PULISYA: Mapagkakatiwalaan pa ba?------- Noreen Sumalinog

           May  mga taong inilalaan ang kanilang buhay para isalba ang buhay ng mga taong

Cop in EDSA 'hulidap' surrenders |
Metro, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
-- photo from Google

nangangailangan. Sila’y nandiyan upang matigil ang nangyayaring krimen sa ating bansa araw-araw. Sila’y walang iba kundi  ang mga Pulis.

             Pero ngayon ang katanungan ay dapat nga bang pagkatiwalaan ang mga pulis kung sila nga mismo ay gumagawa rin ng krimen?

             Ngayon, marami nang lumalabas na balita ukol sa mga pulis. Mga balitang nasasangkot sila sa nakawan, patayan at iba pa. Ang sabi ng Police Regional Office (PRO-3) na umabot sa 204 na kasong pampangasiwaan ang sinampa sa mga pulis di kagaya noong isang taon na umabot lang ito ng 32. Ano kaya ang rason kung bakit nagkakaganito ang ating pulisya?

             Ayon sa Coalition of Filipino Consumers o CFC,,isang grupo ng consumers na may 600,000 na miyembro, ang Philippine National Police (PNP) ay isang “rogue organization” kung saan ipinahayag nilang marami ngang ginagawang krimen ang pulisya. Tulad ng kidnapping,pangingikil at iba pa.

            Isa sa mga nasangkot ay ang kanilang   hepe na si   Alan Purisima.    Kinasuhan   ng  CFC si Purisima ng graft, plunder at indirect bribery noong September 22, 2014. Ayon sa CFC ang rason kung bakit nila   kinasuhan    si Purisima ng graft ay sa kadahilanang  hindi niya ideneklara ang mga assets niya, sa plunder at indirect bribery naman ay kung bakit siya nakapagpapatayo uli  ng mansiyon na nagkakahalaga ng  P25 milyon. Ang nasabing mansiyon ay binansagang  “White House”. Ang tanong pa nga ng nakakamarami  ngayon ay kung paano nakukuha ni Purisima ang kanyang “Ill-gotten wealth”.

            Nakapanlulumong isipin na mismong Hepe pa ang nasangkot sa ganitong kaso. Kung tutuusin, siya ay isang lider at may mga umaasa sa kanyang mga tao.

          May isang balita ring ukol sa pitong pulis na mula sa Manila Police District (MPD) ang nasangkot sa robbery extortion. Isang Pakistanong casino financer ang nagreklamo sa MPD na inaresto siya sa kasong anti-car theft na hindi naman totoo.  Ang mas masaklap pa ay  ninakawan ng malaking halaga ng pitong pulis ang nasabing biktima. Ayon kay Joseph Estrada, ang Mayor ng Manila, malaking kahihiyan ang ginawa ng mga pulis na iyon.

          Kung titingnan nating mabuti parang napakahirap ng buhay nila at kailangan pang gumawa ng krimen. Kahit may sahod sila hindi ito sapat para matustusan ang pangangailangan ng  kanilang pamilya. Ayon kay Pulis na Pogi, isang blogger, ang mga pulis raw ngayon ay parang isang squatter area. May mga pulis na walang mabuting tinitirhan, ang iba ay kumukuha ng loan at iba pa. Sinabi rin ni Satur C. Ocampo, isang editoryal writer ng Philstar, na humuhuli daw ang PNP at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ng mga “mistaken identity” na sinasabi nilang lider ng New People’s Army (NPA) para lang makuha ang pabuyang nagkakahalaga ng milyones.

          Ano kaya ang rason?  Di kaya’y pera? Dahil hindi malaki ang sahod nila, ginagamit na lang nila ang kanilang kapangyarihan upang makuha ang gusto nila kahit hindi naman tama.

