ST_Brigada'25

by Hyacinth Moralidad

SHIFTING SCHOOLS, SEEKING SOLACE

Transfer Students Seek Refuge in Alabel National High School as Family Struggles Disrupt Education

When parents separate, sometimes their children must too from their friends, their schools, and the only normal they’ve ever known. At Alabel National High School (ANHS), a wave of new students arrived not just with school bags but with stories of separation, financial struggle, and emotional displacement.

As of June 13, during the early enrollment period coinciding with Brigada Eskwela 2025, ANHS recorded approximately 700 Grade 7 and 600 Grade 11 enrollees.

While the numbers reflect a strong turnout, school administrators noted an emerging pattern: around 3 out of every 10 transferees from each grade level cited family issues as the main reason for leaving their former schools.

more on page 05...

“Throughout the Brigada Eskwela, we have interviewed each enrollee. Majority of those students are experiencing the same problem — not having complete parents,” said Raquel Regidor, Assistant Principal of the Junior High School Department. “That’s why they are pushed to transfer here for reasons like financial problems or difficulty accessing schools in their original areas.

3 out of 10

Transferees from each grade level cited family issues as the main reason for leaving their former schools.

Pledges with Purpose Fuel Brigada Eskwela Success at ANHS

by Precious Barraca

111,640 in accounted donations and over 3,000 volunteers, Alabel National High School’s 2025 Brigada Eskwela wasn’t just a clean-up drive, it was a masterclass in transparency and trust. From named classrooms to public donation boards, ANHS shows how sincerity in service builds a culture of giving. (See full story on Page 03)

Opening week Marred by Wheather Woes, But hopes remain high

Assessment Upon Enrollment: Bridge or Burden?

With Sarangani ranking lowest in regional literacy, Alabel National High School introduced enrollment-time assessments in reading and math during Brigada Eskwela 2025. Some called it a hassle; but could this be the bridge to real academic recovery? Jayden Arnaiz weighs in. (See full column on Page 03)

should have been a lively opening

week at Alabel National High School. From eager students turned away at the gate to teachers adjusting plans on the fly, the story unfolds on how

(See full story on Page 03)

Walls Repainted, But W ho Will Read the Signs?

Alabel National High School’s pre-opening efforts shift attention to Sarangani’s high illiteracy rate

BY BIEN TORRES

The chairs have been scrubbed, the floors polished, and the walls repainted all signs that a new school year is about to begin But behind the brightness of fresh paint lies a darker truth: many of the students set to fill these classrooms still cannot read fluently

At Alabel National High School (ANHS), this year’s preopening efforts went beyond physical cleanups For the first time teachers conducted literacy assessments during enrollment, quietly launching a campaign to address Sarangani’s long-standing struggle with functional illiteracy This move was inspired by the national call for a more learning-centered Brigada Eskwela, framed under the theme: Together for a Reading Nation ”

“Ngayong Brigada Eskwela isa sa mahalagang isyu ay ang literacy Marami pa ring batang kailangang suportahan sa pagbasa, kaya kailangan namin ang tulong ng magulang at komunidad para mas mapalago ang literacy rate ng ating mga bata, said Ms Krystel Jara, one of the school s readingfocused teachers

Sarangani’s literacy struggles are not anecdotal The Philippine Statistics Authority reports a functional illiteracy rate of 48% for the province, placing it among the bottom six nationwide By contrast, the national functional literacy rate stands at 70 8% Tawi-Tawi tops the list of provinces with the highest illiteracy (67%), followed by Davao Occidental (53%) and Zamboanga del Sur (49%) Meanwhile, NCR and Cordillera boast rates of nearly 80% highlighting the educational divide between urban and rural communities

In Alabel, the response came not only from the teachers but also from the youth themselves Pobla Youth volunteers, led by Rhoa Mae Ebad, joined hands with the faculty to deliver reading activities and basic numeracy support to incoming learners

“Mas nakakamotivate magaral kung malinis ang paligid lalo na sa loob ng classroom, shared one Grade 8 student, recognizing that physical space can influence mental readiness

At Alabel

National

High School, enrollment week becomes a quiet revolution in catching students before they fall behind

BY DENICE OPONG

before the

has already begun

Yet, cleanliness alone cannot fix comprehension

“Sometimes, we prepare the classrooms, but the children are still unprepared to read the books,” a teacher quietly remarked a sentence that captured the core of the school s challenge

ANHS’s efforts are a reminder: education is not just about reopening doors it s about reopening minds And this year, that mission begins before the first bell rings

and

At Alabel National High School (ANHS), students lining up for enrollment this year weren’t just handing in report cards or posing for ID photos They were reading aloud Solving math questions Stepping on weighing scales Sweeping classrooms

It wasn’t just the start of another school year it was the start of a school year reimagined

In a bold step away from traditional enrollment, ANHS launched a multi-layered readiness check for all incoming students from Grades 7 to 12 Over 4,000 learners participated in literacy and numeracy screening, BMI assessments, and a four-hour volunteer activity under the school s Brigada Eskwela program

“We didn’t want to wait for the first quarter exams to realize who needed help,” said Raquel Regidor, Assistant Principal of the Junior High School department “We wanted to find out right away who’s ready, who’s struggling, and what we can do before it's too late ” Her words echo a national anxiety.

Though the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported in 2024 that 90% of Filipinos aged 5 and up are considered basically literate, functional literacy the ability to understand, apply, and compute information lags behind at 70 8%

The gap is especially stark in public schools and rural provinces like Sarangani, where daily survival often gets in the way of deep comprehension

Understanding Before Learning “

The cracks have also shown on the international stage In the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings, the Philippines placed 77th out of 81 countries, scoring just 347 in reading and 355 in math

“We were shocked by the numbers, but we can t just talk about them,” said one teacher who facilitated the screenings “We have to meet those numbers with faces and meet those faces with action ”

For students, it was an unusual start one that demanded both presence and honesty

“Nabigla ako,” said a Grade 11 transferee, “kasi akala ko magpapasa lang ng form, pero may test pala Pero okay lang at least alam nila kung saan ako mahina.”

