An Unexpected Victory: Beginners Luck or Skills?

By John Marlo Nillo

The night of August 21, 2019 is a night full of boyfriend and girlfriend materials with their ardent
determination to bring home the title they are aiming for, which is either the Mr. or Ms. Senior High
School 2019. It is the night where they allotted so much time and efforts to prepare for and it really
shows in their performances. You can say that all of them are in their best shapes, armed with their
charm, talents, and wits, making their arsenal fully loaded. And I felt sorry for the judges, it is really a
tough job to choose from those equally gorgeous people ramping on the stage of Cong. Sal Fortuno Civic
Center in Nabua National High School. However, just like in any other competitions, there are people
who really possess the qualities of a winner and meant to stand out throughout the contest. And after
the different portions, where the judges measured how they fit for the title, these two slayed it out;
Geanne Carla Nogot and Clifford John Borela.

The world of beauty pageant is not only for the girls but also for the boys. Male beauty pageants
are gaining more and more popularity nowadays and this is because men give a different spice, a
different flavor to a traditional female beauty pageant especially in Q and A portion. Their direct
response and less sugar coated words are some of the characteristics people find adorable in them.
Clifford John Visitacion Borela is no exception. He is a young man who shared his point of view, his
talents, and his overflowing and enchanting appeal which are the reasons why he captured the crowd
and the judges effortlessly. These are also the main reasons why he won the Mr. SHS title.

HUMSS students and faculty are certainly jumping off their seats when it was announced that
the new Mr. SHS came from their strand. But I guess, nothing can compare to how his parents felt that
time. There are no doubts that Mr. Rodely and Mrs. Jennifer Borela raised their son well. In his age, 17,
Clifford did not expect to win the competition for he has no plan at first and was just felt obliged by one
of his teachers to join. By the way, if you are planning to give him a present on his birthday, he was born
on August 24, 2002. So next year, girl. Joke! He lives in Lourdes Young, Nabua, Camarines Sur. (Note:
During the interview, I was clueless that it was his birthday. I missed the chance to greet him so if you are
reading this Clifford right now, 'Happy Birthday!'. I know you are a nice man, I knew it because you let me
interview you on your birthday. Thanks bro. You really deserve the title, sincerely.) He is a novice when it
comes to pageants. In fact, that was his first time, but with his beginner's skills he already won it. Just
imagine how big his potential is. He said he was really overwhelmed with what happened. He just
couldn't explain what he is feeling that night. Mixed emotions, perhaps. When I asked him if he is
planning to join national pageant in the future he jokingly answered, "No, kuntento na ako dun". But to
his fans, don't lose hopes people change their mind. He also wants to extend his gratitude to God, his
family and every supporter who joined him in his journey of seizing the crown. In addition, he also
promised that as our new Mr. SHS, he will do his best to be a good role model to every student.

A pageant is not all about the title or the crown. It is also about how you wear it, how you own it
literally and figuratively. Clifford is a newbie but he already realized how heavy the crown he is wearing.
He knows that to be the Mr. Senior High School 2019, he should be a good role model to others. What I
remember from his story is John Burroughs. He said "Leap and the net will appear". He is not sure where
he will end up but he still tried. So do not be afraid to fail, be afraid of not trying at all. After all, success
is designed only for brave hearts.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPORTS

By John Marlo Nillo

Surely every student needs a break from tiring lessons and various mental activities inside their
four-cornered classrooms. That's why, most schools give their students time to compete in their
respective sports, which is usually in the program of sportsfest.

Sportsfest is one of the best avenue to promote wellness and good health as well as exercising it
to real life all the same. Sports wonderfully improves the body and boost our immune system. It helps
reduce body fat or controls your body weight and it also strengthen bones. In addition, sports also aid in
development of coordination, balance and flexibility. If you are planning to have a healthier body, why
not try playing sports that fits your preference?

Most of us believe that athletes don't excel in academics but the truth is the other way around.
In fact, most of the athletes perform well in class for sports helps improve not only the body but also the
mind, and the spirit. Concentrating in a game will make you forget your worries and relieves your stress.
Sports can help you fight depression and anxiety. It also improves your teamwork, how you cooperate
with others to achieve a certain goal. Similarly, it could be a great time to know your teammates, to meet
new people. Sports can help you find friemds that has the same interest as you. Challenging yourself in
different sports can improve your versatility. Through playing also you can ablaze your passion, becoming
braver, determined to achieve your goals, and most importantly it could forge you to become tougher
and tougher everytime you win or you lose.

Through hardwork, perseverance, and a pinch of talent you can win every game. But always
remember, even if you lose, you did not lose. If you don't agree just review what was written above. By
just playing sports, makes you already a winner, in physical, in mental, and in social health. And as the
old saying goes, "a game is not about winning, it is about how you played it."

Hindi Inaasahang Tagumpay: Swerte sa Una o Abilidad ang Nagdala?

