Teacher's Pen 2023 Broadsheet

BY ROSELLE ANN TUAZON

PINK PENELOPY FLORES

CSC holds 2nd research colloquium; P

BY PAWIE LINTAG

Withthetheme"Learningbestinthe new normal”, the College of Education Student Council (CED-CSC) hosted the second research colloquium for third andfourthyearMarlinslastJune13

Among the nine participating presenters, Chassel Paras of Bachelor of Special Needs Education secured the topspotwithhisclassroom-basedaction research

Inspired by his student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Paras' action researchinvestigatedtheuseoftime-out as a calming strategy during the child’s tempertantrums

Describing the experience as nervewracking,Parassharedthatheishoping his success at the research colloquium will inspire other Marlins that teachers canmakeadifferenceinthelivesoftheir students.

“EverychildhasapotentialandIbelieve that as teachers, we are responsible for helping our students unleash [that] potential”addedParas.

“Meanwhile, Yancy Moron and Adrian Poul Blando were hailed as the 1st and 2ndrunnersup,respectively Blandowas also named as the best presenter in the saidevent

Thecolloquiumaimedtoenhanceand foster the culture of research and collaboration through oral presentations and sharing of research results among CEDstudents

DepEd eyes new K-10 curriculum rollout

by SY 2024-2025

BY ROSELLE ANN TUAZON

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced its objective of implementing the new K-10 curriculum startingintheupcomingschoolyearof2024-2025

In April, the DepEd released a draft of the newly revised K-10 curriculum to gather "comments and feedback from the public and interested stakeholders" to calibrate it before implementation according to DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa

“Once these comments are collated, we are looking to roll out our K to 10 and for implementation not this coming school year but for SY 2024-2025 that’s our target,” he added

Deped stated that the goal of the curriculum revision was to solve the issues in the previous curriculum and boost Filipino students' academic performance.

Focusing on "Big Ideas" and emphasizing the development and mastery of fundamental skills and competencies were some of the revised K-10 curriculum's most important recommendations

Since the previous administration, the review of the K-10 curriculum started making it to the final stages by May this year Initially, the deadline for comments coming from education stakeholders was set on May 3 but DepEd extended it until May 13

PH IQ falls below average, study says

BY KHIM BRYAN REBUTA

Inatimeofhistorywhereeducationismostaccessible,andwiththeprevalenceof modern technology, one would naturally assume that human intelligence is soaringtonewheights.However,arecentreportrevealedotherwise.

According to the World Population Review (WPR) in 2023, the Philippines has a below-averageintelligencequotient(IQ),withanaveragescoreof81.64.

Ranking at the 111th spot out of 199 countries, the Philippines is one of the Southeast Asian countries falling below the average IQ range of 85-115, along with Cambodia (114th) and Indonesia (130th) Japan topped the list with 10649 IQ average, closely followed by Taiwan with 106.47. Here are the top 10 countries and theircorrespondingIQaverages:

1 Japan-10649

2 Taiwan-10647

3 Singapore-10589

4 HongKong-10537

5 China-10410

6 SouthKorea-10235

7 Belarus-10160

8 Finland-10120

9 Liechtenstein-10107

10 Netherlands&Germany-10074

According to the WPR, IQ scores are indicative of the quality of education and availability of resources within a local geographic region This follows that a country with a lower average IQ score is commonly poorer and less developed, particularly in education

In a report in CNN Philippines, Maria Rosario Vergeire, Health Officer-In-Charge of the Department of Health (DOH) stated that malnutrition affects child brain development She further added that socioeconomic environment, such as the parents' educational attainment, can also affect the IQ of a child On the other hand, clinical psychologist Fab Calipara clarified that IQ is not a fixed trait. It could be increased depending on the stimulations done to the brain

Calipara further emphasized that IQ average does not absolutely measure one's capacity as there are multiple intelligences

Julius Emmanuel Lingat

CED pierces through waves in #LAYAGUWeek2023

BY JINELLE BIANCA SISON

Piercing through the waves, College of Education (CED) snatched various winningplacesintheUniversityweek(U-Week)2023heldlastApril17to21

Marlinsshowcasedtheirwits,sportsskills,andbeautyastheyrepresentedthecollegeindifferentacademicandnon-academiccompetitions oftheU-Week

Withthetheme"Layag",thisyear'sU-Weekisthefirstface-to-faceuniversityweekcelebrationafterthreeyearsofthepandemic

Marlins ace academic contests

Marlins join non-academic competitions

While the academic competitions were in progress, CED sportsteamsclashedwithother colleges in different athletic competitions.

their gratitude to all Marlin UWeek representatives via the AUF - College of Education official facebook page

but also your deep commitment to excellence and to the College,” the CSC added

Under the category of intercollegiate academic competition, the CED debate team, composedofAkiaEstepaofBEEd1, JoshuaJavierofBSEdSocialStudies

3, Yancy Moron of BSEd English 3, ChasselParas,andMattiasBernalof BSNed 4, proved their solid stance andplaced1strunnerup

Meanwhile, Linzi Cunan of BSEd English 4, Pawie Lintag of BSEd Eng-CLT 5, and Liezel Pineda of BSEd Social Studies 3 represented the college in the quiz bee competition and stood as 2nd runners up after a close fight against other colleges' delegations

Francine Miclat of BSEd English 2 showcased her skill in the field of writing, language, and rhetoric skills as she placed 3rd runner up in the extemporaneous speech competition Her winning speech centered around AI technology in global language and solidarity

Furthermore, demonstrating his skills on composition, Adrian Poul Blando bagged bronze in the Filipino essay competition

In the table tennis competition, Kyle Punsalang of BSEd Social Studies 3 bagged the bronzemedal

Meanwhile, Ma Jorell Quinto of BSNEd 4 clinched 1st runner upintheLipsynccompetition.

Marlins make CED proud

Other Marlins also took the opportunity to represent CED in other competitions

Yancy Moron participated in the English Essay Writing, Danielle Estravo in oration speech, Julia Austria in Hugot Angelenean: spoken word poetry, and Jeremy Pingol and Erika Duya in Mr. and Ms. University 2023. CED also had representatives in the college's men and women volleyball team, 3x3 basketball team, and men and women badminton singles.

As the UWeek 2023 concluded, the CED College Student Council expresssed

"Your outstanding performance [in the UWeek 2023] not only demonstrated your exceptional skills and abilities,

Duterte: ‘DepEd not blind to reality'; unfolds roadmap to address education woes

BY JOSHUA JAVIER

“The Department is not blind to the reality,” Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte admitted in her Basic Education Report (BER) 2023 speech last January 30, unveiling all the issues that DepEd is currently facing, and the roadmap on resolving these challenges for a better quality educationforFilipinolearners

The DepEd secretary identified the school facilities and learning resources as the “most pressing issue,” citing the need to build, repair, and maintain school infrastructures to cover the learner populationinthecountry

Duterte also discussed the enrollment and Learner School Data, where she revealed the need to bridge the gap for the indigenous people’s communities, geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas, Muslim youth, learners with disabilities, and out-of-school youthandadults.

InherBER,Dutertealsohighlightedthecongestedcurriculum,its missing and misplaced learning competencies, and the insufficient work immersion programs for actual skill acquisition of students.

AnothermainissuethedepartmentsecretaryreportedintheBER concerned the need to upscale teachers’ knowledge and skills, realign with 21st-century skills, and eradicate the burdens of administrativetasksforteachers

Turnto page05

Jeri Mae Laxamana

Jeri Mae Laxamana

CED Debate Team, with their adviser Dr Aviado

JeriMaeLaxamana

Oration Speech participant, Estravo

3 CLT students join FPGMA delegation to China

BY KHIM BRYAN REBUTA

AdrianPoulBlando,PinkPenelopy Flores, and Lianna Philisa Miranda, BSEd CLT 5 students joined the entourage of Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (FPGMA) in her officialtriptoChinalastApril.

TheAssociationofPhilippine-China Understanding (APCU) conducted the Youth Essay Writing Contest centering around the theme "The Role of Filipino Youth in Promoting Philippines-China Understanding,” whichearnedthethreeCLTstudents, along with six other youth participants,theirtickettoChinaafter being hailed winners in the said competition. Sponsored by China Public Diplomacy Association, the youth delegation visited Guangzhou, Hunan, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Beijing

This trip was the second time that the three CLT students visited the country, with their first time back in 2019 where they had their 10month immersion in Fujian, China This time, however, they took a part in promoting friendly relations betweenthetwocountries.

" Even though I am [already] quite familiar with the culture there, I still learned a lot in my recent trip as we were able to visit museums which highlighted their culture and technology. We were also able to meet people that were enthusiastic to share their culture and to hear about my culture as well," Flores shared Flores,oneofthewinnersandalso the Editor in Chief of TPen, recalled that she learned more Chinese culture in their trip to the different citiesinChina

APCU is a non-government organization in the Philippines that promotes friendly ties between the Philippines and China through various cultural and economic exchanges.

AUF-CED registers

39 LPTs in March LET

Flores shares FS practices at regional conf.

BY HANNAH GRACE PARAS

Pink Penelopy Flores of BSEd CLT 5 presented the Field Study practices of Angeles University Foundation - College of Education (AUF-CED) in the Annual Regional Pre-Service Teachers Assembly hosted by Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE) RegionIIIonFebruary18

Being chosen as one of the presenters, Flores shared her experiences about the preparation for their deployment in various public schools around Angeles City In an interview, she mentioned that she felt nervous during the webinar despite the presentation being prerecorded

"Eventhoughitwaspre-recorded, I still felt nervous knowing that my presentation was chosen by PAFTE. I felt proud [but] at the same time, it was a humbling experience. I learned a lot from the practices of otherschoolsaswell,”sheadded

With the theme “Keeping the Passion Alive”, the webinar aimed to rekindle and instill the passion of the teaching profession to our preservice teachers, and to promote camaraderie and fellowship among the pre-service teachers in the region.