And that is the point

Rather than use enrollment week as a time for transactions, ANHS used it as a diagnostic bridge from what a student brings, to what a student still needs

By facing the numbers early, the school is betting on recovery Teachers can plan remediation sessions Advisors can monitor progress Students, meanwhile, are reminded that education is not something they walk into blindly it’s something they grow into, with help

DepEd Trains Grade 3 Teachers as Quiet Reforms Take Root

Literacy-focused workshops under the MATATAG Curriculum prepare educators for a foundational shift in early-grade learning

BY APRIL GALLEGO

In a vital move to shape classroom instruction before the school bell rings the Department of Education (DepEd) brought together Grade 3 teachers and school heads across Sarangani for a three-day training session held at Alabel National High School from June 11 to 13, 2025

While the training may not have filled gymnasiums or made headlines it planted the groundwork for one of the most critical phases in a child s education: Grade 3, the year students are expected to read fluently, write clearly, and think independently

“This is now Phase 2 of the MATATAG Curriculum which focuses on foundational skills,” said Dr Dona S Panes, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division of SDO Sarangani Kinakailangan talaga na i-train ang mga guro para ma-prepare sila sa darating na pasukan

The program, aligned with DepEd s revised curriculum goals, aimed to sharpen instructional strategies and deepen teachers’ grasp of new learning competencies This approach emphasizes mastery over memorization and shifts focus toward functional literacy and learner responsiveness

Over the course of the wor teachers engaged in curricu unpacking, hands-on simula collaborative sessions cente reading comprehension, wri instruction, and formative as techniques They did not just lesson guides they tested t them, and reimagined how t delivered in real-world class

The training placed special attention on strengthening literacy foundations in reading and writing a response to national data showing that early-grade learners continue to struggle with core skills By empowering teachers with effective techniques, DepEd hopes to bridge these gaps from the ground up

In a related development, Grade 8 teachers will culminate their own curriculum training this coming Saturday, June 21, with a demonstration teaching session to be held in Malandag This marks another step in equipping educators across multiple grade levels with the tools they need to implement the MATATAG reforms

Further rounds of training are scheduled in the coming months as part of a sustained capacity-building effort For the DepEd, teacher development is not an afterthought it is the blueprint

With each classroom reimagined and

change

Held from June 9 to 13, this year s Brigada Eskwela was not just a call to clean and repair, but a test of how deeply a community trusts its school

The result: more than 3,000 volunteers, a surge of parental support, and a wave of donations that turned plans into progress

The implementation was led by Principal II Ellin T Vicera, with the help of SHS Tech-Voc Head Kenneth Allicev, MTII, HR Grethel Miranda, and Brigada Eskwela Coordinator Rolicel A Tribunalo, MTI But behind every name listed was a team focused not only on execution but also on accountability

“ “

When we painted the walls, I saw where the money went I saw my help become part of the school,” said Aling Juliet, a mother of an incoming Grade 7 student

Such transparency builds what researchers call social capital the invisible currency of trust, cooperation, and collective purpose And ANHS is spending it wisely

According to DepEd’s guidelines, all Brigada Eskwela contributions should be logged and posted ANHS took it further by putting up a public transparency board and regularly updating donors through its Facebook page Volunteers could even trace their donations to specific classroom improvements

Every centavo is a story of trust, said Tribunalo We made sure donors knew where their money went Paint cans were counted Tools were logged Classrooms were named after their donors People gave because they knew they would see results ” Brigada Eskwela s theme, Samasama Para sa Bayang Bumabasa,” found its fulfillment not only in improved literacy efforts but also in the transparency that deepened partnerships For parents, seeing their donations whether in cash or kind being used immediately to repaint rooms or replace fixtures became a visual affirmation that giving still makes a difference

Brigada Eskwela 2025 launches amid Mpox concerns

BY ALYZA GUADALOPE

As

16

opening,

to 13, with teachers, parents, and

campuses for the new school year, a different concern quietly gathered in the background - the increasing cases of Mpox nationwide and locally in Sarangani

As of June 12, 2025, the Sarangani Provincial Health Office confirmed three Mpox cases in Alabel, including a 73-year-old woman who traveled to Polomolok and two other women aged 28 and 37 Twenty-one suspected cases are still under investigation

At Alabel National High School, health preparedness came under scrutiny as questions surfaced about the school s response to Mpoxrelated risks

This year s Brigada Eskwela at Alabel National High School (ANHS) was more than just a school clean-up it was a step toward restoring public trust in education This comes after the Philippines ranked near the bottom in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2018 a global test that measures how well 15-year-olds apply their knowledge in reading, math, and science In response to these challenges, ANHS focused on transparency and sincere leadership, proving that when a school is managed with integrity, it can inspire strong community support and lasting generosity

k Marred by Weather Woes, But Hopes

BY JHUNRYX QUILLAZA

as supposed to be a week of fresh notebooks, new friendships, and eager introductions turned into quiet hallways as this is the third time that class is suspended since the School year 2025-2026 has econd week of classes at Alabel National High School (ANHS), dampened literally by heavy rains

ice of ook page, ns at raised nicipality

I already y to learn Cadumog, ed her came just “But then was

nd second meeting elves with he year harder owed

And yet, despite the start-and-stop rhythm of the week, the mood at ANHS remains hopeful Teachers have adjusted learning plans, parents have prepared umbrellas and raincoats, and students are looking forward to a more stable routine

“Classroom introductions can wait,” one teacher commented off-record “What matters most is that we start safe and stay steady

As skies begin to clear and routines begi the w but f have wash agai

Sa totoo lang wala pa talaga kaming nagawang mga IEC o impormasyon tungkol sa Mpox Nakaligtaan talaga ito " admitted Carmela P Lumantas the school s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (SDRRMO), in an interview

