’t You Remember and I Will Always Love You. This was followed by four piano presentations by Ms. Janice C. Laforteza, Jamielyn S. Galleno, Gabriel C. Sunga and Xyz R. Fiegelan who played River Flows in You, Sonatina No. 2, Sonata KV. 545 and Für Elise, respectively. The USHS male and female faculty surprised the audience with their special presentations. The sophomore and junior bands then took the stage with the songs Huling El Bimbo and Don’t Stop Believing. One of the highlights of the concert was the surprise song number of the school principal, Dr. Remedios Z. Panuyas accompanied by the junior band. Laughter and admiration next filled the faces of the audience as the male faculty showed their dancing and singing prowess. The USHS Speech Choir, which was crowned the champion in the Juniors’ Honor Circle Provincial Convention 2011, performed Charles Mackay’s If I Were a Voice. The 2011 Lakan at Lakambini, Leandroff Jose DC. Villanueva and Jewelyn P. Candelaria showed their interpretative dancing skills through the song Bayan Ko while Best Talent Awardee Shermaine Ciel O. Cruz performed

Cadets, privates gather at USHS for Summer Camp by Hannah Mae Tolentino

USHS young divas. Anna Mei G. Libunao, Mishaelle S. Quitos, Marifi Anne R. Salvador and Ma. Angelica G. De Guzman showed their vocal prowess while singing Whitney Houston’s hits. Photo contributed by MARIUS CASTILLO singkil. Selected students from the seniors and the sophomores performed their dance numbers which topped the Folk Dance Competition during the Buwan ng Wika 2011. The juniors and seniors performed modern dances while the freshmen wowed the audience in their ballroom dance. Selected junior students showed their formal attires on the runway while some freshmen donned their summer outfits on the catwalk. “It’s so amazing and entertaining how our students performed during our concert. Every rendition reveals God’s given talent to each of them.Truly our students do not only excel academically but also in musical and literary events. Conquering the stage is a big contribution to their personalities. We will try to have another concert this coming school year,” said Dr. Remedios Z. Panuyas, school principal, in an interview.

Attention! rd For two days, the University Science High School (USHS) became home to a bunch of officers, privates and commandants from the different CLSU Laboratory high schools. by Justine Hiro D. Barot The University Science High School hosted this by: Justine year’s Citizen’s Army Training (CAT) Summer CampHiro on D. Barot University Science High School still holds the crown Mar. 20-21. as it won its third championship in a row in a literary quiz The summer camp’s main objective is to give bee in Nueva Ecija. military training to its participants and to make the The two USHS teams secured the top places, finishing commands and executions uniform according to the first and second, in the Provincial Battle of the Titans Literary Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) way. Quiz at the Regional Science Teaching Center, Science City of Muñoz, Jan. 28. The team of Joenelle C. Donato and Dion S. Romero by Via Shane R. Santiago placed first while the duo of Patricia Clarisse P. Alvarez and The 50 year old mimeograph which was used by Joshua Allen DG. Wisco got the second place. the school will be replaced by the new Ineo 164 desktopBoth USHS teams almost answered all the questions in type photocopier worth Php 44,100 last March which the difficult round correctly, most of which comprised of was a project of the University Science High School’s questions about mythology. Parents-Teachers Association. “Our passion is indeed mythology. We made ourselves According to Mr. Michael C. Delos Santos, it is winners by constantly reading. Reading a lot really got me only intended for photocopying of test questions and through this,” Alvarez said. other related documents and is not for commercial Ms. Cynthia Lyn P. Curada served as their coach. consumption or for students’ use.

USHS gets its 3 champ in literature quiz

Photocopier replaces mimeograph

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It’s so amazing and entertaining how our students performed during our concert. Every rendition reveals God’s given talent to each of them.Truly our students do not only excel academically but also in musical and literary events. Conquering the stage is a big contribution to their personalities.

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Our passion is indeed mythology. We made ourselves winners by constantly reading. Reading a lot really got me through this.

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18 SPORTS

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

Seniors reign as Sports Fest 2012 champs by Ma. Angelyka C. Romano

After two years of being first runner-up, USHS Batch 2012 snatched the crown after garnering 32 out of 58 gold medals in the 10th Annual USHS Sports Fest on Jan. 5-6. The seniors blazed up in the volleyball events as they spiked 12 golds for both men and women categories. They bagged one gold in Table Tennis and aced another gold in Lawn Tennis both in the women category. Seniors swiped ten golds in the tug-of-war where their batch is the defending champion for three consecutive years. They also conquered the board games by winning five golds in chess (women), dama (men and women) and scrabble (mixed) while the chess (men) was clinched by the sophomores. In the throwing events, the seniors shot three golds. The freshmen bounced back, grabbing five golds in the track events. Overall, the seniors bagged 13 silvers and 6 bronzes. The freshmen grabbed 13 golds, 4 silvers and 19 bronzes defeating the other upperclassmen. Eight golds, 30 silvers and 12 bronzes were earned by the juniors, landing on the third spot while the sophomores placed last with 5 golds, 11 silvers and 21 bronzes. The first day kicked off with the Miss Sports Fest 2012 where Jemmica Charisse G. Sy of the juniors was hailed winner.