Thirty nine (39) Marlins were named as new professional teachers after passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)heldlastMarch19

Among the successful passers, the College of Education (CED) at Angeles University Foundation (AUF) produced eight elementary teachers and 31 secondary teachers.

Overall, AUF-CED registered 8857% and 6154% overall passingratesinthesecondary and elementary levels of the saidexam,respectively.

BY PAWIE LINTAG

Meanwhile, the national passing rates announced by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in the secondary and elementarylevelsare4694% and4076%respectively

The March 2023 LET is the first licensure examination that used the enhanced TableofSpecification(TOS)to coverthenewcurriculumfor the first batch of K-12 college graduates

APCU Organization

Pink Penelopy Flores

Delegates, Flores, Blando, & Miranda

AUFBSED-CLTVpresenter, PinkPenelopyFlores

TPen reigns in Tayid 1 tilt; named “Most Outstanding College Pub”

BY YANCY MORON

2021titledefended!

Teacher’sPen(TPen),theofficial student publication of AUF College of Education, reigned supreme in all of the podium contentions of the Tayid-Tayid 1 journalism competition. The publicationwassubsequentlyadjudged as the ‘Most Outstanding College Publication’ in its awardng ceremony held at Saint Cecilia’sAuditorium,February4

TPen amassed 19 placements, claiming the top berth of the competition, with The Lighthouse of the College of Arts and Sciences and CrimWatch of the College of Criminal Justice Education settling to second and third places, respectively

Pawie Lintag of BSED EnglishCLT 5 for News Writing (English), Joshua G. Javier of BSED Social Studies 3 for News Writing (Filipino), Hannah Grace Paras of BSED Eng-CLT 1 for Sports Writing(English),ChasselT Paras ofBSNEd4forFeatureWriting

(Filipino), Hannah Grace Paras of BSED Eng-CLT 1 for Sports Writing (English), Chassel T Paras of BSNEd 4 for Feature Writing (Filipino), Pink Penelopy Flores of BSED Eng-CLT 5 for Editorial Writing (English), Ericka Duya of BSNEd 4 for Editorial Writing (Filipino), Arvin Jay Billones of BSED Eng-CLT 1 for Science Writing (Filipino), Julia Maera Tisza Austria of BSED Eng-CLT 1 for Mobile Photojournalism (English), Matias S. Bernal, Jr. of BSNEd 4 for Literary Writing (Filipino), and Eaudene B Canlas of BSED Social Studies 4 for Editorial Cartooning (Filipino) topped their respective categories by bringinghomegoldmedals

Meanwhile, Jinelle Bianca Sison of BSED Social Studies 3 for Sports Writing (Filipino), Pawie Lintag for Copyreading and Headline Writing (English), Khim Bryan Rebuta of BSED Eng-CLT 5 for Science Writing (English), Linzi Cunan of BSED English 4 for Graphic Designing (English), Julius Emmanuel Lingat of BSED Social Studies 2 forGraphicDesigning(Filipino),

and Merrychrise Soriano of BSED Eng-CLT 5 for Photojournalism (English) copped silver medals.

Pink Penelopy Flores for Feature Writing (English), Angelica Olesco of BSED Eng-CLT 5 for Mobile Photojournalism (Filipino), and Lianna Philisa Miranda of BSED Eng-CLT 5 for Literary Writing (English) completed the winner’s roll with their bronze medal finishes.

Catering to the eight college publications anew, Tayid-Tayid 1 was spearheaded by The Pioneer, the official student publication of the Angeles UniversityFoundation

The competition, with the theme “#PressYourTruth: Fearless Reporting through Campus Journalism,” kick-

Marlins receive merit in AUF-TOS 2023

BY ROSELLE ANN TUAZON

Frompage01

AUF-TOS is an award given to students in recognition of their exemplary co-curricular and extra-curricular performance in different categories such as Leadership, Research, Journalism, Performing arts, Community Service, Science and Technology, Visual Arts, and Loyalty

The TOS awarding ceremony, alongside the college recognition day, was held last June 16 at the AUF Sports and Cultural Center

Concluding the awarding ceremony, Paras delivered his speech, recognizing the effort of and leaving a wish to his fellow awardees

and good people and share that greatness and goodness as we embrace the values of a trueblooded Angelenean, who is Mabuti, Magaling, at may Malasakitsakapwa,"addedParas

started on February 2 with a press conference and a writing workshop for participants.

TPen continued its golden streak in the said conference as it held the same title in its 2021 edition, with the publication clinching 8 placements

Duterte:‘DepEdnot blindtoreality';unfolds roadmaptoaddress educationwoes

BY JOSHUA JAVIER

Frompage03

Other issues that the DepEd executive stated were about transparency and accountability in theprocurementprocesswithinthe sector and the alarming results of the 2018 Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA), where Filipino learners flunked in mathematics and reading comprehension, calling the need to re-examine the learning competencies

Resolving these issues, the vice president laid down the roadmap; reinstating her commitment to improvethequalityofeducationin thecountry.“Weknowthattheroad willbebumpy,butourdirectionis clear.Weknowthatthechallenges arevast,butwe,Filipinos,areresilient We will overcome,” Duterte concluded

Shefurtherintroducedtheteam of officials who will assist in actualizing the commitments and plansofthedepartment.Thetheme of the program is “MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa,”aimingatrefiningthe educational system through its NationalLearningRecoveryPlan

Pink Penelopy Flores

TPEN delegation in Tayid 1 tilt

Marlins’ wit, artistry shine through in CED Fest; House of Kraken named champs

BY JOSHUA JAVIER

Marlins showed off their wit and artistry in the CED Festival which commenced last November 21, 2022, where the House of Kraken was declared as the overall champion among allhouses

The CED Festival is a weeklong activity of academic and art competitions, where Marlins battleditoutunderfourhouses, namely Kraken, Echidna, Cetus, andHydra

Under the academic competitions, Chassel Paras and Mariz Ulzame from the House of Hydra were declared champions intheacademicquizbee

Furthermore, showing her prowess in the extemporaneous speech competition, Francine Miclat, the House Captain of Echidna, stood as the victor amongallMarlinspeakers.

Additionally, portraying competenceintheskillsrequiredinteaching, Adrian Poul Blando and Kim Rivera, from the House of Kraken, placed first among all presenters in the Instructional Material and Teaching Demonstration Contest with the same tandem taking the title with the best instructionalmaterial, while Jeremy Pingol from the House of

On the other hand, Marlins showcased their artistic talents withFrancine MiclatofEchidna in EDUKantahan; Lianna Philisa Miranda of Hydra in the Tote Bag Designing Competition; and Merrychrise Soriano and Abelle Joy Mendoza, from the House of Cetus, in theBulletin

"To my dearest Marlins, thank you so much for participating despite your busy schedules. Thank you for helping us to make this festival happen," she said

The competition proper was held in a hybrid set-up, with

Hydra was named as the best teacher demonstrator in the same competition

Meanwhile, in the essay writing contest, Adrian Poul Blando of Kraken, and Yancy Moron of Echidna placed first in the Filipino andEnglishcategories,respectively

Board Designing bringing home thegoldmedals

JeriMaeLaxamana,presidentof the CED-CSC, expressed her gratitude to all Marlins who participated in and supported the event.

A Merrier Christmas: Marlin vocal team hailed as champs in 2022 Culturals

BY JINELLE BIANCA SISON

Marlins Vocal Ensemble madeCollegeofEducation (CED)’s Christmas merrier with them being crowned aschampionsintheInter-collegiateCulturalCompetitions last December 14 held at Quad A, AUF Main Campus.

Singing Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson, the all-girl team finished off as best performers among seven college competitors in their category. The group was composed of Pink Flores, Shaira Salazar, Danielle Estravo, Joeymyca Rogero, Jessa Leigh Bugarin, and Christine Amparo, with Adrian Blando and Mx. Kris Tayagas theirconductor

academic competitions being held face-to-face and art competitionsbeingdonethrough online submissions The art contests revolved around the theme “Tagisan ng Utak, Bibig, Ideya,atGaling(TUBIG)."

andcoach,respectively.

Meanwhile, the Marlin delegation for the Vocal Solo and Dance Group categories also showed theirtalentsonstageinthe same competition. FrancineMiclatrepresentedthe college with her own rendition of Ben&Ben’s “Bibingka” for the solo singingcompetition,whereas the dance group rocked their own choreography as an interpretation of the theme "PaskongPinoy”

With the theme “It’s ChristmasTime!”,thisyear's Inter-collegiate Culturals is the first face-to-face competitionaftertwoyearsdue tothepandemic.

Academic quiz bee winners, Paras and Ulzame

Participants of Essay Writing Contest, English and Filipino

IIMs and Teaching Demo winners, Blando and Rivera

AUF College of Education

CED vocal ensemble with Mr. Blando and Mr Cunanan

BulletinBoardDesigning Winners,SorianoandMendoza

TPen reigns in Tayid 1 tilt; named “Most Outstanding College Pub”

BY YANCY MORON

TPEN scribes reap awards in Luzon-wide campus press awards

BY PINK PENELOPY FLORES

2021titledefended!

