34 minute read
Bakit ba ako nag Pisay?
Iriah Monica B. Benito
CHECK THE LABEL
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Huge and thick rimmed glasses. A set of pearly white teeth overlapped with well kept braces. Sky high stacks of books nestled within their study. Why is this a common stereotype for the Philippine Science High School students?
T r a n s i t i o n i n g between the easy going flow of my sweet, sweet elementary life to the hectic and stress filled chaos of my first year in Pisay wasn’t easy. It was stitched with bumps and lumps and I barely had any time to sit back and breathe properly because at any given time a teacher of mine could be planning the next failure of my life. I felt tired, exhausted and I found it a tad bit difficult to keep moving. Yes, it was a disastrous change and no one in their sane mind would want that, but did it destroy my individuality?
No, it did not.
Philippine Science High School is a difficult institution to get into.
Thousands to millions of students bet on their skills and stocked intelligence every year just to snag themselves a position among the limited slots and yet only the ones who managed to top themselves could experience the wonders of PhilScie. It sounds excrcuciating, doesn’t it? It is, yes, but not in the way people think.
“I heard Pisay students spend most of their time studying instead of socializing.” “Maybe it’s because they’re all pressured to maintain perfect grades.” “Does it make them antisocial? I think books are their best friends.”
The false accusations are endless. Where do these hearsays come from, anyway? Is it because of how exclusive PhilScie could be? To simplify a Pisay’s student’s life is easy, unlike what others may think. We do not ‘study’ the whole day.
Nothing but a freckle to the face of the earth. No less than a droplet of rain. As little as an ant in an open field. But I am still someone. Don’t I have rights too? I have a name but can’t be acknowledged. Grows but can’t age. Born but no legal parents. Stands in a block of earth but can’t be located. Breathes, walks, ages, pumps blood, feels and sees but a ghost to the nation. All these are caused by the absence of a piece of paper, the birth certificate. We are actually fully functioning individuals with our own unique quirks and personalities, strange hobbies and own humanly desires. We are not entirely pressured to maintain anything because we all work on our pace.
We don’t push our limits pass its breaking point. We enjoy our adolescent years too since we, the supposed ‘bookaholics’, are just like every other student out there with the exception of being able to cram hundreds of notes within a given time limit. Some of us are interested in the anime and manga community; a vast number of us ogle over interesting and mind-sharpening TV shows and networks; and a majority of us even invest a lot of our time playing online games or wasting hours jamming away with our friends to sick beats. We actually have talented pupils too who, if given a chance, could sketch and illustrate portraits almost as vivid as Rembrandt’s, write hundreds of literary works as scintillating as Poe’s, program games and sites as good as Notch, or maybe depict Sorabji’s arduous Opus Clavicembalisticum.
We are just like any normal high schooler. Attending the intricate and proud school of Philippine Science High School is a huge privilege to all of us scholars but it doesn’t really stand as a label that marks us as ‘NERDS’ in size seventy-two bold.
It’s just a place we call our second home. A place where we hone our similar and individual traits and skills and train ourselves for the better of our future. Being a Pisay student isn’t what makes us ourselves. We are not big nerds.
Not all of us are decorated with glasses or braces. We don’t always stuff our noses into books. We’re fun too if we want to be.
Sometimes, we just have to check the label.
http://phesgltp.blogspot.com/p/about-butuan-city.html
BATTLING FOR BUTUAN
Remnants of the previous life of the lands that we live in today are usually rarely seen anymore. Glimpsing into how our ancestors lived doesn’t seem to be much of the newer generation’s interest, leaving them to rot.
