VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 MAY - NOVEMBER 2019

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH PUBLICATION OF THE BENIGNO “NINOY” S. AQUINO HIGH SCHOOL
Causes of depression
among Benignians
AS OF NOVEMBER

Promoting non-readers:
effective or not?
©Kenji So

GOOD OLD DAYS. Grade 8 students from 8 - Alexandrite believe that they need to revisit the classic styles of Filipino culture as they bring Filipino delicacies and wear

CALL FOR VIRTUES

traditional clothes for festive events during the opening program of the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) Week on November 22 at the BNAHS quadrangle.

Sagmaquen urges BNAHS studes to respect, obey elders

JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES, ADRIAN FREDRICK RAMOS TIGNO

I
t is important that schools have core values education so
that students like you will carry it when you grow up.” Makati holds DLLAS
that everyone seemed to enjoy,” Grades 8, 9 and 10 students
writeshop to improve
Catubigan added. performed acts in relation to the test measurement
Thus said Dr. Lilybeth D. Values Month. With the theme, “Pamilyang bayanihan culture of the country to
Sagmaquen, principal of the As stated in the memo, Pilipino, Patatagin: Susi sa represent pro-people values; sacred KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA
Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino the celebration aims to “create Paghubog ng Kabataang festivals. By this, the students will

High School (BNAHS), during
the opening celebration of the
Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP)
Week held at the school quadrangle
on November 22.
Pursuant to the Department
of Education (DepEd)
Memorandum no. 166, series of
2018, the DepEd will take part in the
National Observance of the Filipino
Values Month (FVM) based on the
Presidential Proclamation No. 479
dated October 24, 1994, Declaring
the Month of November as Filipino
moral awakening and national
consciousness on human values
that are unique, genuine, and
positively Filipino.”
The Values Department
Head Erlinda Catubigan said that
one of the hallmarks of the Values
Department’s success is that it
was able to conduct a program
that everyone from different grade
levels witnessed.
“We were able to bounce
back with events covering different
performances from all grade levels
Makadiyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan
at Makabansa,” selected students
from all grade levels turned up with
a stage act stressing the four core
values of the Philippines namely,
Maka-Diyos (Pro-God), Makatao
(Pro-People), Makakalikasan
(Pro-Environment) and Makabansa
(Pro-Country).
The grade 7 students featured
people impersonating Miss Universe
delegates who embodied the famed
qualities of Filipinos like being
hospitable and optimistic.
#ZEROWASTE
Bring your own bottle, says
Campus Integrity Crusaders
KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA
realize that they have their own
obligations in strengthening
their families.”
Marcelo added that each
student should go back to their
family to build a harmonious
relationship and also for themselves
to feel their own responsibility.
“A strong family produces a
student with good character which
will make one an efficient and
effective leader someday,” The DLLAS consisted of
Marcelo said.
PAGE 5
A
little bit of change or
upgrade can make a
big difference.
To have a more standardized
items with the exams, teachers
from DepEd-Makati attended a
writeshop for the Division Localized
Learning Assessment System
(DLLAS) held at the Development
Academy of the Philippines (DAP),
Tagaytay City on October 21 to 25.
Education Program Supervisor
(EPS) from different learning
areas of DepEd-Makati, members
of Teachers Quality Team (TQT)
and members of Evaluators
Team (EvT).
PAGE 5
BNAHS DRRMC:
Basic first aid begins
with teachers
KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA

T F
ime spent on thinking
about ideas on waste
management is never a
waste of time.
The Benignian Integrity
Advocate-Campus Integrity
Crusader (BIA-CIC) started the
activity of Bring Your Own Bottle
(BYOB) that is open for everyone.
BIA-CIC sought to reduce the
waste inside the campus.
©Epistles
much waste.
"Almost all of them follow
this project and I heard that this
process is safer because they are
bringing their own water bottle,"
Imperial stated.
Imperial also said that as
officers, the CIC tried to initiate
doing it and eventually informed
everyone about their advocacy.
"Think about it. This project
inally, you can hear
the sound of the
ambulance’s siren, but
unfortunately, not his heartbeat
anymore. For the people who
experienced having a loved one
die due to a long wait for help, a
knowledge about first aid is all
you need.
To celebrate the National

According to the BIA-CIC
President Gabrielle Mary Jyren
Saquiton Imperial, the project is a
part of the social responsibility and
the benefit of it is for the students to
FOR ZERO WASTE. Benignians join hands with the Campus Integrity
be responsible on not producing too
Crusaders (CIC) in a campaign to reduce waste and minimize plastic use.
is not only for us or for our club.
We advocate social responsibility
and we put students’ safety first.
We bring the name of our school
and all of us want to have a clean
environment.
PAGE 5
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) Day, teachers joined a
seminar that detailed basic first
aid treatment held at the Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino High School
(BNAHS) Audio Visual Room,
July 17.
PAGE 14
EDITORIAL

Attack
on teachers

D
uring my pastime, I
watch Shingeki no
Kyojin [which translates
to Attack on Titan], an anime that
details the story of Eren Jaegar and
how he mightily conquers the world
brimming with horrendous titans.
My relatives, on the other hand, will
always be found streaming Raffy
Tulfo In Action, a phenomenal You-
Tube channel that streams public
complaints online.
Promoting non-readers: Now, no more commercials.
Let’s go right off the bat: In Novem-
team had crossed the line. teachers to be soft to students who
One reason why his team
drew ire is that, Tulfo has gone
overboard when his business of trial
by media encouraged mob mental-
ity on a situation that is still loom-
ing with gray areas. What’s more
aggravating is the mere fact that
Tulfo subjected Limjuco in hot wa-
ters while the latter is still deemed
accused. This is a blight disregard
to the legal principle stating that an
accusation is not a concrete proof
enough to hold someone liable for
repeatedly contravene school pol-
icies, and I bet that no one has fin-
ished elementary education without
an experience of being reprimanded
in different forms.
Schools are considered
‘second home’ for a reason. If there
are shortcomings on the part of a
certain student’s family, it is the
job of learning institutions to instill
values that a student can carry in
his lifetime. In the case of Limju-
co-Banez argument, it is discipline

effective or not? ber 21, a certain Salve Banez lodged something being thrown against him that was put into play.
a complaint against Melita Limjuco, or her. However, on the matter con-
a public school teacher accused Another grounds why Tulfo cerning child abuse that is raised
The Philippines was ranked the lowest in reading among of abusing a child and resorting to received harsh reproval is that he by certain mental health advocates,
79 countries according to a global survey. At the same time, the harsh treatments against Banez’ is not the Supreme Court. He has I am firm in my belief that people
Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) recently urged grandson. This immediately drew blatantly zero subpoena powers should not normalize corporal
the DepEd to stop sending non-readers to high school and modify criticisms from myriad netizens but which grants him no jurisdiction censures against children. It does
the assessment system used for rating teachers’ performance after in a way contrary to what Tulfo’s to send someone behind bars at not matter if older people have ex-
a special section for non-readers in Sauyo High School in Quezon team expected: the complainant the drop of a hat. He has no legal perienced worse punishments. We
City caught the attention of the people. Basically, this education- was put on hot waters while the merit at his fingertips. What more? cannot allow the culture of scolding
related controversy puts the people at a crossroads as it offers both defendant gained the public sympa- His way of granting people justice children that are deemed detrimen-
a positive and negative light for teachers and students alike. thy. is counterfeit, because it denies tal to the well-being of young people
With the advent of the “No Child Left Behind Policy” of the In a statement released by the people of due process as evidenced to prevail. Just because we have
Department of Education (DepEd), teachers are now forced to Alliance of Concerned Teachers, a in the cases of Limjuco, and the Rus- overcame those experiences does
promote non-readers to high school that between 2016 and 2017, progressive pro-educators coali- sian complainant [whose defendant not mean we should allow children
around 3, 613 elementary schools in the Philippines recorded 98.38 tion, said that “the trial by publicity claims that much are still left in to experience hardhanded penal-
percent graduation rate and 0.63 and 1.04 percent for drop-out and launched against Ms. Limjuco was graya areas] posted under the title, ties. We should always know how
repetition rate respectively. unfair, malicious, and injudicious. “Russian, ini-scam ng kaniyang to discern where certain people are
Probably one of the reasons why certain people affirm with It denied her of her right to due kasambahay!” already crossing the line.
the idea of sending non-readers to high school is that it speeds up process and caused her injustice.” The chief reason why the The attacks on teachers who
This, in addition to the remarks of 13-minute video drew ire is the mere are just doing their jobs has to stop.
the duration of the novice’s formative years in the academe. After
netizens online, compelled Tulfo to fact that discipline in educational Otherwise, schools will never be a
all, most people [especially those who live under the fringes of the
shift his mindset and be in parallel institutions is nonnegotiable. There viable place for learning. Heaven
society] prioritize their place in the job market or corporate world
with the public who believed that his is probably no school that allows forbid, no one hankers for that!
someday more than their stay or performance in schools.
Students will also be less prone to prejudices born out of norms
set by the 21st century society. For instance, if a 15-year old gets
to be promoted to his rightful grade level [grade 9 or 10] in spite
of his reading skills, he is less likely to receive the harsh blows of
separatism from people.
On the other hand, if someone graduates from elementary
education three or more years late, one is condemned to face
discrimination from almost all the nook and cranny of the society.
Also in the list is that, educators will vastly benefit from the
Cure to homework
current teachers’ assessment system. The assessment system by
the DepEd mandates that the performance rating of educators is
based on the passing or drop-out rate of students. Should more and
overcharging
more students get promoted to a higher level, teachers will not be

L
put at risk of receiving a low-performance rating. et us not deny it: the No lead to rickety movies, bond with important people,
However, the policy is nothing short of drawbacks. Homework Policy is a health status. This is basically read a hefty book.
First drawback is that, non-readers’ mastery of certain sets tool to remedy the now- true because as evidenced by the There are lots of noticeable ill
of skills will not align to the grade level they are currently in. soaring grave effects of academic Stanford Medicine, 87 percent effects of ‘homework overcharging’
Elementary is, by its own right, an avenue for everyone to form load students face. of high school students from the among students. But what’s more
the rudiments of knowledge. High school, on the other hand, is a When House Deputy Speaker United States alone do not attain irking is that some people continue
different stage where technical-vocational and slightly theoretical Evelina Escudero and Quezon City the right amount of sleeping hours on spurring negative blows against
Science skills are stressed over elementary-level skills like reading Representative Alfred Vargas filed due to tough academic load. the legislation by thinking that
and writing. Promoted non-readers will have a hard time keeping up House Bill No. 3611 and House Bill Another reason why homeworks are means to discipline
with the people who are already deemed superior than they are. No. 3883 respectively to cut down homework brings about grave students. For instance, when the
Equally, students will be less competent. Reading is one of the the amount of student homework, effects is that it can also hit hard media aired the hot news of the
offshoots of communication which is deemed by many as a facet of many students immediately on the mental health of students. passing of the bill, the Alliance
success in all fields. If students cannot display reading skills, then supported the proposed legislation. Data from the same Stanford of Concerned Teachers (ACT)
the idea of success will probably be swept under the rugs – and if The Department of Education Medicine study stated that high immediately tried to shoot the
worse comes to worst – be consigned into oblivion. (DepEd) stuck up with the no school students who deprive legislation down by claiming that
Furthermore, the policy will push teachers and relevant homework idea in order to “enable themselves of self-care often suffer homework is only a way of putting a
people-in-authority-to become a ‘legislative defeatist’ when it learners to have more quality time... a myriad of mental aftermath: firm hand on students.
comes to education. How? We can foretell that there will no longer by limiting the homework ...to a anxiety, depression, drowsy- But let us be reminded that
be an avenue for cogitating a fairer and hyperefficient teachers’ reasonable quantity” I, and many driving incidents, and even suicide. there are now new and alternative
assessment system that runs not on “awa” and urge to get students alike, cannot agree more Is this what people are going to ways of disciplining students.
promoted. There will be no space for the society to think critically of because of the grave effects of expect from us, students? Alive but Teachers can impart discipline in
ways to address the sprouting teachers’ assessment irregularities. certain homework. dead inside? numerous ways: through strict and
Although the policy offers both positive and negative impacts, When schools become Also, too much homework can substantial discussions in Values
a stockpile of thumping great take away the personal or social life Education, and through little things
it is a must to have a hunch that the latter outweighs the former. No
homeworks, students tend to set of young people. Overcharging can like entrusting important tasks to
matter how strong the upper hand of passing non-readers is, let it
aside their physical well-being. take little freedoms that high school students that are not too heavy to
not slip our minds that reading is a nonnegotiable skill. It is universal
Some resort to sleep deprivation students should be enjoying such carry. Let it not slip our minds that
that it becomes an offshoot for almost anything.
and bad eating habits which may as the chance to watch a stream of discipline is different from torture.
On the matter of thinking about the idea of “No Child Left
Behind Policy” that spurs teachers to pass non-readers, it is
important to note that it is counterproductive.
Dear Epistles,
Letter to the Editor
Earlier this month, I noticed that every time I go to canteen, there is this ditch where proper sewage system is
not observed. Waste segregation is also not apparent. It stinks so bad that I lose appetite with its foul smell.
Given this, what can I do to help in addressing this school problem?
Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School Respectfully,
Aguho Street, Barangay Comembo, Makati City Jud Errol Bucaya Baldorado
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

Principal Dr. Lilybeth D. Sagmaquen
Head, English Department Nancy Nolasco
Chang
School Paper Adviser Dr. Alexandrea Agpalo
Cabaltica
Editor-in-Chief Jim Vincent Abao Oscares
Associate Editor Katielyn Ann Santillan Alingod
Managing Editor Katrina Jilian Magistrado
Padilla
News Editor Katrina Jilian Magistrado Padilla
Column Editors Jim Vincent Abao Oscares
Zeitel Gift Boholst Arcilla
Feature Editor Rose Marie Esposo Sanchez
Sports Editor Jana Quisha Gonzales Salamatin
Science and Technology Editor Mark Ron
Aliam Corpuz
Photojournalist Katielyn Ann Santillan Alingod
Layout Artist Adrian Fredrick Ramos Tigno
Editorial Cartoonist James Harold Bulahan
Mananquil
Copyreader and Headline Writer Adrian
Fredrick Ramos Tigno
Writers
Dexter Dasilio Aguinaldo
Yara Baquiran
Zecharia Edodollon Cañalita
Yui Kashihei Salde Fuerte
John Erby Pastolero Umoso
Dear Jud Errol,
Sewage system in schools is important. Apart from it saves the school from potential environmental harm,
it teaches both the students and alerts on proper waste segregation.Probably the best way to address this
problem is to the tap the people-in-authority. Those are, alert heads, certain club advisers, the student council,
and the council chairman. However, if formal communication is not your cup of tea, then start from the bottom
and persuade your fellows to not conform to the ugly patterns your schoolmates do when it comes to waste
segregation. Lastly, you can start by your own and lead by example. Everyone will follow in the long run. You just
have to be certain that your little actions make great impact.
From,
Epistles

