The Thirteenth Scholars Vol. 4 Issue 1 by The Thirteenth Scholars

VOL. 4, NO. 1

AUG - DEC 2019

THE OFFICIAL CAMPUS PUBLICATION OF PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL CARAGA REGION CAMPUS

the thirteenth scholars

DIVISION OF BUTUAN CITY, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, CARAGA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

PURSUING ONLY THE UNTARNISHED, UNPREUDICED, AND UNSWAYED TRUTH

PH, ‘deadliest’ country for Journalists; 41 ‘silencing’ still unsolved PAGE 02

All of society suffers each time a journalist is silenced. South Asia has now been coined as the “world’s most dangerous region for journalists” whereas the Philippines was dubbed as the deadliest peacetime country for journalists in the said region when the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) released its annual report on journalists and media staff killed in the course of their duties in 2018.

Everyone, Everything

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MAIN STORY

Nothing does not always lead to nothing. It can also lead to the very best something.

Planning Out Pisay

What it means to build Caraga’s S&T Education Frontrunner NATHALIE MAY LIBRES AND CARL DJHON GANGCA Building a resilient educational institution specializing in science, technology, and innovations (STI) are meant to take research as the forefront initiative to give the country new sources of income and promote sustainable development. Pisay has a vital role in contributing to the country’s progress by producing more scholars that specialize in the field of STI, making it the center of scientific activity and excellence in the nation. However, not all of this is easy and molding Pisay Caraga’s influence as both a leading science high school Caraga and a research-driven ground for purpose and progress in the Philippines may take a step or two.

BUILDING STI-DRIVEN FACILITIES Less than a year since the start of the new administration, the 6-Year Campus Plan authored by the new Campus Director Engr. Ramil A. Sanchez has been on the move to meet its target deadlines. The 6-Year Campus Plan aims to make Pisay Caraga a leading campus that helps increase science, technology, and innovation (STI) man capital and regional and national development, enhance capacities of faculty and staff, improve student learning and experience, and provide an adequate, safe, and eco-friendly learning environment. The new installation of Fiber Optics Wifi around the school campus was implemented for easy access to learning materials and researches online. Keeping up with global peers and enabling students to take

advantage of digital learning requires a broadband network as some students do not have access to the internet in their own homes. The greater the bandwidth, the greater the amount of digital information that can be transmitted per second. Infrastructure development and the completion of the gymnasium, motor pool, and the drainage system were the new additions to the campus development. As of the end of 2019, ongoing installations of Wi-fi connection and the telephone system are now being developed through the three computer laboratories. Further constructions of the Academic Building 4, library and auditorium, student canteen, and powerhouse are also nearing its completion. CULTIVATING MINDSETS Engr. Sanchez shares that perhaps

An able mind calls for an Able Body

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the most difficult achievement was changing the culture of Pisay’s people. He says, “I know it’s not very easy to change the culture, but I always believe that we can do it. The culture of being more inclusive, adaptable, making a difference, being passionate, innovative, service-oriented, accountable, and being youthful. That’s why I made #IAMPISAYCARAGA. It’s only been 12 months and I know it can’t be done overnight. Do not follow me blindly because this is for all of us. I hope that there would be greater support towards that”. SPEARHEADING CARAGA’S SECONDARY STEM EDUCATION Alongside the completed projects mentioned, much has been planned to further heighten the science

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PURSUING ONLY THE UNTARNISHED, UNPREJUDICED AND UNSWAYED TRUTH the thirteenth scholars

NEWS B Y T HE N U M B E R S

70%

SCAN THE QR CODE TO VIEW THE PROGRESS IN PHOTOS

Infrastructure Development in Pisay Caraga is 70% complete according to the campus’ Resident Engineer.

9/20*

1602

about 242 Pisay Scholars were classified as malnourished according to the School Clinic Data

The number of sixth grade students from Caraga Region who took the 2019 NCE

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

IN THIS SECTION

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PH, ‘deadliest’ country for Journalists; 41 ‘silencing’ still unsolved

PAGE 4

BEA JANE SERNA

DepEd prods 55 Davao Lumad Schools’ closure

Lagging Behind: Admin Faces flak for faulty network connectivity

Monopolized Diet: Canteen blasted for overpricing; students dismayed

All of society suffers each time a journalist is silenced.

PAGE 6

In spite Gov’t flays to DOTr Local citizens hail e-jeepneys’ entry in Butuan City PAGE 6

ON SCHOOL SECURITY

PSHS-CRC plans improving campus security after fiasco ANGEL ALINDAJAO

The Philippine Science High School - Caraga Region Campus aims on enhancing the school security in order to make the students safe inside the campus. Furthermore, the school had took action and closed the Back and front gates everyday and and forbided scholars to go outside. To add more information, the guards are sent every morning and afternoon outside the above mentioned school to name and guard students while crossing the streets and riding vehicles. Moreover, the mentioned campus also planned to install CCTVs around the campus to review the tapes of theft is reported. To change gears, not only did the guards take action but also the construction workers who put up signs to warn scholars to be careful around construction areas and avoid incidents. Furthermore, the school system, inculding the security system, is under Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

NEWS FEATURE

Investing to aid kin Student loses Php 8K in ‘Ponzi scheme’ KATRINA LEA ROSALES

After investing money in hopes of doubling his savings and helping his family, a Grade 11 student lost a total of P8,000 to Ponzi scheme operators. The grade 11 student with the alias “Danny” found out about the investment opportunities through his friends inside and outside the school. “I initially suspected it was a scam because it was just too good to be true, so I didn’t invest at first,” he said. However, after observing his schoolmates receiving large amounts of money from these organizations and seeing how his parents are financially struggling, he has decided to go through with the investments in Rigen Marketing or Rigen, FRX Rice Trading or Forex, and Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. or Kapa as its’ common name. Danny invested P2000 each in Forex and Rigen, and P4000 in Kapa, summing up to a total of P8,000 worth of investments. He was losing money in Forex and Kapa but because of the huge payout he received from Rigen, he was able to retrieve some of the money lost. “I only realized it was really a scam when I stopped receiving payouts or

the company closed all of a sudden,” he said. After being victimized by the investment frauds, he said he felt anger, regret, and distress when he found out most of his money went down the drain. He also felt guilty for telling other people it worked. They no longer trusted him since they also lost a huge sum of money. It impacted his future willingness to invest or take on financial risk. Ponzi schemes are fraudulent investment scams wherein fraudsters steal money from investors and mask the theft by paying existing investors with funds collected from new investors. Kapa swindles people into a “one-time donation” with the promise of 30% return or “blessings” every month, for life. Rigen promises a return of 400% by the end of the month. While Forex guarantees an endless P750 per week for every P1000 investment. Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus (PSHS-CRC) Director Engr. Ramil A. Sanchez has verbally expressed that he does not encourage school personnel involvement to such activity, but several PSHS-CRC personnel, students, and even their families have fallen prey to these investment scams, resulting in significant financial losses. With many Filipino families suffering

PISAY ADMISSIONS

NCE 2019 kicks off, Results finally released ELAN VICTORIA TOMANENG

PHOTO BY JEZNIN ANGEKYLA BARROQUILLO

The October 2019 National Competitive Examination (NCE), held to test the scientific ability, quantitative ability, abstract reasoning, and verbal aptitude of Grade 6 students nationwide, fully results the list of passers of the next batch of Philippine Science High School (PSHS) scholars on December 10, 2019. Last October, over 1,602 qualified examinees were expected to show up in 13 testing centers all over CARAGA Region for the test administration of the NCE by the Department of Science

from poverty and debt burdens, Filipinos are no strangers to stretching their monthly incomes to make ends meet. Financial freedom has become every Filipino’s dream. Although investments are opportunities to grow your money and achieve financial freedom, they are also highly exploited. Investment scams have been around for many years, all over the country, but 2019 was the height of several Ponzi scheme operations. Financial setbacks are not to be taken lightly. The toll of investment scams extends well beyond lost money. There are severe mental and emotional consequences which may have a long-term impact. Like Danny, many victims invested with good intentions. Some of them feel they only have themselves to blame for “not knowing better.” In reality, skilled fraudsters are to blame for these criminal acts. Though not alone, these victims often suffer their losses alone and in silence. Shame, guilt, and disbelief are among the reasons why some do not admit or report being victims of investment fraud. Last early June 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the shutdown of Kapa-Community Ministry and other Ponzi investment firms which were flagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Operators of these Ponzi schemes face charges of syndicated estafa which is a nonbailable offense. SEC continues to warn the public against investment scams. Their website also includes advisories on various unregistered companies that are not authorized to solicit investments from the public. Investors are urged to be wary of fraudulent investment scams and to look for red flags before investing.

and Technology (DOST) and PSHS. In the 2018 NCE, 1,189 students applied from CARAGA- 608 from Agusan del Norte, 240 from Agusan del Sure, 40 from Dinagat Island, 5 from Siargao, 102 from Surigao del Norte, and 173 from Surigao del Sur. The number of applicants increased by 34.7 %. This one-time screening process is conducted to test and assess the applicant’s aptitude in science, mathematics, language, and abstract reasoning, in view of offering free scholarships for high school students who will likely take up a college course in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) after graduation. Every year, thousands of Grade 6 students are taking the NCE in hopes of attaining a scholarship provided by the PSHS, a service institute of the DOST. Applicants who are successfully admitted to the PSHS are considered government scholars and are entitled to receive benefits such as free tuition fee, free loan of textbooks, monthly stipend, uniform, transportation and living allowances for low-income groups, and dormitory accommodation.

