By: Zyriel Josh CoronelPhotos: Reisha Uy, Zyriel Josh Coronel The new set of the Supreme Student Learner Government vowed in front of Pasay City National Science High School students after the flag ceremony, Monday morning. Spearheaded by Filha Ray Penelope Bautista, the SSLG asserted to fulfill their responsibilities in the upcoming school year 2025-2026. As a preparation for the next school year, Bautista shared plans on convening with school administrators and SSLG officers ‘as soon as possible.’ “With the dedicated SSLG officers and the support of the school administration, I am confident that we will conclude this school year in a highly productive, meaningful, and smooth manner,” she added. The oath was sworn together with Principal Mark Anthony Familaran, Assistant Principal Sara Jane de los Santos, the Learner Government Commission on Elections and Appointments, and SSLG Adviser Joanna Marie Luciano.
One year of Kalakbay and Prisma: A Celebration of Safe Spaces
By: Xyrel James Canonoy If organizations could have siblings, Kalakbay: The Pascian Teen Center and Prisma: The Gender and Development Club would be just that—sisters. Two different hearts, beating in sync. Two different missions, bound by a shared purpose. One focused on the mind, the other on identity, both fighting to create spaces where Pascian students could breathe, feel, and exist without fear. A year ago, Kalakbay was just an idea in the heart of my best friend, May Relyn De Paz. A dream of a safe space, a quiet refuge where students could rest their weary minds without judgment. It was built on the belief that mental health matters just as much as grades, that emotions are not weaknesses but truths that deserve to be heard. And now, Kalakbay stands firm on the second floor—a sanctuary for those who need to be reminded that they are not alone. Prisma, in many ways, was its twin flame. I built it with the hope that Pascian students—regardless of their gender, their identity, their stories—could finally have a space that saw them, recognized them, fought for them. What started as a student-led initiative for gender and development became a movement, one that refused to be ignored, one that challenged norms and stood proudly in its truth. Kalakbay and Prisma didn’t just exist. They moved, they led, they shook things up. Together, they spearheaded last year’s Women’s Month celebration, not just as an event but as a statement: that mental health and gender rights are not side issues, but at the core of what it means to be human. They proved that student organizations aren’t just for extra-curriculars but for real, tangible change. Sisters don’t just grow together. They fight together. One year in, and Kalakbay and Prisma are more than just clubs—they are institutions. They are proof that young people, with enough passion and courage, can create spaces that truly matter. But this is not where the story ends. The fight for mental health awareness continues. The push for gender inclusivity is far from over. Kalakbay and Prisma will continue to stand—side by side, hand in hand. Because at the end of the day, these aren’t just organizations. They are homes. And as long as Pascian students need them, these sister clubs will remain, unwavering in their purpose, unbreakable in their bond.
PCNSciHS LEARNERS’ CONVERGENCE D1
Photos: Althea Loro, Elijah La Torre On March 1, 2025, the SSLG officially kicked off the 1st day of the PCNSciHS Learners’ Convergence 2025 together with selected club representatives! Day 1 included talks about mental health (Ms. Marra Santiago, Master Teacher of PCEHS), children’s rights (Sofia Michiko Yamamoto, child rights advocate), and gender-based violence (Ms. Marlyn Verian-Pulga, ASMAE Gender Advisor). This also gave the representatives an opportunity to share more about their clubs through the State of the School Organizations Address (SOSA), where they got to present their clubs’ objectives, accomplished projects, ongoing projects, challenges, and collaboration suggestions. Next week, they will be meeting the officers of the Division Federation Supreme Secondary Learner Government, who personally experienced the Learners’ Convergence Philippines at Lapu-Lapu, Cebu. May you bring these learnings with you as you progress as student leaders in PaSci. See you next week!