A
ccording to the
Commission on
Population (POPCOM),
the Philippines placed 13th
among the world as the most
populated country with about 500
Filipino teenage girls giving birth
daily, totaling to 160, 000 births
annually. To this day, pregnancy
has not yet been culled probably
due to shortcomings of certain
civic institutions.
In 2017, the Philippines
posted 8.7 percent rate of teenage
pregnancy, POPCOM executive-
director Juan Antonio Perez said
that it is still high during the
World Population Day Forum held
in Quezon City last July 11. In all
likelihood, this is the result of some
public institutions’ weak points.
Primarily for the Education
sector, the Philippines should go
beyond Science. Students will not
know about the value of purity
should teachers only focus on the
Science behind intercourse during
P
eople, whether they
finish in life with grottos
of gold or with tight
pockets, are not defined if they are
born with a silver spoon in their
mouth, but if they have enough of
that particular investment on mind:
financial literacy.
As the Philippines progresses
to 2020, it was confirmed that
poverty incidence is still on the
rise after the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) released its recent
findings: 16.1 percent poverty rate
among individuals and 21.6 percent
in total families.
According to a study from
Rochester Business Journal, it is
lack of education that engenders
poverty. This is why depressed
locales like Batasan Hills are still
rolling up to this day. For me, the
problem is indeed because of
education among the people about
N
ot long ago, the Duterte
administration enacted
Senate Bill No. 1998 into
law which is now more popularly
known as Republic Act 11203, or the
Rice Tarrification Law. The law seeks
to boost the economy by allowing
foreign traders to import a “near-
unlimited” quantities of rice in the
country. However, not everyone is
happy with the law as it wipes out
Filipino farmers.
According to the Official
Gazette, the law took effect on
March 5. The Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) projected an inflation
cut by 0.6 percent through this. But,
the way I figure it, the law will only do
more harm than good because it
takes its toll on the poor farmers.
It is one way of “wiping out”
On prevailing
pregnancy
sexual education. put its firm hand on outlaws who
Sex education will not be
effective if it is limited to lessons
men and women union. It will be
deemed essential if it is modified
and if students are equipped with
new learnings about uprightness.
Moreover, the government
should mobilize people to be
community health workers like what
the University of the Philippines
in Manila (UPM) did to motivate
students on taking up caAreers in
Health Sciences. Ir democratized
admissions in Community Health
Work (CHW). This two-year course
disregards entrance exams and
mobilizes isko aspirants to help
aid in depressed communities
by being a health worker. It can
also be ladderized to a bachelor’s
degree with the goal to hone
more community health workers
necessary for aiding the soaring
crisis in the Philippines. Obviously,
one of which is teenage pregnancy.
Lastly, the government should
Be financially
literate
becoming financially stable.
This is probably because
there is no subject from the high
school curriculum that focuses
on helping people to be financially
well-off. People only learn the broad
financial market during seminars
held around the school, or if they
Business Administration and the
like in their undergraduate years.
However, not all people have the
luxury to pursue the latter. Financial
literacy will not really receive
much attention as only Sciences,
Mathematics, Liberal Arts and
Basic Entrepreneurship commonly
wrap up the curriculum.
Additionally, few people
understand government programs
like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program. Those who live under
the fringes only aim to have some
of their expenses be government-
subsidized, not to know what
No to rice tariff
Filipino farmers. Should P21 per kilo
happen, statisticians projected that
farmers would live under P5, 564
which is far lesser from what the
National Economic Development
Authority’s (NEDA)claims that
families can live under P10K
monthly, which drew criticisms from
many Filipinos. How much more
for less than six thousand pesos?
Heaven forbid!
Also in the list is that farmers
don’t have the means to compete.
No joke. Farmers still live that rural
lifestyle where only less-advanced
technologies are available at their
fingertips. Now, how can farmers
be competent enough to fight this
growing crisis?
If the government reallywants
to boost our economy by stabilizing
intensify the teenage pregnancy
problem in the country. According
to the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA), child trafficking is the act
of trading or dealing with children
like buying and selling of children
for money. From the findings of
the United Nations International
Children’s Emergency Fund
(UNICEF) alone, about 60, 000
to 100, 000 Filipino children are
victims of child trafficking and are
sent to prostitution rings. If the
government is stricter and laws
proved to be effective, this will
surely drop.
I think, the Philippines only
has two choices for contrasting
consequences: first is, to move hand
in hand and cut down the soaring
teenage pregnancy; the second is,
lie idle and allow the Philippines be
a home to rabbits who ceaselessly
reproduce. Now, who will dare
choose the latter?
financial aid is all about and it can
be used to pull themselves out of
the poverty line. The ending? People
become government-dependent.
Also among the justifications
is that research studies show that
many are ignorant to the concepts
of basic Business Mathematics
like compound interest. Some do
not even know financial principles
like budgeting, investments,
superannuation, contracts,
employment models, and financial
goals. This leads consumers
onto making decisions without
seeking imperative financial
information that may save them
from fiscal risks.
To this day, I believe that many
people still continue on suffering
from the harsh blows of living
below par. Now the only way to pull
them out of the abyss of poverty is
through financial literacy.
prices of palay then it should focus
on, investing and boosting local
production. The government has
always said it that foreign countries
should not meddle in our own
nation’s affairs. Is now not the time
for politicians to prove their words?
I just wish that leaders know
it that while foreign businessmen
feed on the pockets of Filipino
consumers, local rice farmers are
being set aside. May the echoes
of those famed Makati words,
“Tangkilikin natin ang sariling atin”
and the Felipe de Leon’s song,
“Magtanim ay ‘di biro” reach the
minds and hearts of our politicians
and the Filipino people. It is about
time that the Philippines stamp
out this anti-poor, and anti-rice
farmer law.
Speaking of massive open
online courses
A
s the Philippines
progresses to 21st
century, students
are now well-rounded and fully-
equipped with imperative skills as a
result of the availability and easier
access to online the cut for a particular course.
learning institutions.
This has become more
possible now since the government
improved its education-relevant
measures and took its new
programs into the grassroots
level. Everyone, students and
academics, should bolster this
makeshift fashion of learning given
its advantages.
In 2010, certain companies
offered home-based and digital
approach to learning and
introduced the idea of massive
open online courses [or more
popularly known as MOOCs]
through legitimate service
providers like Coursera, Udemy,
The Open University and even
prestigious universities from the
Ivy League like Stanford, Yale, and
Cornell University. In the Philippines
alone, the AMA Learning System
opened up its online learning
platform, and the University of the
Philippines System rolled out the
UP Open University that qualifies
admission test takers who fared up
with a predicated average grade of
2.8 (that is, 72 percent). different education agencies. By
Everyone must truly plump
for this new learning technique for
its high grounds.
One of its high grounds is that
there is a wide range of courses
that allows students to specialize
on whatever field they want.
Everyone is provided with choices
from the Arts and Humanities to
Science and Mathematics. Some
of these learning institutions will
Dead - end for rain forest fires
I
bet you know about the
Amazon rainforest’s
almost-cemetery
condition. It has been on fire for
approximately three weeks today
that Brazil declared the forest’s
state of emergency over the rising
number of fires in the area.
The forest is known as
the lungs of the earth because
it provides 20% of the earth’s
oxygen. We are, perhaps, in a
brink of extinction now. Picture
the forest. How many endangered
species before that had finally
extinct now because of the forest’s
fire? The Amazon rainforest is a
home to 10 percent of the world’s
known biodiversity. Guess who’s
next to extinct. Us! This is heart-
breaking and the worst part of
feeling bad about this news is
being unable to stop it.
From farms to drinking
waters, the world would drastically
change if the rainforest could not
be saved immediately. According
to the World Meteorological
Organization, fires release
pollutants and toxic gases. Also,
it produces nitrogen oxides and
harmful compounds into the
atmosphere. To say it in a simpler
way, our planet is alarmingly dying.
Back when I was younger,
not even give notice if you are
overloading, which only means that
you can take a double major.
They will not also administer
qualifying exams unlike other
institutions where you have to make
Another reason is that it is
convenient and inclusive. It offers
home-based quality learning
that allows students to have their
own schedules.
This is obviously suitable
for part-time students. Online
coursesare also made available to
anyone without regard for their age
and nationality.
No one will judge you if
you are under or over-aged
or if you are fit enough for
certificate, undergraduate, and
graduate studies!
The chief reason why people
should support online learning
platforms is that it helps students
to be more competent through
autodidactic or self-studies.
Service providers can be
wide ranging: from new learning
platforms to eminent universities
around the world. Most of the
providers of online courses can
compare to a bachelor’s degree
that usually takes up four to
six years to complete because
online modules are accredited by
the end of every online course,
providers ensure that before doling
out diplomas, its students are
competent by administering tests
that can come in the form of essay
and multiple-choice exams.
True, indeed, that there
are lots of ways to be equipped
with this fast pacing world. And
obviously, taking up MOOCs is one
of it.
I remember watching a movie
called ‘Rio’. I really loved that movie
especially the protagonist names
Rio, a bluebird parrot. My parents
told me that the blue bird species
will soon go extinct if we don’t take
good care of our home. Because
our home is their home. In short,
we are not the only species being
affected by the mistakes we are
accountable of doing. Now is the
time to say ‘Congratulations!’.
We have finally come to the point
where the Blue parrot species
went extinct.
Many mourned and used
several hashtags as soon as the
news came to grab their attention.
It’s actually a good way to spread
awareness through social media
regarding this matter, but the
fires may not be put out just by
posting hashtags.
Here’s a good tea, an annual
meeting comprised of Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK
and the US world leaders agreed
on $20 million aid package to
help fight the Amazon fires. I can
see progress. Brazil is committed
to environmental protection. We
may end this if we cooperate and
are determined enough to save
the forest, our planet to be exact
because it’s all connected.