          Wag rin natin kalimutan na marami naman silang mabuting ginawa kagaya ng mga pulis saWestern Visayas. Ayon kay Police Chief Superintendent Josephus Angan ng Western Visayas ang bilang ng krimen nila doon ay bumaba. Noong January hanggang September 2013 umabot sa 126,297 ang krimen sa Western Visayas pero ngayong January hanggang September 2014 bumaba ito ng 97,043. Sinabi niya na marami silang ginagawa na mga seminar ukol sa crime solution, clearance efficiency at mga iba pang crime prevention.

            Maraming paraan ang pwede natin gamitin para malaman kung sino sa mga pulis ang gumagawa ng katiwalian. Isa na dito ang pagsasagawa ng lifestyle check. Dapat na-ting malaman kung anong klaseng pamumuhay ang kinagigisnan nila noon at ngayon para malaman natin ang totoong pagkatao nila. O, di kaya’y pwede namang gamitin ng mga tao ang teknolohiya ngayon upang maipalam sa mga mambabatas o sa mga pulisya ang mga katiwaliang ginagawa nga mga pulis.

               Ang pagiging isang pulis ay dapat panindigan. Dumidenpende ang mga tao sa kanila kaya dapat nilang ipakita na sila ay mapagkakatiwalaan. Dapat din nilang malaman na kung wala sila walang kapayapang mangyayari dito sa Pilipinas kung tutuusin sa kanila magsisimula ang paging mapayapa dahil nabubuhay sila sa batas.

Fight over Wealth in the Spratlys------ Maria Lallene Cinco

                  People would be much irritated when total strangers step on their rights. How much more to someone they actually know? When this happens you may just let it pass, but what if it happens again? Are you just going to pretend nothing’s wrong or are you going to make a move?

                  Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve both island and maritime claims. Brunei, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam are claiming each other’s territory basing on their  Exclusive Economic Zones. That’s their right but these islands including the waters surrounding them are rich when it comes to resources.

You can be dubbed rich if you have a lot of money especially on natural resources as reserves. Mercantilism, I guess?

        We might think crude oil is just an ordinary product but it isn’t. It was even once one of the reasons why there was a fish kill in the west. It was a big loss for the oil company. Crude oil can be transformed to various forms of petrochemicals. Gasoline is one and persons owning oil companies are rich here in the Philippines, take note.

       South China Sea has a lot of crude oil reserves. The Ministry of Geological Resources and Mining of the People’s Republic of China estimates that the South China Sea may contain 17.7 billion tons of crude oil compared to Kuwait with 13 billion tons. In the years that followed after the said announcement intensified the claims regarding the islands.

         Fishes are for food not for riches but why is that there are people who are after them and harvest species of them in great numbers?; in other words, EXPLOITING. This should be stopped because fishes may not reproduce enough to replace much of what have been harvested. Corals are one of the most beautiful things and they’ve been slowly destroyed.

        South China Sea is abundant in terms of marine life. In 1988, it was believed to have 8% of the world’s fishing catches and this is a figure that grows continuously.

The coral reefs in these waters are home to numerous species of fishes. They provide  good environment for breeding and production of more animals.

       South China Sea is the busiest shipping route, In the 80’s, at least 270 merchant ships used the route every day. These days, more than half of the tonnages of oil are transported by sea pass through these waters.

       Maritime traffic was often evident in the South China Sea; three times more than Suez Canal, five times than the Panama Canal.

        To conclude, all the states fighting over these territories in the South China Sea are just after the money in which the islands and waters are great sources of.

Cartoon by Prince Irrel Santillan

DOH warns against Ebola outbreak-----Maria Eloisa Garcia

- Photo from Google images

          Department of Health Secretary, Enrique Ona warned that Ebola can reach the

country.       

                  Philippines was urged to prepare for the rising Ebola outbreak .

                  We bers of Ebola victims have sought can’t afford to be complacent about Ebola. The government has put enough resources to deal with this public health threat,” Ona said.

                  Philippine embassies are directed to constantly monitor the health of Filipinos abroad before they return home.

