Sapientia et Virtus | Volume 9 Issue 1 | June 2024 - January 2025

A PLEA FOR TOMORROW Anthonians

call for responsible voting in 2025 Elections

J.D. Tumbaga

With four months remaining before the 2025 Midterm Elections and with the official list of candidates finalized, the Anthonian community stressed the importance of responsible voting, recognizing this election as a primary game-changer that will shape the country’s future. Continue on page 5.

Marcos unveils major policies on POGO ban, economic aid, national defense

The third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Batasang Pambansa last July 22, 2024 aimed to reflect on the accomplishments from the past year and address several key initiatives directed at improving the well-being of the Philippines and its people.

To list an achievement from 2023, Marcos mentioned that despite the challenges faced by the Filipino people, the country witnessed its highest rice harvest in recent years, surpassing 20 million tons—the highest yield since 1987.

Additionally, he highlighted the implementation of the total ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the approval of the National Expenditure Program for 2025, the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP)

SSA Medical Mission serves 300 beneficiaries

Driven by a unified goal to help those in need, the Socio-Civic Action Program (SICAP) Foundation launched a Medical and Dental Mission which benefited around 300 recipients from nearby barangays on July 14, 2024, at the School of St. Anthony (SSA) Covered Court.

SICAP partnered with volunteers, alumni, teachers, and students in providing medical assistance, dental check-ups, free eye examinations, massages, and other health services.

“The event was successful because there were several volunteer doctors, dentists, and sponsors. Aside from medical services, the recipients received medicines, toiletries, and simple snacks. Free eye check-ups and massages were also offered,”

Foundation Coordinator.

They also organized a Free Circumcision Program last July 20, with the help of doctors from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Additionally, they distributed free medicines with support from Unilab and Well Brothers’ Marketing.

Dr. Semorlan expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed, making the annual medical mission a resounding

for 2023-2028, additional cash aid to 4Ps beneficiaries, and the defense of the West Philippine Sea against China.

These topics, which range from national security to economic growth, resonated deeply with the students and faculty members of the School of St. Anthony (SSA).

According to Ezekiel Mercado, one of the students of SSA, it is only right that the president addressed these issues.

“I think it was appropriate for

PULSE OF THE MASSES

the president to address these issues since it directly affects the national security and economy of our country,” said Mercado.

Marcos urged government officials, law enforcers, and citizens to remain vigilant, uphold principles, and prioritize the nation’s welfare.

The SONA 2024 has set the tone for Marcos’ remaining term, focusing on national recovery, sovereignty, and long-term growth.

Could the recent SONA be considered transparent in its nature?

Anthonians rake awards in int’l academic tilts

As Anthonians continue to excel in the fields of Mathematics, Science, and English, students from grades 7 to 12 garnered various awards in this year’s Philippine International Math and Science Olympics (PIMSO) on September 22, Asian Science and Math Olympiad (ASMO) on October 13, Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO) on October 27, and Hong Kong International Science Olympiad (HKISO) Heat Round 2024 on December 7. TIMO 2024 Winners

Insly Dela Luna and Zoe Telan nabbed bronze medals, while Summer Magsalin and Ygreine Casaclang won silver medals in the TIMO Heat Round.

PIMSO 2024 Winners

Casaclang bagged a gold and silver medal for Science and Math respectively, followed by Ron Naguit, who was named an achiever in Science and Miel Mallari finishing as a Science merit awardee.

For Grade 12, Izabelle Dimzon and Claire Makimkim were awarded their silver medals in Science, with Markus Dela Cruz being declared as an achiever in Math.

ASMO 2024 Winners

In the Junior High School Department, Deanielle Acosta, Myeshia Calmerin, Mirko De Leon, Chiara Isles, Daniel Paronda, Louise Perez, Stephanie Sison, Guia Cruz, and Jann Errol De Vera started the list of wins with bronze medals in English, with Aria Papa clinching a merit award.

Casaclang was also named an ASMO winner with a gold in Science, a silver in Math, and a bronze in English, followed by Martine Cundangan bagging a gold medal in English and a silver in Science. Moreover, Mehgan Macasiano and Elmer Mella were hailed as

English gold medalists, with Gillian Aceron, Erin Archangel, and Brandon Urayenza taking home silver medals.

Zach Nathan Cruz won silver medals in both Science and English, followed by Jose Pablo Tumbaga garnering a silver for Science.

Additionally, for the Senior High School Department, Markus Dela Cruz ended up with silver for all three major subjects, followed by Iwen Manaba winning a silver in Science and English and bronze in Math, Makimkim clinching a silver in Math and Science, and Jose David Tumbaga claiming a silver in Math and a bronze in English.

In Science, Dimzon brought home a silver medal with Uriel Andrada, Emmanuel Caindec, Mallari, and Megumi Pagadora taking bronze, finishing with merit awardee Peter Fernan.

For Math, Joven Uy won a silver medal, Ranzen Amar, Lawrence Gerente, Richmon Lim and Chaze Bautista took their bronze medals, and Dashelle Empeynado and Alyana Erolin were declared as merit awardees.

Meanwhile, Kiera Velasco, Layla Garcia, and Kyan Ganuelas all won bronze in English, Raphael Castillo and Anica Salangsang claimed silver, and Johan Rosario succeeded in clinching a gold medal.

Ongaria

Grade 10 students Casaclang, Telan, and Macasiano on the other hand, won silver awards for their performance in the Science Olympiad’s Heat Round, followed by Raya Banzon from Grade 9, Summer Magsalin from Grade 8, and Sison from Grade 7 claimed their gold awards.

SICAP partners with Caritas Manila for typhoon relief operations

After a string of six consecutive typhoons devastated to several regions of the Philippines, the School of St. Anthony’s Socio-Civic Action Program (SICAP) donated relief goods to the Caritas Manila Foundation to help with outreach programs in heavily affected areas.

The last of the six typhoons, Typhoon Kristine, made landfall in several provinces across Luzon such as Isabela, Ifugao, and Ilocos Sur.

As per School Spiritual Directress and SICAP Coordinator, Dr. Ava Semorlan, these provinces will be the places most likely to receive SSA’s donations through Caritas Manila relief operations.

The relief goods provided by SSA were donated by the families of Anthonian students across all batches and grade levels after a circular from the school raised awareness of its intention to aid those affected by the typhoons.

SSA also worked with Caritas Manila in a similar outreach for typhoon victims a month earlier on October 9, 2024.

According to Dr. Semorlan, the school collaborated with Caritas Manila in order to ensure that the donations provided would go to

those in need—something that Caritas Manila has a consistent track record of doing, not just with SSA, but also with numerous other entities.

Dr. Semorlan adds that SSA has been a long-time partner of Caritas Manila, having partnered with the foundation for charity and donation drives ever since the conception of SICAP.

“SICAP is SSA’s charitable arm—it’s the school organization that handles and executes all of the school’s charity initiatives,” said Dr. Semorlan when asked about SICAP and its purpose.

In addition to relief operations and charity work, SICAP has multiple initiatives such as the Guidance and Basic Assistance for the Youth (GABAY) program, among others, all of which aim to aid the marginalized sectors of society.

GABAY program strengthens youth educational support

To empower the youth and strengthen their commitment to education, the School of St. Anthony’s Guidance and Basic Assistance for the Youth (GABAY) Program has continued its mission to provide educational support and resources to students in need this November 23, 2024.

This program involves Anthonians who teach various lessons and topics to the GABAY beneficiaries every session.

GABAY is offered to public school students, out-of-school youth, and all underprivileged children who seek free tutorial classes.

It is held on campus every Saturday, with volunteer students

facilitating and teaching the classes.

When asked about the importance of GABAY, SICAP Coordinator Dr. Ava Semorlan said, “GABAY has been a program of SICAP ever since I came around, and the impact it’s had on numerous communities should not be understated.”

Before November 23, the last GABAY class was held on October

5, 2024, just before the Anthonian community started preparing for the Foundation Day Celebrations for the rest of the month.

GABAY is not limited to tutorial classes; it also provides school supplies and other necessities for underprivileged members of the community through its outreach programs.

On September 28, GABAY held a major outreach where they distributed school supplies donated by Anthonians to GABAY students.

SSA commemorates 42nd founding anniversary

Excitement and anticipation filled the campus as the School of St. Anthony (SSA) celebrated its 42nd founding anniversary with a fourday festivity from November 7 to 10 themed, “Rhythm in Motion: A Celebration of Synergy, Symmetry, and Artistry.”

The celebration featured food stalls, senior high school booths, and field demonstrations, with Anthonians performing dances to songs from movies released between 2010 and 2019.

In the first batch of the Upper School Field Demonstration, Grade 9-Cardinal Santos, Ruiz, and Burgos were declared overall champions for their Trollsthemed performance.

Following them, Grade 10-Quirino and Magsaysay placed first runner-up, also earning awards for Best in Attendance and Cleanest Level.

Grade 8-Dagohoy and Malvar secured second runner-up with

their performance of songs from High School Musical, while Grade 7-Baltazar and Bonifacio placed third runner-up with a Shrek-inspired routine, also receiving the Most Disciplined award.

Meanwhile, Grade 10-Macapagal, Laurel, and Quezon emerged as champions in the second batch of the Upper School Field Demonstration, also earning the Best in Attendance and Cleanliness awards.

Performing songs from the hit movie The Greatest Showman, Grade 9-Gomez and Mother Ignacia placed first runner-up, while Grade 8-Jacinto and Nakar secured second runner-up and received the Most Disciplined award.

Through a Madagascar-themed performance, Grade 7-Rizal and Mabini clinched third runner-up in the competition.

Outperforming several delegates from various divisions of the National Capital Region (NCR), Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag Chief Editorial Officer, Izabelle Dimzon, and Editor-in-Chief, Anica Salangsang, were elected as President and Treasurer, respectively, of the NCR Editors’ Guild for the 2024–2025 term. The elections took place at Tuyom Elementary School, Carcar City, Cebu, on July 9, 2024, during the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC).

4 NEWS

SHS dept. kickstarts 2024 FDC booth operations

The opening of the much anticipated annual Senior High School (SHS) Club Fair made its instant mark on the Anthonian community on November 7, 2024, with new activities and products in store for students and visitors.

Led by DIGIVERSE were the selling of digital art products like caricatures, button pins, photocards, and other kinds of merchandise.

A camera’s eye and creativity are what SSALENTE had to offer in their booth named “Scenetilla,” led by their club president Selina Salangsang.

On the other hand, arcade games were at the forefront, SSAGE in their SSAyber Zone Booth with different games, including Stumpy/Tad-Dad, Kinetic Strike, Bounce Chika Wow Wow, and more.

CaSSA Fantasia did not fall behind in presenting their booth, including different services like face/body paint, hair styling, and nail service.

Bridget Marie Cablayan, president of LIFE CRAFT, said that she did not expect the amount of customers that would avail of their services that lead to the success of their booth.

Carnival games were the theme revolving around the WanSSAfunataym booth, led by Dane Walo, president of the ASCEND Club.

Self-love was what the Peer Facilitator Club focused on, spearheaded by Risen Natividad He said that the club booth was called “Magic Shop: Chronicles of Wonder,” which included multiple activities, including journal making.

SSAPOR stayed true to their roots as they continued their horror-themed booth called SSAKANGKATAKUTAN: Cries of the Past, Screams The Last, headed by Nikka Dela Cruz.

Younger batches were the target market of Balai Fundalia from Balai San Antonio with their painting and puzzles led by Alberta Jimenez.

Sonically pleasing sounds were flaunted by the Club of Rock or Sonosphere, in which daily concerts filled the walls of the classroom, headed by Lance Galapate.

Not one to be lagging, Crafthyst, led by their club president Precious Hosana, sold trendy handmade products like beaded bracelets, phone charms, crochets, and satin flowers.

Speak-At, on the other hand gathered all the potterheads in their Harry Potter-inspired escape room through the leadership of Jaeden Managuelod.

Marking the end of this year’s founding anniversary, D’Artissan Club was hailed as the overall champion for the club booth operations, second place was bagged by Crafthyst Club, and SSAPOR Club clinched third place.

