THE RADIANCE E-NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2020

THERADIANCE BEACON OF FREEDOM AND FLAGSHIP OF CHANGE

JANUARY-NOVEMBER 2020 | OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS CORPS OF MAYOR RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL | VOL. 10 NO. 1

EXTINCTION OF EXISTENCE

In today’s situation, we are now in a state of confusion and uncertainty. People are no longer sure whether the reports coming out of the media, especially about the day to day happenings in our country is true or not.

We are not just fighting a pandemic, but we are fighting an infodemic.

EDITORIAL

ARTWORK BY JOSEPH LASAP

Capiz province hosts first virtual event of nationwide IP gathering

How Project Duag ignites colors of hope amidst the pandemic

The Radiance ‘victory before the pandemic’ in NSPC 2020

Greener advocacy in Capiz achieves one goal at a time

NEWS | PAGE 3

FEATURE | PAGE 7

FEATURE | PAGE 10

SCIENCE | PAGE 11

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NEWS

GOODBYE TEST | Face-to-face classes are temporarily banned in public schools as COVID-19 remains a global pandemic. (FILE PHOTO)

‘NO MORE EXAMS?’

DepEd scraps quarterly tests for distance learning

BY BENJIE HALLARDA

No quarterly assessments shall be administered to public schools this school year, the Department of Education confirms in a memorandum following the nationwide opening of classes last week.

This is in response to the current shift of the primary education system to adapt alternative learning modalities to withstand the continuing threat of COVID-19 in the country.

The DepEd Order No. 31 provides the interim policy guidelines for assessment and the grading scheme to be adopted, requiring “creative and innovative ways” of optimal learning experiences in the new normal.

“Distance learning poses challenges for teachers and learners in the conduct of assessment, including limitations on giving immediate feedback, designing, implementing and grading assessment tasks,” the memorandum reads, adding “teachers need to be creative and flexible in assessing student learning, while still adhering to the principles of quality assessment practice.”

Grading Component According to DepEd, to evaluate student learning at particular points in

each quarter, summative assessments shall continue in the form of written works and perform tasks that need to cover the required content and performance standards.

However, days allotted for quarterly assessments may present significant performance for the quarter that addresses the performance standard.

Since quarterly examinations are no longer part of the grading system, the previously determined weight of 20 percent will be distributed equally into Written Works and Performance Tasks. A minimum of four written works and four performance tasks within the quarter shall be given, preferably one in two weeks, as emphasized by the memorandum.

Students may also be required to submit a Learning Portfolio that documents all the evidence of learning within the grading period, including self-reflections, selfevaluations of performance tasks guided by rubrics, and self-selected best outputs in learning modules.

School Calendar Meanwhile, as stipulated in DO No. 30, the school year shall consist of 205 days and ended in Jun. 11, 2021. The Christmas break shall take place on Dec. 19, with the resumption of classes on Jan. 4.

Because of the compressed number of school days, according to the later memorandum, Education Secretary Leonor Briones is authorizing the holding of Saturday classes through the conduct of distance learning activities to be taken by the learners. Furthermore, Sundays can be set should religious considerations prohibit these Saturday activities.

Under these new learning modalities, students who have access to the internet learn online with digital modules from their homes. In contrast, most students from Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School prefer printed modular distance learning.

More than 24 million students are enrolled in basic education this school year, with 2.895 million registered in public schools, the DepEd confirmed.

Early enrolment drops As COVID-19 threat surges, enrolment figures dips by 10% as education shift nixes faceto-face learning in Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. NHS. This was confirmed

by Ginalyn A. Huqueriza, Head Teacher III, as last year recorded 734 to this year’s 663, on August enrolment data.

The enrolment period started in June but DepEd asserts that students can still be accepted in schools should they decide to enrol as class openinis slated on Oct. 5.

Huqueriza noted that the “expected” drop-in enrolment resulted from the coronavirus disease pandemic threat.

“We are doing all precautionary measures that we can, especially the health protocols in our school, to ensure that even without faceto-face learning, health is still a top of our concern,” the head teacher assured in an earlier interview adding “we are still hopeful that enrolment may increase by October 5.”

As of press time, however, the total enrolment surged higher as per data from Learner Information System with 748 students - 532 from JHS and 216 from SHS students.

NEWS

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Pub launches poetry tilt to bare ‘untold stories’ of Yolanda survivors

BY LHEM SEJADE ABORDE AND KRISTINE ALFUENTE

DUMARAO, Capiz - The world’s strongest typhoon may turned seven years on Nov. 8, but its tragic memory remains fresh to every Yolanda survivor.