©Johnerby Umoso
BRAINS OF THUNDER. Staffers of Epistles, together with Dr. Alexandrea Agpalo Cabaltica, the School Paper
brainstorm during their training in preparation for the Division Schools Press Conference 2019.
WinS program trains studes
for proper hygiene
KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA
T
reasure your health
as your wealth and
still lasts.
maintain it until it
The Wash in School (WinS)
program educates selected
students (president and vice
president of each class) about
proper hygiene such as tooth
brushing, proper disposal of
sanitary pads and hand washing
through a seminar conducted on
September 12 at the BNAHS AVR.
Dr. John Paul Gonzales, a
former dentist in Benigno “Ninoy” S.
Aquino High School (BNAHS) talked
about the proper way of taking care
of the teeth.
“You need to brush your
teeth at least two times a day for
two minutes. Do not eat too much
sweets or junk food that may ruin
your teeth,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales added that smoking
and tongue earings are not good for
the teeth and the mouth.
On the other hand, Ms.
Rosanna Valmeo Dayrit, the
©Katielyn Ann Santillan Alingod
PRESERVE WITH PASSION. STEM student gazes upon
the paintings of different kinds of birds, as they are encouraged to
help on preserving the endangered animals in the Philippines during
Green and Wild Expo 2019, on Thursday and Friday, November 21 to
22, at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura.
current school nurse, spoke about
menstrual cycle and the correct way
of disposing sanitary pads.
“You need to change your
sanitary pad at least every three to
four hours even though you’re not
menstruating much. In terms of
disposing it, you must first wrap it
with a piece of paper so it will not be
exposed,” Dayrit said.
Meanwhile, WinS club
adviser Meilani Arzadon Osurman,
taught the atendees about the
proper sanitation.
“The proper way of washing
your hands will help you rid
the bacteria that take shelter
in your fingernails and the the
gaps between your fingers ”
said Osurman.
She also discussed about
proper waste segregation.
To help instill the importance
of hygiene and proper waste
disposal, Osurman administered
activities to students like creating
something out of scrap and finding
creative ways for waste segregation.
BNAHS, overall
champ in DSPC 2019
KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA
W
ork hard for your dreams and wait until you reach success.
The Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School (BNAHS) bagged
the overall championship during the Division Schools Press
Conference (DSPC) held at Nemesio I. Yabut Elementary School (NIYES) on
September 4.
The Filipino Department Head
Ms. Maria Fe Salcedo Seraño who
used to be a school paper adviser
said that because of the intensive
trainings conducted before the
contest, students knew about the
proper ways of writing in their
respective category.
Serano added, “Students
should always do their best and
make sure to read, read and read.
Because that would lead them
to success,”
The BNAHS division winners
from the English category under
Dr.Alexandrea A. Cabaltica were
Mark Ron Aliam Corpuz-1st place,
Science Writing; Adrian
Fredrick Tigno - 1st
place, Copyreading
and Headlining;
James Harold
Mananquil - 2nd
place, Editorial
Cartooning; Rose
Marie Sanchez -
2nd place, Feature
BOOK BRINGS YOU ANYWHERE. English Department Head Nancy
Nolasco-Chang travels in different parts of the world as she reads her
book during the nationwide culminating activity in the celebration of
the National Reading Month on November 27.
English dept to hold
Book Week
ADRIAN FREDRICK RAMOS TIGNO
C
ommitted to hone Proficiency Club (EPC) and English
the English skills Literati Club (ELC) will conduct the
of both junior annual Book Week celebration on
and senior high school the first week of December (JHS)
students, the English and January (SHS).
PAGE 14
Writing; Katielyn Ann S. Alingod -3rd
place, Photojournalism; Jim Vincent
A. Oscares - 3rd place, Editorial
Writing; Katrina Jillian Padilla - 4th
place, News Writing; Jana Quisha
Salamatin - 5th place, Sports
Writing, and Zeitel Gift B. Arcilla -
10th place, Column Writing.
Moreover, the winners from
the Filipino category under Mrs.
Melanie Poyaoan were Israel Libiran-
1st place, Pagsulat ng Kolum; Jam
Marie Dugenia-2nd place, Pagsulat
ng Agham; Cydel Macarubbo- 4th
place, Pagsulat ng Balita; Jefferson
Saguit- 4th place, Pagguhit ng
Pangulong Tudling; Sherjohn
Rodrigo- 5th place, Pagsulat
ng Lathalain; Elisha Cassandra
Mendoza- 7th place, Pagwawasto
at Pag-uulo ng Balita; Mary Ann
Cervantes- 7th place, Pagkuha
ng Larawan; Melody Salibio- 8th
place, Pagsulat ng Editoryal, and
Shamley Bungcaras- 10th place,
Pagsulat ng Isports.
All of them moved to the
regional level except for the winners
of Column Writing since it was not
included in the Regional Schools
Press Conference.
Nutrition month
highlights
pinggang Pinoy
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
A
s filipinos , we should all
adopt pinggang pinoy in
our meal plans”
Thus said Technical-Vocational
Education (TVE) Department Head
Nenita Garduque during the opening
of the Nutrition Month on July 5 at
the Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High
School (BNAHS) quadrangle.
Pinggang Pinoy, a byword used
by nutritionists, pertains to sets of
food unique in the Philippines.
Garduque also mentioned
about the common misconceptions
about Filipino food and claimed
that not all food that are deemed
unhealthy are nonnutritious at all.
“Don’t be swayed under
conventional thinking. Take for
example tofu. It can be found
everywhere. It is considered
by some as unhealthy, when
it is actually nutritious,”
added Garduque.
Pursuant to Department of
Education (DepEd) Memorandum
No. 082, series of 2019, the National
Nutrition Council (NCC) will
spearhead the 2019 Nutrition Month
with the theme, “Kumain ng wasto
at maging aktibo... push natin ‘to!”
in July.
Through this, the TVE
Department prepared activities
including Poster-Slogan Making
Contest and Pageant Signature
Contest for this year’s Nutrition
Month celebration.
In the Mr. and Ms. Nutrition
Month, pageant representative
Rafael Martinez of 10 Silang said
that a celebration like this is helpful
because it gives students an
opportunity to be a role model to
their fellow,
BNAHS Principal Dr. Lilybeth
D. Sagmaquen, stressed there was
a need to commit more often to
physical activities as sedentary
lifestyle has proven to be too
harmful ever since.
“Proper eating habits do
not only build a strong physique, but
also a strong mental health. Both
have to be equal in status,” added
Sagmaquen.
 ZipGrade eases Youth joins worldwide
school workload, says clean-up drive
Makati teachers
KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA
W ith the advent of
technology, the
public schools in
Makati finally kissed goodbye
to the traditional way of
checking testpapers through
the use of ZipGrade.
The ZipGrade, which was
discovered by John Viebach, came
across the Southeast Asia on 2018,
and is now widely used as the answer
sheet for student’s exams in which it
is generated by electronic devices.
DepEd Makati has began
using this application last school
year (2018-2019), and as many
advantages were seen, it is currently
being used by students and teachers
to lessen the work load.
According to Ms. Jennifer V.
Digo, a Science teacher, ZipGrade
helped in a way of getting the test
results faster using a “handheld
device” like cellphone.
“More papers are being
checked in less time compared
to last time that teachers got
BNAHS raises mental
health, HIV awareness
KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA, JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
I
know what you did
last summer.
The Benigno “Ninoy”
Aquino High School (BNAHS)
conducted seminars on human
immunodeficiency (HIV) viruses
awareness, mental health, drug
prevention and massage therapy
during the weeklong celebration of
the Brigada Eskwela.
As per DepEd Memorandum
no. 036, series of 2019. all schools apart from the general cleaning of
nationwide participated in the
nationwide Brigada Eskwela on
May 20-25, a government-initiated
program held annually for the clean- language for the deaf, random blood
up and maintenance of schools.
The Parent Teacher Association for free.
(PTA) helped in installing the
Benignians, 4peat overall champ
in Y Olympics
KATIELYN ANN SANTILLAN ALINGOD, JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
B
ody, mind, and spirit.
Out of the participating schools, the Benigno “Ninoy” S.
Aquino High School (BNAHS) was once again hailed as the
overall champion for this year’s Academic Y Olympics, marking its fourth
time as a cut above the rest since 2014.
The BNAHS Hi-Y Club
dominated on the YMCA Academic
Olympics for the fourth time at
Makati High School, October 12.
The nine public school
participants were Benigno “Ninoy”
S. Aquino High School, Fort
Bonifacio High School, Makati
High School, Makati Science High
School, , Bangkal High School,
Pitogo High School, Tibagan High
School, General Pio Del Pilar
National High School and Nemesio
I. Yabut Senior High School.
According to the club adviser
Dr. Alexandrea Agpalo Cabaltica,
the challenge of outdoing itself got
©Adrian Fredrick Ramos Tigno
help from students in checking.
Because of the ZipGrade, teachers
can now maximize the allotted
hours for discussion, learning and
activities. Most of all, it makes the
students become more disciplined
in proper shading and the filling-
out of the data.” said James Harold
Bulahan Mananquil, a student from
G8-Alexandrite.
ZipGrade automatically
captures the answer and the app
will show the test scores then will
record the score to the student ID
(ZipGrade ID).
Each student was given a
ZipGrade code or the ZipGrade
ID wherein the recorded score of
the student will be placed in the
assigned number.
Moreover, ZipGrade started in
2016 under the Bootstrap Company
in America, and when Viebach
thought of making it grow, the
teachers suggested to enhance it
more until it is already widely known
by more countries.
basketball court and drinking
fountain including the distribution of
school supplies.
Moreover, a kick-off parade
marked the opening for Brigada
Eskwela from which scouting
movements and educators
participated into.
Committed to a certain goal,
teachers, students, and participants
from different barangays offered
hands in facilities preservation
the school.
Moreover, the Brigada also
conducted a training for basic sign
sugar test, and health checkup all
harder and harder each year.
“The hardest part is the
pressure I feel as the adviser,
because we must always maintain
the championship,” Cabaltica
stated.
For the individual categories,
Monica Quiapos ranked 1st
place in Poster Making Contest;
Yara Baquiran-2nd place,
Extemporaneous Speech; Joshua
Kenneth Dorias-2nd place, Bible
Quiz Bee; Cellane Pesit-3rd place,
Oratorical Speech; Rose Marie
Sanchez-3rd place, Essay Writing;
and Pauline Chavez-3rd place, Vocal
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
W
hoever is walking
on the bounds of
Manila may find
oneself trailing a dirty roadway.
This is a way of life and a reality
for some Makatizens – except
for the YMCA Makati.
The Young Men’s Christian
Association (YMCA) of Makati
conducted the ‘World Challenge’
through a clean-up drive on
June 8, at the Sacred Heart St.,
San Antonio Village in line with
its 175th Founding Anniversary.
Forty-three youth
volunteers from different high
schools in the city participated
on the cleaning of office and
streets.
“The experience was
actually good, because you get
a time to interact even with the
locals like the street vendors
along Sacred Heart.” said
FROM PAGE 1
Makati holds...
“In this writeshop, we can
enhance the teachers in using
different assessment tools,
strategy and technique in creating
a standardized periodical exam
that will be used by public schools
of Makati from grade 1 to 10,” said
Mr. Michael Villas Lorenzana, AP
TQT member.
Lorenzana also said that from
the exam made by DLLAS, it can be
Former The Voice Kids
contender gives tribute
on teacher’s day
ZEITEL GIFT BOHOLST ARCILLA
T
eaching is the
only profession
that produces
other profession.”
This, according to Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino High School
(BNAHS) Principal Dr. Lilybeth D.
Sagmaquen, is the essence of the
World Teachers Day celebration.
With the aim to give tribute to
the teachers of the BNAHS, Cahil
Manila, a former The Voice Kids
contestant performed as a way
of showing gratitude to teachers
during the celebration of the World
Teacher’s Day on October 5.
Moreover, the whole world
celebrates National Teacher’s
Month every year in which students
Solo. Jim Vincent A. Oscares, Arvy
M. Abujen, and Gabriel Aguilar
2nd place , Quiz Bee competition,
covering four subject areas:
YMCA General Information,
Current Events, Mathematics, and
Science.The following dancers,
Ronnie Rosete, Jennifer Cabanlet,
Sofia Ysabelle Millapre, Neil
Agrae, James Andrae, Maxenne
Dichoson and Joanne Cainog got
the 2nd place in the hiphop dance
competition.
Moreover, this is the second
time that BNAHS Hi-Y got 4peat in
the YMCA Academic Olympics.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Michael
S.Cruz, the chairman of BNAHS DRRMC emphasizes
the importance of headcount during the search and
rescue earthquake drill on November.
©Dr. Alexandrea Agpalo Cabaltica
Gerard, a Y’er of the Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino High School.
Among the offered spaces
for the clean-up drive were
the YMCA gym, Home for the
Aged, Angels’ Room and
the library.
Although YMCA looked
for volunteers, it claimed that
it aims to be reflexive on the
venture.
“The office has benefited
in fair amount from your kind
help, but you [the participants]
also benefited from this scheme
as it builds who you are as a
person.” said Magda Gana, the
project coordinator of YMCA
Makati.
In hopes of a cleaner
environment and priming its
members for environmental
participation, the YMCA is said
to conduct parallel activities.
GROOVING ON THE HEALTH WORK. Dr.
Lilybeth D. Sagmaquen, principal of the Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino High School (BNAHS), takes
the lead by setting an example on how to do the
CPR during the In-Service Training of teachers.
defined on how much the student from different learning areas
learned from each quarter and it will
be a basis for the DepEd-Makati to
are expected to create a list of
questions for the exam and it will be
assure the level of skills and ability processed by the EvT.
of a learner. Furthermore, it can also be
“ZipGrade App is also a big a basis from the gathered data
help in checking the scannable to determine the factor that may
answer sheets to have an accurate affect on slowing down or increased
data and on evaluating each item in level of learning of the students.
the exam,” Lorenzana added.
Each member of the TQT
FROM PAGE 1
Sagmaquen
urges...
The Values Department also
honor teachers for their social announced its roster of activities
responsibilities, such as being like Slam Poetry, Poster and Jingle
catalysts for change and nurturers Making Contest as part of its week-
of young minds. long celebration.
The Supreme Student Asked if there is more to the
Government and Student Values Month than school-based
Commissioners (SSG-SCOM) contests, Catubigan said that
prepared activities for students selected students will vie for the
such as Calli-Guro, Iguhit Mo competitions against other schools
Guro Mo, Isanaysay Mo Guro Mo, on November 20.
Spoken Word Poetry, and I-hugot
Mo MamSer.
“We will try to bring back the
glory of the school when it comes
During the closing of Teacher’s
Month on October 3, teachers
to inter-school competitions,”
Catubigan added.
received personalized stuffed toys. For pro-God; and cultural
Some selected students from
dances like Caracol for pro-
Grade 9 and 10 substituted the environment respectively.
teachers from October 1 to 3. “Spend more time with your
family than playing with your
gadgets,” Dr. Sagmaquen added,
claiming that as young people
get attached with cellphones and
tablets, they consequently get
detached from their families.
Meanwhile, Marcelo said
that all educators made it a point
to let all sections they handle
create poster-slogans on how to
strengthen family ties.
FROM PAGE 1
Bring your...
One day, they will realize that
this is a good project for waste
management," Imperial's message
to those students who do not follow
the activity.
Moreover, as this activity was
successful last year as a social
experiment, the BIA-CIC club
continued to implement it until
this year.

T
he
wind
blew
hard making my
loose hair strands
fly and dance with
the strong warm wind.
I looked up at the sky
and was welcomed by
the most spectacular
view I have seen so far.
Those twinkling stars
were shining like his brown
eyes. The warmth of the
wind reminds me of his hug.
Especially that half crescent
moon that reminds me of his
sweet playful smile. I miss him. I
miss my son.
“Surprise mom!” My son
greeted me, wearing his cheeky
A plot hatched in hell
I
stare at my own reflection,
asking myself an infinite
number of questions. It has
been 26 years, yet I can still feel the
pain of my suffering. The reason why
I am here is still crystal-clear in my
mind, and it haunts me day and night.
As the memories came back flashing
through my mind, I shed a tear.
I am Eileen Sarmenta, and
this is the story how i painfully and
merciless came to my awful end.
It was 1993, I was outside my
school with my companion Allan
Gomez. The sun has almost drowned
to its never-ending line. We were
talking when a white van stopped
right in front. Skeptical, I looked at
Allan then gave him a questioning
look. Biting his lower lip, he shrugged.
The door burst open revealing a
man wearing a whole black outfit. I
opened my mouth but was not given
a chance when another man came
into the view. In a swift motion, they
pulled us in and everything went
black.
I was woken up from my
slumber by Allan’s pleading voice.
Loud I groan in pain as the dim light
met my tired eyes. “Where are we,
What happened?” I asked as fast as
I could when I saw the bruise on his
face. His eyes became misty then he
cried silently in my shoulder. Even
without his answer, I knew what was
NIGHMARISH
Hazing
ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ
grin.
He was holding
a box of cake and red balloon is
floating from his back. Skeptical, I
looked at him weirdly then finally
asked, “What is the occasion?”
His grin disappeared and was
turned into a childish pout. “Today
is your birthday mom,” He said
sardonically then rolled his dark
brown eyes. Then I though, it is
indeed my birthday!
He let me inside and then
excitement filled me. I turned to
him in nebulous eyes. He smiled
sweetly at me and handed me the
cake box. Tears started streaming
down my face in mixed emotions.
Slowly, I pulled the ribbon, opened
the box and saw nothing. I looked
up from the empty cake container
then saw my son laughing. “You
little-!” I was cut off when he
hugged me tightly suffocating me
but i laughed at the same time.
“I was just kidding mom. Dad is
waiting upstairs. All the food is
there.” He explained then let go of
me. He let out a tired sigh. “What is
ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ
happening already. “Allan, Allan! We
have to es-“ I was cut off when the
wooden door beside us bursted open
with a loud ‘thud’ echoing through
the whole empty room. Six unknown
men entered… then our Mayor
entered. Mayor Antonio Sanchez.
I tried to move but I could not. I
was tied. I wiggled and wiggled, but
there was no chance of me freeing
myself. Mayor Sanchez looked at
me in a disgusting way from head
to toe wearing a dark smirk on his
dirty lips. Then he smiled. A smile
that sends shivers down to my spine.
He pointed at me then said, “Bring
the girl to my room. If she resisted,
hurt her.” The before I know it, I was
already being helplessly dragged to
a different room. Then one of the six
men suddenly threw a heavy kick on
Allan’s stomach making him curled
on the dirty floor then let out a silent
scream.
“Oh, and the boy,” He paused
then look at him, tapping his chin
as if he was thinking how he would
dispose him. “You can kill him.”
Then that broke me. My respect and
loyalty for Mayor Antonio Sanchez
vanished in thin air, all of it. I locked
gaze with Allan reassuring him
everything will be fine and someone
will come to help us and save us
from this place. He nodded in
understanding. The door shut close
cutting our eye contact.
“Wear this,” Said
Mayor
©pma,.ph
it
son?” I asked.
door
He looked at me in the eyes then
knob smiling
said out of the blue, “Nothing. I love
genuinely at the police news.
you mom.” That touched my heart.
officer. “Lovely morning Mrs. Your son,
In awe, I hugged him back tightly.
Dormitorio.”He said. “Yes, good Darwin Dormitorio had died
It feels like if I ever let him go, he
morning. How can I help you?” I earlier this morning. Beaten up,
would be gone to me forever.
asked feeling nervous. He looked at some kidney fractures and lastly,
A deafening voice started
me in sympathy then said, “Please electrocuted on his genitals by
calling me out from a distance,
come with us in the police station. a tazer flashlight.” He said while
and it was pulling him away from
That made me lose my breath. shuffling through the file he was
me! I opened my eyes slowly then
“W-what? Why? Did I do something holding. Everything became silent
realized it was just a dream. Yeah
wrong?” I asked in a rushed voice. for a moment. Their voice became
right, my son was out PMA! But my
The police officer shook his head muffled then nothing. Dead. He is
birthday is coming up, he should at
then said in a calm voice, “Silly you. dead. I thought trying to register
least visit us. Or at least call us for
Something just happened, I do not everything. “No!”
updates.
have the any information of what The strong wind faded
I yawned then slowly stood up
had happened.” making my hair rest. Still looking
to get the door. I wonder who it is.
I dressed up then come with at the mesmerizing sky, still feeling
The bell continued to ring and my
him at the station. As we arrived, his warmth, I shed a tear. I miss my
family name was being called out. I
the air thickened and became son so much. I miss his twinkling
stopped in front of the mirror then
heavy. We sat down in front of an eyes and his sweet smile. I miss
snorted. “Ah, I look like a disaster.” I
un-known police. I cracked a smile everything about him. I want to see
told myself as I get to the door and
to at least lessen my nervousness. him again. But he is now gone from
took a peek through the hole. It was
The police said “I am sorry to say me and all I was left was his last
a man. A police man, actually.
this but PMA gave us a terrible smile.
Tired, I slowly twisted the
©onenews.ph
Sanchez as he threw a white baggy bullet.
shirt to me. He made me strip in front As I stare at
of me, I felt like I am losing my own my own reflection,
self, and I knew what will happen still asking myself
next. an infinite
Mayor Sanchez brutally raped number of
me like a useless and worthless questions, I
ragdoll. I screamed in help but no shed a tear. I
one came. Then Allan’s scream was looked up in
heard, followed by the loud ‘bang’ of the azure sky
a gun. I cried and cried for mercy. But then asked,
he did not stop. I want to go home. “Why lord,
My family is surely worried by this why? After
time. I am sorry mom, dad. all of it,
Then he stopped, and I was you are
thankful for it i thought it was the just going
end. But it was not. He passed me to let him
to his man and one by one, they free?” It
made my life a living hell. They took was a plot
my soul, my heart, my right and my hatched
sanity from me. in hell and
As the last man finished raping Antonio
me he let go of my hair then my scalp Sanchez
started to ache in so much pain. I was the
know that I only have been there for mastermind
an hour but it felt like I have been behind it.
there for years. Finally, collecting After all of my
all of my last bravery, I looked up suffering, they
to them then asked in a trembling are just going to
voice, “Why mister? W- what did I do set him free? Why,
wrong?” They all looked at me then why? Please God
laughed finding my situation hilarious hear my voice.
and entertaining. One of them took
their gun out then pointed it directly
into my face. “Just because sweetie.”
He pulled the trigger then my face
caught the small
EDITORIAL
skin-deep. There for Economic Co-operation and or the Philippine Mental Health Law
are certainly some Development (OECD) conducted by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Depression on things deeper than

