The Spearhead - Volume 1 No. 2 Special Release

WHAT’S INSIDE

NEWS: SHS voucher program extends in SUCs, LUCs

EDITORIAL: Chapter Closed...

FEATURE: FreeDOOMwall page 5

SCITECH: Solution From Addiction page 6

SPORTS: USTP-SHS Men’s Basketball falters grip on final berth

SHS voucher program extends in SUCs, LUCs

by Mary Allaine Cabot

To ‘prevent any displacement of SHS learners’, the Department of Education (DepEd) vowed to continue the voucher program for Senior High School (SHS) students enrolled in state university and colleges (SUCs) and local university and colleges (LUCs) for school year 2023-2024.

DepEd noted that the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP) will be extended to Grade 11 students enrolled in SUCs and LUCs for the current school year until they complete their Grade 12 in SY 2024-2025.

Students of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines - Senior High School (USTPSHS), a SUC affected by the discontinuance of the said program expressed hope with the recent announcement.

Euhann Cruz II, a Grade 11 student of USTP-SHS expressed his hope for the voucher program extension in SUCs and LUCs, stating that the initiative will significantly alleviate the financial burden, especially for those facing economic challenges. “Personally, it gave me a sense of hope and assurance for a smoother educational journey, thereby alleviating the strain not only on us, students, but on our families as well,” Cruz said in the interview.

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Population of Senior High School Students in USTP CDO (AY 2023-2024)

There are 51.4% (209 students) of Grade 12 students and 48.6% (194 students) of Grade 11 enrolled students in the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024 at the university.

USTP-SHS students express concern over insufficient classrooms

by Leonah Leaf Campilan

University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines - Senior High School Department (USTP-SHS) students conveyed their disappointment regarding the still unsolved problem of having insufficient classrooms in USTP for both year levels.

Only 6 classrooms are utilized for 12 sections; Grade 11 students have classes during the morning, and the Grade 12 students use it in the afternoon until evening, resulting to only 6 hours of learning compared to other senior high schools that have whole day classes.

On weekends and examination weeks, college students from the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) and College of Science and Technology Education (CSTE) occupy the said rooms.

“It has an impact on our learning environment when it comes to disorganized schedules from the faculty for the availability of classrooms... We’ve had cases in the past where our instructor was unable to hold a lecture in our section due to a lack of rooms for face-to-face lectures because other college departments would use our classrooms, therefore we’ll be doing the lesson online,” Hannah Aque, a Grade 12 student, said in an interview.

She added it was frustrating and a hassle, especially during the pre-faceto-face classes last school year, because there were times that they would revert to having online classes at the last minute despite them being at campus already because of the unavailability of the classrooms.

“Gaka-affect ang academics in my opinion...and dili baya tanan makaapil ug online class,” an anonymous Grade 11 interviewee also said. (“It affects our academics, in my opinion... And not everyone can attend online classes.”)

Both students suggested the SHS department to maximize and invest in more classrooms for a more condu cive learning environment without restraints, and this can benefit not only SHS students, but the college students as well.

Currently, there are 194 Grade 11 students, and 205 Grade 12 students in the USTP-SHS department who have to share the 6 classrooms.

DROP NOW! EVERYTHING

LCRP exams reveal low scores among USTPSHS students

by Leonah Leaf Campilan

The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines - Senior High School Department (USTP-SHS) conducted the Learning Continuity and Recovery Plan (LCRP) examinations among the Grade 12 students to bridge and address the learning gaps in the

system, showing a low passing rate among the 205 students.

Only 18 out of 205 passed the 50-item exam following a 70% passing rate, with 3 students getting 38 points, 3 students got 36 points, and 12 students got 35 points.

The lowest score identified was 2 students obtaining 13 points out of 50, and 1 student getting 14 points in the 45-minute online examination.

“I can say na average ang level of difficulty sa LCRP exam,– not because intelligent ko but actually ang nigawas ang LCRP exam is nalesson man pud sa whole grade 11 na time. Naa lang gamay nanggawas na I feel like wala na lesson pero still connected ra pud siya sa mga topic na nadiscuss sa grade 11. Personally, ang mga math-related questions ang

SSGC raises mental health

by Noelle Lago

There

(6) classrooms in the Senior High School building yet the SHS students does not have the freedom to utilize for some purposes.

USTP SHS student ranks 2nd in Oratorical Competition

by

Leonah Leaf Campilan

Semester,

Shein Supaton, a Grade 11 student of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines - Senior High School (USTP-SHS), won as the 2nd runner up in the 2nd City-Wide Inter-School Oratorical Competition of Congressman Rufus Rodriguez and Vice Mayor Jocelyn “Bebot” Rodriguez, held last

a bit hard for me but overall, it was an average exam lang in my perspective [I can say that the level of difficulty of the LCRP exam was average,– not because I’m intelligent, but actually the coverage was discussed already back in Grade 11. There were some items that I feel like it wasn’t discussed, but it was still connected to the topics discussed in Grade 11. Personally, the math-related questions were a bit hard for me but overall, it was an average exam in my perspective,] Alona Añon, a Grade 12 student expressed in an interview. She added the best way for the department to improve this matter was to consider reviewing and revising the curriculum to ensure alignment with exam expectations, and for the students to really take the LCRP exams seriously since it reflects the whole USTP-SHS department.

“LCRP for SHS is based on NAT since we do not have board exams. NAT evaluates whether the competencies necessary to be learned are learned by the students,” Ma’am Leah Tabosares, Academic Head of USTP-SHS stated. She emphasized the LCRP exam is required for the students’ clearance, and that their scores will be used to plan out programs and interventions to improve the teaching-learning process in the university.

To address this matter, Ma’am Tabosares said the department is planning to emphasize to the teachers the necessity to follow the competencies to be learned, and prioritize teaching the skills to the students rather than the topics itself, and to lessen asynchronous sessions.

The Senior High School Governing Council (SSGC) of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) bagged the 1st place in advocating for mental health through a video campaign during KASADYA: Oro Youth Month 2023 last August.

