The Quill 2021-2022

Quill The

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF STO. CRISTO INTEGRATED SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Volume 2 Issue 2

OPINION

THE TRANSITION PHASE: Are we ready for the new normal F2F classes?

NEWS

OPINION 5-7

FEATURE 8-12

on

PAGE 7 SCI-TECH 13-15

SPORTS

TWO YEARS LATER: Cristonian students, teachers return

SCIS embraces new normal in-person classes; SHS, JHS start face-to-face teaching, learning

by Precious Gloria Malicay

Cristonians are back!

After two years of distance learning, students of Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) agreesthat faceto-face (F2F) education is much more effective after returning to their classrooms.

Although not in full capacity per room, the in-person classes in SCIS started on March 14, the third quarter of the school year, after Tarlac City was placed under Alert Level One which makes the school eligible to allow students inside the facility.

According to the learners who have been attending

WE ARE BACK, Jolina Tacutacu, Grade 9 TLE teacher, reviews their past lessons, as her students listen attentively during the first day of the limited face-to-face classes in Sto. Cristo Integrated School. Photo by SG Valdez

SCIS >>> page 3

NEW NORMAL, NEW PROGRAM SCIS to offer SPED next school year

By Curt Joshua Cureg

Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) is set to be the first in Tarlac City to open its doors to Special Education Program (SPED) next school year.

SPED is a type of education that is catered to students with individual differences, disabilities, and special needs. The school now has target learners that were identified through child mapping.

According to Sherryl Duque, Head Teacher of SCIS, they

Apodictic Benefit: A Sight of Tyranny

sci-tech

FOLLOW ON PAGE 5

see the need to provide this program because there is a lack of inclusion to student with such difficulties in the city.

“There is a felt need then to establish/add additional special program to accomodate those SPED learners for transition and inclusion and more so an opportunity for us to help and be an instrument to give the right of learners with exceptionalities to recieve appropriate education to be mainstreamed to regular school system or inclusive classroom setting to give them the chance to have a full access in participating the K-12 Basic Ed.,” Duque said.

Some SCIS teachers will be trained so that they can better accomodate the learners in an appropriate manner.

The school is still getting ready and is finishing requirements for the application of approval.

feature

SCIS teachers zumba together for Nat’l Women’s Month

editorial

news FOLLOW STORY ON PAGE 2

FOLLOW STORY ON PAGE 12

FOLLOW STORY ON PAGE 13

Living with Not Getting Over It: The 5 Stages of Grief

PAROL PATROL: YES-O promotes use of recyclables

Cristonians think about CAMPUS SURVEY: What mandatory military service

186 323 OUT OF

GRADE 10 LEARNERS TO TRANSFER SCHOOL FOR SHS

on their classes physically, they like it better since the lessons are being taught more thoroughly than in modular. One even related it on how Mathematics for them was much more difficult back when no one was teaching them.

“Mas nagiging madali yung pag-intindi po namin sa lessons. Sa math, nahihirapan po kami kasi sa modular pinapakita lang po yung tapos na na method. Sa faceto-face naman po, may explanation po kada step kaya naintindihan po namin ng mas maayos,” James Andrew S. Zuniga, from Grade 10-Emerald, said.

FOLLOW STORY /P.2

Cristonians are split in concern to the suggested Mandatory Military Training (MMT) for all legal aged male and female as 50% of them is in favor of it while the 50% remaining says otherwise.

Based on a survey with exactly 570 Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) students as respondents, 285 agree while the other half disagree on Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s campaign of putting all 18 years old male and female to an MMT if she ever wins for vice presidency in the 2022 Elections.

FOLLOW STORY /P.2

FACT CHECK!

The Quill partakes on forum fighting disinformation

by Trixie L. Galulu

To widen their knowledge concerning the spread of disinformation and on how to avoid it by fact-checking, student-journalists of The Quill attends Pre-Election forum headed by GMA 7 Broadcast Journalist Atom Araullo on May 7, 2022.

The conference titled “LAST 2 MINUTES! Huling hirit para #ItamaAngMali ngayong Halalan” was hosted

by BarangayHub, FYT Media, and Lyf Solutions, Inc. which are nongovernmental organizations that focuses on emphasizing the negative effects of spreading mis/disinformation.

The guest speakers’ focal points were the arguments; “Marites” vs fact-checkers: Sino ang paniniwalaan ngayong halalan?” and “Para kanino ang trolls?”

Dr. Nicole Curato, a Sociologist and Associate Professor at the Center of Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance of the University of Canberra, shared the difference between the intentions of disinformation to people and how it effectively spreads. She said that some disinformation are meant to harm people for a person’s advantage and satisfaction, while some doesn’t have any malicious intent to people but are only meant to show FACT CHECK >>> page 2

.

2 The Quill |

FACT CHECK! <<< page 1

affection and care. She also said that there are industries of politicians, advertising agencies, political consultants, and businesses that really benefits from this.

In terms of how disinformation is propagated by sources and platforms, Prof. Yvonne Chua, the Associate Professor at the College of Mass Community in the University of the Philippines Diliman and TsekPH Head, said that during this election, media coverage was reduced, and that netizens and candidates gained an advantage owing to false information.

“I’d like to say na regardless of who becomes president, if we sustain the initiatives against disinformation, and different sectors embark on new, appropriate responses, I’m hopeful that the pushback against disinformation will be greater, and that somehow we would be able to stop a number of false or misleading narratives in their tracks, or at least make them lose steam,” said Prof. Chua.

Writers of The Quill also attended FYT Media’s webinar entitled #FYTCOVID19: Fighting Vaccine Misinformation on January 28-29, 2022 which is a fact-checking initiative for student and community journalists. Trinna Leong, a Malaysian Google News Initiative Teaching Fellow, along with Kara David, a GMA 7 Broadcast Journalist and Documentaries, discussed ways on how to verify if a news is trust worthy using Google Search and other more methods.

News

|

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022

SCIS prepares for limited F2F classes; teachers clean, disinfect classrooms

by Trixie Galulu

WASH.WASH.WASH, Rose Ann Mary Bugayong, Joanna Marie Dela Cruz, and Nelisa Grace Capian, who are SCIS teachers, begin cleaning and preparing their classrooms for the limited face-toface classes in SCIS . Photo by SG VALDEZ

Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) prepared for limited faceto-face classes by reconstructing classrooms as well as conducting meetings to ensure that the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) by the Department of Education (DepEd) is followed.

On March 2 and 3, teachers enlisted the help of some students to assist them in cleaning the classrooms. Old and broken desks were picked up so that they can be fixed while the corridors are painted fresh.

To ensure that health protocols are followed, the school set up clear and easy-to-understand signages to strengthen its observance. Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) such as face masks, alcohol spray, footbath, and thermal scanners were also placed in each room.

Other than meetings with the head of the school, orientations with the parents also occured so that they are made aware of what SCIS has to offer in securing the safety of their children.

The Quill’s EIC takes a spot in nat’l journalism contest

By Curt Joshua Cureg

The Quill’s Editor-in-Chief, Precious Gloria M. Malicay, placed 18th in the feature writing category of the 2021 Ditto Sarmiento Journalism Cup (DSJC), a national journalism competition headed by the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity in the University of the Philippines’ (UP) College of Law. The online event titled ‘Ten Outstanding Young Journalist’ happened in October of 2021 in which all categories of press writing must be accomplished by the participating contestants in the Philippines.

According to Malicay, she

joined the competition with no thoughts of winning since she was only there to learn more about journalism. She was even pressured as she did not have that much experience when it comes to feature and editorial writing as well as copyreading.

But the guidance she received from her coach helped her a lot in accomplishing the tasks.

“A week before the contest, binigyan ako ng pointers ng coach kong si Ma’am Sheena Gwendolyn Valdez lalo na sa Feature Writing. Ginuide niya rin ako habang nagsusulat noon kaya masasabi kong isa siya sa rason kung bakit ako nagkaroon

SCIS teachers zumba together for Nat’l Women’s Month

By Precious Gloria Malicay

Move to the groove!

All clad in purple attires, Sto. Cristo Integrated School’s (SCIS) teachers display their support for the National Women’s Month by dancing to Zumba on March 8, 2022.

Juana Zumba was one of the activity held during the month long celebration of the said occasion. The educators of the school followed the steps taught in front by the MAPEH student teachers of Tarlac State University.

Aiming to promote the eradication of any form of discrimination against women, the teachers of SCIS also handed out informative flyers on to the students that indicates the Magna Carta for Women during the distribution of modules.

The whole faculty also changed their profile picture on Facebook that signifies their support for the movement. The entirety of the event was headed by April Joy F. Zarate, Grade 10 teacher.

DANCE AWAY, SCIS teachers, led by the MAPEH department and the MAPEH student-teachers, dance Zumba to celebrate National Women’s Month. Photo by SG VALDEZ

ng placement sa Feature Writing,” Malicay said.

The students were tasked to create articles based on the live press conference they attended.

Mikhail Lawrence Ramrod B. Llorca, contact tracing head of Pasay City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, as well as Atty. Justin Caesar Anthony D. Batocabe, Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Household Targeting Office, were two of the speakers in the event.

Prior to the contest, professors from UP also taught the contenders about journalism.

CAMPUS SURVEY <<< page 1

Those who said yes say that the country needs it the most right now as people do not know when a war might occur, just like what happened to Ukraine and Russia. This also serves to them as a sign of honor to the Philippines and that aside from the country benefiting from this, self defense will also be taught to all.

“Magiging mas disiplinado, mas makabayan ang ating kapwa Pilipino. Ang mga kabataang Pilipinong ito ay magiging isang trained citizen na makakatulong sa oras ng digmaan at mga kalamidad,” Asleah Sidic, a Grade 12 student said.

However, those who said no see the disadvantages to this.

Aside from it promoting lack of freedom of choice, they say that there are other ways to showcase patriotism.

“There are countless ways of being able to serve your country without having to be in the frontlines of a war. For the past years, our health workers and educators have proven this to be true. Though being a soldier helping to save our county is truly an honor to behold, it is not only battles that make a citizen honorary,” Princess Chloe Maniti from Grade 10-Sapphire remarked.

Whether they think this is necessary or not in the Ph Although the students are firmly divided to its proposed implementation, most think that MMT is needed in the country.

Results show that 72%, 413 out of the 570 respondents, acknowledges its importance albeit its restrictions.

“Kailangan ito, pero dapat hindi ito maging mandatory at dapat sasali lang ang mga gustong sumali dito sa training na ito, upang ‘pag nagkaroon ng pag-aaway sa mga bansa, tayo ay handa,” Benedict Briones from Grade 10-STE said.

Duterte’s proposed MMT will not t just be a normal Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) arrangement (a program wherein college students are urged to volunteer as military reservists) as she says that everyone who has reached the legal age will be obligated to serve the country instead.

