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The Silay Institute Basic Education Department Official Student Publication

Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier Whats Inside:

BUWAN NG WIKA 2026

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

SCHOOLING OR SHOOTING

STRONG ON PAPER, SHORT ON TIME

THE PRICE OF AROGANCE

SI'ANS HIGH SCHOOL DELEGATES CLINCH PLATINUM AT 2026 WORLD YOUTH MEETING IN JAPAN FOCUSED ON SDG #4

Photo courtesy: Matthew Semillano

Photo courtesy: Yuto Nakagawa Sensei

Silay Institute delegates made their mark at the World Youth Meeting (WYM) 2026, held at Nihon Fukushi University in Japan on August 4–5, through presentations centered on Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education for All. The Silay Institute Senior High School team earned the prestigious Platinum Award, and the Silay Institute College team secured the Gold Award, highlighting the delegates’ strong performance and dedication to promoting quality and inclusive education.

The delegates arrived in Japan on July 29 and returned to the Philippines on August 6, bringing home international recognition and an experience strengthened by cultural exchange, collaboration, and youth advocacy. Their achievements at WYM 2026 reflect Silay Institute’s continuing commitment to empowering young people to become voices for meaningful change in education.

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LITERARY

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SPORTS

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SILAY INSTITUTE BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS SCHOOL-BASED PRESS CONFERENCE FOR DSPC QUALIFICATION Isinulat ni: Jerrylyn Joy Abellar

The Silay Institute Basic Education Department held its School-Based Press Conference on August 25, 2026, in Room 203 of the main building, as student journalists competed to qualify for the upcoming Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC). The event started at 10:00 a.m. and featured various journalism categories in both English and Filipino, including News Writing, Column Writing, Feature Writing, Editorial Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Illustration, Photojournalism, and Radio Broadcasting. Participants in the writing categories were tasked with creating outputs based on the given fact sheet. In contrast, those in visual categories showcased their skills through editorial cartooning, illustration, and photojournalism. Radio Broadcasting participants focused on developing scripts suitable for broadcast.

Illustration by: Leanne Lapating

THE LAST SUMMER THAT FELT LIKE CHILDHOOD

ISSUE No. 1

The Courier

The activity served as a chance for the school to evaluate students’ skills across different areas of campus journalism and to identify those who would qualify to represent Silay Institute at the Division Schools Press Conference. The School-Based Press Conference concluded at 12:00 noon, marking the end of the qualifying activity and the beginning of the selection process for the school’s representatives to the DSPC.

PRE-INTRAMURALS SET THE STAGE FOR UNIT MEET 2026 Isinulat ni: Kiara Toshka Chavez

Photo courtesy: Matthew Semillano

Matagumpay na ipinagdiriwang at ipinamalas ng mga mag-aaral sa Senior High School Department ng Silay Institute ang Buwan ng Wika noong ika-26 ng Agosto sa temang "Wikang Filipino at AI: Kasangkapan sa Pananaliksik at Tulay sa Yaman ng Impormasyon."

"Ang wikang minamahal ay wikang nabubuhay; ang wikang ginagamit ay wikang umuunlad; at ang wikang ipinagmamalaki ay wikang kailanman ay hindi mamamatay" ayon kay Ginoong Abellar.

Nagwagi ang House of Ithaca sa Pista sa Nayon habang nangibabaw ang House of Olympus sa patimpalak sa Parada ng Lahi na nirepresenta nina Nico Perra at Miesha Deles bilang Dakilang Lakan at Dakilang Lakambini habang sina Meg Laud at Charmmel Buenafe naman ang nagwagi sa titulo bilang Hari ng Barong at Reyna ng Filipiniana.

Nanguna si Ginoong Cesar V. Abellar, isang SHS na guro sa wikang Filipino, ang kahalagahan ng wika sa kabila makabagong teknolohiya na AI sa kanyang pambungad na pananalita.

Nagtanghal ang mga mag-aaral ng ika-12 na baitang ng kanilang Folk Dance, habang nagtipon naman ang apat na Houses sa kompetisyon sa Pista sa Nayon, Dakilang Lakan at Dakilang Lakambini, Hari ng Barong at Reyna ng Filipiniana.