With the theme, “YOUth

Matters: Your Mind Matters,” the Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC) organized the event, due to the alarming rise of suicide and mental health cases in Cagayan de Oro City. The event, joined by organizations under Oro Youth, also aimed to empower young minds in addressing and raising awareness about

mental health issues amongst in the city through video “So the issue which make the video which that time was about social experience as student students. The theme was awareness, then being one of the most relevant which will most likely mental issues such as others if not properly President AG Shun Clark an interview.

He added mental relevanis relevant and it makes an impact in that lots of support is mentally stable based SGC’s advocacy video the significance of mental ness within educational where “we can be the light path in order to help them

November 8, 2023 at the USTPCDO Performing Arts Theatre. With the theme, “Breaking. the Stigma: Empowering Youth for Mental Health,” the said competition hosted 11 Senior High School contestants from different schools as the presented original speeches emphasizing mental health awareness, especially considering the rising depression and suicide cases in the city.

SSGC garner multiple honors in 2023 Kahamili Awards

by Leonah Leaf Campilan

There are Architecture Mathematics Technology of Technology Technology School

The Senior High School Governing Council (SSGC) secured major awards during the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Kahamili Awards 2023 held last November 21 at the USTP Doctor Ricardo E. Rotoras (DRER) Memorial Hall.

SSGC received several distinguished awards such as the title for Outstanding Student Organization

USTP-CDO SHS students makes their way into the campus on January 29, 2024.

PHOTO BY FATIMA

USTP Senior High School Governing Council (SSGC) triumphs in the YOUth Matters: Your Mind Matters Video Contest on September 16, 2023.

PHOTO BY SSGC USTP

USTP-CDO SHS students makes their way into the campus on January 29, 2024.

PHOTO BY MIGUEL ESTENZO

USTP-CDO SHS students makes their way into the campus on January 29, 2024.

PHOTO BY FATIMA TORREMOCHA

THE CLIMB

SHS voucher program extends in SUCs, LUCs

by Mary Allaine Cabot

Moreover, Leah Tabosares, the current Academic Head of USTP-SHS, said that the department is waiting for the approval whether the SHS program in the university still continues.

“For one, only the voucher program will cease to exist in USTP. As per initial discussion with the chancellor, the department will wait for the approval by the Board of Regents of USTP, as to the continuation of the offering of the SHS program and whether it will be free or tuition fee will be collected,” Tabosares said.

The Academic Head also emphasized that as prescribed by the Charter RA 10919, the SHS department will become a part of the College of Science and Technology Education (CSTE) department, and all faculty members will be from the CSTE department starting the 2nd semester of SY 2023-2024, given that the department is a laboratory school.

The transition period for non-DepEd public schools or SUCs/LUCs in the implementation of SHSVP is only until the end of SY 20212022, according to the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Education Act of 2013.

This was also supported from a previously issued Ched Memorandum Orders (CMO) Nos. 32 and 33 that SUCs and LUCs engagement in basic education through senior high school shall be limited from the K-12 transition, which is from S.Y. 2016-2017 up until S.Y. 2020-2021 only.

The DepEd and CHED are set to execute a new agreement to formally establish the arrangement.

amongst the youth video productions. which inspired us to is also relevant at social anxiety that we leaders, and for the was about mental socially anxious is relevant issues nowadays lead to several depression and addressed,” SSGC Clark Aparece said in mental awareness is important because ourselves, and needed to really be on his experience. video highlighted mental health awareeducational institutions, light in somone’s them walk through

AI Content Study clinches 1st Place during Research Summit 2024

the darkness and conquer their fear of the world,” as stated in their post.

KAYA NA, ranking 2nd, focused on the effects of verbal negativity in their video, addressing its impact on one’s mental health, saying, “Words are knives that often leave scars, choose them carefully. Breaking the stigma of mental health starts with each one of us.”

The 3rd place, Man-ai Youth Community demonstrated how someone’s greeting can uplift another, emphasizing that a simple ‘Kamusta ka?’ can have a positive impact and can encourage someone to feel safe and not alone.

The Oro Youth Organization is a social innovation for youth empowerment and participation in local governance, aiming to support the youths.

are 7265 enrolled students in College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), 1175 students in College of Science and Mathematics (CSM), 3284 students in College of Information Technology and Computing (CITC), 2051 students in College Technology (COT), 2232 students in College of Science and Technology Education (CSTE), and 399 students in Senior High (SHS).

the title of Best Project.

USTP-SHS branches under CSTE department

In accordance to Memorandum

No. 015 S. 2024 from the Office of the Chancellor, The Senior High School Department of The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP-SHS) is placed under the College of Science and Technology Education (CSTE) starting the 2nd semester of school year (S.Y.) 2023-2024.

The memo indicated that in order to streamline the Senior High School Department as a Laboratory Senior High School, it will be placed under the CSTE department starting from the second semester of the academic year 2023-2024.

Harvey Rosal, a Grade 12 student of USTP-SHS expressed his takes and expectations regarding the placement of the Senior High School Department under the CSTE department.

“Everything felt new in the learning environment since I also noticed that things became more stricter, and I somewhat realized that we were somehow “babied” by our previous instructors when it comes to complying on requirements before being included in the CSTE department, and that made me worry about the performance of some students and to those

The research paper, entitled “The Influence of Academic Profile on the AI-Generated Content Discernment Proficiency of Teachers”, secured its 1st Place as Best Research Paper during the Research Summit held last January 26.

The study was conducted by Group 8 of Grade 12 Empowerment from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines — Senior High School (USTP-SHS).

Group 8 has stated that the main purpose of their research revolved around a main idea, specifically, “how in-depth AI has reached in generating content indiscernible from student’s work.”

The paper aims to shed light on the proficiency of teachers in discerning

SSGC unravels Decipher for aspiring leaders

by Jewel Daguinotas

Senior High School Governing Council (SSGC) holds Decipher: Codebreaker for a Blazing Future on February 3 and 17 at University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Cagayan de Oro Campus to train senior high school students to build community initiatives.

The two-day workshop is also a competition that students will present their project proposals that the chosen pair will implement their projects under the council.

The said workshop is partnered with Oro Youth Development Office and sponsored with SMART Communications. They invited speakers, including Engr. Diogenes Pascua, the head of Center of Entrepreneurship and Technology (CET), Ms. Syrose Amarille, the CSM Representative and SK Chairman of Molugan, and Mr. Vhaugne Centina, Program Coordinator for Programs and Operations of Oro Youth Development Office (OYDO).

