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Torresians Future Celebrations of Hearts
Vol. 77 No. 1 | The Official Student Publication of Florentino Torres High School | Division of Manila | National Capital Region | 2024-2025
by VRENTH BATANG
s and teachers alike. The Future Booth Fair and Valentine’s Day Celebration at Florentino Torres High School (FTHS) are set to take place on February 14, 2025. The Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) recently met with all FTHS club officers and the School Coordinating Council to finalize event plans. It was decided that each department may set up two booths for the celebration.
topstories
SCAREDNATORS
OPINION | 05
OPINION | 05
Excitement is building among Torresians, especially as the SSLG continues to hype up the event by sharing posts about Heart Month, adding to the anticipation.
In The Bustling Streets of Manila
Long-Awaited Prom Event Confirmed!
FEATURE | 10
Breaking Old Credence
by STEVEN ANISCO
The highly anticipated Prominate 2025 has been officially confirmed and is set for February 24, 2025. According to Sir Yag-at, each section must have a representative for the cotillion.
SCI-TECH |14-15
RUSHED AND FLASHED
The event will be governed by strict rules, with the possibility of cancellation if any are violated. Additionally, cross-dressing will be allowed, making the celebration more inclusive. While opinions on the event may vary, many Torresians are eagerly looking forward to the special night.
/coverstory
The Last Game
Torresians Bear the Burden of DepEd’s Rushed School Year by YSABEL RAMOS
SPORTS | 20
rspc2023
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In a significant decision, the Department of Education (DepEd) has set the school calendar from August to April, ending all of the school rites by April 28, 2025, leaving little room for teachers and students to adjust. At Florentino Torres High School, this decision has disrupted the flow of learning. This DepEd Memorandum mandating the duration of the school year 2024-2025 has upended the lives of students and teachers at Florentino Torres’ Senior and Junior High School. The rushed academic calendar has overwhelmed Torresians, slashing valuable learning time and amplifying stress levels as students race to keep up with the compressed schedule while teachers struggle to deliver the full curriculum effectively. DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2024, implements a shortened academic year as part of the post-pandemic education recovery plan. This memo aims to address learning gaps and restore the pre-pandemic school calendar, with June marking the official start of classes. To avoid the cancellation of classes due to extreme heat, the President has called for a return to the old school calendar of June to March as soon as pos-
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sible. However, the shift to this compressed schedule has put additional strain on students and teachers alike. 83% of Torresians surveyed by The Torres Torch agreed that the old duration of the school year starting from June, and ending in March, is far more effective than the current school calendar in terms of learning, school activities, and has an overall positive impact to the students’ academical development, while also having benefits on their well-being. Denise, a grade 10 student stated, “It’s hard to adapt to sudden changes with the school calendar. If the biggest factor they’ve considered to mandate changes with the school calendar is the cancellation of classes due to extreme heat alone then I would rather die in the heat than die due to the never-ending school work.”
It would’ve been best to make changes at a pace where students can adapt to circumstances rather than deciding on a big change that has resulted in difficulties in both the lives of students and teachers. /continue on P02
pulseoftorresians FTHS students shared their opinion and experience regarding to the rushed academic year to bring the old school calendar back. Out of 2,078 respondents,
89%
find it challenging to keep up with their academics due to the reduced and rushed days of classes.
83%
agreed that the old duration of the school year starting from June, and ending in March, is far more effective than the current school calendar