South Asia has now been coined as the “world’s most dangerous region for journalists” whereas the Philippines was dubbed as the deadliest peacetime country for journalists in the said region when the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) released its annual report on journalists and media staff killed in the course of their duties in 2018. 95 Journalists and media professionals lost their lives in targeted killings, bomb attacks, or crossfire incidents last year, according to the In the Shadow of Violence report. Out of the 95, 32 of those killings were from the Asia Pacific Region and 3 were journalists from the Philippines. “Under the current president Rodrigo Duterte, 12 journalists have been murdered since mid-2016. Eleven of the 12 killings happened before his second year in office, the highest number of journalist murders in the first two years of any Philippine president,” National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Chair Nonoy Espina stated in the said report. For a third year in a row, the Philippines has been listed fifth among countries with the worst record of prosecuting killers of journalists, a New York-based press freedom watchdog said in its 2019 World Impunity Index. Scoring worse than Somalia, Syria and Iraq, the Philippines leads with 41 unsolved killings in 2019. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the Philippines has landed in the list nearly every year since the index was first published over a decade ago, partly due to the deadly ambush of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists and media workers, in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009. Members of the Ampatuan clan and several others were found guilty of multiple murder in the Maguindanao massacre, considered the worst political violence in the Philippines, as some were reportedly shot in the genitals and their bodies were buried in a mass grave using an excavator. The verdict will be a “big step” towards ending the culture of impunity in the Philippines, though more needs to be done, said University of the Philippines law professor Theodore Te before the ruling. Such ruling is a culmination of 10 years of court proceedings, during which case files reached 238 folderstestament to the long road it took for victims to attain justice. It also closes what is considered the worst case of election-related violence in Philippine history and single deadliest incident for journalists in the world. In a statement published by IFJ last December, the Philippines is the worst in impunity in Southeast Asia. It scored the Philippines a 7.7 out of 10 on the media impunity scale. With that, coalition of media stakeholders around the country have already launched the first national Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists (PPASJ), which is the first of its kind in the world and shall provide a roadmap for addressing five concrete flagship areas deemed crucial to improving the safety of journalists and the media environment in the Philippines over five years from 20202024.

READ MORE cjp.org FULL URL https://bit.ly/3ezRO47

PURSUING ONLY THE UNTARNISHED, UNPREJUDICED AND UNSWAYED TRUTH the thirteenth scholars

Duterte mulls ‘single-use plastic’ ban PAUL NELSON GONZAGA

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte floated an idea of a ban on “single-use plastics” during the Cabinet meeting, November 6, said Malacañang. “Let’s see if there are members of (the House) or the Senate who would push for that idea, but it is supported by the President so it won’t be surprising (if he does),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a radio interview. ”The President has floated that idea. It’s for the members of Congress to adopt it, to use their initiative to have that kind of idea bear fruition,” he added. Questioned if the President will sign the bill as vital, he said: “Because the President supports it, it will not be surprising if he does.” Moreover, the House Committee on Natural Resources has asserted to hold awaiting measures eyeing to ban the use of plastics in the country. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., chairman of the committee, guaranteed their immediate action on the bills, considering the negative impact of plastics to the environment and even public health. “The Committee on Natural Resources will immediately convene to act on the pending bills pertaining to the ban on the use of plastic,” he told reporters after Malacañang announced Duterte’s idea during the meeting. “We shall invite all the stakeholders including the Association of the Plastic Manufacturers in the Philippines and the government agencies involved in the legislation namely the DENR, DOH, DILG, and the environmentalist groups whose advocacy is the banning and/or regulating the use of plastic,” the House leader said. Philippines has been identified

NEWS as the third-worst ocean plastic polluter in the world after China and Indonesia, accounting for 5.9 percent of total plastic waste in the world’s seas, according to a global 2015 study. A 2017 report by environment group, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, also showed that Filipinos use more than 163 million plastic sachets, 48 million shopping bags and 45 million thin-film bags daily.

CRC Scholars grab third prize in chorale tilt BEA JANE SERNA

Hitting the right notes and singing in the right melody, the Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus (PSHS-CRC) Choir became harmonious in victory after bagging 3rd place in the Ugnayan 2019, the systemwide Pisay Gender and Development Activity and Sportsfest held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato last October 7-11, 2019. Outshining 11 other campus choirs, the 20 student singers led by Mr. Lex Michael Guiritan graciously sang Salidummay, arranged by Bienvenido Batallones Constantino, Jr., which was a unique and traditional piece to compete with. Having prepared for weeks prior to the said event, the students would remain in school after classes to condition their voices to their respective pitches in the arrangement and jogged around the campus for controlled exhalation, as they also presented the piece to the Pisay Caraga community in various events. Not limiting their talents to their appearance in Ugnayan 2019, PSHSCRC’s Choir also participated in local competitions such as Panayegon, which was a city-wide choir contest that was open to all age groups.

NATIONAL NEWS

DepEd prods 55 Davao Lumad schools’ closure KIT LESTER BALAYO

55 Lumad schools operated by the Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Incorporated (STTICLCI) have been officially closed after an order by the Department of Education (DepEd) in Davao Region, Oct. 8, 2019. Jenelieto Atillo, DepEd-11 spokesperson, said the closure was ordered following the investigation conducted by a five-man fact-finding committee created by DepEd-11 in August. On July 2019, Lumad schools had been the focus of the Department of Education since numerous reports have been submitted claiming that schools in the Davao Region had links to communist rebels. These reports were based on the investigation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict headed by National Security Adviser Hermogenesis Esperon Jr. The closure letter was contained in a letter dated July 12, 2019, and was signed by Evelyn Fetalvero, director-in-charge of DepEd Southern Mindanao. Esperon nicknamed the 55 campuses of STTICLCI as “NPA (New People’s Army) Factory”. He claimed, “these schools taught violence to students, and we have pieces of evidence that could prove this.” According to him, the schools are using the students as “rallyists”. Further, these students are also taught to dismantle and assemble firearms. Human rights group Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay, however, denied these reports, saying that the closure of the 55 Lumad schools stemmed from “the false, unverified and malicious reports.” “This was true for the prescription petition which included hundreds of individuals and aliases who were not vetted by the Department of Justice, and merely fed by the AFP, PNP, and NICA,” she claimed. Palabay insisted that the accusations are recycled lies by the militarist hawks who have derided schools that genuinely catered to members of indigenous communities by being pioneers in developing a curriculum that is truly appropriate and responsive to the needs of the community. “We encourage everyone to look at the curriculum and the practice of

these schools, that they may see an advanced and apt curriculum design that puts the needs of the community at the core of the indigenous children’s education,” she added. Palabay further said that the closure of the said schools leaves much to be desired citing they have adhered to the requirements set by the DepEd and “it is unacceptable that they ordered the closure of the educational institutions based on unverified claims.” “This government continuously shows us its propensity for condemning people and communities on the basis of “lists” and unverified reports” she stated. “With their lack of interest to even verify the reports, they showed us how inutile they are in promoting everyone’s right to education,” Palabay concluded. ‘NOT ONLY AS NPA FACTORY’ The decision was not solely based on STICLCI’s alleged links with the NPA, Atillo said, but mainly on findings that it has committed violations of regulations and non-compliance with DepEd requirements. Atillo added that the 30-page document submitted by the factfinding committee to DepEd-11 Dir. Evelyn Feltavero contained “substantial evidence” against STTICLC, including non-compliance with the curriculum standards set by DepEd and that teachers of the school were not licensed teachers, among others.

In the defense of tradition: DepEd has formally shut down over 50 Lumad schools in Davao, stating that these institutions deviate itself from government-approved curriculum and serve as training camps for the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) -- which has sparked debate over cultural preservation and indigenous identity PHOTO ATTRIBUTION MINDANEWS DepEd secretary, Leonor Briones said then that the schools’ operations had been suspended because they do not have permits to operate. She said only 11 of the schools applied for a new permit to operate for this year. “Last year, none of the 55 were issued permits to operate because they could not comply with requirements,” she said. Among the requirements, she said, were having legally titled land for the school campus and having enough teachers. “We have our own regulations, and we have been issuing permits for many private schools,” she said, adding that DepEd had already built schools in the areas that the Lumad schools serve, so students can instead go to those. The group criticized Briones for justifying these measures and “parroting the vilification and recycled accusation that the Salugpongan schools are teaching communist ideology among its students.”

ON QUALITY EDUCATION

3 Pisay-Caraga students ‘make headline’ on Rappler LAWRENCE OSORIO

Three students from Pisay-Caraga got featured on Rappler.com through an article published last October 18, 2019 online, letting more people know about the idea of the project. The team of Grade 12 students comprised of Miko C. Nuñez, Hannah Marielle G. Tecson and Angelo Mari C. Montero caught the attention of several media outlets while presenting their project “Feasibility of an Adaptive Timer System in Traffic Management Utilizing Induction Loops” which proposed a system for “more efficient” method of managing traffic intersections, during the CARAGA Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE) held on September 3-5, 2019. Netizens reacted positively to the article after being uploaded on the news portal’s official website and on Facebook and Twitter, garnering some queries and comments on the project.

Ms. Tecson, Mr. Montero and Mr Nuñez (from left to right) demonstrates their prototype to DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña Jr. PHOTO CREDITS KEN WOOD SEGUNDINO Several more news portals who were present during the event like Philippine Information Agency – Caraga and Manila Bulletin have also made reports on the project and published them online. Tecson explained that the system can get the number of cars by getting data from sensors that do the vehicle detection. “The logic of the system could be implemented to traffic controllers and, if installed alongside the sensors, traffic flow could speed up significantly,” she added. The winning research bagged P20,000 and is also a qualified entry to the National Invention Contest and Exhibit (NICE) – Outstanding Creative Research Category which is set to be held this year.