“Experiencing Decipher for the first time was quite the challenge. My partner and I were pressured due to the competitive nature of everyone. But in the end, I was happy that our hard work paid off.” One of the participants named Maxwell Loplop from Grade 12 Benevolence shared his sentiments on the said event. They were trained to identify societal issues, manage and ideate projects, and design thinking.

Furthermore, the participants pitched their projects on the last day, and the Project PAGSIGA won first place and the project heads were Julian Rafael Galvaz and Maxwell Loplop from Grade 12 Benevolence.

88 USTP researchers thrive in AD Scientific Index World Scientist Rankings 2024

by Mary Allaine Cabot

Students celebrates as 88 researchers of The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) ranked in the 2024 AD Scientific Index World Scientist Rankings.

From the previous edition’s 70, 18 researchers from the university retained their positions in the ranking system, with 5 of them consistently maintaining their status among the top 1000 scientists in the Philippines.

who are still adapting on the new teaching style from the CSTE instructors,” Rosal said in the interview.

He also conveyed that the learning approach from the instructors of the CSTE department for the current semester will be more promising in training students to be more prepared in college.

Furthermore, Leah Tabosares, the Academic Head of USTP-SHS, explained how the decision of placing the SHS department under the CSTE department took place.

“The high school department has always been a part of the college education way back in 2015-2019. In 2020, the proposal for the reoffering of the SHS places it independently under the vice chancellor for academic affairs. The decision this time was brought by the issue of whether the SHS is a laboratory school or not and as mandated by the USTP charter, the SHS is a laboratory school, thereby the necessity to place it under the college of education”, Tabosares said.

Regarding the decision to continue the operations of the SHS department in the university, the Academic Head briefly stated that the decision is up to the board of regents of the university.

discerning content generated by artificial intelligence.

It focuses on the question, “can teachers distinguish AI-Generated content from student written content”, and if the teachers can or cannot differentiate it, what would be their proficiency in doi “I find it unfair that some students use ChatGPT and still have the same or even higher grades than the students that wrote through their own words”, stated by one of the members as to why they chose this topic.

Allan Jumuad Jr, the group leader, expressed their group’s curiosity if teachers are aware of the students’ outputs being AI-generated as it alarmed them when they know that their classmates use AI-generated content.

“My team and I are composed of individuals that are fond of writing different formats of literature–when it was brought to our attention that some of our classmates were submitting AI generated content, it truly sparked a sense of ‘halah dili fair’ in us. With the advent of AI, it showcased how almost, and sadly, replaceable authentic human writeups are,” Allan Jumuad Jr. said.

The research paper is now under revision through the guidance of advisors before it is officially published.

‘Bloom Nook’ app tops overall award in IITS Gallery Walk

by Jeph Ashbelle Taruc

Team Incognito, from section Empathy, wins the overall award with Bloom Nook, an application, as their prototype during the Introduction to Innovating Technology Solutions (IITS) Gallery Walk held at Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras (DRER) Gymnasium on January 25.

Bloom Nook is designed for users who struggle from stress because of academic and personal responsibilities. The app has a Task Tracker to help manage the users’ activities, Mental Checker that allows the users to express themselves through mood tracker, journal, and meditation, and a virtual garden where the users can decorate using plants and pets.

“Our target users kay mga students na ga struggle with managing stress because of their academic activities and other tasks (ex. household chores). With the help of Bloom Nook, mas maenjoy and less stressful sa target users namo ang pagbuhat sa ilang every day tasks. Aside pud na maka-help with relaxation among app kay maa puy journaling feature na pwede mahimog outlet sa users para mapagawas ilang gakafeel,” Aliyah Botinggan, a group member of Team Incognito said.

Hard work paid off

According to Botinggan, the team did not expect to be the overall winner as other groups also have different yet unique prototypes demonstrated on the same event.

“During sa awarding, nashock jud mi na apil among team sa mga winners and di mi katuo na kaupat mi natawag in front para ireceive ang among certificates. My team and I are very happy na makita na nag pay off ang among hardwork sa gallery walk presentation and overall design thinking journey namo. Makaproud sad na nahatagan ug recognition ang prototype na gibilaran namo’g himo.” Botinggan added.

‘Collaboration and communication is a must’

Botinggan emphasized that the team must know how to collaborate and communicate with their group mates, speaking out their ideas and combining them. Additionally, Botinggan learned how to be patient since other members are unresponsive and uncooperative sometimes, that is why she is trying her best to maintain a good relationship with her team and encourage them to participate more in their group discussions.

Furthermore, Franz Eman Baclayon, also a member of Team Incognito, highlights that every idea has a value.

“No skill is useless. No matter what that skill may be, use it to your advantage. No idea is dumb, the simplest of ideas can make the best solutions. And no solution is impossible–don’t undersell yourself, always try to find the best instead of settling for the worst,” Baclayon said.

Botinggan also expressed how their team encountered obstacles in making their prototype. The group used Figma, a design tool also built for prototyping, to make their output look more pleasing, yet the tool was hard for them to learn as they were unfamiliar with it. The team did a trial and error for their app to work effectively.

Moreover, three teams – Incognito, Numerics, and The Pawns bag the Top 3 Best Presenter Award while Team Aspire 2, Team As4ration, and Team Incognito clinch the People’s Choice Award. Furthermore, Team Incognito, Team The Pawns, and Team Six Pack attain the Best Prototype Award.

- Mother Organization, and one of their projects named “PaminNOW: Deaf Community Awareness, was awarded

USTP-CDO SHS students on the campus on January 29, 2024.

PHOTO BY FATIMA TORREMOCHA

by Mary Allaine Cabot

Project pitching during the Decipher: Codebreaker for a Blazing Future on February 17 at Cafeteria Hall. PHOTO BY SSGC USTP

by Ian Rushell Paul Tan

To resolve the problem, the DepEd have issued Order (DO) No. 11, s. 2015 known as the SHS-VP program to help the parents of the underprivileged students to study in a private school after the cut off in the number of SHS students to be enrolled in public schools. In this setting, the opportunity to finish secondary education is given to the student. With this resolution, SUCs and LUCs offered SHS programs as part of an agreement with the DepEd for the transition period for K-12 from 2016 to 2021, when most colleges and universities would have little to no freshmen.

