True Friends: True Gems

By: Sarah A. Costa

Do you believe that friends are true gems? Read this story and find out if it is true.

There is a boy named Alex, who studies in a private school in

Pangasinan. He has many friends who are with him when he wants to play, read
books, watch television program for children and do many more activities.

One day, their teacher announced that there will be a contest on the
most beautiful garden. When Alec learned this, he got excited. He knew that he
could win in the said contest. He always waters his plants and takes good care of
them.

One unlucky day, Alex got sick. He was brought to the hospital. A few
days later, his friends visited him and said, “The contest will be next week and you
are now in bad condition right now”. A lex said that he doesn’t want to join in the
contest anymore, since he cannot water the plants and pull the weeds of his
garden. He also said that the plants may die because nobody cares for the plants.

Alex’ friends planned a solution to his problem. They decided to go and

spruce up his garden. The moment of truth came, the announcement of winners.
Alex emerged as the Best Garden Guardian of the school. His friends received the
award and went to the hospital. They gave it to his mother. Tears fell down. He, his
family and his friends were very happy.

Now, Alex can tell that friends are true gems. They are always there to
support him and make him happy.
 There is a new virus which came from Mexico and is now here in our
country. This virus is commonly known as the Influenza A(H1N1) virus. It is a
combination of the strains of swine flu, human influenza and bird flu. It is a new
virus causing illness to people and it was the first detected on April 2009. This virus
spread from person-to-person, probably in as much as the same way that the
seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Influenza A (H1N1) is very fatal. There are many symptoms to detect a victim.
Fever, headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting,
nausea and diarrhea are signs of being infected. The patient must be brought to the
hospital for treatment.

The Department of Health (DOH) issued some medicines but there is no

vaccine yet for protection.

There are some ways to prevent being inflicted by the virus. For example, use
alcohol-based hand sanitizers, always wash hands with soap and clean water, cover
your mouth when sneezing or coughing, avoid contact with sick people or people
who came from infected countries, increase body resistance, have at least eight (8)
glasses of water or plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.

Influenza A (H1N1) virus is very dangerous and can cause death, so through
these ways, we can take care of our health and avoid spreading the virus.
 Campus Journalists Brings Home the Bacon

By: Juan Carlos Bernardo

Twelve campus journalists from our school won in the District Press Conference
held on September 2, 2009 at Lolomboy Elementary School.

The students who won in the various categories were: Marika Joy Evangelista (5th
place, News Writing-Filipino), Camille Nanip (7th place, News Writing-English),
Karen L. Manalo (3rd place, Editorial Writing-English), Neil Frank Borromeo (4th
place, Editorial Writing-Filipino), Ma. Cathrina Pelagio (1st place, Copyreading-
Filipino), Juan Carlos Bernardo ( 8th place, Copyreading-English), Hannah Jaira
Pacate (5th place, Sportswriting-Filipino), Stephanie Mae Huntrods ( 6th place,
Sportswriting-English), Emily Lois Catacutan ( 5th place, Photojourn- Filipino),
Jamie Rose Dela Cruz (4th place, Photojourn-English), Arthur John Espinosa ( 5th
place, Editorial Cartooning- English), Mary Joyce Manuel (7TH place, Editorial
Cartooning- English) and Sarah V. Acosta ( 2nd place, Feature Writing).