READ MORE rappler.com FULL URL https://bit.ly/2WI75bV

Pisay Caraga stays ISOcertified BEA JANE SERNA

In ensuring that the institution shall meet customer and stakeholder needs within statutory and regulatory requirements, the Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus (PSHS-CRC) has been recommended for continued International Organization for Standardization or ISO 9001:2015 Certification. Following the said validation last November 23, 2018, a surveillance audit was conducted last December 5, 2019 to review on the implementation of every process within the Quality Management System (QMS) and check for conformance to the ISO 9001 standard. To prepare for the said surveillance audit, PSHS-CRC organized a QMS Awareness Drive, wherein it fostered stronger level of understanding among its personnel through learnings from the QMS best practice of other PSHS campuses. In cooperation with AJA Registrars, now SOCOTEC Certification, International, PSHS-CRC’s QMS Internal Quality Auditors also engaged in a campus-based Internal Auditors’ Training, to equip the Internal Quality Auditors with the right auditing skills. During an interview, PSHS-CRC’s

Independent Auditor Kenneth Jeason Garcia stated that “Certification offers credibility, and may be viewed as a commitment to quality products and services. The ISO Certification maintains a global standard with which PSHS-CRC aims to achieve.” By securing the said certification, PSHS-CRC is assured that its operation is at par to its counterparts globally, Garcia added. Wired to provide quality products and services not only to maintain the certification but also to satisfy the clients, PSHS-CRC will benefit mostly on the degree of excellence that its personnel would operate with the

Consistency is key: As PSHS-CRC continues on providing world-quality education. students now have opportunities in learning STEM skills that can be helpful for future endeavors.” PHOTO ATTRIBUTION CODE-IT PISAY CARAGA certification. Due to the yearly ISO audit, continual improvements will be discerned by the campus to push the better to its best.

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NEWS

25.3

NEWS INFOCUS

DOST OKs TBIs, to upgrade tech startups in PH

mbps

Lagging Behind Admin faces flak for faulty network connectivity

ELAN VICTORIA TOMANENG

20.2 15.8

13.2

11.8

11.3 7.8

AUG. 1ST HALF

9.2

13.7

BEA JANE SERNA

Due to its inconsistency wherein it limits the number of users and the data they can consume in a bounded area reach, the student body and teaching staff have constantly been vocal with their backlash on the provided internet connection on-campus, which has been causing a ripple of problems to the daily routine of scholars and educators. In line with applying technology into learning, the school administration has been devoted into its attempt of securing fast internet for the whole campus to make use of, however, the provided facility apparently could not suffice the needs of approximately 500 students and 50 teachers. With its limit of 80 users a day, having 300 mbps, the Pisay Caraga community opts to use the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)’s Juan Konek Free Public Wi-Fi project rather than the broadband internet access provided by the institution.

‘LAG-IN’ Upon entering the campus vicinity, students are required to log in to a barcode system for checking the time of arrival, which helps the Registrar trace the latecomers upon filing of admission slips. However, due to the existing faulty internet connection, there are days in which the designed log-in system occasionally gets disconnected from the internet, where it disrupts the flow of students entering the campus. Substituting traditional process if ever the technologically-advanced way of inputting their time of arrival would fail, the students would then have to fall in line to individually write their time-in on a designated piece of paper per batch. This results to increased number of latecomers, disrupting a good attendance record and an additional load of effort for admission slip compliance. Part of the Filipino daily routine Showing people’s online behavior around the world, a Digital 2019 report from Hootsuite and We are Social has revealed that Filipinos spend the most

amount of time online. Filipinos spend an average of 10:02 hours a day on the internet — on any device, followed by citizens from Brazil (9:29), Thailand (9:11), Colombia (9:00) and Indonesia (8:36). Social Media Penetration in the Southeast Asian Region is at 61 percent, the report stated, which was a few percentage points behind North America and East Asia, which are at the top with 70 percent. Ranking above the worldwide average of 45 percent, the Philippines’ social media penetration in the country is at 71 percent, wherein approximately 79 million Filipinos aged 13 and older are on social media, the report added. Filipinos also spent the most time on social media at four hours and 12 minutes on average per day.

number of takers for the National Competitive Exam (NCE), the official admission test for the Philippine Science High School System, and a 26% increase in participating municipalities.

is no monopoly of talents”, he adds. “We need to collaborate because we need to consider what really are the needs. We also have to tap on their strengths in the field. That’s also why we give the teachers the freedom to collaborate with other agencies. We also need to develop our students to become team players in the industry. In our region, there are agencies that are very open for collaboration in order for us to objectively influence leaders and other team players.”

‘SIGNIFICANT’ CHANGE Improving “significantly” from 7.91 Megabits per second (Mbps) in July 2016 to 19.28 Mbps in February 2019, the Philippines’ fixed broadband speed had a 143.74% improvement in two and a half years. According to OOKLA’s Speedtest

DEC. 2ND HALF

13.2

Barely connected: The school’s admin has been receving complaints for its flawed and fickle net connection, which plays a key role in organized communication and management and tech based research and learning. DATA VISUALIZATION JUDD CHRISTIAN BAÑAS Global Index, the Philippines ranked 29th in Asia and 21st in Asia-Pacific. Internet speed for mobile broadband also improved by 94.35% from 7.44 Mbps in July 2016 to 14.46Mbps in February 2019. In mobile broadband internet speed, the improvement placed the Philippines 33rd in Asia and 23rd in Asia-Pacific. The index noted that the country’s internet speed is faster than some of its neighboring countries in the Asean region such as Cambodia, Brunei, Indonesia and Myanmar.

FROM PAGE 1 | PLANNING PISAY standardized tests, but have knowledge in interacting with innovative technologies, facing challenges, creating new ideas, and working well with peers. They are major factors in making scholars learn how it is like to work in a scientific environment where skills and values taught to them in the classroom setting are applied practically and are being put to use, thus both the upgrade and installation of new S&T laboratories, enhancement of the campus library to “Learning Commons” with the addition of new books and periodicals, annual curriculum review and development, and the establishment of campuswide access to e-Learning (electronic learning) materials are already huge steps in achieving this goal. Engr. Sanchez shares that project ‘Ambisyon 2040’ emphasizes the need for human resource development and quality education for all. He says, “We are striving to become more inclusive. The letter ‘I’ in ‘I AM PISAY CARAGA’ stands for inclusivity because we want to move as one by identifying those [students] from Caraga who have the potential to be part of Pisay’s STEM scholarship.” With Pisay’s 2019 scholarship campaign covering the region’s six cities and 67 municipalities, the system saw a 25% increase in the

EMPHASIZING COLLABORATION EFFORTS

Pisay’s 6-Year Campus Plan includes the consideration of collaborative efforts with different government agencies, such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Education (DepEd) to encourage students to immerse themselves in competitions and exhibits that uphold the values of innovation. However, this cannot be done without the proper promotion of science education especially in far-flung areas. In line with this, Pisay Caraga took efforts to collaborate with DepEd for the aforementioned Pisay scholarship campaign. “DepEd’s Regional Director Dr. Francis Cesar B. Bringa (SDS) (OIC) endorsed Pisay, which was why Division Superintendents were aware of the campaign. I even went to the last school, Lingig, Surigao Del Sur, by the boundary of Caraga Region and Davao, to campaign for our scholarship.” Engr. Sanchez says. “Pisay should acknowledge that “there

‘23 Scholars culminate Statistics Month Celebration PAUL VINCENT FELIAS

With the theme of this year’s Statistics Month, Data Innovation: Key to a better nation, scholars learn how statistics is vital in National Development.

RECOGNIZING PISAY’S DUTY IN THE REGION Campus Director Engr. Sanchez acknowledges that one of Pisay’s biggest roles is to promote Science, Technology, and Innovation, with the contribution of Caraga’s development being one of the major goals in Pisay’s 6-Year Campus Plan. As such, projects like the participation in the crafting and implementation of the Caraga Education Roadmap, S&T training for DepEd elementary school teachers, S&T Career Guidance Summit, Enhanced Community Service on Science and Technology Literacy, and spearheading the Regional Science and Technology Career Conference have been of major focus for the institution. Pisay Caraga has already made a rep

Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus opened the 30th National Statistics Month program on October 3, 2019 at the school’s AudioVisual Room with the theme “Data Innovation: Key to a better nation”. The event aims to enlighten the scholars about Statistics in general. It was exclusive wherein only the students of batch 2023 or Grade 9 students can participate. Before the actual day of the said event, Grade 9 students surveyed other scholars within the school ground about issues, preferences, and favorites. The data that the students accumulated were transferred and printed to their individual tarpaulin for the whole campus to see. It also served as their

for producing top-notch students who continuously excel in local, national, and international competitions in various fields. However, Pisay does not only focus on producing Caraga’s soonto-be promising leaders in the fields of science. It also aims to produce holistic scholars that have the heart of service. Thus, one of the institution’s plans to fully reach out to the community is by providing its students with opportunities for volunteering in Summer Missions across the region. Pisay continues to immerse itself with charity work, making sure that its scholars not only grow up to be academically smart, but people smart as well. Long years await Pisay Caraga to develop its infrastructures and facilities that will aid the scholars’ needs for innovation. But to produce scholars that would harness the passion in science and technology and serve this country with resilience is what makes Pisay the educational frontrunner of this country. The comparison between PSHS graduates with those from other science high schools may be small, but the value of their contribution to society is immense.

project for the 1st quarter of school year 2019 - 2020. During that afternoon at the lobby of the 1st academic building, the posting of tarpaulins commenced with the guidance of Mr. Gilbert Alerta, Statistics 1 teacher. In the morning of the occasion, the program started with the authorization and cooperation of the faculty, staff, and students. It was hosted by Judd Christian Bañas, a Grade 9 student. After the prayer and the singing of the national anthem, Mr. Gilbert Alerta spoke a welcome message and told the students to enjoy the event. Mr. Nestor Bong Nimeño, Mathematics 3 teacher, introduced and welcomed the Grade 11 speakers who will discuss and elaborate the

In response to the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the government is currently leveling up and placing in the global map the incubators in its Technology Business Incubation (TBI) spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to continue the growth and development of tech startups in the country. New technologies which came from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are given great importance as it pursued the promotion of a culture of innovation amd entrepreneurship. According to the DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena, under their new TBI 4.0 program, through the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, (DOSTPCIEERD) it will help tech startups network among fellow tech startups here and there and even with their foreign counterparts as they pursue projects at value adding and innovation. “Through DOST TBI 4.0 Program, we are currently levelling up our DOST TBIs to be at par with wellknown foreign incubators and put the Philippines on the map in terms of services and startup support, We aim for global presence and offer our startups opportunities so they can scale and grow,” Dela Pena stated. The DOST-PCIEERD aimed for the “internalization” of Philippine TBIs, which in turn will result to the development of globally-competitive tech startups and eventually fullfledged tech companies.