Over October, Sugarcane features in SSA’s ‘Hiraya’ music event

The School of St. Anthony’s Student Government (SG) spearheaded Hiraya: Tagisan ng Tinig at Musika, featuring performances by two of today’s top OPM bands, Over October and Sugarcane, along with the annual student-comprised battle of the bands.

The event, with its multiple segments, allowed Anthonians to sing along with the its lineup of performances, then support their bets in the Junior and Senior Divisions of the battle of the bands.

Over October sang their hits “Ikot” and “Kaakit-akit,” while Sugarcane took the spotlight with their top song “Leonora,” and the first-ever live performance of their new song, “Lagi Na Lang.”

9ilap of the Grade 9 level started the Junior Division’s set of bands as they covered songs from Sampaguita and December Avenue, followed by the voices of Grade 8’s Madahan and Grade 7’s Soundwaves, who also sang popular OPM hits.

As the high energy continues, Grade 10’s Pamantula and Grade 11’s DiyaSSA took the spotlight and sang their hearts out with Cup of Joe’s “Estranghero” and “Ewan” from the Apo Hiking Society.

The Grade 12 band, Silakbo, also rendered their original arrangement of Kamikazee’s “Halik” and Gloc-9’s “Upuan”, ending the night’s band performances.

SG also organized a raffle draw through the voting stubs of the participating bands and gave prizes of gift cards, scientific calculators, flasks, and many more.

The night ended with Grade 11’s DiyaSSA and Grade 9’s 9ilap bagging the champion title for this year’s

battle of the bands for the senior and junior divisions, respectively. Hiraya 2024 was this year’s Student Government event

to kickstart the four-day-long foundation anniversary celebration.

PERSPECTIVE

”

Being part of the organizers of HIRAYA was an unforgettable experience. Seeing everyone enjoy the event, singing along, and sharing the moment made all the hard work and efforts worth it. It was a night full of energy, music, and memories that we’ll always carry with us, the Student Government, and with the Anthonian community.

KEIRA VELASCO | SHS SG VICE PRESIDENT

Anthonians call...

In a survey and series of interviews conducted by Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag (SEV/AP) Publications, one prevailing sentiment stood out: dissatisfaction with the current roster of electoral candidates.

A ‘Substandard’ Candidate Pool?

A commanding 95% of respondents claimed that the quality of electoral candidates leaves much to be desired, with only 5% apolitical respondents not expressing discontent over the list of electoral hopefuls.

Banking on the perceived lack of qualified candidates, editorial officer Markus Dela Cruz remarked, “Democracy tends to be useless if the right person for the job isn’t even on the list.”

On the other hand, 80% of teacher-respondents claim that the problem originates from

the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) minimal requirements for candidacy and the lack of effective voter education.

“Aside from irresponsible voting, the reason why there are incompetent people in power is because, come election time, the selection of candidates is majorly composed of similarly incompetent individuals.” Filipino Coordinator Angeline Reyes stated.

Corruption as the Central Concern

With the Philippines having a long-standing history of corruption even at the highest levels of government, with cases such as those involving former President Joseph Estrada and businesswoman Janet Napoles serving as stark reminders, Anthonians now consider such an ordinary act in the Philippine government.

With an overwhelming 60.5% of respondents pointing to corruption as their main concern, Anthonians are now critical on the 2025 candidates’ lineup for Senate seats, including multiple candidates with histories of corruption and criminal allegations, such as Bong Revilla, Apollo Quiboloy, and Imee Marcos.

As Grade 12 HUMSS student Jovito Balabbo lamented, “It’s another set of corrupt politicians for the country, and another few years of questioning voter and candidate integrity for us.”

The Apolitical Perspective

The 5% minority who do not engage in the electoral discourse expressed a certain degree of detachment from the electionrelated concerns and topics.

“The focus has seemingly been on issues that the ‘bad’ senators

have caused, rather than the helpful contributions brought to society by the ‘good’ ones—if there even are any at this point. So, I can’t bring myself to care that much right now”, a Grade 12 HUMSS student mused.

A Call for Awareness and Action

With differing opinions and perspectives on the upcoming elections, one thing remains clear: the need for RESPONSIBLE VOTING.

As the midterm elections are happening in four months, Anthonians are urged to look beyond names and political affiliations and instead focus on candidates’ platforms, integrity, qualifications, and policies. After all, as the majority of respondents put it, “the power to create meaningful change lies in an informed and responsible electorate.”

IN PURSUIT OF TRUTH

Fueled with passion for truth, Sapientia et Virtus/ Ang Paglalayag (SEV/AP) Chief Editorial Officer Izabelle Dimzon was appointed as a Board Director for the National Capital Region in the National Secondary Editors’ Guild (NSEG) for 2024–2025 at Carcar City, Cebu on July 10, 2024.

Quichocho nabs Best News Presenter in

English TVB at NSPC 2024

Battling against numerous field reporters from 16 teams nationwide, Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag (SEV/AP) Chief Editorial Officer Juliana Quichocho was recognized as one of the Best News Presenters in the English TV Script Writing and Broadcasting category at the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Carcar City, Cebu, on July 10, 2023.

Themed “Galing, Talino at Husay ng mga Batang Makabansa sa Diwa ng MATATAG na Adhika,” SEV/ AP’s English TV Broadcasting Team, composed of Zoie Sta. Mina, Izabelle Dimzon, Juliana Quichocho, Darrel Tangonan, Jaime Lorenzo Tangco, Anica Salangsang, and Iwen Manaba, was once again selected as this year’s National Capital Region (NCR) representatives in the said tilt.

“It was another full-circle moment for the little broadcaster in me. I also found all of it so new and different compared to the first NSPC we were able to participate in. From the venues to the rules of the competition, things changed and challenged us to think outside the box. Being there again just made me realize that we were there because

of the years of hard work we poured into our craft, and that we had to keep being there until we finally got what we came for,” Quichocho as she shared her NSPC experience.

In contrast to last year’s results, the team was unable to secure a podium finish or win other special awards.

“Not placing in this year’s NSPC was not easy to move on from as every campus journalist would say and relate to. However, in our case, I believe that it added fuel to our fire rather than keeping us down for so long. It was like this silent vow that we will bounce back much stronger and compete on the national stage again to claim what we came there to claim,” she stated.

Anthonian secures bronze medal at HKIMO 2024

has yet again brought pride and dignity to the

secured a bronze

The Hong Kong International Math Olympiad (HKIMO) is an annual competition that gathers math enthusiasts from across the globe to showcase their problemsolving skills and mathematical talent.

The competition consisted of two rounds, with the Heat Round held in May and the Finals in August.

Seven students, from

elementary to high school, represented the school at this prestigious competition, with Tolentino earning a bronze medal in both rounds, and Ygreine Marie Casaclang, securing a bronze medal in the heat round, both at the Secondary 2 Level.

In a remarkable feat, the Philippines placed first in the overall medal tally, securing 29 golds, 26 silvers, 29 bronzes, and 33 merit

2024.

awards.

Reflecting on his preparation, Tolentino recalled the challenges he faced during training. “The first days of my training were hard, and I didn’t get most of the items,” he admitted. Despite these struggles, his persistence, combined with the unwavering support of his family, friends, and faith, helped him push through.

“I was able to overcome the

SEV/AP tops APSA, D5SSPC 2024

struggles and feelings of being overwhelmed with the help of my family, my friends and relatives, and most importantly, from the Lord. They were able to give me courage, strength, advice, and a lot more that helped give me the motivation to continue,” Tolentino shared.

“There was even a time when I thought that I wouldn’t make it to the finals, but by His will, I was able to qualify for the finals,” he mentioned.

In his journey, he expressed deep gratitude for the support he received,

“I would like to thank everyone

Equipped with a passion for truth, student campus journalists from the Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag (SEV/AP) publications capped this year’s Association of Private School Administrators (APSA) First Young Writers’ Competition for private schools and District 5 Secondary Schools Press Conference (D5SSPC) as the Overall Highest Performing School on October 18 to 20, 2024.

Soaring above numerous private schools in Quezon City during the APSA First Young Writers’ Competition, SEV/AP ranked as the Top 1 Performing School in both English and Filipino, repeating the same success in the District Schools Press Conference.

APSA

Leading the roster of scribes for APSA were Katrina Juan, Nikka Dela Cruz, Cleah Martin, Jasmine Galendez, Darrel Tangonan, Trisha Amorin, and Nicole Marquez who ranked first in Pagsulat ng Balita,

Writing, Pagsulat ng Kolum, Photojournalism, Copyreading and Headline Writing, and Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng Balita respectively.

Pocketing silver medals in their respective categories were Jaeden Managuelod in Editorial Writing, Beamie Magat in Pagsulat ng Editoryal, Markus Dela Cruz in Column Writing, Camille Nicolas in Photojournalism, Lucas Sta. Mina in Pagkuha ng Larawan, and Charisse Baldonado in Copyreading and Headline Writing, Other podium finishers bagging third place include Ezekiel Mercado in Pagsulat ng Isports, Jose David

Tumbaga in Copyreading and Headline Writing, and Leannah Cruz in Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng Balita.

D5SSPC

Jose David Tumbaga, Markus Dela Cruz, Juliana Quichocho, and Mhike Pamilar were hailed as champions in their respective categories: Editorial Writing, Column Writing, Mobile Journalism English and Filipino. Following them, Jasmine Galendez, Uriel Andrada, and Genela Nicolas were all awarded silver medals in Pagsulat ng Kolum, Column Writing, Pagsulat ng Isports, and Feature Writing, respectively.

Clinching third place were Risen Natividad in Feature Writing, Cleah Martin in Column Writing, and Darrel Tangonan in Photojournalism.

SEV/AP also dominated the group categories in the English and Filipino mediums, with the Collaborative Desktop Publishing teams, Radio Broadcasting teams, and TV Broadcasting teams sweeping the Confab awards in the respective categories.

Teams and individual writers are currently gearing up for the Division Schools Press Conference, where they will face Quezon City’s strongest.

who supported me. My family, who loved me, my friends, who encouraged me, and most of all, the Lord, who gave me the strength to win the competition.”

Tolentino’s achievement, earned with pride and dignity, not only brings honor to the school but also serves as an inspiration for other students to strive for excellence. His victory is a testament to the power of hard work, faith, and support from loved ones; values that continue to guide and define the students of SSA.

SSA celebrates Buwan ng Wika ‘24

Despite the suspension of classes due to heavy rains last August, the School of St. Anthony (SSA) persevered, resuming the celebration of the Buwan ng Wika on August 30.

In line with this year’s theme, “Filipino: Wikang Mapagpalaya,” the Upper School Department prepared a set of activities that promoted the use of the Filipino language while also highlighting its significance in enabling young minds.

Prior to the culminating program of the Junior and Senior High School, competitions among students were conducted, allowing for them to showcase each talent from different fields.

For the JHS, they played the battle of wits in the Bugtongbugtongan, their skills in storytelling during the Masining

na Pagkukwento, and their musicality in the Karantahay.

The same goes for the SHS as they had games like Tagisan ng Talino and Pinoy Henyo, while their artistry in writing and drawing also played out during the slogan and poster making, and poem writing contest.

Furthermore, the JHS culminating event started with the parade of students in their national costumes, followed by the Palarong Pinoy that included games of Patintero, Pilipit Dila, Sack Relay, Batuhang Bola, 10/20, and Pinoy Henyo.

The winners of each competition held throughout the entire Buwan ng Wika event from both departments

of the Upper School were then recognized during the closing program, as well as the performance of each level and section’s chosen Karantahay act.

Moreover, last August 22, before events of the culminating program, a lecture forum was held for the JHS department entitled, “Ang Pagbubuklod sa Pinagbubukod: Dekonstruksyon sa mga Katutubo sa Pilipinas.”

Guest speaker Ms. Paulyn Capariño tackled various problems relating to issues faced by our country’s indigenous tribes.

SSA Alumni Batch 2020 shines with Latin Honors

With pride and dignity, the School of St. Anthony (SSA) alumni exemplified the true spirit of an Anthonian as they graduated with Latin honors for the School Year 2023-2024.

Forty-eight SSA graduates from the Class of 2020 were recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments, marking the end of their college journey with Latin honors.

Among them, Daniel Carlito Abalos, Thea Lalaine Ong, Joshua Molavin, and Sophia Angela Gacutan were honored as Summa Cum Laude graduates, receiving the highest academic level of distinction.