The highlight of the agreement between DepEd and Ched was to fill in the gap of insufficient classrooms. Nonetheless, such a concern is still an issue at present. According to the 2024 budget, DepEd is proposing ₱10 billion that can only build around 7,100 classrooms, which is far from the accumulated shortage at 159,000. Evidently, public highschools still struggle to accommodate a large number of students and this concludes the ongoing concern to sustain the “non-permanent solution” up until it will be fully resolved. Conse-

quently, Deped and Ched must extend their agreement of offering shs programs in SUCs as the educational problem is not halted. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regulates and/or supervises Higher Education institutions, and State Universities and Colleges. Hence, it is mostly related to higher education or tertiary education, that is, from college to graduate school. Therefore CHED must prioritise the accommodation of graduate and undergraduate students in utilising the facility in universities. Thus, if the senior highschool program in SUCs affects the sufficiency of the facility, CHED must exclude the offering of senior highschool program to ensure the utilisation of college students in a university. Before the K-12, CHED had what are called laboratory schools and if their charter states that they can have a teacher education program as a degree course, they can have a laboratory high school. Such a policy continues and the only process that is halted is simply the voucher system; hence, once a student is in grade 11 or 12, students must be in private schools, DepEd schools or SUCs

“ Nevertheless, laboratory schools in SUCs and LUCs give an opportunity to the students to access science and technology inclined learning curriculum. Therefore must continue to operate to produce more innovative students.

or LUCs that are under the CHED charter and allowed by the Board of Regents to accept a certain number of allowable students under their lab schools, but no longer having the voucher system for both the SUC and LUC. Nevertheless, these SUCs and LUCs who offer senior highschool programs have put the students into a broader approach in science and mathematics. For instance, laboratory schools like USTP-CDO senior highschool have adjusted their shs curriculum in accordance to the DepEd but have made it more competitive in the field of science and technology.

Furthermore, the access to the science and technology inclined lessons are not only obtained by the student in classrooms but also through the university’s initiative events and university based organisation. One of the examples of this initiative is the Google Developer Student Club (GDSC) in the campus where all students are allowed to join—including the senior highschool. The club aims to build a community for student-developers. In the same way, the organisation holds event competi-

tions like “INNOVATE” that showcases the talent of participants in igniting innovation through technology. Therefore, the continuance of senior highschool in SUCs and LUCs will expose students into competitive fields like this. Ashley, a senior highschool student of USTP-SHS said that “The opportunity to get into this university is once in a blue moon. I admire how it feeds us students in organisations that allow us to get involved in actions that matter. These events have encouraged us to invest in the science and technology field when we move to higher education”

In the same way, CHED allowed these SUCs to establish laboratory schools can sustain their accommodation of the senior highschool program. However, one thing is only needed for the students to achieve free education in these institutions, that is the reinstatement of the DepEd voucher program. Therefore, as the issue of insufficient facilities is still a concern, the DepEd must extend the SHS-VP program in SUCs to temporarily aid the gap.

Cartoon by Ralp Butcon

Prior to 2016 when the Department of Education officially launched the K-12 program to aid the gaps of education in the Philippines to transform into a global approach. However, the conflict arose after public highschools have struggled to accommodate all senior highschool students who came from public schools.

A Journey to the Five Stages of Grief to Get Over a Tres!

by Allan Jumuad, Jr.

3, Tres, Three, Flat—tres

Ka-STRESS!!!

A universal, mouth-gasping word all Trailblaz ers know and is the “acTRESs starring in their bad dreams”!

Tres is the lowest grade (well, aside from the failing grade) you can get at the University of Science and Tech nology of the Southern Philippines! In normal situations, three’s the charm, but not until you enter the gates of the university that it morphs into the devil, the old lady that gave Snow White the poison apple! But like true love’s kiss, there are ways you can get over the poisonous tres.

First, Denial—look at the grade twice, three times, and re-load your tab! There must’ve been a mistake! Right?! I mean, you passed all the activities? Your quiz scores are, well, they don’t matter that much!

A student freedom wall is a space where individuals can send their thoughts for other students to respond to; it could be a meter-wide cork board filled with colorful stick-ons on campus hallways, or Facebook pages easily accessible on their phones and other gadgets.

University freedom walls offer freshmen a platform for academic support and social connection. They serve as a space for sharing experiences and advice, from navigating university life to matters of the heart. However, a freedom wall has its icky side, overshadowing the reality that with just one flip of a post, it can become the breeding ground for the hatred that no one has to feel responsible for under such liberty of a user’s animosity–it heralds an imminent doom.

The Social Spiderweb

In every area of a student’s life, a circle of friends and acquaintances sets you apart in academic advantage in a university setting but given the different schedules and school-work situations, it could be too difficult to ask for help and support since some students may have varied classes to take, and thus, different classmates to meet each subject. This is where freedom walls become beneficial, it facilitates collaboration among students from distinct backgrounds and disciplines.

Then, get Angry— Feel the frustration and contemplate ways to enhance your efforts. Is this outcome truly reflective of your dedication and hard work?

At the climax of your tantrum, Bargain! Maybe a floor wax donation can turn this around. Can additional efforts or seeking guidance make a positive impact?

Find solace and succumb to Depression, but make sure never to dwell here. Start talking to others about this experience, and find a quiet space for introspection. Resist the urge to blame external factors and instead focus on understanding the circumstances that led to this point.

Now, finally, Acceptance. This is when you take a deep breath, reminisce on what you had done to reach this moment, and finally recount the lessons you learned rather than assigning blame. Recognize that everyone faces challenges; you still have room to grow, you can still get over a tres and take Revenge.

But of course, we all have our ways to navigate this rough sea, but for me? It has always been the comfort of my bunny and a hot, hot tea.

As freedom walls grant numerous ways to connect students academically, they also serve as a social outlet for students who are struggling. On its fun side, students are free to post jokes, and even love confessions that render freedom walls a place for making con-

by Farrah Luzon

nections and romantic beginnings.