what was said.
a survey involving 72 countries in
which 356, 400 reported feeling
It is designed to provide mental
health services to the grassroots
Primarily, it stressed of poor grades; 318, level of the community. However,

the rise is evident that our

society disregards
600 worry about high school test
difficulties; 297, 000 always feel
its implementation is evidently not
felt by those who are really in the
mental health anxious of exams; and 199, 800 is grassroots: young victims.
issues. It is mired reported to be feeling tensed while Now is the time to take action.
No matter how searing, I with apathy that studying. If we do not, then 300M [according
pillars of both the junior and senior
always hear the harsh words of the there is no longer a space for voicing Although the grown-ups can to the World Health Organization]
high school halls. Surely enough, her
indifferent few: “’Yang depression na death is brought about by certain out one’s life sentiments. This is use the famed “been there, done people will continue suffer from
‘yan? ‘Di totoo ‘yan!” But however probably the number one reason that” quote to invalidate the plight of depression.
factors the society as a whole fell
way I want to put the now-growing why people tend to suffer alone when the current high school students, we If you do not act now, then you
short of noticing.
social issue aside, I know for one that they are in dire straits, instead of cannot deny that times are changing. just proved that your apathy is the
According to the
it is true – depression is still on the reaching out to people for pieces of Modern-day view of difficulty in root cause of Furigay’s death and
familyassociates, what prompted
rise. advice. academics can differ from that of the those of warriors’ we lost along the
the victim’s unseasonable death are
Recently, the Benigno “Ninoy” Secondly, there is just way olden times. way. If you do not share in this fight,
issues in relation to her family and
S. Aquino High School got startled too heavy academic load for high Above all, the laws that we then surely enough, there will be a
personal relationship. However, I
as the news of the passing of a school students that triggers mental have in relation to mental health thousand more helpless people like
strongly believe that the reasons why
Benignian by suicide strucked the health crisis. Hard to swallow? proved to benefit only the few. Take her.
the victim committed suicide is not
Read to believe: the Organization for instance the Republic Act 11036

L
The meaning
ooking
up from
my cap,
of yellow to me
sleeping comfortably when my father
started calling out my name. Sleepy,
I sat up then my father’s worried
ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ

long yellow paper. “Lets go,” He said

then we left.
The ride was quiet and boring.
My mother was lying in a
hospital bed, covered with her
favorite yellow blanket and yellow
her hair and her skin turned pale
yellow. Everyday my father would
go out and buy her Yellow Roses
I rolled my black face. “Dress up, we are going to the The air was thick and full of worries. pillow. She looked at us then cracked to cheer my mother up. “Why do
eyes at the little boy hospital.” He said then left my room Tears was still streaming down a sad smile. Misty eyes, I ran to her you like yellow so much mom?” I
who is pointing at the as fast as he could. I dressed up then his face but he kept on wiping it but stopped in mid-air when my asked. She smiled at me weakly
balloon the vendor is fixed myself. As I went downstairs, faster and faster every moment. We father pulled me back and put a then brushed the hair in my face.
selling. I felt my stomach do I saw my father shuffling through stopped in front of the hospital then mask on my face. She cupped my checks then said,
backflips. My eyes became my mother’s documents scattered hurried inside. My father was holding She tried to sit up but my “Because yellow means happiness.
misty and it was getting on the table. He pulled his hair my wrist tight. father stopped her then said, “You Simple as that.”
hard to breath. I turned in frustration then tears started “No kids allowed, Sir.” We will hurt yourself, Mi.” Then he kissed Everywhere I go, I see yellow.
my head away then streaming down his face silently. stopped when a lady guard blocked her forehead. I asked, “Da, what’s My eyes became nebulous and
ran as fast as I could. I walked up to him then sat in the entrance. “Where else should wrong with mom?” He looked at me before I knew it, I was crying already.
I could not take the front of him. “What is It dad?” I asked I bring her?” He asked the guard in the eyes then patted my head. I still remember everything, all of her
scenery anymore. then looked at the separated papers.I sardonically then walked past her “I know this is hard, but your mom words and her smile. I want to be
Everything was till heard my father let out a tired sigh without a last glance. We walked, is currently suffering from cancer. happy when I see yellow things, but
crystal-clear to me. then continued looking through the passed a few rooms then stopped But do not worry, she will fight and I cannot. There is always something
It was documents. in front of a colored yellow door. We survive it.” He said then smiled at me about yellow that is beyond
Saturday morning, I watched him wipe his tears went inside and the surprising sight hopefully. explanation. This is a true-to-life
third of April I was then smile as he took out a piece of crushed my heart. I watched as my mother lose story. My own story.

BOOK REVIEW time: “That solar storm hit the Earth with such force, it ionized the sky, creating a vast cloud of
hyperactive electrons that bounced around inside the atmosphere above Italy.” Of course, it gets

The Punch worse, and soon Joel is plunged into a plot that only gets thicker.
‘The Punch Escrow’ is written in an appealing direct address: one-part adventure journal,
one-part letter from the future. It is a clever way to explore this brave new world, and author

Escrow ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ

Tal M. Klein makes the most of it, adding details in Joel’s distinct, likeable voice. He is a salter, a
low-level computer tech: “I imagine in your time, salting will have become as extinct as riverboat
piloting, chauffeuring, or teaching, because apps will have outsmarted and replaced us in every
Out of the many books in any app, this book caught my conceivable way,” Joel says. Whatever he learns in his lowly line of work makes him a threat to
attention so I read it. Because I’m interested in teleporting International Transport (IT), a massive corporation that controls the lines of communication
stuff, ‘The Punch Escrow’ is a must-read book for people in this new world. Darting between The Bourne Identity and Blade Runner, The Punch Escrow
who like the concept of an object traveling from one point to travels through time to unwind the global conspiracy theory. When Joel’s wife, Sylvia, is
another at light-speed. implicated in the company’s grab for power, questions arose. Whom can he trust? And is he the
It is 2109. Teleportation coexists with Rome’s iconic same person he was before he stepped into the teleporter?
Vespa scooters, and the Mona Lisa has just disappeared. Klein makes the most of Joel’s character, and the sections written in his voice are zingy
Following a plasma storm that knocks out the city tech and funny. Footnotes peppered throughout explain changes in corporations, environment,
network, Joel Byram wakes up with a very loose grasp on technology, and other fine points of life in the future. Although the plot of ‘The Punch Escrow’
is a fairly straight thriller action sequences, missing artwork, and all the futuristic setting and
the wonder of discovering an alternate universe is a delight. Without leaning too heavily on long
STORY REVIEW that hone us to become a through many challenges exposition, Klein has written a quick-witted, self-aware thriller that is addictive and fun.

Story
better person. as well and some of us just Neatly combining sci-fi tropes and thriller pacing, ‘The Punch Escrow’ is a terrific new novel
Third, this simply can no longer stomach that explores the terrifying side effects of the tech utopia we have been promised.

Tolkien
implies that in life we academic load. It is no

of the Pencil might commit mistakes

DEXTER DASILIO AGUINALDO
The Story of a Pencil by
Paulo Coelho is a a truth-based
and inspirational short story that
I have read yesterday. Up to now I
cannot forget each word that has
been said in the story. The story is
really relatable.
Just like the story’s message, it characteristics
depends on how you look at simple
things and how you elucidate the
coherent presentation of the story.
After reading this amazing story,
my frame of reference broadened.
As a student, we have five qualities
the pencil has in relation to
Coelho’s story.
First, we need God as our
guide to overcome the challenges of leave a mark. This
life, and to do our capabilities in our
utmost limit.
Second, we also go through
the good and bad times of life’s
tough challenges. Surely you’ll
experience pain and suffering but
after that you’ll receive the reward
but we are not to allow
those to ruin our life’s
journey to success. We
should strive to erase that
error that we have done
and move on.
Fourth, the most
important thing about
us is what is inside of
us. Those are the core
values and
that complete
our personality.
And last,
just like the
pencil, someday
somehow we
might fade away
in this very world
but we will always
is a truth.
All I can say
is that this story
will inspire a lot of
people, especially
students like me.
As a student we go
longer rare to see people
giving up.
But I will not commit
the same mistake that
they have made for I
believe in myself that I will bookworms, it will be none other than John
accomplish my dreams.
My goal may not be an
easy one to achieve but
things that are worth
doing are often not easy.
mOVIE REVIEW
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
of the Rings’ characters can well
be explained through the factual
struggles of Tolkien that surfaced
If there is a in his biopic.
writer whose kind of verbosity attracts many Try catching the film in cinemas or legal
streaming sites now, and surely enough, you
Ronald Reuel Tolkien – the brains behind the will never stop talkin’ about Tolkien!
Lord of the Rings series. So when the biopic
“Tolkien” came out this year, I could not help
myself but just talk about Tolkien all day long.
The film details the formative years of
J.R.R. Tolkien who came from a destitute family
but managed his way to enter the prestigious
King Edward’s School and later, the University
of Oxford where he studied Classics and
English Literature. There, he formed with his
fellows the Tea Club and Barrovian Society
(TCBS), a group of young wordsmiths whose
dreams were to change the world through the
Arts.
The entire movie revolved around the
cinematic styles of reverse chronology and
flashbacks where J.R.R. Tolkien was first seen
in his older years at the World War I. Little by
little, the biopic transitions to his younger
years before coming back to his near-death
experience during the war.
It is suitable for people whose love
for the hobbiton world and appreciation for
J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary genius are beyond
explanation. Certain portions of the movie can
make students reckon about the significance
of studying Literature. Details about the Lord
 In I
was never a person As
retrospect, as who was very vocal about my an EIC,
the first editor-in-chief of the thoughts and feelings but being I became
new school paper staff instated by the EIC of Epistles and The Clarion a detail.
Mrs. Alexandrea Cabaltica, I have back in 2009-2010 helped me oriented
learned how to lead the publishing find and turn the words inside person,
It was because of campus of me I never knew existed into
of the Epistles and and it
journalism that I discovered something tangible, something
the Clarion with sheer grit and became
my passion for writing. It is real. And since then, these words
determination. Beginning from a habit
not only the technicalities, but never left me. These words led me
scratch, I earnestly pushed of mine. I
most importantly the love for to find my purpose and dream in
forward to lay the very foundation It is very useful was
writing it imparted on me, which life which is to become a writer. So
of what TEATC is: a straight-to- since I am an Auditor, neither the smartest
I always bring where I am. Now, I’m very thankful for my experience
the-point yet sincere checking every bit of information nor the most active student in
I am engaged in an institution as an EIC and for our supportive
written instrument that is set for possible errors before finalizing the classroom. In fact, whenever
responsible for its media and adviser for unlocking the gate
to become once of the most my audit work for “publication”. It my name finds itself next to the
press releases, some of which of my imagination - worlds that
esteemed and veritable English also helped me to “professionalize” biggest stars of the campus, I
had been published in Philippine sometimes become my escape from
papers to be ever published in my soft skills such us meeting always feel small, like a tiny spec
broadsheets. reality. They opened it and it never
not just among the high schools conversations, mails and emails, of color lost in a giant canvas of
in Makati, but across the nation closes again. and even mere client updates. endless hues. In spite of all that, my
- Karren Joy Sevilla Fetalvero
as well. time as the EIC of TEATC gave me
And the importance of developing - Martha Eugine Tolosa Sanchez - Irish Paul Agrimano Reyes the value of pride, confidence, and

KEEPING UP
that key identity as a leader is above all, a sense of accountability
what I have learned under the in everything I do.
mentorship of Mrs. Cabaltica in
which I am grateful for and beed - Merrol Kim Caballero
unto up until now

WITH THE EIC’S

- Christofer Famero

Legend of the Pixel King JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES, ADRIAN FREDRICK RAMOS TIGNO

I
t was a brisk day in a certain venue sweating cold as the announcer slowly congratulations, while presenting their smiling society where I belong. I felt that neurons were
of RSSPC. Trainers mentions the 10 campus journalists for each faces and offering their hands. I felt a pat on signaling me to showcase what Independence
and trainees are category who are declared ‘cut above the rest.’ my shoulder, and a friend from our school Day looks like through the thing I am good at:
huddled, I cannot utter a word, and I can feel my heart mumbled, “Ikaw na.” pixel arts.
hugging pounding so hard because after five names, However, my feet felt numb and the One collection of artworks. One click.
each other mine has not been called… yet. center stage felt miles and miles away from And a series of retweets made an ingress in
as tight I closed my eyes and crossed my where I sit. Amidst the praises and warm my notification box. It was the day people
as they fingers while making contract with the Lord, remarks, I was screaming internally about recognized the trend I made. It was the day
possibly “God, please!” The announcer slowly how I failed. It was just a move away from when I caught the attention of media outlets in
continued on speaking names advancing to the national level, and yet, I as much the same way Spongebob does with
after names. Names that I ended up with 4th at my fingertips! free-swimming jellies. It was, no lying, the day I
have not encountered The following days presented a series of felt moved again to excel in my field.
©facebook.com

before. Names so nightmares to live by. The clouds were ashen
foreign to my gray. Occasional rains visited my once-mucky
can, ears. Names, windows, as if to compliment my nighttime
names, names. stream of tears. There is a battlefield I wanted
And after a to dissolve inside my head, but could not. It’s
second, my a kind of war that only stops when I plunge
heart skipped myself into a deep sleep, and will once again
a beat. I was be reborn once I open my eyes.
called. I am well aware that it was not the end
My of the world yet – but I felt like it. Everyday
trainer has become a survival mode, just because
and fellows of one petty thing: I failed to make it into the
engendered a national level. But I decided to pick myself up
cacophony after from the rubbles my own mind has created. It
an ear-shattering was a process of climbing back from the abyss
series of claps of dissatisfaction. I’ve had to take heart, and
and intense learn that my value is not dependent on how I
fare in contests. My value lies in continuing to
do what I have been called to.
The Philippine Independence Day was
slowly coming into the limelight, and I decided
that it’s time. It’s time that I make impact to
the society for the work that I do. It’s time
to not limit myself in a four-cornered room.
It’s time to advance not into a higher level of
contest, but to the kind of Paul Timothy I was
called to be.
Days before July 4, I felt it. I felt a surge
of patriotism creeping in the entirety of my
body. It was the most important thing
Campus Journalism imparted to
me after all -- to be someone
who reeks of vigor for
engendering
change
in the
I never expected I will have a multitude
local and international followers in social
media because of my pixel arts. Heaven
knows, never did I imagine myself being
featured in different newspapers and
magazines as well. God is really great...
Now, looking back to the times I felt
down, my body cannot seem to do anything
but put out a laugh for my own pettiness. I
may not have been qualified to participate in a
national gathering. I may not have been called,
but at least, I am chosen. It’s now time to press
forward, to laugh at the person that I was and
to brace myself for the Timothy that is yet to
come.
Finally, let me just share how my being
artistic was honed back in my younger days in
Comembo Elementary School under Ma’am
Donato and of course in Benigno “Ninoy”
Aquino High School where my being an
editorial cartoonist was really polished by my
school paper adviser, Dr. Alexandrea Agpalo
Cabaltica, whom I fondly call Momshie Alex.
Massive thanks to them for bringing out the
best in me.