Para sa kabuuang ranking, nanguna ang House of Olympus bilang Champion, House of Ithaca bilang 1st runner-up, House of Phaeacia sa 2nd runner-up at panghuli, House of Sparta bilang 3rd runner-up.

The Courier Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier

Behind the headlines

Introducing the Editorial Board of The Courier

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL EDITORIAL BORD

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief: Samantha Chloe Zamora Associate Editor (English): Bianca Raine Estores Associate Editor (Filipino): Brianna Cathrina A. Biñas Managing Editor: Alyka Pasamanero

Editor-in-Chief: Samantha Nicole Jordan Edtior-in-Chief: Claresse Tecson Associate Editor (English): Kiara Toshka Chavez Associate Editor (Filipino): Sheena Loquiano Managing Editor (External - English): LJ Masada Deldo Managing Editor (Internal - English): Pixie Fairy Velasco Managing Editor (External - Filipino): Monique Recilla Managing Editor (Internal - Filipino): Cheska Advincula

Head News Writer: Togle, Erinn Carmel P. News Writers: Ricardo Estores SciTech Writer: Denise Ysabel B. Maguillano Photojournalist: Davey Greyzel D. Pahilanga Videographers: Keith Jeon N. Lovete Cartoonists: Katara Testa and Aieysha Barredo Head Layout Artist: Anika Shane Caballes Sports Writers: Sophia Dhenize G. Gutana and Queenzy Mari C. Latido Copy Reading and Headline Writing: Rei Kristof Gico Column Writer: Niejam Jho Perez Editorial Writer: Keanu Zayn Guillena TV/Radio Broadcasting Manager (English): Chloie Aurelia P. Verdeflor TV/Radio Broadcasting Manager (Filipino): Josiah Christi J. Tredez Head Technical: Jules Mhyro Treyes Video Editors: Naira Ortega

Ms. APRIL JOY DELINA Adviser, The COURIER - JHS

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News Editors: Jerrylyn Abellar, Den Wendel Briones Editorial / Opinion Editors: Gabriel Siason, Carol Dian Jocson Features Editors: Reymark Casaverde, Aaron P. Macaraeg, Althea Emberga , Dan Russel Jalique SciTech Editors: Jade Valerie Osorio, Andrei Matthew Javier Sports Editors: Hanelee Cuello, Shane Bayer Canillas Copy Editor: Alexan Derick Suganob Layout Artists / Editors: Nico Perra, Isah Grace Alolon Illustrator: Godrich Malisua Editorial Cartoonists: Abu Dawood Abdullah, Cheska Advincula, May Xander Danielle Olvido, Xyrielle Aquino, Leanne Lapating TV/Radio Broadcasting Managers (English): Zyvel Salgado Garbillo, Nina Rafaella Lipio, LJ Deldo, Shanica Vhrean Mohammad, Mezaira Doloriac, Emille Hachera, Keith Jeril Secatin, Monique Recilla, Christine Marco TV/Radio Broadcasting Managers (Filipino): John Andrei Ocup, Nathaniel Isuga, Akisha Faith Galvez, Jerwin Sortigosa, John Aiven Ordaniel, Brent Altura, Angel Palermo, Faiza Quesada, Lorraine Torrepalma Photojournalists: Matthew Semillano, Roanne Marie Parcon, Kimora Lee Castro, Kylie Marie Depalubos, Irah Pacino, Stacy Fhame Aranes

Mr. ROVE P. GALLEGO Adviser, The COURIER - SHS

Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier

Schooling or Shooting: A Societal Roulette (Or Is It?)