The Philippines is rich. It may not be visible, but it is. The country is filled to the brim with wonders that may interest everyone, and the city of Butuan is not an exception. Dotted all across the city are remnants of how the kingdom used to be before it was altered
- Nigel John F. Casido
with the coming of change from the foreign mentalities. Because before there was a Philippines, there was the kingdom of Butuan. Big sailboats excavated from various parts around what was then the Hindu rahjanate of Butuan can be found in the museums of Butuan and so can the remains of the ancient people of the state. Places of these historic value can be seen all throughout the city however, the people of today’s society are not visiting these monumental sites, or even taking an interest in visiting them. Thus, the rich culture of the ancient times are slowly being forgotten, left to be forgotten with the passing of the years. Which is why, we as the inhabitants of this sacred land should be the ones to protect it, to remember it for what it was before.
But how come, we aren’t? Modern Butuanons aren’t even taking the time to explore how Butuan was before.
We should dig into the history of this ancient land we live in and glimpse into the remnants of the golden ages. We, as the generation of tomorrow’s future, and more especially as pisay scholars, should be the ones to remember and fight for the culture left by our ancestors for Butuan.
http://dreamicus.com/.html
C H I L D ’ S LAMENT - Danielle R. Ajoc
and subjugated my right from having government support. My feet could not even have a step in a classroom. Every time a student draws closer to me, my jealousy filled heart would draw closer to explosion. They would talk to each other about homeworks and quizzes while I talk to myself about staying alive. They would wear pig tails and skirts while I wear grass and camouflage pants. They would have pretty bags on their arms while I have guns strapped to my shouders. They would have school to look forward to while I do not even have a home to look back to. one can hear me. In my room full of people I may seem free. Laughing and chatting as we please but they are just masks that do not care about me.
DARK CORNERS Jeodvayn B. Estorco
Do you get that feeling when all your emotions are pouring right out of you? Like a glass of overflowing fluids, ready to slip, ready to break. Do you?
In times of downfall wherein situations don’t go as planned, most of our views shifted. It transforms opposite to what we believed before. It’s somewhat slowly dragging us away from the glittering light that served as your guide to your goal. The goal wherein it is transplanted to a map, without the light you might not see the directions and end up getting lost.
But what can we do? We’re just a human after all. We feel. We feel out of ourselves, that the moment when we sought and think, we are encountered by the perplex hue of our own minds. That every wind that past by you comes out dull, every chirp of the birds comes out horrid through your ears. Every smile you saw comes out as a frown. Every laugh you heard comes out as a sob and every word they said comes out as a lie. A false promise. To think about it nothing wondrous will happen if you’ll just stay at bay. You’re just sitting still, and accepting defeat without you even realizing. You keep talking and talking without changing your situation. Might as well close your mouth, might save you the energy. But you know, I can’t blame you either way. It’s because you’re blinded by the dark, that you only saw negativity among positivity, irrationality among rationality and despair among hope. But if you truly want to be free that has and currently been weighing you down- then move.
If you don’t have a light, grab a candle. Don’t have a candle? Find one. Make it simple. Find a way no matter what it takes just to light up your map and get in track to your goal again. Sort out your thoughts and emotions and pour the overflowing fluids out of your glass. Remember you’re in control here, so you’re in control of your desired outcome. You lead, they follow.
Not all are a disadvantage when dwelling in the dark corners. Through mind’s contemplation it seemingly made you stronger than before, made you wiser than your past self and maybe perhaps cautious when life throws anything at you. After all dark corners are all around you. You just have to deal with it with your perspective, it’s the key to change.
“greater cause” but as a locket kept close to the heart. To have somebody to at least listen to my fears, hopes, and dreams. But in the world that I am in, such a thing would always be just a fantasy away.
Nothing but a grain of sand in vast dunes. No more than a speck in the universe. No less than a pebble in a pile of rocks. There are many things that I am not but nothing is not one of them. I am a child although frail, but the world’s future lies on my bony shoulders. Although small, tomorrow’s fate is on the tip of my tiny fingers. I may be squeaky, but my lips can build or crumble a castle. Please hear my plea: Give me my rights. Give me my destiny. 9
Free Fall - Danika Mae D. Soberano
To the girl who was would walk despite the had. Who is scared of was scared to take risks, of so many things that to open herself to what Who was afraid to get hurt. afraid to fly. Who beautiful wings she the spotlight. Who to live. Who was fearful it made her reluctant would’ve made her happy. Who was afraid to love.