You shall not pass! Supporters from both teams held their breaths as they anticipate where the ball will fall in a heated match between the juniors and seniors during the volleyball men championship game.

Photo by NOMER IVAN JETHRO A. GABOY

Let me have it. Seth Vincent M. Alvarez attempts to block the ball from Virgil S. Abelardo during the basketball men championship game between the seniors and the juniors. Photo by NOMER IVAN JETHRO A. GABOY

The third set gave everyone a nerve racking game after the juniors made a deuce twice, 27-25, and won that set which gave them a chance to win the game. However, the fourth set assured the seniors their victory in the event, 25-17.

Senior netters trounce junior spikers by Ayra Patrice N. Espiritu

Senior spikers netted six golds after blocking the juniors, 3-1, in the Volleyball (Men) division at the USHS Basketball Court. The third set gave everyone a nerve racking game after the juniors made a deuce twice, 27-25, and won that set which gave them a chance to win the game. However, the fourth set assured the seniors their victory in the event, 25-17. Arvin Jasper M. Pariñas, senior, and Rolando II R. Venturina, junior, were the first pointers of their corresponding teams while Pariñas and Ezekiel S. Dela Cruz, junior, were their team’s highest pointers. “It’s a great match and everyone was very competitive. We enjoyed it,” Andrei Philsen N. Espiritu said.

THE RESEARCHER

December 2011 - April 2012

USHS athletes compete in Division Meet

SPORTS 19

Junior lass crowned Ms. Sports Fest ‘12 by Justine Hiro D. Barot

by Martinne Cielo B. Elesango

Five USHS students prove that they are not only brainy but also athletic as they competed and brought home awards in the Division Athletic Meet on Jan. 12-13. The freshmen Marcelo P. Parcasio (Badminton Singles), Cheska Adrielle P. Galvez (Lawn Tennis Singles), Leandroff Jose DC. Villanueva (Swimming: 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle) and Cyan D. Bibal (Swimming: 50m breast stroke) bagged the gold medals in their respective sport events. Isaac Emmanuel P. Medina (Swimming: 50m, 100m & 200m freestyle; 50 m butterfly and individual medley), a junior, also grabbed the gold medal. Bibal also received a silver medal in Swimming: 100m breast stroke event. Mr. Michael C. Delos Santos and Mr. Allan F. Antalan served as their coaches.

Jemmica Charisse G. Sy , III-Discoverers, USHS junior, is hailed as this years’ Ms. Sports Fest 2012 during the Annual Sports Fest 2012 held on Jan. 5. “I was thrilled to hear my name after I was called as Ms. Sports Fest,” said Sy when asked how she felt as this years’ winner in the pageant. She also said that she got nervous because of all the spectators watching. Hannah R. Hicban (I-Adventurers) followed Sy placing second while Anna Clarissa Coleen P. Alfonso (II-Inventors) landed on the third place. Meanwhile, Dana Samantha S. Cahilig (I-Explorers) also got the Ms. Photogenic award in the pageant. Czarina Faye M. Avelino (II-Researchers) was awarded with the Best in Sports Attire.

Men in green. The three USHS athletes together with Mr. Michael Delos Santos (center) and one of their swimming team members (second to the left) posed for a souvenir shot during the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association Meet in Iba, Zambales. Photo contributed by MICHAEL C. DELOS SANTOS

CLSU places 2nd in SUC III Olympics by Ma. Angelyka C. Romano

Central Luzon State University landed second out of the 12 participating State Universities and Collegesin Region III (SUC III) and garnered 31 golds in the SUC III Olympics in Tarlac State University on Dec. 16-21. CLSU garnered 31 golds, 47 silvers and 46 bronzes in the athletic meet beating its record in the previous SUC III Olympics landing third with only three golds. CLSU conquered the Volleyball (Women), Softball (Women) and Futsal (Men). Zhaira Mae A. Santiago, a senior student of the University Science High School and a netter in the CLSU’s Volleyball (Women) team, gave her part for the win. Santiago and her team spiked their way towards the championship and garnered six golds after defeating Bataan State University and emerged as champions for the said sports event. “[Sa] tulong ng coach namin. Lagi kami nagpe-pray at nagtutulungan,” said Santiago on answering what is the key to their success.

CLSU garnered 31 golds, 47 silvers and 46 bronzes in the athletic meet beating its record in the previous SUC III Olympics landing third with only three golds. Mestiza beauty. Jemmica Charisse G. Sy from III-Discoverers, sporting a Spanish matador attire, was crowned Ms. Sports Fest 2012. Photo by IRINEO C. DONES JR

FOR A CAUSE