It is with this reason The Radiance launched its weeklong poem writing contest to harness the creativity of retelling Yolanda-inspired stories from high school students across Western Visayas through poetry contest.

“Seven years ago, we faced an unforgettable catastrophe that changed our lives and challenged our resilience as Filipinos,” stated Jeff Hasigan, publication’s editorin-chief, in an earlier post on its Facebook page.

The publication started receiving entries on Nov. 2 from interested participants divided into two categories: students from Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School and other interested high school students across the region.

Meanwhile, interested participants may write their poem entries in English, Filipino, or Hiligaynon to depict the theme: “Yolanda Backstories (Istorya sa Likod sang Yolanda).”

According to Hasigan, the poetry tilts also aimed to express students’ innate ability, campus journalists or not, to write meaningfully and tell heartwarming stories before, during, and after the devastating event.

Publication adviser Philip Jayson Falcis also noted the poem writing contest is the publication’s way to remember Yolanda after seven years.

Falcis also gave a hint on the possible judges for the competition: one award-winning journalism coach and the other is a Capiz Palanca-award winner.

“We are gratified to have them,” he added.

Seven winners shall be selected in each category. The 1st placer shall receive P500, while the 2nd and 3rd placers shall receive P300 and P200, respectively. All runners-up shall receive a P100 load along with a Certificate of Recognition.

Super typhoon Yolanda (international name ‘Haiyan’) became the strongest landfalling tropical cyclone on record, which hit the Visayan region on Nov. 8, 2013. It is currently the strongest storm recorded in history, as confirmed by various weather bureau across the world.

Capiz province hosts first virtual event of nationwide IP gathering

BY JEFF HASIGAN

Social media feeds on October 29 direct to the Capiz province for the first virtual gathering of the youth from the different ethnolinguistic communities in the country.

Headed by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and Arts, Dungog 2020: Pride of Indigenous Peoples Youth anew was coined in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month anchored on the theme “Rootedness, Relevance, and Resilience amidst the Pandemic and Beyond.”

In its sixth year, Dungog 2020 underscores the significant role of the IP Youth as culture bearers and leaders at the forefront of cultural development and heritage preservation amid modernization, globalization, and pandemic threats.

The event will feature webinar series, performances, virtual exhibits and focal group discussions on cultural preservation, and sharing of best IP practices of various cultural communities.

Capiz as host The Province of Capiz, known for its initiatives and

programs, aims to promote awareness and protection of Indigenous Cultural Communities and take pride in being chosen multiple times to host annual IP celebrations.

Back in 2009, Dungog: Indigenous Peoples Festival was held in Roxas City, Capiz, and participated by 110 ethnolinguistic groups coming from the different parts of the country showcased the vividness of the traditions, customs,

and cultural practices of our Indigenous Peoples.

Amidst the crisis The virtual event will also highlight how COVID-19 affected the lifestyle and coping responses in the “new normal” of some of the country’s featured IP communities.

Moreover, staging the role of the IP Youth in this pandemic, the event also aims to provide an avenue for

promoting deeper awareness and appreciation of our cultural heritage and discuss issues surrounding IP youth and their culture.

Sharing best IP practices of various cultural communities and facilitating online discussions on how the IP Youth cope with the global crisis brought about by this COVID19 pandemic are just among what to look forward to in the upcoming weeks of Dungog 2020.

CULTURAL ATTRACTION | IP delegate takes pride in showcasing her native dance at the Dayaw village in 2018. (FILE PHOTO)

4 Visayas picks WV’s best school paper in design-based online poll anew

BY J-ZIARRA VIENZ ALADA Barrio school publications are no longer underdogs in school paper contests, even in the national arena.

The Radiance proved this as it grabbed for the second year now the Best-Designed Campus Papers picked by netizens as Pre-Polls Choice Awardee representing the Visayas islands.

The publication from a remote secondary school in Dumarao, Capiz, has been gaining attention in March this year after being the runaway winner in the National Schools Press Conference 2020 at Tuguegarao City, landing overall 5th spot Publication adviser Philip Jayson Falcis said The Radiance had come a long way in recent years, staging its passion and commitment in campus journalism.

Collectively known as “Team Ponkans,” the multi-awarded school paper in Capiz started its winning streak after its back-toback championship in Western Visayas for two years.