Limited SHS tracks offered in SCIS cause of Grade 10 learners decision to transfer

By Curt Joshua Cureg Most Grade 10 students of Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) decide to transfer schools after moving up as SCIS only offers two strands in Senior High School (SHS).

In a recent survey, 186 (57%) out of the 323 respondents said that they will move as the SHS strand they want is not available in SCIS. Currently, the school only provides two choices of strands; Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

When Cristonians were asked in which they will enroll at in SHS, 30% of them picked Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), 28.1% in HUMSS, 21.6% in Accounting, Business, and Management (ABM), 7.5% in ICT, and 5% in General Academic Strand (GAS).

It is not surprising for Vladimir Manuel, SHS Teacher, that many prefer STEM as

the Junior High School (JHS) Department has a special program that specializes in Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE). However, according to Manuel, it is not up to them whether to offer it or not.

“SHS Track and Strand offered depends on the geographical area served by an institution/school taking into consideration (1) the interest and skills of the majority of learners and (2) opportunities and demands in the community,” Manuel said.

If they will implement an additional strand soon such as STEM, Manuel answers that pertinent documents are already a “work-in-progress”.

“As per the intention and instruction of our Schools’ Principal, Sir Ronald I. Castro and Assistant Schools’ Principal, also the Department Head of SHS, Sir Rodelio D. Quiambao, definitely SHS department will have its STEM program soon,” Manuel added.

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022 |

Return of physical work immersion in SHS still suspended in SCIS

By Precious Gloria Malicay

As the school cannot put them at risk, the Work Immersion of Grade 12 students is suspended; substitute programs are introduced instead.

Even though every Senior High School (SHS) learners are obliged to undergo a real work simulation so that they can be exposed to the environment of their chosen postsecondary goal, the on-going crisis of the pandemic made it difficult for Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) to continue the practice.

As an alternative, the students taking Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as their strand are tasked to attend an online session with Sitel Tarlac in which they must accomplish activities related to Audio Transcription and Call Simulation. Those under Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand, on the other hand, must craft a creative portfolio that exhibits their knowledge regarding the artifacts and subjects of HUMSS. When asked about her thoughts regarding this, Natasha Nicole Jade Tumbaga, 12-HUMSS, says that, “Nowadays, we are facing lots of challenges. Pero since nagka-pandemic nga, sabihin na lang natin na mahirap yung ginagawa natin ngayon pero accept the fact na yun lang yung tanging paraan para maka-iwas tayo sa covid-19.”

Although the SHS students understands why restrictions are imposed, they admit that the supposed program could’ve helped them a lot in the future.

“We do need some experience para mahubog tayo. Konti lang ngayon ang ginagawa natin, we’re just answering papers pero wala tayong nakukuhang thoughts and new information. Hindi din kami masiyadong natututo dahil wala kami sa mismong site,” Claire Angelus Oliva, from 12-ICT, said.

Attending sessions with Sitel also has its difficulties according to Reynan Quizan, 12-ICT. “Yung challenges ay yung minsan pabagal-bagal na internet.

Pero wala ka naman magagawa kasi dito sa Pilipinas mabagal talaga yung connection, kailangan talaga ang tiyaga,” Quizan said.

However, Vladimir Manuel, SHS and Work Immersion teacher, says that the department did its job to provide the needs of the students.

“The activities included in the program plan were carefully crafted to further prepare them in the field of work. Prior to the start of second semester, Ma’am Arra Dianne B. Marcelo and I conducted meetings with the subject teachers handling specialized subjects for ICT and HUMSS. We solicited suggestions for appropriate performances/ artifacts in their respective strand,” Manuel said.

Back when classes were normal, ICT students were sent to Talon General Hospital, Ramos General Hospital, and Sitel Tarlac while those from HUMSS went to L Square Hotel, Tarlac Electric Inc., Tarlac City Police Station, and in the Junior and Elementary Department of SCIS to undergo training related to their chosen career.

Cristonians, TRIVO join forces in school cleanup drive

By Precious Gloria Malicay

Photo provided by Louwella Fatima Corpuz

Aiming to be enlightened about the importance of community service, student leaders of Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) join a cleanup drive together with Tarlac Residence Integrated Vitality Organization (TRIVO) on November 7, 2021.

The Supreme Student Government (SSG) of SCIS were oriented

by TRIVO, an organization comprised of different fraternities from Tarlac City, on the tasks they must accomplish after a short opening program by their SSG Adviser, Louwella Fatima Nool Corpuz, and TRIVO Founder Wilfredo N. Corpuz.

Aside from cleaning the whole school, the students also painted some rooms and fences.

Representatives of TRIVO also shared to the officers of SSG how they handle the growing amount of members in the organization in hopes to inspire the students regarding the importance of leadership after all the activities were concluded.

“Pag nakakabuo ng mga katulad nitong activities, mas nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga mag-aaral, generally mga kabataan na makakilala ng mga taong may experience sa pags-serve sa community. Mas nagiging matibay yung foundation nila sa leadership at na e-enlighten sila sa community service,” Corpuz said.

The activity is a part of the “Makakalikasan” and “Makabansa” advocacy of SSG. They were awarded during the closing program.

News TWO YEARS LATER <<< page 1

Zuniga’s classmate, Arlie C. Pelobello, also shared that even though some activities like reporting and doing research are challenging for them, they still find it fun since they are doing it with their friends.

When asked whether he thinks F2F is better, Cyprus Chad G. Laus, Grade 10 teacher, couldn’t agree more.

“Inside the four corners of the classrooms kasi mas maa-absorb ng mga bata yung mga tinuturo ng teachers.

At the same time dahil nasa silid-aralan na sila, mas matatanggap nila ng maayos yung objectives ng bawat klase,” Laus said.

However, the students’ being stuck at home for more than two years also has its setbacks.

“Napahinga sila ng two years, ang naging negative insight namin doon ay number one, tinamad sila sa pag-aaral, at pangalawa, napag-iwanan sila kaya hirap silang magadapt sa pag-aaral ngayon,” Laus added.

To aid these challenges, the Department of Education (DepEd) did some bench marking as to see how far the students are knowledgeable about the lessons, and from there, they instructed the teachers to continue teaching the topics they do not know.

Laus describes it as being back to basic.

Fear due to the Covid-19 Even though SCIS is strict on implimenting their safety health protocols, they cannot blame some parents who are still scared to let their children enter school as the pandemic is not completely over.

“Hindi natin sila masisisi.

Kahit sinong magulang priority nila ang anak nila eh. Pero kung matatakot lang tayo, hindi matatapos yung kaba natin sa corona virus,” Laus said.

But Cristonians thinks otherwise as for them, they do not feel any fear inside their classrooms as they know that everyone are fully vaccinated.

“Wala na pong takot kasi yung mga kabataan po nakafocus lang sa pag-aaral nila, hindi na po nila iniintindi yung pandemic,” Pelobello said.

| The Quill

.3

99% of SCIS teachers vaccinated

By Precious Gloria Malicay

The High School Department teachers are one in fighting COVID-19 as 78 out of 79 of them have been fully vaccinated.

According to the data gathered on March 18, 2022, most teachers have already been vaccinated against the virus while all three non-teaching personnel in the department have received their shots.

When asked why most of them decided to get the immunity, they say it is for the safety of the people around them, more so for the students’ protection.

“Hindi lamang ang sarili ko ang mapo-protektahan, kung hindi maging ang mga tao sa aking paligid,” April Joy F. Zarate, Grade 10 teacher, said.

Rochelle Sansano, a Grade 7 teacher, also said that knowing that the teachers are vaccinated gives the students a sense of security inside the campus.

“Parang naging mandatory din kasi siya noon dahil may mga ibang establishments na hindi ka makakapasok kung hindi ka vaccinated,” Sansano added.

On the other hand, only 26% of students have been injected that is why the teachers are doing their best to educate more learners about the advantages of receiving it.

26% Only

of Cristonians have been vaccinated.

PHILIPPINES Doses given

159M

Full vaccinated

70M

% full vaccinated

63.9%

Academic cheating soars amid distance learning; SCIS promotes academic integrity

By Curt Joshua Cureg

Rise of ‘online kopyahan’ and academic commission becomes apparent as distance learning continues while Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) teachers discourage academic dishonesty.

Teachers of SCIS have seen a significant amount of students who shares similar answers on their modules which has led them to believe that cheating among learners does happen more frequently due to the learning modalities posed by the pandemic.

When asked why they do this, student A, who decided to remain anonymous, said that it is because they cannot answer the modules themselves with the personal problems they already have. This makes it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies that is why hiring someone to do their school works is a lot more convenient for them.

On the other hand, student B said that accepting academic commission, like producing a thesis or a research study, is a way for them to just earn money.

According to Carlo S. Francisco, Senior High School teacher, the reason why students participate

in such activities is it is a fast and easy way of earning high grades.

As a teacher, he also said that they must work harder to make sure that the learners do not involve themselves to this.

“This is probably one of the major problems that the new normal education is facing right now.

Assessing students’ learning in a distance learning modality takes a lot of effort especially that resources online are very accessible. It is an extra challenge for a teacher to double check and verify all possible resources where students can copy their work. In addition to that, there are also websites where students may copy-paste someone’s work to rephrase it, there are also people who offer services such us thesis writing, etc. At the very least, maybe one thing that you can do as a teacher is to let them present and explain their work,” Francisco said.

As a way to avoid it, he suggested that the learners be imposed with positive and negative reinforcements to avoid such improper practices.

SCIS teachers address this issue by continuously reminding students to uphold their academic integrity. Parents are also encouraged to monitor their children’s online activities.

.

4 The Quill |

SCIS-SSG meets Mayor Cristy

by Precious Gloria Malicay

Supreme Student Government (SSG) of Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) seize opportunity to talk to Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles as they unexpectedly come across her in the City Plazuela on May 31.

Some SSG officers as well as their schoolmates were hanging out in the Plazuela after the classes ended when they saw the mayor.

According to Lance Adriane O. Mata, Protocol Officer of SSG, it was rare to see her there that is why they took the chance to approach her.

“Ang sinabi niya sa amin is anong grade or baitang na kami at nagbigay siya ng payo about sa pag-aaral namin na pagbutihan ang edukasyon upang maabot ang mga pangarap sa buhay,” Mata said.

Angeles also took to Facebook to share her appreciation towards the students.

“It was nice to meet students from our very own Sto. Cristo Integrated School!” she exclaimed. “Thank you very much for your show of love and support, future student leaders of Tarlac City!”

Tarlaqueños may visit the City Plazuela from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM every Tuesday to Sunday and expect to see interactive amusements such as the multi-colored fountain and the enchanted tunnel of lights.