Pitfalls on Freedom Walls

In the advent of oversharing and expos ing oneself or someone, freedom walls can be a source of negativity among students. There are awful instances that posts shared on the freedom walls become too vulgar, mostly when they bring the intention of spreading slander directed at the university system, department, and student. With populous students added to the freedom wall, such posts exacerbate misunderstandings and prejudices among students and further worsen the clash of their perspectives. Despite being marked as improper, several posts in this category are not taken down from the platform immediately. This delay may cause social harm and embarrassment to users who are exposed and mentioned to such content.

Although interactions in freedom walls are like facing the two sides of a coin, it is still the student’s sole responsibility to control what they propagate. Creating a post is one thing, but how you react to it is another. After all, freedom walls are made to unify stu dents and foster a community that strength ens bonds in building each other’s stories.

art by Matt Abellanosa

Rated R

by Farrah Luzon

With faltering fingers, his sweaty hands danced along the laptop’s keyboard aroused...for another Research Rated endeavor.

It was the wee hour of the night, and he was seated, finding the elaborate discussions of RRLs and his already-cold instant coffee a harmonious symphony, along with the crickets at night. Ethan found this scene rather comforting as he prayed with cautious focus, “It’s better to reference someone else than make it yourself.” It went on for minutes until he halted. A sudden whisper in his brain stopped his momentum. What is he really doing all this for? He racked his brain, the push of emotions billowing him to the past. As influenced by his published research on a sister, he recalled gathering children in their community, grunting and sighing as he took his time concocting their well-deserved snacks. Another memory flashed; it was him and his laptop once again, bonding

with frantic clicks and a feverish, sickly body. It was almost considered the norm in the world of research: depriving oneself of their needs, sometimes wants, or sacrificing the lesser gain to set the stage as he seizes his breakthrough. He darted his eyes back again to the monitor, his mind still clouded with the apprehension of a student-researcher unsure of the path laid before him. Doubt hangs before his eyes on a barbed wire, speaking to him as it asks to be freed by Ethan himself.

Ethan’s journey through the labyrinth of academia exemplifies the trials and tribulations that many students face in their pursuit of knowledge. While the university prides itself on fostering top-tier research education, the intricate relay of instructional information often falls

Lights on, or lights off? Love or money? Koikoi or Kwek-kwek?

It is truly a spectacle to see people dab onto their sweats and hold on to their shirts when being put on the hot seat. The ultimate question is, what would USTP students prefer? As if being dragged out of submersion among the piles of mentally strenuous schoolwork, a USTP student’s saving grace is the warm envelope of a savory, cheap but equally filling snack. However, a knot on the forehead is inevitable when deciding what to eat. “Unsa atong i-snack?” “Ikaw bahala.” If a certified trailblazer were to decide among all the appetizing spreads lining the cafeteria’s fringes, ranging from cracking crunchiness to oozing sweetness, one that rises above all is their very own Koikoi.

Only to be seen within the walls of innovation, this unique goody continues to cater to thousands of starving trailblazers, coming down from the fort’s classrooms and offices, both youngsters and adults alike.

Having this openly displayed and paraded by starving trailblazers all over the campus, it is a desirable munch-on

short of the grandiose claims. Navigating the convoluted maze between the fear of approaching professionals for guidance and the arduous path to success is an uphill battle.

Undeterred by the formidable challenges that peppered his academic journey, Ethan emerged as a tenacious trailblazer, undeniably reshaping the trajectory of his educational experience. In a landscape where the relay of instructional information often failed to meet the lofty standards set by the university’s commitment to top-tier research education, Ethan’s response was nothing short of transformative.

His keen recognition of the pivotal role that initiative plays for those navigating the complex terrain of academia prompted Ethan to take bold steps beyond the well-trodden paths of traditional learning spaces. Unfazed by the fear of approaching professionals and driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he embarked on a person al odyssey, venturing into uncharted territories.

Ethan’s accolades speak volumes about his resilience and commitment to excellence. As a double gold awardee at a Practical Research 2 Research Sum mit, he emerged victorious despite the tooth-and-dagger challenges that often

when clawing at hungry tummies.

This USTP-certified delicacy is a coated egg, drenched in a hot mix made specially by the originals, topped off with a crispy bit of chicharon.

Comparable to Kwek-kwek, a national street food snack, it leaves a taste of saltiness, a texture of creaminess; a drag from the usual aftertaste of the infamous Kwek-kwek. As stated by an avid Koikoi fanatic, “Koikoi is more ‘makabusog’ and worth the money.”

It is a testament to its multifaceted nature; a fusion of culture and creative innovation. Beyond its steamy sauce and chewy star of the show, Koikoi exhibits the Filipinos’ creativity in acing the field of food innovation, challenging the margins of Filipino culture to add a page to the decades-long history and finally emboss its mark on the identity of Filipinos.

accompany the research journey. His journey bestowed upon him the wisdom of a true student-researcher, honing his critical thinking skills and transforming him into a visionary force in the realm of inquisition.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, Ethan stands as a beacon for fellow students, ready to share his experiences and insights with the entire student body. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of grit and commitment, proving that even in the face of adversity, one can emerge as a

SocMed Likay

Solution from Addiction

by Jewel Daguinotas

Teenagers who spend more than three (3) hours a day on social media are at higher risk of mental health problems. Based on King University, the best way to minimize the usage of social media is to set limits on the amount you spend on technology.

SoLi, or Social Media Likay, is an innovative product that four (4) students from the Department of Information Technology won in Sinatech, an event of the Student Council of Information Technology and Computing (SCITC) last January 2024. The team members are Jane Faith Labrador, Mark Vincent Bunjan, Adelyn Ayana, and Nathan James Dela.

Cerna. SoLi is a mobile application that will bring out meaningful social media browsing and enforce a well-balanced social media usage that will not hinder study habits. The app also aims to enhance students’ lives by promoting healthy social media habits and fostering a beneficial learning environment.

This is similar to AppBlock, Flipd, Freedom, and SelfControl, which can also be found on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, but SelfControl can only be downloaded for MacOS.

However, the app has a monitoring system, including usage. The settings include content management, which

are educational, motivations, and to-do tasks; embedded apps; and communities.