She also shared that a planned coordination meeting with the barangay regarding Mpox awareness and precautionary steps did not push through Dapat pupunta ako sa barangay ngayon para sa diskusyon ng Mpox pero may ibang naka-assigned Hindi ko rin alam kung natuloy, she added

While chairs were being fixed and walls were being painted, essential health measures - fogging, sanitation, and informative campaigns were not carried out beforehand

Lumantas said fogging should ve been done earlier, as schools focused on visible cleanup but missed urgent health risks Now, readiness means both clean and safe classrooms

“I was sad because we couldn’t complete the entire week,” said Jeffrey Ponteras Pasco, another student “But I understand it’s for everyone’s safety ” He added that aside from the suspensions, so far, the school year is going well no major problems, just minor ones

The suspension notice, echoed on the Facebook pages of Alabel National High School and the LGU-Alabel, drew mixed reactions from parents and students some relieved, others frustrated

BRIGADA BEYOND BOOTHS. Student leaders from Alabel National High School turned Brigada Eskwela into a creative act of service, showing that youth can lead with both heart and impact

They Built More than a Booth—They Built a Moment

At Alabel National High School, student leaders turn Brigada into a bridge between service and memory

They could ve just swept floors or stacked chairs

But at Alabel National High School (ANHS), the Student Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) had other plans Plans that involved color collaboration and a camera

This year, Brigada Eskwela 2025 came with more than just brooms and buckets It came with a photo booth, a signature wall, a donation drive and a youth-led movement that blurred the lines between responsibility and joy

As the SSLG President, I led not with haste but with intention I made sure everything was executed with sophistication, said Franscine Bancaerin, a 17-yearold student leader who envisioned the initiatives "Most importantly, I entrusted my team with responsibilities by thoughtfully designating tasks some worked on the donation drive, while others assisted teachers during the enrollment process, particularly in gathering the enrollees nutritional status "

Root for our Youth “

It started early On June 7, before most students had even arrived, SSLG officers were already at school, sourcing materials, sketching ideas and setting up structures By June 8, the group had filmed a full promotional video for Brigada Eskwela scripting scenes, coordinating outfits, and capturing moments that would later go viral among students

But their most striking installation wasn’t digital it was deeply personal Right in the middle of the ANHS Plaza stood a signature wall, where students wrote their names, hopes, and inside jokes Nearby, the photo booth lit up with props and laughter, capturing not just faces but friendships

Dili ni mahitabo without teamwork and collaboration, said Jessica Lumanta, a Grade 9 SSLG representative “It was a total team effort ”

Yet this team didn t stop at celebration In a quiet corner of the booth was a box for donations a humble reminder that while memories were being made, lives elsewhere had been unmade

BY APRIL GALLEGO

For five days, the school came alive with color, movement, and collaboration Broken chairs were mended, walls repainted, and dusty corners reclaimed not just by parents and teachers, but by student leaders who turned service into strategy

Steering my fellow yellow officers toward the success of Brigada Eskwela 2025 was both a test of will and a journey of introspection,” shared Franscine Bacaerin, ANHS SSLG President “I led not with haste, but with intention recognizing that thoughtful leadership requires stillness in the mind and steadiness in the heart

Her words were not just reflection they were revolution At every corner of the campus, students led with grit Organizing booths, mobilizing classmates, managing resources, and documenting efforts they weren t told what to do They figured out what needed to be done

Brigada Eskwela once known as a pre-opening ritual of repairs, has evolved at ANHS into a workshop for real-world responsibility It s here where leadership is not given by title, but earned by initiative Students are not waiting to be empowered they are becoming power in motion

The impact went beyond appearances A brighter room ignites a brighter mood A fixed desk becomes a space for clearer thinking But more than that, the act of rebuilding together rebuilt something deeper trust, agency, and pride

BY JAZZER CR

The SSLG had launched a donation drive for fire victim Logpond, Glan, collecting everything from canned go and school supplies to clot and cash “We wanted Brig be more than just school p wanted it to mean someth for us, and for others, Luma added

They assisted with enrollm tasks alongside teachers, w their adviser emphasized mentorship as guiding stud and sometimes letting them

In the end, the students b more than a booth or a do box They built a message

That leadership isn’t alwa about titles sometimes it about teamwork That fun d have to be frivolous it ca meaningful That you can h streamers and raise funds same afternoon, and that y can clean schools and still outside the lines

And perhaps most impor that in a world still rebuildin young people don t just wa help they already are

ANHS Ushers

in

School Year with Revived Campus and Stronger Community Bonds

ALABEL, SARANGANI – With brooms in hand, paint on their sleeves, and purpose in their stride, students, teachers, parents, and volunteers came together for Brigada Eskwela 2025 transforming Alabel National High School (ANHS) into a cleaner, safer, and more inspiring space for learners to return to

Held from June 9 to 13, the week-long effort marked not just the physical preparation for the school year but a deepened sense of community spirit that extended from the gates of the campus to the hearts of its stakeholders

Brigada Eskwela, a flagship initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd), mobilizes communities nationwide to help rehabilitate and prepare public school facilities ahead of class opening But at ANHS, this year s campaign meant more than maintenance it became a manifestation of unity

Among the most visible improvements were the repainting of classroom walls and armchairs, repairs of worn-out furniture, replacement of busted lights, and the cleanup of school grounds Rooms once dulled by dust and clutter now gleamed with restored color, order, and life ready to host minds eager to learn

Beyond its physical results, the initiative resonated with emotional impact Students witnessed firsthand how their families and neighbors worked hand-in-hand with teachers and school staff a living lesson in responsibility and cooperation The presence of volunteers inspired many students to reflect not just on learning, but on giving back

Seeing my parents help in school made me realize that we all have a role in keeping it clean and beautiful, shared one Grade 9 student who joined the activity with his father