                “It’s just a matter of time that it reaches us given air travel and the fact that we have overseas workers-it’s going to come,” warned Dr. Manuel Dayit former DOH secretary.

                    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola is not just a health crisis but a complex emergency. This is the worst outbreak in history but this is controllable and preventable.

The latest count on Ebola reached 8,399 and the total deaths reached 4,033.

Aumentado crowned Ms. Nutrition 2014-------Maria Eloisa Garcia

LEFT TO RIGHT: Ms. Nutrition Earth (Raisha Suarez), Ms. Nutrition International (Angel Loon), Ms. Nutrition Universe(Dacel Leah Aumentado), Ms. Nutrition Tourism(Ruby), Ms. Nutrition World (Honeylyn).  Photo by Duane Genayas

Dacel Leah L. Aumentado, Gr.-10 Perseverance, won the title of the first Talisay City Ms. Nutrition last August 29, 2014.

                  Aumentado, who also received the following minor awards: Ms. Save and Smile, Texters’ Choice, Best in Funwear and Best in Talent, won amongst 14 girls.

                  She answered her question confidently, “I shall propose a bill stating that junk foods shall not be allowed in schools. For schools which will not follow shall be liable for complaints of kidney related  diseases. This is to ensure that generation Z, our generation is a healthy generation.”

The crowd went from wild to quiet when she started  to answer then the crowd went wild again after her answer.

                  She said she was nervous but it didn't stop her from pulling off her walk, fun wear, evening gown and most of all her talent and answers.

She, together with Mr. Rommel Alvarez, PE Instructor and talent coach, presented a contemporary dance which was greatly applauded. Aumentado said that one of the coaches of her fellow contenders said, “That’s talent.” “The coaches even started asking my name and from what school I’m from.” she added.

                Alvarez said that she is very much trainable. He also explained that Aumentado’s flexibility and determination are plus factors.

The dance was about a physically abused woman who amidst the beating and insult still went on to love the same man.

         During the casual interview, Aumentado was asked what a picture is since she is a photojournalist. She said (in summary) a picture tells different stories. She also concluded, “This is why they say a picture paints a thousand words.” A loud applause was heard after that.

             Aumentado worked hard during her trainings be it the talent, walk, or the question and answer. “The good thing about Dacel is, she has a goal and she stays in that road focused.” Mrs. Jeanille Cogtas, Adviser and Public Speaking coach, commented.

             The Asianistas, composed of High School students together with some of the High School Faculty and Dr. Francisca T. Kilag (ACT-ISD Principal) stayed on until the end of the competition.

It was a night of the Asianistas as most schools observably have only few supporters left based on the noise they make when the contestants name was called.

               Dr. Kilag expressed how happy  and    proud  she was of      Aumentado during her speeches in school programs. She was also thankful for the support of the students and the faculty (Ms. Floramae Arain, Sir Rommel Alvarez, Ms. Jacqueline Sampaga, Ms. Jeanille B. Cogtas, and Ms. Sheila Ramirez) for being there to support that night.

              Aumentado studied dancing with Sir Rommel Alvarez Summer Class of 2014 at ACT-ISD.

THE ARIS SALARITAN DRIFT OF FATE------- Jenika Nero & Jeannel Lasquites

Aris(RIGHT) and her new found friends in Gr. 10 Fortitude.

 Photo by Jeanille Cogtas

                Life-changing moments, unexpected twists and turns of events, a new beginning—all because of that one certain day.

             Aris Mae Bascar Salaritan, a 16-year-old sophomore, had never even thought about taking the National Achievement Test, what gown she would be wearing during the Junior-Senior Promenade, nor her high school graduation yet. But when she took the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) last June 12, 2013, her life went in fast-forward motion, spinning and skipping particular events until finally landing in the Grade 10-Fortitude classroom. She soon found herself in a very unfamiliar environment surrounded by Grade 10 students whom she now consider classmates. Will she be able to cope with the fact that she will be wearing a dark blue toga by the end of March 2014 and a high school diploma at hand?