SG initiates field day to welcome freshmen CHELSEA MARGAUX PALARCA

On August 5,2019,the SG Officers welcomed the new batch of Grade-7 students.They also referred the mentioned day as the “Freshies Field Day”.A day where the Grade-7 students do activities and get a taste of what it feels like to be in Philippine Science High School. The activities given were a bit challenging according to some students,yet they found them fun due to their cooperation and quick thinking.Some students found them to be really easy and that it was only “A Piece of cake”. All the students were given awards,no matter how many some got,some stated, “as long as everyone had fun,played the games,and had some cooperation,then the activities were worth it!”. The students were all the most grateful and tired as soon as they finished.The point of those activities,no matter if for fun only or to test their quick thinking minds,they were there to test your teamwork.And let’s not forget,Without the help of the SG Officers,the short yet very fun activities would not have occurred.

importance of Statistics and how the people collect data for statistical purposes. The speakers were Danzel Grace Laspoñas, Richie Angelo Cultura, Shania Delia Tomaneng, Susanne Christine Hierl, and Virshem Rae Nery. Right after the lecture of the speakers, different competitions started, with the jingle competition being the first. The teams that can partake the contests were each section of the Grade 9 level namely: Calcium, Lithium, and Sodium. Other contests during that day were Amazing Race, Poster Making, Slogan Making, and Quiz Bee. The event ended with a closing remark of Mr. Gilbert Alerta.

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of the concerns students raised when asked of the canteen’s performance. “The canteen sometimes serves good food for their customers but sometimes it’s just very oily. Its taste is also bland at times. The food serving seems to be less than its price,” Kyla Anne Estorba said, Grade 11 student. Many had pointed out the need for more variation in their food tray. They claim that the canteen serves a repeated set of dish. Moreover, more vegetables and fruits should be served as well to promote a healthy lifestyle especially to dormers. “There should always be fruits and vegetables in their menu,” Sabellano suggested.

‘Monopolized Diet’ Canteen blasted for overpricing; students dismayed In an online survey conducted on May 26, 2020, 56 students of PSHS-CRC have expressed their level of agreement or disagreement to statements that tackle about the canteen service for the current school year, on a scale of 1 as disagreement to the statement, to 10 as strong agreement. The first statement argues that the price of the food sold is reasonable to its’ quality. More people have expressed agreement to the statement, meanwhile the number of participants that disagreed isn’t negligible. For the second statement that says the food offered is healthy and the choices are not repetitive daily, there are more students that have agreed than those who have objected to the statement. Lastly, the third statement says that the canteen is clean and is a good place to eat at, and still more students have agreed. Basically, the survey was able to yield the results that the students are fairly satisfied with the canteen service, however the number of those who have expressed dissatisfaction shouldn’t be overlooked as this may still imply a need for improvement of the canteen service.

5.42

5.47 5.08 5.72 FOOD QUALITY SANITATION NUTRITIONAL VALUE

DATA VISUALIZATION LAWRENCE OSORIO

KIT LESTER BALAYO

After a year of service in Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus, students were disappointed and criticized the school canteen over ‘sky-high’ price on certain food items which they claim to result in numerous implications. Pink Rose Catering Service, the school canteen, is the fourth one to cater for the school since PSHS-CRC’s move to their official site at TiniwisanAmpayon from Caraga State University (CSU) borrowed lot. “Dako kaayo silag ginansya, labi na sa snacks,” Zennia Granado said, a Grade 12 student. On some occasions, some are fortunate to get a big serving as they vary from time to time, Granado added. At this point, it just depends on whether the ‘size’ satisfies the price. Some students believe that the overpriced items in the canteen affect a lot of students, especially the dormers. Aside from a slim choice of cooking, students also struggle to budget their money on food on a regular day basis. “If mahal kaayo ang food ay masira ang budget sa students. Naay tendency na i-limit nila ang pagkaon, and as a result, pwede sila magbawas ng timbang,” BG Yvonne Sabellano stated in an interview, Grade 12 student. “If the food are too expensive, the student’s budget may be broken. There is a tendency that they’re going to limit

Pisay-CRC scholars begin to call out for better food options after issues of price hikes and allegations of canteen monopoly have not only been taking a toll on the students’ budgets, but as well as their diets.

PHOTO BY JEZNIN ANGEKYLA BARROQUILLO

their food intake and as a result, weight loss.” Among the items that the students claim to be overpriced are banana turuns which cost Php 6.00. Trisha Lemoncito claims that street vendors only sell this for 5 or 6 pesos which already includes two bananas. She added that some even only put 2-3 pesos price increase. Included too in her list are egg pies which Lemoncito believes to normally have a price range of 5-6 pesos, too sharp of a comparison to the school canteen’s 12 pesos. Milk beverages also enter the category of ‘overpricing’, according to Gio Sanchez which do not normally have prices of 30 pesos. Andrea Karla also shared her experience of overpricing in their viands. She said that the pork being served is too small for such a high price. Karla further pointed out their vending machine which pours inconsistent amount of water. “Balik balik ang food na ilang ginaprovide sa amo unya mahal pa gyud biskan gamay ra. Dili siya enough para mabusog mi. Luoy kaayo ang students especially and dormers since wala silay lain choice kundi mukaon sa canteen” she stated. According to Ma’am Loredy Lapitan, the School Nurse and a Health Unit member, numerous complaints sent through letters were received by their office. The complaints, she said, were mainly on their serving sizes, late food delivery, and dirty flower vases. “There were many comments regarding the services of the canteen,”

‘NO IMPROVEMENT’ Granado stressed in an interview regarding the recommendations for a better catering service, the nonexistence of improvement in the canteens that had passed by since 2015. For the first three years of PSHS-CRC, CSU had serviced them for the catering, followed by the homemakers (AY 2017-2018), then the Roldans (AY 2018-2019). “Every year we encounter the same issue. It’s just the same. Their prices are too high for their serving size and taste.” She further explained that for there to be an improvement, they should at least take into consideration the students’ melancholy on their food prices. “Lower down their prices to a reasonable one and it should be fair,” she proposed. Ciara De Paz and Sabellano also shared their recommendations for a better school canteen. They both highlighted the need to slash the prices for it to be accessible to everyone. Sabellano said that interest levels must be limited to utmost 50%. “I think they should consider the environment in a way that you won’t lose your appetite and also consider to not impose too high prices on food items,” De Paz stated.

Loredy said “and regarding this, I will also be checking the evaluation results because there are also comments entailed in the forms. Last May, PSHS-CRC students were required to evaluate for the performance of the school canteen. Ma’am Joanne Secaluya, however, said in an interview that the responses and evaluations are yet to be forwarded to the evaluation committee. “Wala pa na consolidate and e-forward pa sa eval committee kay sila ang magrelease sa result,” she stated “wala pa pud ta kabalo kung mapulihan ang current canteen kay wala pa man ang result.” Joanne says that due to time constraints and the committee getting busy for the grades, it is possible that the evaluation will be given enough time only by June. Each campus had been mandated to establish its Food Service Committee, composed of a chairperson and at least three members. The committee is expected to generate a regular monitoring and evaluation report of the canteen, to be submitted to the office of the SSD Chief for appropriate action of the Management Committee. UNSATISFACTORY FOOD AND POOR SERVICE In addition to the canteen’s failure to aid for the students’ struggle to budget their money, they also failed to provide quality food and service. Oily food, small variation of food and repeated viands, inconsistent servings, and unsettling environment, are some

ALLEGED MONOPOLY There have been accusations running around about the canteen being monopolized. Many claims that there have been negotiation between concessionaires in both sides. At times, they are also seen to discuss and share profit made for the day. Some feel the monopoly greatly than others, as there exists no other stores inside the campus. As a result students are forced to buy ‘overpriced’ food. “Maybe if there is competition, like different concessionaires, the price would lessen, but it seems to be impossible as the school only invites one store,” PSHS-CRC student stated. They claim that the canteen is not budget friendly, especially for scholars who rely strongly on stipends. It’s a ‘strategic way to capitalize from the students’ compensation, which is their stipend,’ they stated. “Yes, there’s monopoly because it’s only them where we can buy foods, like before dismissal. This is also the reason why it seems okay for them to ‘overprice’ food items because students are left with no choice,” they added.