Campus
journalism
has helped me appreciate the
importance of accurate and
unbiased reporting of facts. Not
only was I able to use them in my
research works at the university,
but also in making my social media
accounts factual and politically
relevant.
- Sonny Boy Aniceto
©facebook..
I
n an interview with The
Epistles, former editor-in-
chief and Hi-Y Club President
of the Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino
High School (BNAHS) Karren Joy
Fetalvero shared her momentous
experiences from her alma mater and
pieces of advice to those who want to
emulate her.
What are your unforgettable
experiences from the Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino High School?
The experiences that I will not
forget are actually the failures I’ve
had because apparently those were
the ones that led me to where I am
now. When I was in BNAHS, I ran for
Student Council President but I did
not win despite my willingness to do
it; little did I know that it was actually
a redirection to what is better for me.
Of course, I am extremely grateful
to everyone who supported me
and mentored me all those years
until now. I guess, it’s like that pala,
sometimes you just have to do your
best but you do not have to push
things exactly the way you want it,
you need to allow God or whoever
you believe in to work His or its magic
in your life
Way
back
2014, I was
appointed as the
EIC of TEATC unexpectedly.
Without knowing what kind of
situation I’ve gotten myself into, I
accepted it and that changed my
life forever. It brought me out of
my comfort zone and it taught me
how to express myself fearlessly.
I committed myself and gave
my best until the end. If I were
to describe those times I’ve lead
them, I would relate it to what John
Maxwell said, “A great leader’s
courage to fulfill his vision comes
from passion, not position”
-Hershey Mae Ramos
I
did it.” Twirling like a kid
in front of the mirror,
my lovely daughter said
and turned to me to give me
a dashing smile. She scanned
herself, admiring the long black
and white dress and hugging the
squared shape hat. “Marie, let’s
go now or we will be late.” I said,
with excitement tracing through
my voice. “Opps,” She said then
blushed a shade of magenta.
Finally, she stopped in front of
the clear mirror, looking at her
very own reflection one last time
before breathing out a thrilled
sigh then she grabbed her pouch
and ran downstairs and childishly
leaving the door open. I shooked
my head then followed her, not
wanting to miss the fruit of her
struggles which kept on repeating
How did Campus Journalism and
Hi-Y change or affect your life?
How did it change my life?
Journalism gave me the tools of
writing - it was a rediscovery to what I
actually love to do and that is to write.
Hi-Y provided me with a platform that
widens my perspective. They come
in hand in hand, as the learning I got
in Hi-Y in terms of social analysis,
I learned to communicate them
through writing. In fact, even with
my work now, I am able to use what I
learned in Journalism because I write
press releases for the institution I
am part of. I am still exploring how to
widen my audience in terms of my
advocacy works but definitely my
tool will be writing. It was all because
of the training I’ve got back in the
days.
What notable experiences can you
recount after graduating from
BNAHS?
What did I experience when
I left BNAHS? There were many
haha, but one thing I can say is
that the world is big, and you would
come across people with various
perspective and various ideals. You
need to be able to stay grounded
Being
an EIC taught me
responsible leadership. I learned
to take initiative, and to be wise in
handling a whole publication as a
team with their own strengths and
weaknesses. Being EIC taught me
to persevere in all struggles in my
life, especially today as an aspiring
journalist. The experience equipped
me with invaluable life lessons that
transformed me into a better version
of myself, and it prepared me
emotionally and mentally to attain
my goal in becoming a journalist
someday.
- Angelica Hall
ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ
on her swirling little mind.
I was cooking dinner, humming
along with the song the radio is
playing when my phone buzzed
to life. A smile spread across my
lips as I snatch it from my apron
pocket. “Hey sweetie,” I said as
sweet as I could as a greeting to
my daughter. I heard her heaved
out a tired sigh from the other line
before answering me. “Mom, I think
I am already regretting entering this
school. Everything is too much for
me mom, I cannot keep up with my
classmates.” She said then it was
followed by uncontrollable sobs.
“What do you mean sweetie?” I
asked her with the best comforting
voice I could muster. We talked and
talked, “Sweetie, you should not
compete with them. Do what you
usually do because you should not
where your principles are, but at
the same time, I can also say that
the combination of experience
allowed my perspectives to evolve.
I met many cultures, encountered
situation where I was never the best
in anything, got into situation where
I had to prove to myself that I can do
things, madami talaga. But, yes to
sum it up, you just have to be open to
all possibilities, stay grounded with
your non-negotiables, and just enjoy
life. It goes swiftly.
Was it hard being the Editor-in-
Chief and Hi-Y President at the
same time?
I would not say it was hard,
seeing how things can be harder
now hahahha but it teaches you time
management and it teaches you
to prioritize and that is important.
I love what I had to go through kasi
it was fun for me and I like what I
was learning then. What can you say
about students who want to be just
like you in the future?
Just do it. Find what you love
to do and do not be afraid to make
mistakes. Cliche as it may be, but
that is how you will grow. Learn as
much and do not forget to enjoy
As
a former
editor-in-chief for two consecutive
school years, I’ve gained knowledge
on journalism practices which I
now apply as a Communication
Arts student. Aside from that, I
also learned the importance of
time based on Dr. Cabaltica’s
reminders during our presswork
days. Time management made me
accomplished my tasks in advance
and saved me from being stressed
over piles of workloads.
- Jasmine Hall Morimonte
change who you are to fit in. And
you should go to bed now. It’s past
10 already.” I said before cutting off
the line. Her first semester in her
new collage school ended up being
harder than she taught it would be.
Fast forward to her second
semester as third year college
student, she had made up her mind
to run as the SK Chairwoman of our
Barangay. Ever since she laid her
foot on youth organizations, it has
become her dream to help youths
like her. In the end, she was not given
a single chance to serve the youth of
her dear Barangay Comembo. She
was so heart broken, that should
would call me almost every time she
could and ask for comfort. She was
so devastated, kept crying and felt
worthless.
Many more pains came, but
life, and
that is the
best lesson
I have
learned on
my cruise of
life.
A few ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ
years back, Fetalvero
took the post of
Executive Committee Member 2018 True, indeed,
to 2022 which is deemed as among
the upswept posts a Y’er from YMCA harder you
youth trustees can take.
The YMCA is a movement
that helped develop me holistically.
It provided me a space where I
could grow and be empowered, and
now challenges me to also be an
instrument of empowerment to other There really
people. It is where I met likeminded
people who share their passion
for their respective advocacies
motivating me to also work harder
for the advocacies close to my heart. brought
More than anything, the value of
social relevance continue to be the
significant ingredient in the journey, indomitable
recognizing that empowerment
should not end in ourselves but it has
to impact the bigger community we
Campus
Journalism
unleashed the multipotentiality
inside me. Being a chief editor for
two years made me see high and low
the beauty that comes with being
a student journalist. Surpassing
who I was felt like a call of duty not
for myself alone, but for the fellow
Benignians I’ll serve.
- Jim Vincent Abao Oscares
Marie have always brought with her
that belief that God is in complete
control of every situation that she
will face. It was not only her subjects
that she struggled with, she would
even chat me sometimes in the
middle of the night then would
tell me how she is struggling with
everything.
I thought that I failed as a
mother to her because of what had
happened. Just in her luck, there
was a doctor who gave her a first
aid action. She was soon brought
to their office to give her some rest.
After that incident, I would not let
her stay up late so it would not
happen again. Because that incident
tore me apart.
are part of.
that the
work for
something,
the greater
you’ll feel
when you
achieve it.
is nothing
sweeter than
a feeling
of success
about by hard
work and
©facebook..
spirits.
 No Age Limit
©pep.ph

ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ

cannot
provide food if I

I
can feel the cold wind brushing against my continue going to school.
pale-red skin cheeks. I bit my lip as the girl It shattered me into pieces, but then I realized that our family would
in front of me, my classmate, heaved out a not survive if I should continue chasing my foolish dream.
sigh and gave her unique bright smile that can warm up everyone’s heart. She bowed her head as But that did not stop me from chasing it. Time passed by and the feeling of being
she received her diploma and finally her shimmering medal. A nervous but excited sigh escaped incomplete hunted me every day and night. With the help of my grand-daughter Rose, I
my lips as the master of ceremony opened his mouth then said, “Salvacion Nacario, with honors!” managed to face the reality I have chosen. One classic fairytale marked a lesson saying dreams
I am Salvacion Nacario, 82 years-old, yes you’ve read it right. Let me tell you how I succeed are what the heart makes; therefore, there is still a sense of hope and possibility to anything we
and achieved my precious dream of graduating high school. desire as long as we are alive.
“Good morning Lola Sally!” I was walking when a very familiar voice called me out. Smiling, And I am also thankful for my classmates. Because they were there when I needed them.
I turned to see my granddaughter running towards me, clutching her books to her chest. She Even if I am of age, I still want to learn. I am happy when I see my classmates joking around,
smiled at me then offered her hands. I looked at her skeptically. “I will carry your books ‘La.” She but they are really good at studying. And they are very respectful. When I ask them, ‘What’s our
said then gently took the books I was holding. assignment?’ They would reply, ‘Don’t worry, grandma, we will help you.’ My problems vanish
“You do know that you don’t have to do that,” I told her as I rolled my eyes with humor. We when I am at school.
talked until we reached my room. “Bye lola, see you later!” She waved off goodbye to me, not I can still feel the cold air but as soon as I step on the stage, all of it vanished in thin air. I
after a second, she was already gone from my sight. I heaved out a sigh. finally achieved my desire, I am now a graduate of high school! I bowed my head then received
We do not have enough money back then. When I was a kid, I always told my elementary the golden medal, then stared at the beautiful diploma. I am proud that I did not give up my
classmates that I would be famous and be part of well-known people. I wanted to be a military dream. If there is one thing that I learned from all of it, it would be cliche, but it is that age does
nurse when I was younger. It was a career I never had the chance to pursue because of poverty. I not matter.
stopped going to school at the age of eight because my parents do not have enough money and

HOW TO RESPOND TO A

B MB THREAT JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES, ADRIAN FREDRICK RAMOS TIGNO

It wasn’t supposed to be but the
matcha drink presented itself with
a color so dead as a lightless night.
The whipped cream emblazoned on
top tasted too bitter. The appeal was
mouth-deteriorating and no man on
Earth can ever say that it’s worth its
price. In short, it’s a rip-off.
I marched my way out of my local
Starbucks when all of a sudden, a
woman appeared before my eyes.
She looked frail as she paints a
terrified face. Although it was evident
from her arms that she is too thin,
my brain cannot seem to understand
why her chest exhibits colossal fat. It
maybe because she’s suffering from
a condition.
When her eyes met mine, she
quickly handed me a piece of paper
for no reason. Quickly, I humbly
interrogated the woman, but was
cut short when she blurted out
something compelling me
to read what was
written on the
paper.
“In
five-
minute time, the bomb will explode
on this woman’s chest – thereby
affecting the entire floor of the mall.”
My heart skipped a beat and my eyes
widened. A sudden burst of stimuli
forced me to ask if this is some kind
of a prank, but the woman was gone
with the wind.
I am left with two roads: ignore the
threat and save myself some time to
get back to my office, or do my best
within five minutes to save not just
the woman and all the people inside
the mall, but also to spare myself the
conscience I may have after a bomb
explodes.
I wandered my eyes through the mall
and in a panoramic view, a cinematic
scene presents itself before me:
a child asking his mom for an ice
cream, the little joy of a teen who
just got her first iPhone from a pawn
shop, the happy salesladies who
surpassed their daily quotas. These
are all people who have
their own
businesses
and lives to
deal with,
and in split
second,
their time
on Earth may
be taken away
should I remain slack.
I cannot panic. That’s the
number one rule. Don’t panic.
I spent a minute standing,
shackled by the chains of the
current revelation. It’s happening
shorter than a second but I
have to find my composure. I
have to remain professional and
do everything with class. Should
I panic, all my brain cells will be
disrupted and before I know it, the
bomb may explode with the lives of
the people – with my own life.
Quickly, I found my inner peace.
Although thinking was short-lived as
the lives of a day-old chicken usually
sold along the streets of Manila, I
came to my own senses ran as fast
as I could to reach the Risk Response
Center of the mall.
Inside the center, there sit a few
people who branded themselves
“Alertmen.” They are covered with
an all-green attire, and on their tops
brandish a letter ‘A’ in bold letter. My
mind went black as to how the scene
rolled out, but my eyes flashed a
memory of them working as fast as a
cheetah’s run.
That probably be is the second
course of action – inform the relevant
people, the people-in-authority.
A loud voice from the megaphone
attached to the walls of the mall
rapidly introduced itself into the
scene, asking people to leave in quick
time for threats about risk.
The people before me responded in
a professional manner and marched
their way out of the mall that now
feels like it is invaded with an invisible
force of frigid air. Although some
painted on their face the looks of
someone who is a victim of jump
scares in cinemas, others walked
gently – as if not a single information
had been announced about the bomb
threat.
The megaphones repeatedly sent
vibrations inside the mall. “Evacuate
in quick time. Evacuate in quick time.”
For a while, it felt annoying for
the megaphones’ ceaseless
announcements. However, that’s the
third rule. Evacuate in quick time.
Before I can react to the series
of events, I have found my feet
functioning towards the exit door mentioning political terms and the
when all of a sudden, a group of religious conflicts that have probably
thoughts beleaguered my tired mind: affected today’s occurrence.
where is the woman? What if she The scene slowly faded and my
dies? Can I take to move out of this vision became pitch black as I decide
mall without the thin victim? to rest down the shopping mall’s
The scenes happened in rapid time floor, while hearing a correspondent
that I felt like I’m in an action movie. from the local news station DZMM
I could not muster enough strength conclude her Filipino report. “Ligtas
to stop and think where sensible ang may alam!”
men should find the victim in times I closed my eyes with nothing but a
like this when all of a sudden, my good feeling and the new learning
sight laid itself to a creepy thing on that true indeed, safe are those
the shopping mall’s open ground. A who always latch on
ticking time bomb. knowledge.
It looked like those types that came
from the movies and right beside the
ticking time bomb is a strap that was
probably used to tie the bomb on
the victim’s chest. As paradoxical as
it sounds, the ticking time bomb no
longer moves and the timer stopped
at two minutes and 45-second mark.
A few meters away, a woman
clothed in a vibrant green attire
is beleaguered by men who
wore vests with the word
“COP” layered on top. The
woman looked tired
and was drinking
a bottle of water
when both of our
eyes met.
Her finger
quickly pointed
to my direction,
and she let
out her warm
thanks for
reasons I can
no longer seem
to recall.
I knelt both in
sweat and tears
as journalists
arrive in the area,
 en the l ig h t
Wh
F l i c k e r s