Psychologists have long noted that environment shapes experience and the newly revitalized classrooms of ANHS prove this point The fresh surroundings are expected to promote positive behavior, minimize distractions, and reduce anxiety among students Clean, bright spaces encourage not just attendance but attentiveness

Brigada Eskwela at Alabel National High School highlights unity and shared purpose

Principal Ellin T Vicera emphasizes that it s more than cleaning it s about building community As the school year begins the campus is refreshed both physically and in spirit

ALABEL, SARANGANI Kung dati ay puno, nga

Ito ang sitwasyon sa Alabel National High Sch 2025–2026, matapos makapagtala ng 732 Gr pagtaas ng higit 60% kung ihahambing sa 473 siyang pangunahing inaasahang bilang ng pa

Marami sa enrollees ay na baranga dahil sa rep kalidad ng p likod ng tag hindi inaasa mga silid-ar upuan, at pa room assign linggo ng pa

Pasilidad na Serbisyong

Sa interna paaralan, lu humigit-kum katumbas n aralan Baga kumilos ang maayos ang rin maikaka ilang klase, Voc strand

Ayon kay Grade 11 Coo

Naayos n seksyon sa FBS, dahil na ng Tech-Vo lamang ang kakulangan Grade 11 Agu kulang ng 15 mga sirang namang ay ng nasabing

Dagdag pa ang upuan p 14 na seksyo tanging Alte System (ALS ang wala pa silid, dahil da lamang sa i rito

Walang Ipin Edukasyon

Sa kabila pasilidad, na ANHS para s aral Pahaya Principal I ng

UMAAPAW NGUNIT

PATULOY

Alabel NHS, hinaharap ang dagsa dagsang Senior High enrollees na nagdulot ng kakulangan sa silid-aralan at upuan, binibigyang-diin ang agarang pangangailangan para sa dagdag na pasilidad upang mapanatiling bukas ang edukasyon para sa lahat

Transfer Students Seek Refuge in Alabel School as Family Struggles Disrupt Education

Brigada Eskwela reveals a quieter crisis as students from broken homes move schools in

nga mubalhin diri sa Alabel, he said

The 2025 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) supports these local observations

Authority Comes with Accountability, Not Exemption

With greater power comes greater responsibility ” It’s a quote we often hear in movies, but it applies just as strongly in real life especially within the walls of our school

In a recent incident that sparked quiet murmurs among a student of Grade 12, were seen wearing crop tops blatantly violating the dress code stated in our student handbook But the concern didn t end there She also recorded TikTok videos inside the classroom, turning a place of learning into a personal runway and content studio

Let s be clear: TikTok, in itself, is not the issue Expression through art, movement, and media is part of our generation But what becomes problematic is when selfexpression crosses the boundary of school rules and classroom ethics And worse, when it’s done by those who are supposed to know better

Grade 12 students are the eldest in the student body They are expected to be the frontliners of discipline the living examples of responsibility, and the standard-bearers of respect What message does it send to our juniors if the seniors themselves dismiss the rules? What kind of culture are we cultivating if we let that slide?

After undergoing the tests, enrollees are given a mark as: Independent, which means that they performed well on the task; Dependent, where they did good, but still need to be guided; And illiterate, wherein they really need more attention This will help the school assess the students knowledge and capabilities to know where we should focus to tend to their academic needs more

The school’s handbook clearly states the prohibition of wearing revealing clothing not to suppress style, but to maintain decency and focus Classrooms are sacred spaces for learning, not places for distractions or performative attention-seeking And when that line is crossed, it doesn’t just affect the individual it influences the entire environment

Being in Grade 12 doesn t give you a license to act without regard If anything, it demands more from you More respect More maturity More accountability

We all want to feel free, to be ourselves But freedom inside a community comes with limits and responsibilities You cannot demand to be treated like an adult when your actions reflect the opposite

So to our seniors ask yourselves: are you leading the school forward, or are you setting it back?

And to all of us let’s not forget that rules exist not to restrict us, but to remind us of the kind of community we re trying to build

EDUKASYON PARA SA LAHAT, ESPASYO PARA SA WALA?

Muli na namang binigyang-proweba ng Alabel National High

nito Sa pagbubukas ng klase ngayong taong

lamang ng pasukan isang mahigit 60%

Ngunit sa kabila ng tagumpay na ito, hindi maitatangging nailalantad din ang isang mapait na realidad: ang malalang kakulangan sa pasilidad silya at silidaralan

Ayon sa opisyal na pagsusuri ng paaralan, tinatayang kulang ng 166 upuan sa kasalukuyang populasyon isang kakulangang katumbas ng tatlong silid-aralan Sa mga ulat, tanging Grade 11 Aguila ang may agarang kakulangan ng upuan habang ang mga mag-aaral ng Alternative Learning System (ALS) ay wala pang nakalaang permanenteng silid Habang sinisikap ng pamunuan ng paaralan na tugunan ang sitwasyon sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaayos ng mga sirang silya at pansamantalang pag-aayos ng silid-aralan malinaw pa rin ang mensahe: ang dami ng gustong matuto ay hindi tinutumbasan ng dami ng espasyo para sa pagkatuto

Ang edukasyon ay hindi dapat isang karangalang dapat saluhin lamang ito ay isang pananagutang kailangang buhatin Habang hindi maipagkakaila na tagumpay para sa paaralan ang pagdami ng enrolees, kaakibat nito ang obligasyong tiyakin na ang kalidad ng pagtuturo ay hindi nagsasakripisyo sa dami ng tinuturuan

Panahon na upang ang isyu ng kakulangan sa pasilidad ay hindi na tinitingnan bilang normal na bahagi ng pasukan Hindi sapat ang “nasa proseso” ng pag-aayos Kailangang maipakita na ang paglalagak ng pondo sa edukasyon ay hindi lang sa anyo ng modules at diplomas kundi sa kongkretong imprastraktura at sapat na gamit