Additionally, Raymund Matthew Suacillo, Angela Marie Lumaguip, Jericho Denzel Aruta, Jedd Leano, Romeo III Nungay, Juan Antonio Paras, Matthew Gabriel Filamor, Khyle Villafuerte, Angelica Monares Zipagan, Lauren Macalinao, Luis Angelo Lopez, Lymoel Justin Lopez, Dominique Medina, Julia Angela Petilla, Christian Bernard Maluya, Joanna Nicole De Guzman, Neil Santiago, Maria Christina Reta,

Ellaine Jan Rabenitas, Jamie Lopez Vernan, Ella Patricia Daniroc, Raymond Angelo Ribaya, and Althea Marie Leano were awarded the honor of Magna Cum Laude. Meanwhile, Rosanna Mamaid, Justin Mendiola, Nrico Ives Quijano, Tyrone Tuazon, Randon Jay Castro, Ramon Chua Jr., Justin Marc Nillosan, Hazel Fay Espanola, Kathryn Amnell Espina, Alfonso Baluyut, Jazil Calapardo, Patricia Jhoy Narvaez, Allysa Maxine Paulino, Ria Reurreccion, Sophia Sarmiento, Katrina Julie Ann Silad, Anne Nicole Zalameda, Ynna Babaya, Azriel Pilarta, Adam Dumaguin, Drexelle Empeynadi, and Kylle Zyrene Carual graduated with Cum Laude honors.

The Batch 2020 is the first group of students at SSA who were affected by the cancellation of classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SSA honors employees for years of service in 42nd founding anniversary

In line with the celebration of the school’s 42nd founding anniversary, members of the faculty have been awarded for their loyalty and dedication to the school for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 years of service.

Ms. Anicia Salangsang, Senior Finance Officer, made a lasting impact as a member of the institution’s faculty as she served the school for her 40th year. Serving the Lower School Department for 30 years, Grade 2 and 3 Cluster Leader

Ms. Julie Obsuna has proven her dedication to teaching elementary

students.

SICAP and Campus Ministry

Coordinator Dr. Ava Ann Semorlan marks her 25th year in the school as she continues to aid the less fortunate.

For his 20 years of service as School Paper Adviser of Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag publications and coach of the SSA Performing Arts Guild, Mr. Nuelan Magbanua, delivered his message of gratitude for the opportunities he has gained during his stay in the school.

Ms. Marivic Macalino, Junior Finance Officer, is serving her 15th year in the school as she continues to uphold her role in the Accounting Department.

Marking a decade of her service, Ms. Nessa Vedarozaga, Communications and Marketing

Officer, acts as an inspiration and mentor to her students.

Lastly, the following staff members have been awarded for five years of service: Ms. Sabrina Advincula, Ms. Annabelle Aquino, Ms. Sharmaine Baje, Ms. Jane Frances Baricaua, Ms. Jerelie Cuebellas, Ms. Julia Jaromanay, Mr. Jasper Macazo, and Ms. Angeline Reyes.

Moreover, the school directress Mrs. Victoria Coralejo also raised a tribute for Ms. Jocelyn Collado, who recently passed away last June and would also have been serving the school for her 30th year.

In addition, intermission numbers have been presented by selected members of the SSA Performing Arts Guild and Coro San Antonio, followed by an intermission number by the Service Awardees.

9

DEMOCKRACY

The sanctity of the highest positions of our government must be protected. Our governing body has no room for actors, TV personalities, or pastors. Unfortunately, it is bursting at the seams with them. This issue has long been part of the manila envelope, favoring popularity over merit when electing public servants. A testament to why our political landscape is so desolate, why it is in such a dilapidated state.

When a country’s mall establishments and restaurants have stricter qualifications than our very own government, namely a college degree and NBI clearances, there exists a problem deeply ingrained in the manila envelope– crony politics. While it is no secret that political dynasties run rampant in this country, this barely scratches the surface of the problem. It is bad enough that familial ties decide the future of our country, but the fact that political allies with no background in governance are allowed to be in government simply because of their connection to those seated in power is a mockery of the democracy that is emphasized by the Philippine constitution.

While it is the goal of the system to be all-inclusive

regarding who is and isn’t able to run, there needs to be a distinct line between this and outright ignorance of the much-needed standard of quality of politicians. It is absurd to fathom that some of the people lording over us are convicted felons and nongraduates or dropouts when there are candidates who are qualified and who have backgrounds in law and governance simply waiting for their chance to make a change, to be the cause for reform. Yes, the lenient minimum qualifications are partly to blame for this, but it is not the focal point of fault.

It is vital to remember that the people remain the sole sovereigns of the Philippines, as such it is our responsibility to ensure that we are electing individuals based on merit rather than fame, qualifications rather than connections.

Unfortunately, it seems as though the

masses have neglected their duty. Our system of governance is riddled with undeserving, incompetent, and incapable mouths that have done nothing but satiate their greed.

We are forced to endure the bare minimum. A case in point is our current president, Bongbong Marcos. While his overall performance as the head of state is a highly debated point of contention; one thing remains true– he is severely lacking academic prestige compared to his other peers.

For any hope of reform to come to fruition, we cannot allow ourselves to be blinded by the dazzle of the sari-sari store solutions that are brought upon by these inept candidates, their promise of the moon, when they cannot lift their feet off the ground. After all, how would someone with no background in economics or agriculture ever be

able to fulfill their vow of reducing the price of rice to 20 pesos? To make matters worse, crony politics not only diminishes the overall quality of those seated in power but also completely decimates the rule of checks and balances among the three branches of the government. A vile example of this is how the speaker of the House of Representatives is the president’s own cousin. If that does not speak volumes about the current state of Philippine politics, then next to nothing will.

Unfortunately, there have been no moves from the government to amend the minimum qualifications required to run. In fact, the most notable bill regarding this has been a move to make it even more forgiving. House Bill No. 486: Filed by former President and House Deputy Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo in December 2022 proposed

that Filipino citizens with dual citizenship should be allowed to run for office without renouncing their foreign citizenship. A far cry from the changes that are actually needed.

Fortunately, all hope is not lost. Despite the somewhat grim outlook on this, there are still movements that aim to tighten the qualifications needed. An online petition on Change.org moves for the implementation of educational requirements, such as holding a college degree, and emphasizes the need for civic and leadership education. A movement in which all constituents of our democracy must find commonality, lest the dreadful cycle continues to perpetuate.

BY THE NUMBERS

JULY 22

BBM bans POGOs in the Philippines

50B

Estimated unpaid taxes

4039

Victims of illegal POGO activities

Dear Editors,

VIEWPOINTS

FACADE

On PBBM Banning POGOs

Izabelle Dimzon

During his third State of the Nation Address on July 22, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the banning of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This decision represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s battle against corruption, criminality, and economic instability, reaffirming a commitment to prioritize the welfare of the Filipinos over short-term financial gains.

POGOs, which have generated billions in revenue, initially seemed like a promising boost to the country’s economy. However, their rise brought with it a shadow of illegal activities such as tax evasion, prostitution, murder, pornography, drug trafficking, and scamming.

In the first quarter of 2023 alone,

4,039 victims were reported, emphasizing the grave human cost tied to these operations.

The notion that POGOs could remain in the country due to their “economic value” is a huge insult to Filipinos, especially to those who have lost their lives. The economic contributions of POGOs come at a

price that the nation can no longer afford to pay. In addition, their contributions pale in comparison to the billions in unpaid taxes, estimated at P50 billion in 2019.

The strain on law enforcement, the legal system, and public safety far outweighs the benefits of their continued operations.

Moreover, the expansion of POGOs in the country was not a product of good governance.

Several POGOs operate under unclear or anonymous ownership, making it difficult to regulate.

The challenge now lies in addressing the consequences of this decision. Displaced workers and potential revenue losses must be addressed through comprehensive programs offering alternative livelihoods and exploring more sustainable economic opportunities.

In the long run, the ban on POGOs is more than just a

political statement—it is a clear stand for national integrity, safety, and accountability. By prioritizing its people, the Marcos administration underscores its vision of a Philippines where progress is achieved without sacrificing ethics and public trust. This bold step may not come without challenges, but it is a necessary move toward a brighter and more secure future for the nation.

“In the long run, the ban on POGOs is more than just a political statement—it is a clear stand for national integrity, safety, and accountability.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Thank you for continuously providing informative and relevant reports to the Anthonian community. The efforts you have exerted in school coverages and competitions will never go unnoticed. Your dedication and hard work have made a significant impact on our community. We truly appreciate your commitment in delivering quality journalism. We look forward to more insightful and engaging reports and articles from you. Continue striving for truth and excellence!

Sincerely yours, Emily Aures | 12-Zara

Dear Emily,

Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! We are truly grateful for the support and appreciation from the Anthonian community. Our team remains committed to delivering insightful and engaging content, ensuring that every story we share upholds the values of truth and excellence. Your encouragement inspires us to work even harder in our pursuit of quality journalism. We look forward to continuing this journey with you and bringing more meaningful stories to our community!

Sincerely yours,

INHERITED SEATS

On Political Dynasties

Markus Dela Cruz

Political dynasties have been running the Philippines into complete pandemonium. A problem that is propagated by the very system that is supposed to fight against it. Case in point is former president Duterte filing for candidacy along with his son, Sebastian Duterte. A blatant violation of an act that is written into the Philippine constitution. Something

Despite how ideal the constitution may be, everything is still subject to political will. Unfortunately, those who are enabled to use that will are those who are benefitting from the unconstitutional act. There simply aren’t any laws to interpret nor punish political dynasties. This only serves to benefit the perpetrators of the act in the first place. This only propagates an issue that has long been festering in the Philippines’ body of governance. Instead of a system that supports the masses, political dynasties turn governance into a system that supports their own blood— most of the time, blood that spans generations. Qualifications and capabilities be damned.

The vilest example of this is the uneducated and incapable son of human rights violator and dictator Ferdinand Marcos spearheading the government, with more of their blood injecting the putrid smell of corruption into the government

The politicians already have no shame, treating their seats in power as something to pass on to their offspring, a business of sorts. This isn’t something that will just pass with time. Ignorance is never bliss when it comes to the state of the Philippine political landscape, and the Filipino masses need to be aware of this.

The Philippines cannot sit idly by as the idea of political dynasties continues to be promulgated. Capable and well-educated candidates are losing their rightful seats of power, all because a politician decided to make a political position their own. In order for any sort of reform to happen, the

masses need to unite, the masses need to push for anti-political dynasty bills to be passed, because continued ignorance will only equate to prolonged suffering.

The illusion of choice during elections is nothing more than a cruel joke, where the options presented to the public are merely different faces of the same political lineage.

The fight against political dynasties is a fight for the future of the Philippines. It is a fight for true representation, for leadership based on merit rather than birthright. If the people do not act, if they remain complacent in the face of this blatant abuse, they will continue to be ruled by those who see governance as an inheritance rather than a duty. The time for passivity is long over; the time for action is now.

WATCHER

TRADITIONAL TRAP

On Midterm Elections

Samantha Pepito

Unforeseen crises and governance failures continue to shape the Philippines, testing the nation’s leadership and exposing the cracks in its political systems. Natural disasters, economic downturns, and rising geopolitical tensions have underscored the need for competent, proactive leaders who prioritize action over image.

A prime example of leadership under scrutiny is the response to recent typhoons, economic inflation, and the education crisis. In times of instability, the role of local government units (LGUs) becomes paramount. Unfortunately, the same patterns of unpreparedness and inefficiency have persisted, leaving citizens to fend for themselves while authorities scramble to react. The lack of foresight, strategic crisis management, and long-term policy planning has put lives at risk and

exacerbated the already fragile conditions of many Filipinos.

The stark contrast between traditional politicians and progressive leaders remains evident. Many government officials still rely on outdated, publicitydriven governance—handing out relief goods in front of cameras, prioritizing photo opportunities over efficient service delivery, and manipulating public perception rather than enacting real change. These officials, often referred to as “trapos” (traditional politicians), thrive on performative leadership, making grand promises while failing to address systemic problems.

