The document summarizes various academic achievements and competitions involving students and teachers from Navotas National High School. Some of the key details included: - NNHS students won multiple medals in international science and invention competitions in Taiwan, Korea, and Indonesia. - NNHS students emerged as champions in the regional press conference, science fair, math olympiad, reading proficiency contest, and DepEd math challenge at the division level. - Teachers from NNHS also won awards for their entries in the science fair competitions for strategic intervention materials. - The document recognizes the accomplishments of NNHS in continuing to demonstrate excellence across different subject areas in regional and international competitions.

1. VOL. XXVIII
NO. 1
MARCH 2014
student-scholars of the
program.
Dr. Rogier also gave
the Access teachers, Mr.
Marco D. Meduranda and
Mrs. Josephine O. Fuentes
lecture/seminar on Online
English Language Teaching
Resources. During the
launching, NNHS teachers,
also received a workshop
on Rubric Development
for Alternative Assessment
which was facilitated by
Dr. Kelly Wonder, a Senior
EnglishLanguageFellow.
On the other hand,
certificates of recognition
were given to the US
Embassy representatives
by the school principal, Dr.
Maria Cristina A. Robles to
express gratitude to the
The US Embassy Manila
launched theAccessMicro-
scholarship Program at
Navotas National High
School on June 09, 2014.
The Access Program, being
one of U.S. Government’s
premier English language
program offers talented
13 to 16 year-olds from
economically disadvantaged
sectors a foundation of
English language skills by
providing 360 hours of
after-school classes and
intensive sessions over a
periodoftwoyears.
Dr. Dawn Rogier of the
Regional English Language
Office Manila, marked the
launching of the program
bypresentingcertificatesof
award to 40 selected bright
was intended to take place
three years ago but it came
throughaverylongprocess
before it was signed and
finally implemented on
June2014.Thus,shehoped
that everyone involved
in the program would be
committed.
With improved English
language skills acquired
through the Access
Program, participants
benefit from enhanced
Masangya, Sese excel in
International ScienceTilt
By Ryan Rey A. Corpin
Justin Carlo Masangya and Renart Christian Sese, both
fromIV-EC,wonagoldmedalintheKaohsiungInternational
Invention Exhibition 2014 (KIE), held in Kaohsiung Taiwan
onDecember19-21,2014.
Masangya and Sese won a gold medal with their
invention:“NatadeCocofortheInventionofHighClassand
Unique Quality Board for Circuits”. This is a biodegradable
board which is highly comparable with other commercial
circuitboardslikeoursimcards,creditcards,andATMcards
thatarenon-biodegradable..Thisinventionhelpsminimize
wastesthatdestroytheenvironment.Mrs.ElizabethJoseph
wastheirtrainer/coach.
Thisyear’s KIE,together withWorldInventionIntellectual
PropertyAssociation(WIIPA)andTaiwanInventionProduct
Promotion Association (TIPPA), was participated in by 300
inventionsfrom20countriesfromEurope,USA,andAsia.
Meneses, Isidro bag gold, silver in Korea
By Ryan Rey A. Corpin
USEmbassyGrantsScholarshiptoSelectedStudes
Selected Access Program scholars from Grade 9 grab a photo opportunity with the US Embassy
representatives, Dr. Kelly Wonder (2nd row, 2nd from left) and Dr. Dawn Rogier (9th from left).
They are flanked with (2nd row, L-R) Mrs. Narcisa Evangelista, Ms. Isabel Palomar, Mr. Clint
Geronimo, Dr. Loreta B. Torrecampo, Mayor John Rey M. Tiangco, Mrs. Magdalena Arañez and
NNHS principal, Dr. Maria Cristina A. Robles.
Keith Konrad Meneses and Patricia Ericka Isidro with their
coach/adviser Mrs. Elizabeth Joseph, present their medals
and certificates to Schools Division Superintendent Loreta
B. Torrecampo after winning in the 2014 Glami Awards:
International Youth Invention Contest (IYIC) held at Seoul
Exhibition & Trade Center (SETEC), Seoul, Korea on August 7-10
US Embassy for helping
raise the quality of second
language instruction in
the school. Dr. Robles
stated that the program
employment prospects,
which in turn increase the
socio-economic success
of their families and
communities.Theprogram
also exposes participants
to a broader world of
ideas and opportunities;
increases their academic
opportunities; and
improves their chances
of qualifying for U.S.
Government and other
exchangeprograms.
The Young Inventors
of Navotas National High
School bagged Gold and
SilvermedalswithaSpecial
Award in the 2014 Glami
Awards: International Youth
Invention Contest (IYIC)
held on August 7-10, 2014
atSeoulExhibition &Trade
Center(SETEC),Seoul,Korea.
IV-EC students - Patricia
Ericka Isidro won a gold
medal and a special
award with her invention:
“Saluyot (Corchorus Olitorius):
Cleopatra’s Beauty Secret
while Keith Konrad
Meneses, went home
with a Silver Medal, for his
“Pink Pearls”: A Lycopene,
Omega 3 Supplement, for
adults and children that
enhances the enzymes
neededbythebody.
Meanwhile, Mrs.
Elizabeth Joseph,Research
Adviserofthewinners,was
chosen to be one of the
judges in the said event.
Together with Professor
Lee Jhung of Korea, they
judged 27 participating
inventions. Mrs. Joseph
wasawardedInternational
Judge and Research
Adviser by the Korea
University International
Association.
The contest was
participated in by 383
student-inventors coming
from different countries all
over the world like China,
USA, UAE, Vietnam, Egypt,
Indonesia, Romania, Sri
Lanka, Malaysia, Canada,
Philippines,andTaiwan.

2. news
2
Andan,Roldanwin
inRegionalPressCon
Theresa Marie Roldan and Angelica Andan brim with pride
during a photo-opp with Mrs. Leonida P. Nepomuceno, EPS in
English and the The Net adviser, Mrs. Mona Liza F. Adriano after
winning in the Regional Press Con held at Aurora A. Quezon
Elementary School last November 8.
NNHS was proclaimed champion when two groups of IV-EC students bagged
awards in the 1st National Science and Youth Congress competitions held at the
EngineeringbuildingofUPLosBanos,LagunalastFebruary28.
TheteamofEdlieJoshuaC.Vargas,ChristianJayS.AlfaroandBernardDavadillawon
first place in the Green Technology Category while the team of Alyssa Marie Despi
andShanaNicoleBelarminowasdeclared 1strunner-upintheGreenLifeCategoryof
the Youth Greenovation. The groups were trained by Mr. Russell P. Samson and Miss
Heydiliza A. Santos. The students bested other contestants from private and public
secondaryschoolsinthe NCRandRegion4A.
Youth Greenovation is a part of the 1st National Science and Youth Congress
(NSYC), an inter-high school competition which aimed to celebrate today’s young
and innovative minds through a quiz contest (Mental Smack down), Essay Writing
contest,ExtemporaneousSpeechContest,PosterMakingContest,ScienceFair(Youth
Greenovation)andasymposium.Thisisavenueforhighschoolstudentstoshowcase
theirscientificknowledgethroughart,literature,andpublicspeaking.Onitsfirstyear,
theawarenessontheenergycrisisinthecountrywillbediscussedtofuelthescientific
minds of today’s youth. NSYC celebrates the intellectual prowess of tomorrow’s
generation.
NSYCisorganizedbytheUPAssociationofChemicalEngineeringStudents.
By Mexica Bausa
StudestopFirstNational
ScienceandYouthCongress
IV-EC studes win gold, special award
in Indonesia
The group of Edlie
Joshua Vargas, Ryan Rey
Corpin and Angelica Jan
Ignacio, all from IV-EC won
a gold medal in the 10th
International Exhibition
for Young Inventors 2014,
(IEYI) held on October 30
to November 1, 2014 in
Jakarta,Indonesia.