Love is painful for it transfigures. Its transformation is going to be filled with pain so the old has to leave making room for the new. You`ll never love a person you hold dear unless you risk for love. Love endeavors in hurting. If you don’t get hurt, you won’t learn how to love. The old is familiar, sheltered, benign, the new is unequivocally unknown. It will be like sailing into an open ocean, new and yet to be discovered. With no use of your mind in the new, the mind is outright hopeless. The mind can function only with the old for with the old, the mind is skillful. Thus, fear consumes all leaving the timeworn, comfy, innocuous world of suitability. Both the fear and uncertainty of the unknown and the safety and unpredictability of the known makes one very much frightened. Because of the pain of love, millions live a loveless life. They too suffer, and their suffering is vain. To suffer in love must not be to suffer in vain for it is creative. It will take you to higher levels of consciousness. To suffer without love is an outright waste. It leads you nowhere and will keep you moving in the same vicious loop.
Relationship is like a looking glass. The purer the love is, the higher the love is, the better and the cleaner the glass can be. But the higher love requires openness. The higher love wants you to be vulnerable. Painful it may be but you have to drop your shield and not be constantly guarded. Drop the calculating mind to risk, to try, and to live dangerously. The other can hurt you giving you the fear of vulnerability. The other can reject you making you fear of being in love. The reflection that you will find in the other of your own self may be ugly thus giving you anxiety. Don’t gaze through the looking glass. But avoiding the glass will not make you any more beautiful. And by avoiding the situation, you are not going to grow either. Dare to challenge for it must be taken. Love doesn’t hurt every time. Though it will always be there to test you, but also to help you grow. Don’t find love, let it find you. For it will always be called falling in love because you don’t force yourself to fall but to just fall...
Love is like an open sky. Being in love is like being on the wing but the absolute sky forms fear. And dropping the ego is very painful knowing all our life we have been taught to cultivate that ego. We ought to ponder that the ego is our only gem. So we have been protecting, decorating and continuously polishing it, and when love knocks on the door, all that is needed to fall in love is to put aside the ego which some find undoubtedly difficult. All that you have put together, your whole life’s work— this ugly ego’s idea that “I am detached from actuality“, is ugly because it is fictitious. The idea is erroneous, but society subsists on the thought that each person is a person not a presence. In truth, there is no person at all in the world but only presence. You are not, not even as an ego, separate from the whole but part of it. The whole infiltrates you, the whole take breaths in you, thuds in you - the whole is your life.
Love generates problems. But you will be avoiding love if you choose to avoid those problems. They have to be cope with, stumble upon, they have to be lived and gone over and done with. Go into love whatever the pain. You are stuck with yourself as many people have decided if you don’t go into love. Then Life will not be a pilgrimage and not be a river going to the ocean. Your life will be like a stagnant pool, dirty, and soon there will be nothing but dirt and mud. For constant cleansing, one needs to keep flowing. A river remains clean for it goes on flowing and flowing. People who don’t love become dormant, stagnant’ they start stinking sooner or later they have nowhere to go. That’s where modern man finds himself, and for this reason, all kinds of neuroses, all kinds of foolishness, have become proliferating. Psychological illness has taken epidemic magnitudes. No more than a few individuals are psychologically ill and the reality is the world has become a madhouse. Almost of humanity is in woe from a kind of neurosis.
Love is painful, but don’t elude it. Love is an aching peril to take but no matter how scary it can be, peril will always be there. If you’re not ready to risk it, if you’re not ready to ache, then you’re not ready to fall in love. Some may be afraid to fall in love because they get hurt every time. Avoiding it would mean avoiding the greatest opportunity to grow. Through suffering comes great ecstasy. Go into it, suffer love. Love is like a knife. It either stabs the heart or carve wonderful images into the soul that will always last for a lifetime. Loving people means giving people the chance to choose. It is giving them the freedom to find their way to either towards you or away from you. Let there be pain, let there be suffering. Love is supposed to be the most delightful sensation. It should inspire you, give you happiness and a strong suit. But sometimes the things that give you joy can hurt you in the end.