On the other hand, a new generation of mayors and public servants has emerged, proving that leadership rooted in action,

innovation, and transparency is possible. The likes of Vico Sotto of Pasig, Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela, Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina, and other progressive officials have continuously set the bar higher, demonstrating that governance should be about tangible results rather than mere optics. Whether through pioneering disaster preparedness programs, advancing digital governance, or improving local healthcare, education, and infrastructure, these leaders embody the kind of political will the country desperately needs. Filipinos have grown increasingly critical of performative politics. With social media amplifying both accountability and exposure, netizens no longer turn a blind eye to incompetence. Leaders

who prioritize personal gain over public welfare are now met with widespread scrutiny, and their failures are no longer easily swept under the rug. The call for transparency, action-oriented governance, and people-first policies is louder than ever. As the country moves forward, it is crucial to ask: should governance be about maintaining a polished public image, or should it be about enacting real change? The future of the Philippines hinges on its leaders’ ability to rise above traditional politics and embrace a governance model that is innovative, and truly serves the people. Because in the face of adversity, empty words and performative gestures are not what the nation needs—competence and commitment are.

“ “ As the country moves forward, it is crucial to ask: should governance be about maintaining a polished public image, or should it be about enacting real change?

Beamie Magat

Meals. Street Foods. Snacks. Sweets. What more could Anthonians ask for? Within the walls of the cafeterias of the School of St. Anthony (SSA), it’s not just about plain rice and meals, but a variety of simple choices for every taste. Truly, what else would they want?

Right. Lower its prices. About 9 out of 10 Anthonians concur that the cost of goods sold by the vendors is often double, or even triple, the expected price. When comparing the value outside the school, a rice meal typically costs around 30-50 pesos less than the price inside. Why, then, are the prices higher within the school, when they should ideally align with the students’ budget?

No matter how delicious the donuts are, how tasty the milktea is, or how crispy and crunchy the nuggets may be, the voice of the youth remains the same: The prices are unreasonably high. Are they actually, though?

Although the quality of a meal generally tends to be the prime influencer of its price, there are actually numerous other elements at play. Maintaining the hygiene and cleanliness of the surroundings is of

the same importance as the quality, ingredients, and tools of cooking utilized. In actuality, the price of meals at SSA reflects both the great food served and the steps taken to ensure safety and cleanliness. What these students refer to as a ‘not student-friendly budget’ is, in reality, a price that has been carefully set to ensure not only their satisfaction but also their well-being. This cost is a thoughtful consideration far beyond simple short-term convenience. It is a true reflection to St. Anthony’s absolute and unwavering commitment to providing its students with the best possible experience—one that serves them, certainly, but also protects their overall welfare. This price is never a question of skimping or going cheap; rather, it is a testament to the quality that the institution upholds; a commitment to serving them with pride and dignity.

“This price is never a question of skimping or going cheap; rather, it is a testament to the quality that the institution upholds; a commitment to serving them with pride and dignity.

A viral sensation shouldn’t translate into a political infestation. As the filing of certificates of candidacy proceeds, many of the figures seeking reelection hail from political dynasties—a surprise to absolutely no one. The true kicker in this upcoming election is the number of viral personalities seeking a seat at the political table. From the Pares magnate Diwata to the prosecuted criminal Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the list of names of these socalled new blood public servants is appallingly lengthy.

Despite having little to no experience when it comes to law and governance, and their questionnable integrities, we ask

ourselves: What has given these personalities the the shameless confidence to run for a government position? A question wherein the

answer can be found by simply looking in a mirror. It is us, we have allowed ourselves to not only tolerate, but applaud their mediocrity. We mask our misplaced encouragement under the sentiment of searching for new individuals to solve our longstanding issues. But do we really believe that a tried pastor with over 40 counts of sex trafficking cases and a Chinese spy who has embezzled ₱68 million answers our problems?

As we continue to promulgate a false sense of change, public servants with the credibility and integrity to back their bid for a national position continue to be mocked. Human rights lawyer and senatorial aspirant, Sonny Matula, who leads the Workers

and Peasants Party, has denied endorsing Quiboloy under their caucus, stating the absurdity of the false endorsement as the platforms of the party is very far-removed from the devious image of the pastor. Because of this, Matula received threats and batter from the 8 million members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. It is laughable when a public service lawyer who has assisted regular laborers for over 36 years is vilified over a pastor in the FBI’s most wanted list. They might have been permitted to run in the upcoming election. But at the end of the day, it is us who have the power to make sure that these individuals do not go near any position that can further immobilize our already decrepit nation. On May

12, 2025, it is our solemn duty to ourselves, our motherland, and our forefathers to vote wisely.

“

They might have been permitted to run in the upcoming election. But at the end of the day, it is us who has the power to make sure that these individuals does not go near any position.

FLAWED DEMOCRACY

On Midterm Elections

Jasmine Galendez

As the Philippines gears up for its midterm elections, a glaring trend is emerging; a considerable chunk of those seeking public office who’s not from any political background or experience. This kind of trend shows an unsettling movement in the transformative part of the country’s democracy, mostly where the emphasis is placed on popularity rather than competence. In this democratic country with existing laws, the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that all individuals have an equal chance of being elected to any public office for which they are eligible. Although it might serve as a reminder that everyone has the right to run for office under a democracy, this still proves that not anyone can—

“

The undue rush

of

candidates who are to say the least, untested and powerless, reflects a much deeper issue that goes beyond individual elections.

especially that an inexperienced leader will lead the country to disastrous consequences in the future.

During the COC filing period, which began last October 1–8, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reported that 84 COCs for senators and 190 CONAs for party-lists were submitted. However, it’s prevalent that most midterm candidates rely on their celebrity or family reputations to garner votes. This is precisely the current trend in Philippine politics, where the system may take precedence over content due to a rising culture in the audience’s appraisal As we look back on the 2019 midterm elections, numerous candidates who were not

political veterans or even public service professionals won seats in Congress, local government units, and even the Senate. For instance, celebrities like Jinggoy Estrada and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, despite their controversial political histories, have maintained their influence and popularity with voters. This growing trend of electing individuals with little to no experience in the political arena speaks to a larger issue plaguing Philippine democracy: a reality-divorced connection between voters and the more substantive nature of political competence. As voters cast their ballots on name recognition or media influence rather than on

candidates, it contributes toward systemic failure in democratic values.

The Philippines stands at the crossroads in its democratic development. The undue rush of candidates who are to say the least, untested and powerless, reflects a much deeper issue that goes beyond individual elections—it points to a fundamental flaw in the way the electorate engages with politics. The ability of the public to make informed decisions still determines how effective elections are, although they are undoubtedly an essential feature of democracy. Only a flawed democracy exists in a defective system; we still have the

BY

THE NUMBERS

The number of students that the ratio of student to teacher improved by.

UNBECOMING

On Chiz Escudero Berating

Arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand, after all as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss. Unfortunately it seems as though in his ignorant state of bliss, Senator Chiz Escudero not only blatantly disrespected principals nationwide, but he did so in a manner in which the true laughingstock of the whole situation was the Senator himself.

While the ratios did get better over the years, improving from 1 to 45, to 1 to 31 this year, a 14 student turn around, it cannot be used as the primary tool in

assessing the state of education in the Philippines. Our curriculum demands more than one teacher per classroom. The lack of educators is a undoubtedly a rampant problem in

A living hell. In 2020, the AntiTerrorism Act was passed into law. Duterte’s administration claimed that this law would be beneficial in terms of protecting the country from terrorist attacks. Yet, it seems like they are just using this as a gateway to power trip the critiques of his government, most specifically the journalists who 24/7 watch his political agenda.

the Philippines, however, attacking the principals for not doing something that is simply not part of their job description is utterly wrong. It is as though the depth of Escudero’s understanding of the problem barely scratches its surface, much less its roots hidden behind political red tape.

The decorum shown by Escudero is unbecoming of a person holding such a high ranking position in the government, his evident lack of research, tact, and poise in approaching the issue shows no signs of his political stature. Neither arrogance nor ignorance should be key characteristics of a bonafide public servant, humility and awareness must be the name of the game of politics, unfortunately,

power of stories to act as a catalyst for change. The pen and voices of every journalist play a big role in developing the story that can be used as an advent of societal change.

Now, can you imagine a world without journalists?

the national sport of corruption reigns supreme in our current landscape.

As absurd as it may sound, the Philippine masses are not absolved of blame. It is us after all that seated this arrogant and ignorant person in power, it is us who caused this blight on our country. Be that as it may, this stain is not permanent. We remain the sole sovereigns of this country, and as such it is our sole responsibility to ameliorate this vile stench. No longer can we allow them to keep the manila envelope. The arrogance and ignorance shown by Chiz Escudero is only the beginning. We need to stop seating these people in power, we cannot allow this cycle to continue.

of power-tripping from those who have political power.

A writer. A truth and storyteller. A servant of the Filipino people. A journalist. They have different roles but have only one soul. A soul that protects and serves as the eye of the nation. Who can tell that these graceful souls are sometimes whose life is in danger? The red-tagging of thousands of journalists in the Philippines has been a relevant issue for many years. Making the lives of every Filipino journalist ten times tougher compared to those with political power.

Write. Speak. Tell. Communicate. Cliché as it may sound, but, these are the things that a journalist’s life revolves around. Being a journalist here in the Philippines is like a living hell. It’s an everyday battle of media suppression, red-tagging, and the right of every Filipino citizen to know and be aware of the truth.

Despite the piling issues of security of journalists in the Philippines, they chose to stand tall and report to the public what they must know. This strong conviction of serving the public is what sets journalists apart from the other political personnel who are just craving power and fame.

A catalyst of change. Maria Ressa and Percival Mabasa, are just some of the many Filipino journalists who chose to put the interests of their country and its citizens above their own. These are just a few of the many journalists who chose to be on this path despite the many life-threatening issues in the field of journalism. These people are not just simple journalists, they are the servants of the nation, the voice of the voiceless, and the modern superhero in a country where the media plays a big role in shaping the views of the masses and the

An abuser. According to the report of the Justice Department’s Office of Cyber Crime, 3,700 cyberlibel cases have been filed against Filipino Journalists. This is an abuse of power. Many of those journalists being red-tagged are just victims

A pen. A patriot quill. A servant. And a beacon of the future. The struggle of fighting for justice for our journalists does not end in writing about how heroic they are in the eyes of Filipino citizens. However, it needs solid support through understanding their sentiments, their rights as a journalist, and most importantly, joining in their fight for fair and just journalism rights.

A Journalist. A Patriot Quill.

BY THE NUMBERS

Annual growth rate of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines 2023

The date the “The Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy act” was made

VIGILANT EYE

PARLEY

On Philippine SexEd

Julianna Quichocho

Nowadays, all it takes is privacy and ignorance in order to breed a plethora of cascading dilemmas. With the continuous rise of teenage pregnancy cases in the Philippines an immediate solution to mitigate such problem should only be logical. Senator Risa Hontiveros with her fellow senators knows how critical it is. In response to this, they came up with the Prevention of Adolesencent Pregnancy Act of 2023.

A legislation which aims to enlighten students about sexual and reproductive health starting age ten. Science-wise, not to support jurisprudence solving a long term problem of the country is simply asinine. But for some lawmakers being asinine seems to be perfectly reasonable for them. This brings us to the question: what reasons does law makers have to block the passing of the bill.

A question in which the answer can be traced back to the radical conservatism that has continously plagued our archipelago. Senator Joel Villanueva, one of the strong opposer of the bill did not mince his words in reacting to the legislation he claimed that it is not in accordance to our culture, traditions, and beliefs as Filipinos. As if the 4.6% annual growth of teenage pregnancy is not relevant,

Villanueva also claimed that sexual health is not important. Another concern that lawmakers raised are regarding the topics that will be tackled in the program. Senators are assuming that it aims to teach children how to masturbate and have sex opposed to advocating for healthy and responsible habits towards sexual and reproductive health.

The main proponent, Senator Hontiveros cleared the misconceptions that her fellow legislators hold. She said the bill has nothing to do with body pleasures like masturbation, but rather went on by stating that these are just outrageous claims pulled out of thin air as the bill’s main purpose is the protection and care of children. As senators continue to parley with regards to the relevance of the Prevention of Adolesencent Pregnancy Act, more and more teenagers are continously being fed with unfounded and unreliable information regarding sex education. Harmful sentiments

that only leads to further unsafe practices. A study made by Project Dalisay supports this as they claim that most teenagers only recieve colloquial and superficial information regarding SexEd that: “barely scratches the surface of the topic.”. The Philippines faces many problems such as literacy and poverty.