Buwan ng Wika 2019 concludes nationwide; Pisay Caraga holds culmination ceremony

Bayanihan in Action: Various students work handin-hand to abet in the installation of the booths for the ‘Pista sa Nayon’

PHOTO BY JUDD CHRISTIAN BAÑAS ELAN VICTORIA TOMANENG

In order to acknowledge the end of the one month celebration regarding the Philippines’ national language, Filipino, Philippine Science High School-Caraga Region Campus (PSHS-CRC) hosted the Buwan ng Wika Culmination program on August 30, with the theme “ Wikang Katutubo: Tungo sa Isang Bansang Pilipino.’ The said program held multiple occasions that involved the efforts of scholars from all grade levels, teachers and school personnel. Moreover, the Laro ng Lahi was held on the morning of the program, all students were eligible to join different contests such as the ‘amazing race,’ egg-catching (by pair) and patintero. During the afternoon, the contest for the best booth started, each grade level being mandated to sell fruits or local Filipino food. The faculty also awarded the winners of the Buwan ng Wika contests such as the poster-making, awit pandalawahan, awit isahan, pagsulat ng tula, pagsulat ng salaysay, sabayang-pagbigkas and the “Lakan at Lakambini.” Furthermore, the implementation of the annual celebration was stated on Proclamation 1041, signed by President Fidel Ramos in 1997, which coincided with the birth anniversary of former President Manuel Quezon, known as the “Ama ng Wikang Pambansa.”

POLICY NEWS

Alvizo stresses DepEd support to ‘No Homework Law’ KIT LESTER BALAYO

On a confab held last October 17 at Libertad National High School, Master Teacher II Angelie C. Alvizo emphasized the support the Department of Education has on the ‘No Homework Law’ filed by the senate. According to Alvizo, it was stressed by DepEd that the law could help students maintain and have free time

or quality time for their families and friends through limiting the numbers of assignments that teachers give to students. Further, the bill could also help students in balancing their time to enhance their abilities in school without compromising their time to improve their own selves. “As a teacher, just like the Secretary, I want the bill to be passed in the readings in the congress because I believe students should have quality time with their family and friends

during weekends,” Alvizo said. The former school paper adviser also mentioned that under this policy, is the goal to realize the state’s responsibility to give importance and protect the welfare of the teachers and students. Senator Grace Poe authored Senate Bill 966 or the proposed “No homework Law” which will ban teachers to give assignments during weekends if ever the bill passes the senate and becomes a law. The bill was passed last August 27, which includes all public and private schools from Kindergarten until Senior High School. The policy, however, is yet to be scheduled for the first reading. Currently, it’s been about four to five months since the bill was passed, but no date was set for the first reading. If this goes on, Alvizo claimed, the bill might ‘die’.

PHOTO BY JUDD CHRISTIAN BAÑAS

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STEM-READY

PHOTO BY CARL DJHON GANGCA

Pisay CRC commemorates first ever STEM fest

In spite Gov’t flays to DOTr

Local citizens hail e-jeepneys’ entry in Butuan City B Y T HE N U M B ERS FAR FROM RESOLVED Despite gaining support from commuters in the city, the program has been actively criticized by multiple transport groups since its initial implementation in 2017.

P1.2M

P10

Modern jeepneys do come in a hefty price, thus the modernization has been seen by multiple groups as anti-poor.

Of these modern jeepneys are now up and running, serving multiple locations in the region.

Minumum fare for the modern jeepneys is 3 pesos more than regular jeepney minimum fare of 7 pesos.

work towards them. It was reported that out of the promised 87,000 units of e-jeepneys to be released by 2020, only 2, 595 units are in operation so far. “For such a major project, it’s such a hodge-podge planning. It’s so disappointing, Mr. Secretary. I’m sorry to say.” The transition period – when older jeepneys will be phased out and replaced by modernized units – began in 2017 and set to end in July 2020. The department had said 85,000 units would be needed for deployment within the period, which is a long way to go from the only 2,595 units released for public use. ‘FAR FROM RESOLVED’ On July 15, Senator Grace Poe said the LTFRB should not be dismissive about the demands of the transport groups. “The issues surrounding the jeepney modernization program are far from

resolved. The program, no matter how promising it looks, should also not brush aside transparency and due process for drivers and operators who only ask government to consider their plight,” Poe said. Poe previously said that the drivers are on the “losing side” in terms of costs brought by the modernization program. According to LTFRB figures, only 4,000 modern jeepney units are in operation, while 17,000 are available to be loaned. There is an estimate of about 180,000 registered jeepney franchises nationwide. In 2017, when the PUV modernization was first launched, transport groups held several strikes nationwide to protest its implementation. The Malacanang tried to defend DOTr, however, saying that the project is long overdue and cannot be delayed longer.

– Caraga Region Campus strutted the abilities and talents of its students by organizing its first-ever pageant, as part of its Foundation Week. Comprising contestants from each of the pioneer batches, Mr. and Ms. Pisay Caraga showcased their beauty and brains, as they brought forward their individual advocacies, including Mental Health, Environmental Care, and Child Welfare, in which they believed in to inspire the Pisay Caraga community. With sponsors and funding from the General Parent-Teacher Association and local franchises, the occasion kicked off with the Introduction of Candidates, followed by the Showcase of Talents, and the pageant proper, all distributed to a three-night event of the Foundation Week. Mr. Virshem Nery and Ms. Franceska

Gamutan, representing Tribu Mapulon and Tribu Apolaki respectively, were crowned Mr. and Ms. Pisay Caraga. In an interview, Mr. Pisay Caraga Virshem Nery said “Going into the competition, I had never anticipated that I would, by any chance at all, win. I simply joined the competition with the mindset that I would enjoy as much of it as possible while still doing my best as a candidate and representative of my batch.” As for his plans as Mr. Pisay Caraga 2019, “I simply aim to be a continual influence to other people while taking every opportunity I can to promote proper waste management and abstinence from the dependent use of plastics as these can function greatly as factors in the disturbance of marine environmental conditions”, Nery added.

KIT LESTER BALAYO

ANGEL ALINDAJAO

In order to enhance the scholars skills and knowledge in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics(STEM), Philippine Science High school - Caraga region campus celebrates first ever STEM festival held in Butuan City, September 26-27. The scholars of the said campus was divided into six STEM camps, namely STEM camp one,STEM camp two,STEM camp three,STEM camp four,STEM camp five , and STEM camp six. Given these facts, the festival have many events like jingle making, kite flying, quiz bowl, rubik’s cube (individual and group category), robotics (sumo bot, scribble bot, and groovy gears) , speed stacking, damath, digital poster making, and web development. The winner for jingle making competition is from camp number two,for the kite flying champion is from camp four, camp one for quiz bowl, rubik’s cube (team) champion is from camp two while the winner for the individual category is from camo four,scribble bot winner is coming form camp six, camp five for speed stacking, camp four for web development, the champion for groovy gears is camp five, robot racing winner coming from camp number four, sumo bot is camp five, for booth making is camp three, and digital poster making from camp number four. Moreover, the overall champion of the festival is camp number four followed by the first runner-up winner - camp number two and STEM camp number five as second runner-up winner. Aditionally, the program was conducted at the above mentioned campus. Furthermore, the student were prescribed to wear t-shirts with their corresponding color base on their camp group.

#WTD2020

CRC students praises teachers on WTD ‘20 ANGEL ALINDAJAO

The Philippine Science High School-Caraga Region Campus commemorated the World Teachers’ Day to show love and respect for all the teachers who taught them lessons in order to prepare them for their future, October four. The said celebration was held at the school lobby. The program was conducted in the morning on the said date and gived out the whole afternoon as a “day off” for the teachers. Furthermore, the Student Government (SG) lead the said program. Moreover, the SG gave each teacher a printed mug as a gift from them. Aside from the SG officers, the Pisay students also gave their gifts for their teachers during and after the program.

Despite the heavy flaks and criticism of government officials to the Department of Transportation due to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) poor planning, it is evident on the feedbacks by the local citizens of Butuan City that the e-jeepneys are more than welcome to the people. In a social media post of Karen, she stated that ‘e-jeepneys are definitely better than the old jeepneys as it provides more and better features.’ “Kanindot jud kaayo mosakay sa e-jeepney kay mas comfortable ka mosakay. Aside sa eco-friendly siya kay solar-powered man siya, naa pa jud siyay air-con ug naa pay tv,” Karen said on a facebook post. “It is really nice to ride e-jeepney because it is more comfortable. Aside from it being an eco-friendly jeep, it also has its own air-conditioning system and it even has its own television, which you can watch at any time.” More netizens have shown their view and feedback on the entry of e-jeepneys through commenting on shared posts regarding the PUVMP. One of these netizens commented “For clean air act phase out of all old PUB/PUJ and Taxis 10 years and above.” Another one expressed his positive view on the e-jeepneys and at the same time gave an advice addressed to DOTr. The comment stated “Yes. At dapat, malinis ang driver at sasakyan. Drug test mga driver at turuan ng LTO sa mga loading and unloading place. Marunong bumasa at umintindi ng traffic lights.” On a survey conducted in Libertad, nine people gave positive feedbacks on the said Modernization Program, meanwhile one disagreed to the entry of e-jeepneys in Butuan City. About 75 units of ecological-friendly e-jeepneys were released for public use last October 8. These units were evenly distributed to different parts of Caraga Region, after its initial launching here in Butuan city dakbayan led by Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board, LTFRB-Caraga. According to Jose Evangeluz Lawemko, chairman of Diamond Transport Services Cooperative (DTSCO-Caraga), the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) allocated P109million, 800-thousand for the units for all 877 members of the region. The entry of expensive e-jeepneys in the country was caused by the ‘elaborate’ plan of DOTr to improve the country’s public transportation system, PUVMP. It aimed to replace old jeepneys with newer, safer, and environment-friendly units, thus the e-jeepneys.