        PEPT is not an ordinary exam. Before deciding whether to take it, one must consider the following possibilities: you may accelerate, stay in the same grade, or even go back to a lower level. You may have been aiming to fly high into a warm blue sky, but you’ll never know until you realize you forgot to have an airplane to get there. Life is incomplete without a bit of difficult challenges and tough risks and Aris wasn’t scared of these. Knowing that an opportunity was right in front of her, she grabbed it without second thoughts and because of her determination, she got to reach the stars.

The start of something totally new also meant leaving the past behind. Even though the sudden yet overwhelming news was one of the greatest things that happened to Aris, she had to make some hard sacrifices. One of which was being unable to hang out with her Sophomore best friends as much anymore. Seemingly cutting the very strong bond that they had since their freshman years was too much for her to handle so Aris made sure that she was with the sophomores when she had the time. Due to her shy personality, she also doesn’t have that much confidence to talk with her classmates and batch mates (unless you talk to her first). “She’s happy, but not really happy, because she misses her friends.” Dave Raganas, one of her new classmates, said in an interview. “She is very quiet; she needs to boost her confidence. She jams with us actually, she’s just really shy.” she added.

Dr. Francesca T. Kilag, ACT-ISD principal, was very pleased when she heard about this huge announcement. “Just like her parents, I am also very proud of Aris for passing the exam. Imagine accelerating from Grade eight to Grade 10! That’s very amazing,” she said. “Out of all the students who took the test, she was the only one who passed! And to think she’s from ACT really makes us so proud of her.”

What took years for the Seniors to be where they are, only took her hours in an exam to be in the exact same place. Her story may not have caught your eye, but we can never deny the fact that she did an outstanding job at the Philippine Educational Placement Test.

Congratulations to you, dear Aris!

ASIANISTA MUSES COME HOME VICTORIOUS---- Archielfaye Mori

                 ACT-ISD won in the Muse competition for Talisay City District Meet last Thursday, September 5, 2013.

                 Pia Cabataña, contestant number two won Miss District Meet 2013 for the Elementary level while Natassha Gail Reyes, High School candidate number three, won 1st Runner-up garnering an average score of 91%.

                 The crowd cheered as Cabataña finished her speech saying, “The miracle isn’t in the finish line, the miracle is that I have the courage to start.” In an interview she said that she is so happy being the champion.             

               Reyes on the other hand was well-applauded right when she started walking then she took a pose and said, “Winners don’t wait for chances, they take them.”

               Lance Roi Catadman, ACT ON LINE sports writer commented that Reyes has charisma and this distinctive smile that separates her apart from the rest.

          The competition started with the dance of all muses. Then their most awaited walk and introduction started from the elementary level then to the High School.

              After the competition was the raising of school banners. Cabataña and Psalm Aquino, ACT-ISD Swim team athlete, paired for the elementary while Reyes was escorted by Hussien Carlmart Tienzo, ACT-ISD Taekwondo delegate. “I’m nervous because it was unexpected. I didn’t even know it was a race.” he said laughing.

COGTAS, ALORO AWARDED AT 10 ------Visiree Genayas

        Mrs. Jeanille B. Cogtas, High School Teacher, and Mrs. Merlisa A. Aloro, Kindergarten Teacher, received service awards during the Silveration Ball held at the Waterfront Hotel last September 13, 2013.

        They both served ACT for 10 years now. They started working in ACT during the summer of 2003.

        It is customary for ACT to award employees who worked for 10,15, 20, and 25.

         Cogtas stated that she has no plans of transferring to other schools. “ I am attached to ACT though many people discouraged me to stay because according to them I have no future here. But I thought my future is in my hands.            

        No one can tell me where my future is. I make my own future and I say its here.” she said.

        She also mentioned that she doesn’t see herself outside ACT because she learned to grow roots here and that root has been deeply set. “ A person who does not grow roots does not belong to anything.” she added.