Photo from DepEd Tayo - Youth Formation - Sto. Cristo Integrated School Page

News

|

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022

SCIS boosts studs’ reading skills, kick-starts Nat’l Reading Month

by Precious Gloria Malicay

Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) kicks-off National Reading Month while looking forward to enhance students’ reading skills with the help of the teachers.

The virtual launching ceremony of the said event was held via Google Meet on November 15, 2021 with the attendance of the secondary teachers of SCIS. The webinar focused on ways on how teachers can encourage students to read ‘proficiently’ by not just reading the text as is but by also understanding it as the reports shown by Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a worldwide survey that focuses on the key knowledge and skills of learners, shows that the Philippines is the lowest among 79 countries when it comes to reading.

To improve students’ reading skills, Joeann M. Castro, Grade 10 English Teacher, shared

some teaching strategies to incorporate reading to their lessons particularly to those who teach in subjects that does not specialize in language.

She gave importance to not embarrass students especially when they make mistakes during recitations. Helping them know the meaning of an unfamiliar terminology beforehand will also make it easier for them to read a text.

Also, using sensory imagery, anticipation guide, vocabulary building, and frayer model will benefit both the educators and the learners.

Furthermore, when faced with students in higher grade levels that shows traits of a frustrated reader, Castro reminds her coeducators to not accuse their previous teachers of not doing their job right.

“We have to admit that these are some of the lapses. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na hindi ginawa siguro ni teacher yung

trabaho niya. We just have to accept that these are realities of the educational system, these are realities that we have to face and instead of blaming, pinpointing, as teachers, especially as secondary teachers, tayo na. We solve the problem pag dumating na sa atin. Gawin na lang natin ang dapat nating gawin,” said Castro.

Culminating Activities To celebrate National Reading Month, the students were tasked to participate in the following activities: Mystery Reader, Profile Photo Challenge, Reading Family, Dress-up like your Favorite Character, Word Pictionary, Book Bingo, Book Cover Design Making, and Storytelling.

The winners of each contest were posted on the Official Facebook Page Cristonians Notified along with their E-Certificates.

Cristonians bag places in Division ESP competition

by Jamaica Leah Marquez

“We didn’t have enough time to prepare, we had less than a week to practice,” Isaac John B. Pineda, a Grade 10-STE student who won 3rd Place in Values and Virtues Exposition, said.

Despite the lack of training due to conflict of schedules, two Grade 10 students from Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) were recognized for their award-winning performance during the Division ESP Competition with the theme: “Pagpapaunlad ng Pagkatao, Pakikipagkapuwa, at Pananampalataya: Hamon sa Panahon ng Pandemya” that was held through the use of Google Meet last November 22, 2021.

Aside from Pineda, Nicole Catacutan, Grade 10STE, was also awarded as the 1st Placer in E-Slogan Making. She shared that she was about to quit the competition as she was worried about not being able to complete it due to her workload but she still

went and accepted the challenge.

“I was able to win the competition due to the support and assistance they gave me throughout my practice.” Catacutan said.

According to Pineda, he was feeling pressured and nervous since it was his first time joining such competition.

“Nung first round, as far as I can remember, courage yung napunta sa aking word and I was able to deliver it naman while connecting it sa pliancy ng mga Pilipino lalo na ngayong Pandemic. Then doon palang na sinabihan ako ng Coach ko na si Ma’am Leni na I did great, okay na ako dun, I felt like I was a winner already.” Isaac added.

Pineda was coached by Lenybeth M. Marcelo, grade 10 teacher, while Catacutan was coached by Chona M. Reyes and Joyce Ann Cura, Grade 8 and Grade 7 teachers respectively.

Fuel price hike affects drivers, commuters, car owners

by Precious Gloria Malicay

NO EASY FEAT! SSG holds digital election

by Precious Gloria Malicay

Digital Election for the new Supreme Student Government (SSG) of Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) faced challenges as the voting process was done online due to the pandemic.

A longer voting period (October 14-16, 2021) through Google Forms was given to the students as they first had to register to get their own serial numbers to safe guard their identity and to avoid double voting. Even after that, verifying the reliability of votes was still difficult for the committee as not everyone had an access to the internet.

“Simula sa pagf-file ng candicacy ng mga aspiring future leaders, campaign period, meeting de avance hanggang sa pagboto naging challenge ito dahil masasabing kailangan ng matinding paghahanda dahil bago ito sa lahat ng mag-aaral,” Louwella Fatima Nool Corpus, SSG Adviser, said.

But the help of the advisers and the student representative of each section made the whole ordeal bearable as they extended important information to those who are having difficulties voting.

Two parties competed for the administration by campaigning their platforms through a video presentation posted online on the DepEd Tayo - Youth Formation Facebook page of SCIS. The winners are: Lance Axis T. Navarro, President, Isaac John B. Pineda, Vice President, Kaylie Bernice Espinosa, Secretary, Jonel S. Mallari, Treasurer, Russel James D. Solomon, Auditor, Tristan Jance A. Peralta, Public Information Officer, Lance Adriane O. Mata, Protocol Officer.

Commuters and drivers must expect oil price to increase even further as firms announce a 2.15 PHP per liter gasoline and 4.30 PHP per liter diesel hike by June 14; minimum fare in Tarlac City inflates due to this.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the per-liter prices have gone up by 26.55 PHP for gasoline, 36.85 PHP for diesel, and 33.10 PHP for kerosene since the start of 2022.

According to experts, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is said to be the cause of this as Russia is one of Europe’s biggest oil and gas suppliers.

When asked whether the price increase is felt, Jay Harold C. Panlilio, a Grade 12 teacher who

owns a car, said, “Yes, especially ngayon na pataas na pataas lang.

Parang hindi man nga lang nag roll-back, nag roll-back pero saglit lang, bigla ding tumaas.”

During the pandemic, the Local Government unit decided to raise the minimum fare for jeepneys in Tarlac City to 15.00 PHP but when things slowly got back to normal, they brought it back down to only 10.00 PHP. The jeepney drivers protested against it saying that the gasoline hike is too much for them. The LGU then put the price back to 15.00 PHP. “Bilang isang estudyante na araw-araw nakakaranas ng pagko-commute, nararanasan ko ang pagtaas ng petrolyo. Bago

ang pandemya, napakababa pa ng pamasahe. Dahil sa nararanasang krisis, naaapektuhan na din ang pampublikong transportasyon,” Elijah Geo A. Guiam, 11-Clemens, said.

But since they cannot do anything about it, Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) students who usually ride public transportations instead found ways to work around it.

“Bago magpasukan, kinwenta ko muna, nag-suggest ako na ganito ang baon ko in a day so para hindi na rin ako nahihirapan, para may natitira pang pera pambili ng requirements o kailangan ko bilhin para sa pag-aaral ko,” Angelito Gabriel Ramos, 12-Exupéry, said.

OIL PRICE HIKE June 14, 2022

Source: ANC 24/7

DIESEL

GASOLINE

KEROSENE

P4.30 PER LITER

P2.15 PER LITER

P4.85 PER LITER

EDITORIAL

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022 |

APODICTIC BENEFIT: A SIGHT OF TYRANNY

According to INQUIRER.NET, on January 19, 2022, Davao City Mayor, Sara Duterte, said that if she would be elected as the Vice President of the Philippines, she would push Mandatory Military Service (MMS) for all Filipinos reaching the age of 18, for both male and female.

Many Filipinos contradict this proposal, but many also support it as they believe that this will be the best remedy for the country to have a strong Armed Forces, and to provide protection or self defense to everyone including women.

However, amidst the apodictic benefits Mandatory Military Service will give, it will be a sight of tyranny, and unfairness for the Filipinos that will turn 18, because they will have no freedom of choice, when people of a democratic society should have their own freedom of choice.

Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay stated that the possible implementation of MMS might violate basic civil and political rights. “Karapatan” is an organization that works for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. In accordance with Palabay, MMS might also result in tortures, arbitrary arrests and detention, and other human rights violation. Everything is fine if the title of the proposal of Sara Duterte did not have the word “Mandatory” in it. Based on Merriam Webster, the term “Mandatory” basically means, “required”. Hence, the proposal of Duterte about MMS is very close to requiring the Filipinos, 18 years old and above to have military training. And these facts conclude that the MMS will take away the freedom of the 18 year-old Filipinos to make choices for themselves, and for the society they live in, because they are “required” to do the military training. They are more likely to be “dictated” about what to do, and about what decision to make. With that, people could see the sight of tyranny in the Philippine Government if ever Duterte wins as the Vice President and implement the Mandatory Military Service.

According to sources, Duterte’s proposed MMT will not just be a normal Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) arrangement (a program wherein college students are urged to volunteer as military reservists) as she says that everyone who has reached the legal age will be obligated to serve the country instead. If that happens, it is possible that many 18 year-old Filipinos will not be able to continue studying for college, and the academic rate of our country might deteriorate when education should be the uttermost priority of every country, since it is what maintains the economic rate, the job rate, and the poverty rate of the country.

However, AFP spokesperson, Col. Ramon Zagala stated, “Rendering mandatory military service will only help us to establish a base for strong armed forces, and therefore a strong nation.”

As many believed, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the Department of National Defense support the MMS because it will give bunch of advantages to the country and the Filipinos.

Amidst that, people can be taught self defense in other ways, such as joining sports that could help them protect themselves or joining self defense programs or free trainings. Even in watching YouTube people could learn self-defense, and practice it.

When a war occurs, the Philippines could have enough military forces by training those who really want to be trained.

Great discipline is nonsense if the people do not have independence nor the right to choose or make decisions for themselves and their community, when their country is a democratic country and not a dictatorial country.

According to the AFP, the Philippines has enough soldiers and military forces to protect the country. Many more Filipinos want to go to military training or dream to be a soldier. If those are not enough, what is enough?

To conclude, it is not unjust that the future government will soon dictate the decisions of the Filipinos about having Mandatory Military Training just because they want to have more and more citizens who will protect the country.

All the citizens want to protect the country for this is their home. But not everyone has the same way of protecting it. Each one has their own role in a community. Some are doctors, teachers, politicians, employee, etc., and they have their own desire, their own choice.