On September 15, the BDCP has launched the first round of the month-long social media poll — a special segment under this year’s edition of the awards program20 which aims not just to gain likes, reactions, and shares but to send a message to the public that school publication exists and plays a pivotal role on informing everyone about the hot-button issues that need to be heard and addressed.

Of more than 200 duly registered school paper entries nationwide, The Radiance bagged the overall 3rd place before the polls ended in October.

NEWS Barrio school head chairs district dry run for modular learning

BY ARIES BANGCOYO

“The world was shocked by this global pandemic, but education must continue.”

Said statement was the message of Jocilyn G. Gialogo, school principal of Mayor Ramon Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School, as support to the Department of Education’s campaign to continue education despite the global pandemic.

Geared to attain such a goal, the school hosted a district dry run for the upland secondary schools within

Dumarao on Aug. 12 held at the school gym.

The said activity focused on the actual simulation of the delivery and retrieval of the learning modules as one of the modalities under the blended learning.

Part of the ‘new normal’ strategy in education, most schools with no stable internet connectivity are encouraged to adapt the modular instruction the DepEd supports.

As for the Ramonian community, preparation

started as early as July to print the modules, which will be used by the students.

Present in the simulation is the Dumarao district Supervisor Dr. Angel Payo, and Capiz Division EPS for MAPEH Ronie C. Reteracion, who later provided feedback on efficiently conducting the distribution and retrieval of modules during the actual start of the classes. The said simulation was participated by 12 parents of incoming Grade 8 students.

MODULAR SIMULATION | Grade 7 advisers and parents demonstrate the retrieval and distribution of modules. (Photo by PJDF)

DepEd monitors 34 module errors on pilot week

BY JEFF HASIGAN

As the government bans the face-to-face classes due to Corona Virus Disease- 19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) recorded 34 errors in self-learning modules distributed to students upon its pilot week implementation.

According to Diosdado San Antonio, Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, the errors range from wrong options in multiple choices, color in printing and use of words, and overstretched images.

“Ang report po sa atin as of 8 a.m., meron po kaming 35 na mga screenshots - 35 po ang

na-monitor namin at iba-iba ‘yung klase ng errors,” said San Antonio in a press briefing on Monday.

The said 34 errors cover 18 from DepEd field units, 15 from unidentified sources, and one that was reviewed by the department’s Central Office. “‘Yung ating self-learning modules na ginagamit sa ating mga paaralan ay iba-iba ang may gawa,” uttered San Antonio Meanwhile, the modules designed by its field units are only used in limited areas, and that the erroneous modules of which source has yet to be identified by DepEd could be

those used in private schools.

DepEd faced a firestorm of criticisms for a “wrong solution” to a Math problem shown in its DepEd TV aired over IBC 13 on Oct. 6, which prompted the agency to apologize for the error Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua already issued an apology for the wrong Math solution aired on its DepEd TV. DepEd also explained that modular distance learning is the “most preferred” modality with 9,424,925, a combination of modalities (blended) with 4,171,719, online with 3,628,636, radio with 977,929, and others with 531,229.

Not everyone has the freedom to express and not all who can express has the freedom Too many are blind to societal realities, and too few dare to take a stand While others are bold enough, the rest are still oppressed As journalists, we serve to hold the line.

Your voice matters.

Unchain the melody of truth. Release the screams of growth. Yell with the speechless. And be bold to stand with press freedom.

A Statement by THE RADIANCE Photography: Mark Anthony Bajada Concept & Text: Princess Nicole Alivar Model: Charles Francis Mayor

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OPINION

EDITO

HONORABLE HEROES In every touch situation, we need each other to survive. With this unseen enigma, the infectious Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), we critically need help from our Local Government Units to survive against the pandemic. Without them, our route will not have direction while our survival is at stake.

Supporting the mandate of higher authorities, Barangay Dacuton led

by Hon. Darlyn Palomo and her team collaboratively followed and launched the government protocols to mitigate this worldwide pandemic’s spread in our locality. At most, two family members are allowed to go out of each household whenever they need something. Each family is also entitled to get a quarantined pass. And by now, I believe relief goods have already reached every home.

The Social Amelioration Program brought sound relief to the people.

However, the needed help has aggravated reactions and sought misunderstanding, particularly those who cry out for adequate government support. In this health crisis, where we are still under the enhanced community quarantine, our government support is essential for us to survive. People will complain if there is no food to eat. And those considered ‘poorest of the poor’ have solely relied on relief good operations.