The vehicles have been equipped with Beep, a contactless card to provide alternate fare payment

PHOTO ATTRIBUTION BUTUAN CITY PIO Rushed rides: Jeepneys to be replaced with modernized units to aid commuters’; transportation conditions despite DOTr’s targetsetting issues.

PHOTO BY JUDD CHRISTIAN BAÑAS On the year 2017, the PUVMP was started. That year, the DOTr proposed a budget of P843-million, which was allocated for training programs, the Davao Public Transport Study, interregional route planning, a communications campaign, and funds for the Office of Transport Cooperatives and Project Management Office (PMO). This year, the program had a reduced budget of P447 million. The training programs, information education campaign, and PMO funds remained intact, albeit with much smaller allocations. Two new line items were introduced: the Tsuper Iskolar program and the PUVM “support infra database,” which is technology-based recording system for franchises. Route planning and transport studies were not among the funded components. On October 3, Senator Drilon criticized the Failure of DOTr to set realistic targets for the PUVMP and

PISAY MILESTONE

PSHS-CRC holds first pageant on 7th founding year

HEAR THEIR FULL ADVOCACY HERE

BEA JANE SERNA

After 7 years of its establishment as a campus of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System, the PSHS

Miss Gamutan and Mr. Nery after being crowned the first Mr. and Ms. Pisay

PHOTO BY KENNETH DANIEL ATIENZA

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PAGE 09

O U TL O O K VOX POPULI

the word ‘everyone’ does not come with the exception of anyone

5.42/10

Scholars say that Raffy Tulfo’s ‘citizen justice’ was unacceptable and the situation concerning the teacher was poorly handled.

The canteen was rated by the scholars based on their service. This is what the scholars rated them (average)

Over Trebled Conflict

EDITORIAL

IN THIS SECTION

Check, Pls.

PAGE 8

Converging to A Sustainable Future

PAGE 9

Everyone, Everything PAGE 9

the thirteenth scholars THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL CARAGA REGION CAMPUS VOLUME 4 ISSUE 01 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2019

BRGY. AMPAYON-TINIWISAN, BUTUAN CITY 8600 ADVISER KENNETH JEASON GARCIA CAMPUS DIRECTOR RAMIL SANCHEZ

FACEBOOK The Thirteenth Scholars TWITTER @scho_trese EMAIL the13thscholars@gmail.com

“

9/10

PURSUING ONLY THE UNTARNISHED, UNPREJUDICED, AND UNSWAYED TRUTH

“

In a typical school setting, students and teachers alike have their own respective rights. The latter lectures, the former listens. Or better yet, the teacher instructs while the student follows. However, it is not every day that these ‘rules’ are followed.

It may happen that the student does not listen or just disobeys the teacher altogether. When an issue like this erupts, conflict is bound to happen. Such is the case of Public Teacher Melita Limjuco, who, after being reprimanded for allegedly ‘traumatizing’ a student via discipline, has been stripped of her license when Broadcaster Raffy Tulfo presented the 55-year-old with a false dilemma; either face criminal charges or surrender your profession. Unfortunately, Teacher Melita chose door number two. Not only does this issue evoke how flawed one’s judgment can be, it also shows how issues tend to shine on only one side and never the other. The parents of the abovementioned student demanded punishment upon the teacher when in fact, she was only disciplining her student after he failed to submit his report card in spite of several past reminders. Disciplinary action should not be grounds for license revocation. And to think that people wonder just why students nowadays feel so entitled and are easily offended. On the other hand, one prevalent aspect that revolves around this entire circumstance is the Child Protection Policy that lurks in schools. If the student, as the parents and relatives claimed him to be, was actually traumatized because of his teacher’s actions, then that is when the situation becomes a ground for intervention in the sense that children must be

protected when in the presence of factors that risk their normal development, so-called ‘traumatization’ included. Although there are always those privileges and rights jotted down by an educational institution, it does not grant the right to exceed them. As family of the said student, the parents

Disciplinary action should not be grounds for license revocation. And to think that people wonder just why students nowadays feel so entitled and are easily offended.

must not cloud their perception and look only at what they think is right when all along they are blind to the truth. It may sound overused and bankrupt, but one should never abuse his or her rights to anything. Since this controversy stirs up so much opinion and emotion, it comes as a question as to why a radio host such as Raffy Tulfo can have the penultimate say in all of this. Tulfo, as much as his reputation precedes him, is just a broadcaster at the end of the day; not a judicial court. There is always a due process for any issue that arises, and not a trial by publicity. In addition, the ‘Raffy Tulfo in Action’ show does not possess the place nor right to expose this case on live television. Lawyer Joseph Noel expressed his concern for Teacher Melita by saying that she does not deserve the public humiliation and ridicule she is being subject to now along with losing her job. With 29 years of experience as a public-school teacher, robbing Teacher Melita of her license to teach is paramount to taking away more than half of her life’s work. The 55-year-old teaches without much of something in return; just a tinge of obedience is more than enough. People, especially parents of today’s students, must not focus only on their own emotions and opinion on their children’s education when the teachers themselves are the ones who make the effort to educate.

BOARD OF EDITORS CHIEF EDITOR Judd Christian Bañas ASSISTANT EDITOR Carl Djhon Gangca MANAGING EDITOR Joaquin Jerecho Ferolino SECTION EDITORS Bea Jane Serna Lawrence Osorio Elan Victoria Tomaneng Kit Lester Balayo John Rhiel Tepait Paul Vincent Felias Rhojen Elah Jampac Jessie Lix De Ramos Kenneth Jerome Gloria Alexandra Gabrielle Romano PHOTOJOURNALISTS Nathalie May Libres Jeznin Angekyla Barroquillo Carl Djhon Gangca Kismet Fran Suan Kenneth Daniel Atienza CARTOONISTS AND ILLUSTRATORS Eulivanne Rose Anduyan Roy Angelo Velmonte Ysabella Juliet Geolingo Judd Christian Bañas Gio Kiefer Sanchez Angelica Grace Tabili Winnie Paquio LAYOUT ARTIST Judd Christian Bañas CONTRIBUTORS Angel Alindajao Goldemer Fajardo Claudine Ysabelle Gloria Justine Castillo Princess Dianne Cabardo Estelle Espinosa Paul Nelson Gonzaga Greg Adrian Oclarit Princess Sofia Cabardo Gio Agelio Bringas Katrina Lea Rosales Shaina Delia Tomaneng Danika Mae Soberano Shalom Lagahit Joshua Calumba Francis Isaac Mijares Jemuel Adrian Mongado Harold Giovannie Guelos Lance Joshua Irisari Aljeryk Priete

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O U TL O O K YOUNGBLOOD

The importance of a Voice

PRINCESS SOFIA CABARDO

CHECK PLS.

When the voice that speaks for the voiceless disappears, then who will speak for those who are unable to? Journalism has a vital role in the society. It serves as the voice of the people and it makes sure that the pleas of the people are heard. It helps us see a critical point of view of the society we live in. It is the art of storytelling, teaching and learning. In order to promote and ensure the growth of Journalism, it is important that we don’t limit it to only professionals but also to students as they are the future of the country. They are given the right to practice it, for it is much more than what it is, in practice. Campus Journalism upholds and strengthens press freedom at the campus level. Through this, students become open-minded and develop a critical mindset that will aid them in knowing and assessing what is happening in our country. If we expose students to this field, they will gain knowledge that is needed for them to evaluate whether something is right or wrong. In addition, they will also be able to hone their literacy skills as literacy can no longer refer simply to the ability to read and write. Campus Journalism can usher change and progress in the country because of its ability to help shape the opinions of the youth and to let the youth see the bigger picture of the

current situation. The right that helps them search, unveil, and share the truth shouldn’t be stopped. Campus Journalism is important, and it shouldn’t be overlooked as just another extracurricular activity because its importance in the campus is just like how press freedom is at a national level. Press Freedom is one of the pillars of democracy. The press works independently, outside the government, for the press is by the people of the state and not of the ruling body. It serves as the bridge between the people and the authorities. The press should be able to freely point out the actions the authorities shouldn’t be doing, and remind them of what they should be doing without any suppression; good governance can only take hold when the press can freely monitor, investigate, and criticize the policies and actions of the authorities because when the freedom of the press is suppressed, democracy ends. Without press freedom, it becomes difficult for journalists to speak and write for what is right. It becomes difficult for them to stand by the truth as they are speaking and writing of the truth that could possibly offend the authorities. This is why press freedom is important in the national level. The right that encompasses any walk of life is a right that shouldn’t be suppressed. Everyone has the right to know the truth and to speak for it. No one should be stopped from doing so. The press provides us the platform to let the authorities know what we need. It also lets us know of what the authorities plan to do about a certain issue. Campus Journalism is the same, it gives the students the right to share their insights and opinions about certain issues and events not only in the school but also in the society.

HORIZONS JOHN RHIEL TEPAIT Experts have pinned on November 7, 2019 that the spread of hate speech and disinformation stems from the existing business model of social media, the billion dollar real-time bidding advertising industry. It is said that through the snapshotting of data such as political views, and religion, placement of specific types of information becomes easy from the habits of social media users. Disinformation is a highly dangerous weapon of governmental disputes. They range from ruining the image of one political figure and as far as being able to control the people themselves through fear and confusion. As fake news is not easily forged on television, it usually originates from the internet because it is the most accessible marketplace of information. People are quick to assume current events from headlines they read on the internet. There are also naïve people who share whatever they might find for clout.