I met this wonderful girl. She was like this perfectly baked cake. Odd the comparison may be but she was perfect from the icing to the core. It took me months for her to notice me. And as I got to know her more, I got to see her imperfections. But that didn’t make me dislike her. In fact, I grow fond of her more. The closer we got, the more I want to confess what I felt. But she was this angel scared to open her wings. Scared to fly, scared to fall. I would’ve been there to catch you if only you chose to freefall.
- Danika Mae D. Soberano R ecently I have been opened to the thought of God ‘not existing’. Opinions chattering to an ear to another seem to have filled me with curiosity and what-ifs of having no God. Questions like: Is Christianity a myth? a public deception? or does it really have the legit life of a sentient God? These seem to trouble me from time to time. But on the other hand, how do you define good and evil without a God to authenticate moral order? All these pros and cons of both sides and the issue of the unfeasibility of getting to an absolute ought from the ises of the material world alone—and the chilling insinuations that had for any kind of moral code—still remained unresolved. They say it is better to be somehow be in between so to maintain an elusive guilt, an elusive view of nobody’s-perfect, and all against the infinite void of evolutionary chaos, which keeps everything sufficiently blurred. And the result of this lead me to much confusion and realized this maybe some sort of spiritual amnesia.
SPIRITUAL AMNESIA
I do not know if it’s the religious side of me tingling or I’m just as usual being rational about it. I miss the spiritual connection that I used to have whenever I pray knowing that now, I only asked for what I need and for what I want with no remorse for my Godly sorrows. The feeling during praise and worship that expresses my inmost feelings to God that a deep yearning arises in my soul is now just a feeling of emptiness giving room only for appreciation of the music used for worship. I feel shameful sitting in church thinking that I have doubts of the existence of the man nailed on the cross in front of me. And I forget that without faith, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Looking back on what my faith in God has done to me - recalling how God answered an impossible request of mine, how he was able to inspire me to seek out the goodness in deep anguish, and many other blessings, made me realized that I was in some need of chemotherapy for spiritual amnesia.
Going through a recollection in my guesses, might help me draw closer to Him. I walked in the venue with the same attitude I have in every Sunday gatherings. I came with expectations and hope to have a spiritual and emotional experience that would help me through my life. I do consider the event a success but the spiritual feeling I felt is still different from what I used to have. I say it’s a step by step process to have a more deep assurance of spiritual mindedness. This spiritual amnesia is not just a pain in the tummy grumbling or high blood pressure whining. This was faithlessness. Faith is not an extensive understanding of how the world works. Faith believes on certain things that remain unseen. Faith sees the wonder of stars and gazes. Faith sees a baby wrapped in cloth as her mother carries the youngling while shedding tears of joy. Faith sees not just the minds of the pure but also of the wicked. Penetrating to the core and rotting to the heart within. Spiritual amnesia is just like any other deadly disease that raids your faith and joy more than any cancer.
Christine Jean S. Agad Are You?
Haggard. Strained. Frazzled.
And the list goes on and on and on and on. The words above are just some of the many expressions people often utter upon looking at a tired and weary Pisay Scholar. One look and you’ll know.
“How’s your Pisay life?” People often ask us that. We have a lot of words to describe but always end up saying “Fine as usual”. Life is indeed a roller coaster ride, and that also perfectly explains how we, scholars, are doing as we face each day with a brave smile not knowing what might happen.