But this global pandemic, however, exempts no one - rich or poor, young or old, male or female. Social classes are never the sole variable to be infected, more so funded by the aid.

I appreciate the local government’s efforts to heed its constituents’ needs.

While they perform their role as respected community leaders, we, too, are expected to take part and be responsible. With our concerted efforts, our sensitivity to respond is also heightened to lessen the cases of the COVID-19.

Some precautionary measures are also observed, such as community sanitizing, face masks, checkpoints (in town borders), and proper hand-washing. Regular market day in Barangay Dacuton was also suspended due to this pandemic; however, essential commodities are still sold while social distancing is observed. The said measure supports the Executive Order No. 12, section 6, series of 2020, of Capiz Governor Evan Contreras.

While we stay in our homes’ comfort, our frontliners have made such a worthy effort for us. They risk their lives as they combat to let this country be COVID-free.

They are our heroes who continue to fight for the unseen enemy.

Having been raised by parents dependent on farming, the daily wage income has been a usual struggle. If there’s no work, then there’s no pay. But we get to survive each other with my parents’ labor and hard work and even my siblings’ support. I have to learn farming on my own and even save the day’s pay for my allowance. And external help by now is highly appreciated. And with that, my gratitude also to our backline, our great farmers.

As we look forward to whatever assistance the government will continue to give us, we can only wait and appreciate the risks they are taking. Our local government’s urgent move to conduct relief operations are simple reminders that we are not neglected nor forgotten by our leaders who were elected in the name of public service. Folks, be grateful than aggrieved.

Our battle for survival amidst the pandemic is still a long run from here.

Let us put in mind that this virus is just temporary, yet horrific. Let’s help our local officials by helping ourselves keep away from this. While they serve as our frontliners, let’s do our part from the backline. As we heal as one, together, we will survive with our eminent heroes.

Extinction o

The Philippines has seen a significant spik for the past days. As days pass, this pandemic rise of cases, or the havoc the virus could wrea could build a scarier environment but also th were hampering the response.

In this health crisis, fake news about COV Accurate information is of prime importanc continues to proliferate, with the spread facilit the fact that as information technology has cre a little less sure of the truth.

In today’s situation, we are now in a state longer sure whether the reports coming out o happenings in our country is true or not. Tho inaccurate facts should become the suspects a that they get without bothering to clarify if the When Capiz recorded last April its first ‘mistakenly posted’ that he already passed on were verified, the radio portal was apologetic. irresponsible journalism.

At present, we are bombarded almost daily w the threat of this inaccurate or manipulated co belief seem naïve. For the marketplace of idea who provided the available information, how t Moreover, fake news indeed harms because institutions. It spreads faster and more efficie Panic and fear can dominate our surrounding any other viruses. Panic is unhelpful, and fear As youth people who are dubbed as the gen us to become more aware of accurate news so uncertainty by spreading unverified informati we must all break out of our echo chambers an Therefore, academic institutions must ins ability to make informed judgments. Simul continue operating and disseminating accurat quickly counter wrong information.

At this very moment, we are not just fi infodemic. In this digital world, we are respons and comment, and what we know and share. As it is more dangerous than ignorance.” As we co must keep in our heart and mind to stay as res extinction of existence.

ORIAL

of Existence

ke in Corona Virus Disease or (COVID-19) cases is getting worse, and it is not only the drastic ak in the country with weaker health systems he levels of rumors and misinformation that

VID-19 can be as dangerous as the virus itself. ce in dealing with this crisis. Yet fake news tated by social media. There’s a certain irony in eated a more connected world, we have become

e of confusion and uncertainty. People are no of the media, especially about the day to day ose who genuinely mean to make and spread and those who pass on every bit of information e information is verified.

COVID-19 victim, a respected radio station n. That gained online panic, but when reports This act must be avoided so as not to manifest

with such kind of news. Being done deliberately, ontent that is spread intentionally makes that as to our line of work, consumers must know they obtained it, and whether the news is good. e it erodes our trust in fellow citizens and public ently than this virus and is just as dangerous. gs, and sometimes it is more frightening than indeed kills. neration of ‘Digital Natives,’ it is necessary for ources and should refrain from adding to the ion. We are not helpless against fake news, but nd act against it. still fact-checking and sharpen each student’s ltaneously, media organizations should also te and complete information by authorities to

fighting a pandemic; we are also fighting an sible for what we see and react to, what we hear As the saying goes, “Beware of false knowledge; ontinue to be brave and pray for this battle, we sponsible and accurate as possible to avoid the

OPINION

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A BITTERSWEET SUCCESS I woke up with a flashy beam and radiating mood. I rushed to the bathroom to take a bath, then finally wear my neatlyironed school uniform. Mum brushed my hair and tucked my baby hairs with a hair clip. It’s now time for us to attend the most critical event in my Junior High School - our completion day. As I’ve been sauntering towards the stage to receive my diploma, certificates, medals, and awards, seizing every moment, I was left in awe when everything seemed to vanish.

