via Nikita Parina and Danella De Vera | The QuantumPublication by: Rianne Lopez Mr. Mark Reniel Balolo was recently featured in APCEIU News as one of the 20 inbound teachers deployed to Korean schools. In his English classes, Mr. Balolo placed a strong emphasis on digital media literacy. See the full article below: https://www.unescoapceiu.org/post/5368
Pride In Prevention
By: Aljhur P. DangananPublication: Jamelle Ronquillo Pride Month—a month to recognize the rights, culture, and significance of the queer community, has instead been bombarded with baseless accusations and stigma following the surge of HIV cases in the Philippines. The sudden 500% spike in human immunodeficiency virus cases this month has sparked another wave of negative sentiments against the LGBTQ+ community. People were quick to question and point out how gay men continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV. Whilst the statistics are true, the problem lies within the context of why it is that they are affected the most. HIV being associated with queer people has already been acquainted decades ago. From the 1980s, the AIDS epidemic that began with gay men in the US, even termed “gay-related immune deficiency,” would be the start of this stigma. Likewise, the Philippines would experience its first case in 1984. This stain in history would then unfortunately pass on to generations up until now. “Gay disease” has been a misleading term that has permeated throughout society in spite of the fact that anyone can contract it regardless of sexual orientation. Not only is it false, but it is one of the reasons why the stigmatization surrounding the community has aggravated. The problem is not the fact that HIV is rampant in queers. The deeper issue lies in our failure to realize that said stigma and discrimination are the driving force of this rise in cases. How do we expect them to feel accepting of their status when they are being ostracized and shunned? When this issue is viewed through a lens of negativity and shame, it only worsens the internalized stigma and perception people have of themselves. Any comprehensive strategy must begin with considering this problem. Yet, not everyone is confident of going into a hospital without expecting to be harassed, mistreated, or denied service outright. Hypocrisy is at its finest, and it is necessary that everyone cooperates. It takes no effort to be respectful and supportive of those bearing the brunt of the virus. In fact, it is extremely easy to spread awareness and advocate for comprehensive education, strategic prevention, and healthcare access. Pride Month was never just about celebrating queerness—it was highlighting the significance of breaking stigmas, how queer people have suffered from the implications of homophobia, and the fact that the LGBTQ+ community are humans, too. HIV is not something exclusive to queers, it is a harmful disease that deserves to be recognized and treated with dignity regardless of self. Before Pride Month ends, may the profundity of this matter lead to the dismantling of the ever-so-unhealthy stigma that continues to torment the lives of the queer community.
Pagbuo, paggunita, at pag-abot sa mga pangarap
Ngayong ika-17 ng Hunyo 2025 ay ating bibigyang pagkilala at pagpapahalaga ang mahal na paaralan. Pagkilalang hindi lamang para sa binuong eskwelahan kundi maging sa mga haligi nito. Nasaksihan ng mga taong dumaan ang parehong paghihirap at pagsisikap ng bawat guro, mag-aaral, at iba pang kabahagi ng maituturing nating ikalawang tahanan. Kapit-bisig ang bawat isa sa pagsusumikap na makamit ang inaasam na pinakamahusay na bersyon ng Pasay City National Science High School—isang paaralang maayos, ligtas, at may mataas na kalidad ng edukasyon. Dalawang dekada at tatlong taon nang humuhulma ng iba’t ibang mag-aaral ang Pasay City National Science High School. Ang ilan sa mga nakapagtapos sa ating paaralan ay ganap nang naging parte ng sandatahang lakas ng ating bansa, naging mga kagalang-galang na mga gurong walang kapagurang tumutulong sa pagpapalawig ng kaalaman ng bagong henerasyon ng mga mag-aaral at higit sa lahat, mga nagsikamit ng kanilang mga pangarap na nagiging daan upang mabigyang boses at hustisya ang mga naaapi—sa likod man ito ng mga balita o sa gitna ng nakapapantindig balahibong korte. Ang bawat kwento ng kanilang kapalaran ang isa sa mga bumubuo ng haligi nitong ating paaralan. Nadapa ngunit bumangon. Nahirapan ngunit kinaya. Napagod ngunit lumaban. Ganiyan hinubog ng Pasay Science ang isang tunay na PaScian. Sa pagsisimula ng bagong taong panuruan, masigla nating salubungin ang Ika-23 taong pagkakatatag o 23rd Foundation Day ng ating paaralan. Ito ay hindi lamang isang simpleng selebrasyon ngunit isang makasaysayang panahon na humubog sa kinabukasan ng napakaraming estudyante. Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay isang nobelang sumasalamin ng pagkakaisa, tagumpay, at patuloy na pag-unlad.