Written by: Keanu Zayn T. Guillena

We take school drills for granted - until the alarm rings and the school hallway is plagued by chaos. This time, it wasn't a drill, what would you do in this situation? In times of a vastly immersive and progressive society, internal issues become more transparent and salient within our line of society. Societal issues, social dynamics, and extreme disasters are one of the contingent factors that commonly imparts in our day to day life. School is the common ground for adolescents and aspiring student leaners to strive in their skills, to have a platform to develop their capabilities, and enable them to hone their talents proactively. School drills play a significant and pivotal role in fostering and ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and the cognitive function of student-learners when dealt with certain situations and engrave the ability to protect themselves and others from any harm. On August 24, 2026, Silay Institute Inc. hosted their "Active Shooting Preparedness For Schools" Symposium to educate and develop the critical and cognitive reaction and responses of students during an active shooting. The event was accomodated by the Chief of the Police of Silay City where they underlined certain pragmatic practices and factors like running, hiding, and fighting whenever necessary or crucial for safety. The drill is scheduled tentatively and will occur randomly. Expouding on the relevant statements; when we recalibrate and fixate our views at a specific direction, there is a renowned and prevelant issue compromising schools and stripping filipinos from the idea of safety when entering a school -- school shootings and action to mitigate and reduce this surge in danger across communities. Particularly, the school drill and symposium encourages and imprints the idea of welfare and cooperation of the school community when faced with such hardship. Furthermore, students and engagers of the symposium can share certain information and the essence of the drill to familly members, friends, and other aspiring learners from other areas. Indulging more in the concept and imprint of drills and its impact deriving through the education and wellness of students, some may argue the symposium and drills can result in negative and ironically the eradication and destroying of the sense of safety for students and the school community. Some may argue that such conduction of preparedness education can encourage and involuntarily provoke students to bring weapons within premises. Some may argue that schools do not conduct the activity sophisticatedly and properly which discourages students to fathom the seriousness and paramount effect of the drill. Despite all of these counterpoints, cricism, and concerns, each every attempt to fight and shed light on filipinos displaced from their families, studies, and opportunities is worth every risk taken. Is it better for a school to have students uneducated and unoriented in preparedness, or a school who is solidifying and prioritizing the safety of each and every individual of the school community?

Illustration: Leanne Lapating

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Every student deserves to learn in liberty and in solidarity, to fixate and develop their skills without interruption, and mold and ingrain the values to encompass them throughout life. Let this be a crucial opportunity and path for interconnectedness and a single strand we share to learn within our drills and orientations. Let this become a beacon of change where every life gets to be fostered.

Schools should be a place to learn, not a place where fear is prominent and a common trend amongst communities. Action is dire; if it isn't now, when? If it isn't you, who?

UGAT ng SUGAT Isinulat ni: Sheena Loquiano

Paaralan ay tinuturing na pangalawang tahanan. Pangalawang tahanan na nagbibigay ng kaalaman sa at lugar na nagbibigay ng pag-asa at pagkakaibigan para sa mga kabataan. Nguni't sa loob lamang ng ilang buwan ating nabalitaan ang walang awang pamamaril sa loob ng paaralan. June 22, 2026 sa paaralang San Jose National High School (Tacloban) naganap ang pamamaril ng dalawang menor de edad na nagkitil sa buhay ng tatlong mag-aaral. August 18, 2026 sa paaralang Ateneo de Zamboanga University (Zamboanga City) naganap ang pamamaril ng isang junior high school sa guro at magaaral na nagdulot ng pagkasawi ng ibang buhay. Maraming buhay ang nawala at maraming trauma ang nadulot ng pangyayaring ito. Ano nga ba ang tutuong ugat ng mga ito? Ano nga ba ang nasa likod ng mga menor de edad na armado? Simula nung nangyari ang mga insidenteng ito ay mas humigpit na din ang siguridad sa iba't ibang paaralan. Nagdagdag ng guwardiya at gumamit ng mga metal detector upang masiguradong ang mga estudyante ay may kaligtasan. Ngunit hanggang kailan natin iisipin ang siguridad ng mga estudyante sa loob ng paaralan? Hanggang kailan tayo babalutin ng takot? Hanggang kailan natin iisipin na sa hindi inaaasahang oras ay buhay naman natin ang matapos? Sa dalawang insidenteng aking nabanggit ay pambubully ang dahilan. Oo, lahat tayo ay may pinagdadaanan at lahat din tayo ay may iba't ibang paaran upang lutasin ang suliranin at pagaanin ang nararamdaman kaya hindi dapat natin baliwalain ang pinaka-ugat ng lahat. Kung ako ang inyong tatanungin, mas mahalagang pagtuunan natin ng pansin ang malalim na dahilan bakit nagagawa ng ibang mag-aaral ang isang di makataong gawain. Hindi na natin kailangan ng mga kagamitang nakakadetect ng metal at maraming guwardiya kung una pa lang ay mas binibigyan natin ng pansin ang pag-uugali ng mga mag-aaral sa loob ng paaralan. Ika nga nila "prevention is better than cure" Ang paaralan ay dapat manatiling pangalawang tahanan. Lugar na maririnig ay palakpakan, papuri, at masayang sigawan, hindi yung barilan. Ating pagtuunan ng pansin ang ugat upang maiwasan ang sugat.

EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

The Courier Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier

Illustration by: May Olvido

Strong on Paper, Short on TIME Written by: Carol Dian H. Jocson

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Education revisions are measured not by how good they sound in a paper, but by how they feel inside the classroom. This School Year 2026-2027, the Department of Education completed its most driven reforms, a K-12 system now running on two curriculum, the MATATAG Curriculum for Kinder to Grade 10 and Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum for Grade 11 to 12. On paper, the K-10 MATATAG finally did what the teachers wants. It reduced competencies by 70% and cut Grade 1-3 subjects from seven to five to focus only on foundational literacy and numeracy. For SHS, the strengthened SHS Curriculum fully implemented this June 2026 for Grade 11 in over a hundreds of schools. It reduced four tracks into two tracks, the Academic and Technical Professional Track, and minimized overloaded core subjects into five essentials. This is the reform we needed. But this is also where the aftermath begins. Because while the DepEd strengthened the what to teach, it weakened the when to learn it. This S.Y. 2026-2027, DepEd also implemented a trimester calendar, from four quarters to three terms. The casualty is what SHS was built for, student based activities. Research, clubs, journalism, student government, sports, and project based learning, all require time, freedom, and guidance outside the lecture. Under the new system, these are pushed to the “enrichment block” after classes, or worse, combined into lessons to save time. How can a TechPro student creative in automotive without computer lab time? How can an Academic student can lead a community project if leadership itself has no space in the calendar? We did not simplify the curriculum just to overload the calendar. So, we call for a correction. Let the new curriculum stay, it is a step forward. But give it time to breathe. Restore protected periods for curricular and organized by students activities within the trimester, not as a low priority. Ensure TechPro student have actual tools, and Academic students have enough teachers for their new electives. The K-12 of 2026 is better planned. Now DepEd must make it stronger in execution.

Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier

The Price of Arrogance Written By: Jhon Gabriel Siason

Illustration: Leanne Lapating

Decades ago, the morning norm around the Being controlled by big companies to push They also argue that most of the distrust in world was heavily influenced by the rustle of the same story they want to benefit news today is actually created by lying broadsheet newsprint or the familiar intro of themselves—just to survive. Journalism politicians who target credible journalists the evening news broadcast. Networks like should stop blaming the audience and start and possibly even red-tagging them just to "TV PATROL" and "24 ORAS" served as the to shift back to transparent, unbiased, and protect themselves from criticism of the Philippines shared and trusted source of legitimate reporting. foolish things they tend to do. news, a generally accepted standard of legitimate news. Today, that standard shakes When news networks faced online ad Even then, while organized false information horribly. The headlines that once Aired revenues, they started to prioritize clicks and campaigns without question exist, exposure over the truth. Controversial and without question was now targeted with disregarding these attacks completely sensitive issues were made into content instant skepticism, ignorance, or outright neglects the real issue: people are already intended to rage-bait and to catch attention. remarks like "PEKE NA" across dinner tables angry and fed up with the high standards As a result, people no longer look at the media and internet comment sections alike. and ‘snobberism’. Harsh criticism and as neutral reporters but as mediocre feedback only sticks and applies when the ‎In my humble opinion, almost everybody no charlatans. network has already damaged its own longer trusts mainstream news. According to reputation and broke the public's trust. I ‎ n an era like today, where mistakes are seen a global study, specifically from the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026, trust in instantly and pasted on the internet where ‎The large drop in public trust doesn't just traditional news networks had dropped they can never be deleted, major news harm news networks; it actually threatens deeper. The general public has concerns to networks still quietly edit articles and hide our entire autonomy. Without a united and actually believe what the big news outlets say. the mistakes at the bottom of the page trusted source of honesty, we can't debate without consequences. This lack of Instead of reading newspapers and watching policies, lead a country, or hold influential transparency makes the public believe the the news every night, everyone is turning their figures accountable. If traditional news mistakes were made-up lies rather than heads to independent commentators, political networks want to save journalism and bring honest mistakes. and biased podcasts, and social media back the public, they have to drop the algorithms for information. arrogant and ignorant attitude and start Supporters of traditional news networks from the beginning and be completely point out that only major media companies ‎The destruction of the public's faith in transparent. Trust is not something they are the only ones with the financial stability traditional media is not an accident nor a deserve right off the bat just because they and enough resources to do real wanted mass hysteria for the public; it is an have a famous history, it is something they investigative journalism that makes openly explicit consequence of legacy outlets have to earn every single day, every single influential people accountable. A blogger or a purposely ignoring strict objectivity in news they air. TikTok creator can't automatically afford to exchange for algorithms and engagement. spend months investigating a case.