Being a scholar for quite a while, I have seen how all of us struggled to go on, and so, here are some of the periods that most, if not all, Scholars have gone through during their Pisay life. “Lucky Me Period” - Chill Chill moment, movie time, celebration, enjoy with friends, smile and laugh while you still have teeth, thank you Lord -This is a period where there are no quizzes, activities or projects to be submitted. These are also the lucky times where you pass a quiz or an exam that you did not study for, times that you feel triumphant, splendid and genius because you did not expect that you are capable of doing things you least expected you could. In short, a stress-free period! “The Rebonded Grades” - “Bes tulad ng buhok ko yung grades ko, BAGSAK.” - This is a heartbreaking time usually a week after quarter exams. We all know the feeling of being happy that we survived another exam week but become depressed because our grades will be shown not so soon after. - Some are given “Love letters” that are needed to be signed by their parents and are sent to the guidance office for counselling. But what makes it fun is knowing that your friends failed, too. Then you’ll know you are not alone after all! “Promises are made to be broken” - “I will start studying next quarter, promise.” “I will start making projects next quarter, promise.” “I’ll do well next quarter, promise.” 1 2 3
- Bes, nasaan na yung pangako mo last quarter? - It’s really just like the New Year’s resolution you planned long time ago that never happened, “I will go on a diet this year. I promise.” But there are still a lot more opportunities to be better, don’t lose hope! “Zombie Mode On, Coffee is my Best friend” 4
- “Ang tulog mababawi, ang singko HINDI.” - Project and assignment to be passed? Long test in a major subject? 3 quizzes? Articles and lay out to make (for students who are in publications)? All in one day? EZ. - This is the time where you suddenly forget how to even take a nap, a time where coffee becomes your water just to be wide awake in order to finish everything.
Tao pa ba ako sa lagay kong ito? Give up na ba ako? Eyebags kong prada Zombie Apocalypse at the moment “So Help Me God” - This is a point where you become so religious and Godly all of a sudden. 5
There comes an instance in your Pisay life that your last and only hope is to have faith in God and ask for miracles for you to survive especially when quarter exams are coming but you didn’t study because you don’t have any motivation and determination or in other words, you are just too lazy to review. But remember, we must pray every day, not just when we need something from Him. “Bakit ba ako nag Pisay?” 6
-We can never deny that we, at least for once, asked ourselves the question, “Bakit ba ako nag Pisay?” (Why did I choose Pisay?) We can never refute that there are times that we get curious what our life would have been if we chose other school over Pisay and imagined it would have been easier. These are the times that we feel bit of regrets and the desire to quit. It’s sad, but it’s true. Whenever we feel this, always remember that there are a lot of kids out there who desperately want a chance to study in Pisay and even cry over it. You are one blessed kid. Never surrender.
Experiences mentioned are part of our lives in Pisay. Be glad that you still have the strength to carry on. Know that you are not the only one. Others have gone through them all, too. I’ve been there, my friend. Never ever give up. Keep chasing your dreams. You are fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity. Savour it, be thankful and always pray. You failed a major subject? You haven’t passed a test you studied for? You didn’t get the grade you expected to get? Relax. There are still many more quarters to come. Everything has a reason why it happened.
Yes, we are haggard, strained, and frazzled, but on top of that, we are still the typical teenagers that are valiant and are all beautiful with a heart. No amount of eye bags and no amount of pimples can be a hindrance for us to still face the world with a smile and laugh like there are no tests to study for. I, a Pisay scholar, am proud that I survived. I am a scholar who will never surrender. I am a scholar who will graduate. I am a scholar who will continue hunting the path to success. ARE YOU?
WONDERFUL MASTERPIECE
- Kismet Fran P. Suan I t was just like any other Friday morning. The sun was scorching hot and I was stunned by the desert-like appearance of the field yet my feet and fate brought me to one of the glorious creations ever existing.
School. I hate it. I hate the thought of it. I hate the fact that I need to get up early just to go to a place in which I never really like in the first place. I hate waking up earlier than 8, I hate wearing those yellow uniforms that makes me look shorter and skinnier than ever… But this time things were different. I was somehow eager to be in school, not because there are no quizzes nor assignments to pass, but because there is a day where I no longer care to remember any of those school related stuff. Thank God we were finally heading somewhere. Thank God we were going outdoors. Thank God we were in a place in which luckily you’re no longer required to wear uniforms or bring notebooks and all those enormous textbooks which probably is one of the reasons why I never grow taller.