[Talaarawan Entry #1 – Hunyo 16]
Mahal kong Talaarawan, Balik-eskwela na naman! Panahon na ulit ng alarm clock na hindi naman pinapansin, uniform na parang lumiit, at baong ang laman ay… dasal na sana walang quiz. Iba ang pakiramdam ngayon, ‘no? Hindi lang kaba, kundi puno ng pag-asa! Ang daming bagong mukhang makakasalamuha pero may iisang layunin—ang matuto, mangarap, at muling magsimula. Sa bawat araling matututuhan, may bagong aral din sa buhay na matutuklasan. Minsan, tayo’y mapapagod at malilito, ngunit walang magbabago— dahil ang bawat hakbang, maliliit man o mabagal, ay papalapit sa pangarap. Iba-iba man tayo ng baong kuwento, lahat naman tayo ay may pare-parehong baong lakas ng loob. May iilan na tahimik ngunit puno ng tapang, may iilang kabado pero hindi humihinto. Parang ako lang. Hindi pa perpekto, pero nais matuto. Para sa bawat umagang mapupuno ng pag-asa, ito na ang simula. Hanggang sa susunod, – Ako, ang estudyanteng may pusong puno ng pangarap.
Sa Likod ng Matitibay na Tahanan
Sa bawat tahanan, may isang indibidwal na nananatiling tahimik ngunit matatag — ang ating mga ama. Hindi man siya palaging sentro ng kwento, siya naman ang haliging nagbibigay-lakas sa buong pamilya. Sa likod ng kaniyang katahimikan ay ang walang sawang pagsusumikap kung saan ang bawat patak ng kaniyang pawis ay siyang patunay ng mapagsakripisyo niyang pagmamahal. Ang kaniyang pagmamahal ay hindi palaging dinadaan sa mga salita, kundi sa walang-hintong pagkayod at pagbibigay ng lahat ng makakaya upang makamit lamang ang maginhawang kinabukasan para sa pamilya. Ang ating mga ama ang tunay na simbolo ng katapangan— hindi uri ng tapang na palaban, kundi uri ng tapang na marunong magsakripisyo. Sa bawat paghakbang ng kaniyang mga anak, asahan mong siya ang unang sumusuporta, kahit pa tila’y pasanin niya ang bigat ng mundo. Hindi niya ipinapakita ang pagod, dahil para sa kaniya, mas mahalagang makita ng anak ang tibay ng loob kaysa kahinaan ng katawan. Maraming ama ang piniling isantabi ang sariling pangarap upang unahin ang pangarap ng kanilang anak. Sapatos na luma, damit na kupas, puyat at pagod —lahat ng ‘yan ay patuloy na kinakaya alang-alang sa pamilya. Hindi sila naghihintay ng kapalit, sapagkat para sa kanila, ang bawat ngiti at tagumpay ng anak ay sapat na gantimpala. Sa Araw ng mga Ama, nawa’y hindi lamang ito maging selebrasyon ng pagbibigay, kundi paggunita sa lahat ng di-mabilang na sakripisyo ng ating mga ama. Araw upang maipadama ang pagmamahal, paggalang, pasasalamat, at iparamdam sa kanila na ang kanilang mga sakripisyo ay hindi kailanman nalilimutan. Ang simpleng “Salamat, Tay,” ay maaaring magpagaan ng bigat na matagal na nilang dinadala. Sa likod ng matitibay na tahanan ay may isang ama na mayroong puso ng isang tunay na bayani — bayaning hindi nangangailangan ng kapa o papuri, kundi isang yakap at pagkilala. Sa bawat tahanan, nawa’y hindi makalimutan ang halagang hindi matutumbasan ng salapi: ang pagkakaroon ng isang amang handang ialay ang lahat, para sa mga minamahal niya na higit pa sa sarili. — Sanggunian ng dibuho: https://www.facebook.com/share/12KJ2m9F4YN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Graphing Growth
By Xyrel James CanonoyCopyedited by: Ayesha Julia RonquilloPublication by: Claire Mendoza This is probably one of the last write-ups I’ll ever publish under The Quantum, and honestly, I didn’t expect to be the one assigned to this. But maybe it makes sense. Maybe some stories are best told by someone who’s seen things unfold up close—someone who’s had the chance to witness the subtle shifts and silent growth of a school under new leadership. So, allow me to write this piece in the language I know I can be personal at best: a mix of English and Tagalog. A little unusual, just like this story. Today marks the first year of Dr. Mark Anthony Familaran as Principal of Pasay City National Science High School. Now, let me say this upfront: I’m not a mathematician. I’ve always been more of a writer than a problem-solver. I can’t recite trigonometric identities from memory, and math was never my strong suit. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from math, it’s that every good solution starts with understanding the problem, finding patterns, and working patiently toward progress. If there’s one thing I’ve seen in Dr. Familaran’s leadership, it’s exactly that. I never really enjoyed solving for x, and my mind works better with metaphors than formulas. But I’ve learned that in every math problem, consistency matters. And in this school, since this year, we have seen that consistency in him. You’ll notice his mathematical background in the way he runs the school: organized, structured, may sistema. But what makes it work is that he leads with empathy. Hindi lang puro rules, kundi may rason. Hindi lang puro “no,” kundi may paliwanag. May disiplina, pero hindi nawawalan ng malasakit. When I first heard we had a new principal last year, natural lang na kabahan. I didn’t know what to expect. Strict ba siya? Mahirap kausap? Magpapatawag kaya bigla pag may editorial article na pinost sa page? Pero sa unang buwan pa lang, ramdam ko na agad: he wasn’t that kind of principal. In fact, opposite siya. Dr. Familaran has what I can only describe as an “open-door” presence. Literally and figuratively. Never naging nakakatakot pumasok sa opisina niya. In fact, minsan siya pa ang magsasabing, “Halika, upo ka muna.” Whether it was to clarify a project, update him on a publication, or just share ideas, he always made time. Laging may space—hindi lang sa upuan sa harap ng desk niya, kundi sa mismong conversation. He gives that space for the faculty and students to grow, to experiment, to make mistakes—pero hindi tayo pinababayaan. That, I believe, is what real leadership looks like. As a student and as someone who led the school publication for a time, I felt the difference. The trust he gave us. The way he supported student initiatives without taking control. The way he made everyone feel seen—students, teachers, staff. I may no longer be the Editor-in-Chief of The Quantum, but it feels right that this article, one of my last for the publication, is about someone who continuously leads with heart and humility. This might sound dramatic, pero totoo: Pasay Science felt more like home this past year, and a huge part of that is because of Dr. Familaran. He created a culture where students felt heard and faculty felt respected. A place where collaboration thrived, all while staying humble, lowkey, and unshaken. Leading a science high school is no easy task. But he did it, and continues to do it, with grace, patience, and authenticity. Sir Fam, thank you. For showing us that leadership doesn’t need to be loud to be strong. That rules can come with understanding. That even in a school built on science and logic, empathy can still be the formula that holds everything together. Happy first anniversary as our Principal. You are, without a doubt, the best kind of constant this school could ever have. And if life really is one big equation, then this year, under your leadership, we found balance. #TQ2526
Eid’l Adha
Ngayong ika-6 ng Hunyo, ating ipinagdiriwang ang Eid’l Adha — kilala rin bilang Pista ng Sakripisyo. Sa ating mga kapatid na muslim, nawa’y maging makabuluhan ang inyong pagdiriwang na puno ng kapayapaan at pagmamahalan. Kami ay nakikiisa sa inyong selebrasyon at dalangin na nawa’y patuloy kayong pagpalain ng Maykapal sa inyong pananampalataya. Eid Mubarak!
Mahalaga ka.
