SHS Christmas Outreach Program at Anawim

“ Non-violence requires double faith; faith in God and also faith in man.” -Mahatma Gandhi

I to ang binigyang-diin ng Humanitites and Social Sciences/General

Academic Strand (HG) Club sa kanilang inilunsad na webinar na may temang, “Peace, Love and Prosperity: Foundation of

Social Progress” bilang

pakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ng

International Day of NonViolence ngayong ika-2 ng Oktubre, na ginanap sa isang Zoom conference nitong ika-1 ng Oktubre.

“Killings, abuses, tortures, massacers, are very rampant across the globe. These obnoxious and brutal scenes must be stopped… we should resolusyon A/RES/61/271 na may layong pagtibayin ang mensahe ng non-violence sa pamamagitan ng kamalayan sa lipunan at edukasyon sa usaping ito.

Alinsunod sa araw na ito ang kaarawan ni Mahatma Gandhi, lider ng kilusang pangkalayaan sa India at pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence na naging inspirasyon sa pagkakatatag ng International Day of NonViolence.

Pokus ng webinar ang naging buhay ni Mahatma Gandhi sa pagkamit ng kalayaan nang hindi gumagamit ng dahas at karahasan. Naipakira rin sa webinar ang mga naging bunga ng payapang pakikibaka ni Gandhi na naging inspirasyon ng mga sumunod na kilusan sa ika20 at 21 siglo.

Layon din ng webinar na mamulat ang kamalayan ng mga Rizaliano pagdating sa usaping pangkapayapaan. Binigyang-diin din sa webinar na hindi kailangan ng dahas sa pagkakaroon ng kapayapaan at pakikibaka sa mga isyung nais ipaglaban.

Bukod pa rito, nagbigay din ng mga tip ang tagapagsalita kung paano mapagtitibay ng mga estudyante ang non-violence mindset at sa kung papaano makamit ang kapayapaan sa pang-araw-araw.

By Princess Janneah Matta

A collaborative project of JRU Girl Scout of the Philippines, Rizalian Valors Club, Senior High School Council, Sports, ABM, and STEM club advanced the spirit of giving with the SHS Christmas Outreach Program in Anawim: Home of the Abandoned Elderly last December 9, 2022.

Selected students and faculty led by Mr. Wilson Mones, one of the Senior High School Department Chairs and Community Outreach Coordinator, Mr. Nilo Barcelona, Mr. Chris Plaza, Mr. Francis Magno, and Ms. Cecil Igama volunteered to extend hands to the elderly. The students conducted a small Christmas party, with an estimated 32 elderly present.

The host engaged the audience in singing Christmas songs and dancing ballroom or Cha-Cha, Spaghetti Pababa, and OtsoOtso.

The mentioned clubs also executed a donation drive named Fruits for a Cause, in which each profit from sold fruits from the fund and a donation box operated simultaneously. The volunteers had no incentives in this action, and all solely reached out their hands.

In continuation of the upcoming outreach program for Jeremiah 32:6-7, the donation box will be open again during the second semester to gather funds and materials.

The enthusiastically perceived end of the dark ages, metaphorically, opens up a window of opportunity to reopen schools. It is extraordinary how technology binds us. Imagine sitting in front of the screen studying at your own pace and convenience, yet still having the opportunity to see your classmates and teachers face-to-face once a week. Hologram? Teleport? What else can you think about before that seems impossible? Physical and online students can learn synchronously, and that is possible. That is HYFLEX!

HyFlex refers to the learning alternative that aids the return of face-to-face classes while minimizing risks. Even though fear has not diminished, this leap in education is necessary for learning recovery and hope to bring back the old normal we used to.

“Decisive steps.” is what the United National Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said upon commending the Philippine government when they decided to bring back in-person classes amid the pandemic. They went tear with this decision. It is the first of many steps toward learning recovery and surpassing the proficiency of the educational system in its present state and even before the health crisis.

The HyFlex (hybrid-flexible) setup provides students to choose whether to attend classes online or both online and in-person. Furthermore, it offers flexibility that caters to the specific needs of students who face burdens.

Different students, different living circumstances. Online learning is an alternative modality to the face-toface setup. Integrating technology is the significance of this kind of distance learning. With this, students are not obliged to travel to school; they may learn at any distance and in their comfort. It may benefit those who live in remote areas or even abroad. On the other hand, a Modular setup provides flexibility for working students. They opt to finish their school works asynchronously at any time but within the set deadline.

With the implementation of the HyFlex setup in Jose Rizal University, wherein students can attend both face-to-face and online classes, teachers are required to use various online platforms such as Canvas as a medium for instruction, as well as other sites for reference materials.

As students nowadays are digital natives, teachers find ways to incorporate social media into activities to make learning more engaging. It grants them access to a massive library of resources through scholarly websites, which halts the limit for their preferred style of learning.