NNHSbroughthomeone
ofthe20goldmedalsinthe
said contest, the only gold
that the Philippines had
wonintheevent.
The group’s invention
“E(x)-scrap: A Multi-
FunctionalDevicewasmade
from scrap materials of PC
fan, DVD spindle motor,
cell phone charger and
5-V battery. This invention
aimed to showcase a
multi-functional feature
of an electric fan, charger,
cooling pad and a light that
can be used during travel,
camping, brown-outs,
leisureandemergencies.
Meanwhile, Jezreel
Catamio (IV-EC), and
Danyelle Dimaala (Gr.9-
Aquino), won the special
awardfromTaiwanfortheir
invention Lock-in-Chair: A
Dura-Chair for Physically
Challenged Students. They
used waste materials from
wooden pallets imported
fromothercountries.
With this year’s theme
“Creating a Better Future
through Innovation”, the
exhibition was participated
by more than 300 young
inventors from Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Philippines, Nigeria,
Taiwan with a total of 140
inventions.
By Patricia Ericka Isidro
Angelica Andan (7-SSC) and Theresa Marie Roldan
(9-Aquino) won in the Regional Secondary Schools Press
Conference (RSSPC) 2014 held at Aurora A. Quezon
ElementarySchoolonNovember8,2014.
Andan won 9th Place in “Pagsulat ng Lathalain “while
Roldan got 10th Place in “Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng
Balita”. The two “Ang Lambat” campus writers bested
almost 300 participants from different private and public
secondaryschoolsintheNCR.
Other participants in the 38th Regional Press Con were
the scribes from “The Net” and “Ang Lambat”, with their
respective advisers, Mrs. Mona Liza F. Adriano and Mrs.
CarinaEvangelista.
By Ryan Rey A. Corpin

3. 3
news
By Justin Carlo Masangya
Lord Azhrin Bacalla and Edlie Joshua Vargas won in the
2014RegionalScienceandTechnologyFair heldatNavotas
CitySportsComplex,onNovember8,2014.
Bacalla (Gr.8-SSC) won 1st Place in the On-the-Spot
Poster Making Contest while Vargas (IV-EC), won 4th Place
in the Science Investigatory Project (SIP): Applied Science
IndividualCategoryforhisinvention,X-Scrap:TheFutureof
thePast.
Meanwhile, Mr. Russell Samson, Science teacher in
NNHS, placed 2nd on the Strategic Intervention Materials
(SIM)contest.
This was the first time that Navotas City hosted
the annual NCR Science and Technology Fair. Booths
showcasing inventions of students from different private
andpublicsecondaryschoolsintheNationalCapitalRegion
highlightedtheevent.
Bacalla,Vargas win
in NCR Science Fair
By Angelica Jan Ignacio
RyanReyA.Corpin(IV-EC)won3rdplaceinthe2ndWorld
CitiColleges’AcademicCompetitions:MathOlympiad held
at World Citi Colleges– Caloocan Campus on October 3,
2014
Corpin outsmarted sixteen student-participants from
schools in the division of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas,
Valenzuela and Rizal. He received Php. 2000, a trophy and
a certificate in the said competition. He was trained by Mr.
JonathanLardizabal,Mathteacher
Corpincops3rdinWCC
AcademicCompetitions
Ryan Rey Corpin smiles confidently with his coach Jonathan
Lardizabal after winning Third Place in the brain-wrecking Math
Challenge competition in the 2nd World Citi Colleges’ Academic
Competitions: Math Olympiad held at World Citi Colleges–
Caloocan Campus on October 3.
NNHS readers bring home the bacon
By Danilo Navarro
GrandslaminDivision
MTAPMathChallenge
By Edlie Joshua Vargas
NavotasNationalHighSchoolwashailedas
Overall Champion in the 2015 Division Meet
MetrobankMTAPDepEdMathChallengelast
January14atNavotasNationalHighSchool.
NNHS won by landslide when students
from Gr 7 to 4th year won First Place in the
said activity. The following were the students
whowoninthecontest:
Claire Domingo won 3rd Place in the 16th Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) NCR DepEd
Oratorical Contest last October 27, 2014 held at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. With the
theme,”National Statistics Month at 25 years and Beyond Solid and Responsive Philippines
Statistical System and Support of Globalization and Regional Economic Integration”, the
oratorical contest was participated by 15 contestants from different public and private
secondary schools in the NCR.. Domingo was trained by Mrs. Jean Catandijan, English
Teacher.ThepiecewaswrittenbyMr.MarcoMeduranda.
Domingo wins 3rd in
BSP Oratorical Contest
By Edlie Joshua Vargas
Navotas National High
School was proclaimed
over-all champion in
the recently concluded
2015 Reading Proficiency
Contest(bothinEnglishand
Filipino), held at Navotas
Elementary School (NES-
Central)lastFebruary11.
NNHS participants from
Gr. 7 to 4th year capped
the championship title
when all of them emerged
winners for each year level
besting other participants
from public and private
secondary schools in
Navotas.
In English, First Place
winners were Jezreel
Catamio (IV-EC), Christine
Jocson (Gr. 9-Aquino) and
Samantha Nicole Soria (Gr.
8-SSC); while Fourth Place
winner was Zyrus Vander
Rico(Gr.7-SSC).
Their respective trainers
were Mrs. Mona Liza
F. Adriano, Mr. Marco
Meduranda,Mrs.Katherine
Dioquino and Mrs.
JosephineFuentes.
In Filipino, First Place
winners were Theresa
MarieRoldan(Gr.9-Aquino)
and Mexica Bausa (Gr.
8-SSC); Second Place
winners were Sansweet
Manarang (IV-EC) and
Edrow del Cruz (Gr. 7-SSC).
Their respective trainers
wereMrs.GinaValdez,Mrs.
Elvira Siason, Mrs. Carina
Evangelista and Mr. Ariel
Santos.
Grade 7 - Prince Edrow Dela
Cruz, Karla Nadine Abad and Elijah
AndrewPineda.
Grade 8 - Samantha Nicole
Soria, Arcie Magtanong and Franco
Gaturian.
Grade 9 - Jared Tabuzo, Joanna
Marie San Jose, Mark Kenneth
Solanoy.
4th Year-Ryan Rey A. Corpin,
Jerome A. Balatbat and Renart
ChristianJ.Sese.
All of the contestants qualified in
theAreaOrals(CAMANAVA).

4. By Jerome Balatbat
The Science Department of Navotas National High
Schoolsecuredits5-peattitleafterwinningtheoverall
championshipintheDivisionScienceFair2014heldat
TanzaNationalHighSchoollastOctober1,2014.Prior
to this, NNHS has been the Overall Champion in the
saideventforfiveconsecutiveyearssince2010.
Students and teachers bagged awards in the said
contest.IntheScienceQuizBee,MexicaBausa(8-SSC)
won1stplace,whileTheresaMarieRoldan(9-Aquino)
and Mikaella De Guia (8-Galileo) capped 3rd place.
Lord Ahzrin Bacalla dominated the On-the-Spot
PosterMakingContestbylandingonthefirstplace.
In the Science Investigatory Project (SIP), first
place winners were Edlie Joshua Vargas, Justin Carlo
Masangya, Jezreel Catamio (all from IV-EC), Christine
Jocson,RhoginaGonzalesandNaomiGayleDelaCruz
(all from Gr.9-Aquino). Second place winners were
Jerome Balatbat, Angelica Jan Ignacio, Alyssa Marie
Despi (all from IV-EC), Danyelle Dimaala, Rhandolf
Traje, Shana Belarmino (all from Gr.9-Aquino), and
Kayle Traquina (IV-Benevolence). Third place winners
were Ryan Rey Corpin, Patricia Isidro (both from IV-
EC), Erica Malaca , Theresa Marie Roldan, and Alexis
Acusin (allfrom9-Aquino).