We were finally in a place where requirements, homeworks and quizzes no longer take place. We were in a camp. Sure it isn’t really like those normal camps where you’d build a tent, go start a campfire and tell each other horror stories until you all fall asleep, it’s a camp that tests your skills in science, where you’d work together as a team to win or achieve the highest award possible. Luckily I had GREAT teammates. From the moment we arrived there, all I ever felt was happiness. Ultimate happiness. I was so excited to be part of something that I really like. And I am eternally grateful.
Calo Horse Farm. It all happened there. Those towering trees, and greenery spacious place that is really conducive for meditation and camping was one of the wonders of the camp. The very informative lecture of the owner about climate change and all necessary information about every tall and shady tree that surrounds us has indeed stunned me. And who could ever forget the horses!
The farm offers enjoyable horseback riding and training for a very affordable price. Surely it’s one of the recreational activities you will enjoy in this place.
Amidst the hotness and the sweat pouring down my face, one could not help but be mesmerized by the grandeurs of nature before our eyes, embellished by the green visitations that throve among the farm, and the ancient Manobo house which will surely astonish you with its walls and floors that is made out of bamboo. Enticing right?
With all the beauty that surrounds me I could not be much happier to be a part of this activity. Yes it was tiring. Sure we didn’t won any awards, but the thing is, I had fun. And I know in myself that I did my best in utmost every activity that I’ve participated. Plus being able to see and witness the beauty that God has shed in this place, being able to participate and interact with my campmates is already considered winning for me.
I do not need a medal or a trophy to be considered as a winner. As long as I’ve experienced this, I could say that I have won.
As the day comes to an end. I breathed a sigh not of relief but of gratefulness that God had given me a chance to see and experience this wonderful masterpiece.
AFTER SCHOOL SHENANIGANS
And to add amusement, they conducted parlor games, with each members of every club participating. Up to this point, excitement was building up, despite the glaring sun as it sets on the horizon. And, no drizzling would be a reason for us to stop or postpone the already on-going program because yes, the Pisay family can withstand all sorts of irregularities.
- Angela Marie B. Tiu
Despite the semi-bipolar weather that graced everyone, it was perhaps the perfect day for a gathering of exhilarated students, teachers and staff at the site of where the Philippine Science High School Caraga Region Campus buildings stood. After a tiresome day at school, there was finally something to look forward to in a Monday. It was also a chance to view where we will spend the rest of our high school days, and that we may have a clue about its progression. The horde of multicabs transported hyped scholars from the temporary school to Brgy. Tiniwisan, where the humongous school was nestled. The radiating excitement was evident on everyone’s bright faces, and it was no doubt an event that everyone would be glad to be part of.
With the enlivened atmosphere that wreathed the place of the event, the brief program included the renewal of oath of the teachers and staff and the intermission number from the Glee Club that left the audience in awe. The most looked forward part of the event, according to the majority, is the partaking of foods of different variety. Suddenly there was pandemonium of starving individuals, reaching out to any scrumptious delicacy that grabbed hold of their attention and even a mass of students argued over what seemed like a chicken leg. “This is definitely the essence of a picnic,” someone from within earshot had said. Everyone was laughing and probably having the time of their lives, and no one would even bother to point out to someone to not talk with their mouth full. It was like a day to let loose and just have fun. For these jovial memories to be remembered by each, photographs of each club with its members were taken, even with food stained uniforms and crammed pockets with takeaways. It was certain that while some were unfazed, most were filled with euphoria. Who would know that just this simple gathering could take away the stress of hundreds? With the camaraderie built and the thriving bonds of students and even club members, it has made this day definitely a remarkable one that each Pisay scholar would never forget.