        Cogtas confessed that she has discovered herself more when assigned to High School. “I have learned to smile, have fun with the students. I enjoyed my job.”

        Aloro on the other hand has professionally grown into a sought after preschool teacher then Grade two then back to preschool.

        Archielfaye Brigitte Mori, Gr. 10-Fortitude, said that she is proud of Teacher Merl and that she was her favorite teacher when she was Grade two.

LEFT: Jeanille B. Cogtas  RIGHT: Merlisa A. Aloro

        Saaya Watabe, Gr. 10 Fortitude, said, “She’s the type of teacher who always shows appreciation to her students and to other co-teachers.”

        Cogtas and Aloro were classmates in college taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. They were from Cebu Normal University.

UNCHARTED IDEAS ALL ABOUT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY----- Eloisa Garcia

Oscars of Science...

www.independent.co.uk

The awards go to scientists, not screen idols. But the lucrative Breakthrough Prizes are increasingly being spoken of as rivals to the Oscars---- PHOTO from Google

                  What comes in your mind when you hear the word “science”?

                   Well, science might just be your ordinary school subject. But science has opened mankind’s eyes, allowing us to see through the beautiful secrets of our world. We’ve discovered answers to our, what-it-seemed, impossible questions. Though we’ve learned great lessons in our school years, science misconceptions can’t be thoroughly avoided by us teenagers.

                  In fact, our common knowledge about the basics of science has a lot of misconceptions itself. They say, “Science proves ideas.” Without a doubt, science aims to understand and build our knowledge. But the ideas of today could be proven wrong tomorrow, and that is very possible. Science only accepts and rejects newly found information based on the evidence given. It would always need the absolute proof even if it is not scientific enough. Now that’s science!

They say, “Scientists work without considering the applications of their ideas.” Of course, scientists would always bear in mind the application of the information they’ve contributed to the field of science, or else it would be considered inefficient. Additional knowledge and the tendency to avoid future difficulty would be expected from the people who obtained the information. “Science is boring,” is the usual statement that we teenagers voice out whenever we start memorizing facts from our textbooks. Clearly, long paragraphs of proven data sure are a handful but the application of our knowledge will definitely make us crack up a smile.

Experiments don’t only make us say ‘amazing!’ or ‘I didn’t know that!’ but it definitely adds up another pile of learning into our minds that will be helpful in the future. Humanity has indeed paved way to the world of modern science. It has reached higher milestones than what our forefathers have predicted. But this isn’t the finale yet; our discovery continues far beyond our expectations. Thousands of uncharted ideas yet to be discovered will soon turn to masterpieces of mankind. More answers will yet to be ascertained as the years will pass on. And it would certainly help if we teenagers sort out the misconceptions and turn them into plausible facts step by step.

GULO SA MINDANAO: ANO NGA BA’NG UGAT?------ Jacqueline Sampaga & Floramae Arain

Editorial Cartoon by Prince Irrel Santillan

                  Noong nakaraang linggo, naging laman ng balita ang bakbakan sa pagitan ng mga sundalo natin at ng MNLF. Daan-daang residente ang inilikas upang makaiwas sa labanan. Ngunit saan nga ba nag-ugat ang hindi pagkakasunduan ng ating pamahalaan at ng MNLF?

                  Balikan natin ang ating kasaysayan, ang isa sa naging ugat ng hidwaan ng mga Pilipino ay ukol sa relihiyon. Ito ay ang relihiyong Islam at Kristiyanismo. Pilit nilang  ipinaglaban ang kani-kanilang paniniwala. Kanya-kanyang paniniwala na nagdulot ng hindi pagkakaunawaan. Pwedeng ito rin kaya ang dahilan ng hidwaan ngayon?

Ayon sa ibang pagsusuri, ang dahilan ng MNLF sa ginawang pag-alsa laban sa   gobyerno ay ang kagustuhang magkaroon ng sariling pamayanan para sa Mindanao; Pamayanang Malaya sa mga bagay na gagawin sa aspetong pang-ekonomiya, pangpulitika at panglipunan.