In the Strategic Intervention Material (SIM), First
place winners were Mr. Russell Samson, Mr. James
Oliver Pingol and Ms. Grace Magno. Second place
winners were Ms. Anika Dana Sengco, Ms. Heydiliza
Santos and Ms. Ronalyn Bautista; while third place
wasMrs.SocoraRetuya.
ScienceDep’tsecures5-peat
OverallChampionship
Students and Science teachers celebrate their 5-peat
championship victory with Ms. Isabel Palomar, EPS in
Science and Dr. Florabel Santos, Science Department
Head, after being proclaimed champion for the fifth time
in five consecutive years in the Division Science Fair .
TeachersindulgeinTQCseminarthroughNCAFleadershipjourney
Batch 2 graduates of the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Leadership
Journey (NCALJ) pose gratefully with the NCALJ organizers Sir
Jim (2nd row-standing), Sir Jampao 1st row - (left), Sir Rapa
(4th from left) and DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera (6th
from left) after the remarkable two-day seminar at the Manresa
Retreat House last January 24-25, which reawakened the
teachers’ passion to teach.
By Ryan Rey Corpin
Navotas National High
School teachers were
indulged in a two-day/
three-weekend leadership
seminars sponsored by the
Ninoy and Cory Aquino
Foundation(NCAF).
The Leadership Journey
forPublicSchoolTeachersis
oneofNinoy&CoryAquino
Foundation’s pioneering
program in forming
and inspiring teachers
into loving and caring
servant-leaders. It aimed
to enhance ones values
and attitudes of a teacher
not only as a profession
but also as a vocation.
Dubbed as “Ninoy and
Cory Aquino Leadership
Journey” (NCALJ) for
Public School Teachers, this
TeacherQualityCircle(TQC)
seminar, was conducted in
threeseparatesessions.
Guest speakers were
notable teachers themselves
who shared their own
insights on leadership and
spirituality in teaching. Ms.
Sabrina Ongkiko, a young
graduate from Ateneo
De Manila University is a
teacheratCuliatElementary
School, Quezon City. Mr.
Onofre Pagsanghan, also
known as Mr. Pagsi, an
Ateneo graduate himself is
a Metrobank Outstanding
Filipino Awardee. Juanita
Alajar is a principal from
Justice Cecilia Muñoz
PalmaHighSchool(Payatas,
QuezonCity.)
Department of Education
Undersecretary Rizalino
Rivera was visible
throughout the duration
of the 3 sessions/two-day
seminar. He also shared
significant story of his life
as a public servant, a family
man and as an ordinary
co-worker. He said, “As a
teacher, you were given
the opportunity to touch
the lives of your students.”
Showing support to the
Filipino public school
teachers, he added,
“We are fighting for you.
Whatever happens, we are
hereforyou”.
Mr. Rapa Lopa,
Chairman-Philippine Busi-
ness for Social Progress
(PBSP) acknowledged
news
4
TeachersincorporateActiveLearningstrategies
that the commitment of
Navotas National High
School led by its principal,
Dr. Maria Cristina A. Robles
to undergo the Leadership
Journey determined the
successoftheprogram.
Ontheotherhand,NNHS
teachers led by Dr. Robles,
were grateful to the NCAF
organizers and staff headed
by the Lopa brothers – Sir
Rapa, and Sir Jim (NCAF
chairman), nephews of the
late President Cory Aquino;
and to the facilitators led
by Sir Jampao Reyes, to
this rare and remarkable
experiencegiventothemby
thegroup.
Teachers are incorporating Active Learning strategies in their classes after they went
through another TQC (Teacher Quality Circle) activity - a training-workshop on Active
Learning pedagogy which highlighted the School Learning Action Cell (SLAC) at the NNHS
lastSeptember3andafollow-throughtraining-workshoponNovember17.
Entitled“RedefiningMCART:MeaningfulCollaborativeActivitiesforRevitalizedTeaching
&Learning,”thein-servicetrainingengagedteachersinrevisitingstudent-centeredlearning
techniques and active learning approach as well as re-examining and re-engineering their
lessonplanstomaximumstudentengagement.ProjectProponentandworkshopfacilitator
wasMr.MarcoD.Meduranda,MasterTeacherIinEnglish.
This project is an offshoot of M-CART 3.0 (NNHS Reading Literacy Program). It covers
integration of Active Learning strategies in the preparation of multi-media (M-CART)
lessonswhichcontainedthethousandandonereadingtoolsutilizedinM-CART2.0lessons
(M-CART as a tool for ADM (Alternative Delivery Mode) entitled M-ISOS (Modified In-
School/Off-schoolScheme).
ItisenvisionedthatforSY2015-2016andonwards,theschoolwillbeabletooffersingle
shift classes with 40-45 students per class. This can be done with the use of chairs, tables
andclassroomspaceintendedforactivelearningsituations. By Justin Carlo Masangya

5. 5
news
The School conducted
a Summer Journalism
Training for the NNHS
campus writers dubbed
as “1st Intensive Summer
Journalism Camp”, last
April 2-8, at the NNHS
computer laboratory.
With the theme -
“Getting the Balance
Right: Gender, Media and
Journalism”, the summer
camp, was the first ever
intensive journalism
trainingforcampuswriters
in the city of Navotas.
Spearheaded by Mrs.
Mona Liza F. Adriano, The
Net adviser and Mr. Marco
D. Meduranda, Master
Teacher 1 of the English
Department, its main
objective was to develop
andharnessthejournalistic
and writing skills of the
potential campus writers
and newspaper staffs. It
further aimed to make the
participants write well-
organized articles and
identify and develop styles
Participants in the 1st Intensive Summer Journalism Camp 2014 are thankful to NNHS principal,
Dr.MariaCristinaA.RoblesandthetrainingfacilitatorsMr.MarcoMedurandaandMrs,MonaLiza
F. Adriano during the seminar’s graduation ceremony last April 8.
NNHS was hailed
champion after staffers
of “The Net” and “Ang
Lambat” bagged gold,
silver, and bronze medals
in the 1st Division Press
Conference (for Secondary
and Elementary Schools)
Scribesbagawardsinthe1stDivisionPressCon
heldatNavotasElementary
School-CentrallastSept.13
and27,2014.
With the theme,
“Empowering Resilient
Communities Through
Campus Journalism”
NNHS scribes outsmarted
NNHS campus writers are hailed champions after winning several
gold medals in the 1st Division Press Conference 2014 held at Navotas
Elementary School - Central last September 13 and 27. Newspaper
advisers Mrs. Mona Liza F. Adriano and Mrs. Carina Evangelista pose
proudly with the winners.
112 participants from
seven public and private
secondary schools in
NavotasCity.
For The Net staff, First
Place winners were Ryan
Rey A. Corpin-Editorial
Writing, Patricia Ericka
Isidro-Photojournalism,
both from IV-EC and
Christine S. Jocson
(9-Aquino)-Science and
Technology Feature
Writing. Second Place
was Darly F. San Pedro
(IV-EC)-Copy reading and
Headline Writing. Third
Place winners were Jezreel
F. Catamio (IV-EC)-Feature
Writing and Danillo B.
Navarro (9-Aquino)-News
Writing; Fifth Place was
Mexica Bausa (8-SSC)-
Editorial Cartooning; and
Edlie Joshua C. Vargas (IV-
EC) got Sixth Place in Sports
NewsWriting.
Ang Lambat Staffers
also capped medals in the
said contest. First Place
winners were Jerome A.