©images.google.com
ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ

The ticking sound

of my watch was

I
woke up to a buzzing alarm, and then I
realized it is another Monday morning
again. I squinted my eyes at the clock and
saw that it was already five in the morning. Seven years ago, mornings meant I could press the
snooze button a few times. But it is 2019, and that wakeup call means that the grind has began.
So does the struggle.
I clutched the yellow folder on my chest as I finally spotted a jeep heading to my school. I
waved my hand in the air, signaling the driver to stop and let me ride. Just my luck, he did not
notice me and passed me by like a lost ghost. Cursing under my heavy breath, I marched to
find another jeep instead, thinking that I would be late if I would not adjust. But just as I turn
around, an ear-breaking beep echoed through my ears. Agitated, I turned around, again and
was welcomed by a jeep from heaven.
“Para po.” I heard a lady said then like a hungry hippo, I ran inside the jeep and told the
driver where I am heading to. I cannot afford to miss another jeep.
The seat was comfortable but as I wander my eyes around the jeep, I realized that it was
dusty. Riding comfortably in a jeep is a complete luxury. To be honest, I do not really care much
for how clean jeeps I chance upon are. I assume one is just as dilapidated as the other. So the
only instance I ever really find the jeep ride comfortable is when I am traveling ridiculously
early in the morning or during the wee hours of the night. Both of these basically translate to
less commuters on the road and more space inside the jeep, not to mention faster travel time.
Unfortunately, this would also mean that the ride will be as bumpy as it will get, with the jeep
running at high speed along EDSA while carrying less weight than usual. In any case, it still is a
luxury for anyone like me going to school a regular day shift.
annoying me. Because it is the only thing
I could hear beside the jeep’s beeping and the roar of its engine.
Frustrated, I just closed my eyes and wished for time to fasten up. Then I finally drown myself
into my very own fantasy world.
I was brought by reality when shouting and louder beeping entered my poor ear. I
feel sweaty and, it felt kind of thigh. The jeep was now starting to fill up, I looked back at
my old watch and internally screamed. Only three minutes have passed, and it seemed like
forever to me!
“Move it!” The driver shouted as he smashed his fist in the hunk blasting a very loud sound
that almost killed me. I turned my head at the jaw-dropping scene. Yep, you guessed it right. It is
traffic. Everyone’s living nightmare.
You are always at the mercy of the unpredictable Metro Manila traffic. As bad as Metro
Manila traffic is perceived to be, it still finds a way to exceed your worst expectations. That is
why the safest way to make it to an appointment is to always leave as early as possible, even if it
means arriving an hour or two ahead of schedule. This unpredictability goes both ways, though,
since some days you might find the city traffic surprising you for all the good reasons. And once
you get inside the any vehicle, all you can ever do from there is wait.
I just let out a tired sigh. Its not like I am not used to it.
These struggles are part of the sad reality we commuters are stuck in at the moment, and
it is something we have learned to accept for the meantime. Traffic is like a light. When the light
flickers, it is obvious that you need to change the light before it gets worse. We are still hoping it
gets better before it gets any worse.

I
can hear the voice of my mother, the last row of the class where my teacher said. I clutched my bag to my for today, that was already too wondering if I should
yelling through my wooden seat was located. shoulder. Keeping a low profile, I left much for me. I went straight home, do it or not.
door. I can hear her fist making Everyday this has become my the noisy room, not daring to look watching other students laugh with I am tired of
contact with it, “Open the door, teacher’s habit, scolding me for back. “I wonder why she seemed their friends from afar emptily. I feel everything. Was it
now!” She shouted not doing my homework or for to like being shouted by teacher.” jealous of them, I wanted to be in my fault, or was it
then another bang not respectfully responding to her “Do not mind her, they said she’s an their shoes even if it is just for one theirs? I watched
filled my unstable questions. Every day, my classmates attention seeker and a famewhore.” day. the fresh hot
ear. I wanted to would laugh at me, stick notes on my A voice said, I peeked through my I knocked lightly on our door before blood roll down
open the door and back and talk harsh things behind messy hair to see the voice source. I I twisted the door knob then finally my almost scarlet
ask for help, but I my back. stopped for a while until then realize it broke open. The warmth of the wrist, to the now white
could not. I was too I let out a tired sigh and focused my that I am looking at them. air immediately welcomed my pale blanket. Wiping the
numb and lifeless to attention back to at the spectacular “I am sorry.” I said then gave them skin. “Hi honey, how’s sc-“ Walking sticky dry tears on
move, too immature sunset. the sweetest smile I could master. past my mother, I gave her a tired my cheeks, a frown
to realize what I was
doing. Too selfish to
stop myself. Ah, I
deserve this. Before
my eyelids close,
a blinding light
entered my room
and deafening
screams echoed
Time passed by slower than it should
be, and it is getting on my nerves. I
cannot stand another hour hearing
my schoolmates talk about me
and see them look at me in
the most disgusting way
they can.
“Hey, you okay?”
For the first time, I
ilentThat was

Rose Marie Esposo Sanchez

enough smile then said, “ I will skip dinner.”
I entered my room, locked it then
finally collapsed in front of it.
I bit my lip as hard as I
could, the metallic taste
of blood lingered my
taste buds then the
pain vanished,
escaped my lips. “Not
enough,” I told myself
then grab-a hold,
again, the sharp blade
I bought earlier today
for a new lovely slice
of pain. As the tip of
the blade touches
my aching wrist,
killer

inside my lifeless, looked hopefully I pressed it hard

t s

dark room. at someone. But replaced by then in one swift

“Why can’t you just do I let my hopes only the motion, blood
your homework?” asked too high. The vibration of started to flow
my female teacher in a boy in front my teeth again out of my
high-pitched, rising tone. I of me was against newly cut wrist.
e

kept my eyes on the

not talking my lips. I wanted to end
to me, My my devastated
but to his breath life already.
seatmate. I My eyelids
h

locked gaze became started to feel

with him unsteady heavy. My
floor, and then then eyes became
he gave me before I nebulous,
a weird look knew it, misty then
before looking tears were before I
embarrassed back to his already knew it, I
to face her. The snickering of my seatmate. streaming was already
classmates echoed through my “Okay class, down my laying on my
red ears. The teacher sighed, “Go. dismiss,” face silently. I bed, bloody
Go back to your seat before I say Finally, walked to my bed, and dying
something that both of us will not the crashed on it then slowly.
like.” I turned my back at her and last took the blade
faced my smirking classmates. I kept under my pillow
my head down until I finally reached then stared at it
 TREASURE TROVES OF
Survey among Benignians
Do you believe in Flat Earth Theory?

STEM STUDES JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES

WASTE-BUILT HOLLOW BLOCKS

ARVY ABUJEN
These hollow blocks are PHP3 to PHP5 cheaper but are far more
durable than the commercially-endorsed carpentry materials. They
are made out of recyclable plastic discards such as pet bottles,
straws and cups.

Piezoelectric shoe sole powerbank

EDMAYELLE VILLAVICENCIO ALFORJA

A new fashion of storing milliampere is showcased through the

piezoelectric shoe sole powerbank.This pair of shoes comes hot as
it stores energy during the user’s daily jog, making it a good power-
bank. Its cables located inside the shoe sole can later be used as a
charger for gadgets like phone and iPad. terror
Automated Smart Farming
DENISE GASCON ENTILA

Agroecology can now be done indoors with automated smart farm-

ing which uses blue and red light waves to highball plants’ matura-
tion. Self-regulating agricultural receptacles or lands are achieved
TREMOR MARK RON ALIAM CORPUZ

through its different programming techniques and Arduino cables.

A
Certain farming technologies can cater only to particular crops like t first, you won’t be able
easy-to-grow veggies: lettuce, cabbage and spinach. to trll if you are dizzy,
not until you see your
chandelier dancing, or at least the
Proteins from clam shells water in a container started waving.
You quickly knew that your area is
SEALTHIEL PERLADO AGUSTIN experiencing an earthquake. You
Powdered clam shells can now mark down animal husbandry prices duck and cover, just like what your
by acting as alternative poultry feeds and vitamins. These shells are school taught you. Minutes after
found to have nutrients that can improve the status of an organ- the quake stopped, you make sure
ism’s calcium, thereby fortifying their bones. It can also spur the that it completely stopped; you go
outside your house. Your friends
growth of poultry animals and entice them to breed or to reproduce.
told you that they stayed in open
places and ducked. You don’t get
inside not until an announcement
is heard.
CATAPPA LEAVES AS FISH MEDICINE Those are the correct actions
whenever there is an earthquake,
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
however strong it is, wherever
With the advent catappa leaves, animal enthusiasts can now cul- you are. But since an earthquake
ture Siamese fighting fish without the need to purchase high-end is unpredictable, these actions
freshwater conditioner. Catappa leaves clamp down the swelling of should be done quickly. Why are
lethal tank substances like nitrate, high pH (acidity) levels, ammo- we not able to predict an incoming
earthquake? It is a bit tricky to
nia, algae, chlorine and chloramine. The aquatic plant also acts as a
explain.
fighter of fungal infection and contagious fish ticks. Causes of earthquakes may
include volcanic eruptions. The
MALUNGGAY AND ASHITABA OIL pressure underground rise, pushing
magma and steam onto the Earth’s
GABRIELLE MARY JYREN IMPERIAL surface; this triggers the plates (of
any size) to move.
Apart from the commercially-available cooking oil, malunggay can Another cause is mining. Any
now be used as a potential cooking oil for a more fragrant and liveli- space created underground may
er appearance of refreshments. be suddenly filled with rocks. The
rocks are part of a huge chunk
of rocks, and that chunk gets
deformed generating another
space. This time, that space will
get filled faster and will repeat
Medicinal chico against lung cancer cells the deformation-and-filling cycle
until it reaches the surface. The
RACHELLE ANN JERVOSO phenomenon generates quakes.
The intensity of
Cancer is the secomd leading cause of death around the world.
an earthquake
Proven and tested under the Department of Science and Technolo- depends on the
gy (DOST) under the Industrial Technology Development Institute intensity of
(ITDI), this chico plum has a potential to induce cytotoxicity in the
adenomacarcinoma lung cancer cell lines that inhibit tumor pro-
gression in humans.
cause, as simple as that. After a
light earthquake, the quake may
not destroy anything; it will only
bring minimal damage to strongand
weak buildings alike. A moderate
quake will jump from minimal
to destructive damage to weak
buildings and next-to-destructive
damage on strong buildings. The
strongest category will bring the
most destructive to weak and strong
buildings alike, and skyscrapers can
be seen swaying sidways.
Earthquakes can also generate
tsunamis. Tsunamis are small
waves that turn into giants as they
approach the coast. The highest
tsunami recorded was at Kobe,
Japan and it was taller than an
average office building. Tsunamis
generate when an earthquake hits
seafloor. This triggers the water and
generates waves. These waves turn
into a tsunami when they become
bigger than usual. They become
bigger and stronger because of
more water they carry and debris
they bring. The given example of
Kobe was reported that the tsunami
brought sailboats.
Wherever you are, it is
important to always have your
emergency kit with you, regardless
of what natural disaster you
encounter. Earthquakes, strong or
weak may injure people, not only
earthquakes but also hurricanes,
tsunamis etc.
Earthquakes are one of the
most terrifying and dangerous
disasters out there. With readiness
and preparedness, we could
recover from this kind of disaster
relatively early in spite of knowing
that earthquakes are
unpredictable.

Marang seeds against E. coli

LYNNETH LOVE GUMARU

Escherichia coli are gastrointestinal bacteria that eat other cells

and cause fatal deaths to many people. Through observing the
antimicrobial activity of Marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) seeds
oil extract, the plant was proven to fight off E. coli and can act as an
alternative for hospital-prescribed antibiotics like Erythromycin.