The number of unprepared, unemployed, and unwise parents are only rising as each dawn passes yet we continue to prioritize our human beliefs over human lives. We have a solution to this problem that is within our reach, and it is our duty as educated Filipinos to advocate for this bill that may not affect us directly but will send a shockwave of positive change that our country desperately needs. It is time to set aside the beliefs we have that cage our development. Because at the end of the day, it is not prayers that will save a 16 year old nene from living an impovrished life, it is a condom that will save her from a life of cascading tragedies.

Because at the end of the day, it is not prayers that will save a 16 year old nene from living an impovrished life, it is a condom that will save her from a life of cascading tragedies.

CAMPUS VOICE

What is a qualification you’d like to see in a candidate?

One qualification I’d like to see in a candidate is proof of an attained higher education. After all, why would we want one of the spearheads of our country to be as blunt as wood? There simply is no room for incompetent individuals in our Gov’t.

Personally, transparency and accountability is one of the main things that needs to be present in a candidate. The candidate needs to be open when it comes to their policies and be able to take blame should things go awry.

BY THE NUMBERS

The percentage of students that have been involved in plagiarism

copy quote to win a slogan contest or even to cheat- the copy and paste way.

With just two clicks away, a perfect score is surely on the way. With the grandeur of words and the splendor of ideas, people can claim the authorship of an essay or a poem when in reality, they’ve just copied it from the internet A 2023 report indicates that 19% of

As the advent of technology increases, one’s sense of responsibility decreases. It is difficult for humanity to escape from the realm of digital environment that the world lives in. When a man’s necessity attacks, he innovates and creates new things from an idea and can be quite ingenious. However, the convenience that the advancement of technology has handed to us has been abused by fraudulent minds. A student does not even leaf out a single page of his book to seek for answers. He simply sits up in front of the computer and prints out his assignment. Gone is the sanctity of education. That’s how easy it is for students to finish their obligations, paraphrase reports,

students in the Philippines have engaged with AI-generated content, while 30% have been involved in plagiarism. It is easy to lift a copy of a requirement from the internet and ink your name in another’s magnum opus. The barons and philosophers of the latter occupations did not seek for any help from search engine but eagerly studied to gain everything they know. Books were their Wikipedia; libraries were their internet. Those were the days when man did not look to the world as a social network of ‘sharing’ ideas. Most of them were knowledgeable despite the absence of computers and internet, because they had the will to learn new things and to think new ideas and not merely revise another’s thought. Sometimes, one does not need an internet access in order to be intellectual; he simply needs to be eager to discover all things with

books and papers, not with syntax and codes

The destiny of the country now lies in the hands of the youthyouth who have deviated from hard-work and responsibility thus making innovation an alien notion. The youth, who are yet to see and realize how negligent they are to do requirements with their own efforts, how indolent they are to think of cutting corners to solving the meekest complications, and how idle they are to make themselves useless without the internet.

The barons and philosophers of the latter occupations did not seek for any help from search engine.

WELLEQUIPPED

On SHS Subject Reduction VIEWPOINTS

JD Tumbaga

The Anthonian community weighs in on the discourse on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) seemingly backwards remedy to the flaws of its basic curriculum. It has surfaced that DepEd intends to reduce the number of senior high school (SHS) subjects in said curriculum. Now, one can look at a subject reduction and conclude that it is the furthest thing from a solution–reducing materials to study would hardly improve a student’s education, after all. However, upon looking closer at the facts and the initiative’s goals, one might be left flummoxed at the merits and practicality behind it.

Former School of Saint Anthony (SSA) SHS teacher, Ms. Angeline Reyes speaks about the numerous flaws of the curriculum that she has observed. She says, “In my experience, there are some subjects in SHS that have little to no connection to certain strands, and there are also those subjects that are taught again in college anyways due to poor synergy between the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and DepEd. So yes, I believe a review and reduction of subjects in SHS is long overdue and is very much needed.”

FACADE

The facade of unity that has been carefully built by the political powerhouses, Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte has been violently ripped off by its own creators. In a recent appearance, also known as the “Drag me to hell” interview, Sara Duterte released a string of scathing insults and accusations against the current president. If the tumultuous relationship between the president and the vice president was not clear before, it is painfully transparent now.

This form of governance needs to be vehemently condemned by the Filipino masses. The political infighting between the two seated in the highest positions of power is a testament to political instability. A statement that cannot be more understated. Admit it or not, the Philippines is infested with a balikbayan box of issues that is bursting at the

seams. Unfortunately, it seems as though the two spearheads of our country are too busy butting heads with one another to ameliorate any significant issue.

The absurdly unprofessional decorum shown by the two political powerhouses is a testament to the complete and utter disregard the two spearheads have for the security

SSA SHS student and journalist, Nikka Dela Cruz, welcomed this change. She says that, if this change is implemented correctly, it would boost the quality of education in the Philippines and strengthen the country’s manpower, creating more skilled individuals in all sectors of society. “With more skilled Filipino workers in all economic sectors of not just the Philippines, but of numerous countries throughout the world, one can only imagine the growth and development that our country will accumulate,” she concluded.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasizes that the intention of the subject reduction is to strengthen and focus the students’ competencies upon graduation. The secretary and his department is hoping that such a reduction will foster in Filipino students a more centered mastery in their desired field, and give them more time with on-the-job education, thus making them more capable and competent

of the country they need to be protecting. Any focus that needs to be given to the rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the ongoing POGO hunt is getting needlessly diminished, a sentiment that needs to be echoed by those who are hoping for any sort of change, any sort of reform that is so desperately needed by our current political, social, and economic landscape

While it may seem as though Filipinos are left with no other choice but to watch as the leaders of their country throw verbal insult after verbal insult at each other, it does not have remain this way. Despite the media being flooded with stories about what can only be described as a circus boxing match, the masses cannot let their attention veer away from the issues threatening their own security. We cannot let these issues fester any longer, we cannot sit still.

“

in the eyes of both local and international employers. Given this, the initiative’s intention now seems well-founded and practical–the K-12 curriculum was concocted in order to produce an internationally respected and desired Filipino workforce, after all. When it comes to the initiative to reduce the number of SHS subjects–the intention behind it, and the educators’ students’ insights on the topic both point to one conclusion: It’s a change that will benefit, not just students, but the Philippines as

a whole. If done right, this tweak to the curriculum will be the catalyst to an avalanche that will improve education, quality of life, and the economy for all Filipinos. Presented with this, it would be foolish for any one of us to reject this change. We must embrace it in order to move towards a prosperous future wellequipped and united as a nation. As revolutionary and human rights activist, Malcolm X, once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

ARPIL 4, 2012

The K-12 Curriculum was implemented in the Philippines

The absurdly unprofessional decorum shown by the two political powerhouses is a testament to the complete and utter disregard the two spearheads have for the security of the country they need to be protecting.

THE NUMBERS

“

As the advent of technology increases, one’s sense of responsibility decreases. It is difficult for humanity to escape from the realm of digital environment that the world lives in. When a man’s necessity attacks, he innovates and creates new things from an idea and can be quite ingenious.

This year, as in previous years, the event is organized by the Student Government (SG), scheduled on February 16, 2024, under the theme “Anthonian’s FREE Day: Fostering Respect, Empathy, and Equality. BLINK Day has long been more than just a date on the school calendar.

It has become a movement-one that actively reinforces SSA’s commitment to creating a culture of kindness and inclusion.A call concerning the specific activities

for this year is still, of course, a surprise, but students can expect a meaningful lineup designed to encourage self-reflection, connection, and positive action. As always, they’ll wear pink and blue shirts-a visual statement of solidarity against bullying, and a reminder that every act of kindness makes all the difference.

“We want students to see that kindness does not only point to grand actions. It shows in the choice

we make to speak or how we listen,” shares Ms Angeline Reyes of SSA. School administrator. She added, “BLINK Day is about providing an environment to thrive in. It’s really about empathy as well as valuing each individual.”.

The impact of BLINK Day is not limited to one day; since its reintroduction, SSA has had zero bullying cases. It is the power of awareness and collective responsibility. It’s more than just a campaign, it’s a movement that shapes the way students interact, reminding them that respect and empathy should be the foundation of every classroom, every conversation, and every friendship.

This year’s BLINK Day is not going to be any different. The details are still under wraps, but the goal is still the same: to make a safer, more supportive environment where every student feels valued. In the words of Student Government President Adriel Casipe, “In a world

where kindness seems hard to come by and the looming threat of bullying looms, the efforts behind the BLINK campaign definitely are beacons of hope in an otherwise darker scenario.

As the countdown begins, excitement grows. The message of BLINK Day will not end when the activities do. Its impact will carry forward, inspiring students to make empathy and respect a daily practice. Because at SSA, kindness isn’t just encouraged—it’s a way of life.

“The efforts behind the BLINK campaign definitely are beacons of hope in an otherwise darker scenario.

FEATUERS

Volume IX | Issue 1 | Series of 2024 | June 2024 - January 2025

A Pillar Without Limit

By Risen Natividad

“The future belongs to the learners—not the knowers,” a quote by American author and philosopher, Eric Hoffer. Learning is such a continuous process and commitment is an endless foundation. In the School of Saint Anthony, learning and committing to “wisdom coupled with virtues” is as true as the sky is blue to one incredible woman—Anicia Salangsang.

AS THE PILLAR IS BUILT…

Arriving in the city as a provincial girl with big dreams, she wasn’t hindered by the sudden change of environment but to her, the challenge was communicating, “Very limited ang aking vocabulary”[My vocabulary is very limited]. She also added that she studied in a public school in the province and her knowledge about communication was still lacking before entering the School of Saint Anthony, nonetheless, she was thankful to the founders of the school, Mr. and Mrs. Coralejo, for guiding and mentoring her to achieve her better capabilities

As she conquers her challenges and is guided by the learnings she got from Mr. and Mrs. Coralejo, growth is a must and an undeniable, inevitable path that she will commit to—she pursued a diploma course, and then obtained a bachelor’s degree, and up to attaining her master’s degree.

As the pillar is built and begins its pursuit, learning, and committing, what more can it do?

AS THE PILLAR RISES…

“Parang continuous learning”[It’s like continuous learning], Ms. Anicia Salangsang said when asked how to describe her work and being part of the School of Saint Anthony—after the challenges prior to her work—she still embodies learning and commitment. She even added, “Para ka ring estudyante na natututo ka araw-araw”[You’re like a student who gets to learn everyday].

Starting her career in SSA it was no simple journey, in her words “little by little”. She started out as a part of the general services, then a member of the maintenance team, then production, then to the accounting team, then finally, to her post now, a finance officer and part of the administrative team.

Despite the journey’s fruitful outcomes, challenges are never clear from the coast—for learning and commitment is never a clear road to get and feel.

“Biggest challenge ko noong pinag-handle na ko, ginawa na akong leader and na-handle ko na ang dati kong kasamahan” [My biggest challenge was when became be the leader and I handled my former colleague], to her, that became the biggest challenge while working in the institution, she found it hard to make people follow whom before she was in the same position. Nonetheless, to Ms. Anicia, amongst the pillars of the school, no problem is unsolvable and one way is best—by learning. She tried to know how to have her co-workers cooperate and follow her, seeing it as a duty to her new commitment, a new role.

To her, attempting to lead people goes both ways, leading people who once she was part of and those that once were higher than her, nonetheless—the dedicated and empowered woman that she is, she found a way to overcome those obstacles, even helping her to surmount her insecurities.

As the pillar rises, learning and committing is a step never too big nor too small. And… AS THE PILLAR STRENGTHENS…

To this pillar of the institution, among her greatest learnings in the school is human relations. She found herself in a deeper understanding and more sincere connection to relationships as a person, regardless if it is about love, work or career, towards the community, and moreso, towards her family. She remarked that “Majority sa aming tenured [employees] may loyalty sa work and sa family” [ Majority of us, tenured (employees), have loyalty towards work and family ].