I was fooled. Yes, it was all a dream. A dream wherein I didn’t want to wake up.

A dream that could’ve been a reality. A dream which we all, students, deserved to experience.

April 1, Fool’s Day. We all hated being pranked, duped around, clowned, looking like a joke, and expecting the unexpected.

But how ironic it is that today’s April Fool’s day, we’d instead choose to be pranked than accepting the mere reality that’s dominating our country and the rest of the world. We wished our graduation day’s postponement was just a prank, but that wasn’t the case.

Today could’ve been the best day of the year for students of Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. NHS. Today could’ve been our payback time to our selfless parents and family for their hard work in sending us to a barrio yet competitive school. Today could’ve been an assurance for us that we did well and we’re not a failure. Today could’ve been the harvesting time of the effort and sacrifices we’ve planted for months in our high school lives.

Because of the pandemic stealing our spotlights, we have no choice but to stay behind the drapes with a long face, full of disappointment and doubts, thinking about what have we done to deserve this — realizing how unfair it is for us and if being selfish with this matter could go wrong.

“Time flew so fast. It seemed only yesterday when we opened the new chapter of our lives, and it is entering the surely memorable stage and the best among the best — our high school life. And look at where we are now, finally closing the doors of a chapter that have taught us and molded us to the person we are now.”

I could’ve offered these heartwarming words to my fellow students who had a hard time passing from this stage and to all who’ve given their blood, sweat, and tears to reach their goal.

If it were the selfish me, I’d say that all of it has gone waste down the sewer, but I’d rather be selfless and considerate of what’s ahead of us. The world is at stake, and what has been decided is also for our safety. It is a worldwide pandemic and national security we are facing.

Yes, we may be frustrated and hopeless as we cannot receive the recognition we deserve, but awards and medals are just symbols of our hard work. What matters the most is the process we have gone through to make it.

Despite the unexpected detour we took, we’ll still get there. ‘Sometimes, the wrong train takes you to the right station,’ they say. And with this, it can be a sort of enlightenment for us to cheer up as everything has its reason and purpose. Let us trust God’s plan. We will get there, no matter what.

This, too, shall pass. So to my fellow students, cheer up! Let’s congratulate each other! We still reaped the sweetest fruit, climbed the highest heights, and had the most bittersweet experience. It’s all still worth it, and there’s always a good side about this, and that’s for us to find out.

So instead of ranting too much, why don’t we reflect and seek these answers ourselves? After all, when we get through this, we are but victors because why not.

Photo Credit: Project Duag Facebook Page

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FEATURE

WHEN NOVEL BECOMES NOBLE How Project Duag ignites colors of hope over the pandemic

BY JEFF HASIGAN [with reports from Rappler.com]

Ensuring that no student will be left behind as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grip the country, a group of volunteers in Capiz has initiated as project to paint colors of hope in this pandemic. The Philippines is slowly making the shift to distance and flexible learning to help education move forward in the ‘new normal’. However, many children all over the country see their educational opportunities fade away due to a lack of means to access online classes.

To combat this, a group of youth volunteers under the name Project Duag (color in Cebuano) has been visiting houses of target beneficiaries to give learning modules to children who do not have the tools to participate in online classes.

To make things more exciting, the group provides school supplies for children who correctly answer the modules as an incentive to continue learning despite the pandemic.

They also minimize risk by personally visiting each house, rather than hosting a mass gathering for module and donation distributions.

Novel Opportunity Jerick Brillo, the founder of Project Duag, said he was inspired to start the project after witnessing how students’ access to education was deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Brillo and a team of youth volunteers decided to think of ways to address gaps in education and concerns regarding public health.

By incentivizing education with free school supplies, Brillo and his team came up with Project Duag, an adaptive home learning situation which encourages “students’ free time at home [to be] more productive and colorful.”