These kinds of irresponsible audience are what make the proliferation of misinformation spread. Facebook is mainly under fire for allegedly selling information to advertisers. However, all social media platforms as well as search engines such as Google are supposed to have defenses against the spread of false information. The implementation of these defenses is helpful, regardless of the reasons behind this. These great barriers that suppress the spread of fake news however, are not perfect. There will always be people that will not read the entire article and if they do, they forget to check the sources of the information. Knowledge is power but the wrong kind is not. It is not that reading articles online should be demonized, but readers should be responsible of what they read and share on the internet. It is always recommended to check and double check the legitimacy of the information that one is reading. Unnecessary confusion and instigation of fear among the people would only empower the cause.

TRIP DOWN TO MEMORY LANE Ideas are no one’s monopoly. One of the best moments in journalism is to look back at the works that shed time and effort even if it’s way behind deadlines. The articles written on our previous volumes are milestones of the past events as well as a reminder to the journalists that there’s no such thing as easy work in this field. It takes more than talent, it takes skills, integrity, passion, and loyalty to pull off journalism. Relive your school memories as you go through the previous issues made by the Thirteenth Scholars!

Permanent Ink

JOAQUIN JERECHO FEROLINO

A person remains the same no matter how much time has passed. More than a decade after former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez’s imprisonment, outrage erupted in the Philippines when a petition allows the potential early release of the 73-year-old convict. The heinous details of Sanchez’s crimes have reemerged, reminding people about what gruesome acts the former mayor did. Sanchez’s crimes are like a tattoo that is forever on his skin, and will never disappear. But because of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law, Sanchez might just have a shot at an early release. The GCTA can deduct his sentence and lay out allowance for good conduct especially since he is a person deprived of liberty. His crimes may be as heinous as it can get, but there is no denying the potentiality that the GCTA can impose on Sanchez’s sentence. The senate is also appalled by this issue after Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa remarked that Sanchez deserves a second chance in life. Dela Rosa further said that Sanchez became a changed man in prison. Behavioral change may dictate his sentence deduction, but will it make up for his crimes? In the eyes of the justice department, however, Sanchez’s crimes and behavior are seen purely as what they are and not a basis for the GCTA. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra indicated thar Sanchez would remain imprisoned due to the severity of his crimes. As a pivotal point in whatever justice

is imposed on a criminal, crime should be treated as it is and not what it can lead to. In addition, it is not only the justice department along with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) who say that Sanchez should remain in prison. The

His crimes may be as heinous as it can get, but there is no denying the potentiality that the GCTA can impose on Sanchez’s sentence.

masses also voice out their stand in the form of a petition that affirms his seven life sentences. Sanchez’s crimes deserve nothing more than the penalty they garnered. The horrific crimes of the former mayor will always remain marked in his life written in his hands with an everlasting stroke. If Sanchez claims he has changed as a person, he cannot say he lost that indelible mark. The things he did will remain with him as a cloud over his head.

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OUTLOOK

GET REAL

Converging to a Sustainable Future PHOTO ATTRIBUTION NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT MINDANEWS

Letters to the editor LACK OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS DURING CONTESTS One thing I believe that would benefit our school is to support the students more in joining various contests. Numerous students in our school have the talent and skills to join competitions— however with their busy schedules, they cannot hone their skills and be able to practice for their betterment. By supporting them, not only would they be able to give their best, but it would also motivate them to win and bring glory to our school’s name. I believe this will benefit both the students and the school.

INCOMPETENCE OF SCHOOL CAFETERIA AND MEAL ARRANGEMENTS Everyday, students lookforward to their lunchbreaks to talk, to spend time with their friends, and to enjoy their meals. The lack of quality in our school cafeteria is a very serious issue that many students want to fix. Both Regional and City Scholars rely on the cafeteria to serve them nutritional and good food. By increasing the food handlers in the school and not limitting it to one distributor, it creates a good pressure for these handlers to serve food on time. This also provides a diversity of food options for students who also have certain food restrictions.options for students who also have certain food restrictions.

Editors Reply RE: LACK OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS DURING CONTESTS This has been one of the reasons why students are less compelled to join contests. Unfortunately there hasn’t been any proper action from the administration concerning this issue. Nonetheless I still believe that this concern will be duly addressed some time from now. For now, we will try to send your concern to the Student Services Division, so that they will be informed about this.

RE: INCOMPETENCE OF SCHOOL CAFETERIA AND MEAL ARRANGEMENTS This problem has been always a concern to the students for several years. It seems that this issue has not been solved yet. I can guarantee that the administration is trying to find feasible alternatives to the way our canteen system works. Hopefully, by next school year, we will be seeing significant changes in our cafeteria.

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JUDD CHRISTIAN BAÑAS

COMMENTARY

Everyone, Everything JOAQUIN JERECHO FEROLINO The word ‘everyone’ does not come with the exception of anyone. All children have the right to education as an integral part of their lives, including the natives of Southern Philippines who earned their mark as the Lumads. But what of their dreams and ambitions if their schools, which are the requisites of their education, are formally shut down by the Department of Education itself? Schooling is meant to be given, and not to be taken away from the people who need it just as much as a child needs a mother. This story of how 55 Lumad schools in Davao region starts at the heart of the schools themselves. Despite their common goal to equip its students with the necessary skills and knowledge they need, they failed to follow the curriculum standard set by DepEd as well as hire educators who are licensed to do their jobs. Education

may be important, yet it comes at the cost at something more than just being taught. A link was also found to have propagated within the premises of these Lumad schools; a link which negatively dictates the schools’ authenticity as a place where children are bestowed with cognizance. A fact-finding team which was sent to sweep through the mentioned institutes turned in their report that deems the 55 schools as training grounds for New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. In a genuine point of view, these allegations make the schools’ image questionable and adjacent to what can only be dangerous. Students who fell victim to the closure of these schools would have to face the consequences that come with it. Thousands of Lumad children are now stripped of their basic right which poses an irresponsible mask in the face of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said it is part of the government’s

responsibility to ensure that children are free from abuse and violence. Refusing them their right to education is an injustice that matches that of foul play. Not only do these Lumads need education, they are also needed by the people who give education. Lumads and other Indigenous People have a role in society as teachers of cultural expression and self-determination which they spread not only among themselves, but to everyone regardless of status. Even the ones whose lives are already decorated need to taught by someone other than themselves to discover what they lack. People are talking about equal rights, yet they fail to see this problem even on the educational level. They fail to look deeper into what is seen by the naked eye and focus only on the problems that only concern them. The Lumads have to have education because if one child has everything, why can’t another have everything as well?

HORIZONS

From Dust to Gold Nothing does not always lead to nothing. It can also lead to the very best something. The no-homework policy, filed by the House of Representatives, is a focal point which stands to give student the time they need to spend quality time with their family and friends and escape the grasp of academic pressure. As stated in the Department of Education’s statement on this issue, time and a tinge of leisure even just on the weekends, despite being considered as ‘unorthodox’, is needed if people want students to stay focused without putting too much of a burden on themselves. It looks like the very best ‘something’ is found not on the policy, but the impact it has possesses. DepEd finds for this policy, yet that cannot dictate whether it is something that can be implemented right from the get-go. According to Master Teacher II Angelie C. Alvizo, the problem riding on this bill is the fear that DepEd itself would not be able to handle the articulation of this proposal, leading to the mishandling of the information surrounding it. This no-homework policy is still a shot in the dark in terms of its implementation. The bill has not even undergone a first hearing, meaning that it would not be able to go through a second one nor a third. This can mean the death of the bill, and people would be left to mourn its passing. What separates this nohomework policy from other

modern day bills is the fact that it does not aim itself on timely issues, but rather on a simpler one which people have chose to ignore over the years. House Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero JOAQUIN JERECHO explained that homework can FEROLINO deprive students of quality time with their loved ones along with rest and relaxation. What better way to address this than to discourage giving homework on weekends where families can go out and play? Not only does this proposal find for personal growth and repose, it also seeks to improve students’ performance in the classroom. “If students are needed to perform, then they shall perform inside the classroom,” Alvizo said on a press conference. It’s true that academic development can always be cultivated through the time which was given for students to learn, not the time for students to relax. Students are required to undergo the rigorous academic program they find themselves in, yet they are not inclined to bring their responsibilities with them back home especially on weekends. By focusing on their studies during the time required for them to learn, then they can find personal growth during the time required for them to take a break. If the no-homework policy can bring benefit, then that benefit will be the something that came from nothing.

This nohomework policy is still a shot in the dark in terms of its implementation. The bill has not even undergone a first hearing, meaning that it would not be able to go through a second one nor a third.

We have all heard of climate change and its devastating impact it has brought to the lives of the Filipino people. But there are many that deny the existence of this growing problem. Economic growth of almost 7% is based on the rapid growth of the productive population. At the same time, the population is increasingly in danger, because people are willing to take risks for short-term profits. The direct costs resulting from natural disasters, Philippine’s annual gross domestic product lowers by 0.8%. Industries choose production sites

In our constant battle with climate change, there is no doubt about the fact that the planet will survive but, as we constantly seek economic growth and be negligent of our environment, maybe, it is us who will not. in rivers and coastal regions, and workers follow suit. As a result, more and more people are affected by storms and floods. Also, due to substandard materials and weaker building structures, industrial facilities in the country are easily damaged when hit by floods and other disasters. Mining, quarrying and deforestation are to be blamed in events of widespread flooding occurs near mountainous regions. According to the Forest and Management Bureau, an umbrella agency of DENR, because of widespread logging and kaingin, the Philippines loses around 47,000 hectares of forest cover each year. Multiple environmental groups had raged to the streets and urged the Philippine government to take action against this ‘planetary emergency’. The late Environmental Advocate, Gina Lopez had also spearheaded crackdowns of illegal and unregulated mining and logging operations. Because of this, the Philippine government has adopted ecologically and economically efficient concept in the development of infrastructure as an overarching strategy through innovative interventions and technologies, as an important approach to dealing with the challenges of climate change. In our constant battle with climate change, there is no doubt about the fact that the planet will survive but, as we constantly seek economic growth and be negligent of our environment, maybe, it is us who will not.