Ang isa pang anggulong tinitingnang dahilan ng kaguluhan ay ang anomalya ng mga pinagkakatiwalaang mga pulitiko. Isa raw itong estratehiya upang hindi pagtuunang pansin masyado ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan ang totoong problema.

Sino sa palagay natin ang dehado sa labanang ito? Ang ating mga sundalo na walang sapat na kagamitan? O ang ating mga inosenteng kababayan?

Kung patuloy pa ang labanang ito, maaring marami pang mga    inosenteng mamamayan ang madadamay. Maaaring ang  kaguluhang ito ang maging mitsa ng  pagbagsak ng ating ekonomiya.

Nasaan na ang bisa ng kasunduang pangkapayapaan na nilagdaan ng ating pamahalaan at ng MNLF? Hanggang sa papel na lang ba iyon? Ito ba ang diwa ng pangkapatiran?

Saanman hahantong ang pangyayaring ito, kapwa apektado tayo kung hindi magkakasundo ang ating pamahalaan at ang grupong MNLF?

Ngunit kung kayo ang tatanungin, solusyon nga ba sa suliraning ito ang pagbibigay ng sariling kalayaan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim?

There’s Tragedy Then There’s Miracle ---- Cherrie Escraman

STAR chief photographer Val Rodriguez captures scenes of the devastation in the aftermath of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu and Bohol

                 It was a calm and peaceful day, filled with fun and excitement. You know why? Well it was the Fiesta of Talisay City. This is the only time when you can see the grandest of parties and the abundant supply of LECHON.

                 Alright this is where it all happened. As I was sleeping in bed, (as usual) a sudden shake awoke me. Lucky for me, I immediately jumped out of bed despite that I was sick that time. It was a very strong shake that lasted for quite a while. Adrenalin was rising, terror was visible, screaming and shouting was in the air. Then, it all stopped and it was dead silence. We were still in the state of shock.  So, we got back in and moments’ later shaking was felt again. But this time there was nothing to worry about because they were just multiple aftershocks, but don’t let your guard down still be cautious.

               Apparently, to be honest, that strong quake made me paranoid. Actually it was my first time to feel a quake like that. It was stronger  than last year. Afterwards flash reports everywhere, on the radio, on the television and a lot more. But sad to say, the most affected was BOHOL. The fault system was discovered in Buenavista, a 5 km stretch throughout a mountain. A lot of lives were lost, a lot of infrastructures damaged and a lot of people injured and missing.  It’s just sad to see families not together during Christmas and events to come. How heart breaking to see what they’re going through.

            After the quake that shook Bohol and Cebu, electricity and water was down. For the following days to come, a lot of people starved and famished and were in desperate need of food and water. No houses  to live in, no hospitals to be brought to, and of course all that’s left are crumbled debris of historical churches. My mother even shared a story about people going after the delivery truck full of canned goods, begging to give them some for them to eat. Fortunately, the driver explained not to take them all but he could spare them eight boxes of canned goods. Just imagine the heavy burden they have to carry each and every single day.

          But on the bright side, a lot of people and private sectors  donated and helped out - cash donations, trucks loaded with water and food and miscellaneous to lessen the burden they are facing now. As much as possible they are doing everything just to provide the basic needs of the residents of the places which were isolated due to heavy damage. But inspite the calamity, Boholanos still has the strength to smile and be happy. Always believe that there is always a rainbow after every rain. Now that is what we call a true miracle.

What’s Going on Pilipinas? -- -Jenika Gi-An C. Nero

2013 EARTHQUAKE VIDEO BOHOL CEBU 7.2 Magnitude compilation footage Philippines --- photo from Google Images

                 

                   Innocent lives are lost, houses which were once built for protection are destroyed, and tears of sorrow are shed. Nobody wanted the devastation; nobody hoped for destruction. As Filipinos slept throughout the peaceful night surrounded by people close to their hearts, they never knew what was in store for them the moment they opened their eyes the next day.