Project Duag was materialized

in June after it won a grant from the Positive Youth Development Network, a non-governmental organization that facilitates and aids youth organizations in the Philippines.

They first focused on their own Barangay Dacuton in Damarao, Capiz for their initiative. Their main beneficiaries are students from Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin Sr National High School, who struggle to continue their schooling online due to weak internet signal in the area.

After using this grant to complete their first and second batch of distributions, Project Duag created a donation drive to sustain their non-profit initiative.

Project Duag later branched out by spreading their initiative to nearby barangays including Gibato, Sagrada Familia, Lawa-an, Agbatuan, and Bungsuan.

In order to help students continue their education at home, Brillo created

FEATURE paper booklet modules that would test students’ skills in English. This covers reading comprehension, homophones, and sentence structure.

Aside from the learning modules, the initiative distributed essentials such as soap, rubbing alcohol, and other cleaning supplies to ensure that students not only remain educated, but also safe from the dangers of COVID-19.

Helping students Brillo said the feedback has been very positive, with students and parents coming forward about how the module has helped in improving one’s vocabulary skills while keeping away from eyestraining gadgets.

Project Duag continues to provide learning modules throughout the pandemic, believing that these can help students quickly get back into rhythm when classes finally start.

The team shared how they fear it will be difficult for schools and their students to adapt to the “new normal.” Despite the modules they give out, there’s only so much they can do to abate the transition from real face-to-face traditional learning, to learning using modules.

After running out of gasoline in between distributions and traversing directly through cornfields and rough terrain, Brillo and his team have been able to reach 10 schools and help hundreds of students by providing modules and hygiene products for students.

According to them, the distribution of modules not only ensures Filipino students can maintain and continue their education amid a pandemic but also keep them safe at home.

“It’s a big help because it allows us to make a little change and give color to the lives of our beneficiaries despite being situated in far-flung Dumarao, Capiz,” said Brillo.

“It’s a big help because it allows us to make a little change and give color to the lives of our beneficiaries despite being situated in far-flung Dumarao, Capiz.”

Expanding its reach Brillo and his team further expanded the Project Duag initiative by reaching out to Ati communities in Mount Tagao, Tamulalod, and Aglalana. Brillo explained that they did this to “show our care for them by providing activities, and taking part in an initiative that is challenging yet meaningful.”

This said initiative was a 3-tailored program, meaning there were three different types of donations for three different age groups – children, young adults, and adults. Brillo outlined the 3 sections as follows: art materials for children, modules for young adults, and free blood pressure check-ups for adults. In addition, they have donated hygiene products to the families of each beneficiary.

Aside from EDU-AKSYON, the group’s flagship project, where the students are encouraged to get high points in the modules which they can exchange for rewards such as school supplies

10 and hygiene kits, and the beneficiaries are students in upland barangays of Dumarao, the group also launched other initiatives: 1. PAG-AMLIG - extending help to feeder schools and other schools by donating alcohol, face masks, school supplies, and spray bottles; 2. REFILL OPERATION - visiting beneficiary communities to refill empty alcohol bottles for free; 3. FREE FACE MASK FOR EBRI-JUAN - donating free face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19; 4. PAGPASIDUNGOG - conducting house-to-house awarding of medals and giving of reward in the form of hygiene kits to Grade 12 awardees. It is a simple way of extending appreciation for their hard work and perseverance; 5. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS - hosting a digital contest where students share their thoughts or opinions about issues posted in Project Duag’s Facebook page.

Lucky winners won free cellphone top-up load.

6. PAG- AMLIG version 2.0 relaunching a newer version of “PAGAMLIG”, this helped the Panay-Bukidnon community in Brgy. Aglalana, Dumarao, Capiz.

The team of Project Duag provided Psychosocial Support to students and parents, introduced their flagship project “EDU-AKSYON”, and conducted an Information Drive.

Despite this situation, Brillo and his team find it extremely important to do something impactful for the students, schools, and households that they help, however it pushes them not to stop. “It serves as an avenue to cater to the needs of people even in small ways,” he said.

With a different turn of events in the pandemic, the once novel coronavirus offered a new-found color of hope, turning the novel chaos to a noble opportunity to serve the lost, the least and the last.

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FEATURE

BARRIO’S FINEST, NATION’S BEST The Radiance ‘victory before the pandemic’ in NSPC 2020

BY PHILIP JAYSON D. FALCIS

“At last, we are here!”

