The Blaze

Rochie Lian D Milaor, a grade 10 student of Misamis Oriental National High School (MONHS) clinched the 4 place spot in the Regional-Wide-onthe-Spot Poster-Making contest as she showcased her creativity and environmental advocacy through art on June 25, 2025 marking a milestone in the Environment Month celebration th

This contest is part of the 2025 Environment Month celebration that brought over 19 student-artist across Northern Mindanao with a theme “Mine with a Mission: Supporting Global efforts to end Plastic Pollution ” Mrs Enicita B Montecillo, a TLE teacher coached Milaor and guided her throughout her journey

MIt was totally an unexpected rollercoaster emotions for me I never would’ve thought nga moabot ko’g Regional, especially since I only joined for District. Even so, I’m trully grateful and blessed to have been part of it and to represent my schoo, throughout the process and the experience itself, Milaor said

The event was held at DENR Region X office, this event gathered artist from different municipalities and school where they showcased their talents through poster-making

isamis Oriental National High School (MONHS) opened the first Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) class in North Balingasag District for school year 2025–2026. According to the DepEd Order No 38, s 2012, this program is only open for Grade 7 students with no grades below 85% This also provides guidelines on the utilization of support funds for

MONHS implemented the STE program because we want to have science class just like the other high schools and our school also wants to develop the science curriculum, said by Mrs Marites Pacatang, Head Teacher III of MONHS. Mrs Helen S Gerong, Master Teacher of Science, and Mr Jemie Pajaron, Master Teacher of Mathematics, were assigned to be the advisers of the STE class They will be the

ones to handle the specialization of Science and Mathematics that is under the program

Before the school year started, the upcoming Grade 7 students were given an exam by the Exam Coordinator, Mrs Jace Mae Bayarral, last June 16, 2025 The students who will pass the exam will be put to the STE class MONHS also announced plans to enhance this program for the next school year if this will be approved

aal Lake, Philippines –

Authorities have recovered human bones from Taal Lake believed to linked to the 34 missing sabungeros

Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard found sacks containing skeletal remains, including ribs The DOJ confirmed that DNA testing is underway to identify the victims Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan claimed the sabungeros were abducted, killed and dumped in the lake He also tagged businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto, who both denied the involvement

15 police officers are in custody as the investigation continues Families of the victims hope the recovered remains bring long-awaited answers

reviews the new SHS Curriculum

To make the education system more flexible, focused, and relevant to learners’ needs, the Department of Education (DepEd) reviewed its newly drafted Senior High School (SHS) curriculum

For school year 2025-2026, Grade 11 students from rural, urban, and Bangsamaro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Areas will test the revised program under the DepEd Memorandum DM 048, s 2025

This curriculum will cut core subjects from 15 subjects per semester to five per year This includes Effective Communication, Life and Career Skills, General Mathematics, General Science and Philippine History and Society

Sen Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate Committee on Basic Education chair orders a comprehensive review to make sure that the changes will added long-standing implementation and prepare SHS students for college and employment

Department of Education starts the phased implementation of the MATATAG Curriculum, while Grade 8 is set to follow in 2025 based onthe guidelines DM 54, series of 2025

Matatag Curriculum is first introduced to Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 4, and Grade 7 learners starting the school year 20242025

According to DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa, the department is monitoring the implementation of the first wave of the curriculum and will make improvements in the next rollout

"Adjustment period is expected we are commited to refining the curriculum based on feedback from the field," Poa stated

Despite the efforts, some educators raised concerns over the Matatag pilot rollout They cite issues such as non-specialist teachers handling specialized subjects, tight schedules, and heavy workloads

In response, DepEd issued DepEd Order No 012, s 2024, this allows educators to have a flexible schedules to address teacher burnouts and challenges

Meanwhile, Grade 8 students will continue to follow the old Curriculum for another school year, with the MATATAG

version expected to bring major changes in 2025 which in cludes simplified competencies, enhanced numeracy and literacy, and stronger values of education

Businesswoman and former Pasig mayoral candi-date Sara Discaya is now under an investigation after she and her husband Curlee Discaya were linked to a questionable flood control projects funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

According to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, District Discaya used nine companies under their control to secure over $30 Billion worth of flood control projects acere across various regions in the Philippines

Bagyong Crising suspends classes in EasternVisayas

said Senator Jinggoy Estra-da during the Senate hearing

During the hearing, Discaya and her husband claimed that they are connected to all nine companies, con-tracting her statement earlier that she only owned Alpha and Omega Builders, however, she denied any wrongdoings

In response to the controversy, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAD) has revoked the licenses of all nine Discaya-linked companies, citing violations of e-thical and legal bidding practices

The senate has scheduled its next session to September 22, 2025, where the Discayas, other contractors, and public k i t t t tif t f

lasses were suspended in many parts of the country starting on July 22, 2025 due to Bagyong Crising, which brought strong winds and heavy rains

According to PAGASA, Crising entered through Eastern Visayas and affected several regions including Ilocos Region, National Capital Region (NCR) and Mimaropa These areas experienced strong rains that may cause flooding and landslides