Hindi rin dapat ipasan lamang sa mga guro at administrador ng paaralan ang bigat ng responsibilidad Sa isang pampublikong paaralan na umaabot sa mahigit 4,000 mag-aaral taon-taon, kinakailangan ang aktibong pakikilahok ng lokal na pamahalaan, alumni, mga NGO, at pribadong sektor Kung patuloy tayong magbubunyi sa mataas na enrolment ngunit mananatiling tahimik sa kawalan ng espasyo at silya, hindi tayo tunay na tagapagtagu- yod ng edukasyon

Hindi sapat na sabihing, Ginagawa namin ang aming makakaya Ang tanong: bakit tila taon-taon, parehong problema pa rin ang kinakaharap? Ang edukasyon ay karapatan hindi dapat ito nakasalalay sa swerte kung may mauupuang silya o maaliwalas na silid

Ang tunay na pagsukat sa bisa ng edukasyon ay hindi lang kung gaano karami ang pumasok Kundi kung gaano karami ang natututo, komportable, at naalagaan sa loob ng paaralan

Kung gusto nating mapanatili ang tiwala ng komunidad sa ANHS, at higit pa rito, kung gusto nating panindigan ang prinsipyo ng inclusive education, kailangan nating bigyan ng puwang hindi lang ang mga mag-aaral

Sarangani garnered the lowest literacy rate among all the provinces in region 12 based on the Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Literacy Survey (FLEMMLS) 2024 released by Philippine Statistic Authority Needing not to say more, Alabel National High School implemented an adjustment to this year s Brigada with youth volunteer tutors to assess the students literacy and numeracy skills upon enrolling

Brigada Eskuwela started on June 9 Monday where Principal Ellin Vicera tackled the issue of many students being at a higher grade level yet lacking the skill to read and comprehend words and sentences, and having a hard time solving even a basic equation This problem has been present long before and the Department of Education is still trying to find a solution for it This year being an early assessment held during the enrollment

However, many students and their parents are only seeing this as an extra hassle that slows down the process of enrollment and a hindrance to the brigada or the cleaning session for the students upon enrolling It might be true that it adds to the students to-do list during enrollment, but a few hours of sacrifice to assess their knowledge can save them years of being inarticulate

It is truly saddening that Sarangani ranks lowest among all the provinces in Region 12 with a basic literacy rate of 78 8% and 52 2% in functional literacy, very far from the South Cotabato with the highest rate of 93 7% thus this calls for more effort from our education sector Also this called the attention of the community wherein many of Alabel youth actively volunteered to help their co-students

Ang Yamang Hindi Maaagaw Nino Man “

Youth volunteer tutors, together with our teachers, assess the students by checking their numeracy and literacy knowledge by making them read and testing their comprehension, and giving them a set of equations to solve while guiding them with the tasks It is truly a big help for the youth to take part in this assessment since they also understand the struggles as a student themselves, and makes it easier to connect with the enrollees

Alabel National High School (ANHS) assesses enrollees as Independent, Dependent, or Illiterate to address learning needs Following DepEd Memorandum No 173, s 2019 (“Hamon: Bawat Bata Bumabasa”) the school set flexible schedules for testing and a 4-hour Brigada Eskwela to avoid delays These efforts reflect a shared push to close learning gaps

A Stormy Start to Our Story

The first bell was supposed to ring in excitement the kind that comes with new notebooks, fresh uniforms, and a clean slate

But instead of pages turning, it was umbrellas opening The first week of school at Alabel National High School began not with a bang, but with the steady, stubborn rhythm of rain

On June 18, classes were suspended across Alabel due to heavy rainfall Just a day later on June 19 at 12:00 p m , another suspension followed These back-to-back announcements, posted by the Alabel Municipal Information Office and shared through official school channels, turned what should’ve been a full week of beginnings into a string of false starts

Angel May Cadumog, a Grade 7 student, had already tied her shoelaces and fixed her hair when the suspension was announced Her disappointment was simple, honest, and painfully familiar: “I was excited to start ” You can almost see her backpack ready, dreams intact, left standing by the door

The rain did not just fall on roofs It fell on plans, on energy, on our eagerness to begin again And yet, in between the downpours, I saw something else I saw umbrellas shared between strangers I saw teachers revising lesson plans on the fly I saw Sir Jeffrey Pasco, who despite his sadness, still smiled and said, “It’s for everyone’s safety ”

We often say that school teaches us resilience But sometimes it is the school itself its people, its spirit that becomes the lesson Because even when the ground was wet, the hope wasn’t Even when the week felt cut short, the story didn’t end

While safety is essential, there’s a need to reassess how class suspensions are decided Relying on minor rains may lead to unnecessary disruptions The LGU and DepEd should collaborate to set clear evidence-based guidelines, ensuring cancellations are necessary, not routine

Reconsidering the Age Restriction in Brigada Eskwela

Yes, the storm interrupted our rhythm But it also reminded us how ready we are to keep going The skies may be unpredictable, but our commitment to learning to each other remains steady In this little town where even rain finds its way into classrooms, so does courage

The first week wasn’t what we hoped for It wasn t perfect But perhaps, just like in every great story, it s the rough beginnings that make the best chapters

So here’s to a stormy start Because the sun always shines brighter after the rain and so do we

Strong From Storms “

Each year, Brigada Eskwela rallies communities into action It is a call for solidarity, responsibility, and shared commitment to ensuring that schools are ready to welcome learners for the new academic year Yet, a growing concern lingers across campuses: the exclusion of students aged 17 and below from participating in traditional clean-up activities

While this practice may be rooted in concerns about child labor, it warrants a closer examination At present, there is no existing Department of Education (DepEd) order or memorandum that categorically prohibits minors below 18 from volunteering during Brigada Eskwela Instead the enforcement of such a restriction appears to stem from a precautionary interpretation of Republic Act No 9231, which amends RA 7610, and the Labor Code of the Philippines