Open valleys mostly covered by dry-brown grasses, a fiery breeze of the warm weather, shadow of stalwart bridge drawn across country’s longest river, amiable and indulgent Cagayanons. These scenes welcomed us when we finally landed in Tuguegarao City on March 6, 2020. We were among the first batch of those who arrived coming from our region.

From the airport to our billeting area, the Tuguegarao North Central School, we were treated like VIPs. The city must have been known as the hottest place in the country, but little did we know that they have more to offer - warmer than the place is its people.

Heightened precautionary measures are ensured amid the threat of COVID-19 as local police officers are assigned in our area. Not just that, the host region also held a special night to welcome all the participants. It was the grandest welcome party ever. From food to pillow, we were provided with all we need.

In this year’s NSPC, we may have been disappointed for countable reasons, but Tuguegarao City inevitably hit a unique way to make us feel comfortable. Unexpectedly, I was pleasantly surprised.

Each region has to field 10 entries per category. Come to think of it – out of 150 entries nationwide; seven school papers emerge as winners on every page. Making it to the best 7 is such a huge deal.

My heart started to race as the drum rolls to reveal the first set of winners: “7th Place, Best News Page, The Radiance of Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National

High School, from Region 6 – Western Visayas.”

I was speechless. Nothing feels euphoric than hearing the name of your school publication. I was extra dramatic while taking steps closer to the podium.

It was our first award. And I didn’t expect it was only the first among the series of awards in store for us.

I knew we would make it. At least for the news page where we dedicated almost half of our time before the lay-outing.

Choosing the best news stories is not just about letting events happen. We create them. At most, these are stories not found in the academe.

So we dedicate this award to every learner from the Aeta community, to the students whose parents are hopeful farmers who are the nation’s backbone, to the culture reservists of our province, to the stakeholders of our school and the community we dwell. Our top news stories would never be blockbuster without them.

I thought we were about to bring home a single trophy, not until we heard our publication once again. It was: “4th place, Best Editorial Page, The Radiance of Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin

Sr. National High School, from Region 6 – Western Visayas.”

Benjie witnessed when my tears of joy start to fall. Nicole, our editor-in-chief’s hard work just to yield such winning piece, has been validated. Two years ago, she knew only a little about the editorial. She stayed with news writing for three years after she earned her first NSPC ticket at Pagadian City. But great things turned out unexpectedly now. She is a two-time Golden Pen awardee and one of the best editorial writers in the region.

We wouldn’t make it without the sundry insights and sultry critics from a good mentor who opened us the world of editorial writing. He was among the first persons who believed in our sterling performance in journalism. So we share this award with him. When he said our future is bright and we can go beyond, it became our turning point.

Two more categories are up – feature and sci-tech pages. Leading publications in the race have earned not more than two awards not until the next set of winners is announced: “6th place, Best Sports Page, The Radiance of Mayor Ramon A. Benjamin Sr. National High School, from Region 6 – Western Visayas.”

Not just one, not two, but three awards, making us the most awarded student publication. Overall, for the first time in the region’s history, The Radiance was hailed as the 5th Best School Paper in the Philippines.

SCIENCE

11

SEEDLINGS OF HOPE

Greener advocacy in Capiz achieves one goal at a time

BY LHEM SEJADE ABORDE

“Trees represent life, and we are here because we care for life.”

Those motivational words from the former Capiz Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Roel F. Bermejo are still fresh in my mind. In a divisionled event last year, he spoke before young individuals like me, urging everyone to take part in saving the community and the future by planting trees.

Every 25th day of June, in the Provincial Arbor Day, the province of Capiz has been doing greener advocacy in planting forest trees, fruit trees, coconut, coffee, bamboo, and mangrove propagules at the government sites and privately-owned land in the province.

With the theme “One Million Trees in One Day,” the said project aims to raise awareness to the society of the importance of planting and saving trees, express our concern for the environment, and diminish the unfavorable effects of climate change.

School children, barangay officials and tanods, Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, fishpond laborers, and ordinary citizens gave time to plant trees as their contribution to Mother Nature.

25,000

remaining hectares of forest covered land in Capiz or 9.5% of its total land area

The DepEd Capiz has chosen Brgy.

Gibato, in Dumarao town, to be a project center. The agency turned over 3,000 planted trees to the community barangay officials last year. To ensure the program’s sustainability, it will not just be a oneshot activity because we recognize the importance of tree planting and tree growing.