Because of the bad weather, local governments decided to suspend both face-to-face and online classes to make sure students and teachers are safe

The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded everyone to stay updated and follow safety rules People in low-lying and mountain areas are advised to stay alert or evacuate as needed

isamis Oriental National High School (MONHS) won a several awards in the District Schools Press Conference (DSPC) 2025, where they competed against 13 participanting schools

DSPC was held on July 25 at Balingasag Senior High School (BSHS)

MONHS student-journalists competed in different events like news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, photojournalism, broadcasting, and more

Editorial Cartooning - Anna Mae C. Pacheco - 3 place rd

MODalumat

Sports Writing - Andrea Mandamiento- 2nd place

Editorial Writing - Riezel Ann S Catalbas - 2nd place

o ensure a proper conduct of flag raising ceremony, Misamis Oriental National Highschool (MONHS) recently installed a new flag poles within the school ground

This project is sponsored by Minergy Power Corporation and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Balingasag through giving six brand-new stainless steel poles, labor, and additional resources

Your support strengthens not only our

The following students are qualified for Division Schools Press Conference 2025: MODaumat (Filipino)

News Writing - Kelly Cassandra L. Abines - 1st place

Editorial Writing - Robert Allan D Sioco II - 1st place

Photo Journalism - Chelsie Alex

S Untalan - 1st place

The Blaze (English)

News Writing - Sheenaia Mae B. Cabanig - 1st place

Mikayla L Egao - 3rd place

Photo Journalism - Cyrose Jane M. Santua - 2nd place

Sports Writing - Arcyan Axle P Amontos - 1st place

Column Writing - Audrey C. Balacuit - 1st place

Editorial Writing - Rochie Lian D. Milaor - 1st place

Photo Journalism - Ian G Abao1st place

Radio Broadcasting - Emmanuel D. Bongcas

Chloe Domo

Micha Galdo

Audrey Sophia Gerasmio

The said winners compete in the Clustered Division Schools Press Conference 2025 on September 23-27, 2025

The other winners who ranked 2nd and 3rd:

The Blaze (English)

News Writing - Zandra Elena T. Valmores - 3rd place

Feature Writing - Hannah Angela L. Bihasa - 2nd place

Sports Writing - Nur Flodwry Marc C. Heyasa - 2nd place

Science & Health Writing - Jenele Keith T Acut - 2nd place

school ground but also our school spirit! It really takes a village to raise a child, said Edna T Magos, the school principal

MONHS used the new flag poles for the first time on August 18, 2025 through a weekly Monday morning flag raising ceremony

According to the school officials, the new flag poles are designed to be durable and safe to withstand various weather

This installation is part of the school’s efforts to improve its facilities and sense of patriotism

ochie Lian Milaor from Misamis Oriental National High School (MONHS) ranked first place in the Municipal Poster Making contest held at the Balingasag Gym on July 7, 2025

Milaor is coached by Mrs Inecita B Montecillo, a Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) teacher in MONHS

I felt grateful and honored being able to participate and represent my school and knowing nga talented gyapon akong mga kontra, Milaor said

This event is part of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Balingasag where seven participants joined the contest to promote youth involvement in arts and encourage students to use their talents to express ideas and advocasies through visual creativity

To address the challenges of students who struggle in reading, the Department of Education has introduced the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, a new initiative that aims to improve learners’ reading abilities

A seminar for the program was held last September 11–13 at The Spot, Sitio Botoc, Lower Mandangoa, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental The activity gathered six tutors from Misamis Oriental National High School (MONHS), together with school heads and was led by trained speakers from different schools in the province The program will be implemented in Key Stage 3 (Junior High School) starting this Thursday and will run for two months

Mrs Maricris R Baja serves as the coordinator of the ARAL program It is designed for students whose reading performance falls below the expected level based on the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) results The target learners are those with slow reading capabilities who need additional guidance and practice

From an interview with Mrs Grace A Valde, who attended the seminar, emphasized the importance of reading “We read, we communicate, and we understand,” she said, highlighting how literacy skills are essential in everyday life

With the support of teachers, tutors, and school heads across Misamis Oriental, ARAL hopes to uplift students by strengthening their reading comprehension and building their confidence in learning tudents and teachers gathered for the culmination of Nutrition Month on July 30, 2025 filled with various contests and activities here at the MONHS covered court, all aimed to develop basic knowledge about nutrition.

Spearheaded by Mrs Lourdes Wahiman, with the theme, “Food at Nutrition Security Maging Priority! Sapat na pagkain, Karapatan natin!” The celebration emphasized developing student talents while instilling the importance of proper nutrition

The event was made possible through the combined efforts of the TLE teachers, having such activities like Nutri-Month Dance Contest, Veggie Flora Garden Contest, Poster Making, Photo Collage, Cooking Contest, and Weekly Trivia Together with Mrs Pacatang, the Head Teacher III and with the full support from the School Principal, Mrs Edna T Magos

Isambuhay ang pagkain ng gulay upang kayo’y magtagumpay ng sabaysabay, Mrs Magos reminded everyone

The event ended with a quote, “Eat Nutritious foods to have a happy and healthy life” Added Mrs Wahiman, the coordinator