Balatbat (IV-EC)-Pagsulat
ng Balitang Isports, Theresa
Marie Roldan (9-Aquino)-
Pagwawasto at Pag-
uulo ng Balita, Angelica
Andan (7-SSC)-Pagsulat
ng Lathalain and Trixie G.
Castro (IV-EC)-Pagkuha ng
Larawan; Second Place
was Shana Belarmino
(9-Aquino)-Pagsulat ng
BalitangAgham;ThirdPlace
were Nicole Pascual (IV-
EC)-Pagsulat ng Editoryal
and Mark Kenneth Solanoy
(9-Aquino)-Kartuning; 4th
was Shennalyn Canes (IV-
EC)-PagsulatngBalita.
The scribes were with
their trainer-advisers –
Mrs. Mona Liza F. Adriano
(The Net) and Mrs. Carina
Evangelista(AngLambat).
Guest Speaker Mr.
Ernesto L. Español, Jr., an
officer of the NCRSSPAA
(NCR Secondary Schools
Paper Adviser Association),
discussed about Lay-outing
using the Adobe Page
Makerapplication.
Asst. Schools Division
Superintendent Mrs.
Ma. Evalou Concepcion
A. Agustin commended
Mr. Meduranda and Mrs.
Adriano for initiating such
a worthwhile activity and
challenged the campers in
becoming effective school
paper writers through the
summerjournalismtraining
and workshop. Also in
attendancewereMs.Isabel
Palomar (EPS-Science),
NNHS department heads-
Mr. Mario Siason (English)
Mrs. Florabel F. Santos
(Science) and Mr. Rico
Tarectecan(Filipino).
appropriate to varied
writing situations.
The journalism camp
was an intensive five-
day, 30 hours free
training workshop on
campus journalism.
It was conceptualized
and facilitated by Mr.
Meduranda and Mrs.
Adriano, who discussed
about newspaper writing
styles, strategies and
techniques. They made use
of “interactive lectures and
collaborative” approaches
in teaching campus
journalism concepts
with the aid of M-CART
(Mobile Computer-
Aided Reinforcement for
Teaching). The forty (40)
participants from incoming
Grades 8, 9 and 4th year
werepre-selectedbasedon
their writing skills and level
of motivation to become
campus journalists or
schoolpapercontributors
NNHSprincipal,Dr.Maria
Cristina A. Robles, in her
Opening Message, stressed
out the importance of
being a well-rounded
campus writer and added
that she hoped that
through the summer
journalism training, the
participants would become
more equipped campus
journalists and become
more competitive not only
in the regional but in the
nationalnewspaperwriting
competitionaswell.
Campuswritersreceive1stIntensive
SummerJournalismCamp
By Rizaldy Arriego
By Ryan Rey Corpin

6. opinion
6
On October 15, 2014, the Philippine Government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) signed a historic agreement that hope will end the armed conflict in Mindanao.
Amidst these peace talks, a very alarming incident took place last January 25. Forty-four (44)
members of Special Action Force (SAF) got ambushed and killed by the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and MILF. The question now is, should the Bangsamoro Basic Law
(BBL)becontinuedandsignedorstoppedanddeclined?
The agreement signed by GPH and MILF last October is called the Framework Agreement
on Bangsamoro (FAB). This FAB is not the end agreement but rather an “outline” or a major
step on the path to peace. The Framework includes the establishment of the Bangsamoro;
formulationofbasiclawandpowers;determinationofrevenuegenerationandwealthsharing
andterritory;andthebasicrightsofallpeoplewithintheterritory-Muslim,indigenousandall
otherslivingthere.AsstatedbythePresidentBenignoSimeonAquinoIII,theFAB“symbolizes
and honors the struggles of our forebears in Mindanao, and celebrates the history and
characterofthatpartofournation.”
AlHajMurad,chairmanoftheMILF,saidinhisspeechduringthesigningthattheFramework
Agreement is the “most important document in the chapter of our history – landmark
documentthatrestoresourpeopletheirBangsamoroidentityandtheirhomeland,theirright
togovernthemselvesandthepowertoforgetheirdestinyandfuturewiththeirveryhands.”
The BBL went smoothly in the Congress until a whistle broke the silence on this matter.
A clash, between the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (allegedly
joinedbytheUnitedStatesArmySpecialForcesandtheFederalBureauofInvestigation),BIFF,
andMILF.
Originallyamissionthataimstoservearrestwarrantsformostwantedterrorists, ledtothe
deathsofforty-four(44)membersofSAF,atleasteighteen(18)fromMILFandfive(5)fromthe
BIFF and several civilians. The death of Zulkifli Abdhir, one of the most wanted terrorists, was
confirmedbytheFBIandNBIduetoamatchingDNAresult.
Is it obvious? Is it obvious that we’re being abused in our own homeland? The Philippine
Governmentisnowlikeadogobeyingalloftheordersgivenbyitsmaster(MILF).Andafterthe
MamasapanoClash,wouldthegovernmentstillsigntheBBL?Wecanrecallthatonyear2000,
Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada declared an all-out-war against the MILF which
captureditsheadquartersandothercamps.
Fornow,theBangsamoroBasicLaw(BBL)isnotthesolutiontothesecuritycriseshappening
in Mindanao. Suggestions for the declaration of an all-out-war must be considered. Yes, it’s
going to be dangerous. But do we have a choice? Things become even worse every time we
makeagreementswiththem.
Wediditbeforeandwesucceeded,wecandoitagain.
Editorial Staff
S.Y.2014-2015
Ryan Rey A. Corpin
Editor-in-Chief
Jezreel F.Catamio
AssociateEditor-in-Chief
Edlie Joshua Vargas
Justin Carlo Masangya
ManagingEditor
Jezreel F.Catamio
FeatureEditor
Chistine Jocson
Science&Technology
JeromeBalatbat/DARLYSANPEDRO
LiteraryEditor
Danilo Navarro
NewsEditor
Edlie Joshua Vargas
SportsEditor
Patricia Ericka Isidro
PhotoJournalist
Rizaldy Arriego
CirculationManager
Mexica Bausa
Cartoonist
Theresa Marie Roldan
Karen Cabangbang
Glaiza Delos Santos
Danielle Sunga
Angelica Jan Ignacio
Contributors
Mrs.Mona Liza F.Adriano
Adviser,TheNet
Mr.Mario M.Siason
Head,EnglishDepartment
Dr.Maria Cristina A.Robles
PrincipalIV
Dr.LoretaB.Torrecampo,CESOV
SchoolsDivisionSuperintendent
Bangsamoro Basic Law:
Sign or Decline?

7. 7
opinion
Rumors and stories have been quickly
spreading on the internet and social media sites.
As we enter the season of hearts, not just love
is spreading amongst us but a dreadful disease
called“HIV”.
HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is an
illness that alters the immune system, making
people much more vulnerable to infections and
diseases. The virus is passed from one person
to another through blood-to-blood and sexual
contact. This virus can also develop into AIDS
or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome – a
disease which is more serious and causes more
harmtothehostthanHIV.
These diseases, up to now, have no known
cure and continue to pass on from generation to
generation.Thediseasewasfirstrecognizedand
identifiedintheearly1980s.
As the story happened, it was in Recto (Claro
M. Recto Avenue), one of the busiest and most
crowded places in Manila. There was a female
student from University of Sto. Tomas who was
wandering in the streets to buy some books.