Continuedfrompage01

Pink Penelopy Flores, incumbentEditorinChiefofTPen,won 9th and 10th place as the Most OutstandingEditorialWriterand OpinionWriterrespectively

Meanwhile, CLTV36, which partnered with University of Assumption in this event, hailed Khim Bryan Rebuta’s news article from the AY 20212022broadsheetofTPenasthe Best News Story Rebuta is the current news editor of the publication

"The award was unexpected, but I am still grateful that an article I wrote had been recognized as such," Rebuta said He further recognized the efforts of the editors that made such an awardareality

WhileAOCPAisinitsthirdyear, this year is the first in-person awarding since the pandemic, with 30 publications attending from all throughout Luzon The awarding ceremony aims to promote journalism and recognize works of exceptional scribesandpublications

Moron, Blando prove mettle in regional press confab

BY PAWIE LINTAG

Marlins clinch best presenters award in PALT Junior Intensives

Charlyz Pia Bognot & The Pioneer AUF

Two Marlin journalists, Yancy Moron and Adrian Poul Blando, brought home awards in the 21st Regional Higher Education Press Conference (RHEPC) held last May 17-19 in Villa Alfredo's Resort, City of SanFernando,Pampanga

Moron participated in the Development Communi-cation Writing (English) and Feature Writing (English) categories and bagged 2nd and 8th places, respectively.

Meanwhile, Blando competed in Development Communication Writing (Filipino) and brought homethe9thplace

Moron and Blando were part of the contingency of The Pioneer, the official university publication, in the said journalism conference.

The Pioneer AUF bagged 14 other awards and was named as the 9th best performing school paper in the region

With the theme "Campus Journalists: Responsive to Digital Siege," the press confabulation was organized by the Association of Tertiary School Paper Advisers of Region III.

Sharing their best outputs from their English language courses, threepre-serviceteachersfromthe Angeles University FoundationCollege of Education (AUF-CED) attendedthePhilippineAssociation for Language Teaching (PALT) JuniorIntensivesheldviaZoomon November25

Of the 11 groups of presenters, Adrian Poul Blando, Pink Penelopy Flores, and Pawie Lintag, led by their adviser Dr Christiandon Aviado, were among the three teams recognized for having the best presentations

The Marlin representatives presented their output entitled "Ready, Set, Teach: A Compendium of Afro-Asian Literary Pieces,” which included their outputs in two of their specializationcourses

Blando,theSportsEditorofthe Teacher'sPen,saidthatjoiningthe said conference and being named as one of the best presenterswassurreal.

"The experience is very enriching As student-teachers, joiningthisconferencegaveusa preview of what teaching looks like,"Blandoadded

Withover400languagemajors from different universities, the student-owned conference aimed to provide an avenue for pre-service teachers to practice and strengthen the participants' competencies in their language teaching through sharing lesson plans, learning activities, projects, andassessments

The other universities that participated in the activity were theUniversityofthePhilippinesDiliman, University of Santo Tomas, Saint Louis University, Mater Dei Academy - Bulacan, andSt.Mary'sUniversity.

Pink Penelopy Flores

From left to right: Dr Aviado, Blando, Flores and Lintag

The call to replace the K to 12 curriculum has started to make noise again since Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proposed a House bill that would changetheexistingcurriculuminto K+10+2 She claims that the current curriculum failed to achieve its goal ofproducingjob-readygraduates

Under the proposed measure, kindergarten and 10 years of basic education will be retained; however, the remaining two years will not be mandatory After graduating Grade 10, students have theoptiontotakeuptheadditional two years of senior high school (SHS) as preparation for post graduate studies. Arroyo reasons that the Philippines’ poverty incidence is at 18%, hence, young people should be given the choice to graduate sooner to help their parents Apart from this, she also mentioned that the Technical and Vocational (TechVoc) track will be completely scrapped in SHS in the K+10+2curriculum

Iftheonlyreasontopushthisnew curriculum is lack of employability, thenisitnecessarytoproposeanew curriculum? While employability is one of the main goals of K to 12, it remainsthatitisnottheonlyreason why it was passed into law The aim of the K to 12 program was to “provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship”. In order to solve the issue of lack of employability of Kto12graduates,theadministration should also look at other factors besides replacing the entire curriculum itself such as existing government policies, the primary reasonwhythe

EDITORIAL BOARD

existing K to 12 curriculum has been set up in the first place, current employability statistics and trends, andeducationalfunding

The current program has been criticized for not fulfilling its purpose for producing job-ready graduates; however, studies indicate that companies discriminateagainstSHSgraduates and still prefer applicants with a college degree. At a joint senate hearing last April 18, Sen Sherwin Gatchalian criticized the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for its 2019 memorandum circular, where graduates of high school from the old and new curriculum have the same entry level salaries It is glaringly obvious that SHS graduates are lowered to the same standard as graduates from the old curriculum by the government itself. With this notion, how can one expect private companies to hire SHS graduates since the government itself has set this standard? In fact, a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in 2020 showed that only a little over than 20% of K to 12 graduates enter the workforce and more than 70% still proceed to

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Pink Penelopy Flores

Associate Editor: Pawie Lintag

Managing Editors: Jeremy Pingol & Yancy Moron

News Editor: Khim Bryan Rebuta

Feature Editor: Lalaine Antigo

Sports Editor: Adrian Poul Blando

Layout Artist: Lianna Philisa Miranda

Cartoonist: Angelica Olesco

Furthermore, making the additionaltwoyearsoptional,while requiring Technical, Educational, and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to work with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the transition of those who wish to study TechVoc to TESDA schools will not solve this issue of unemployability of SHS graduates Even if this proposal has been approved, will it even guarantee employability in the future especially when acquiring national TESDAcertificatesisnotfreeatall?

Having said that, it is important to note that the additional two years added in the basic education curriculum through the K to 12 Act or RA 10533 were established to allow the country to match with the international standard when it comes to years of education. Making the last two years not mandatory will remove this edge that the new set of graduates will have if they ever enter the international workforce It is a realitythattheeducation systemof thePhilippinesislaggingbehindas compared to international standards. Losing the additional two years would be more detri-

mental to the standing that the country’s future graduates would haveontheinternationalstage

Additionally, doing a complete conversion of the curriculum would only require additional funding for hiring of professionals, teacher training, and preparation ofmodulesamongothers.Itwould bebettertoallocatethesefundsto the increase of teachers’ salaries and improvement of existing education facilities instead Rather than focusing on revising the current curriculum, it would be more beneficial to address perennial issues with regards to lacking school facilities, congested curriculum, and learning loss brought about by the pandemic, which contributed to the low achievement of learners in global learning competencies After all, these issues in the curriculum and the entire education system have been recurring problems throughouttheyearsbecausethey arenotbeingproperlydealtwith With all these being said, there aremoreareasofconcernwiththe proposed K+10+2 program than there are benefits The country cannot afford to lose more time and taxes for a complete conversion of the curriculum Merely scraping the entire curriculum will not solve the quality of education that the country offers if the core issues in the education system are not addressed While those in power provide suggestions, these suggestions more often than not do not include insights from educators and empirical evidence Let educators and experts in the Department of Education evaluate the areas of improvement in the curriculum and further decide fromthere

Advisers: Dr Christiandon Aviado

@teacherspenauf teacherspenauf@gmail com

News Writers: Arvin Jay Billones, Joshua Javier, Hannah Grace Paras Jinelle Bianca Sison & Roselle Ann Tuazon

FeatureWriters: Julia Maera Tisza Austria, Akia Estepa, Anne Chavaria, Julius Emmanuel Lingat, Chassel Paras, & Kyla Rhose Ramos

Graphic Artists: Linzi Cunan & Merrychrise Soriano

Ms Noreen Icmat

DepEd mass promotion: DepEd mass promotion: solated cases or systemic solated cases or systemic ssue? ssue?

BY KHIM BRYAN REBUTA

OnecriticalissueinPhilippine

education today revolves around the allegedpracticeofmasspromotionin Department of Education (DepEd) schools Accordingtoareportbythe Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), there are claims of an unofficial policy that promotes students regardless of their learning outcomes, suggesting that students are being advanced to the next level without truly grasping the necessary knowledge and skills in their current level Recently, this issue was also discussed at the Second Congressional Commission on Education, highlighting the urgency to address thematterdespitetheabsenceofan officialpolicyfromDepEd

DepEdAssistantSecretaryAlmaRuby Toriohasclarifiedthatthereisnoofficial policy endorsing mass promotion. Instead, the department only follows the DepEd Order No 8, s 2015, which outlines a "performance-based grading sys-tem" policy. This policy states that studentswhodonotmeetexpectations in three or more learning areas will be retained,whilethosewhofailinoneto

two subjects are required to take remedialclasses

However, implementing remedial classes presents a dilemma for teachers Teachers who fail a student are the very same ones tasked with designing and implementingtheseremedialclasses,not onlytofulfilltheirresponsibilitiesbut also to ensure the success of their students Yet,doingsowouldimply deduction not only of their yearly bonus but also those of their coteachers' working in the same school.Choosingbetweenplanning remedial instructions and potentially facing the ire of fellow teachers, or simply passing underachieving students becomes a challenging decision Furthermore, a long list of failing students could tarnish the school's reputation and undermine DepEd's "No Child Left Behind"policy.

Moreover, it is crucial to acknowledge that many compassionate educators genuinely care abouttheirstudents'well-being

They understand the challenges facedbystudentsinattendingschool and realize the sacrifices made by their parents who slave away just to provide their children with an education In light of these circumstances, some teachers choose to promote their students out of compassion

It is important to note that we currently lack evidence of DepEd's endorsementofamasspromotion policy.Whiletheremaybeisolated cases where teachers promote underachieving students, whether driven by bonuses or compassion, it is essential not to generalize theseinstances

To say that there is a mass promotion among our learners only penalizes and invalidates the efforts of high-achieving students

As a pre-service teacher who experienced traditional classroom teaching in the new normal for three months, I witnessed the potential of the students in our country They not only displayed exceptionalintellectualcapabilities but also demonstrated enduring Filipinovalues Indeed,thefutureof our country is bright because of theseyouths.