                  Strong rain pounded on the rooftops of residences at dawn as the fierce wind blew trees and electrical posts down mercilessly. Flood quickly rose all over the land and landslides washed out a great number of houses. Heavy grey and black clouds covered the bright sun and wide blue sky for days and kept threatening to spill out droplets of water anytime with loud booming thunder and frightening strikes of lightning.

Typhoon Santi had left a widespread damage in northern Luzon leaving hundreds of families homeless, cold, and hungry. Diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue, and other rain-related viruses immediately infected the young and old, making the hospitals jam-packed with patients. Seeing the victims of the typhoon crammed in an evacuation area with nothing to eat or drink and some even taking care of their sick family members gave me an odd sensation within, like a sinking feeling that went deeper and deeper by the minute. The pity I felt for them was slowly building up inside of me but I knew that the dark gloomy clouds will go away someday and the sun will shine brightly over them once again.

                    It was just another beautiful Tuesday morning in the Visayas—specifically in the islands of Bohol and Cebu—that turned completely upside down only because of that very unexpected incident. Due to the observance of Eid’l Adha, October 15 was a national holiday. Most people were still engulfed in  deep sleep while others were already up and doing their own business whether it were buying groceries at public markets to get the most fresh vegetables, fruits, meat or fish; exercising with their family; watching early television shows at home; or in the case of the Muslims, praying in their Mosques.

                 Nobody was prepared for what was going to happen next—heck, no one knew it was going to be ugly. But what was bound to happen happened, even if it was going to be an unfortunate turn of events. Twelve minutes after eight, the ground beneath our  feet  shook uncontrollably with great force that gradually became stronger and stronger by the second. Walls cracked, fragile plates, glasses, jars, and other breakable materials fell and shattered to the ground.  Foundations which were old and weak including some time-worn churches in Bohol and Cebu gave away, and electrical posts fell and caused the brownouts in most  affected barangays in Bohol. With eyes wide with surprise and hearts beating frantically with fear, Visayans ran out of their houses and buildings they occupied earlier while some were unluckily trapped under piles of heavy rocks and boulders from infrastructures that collapsed.  After about thirty seconds or so, the shaking of the ground finally stopped but was quickly followed by a series of strong and faint aftershocks.

                  News about the 7.2 magnitude earthquake swiftly spread throughout the Philippines, showing the aftermath of the said incident. Homelessness, traumat, and the continuous aftershocks forced some families to have no choice but to camp outside their houses when nighttime finally came. The following days were completed with more aftershocks. But the day never went on without prayer. Sugbohol shall rise again.

                      Loud gunshots and ear-deafening booms of bombs were the only sounds frequently heard in the city of Zamboanga. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) attacked the city to gain two things: independence and power. With heavy and very powerful guns, bombs and tanks, they confronted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a bloody battle, destroyed more than a thousand houses, and even captured some innocent citizens as their hostages to use as a human shield against the soldiers. Zamboangueños were forced to stay and hide in evacuation areas since all businesses in the city were closed and most houses were demolished, making Zamboanga seemingly a    ghost town if it wasn’t for the frequent sounds of gunshots and explosions. Days passed and the situation got worse—the number of dead people, whether a soldier, a rebel or a civilian increased, the supply of food and water decreased and more hostages were captured. On the other hand though, some MNLFs started surrendering to the police. Hostages also started escaping from the wrath of the rebels and shared their traumatizing experience of being tortured, crying heart-wrenchingly when they relived the frightening incidents in the MNLF’s hideout. Two weeks after the attack, the Philippine Government assured everyone the war was finally over, yet Zamboangueños admitted that they still heard gunshots in the city occasionally.

Life isn’t always how we want them to be. Problems will always arise when we least expect them. Many will suffer, some will give up, and others will think it’s the end. But as long as we have faith that someday we will be back on our feet and stand strong, nothing is impossible. Filipinos may not agree with the same idea all the time. Filipinos may argue sometimes, Filipinos may misunderstand each other, but when a province needs help, they’re sure to be there by their side. No matter how many times we will be hit with problems, Philippines will never break because we are forever united. Stay strong, Pilipinas!