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COLUMN

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FEATURE

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“The Last Summer that Felt like Childhood”

Written by: Kiara Toshka Chavez & Samantha Nicole Jordan

his summer was like a fairytale. I was chasing the life ahead of me, with my tiny hands and carefree demeanor, the world felt too slow. Beneath the scorching afternoon, the sun up high like my dreams were. “When I grow up, I want to be a doctor!” “In the future, I want to be an engineer” “I want to be a teacher!” Days began to echo in every child’s calling. Bare feet racing along dusty streets warmed by noon. The air buzzed with the sound of cicadas, and laughter rang out during a play of catch. Time seemed to pause and I don’t know why. Evenings were painted like torture for me. My evenings would end with a thought of “I don’t want this day to end.” Because I know for a fact that once my nightmare begins I cannot fly and soar along with the clouds. I don’t want the life I held so dear close to my heart to be taken away from me. The lines between summer and life starts to blur. “I can’t wait to grow up!” As children, we often say that we can’t wait to grow up. We impatiently count the days until we can finally glimpse the future and be seen as mature—not as children, but as adults. In our pleasure, we begin to dismiss the present and forget to savor childhood for what it truly is. How in every smile of ours, so innocent, so pure. Through rose-tinted glasses, the world appears to be more vibrant and alive, painted in colors only children can see. We used to love ‘Summer’ yet something in between us shifted. These fragments of revisiting our childhood safely stored in the pages of our diary. Years passed by, life has been a whirlwind of change. We were engrossed in our own lives that we forget how to be a kid again. Responsibilities piled up, each one like a brick building the wall of adulthood. The summer we once enjoy, now a distant memory that we took granted as kids. Growing up, this summer felt different Childhoods never last but everyone deserves one. “Would the memories come flooding back or would they remain tucked away in the corners of our minds?” I asked myself. A part of me still yearns for the memories that lingers. The wall of adulthood we built for a long time crumbled for a moment, and we found ourselves splashing in puddles, engraving names on wood, running on the field like never before, playing tag as if our life depends on it and laughing our hearts out without a single care.