A timely launching of JRU’s tagline Husay Rizal and Find Your Inner Hero really produced modern heroes. From students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators, as we survive everyday challenges, we are heroes indeed. This academic year, let us witness the rebirth of Rizalians as they return to their home - arising from the dark - the color of rebirth.

You probably heard of the Aquaflask, Hydroflask, or any insulated tumbler nowadays. Clout chasing? It can be, but in a good way may be. Those famous tumblers are thermal flasks that recently became a viral sensation on social media. It is known for its genuine marketing and is cheaper than other international brands. It is sold exclusively for 700 to 1000 pesos, varying in size. It catches the eyes of consumers due to the identity of being a high-quality product for the money. However, what solely seems like a trend could be a solution to saving the Earth.

In 1896, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius discovered climate change. Eventually, other scientists discovered that Earth is continuously getting warmer. It impacts the planet negatively. The commonness of natural tragedies in the environment highly increased. It directly harmed animals, demolished their natural habitats, and wreaked havoc on people’s livelihoods and communities.

Improper use and disposal of plastics have always been a top issue that harms the environment. The effect of the product has become a serious topic that several cities in the country, like Mandaluyong City, implemented a total ban on plastic bags.

Upon the emergence of COVID-19 in the Philippines, there is a precautionary notice regarding safety protocols. Some of those were reminders to keep oneself hydrated and to prevent sharing any glasses or utensils, that everyone must keep their immune system strong, and refrain from any possible sharing of saliva.

The inflation rate in the Philippines has massively increased over the past few months of 2022. Necessities have progressively become hard to reach, and learning to save money has become a critical skill. A cost-cutting technique that is simple and well-known is by bringing a tumbler. Less cost compared to having to buy disposable water bottles every day.

Bringing tumblers saves not only money but also the environment. Access to clean water becomes convenient and proudly makes you a contributor to slowing down the progress of global warming. Be a part of the trend in bringing beautiful bottles that aim to beautify the Earth.

It is now common to hear the phrase 'abandoned children' as it is a prevalent phenomenon in society. It is often a result of parental mistreatment that deprives them of the ability to receive fundamental living necessities. Abandonment may also come in the form of ignored emotion when children are raised in environments that lack care and sustenance.

According to UNICEF, an estimated 1.8 million children are orphaned and abandoned in the Philippines. On the other side of the spectrum, how often do we hear the phrase ‘abandoned parents’ or does it even exist? Do we share the same sympathy for abandoned parents as we have with abandoned children?

Parents abandoned by their children become a more frequent scenario in the country, especially when their children reach adulthood. They will have no time to give care and space to their old parents, so they will find a home for the aged and send their parents. Mr. Romel C. Navarro, Jose Rizal University Senior High School Division Principal, was one of the witnesses of the event and initiated a charity in the school for a cause. Originally it was Breakfast for a Cause. Mr. Navarro with the SHS Community Development Office (CDO) opted for a Fruit Sale.

The charity integrated the Finding Your Inner Hero tagline as part of the Rizalian culture among its several divisions, staying true to its mission of molding its students to be beneficial and present amidst social challenges. In this sense, the CDO sought the assistance of student organizations such as the Rizalian Valors Club, ABM Club, STEM Club, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Food and Beverage Club, and Sports Club. The Fruit for a Cause became operational which started last October 26 and lasted for two weeks in front C-27.

What was about the charity? What was it trying to communicate? Mr. Wilson Mones, Community Development coordinator, said “It is as simple as helping the less fortunate people. That is why we came up with this kind of event. When you buy, you consume it, but part of it will go to our outreach program. We want our students to learn the gift of giving.” He added that this intention helped them create their slogan, "You can give without love, but you can never love without giving."

“I hope this will continue, and I hope it will be better next time around. You see, for the Senior High School, this is the first time we had this kind of drive, and we are hoping that next time around, more students will participate,” Mr. Mones said. He also shared that the CDO is planning on pursuing several charity projects in the future, such as giving attention to victims of incest and abandoned elders in Anawim and Jeremiah.

Sa unti-unting paglaya ng Pilipinas sa mga tanikala ng COVID-19 na gumapos sa pag-unlad ng bansa, dahan-dahan na ring lumuluwag ang mga restriksyong ipinatupad lalo na sa sektor ng edukasyon. Ngunit kalakip ng pagluwag ng mga restriksyon ay ang pagtaas ng antas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo sa bansa upang mabawi ang kapital na nawala dulot ng pandemya: ang dating walong pisong pamasahe sa jeep, sampung piso na ngayon; ang dating sampung pisong tubig sa canteen, naging labinlimang piso. Sa patuloy na pagtaas ng bilihin, saan aabot ang baon mo?

