Republic of the Philippines

Pasay City National Science High School

Schools Division Office - Pasay City

By: Shaun Mustang JacintoGraphics: Caitlin Beatrice Mutas The Yuletide season in the Philippines begins as soon as the “ber months” arrive on our already marked calendars. Festive decorations start to grace the streets, houses, shopping malls, and the musically immortalized lyrics of José Mari Chan, “Whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns on the street,” echoing everywhere. It would be an understatement to say that Christmas is a long-awaited holiday. For many, this season is characterized by family get-togethers, school or work Christmas parties, the devotional Simbang Gabi, and the simmering of bibingka and puto bumbong. All these joyful festivities are so deeply etched in our culture that it’s nearly impossible to separate Christmas from the Filipino spirit, no matter where they may be. Yet, for an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) separated from their loved ones, the so-called ‘most wonderful time of the year’ has a bittersweet weight, as connections are tempered by the distance that remains. Hence, to deviate from my usual columns, I dedicate this to my mother, who is part of the group of unsung heroes—the OFWs. They sacrifice way more than just their presence, often missing important milestones and events in their families’ lives to provide a better future for their loved ones. Christmas, for me, has always been a Russian roulette, wondering whether or not my mother could go home. For most part of my life, to be precise, almost 13 years already, she had been working abroad; the holidays were never quite the same. In some years, while the world around me was abuzzed with the excitement of sharing meals and presents, there was always an empty seat at the dining table that no amount of video calls or chats could mend. Her absence remains a constant reminder of the steep price we pay for the opportunities her sacrifices brought. An excruciating tradeoff that is only tainted by our distance apart. Albeit the early days that we were separated due to her being an OFW, those Skype or FaceTime calls were filled with her words of love and encouragement. As technology improved, of course, so did the modes of communication, which became our lifeline during special events like the holidays or even Mother’s Day. As a child of an OFW, you will never forget the fleeting moments where you gather your family around a small screen, an attempt to duplicate the warmth of a family celebration wherein you are all complete. My mother smiling through a pixelated video would ask about my day in school, laugh at my stories, and remind me of her care in spite of being hundreds of miles away. For transnational families like ours, Christmas is all about holding on to the bonds that matter. It was about me wearing my “big boy pants” and wearing rose-tinted glasses to find joy in the little things my mom did, like a simple video call or the well-known Balikbayan boxes. Little moments like these during this season of togetherness and family can sustain one’s drive to continue working overseas for their loved ones. Our modern world demands sacrifices, with OFWs trading time with their families and loved ones to provide from afar. Each of these transnational families cope with their absence. Every shared moment, whether in person or through virtually, embodies the true Christmas spirit of enduring love and connection alive across any barriers. Until then, I carry my mother’s love, knowing that no distance can dim the light of the Yuletide season. Come Christmas day, let’s honor the sacrifices made by those away from home and strengthen their love burning ever brightly in our spirits and hearts.

By: Liwie Jayne MendozaPublication: Rhian Tabuada Coming home from school is still as tiring as it sounds. You go there at rush hour so you hear the distant, loud horns of vehicles that constantly race each other to go to their respective destinations, drag yourself out of the crowd just to get to a jeepney, you know the drill — and it’s still the same situation going home, because it’s also rush hour the moment you’re dismissed. BEEEEP!!! Walking down the street to my home, I was greeted by the sound of a hurrying motorcycle behind me. Children playing divided themselves into groups that went to either the left or right side of the street to make way for the incoming vehicle. The children…they looked so…happy. So carefree. I wish I could be like them. I know I heard a video once, saying, “little children are told to go to bed, but don’t sleep– probably because they’re not bored of life yet“, and I’m a testimony of that. When I was still little, around the age of 3-6 years old, it was part of my daily schedule to go take a nap once the clock strikes two in the afternoon. But in reality, I just go upstairs, read my books, and come down at just the right time, acting like I had just woken up. And now, I’d do anything to get that daily dose of sleep instead of school work and busy schedules. These little children playing, they talked about drawings, how vivid they saw life as, and how they have all day to do the things they want. I used to be one of those children that loved life. I rushed to be a teenager. It’s not that I don’t like my life right now, it’s just.. exasperating, at most. I wish I never rushed to be at this age. I thought life would be all easy and a piece of cake when I reached this stage — turns out to be the opposite. I was so beautiful then. I was flawless, not a single mark of stress on my face. Scars were only physical and I didn’t care about what the world would say about me. I knew myself, and I was confident in myself. But now.. what now..? Worries and concern spelled all over my whole personality, scars exceeding physical and tormenting me even inside, to my mind, to my heart, and soul. I’m everyone’s mirror, copying their demeanors and behaviors. When I try to glance at my reflection, there’s nothing to see. What have I become? I reach my home, the laughs of the little children echoing inside my head, the picture of their smiles imprinted on my mind. The moment came to pass, but I didn’t know it would be so sudden. “They’ll grow up as well. They’ll have different experiences. They’ll get to know that life is fun… …with a mix of pain.” Life is still fun. I find my fun in my family, my friends, playing games from time to time, and relieving memories of my childhood. I feel old, but I’m not at all too far from them, right? I have my inner child, and she’s still playing within me. Telling me to rest, telling me to get to know myself first. I’m still a child too. I’m older than the others, and I have the body of an adult, but I’m still a child. I still enjoy life, despite its challenges. I still see the light from afar, in this dark tunnel. I’ll get out of these struggles. I’ll persevere – I’ll survive.  