These laws rightfully aim to protect children from exploitation Under RA 9231, minors aged 15 to 17 may engage in non-hazardous work, provided it does not interfere with their education, is supervised, and is covered by a Working Child Permit (WCP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) However, this legal safeguard should not be misinterpreted as a blanket ban on all forms of youth participation, especially in community volunteerism

Volunteer work, particularly when light, safe, and done willingly, does not constitute child labor under both national law and international frameworks The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) affirm that work is only classified as child labor when it deprives children of their childhood, education, or health Simple tasks such as sweeping, cleaning desks, or planting in school gardens when done with the right support do not meet these criteria

In rural provinces like Sarangani where many parents juggle multiple jobs and lack the flexibility to attend school-based clean-up drives, students often step up out of necessity and willingness Denying them this opportunity creates a barrier, particularly for those who cannot afford to donate money or materials For these students, time and effort are their only available contributions

To protect students while upholding the true spirit of Brigada Eskwela, a balanced approach must be adopted Schools may establish ageappropriate volunteer guidelines, ensure parental consent, limit students to nonhazardous tasks, and coordinate with DOLE when necessary This will ensure legal compliance without denying students the right to civic participation

Volunteerism is a cornerstone of active citizenship When young people offer their service not out of obligation but from genuine commitment, they should be supported not turned away Empowering the youth to engage in safe, meaningful volunteer efforts affirms their value in nation-building and strengthens community cohesion

The real challenge is not limiting participation, but ensuring it happens safely, legally, and inclusively If Brigada Eskwela embodies Bayanihan, it should welcome everyone willing to help, regardless of age

When Family Fractures

Follow Students to School

Behind the rising number of transferees at Alabel National High School lies a crisis far more personal than academic: the silent consequences of broken families

We often count new enrollees as mere statistics of growth, yet fail to ask what brought them here? This school year, 3 out of every 10 transferees in junior and senior high at ANHS moved not because of school preferences, but because of family disintegration These are not just transfers of school; they are transfers of trauma, displacement, and grief

According to a 2023 study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute, 25% of Filipino youth aged 15–24 have experienced family disruption due to separation, abandonment, or domestic conflict The consequences are not abstract They manifest in learning delays, chronic absenteeism, behavioral issues, and mental health concerns

Editor-in-Chief:

Arnaiz, Leona Jayden

Associate Editor:

Celis, Huey Quezhi

Section Editors:

Guadalupe, Alyza Amor Bancaerin, Franscine Delfinan, Jasmine

Educators see it daily the child who stares blankly during recitation, the student who avoids group work, the transferee who hides behind a polite smile but carries a fractured home in their backpack Dysfunctional families have a deep impact on students, said ANHS Assistant Principal Raquel Regidor Without parental support, learners are left not just unsupported, but unseen ”

Writers:

Arnaiz, Leona Jayden Bancaerin, Franscine Celis, Huey Quezhi Delfinan, Jasmine

Gallego, April Rose

Guadalupe, Alyza Amor Quillaza, Jhunryx

Tusan, Jehiah Grace

Opong, Denice Kate Gutierrez, Jay Anne Barraca, Precious

Adobas, Queen Marydel Cruz, Jazzer

Torres, Bien Dennis Catipay, Eurika Vienne

L ayout Artists:

Geraga, Audie Reg Moralidad, Hyacinth

Photojournalists: Bibas, Kezaiah Geraga, Audie Reg

This is no longer an isolated concern It is systemic And the longer we reduce it to guidance counselor memos and anecdotal observations, the more we risk normalizing emotional neglect as part of the academic experience

We need to rethink school response systems

First, we must institutionalize mental health screenings during enrollment especially for transferees to catch signs of distress early Second, guidance offices must be equipped not only with forms and folders, but with psychologists, social workers, and referral systems And third, we must train class advisers to identify emotional withdrawal and trauma responses because in the absence of therapy, sometimes the teacher becomes the first line of support

It’s no longer enough to say “school is a second home ” We must prove it structurally, emotionally, and responsibly

These children didn t choose to carry the weight of parental conflict, financial instability, or neglect But every day they walk through our gates not to escape, but to hope And it is our duty to ensure that hope is not betrayed

Let us stop treating transfers as paperwork and start treating them as people Because education is not just about who shows up it’s about who stays, who struggles, and who survives

Tusan, Jehiah Grace

Cartoonists: Sucal, Teodoro Tingson, Jewel

School Paper Adviser: Pasco, Jeffrey

Coaches: Generale, Valerie D Himang, Geraldine

Salesale, Linda Olaybal, Teresa Leilani Bancaerin, Michelle Milan, Joy Lucero Khanny Asumbr, Jiah Pean

Asumbra, Jimboy Gascon, Mailyn

SPJ Coordinator:

Regidor, Bryll O

Consultant:

Ellin T Vicera, Principal II

Div Journalism Coordinators

John jerson Constantino

Analiza Domingo

Donna Panes CID Chief

Ruth Estacio, PhD, CESO V Superintendent

CREDITS: ALABEL INFO, POBLA YOUTH

BY PRESCIOUS BARRACA

Tatlong

Pantal, Tatlong

Kuwento: Mpox sa Bayang Tahimik

“May pantal ka ba?”