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But the door has closed. Homes of the young had grown. The home that once echoed with laughter is now replaced by a deafening silence. Toys remain untouched, beds lie untucked, the hilarity and joy of a child could only linger as we recollect our childhood in a memory lane. That’s when we realize that we already grew up. But isn’t that always been our dream? To grow up? Now, as adults, we would risk everything just to wind the clock— to live the way it once was, to be a child again. Even if we had the chance to turn back time, we would never relive the feeling of how we felt in those moments. It cannot replicate the genuine feeling, experience and joy it had to be a child once again. They belonged to a time in life when it was simpler, when happiness required nothing more than a child's play. That’s when we can only think to ourselves “I don’t want to grow up.” Life wasn’t that simple, it was not that trivial. You began to notice that the world moves too fast— way too fast. Growing up is realizing you have to make decisions, take consequences, see the world as it truly is. Today was yesterday and tomorrow will be our yesterday. Childhood memories brushed off as a fleeting moment in time. A moment where time cannot stop, even in the times you wished the world would put to an end. Time ticks but our world still stops in the fragments of the past. The pieces that we hold so dear, bearing the feeling of disdain on how we wished to return to the past of how it once was. It doesn’t feel the same. It was different. We could only vividly recollect the moments of how it felt— on how surreal it was. What one loves in childhood stays in their hearts forever. Life is indeed a fairytale. A fair one. It had a magical beginning but has yet to unfold, the journey has only yet to come. Down in our memory lane where those snippets of once shared moments still exist, waiting to be kindled back into life. Perhaps, that’s what that summer feels like— home. Our eyes beaming with excitement as we think of the little ways of touching the end of the rainbow remains timeless. As plants withers, engulfed in the mundane, in tasks big or small. Time drifted us away. But here we are, under the same sky so blue, we’re kids again— carefree and full of wonder. Now, the sun shines brighter and summer feels endless. And in those fleeting times, beholds a reminder. That even we grow— some things remains timeless. Indeed, a summer to remember.

Screen grab from GMMTV (Never Let Me Go - PondPhuwin)

Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier

“Unbidden Guest” Written by: Kiara Toashka Chavez

Oh, please excuse me, I don’t mean to pry. Do forgive me because I don’t mean to lie. Please do open the door, I only wish to have a little chat. Open the door, then I shall prick the stupid rat.

Illustration by: May Olvido

“The Spent Matches and the Scars Untold” Written by: Samantha Nicole Jordan

A battle happens on this furtive stage, Before the ink can dry upon the page. Nobody counts the pieces we have used, Of spent matches and the scars bruised. A dozen matches broken on the floor, As we burn ourselves to open up the door. We watch the fire dance and claim the crown, While matchsticks in the tray are faced down and turning brown. Each stories wrote was killed before they saw the sun, Vanished in the fortress when we ran and when we were done. To light the flame, a matchstick must be scraped hard against the rough dusty box, A sudden spark is broken by the friction of the clocks.

Don’t fool me, twist the knob and I’ll set you free. Feel me, and you’ll see a crimson colored sea. So open the door! I deem you at this once. Open the door at this once, then I shall give you my plea. So stealthy, silently, be careful of what follows you behind that door. Don’t be blind by the shadow that is cast from upfront. Alas, hello! Your grave awaits you. Open the door! I am waiting for you.

Consumed and broken just to give us light, But praise the beacon shining in the fearless night. A flare that cloak me whole, Broken fragments that swallowed my soul. Forging keys, finding my way out, Though at midnight my mind was in total black-out. No one dares to count the resistance of the burn, Nor forget the ash left waiting in the urn. There is a history written on this table, A fragile yet unstable, flickering flame. Long after matches die from where they came, There’s a blazing truth that no one else could tame. Screen grab from GMMTV (WE ARE The Series PondPhuwin)

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LITERARY

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LITERARY

The Courier Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier

"Sa Kulturang ating Kinagisnan" Isinulat ni: Dan Russelle Jalique

Maagang pumasok si Aaron sa paaralan noong Buwan ng Wika. Pagpasok palang sa gate Ng eskwelahan ay napansin niya ang mga estudyanteng nakasuot ng Barong Tagalog at Filipiniana. May mga naghahanda para sa mga paligsahan, habang ang iba naman ay abala sa pag-eensayo para sa kanilang performance task na sayaw sa kanilang PE Subject. Sa una, hindi gaanong interesado si Aaron sa pagdiriwang. Para sa kaniya, isa lamang itong karaniwang gawain sa paaralan. Ngunit habang pinapanood niya ang kaniyang mga kaklase, at ibang kamag-aral, napansin niyang mas naging masaya at buhay ang buong event sa paaralan. Naririnig niya ang mga ibat-ibang kanta tungkol sa ating pagka pilipino, at nasaksihan ang sari-saring mga sayaw ng ating bansa na binigyang buhay ng mga estudyante. Doon niya napagtanto na ang wika at kultura nating mga Pinoy ay mananatili at pinapahalagan ang bawat kasapi nito. Ito rin ay paraan upang maipakita ng mga Pilipino ang kanilang kultura at pagkakakilanlan sa pamamagitan ng musika at sayaw. Sa pagtatapos ng programa, umuwi si Aaron na may bagong kaalaman at pananaw. Para sa kaniya, hindi kailangang maging bongga at perpekto ang mga bagay upang maipakita ang pagmamahal sa sariling bansa. Minsan, sapat na ang pagpapahalaga nito nang may respeto at pagmamalaki.