The government should not just disregard their freedom of choice because it is their right as a human being. Hence, the citizens should be the one controlling the government, and not the other way around. Democracy is way better than tyranny and dictatorship.

| The Quill

.5

Quill The

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF STO. CRISTO INTEGRATED SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT 2021-2022 Editor in Chief: PRECIOUS GLORIA MALICAY Associate Editor: ALTHEA ATENCIO Column Writers: JOHNLYN FAYE MASCARINIAS EIRITZ JEWEL GARCIA KENCHIE BAYLON News Writers: CURT CUREG TRIXIE GALULU JAMAICA LEAH MARQUEZ Feature Editor: RAFAELA RANDEE MIAN IAN GARCIA Feature Writer: JHON ROBERTSON ENRIQUEZ MARIA ANGELA SOLIMAN Science Editor NICOLE KIM CATACUTAN Science Writers: KAYLIE BERNICE ESPINOSA ISAAC JOHN PINEDA Sports Editor: PRECIOUS GLORIA MALICAY Cartoonists: MAYBELLE RUBANG SHANENN GUEVARA Student Publication Adviser: SHEENA GWENDOLYN D. VALDEZ English Department Head: LESLIE ANN E. EMPERADOR Head Teacher I: SHERYLL B. DUQUE Principal IV: RONALD I. CASTRO, EdD

Letter to the Editor

Letter from the Editor

Dear Editor,

Dear SRB,

I am a grade 10 student in SCIS. Whenever I stand up to recite, I feel anxious. Even though I have the answer in my mind, it’s hard for me to say it, especially in English. I can write it down and then say it, but it takes a lot of courage to stand up unprepared and say the things I’ve been keeping in my mind. I am scared that I would make a mistake and commit grammar lapses and be embarrassed in front of my classmates and my teacher. What should I do to be able to express myself with confidence?

First of all, the fact that you’re trying to overcome your fear is already a huge leap. I’ve seen myself in that same situation in more times than you can think of. What I did to conquer such fright? I raised my hand and started talking because once you actually start doing it, you’ll find it easier the next time you recite. I realized that what’s stopping me was the thought of what others might think if I make a mistake. Let go of that thought, stutter all you want and make your voice be heard because no one starts skilled.

Sincerely,

Precious Gloria Malicay

Sincerely, SRB

Scan this QR code to visit the Facebook page of The Quill and be updated with the school events and announcements.

We are also encouraging you to share your stories online.

Who knows? We might consider publishing your articles in our next release.

INTERACT WITH US Participate in our online discussion. Submit your suggestions, comments, and requests to thequillschoolpaper@gmail. com.

OPINION

Project TRESE: The Answer INTROSPECTION ROCHELLE P. SANSANO Reading Coordinator

“

It has been a struggle before the pandemic to alleviate the reading difficulties of the students. Imagine how challenging it has become in the new normal set-up in education, especially, only a few value reading and comprehension.

”

The Project Trese which stands for Teaching Reading in an Engaging and Scintillating Effort is anchored in the Project GOALS (Gaining Outstanding Achievements in Learning through Socially Distance Reading) of the Tarlac City Schools Division. It is a response on the Department of Education Memorandum No. 173 Series of 2019 which is Hamon: Bawat Bata Bumabasa (3Bs). These have one goal: to bridge the literacy gaps among the learners through instensifying its campaign on reading proficiency. Hence, it has been emphasized how important reading is in the lives of the students.

It has been a struggle before the pandemic to alleviate the reading difficulties of the students. Imagine how challenging it has become in the new normal set-up in education, especially, only a few value reading and comprehension. Upon conducting the pre-test in Phil-Iri, there is a need to intervene with the reading skills of the learners.

TRESE was the answer.

It may sound like an unlucky number, but it paved way for the students to read more. This school reading program does not only focus on giving remediation, but also on encouraging the students to read.

Reading skills are primarily taught in elementary, then these are being enhanced in subsequent grades. This is due to the fact that other subjects also depend on the student’s ability to read.

However, as reading verification is concerned, there are still identified non-readers. Therefore, these students feel isolated in the class as they cannot catch up on their lessons. This is a pathetic scenario which the English and Filipino teachers face.

Indeed, it will be difficult to build the necessary skills needed for the students to read.

In the school’s reading program, Project TRESE, those students who are non-readers and frustration readers were given intervention. Frustration reading level is a stage where the readers find reading materials so difficult that they cannot meet the criteria for instructional level of accuracy and rate. Students in this level can only recognize a few words while reading. Thus, the remediation given was to start from the basics-alphabets and sounds. Their phonemic and phonic awareness were tapped. It also takes a lot of patience to teach these students, but to see them learn is rewarding.

As for those instructional and independent readers, enrichment activities were given.

According to University of Utah Reading Clinic, instructional reading level is the highest level at which a reader is not independent, but has adequate background knowledge for a topic, and can access text quickly and with no or few errors.

Think of independent level as the highest level you would ask a child to read with only a small amount of assistance. Although it may sound good, various reading and comprehension texts were still provided to help them enhance their skills. From spelling, unlocking of difficulties through vocabulary building, and decoding, the aforementioned support also guided the students to read more.

Throughout the implementation of TRESE, the English teachers and students have shown their participation for the success of the project. It is also impossible to do so without the support of the administrators. Their belief on the value of reading as well aligns with the goals and objectives of the reading program. This makes it easier for us to conduct the activities we prepared as part of promoting love for reading and developing necessary skills to ease the student’s difficulty in reading and comprehending. May we all be aware that reading is a stupendous habit which should be embraced and highly valued.

Ergo, with the progress on the students who have already shifted their reading level, success is apparent. TRESE may just be a number to anyone, but it unlocked many opportunities for the students to read.

Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) holds the curriculum of Science, Technology and Engineering (STE) section— whereas additional subjects are added into the curriculum for STE students to have advanced learning material for their future strand, mainly, the academic strands; Science Technology Engineering and Medicine (STEM), Accountancy Business and Management (ABM), and General Academic Strand (GAS).

However, the school’s senior high school department holds only two strands; Technical and Vocational Learning (TVL) and Humanity and Social Sciences (HumSS), giving future senior high school students, even the students who graduated from the STE curriculum, a very obvious and valid reason to move to other schools. The absence of STEM, ABM, GAS, makes the majority of the Junior High School students of SCIS to not continue their Senior High School life in SCIS. One reason why the school needs to expand its strands is for Grade 10 students who desire to finish their high school journey here in SCIS but have no choice but to transfer schools because their desired strand is not offered in SCIS. This would be such a big loss for the school considering that these Grade 10 students are part of the Cristonian family.

The school has a special curriculum (STE) in Junior High School, but when it comes to SHS, SCIS loses thousands of students to enroll, because the STE students lose an opportunity to enhance the learnings they got in JHS. This is because SCIS

CONCISE OPINION

longstoryshort

.

6 The Quill |

|

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022

SCIS: A SCHOOL WITH IRONIC OPTIONS

EVES DROP KENCHIE C. BAYLON

“

There must be opportunities that the school must give to its students to ensure that quality education is given.

”

SHS department has only two strands which are: HUMMS and TVL. Therefore, the STE students of SCIS will most likely transfer to other schools when they graduate in JHS because the strands that match and suit the skills, knowledge, and ability that they have enhanced in their JHS journey is not available to take in SCIS. Additionally, many Grade 10 students also may have the same interest, skills, and knowledge as to the STE students. It does not necessarily mean that when they do not belong to the STE class, they will not have the decision, idea or choice to take the academic strand that they want. In fact, almost majority of the students have the urge to take academic strands and other SHS strands that suit their interests and skills, hoping and dreaming

that these strands will take them to the peak of their career and success.

The school should offer all the SHS tracks including all of the strands under the academic track, technical and vocational track, sports track, and the arts and design track. There must be opportunities that the school must give to its students to ensure that quality education is given. As a grade 10 student, I strongly urge the school to consider my reasons and do this for the students, especially those who are still undecided who cannot choose because of the limited options.

And instead of staying in SCIS, they enroll in other schools who can offer them a wide variety of options. For me, the most plausible solution to this problem is expanding the strands offered in Sto. Cristo Integrated School.

the GOOD One thing we are always proud of about SCIS is its openness to other religion. No student is being left behind, we are all given a chance to show our devotion just like how our Muslim friends are able to attend the ALIVE Program in the school.

the SO-SO The foods offered in the school’s canteen are sufficient, but can we have more selections other than junk foods and soft drinks? We can’t really blame others for sneaking out just to buy snacks outside the school.

the BAD Why offer STE in Junior High if STEM is not provided in Senior High? We would love to stay in SCIS but we are given no choice other than to transfer after moving up.

OPINION

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022 |

THE TRANSITION PHASE: ARE WE READY?

IN MY LENSE JOHNLYN FAYE MASCARINIAS

“

Even if the traditional way of teaching, learning, and studying is back to normal, the situation of the world because of the pandemic is not yet normal.

According to the Philippine News Agency, on January 2022, finally, the limited face-to-face classes have been implemented in schools within Central Luzon, and other schools in the Philippines that is within the area that has low cases of COVID-19, including Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) in Tarlac City.

SCIS and the school facilities are prepared for the implementation of limited face-to -face classes, but the students and teachers are the one who are not yet ready and amidst this, the implementation of face-to-face classes is going triumphant as of

”

May 2022, because the situation of the pandemic is getting very facile to handle.

A student in SCIS that participated in the limited faceto-face classes stated that the school is ready because there are safety protocols and safety equipment present on the day of the implementation. Safety health protocols such as wearing face masks, social distancing, handwashing, etc. were posted everywhere in the school, from the rooms to the corridors, and to the gates. Everywhere you go, there are reminders to keep yourself away from acquiring

Rants & Raves Content Courtesy of Precious Gloria Malicay

Graphics by Maybelle Rubang

A RAVE to the teachers of SCIS for always accepting our late outputs even though it’s been weeks since the deadline. Your patience to us is unmatched!

A RAVE to the student teachers of Tarlac State University who have taught us for more than two months.

We can’t imagine how hard it must have been for all of you to adjust since the face-to-face classes just started recently and everyone is still adapting to the new setup.

A RANT to the management of SCIS for not fixing the bathrooms even though the complaints about them have been very prominent ever since then. It’s either we cannot flush the toilet or there are no doors in some stalls. Don’t even get us started about the foul smell!

A RANT to our schoolmates who keep on sending screenshots to our GCs whenever they finish answering a Google Form. Most of the time, sending a proof of completion is not necessary.

Important announcements and links are hard to find because of this.

the COVID-19 virus. There are also emergency exits and entrance in case of emergency.

There are thermal scanners, bottles of alcohols, extra face masks, plastic barriers in the tables and chairs, etc. The school and its facilities are all ready to ensure the safety of the students and teachers. All these safety protocols, safety barriers, safety reminders, and safety measures are present because of the word “LIMITED” in the “limited faceto-face classes.”

This means that even if the traditional way of teaching, learning, and studying is back to

| The Quill

normal, the situation of the world because of the pandemic is not yet normal. So, both the students and teachers should still limit themselves, and follow the safety health protocols.

SCIS is readied by online orientations and seminars that will be beneficial to the students and teachers’ preparedness in the implementation of face-toface. There has been an online orientation about face-to-face classes implemented by the SCIS, joined by the parents/guardians of the students in SCIS, and the students themselves.