Isang simpleng tanong na ngayon ay may bigat sa eskwelahang dating punô ng tawa at ingay Sa Alabel, tatlong kaso ng Mpox ang naitala nitong Hunyo 2025 kakaunti sa numero pero malaki ang epekto sa damdamin ng mga tao

Tahimik ang pagdating ng Mpox, di tulad ng COVID Mabagal pero ramdam Sa paaralan, may estudyanteng hindi na pumasok sabi ng mga kaklase, may rashes daw Lahat naging tahimik Lahat naging mapagmasid

Ayon sa DOH, ang Mpox ay isang viral disease na galing sa hayop Sintomas nito ay lagnat, pananakit ng katawan, at mga pantal sa balat sa mukha, kamay, at minsan sa ari Pero higit sa pisikal, ang mas mabigat ay ang tingin ng iba Dito pumapasok ang hiya at takot

May mga batang ayaw nang pumasok, baka raw pagtawanan Bumalik ang face mask, dumalang ang kwentuhan Ang mga guro at magulang nagiging tahimik ding tagapagbantay ng kaba

Sa mga barangay, may meeting Sa health center, may tanungan Ngunit limitado ang testing kits, kaya ang tanging sandata ngayon ay impormasyon hindi takot, kundi pag-unawa

Tatlong kaso lang, pero libo ang naapektuhan Hindi lang katawan ang tinatamaan ng virus kundi ang tiwala ang pakikitungo, at ang pagtingin sa isa t isa Kung makakita ka man ng pantal sa kaklase, sa tindera, o sa kaanak mo ‘wag matakot Wag husgahan Dahil ang sakit,

BY JHOSAN FUERTES

ALABEL, Sarangani Province Sa kabila ng patuloy na banta ng ilegal na d kabataan, nananatiling mataas ang antas ng pag-asa sa Alabel matapos mapatunayang 99% ng kabataang sumailalim sa drug test ay negatibo sa p ng ipinagbabawal na gamot

to Unde enrollment week beco s before they fall behind aang

Sumailalim Alabel, Negati bo

to Learn—Bu ted

Ayon sa tala ng lokal na pamahalaan, 477 kabataang kalahok sa isang community-based youth activity ang isinailalim sa drug testing Sa nasabing bilang, 472 ang nagnegatibo sa paggamit ng droga

“Malipayon ang mga ginikanan nga ang ilang mga anak wala nagagamit og druga,” pahayag ni Mayor Vic Paul Salarda kaugnay ng resulta ng pagsusuri

Ang hakbang ay bahagi ng pinaigting na kampanya ng pamahalaang barangay laban sa droga, partikular na sa hanay ng mga kabataan Ayon sa mga opisyal, layunin nitong maagapan ang pagkalulong ng mga menor de edad sa bisyo at maibalik ang kanilang atensyon sa edukasyon, disiplina, at aktibong pamumuhay

Bilang suporta sa adbokasiyang ito, inilunsad ang Summerlympics 2025 isang paligsahang pampalakasan na pinangunahan ng Sangguniang Kabataan katuwang ang barangay at mga organisasyong pangkabataan Sa aktibidad, inilapit sa mga kabataan ang iba t ibang larong pampalakasan gaya ng basketball, volleyball, at athletics

Through sports, we learn the powe teamwork Our differences make us s and together we can overcome chal pahayag ni Fieal Quiamco, isa sa mg facilitators ng programa

Ibinahagi ng mga opisyal na ang la Summerlympics ay hindi lamang upa mapalakas ang pisikal na panganga kabataan, kundi upang mailayo rin s mapanganib na bisyo gaya ng droga

Kaugnay nito, patuloy ang isinasag information drive ng barangay ukol s masamang epekto ng droga sa kalu pag-uugali, at kinabukasan ng kaba Mayroon ding mga values formation at counseling support para sa mga kabataang nasa alanganing kalagayan

Bagamat maliit ang porsyento ng mga nagpositibo sa drug test, hindi ito ipinagsawalang-bahala ng mga opisyal Anila, ang bawat buhay na nalulugmok sa droga ay isa nang seryosong usapin na nararapat bigyang pansin

Bantay Barangay, Bantay Kinabukasan

Pagsasanay ng BADAC sa Alabel, hakbang para sa ligtas na kinabukasan ng kabataan

Isang simpleng araw sa Sampaguita Hall ng New Government Center ang naging simula ng panibagong panata ng mga barangay sa Alabel: ang maging aktibong bantay ng kanilang komunidad laban sa banta ng ilegal na droga

NoongHunyo 3, 2025, isinagawa ang isang makabuluhang pagsasanay para sa mga miyembro ng Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) Layunin nito ang pagtibayin ang kakayahan ng mga opisyal sa pagpapanatili ng drug-cleared status ng kanilang mga barangay at palawakin ang kanilang papel sa communitybased rehabilitation Pinangunahan ang aktibidad nina IAIII Michelle Manatad mula sa PDEA SarGen at Cheryl Mae David ng Provincial Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP), katuwang si Rose Jean Quirante, focal person ng Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) Ayon kay Quirante, “Hindi lang ito technical training ito ay panata Panata ng bawat barangay na protektahan ang mga kabataan mula sa bisyo

Hindi Lang Papel, Buhay ang Pinoprotektahan

Ayon sa Dangerous Drugs Board 29 390 barangay na sa buong bansa ang naideklarang drug-cleared mula Enero hanggang Marso 2025 Ngunit higit 6,000 pa rin ang nananatiling apektado ng droga Sa rehiyon ng SOCCSKSARGEN, kabilang ang Alabel sa mga nangunguna: 14 barangay nito ay aktibong nagpapatibay ng kanilang drug-free status, bahagi ng 109 barangay sa rehiyon na may parehong layunin

Sa gitna ng mga numerong ito, isa ang malinaw: hindi natatapos ang laban sa deklarasyon Kailangang maramdaman ang resulta sa loob mismo ng komunidad sa bawat kanto sa bawat tahanan sa bawat silidaralan Alabel NHS: Mambabasa, Kabilang Ka

BY EURIKA CATIPAY

The test wasn’t just a requirement it was a proving ground And Jomicho Parilla didn’t just pass it; he aced it Among a crowd of hopefuls vying for a spot in the Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) at Alabel National High School, Jomicho s name rose to the top Securing the highest score in the entrance exam, he didn’t just open the door to SPJ he a key he forged through on and years of