©earthquakepredict.com
 EDITORIAL
R
ecently, the World Health
Organization (WHO)
declared dengue a
‘national epidemic’ in the Philippines
as dengue cases rose to 271, 380
reported from January to August 31
this year. We strongly buy the idea
that the government should press
itself and exert more effort to cut the
problem down.
According to the findings of
WHO, there are 390M cases of
dengue that rose between June and
February, while a different study says
that there are 3.9B cases across
128 countries each year. In South
East Asia (SEA) alone, Vietnam falls
second to the Philippines with 124,
751; while Malaysia and Singapore
G PERKS OF
uess what. Eating high-
fat food can help you lose
weight.
Wait, what? Yes, you’ve read
that right! It may be one of the
paradoxes that you’ll encounter
in this amazingly unpredictable
cosmos. But try to make sense of it: it
does not only aid in the shrinkage
of your excess fat, it
also helps treating
refractory
epilepsy [through its decanoic acid] and improve brain
©facebook.com
Secondly, the government
On dengue should not cut down the budget for
the Department of Health (DOH).
Should the agency’s budget decline,
outbreak services will likewise taper off.
Take for instance the small
budget allocated for public hospitals
like the Tondo Medical Center where
falls third and fourth with 86, 270
about two or three patients have to
and 10, 206 respectively. With this,
share for a bunk bed. vaccine may ill-affect people who
the government should employ more
Due to lack of supplies,
efforts through different ways to
the health of an economically-
lay off, if not entirely eradicate, the disadvantaged Filipino is
dengue crises. compromised.
Firstly, the government should Now, how can the government
continue on propping up its anti- aid in the cutting down of the
dengue blueprint by taking policies swelling dengue crisis if it cannot
more strictly into the grassroots accommodate the 270, 000 people
level. For instance, local government suffering from it? Reportedly, the
units should be pressed to do usual Philippine General Hospital (PGH)
checkups on particular dengue- will also share the same plight with
positive areas inside the school the Tondo Medical Center as the
premises [and even in depressed government decided to make a
locales]. It should also be more budget cutdown from the medical
meticulous on inspecting if school center this year.
wardens still continue on supplying Lastly, the government
classrooms with ol-traps. should stop politicizing vaccines.
Keto dieT
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
needed for energy build-up.
function. So if you are already The body responds by making
comfortable with your body – organic compounds [like ketones]
whether you are plus size or not which results to burning more fat for
-- worry not because it props up your more energy and a loss of water-
overall health. weight. Amazing, right? It’s a process
The ketogenic diet, or more of using your fat as an energy!
known as “keto diet”, aims to reduce What’s more amazing from
carbohydrate intake and replace it this form of diet is that its effects will
with fat. When you finally decided persist even if you discontinue the
that you want tuna and chicken diet – unlike like your subscription to
instead of high-carb food like bread, that local Boyet’s Gym and Workout
fries, corn, and green apple, that’s Venue standing at the end of the
when you officially start your carb street, asking you to pay millions
reduction. where your body weight will surely
Probably after two to seven come back after its long journey
days of delighting yourself with abroad.
butter shrimp, salad, and Portobello Tracing back from the history,
mushrooms, your body is put under it was initially used for pediatric
ketosis – which refers to an abnormal epilepsy in the 1920s and stimulating
increase of ketone. Ketosis begins brain power. Yes. It’s decades old
when human bodies have small already, and obviously, it’s older than
amount [20-50 grams daily] of carbs you are!
from their inventories which are So what are you waiting for?
S
ome people have Department of Agriculture is
enough on their compelled to hold the National Rice
daily silver platter Awareness Month (NRAM)
to satisfy their cravings, this November, 2019 with the theme,
while some “Buy Local. Eat Local. Support our
do not even Rice Farmers.”
have the means According to the memo, the
to dull the celebration targets to “impact the
creeping importance and advantage of eating
hunger inside safe and nutritious rice to consumers,
their chests. instilling the value of patriotism in
It is true supporting the local rice farmers, and
that the amount keeping the Philippine rice industry as
of food we have a whole.
is not enough for the This motivated Mr. Michael V.
ever-growing world Espeno and Dr. Randy O. Salentes,
population. This research educators of the Benigno
is why research “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School, to
studies about introduce to their students the new
farming and improved agricultural techniques
continue to applicable to the Philippine agrarian
rise. landscape.
In Indeed, we no longer live in a
pursuance to generation where we can emulate the
Presidential creative food storage technique of Wu
Proclamation Zetian (or more popularly known as
No. 524, Empress Wu) that needs wide acres of
series of land just to save grains and supply the
2004 overpopulated China. This is chiefly
from the reason why scientists continue on
which pressing the once-imagined idea of
the automated smart farming to cut short
the food crises around the world.
Name it, smart
©images.google.com
When politicians use vaccines as
a tool against their opponents, it is
important to note that they are also
mongering fear which often leads to
common people avoiding vaccines.
In 2015, the manufacturer Sanofi
Pasteur began its operations on
Dengvaxia but was halted in 2017
when recent findings stated that the
have suffered from dengue before.
Politicians quickly responded to
the issue. Some lawyers even spoke
hard against it not for the benefit
of the Philippine health but for
their own political bias. The result?
Dengue cases continued to soar, with
DEN-3 type of dengue rising to 64
percent in the Philippines alone. This
type of dengue even got associated
with certain diseases like pneumonia
and secondary dengue infections.
Dengue will still be on the
rise. There will be more than 270
thousand who will suffer from it –
unless of course, we give remedy to
this national epidemic.
Load up on healthy fats like olive oil
and avocado with grass-fed beef and
leafy greens! Do not deprive yourself
of those tasty taco cups, broiled
salmon, and Philly Cheesesteak-
stuffed Portobello mushrooms!
Keto, indeed, is a key to a
healthier [and happier] lifestyle! Just
like the model below, is still better to seek immediate care to
BNAHS English teacher
Ms. Eunice Rivera
who lost 15 kilograms
because of keto diet.
©facebook..com
farming has it: vertical farming,
livestock activity monitors, precision
agriculture, aquaculture, alternative
protein, and genetic modification.
Take for instance the benefit
everyone will have from precision
agriculture, a smart farming technique
that makes use of technologies to
measure the precise amount of water,
pesticide and fertilizers a particular
crop needs in a given soil condition.
Farming cameras are also installed in
certain portions of the farmstead that
monitor the existence of pests and
other bad bacteria to cull down their
booming population.
Vertical farming, on the other
hand, is a technique that uses the
most efficient artificial blue and red
light. It is designed for farmers to
use less space for growing crops like
lettuce and basil.
Another in the list is livestock
activity monitor that measures
cows’ breath and provides three-
dimensional camera measuring and
audio health monitoring necessary
for checkup of livestock muscles
and detection of diseases. Thermal
imaging is also incorporated to make
a detailed picture of bacterias inside
cow’s bodies.
Today’s fish farming is not
Banana stalk
as the next
alternative herbal
remedy - study
KATRINA JILLIAN MAGISTRADO PADILLA
W
ith a lot of people
nowadays using herbal
medicine as an alternative
remedy, Pharmacy students at San
Pedro College in Davao City found that
banana stalk may be the next alternative
herbal remedy against kidney stones.
Researchers conducted a study
in connection with the title, “The Anti-
Urolithiatic Activity of the Tundan Saging
(Musa paradisiaca Linn.) Pseudo-Stem
Capsule in Ethylene Glycol-Induced
Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus): A
Potential Preventing Agent for Kidney
Stone Formation”.
According to the researchers,
bananas have a high magnesium and
potassium content that explains its
ability to prevent developing kidney
stones.
The researchers induced
laboratory mice with drugs to develop
kidney stones and were given banana
stalks that were processed into capsules
for 10 days.
Laboratory examinations showed
that the mice fed with banana capsules
showed signs of curing kidney stones.
Blood and urine examination conducted
revealed a healthy functioning kidneys.
“I personally don’t use herbal
medicine. It’s like just a supplement. It
professionals,” said Steven Barrozo, a
student who experienced having kidney
stones.
Magnesium combines with the
oxalates in the food we eat, inhibiting
the growth of a type of kidney stone
known as calcium oxalate crystals while
potassium balances the acidity of the
urine preventing increase in urine acidity
and development of calcium oxalate
crystals.
Kidney stones or renal calculi are
hard, pebble-like pieces material that
form in one or both of your kidneys
when high levels certain materials are in
your urine.
However, although alternative
treatment for kidney stones are
still available, researchers said that
prevention is still better.
“The cost of treatment for removal
of kidney stones can be exorbitant and
may be beyond the reach of the poor.
The study will help the development
of affordable remedy against kidney
stones,” said researchers.
limited to tilapias and other small
fried because even tunas can now
be cultured using inland saltwater
farms. The new aquaculture technique
mimics saltwater conditions that
can produce domesticated fresh fish
which are notch better than those in
the wilderness. Indoor aquaculture
is an artificial ocean ecosystem that
functions as a zero-waste ecosystem
given that fish food are guaranteed
to be system-produced. In simpler
words, bacteria from the artificial
ecosystem are converted to fish
feeds by combining it with methane,
nitrogen, and oxygen.
The last but probably the
most groundbreaking on the list is
the CRISPR, a gene-editing system
for bacteria that can help in the
proliferation of drought-tolerant
strains of corn. To improve crop
products particularly in Africa, the
Cornell University introduced its
program entitled, “Next Generation
Cassanova Project” using CRISPR.
With those new smart farming
techniques that can aid in the
supplication of food for the upcoming
millennia, is there a reason to say no?
 5 firms to cater BNAHS
STEM interns McDo offers part-time
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES jobs for Makati studes
T
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
here is a vast world out of the school recommended by the school, Paminiano said that

premises.”
Thus said Mr. Val Espedilla Paminiano, one of the
senior high school work immersion advisers, during
the Career Orientation held at the BNAHS Audio Visual
Room (AVR) on October 15.
The providers who will cater to the STEM students
are the Department of Energy (DOE), The Mind
Museum, Magallanes Autocad Corp., Makati City Hall,
and Ospital ng Makati.
“You are lucky because these companies or
agencies are easy to tap. After all, the government asked
public agencies to comply with the law mandating
them to accept SHS students to work for them,” says
Paminiano.
Asked when students can still participate in the
work immersion should they opt for a company not
W
students only have to secure contact information of
ith the goal to expand
their preferred companies and turn it over to their work
the Golden Arches
immersion advisers. company and to help
About 200 grade 12 students and four work provide employment for students,
immersion. the McDonald’s – Philippines
To graduate on time, all grade 12 students opened its doors for the seniors
are required to attend the 10-day work immersion. during the 2019 Makati Career
Otherwise, they will have to work at the school canteen Talk and Signing of Contract at the
in summer. University Makati on October 18,
“If you want to graduate, I suggest that you Friday.
comply with what we are asking you. Start it first with McDonald’s Philippines
the requirements,” Paminiano said. Senior Vice President Margot
The deadline of submission of requirements like Torres attended the career talk and
application letter, resume,parents consent, medical shared the visions of the company.
certificates with laboratory results, and NBI clearance Apart from sharing leadership
was set on November 8. skills, Torres also mentioned how
she started being a McDonald’s
crew before making her way up
the ladder to become the vice
president.
sign for a contractual employment.
Asked why she signed a
contract with the company, Shela
Mae C. Baldado from the Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino High School
(BNAHS) said that it will help her
provide for her own needs.
“Para kapag may oras pa, may
magagawa akong makabuluhan.
Tsaka, para wala nang dahilan para
humingi pa ng pera para sa mga
kailangan ko sa school.”
[So if I have free time, I can do
something valuable. And so there
will not be any reason for me to ask
money for what I need in school.]
High school students will
work for P64–P80 an hour with
a minimum of four hours of labor
totaling to P240–P320 daily or

Health centers to hold “I still remember when I

was still a service crew. I did my
more should students opt to
provide service for longer time.

anti-polio programs
best with love until I became a
manager, and now I made it up here.
McDonald’s will truly teach you
lifelong skills.”
ADRIAN FREDRICK RAMOS TIGNO Makati public high school
students attended the career talk
Staying true to its promise to
provide everyone with flexible labor
hours, McDonald’s Philippines gave
part-time employees the freedom
to work at any hour of the day, and
any day of the week.

T
he Makati City and were given the opportunity to
health centers
are set to
conduct the “Sabayang
Comembo faces whiff
Patak Kontra Polio”, a
program that will give oral
polio vaccines (OPV) to
of clearing operations
children under five years of JOHN ERBY PASTOLERO UMOSO
age this October 14.

A
The Makati Health
bout 300 Metropolitan Manila Development
Department (MHD) will
encroachments were Authority (MMDA).
supervise the distribution
found in the city’s These mass clearing
of vaccines until October
sidewalks after the Comembo operations include illegal parking,
27 for the first batch. The
Bantay Bayan conducted a clearing clearing of streets and sidewalks.
succeeding batch will
operation at Jose P. Rizal Extension Apart from Comembo, anti-
start from Noember 25 to
corner, Macopa St. in Barangay illegal parking operations were also
December 7.
Comembo on Tuesday. conducted in the barangays of West
Each kid will be given
This is after the Makati City Rembo, East Rembo, Guadalupe
three doses: the first is for
government conducted clearing Viejo, South Cembo, Pitogo, Sta.
infants as early as six week
operations particularly on illegal Cruz, San Antonio and Barangay
of age; the second dose is
parking on streets and sidewalks Pillar.
given one month after the
together with Public Safety Furthermore, the city also
first dose and the third dose
Authority (PSA), Department of aassociated with MARA, a well-
will be given four weeks
Environmental Services (DES), known company for clamping and
after the second dose.
Makati Action Center (MAC) and towing.
Kids that already have
been vaccinated will still
be given with OPV through Mayor Binay provides
house-to-house operations
of health centers which
are open from Monday to SAY "NO" TO POLIO. Makati Mayor Abigail Binay implements an
teaching kits for school
©rappler.com

Sunday weekly. anti-polio vaccination project for all kids under five years of age in Makati, as the ROSE MARIE ESPOSO SANCHEZ

disease suddenly rises again in the country.
FROM PAGE 1
BNAHS DRRMC...
According to Michael Santos
Cruz, former BNAHS - Red Cross
Youth (RCY) adviser, first aid
treatment can save lives.
“Basic knowledge about
first aid is complicated. You need
to know about the skills and to
also have the character. It does
not mean that you know the skills,
you’re already a good first aider. In
terms of your character, you need
to be gentle, observant, emphatic,
and a lot more,” Cruz stated.
Cruz also said that in order
to apply a proper treatment, one
needs to have knowledge about the
human anatomy; on how it works
and how it looks like.
One also needs to know the
signs and symptoms of a problem
and on how to treat an injury.a
“My piece of advice to
everyone is, the basic knowledge
is very important especially in
conducting a cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). Because you
can never tell what will happen
to your family members and
friends, They might need your
help. And most of the time, people
die because people around them
do not know first aid treatment,”
he added.
M
akati Mayor Mar-Len
Abby Binay provided
teaching kits to all
Makati teachers on October 4,
Friday at the Benigno “Ninoy” S.
Aquino High School (BNAHS)
According to the BNAHS
teachers, the supplies were helpful
for the teaching profession.
“Take for instance the black
and blue marker, first aid kit,
customized original voice amplifier.
Socks added in gov’t
subsidized school gears
JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
These will surely help us,” said
Olive Hall Morimonte, a grade 11
Philosophy teacher.
Morimonte also said that many
teachers were thankful because
it shows that Mayora really cares
for teachers.
“It is visible that Mayora
wanted the public teachers to
experience an easier and hassle-free
teaching,”

T
here is little to no
reason for not studying
FROM PAGE 4 in Makati. Everything is
provided here,” said Jennie De Asis,
a mother of a senior high school
from head to toe, without added
cost to their parents,” Mayor Abby
Binay said.
Mayor Binay also said that
if students feel good in what they