Caption: Loren MangahasLayout: Leon Manlangit No woman should suffer in silence. Violence Against Women extends far beyond the physical, emotional and psychological wounds that can impact mental health. Survivors often face anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and overwhelming feelings of shame, fear, and isolation. These invisible scars can affect their ability to trust, form relationships, feel safe in the world, and prevent them from seeing their purpose. Yet, healing is possible, and their journey toward recovery deserves understanding and unwavering support By raising awareness, breaking the stigma, and creating environments of empathy and safety, we can help survivors reclaim their voices, rebuild their confidence, and find hope, comfort, and resilience Every step toward healing is a testament to their courage and strength, and as a society, we must stand united to end the cycle of violence and ensure no woman suffers in silence. In this fight, we, KALAKBAY, your KAAGAPAY

Isinulat nina Reiana Ross H. Belchez at Ma. Jhoana Mae MuegaIwinasto ni Joebbie Krizel GauganoSinuri nina Gng. Myra R. Jaime at Jacqui De GueñoPatnugot ni Reisha Rhysse Uy at Jacqui De Gueno Isang bagay na madalas nating kinatatamaran, ang pagbabasa, ang nagiging susi sa paghubog ng ating kinabukasan. Sa bawat pahina ng aklat na ating nililipat, nabubuksan ang mga gabay at aral na makatutulong sa ating paglalakbay sa buhay. Hindi natin madalas mapansin, ngunit sa mga libro, natututo tayo sa pamamagitan ng mata at isipan, natutuklasan natin ang mga aral na sumasalamin sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. Ang pagbabasa ay hindi lamang simpleng paglipat ng mga pahina. Sa bawat kwento, binubuksan ang mga pinto sa mga mundo na nagdadala ng aliw, karunungan, at gabay. Naroon ang mga tauhan at kuwento na nagbibigay ng mga leksyon na bihira nating natututunan sa tunay na buhay, nag-aanyaya ng isang paglalakbay sa mga landas na puno ng posibilidad. Kaya’t kahit ang aklat na kinatatamaran, sa bawat salitang nakalathala, ay may kakayahang ituro sa atin ang landas tungo sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan. Sa makabagong panahon ng teknolohiya at impormasyon, mahalaga na ang bawat Pilipino ay maging mapanuri. Ang mga aklat ang nagsisilbing sandata laban sa panlilinlang at maling impormasyon. Sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa, natututo tayong suriin at unawain ang bawat datos, kaya nagiging mas matatag tayo sa pagbubuo ng sariling pananaw at mga desisyon. Ang bawat aklat ay naglalaman ng mga lihim na katotohanang tahimik na naghihintay na mabunyag, nagpapalalim sa ating pang-unawa at pananampalataya sa mga tamang prinsipyo. Ang mga storytelling sessions na hatid ng mga guro at estudyante ay nagsisilbing ilaw na nagpapaliwanag sa madilim na bahagi ng ating imahinasyon. Isang pagkakataon ang pagdiriwang na ito upang tuklasin ang bawat aklat na gumagabay sa atin sa pagbuo ng sariling pananaw at opinyon.  Sa pagtatapos ng Buwan ng Pagbasa, nawa’y maunawaan natin na ang pagbabasa ay hindi natatapos sa buwan ng Nobyembre. Ito ay isang patuloy na proseso na dapat nating yakapin araw-araw. Sa bawat pahinang binubuksan natin, naglalakbay tayo patungo sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan. Ang pagmamahal sa pagbabasa ay hindi lamang para sa ating sarili kundi para sa susunod na henerasyon, upang sila rin ay makakita ng pag-asa sa bawat aklat.