But for Jomicho, topping the list wasn t about bragging rights In fact, the moment he saw his name at the top, what followed wasn’t celebration it was pressure Now I have to live up to this, he thought Tearlierhe score was just the beginning; his real story was yet to be written

At ten, Jomicho began writing about Science and Technology, despite its unfamiliarity Eventually, he

At the Top of the List, But Just

After acing the SPJ 7 entrance exam, Jomicho Parilla sets hi a future of stories, purpose, and national

Each article he crafted be foundation of the writer he w every success, he didn’t clim built a portfolio His pen bec of his voice, and his voice b weight

Now stepping into the SPJ is already eyeing the future the national stage: NSPC Bu writing to impress He’s writi compete, yes but also to and inspire

Acing the entrance exam him at the top But what wil Parilla won t be one score stories he chooses to tell fro

Sa gitna ng kampanyang ito, umaasa ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Alabel na mas marami pang kabataan ang mapapabilang sa mga programang layuning ihanda sila sa mas ligtas, malusog, at produktibong kinabukasan

Ang pagtutulungan ng mga opisyal magulang, guro, at mismong kabataan ang nagsisilbing ugat ng pagkilos At sa bawat batang naliligtas mula sa impluwensya ng droga, isa na namang dahon ang umuusbong isang dahon tungo sa laya

Above

da Eskwela 2025, as other students brought packed lunches and paid fees with Navarette walked into Alabel National High School empty-handed but far from her school fees What ands, time to spare, and on was worth sweeping

Luck

Grade 10 student under chnical-Vocational he second of three at survives on her s a laborer Their family a rural village in Alabel, complete school ery coin matters

the opportunity to

I don t want to burden my parents, she said That s why I work Janella s story, though inspiring, reflects a wider truth in the Philippine education system many learners stay in school not through scholarships, but through struggle

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 13 2% of Filipino families lived below the poverty threshold in 2023 with Region XII (which includes Sarangani) consistently ranking among the most economically challenged

This means that for families like Janella’s, even small fees ₱150 here ₱50 there can become roadblocks to education

anella traded what little she had four f physical labor She swept classrooms, hairs, assisted teachers and volunteers working her way into the academic year others deposited bills, Janella deposited rn of Perseverance rifice wasn t new.

weekends, Janella washes clothes for rs She also offers massage therapy, a skill ned from her mother The money she rely exceeds ₱100 per session but she ery coin, not for snacks or mobile load, otebooks, project materials, and tation

NE DELFINAN

na namang yugto sa kuwento ati kasama sa paglalakbay ralan Bumangon ako, dala ang angarap na iyon, kailangan ko Numero, Kundi Buhay Sa unang School ngayong taong g dumalo isang 60% pagtaas g taon Dumarami ang mga nit hindi dumarami ang mga nit ang bumabalot kundi ang silid-aralan ay hindi na silid; pinagsisiksikan ang kaalaman nog ng mga silyang dahil sa ingay Ito ang mga ngunit kulang sa espasyo utok ang Diwa? Ayon kay nator, “Dati, hanggang 45 lang mga seksyong umaabot sa arap na kailangang

In this moment, the school was no longer just a building it was becoming a promise

Rooms were repainted Desks realigned The air carried the scent of fresh paint, disinfectant, and quiet ambition Grass was trimmed and walkways cleared, not just for tidiness, but to make space for stories to unfold again

Where once there was clutter, now there was clarity

Where once there was silence, now there is anticipation

Where once there was pause, now there is purpose

The transformation wasn’t just physical it was felt in the way students stayed a little longer, in how volunteers smiled more easily in the way teachers paused before leaving

Meanwhile, data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reveals that over 1 37 million Filipino youth engage in labor, often not because they want to, but because they need to to stay in school, to buy uniforms or to keep food on the table

Janella is one of them

But instead of leaving school to earn, she works harder to stay

What ₱150 Reveals About the System

A young girl trading labor for education highlights a systemic failure where access to public schooling depends on hardship, not equity Her small act reveals a bigger issue, showing that true perseverance often comes from pressure, not privilege

Isang silid Limampung katawan Iisang pisara Ngunit sabaysabay ang pagnanais na matuto

Ang iba’y nakaupo sa sirang upuan Ang iba’y nakatayo May ilan ding nagbabahagi ng isang monobloc na walang sandalan Ayon sa tala ng paaralan 166 na silya ang kulang katumbas ng tatlong buong classroom

At ang ALS learners? Wala pa ring sariling silid Pansamantala, pansariling diskarte muna Hindi Kayang Sukatin sa Square Meter ang Pagsisikap

Ang silid na ito ay hindi lamang puno ng estudyante Puno rin ito ng mga pangarap na naghahanap ng puwang At kahit mahirap huminga, kahit pawisan, kahit halos hindi marinig ang tinig ng guro naririto pa rin kami

Hindi naging hadlang ang kakulangan sa aming kagustuhang matuto Tulad ng mga guro naming patuloy ang pagtuturo kahit wala nang matayuan ang lesson plan

Ayon kay Gng Ellin Vicera, Principal I ng ANHS, “Ginagawa po namin ang lahat ng makakaya para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga estudyante Sa patakaran ng DepEd, walang batang dapat maiwan at kami ay nakikiisa sa adhikaing iyon

Patuloy ang mga hakbang upang ayusin ang pasilidad at mga silid, habang hinaharap ng mga mag-aaral ang hirap ng siksikan at kakulangan Ngunit sa kabila ng bigat pisikal man o l hi di il bibi kl d hil l i

a room, knowing it would soon be full again. In just a week, the school changed not just its walls, but its welcome

It is now spotless Tidy Immaculate Ready

But more than that it is waiting Not for perfection, but for possibility

And as the final echo of Brigada fades into the quiet hum of readiness, Alabel National High School stands not just cleaned and prepared but poised For noise. For names. For learning. For lives