Moreover, it is equally important not to lay blame solely on teachers Our educators work tirelessly, but their efforts can only do so much While teaching lessons is crucial, instilling values that promote discipline and independence is of even greater importance The responsibility of imparting these values extends beyond teachers to encompass the family and the community surroundingthechild.

In conclusion, addressing the concerns surrounding mass promotioninPhilippineeducation requires a comprehensive and balanced approach By clarifying official policies, recognizing the dilemmas faced by teachers, and fostering collaboration with families and communities, the education system can navigate these challenges Balancing academic standards with inclusivity ensures that all students have the opportunity to learn and grow while upholding the quality of education. Let us acknowledge and support the hardworking teachers while working together to shape a future where every studentcanthrive

PH Below Average IQ: Hold the Government Accountable PH Below Average IQ: Hold the Government Accountable

BY JEREMY PINGOL

According to a recent global survey by the World Population Review, the Philippines is positioned at 111th place out of 199 countries, scoring an average of 8164 out of 100 in terms of Intelligence Quotient (IQ) This score is, regrettably, deemed below average, highlighting the country's dismal performance in IQ compared to other nations. Who should be held accountable? Is it the children’s family or the governmentitself?

AsperCNN'sreport,MariaRosarioVergeire,the Health Officer-in-Charge at the Department of Health, stated that a child's Intelligence Quotient (IQ) could be influenced by malnutrition, which negatively impacts their development Vergeire alsohighlightedthatlowIQinchildrenisnotsolely attributed to nutrition but can also be influenced by their upbringing Specifically, she emphasized thatchildrenwhocomefromfamilieswithlimited educational attainment may experience adverse effects on their IQ. This revelation raises significant concernsandcausesgreatalarmamongFilipinos

However, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of establishing a systematic and rigorous process for conducting such tests

Clinical psychologist Jhon Carandang underscored the need to carefully consider the individuals who take or participate in IQ testing, such as considering if these individuals have received education or not, if they have access to education, and if they have been provided with comprehensiveandeffectiveinstruction.

Giventhisissue,Ibelievethattheeducational system also plays a significant role in the country’s depressing IQ It is my opinion that students are not inherently lacking in the potential for a high IQ Rather, this situation serves as an indicator to evaluate or assess the state of the educational system in the Philippines. What is the government doing? If malnutrition is being acknowledged as a primarycauseoflowIQinchildren, thenwhyis itnot receiving sufficient attention andalloca-

tion of dedicated funds? As reported by ACN Digital and mentioned by Dr Olegario, an educational psychologist, only 6% of the current national budget has been allocated towards the educational system Additionally, Dr Olegario emphasizedthatifwetrulyaspiretoenhanceour educational system, it is imperative to allocate a significantlyhigherbudgetforitsdevelopment

The recent findings from the World Population Review not only indicate that Filipinos are perceived to have below-average IQ, but they should also serve as a call to the government to increase funding and allocate a larger budget to the educational system There is still ample time forthegovernmenttorespondtotheneedsofthe futuregeneration TheFilipinopeoplerelyontheir government, and in turn, the government dependsonthesupportofitscitizens.There’sstill achance,achanceforchangeanddevelopment

PROMPT WEAPON

BY LALAINE ANTIGO

Student publications and campus journalism have been around since the Philippines was placed under colonial rule even during both the Spanish and American periods. To understand the role of campus publications, one needs to be reminded of the oppressive systems Filipinos were subjected to. Their move was similar to the actions taken by the likes of Marcelo del Pilar, Jose Rizal, and other members of the propaganda movement.

Our career as campus journalists is to be agents of change in the campus and for the whole society, for if we do not accomplish our role as agents of change, we help uphold an unhelpful system to our survival To inform, to educate, and to be a catalyst of change; it is for these that we exist, but not everyone knows this Some write with difficult, flowery words Some do not write and publish when issues break We fail to inform

Campus journalism is a public service

We need to stop thinking that our role is to only to show our intelligence. When we write about issues, we stop at complaining and ranting. We fail to dig into the context on why these issues are important. We do not suggest solutions. We do not dig deeper into the irregularities. We fail to educate. And we just stop there. We do not persist in looking for a better way. We settle for just finishing the work.

Another issue was the training given to students, the same way how journalists in the media applied what they have learned on the field Some who joined the school's press conference were preselected by their teachers, believing they have potential to excel, some were chosen to participate because there are no other better choices, and for exposure purposes; while there are some who are genuinely eager to be part of the the world of journalism

To My Fallen Comrades, Cheers To My Fallen Comrades, Cheers To My Fallen Comrades, Cheers

AsIcommemoratemythirdyear as an SM Foundation Scholar, the usual gratitude and optimism take the lead in my emotional lane. I, from the circumstance where I was duringtheyear2020,amstillinawe when I reminisce about the mere fact that I was granted to study at my 'dream school' amid the paralyzing effect of the pandemic, especially in the finance department Albeit a story painted with glow and colors, this has been a distantviewfromthemanystoriesof my fellow batchmates and the rest oftheschoolingyouthwhowerenot affordedthesameprivilegeasmine

Beyond the happiness that I felt soon as I was awarded a scholarship, the polarizing guilt and resentment toward the neoliberal system of education transpired no later than the former. I felt as if theplayingfield

for an aspiring college student like me to enter an institution can be likened to someone crossing through a tightrope except that someone has no harness or any safetynetstofallon.

Asthepandemic-inducedcollege admissions exams draw near, people who do not have the same destiny as mine, pitiful hundreds of thousandsofthem,weresecuredof a fate: to discontinue their studies and find a fortune somewhere else Laughable in itself, education is not on their side as the latter has claimed otherwise Traversing throughmycollegeeducation,Iam most shocked that these 'comrades,' whom I will quote dearly as such, are the people who would greet me with all smiles on my Facebook post whenever I achieve academic success. WhenI

In a profession like journalism, where new media has disrupted the traditional practice which most were trained in and have been practicing for years, the need to be alert to new developments is necessary to avoid becoming a relic It is no longer enough to know how to write content, which is very important Journalists of the 21st century and beyond must know other meansofpresentingthantext

Despite all these problems, there is still a good future ahead to see Not all campus journalists are shallow and confused Advisers areeagertosendtheir‘kids’toworkshopsand conferences,notjusttocompete,buttolearn Campus journalists share their experiences in using new tools: blogs, smart phones, and social media to accomplish their work All hope is not lost Journalists act as informants, watchdogs, and storytellers They tell the stories people want to hear and, more often, thestoriestheydon’t Theyaretaughttowrite truthfullyandtactfully,withoutbiasorlibel;to do otherwise would be to taint the title of a “journalist”

Journalists are the common man’s connectiontotheworldoutsidehiswindow In short, journalists are important because they influence the way we see the world We are journalists and if that is not a passion dictating ustoworkinthefieldwelove,thenmaybeit’sa calling-adestiny

BY YANCY MORON

see such praise from them, my mind would eventually return to thatmoment.

To me, these comrades are supermarket cashiers who could have become CPAs They are call center agents who could have become licensed professional teachers, communication practitioners, or even IT experts. To me, these comrades are people who settledforwhattheyonlyhaveover a loss that could not have been the case, if people who brandish the power of educational funding are notgreatlyconcernedovermoney.

Reachingmysenioryear,Itoast with you, my comrades, as my victory over this oppressive, antipoor education that I contended with comes to fruition You may becontentalreadywiththe money

that you gain from your jobs but imagining how education in its purest form can change your life, my guilt just grew larger This is for youall

Need for calendar shift Need for calendar shift Need for calendar shift

BY PAWIE LINTAG Intense.Harsh.Intolerable.

These words are often used to describe thesummerheathereinthePhilippinesand they are proven a reality after 112 students in Laguna were sent to hospitals after taking part in an unannounced fire drill that exposed them to the extreme heat last March This prompted lawmakers to urge the Department of Education to go back to the June-to-March calendar to give students reprieve from being in school during the hottest months of April and May in the country

Sadly, the call seems to have been heard by deaf ears as the department said that they have no plans to revert to the old school calendar just yet. This is because, according to DepEd, the suggestion is still being studied as there are other factors that must be considered. For the meantime, the education departmentissuedadirectivetoschoolheads giving them the discretion to implement Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) of learning if the situations in their respective schools become“toohot”forface-to-faceclasses

WhileDepEdensuresthatthesuggestion of reverting back to the pre-pandemic schoolcalendarisnotunreasonable,it should promptlyaddresstheconcernandprovidea

more definite long-term resolution to ensure thesafetyandwell-beingofthestudents

DepEd should recognize that being exposed to extreme heat during the summer months poses health risks to Filipino learners Last April, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded “dangerous” Heat Index levels in many locations across the country with temperatures reaching as high as 43°C, which according to the weather bureau, may cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and probable heat stroke with continued exposure In point of fact, a survey of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) showed that the summer heat has triggered the existing medical conditions of both teachersandstudents

Shifting back to the old school calendar may not be immediately done because that would entail no breaks for learners and teachers, but DepEd should avoid relying solely on ADMs as the default solution and put into consideration the health of our students The department should carefully analyzethedataandcomeupwithsolutions that will offer more long-term results such as building adequate classrooms and providing necessary resources to improve

the current learning conditions our learners have

Additionally, the learning environment is tightly linked with the learning of students and a classroom that is too hot will not be conducivetolearning.Infact,thesurveyfrom ACTshowedthattheharshsummerheathas alreadyaffectedtheattendanceandlearning of students Combined with more than 30 to 60 students cramped inside the classroom, classroom conditions in the current set up have become “intolerable”, resulting in the learner's lack of focus in their lessons and absenteeism. According to ACT, teachers have noted that more students have been missingclassessincethestartofsummer.