Sudden she felt her arm grow a little heavier
than usual. Then she checked and saw a syringe
plungedinherarmwithanotesaying“Welcome
totheHIVworld”.Atfirst,shethoughtitwasjust
a prank made by an attention-seeker. She then
Welcome to HIVWorld by Edlie Joshua Vargas
decided to get a check-up in the UST Hospital
andtheresultwasashocking“positive”. (Source:
facebookpostfromJerremiahKriziahBataller)
This post has not yet been proven even today,
but this post has alarmed the public of the new
way of spreading HIV. Some people who have
HIVaresaidtobedepressedoftheirlivesandare
believedtodostrangethingslikethesetoothers.
As modern technology branches, many people
arenowbecomingcuriousofwhatlifeoffers.Let
usnotbeafraidandbejudgmentaltothepeople
whohaveHIV,butletushelpthemseethebeauty
oflifeandwhatGodhasplannedforthem.
Forme,itisamatterofacceptancethatwedeal
withthesethings.Weareonlyhumanbeings,we
are vulnerable to sickness, pain and grief yet we
treateachotherlikewethinkthatwearehardas
stones, hard enough to withstand the agony of
beingjudgedandridiculed.Ifwedon’tlovethese
people,therewillbeanunendingcycleofpeople
who have lives hiding in the shadows, staying in
thepresenceofmiseryandgloom.
Let us not neglect these types of situations,
becauseifweputourselvesintheirshoes-itisnot
just a joke to survive the life of being “Positive”.
Now is the time to make a change, to disregard
their sickness and treat them just like normal
human beings, God’s Creation. In fairy tales,
whenthehero/heroineinthestorygetsasudden
sickness or falls into a spell given by a witch it is
“an act of true love” that saves them, if we could
just believe that we were in a fairy tale and try
loving these people- maybe “an act of true love”
cantrulycurethem.
Even if I stand to treat them as normal human
beings, let us not forget the precautionary
measures upon meeting them face to face. Let
us always remember that this sickness has “no
cure”uptonow.Letusallbecarefulandbewise
atalltimes.
• For me, active learning is a
strategy wherein students’
skills are enhanced. As
from my own experience, it
makes my everyday learning
more enjoyable. It’s about
transforming students’ thoughts
into a large picture of know-
ledge. Active learning makes
learning more interesting to
students, Forme,it’shavingfun
whilelearning.
Naomi Daenielle A.De Leon
(9-Aquino)
Letters to the Editor
Students’ Opinion About Active Learning
•TheconceptofActiveLearning
reminds me about a quote that
talksaboutknowledgebyusing
alloursensesthanjustsittingon
our chairs and listening to our
teachers’ lectures. It improves
my imagination, the way I
think, and interact with my co-
students. Active Learning is a
trend designed for knowledge
withatwist.
Danillo Navarro
(9-Aquino)
• As a Grade 9 student, the “Active
Learning” technique helps me a lot
in expressing myself with my ideas
and thoughts through an active
participation and interaction with
my classmates. It is an approach
wherein I can feel that I am “in”.
Learning becomes more fun and
interesting. It becomes easier
because I am able to understand
the lessons and apply it actively. It
also boosts my confidence and self-
esteem because I can showcase and
sharewhatIhavelearned.Thankyou
for the proponents of this program.
“We can now learn, socialize, then
havefun.
Theresa Marie Roldan
(9-Aquino)
• ForaGrade9studentlikeme,
active learning really helps me
a lot. It boosts my confidence
and the way I interact with
“active learners”. It also helps
us to accomplish tasks easier
since we work collaboratively. I
can say that active learning is a
greatmodernapproachto21st
centurylearners.
Riomel F.Bravo
(9-Aquino)
• I think active learning is the best way for the students to learn. Active
learninggivesthestudentstheopportunitytoenhanceandexpresstheir
own talents and creativity with fun learning. I hope that this program
will not be a short-term approach, and will be implemented to different
schools, not only in Navotas, but also in the National Capital Region, so
thatotherstudentswillenjoylearningasmuchaswedo.
Rhogina Gil Gonzales
(9-Aquino)
• Active Learning, for me, is
enhancing each others’ skills.
It is for learning together with
new friends and interacting
with other students. It is the
time when you can share your
knowledge with each other
togetherwithdifferentthoughts
and opinions. It is learning
with active interaction and
collaboration.
Loi Deseree Dimaapi
(9-Aquino)
• In my own opinion, “Active
Learning” plays a big role in
the implementation of quality
education at its finest. Active
learning does not only focus on
education but gives emphasis
to the way students are able
to learn thru experience and
group interaction. Specifically,
this strategy makes up room for
enjoyment and entertainment
while learning. The significance
of this technique is to reinforce
rapport between teachers and
students – at the same time
bringoutthebestinthem.
Christian Jay Alfaro
(9-Bonifacio)

8. feature
8
FALLEN
By Jezreel Catamio
January 25, 2015, Sunday,
a police operation took place
in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano,
Maguindanao between the Special
Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine
National Police (PNP), joined by
the United States Army Special
Forces (USASF) and Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI). The PNP-
SAF’s mission was to serve arrest
warrants to the two world’s most
wanted terrorists - “Marwan” and
“Usman”. The operation of the SAF
Troopers, unfortunately, triggered
the senses of the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)
and Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) to crossfire against them. In
the end, the fight led to the deaths
of the 44 members of the PNP-SAF,
five from BIFF and at least 18 from
MILF.Italsoresultedtothedeathof
ZulkifliAbdhiror“Marwan”,andthe
escape of “Usman”. The incident
caused the Philippine Congress
to temporarily stop the “peace-
process” of the Bangsamoro Basic
Law(BBL).
As students, it is hard for us
to understand the concept of
“dying for our country”. We
already knew that many Filipino
heroes from the past had suffered
injuries- physically, mentally, and
emotionally and those people who
contributed in the progress of our
societyinthepresent.
Maybe it’s just normal to us
whenever we hear that a soldier
died from a fight or a soldier
sacrificedhisownlifetosavehisco-
soldier. Wemayoftenthinkthatit’s
just okay because it’s their job. It’s
easy for us to say that this soldier’s
courage is enduring. But whenever
wethinkofourselvesdying,it’shard
for us to say, “Goodbye”. Maybe
most of us think that wearing that
“camouflage” is cool, and so you
want to be a soldier? When you’re
a soldier, you’ll be given badges
and pins which will show how far
you have risen from the ranks.
When you’re a soldier, you’ll be
given commendations, awards and
recognitions. Butwhenyouthinkof
losing a fight, and dying from your
enemy’s hands, you would actually
say, “I don’t like being a soldier. It’s
notcoolanyway.”
Being a soldier is a blessing, but
this can also be a downfall. It is
consideredanhonorandagallantry
for a soldier to be given a chance
to be deployed to the battlefield
because through this, he could
be able to show concern for the
innocent civilians he is trying to
protect and show his love for his
country. But have we asked, how
muchpaindoesasoldierbeartobe
away from his family for days, for
weeks or for months, thinking if his
family still have something to eat?
How much pain do these soldiers
carryintheirheartseverytimethey
leave their families preparing to go
to the “battlefield”, unsure if they
could still come back and hug them
onceagain?Thinking,maybe…,this
willbetheirlastfight.
When you’re a fighter, you must
always be prepared to die. Your
mindmustbesetina50/50chance
of survival. When you join a fight,
you have two choices: to survive or
to die. When you survive, it means
you have achieved your goal, your
mission and you won. But when
you die, nevertheless, you still
deserveanotherroundofapplause.
It is simply because, you did your
besttosurvive.
The families and relatives of
the SAF troopers suffered all the
pain, not just physically but also
emotionally. We could never
imagine what had happened to
them, on that ill-fated day. It’s like
beinginthedarksearchingforlight.
And for their fallen comrades, we
could never explain the pain that
their families have suffered. The
pain will always be in the hearts of
their bereaved families. The only
thing that they could do is to pray
for their loved ones’ soul. And for
consolation, tell themselves that
maybe it was their time to go to
heaven.