According to DepEd, in its bid to support the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes, they held an orientation with the 100 identified school implementers and their instructional leaders on the teaching-learning component.

The traditional way of learning was thankfully revived because of the face-to-face classes and the students also had the best quality of learning since the communication between teachers and students are now going back to normal.

However, all the preparation of SCIS has its drawback and imperfections.

As stated by one of the students in Grade 10 STE, the school is not ready because the schedule of classes is a mess. Another student stated that implementing face-to-face classes is a chaos. It is not really

.7

a chaos, but they think, the school is not ready for faceto-face classes. Given that the teachers are getting more and more busy, it really does look like a chaos, but it is not because teachers still monitor and guide their students amidst mountains of works they must finish.

It is also stated by one Cristonian that the school is not ready because during the implementation, the health and safety protocols were not obeyed. This situation possibly happened because the school’s preparedness is not effective to the actual implementation.

However, I think this happened not because the school is not prepared. SCIS is ready for faceto-face; some of the students are to blame, and their discipline is not readied.

Teachers of SCIS are ready.

Facilities and health and safety protocols are also ready. The only ones who are not actually ready are the students who do not care about their own and the safety of everyone around them.

Fortunately, Tarlac City is on Alert Level 1 as of May 2022.

The situation of the pandemic is getting loose, but still, the people should not keep their guards down.

This tentative success of implementing face-to-face classes might suddenly turn into a disaster if people, students of SCIS, and teachers of SCIS keep their guards down.

OF ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

JUST SAYING EIRITZ JEWEL GARCIA

“

Let us do our duties and responsibilities as students. Let us keep away from doing the wrong, and just strive to have a good education.

”

From the second quarter of the year 2020 up to present, the Department of Education pursued the learning process of the learners. Different learning modalities were introduced depending on the capacity and capability of the learners.

Most of the learners suffered difficulties on distance learning because of the absence of face-to-face teaching-learning process. But this situation was given attention and was offere solution. Different approaches, strategies, and methods were used to manage learners’ learning ability.

Although teachers are doing their best to reach out learners and gave their hundred percent effort to deliver the lessons in distance learning modality, not all learners could cope up to the lessons due to personal reasons.

That is why the possibility of online kopyahan and work commission arose. Reasons behind this wrong doings of the learners are: (1) just to accomplish the learning activities/task, (2) difficulties in answering the activities/task given, (3) lack of parent’s guidance and time, (4) lack of interest and lots of distraction, (5) cannot learn on self-understanding and (6) conflicts with other activities.

Teachers of Sto. Cristo Integrated School became aware of this wrong actions of the learners.

Monitoring of learners outputs was evidently observed and it was found that similar answers are done by some of the learners. Based on this observation, teachers concluded that online cheating is a chronic problem in the learning system. That is why teachers of this institution promptly made an action to cease this wrong doings of the learners.

On the other hand, it is hard to identify those learners on process of doing work commission.

Especially, if there is no evidence or proof at all. This is the time of proving self-honesty of the learners.

Also it is a great responsibility of parents or guardians to guide and assist their children’s welfare and learning.

As a student, if we do searching, browsing on any website, it is basically helpful to us to understand our lessons. Maybe there are possible answers when searching on the internet, but we should avoid the habit of copying and pasting. We can just use these ideas as basis to create our own answers.

Remember that our teachers are competent to identify the works of the learners, if it is just a copied and pasted answer from the internet or an answer comes from other students.

Let us do our duties and responsibilities as students. Let us keep away from doing the wrong, and just strive to have a good education. It is one of the keys to achieve our goals in life, like better career opportunities and higher lifetime earnings.

I believe in individual’s capability to succeed, through one’s dream and heart’s desire. To succeed, “DREAM, BELIEVE and SURVIVE!”

FEATURE

.

8 The Quill |

|

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022

Emerging

ADULTHOOD

By Althea Atencio and Maria Angela Soliman

reali-say- tions

It is the time of self-discovery, self-focus, and instability. The age of endless possibilities and significant feeling of being “in-between”. It is the age of wanting a lot out of life. The term “emerging adulthood” was coined by psychologist Jeffrey Jensen Arnett to a phenomenon where young people, ages 18-29, are still wrapping up adolescence whilst transitioning to adulthood. This phase of development is a response to social and economic changes. Unlike our grandparents who seemed to have it all figured out because they got married, have kids and family of their own around their twenties.

It is important to talk about the matters of being an emerging adult, based on those who are currently in this phase because their experience could serve as an example and lesson to teenagers who are about to enter emerging adulthood. The following is a worthy conversation with an emerging adult, a Senior High School student, in Sto. Cristo Integrated School. She shared her perspectives, experiences, and advice as someone who is in between adolescence and adulthood.

MOney talk

You will always feel like you’re in a financial crisis if you didn’t have ‘savings’ to save you. I am 19 years old and still experience purchasing stuff, compulsively. My money usually ends up to clothes, school supplies, and other things I fancy. Being financially dependent to my parents feels reassuring but I realize it’s not a lifetime support. This realization pushes me to invest money for my future. My paper bills aren’t really safe in my piggy bank, so I would rather put it in a real bank. One technique I have learned to apply whenever I get to hold money is to put 50% on needs, 40% on savings, and 10% on my ‘wants’.

In this adventure, I perceived the value of being kind to others. Everyone goes through tough phases in life that we are unaware of that’s why it’s best to treat them nicely, so you won’t feel any form of regrets when they’re gone. Contrarily, I have learned not to trust everyone, and I think it’s fair to say this because I’m speaking from my own experience.

It is difficult to trust when you know how painful it is to get stabbed in the back. As I contemplate these, I have started wondering: what else will I realize in this journey? What other things would I sacrifice to see the better picture of life? For me, life is not a game that can be abandoned if you get bored, but rather a serious commitment to personal development.

study-life balance I have to wear a variety of hats. I’m 18 years old and being a student, daughter, and a friend are just some of the roles I have to play every day.

These roles correspond to long list of to-do’s so time management is a must.

Scheduling helps me organize and finish my tasks. Some days will be rough, some days will flow smoothly, but what I assure you is that you could always find a way to wrap the day up. Exerting efforts to become better at planning would result to study-life balance.

MOTTO-vation “Regardless our financial status, I would be fine as long as I have my family.”

Sometimes it’s hard for me to stay on track when I began to slack off specially when I found myself in a tight spot.

My tendency to overthink affects my will to work efficiently.

My only reason to keep going is my family. They don’t have to do anything, their presence is enough for me to boost my productivity and continue living. Whenever I am close to giving up, I always ask myself, “ Why am I doing this and for whom? Then I would think of my goal which is to help my family to live a comfortable and happy life. These questions helped me on days I lack adrenaline-like motivation.

Photos by Paul Marion Vallentos

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022 |

feature

| The Quill

Amidst the dark room,

.9

faith BRINGS LIght

By Jhon Robertson Enriquez

A leader always sees the world without him at the center; he sees himself carrying the world. He sees less of himself and more on others.

Louwella Fatima Corpuz is a teacher and an SSG adviser who possesses the skills of a leader. She has been teaching for eight years, and with these few years of experience, she has attained the skills of a great leader.

Being a school teacher and a leader have the same core and purpose. At school, teachers teach learners lessons and skills they need to have as their shield and armor facing the world of uncertainties. As to leaders, they explore to give better opportunities to their followers in able for them to realize their potentials.

Both teachers and leaders holistically mold individuals to become good people or if not better than them. They give clear directions towards an amazing future by providing them meaningful experiences. They give opportunities to individuals to strive and develop themselves so that they can also be a leader and a teacher who bring change in the society.

Faith and hope surround the belief that Miss Corpuz’ goals will be attained through hard work. She does get faith and hope when she witnesses the people around her experience the benefit and advantages of the works and accomplishment of the organization she leads. It enables her to face tough times with creativity and resilience.

Leading in these uncertain times requires inspiration more than ever.

Besides achieving the goals for the benefit of the organization, realizing the positive change that might happen or the footprints she may leave during her leadership is one of the strongest foundations of her hope. She believes that hope is the only thing we can never afford to be without, and the jet fuel for the journey of work and life.

Being a leader is one of the fulfilling works in life. With this, you have the power to provide and help them believe that they can be the extraordinary person who will change the world into different perspectives. Ironically, fulfillment is valid when trials and troubles comes along the way.

Leaders will always be equal to sacrificial love to people.

When God gave you the opportunity to lead and the power to serve people, always think about what you can give, and not what you can get.

Photos by Paul Marion Vallentos

.

10 The Quill |

FEATURE

|

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022

dalagiTANG INA

The story of a full-time student-mother

By Althea Atencio

Graphics by Shanenn Guevarra

No secret would remain a secret forever.

It was in June 2021 when I have finally gathered all my courage to reveal my secret for six months by taking the test that confirmed my fate.

I was drowning; I got myself deep into the water that time. My neighbors started to play the whisper down the lane. I walked straight ahead ignoring my peripheral vision. I took every heavy step just to keep moving.

I already knew it, but I just had to take the test and face reality— a reality I was scared of.

On that day, my life had changed. I knew there was no turning back. I had to concede that I was conceiving a child.

My immaturity has led my life settled for less than being a student-parent. On weekdays, I have to prepare my baby’s needs and leave her to my grandmother to babysit so I could study. While on weekends, I have my whole time occupied for my baby. I am juggling to get through my daily routine. I can’t put it into words how daunting it is to choose what to put first, what role should I act first because everything feels like it is happening at the same time. Often I find myself in the middle, being tiringly pulled with my responsibilities.

I feel like I’m being pushed on the edge of the cliff. I have tempting thoughts like quitting and running away from it all. The only exception I have, to keep moving in this difficult path, is my daughter.

There are times I would zone out and there’s a rush of “what ifs”.

“What if one day my kid would cry because she couldn’t recognize me?”

“What if she grew distant to me?”

“What if she thought I’m not a good mother?”

These hypothetical questions never stop, and to keep me sane, I have to endure and fight back.

I am not a perfect daughter, but I’m trying to be deserving of the role of a mother. Being a studentparent is a route I have no choice but to take. For some reason I find it rewarding when I get through it each day. I carry my weighty setbacks and responsibilities in my everyday life’s decision.

Right now, I only prioritize three things: my studies, my baby, and my relationship with my partner.

My time and energy are now invested for the family I have created and that’s the only thing I care about. The life I brought into this world became the most motivating reason why I’m constantly striving to finish my studies, and to live a better life without relying to my parents.

In my case, I have been slut-shamed, and have become the whispers on the street. People questioned my future and received blunt criticisms like, “If you are only going to get yourself pregnant, why with a poor man?”