Ultimately, given the detrimental impacts of the current school calendar on the health of learners and teachers and quality of education, DepEd should be more proactiveinaddressingtheconcernandshift back to the old academic calendar DepEd should come up with its resolution to proposals and suggestions regarding this issue as fast as possible After all, the education department cannot fulfill their mandate of providing every Filipino with quality education if students are suffering from the intense, harsh, and intolerable summerheat

DepEd BER, all talk

BY PINK PENELOPY FLORES

Recognizing that there is an educational crisis is the first step in solving the educational crisis On January30,VicePresident(VP)and

Education Secretary Sara Duterte delivered a report on the basic education system of the country, highlighting issues concerning the welfare of teachers and learners, education facilities and services, Kto12 program, and literacy issues amonglearners

VPDutertebeganwithlistingout the statistics of the number of school facilities that need repair, mentioning that Php 982 billion

wasneededforthereplacement of classrooms in Visayas along after the damage caused by TyphoonOdette

Inaddition,shementionedthat there is an issue occurring with the centralized procurement of the Department of Education (DepEd) regarding the infrastructure projects With all thedatathatshehasmentioned, she has not said anything about any steps that they will take to addresstheconcern.Instead,she immediately jumped to the enrollment data trends, which donotmakesenseatall

The VP also expressed her concern about the K to 12 curriculum being congested, prerequisites of essential learning competencies being misplaced, and that some of these competencies demand excessive cognitive processes. However, no data has been shared regarding thesepoints,andsimilartothefirst issue she mentioned, no steps to addressthisconcernwasstated

Highlighting on the assessed issuesoftheKto12curriculum,VP Duterte also stated that teachers have “weak teaching methods” in addressing 21st century skills of learners Shementionedthatitis

due to the system of “timeconsuming administrative tasks” Yet, the only solution that she has proposed during her speech was to have teachers return to the school to teach. Even when the literacyissuesofthestudentswere mentioned, all she did was utter facts and data and no concrete planonhowtosolvetheseissues

While it is true that recognizing the existence of a crisis is the first stepinsolvingone,whyisitthatthe administration stops at recognizing, and does not move on to concrete planningandaction?Whenwillthe country witness an actual change and improvement in the education system? Will it take another set of administration to state existing problems in the system, becoming anever-endingcycleofreports?

NOT JUST A PEN: A BEGINNING THAT WILL NEVER END

BY CHASSEL PARAS

It will never be just a pen whatever has been written, it will never come to an end Generation to generation. Teacher to teacher.

Pen to pen.

More than two decades ago, Teacher's Pen, also known as TPen, started to establish a long and rich history In 1994, the officialstudentpublicationofthe Angeles University Foundation - College of Education (CED) was formally founded Since then, TPen has become an important part of the CED community, providing a platform for students to express their ideas, learn about the world around them, develop their writing and critical thinking skills, and carry the torch of campus journalism Despite the small population of its college, TPen never failed to organize activities for its writers and the college, and produce new generations of Marlin-journalists. From generation to generation, TPen has one goal to provide a voice for students who wield the pen that never runs out of ink.

Teacher's Pen plays an important role in the community of student-teachers It helps to inform Marlin students about current events , provide a forum for

discussion, and promote student activism, building community in the university. TPen helps raise awareness of important issues, such as social justice, environmentalism, and student rights, which supports students to connect with the wider world.

In addition, TPen, through its annual journalistic skills training program, has already provided and still continuously provides Marlin-journalists with opportunities to develop their skills, build confidence, and make a difference in the world In fact, TPen has produced writers who bagged awards and were recognized in different journalism competitions within and outside the university

To this day, TPen, with its skillful writers guided by the publication's advisers, continues to encourage every Marlin student, regardless of their background in journalism or lack thereof, to join the student publication as it is a great way to make the college experience more memorable and to prepare for a career in journalism or other communication fields like teaching

Fundamentally, TPen’s journey, from the moment of its conception to this very moment, has never ended and will never come to an end Perhaps, what's been spoken may be easily left behind, but with Teacher’s Pen, what's been written will never be forgotten; thus, it will never come to an end Generation to generation Teacher to teacher Pen to pen.

students who will look at you like someone they do not trust, students who will not listen to you, students who will try your patience, and students who will make you question your life choices These are naturally only some of the things that will slap into you the reality of teaching Sure, it is a very difficult process to go through, but it is also the most rewarding feeling once you overcome it Furthermore, this reality slap will also enlighten you why teaching is considered as one of the most fulfilling professions

The "Good Morning, teacher!" said with a smile, the compliments that melt your heart, and the appreciation that the students show are just some of the rewarding moments of a teacher's day In addition, the littlest interactions that happen between you and the students will make you realize that each student goes through different paths in life And you, as a teacher, are an instrument to help them achieve their set goals by guiding them forward and instilling knowledge and values that they will surely utilize as they go on in their life

Aside from the teaching experience itself, the teaching internship course will require you to submit detailed lesson plans and classroom-based action research, as well as to render 360 hours of

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED: THE REALITY OF TEACHING

BY LALAINE ANTIGO

Stepping foot into the gates of reality, it was not what I expected to see or feel

One of the reasons teachers chose the teaching profession is to pour out their passion for the learners and the school It is not easy to imagine how this objective will be achieved when you are still learning about the course you are taking, much less when you are bombarded with academic and co-curricular activities Fortunately, one of the prerequisites before graduating with a teaching degree is the Internship course. What about it? What should you expect (or not expect)?

In this course, graduating students are tasked with experiencing teaching firsthand with actual student-to-teacher interactions, discussion of lessons, preparation of teaching and learning activities, monitoring student progress, and conducting assessments, among others All of these are, of course, done with the guidance of cooperating teachers assigned to each student-teacher

Excitement and nervousness are just part of the cacophony of feelings you will experience the moment you enter your first class. All of the students’ eyes will be on you as soon as you enter the classroom because you will be a new sight to them. Nevertheless, rest assured that they will treat you as they treat their current subject teacher While most students will do so, expect that some will not There will be

duty These, plus the local and final demonstrations, are what you need to prepare for. Take note that submitting these requirements, being in the school to teach, and submitting other things required by the school or cooperating teacher will most probably take place while you are attending another subject after your internship hours Believe me when I say that that will not be easy However, if your heart is filled with passion and love for the teaching profession, then not even these things will hinder you in your path.

It is true that teaching is the noblest profession Even though many think that this field is not as difficult as claimed, only those who personally experienced it in practice would know how challenging it is Thanks to teaching internship, I can consider myself as one of the few who braved the calling to become a teacher. Through this experience, one would realize that teachers are indeed underrated for their hard work and the efforts they exert just to impart knowledge and instill values to learners

So, for those who aim to become teachers in the future, my advice is to push through be brave enough to face the challenges and strong enough to survive them all Your future students need you in their lives, and the future is counting on you to keep education alive.

Over and Beyond: “I am not just a Teacher!”

BYJULIUSEMMANUELLINGAT

Labeled as noble yet frequently belittled

This is the case for most education students who walk the path toward the teaching profession. "Ay, Educ lang kinuha mo? Hindi ka yayaman d'yan. Dapat nag-doktor ka na lang " Upon taking up any education-related program in college, it is never unusual to receive this type of comment from other people, oftentimes from relatives. They say that the teaching profession will not bring one success comparable to that of medicine-related professions However, does success equate to receiving a high salary or being in the medical field? Is that enough to label teachers as "lang" and downplay the profession all together?

Teachers are not "just" teachers because their jobs extend far beyond the act of imparting knowledge in the classroom. Most of the time, educators exceed the expected duties of their profession for they acknowledge their significant contribution in building a better nation by molding the youth and the whole community This leads to their impact not being caged only within the premises of an institution because its range widens as their students flourish in life

Tested by time and other constraints, it is already proven that teachers are not just knowledgeable people who students listen to. They go over and beyond what their jobs should cater to. Despite the mistreatment and downcasted views of many, through the course of history, educators have proven that no barrier will stop them from doing their roles and many more

Mentors and Role Models August

Teachers are the people whom students view as their mentors and role models after their parents Within and outside the scope of academics, they provide assistance, support, andinspirationthathelpstudentsnavigate

through learning challenges and personal issues Teachers shape students' lives significantly through promoting moral ideals, critical thinking, and personal development.

Teachers are also the ones to organize extracurricular activities, conduct parentteacher conferences, and extend a hand to community events to promote a supportive educational environment.

Source of Emotional Support

Facilitators of Learning

By developing and implementing interesting lesson plans, activities, and assessment practices, teachers foster a positive learning environment that caters to the needs of each child. Every student has a chance to succeed because teachers modify their teaching strategies to accommodate and facilitate the various learning types of students Teachers promote a love of learning by encouraging students' curiosities, inventiveness, and independent thought.