Until now, it has always been
proven that our country is worth
dying for and in the end, we
realize that the Fallen 44 and their
comrades who survived the battle
in the Mamasapano are heroes of
ourtime!
LoloKiko
ByJezreelF.Catamio/EdlieJoshuaVargas
He is definitely the one. From a simple
man named Jorge Mario Bergoglio, to being
Pope Francis. The one—who is chosen by
the Almighty Creator, to help Him spread His
teachings, all for the common good. He is, the
Popewhowillreconnectusall.
From the very first day of his visit in the
country, January 15 up to the last, January 19
of the year 2015, Pope Francis had been the
talk in every tabloids and broadsheets, from
the Philippines’ Jolo to Batanes, and from ear
of one Christian to another. As we can recall,
the Philippines is one of the biggest God-
loving nation along the globe. And as Papa
Francisco came with his sacredness as being
the head of the Catholic Church, people of
the Philippines became interested in seeing
and hearing the Pope’s masses. Every Filipino
hashisownwayofshowinggreatsolemnityintermsoffaith.Theyarereal
contributors of spreading God’s grace to each other and they are religious
in their own ways. By these characteristics of these people in the country,
PopeFranciscontinuedwhathewassupposedtodo—tocongregateevery
Christian despite of their diversity, that they should have the ears and eyes
to experience God’s Holiness. His stay in our country left a great mark in
historythatwecanneverforget.
Indeed, the Pope’s visit in the Philippines quenched the Filipinos’ thirst
for the word of God and imparted a great
account of the Pope’s impact across the
world. This led to the transformation of
many Filipino citizens; rich or poor, young
or old, skinny or fat, white or black – into
peoplewithmercyandcompassion.Healso
oriented us of the importance of “Humility”
in the lives of human beings. As the saying
goes: “Humility is the only virtue that the
devil cannot imitate”, Lolo Kiko set aside all
the luxury and fame that he could all have
and always tried to reach out the poor and
lame.
Pope Francis’ unbiased perception of
family also credits to the evidences of him
beingthe“People’sPope”.Healsosaid:“The
familyisthegreatesttreasureofanycountry.
Let us all work to protect and strengthen
this, the cornerstone of society”- meaning
the family is the most fundamental piece in
ourcivilization.
These facts about Pope Francis’ unending devotion to the church and
people merely show a portion of God’s blessing to our nation. We all know
that the Pope’s presence in our country truly is a blessing that triggered
the button in the hearts of every Filipino citizen, which made a role in
strengthening our faith in God. May Lolo Kiko’s words become a lesson in
ourlives,andletusimpartittothelivesofothers.“We,whoareChristians,
membersofGod’sfamily,arecalledtogoouttotheneedyandservethem”,
letusnowreceiveGod’scalling.

9. 9
feature
GainingaDeeperPerspective
andCharacterthroughReading
“DelayforToday!”-HowtoBeatProcrastination?
By Jezreel F. Catamio
pro-cras-ti-na-tion|prəˌkrastəˈnāSHən,prō-|noun.
1. is the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in preference to more urgent ones, or
doing more pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones, and thus putting off
impendingtaskstoalatertime,sometimestothe“lastminute”beforethedeadline.
2. theactionofdelayingorpostponingsomething. -Wikipedia.
When you are already in the state of writing the first word of your English essay, and
thenacuteivorymonkeypoofedfromsomewhere,whatwillyoudo?Whenyouareabout
to hold the first plate of a mountain of dirty dishes and an enormous cone of ice cream
knockedonyourdoor,whatwillyoudo?Whenyouareawakenbytheself-setalarmclock
but your hotdog pillow is still hugging you whispering “love me harder”, what will you do?
Of course my dear procrastinator, you will gratify yourself by spending your supposed
timetobespentintheHave-To-DosbydoingtheguiltypleasuresortheWant-To-Dos.The
primarytiptobeatprocrastinationistoAVOIDIT.AVOIDIT,DUDE.
Procrastinators are the people who don’t know how to don’t do procrastination,
says Tim Urban, blogger. But, how can they still do their need-to-do things? The word:
“PANIIIIIIIIIC!”—Panic, says Tim Urban, is the red alarm from an over-pleasured-body to
work, and these people are the ones who will consequently hate the aftermath of their
procrastination; it could be a public embarrassment, a career disaster, a trust-of-the-boss-
lie low, or some seriously scary results. Oh my gosh, you should really be scared! Don’t let
thatcuteivorymonkeydeceiveyou!(Well,itreallyseemedverycute!)
Avoidprocrastination.That’stheeasiestwaytobeatit.Avoidonlyseeingtheprettyparts
ofgratifyingthings,that’snotevennecessary!Sayittoyourmind,always!Alwaysskipinto
conclusionifyouknowthatyouareaprocrastinator,andneverletMetallicabandallureyou
to heavy-metal, because if not, your teacher will scold you, your assignments would be a
block of thick accordion and your eyes will have a couple of dark bags… you would not like
orwantthat,don’tyou?
So, don’t you dare tweet to the world that you are a procrastinator! Keep the cute ivory
monkey on your locker, write the words of your essay, wash the filthy dishes and wake
up on right time. Improve yourself now, because if you do the “Delay for Today!”, your
procrastinationwilldevouryou,todeath!
The9GAGto
CureYourDepression
By Jezreel F. Catamio
Don’t deny the truth that you’re often logged in your
Facebook (you’ve already liked their page), don’t ever
dare to deny that you’re signed in to your Twitter (you’ve
alreadyfollowedtheiraccount)and,don’tyoulieaboutyou
laughing about what you’re sharing and retweeting… that
allcomesfrom9GAG.
Today’s generation of teenagers (oh, and don’t forget
somecooladults)wereusually‘on’intheirsocialnetworking
accounts—the times where mothers are often caught
scolding their child for a long period of time of networking.
Well,let’sintroducethem(ourmothers)theinternetthings
thatwillmakethemloveyoubecauseyouareawesomefor
lettingthemknowwhat’sinit.
9GAG.com is an operated social media website by
9GAG, Inc. where users upload several variations of “user-
generated” images, videos and GIFs (moving images). The
websitewaslaunchedon23rdofApril,2008andhasgrown
its popularity until today—reaching more than twenty (20)
million‘FBlikes’andoverthree(3)million‘Twitterfollowers’.
The co-founder of 9GAG, Ray Chan was still standing for
their over-philanthropist slogan, “where people will go
whenevertheywanttokillsometimeandhavealaugh.”
Whatisinitandwhypeoplearenowaddictedtoit?Well,
the contents include “memes”—you don’t know them?
They are the funny internet pictures that you usually see
on the internet; show things that will make you go laugh-
out-loud and rolling-on-the-floor-laughing. They’re often
called as “internet jokes” and are very popular because of
at least 99.9% of people in the world would always relate.
The Netizens (or the citizens of internet) that are addicted
to 9GAG are called the ‘9Gaggers’. So-so… they’ve already
builttheircommunity!Howaboutjoiningthem?
Thecontents-of-laughingpostedon9GAGhavedifferent
categories; either hot, trending, fresh, TV, girl, guy, comic,
NSFW (oh, this means ‘Not Safe For Work’ or the “not
suitable for very young audiences” category), cosplay
(costumeplay),geeky,timely,meme,WTF,andafewothers
such as cute, food, GIFs, so that even your mood for today
canbesuitedeasilyforanothertimeoflaughing.Theoverly
enjoying part in 9GAG is you can even comment on those
postedthreadsanddoyourlaughing-thingontheinternet!
That’s one big reason, teenagers nowadays became so
moody and attached to their laptops and smartphones,
they tend to cure their depression and longing by seeing
somekindofstuffsin9GAG.