FACULTY PLAYS “MINUTE TO WIN IT”----Allysha Danielle Espinosa Tadios

The High school teachers (yellow team) braced themselves for the puzzle challenge. They need to complete the puzzle in one minute. The High School teachers emerged victorious over the red and the blue teams.

- Photo by Dacel  Aumentado

                  Students from different levels gathered in the main lobby to witness a short program for the celebration of Teachers’ Day last October 4, 2013.

Mrs. Jacqueline Sampaga and Ms. Floramae Arain faced the pasta challenge.

- Photo by Gel Abellanosa

                  The program started around 1 o’clock with a doxology performed by Grade eight students. Jordane Climaco and Dominic Ceballos sang Sunday Morning by Maroon 5.

                  The program was highlighted by a game in which the teachers were the participants. It was hosted by Juvanil Alvarado and Patricia Logarta from the Grade 8. The said game was based from the popular television game show, Minute to Win It of ABS-CBN.

After the second game a speech of gratitude was delivered by the PTA President Mrs. Faye Mutya, followed by the giving of gifts from the parents to the teachers and a short message from the school principal, Dr. Francisca T. Kilag.

The game continued with Round two and later the championships. The teachers were grouped into colors. Teachers from the preschool, grades 1, 2 and 3 formed the Red Team, mentors from grades 4, 5 and 6 represented the Blue Team and the Yellow Team was composed by the teachers from the high school department. Students cheered and shouted for their teachers.

Mr. Kyle Brent Largo won the "rage the cups with the balloon" challenge over Sir Rommel Alvarez of the blue team.

 Photo by Duane Genayas

On that same day, ACT-ISD’s beloved principal Dr. Francisca T. Kilag celebrated her 2^nd birthday with ACT students and teachers. It was also the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.

October 5 is the worldwide celebration of honoring the teachers.

THE 10B PORK BARREL SCAM---- Hannah Manilhig

                  Every country needs a leader. A leader who will keep it organized and progressive. That’s how they get you during elections.

                  In order for every politician to fend for  the needs of the people in their districts and the like, they are allocated a budget that come from our taxes. This budget should not be corrupted because it is intended for the people through the politicians who serve as mediators.

                  There is a lump discretionary fund granted to each member of Congress for spending on priority development projects of the Philippine government mostly on the local level known as the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) popularly known as the pork barrel. Obviously this money is intended to be spent wisely. But, are they?

                   One of the biggest issue that the country is facing right now is the pork barrel scam.. Janet Lim-Napoles, who is now currently under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Forces is alleged to have the biggest involvement in the so called multi-billion pork barrel scam. Or is she?

              This scam involved even the innocent people and organizations like NGO’s and  the Department of Agriculture. Benhur Luy, a state witness, formally told the court of Napoles’ involvement in the scam.

               Ghost projects have been made because of fake proposals and forged signatures of people whom they don’t even know existed. Even dead people were enlisted in their fake documents. Most senators who are involved in the scam denied the authenticity of their signatures found in the said fake documents.

               What’s more suspicious is that the finances of these politicians have raised higher over the years. They have more properties compared to when they weren’t in their positions yet. Do we have a problematic system of government or is it just run by untrustworthy politicians? They may have stolen from the people yet they are not imprisoned. Is this even fair? Common people steal for their family and they get incarcerated. Simple as that. But if matters were to concern politicians, it’s going to be a very big problem.

              This is unfair. Just because politicians have higher ranks, it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be imprisoned if they violated the law. We have laws and these laws are made for all of us. So why don’t we stick with what the law obliges us to do?

We should always think before we act.

NTG: Janet Lim-Napoles, itinangging sangkot siya sa umano'y bilyun-bilyong pork barrel scam.... photo from Google Images