“Number two, ‘yung ibigay ang best in me” [Number two, is to give my best], she added to her greatest learnings while working in the school. To her, throughout her time, the institution has allowed her to truly show what she can do and even really connect to her passion. She was able to expand her understanding and knowledge and give her best as someone passionate about business through being part of SSA’s accounting and budgeting department.

When Ms. Anicia was asked about what’s the biggest factor to continue and pursue her dream, she said that it was education. Motivated by her director that, regardless of age or wealth, a person can still reach their dreams through continuous learning and education. For her, learning and studying had become “addictive” that even until her retirement she’ll still pursue studying as she found out—and we’ve got to know her story—how important it is to have an education and with it, you’ll be able to catch up with what’s current and relevant.

As the pillar is strengthened and the virtues do too, learning and committing continue to be true.

AS THE PILLAR BECOMES ETERNAL…

To Ms. Anicia Salangsang, throughout her 40-year tenure in the School of Saint Anthony, she was proudest of the trust given to her by the founders, colleagues, and the institution itself. She is an example of what is truly an empowered woman and how life, whether we start from a zero or a hundred, takes us into a journey of learning and what commitment does to truly achieving success.

In a world where learning never ends, we start to value wisdom and our virtues, we start to value our learning and our commitment. This empowered lady—among the pillars of the school of Saint Anthony—that valued continuous education and learning with commitment, the words of Eric Hoffer were epitomized; indeed, “The future belongs to the learners—not the knowers.”

A Step to Misstep

By Beamie Magat and Margarita Gundran

One step forward, and two steps back. Like a parallel in the groovy dance of Cha-Cha, a simple twirl could swift your routine in a completely different direction. One wrong move, and it changes the dynamic of the entire dance. With the ongoing proposal for Charter Change in the Philippines, one question lingered to many, is this truly a dance we want to explore on the floor? A single step toward change could be followed by numerous stepbacks. Can one twirl lead to something magnificent, or something disastrous?

Taking their first step forward, it is clear that change is long overdue. Charter Change (Cha-Cha) refers to the proposal that would grant lawmakers the power to amend the 1987 Constitution. The Constitution, crafted in the wake of the Marcos dictatorship, has become outdated and no longer addresses the evolving needs and complexities of a rapidly changing nation. They liken the Constitution to an aging structure in need of renovation, believing it must be reworked to better reflect the realities of today’s interconnected world and the dynamic aspirations of the Filipino people. But the question remains: is this the change we truly need?

Yet again, putting an illusion of another step forward; economically speaking, permitting 100% foreign ownership in key sectors is seen as a way to drive foreign investment, fuel economic growth, and create jobs, paving the path for a more competitive future. Similarly, extending term limits for elected officials is touted as a solution for political stability, allowing leaders to implement long-term reforms without the constant churn of elections. Behind this vision of progress lies the looming risk of corruption, fueled by unchecked political agendas.

A progress that is painted by the government with their subject to political will behind the eagerness of using Charter Change as machinery for corruption. Under the 1987 Constitution, it is stated that the constitution may also be amended or revised through a People’s Initiative, which requires a petition signed by at least 12% of the total number of registered voters.

This proposed amendment is rife with potential for misuse—an assertion echoed by Senator Risa Hontiveros in an interview, where she boldly stated that Charter Change (Cha-cha) is, and will always be, a misguided solution to the deeprooted challenges confronting our nation.

And with a graceful three-step backwards, the question lingers, is it the Filipinos who truly want it?

By Risen Natividad

Hungry, not Hungry

to have, a challenge whether it’ll be healthy or whatever the clanging coin in one’s pockets can buy. The Juans just ask and play the chance of picking petals, “Hungy, Not Hungry?” September 2024, a statement released by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) addressed what is considered to be food-poor, in a time where inflation rate is 1.9 percent, seemingly better than the 3.3 percent of the preceding month, prices are still in a grave state for the normal market-going Juans and for suppliers. “Php 64”, an amount that would set you good for 3 meals in a day. That suddenly felt like a slap in the face of normal Juans to play by the chance again, “Hungry, Not Hungry” Coins in hand, the normal Juans count, “18…19…20…”

Php 21 per meal. Juans, surely that’s enough! NEDA said so! List it down, here’s the meal for the rest of your life as a NOT food-poor citizen of this country: a Php 7 worth of instant noodles, a Php 4 worth of 3-in-1 coffee, and canned sardines of unspecified price. The normal Juans asked where to buy those products...NEDA doesn’t know either but that’s what they said. Normal Juans, just ask yourself again, “Hungry, Not Hungry?”

Not hungry, a constant answer the normal Juans needed to say to themselves. Upon the out-of-touch things said by an out-of-touch agency. The normal Juans doesn’t need to follow the very number they said, but to consider what the limit to become capable of a deserving, nutritious meal as a filipino,as a student, or as a worker, or just as a human being - it feels inhumane that the defining numbers of what can be detrimental to the nutrition, development, and betterment of not just adults, but also children are so low, we just see “instant” as a meal good enough for every day…again, we ask ourselves, ”Hungry, not hungry”

More than the normal Juans, the 2 million children in the country that experiences food poverty, it has become a bigger battle to fight hearing the very words by an agency who doesn’t hear the hungry. NEDA’s 64 pesos isn’t just an argument for the country’s economy, but the state of the people who have the ability to make change in a country’s trajectory towards health and nutrition. It is not just Juan who bears the feeling of being undervalued, but the very hopes of tomorrow.

It has been said, you cannot work, learn, study, or even listen with an empty stomach - well, NEDA is basically saying, you’re going to eat, but you’re only deserving of instant, processed foods, not needing to achieve the needs of your body. Again, the normal Juan’s just ask, “Hungry…not hungry” For another day, the normal Juan’s remembers how undervalued it is to achieve one’s simple rights. Php 21 for a meal, Php 64 for a day, more or less than Php 600 for a wage, Php 9 thousand for a month’s work, then 20 million pesos for the President’s state of the nation…oh was that for another issue? Well, irony…I mean “sorry” - not sorry. A hungry stomach has no ears, no, they have, the Juans need to. No ears, those who are not hungry; NEDA, this is you. The normal Juans hear the clanging coins in their pockets, then with an open hand they utter, “they said you were enough, but I wasn’t.” So Juan? Must you let this unfortunate question continue built upon by the deafness of an agency, the blindness of the government, and the muteness of the powerful, this play of chance, to ask if you’re really hungry… or not hungry.

16 typhoons strike PH, urges immediate action

Although the Asian Disaster Reduction Center claims that the Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons a year, the impact of these typhoons intensifies each year resulting in more destruction and citizens’ call for urgent action towards climate change.

Super Typhoon Carina

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared Carina to be a super typhoon on July 24 after being a tropical depression since July 19.

With Typhoon Carina came the overflowing of the La Mesa Dam up to 80.16 meters and the cancellation of 119 flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Carina also heavily affected the agricultural regions with a total of P3.04 Billion worth of damages which was met with a price freeze on basic goods.

Super Typhoon Enteng

Meanwhile, after developing into a tropical depression by the 1st of September, Enteng entered with maintained strength and heavy rains.

Signal #1 was immediately declared in 11-16 areas as it made landfall in the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

By September 5, Enteng intensified into a super typhoon resulting in a yellow rainfall warning in NCR and flooding in Metro Manila.

An amount of P350.85 Million in damages was recorded for Enteng along with landslides, flash floods, and a death toll reaching at least 15 citizens according to the Office of Civil Defense.

Super Typhoon Pepito

With an international name, Man-Yi, Super typhoon Pepito has recorded at least 852,475 people affected, leaving thousands of people displaced, flights and classes suspended.

Pepito was able to landfall both in Panganiban, Catanduanes and Dipaculao, Aurora according to the

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration leaving around 15 areas immediately declared as Signal #5.

Office of Civil Defense chief Ariel Nepomuceno stated that no deaths were recorded during the typhoon, while two injuries were confirmed. However, Nepomuceno said that there was extreme damage to the structures in Catanduanes.

Battered by six

In the months of October and November, a total of six typhoons wreaked havoc in the Philippines— Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito.

Leaving P3.3 billion worth of damages, Severe Tropical Storm Kristine entered the PAR on October 20, bringing heavy rains to the Bicol region and class suspensions in different parts of the nation.

By October 31, a death toll of 150 was reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council from the combined effects of Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon.

Additionally, Typhoon Marce left with a total of 374,177 affected Filipinos focusing in northern Luzon.

Typhoon Nika, Ofel, and Pepito, resulted in P500 million worth of damages and has affected the education sector with a loss of over a month of classes as per Department of Education Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo; Damages and deaths from Nika, Ofel, and Pepito are still being recorded as of November 21.

Furthermore, the recent and continuous landfall of typhoons in the Philippines has woken up Filipinos to the impact of climate change and are urging the government, the private sector, and non-government organizations to provide financial aid and overall assistance to the heavily affected areas.

6.8 Magnitude

earthquake

hits Surigao del Sur

PHIVOLCS reported that the 6:22 AM earthquake, caused by the movement of tectonic plates, had a depth of 9 kilometers and triggered shaking in neighboring regions, including parts of the Visayas.

Even though local disaster officer Ian Onsing said that there were no further casualty and damage reports, they will still continue to monitor the affected area for any rough movements.

To date, experts continue to search for technological

advancements that could detect impending earthquakes and their locations to minimize damage and ensure public safety.

Pacific Ring of Fire.

Considering the geographical location of the Philippines, which is along the Pacific Ring of Fire promotes its exposure and vulnerability to hazards.

Based on records, 90% of the world’s earthquakes are recorded from the countries that’s along the Pacific Ring of Fire, including the Valdivia Earthquake, which is the strongest earthquake recorded.

Comet of the Century, Discovered ATLASt

As a child, if we were to look up at the sky and see a celestial object shoot across, we would immediately think that it is a shooting star. But now that we’re older, we must understand that they are not stars but comets. Recently, scientists discovered the so-called “Comet of the Century,” Tsuchinshan-Atlas Comet.

So What?

What makes the TsuchinshanAtlas Comet so special is its exceptional size, brightness, and rarity, with its nucleus estimating to reach 20-40 kilometers diameter, being easily visible to the naked eye, and only returning to our solar system every 80,000 years. It was discovered last January 2023 by observers at China’s Tsuchinshan Observatory through an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert system (ATLAS) telescope, hence its name. Despite being discovered in early 2023, it only became visible in the evening sky during October 2024.

Now What?

“Ang pinaka-peak nito ay October 24, mavivisualize pero habang tumatagal, unti-unti nawawala yung liwanag niya, ibig sabihin lumalayo siya,” said Engr. Jose Estrada Jr., Chief Meteorological Officer of the PAGASA Dagupan Station. The brightness of the comet can also be compared to the famous Polaris, however the Moon’s light may also interfere with its visibility.

Plenty of astronomy enthusiasts have gathered to have a glance of the comet. As it passed over Canary Islands, dozens of people visited Pico de las nieves, a wellknown viewing point. Meanwhile, back home in the Philippines, an astrophotographer waited for two weeks just to capture the beauty of this astronomic event.

Origin

Comets, also reffered to as “dirty snowballs,” are created from the leftovers of our solar system, including ice, dust, and carbon dioxide. As they move closer to the sun, the heat melts the solid ice into gas while the solar wind blows the comet, forming its tail. If you were to think about it, we should consider ourselves lucky to exist at the same time during a rare occurrence such as this. With that, the Comet of the Century should serve as an eyeopener to learn to appreciate all the natural phenomena happening in our lifetime.

Climate Resilient Agriculture: For the Farmers

“Every grain of rice is a drop of sweat from a farmer’s brow.” As children, we were taught to always finish the food we have on our plates because not everyone is fortunate enough to have it. This is the harsh reality that has shown no signs of improving any time soon. According to the United Nations, almost 309 million people suffer from hunger, an issue that will simply continue to multiply over time, emphasizing the threat on food security.

The Problem: Food Security

Food security is when an individual has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs. With the Philippines ranking 72nd out of 109 countries in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which analyzes the food quality around the world, this puts us in a delicate situation. One of the most prominent factors leading to this are the intense weather conditions that have been progressively getting worse, a direct result of climate

change and the natural disasters that come with it.