I didn’t ask for it but I have to take these harsh truths and hope I would not take everything they say to heart. All I want is to rebuild my life.

My parents used to say, “If you made yet another mistake, I would kick you out of this house and you’ll be on your own,” but they were the first to open their doors and lend their hands on the result of my negligence. I have realized the extent of love my parents have for me. There’s nothing more relieving than having parents and a partner I could still lean on whenever I feel like I’m carrying the world in my back. This experience opened my eyes to things I should be grateful for, especially to the persons in my life that still believe in me and stayed in spite of my mistakes.

To all teenagers who have gotten themselves in a similar case and are afraid to confess their situation to their parents or guardian, I hope you will be discerning and not make yet another mistake by aborting the innocent life inside of you. Think thoroughly every decision you make because being a mother is the hardest role there is in this world. The things I used to excessively worry back in junior high school, shrink in necessity.

I am now, budgeting my earnings rigorously to meet the every needs of my baby. You have to be stronger to face the people you would come across who will belittle you. God is the only one worth listening to for He is the only one who could really see right through your feelings, hardships, and future. Focus on turning your life around and desire a good life for your family.

Life still goes on

By Rafaela Randee Mian Ian Garcia

before dy. Go ahead. Love yourself bo ur yo or elf urs yo elf is not always you haven’t slept yet. ything else. Improving yours The sun is about rise, but an ing lov ng eri nd wo ceiling for hours sometimes it’s about You’ve been staring at the about physically improving, knowledge and having what to do with your life. improving your confidence, g vin pro im s ate ng that the darkness Seeing your fellow classm right mindset. Without realizi the h wit of things in lder shrug to ascend, you’ve done a ton g nin gin themselves made your shou be is do to e eping ing it is too lat . The last course before sle urs ho 24 disappointment while think n tha s les . ue up is long overd eyes from the world and that now, that time to glow d ending the day, rest your an l wil It p. sto r ve ne l future. Organize But the truth is, that time wil at do you want to be in the wh nk thi it ke ma n what you U ca your head and ask yourself in keep on ticking, and only YO hts ug tho ur yo think ke your time GOLD. when the answer pops out, d an life in do to precious. Only YOU can ma nt wa t earch and create a life, you must first get ou will you do that. You may res In order to LIGHT up your w ho on u yo at wh t ou xt phase in life. bucket list ab t plan is going to be your ne tha d an of your bed then make your n, pla are we , and the day life. Second, at you did today, tomorrow wh ing do ep Ke want to change in your every ing everything becomes a t is why instead of sleep day after that. Until slowly, still stuck in our homes, tha xt ne ga yo do or , ng ing them anymore. in the morni t you don’t even bother do tha e all day long, try to exercise tin rou ul erf nd you are scles as it is wo you’ve become the person ng lizi rea ut to stretch your joints and mu tho Wi nation hy body. Third, spend the your discipline and determi ng ildi bu , be to t to start the day with a healt an me , what you love. For instance h. day productively by doing along the journey with no rus , sic mu to ing en yourself just list ile wh ge an st that you mu not improve er mb me Re clean your room for a ch or ng instrument, write a so e change, you must find you can also cook, play an to prove to people that you’v to go on. poem, it is your life. your better version, for life or sy fus are u yo y sa t gh mi Now some people wrong in taking care of finicky but there is nothing

that cause

discrimination

BIAS

prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way that is considered to be unfair

BLACK

very darkest color owing to the absences of or complete absorption of light; opposite of white

DOMINANT

ruling, most important, powerful or influential

OPPORTUNITY

a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something, a chance of employment or promotion

source:

Oxford Languages

feature

. 11 Overcoming the Obstacles of

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022 |

| The Quill

Distance Reading

By Jhon Robertson Enriquez

Photo provided by Elaine Paras

Reading is where everything starts. From writing your name to reading an entire novel or a passage book, there is something for everyone.

Our parents taught us to read words, phrases, and even sentences when we were little. Our vocabularies expand as we become older, becoming more professional and formal. It is important to not pause the practice of reading for the reason that

it is the skill that we need until the end of our lives.

But what if a sudden pause suddenly happened because of an unseen threat? It is not new in our minds the word COVID-19, where everything in our lives has stopped, especially the education of the students.

No one is exempted in this problem, even the teachers and school officials.

In order for the students to have better knowledge

amidst the pandemic, the Department of Education decided to pursue distance learning, where students and teachers are communicating with the help of gadgets and communication applications such as Facebook Messenger, Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. For the students who could not afford internet connections and gadgets, there is an option to get printed learning materials in order for them to study without getting out of their houses.

However, what if the students are having a hard time understanding the given learning materials because they are weak in reading? Such learners should have a helping hand from the teachers and their co-learners. Reading is an essential in understanding the lessons given by our teachers.

With that problem, the Sto. Cristo Integrated School has planned to implement the “Project TRESE: Teaching Reading in an Engaging and Scintillating Effort” as a response to the PROJECT GOALS of the division which

stands for gaining outstanding achievements in learning through socially distanced reading activities.

This project has 14 goals: (1) To develop positive attitude towards reading, (2) To make reading a habit, (3) To hone the comprehension skills of the students, (4) To disseminate information regarding Project GOALS, (5)) To brainstorm about the reading verification, (6) To assess the student’s reading category, (7) To identify the frustration and non-readers students, (8) To prepare the reading proposal, (9) To make the schedule of reading remediation, (10) To address learning gaps caused by reading deficiencies, (11) To build necessary skills to help bring the students up to their appropriate level, (12) To monitor the students’ progress in reading, (13) To finalize the reading progress of the students, (14) To give feedback regarding the progress of the students.

These goals are supported by strategies and activities for the learners to achieve them. Learning and reading

materials are also provided.

Because of the threat given by the deadly COVID-19 virus, the teachers have conducted reading activities online. Facebook Live, Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, are some of the applications used in this project. It may be hard because of the online setup, yet the teachers have successfully executed some of the planned activities, and will continue to achieve the remaining goals until the end of the school year.

This project will not be successful without the efforts of the students to learn, and the teachers to teach.

Just like what everyone says, teamwork makes the dreamwork.

We cannot just learn everything in just a second.

Everything we do takes time and effort. According to Margaret Fuller, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”.

Let us all be one with each other, especially in this time of pandemic, to teach and help other students in being more skillful in reading.

how to take care of yourself

By Rafaela Randee Mian Ian Garcia

that

Out of all the miseries and challenges in life, we should all take a deep breath and feel ourselves. Necessities isn’t all about material things one person must have to clean and take care of themselves physically. A human being must have an emotional, mental, practical, social and spiritual selfcare. We may not notice, when we are in an emotional pain, we treat ourselves with various things. That event is already a selfcare.

Taking care of your broken heart, messed up mind, horrible friendship, and bothered inner peace is selfcare. Let’s figure our whether your heart or your mind needs fixing.

1.) Emotional Selfcare – Activities that will help you reach out to your comfort person inside you. You will know you are talking to that person when you start having realizations and reflect on the past events that has happened to you. Calmly accepting the bad emotions you’ve released out of stressed and fatigue. Try playing music, creating an art, or writing on your journal to have an emotional care.

2.) Mental Selfcare – A selfcare that mostly use your brain, but for fun. We always use our mind, just in different ways. Playing your favorite board game like chess and puzzles are two things, but reading your favorite book in your safe place is the best thing as well as going to your favorite place. Your mind will feel refresh and will welcome new ideas.

3.) Social Selfcare – Having some precious memorable time with your family, friends and lovers nurtures your social selfcare. Making a blast of memories with the people you adore and love is how you will take care of your personality, it keeps you from getting swayed by other people’s influence. Because those people who love you always accept you for who you are and that makes you be happy of who you are and what you are.

4.) Practical Selfcare – Putting things right on their place after misplacing them for a long time is a sigh of relief. Being assured that everything is well and good makes us happy that is practical selfcare. Completing your daily tasks, organizing your closet, cleaning your room that’s a selfcare because you’re fulfilling a core aspect of your life to prevent future stressful situations.

5.) Physical Selfcare – The most common selfcare and paid attention to. We take good care of our body for certain reasons. For health, long life, self-esteem, to fit in the crowd, for someone, for ourselves and all of those are fine as long as you are not toxic to yourself. Too much physical selfcare can lead to diseases and may affect other selfcare, because physical selfcare is the core of all selfcare. We begin to feel emotional because of fatigue, having mental issues due to physical pain, insecurities because of other people, and problems because of our actions. That is why we should exercise, stay hydrated, be careful not to injure yourself, do not skip meals, have a sleep, because they are all important to maintain your body.

6.) Spiritual Selfcare – The selfcare that connects us to our soul and the giver of life. This is not all about going to church and pray, taking some time at the end of the day for self-reflection, and meditation are part of selfcare. Looking out of the box after a long day, having inner peace and that’s the best time to sleep and start a new day. This selfcare makes you know that you are on the right path in life.

In order to maintain going to that right path you must maintain these selfcare, to maintain yourself. If you have time for skin care I’m sure you will also find time to do the other selfcare.

Being on top of your game and successful in life is a part of happiness, but being full and loved inside is pure happiness.

.

12 The Quill |

FEATURE

|

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022

Art by Maybelle Rubang

Living with Not Getting Over It THE FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF

By Rafaela Randee Mian Ian Garcia

Nobody is ever willing to feel that deep sorrow caused by the loss of something or someone so precious in their lives. Nobody would ever want to imagine themselves sitting on the cold floor and staring at a blank space while their tears are rolling down their cheeks as they wonder why something so painful has to happen.

But Dorothy Simbulan, an 18-year-old Grade 12 student of Sto. Cristo Integrated School, has felt this anguish as her world crumbled down when her mother died.

Let us go through the five stages of grief experienced by Dorothy.

Denial Dorothy’s mother is one of the million victims of COVID-19. It was in September last year

when the tragedy happened in their family.

While the whole family was quarantined, her mother left, had herself admitted in the hospital, and kept her family in the dark.

Fourteen days passed and the whole family was delighted to hear that they were finally negative of COVID-19, not knowing that a horrible news would come next. Her cousin drove them to the cemetery and there she saw her uncle crying his eyes out. When his uncle saw them, he yelled in pain, “Your Mom is gone!” And that was when Dorothy’s world stopped. She did not believe it at first, so she asked her uncle again, but then she also saw her older brother and cousin crying in despair. The harsh truth was in front of her, but Dorothy could not believe it. She could only ask, “What is happening?”

Anger Her heart and mind were filled with madness because of unfairness and cruelty of not being able to hug or talk to her Mom. She was mad that her Mom did not tell them of her condition, and that her mom did not even say goodbye. She was mad that her mother left them just like that. She could not help but be angry at the world, too. It was enraginf seeing other people getting healed from COVID-19, yet her mother was cremated.