“Laughing is the best medicine to cure depression,” said
by psychologists, which is we often find true because in
this stressing world, you would really seek for things that
canescapeyouawhilefromthesadness.Youwon’tletthat
depression eat you, right? So now, you can already go to
9GAG—theplacewherepeoplewillgowhenevertheywant
tokillsometimeandhavealaugh.
intheLibrariesBy ChristineJocson
Reading is always an important key to success. For this reason, libraries are considered
very essential in developing reading skills that will propel an individual to greater heights.
Indeed, through reading, we discover new things and explore the facts in the world. It
enhances our capability to understand life and help us appreciate the value of creative
thinking and imagination. As Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is better than knowledge.”
Truly,readinghelpsshapeone’sperspective,character,andleadershipability.
First, reading is a way to change our perspective. In reading, we make movies wherein
we are the director of our thoughts. We become knowledgeable of the things happening
around us and formulate our own opinions about the issues in our society. In addition,
throughreading,wediscoverandknowourselvesmore.
Furthermore, reading improves a person’s character through critical thinking. We can
determinethedifferencesbetweenrightandwrong. Knowledgeisuselessifwecannotimagine
howitlookslike. Itisasifweknowtheconceptbutdonotknowhowtoapplyittoourlives.
Finally, reading gives us the motivation to be leaders. We gain confidence that helps us
facethereality–thefutureinourhands. Readingthebiographiesofdemocraticleadersand
their triumph is a great way for us to have
a warm heart for our country and help
reachitsdreamsforitspeople. Ourminds
becomebroadwhenitcomestofacingthe
challengesthatweencounterinourlives.
Truly, every Filipino must possess and
developthehabitofreadingsothatwewill
be able to contribute to nation-building
and gain knowledge that will serve as our
guide for the bright future that waits on
ourway.

10. science & tech
10
By Christine Jocson
Way back in 1976, Doctor Baron
Peter Piot discovered the Ebola
hemorrhagic fever or also known
as the Ebola virus. He received a
blood sample from a dead Belgian
nun and could not identify the
disease. Together with his friends,
they went to Zaire to stop the
outbreakspreadinginthecountry.
They gave information to many
people and for three months, the
epidemic stopped which killed
almost 300 people. Many years
passed, on March 2014 in West
Africa,theEbolavirusagainspread
and compared to its last outbreak,
this time was more complex.
The Ebola virus disease (EVD)
is often fatal illness to humans
if untreated. It came from wild
animals like bats which were
commonly found in forests.
In 1976, it first appeared in
Nzara, Sudan and in Yambuku,
Democratic Republic of Congo. It
came from the Ebola river from
which its name was taken. The
current EVD outbreak occurred in
the villages of Central Africa and
later in urban areas. There were
5 species identified but only three
of them have been associated
with large outbreaks in Africa –
Zaire, Bundibugyo, and Sudan
ebola virus. The most severely
affected countries were Sierra
Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. It was
saidthatthesecountrieshavevery
weak health systems.
Ebola then spreads through
human-to-humantransmissionvia
directcontact(throughbrokenskin
or mucous membranes) with the
blood, secretions, organs or other
bodily fluids of infected people,
and with surfaces and materials
contaminated with these fluids.
Also, health-care workers have
frequently been infected while
treating their patients who were
suspected to have the Ebola virus
disease, specifically, if infection
controlprecautionsarenotstrictly
practiced. It can also come from
burial ceremonies where the
mourners have physical contact to
the body of the deceased person.
Menwhohaverecoveredfromthe
disease can still transmit the virus
through their semen for up to 7
weeks after recovery from illness.
Its symptoms can appear from
2 to 21 days. It can be difficult
to distinguish EVD from other
infectiousdiseasessuchasmalaria,
typhoidfeverandmeningitis. First
symptoms are the sudden onset
of fever fatigue, muscle pain,
headache and sore throat. This is
followed by vomiting, diarrhoea,
rash,symptomsofimpairedkidney
and liver function, and in some
cases, both internal and external
bleeding. No licensed vaccines
are available yet but 2 potential
vaccinesarebeingdeveloped.
On August 8, the World Health
Organization (WHO) Director-
General Dr. Margaret Chan
declared this outbreak as a Public
Health Emergency of Internation
Concern.
Community engagement and
resilience are factors that can
lessen Ebola virus’ occurrence.
Health-care workers should
always practice precautions when
caring for patients. Being aware
of risk factors for Ebola infection
and protective measures that
individuals can take is an effective
waytoreducehumantransmission.
By Christine S. Jocson
The Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-
CoV), known before as “novel
coronavirus 2012” or also termed
as “EMC/2012”, is a single stranded
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), which
is essential for all forms of life
togetherwiththeDeoxyribonucleic
Acid (RNA) and proteins, of the
Betacoronavirus. It is a severe
illness and has caused death in
severalcountries.
It was first reported in Saudi
Arabia in 2012. Dr. Ali Mohamed
Zaki, a virologist at the Dr. Soliman
Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia,receivedacallfromadoctor,
who was worried for a 60-year old
man with severe viral pneumonia,
and wanted him to identify the
virus. He obtained a sputum from
the patient and worked. He sent
the samples to a virology lab at
Rotterdam. While waiting for the
results, he took another test and
got a positive result. The results
said that the infectious agent
came from a family of pathogens
called coronaviruses. This was
never seen before. To alert other
scientists,hepostedonproMED,an
MERS-CoV Today
internet reporting of the infectious
diseases to public health agencies.
Unfortunately, when he went back
toEgypt,hiscontractinthehospital
was terminated because the Saudi
Arabian Ministry of Health didn’t
like the post he made in proMED.
Despite of his contract being
terminated,itwasstillgoodforhim
becauseitwashisduty.
Then there was the second case
found in September 2012. A 49-
yearoldmanfromQatarhadseveral
flu symptoms and was similar to
the first case. In November 2012,
similar cases were noted in Qatar
and Saudi Arabia, with deaths
associated. It is not certain that it
is human-to-human transmission.
The viruses from the EMC/2012
were recommended to be coming
from a single zoonotic event. This
means that MERS-CoV has been
flowing in the human population
for greater than one year without
anydetection.
On February 13, 2013, the World
Health Organization (WHO) stated
“the risk of sustained person-to-
person transmission appears to be
verylow.” AsofMay29,2013,WHO
warned that MERS-CoV is a “threat
totheentireworld”. T h e
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) list MERS-CoV
as “transmissible fom human-to-
human”.
Thisvirusseemstobedescended
from bats. Serological evidence
shows that these viruses infected
camels at least 20 years before.
According to a study published
in The Lancet, it is likely to have
been transmitted from animals to
humans. AndbasedonaEuropean
study,camelscouldbeareservoirof
themysteriousvirus.
Doctors describe it as “flu-like
illness” with signs and symptoms
of pneumonia. The most common
signs and symptoms of MERS-CoV
observedaredifficultyinbreathing,
chestpain,bodyaches,sorethroat,
malaise, headache, diarrhea,
nausea, and kidney failure.
According to US CDC and WHO ,
therearenospecifictreatmentsfor
MERS-CoV. What doctors can give
is supportive care to help relieve
the symptoms. The virus does not
seem to pass between humans
without a close contact. Thus,
guidance should be pursued from
healthcareprofessionals.
Meanwhile, scientists have
developed a strain of the MERS-
CoV that can be used to develop
a vaccine against the deadly
pathogen. A new study led by
researchersfromPurdueUniversity
in West Lafayette, IN details a way
ofdisablingapartofthevirus. They
say that their findings may lead
to the creation of vaccine agains
MERS-CoV.