Thankfully, the solution to this problem seems to be right in front of us, Climate Resilient Agriculture is the key to attainable food security.

The Solution: Climate Resilient Agriculture

Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) is an innovation developed to improve agriculture development and climate responsiveness as it increases its capacity to resist damage and

Investigatory Project: The Impact of Moisture on Aggregate Durability

Concrete is considered the core ingredient modern infrastructure, providing stability and durability to buildings, roads, bridges, and other establishments. However, its susceptibility to water damage poses concerns about its longevity. Adhering to this concern, a group of students from the School of St. Anthony conducted an investigatory project titled “The Effects of Moisture Content on the Resistance and Durability of Aggregates Through the Los Angeles Abrasion Test.”

This investigatory research aimed to determine how moisture levels affect the durability of aggregates— essential components of concrete— through a standardized and industryaccepted test, the Los Angeles Abrasion (LAA) Test.

The Experiment Testing Aggregate Durability

The research team tested three different moisture conditions of gravel aggregates:

• Dry Aggregates – No exposure to moisture

• Moist Aggregates – Lightly misted with water

• Soaked Aggregates –Submerged in water for 24 hours

Using the Los Angeles Abrasion Test (ASTM C 131 standard), the aggregates were subjected to a highimpact rotational process with steel balls. This test measured abrasion loss, an indicator of how resistant the material is to wear and tear.

Key Findings

The Impact of Moisture on Abrasion Resistance

After conducting the tests, the results revealed a clear relationship between moisture content and aggregate durability:

• Sample Abrasion Loss (%)

• Dry Aggregates 20.98%

• Moist Aggregates 25.15%

Anthonians

• Soaked Aggregates 27.25%

What does this mean?

The study finds that dry aggregates had the lowest abrasion loss, which prove to be the most durable. On the other hand, moist and soaked aggregates lost more material, which means that they have questionable resistance to wear and tear.

The Implications

What This Means for Construction

This study reinforces a crucial takeaway for engineers, builders, and homeowners:

• Excessive moisture weakens aggregates, making structures more prone to damage.

• Proper material selection can reduce the risk of erosion, cracking, and deterioration in concrete.

The school’s assistant principal for academics Ranier Cerna, emphasized the value of such research, stating that studies like these will help improve construction standards and ensure safer buildings.

Paving the Way for Safer Structures

With infrastructure development taking center stage in the Philippines’ urban development system, ensuring the quality and durability of construction materials is more important than ever. The findings of this investigatory project serve as an eye-opener to the importance of moisture control in construction.

recover quickly. Key examples of this include the use of adaptive crop calendars, stress-tolerant varieties of crops, organic farming, and agroforestry. In an ideal world, these strategies allow the farmers to continue to provide and strengthen food security without relying on imported goods that may be out of reach to fellow Filipinos.

The Challenges

However, there are multiple barriers that prevent the total

implementation of these ideas. While there are small scale examples of these strategies being used around the country, there simply isn’t enough support in ensuring that the future of our food security is sustainable. Unfortunately, these are still present in areas with poor availability and

VIEWPOINTS

RISING THREAT

On The Threat of Rising Sea

Claire Makimkim

The threat against the pearl of the Orient has reached its most critical state, with not only Manila Bay but the whole region of Metro Manila under serious risk of sinking under the rapid rise of sea levels. A problem that has been steadily growing because of the dreadful progress of global warming. Unfortunately, the sinking of the Philippines’ capital may very well be superseded by a more dire consequence: losing the country’s biodiversity.

Unfortunately, the Philippines is in no position to sit and wait for a change, with its land subsidence rate being 10-15 cm per year, areas of Metro Manila may be permanently submerged by the year 2050, leading to the loss of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. This situation must be avoided at any possible cost. However, the loss of these areas will be underscored by the loss of Philippine biodiversity, one of the main reasons the country received its moniker in the first place—a vital part of the Philippine economy and way of life. With biodiversity being an integral part of the Philippine economy, the threat rising sea levels bring against it should be more than a cause for worry. The reasons why this threat to biodiversity is such a prevalent issue in today’s landscape is three fold; agriculture, tourism, and disaster risk reduction, with the loss of each one being a massive

desecration to the economy.

Over 1.6 million Filipinos rely on the fishing industry as a way of life. Any degradation of a sector as crucial as this is a daunting threat to national income, food security, and the country’s ability to not only withstand disasters, but bounce back from them. A prime example of this is how areas with diverse mangrove forests experienced less severe impacts compared to areas without them during the height of typhoon Yolanda. These mangrove forests serve as natural storm surge barriers that buffer

successful adaptation of CRA is of utmost importance, not only for the future of our food security, but also for the sake of our farmers, a sector that employs 32% of our economically active population. Being agriculturally resilient is the first step in saving the future of the country’s food security and CRA provides us with a sustainable foundation. For the farmers, for our

the otherwise drastic effects of typhoons, dissipating wave energy, and reducing coastal erosion and damage. Unfortunately, it is as though the protection these mangroves give is seen as an afterthought.

It is clear as day why the threat of rising sea levels is so harrowing, why it is a national level problem that requires all hands on deck to have any hope of mitigating it. However, the incoming wave of problems has not completely eliminated all hope of amelioration. Multiple grassroot and NGO movements such as Save Philippine Seas (SPS), Greenpeace Southeast Asia - Philippines, and the Haribon Foundation all hope to buffer and reverse the looming threat of rising sea levels. These operations play a crucial role in raising awareness, implementing local solutions, and advocating for stronger climate policies. This leaves Filipinos with only one true path to reform—an everlasting, and unabashed support for these movements. Inaction is not foster change, ignorance will only make things worse.

Selected Grade 11 students of School of St. Anthony participated in the 2024 National Youth Science, Technology, and Innovation Festival (NYSTIF) to showcase their drive in addressing societal challenges through science and technology, with the theme “Engaging the Youth in Providing Solutions and Opening Opportunities” on September 18-21, at Pasay City.

This was the second edition of NYSTIF after its successful debut last year, organized by the Department of Science and Technology. DOST Undersecretary Maridon Sahagun stated that NYSTIF will provide various S&T exhibits, projects, and competitions that youths can participate in. Science communicators were also invited in the said event These speakers shared their experiences when it comes

to creating science contents, and the challenge for making it due to the misconception that science is only for highly intelligent people. Expertalk and Siyensikat were also presented during the NYSTIF wherein they showcased the practical applications of science, technology and innovation (STI) of DOST. Forums that tackled the basics of metrology were also conducted during the said event. Forum speaker

Dr. Maryness Salazar highlighted that metrology is the foundation for scientific and technological advancement. DOST aims to enhance the youths’ appreciation in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI), and believes that through this way, this program might be able to inspire youths to pursue their careers in fields related to STI.

SSA’s basketball team aims for AAPS comeback

Despite the series of tough losses, the School of St. Anthony (SSA) remains determined to snatch their first win in the Athletics Association for Private Schools (AAPS) District 5 Season 29 in the High School Basketball category.

“We’re still trying to get that 1st win. Most of the games we felt like we could have won, but it’s a long process,” stated Coach Neil Alexis Legaspi. The season has been challenging for SSA’s basketball teams, with notable games such as their matches on October 5 at Sacred Heart Academy of Novaliches, where the 15U team faced Holy Child Academy and lost 76-51. On the same date, Sacred Heart Academy 17U crew dominated the court with a score of 121-19.

On October 12 at Mater Carmeli School, the 13U competed against Falcon School, and on October 19 at Doña Petrona Basketball Court, the 15U group had a close match against Metro Manila College, ending with a narrow 62-57 loss.

After falling short, the team is all heart for the upcoming matches and ready to bounce back stronger carrying their effective offensive and defensive plays to seal the win.

“Everyone has been doing well ever since we went back to training, still trying to get our stamina back but I feel like we’re doing well in general,” Coach Neil said.

MENTOR

Balance. Discipline. Dedication. These three words perfectly describe the qualities that everyone—not just athletes—should possess.

For Coach Karl Ivan Marcelo, every breath in the realm of swimming is sure and purposeful. His journey as a coach began at the young age of 19 while he was still in college. In an interview, he shared the challenges of juggling three demanding roles: student, working student, and coach. The weight of these responsibilities was immense, yet through meticulous time management and sheer determination, he paved the way for an 18-year-long career in the field.

Discipline and dedication are the twin strokes propelling him forward.

Like any accomplished mentor, Coach Ivan pairs his strategic approach with an unyielding commitment to excellence.

“I see challenges as a part of learning because it’s through them that I improve my coaching,” he shared. His passion for the sport, combined with this resilient mindset, fuels his relentless pursuit of progress, both for himself and for those he mentors.

Beyond the pool, Coach Ivan’s influence extends far and wide. To him, swimming is more than a sport—it’s a life lesson. Resilience, patience, and perseverance are values he tirelessly

instills in his students. His coaching philosophy isn’t just about refining techniques; it’s about shaping individuals into disciplined and goaloriented people. His athletes don’t just leave the pool as better swimmers— they emerge as stronger, more confident individuals ready to face life’s challenges head-on.

Similar to the butterfly stroke, known as one of the most grueling yet rewarding swimming techniques, Coach Ivan’s journey has been marked by rigorous training, relentless effort, and unwavering passion. Each challenge he encounters is like a wave to conquer, and with every stroke forward, he propels not only himself but also his athletes toward success. The grace and power of his coaching style mirror the fluid yet forceful motion of a swimmer cutting through water—determined, resilient, and unstoppable.

At the heart of it all, Coach Ivan’s story is not just about victories in the pool but about the lasting impact he leaves on his students. His journey serves as an inspiration, proving that success is measured not just by

WATCHER’S EYE

Nurturing Potential

On Honoring Athletes’ Roots

Juliana Quichocho

With the recent and historic olympic win of Filipino gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, every corner of the Philippines has showered him with recognition, appreciation, and monetary rewards. His triumph mirrors the success of our nation’s athletes in various international arenas that have awakened every Filipino’s sense of pride and admiration. However, Filipinos tend to forget that these triumphs take years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice in order to be pulled off. It is often that our nation fails to support our athletes and actually hone them to be champions in their fields. People only recognize and support them once they have done everything in their power to be champions, but the mere fact that they represent the Philippines is enough of a reason to help these athletes reach their spot at the top.

The issue of the lack of support for Filipino athletes has always been a heated discussion. Going as far back to Olympic weightlifting gold medalist

Hidilyn Diaz’s struggle to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics in 2019, her request for financial aid was only met with attacks claiming that she was being arrogant and ungrateful. It is moments like this where it becomes necessary for the government to take action. They should not have to wait for athletes to take their concerns to social media and beg for support. The Philippines has plenty of laws that highlight providing them assistance from R.A. 10699, the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act to R.A. 6847, the Philippine Sports Commission Act. Everything needed for our country to

Seagulls dominate 2nd Coseteng Waves Invitational Swim Series

Taking home the title as this year’s Overall Champion of the 2nd Coseteng Waves Invitational Swim Series, the School of St. Anthony Swim Team once again hauls multiple medals and trophies as they dominated the said competition last October 13 at the Diliman Preparatory School.

The SSA team consisting of 40 participants garnered a combined total of 2,000 points that led them to the throne. Agatha Macalino, Marie Emmanuelle Ramirez, Mark Oviedo, Vaughn de Leon, Vash Kayden Lopez, Dionne Carreon, Julianne Enconado, Vianessa Baligaya, Kendall Velez, Althea Asilo, Elijah Centeno, and Zeph Centeno was named as Most Outstanding Swimmers in accordance to their age bracket.

Following this title holders, gold to bronze medals was also hauled by the following individuals in line with their respective categories: Zeph Centeno, Elijad Centeno, Nathania Villa, Alexa Emmanuel, Althea Asilo, Aramea Penollar, Kendall Velez, Agatha Macalino, Leyna Montealegre, Vanessa Baligaya, Julianne Enconado, Dionne Carreon, Lance Reyes, Jasmine Bascuguin, Juan Alejandro, Calix Flores, Nicolette de los Santos, Celina Badiola, Cyrusjet Bueno, Noah Pastoral, Nerice Soriano, Vash Lopez, Vaughn de

Leon, Mark Oviedo, Marie Emmanuelle Ramirez, Amanda Faral, Enzo Alegre, Austin Arejola, Alexander Faral, Gianna Geronimo, Savannah Velasco, Wyatt Reyes, and Castiel Labayne.