Bargaining She began to realize that her mother was really gone, and that even if she got

angry with her, she would never come back. She looked at her mom’s ashes and desperately asked God to bring her back. She achingly asked God to let her talk to her mom one last time and to feel her mother’s embrace one last time.

Depression For some time Dorothy could not help but feel the sadness pouring

inside her. She just kep looking around the house as she was feeling the emptiness and longing for her Mom. Every day her mind told her to go out and let the sun touch her skin, get out of the bed and eat, get out of that room and talk to her friends, but her heart could not clearly hear all of those. The pain, the memories, and regrets were all rushing inside her that all she could ever do was cry there was no tears left to cry.

Acceptance Until the time to move forward in life has come, Dorothy

accepted all what happened and started to think positively because that is how her mother raised her. Those tears that she spent unproductively now became sweat as she now spends her everyday life to the maximum length, choosing what will make her happy and being wise with her decisions, to make her mother proud. She became a much stronger person as she knows that her mother will always be with her no matter where she is.

The acceptance that Dorothy felt was only possible when she first felt denying the truth, trying to bargain everything she has just for her Mom to come back, getting angry and blaming what happened to others, and having depression from what happened.

What we can learn from what Dorothy went through is there is no shortcut, so we cannot cut the pain in the middle of hurting. Instead, we should feel and embrace the pain, but we must also remember to let everything go, or else we will suffocate and die.

We do not really move on from the pain, we just learn how to live with it and that makes us the umbrella to cover someone in the future, from the rain that made us drench before.

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022 |

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

| The Quill

. 13

PAROL PATROL YES-O promotes use of recyclables

by Kaylie Bernice Espinosa

PAROL IN ICT, Ar.dyn Paul Galleon, ICT Coordinator of Sto. Cristo Integrated School, decides to display outside the ICT room the handmade lantern he bought from the YES-O officers of SCIS. The lantern is made from recyclable materials and was made by the YES-O officers themselves as part of their organization’s project Parol Patrol. Photo by SG VALDEZ

With strict emphasis to using only recyclable materials, Cristonians join in Parol Patrol, an online christmas lantern competition which aims to create a closer step to achieve an effective solution for

the environment.

The contest was headed by the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O).

Plastics, papers, straws, and other reusable products were used by the participants.

According to the president of the organization, Nicole Kim I. Catacutan, from 10-STE, during the past school year, they were not able to do much since the surge of the pandemic was much more evident. That is why they

Cristonians join LIKHA - Research Proposal contest

by Precious Gloria Malicay

Equipped with unique experiments, Cristonians showcase their knowledge through LIKHA - Research Proposal Contest in the Division Science and Technology Fair (DSTF) 2022.

Eight students from the Grade 10 Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) program competed in the contest with categories ranging from Life

Science, Physical Science, Robotics and Intelligent Machines and Mathematics and Computational Science.

As there are no other competitors for the Physical Science category, the proposal of Jonel Mallari, Cathleen Kate Lagran and Mark Gian Pineda entitled ‘ALFER: Improvisation of Alternative Fire Extinguisher using Acetic Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate’ already won by

Research partners Jhon Michael Roxas and Kaylie Bernice Espinosa entertain questions, clarifications, and suggestions from their research panelists. Photo by SG Valdez

default.

The participants defended their case from June 8-9 and revised their paper according to what the panels commented. On June 13, they filmed a 5-minute video presentation which was then submitted to the committee.

Kaylie Bernice Espinosa, who presented the research titled ‘Citrulanum: Lemon and Potato as Potent Rust Remover Agent’ said that, “Medyo mahirap po yung template na sinundan namin kasi may mga parts na wala po sa regular research proposal like executive summary, work plan, scientific basis, and RRL. Nag rush din po kami nung monday kasi nahirapan po kami maghanap ng screen recorder para sa laptop. In the end, phone nalang po ginamit namin pang record.”

Johnlyn Faye Mascarinias, Alelie Jade Mallari, and Jhon Robertson Enriquez proposed ‘The Efficacy of Allium Satium with Eucalyptus Aebastus Teaby in repelling Aedes Aegyptu’ while Isaac John B. Pineda proposed “The effectiveness of Fermented Organic Material Tiles as an Alternative Organic Fertilizer’.

Further details as to when the winners will be declared is yet to be announced.

are trying to implement now the projects they were not able to accomplish then.

“The organization wanted to be independent by using their funds for this project,” Catacutan said.

The members of the club also sold their own handmade lanterns inside the Sto. Cristo Integrated School campus on December 16, 2021. They gave the proceeds to the winners of Parol Patrol.

Elected YES-O officers urge Cristonians to help fight climate crisis

by Isaac John Pineda

Newly elected Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) officers strive to assist Cristonians in combating climate change and environmental issues through their projects.

After a four day campaign between the two party lists AWIT and RAWR, Nicole Kim I. Catacatuan, Sophia Ruby C. Balmores, both from 10-STE, were proclaimed as the president and vice, respectively, on November 15, 2021.

“Working for the environment is crucial and essential as we are part of the environment, too. The coalition between the officers, students, teachers, and nature is important to make them feel connected to work. When people do not feel a connection with something, they ignore it. Thus our role as an officer is to help people build a deep connection with the environment,” Catacutan said.

In the six months of their service, the club has achieved and implimented various activities which revolves around recycling, environmental awareness, and interactive games for the students.

“Having an environment that supports your need is a blessing that we must not take for granted. I witnessed many actions that harmed our environment, and I want to change that.

They say that change is constant, but we should look up and dream about a better change,” Balmores said.

YES-O currently has 17 elected officers and over a hundred listed members from Grades 7 to 10. They are now currently working on a project to build their very own garden behind the Science, Technically, and Engineering (STE) building which was approved by the school principal Ronald I. Castro, and headteacher Sheryll B. Duque.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Philippine birth rate declines amid pandemic The Seed of O₂ .

14 The Quill |

|

by Nicole Kim I. Catacutan

by Kaylie Bernice Espinosa

Together with other countries around the globe, the Philippines responded to the coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19, through long and strict lockdowns and quarantines to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Due to this, a decline in the number of births recorded was observed. Fewer births were observed among the adolescents’ group which is comprised of women aged 15 to 19 and the very young adolescents group which is comprised of women aged 10 to 14.

This data shows that better sex education is given to the youth and teenage pregnancy, also considered to be one of the most serious issues in the Philippines. It is slowly being resolved with the help of the recently signed RA 10354, commonly known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

This is why the government should widen and spread more quality sex education to the youth and raise awareness about how teenage pregnancies can become a problem.

In 2020, a record 13% decrease in the birth rate among the adolescent group was made by the Philippines. In comparison to the 2019 report on the birth rate, the Philippines reported a drop of 23,855 in 2020. The Commission on Population and Development, also called the PopCom, has shared during its 53rd anniversary that 56,428 live births were reported from teenage pregnancies in 2020 which is also the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. This is considered to be a drop from the 2019 report’s 62, 510. Based on this data, there is a decrease of 6,082.

On the other hand, The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the number of registered births during the pandemic declined 14.3% to 1.31 million in 2021 from 1.53 million in 2020. It’s considered to be more of a decrease if compared to the 1.67 million births before the pandemic, in 2019. Many couples decided to delay pregnancies due to the pandemic and the lack of freedom because of the strict lockdowns and quarantines. Because people are not allowed to go out freely, pregnant women have limited resources and hospitals are too dangerous for them to visit because of the risk of getting COVID-19.

Meanwhile, many couples weren’t able to register their child’s birth because of the pandemic and the fear of COVID-19. PSA also reported new data that in every 1,000 girls, there are only 31 births in women aged 15 to 19 in the last two years. This is also a drop from the 47 births per 1,000 girls as recorded in the 2017 National Demographic Health Survey.

Ever since the RA 10354 has been signed in 2012, comprehensive and quality sexuality education has been administered by the government. Although many believe that this comprehensive and quality sexuality education has not been mandated all over the country, it is possible with the help of the local government, the Department of Education, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The pandemic has caused drastic changes in our lives in many aspects and even made us live day by day wearing masks as if it were a normal thing before the pandemic.

However, in spite of how perilous each situation may seem, being resilient is important at all times. It is the government’s duty to tend to its townspeople’s needs, put them in the highest regard, and listen to the youth’s voices who are the bright rays of hope for the future.

DOH announces local transmission of BA 2.12.1

by Nicole Kim I. Catacutan

Local transmission of Omicron sub-variant BA 2.12.1 in the Philippines, confirmed by the Department of Health on May 13, 2022; Tarlac City remains under Alert Level 1 as no new Covid-19 cases are reported.

Although vaccinated, the two local cases tested positive on April 22 and both experienced only mild symptoms. The sub-variant is said to be more contagious and infectious than the BA.2 form of Omicron, which was also detected prior to this, as said by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Regarding the announcement of the DOH, Presidential Adviser of Entrepreneurship

Joey Conception said that, “We have the vaccines, and like all vaccines, these are time-bound.

We need a sense of urgency.”

After it was proposed by Conception that the second batch of the booster shots be distributed, the City Health Office of Tarlac City took the advice and have started its administration to the healthcare workers, senior citizens, and people with comorbidities of the municipality as they are more at risk.

Tarlac will stay under Alert Level 1 until June 15 but its Local Government Unit (LGU) directs the citizens to not be complacent as the threat of the virus is still there.

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022

The embrace of wind caressing my body creates a tiny stroke that lives in me.

On May 31, 2022, the Sto. Cristo Integrated School SSG, YES-O, and Gulayan sa Paaralan had a coalition in tree and seedling planting.

The tree planting activity was held in the high school department with the supervision of the SSG adviser, Ms. Louwella Fatima Corpuz, and the YES-O adviser, Mrs. Marites S. Gamboa.

The students from grades 7 to 10 joined the tree planting and seedling activity and they were able to plant over 30 different seeds.

The officers believe that the involvement of students in tree planting increases their interest of the students in participating in taking care of the environment.

The future is dependent on the current situation and the action of the present generation. As the world begins to move forward, it is crucial to remind the youth that having awareness about the environment will save every individual in any species living diversely on the planet.

Photo from DepEd Tayo - Youth Formation - Sto. Cristo Integrated School Page

The soil is where we are all from, thus reminding us that without nature, our lives would be impossible.

Everyone would have the end of their journey, but making it remarkable by helping the world extend its life would be much more precious than leaving the world with nothing.