Beh, tara kain tayo! Uy, punta tayo rito! – Marami sa atin ang bumabyahe papuntang paaralan at bumibili ng tanghalian. Maliban sa mga gastusing ito, may mga bayarin din sa paaralan tuwing may proyekto lalo na kung mayroong programa. Kung isasaalang-alang ang mga bayaring ito, magkano ang baon na kakailanganin mo?

Kung tutuusin, lagpas isang daan ang kakailanganing baon para sa transportasyon at pagkain, hindi pa kasama rito ang mga karagdagang bilihin. Para kay Airon Cabarrubias ng H12P na taga-Mandaluyong, ang kanyang baon na dalawang daan at limampung piso kada araw ay sakto lamang. Isang daan ang kanyang nilalaan para sa pagkain at dalawampung piso naman ang kanyang badyet para sa tricycle sapagkat naglalakad lamang siya pauwi. Dagdag pa ni Airon, minsan ay sumusobra pa ang kanyang baon kaya’t nakakapag-ipon pa siya pang-kolehiyo o pambili ng kanyang mga gusto.

Ngunit para sa mga mag-aaral na hindi lamang jeep o tricycle ang sinasakyan papunta at pauwi, kumulang dalawang daan o higit pa ang kanilang kinakailangang baon sa pangaraw-araw. Tulad na lamang ni Kristene Jeff Carale ng

H12P na taga-Binangonan. Para sa kanya, sakto pa rin ang kanyang baon na apat na daan sa isang araw. Kasama na rito ang dalawang daan at limampung piso niyang pamasahe sa limang pampublikong sasakyang ginagamit niya para sa transportasyon: bus, shuttle, UV Express, jeep, at tricycle. Sa transportasyon pa lamang, mawawari na ang pang-isang araw na baon ni Airon ay pamasahe lamang ni Kristene. Malinaw ang pagkakaiba sa baon ng dalawa, ngunit sa pahayag ni Kristene, pinaliwanag niya na kaya lamang sumasakto ang apat na daang baon niya ay dahil nagtitipid siya sa pagkain, kung sakaling may karagdagang bilihin para sa proyekto o kung ano pa man, ibinahagi niya na kulang talaga ang apat na daan para sa mag-aaral na tulad niyang umuuwi ng Binangonan mula Mandaluyong.

Sa kabilang dako naman, para sa mga guro, kahit na sa sariling sahod nanggagaling ang kanilang mga baon, masasabi pa ring magkawangki ang kanilang pagbabadyet kung itatapat ito sa paraan ng mga mag-aaral. Ayon kay Ginoong Jomual Fernandez, isang guro ng Senior High School Division na may baon na dalawang daang piso, ito ay sakto lamang. Sa kanyang byahe galing San Juan, apatnapung piso ang nakalaan para sa tricycle, papunta at pauwi; limampung piso naman ang nakatabi para sa pagkain. Dagdag pa niya ay madalas niyang nararamdaman ang pangangailangang paghigpitan ang sariling gumastos sa mga pagkakataong nagkayayaan lumabas.

Subalit para naman kay Binibining Katherine Ignacio, isa ring guro ng Senior High School Division, ang kanyang baon na isang daang piso ay kulang sa araw-araw niyang pagpasok sa trabaho. Sa transportasyon, ang pamasahe papunta’t pauwi ay dalawampu’t apat na piso sa jeep. Habang ang natitirang pera naman ay para sa pagkain. Ipinaliwanag ni Bb. Katherine na hindi ito sapat sa kadahilanang ramdam din niya ang pangangailangang paghigpitan ang sariling gumastos tulad ni G. Fernandez. Tiyak na magkaiba ang paggastos ng dalawang guro sa kanilang mga baon. Bagama’t kay G. Fernandez, ang kanya ay sakto at para kay Bb. Ignacio ay kulang; pareho pa rin ang kanilang pahayag na kinakailangang paghihigpit na mainam sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na baon at gastusin.

Sa pagyabong ng implasyon sa Pilipinas, mahihinuha na malaki ang naging epekto nito sa mga mag-aaral at mga guro batay sa mga isinagawang panayam. Katumbas ng pagluwag ng restriksyon dulot ng COVID-19 ay ang pagtitimpi sa sarili na gumastos pa sa ibang bagay. Kung tutuusin, mahirap talagang pagkasyahin ang baon lalo na kung may karagdagang bayarin. Gayunpaman, ang kahalagahan ng pagbabadyet ay makikita sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng lahat. Sa pamamagitan nito, kahit papaano ay may mga naisasantabing ipon at napapagkasya nila ang kanilang mga baon upang maiwasan ang pagkulang sa mga kakailanganin bawat araw. Bagama’t iba-iba man ang baon na ating dinadala sa paaralan, parehas naman nating nararanasan ang restriksyon sa pagbili ng ating mga pangangailangan — Ikaw ba, magkano baon mo?