Buglas 3
Speak the truth, inspire the youth
RUBY ANDRADA SPEAKS ON MENTAL HEALTH
by TANDANG SORA
The Official Publication of Division Schools Press Conference
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 highlights
Guidance counsellor of Mansilingan Industrial High School and advocate for mental health, Ruby Rose V. Andrada, spoke about mental health conditions, its challenges and symptoms, and what to do to aid those struggling with their mental health, calling to end the stigma with “#LetUsEndTheStigmaOnMentalHealth”.
Andrada stated that 28 million Filipinos struggle with their mental health, approximating 3.6 million suffer from at least one kind of mental and neurological issues and abuse substances such as alcohol and illegal substances.
The talk also emphasized the importance of seeing the signs of deteriorating mental health such as feeling sad and worried, or not looking forward to seeing your friends, amongst other things.
She also mentioned Republic Act 12028 and Republic Act 11036, referencing it in her
Ruby Andrada Speaks by TANDANG SORA NEWS
Speak now or forever hold your sorrow
FEATURE
To a Life of Hardship by EMILIO AGUINALDO
EDITORIAL
The Goal is Teamwork by TANDANG SORA
SPORTS by LAPU-LAPU
statement that “There should be a registered guidance counsellor” and that every Filipino affirms the mental health.
SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR SORROW
by LAPU-LAPU
I try and try again, but why does it feel like I can never talk about how I feel? I feel like I’m screaming but my throat can’t produce a sound. Maybe because I seem “perfect” to the point I am deemed as emotionless? Are my achievements and grades all that I really am?
Studies show that 1 in 3 Pinoys have mental health disorders, however not everybody comes forward and asks for the help they need. The current generation is often deemed weak, dramatic, and soft because of cultural beliefs like “sucking it up” and “dealing with it.”
These practices may seem harm less, however they have a bigger impact than we think. You see, by following these traditions, we appear flawless and sometimes we even convince ourselves that
maybe we are, that is until we all the things we swallowed come crawling back up, little by little. By pretending everything is okay, we turn ourselves into ticking time bombs, just waiting to explode. All the little things we tolerated and brushed off, don’t seem so little after it all piles up.
Which is exactly why we need to talk about it and let it out but we also need to remember that it is important “who” we open up to. An example of who you SHOULDN’T open up to would be social media. Why? Well, by doing this not only are we broadcasting our personal struggles to the world, but most importantly, we don’t get any of the help that we actually need. “Then who should we talk to?” you may ask. The answer is simple, a licensed medical professional.
The Republic Act of 12028 is a law that requires all schools to have a registered guidance counselor so that you can get the proper help you need with no cost. Ms Ruby Rose V. Andrada, a guidance counselor from Mansilingan Industrial High School said “As students you should balance EQ with IQ”, encouraging students to talk about their problems and seek help to become better versions of themselves while trying to balance their education as well.
Having feelings doesn’t make you weak, it shows that you are human. What shows your true strength, is how you overcome these struggles. Your failures don’t define you, they teach you lessons that you will bring throughout your lives. There are people who care, there are people who want to help, so speak now or forever hold your sorrow.
TO A LIFE OF HARDSHIP: The effect of poor mental health on the Pinoy Youth
By Emilio Aguinaldo
As said by Jose Rizal, “Ang Kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan.” However, what happens when the youth struggles to go through each day without stress, low self-esteem, and lack of energy? How can one care for the country when they cannot care for themselves due to poor mental health? – Anxiety, stress and a diminished self-esteem influence their daily lives, a guidance counselor Ms. Ruby Rose V. Andradas’ speech during the opening of the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) 2026, “There is no health without mental health.
With that said, metal health should be a priority not only for students, but also for teachers, parents, and their peers. Mental health is a pressing issue for our time, as 1 in 3 Filipinos suffer through mental health problems. Negative mental health affects these people through influencing their cognitive abilities like concentration and focus. Not only that but it also affect sleep patterns, relationships with others, and mood. When the brain is not healthy,
it will not function properly. That is why teachers, parents, and other students should prioritize the mental health of our youth. With a proper support system, mental health issues can be aided or even eliminated for some students.
However, some argue that duties such as academics and extracurriculars should be put first to ensure success and a healthy body and mind. This state of mind may pose as a distraction to their duties as students, and should not be paid in mind to diminish anything that threatens their academic or athletic performance.
Despite being a threat to their work and studies, caring for mental health should still be prioritized – especially if one’s mental health is poor or severely affected. Putting academic life over mental health issues affect cognitive ability, sleeping patterns, and motivation, which one prominent components in life if their focus and energy are low; they cannot perform at their best because of the mental setbacks.
Although it is soon as shameful to seek for psychiatric help in our rotation. People are seen as abnormal for having mental health problems, and openly seeking for help will only worsen their hardships. Students have no choice but to deal with their problems themselves.
With all these in mind, it is clear that mental health issues should be properly addressed, especially because 3.6 million Pinoys suffer from mental disorders. Small actions like the “5 finger breathing exercise” and celebrating small triumph can make going through each day much easier. Lending a hand to those who need it and simple acts of kindness can make you and other’s day. On a higher level, Local Government Units and schools should prioritize mental health programs and initiatives and implement the inclusion of guidance counselors in each school. The health of the youth is the health of our future – mental health is a priority for all.
THE GOAL IS TEAMWORK
by TANDANG SORA
Sweat trickled down my face, I can hear my heartbeat in my ear, the crowd is nothing but irrelevant noise, the adrenaline coursing through every fiber of my being. My teammates are all around me, some behind, some in front, some shouting to give them the ball.
Futsal is a competitive sport, taking the outdoor football we’ve grown to known and love, indoors and on the court. With only 5 players on the team, it really is a team effort.
One of the hardest things to accomplish in the midst of running and fighting for a point, is teamwork. It takes compromise, cooperation, and trust, but pride and the desire to be something ruins the essence of the game.
However, the fire of control does not always last—risks need to be taken, and sacrifices need to be made; one move can change the entire outcome. So, letting go of the fire that once bounced on my feet quickly swepat to a fellow teammate.
Futsal does not lie in individual power or initiative; it is held up by teamwork and cooperation, because without collaboration, the entire game falls apart.