“It felt rewarding because the whole team worked very hard for that victory. As their team captain, I felt very proud as their names got called up to get their medals and stand on the podium with a big smile on their faces. It was a well deserved victory!”, according to their team captain, Sydney Monzon.

The seagulls competed in the following categories: Butterfly stroke, Freestyle, Medley Relay, Breaststroke, and Free Relay in order to the meters that they are competing.

produce olympic champions are necessary to be implemented just like the developed sports centers on par with those of numerous high-performing countries for a variety of sports which will allow them to maximize their training here in the Philippines. However, with the P725 million proposed 2025 budget for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which is significantly less than the 2024 budget of P1.156 billion, there is this ever-growing concern that our country will not be able to provide for these athletes, let alone nurture their skills and talents. If the Philippines or the current administration wishes to produce more Olympic champions and really put our name in the game, then it is only right for a significant budget allocation to be given to these athletes. We can not turn a blind eye to the importance of proper coaching, access to advanced methods and equipment, and a supportive environment that are essential for the success of our athletes. There is also a need to focus on nurturing young talents which is a part of the duties of the PSC as stated in R.A. 6847. They are meant to formulate policies and set the priorities and direction of all national amateur sports developments, giving emphasis on grassroots participation. It is not enough for our government to simply invest in world-

class training facilities and provide our current athletes with financial assistance once they reach the bigger stage. A long-term investment in the youth will prove its weight in gold and give us better results overall. When we build systems that encourage them to train in different sports regardless of their background, we develop a forward-thinking approach that provides a stronger foundation for future champions.

A nation that believes in the potential of its people will always prove to be stronger than those that surround them. There is no other perfect or right time to invest in our athletes, most especially our youth, than today—than now. It is imperative for us to be part of the environment that will help them develop into renowned medalists. Athletes that can banner our flag and say that they were raised by our nation and have won something more meaningful than gold—the heart, drive, and passion of every Filipino.

Conquering Barriers

On Gender Equality in Sports WATCHER’S EYE

JM Roberto

“This sport, that’s for boys! That sport, now that’s for girls!” These seemingly harmless words that are often thrown around the sports scene, particularly around younger enthusiasts, are words that subtly reflect the deep rooted prejudice that the Filipino society has formed to try and categorize individuals based on their gender–standards that have been ingrained in our society and one that also encapsulates the cage that this country has put young talents in.

Chained by societal norms and gender expectations, many young aspiring athletes are pushed away from the games that they love all because society says they don’t fit them. This, in turn, ends up slowing down the development of these fields of sports that were lost all because they were held back by society deciding what is meant for them and what isn’t.

Yet, despite all the odds, these barriers have been conquered and trampled by sheer talents that defy the norms that this society has put on these sports.

Weightlifting, synonymous to strength, a characteristic often associated with masculinity, was conquered by a woman named Hidilyn Diaz, harnessing the first ever gold of the country in the grandest stage of sports. While the summit of humility and grace of gymnastics often related towards femininity was not only reached by Carlos Yulo, but exceeded as the Philippines earned their first two gold medals in any edition of the Olympics through his dedication and talent.

Conquering the ice...

Playing for team Ube, a Philippine Sports Commission and Milo sponsored team, Tugado was able to rally a fastpaced counter attack against team Pandan and score the winning point against team Turon, helping secure a 6-0 victory.

However, her journey did not start in the women’s league; instead it began after being recruited by the Blades club in a small ice rink in SM Fairview.

According to Celine, “It was there that I first discovered my passion for the

Football that was often regarded as a man’s sport due to its physicality is now reignited by the Filipinas, the country’s women’s national football team, after they reached the pinnacle of international competition, the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

These figures, personalities, and icons are just a few of the representations of this generation’s challenge to cruise past the societal barriers that previously held back athletes of the past. This progress is the fruit of years and decades

As they continue to raise the Anthonian flag amongst talented athletes, the School of St. Anthony’s taekwondo team clinches awards at this year’s Smart/MVP Sports Foundation Taekwondo Championships during the Kyorugi and Poomsae events in Baguio City on September 20-21.

Fhebie Flores from Grade 12 Velasquez claimed the gold medal in the Senior and Advanced category of the Poomsae event with her sharp and refined skills and techniques.

Bouncing off of the team’s momentum, the Anthonian jins also garnered awards in the Kyorugi event, starting with the Cadet and Advanced category where Brenden Mendoza of 8-Malvar and Woosung Kang of 7-Bonifacio took home silver and bronze medals respectively.

Still under the Cadet category of the Kyorugi event, Jiela Baylon from 8-Nakar won bronze in the event’s Novice category, followed by 11-Francisco’s Sophia Alcantara, snatching a silver medal in the Junior and Advanced category.

worth of defiance and relentless pursuit against the prejudice that crushed the dreams of many.

As these athletes continue to forge a path for future athletes, appreciation and proper action is long overdue. The chance created from years of desperation, of dedication to defy the odds must not be left wasted. This is a chance for Philippine sports to soar higher than it has ever done before.

School of St. Anthony’s volleyball varsity wins over the crowd with their power and determination as they conquer multiple schools during the Athletic Association of Private Schools 2024.

sport. I started consistently playing around July 2022, dedicating myself to improving my skills and becoming a more reliable player for the team. It’s been an incredible experience ever since, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.”

The left-defense athlete currently plays for the Philippines’ Women’s Ice Hockey team under the Mustangs and has been undergoing rigorous training in preparation for her next competition.

As a student athlete, Tugado mentioned that her training schedule involves attending the PSC gym every Monday and Friday, coinciding with school days

making her put in the extra effort to stay on track while working hard to balance her academics.

“It’s a constant balancing act, but I know it’s all worth it in the end. Staying dedicated to both my studies and my training is crucial, and I’m committed to pushing myself to keep improving, no matter the challenges.”

With the rise of the sport in the Philippines, she added that every moment has been an opportunity for growth on and off the ice, and that she feels truly proud and honored to have come this far in representing her country, declaring that

This new era of sports in the Philippines is merely just the beginning; a glimpse on what this country could achieve if we break through beyond the confines of prejudice. 15.000

Soaring higher than ever before, the volleyball 18U men’s category goes top speed against Mother of Perpetual Health School, Falcon School, Holy Child Academy and Sacred Heart Academy of Novaliches, winning all four matches thus far, no losses.

“I believe what helped our team achieve a winning streak was trust. Our trust in each other helped us overcome challenges. I trust my team and my coaches, and they trust me back. Without trust, a person’s or a team’s confidence falls apart, and without it, my team would be in shambles.” Said team captain of the 18U men’s category Sean Superio Additionally, also stated that being

it has been one of the most memorable experiences of her life.

Tugado was also able to compete in the 2023 Philippine Minor Hockey League where she was amongst male players battling out with their skills and techniques on ice.

The student athlete is now preparing for the 2025 SEA Games, where she noted that it will be no easy task, adding that training for the competition is taking a more intense route.

“I’ve been working hard, both physically and mentally, to ensure that I’m ready to perform at my peak. My

a captain came with the responsibility of keeping his team’s spirits high and maintaining their momentum especially as the focal point of communication as their captain and team setter.

James Veliganio, the teams middle blocker also mentioned that this achievement left a big impact onto his team, saying that they want to leave a legacy behind before graduating Meanwhile, the women’s category set the stage with their prowess as they gathered wins throughout the different categories across different rival schools.

The elementary category smashes through Holy Child Academy, 15U dominates Saint Mary’s School of Novaliches, and 17U along with 18U dusts Falcon School.

preparation includes not only strength and conditioning but also refining my skills on the ice. I’ve been focusing on perfecting my skating and puck handling, making sure every movement is sharp and precise.”

She highlighted that the level of competition at the SEA Games is incredibly high, and that she is fully committed to giving her all in making sure that she is prepared for every aspect of the game and the challenge she is set to face.

The goal-driven girl on ice continues to inspire her fellow Anthonians as she pushes through the world of ice hockey with passion and determination, with the whole community supporting her from the sidelines.

Carlos Edriel Yulo etched his name in Philippine history as a two-time gold medalist in the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics floor exercises and vault events during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The boy that the whole nation has called Caloy ever since he started as an athlete in Palarong Pambansa, made sure that entering this year’s Olympics would only add to his two world championships and ten asian championships. A mindset produced by the hard work and dedication that he has been building up ever since to give him that push to really be the nation’s golden boy.

The title ‘golden boy’ is a motivation in itself, and Yulo made sure to use every bit of training he had to live up to that title once again. On August 3, 2024, Carlos had the whole world watching him as he presented 3rd out of eight gymnasts for the floor exercise event. He delivered a set of flawless moves right after another and before we knew it he had 15.000 points on the board. Filipinos were at the edge of their seats analyzing every move of Caloy’s opponents and were hooked on the scoreboard. After the last participant, Luke Whitehouse from Great Britain finished his routine, the Philippines knew we had gold. Our people transcended the screens to send their support, Caloy yelled like he never yelled before, and our anthem was played once again in the Olympics.

However, Yulo knew that he had more. He knew that there was still a fight for tomorrow and a podium finish that awaited him. Entering the Bercy Arena for the vault event on Sunday was a sleep deprived Caloy who still couldn’t believe the events that happened yesterday. With two vaults per participant, it was more nerve-wracking for those watching at home as they stared once again at the score boards. After his 2nd vault, he averaged 15.116 points and came out on top once again. The same scene repeated itself right before our eyes, the gold medal, the cries of happiness, and our anthem being played.

Both events were no easy feat, and were only possible due to the immense amount of effort that has rushed through his veins since he was a kid. The nation’s golden boy has left Paris as the Philippine’s first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals in the Olympics, the first Filipino to achieve that feat in a single Olympics, the country’s first Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics, and the first male Philippine athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. Awaiting him at home was a whole nation that was once again thankful and lucky to have Caloy as their golden boy. The inspiration that Yulo has left on the face of our nation will be one that every athlete will look back on as they make their way to the top. He mirrors every challenge Filipinos face in terms of poverty and politics, yet he embodies the flame that has kept us alive and has kept us going. The 24-year old gymnast is proof of how far

Kang, Anthonian jins rack up medals at MILO 2024 Taekwondo competition

Woosung Kang spearheaded the gritty and brilliant showcase of the School of St. Anthony Taekwondo jins as they garnered multiple medal finishes in the Kyoguri event, between August 24-25, 2024, at the Ninoy Aquino Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.

The 7th grader bruised his way through the novice category against fellow talented jins from all over the country and clenched SSA’s sole gold medal of the competition.

Jshafally Quynn Mingo from the Advanced category, Soojung Kang of the Novice category, and Samuel Donozo took silver in their own respective fields, while Mila Kristen Donozo nabbed bronze in the Novice level to round up a grand five medal harvest for the Anthonian jins.

The school celebrated their achievements, honoring their efforts with praises, appreciation and gratitude as their hard work and talent proved fruitful and they were granted honors that reflect their efforts.

CONQUERING THE ICE Tugado clinches national ice hockey title

Juliana Quichocho

Grade 10 student Celine Tugado raises the Anthonian flag as she makes her mark in the rink competing against strong teams in the first women’s league competition in the Philippines at the Mall of Asia. Continue on page 19.

Filipino Athletes bag Medals in 2024 Paris Olympics

Reign Rodriguez

Altering the familiar, Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas soared with flying colors, clutching two back-to-back golds in gymnastics and two bronzes in boxing in the recently held 2024 Paris Olympics.

Golden boy, Carlos Yulo, bagged two gold medals for the Philippines in the recent Olympics, cementing his spot as the first ever olympiad to do so after a stellar performance in the floor exercise and vault competition. Catching up with the streak, Nesthy Petecio added another bronze medal in 57kg Women’s Boxing after winning a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics clinching the title to be the first Filipina Silver-Medalist and representing the LGBTQ+ community.

Aira Villegas joined “the big three” after earning a bronze medal in 50kg Women’s Boxing, with successive stunning jabs from their opponent. These triumphs are evidence of the exceptional skills and blazing