National MILO Marathon
Photos: Mark Reniel Balolo Pasay City National Science High School participated in the National MILO Marathon at the Mall of Asia Grounds in Pasay on March 2, 2025, starting at 3:00 AM. This event is part of a series of 25 races held nationwide, celebrating Filipino resilience and athleticism. The marathon series commenced in Vigan City on February 16, 2025, and will conclude in Tacloban City on November 30, 2025. The national finals are scheduled for December 7, 2025. According to MILO-Philippines, this year-long marathon is a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people. Participants can look forward to an exhilarating experience that not only tests their physical limits but also fosters a sense of community and sportsmanship across the nation.
Pasay City Addressing Shared Responsibility
By: Gellian Marie TierraPublication: Claire Mendoza When the words “teenage pregnancy” come to mind, we think of a statistic: cold, impersonal numbers that reduce human experience to dots on a graph. We picture young girls that need to find ways on balancing their flickering youth with the responsibilities of their newfound motherhood. Yet, behind those numbers are complex and messy stories of silent struggles that don’t escape mouths and stay sodden deep within. When we think of “teenage pregnancy”, we think girls. But what about the equally important roles that their male counterparts need to play in situations like these? Pasay City enacted Ordinance No. 6313, Series of 2023, also known as the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) Ordinance. This initiative aims to not only improve the current situation of adolescents regarding their sexual and reproductive health but also redefine the conversation. One of the most pivotal aspects from the ordinance is Rule 13 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which states the significance of the presence of male involvement for the reproductive health of both genders. Young boys are stated to be educated in family planning, responsible fatherhood, safe sex practices, and gender sensitivity to better help break the uninformed decision making led by vulnerability and emotions the young mind harbors. Pasay City Ordinance no. 6313 seeks to move beyond outdated, one-sided narratives and place equal weight on male involvement, because both genders make choices, yet the burden of liability has historically fallen on one. An example of the absence of male involvement is the all-too-common misconception that teenage pregnancy is solely a “woman’s issue,” as if the responsibility should rest entirely on the young mother while the father remains a footnote in the narrative. This inaccuracy leads to the limited awareness and accountability of their male counterparts, reinforcing a toxic cycle. However, starting to address common issues that linger in this age group creates a difference, especially when handled early. The IRR, rather than merely addressing the consequences, forwards the idea of averting away from possible problems. It promotes early education on contraception, family planning, and the consequences of unprotected sex. Additionally, there are programs included that create discussions on gender sensitivity, life skills, co-parenting, and prevention of gender based violence. These efforts reinforce that reproductive health is a shared responsibility. The ordinance takes a proactive rather than a reactive approach by empowering young men with the right knowledge that can contribute to their character now and in the future, safer relationships and greater respect in partnerships, and the reduction of early pregnancies. The underlying message is how to lean on preventive measures rather than expecting a solution when irrevocable damage has been done. At its core, the ASRHR ordinance is not just a legal framework, it is an initiative by Pasay City and a catalyst for the progression of sexual and reproductive health education. It serves as a commitment to nurturing burgeoning minds with awareness, responsibility, and inclusivity. Because real progress is not about assigning blame, it’s about ensuring that everyone is equipped to traverse through complexities of relationships, decision making, and creating character with integrity and ethics.
Backburner
By: Xhian Miguel AlsolaCartoon: Mark Lorenzo Sales Editor’s Note: The following article does not reflect the views and opinions of the Pasay City National Science High School faculty, administration, and stakeholders. In a recent ambush interview, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed that the 2025 national budget is sub-optimal and that the country is already working hard to remedy the problem. A problem that extends to the education sector as a result of the approval of the budget plan despite it being in complete shambles. The passing of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2025 was already a heated topic for controversy not too long ago. Marcos’ statement simply proves exactly why. It is never a good sign when even the president of the country admits that the national budget, the foundation of the nation’s future, is flawed. The Department of Education (DepEd) makes a great case for being the biggest victim, as the budget treats its title as being the top priority like a joke. Despite Marcos emphasizing several times that Philippine education must advance, DepEd fund allocation receives no significant increase. Expecting further development in the education sector when support stays stagnant is utter stupidity. After all, new output is impossible without new input. The future looks bleak as it is much too late for any budget amendments, coercing the authorities to scour for any and every possible source to boost funds for departments in need. This is the only way out, however, as the authorities must pull out all the stops and cover budget gaps by any means possible. It is inevitable that savings will be tapped into. Throughout the entire fiasco, the student body takes the brunt of the force. Students and scholars of the country have no need for a “sub-optimal” support system in budget form. The country must pull itself back up by recognizing its priorities and showing them through appropriate action. As of now, it is unclear whether the nation sees its students as the future or a secondary concern fit for the backburner.