A t the dawn of twilight, the evening breeze rustled the leaves of towering trees, and brushed past a weary local who was none other than I. Nestled further into woods was the Bood Eco Park, the site we visited five years ago. For some reason, I found myself coming back here again. The thought of making my way upwards on a hill seemed exhausting but with unwavering determination, I continue because I came here with a reason. Alas, I arrive at where I want to be. The cool, misty air sent a chill down my spine for the night and darkness was rapidly crawling into the horizon. Nevertheless, I stand courageous in front of the humongous cross that stood unfaltering. Almost instantly, a kaleidoscope of memories came rushing towards me, and perched on that very hill, I start to reminisce. “The first Easter mass was held here in Butuan, originally, and not in Leyte.” These first words uttered by the caretaker of the Bood Eco Park still lingers in my mind, and every word seemed so clear it was as if it was said just yesterday and not five years ago. This remarkable place held the history that would make Butuanons proud. The scent of early summer night was nostalgic, and it made me relive the moment back when my classmates and I went here to visit and to lend our ears to the history we never knew. It was eye-opening. I still remember how we listened to the caretaker of the eco park attentively, craning our necks and angling our bodies just so that we could hear clearly. It was as if we were in a lecture, except that the history being told is somehow being rewritten. Wideeyed and mouth agape, we couldn’t believe what we’re hearing. Knowing and learning new things, a lot of questions arose, adding up to unanswered ones. “So does this mean all we’re told isn’t the truth?” We were skeptical, uncertain but even so we’re astounded. Although unproven and unofficial, the unwritten history that we’re devoid from was like music to our ears. My first time hearing this, an uncalled for surge of pride filled me, because there’s nothing more exhilarating than being a native from somewhere which was discovered earlier than its entire country.
- Angela Marie B. Tiu http://amazingbutuan.blogspot.com/2009/04/bood-promontory-1steaster-mass-eco.html
UNDISCLOSED HISTORY
According to the caretaker, who seemed very eager and willing to partake the true history that he believes in, it began like this: Dating back to hundreds of years ago, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was believed to have sought a mountainous region to shelter him and his company, away from the raging typhoons that have seemed to strike on islands. So his ship docked in Butuan first, and not in Leyte. It was only when they were trying to sail towards uncharted waters and into Cebu that they came across Leyte, and met their fate in a local war. On this very hill, they erected a huge cross, and they held the very first Easter mass along with the governing Rajah of the entire Mindanao. The original Agusan River was the one we can see from the Bood Eco Park, so the caretaker said. Before, there were two, but due to constant earthquakes and the moving of the tectonic plates, the original one narrowed down, so the current Agusan River became the wider one. Walking down the pathway, I continue to ponder and get lost in my thoughts. Strolling around the park despite the dark gave me a lot of moment and time to think.
“Before, there was no the Philippines, but there was Butuan.” The thought alone is bewildering. Could it really be? I vividly remembered my young self being so perplexed and amazed at the same time. To think that this land we stood upon was the very first to be found, not the other regions of Luzon and Visayas, but this land. The stars were slowly becoming visible and darkness has completely engulfed the sky. I turn towards to where I first entered the park, and I began to leave the place, skipping all the way. Remembering a pleasant memory left a proud feeling of adoration and amazement in me. Little doubts may seemed to have lingered in the back of my mind, but guess what? I know that surely, the threads of truth will unravel, and we will all know . I guess I’ll have to leave that to fate. Wandering through the shadows of trees and into my way back, a small smile makes its way into my face.
11
deivisjimeneza
CAVS’ JAMES LEADS ALLSTAR
- Harold Giovannie A. Guelos
Three-time Most Valuable Player awardee, LeBron James of the 2016 NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers spearheaded the voting count for this year’s all-star event to be held at New Orleans at the same time leading the Eastern Conference on frontcourts and the entire roster with a spectacular 1,066,147 votes as of January 16, 2017.
The fan voting continued to surge as more than 21 million votes have been casted, a 142% increase from the same period last year.
James averaged 25.8 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, leading the Cavs on top of the East with a 29-10 record.