Screen grab from GMMTV (Ticket to Heaven GeminiFourth)

“Kung alam ko lang “ Isinulat ni : Aaron Macaraeg “Sa susunod na lang, Tay.” Iyon ang huling sinabi ni Dan sa kanyang Tatay bago siya umalis. Nasa bahay sila noon kasama ang kanyang Nanay at ang dalawa niyang pinsan. Hindi niya inisip na iyon na pala ang huling pagkakataong makakausap niya ang kanyang Tatay. Kinabukasan, habang abala si Dan sa kanyang ginagawa, tumawag ang kanyang Nanay. “Apo, wala na si Tatay.” Hindi agad nakapagsalita si Dan. Tahimik niyang hinawakan ang cellphone habang unti-unting pumapasok sa isip niya ang sinabi ng kanyang Nanay. Pag-uwi niya, nakita niya ang paboritong upuan ng kanyang Tatay. Walang nakaupo roon. Dati, madalas niyang makita ang kanyang Tatay sa upuang iyon, nagpapahinga o nakikipagkuwentuhan sa kanila. Napaupo si Dan sa tabi nito. Naalala niya ang huli nilang usapan. Sinabi niyang sa susunod na lang siya sasama at makikipagkuwentuhan. Akala niya ay may susunod pa. “Sorry, Tay. Hindi man lang nakapagpaalam,” mahina niyang sabi.

ako

Marami pa sana siyang gustong sabihin. Gusto niyang magpasalamat sa mga payo at sa mga simpleng sandaling kasama niya ang kanyang Tatay. Pero wala na siyang pagkakataon. Tahimik siyang nanatili sa tabi ng upuan. Sa araw na iyon, naisip ni Dan na may mga salitang hindi dapat ipinagpapabukas. Dahil kapag dumating ang panahong gusto mo na itong sabihin, maaaring wala na ang taong nais mong makinig.

Photo Courtesy: Matthew Semillano

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Your Voice. Your Community. Your Courier

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Teodoro C. Mendoza / INQUIRER.net

Pax Silica: Progress at What Cost? Written by: Jade Valerie Osorio

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and digital innovations, our country—the Philippines has every reason to pursue technological advancements. We should not be left behind. However, the promises of progress should never prevent us from asking this one question: At what cost? The Philippines recently joined the initiative partnership led by the United States last April 2026, along with allied countries, to build a supply chain for the future of artificial intelligence. Their goal is to build our own supply chain and reduce dependence on countries like China by building an AI-native industrial acceleration hub. That partnership is the one known as Pax Silica. The word “Pax” comes from the Latin word “peace,” and “Silica” comes from silicon. The project designated a 1,600-to1,620-hectare site in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, within the Luzon Economic Corridor.

AND WHY CHOOSE THE PHILIPPINES?

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Because we have all the raw resources: nickel, copper, gold, and many elements essential for AI. Technology requires resources. Technological developments can demand land, water, and energy—resources that communities and ecosystems also depend on. Our country has what they need, and they’re going to take it.

We demand transparency, scientific evidence, and meaningful public consultation. They are necessary questions that responsible development must answer. The Philippines does not need to choose between technology and sustainability. But if Pax Silica cannot guarantee transparency, environmental responsibility, and meaningful consultation with affected communities, then moving forward too quickly would be irresponsible. Innovation without accountability is not progress—it is a gamble.