English dept... student, in an interview with The

The Senior High School
(SHS) Core Subject Head, Mrs. D’
Jhoanna M. Almodiente said that
the club has prepared activities like
Speech Ignite, Photo Essay, Book
Ambassador, English Daily Trivia,
Creative Story Telling, and Jazz
Chants for this year’s book week.
Meanwhile, EPC President Jim
Vincent Abao Oscares said that
the organization revamped the
SHS activities to add spice to the
annual celebration.
“We wanted to revise the
mechanics and present something
new for the seniors. That will be
more engaging specially to Grade
12 students because they have
experienced the book week before”.
Moreover, Eunice Rivera, former
adviser of the ELC, said that the
English Department will conduct the
Junior High School (JHS) Book Week
on December 3 while stressing the
importance of reading for everyone.
“Reading is an important skill.
We use it everyday. We read when
we buy stuff. We read when we cook
our meals. We read when we want
to know what’s happening to the
rest of the world. We read when
we go to school or when we work.
Thus, everybody should try their
best to be better at reading. I’m glad
that in the Philippines, we have a
month dedicated to promoting love
for reading and lifelong learning.
Through the celebration of the
National Reading Month, I hope that
more students will be encouraged
to take on the habit of reading,”
said Rivera.
Epistles.
The Binay administration
recently added three pairs of socks
for every Makati student into the
government-subsidized school
gears of Makati.
The free school supplies
include two sets of white school
uniforms, a set of P.E. uniform, a
pair of sneakers, a student diary,
and a handbook, a pair of black
shoes and three pairs of white
socks.
“New socks go perfectly well
with new school shoes. We want
our students to be dressed smartly
wear to school, they will also feel
confident and motivated to be
active learners in class.
Reportedly, 75, 206 students
have already received their
government-allocated supplies
from the projected 80, 000
beneficiaries during its initial
distribution.
Particularly in the Benigno
Ninoy S. Aquino High School
(BNAHS), property custodians
Mrs. Olive Morimonte and Mrs.
Maira Bautista have rationed about
5, 000 pairs of socks to junior high
school students and 186 pairs to
senior high school students.
 EDITORIAL
Many Filipinos raised their
praises and screamed “Filipino
pride!” after the ‘successful’
opening of the Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games held in
the Philippines, November 30.
However, amidst all the support
the government acquired
from the people, it is marred
with shortcomings.
In a statement by House
Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano
[who also happens to be the
FROM PAGE 16
Smashing...
super drop shot it won't make it
over the net.That's the reality of a
bad day, right?
Instead of dreaming how nice
it would be to have the feel back
again and be really feeling good this
day, you need to fight with what you
HAVE. You need to accept the reality
as it is and do your best to deal with
situation in a different way.
That means that you can't win
the match with winners, surprise
drop shots, super short cross court
shots, and second serve aces. You
need to accept the challenge that
on this day it will be harder for you
to play than on your good day.
Stop looking for shortcuts
and easy ways to win the match.
There aren't any, especially on a day
like that.
You need to play solid,
percentage tennis. You need to play
further from the lines and have high
percentage of first serves.
Maybe change your approach.
If your aggressive attacking style of
play is not working today, then you
must find your consistency despite
your bad day.
Ask your opponent with
your play and attitude: «All right.
It looks that I can't beat
you today with winners
and smart play. But
can you beat me? I
will play intelligent,
fighting tennis with
a positive attitude.
Can you beat me?«
And then
take a quick look
at your problems
and start looking
for solutions.
If you
©Katielyn Ann Santillan Alingod
Guide to a better
SEA Games
Chairman of the Philippine
Sea Games Organizational
Committee], he said that he is
ready to face probe come December
12 if there are issues in relation to
the SEA Games. In spite of this,
there were still hosting weaknesses
that the public eye cannot unsee.
For instance, there had been
problems with accommodation.
Such are the reports stating that
athletes from Cambodia had to
wait tedious hours in the airport.
What adds insult to the injury is the
seemingly unprepared SEA Games
have no feel, start looking for it. Stay
in the point; focus on how you feel
the ball. Become aware of your feel
and when it feels a little better.
If you have problems with your
serve, CHANGE IT! Stop hitting 150
mph serves if only 4 percent go in.
Stop going for the corners on the
second serve if you keep missing
for a couple of inches. Serve a
slower, more consistent first serve
and serve a second serve more to
the middle.
Will your opponent punish
that? If so, then you would have
lost anyway since you were already
beating yourself without his actual
play. You assumed that he will finish
the point and so you missed. So this
100% leads to defeat.
Why don't you test your ideas
in reality? Make him play those
shots and see what happens. This
way you don't kill yourself and you
put up a courageous fight.
Another good tip when you
have a bad day is to focus only on
tennis and not on your opponent.
It's very hard to play against your
opponent AND tennis difficulties
that you may have on that day.
You first need to solve your
tennis problems and then focus
on your opponent's play.
How can you outsmart
and outplay him if
Grade 9, 11 crowned
Mr. and Ms. Intrams
JANA QUISHA GONZALES SALAMATIN, JIM VINCENT ABAO OSCARES
W
ith their
jaw-
dropping charisma
in the Intramurals
runway, two
nfographics that flooded the venues
of the sporting event. The poor hotel
room conditions athletes had to put
up with also caught the limelight.
The budget is another issue
that comes into play. When a list
of budget surfaced the web, lots
of people lambasted the apparent
“overbudgeting” like the famed
P55M cauldron. What’s more irking
is that the allocated budget does
not go hand in hand with what the
people expected it to be.
Another reason is that, almost
all SEA Games events have been
your tennis is not working 100%?
See the problem, start looking
for solutions. Focus on improving
your tennis first and then start
playing against your opponent.
This is of course a very long
explanation of how to deal with a
situation like that. It is very useful
for understanding the principles
and the approach to this type of
situation, but it's not useful as a
quick practical tip in the heat of
the match.
So do not feel any of those
feelings anymore. Because life is a
game, it does not matter if it’s going
to be a long way up to the victory or
a short way, because whether which
of it, because what matters is how
and when will you start.
FROM PAGE 16
Junior
tappers...
Physical Education
teacher Romeo Culaban
coordinated with the people-in-
authority in conducting the first
BNAHS esports.
delegates drew the
wildest of cheers
at the Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino
High School
(BNAHS)
grounds,
September 4.
The
candidates
showed their
determination
and
vastly politicized. When an issue
in relation to the event arises, the
media will only highlight the petty
sides — thereby creating fuss that
most times has nothing to do with
the welfare of the athletes.
One of the petty things is
probably the singing of “Manila”
by the band, Hotdog during the
opening of the event. Davao City
Mayor Sara Zimmerman Duterte
slammed its use and claimed that
the Philippines should be inclusive
if it wants to encourage Filipinos to
cheer. Through her own words, she
said “Didn’t they carry the Philippine
flag? Why would you play the song
‘Manila?’” She may be on point, but
is it important to be talked about?
We don’t think so!
The mistakes from the 2019 SEA
BNAHS paddlers ace
with powerful smash
ZEITEL GIFT BOHOLST ARCILLA
I
’m not going to lie. The
student athletes are really
skilled in the first place.
They were responsible enough to
train despite the busy schedules in
their academics.”
This is according to table tennis
facilitator Eric Coloso who handled
table tennis players during the Table
Tennis Challenge held at the Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino High School’s
(BNAHS) open space, September 4.
The students who won the
crowd cheers through their killing
spins and rackets’ smashes were
Sofia May Castro, Mary Odette
Anecito, Sandy Biador, Julius Andog
and Josiah Arcilla from different
grade levels.
In the doubles segment
of the game, Biador and Anecito
exhibited a powerful duo strategy
which led them to great success.
In single-game table tennis,
senior High school delegate Christina
Esquejo gave a defensive return of a
top spin stroke against her opponent,
Seniors bag
badminton championship
YUI KASHIHEI SALDE FUERTE
C
atching up their
firing hits and tricky
smashes, Grade 12
student Mark Mendoza and Leocris
Alcazar secured the no. 1 spot in the
Badminton Championship 2019 held
at Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High
School (BNAHS) grounds.
fighting spirit as the screams and
cheers of Benignians covered the
whole campus.
Abigail Patanao won thetitle for
Miss Intramurals 2019, representing
the senior high school (SHS).
She was crowned byMs. Intrams
2018 Eulanth Corporal, thus
succeeding her.
Patanao’s sports attire featured
a black rider-inspired coat with a
giant lantern strapped on her back.
This was coupled with her slow-
motion signature walk.
Patanao received three trophies
from her victory in Sportswear and
Photo competition.
On the other hand, grade 9
representative John Gabriel Parane
was named Mr. Intramurals 2019
after overwhelming the audience
with pitch-black aura.
Parane won in Sportswear Mr.
Physique competition apart from the
Mr. Intramurals title, thus granting
him three trophies.
“Perhaps the judges saw
my confidence in delivering my
signature walk and how I fashioned
my costume,” said Parane when
asked what he thinks made
him win.
Games are just an addition to the
towering errors that critics have
seen in the event.If the Southeast
Asia wants an error-free event
to the point that the critics will
sound unreasonable for making
complaints, then it should open its
door for a finer management and
consider the flaws as guidelines for
the next games.
Next time that the Philippines
[or other countries] hosts the SEA
Games, it should press itself in
avoiding the flaws the event saw
for this year: accommodation,
budget and the irrelevant politics.
Otherwise, the coming SEA Games
will just repeat the country’s
mistakes for this year — and we
don’t want that.
resulting to a score of 4-3.
As the event went on, athletes
continued to show off their secret
approaches which set the table
on fire.
Castro won the divine victory
in the Single B round with her simple
tactic and blast movement.
Julius Andog used the drop
shot strategy when his opponent
was noticeably positioned away from
the table.
The player judged as
‘consistent lad’ was Josiah Arcilla
who knocked out of the park when
he executed an aggressive shot as a
response to a high-bouncing return
from a junior opponent, scoring 4-2
in the final set.
“I was really just chilling and
trying to humble myself. I told myself
that I’ll participate just to enjoy the
game,” stated singles champion
Arcilla regarding his momentous feat.
Arcilla added that it was not
through his capacities that he won,
but because of God’s grace.
Grade 7 Amapola students
and Grade 12 Oracle students
gathered at the annual Doubles
Boy Badminton Final in Intramurals
Battle, September 6.
Battle between the groups
went semi chaos as the Grade 12
students fiercely defended their
score and aggressively fought
their opponent that caused
their championship.
Alden Maranan and Jairus
Vibal of Grade 7 strenuously
struck the racket with a great
force making the first score in
their hands.
Unfortunately, the Grade 12
students leapt and enormously
fought with their heart after
pinning their first loss which made
their way to won the first set with a
score of 21-18 .
Mendoza showed incredible
performance together with his
partner Alcazar as they showed
their prosperous teamwor with
each other to deliver a score for the
2nd set of 21-16.
After the battle of the
two groups they engaged and
professionally hand-shake which
made the boundary between
them congruously.
“Siguro kaya po kami nanalo
ay dahil sa teamwork namin at ang
alas ko po talaga ay mahilig ako
manuod ng laro nila which make
my advantage para malaman
yung mga strengths nila.” Said our
winner Mark Mendoza.
 *Cignal TV acquired on all Filipino roster in their
DOTA 2 team last October 2.
*Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines
held its second iteration with a prize pool of
$100,000 (5 million PHP) in Ayala Malls Circuit,
Makati last Jannuary 12.

*This year’s Southeast Asian Games will be the

first multi-regional sporting event to include
esports as a medal event.

©Adrian Fredrick Ramos Tigno , Katielyn Ann Santillan Alingod

BENIGNIAN LEGENDS BANG! BANG! The champions in the Mobile Legends competition jump in victory for winning the first ever esports during the Intrams where they received certificates,
medals and a hundred pesos of load.

FIRST EVER ML LEAGUE

Junior tappers bag gold in BNAHS esports

JANA QUISHA GONZALES SALAMATIN

T
he pressure is Witnessed by a throng of ML tournament, thereby getting their defense during the Mobile in second and final rounds.
absolutely high. Every enthusiasts, the Benigno “Ninoy” awarded with medals, certificates, Legends (ML) tournament against Grade 12 Bigtas Warriors
second is extremely S. Aquino High School (BNAHS) and t-shirts. Outranged of Grade 10 who ended up bagging the silver prize,
intense. One lose and we will declared a triumvirate players from The team consisted of Justin proved to be the team’s toughest while Grade 10 Outranged for the
be out of the competition so Grade 9 Chlorine triumphant at the Ryu Alintana, Clarck Galbraith opponent. and G10 Vare won third and fourth
we must constantly win,” said Audio Visual Room (AVR), August 3. Roque and Christian Garcia. Outranged won in the first place respectively.
Radiance Philippines’ (RPH) The RPH team was The Grade 9 RPH team shook round, while the RPH made an epic
playerJustin Ryu Alcantara. declared triumphant in the first the cobwebs and strengthened comeback after snitching the spot
PAGE 15

Smashing your way out of a bad day
JANA QUISHA GONZALES SALAMATIN
Have you ever been annoyed, irritated, angry or even
frustrated because it was just not your day? You did not feel the
racquet, the ball, your movement was not really fluid, you kept
missing sitters and even your normal shots were short? Not to
mention the serve…
Not very good. Bad decisions, rushing things, taking the mind (and
eye) off the ball and choking in the crucial moments of the match.
Why does this happen? There are a couple of limiting beliefs that we
hold on to:
If I have a bad day, I cannot win against a good player. So what's the
point of trying?
The second one is: this is too difficult. If I had my normal feel, I would

I
am Ray Joshua Lawrence Manlapaz, a
Tennis Ball National player, and let me
tell you how I overcome and accepted
my very first defeat.
We've all been there, right? Well, if that is true, then it is
inevitable to have a bad day. Just like in life you can have a bad day
in tennis. But it doesn't have to stay like that. I personally have had
some of my greatest satisfactions when my tennis started bad.
But what usually happens when you have a bad day? You are
©Adrian Fredrick Ramos Tigno
have hit these shots in.
They both make the player focus on the problems. And when a player
starts thinking about these problems, his emotional state becomes even
more negative. His level of play consequently drops and so he gets his proof
- he was right. He makes self-fulfilling prophecies. He gets to be right, but
loses the match.
But no one cares whether you're right or not. The only thing that
counts are the results. So how can we get them?
It takes a different – winning – attitude. Yes, you need to realize and
see the reality as it is. In reality – you are having a bad day. So what will

very disappointed, you keep blaming the bad day for your mistakes happen? When you aim for the lines, your shots will probably go out. When
(which is partly true), you become very emotional and we all know you attack with your risky slice approach it will sail long. When you try your
how we play in emotional states.
PAGE 15

WORLDCLASS PLAYER. Joshua

Lawrence Manlapaz doing his Blue knights dethrones Red Dragons in hiphop
signature serve, famous for JANA QUISHA GONZALES SALAMATIN
reaching almost 150 mph.

W
ith talented people
competing together, the
grade 9 blue knights proved
that they are an unstoppable force on
the dance floor as they
made their way again
into the spotlight
during the Hiphop Competition at the
Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High
School Ground, last September
24.
“Proud na proud
talaga kami sa naging
resulta kasi pinaghirapan magpasalamat sa failed to defend their title last year
namin yon, sobrang lahat ng sumuporta. Congrats rin po after ending up behind the Dragons.
sayang experience sa ibang sumali sa laban na ito,” said Grade 12 Furious Phoenix clinched
talaga nito Knights Dylan Pascual. at second runner up next to grade
para sa amin, The Grade 9 dancers did not let the 10 after presenting a Jungle-themed
gusto ko Grade 10 Red Dragons shove their dance production uniqueness.
way as the Knights

BLUE KNIGHTS SHINES IN HIPHOP. Blue Knights sets fire on the BNAHS quadrangle
while the crowd gets louder and louder on their astounding dance moves.
©Katielyn Ann Santillan Alingod