Meanwhile, Warriors point guard Stephen Curry ranked second with with 990,390 votes, on top of the Western Conference roster. In the second fan returns, Giannis Antetokounmpo (963,110) came second, followed by Cleveland’s Kevin Love (473,328) edging the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid (473,328) by 16,028 votes for third. Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving (971,362) and the Chicago Bulls’ Dwyane Wade (514,866) continue to set the pace among East guards, while the Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan (453,538) remains in third.
In the West, Curry has pulled ahead of teammate Kevin Durant (987,479) as the conferences’ leading vote-getter. Curry and Houston Rockets’ James Harden (961,685) remain the front-runners at guard, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (899,024). Durant, Golden State’s Zaza Pachulia (823,376) and the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (630,766) continue to lead the frontcourt, with the New Orleans’ Pelicans’ Anthony Davis (567,201) in fourth place.
BIG 3 COMBINES FOR 16 AS GREEN LANTERN NIPS STAR SAPPHIRE
- Giancarlo Agelio A. Bringas A swarm of injuries then followed the Lanterns stride as they allowed the Sapphires to uncork a barrage of deep balls and clinch a stellar four-point margin in the half, 12-8.
Willpower. Gervie Asis trying to score for his team Green Lantern during the PSHS-CRC Intramurals 2016
They say close-out games are the toughest to win.
This was seemed proven as the Green Lanterns bagged the crown launching sporadic shots amid the racous crowd.
Orchestrating longrange jump-shots and several steals, the exhausted Green Lantern team obliterated the versatile Star Sapphires, 19-18, spearheaded by the combined efforts of forwards Gabriel Sollano, Aljeryk Priete, and guard Gervy Asis posting 16 points in the 2016 Intramurals Basketball Championship game at the OAD covered court, last December 10, 2016.
The quick-paced offense of the Lanterns set blazing ambience as they unsparingly attacked the paint for a 10-point deficit in the first frame.
Meanwhile, Roy Velmonte’s colossal shooting from inside ignited a slight answer for the Sapphires, mercilessly displaying his consistency midway. In what appeared to be a runaway game, the pink-shirts continued their onslaught on the defensive end grabbing turnovers and solid boards to enter the second.
It was then Sollano and frontcourt Gio Guelos returned in the third as key player Priete was slightly hurt.
A 16-16 deadheat was attained in the 4th before the Lanterns stepped on the gas firing a last minute three-bomb to draw first blood on their bewildered foe.
The Sapphires had under 30 seconds left in the time yet a foul call was missed during a threepoint attempt by guard Yves Nuyad leaving the Green Lanterns with smiles and pride.
“Nag lisod mi ug dula kay many we’re injured pero okay ra gihapon,” Sollano remarked.
“Sayang wala palang na lockdown si Yves ma hatag tana to sa open man or bisan sa inside nalang,” Velmonte added.
NBA.com
PERSISTENT WARRIORS MAUL CAVALIERS - Harold Giovannie A. Guelos
COMEBACK AT ITS
FINEST. A fter a crushing one-point defeat at Quicken Loans Arena last Christmas day, the splash family had once again shown their resiliency after subduing LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, 126-91, garnering their 35th win in the 2017 NBA Regular Season game at Oracle Arena, last January 17.
Klay Thompson led with a game high 26 points together with Kevin Durant’s 21 points, Draymond Green’s triple double having 11 points, 13 rebounds, & 11 assists, and a double-double performance from Stephen Curry with 20 points and 11 dimes. With the Cavs struggling on offense, a 20-point deficit was immediately gained midway while Kyrie Irving’s six turnovers added the burden.
Curry, ever ruthless since the beginning, sank a buzzer beater beyond 30 feet in under 3.7 seconds left, tying LeBron’s largest disadvantage in his career.
The Warriors led as much as 39 points in the second.
James finished with a team high 20 marks followed with Irving’s 17.
Golden State retook the top spot in the power rankings having a 35-6 record while 29-11 for the Cavs.