It is said to give jobs to many Filipinos, ensuring future investments through developments and improving technology that may increase our economy’s status. Although the project sounds promising through papers and proposals. Does the project itself bring peace to everyone? Not only from them, who will get most of the benefits? We should welcome the future, but we Up until now, the government has not guaranteed the benefits Filipinos will get. News and protests are only heard from the said project. Exploiting the farmers’ land, affecting indigenous homes, and the effect on our waters, electricity, and natural resources. Those huge hectares of land can shelter many homeless Filipinos suffering. Those hectares of land are the farmers’ only way of surviving. When questions are raised about a project’s possible environmental and social consequences, they should not be dismissed as resistance to progress.

should not blindly surrender to every project that promises to bring us there. For Filipinos, only for Filipinos. Pax Silica may represent technological ambition, but ambition alone is not enough. Before the country builds toward tomorrow, it must first protect what is existing today. A future built by sacrificing communities and the environment is not the future Filipinos deserve. After all, technology should serve the people—not leave them behind.

SCI TECH

The Courier

SPORTS

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Pre-Intramurals Set the Stage for Unit Meet 2026

Photo Courtesy: Irah Pacino

Written by: Hanelee B. Cuello The Courts of Silay Institute came alive as students participate in the Pre-Intramurals 2026, featuring a friendly games in volleyball and basketball. The Student-Athletes stepped on to the court not only to play, but also to show their skills and teamwork as they aimed for a spot in the school’s linup for the upcoming Unit Meet 2026.

The friendly games also gave the athletes a chance to see their abilities against their fellow students. Every pass, shot and serve became an opportunity to show their teachers what they could bring to the team. It’s not just a game but a test for them to be able to make their confidence grow.

The action started early in the morning with the Senior High School (SHS) basketball games on the court keeping the court filled with energy and excitement. The covered court echoed with cheers as players kept the ball bouncing on the court.

With the Unit Meet 2026 in a few days, the Pre-Intramurls served as an important step in forming the school’s team. The game allows coaches to identify potential players while giving the players a chance to prove In the afternoon, the excitement continued as the sun their selves. For theplayers, it was not simply starts to reflect the court’s floor, the SHS volleyball players shows their skills through attacks, serves and about winning agame but it was about giving defense skills. The matches were friendly, but their best and earning the opportunity to everyone still gave their best as they were being represent Silay Institute and show how observed for selection to the Unit Meet 2026. sportsmanship works.

ABS-CBN Edge GMMTV in Thrilling AllStar Celebrity Basketball Showdown Written by: Hanelee B. Cuello

Photo Courtesy: ABS-CBN Studios The Star Magic Shooting Stars protected home court in dominant fashion, securing a convincing 83–53 victory over Thailand’s GMMTV All Stars during the inaugural "SEAbling Basketball Showdown" at the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026.

Despite GMMTV trimming the lead to “You know, at the end of the day, it was a good 68–43 by the end of the frame, Star basketball game. They still fought until the very Magic’s roster depth pulled away in the fourth quarter to close out the 30-point end and showed the Filipino fans their heart. But more than anything, the whole team came victory.

The local fan favorites set the pace early. Ronnie Gerald Anderson Alonte drilled a buzzer-beating shot at the end of the laying-coach second quarter to send the Shooting Stars into spearheaded the Philippine side and was awarded game Most Valuable halftime with a 53–31 cushion. The physical toll grew in the second half for the Thai squad. GMMTV’s primary engine, Neo Trai Nimtawat, who carried much of Thailand's offensive load alongside Joss Way-ar Sangngern, went down with leg cramps midway through the third quarter.

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together and we made a lot of people happy." — Gerald Anderson, Star Magic Shooting Stars MVP

Player honors. Joining Anderson in the "Never in my life did I think I would be able to play All-Star Mythical Five were teammates the sport I love in front of such a massive and Ronnie Alonte and Argel Saycon, energetic crowd. Yesterday was a memory I will alongside GMMTV’s Neo Trai forever cherish." — Aston Luengvoraphan, Nimtawat and Aston Luengvoraphan.

GMMTV All Stars (Mythical Five)