In February 17, 2015, the
Philippines confirmed one case of
MERS-CoV involving a pregnant
Filipina nurse who came from
Saudi Arabia. Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy
of Department of Health (DOH)
said at a press briefing that three
earlier persons were “patients
under investigation”. She was
brought to the Research Institute
for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and
after having three succeeding
negativeresultstakeneveryother
day, she has been dischared.
Acting Health Secretary Janette
Garin said, “We are happy to
announce that the index case has
just been discharged.”
An Outbreak
By Christine S. Jocson

11. 11
literary
They heroically and bravely fought
without any doubts in their hearts, just
for our country, just for the peace we
aim to have. They did not die in vain,
theydiedinaction.Thewholecountryis
mourningduetothedeathofthefallen
SAF 44. To these forty-four brave and
gallant men, I salute you. You made
supreme sacrifices while fighting for
thecountry.I,asastudent,asaFilipino,
as your countryman would also like
to pay respect to you guys, our new
heroes,forfightingwithoutanydoubts
inyourhearts,withoutanyhesitations,
justforthepeacethatourcountryseeks
tohave.
Giving you volley shots and
drummingofmarchingband,
Angelica Jan F. Ignacio (IV-EC)
Dearest SAF survivors,
Firstofall,sir,sendingyoualetter
is a great privilege for me. I may
not know you personally, but you
became my inspiration in life. I am
a 16-year- old female student who
really dreams to be like you, who
riskyourlifetofightforourcountry.
WhenIheardthenewsaboutFallen
44, my heart broke into pieces and
inspired me at the same time. It
gave me that eagerness to be like
you, to fight, and fight until the
verylastbreath.Weareallblessed
tohavebraveheroeslikeyou.
Please don’t drown yourself in
sadness, pain and anger for Fallen
44. They are good people as well
as you, and they surely are in a
more peaceful place right now.
No anger, no bullets, no war. We
are probably chosen by God for a
mission and that task is to inspire
otherpeoplelikeme.Iamproudof
you, Sir! Thank you for risking your
life. I hope I can also send some
gratitude for the Fallen 44. I am
praying for your fast recovery and
good health. I salute you, Sir! God
bless.
Willforeversaluteyou,
Danielle Sunga (IV-EC)
DearSurvivors,
It’s a great privilege for me to write
this letter to you. The news about
the Fallen 44 has been continuously
spreading in the newspapers,
television and radio. I, as a student,
am very proud of the bravery you’ve
shown and your stories will forever be
in the history of our country. May you
all recover peace from the deaths of
yourbrethren?
Glaiza Delos Santos (IV-EC)
TomydearestSAFSurvivors,
Goodday!
The“overkill”oftheSAFTroopershas
alarmed the people of the Philippines.
The scenario brought up pain and
grief to the family of the Fallen 44. To
you, the survivors, I give my deepest
appreciation for the courage you’ve
allshown.Thankyoumyidol,myhero.
Youaretrulyaninspiration.
KeithKonradP.Meneses(IV-EC)
Totheheroesofournation,
You are my idol! I am very grateful
of the bravery you’ve shown and have
manifested in the desire of restoring
peace in our country, particularly in
the Mamasapano, Mindanao. I am
so proud to be a Filipino, for the world
has seen the courage that we Filipinos
possess. To you, I give my dearest
thanksandadmiration.
Karen G.Cabangbang (IV-EC)
Totheheroesoftoday,
I am very much grateful for your
endeavor in bringing up peace in our
country.Iknowthatyourdutyisindeed
a very tough and risky one. Death,
hardships and sufferings have been
reflected in your eyes, but it is justice,
courage and hope in my eyes. May
you continue to serve our country and
our fellowmen. Don’t be afraid and
desperate for the loss of your brethren,
justicewillbeinyourfavor.
Edlie Joshua C. Vargas (IV-EC)
TotheFallen44,
Your lives were taken, your loving
hearts now gone, your families left
devastated,butyourdeathshallnever,
andwillneverbeinvain.We,yourfellow
countrymen have pondered since that
eventinMamasapanoonthe25thday
of January, over why something as
tragicasthishadtohappen.Arethose
peoplefromMILFnotworththepeace
treaty they are being offered? Did
heroes like you really have to give up
their lives to people like them? Is this
what Filipinos deserve? There were
anger, hatred and frustration. Maybe
these freedom fighters fight not for
freedom, but for greed instead? But
thenIreadanarticle,quoting“TheSAF
44 commandos are like the Sparta’s
300, their bravery sparked a United
Greece against a Persian invasion”.
And that made me realized that it’s
probably it. Your 44 lives, none of it
went to waste, instead, it will be the
key to the country’s complete peace.
And maybe God will never let your
deaths be left in vain. From the Fallen
44 comrades a peace revolution has
sparked.Andwiththat,Isincerelyand
whole heartedly thank you. God bless
thePhilippines.
Respectfullyyours,
Patricia Ericka Isidro (4-EC)

12. VOLLEYBALL
(Girls)
In the Secondary Girls
Category, the Navotas Public
Selection Team won First Place
inthisyear’sDivisionMeet2014.
The team managed to won in
the contest after strengthening
their offense and defense-
achieving a major lead in the
sets. The Women’s Volleyball
Division Meet was held at the
Navotas Sporks Complex last
October 28-30. Their coach
was Mr. Rafael Felices and their
trainer was Mr. Avengel Joseph
Federis.
CHESS
Charlene Ramos arrived
at second place after a series
of battles in the Secondary
Girls Category in the Division
Meet. The Inter-School Chess
Tournament was hosted by
Navotas National High School
and was participated by all the
public and private secondary
schoolsinNavotas
BADMINTON
(BOYS)
BlessLinaban
reignedChampion
intheMen’sSingles
Categoryinthe
2014Division
Meet held at the RS Badminton
Court. His victory was achieved
after a rally with his opponent
following a strong smash to
finish up the game. Linaban
is now approaching to the
NCR Palaro. “His dedication to
training and experience has
molded him well…,” said Mr.
RollyBelina,hiscoach/trainer
SEPAKTAKRAW
In Sepak Takraw, the Navotas
Public Selection Team ruled in
the Division Meet 2014 held
at Kaunlaran National High
School last October 28-30. By
winning first place, NNHS team
comprising of: Cyrus Jan Bino,
Rommel Brix Baron, Marwin
Fuentes,MichaelLearnGonzales
and Leonardo Sales managed
to end the game into a striking
victory. The Blue Sharks now
engages their position toward
the NCR Palaro. “They have
showed great teamwork…,”
Mr. Janno Abance said after the
competition.
Dr. Maria Cristina A. Robles tosses the ball to signify the start of the Basketball Game
The Girls Volleyball Team shows their symbolic movement of
returning to the center every attained point to show their unity
Jake Erato and Roan Crisel Marinda awed the audience with their
dancing prowess in the Dancesports Competition.
The Public-PRISAA Meet 2014 was conducted on October 28-30, which
wasparticipatedbyallpublicandprivateschoolsinNavotasCity.Eachteam
was composed of selected athletes from the different public secondary
schoolsinNavotastocompeteagainstthePrivateSecondaryschoolsinthe
city.
The Public-PRISAA Meet showcased competitions in the field of
Dancesports (Latin and Standard), , Sepak Takraw, Swimming (Men’s
and Women’s Category), Table Tennis (Men’s and Women’s Category),
Chess (Men’s and Women’s’ Category), Taekwondo (Men’s and Women’s
Category), Volleyball (Men’s and Women’s Category), Badminton (Men’s
andWomen’sCategory)andBasketball(Men’sandWomen’sCategory).
The winning teams in the Public-PRISAA Meet 2014 will compete in the
forthcomingNCRPalaro.
sports
The Public-PRISAA Meet 2014