It has a key feature that is not common to other products, which is the safety lens. The safety lens can be activated from the blocking mode menu, which allows users to scroll a certain amount of content using social media applications. The app they are using will automatically terminate if it goes beyond their screen time, scroll counts/heights and will pop up a reminder for their tasks as well as motivational quotes.

“During the product ideation phase, our main challenge was convincing people of our app’s efficiency and relevance in a society heavily reliant on

social media,” Ms. Labrador shared. She also shared that they were inspired to continue the idea as they believe their application could empower students to maintain focus on academics, aligning the university’s goal to provide quality education while addressing students’ social media addiction. The team has plans to implement the application and collaborate with educational institutions to tailor features specifically for academic needs. SoLi is not an app, but a solution for social media addiction.

Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Cheat? Keeping an Eye on AI

by Allan Jumuad, Jr.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming diverse landscapes, and education is no exception.

From conversational chatbots answering student queries to algorithms tailoring learning experiences, AI’s potential to personalize and optimize education is undeniable. However, as it permeates the educational sector, it raises critical questions on the shaken walls of academic integrity.

Enter Prompt: Write my Essay Assignment…

AI has always begun promising, especially to the benefits it could cultivate in efficiency. AI can handle administrative tasks like grading essays, scheduling classes, and providing personalized feedback, freeing up educators’ time for more meaningful interactions with students.

A 2022 report by the World Economic Forum estimates that AI could automate up to 49% of an educator’s workload by 2030. According to Leedy and Omrod in 2013, AI also streamlines research processes by contributing to literature reviews, data analysis, and drafting research papers, benefiting both students and faculty.

over 3 billion users are using Google Workspace across the globe.

However, a TED Talk by Oscar Shwartz discussed a fundamental question, “Can Computer write poetry?”, Yes, it can, in fact, it is almost indistinguishable from the works of Maya Angelou as studied by Nils Köbis and peers, and so the blurring line between AI-generated and human-created content raises ethical concerns especially on the hallowed grounds of the academe.

Generative AI, which could compose a 500-word essay in mere seconds, threatens the very foundation of authenticity. According to the Neuroscience News, linguistics experts struggle to differentiate AI-generated content from human writing.

Peter Eshun and peers in their study said the issue of academic dishonesty and integrity has been extensively explored in the literature, however, with the emergence of generative AI such as ChatGPT, Waltzer and peers states that this issue has been further exemplified posing challenges and raising worries about students’ overreliance on AI tools. This dilemma does not exclude the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines Senior High School

High School department. With ChatGPT merely at fingertip’s reach students could utilize the platform to to write their assignments. Concerning the fact that the school is a premiere research institution, who knows that some of the student’s research papers bypassed this flawful detection and even made it among the esteemed top?

“I think all of us use ChatGPT, even me,” Franz Ignacio, a grade 12 student, mused.

“I think it’s okay to use ChatGPT, as long as you don’t directly copy and paste what it generates and take it as inspiration of a sort.” Simone Banluta, another grade 12 student, recalls her experience as a secretariat and the platform.

“When you know you’ve done your best on an essay and you find out your classmate utilized ChatGPT and had almost the same score as yours or even higher, you’ll find it very unfair; it’s sad,” Herbie Labaya, a Grade 12 student, added. With AI becoming more sophisticated by the day–the perpetuation of authenticity is at stake. This means students can submit AI generated content without

G ka na ba?

facing repercussions and would be graded at face value. Integrating AI responsibly in schools requires a multifaceted approach. Clear guidelines are needed to ensure AI in education is used fairly, transparently, and ethically. The European Commission’s “Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI” offer a valuable framework. There must also be interventions done to empower teachers in facing this battle. Although yet to be studied, research should improve and seek to determine if educating educators with AI discernment skills will revolutionize the system.

But whatever AI is perceived to be, it all ended up as a double-edged sword in which humans sharpened. This narrative tells that what humans create is neither inherently good nor bad; it is how it is utilized that will dictate its nature. Until regulations are developed on artificial intelligence, we should keep a keen eye on it.

GDSC USTP holds ‘G Me More’ to offer Google Workspace

by Jewel Daguinotas

Google Developers Student Club USTP (GDSC USTP) conducts an online event and workshop ‘G Me More!’ on December 10, 2023, to introduce Google Workspace for enhancing online learning productivity.

The said event also presented the tricks and tips on using Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail, Appscript, Google Labs, and other apps provided by Google Workspace. It was also partnered with City Scholars Society in the university which led to over 100 participants in the live and zoom event.

One of the participants from Senior High School shared its testaments on the event, “Gina-explore ka nila sa mga products ni Google and gina-explain sad nila kung unsaon siya pag use especially sa students, gihatag sad silag tips on how to make your work better bitaw.”

The event consists of five (5) sessions hosted by the chiefs of each department, including the former lead of the organization. Another student shared that he enjoyed the event, especially that they show understandable demonstrations during the sessessions, and it was also interactive and very helpful for their academics.

Furthermore, the organization aims to promote the best solution for collaboration and interactive learning provided by Google. They also aim to lessen the technical difficulties encountered by the students, especially that it is one of the apps that can be utilized by students for their academics.

Mundomuna

The Search is Over

by Jewel Daguinotas

An organization mobilizes online youth for climate action, raises a campaign to utilize Ecosia as the default search engine as they plant and grow trees for search. But is it a sustainable solution for environmental issues?

Ecosia is a non-profit company and climate advocates that plants and protects trees, and founded by Christian Kroll. They already planted more than 160 million trees in over 35 countries and it continues as the search still goes on. Reforestation is their core project, it serves a positive impact on the environment in terms of air and water quality. According to One Tree Planted, “By planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested, reforestation helps the environment by guaranteeing, or accelerating the re-establishment of healthy forest structure by regrowing the forest canopy and preserving biodiversity within the ecosystem.” It is already enough to be said to be a sustainable solution.

There are students across the globe encouraging their fellow students to make Ecosia as the default search engine, and that includes University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), University of Philippines (UP), Mindanao State University (MSU), and Gusa Regional Science High School (GRSHS-X). Over 25 countries have already used Ecosia as their primary search engine. The campaign is to widen the audience and people to become climate action activists, which connects the main objective of Mundomuna.