Evaluators and Assessors

Did you know that teachers not only teach content, but also assess and evaluate the students’ academic progress and learning comprehension? They give students comments, point out areas for further improvement, and create plans of actions and remediation to support learners in realizing their full potential In order to support individual kids, teachers must recognize learning disabilities, special needs, or giftedness, then tailor different strategies to cater to the students' uniqueness

Education Advocates

Teachers promote education both inside the classroom and in the larger community They advocate for the value of education and its advantages for both the people and the society In order to stay current with the most recent teaching strategies and academic findings, teachers take part in curriculum development, discussions of educational policy, and personal and professional development. Since they are the ones to encounter and understand students’ experiences, they are also able to identify which areas need more improvement and how to address issues present in the curriculum based on data

Community Establisher

Teachers have the power to build a sense of community within their classrooms and schools. They foster collaboration, respect, and inclusivity among students and even colleagues

Teachers are seen to be the lifeline of students during their emotional crises and when they have no one to lean on They create a safe space for students to freely express their feelings and concerns knowing that there would be no judgments. They also offer guidance and empathy and ensure that the students would feel comfort. Teachers may identify symptoms of mental illness or emotional distress and redirect them with the necessary assistance they need such as professional help

Lifelong Learners

To improve their knowledge and pedagogical abilities, teachers always participate in professional development activities. They keep up with the current pedagogical ideas, advancements in their subject areas, and breakthroughs such as educational technology In a world that is changing quickly, this continual education makes sure that instructors are effective and adaptive to also be able to meet the new generation of learners

To sum up, teachers have multifaceted roles that go far beyond the traditional stigma of being just teachers Their impact not only lies within the classroom, but it can also be seen in the society as they take part in shaping the lives of students- these same students who are the hope of the nation. Because of teachers, children are enabled to become the professionals they dream of becoming Because of teachers, we have doctors, engineers, architects, volunteers, civil servants, accountants, lawyers, and many more- the same people who will build the nation and the next generation Generations of learners are empowered through education brought about by teachers who have selflessly devoted themselves to the profession and to people

Pingol and Duya:

The Facade of CED

t was during the Mr and Ms University Week that Jeremy Pingol and Ericka Duya gathered all the students coming from College of Education (CED) to unite as one as they carry with them the true blood of the great Marlins.

BY KYLA RHOSE RAMOS

I represented the college in the Intercollegiate Culturals 2023

Jeremy Macapugay Pingol, popularly known as "Jem", is standing 5 feet 8 inches tall with fair skin, and hair neatly brushed up. Sporting the usual cleanboy university look with his glasses, he has an unmistakable spice that will make your head turn Aside from his enchanting face, he is a man with brains who is taking a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a specialization in English Jem is a consistent college scholar from his freshman year to his senior year.

Jem is interested in cooking, singing, and dancing In fact, he participated in a University singing competition last 2022 with the song "Paano ba ang Magmahal" He was also a member of the cultural dance group that

Alongside the fluttering distinctions and awards, Jem is described by most of his colleagues as a "social butterfly" who always took the time to bond and get along with different kinds of people. On a usual day, you'll see Jem roaming around the classroom, cracking jokes, and laughing around with his friends and classmates Jem’s presence became a comforting space for most of his colleagues, making people happy in his simplest and genuine ways

Outside the university, Jem still earns people’s respect At the age of 22, Jem has become the breadwinner of the family. He becomes almost a completely different person who is more mature, responsible, and business-minded to provide for this family Indeed, Jem is a talented, wellrounded Marlin worthy of admiration.

n the other hand, Jem's partner in Mr and Ms University is Ericka Quizon Duya With her shoulder level and brown-colored hair, 5 feet 7 inches in height, Ericka is a beauty to behold, with her outward appearance being sufficiently complemented with her brilliance At the young age of 22, Ericka is an ambitious and brave woman who is taking up Bachelor of Special Needs Education, reflecting a woman with passion for teaching

While known to many as an academic achiever, Ericka is also a talented dancer who represented the college in the dance group competition in the Intercollegiate Culturals 2023 She, although proclaiming them hidden, also possesses talents in singing, acting, and writing. On top of that, Ericka also enjoys cooking and café hopping Following her social media accounts, you'll see a coffee aficionado visiting countless cafes, sometimes in just a span of a week

Ericka, as described by those who see her, is someone who radiates positivity with her bright, winsome smiles. If you ask her friends what she is like, Ericka is described as a woman who is wellspoken. She is like a magician who can calm people's minds and comfort them with her soft and heartfelt words

Despite the positivity that she radiates, what people don't know about her is that she doesn't want to burden people with her own problems which made her show only the optimistic side of her personality. However, whenever she feels blue, interestingly, she motivates herself with her deadlines and goals in life. Ericka says this gives her a sense of accomplishment especially when she successfully achieved them.

Truly, both Ericka and Jeremy are inspiring people. Everything that they do is not just because of selfish ambition, but they also strive to be the kind of person that people can lean onto, that people can trust and be safe with Indeed, what true-blooded Marlins they are worthy to be hailed as the face of the College of Education, serving as inspirations not just to the CED community, but to the people around them as well.

BY ANNE GABRIELLE CHAVARIA

The Best Marlins: Beauty & Brains and The Best Marlins: Beauty & Brains and Brilliant Leadership Brilliant Leadership

Blossoming Brilliance: The Journey of a Beauty and Brain

In a world that often categorizes individuals based on their talents, it is truly amazing to encounter someone who effortlessly embodies both the beauty and the brains. A living testament to this is Ms. Francine Miclat, a second-year Marlin under the Bachelor in Secondary Education major in English program

Ms Miclat resides in Mabalacat City, Pampanga She graduated as the salutatorian from Mabalacat City College. Due to her hard work and perseverance, she received the Barbara Yap Angeles scholarship from Angeles University Foundation and pursued the teaching profession

In her 2-year stay at AUF, Francine copped up various titles from different competitions. A point in fact was when she was declared as the 2nd Runner-up in the impromptu speech competition during the University Week

2023. Moreover, she is also adept at delivering speeches to the public Francine bagged the championship during the extemporaneous speech competition in the CED Festival 2023

Apart from her public speaking prowess, Francine is known for her pageant tilts, bringing with her a contagious smile that emits positivity to the people around her With her strong and jolly personality, along with her beautiful voice that leaves an impression on others, Francine was crowned as the 2nd Runner-up title of Mutya Pilipinas Pampanga last 2022 Additionally, she also participated in the Mr and Ms University 2022 at Angeles University Foundation, where she won 3rd Runner-up and was recognized for having the best talent.

Now, in the present time, Francine strives and works hard in her studies to become the best educator in the future, aiming to share her knowledge and talents with her future students

Unleashing the Power of Leadership and Brilliance

A leader who has the ability to guide, inspire, and influence individuals or groups of people who share the same vision while serving with loyalty and integrity This description of a leader is truly embodied by Mr Julius Emmanuel Lingat, a second-year student of Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in Social Studies

While known for his tall stature and cheerful, strong personality that brings happiness and reliability to others, Julius is much renowned for his leadership abilities and brilliance He graduated as the batch valedictorian of Mabalacat City College in 2020 Through his efforts and diligence, he earned the Barbara Yap Angeles scholarship from Angeles University Foundation, where he continues to be an outstanding honor student in the College of Education

In the College, Julius is recognized for his remarkable leadership, He became the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the College Student Council (CSC) for the academic year 2022-2023 Thanks to his effective leadership, he was elected as

the CSC President for the next school year

Aside from his exceptional intellectual and leadership abilities, Julius is a skilled dancer and a proficient athlete He represented the College of Education in the solo dance performance during University Week 2022 He also participated in the dance competition during the Intercollegiate Culturals competition As an athlete, Julius has represented the college in University Week 2023, where he played as a member of the college’s men volleyball team

Now, Julius is prepared to lead and share his knowledge with his fellow Marlins He is determined to leave an indelible markontheheartsandminds offuture-teachersthroughhis inspiring leadership and the positivechangehewillsurely bring to the college

AI in Education: A Bane or Gain in Its Existence?

BY YANCY MORON

Google Bard. OtterAI. ChatGPT. Grammarly.

Being students amid the fourth industrial revolution, it is easy for us to name at least one website that we could simply brand as our “No 1 Sidekick” towards our battle with academic woes With the presence of these tech wonders, we can safely say that education, among other industries there are, has benefited significantly from the presence of

AI Usage in Education: How It is Faring

For someone existing in a “global village,” which the Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan coined for a situation where all people across the globe being intertwined by the modern technology, one is not excused from even knowing the latest wonders technology has to offer, with the same exception not applied for artificial intelligences and machine learning (ML) In fact, AI and ML are now integrated in most of our popular websites, applications, and programs, keeping our algorithms and preferences relevant and intuitive. They suggest related information based on our searches They provide new insights that could help with our decision-making processes over our stay in the digital world In brief, they automate the often ‘slow and flawed’ processes that we, as humans, instinctively commit.

In education, this automation is manifested through various means: AI provides near-to-relevant answers regarding complex academic questions, executes swift data processing on some higherorder processes, such as synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating written information, and diagnoses basic errors With its role as a critical driver of innovation in the academic sector, AI and its market value in education are forecasted by the Global Market Insights in 2019 to reach $20 billion in the next four years.

what many experts call “artificial intelligence (AI)” However, as the expanse of technology in the field of education miraculously unfolded its ugly sides the disparity of access between the rich and the poor, the inadvertent use of such technology leading to academic-related misconducts, and the alarming dependency of the youth to these advancements, among others is it also safe to say that AI’s development hampers its noble aim, that is, to make the lives of its users better?

Digital Poverty: An Issue AI Cannot Solve To

The development of harnessing AI’s potential is unprecedented, given the quintillion worth of global data it wishes to process However positive and hopebrimming, its perceived negative impact is a yoke that we should all never neglect. In the education sector alone, problems like the irresponsible usage of AIgenerated websites, overdependence of usage, and the underutilization of students’ higher-order thinking skills lead to a single root: poor digital literacy As the new era of technological usage continually dawns upon us, our academic populace, especially the studentry, is perceivably unprepared for the responsible, ethical, and effective usage of AI Digital skills in the Philippines, as manifested through a Manila Bulletin report in 2022, is remarked as “dismal ” Basic digital skills, which range from copying or moving a file to transferring files from one computer to another, stand at only 6% for individuals aged 15 and above; while standard digital skills, ranging from the ability to utilize basic formula in a spreadsheet program to manipulating a software program, tally at 1% Imagine a Filipino high school student using AIinfused software or a website without these pertinent skills at hand: is it not terrifying enough?