L-PRICE: Utilizing Linear Programming in Optimizing Rice (Oryza Sativa) Profit Through Production Cost and Return in Central Luzon
More than two years since Pasay City National Science High School introduced the Mathematics and Computational Sciences category in its annual research studies, the first internationally published study is now here. Titled “L-PRICE: Utilizing Linear Programming in Optimizing Rice (Oryza Sativa) Profit Through Production Cost and Return in Central Luzon,” the study, proposed by Elyzza Esteban, Amiel Gonzaga, Maywin Lubao, and Marco Mendoza, developed an optimal solution for maximizing rice profits in Central Luzon while minimizing production costs. Under the expert guidance of Ms. Rexielle Villareal, their work has been successfully published in the Southeast Asian Journal for STEM Education, marking a significant milestone for our student-researchers and the school’s research community. Congratulations from The Quantum family!
Pascians shine at Damath tilt
Photos: Mrs. Arlyn Esber and Ms. Marry Camile Landagan Pascians shine at Damath tilt With bright tactics and swift moves, students of Pasay City National Science High School bagged numerous awards in the Division Damath Competition yesterday, February 27. Chrisanto Domingo Jr., trained by Ms. Marry Camile Landagan, bagged the top spot in the Senior High School category and is expected to compete in the regionals on the 15th. John Roy Benzon, Charles Matthew Andres, and Christian Dave Tabada all took 3rd Place in Grades 9, 8, and 7 levels. They were trained by Ms. Chiradee Ong-Javiniar and Mr. John Brian Pacris.
A Race to Remember!
#ElecTQ | A Race to Remember! With a staggering 93.1% voter turnout, this year’s SSLG elections delivered one of the tightest and most intense battles in recent history. The presidential race came down to a razor-thin margin, with President-elect Filha Ray Penelope Bautista delivering 53.5% of votes and re-electionist Michiko Yamamoto securing 46.5% of the votes, proving just how divided yet engaged the student body was in choosing its next leader. Meanwhile, the secretarial showdown saw another neck-and-neck fight, as both candidates pushed for every last vote. Across all positions, candidates fought fiercely for student representation, making this election a true testament to Pascian democracy. As the dust settles and the winners step forward, one thing is clear—every vote mattered. Congratulations to the newly elected student leaders, and thank you to every Pascian who made their voice count!
2025 Regional Schools Press Conference and Contests
Mga larawan ni G. Mark Balolo Sa unang araw ng 2025 Regional Schools Press Conference and Contests, patutunayang muli ang husay ng mga mag-aaral ng Pasay City National Science High School bilang kinatawan ng Dibisyon ng Pasay sa indibidwal na kategorya. Binubuo ito nina: (FILIPINO) – Zacharie Macalalad para sa Pagsulat ng Balita; – Carl Chua para sa Pagsulat ng Balitang Isports; – Jacqui De Gueño para sa Pagsulat ng Agham at Teknolohiya; – Joebbie Gaugano para sa Pagwawasto ng Sipi at Pag-uulo ng Balita; at – Mervyn Valdez para sa Pagkuha ng Larawan (ENGLISH) – Xhian Alsola para sa Editorial Writing; – Chloe Cristobal para sa Feature Writing; – Nikita Pariña para sa Sports Writing; at – Jedrick Palonpon para sa Photojournalism Ginanap ang unang araw ng patimpalak sa St. Andrew’s School Inc. Parañaque nitong ika-26 ng Pebrero.