Ngayong sumapit na ang Buwan ng Hunyo, dala-dala natin ang iba’t ibang kwento ng pag-ibig—mga kwentong hindi lamang nagpapakita ng katapangan, kundi ng kalayaan. Pag-ibig na nagsasabing karapat-dapat kang magmahal at mahalin, kahit minsan ang mundo ay sinusubukan kang patahimikin. Isa itong pagdiriwang ng malalim na kahulugan ng kalayaan at pagmamahal. Pagmamahal na hindi nakakulong sa kung ano ang idinidikta ng lipunan. Dahil ang pag-ibig ay mapagpalaya. Sa ating patuloy na paglaban para sa mga karapatan, mahalaga ka—hindi lang ngayon, hindi lang ngayong buwan na tila may puwang ka sa mundo, kundi lalo na sa mga araw na pakiramdam mo’y wala kang halaga. Sa mga gabing tila hindi ka nauunawaan. Sa mga oras na napapagod kang ipaglaban ang sarili mong katotohanan. Sa mga panahong iyon, may kakampi ka. May puwang na sa’yo nakalaan. At may pag-ibig na handang sumalubong kahit sa gitna ng katahimikan. Pag-ibig na mananatili kahit hindi madali. Sa panahong ang pagmamahal ay rebolusyon, ang pananatiling totoo sa sarili ay isang anyo ng katapangan na kailanma’y hindi matatalo.
When a teacher writes from the heart, the world listens.
Mr. Mark Reniel Balolo, The Quantum’s School Paper Adviser, has just been featured on the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Teacher Exchange for Global Education (APTE) blog. His essay entitled ‘Thoughtful Tears’, is a breathtaking reflection on Teachers’ Day. An ode to the quiet power, unseen labor, and enduring grace of those who choose to teach. In a world that often overlooks the soul of education, Sir Mark’s words remind us that teaching is not just a profession, but a promise—to care, to guide, to never give up. Read Thoughtful Tears and witness a story that speaks to every teacher’s heart: https://aptenpebbles.blogspot.com/…/teachers-day-around… A Pascian voice. A global platform. A story that lingers.
Sanaysay ng Pascian Teacher, Inilathala ng UNESCO APTE
Isinulat ni: Zacharie MacalaladPatnugot ni: Psalm NuguitSinuri nina: Gng. Myra Jaime at Ayesha Salazar Itinampok sa blog ng UNESCO Asia-Pacific Teacher Exchange for Global Education (APTE) ang sanaysay ni G. Mark Reniel L. Balolo, Teacher III ng Pasay City National Science High School at kasalukuyang guest teacher sa Suncheon Hyosan High School sa Korea. Bilang paggunita sa Araw ng mga Guro sa Korea noong ika-15 ng Mayo, hinilingan ng APTE sina G. Balolo at isang guro mula sa Mongolia na ibahagi ang kanilang mga alaala tungkol sa pagdiriwang sa kani-kanilang bansa. Sa kanyang sanaysay na pinamagatang “Thoughtful Tears,” inilahad ni G. Balolo ang mga kaugalian ng mga Pilipino tuwing ipinagdiriwang ang Araw ng mga Guro. “On October 5, students or the school’s Supreme Student Government often organize events, sometimes with special activities planned for each class. Students show their appreciation by giving flowers, chocolates, handwritten letters, small gifts- or even singing songs for their teachers!” ayon sa kanya. Dagdag pa ng guro, nadarama niya ang malalim na pasasalamat at kasiyahan tuwing ipinagdiriwang ito. Sa kanyang halos siyam na taong pagtuturo, nauunawaan niyang hindi madaling propesyon ang pagtuturo dahil kalakip nito ang malaking responsibilidad sa paghubog ng pagkatuto at pangarap ng mga mag-aaral. Isa si G. Balolo sa mga kalahok sa Korea-Philippines Teacher Exchange Program 2025, na bahagi ng APTE. Layunin ng programang ito na paigtingin ang pandaigdigang kakayahang pang-edukasyon, palalimin ang pag-unawa at kooperasyon sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa, maibahagi ang mga karanasang pang-edukasyon, at mapabuti ang kabuuang kalidad ng pagtuturo at pagkatuto. Bisitahin ang link na ito para mabasa ang buong sanaysay ni G. Balolo, “Thoughtful Tears”: https://aptenpebbles.blogspot.com/…/teachers-day-around…