Photo from DepEd Tayo - Youth Formation - Sto. Cristo Integrated School Page

SEPTEMBER 2021 - JUNE 2022 |

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

| The Quill

. 15

Flipping a Flop

by Isaac John Pineda

According to the Department of Health, about 11,953 tons of plastic wastes are being collected daily in 2021, a huge amount of non-biodegradable substance that can harm the environment, causing water, soil, and air pollution, leading to various diseases. With this, Sto Cristo Integrated School’s Supreme Student Government (SSG) implemented E-risykle - a project that aims to lessen plastic wastes around the campus, and teach students the discipline of proper waste disposal.

E-riskcycle, eliminating risks through recycling, a project under Maka-Kalikasan Category was launched, March 5, 2021, with the presence of of SSG officers and adviser. This promotes environmental awareness to students and reinforce conductive surroundings through posting of banners made by SSG ICT committee, and collection of bottles in order to reduce plastic waste. Tristan Jance Peralta, the Maka-Kalikasan Representative and in-charge of the implementation and monitoring of the project, and the SSG Public Information Officer, said that plastic wastes around the school are really intriguing and can cause environmental concerns, and opening such project will really help the school in maintenance of cleanliness around the campus. Sales of the plastic bottles collected will be then used for future projects that can contribute to the betterment of the school and to he student body.

Weekly collection of plastic bottles per room and announcement of winners are scheduled every Wednesday. Each bottle corresponds to a specific point; small bottles have 3 points while 1 and 1.5L bottles have 5 points. The section that gathered the highest point from each level will have an acknowledgement and a certificate to be awarded afterwards. SSG has gathered 86% of the total followers of its Facebook Page engaging to the said project.

Plastic production in the present will surely be unavoidable due to its high usage in the society. What we can do is to contribute in lessening its negative impact to the environment by means of becoming an example towards others. Our small efforts will have a massive effect when combined together, and just like plastic bottles, we’ll be able to flip up this dilemma.

Photo from Google

Don’t Look Up: A Movie Review

‘Don’t look up’ was streamed on Netflix in December 2021, directed by Adam McKay, featuring environmentalist, and actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, as Dr. Randall Mindy, and actress, well-known for her role in ‘Hunger games’, Jennifer Lawrence, as Kate Dibiasky.

They are two astronomers who discovered a comet that has 99% possibility of impact which could lead to extinction of life on Earth. They went to the white house, to inform President Janie Orlean, played by Meryl

Streep, about their discovery and asked for assistance to prevent the catastrophe. However, the life threatening comet was completely downplayed. They had no choice but to release the classified information to the media but it was laughed off by the anchors of the morning talk show.

When a sex scandal of President Orlean was leaked, she grabbed the opportunity of self-effacement, and distracted the public by acknowledging the threat of the comet and

decided to deal with it. The mission was abruptly put into a halt when a company called BASH found out that the comet could be commercialized. BASH and President Orlean came up with a non-peer reviewed plan to salvage the fragments of the comet.

The public’s opinion was divided. One group believed the comet wasa threat, while others desired the potential profit of the comet, and others did not believe that the comet even exists.

The plan of BASH and President Orlean went terribly wrong, and all the high officials resorted to their covert plan which was to ride on a spaceship that would travel around space to find another earth-like planet. Dr. Randall, and his family, and Kate were killed when the shockwaves hit the house where they were having their last dinner.

The movie caused an opposing reviews from critiques.

The big names on the cast were applauded while the director received negative comments regarding his political satire. The film, on the other hand, received positive feedback from scientists.

An intriguing phrase, “Based

on truly possible events”, was written on the movie poster .

However, the comet purposively symbolizes the disaster of climate change we are experiencing for a long time now.

This movie highlights how the people in power, the government, the people with great influence, the media, and the public are reacting to climate change and how they ignore the persons who specialize in this matter (the scientists).

Don’t Look Up fictionalizes the possible doom of humanity if climate change is still not taken seriously.

According to an interview with ‘Entertainment Weekly’, director Adam McKay and David Sirota were having a conversation about their frustration of how the threat of the climate crisis was given little coverage and being dealt lightly by the media.

That’s when Sirota compared the climate change in to ‘a comet heading to Earth that could destroy us all and no one cares’ which later becomes the idea of the movie.

Climate refers to the long-term average temperature, humidity and rainfall patterns over

by Althea Atencio

seasons, years or decades.

The shifts of our climate is due to the phenomena, ‘global warming’ or the rising temperature in earth surface that started on industrialization period, particularly caused by human activities such as the usage of fossil fuels that traps on the ozone of earth.

Recent wildfires are just some of the life threatening aftermath of the neglected climate crisis.

Last April 14 of 2022, a protest of NASA climate scientists chained themselves in front of the bank that was the largest financer of fossil fuels. Scientist Peter Kalmus break in to tears as he plead to stop the usage of fossil fuels for the sake of “ young people and future people”.

Within the similar day, A TV interview in “Good Morning Britain” with climate activist Miranda Whelehan, member of the ‘just stop oil movement, eerily resonates one of the scenes in the movie “ don’t look up” where in the tv hosts refused to accept the facts about the happening climate crisis.

Photos were provided by Ma’am Ruby May Guevara herself.

Quill The

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF STO. CRISTO INTEGRATED SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Sports Volume 2 Issue 2

May

the odds be with her

By Precious Gloria Malicay

Almost every student athlete in Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) says the same thing about Ruby May Guevara. Strict and intimidating. One student recalled how they were forced to wake up at around 5AM just to jog around the school’s quadrangle as a warm-up. They did that for hours because if one of

feature FOLLOW STORY ON PAGE 9

Amidst the dark room, Faith brings light

them is caught slacking off, they are told by their coach, Guevara, to add another lap.

During meets, the pressure is on for them as Guevara never really liked losing. Aside from the taxing physical training, the mental aspect of her coaching is also challenging for them.

But perhaps, everything was worth it. SCIS’s volleyball team was never at the end of the tally but rather on top. Her stern mentoring made sure that the school was always the champion.

Being a former representative of the Philippines’ national team for the sports volleyball in 2005 helped Guevara decide to continue working in the same field. Not as a player on court, but as someone who’s on the

sideline instructing players.

Maybe if she didn’t get severely injured during her time in the national team, she wouldn’t also be here right now teaching Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH) to Grade 10 students.

However, she sees this as a silver lining. This is her purpose in life.

Imagining herself as a national coach is not farfetched as her husband is actually a national coach in the Philippines. But right now, she sees no reason to leave teaching as seeing students reach their full potential, because of her, when it comes to sports makes her happy.

“Yun yung target ko, to

help students reach their goal, help the athletes maximize their potentials especially in sports,” she said.

Playing volleyball is her passion, but being able to recognize budding young talents in high school motivates her that she is doing the right thing.

Guevara chose a career

that might not have reached the expectations of others before but she only did it so that today’s student athletes can also have a chance to achieve their dreams.

Maybe that’s the reason why she would still choose being a teacher if given a chance to pursue a career as a national coach for the Philippines.

Ph representative wins silver in 31st SEA games

By Precious Gloria Malicay

feature

Coached and trained by the husband of Ruby May Guevara, a Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) teacher, Aries Toledo snags silver medal in the men’s 1500m decathlon finals during the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Toledo scored 7,469 points, a personal best which surpassed his 7,433 points in 2017 SEA Games and 7,033 points in 2019 SEA Games records.

Photo Source: Rappler

FOLLOW STORY ON PAGE 11

Overcoming the Obstacles of Distance Reading

sci-tech

In 2017, it was Toledo’s first time competing in SEA Games yet he was able to secure the Philippines’ 9th gold medal during the meet. According to him, he owes his development to the Philippine Athletics head coach Sean Guevara who is also the husband of Ruby May Guevara, a teacher and volleyball coach in SCIS. “Nagsimula ako mahina palang ako noong time na bata pa lang ako. Di ko alam yung mga technique, tapos meron akong nakilala ng isang coach [Sean Guevarra] na may marunong sa pagiging athlete.

Tinrain niya ako nang mabuti. Nakapag-medal din ako na maraming beses na gold medal. Tapos noong 2015, nakapagmedal ako dito sa ULTRA, Pasig sa national team,” said Toledo in a past interview.

When asked what her thoughts are regarding the achievements her husband has done so far, the SCIS teacher couldn’t even be more proud.

“Syempre proud kasi they’re representing our country in different sports competition. Number one diyan, natutulungan niya, hindi lang ako, pero at the same time yung mga coaches na in need especially to train their athletes, to give information when it comes to coaching and creating training programs,” Guevara said.

The national coach also trains Alexie Caimoso, a FilipinoAmerican heptathlete contender, who is also a SEA Games qualifier.

SCIS football team not ready; recreational training adapted

By Precious Gloria Malicay

FOLLOW STORY ON PAGE 14

The Seed of O₂

sci-tech FOLLOW STORY ON PAGE 15

E-riskcycle

Football players of Sto. Cristo Integrated School (SCIS) are not physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to compete, as said by their coach; recreational training introduced instead.

Due to the pandemic, the training of the school’s football team was suspended making the current athletes lose their touch.

“Syempre yung mga bata, nawala na sa sistema nila yung galaw. One of the challenges is yung una, physically tumaba sila. Pangalawa skills, nawala na yung skilss na in-achieve nila dati,” Rheymar D. Pangilinan, Grade 9 teacher as well as the coach of the said sports, said.

The previous players of the team who were then even competing into known meets have already graduated resulting to a need of new faces. However, selecting new potential athletes, according to Pangilinan, is a different challenge on its own.

“Yung pag re-recruit ng mga bata ay mahirap. Yung mga talagang naglalaro, graduate na. Syempre paano mo imomotivate yung bata na ngayon niya lang nalaman yung Football,” Pangilinan said.

Recreational over Competitive To motivate the athletes, Pangilinan chose a recreational type of training for them so that their mind and body can adjust to the game. He also wants them to think first that Football is a fun sports rather than a difficult one.

“Kailangan muna kasing ibalik yung enthusiasm ng mga bata. So what I’m doing is bina-balik ko ‘yung love nila sa laro. So they’re just playing para makabalik lang sila sa mentality na ‘Ito yung nilalaro ko dati!’ And when it comes to training, kasi meron tayong dalawang way ng

paglalaro, wala pang competitive training ngayon, hindi pa nila kaya. Ang ginagawa ko ay pinaglalaro ko sila as recreational para mag-enjoy muna sila,” Pangilinan said.

Although their training is not as intensive as before, Pangilinan is still making sure that the student-athletes are doing things right, so that when they are finally ready, they can easily transition into a more competition-like preparation without being surprised.

On April 30, 2022, the school also called other competing teams from Tarlac City to play in a Futsal Competition held in the gymnasium. Old players of the school represented SCIS and were even hailed as the champion. Pangilinan said that they did this to motivate the new athletes into thinking that this is the standard they are looking for for the team.