There are more than 70 active projects and more 35 countries involved, including the Philippines. The country has already more than 1 million trees planted since 2020 and creates agroforestry systems for smallholder farmers. The trees are totally helpful to the country as it reduces erosion and floods that usually occur in the country. One of the problems in the Philippines is related to flooding, especially during typhoons as the country is located near the Pacific Ocean which is considered a typhoon alley. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources mentioned that planting trees helps recharge ground water supply, prevents transport of chemicals into streams as well as prevents flooding.

As we aim for a better quality of environment for the next generation, we will make it earth as our first priority, Mundo muna.

Study shows that the Philippines ranked top number one (1) in terms of social media users aged 16 to 64, which is the usage that leads to addiction that becomes one of the complications in the country.

Photo by JEWEL DAGUINOTAS

Source: Google for Developers

SpORTS 7

Athletes qualify to Regional Meet 2024

Chess (Male)

by Carlyn Catane

Gymnastics

Resilience

The men’s basketball team of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines Senior High School (USTP- SHS) displayed a rather rough defense with only three days to prepare in a winning attempt against the Capitol University Basic Education Department (CUBED) but fell short for the Finals berth, 33-58, at the 2024 District Athletic Meet of the East one, District Two school of Cagayan de Oro City last Jan 26.

However, the men proved victorious against Cugman National High School (CNHS) in the latter match for the

Semi’s, 64-59, despite entering the game with faltering confidence due to the lack of training induced by their busy academic schedule like their fellow athlete Spartans in the different sports.

“This is the first win for the USTPSHS men’s basketball team since their debut game last year,” Coach Warren of USTP-SHS men’s basketball praised as he referred to their win against CNHS.

The men used the underestimating eyes of CNHS hoopers to their advantage as they leveraged their way through the second quarter and all throughout the game and added to their superb communication within the team and team

Veteran’s Wit

by Carlyn Catane

A veteran’s expertise will always prove to be on top.

Most recently a Batang Pinoy qualifier for chess, Joseph Alexis Dela Rama from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines Senior High School (USTP- SHS) trumped the not long past 2024 District Athletic Meet in chess last January 25 at East One, District Two schools in Cagayan de Oro City despite having no time to practice his skills due to a rather tramped finals schedule.

The January 15-17 USTP-SHS’ final term examination hindered Dela Rama’s availability to train and prepare for the meet. However, both his local and national escapades advanced to be more than enough to powerhouse the USTP-SHS.

“ These experiences are the only ones that helped me win the District Meet,” Dela Rama mentioned as he referred to his past chess involvements.

Dela Rama has went on to triumph multiple chess tournaments as he began his journey way before. He has qualified for regional tourneys

tional competitions like the 2017 Shell National Youth Active Chess Grandfinals, the National Youth and Schools Chess Grand Finals in 2019, and the National Age Groups several times with the 2023 Batang Pinoy being his most recent national experience. To serve as further practice and to sharpen hid mind, Dela Rama also joined local tournaments held here in Cagayan de Oro with most of it at Limketkai Malls.

The pro’s wit in the board game proved no need for warm-ups as he went on to crumple the players from the hotshot schools of Capitol University, Regional Science, Christian Academy, Lapasan National High School, and more only to come out on top.

Not only did he bag the district win but he will soon go on to represent both the university and the district in the upcoming Division Meet of the city where he will be countering even bigger players of bigger institutions.

dynamics. Albeit, their winning advantage over CNHS became their losing point as they dueled and lost against CUBED for their second game.

Miscommunications with the referee lead to further misunderstandings within the team and eventually softening their previously strong team dynamic as the gap between CUBED and the Spartans widened in the first quarter.

However, the Spartan cagers stood strong in giving a good game for their CUBED opponents as they led their standings on a back and forth running lead till the third quarter, 22-35.

Unfortunately, CUBED fully gained their momentum as they entered the fourth quarter and totally hindered the Spartans from further gaining an upper hand as they bagged the Finals berth by a huge 25 points margin.

Spartan Spikers suffers setbacks against Capitol University Basic Education

by

Spartan Badminton team faces tough opponent in District Athletic Meet 2024

The courts were alive with the swift movements and rallies of the recent Badminton District Athletic Meet 2024, where the USTP-Spartan badminton team demonstrated their badminton skills amidst fierce competition. Despite their best efforts, the team faced setbacks in both singles and doubles matches.

In the singles category, John Dave Fuentes and Timothy Sevillena, representing USTP-Spartan, played in a hard-fought battle against opponents from East Gusa National High School. Fuentes displayed great agility and determination, but fell short with a score of 15-21, 18-21. Similarly, Sevillena showed his badminton skills on the court but was unable to secure a win, facing defeat with a score of 17-21, 11-21. Despite their loss, both players portrayed commendable sportsmanship and resilience. The doubles category brought a glimmer of hope for the USTP-Spartan team as Emilio Briones and Brian Gacrama stepped on to the court. Their match against Cugman National High School was a display of skills and teamwork, with powerful smashes and strategic defense earning them a victory with a score of 17-21, 21-10, 21-17. However, their journey took a different turn in the subsequent match against Gusa Regional Science High School, where they faced a tough opponent. Despite their best efforts, Briones and Gacrama were unable to secure a win, losing with a final score of 21-15, 21-11.

struggled to regain control of the game, leading to their defeat in the District Athletic Meet.

“We need long-term training, and compared to other schools, we lack experience in such competitive events. Also, we lack exposure to the big leagues, and we need team chemistry,” said Chad Pallugna, the USTP-Spartan men’s volleyball team captain.

The USTP-Spartan men’s volleyball team faced defeat at the annual District Athletic Meet 2024, where they encountered Capitol University Basic Education. The final score of 17-25, 9-25 favored CUBED, whose teamwork and dedication secured them the win against the Spartan spikers. The Spartans struggled to resist the relentless attacks from Capitol University and found it challenging to limit their errors, which contributed to CUBED’s victory. The match took place at the Capitol University Basic Education campus, last JanuCoach Josh Galban led the USTP-Spartan men’s volleyball team onto the court, comprising Chad Pallugna, Christian Sayson, Sean Kilat, Reign Perez, Allen Piamonte, and Gab Rodriguez as the starting six players. The first set witnessed a back-and-forth exchange of points, with Chad’s strategic plays to Kilat and Perez briefly boosting USTP’s momentum. However, CUBED’s relentless determination to control the ball led to Spartan’s downfall, culminating in a loss in the first set with a score of 17-25.