Ika-21 ng Agosto taong 2019, gabing binuo ng mga magkakaibigang kalahok na determinadong
paglabanan ang titulong Ginoong Senior High School 2019 na kanilang inaasam. Isang gabing
pinagtuunan ng mahaba-habang panahon at importansiya para makapaghanda. Kitang-kita ito sa
kanilang buong husay sa lahat ng bahagi ng kompetisyon. Masasabi talagang lahat ng mga kalahok ay
handang-handa. Ipinakita ang kani-kanilang nag-uumapaw na karisma, talento at talino na nagresulta ng
napakagandang labanan. Ramdam ko ang hirap sa mga hurado, dahil mabigat na tungkulin ang kanilang
ginampanan sa mahigpit na labanan sa entablado ng Congressman Sal Fortuno Civic Center sa Mataas na
Paaralan ng Nabua. Subalit, katulad ng ibang mga kompetisyon, may isang tao talagang taglay ang
kalidad ng pagiging isang kampeon at itinadhanang mangingibabaw sa tanghalan. Pagkatapos ng mga
papapamalas ng kagalingan sa iba't ibang aspeto na pinagbatayan ng mga hurado para mapili ang pinaka-
karapat-dapat sa titulo. Ang mga katangiang hinahanap nila sa Ginoo at Binibining Senior High School ay
kanilang nakita kina Geanne Carla Nogot bilang Binibining Senior High School 20019 at Clifford John
Borela bilang Ginoong Senior High School 20019.

Ang mundo ng kompetisyon sa pagandahan ay hindi lamang para sa mga kababaihan kundi pati
rin sa mga makikisig nating mga kalalakihan. Ang kompetisyon para sa mga lalaki ay unti-unting nakikilala
at umuusbong sa panahon ngayon. Marahil dahil sila ay nagbibigay ng kakaibang timpla, at lasa sa
tradisyunal na kompetisyon sa mga kababaihan. Lalo na sa aspeto sa pagsagot sa mga katanungan. Ang
pagsagot na direkta sa punto at walang masyadong mabulaklak na salita ay ilan sa mga rason kung bakit
madali nilang maengganyo at makuha ang loob ng mga manonood. Isa nga rito si Clifford John Visitacion
Borela. Siya ay isang binatang nagbahagi ng kaniyang sariling saloobin, talento at ng kaniyang nag-
uumapaw na dating. Kaya naman walang kahirap-hirap na nakuha niya ang puso ng mga manonood at
mga hurado. Ito rin ang pangkalahatang rason kung bakit siya ang nanalong Ginoong Senior High School
2019.

Siguradong hindi napigilang mapatalon ng mga estudyante at ng mga guro mula sa HUMSS nang
ipahayag na ang bagong Ginoong Senior High School 2019 ay galing sa kanilang strand. Subalit sa aking
palagay, hindi nito matutumbasan ang kagalakan ng mga magulang ng ating bagong Ginoong Senior High
School 2019. Walang alinlangan na napalaki nga ng maayos nila G. Rodely and Gng. Jennifer Borela ang
kanilang anak. Sa edad na labing-pito, hindi inaasahan ni Clifford na magwawagi siya sa nasabing
kompetisyon. Yun ang unang pagsali niya sa ganoong klaseng kompetisyon kaya't ni hindi sumagi sa isip
niya na maiuuwi niya ang titulo. Sa katunayan nga ay pinilit lang daw siya ng kanilang guro na sumali.
Unang sabak, panalo agad? Isipin na lamang natin kung gaano kalaki ang kaniyang potensiyal sa ganitong
industriya. Sinabi niya rin na nag-uumapaw ang kaniyang kasiyahan at pasasalamat sa nangyari. Ayon sa
kaniya, hindi maipaliwanag ang kaniyang naramdaman noong gabing kinoronahan siya. Siguro,
magkakahalong emosyon. Noong tinanong ko siya kung may balak ba siyang sumali sa mas malakihang
kompetisyon sa hinaharap ay sinagot niya lamang ito ng pabirong, " Hindi, kuntento na ako dun". Ngunit,
para sa mga naniniwala sa kaniya, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nagbabago ang isip at desisyon ng
tao. Marmi pa ang pwedeng mangyari. Nais rin niyang magpasalamat sa Poong Maykapal, sa kaniyang
pamilya at sa mga taong sumuporta sa kaniya, na sinamahan siya sa kaniyang paglalakbay na makuha
ang korona. Nangako rin siya na gagawin ang kaniyang makakaya para maging isang mabuting modelo sa
lahat ng mag-aaral.

Ang kompetisyon ay hindi lamang tungkol sa titulo na makukuha at koronang masusuot. Ito ay
tungkol sa kung paano ito dadalhin literal man o hindi. Si Clifford ay isang baguhan ngunit alam niya na
kung gaano kabigat ang koronang kaniyang suot. Alam niya na bilang Ginoong Senior High School 2019,
ay kailangan niyang maging isang mabuting modelo sa kapwa niya mga estudyante. Naalala ko tuloy
noong sinabi niyang napilit lang siya ng guro niya si John Burroughs na sinabing " Leap and the net will
appear". Sa una, hindi niya alam kung ano ang kaniyang kahihinatan sa pagsali sa naturang konpetisyon
ngunit sinubukan niya. Patunay lamang ito na huwag kang matatakot na mabigo bagkus matakot ka na
hindi mo man lang sinubukan. Lagi mo sanang tatandaan na ang salitang 'tagumpay' ay para lamang sa
mga taong hindi natatakot mabigo.