Access: The Subtle ‘A’ in AI

AI, in its developing phase, is either collectively integrated in websites or possesses its own program Regardless of its makeup, its inevitable affinity with technology makes it likewise susceptible to the ongoing disparity of access The same story is painted on the facade of AI development: basic chatbots and AI-infused education websites and programs are distant to the reaches of marginalized students So long as they are not afforded the access of technology in its most basic extent, such wonders that most students in an urban ecosystem enjoy will never be theirs. As we steer our way towards the uncharted potential of AI in education, our efforts in providing an equitable and inclusive education in the 4 0 era will be futile if our focus will not be positioned in fixing the digital divide, much in the merits of such an advancement

We can only achieve development when it is felt by the oppressed and deprived–in the case of the education sector: the students. Artificial intelligence, albeit powerful and beneficial in its own right, will not work at its best without human intervention Thus, behind its forecasted success all across industries, with focus on education, is a human: our desire to build a future for ourselves and other people around us. It can be achieved if we create AIinfused programs, software, and systems that provide various modes of accessibility to all people regardless of their digital eco chambers Ethical standards which alleviate the increasing cases of academic dishonesty and plagiarism must also be put in place by big corporations. Lastly, the call for digital literacy in the academic populace must be strengthened by incorporating the responsible utilization of AI and the technologies that utilize it. These steps toward ‘true development’ with AI strongly testify humankind’s stilldominant role in managing technology As common as it may seem, but the quote “we should not be slaves to the technology we have created” will and should still be the mentality.

SCIENCE WRITING SCIENCE WRITING

Adapting and Thriving: The Pivotal Role of EdTech During the Pandemic

BY ARVIN JAY BILLONES

In response to the COVID19 pandemic, education institutions around the world have switched quickly to remote learning. It was at this time that educational technology (EdTech) tools were seen as being crucial resources because they enabled education to continue and facilitated the use of innovative teaching and learning techniques. The widespread use of educational technologies demonstrated their immense value in the context of the pandemic's requirement for remote education in maintaining access to resources, promoting learning experiences, development of learning platforms, and enhancing digital literacy skills in the educational landscape.

As a result of the rapid shift to distance learning, it became clear that education technology was needed for the provision of training, interaction with students, and more focused educational experiences

The 21st century is an example of how students nowadays choose to utilize technology because of the advantages it offers for their learning This section describes the wider benefits of educational technology tools in a pandemic and shows how they will continue to play an important role in learning environments as long as pandemicspersist

The availability of readily available content is one of the key advantages of educational technology during a post-pandemic period. Students are now equipped with a wide range of knowledge thanks to the development of electronic appliances and internet connections, and the availability of Internet resources Access to a wide range of learning materials, research papers, textbooks, multimedia resources, and digital libraries has been made easy for students by means of education websites, search engines, or online databases

Educational materials are now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the digital age Thanks to the expansion of online learning platforms and technical improvements, students may now access course materials whenever they choose This democratization of information makes it easier for students to learn independently, think critically, and participate actively in the creation and dissemination of knowledge

Personalized Learning Experience

Through the use of EdTech, students could benefit from personalized learning experiences allowing them to make their own choices and meet their needs on a minute basis. Intelligent teaching aids and learning platforms that can adapt education to meet the specific needs of each student could create an educational environment that is more interesting and effective At their leisure, students can advance to a better understanding of the areas covered and complete knowledge gaps

Similarly, students may use technology and learning tools to develop excellent self-directed learning skills They can select what information they need, determine and use internet resources, and take action based on their knowledge of the problem As a result, they generate more and work more efficiently It can also be said that digital learning tools and technologies, which increase students' engagement and critical thinking skills, are the key to increasing analytical reasoning.

New Learning Platforms

In the onset of the pandemic, remote learning solutions were quickly adopted by schools and educational institutions worldwide through the use of a wide variety of educational technologies to support online learning Virtual classrooms allowing teachers to give live lectures and engage in real-time with learners have been created using video conferencing tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams Learning management systems (LMS), such as Canvas, Moodle, and Google Classroom, provided centralized platforms for arranging and distributing course materials, assignments, and assessments. With digital tools such as Padlet and Google Docs, students found that they could easily cooperate with each other to improve teamwork and interactive learning opportunities

Digital Literacy Skills

By providing students with the fundamental knowledge of digital literacy, computer skills, and the ability to navigate and evaluate information in a rapidly emerging digital environment, EdTech prepares them for the future While learning about concepts such as website legitimacy, information assurance, and digital citizenship, students will gain skills to make use of digital sources of information

To sum up, these benefits show that, in the face of a pandemic, EdTech has been able to provide empowerment for students, improve teaching strategies, and advance learning based on learners' needs. Integrating EdTech in academic settings is not simply improving teaching and learning strategies, but also preparing students for the future digital environment which inspires them to pursue lifelong learning as well as making them citizens of a technologically advanced society In order to ensure that educational technologies remain a force for student empowerment and inclusive and efficient education, we need to make the best use of EdTech's potential while at the same time addressing problems related to access, equity, and responsibility.

Indeed, EdTech plays a pivotal role in determining the future of learning, even when the pandemic recedes Indeed, learning technologies have been one of the main forces behind education innovation by changing how knowledge is communicated and acquired to provide both teachers and students with new opportunities. With the promotion of innovation, education will evolve into a continuous growth field that promotes collaboration, accessibility, and interaction to allow students to flourish in an ever-changing environment

BY JULIA MAERA TISZA AUSTRIA

Heart-thumpin’ Souvenir

BY LIANNA PHILISA MIRANDA

THE FRIENDLY VOLCANO

BY ANGELICA OLESCO

Manytimesinourlives, Isitpossibletokeepintouch?

Thebeauty,thedelicacythatwehavetooffer Sometimesfallsflat,likeraisingmyhandtosay“Hi.”

Underneath,thebrainaskstheheart,“Why?”

Morereasonstotell,yetwequietlysuffer

Insadness,inlaughter it’snormalforyoungadults.Itwassuch Anextremelyimportant,bittersweetmomentovertheglassy skies

Nottosaywe’reincorrect,butone’sleavingonebehind. Distancebringscontact,butfindingyourpeopledoestaketime Flickerin’closenessdrizzles,scramblin’lovedrips. Uprootdesires?Whatalaugh.They,too,arebeautiful,likepetal tips

Movingsofar,sofastseemssohardtolearnattimes Ifitweren’tso,growingupwouldn’tbedearorkind.

DEADLINE

BY ANGELICA OLESCO

Finding Balance: Seeing Physical Education as a College Major”

BY ARVIN JAY BILLONES

A recent survey conducted among first-year college students of the College of Education has revealed their limited interest in taking a physical education as their specialization course The survey, in which over 20 freshmen students participated, revealed their attitudes and perceptions about the importance of physical activity as part of a student's academic journey at the Angeles University Foundation

The class of BEEd 1A was asked “Given the chance, would you take physical education as your major? Why or why not?”

The majority of the surveyed students, approximately 85%, expressed that they will not enroll in a physical education major in their 2nd year of college. The reasons given for the decision varied, ranging from health issues to a lack of confidence in performance

One of the respondents, Kyroh Ramirez, said that majoring in physical education has never been his choice “Due to my health condition, I would not want to engage in any physical activity because it might trigger my seizures,” he added

Another student, Akia Estepa, also expressed her sentiments about not taking the same course “I was never interested in PE even as a high school student I was slightly on the weak side when it comes to being physically active,” noted she

Interestingly despite deciding not to take the major, students still recognized the benefits of physical education Students believed that the social aspect of physical education classes would help foster friendships and provide a sense of belonging at school Connections with students who have interests were an additional advantage

On the other hand, three of the freshmen students namely Xavier Arches, Luilyn Ocampo, and Ma Ferina Sengson from BEEd 1A, answered that will take a physical education major course if given the chance Also, they all agreed that this course is surely fun to take.

1+1=2

BY ADRIAN POUL BLANDO

In the realm of mathematics education, the importance of employing accurate formulas to tackle problem-solving has been emphasized from the very beginning. Any incorrect answer signals a flawed approach, necessitating a shift to the correct methodology However, this understanding is not common to everyone, highlighting the significance of employing an appropriate approach to effectively resolve mathematical challenges.

In recent times, the Department of Education has been employing an erroneous methodology in addressing its internal challenges

Just recently, DepEd issued an internal memorandum to its regional and division offices, requesting them to identify teachers who have affiliations with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) group and are enrolled in the office's Automatic Payroll Deduction System The information collected will include details such as the identified teachers' division, school, and position

PH records 58 golds, places fifth in 2023 SEA Games

BY ADRIAN POUL BLANDO

ACT has gained attention for its progressive stance, consistently highlighting the government's inadequate response to the educational crisis in the country. In April of last year, the group raised concerns regarding the need for the department to address the issue of overcrowded classrooms, which posed a risk of heat exhaustion among students. Additionally, the group proposed an annual recruitment of 30,000 additional teachers to alleviate the student-to-teacher ratio Regrettably, the department dismissed this suggestion, deeming it unfeasible

The group's advocacy is primarily focused on the welfare of students It is evident that ACT has adopted an effective approach in addressing the issues plaguing our education system. Hypothetically implementing their proposed suggestions would undoubtedly lead to a singular outcome: the prioritization of students' rights and well-being

Currently, however, it appears that the group responsible for safeguarding the interests of students lacks a fundamental understanding of the issue at hand. Surprisingly, the secretary herself seems preoccupied with targeting and labeling members of ACT as “communists”, rather than focusing on more essential tasks As a result, the department is seemingly transforming into an extension of NTFELCAC.