Gibato will serve as a model for the said initiative and the different sectors of the community in the whole province of Capiz to ensure that there will be trees for the next generations.

Some 346 division personnel participated in the said tree planting activity, which is a great way to increase students’ interest in the local environment

1,148,875

total trees planted in Capiz for the year 2018 by the One Million Trees in One Day project

and achieve academic goals.

Per inventory of the CaPENRO, in 2018, Capiznon collectively planted some 1,148,875 trees in different planting sites in the province. Of the total planted trees, at most 600,000 were partially recorded to have survived. In 2019, the tree planting project initially accounted for 667,160 trees as some participants were not able to submit documentation of their respective organized tree planting activities.

Capiz has only about 9.5 percent forest cover, which translates to about 25,000 hectares of its 263,000 hectares land area.

With the noble initiative, greener advocacy is sustained and secured for the future of the Capizeños. When all this pandemic is over, I hope we can rekindle this greener undertaking.

The One Million Trees in One Day Challenge is just the first step towards real change. When we do this, we don’t do it for our own, but we do this for our planet’s future.

667,160

total trees planted in Capiz for the year 2019 by the One Million Trees in One Day project

SPORTS BATTLE INSIDE THE BUBBLE Reseting hopes and excitement for a PBA fan

BY JEFF HASIGAN

BUBBLE GYM | Angeles University gym in Pampanga serves as venue for PBA Bubble. (Photo Credit: AUF.EDU.PH)

The ball sets fire again, this time inside a bubble.

After eight tedious months of waiting, the Philippine Basketball Association denied what the COVID-19 pandemic has to offer as its courts re-open for the country’s most awaited comeback for basketball fans. Staging its unique basketball 2020 cup inside a bubble in Clark, Pampanga, games will be played daily with no live fans while players and coaches will be staying in a hotel.

‘Green light’ Months of struggles had passed, but a fiery basketball fan’s resilient heart won’t always be pounded. Rey John is one of a kind. Craving for the halted game to restart, he managed to believe that this pandemic won’t hammer down his love for PBA games and the stars he idolized the most.

For RJ, a grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences student of Mayor Ramon Sr. National High School, this a good news for basketball fans like him. Basketball is delighted to

enter his life at a younger age and later found its springtime at 17, defying sports heroes like PBA’s Jun Mar Fajardo.

“Despite this pandemic, I am very much delighted that there’s this unique basketball 2020 cup inside a bubble in Clark, Pampanga. With this, I am super excited to watch again the NBA games and the icons I adore,” uttered RJ in a tone of excitement.

‘Fajardo out’ However, RJ’s excitement for PBA’s relaunch is filled with

EDITORIAL BOARD (2020-2021) JEFF HASIGAN LHEM SEJADE ABORDE Editors-in-chief BENJIE HALLARDA Associate Editor J-ZIARRA VIENZ ALADA Managing Editor KRISTINE ALFUENTE Asst. Managing Editor

disappointment upon hearing the news that his idol, the 6-time MVP, will make no appearance in the game.

According to a sports analyst, Charlie Cuna, it’s not as comprehensive as some might choose to believe. San Miguel is still a formidable team even without the Kraken, and any of the stars on the team (and there are many) can pick up the slack, particularly on offense.

“Defensively, they will suffer a bit without Jun Mar Fajardo, but there are many live bodies who know how to compete and make the right plays.

There are three or four teams that will seriously challenge them and maybe less to beat them in a series. What’s great will be watching those three or four teams try their luck, with heightened confidence precisely due to the absence of the

EDITORIAL STAFF

BRITNEY KYLE LAURON ARIES BANGCOYO MAYLEN SUMAGPAO SHANEL ASHLEY VALDEZ ALLYZA ATAZA BRYAN PEREZ PHILIP JAYSON FALCIS Adviser JOCILYN GIALOGO Principal

FAJARDO

six-time MVP,” said Cuna.

Meanwhile, Paolo Del Rosario says this doesn’t require much thought, considering that Fajardo has been the single most dominant local in the PBA for the past decade. This is the time for someone to stake their claim to the crown,’ synthesizing that the field is still wide open in the bubble without him.

With the PBA bubble, basketball fans will be provided an opportunity to watch the basketball event again. For basketball enthusiasts like Rey John, no team will have to lose with its back, but only COVID-19 as the games push through despite the pandemic. Nonetheless, for a fan like him, the PBA bubble gives him a new leaf of hopes and excitement for the future of basketball in the country.