As the match advanced to the second set, CUBED’s performance remained consistent, primarily driven by their service aces and targeted attacks on USTP-Spartan players.

Despite Spartan’s efforts, they

Looking ahead, the USTP-Spartan team is gearing up for the university-wide intramurals, where they will represent the Senior High School department against the colleges department of the university. With lessons learned from the District Athletic Meet, the team is determined to improve their skills in the upcoming tournament.

Amidst the defeats, the USTP-Spartan badminton team found solace in the experience gained from participating in such a competitive event. For many of the players, this was their first time competing in the District Athletic Meet, and despite the outcomes, they embraced the opportunity to test their skills and grow as athletes.

Coach Rhea Quiboy expressed pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of resilience and learning from defeat. Despite the setbacks, their passion for badminton and commitment to improvement remain high, setting the next training for a promising future on the badminton court.

Capitol University outplays USTP-SHS Women’s Volleyball team in District Meet

by

The Spartan Women’s Volleyball Team face against Capitol University Basic Education in a recent District Athletic Meet volleyball match. Despite their efforts, they fell short with a score of 5-25, 8-25, at the Capitol University Basic Education campus on January 25, 2024.

Capitol University took an early lead due to errors from the USTP team. Capitol University capitalized on the USTPSHS’ mistakes and scored points, gaining momentum with a string of service aces.

Players from CUBED demonstrated excellent teamwork, effectively communicating and coordinating their movements on the court. Meanwhile, the USTP team struggled with their teamwork, showing a lack of cohesion and coordination.

As the game progressed, Capitol University continued to dominate

maintaining their lead with consistent scoring. Despite efforts from USTP, their lack of preparation for the District Athletic Meet became apparent, as they failed to effectively communicate and execute their plays.

Capitol University’s teamwork and preparedness secured them the victory, while the USTP team was left to reflect on their performance and areas for improvement moving forward in the tournament.

Christopher Alga

Christopher Alga

by Christopher Alga

Joseph Alexis Dela Rama Grade 11 - Empathy

Table Tennis

Bethel Joyce Sadora Grade 12 - Loyalty

Mary Hyacinth Zamora Grade 11 -

Spartans Basketball Team Captain Kerk

Nhiel “Kovie” Garcia (16) defends the ball guarded by Daquio (3) on victory against Cugman National High School advancing to semifinals on January 25, 2024 at Gusa Elementary School Basketball Court.

PHOTO BY FATIMA TORREMOCHA

CAPTURED VICTORY. Representatives from the University of Sciencce and Technology - Senior High School (USTP-SHS) competes at the East City Central School in the chess division of District Meet.

PHOTO BY SOFIA MORENO

POINT ONE. Eurika Kempis (10) takes first point against defending court Capitol University Basic Education Department (CUBED) via service ace.

PHOTO BY FATIMA TORREMOCHA

by Carlyn Catane

Years of proficiency in her hands as she duels for the last time, carrying the emblem of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines Senior High School, BethelJoyce Sadora fell short to bring home the bacon. One of USTP- SHS’ players for the 2023 Batang Pinoy, Sadora humbly capped off her last participation in the tournament as although falling short to triumph, she placed her name in the top 32 for table tennis and played with no regrets at the homecourt of Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Paranaque last DecemberSadora17-22.began her Batang Pinoy pad- dlingjourney way back to 2016, where she was just at the age of nine to 10 and featured her name at the city of Tagum and Oroquieta where she bagged a bronze. She was then part of the Mindanao Qualifying for

USTP SHS paddler fall short for BatangPinoy medal

the Nationals and absolutely gave a show as she won and

got the chance to play at Baguio City where she finished

top eight as such a young age. Thus, yes! You can absolutely say that the girl is nowhere near a novice in the Batang Pinoy league as she

once again returned to Tagum City for another bronze medal and even went on to conquer the Palawan games. However, for her last Batang Pinoy match as she

soon exceeds the age limit, Sadora humbly capped it off

despite reaching for the stars due to academic workload being in the way to fully pour out her focus on trainings and practice.

Sadora’s quest for a medal in her sixth and last Batang Pinoy became a game of cat and mouse on all her

five face-offs as she went on and off from winning, eventu-

ally landing on the top 32 for her category. The grade 12 paddler first lost in her premier game

against Melaine Galeon from Cebu City with a standing of

in the bracket for the first round.

0-2 and with a score of 7-11, and 9-11. However, in a hopeful attempt to gain the stance and momentum, Sadora demolished Candon City opponent Jasmin Mecose with a turned table standing of now 2-0

via 11-1 and 11-8 scoring and earning her name as second

WHAT’S INSIDESPORTS

Sadora’s quest for a medal in her sixth and last Batang Pinoy became a game of cat and mouse on all her five face-offs as she went on and off from winning, eventually landing on the top 32 for her category. The grade 12 paddler first lost in her premier game against Melaine Galeon from Cebu City with a standing of 0-2 and with a score of 7-11, and 9-11.

However, in a hopeful attempt to gain the stance and momentum, Sadora demolished Candon City op- ponent Jasmin Mecose with a turned table standing of now 2-0 via 11-1 and 11-8 scoring and earning her name as second in the bracket for the first round.

The Spartan escaped off a tight fight against Ashley Dizon of Angeles City by a 3-2 gap of 10-12, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 standings to proceed to her top 64 game where she victored contra Vhernalie Lim from Quezon City with a standing of 3-0 and scored of 11-5, 11-9, 11-7.

Although shooting for the stars, Sadora capped her title in the top 32 game as she lost against Danaia Erica Reblora from Pasig City with a standing of 3-0 and a score of 11-13, 6-11, 9-11.

Despite the rather unsatisfacto- ry ending, Sadora has no regrets for the end the results of her last Batang Pinoy.

“ Overall, I had no regrets,” Sadora mentioned as she says goodbye to her Batang Pinoy journey.