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Survival of the fittest: Lorenz Pango, Grade 12 student, gathering flags from different batches to ensure the victory of 2020 in this year’s Capture the Flag.

S PO RT S

PHOTO BY KISMET FRAN SUAN

Bathala snags gold in Intramurals’ Capture the Flag BEA JANE SERNA

Riding high on strength and stamina, Tribu Bathala of Batch Bente tugged its back-to-back finish as the last team standing, securing three team flags and numerous of personal buntings, which became their winning edge in blasting the five other teams in Capture the Flag during the 7th Foundation Week

of Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus (PSHS-CRC) last November 28, 2019. With his killer instinct, 6-footer Lorenz Pango’s main play of vigor lead the team to a game of miles, as the chances of winning for the other teams were decreasing in high-speed. Wiping out the younger players by snatching their team flags, the course of the game was at its climax when Harvey Vicariato was the last man standing for Mapulon, yet had the highest number

of team flags, which sought to have an early celebration for the claimed “win”. However, after being eliminated, with much deliberation from the teachers-in-charge, Mapulon ended up in third place after Vicariato’s personal bunting was snatched by Pango. “For me, Capture the Flag or CTF, was a game that really emphasized teamwork rather than sheer force. We built our entire game plan that involved maximizing each individual’s strength while maintaining strong and coherent action.” Pango said. After clashing with Mayari, Bathala emerged victorious after successfully securing the opponent’s team flag, as Pango was knocked out of the game after losing his personal bunting to a Mayari contender.

“We all focused on taking down the biggest threats of each grade levels, one notable person was Harvey, who singlehandedly shifted the entire balance of the game by eliminating the grades 7-9, but with that, we used our alliance with Mayari to the fullest and surrounded the grade 10 team and eventually captured their flag. The grades 12 and 11 trusted each other until only two teams remained. Both of us held our ends of the bargain that we share the points and now the only thing to shift the balance was to capture each other’s flag before time ran out,” Pango added. Capture the Flag, or CTF, was introduced to the yearly Intramurals last 2018, wherein Batch Bente also bagged the top spot.

Mayari reigns supreme, as balanced outing crushes Idiyanale in Frisbee Finals JUDD CHRISTIAN BAÑAS

Alyssa Campos’ Ugnayan exposure gave Mayari a little bit of an upper-hand over their juniors. Mayari banked on the efficiency of Alyssa Campos to secure an unprecedented victory over Idiyanale (8-4), in this year’s Intramurals Frisbee Finals, October 26. In the last few minutes of the game, Levi Medado and Bryah Años made it hard for the Aguilar-Salang duo and the rest of the Idiyanale squad to get past the last few meters of the playing field to reach the end zone. Under five minutes in the game, Mayari tallied two goals and three blocks, leaving their foes blank for a moment. In a daring attempt to score one for the team, Leanne Salang’s cut to Sophia Milloren’s long pass ended up as the team’s first goal. Nonetheless, the efforts by Red to come through from a 2-point deficit were not enough to parallel Purple’s extremely o-gameplay. Idiyanale’s defensive player, Milloren

put in efforts to at least narrow the gap, but it was constantly denied by the seniors. The game ended in a hard cap, with the last pull made by the seniors, who later cancelled the juniors bid to score their final goal. Hopes were high for Idiyanale squad early in the game, but their by-the-book gameplay simply wasn’t enough to match Mayari, who capitalized on their relatively tall players. “The game was fast paced. It made it hard to catch the disk,” Aguilar, Team Captain of Idiyanale, said. “Nagpanic sila (referring to her teammates), muo siguro na in the end, Grade 11 ang nidaog,” she added. In an interview with Bea Serna of Mayari she said, “ Tag-as mig players. Naa si Levi ug si Bryah. Amo lang to giuse to our advantage.” Ultimate Frisbee was introduced as a new event in this year’s Intramurals, to select students who will represent Pisay Caraga in the next year’s Ugnayan in Cagayan Valley.

Pisay Ugnayan: Connecting through Sports JEODVAYN ESTORCO

A sports festival conducted by an educationally driven school? Much less from Philippine Science High School? No way. From the moment the news was up, the students were in disbelief and in awe. Never in Pisay history was ģ, was very ecstatic to hear this news. Students gathered up, took, information and let loose their sporty side. The month of October became the month of sports training to all of us who were interested in joining the very first ever Ugnayan Festival. Students from different PSHS campuses participated in this awaiting event. Even Some batches of mine just wants to get in because of student meet ups and get together. Needless to say, we were pretty worked up about this much equivalent to how we react a day before the exam. Well, prominently me. I felt like we were place in a heating microwave with an increasing temperature every second because students are getting competitive by the second! There were several sports to be held in the festival but it was done through selective Screenings. Many students wanted to participate yet only few are to be selected. Though

the seniors, like myself, are more pressured since we only got one shot at these events. It was unclear if this will be repeated in the next school year so we gave our best shot. Students cried, weep, laughed and accepted their placing. So far so good, I got in as a volleyball representative, thankfully. The day before we were about to travel, we were informed to hit the road early in morning at school. Early breakfast, road stops, and constant karaoke were done during the travel. It was quite a long hour travel and the moment we got to SRC (Soccsksargen Region Campus) we were overwhelmed by the number of students that were already there. So many people to potentially meet yet so little time. But it was not long before the competitive aura started to kick in and the chorale members started to practice their songs as well as the other sports representative. The opening ceremony was a blast! You could really see and feel that they put a lot of effort in this very first event. The campus host did a good job in conducting different performances that surely left us sleepy in the next morning. The official first day of the games began and I was, no, we were nervous since it was only a single elimination! So once beaten then we stay below and there is no chance of getting a higher place. When playing a team sport, they

PHOTO BY KISMET FRAN SUAN

need coordination and a proper placement of the team with each other’s approval and willingness. And that was our mistake, we did not quite get along and the pompous moron I was selected the wrong role. How I regretted that choice but we didn’t quite give up after we lost so we earned 3rd place. Well Not bad for a first time play with incoherent team! Games played one after another, changing different places and just plain having fun. Even the teachers participated in their little events and surely evident from their faces that they had fun. Laughter were commonly heard from different venues expressing the joy they felt for a sweet victory or maybe they saw something funny. Cries and faces of disappointment could also be seen from their defeat and it was not easy to take in since some players are too passionate about their game thus making it so heartbreaking to watch. But it doesn’t mean that when you lose, you’re a loser. Maybe sometimes you can learn from those mistakes that you did and find time to try and improve yourself. I know I did, and I know my fault. Being a player isn’t really easy. In order for one to succeed, one has to give everything they’ve got. And giving ones’ all isn’t really an easy task either; it takes sacrifices, commitment and determination for one to break through. Having the Ugnayan was very refreshing for me since it balanced my mind and body. We were able to interact with other PSHS students, physically and mentally. We were able to subside our competitive side when the scholar’s night was held. Students packed the area and were

introducing to each other. was a wholesome scene since we were able to experience the beauty of our community and a great opportunity to just have fun and live as a high school student. Nevertheless, it was one of a kind. The last day of the event comprises of sightseeing and different tours. We got the opportunity to visit different tourist spots in the region of Soccsksarggen. So far it was a memorable activity held by the Pisay community. It was not really the best but quite memorable. Though it was a short meeting, it held a deep meaning. Mixed emotions were found by the students, including me. Some held contentment in their faces and some held determination most probably for the next Ugnayan sports festival. But nevertheless, it was a memorable activity that adored by made many students.

PHOTO BY RENZ NATHANIEL LUYAO

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SPORTS

BACK TO BACK

2021 bags overall champion award in Intrams 2019 PAUL VINCENT FELIAS

Tribu Mayari, class of 2021, ended the week-long 7th Foundation Anniversary with a victory by winning the overall champion trophy after garnering a total score of 290 points during the Intramurals 2019 on November 29, 2019 of Philippine Science High School - Caraga Region Campus. The batch winner was followed by Tribu Mapulon or Batch 2020 with 279 points, Tribu Bathala or Batch 2022 with 248 points, Tribu Idiyanale or Batch 2023 with 208 points, Tribu Dumakulem or Batch 2024 with 166 points, and Tribu Apolaki or Batch 2025 with 147 points, respectively. Batch 2021 proved prowess and consistency by acclaiming two consecutive wins for the overall placement. During PSHS – CRC’s Intramurals 2018, the batch won as the overall champion under House Lannister, their batch indicator or team name during the past event. Tribu Mayari acquired sufficient number of points due to the various events that they excelled on, whether individual or group event. Most of the partakers of different competitions got aboard on the top spots and were given recognition and prizes such as the participants for Capture the Flag, Volleyball Girls, and other Laro ng Lahi and sport events. Even in creative competitions of the 7th Foundation Anniversary such as the Tri-Battle and Resiklo, the representatives of Batch 2021 secured spaces in the ranking. Every game and contest that the members of their batch are joining up until the awarding ceremony, there are number of supporters, including few from other batches, cheering for their class. With the practice they made and support from their teachers and fellow scholars, they were given the spotlight to celebrate their triumph as the overall winner of this year’s Intramurals.