Given the prevailing educational crisis and the evident flaws within the DepEd system, it is crucial that these pressing concerns take precedence To effectively address these issues and contribute to the betterment of our nation, we must return to the core solution: investing in the future by supporting those who are shaping it. Ultimately, the equation remains constant one plus one will always equal two If the outcome of this mathematical equation differs, it is clear that a change in approach is necessary.

Despite placing one step lower to the overall ranking, Team Philippines ended stronger compared last year in this year’s edition of Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, as they snatched 58 golds, 85 silver, and 117 bronze in PhnomPenh,CambodiafromMay5to17.

Philippines recorded gold reclaims and finishesinthisyear’scampaign

PH records 58 golds, places fifth in 2023 SEA Games

BY ADRIAN POUL BLANDO

Frompage20

Withan11-pointlead,thePhilippinessnatched back its basketball 5-on-5 supremacy against host country Cambodia Gilas Pilipinas Justine Brownleelefthismarkswith23points

ThecountryendeditsgoldhaulwithKickboxers Gretel de Paz and Claudine Velos, and Wrestler RonilTubog

Here are the other gold records of the PhilippinesbasedofRappler’sdata:

1. Angel Gwen Derla – kun bokator, women’s bambooshieldform

2 Kaila Napolis – jiu-jitsu, women’s ne-waza GI -52kg

3. Precious Cabuya – women’s obstacle course racing

4 Mark Julius Rodelas – men’s obstacle course racing

5. Sakura Alforte – karate, women’s individual kata

6. Annie Ramirez – jiu-jitsu, women’s ne-waza NOGI-57kg

7 Matthew Hermosa, Inaki Lorbes, Kira Ellis, EricaBurgos–aquathlon,mixedrelay

8. Milky Mae Tejares, Mecca Cortizano, Sandi Menchi Abahan, Marites Nocyao – obstacle courseracing,women’steamrelay

9. Ahgie Radan, Elias Tabac, Mervin Guarte, Jose Mari de Castro – obstacle course racing, men’s teamrelay

10 Kim Mangrobang – duathlon, women’s division

11.JamieLim–karate,women’skumite61kg

12. Bien Zoleta-Mañalac, Princess Catindig – soft tennis,women’sdoubles

13 Marc Lim – jiu-jitsu, men’s ne-waza NOGI -69kg

14. Sibol: Golden Hart Dajao, Aaron Mark Bingay, Reniel Angara, Gerard Gelacio, Chammy Paul Nazarrea, Justine Ritchie Tan – esports, League ofLegends:WildRift

15.FernandoCasares–triathlon,men’sdivision

16 Carlos Yulo – gymnastics, men’s individual all-around

17 Robin Catalan – kun bokator, men’s combat 50kg

18. Xiandi Chua – swimming, women’s 200m backstroke

19 EJObiena–athletics,men’spolevault

20. John Ivan Cruz – gymnastics, men’s floor exercise

21 Juancho Miguel Besana – gymnastics, men’s vault

22.CarlosYulo–gymnastics,men’sparallelbars

23 JanryUbas–athletics,men’slongjump

24. Teia Salvino – swimming, women’s 100m backstroke

25 Bien Zoleta, Princess Catindig, Christy Sañosa, Fatima Amirul – soft tennis, women’s teamevent

26 JosephArcilla–softtennis,men’ssingles

27.EricCray–athletics,men’s400mhurdles

28. Agatha Wong – wushu, women’s taijiquan + taijijian

29. Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Nicole Labayne, Aidaine Laxa – taekwondo, women’s team recognized poomsae

30. Patrick King Perez – taekwondo, men’s individualrecognizedpoomsae

31 Frederick Ramirez, Joyme Sequita, Michael Carlo del Prado, Umajesty Williams – athletics, men’s4x400mrelayteam

32 IanClarkBautista–boxing,men’s57kg

33.KurtBarbosa–taekwondo,men’s-54kg

34.ArvenAlcantara–taekwondo,men’s-68kg

35 SamuelMorrison–taekwondo,men’s-87kg

36.KirstieAlora–taekwondo,women’s-73kg

37. Francis Casey Alcantara, Ruben Gonzales –tennis,men’sdoubles

38.ElreenAndo–weightlifting,women’s59kg

39.CarloPaalam–boxing,men’s54kg

40 RenaFurukawa–judo,women’s-57kg

41.PaulJulyferBascon–boxing,men’s60kg

42.Sibol:RowgienStimpsonUnigo,DavidCanon, Vrendon Lin, Kyle Angelo Sayson, Nowee Macasa, Angelo Arcangel, Marco Requitano –esports,men’sMobileLegends

43 NesthyPetecio–boxing,women’s57kg

44. Jedah-Mae Soriano – arnis, women’s full contactpaddedstick(lightweight)

45 Charlotte Ann Tolentino – arnis, women’s full contactpaddedstick(bantamweight)

46. Jason Balabal – wrestling, men’s Greco Roman82kg

47.VanessaSarno–weightlifting,women’s71kg

48. Cristina Vergara – wrestling, women’s freestyle-65kg

49. Maria Ella Alcoseba – arnis, women’s full contactlivestick(bantamweight)

50 Dexter Bolambao – arnis, men’s full contact livestick(bantamweight)

51. Jean Claude Saclag – kickboxing, men’s low kick63kg

52. Alvin Lobreguito – wrestling, men’s freestyle 57kg

53 Trixie Lofranca – arnis, men’s individual anyo non-traditionalopenweapon

54. Crisamuel Delfin – arnis, men’s individual anyonon-traditionalopenweapon

55.GilasPilipinas–basketball,men’s5-on-5

56.RonilTubog–wrestling,men’sfreestyle61kg

57 Gretel de Paz – kickboxing, women’s low kick -56kg

58. Claudine Veloso – kickboxing, women’s K1 -52kg

Finding Balance: Seeing Physical Education as a College Major”

BY ARVIN JAY BILLONES

Frompage 20

In addition, the survey showed that students were especially interested in exploring a diverse range of physical activities other than traditional sports A considerable number of participants were enthusiastic about other activities such as Zumba, dancing, and outdoor adventure sports while popular sports like basketball andvolleyballattractedalotofinterest

Based on their interviews, it was emphasized that sports and fitness were thetopreasonsfortakingthemajor Arches even highlighted, “I am a fan of dancing and doing physical fitness or activities so that would be a great opportunity for me to teach students how to love physical activitiesanddanceperformance”

Thefindingsdemonstratedtheusefulness of physical education classes for college experience, as students recognize that fitness is necessary to lead healthy lives while simultaneously expressing concern abouttheirchoiceofaspecificmajor

As higher education institutions prioritize holistic education, the inclusion of physical education as a major can foster a supportive environment for students' academic and personal development. The results of the survey offer valuable insight into how the college might better understand student preferences and create relevant physical education programs which may attract students' attention

Ready, set, go: Everything set for PRISAA national finals in Zambo City

BY HANNAH GRACE PARAS

requirements," said Elbert Atilano Sr., PRISAA's national executive director and chairman of the technical management committee

No NCAA, UAAP schools

More than 6,000 athletes from 437 schools, colleges, and universities across the country will participate in the annual Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games that will be held in Zamboanga City on July 13-19.

After being postponed for 3 years due to the pandemic, all eyes are now set in Zamboanga on the national stage as the regional event in Cebu ended recently last May 7

Zamboanga City, having hosted the PRISAA games 4 times already in 1993, 2005, 2008, and 2011, is expected to put together another well-delivered event

All set for the games

"We are completely prepared We have plenty of venues to meet PRISAA's

Atilano is also a member of the PRISAA National Board representing Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao). He has been in frequent contact with technical experts and stakeholders to address any issues on equipment and facilities He is also overseeing the arrangements for the addition of gymnastics and archery, both of which will be included in this years’ competition

PRISAA National Secretary General Laureao "Boy" Santos of Central Luzon (Region 3) led the technical working committee that inspected all the facilities to be used during the event last June 10

Competitions begin on July 14 with the following sports: archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball (5x5), basketball (3x3), beach volleyball, boxing, dance sport, football, gymnastics, indoor volleyball, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, and weightlifting

Athletes are scheduled to arrive by July 12. A meeting will be held the day after at the JFEM main complex grandstand

Punsalang records fourth place win in 2023 UGames

BY ADRIAN POUL BLANDO

While PRISAA is an annual sports competition for student-athletes from all 17 regions enrolled in privately-owned schools, it is noteworthy to mention that member schools of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) are forbidden from competing in the competitions beginning this year.

Atilano remarked that the board made the decision after observing that 80 percent of NCCA and UAAP member school athletes competing in PRISAA were poached from other cities and provinces. He also mentioned that the NCAA and UAAP each have 10 members from key institutions and colleges in the National Capital Region (NCR).

"They steal our best athletes, and the irony is that they end up playing against their former teammates,” Atilano stated

Founded in 1953 by Dr Manuel Carreon, the former director of the Bureau of Private Schools, PRISAA is aimed for private schools in the country to join in to promote sports and academic competitions

College of Education (CED) is known for its shortage of student-athletes in the annual University Games due to its population, yet it managed to win in the university courts.

Moreso, CED also participated in volleyball, basketball 3x3, and badminton

Kyle Nathan Punsalang, a Social Studies junior, proved the Marlin athletic spirit after placing third runner up in Table Tennis Single against other colleges