Student leader calls prospect candidate’s non-participation to school gov’t poll, ‘a selfish act’

New guidelines for ranking honor students seen as main reason

By Ivan Joshua Pacete

Most student leaders won by default.

Six of the 12 posts in the latest student government election of La Filipina National High
School have candidates but with no rival which the student government leader considered a
self-serving act for potential leaders.
“When these prospect leaders refused to run because their position no longer have
bearing in the ranking of honor students, they are simply showing their self-vested interest
which were not visible before,” said Supreme Student Government (SSG) President
Jackharry Taturo.
Unlike the previous policy where the co-curricular activities still have a 30 percent
weight in the ranking, the new policy guidelines on awards and recognitions based on DepEd
Order 36, series of 2016, limits the selection of academic excellence awardees to grades alone.
“True leadership is serving our students without expecting something in return. Their
change of heart due to lack of benefits is not worth of emulation,” Taturo added.
To inculcate the essence of genuine leadership to class leaders, the SSG plans to conduct a
monthly meeting where they will be inviting speakers to talk about effective leadership.
SSG Vice President Rica Lomo projected that more student leaders would run for a position
on the next election after they will realize that holding a responsibility would enhance their
management skills.
Inclusive Education
LFNHS accepts Marawi displaced students sans credentials
By Cathy Jane Florida

The best way to show assistance to the Muslim brothers from war-torn Marawi City who
took refuge in Tagum City is to accept them in the school even without a single scholastic
record with them, school principal said.
“We have to understand that their main concern when the war broke was to save their
lives. We simply have to wait when they can furnish us with their records,” said Principal
Mrs. Virginia S. Maningo.
Based on the records submitted to the Division Office, La Filipina National High School
gave psychosocial intervention and debriefing to the two Grade 8 and two Grade 10
transferee students from Marawi and Iligan City.
Rohaniza Maningin of Grade 10 Tindalo was thankful for the warm welcome extended by
the school to them.
“We thank the school for understanding our situation. We also thank our classmates for
being friendly,” said Maningin.
This move of the school is in response to Region XI’s commitment to support affected
learners of the Marawi incident as agreed during the consultative meeting of Regional and
Division officials of Region IX, X, XII, XII, CARAGA and ARMM.
We’re not returning, no security back home – Marawi displaced students

NO TURNING BACK. Marawi evacuees express their resolve to stay in Tagum City as their
permanent refuge from conflict. © Jaymar Liaging

“There is no assurance that there will be a lasting peace in Marawi City. So if we have a
choice, we will not go back home.”
This was the vow of Jaserah Rascal of Grade 10 Apitong of La Filipina National High
School, a transferee from Iligan, when asked during the interview if they have plans to
transfer back home when the war is over.
Rascal narrated that even if the war is over, the insurgencies may continue since it was a
common knowledge in their place that the ISIS are reinforcing their troops and they even
have training grounds for new recruits in the hinterlands of Lanao.
“If you will not join their group when recruited, they will surely kill you to prevent you
from identifying them,” Rascal added.
Jamael Macabuat of Grade 8 Gumamela, a transferee from Marawi City, shared the same
sentiments when he said that his uncle witnessed during the Zhur, a prayer participated by
even Muslim foreigners, that trucks carrying loads of weapons were brought to Marawi two
days prior to the May 23 conflict.
“These weapons were funded by foreigners and that means their resources are unlimited
that’s why they could organize another group of army anytime,” Macabuat said.
He also added that it was useless since most of Marawi was destroyed and it will take time
to rebuild their place.
“All I wanted is to be reunited with my father and my sister again who were left in
Marawi when we evacuated, and to live here in Tagum City for good,” said Macabuat.
On fighting terrorism
AFP calls for collaboration with teachers, parents on radicalization of students
By Leslie Joy Tajale

ALL FOR ONE. AFP Major Hector De Leon told the campus journalists that all the sectors of
society is accountable for the protection of students against terrorism. © Haren Pula

Guarding students from radical thinking which could lead to gangsterism or worse to
terrorism could be countered by maximizing the teachers’ and parent’s role, Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson said.
“Although there are no reports from the barangays yet about recruitment of the youth by
the radical groups like the Maute, we are guarding our youth from them and we are calling
on our parents and teachers to look after the students,” said AFP Major Hector De Leon in an
interview at the New City Hall.
 According to De Leon, teachers should investigate on the whereabouts of students
whenever they are absent so they could be tracked.
“The teachers may do home visitation if the student is frequently absent. This is a big help
in identifying whether students were already influenced by gangsterism,” De Leon added.
Aside from the patrol visibility on areas frequented by gang members, suspected gang
members may also be subjected to counselling together with the parents through our City
Social Welfare Development.
“If parents would just prohibit their teens from going out during night time, then their
thinking would not have been radicalized by these gangs,” De Leon stressed.
De Leon said that students must also assess their reason for saying ‘yes’ to recruitment to
weigh the benefits and the harm they may inflict themselves.
“If students join gang for self-defense, then it would better if they learn taekwondo so
they could defend themselves. Always think of what you can contribute for your country,”
De Leon advised.

Mini-business boosts students’ entrepreneurial skills

Class profit to procure classroom instructional projects
By Leslie Tajale
(picture to follow)

Six sections in the Junior High School of La Filipina National High School adopted the
English Department’s previous Mini-business Project which taught the students to take
responsibility in procuring the food items from the LFNHS Cooperative and selling them.
LFNHS Cooperative President Mrs. Adelina Cerbo said that this project is a big help in
developing the business skills as these sections take products from the canteen without any
capital and return the sales and unsold items at the end of the day.
 “With the 30 percent share of the profit for the sections, the students may feel a sense of
accomplishment since their income may be used for classroom needs,” Cerbo said.
Grade 9 Section Jade which recorded a total profit share of P3000.00 for the month of
June alone projected to purchase a flat screen television for their classroom.
“We did not expect to get a share this big. That is why we are motivated to sell more food
items during recess time because we plan to purchase the TV towards the middle of the year
so we can still use it for our class instruction,” said Class Jade President Ronel Lomo.
Likewise, Class President Joseph Redoble of Garde 10 Apitong said they plan to use to
proceeds to purchase printer for the students since printing their requirement in the internet
café is expensive.
Aside from teaching students to be income-conscious, Cerbo added that this project is a
way to ease the congestion of student-customer at the canteen during recess time because
they can buy the same item in their classroom.
Students send relief goods to war-torn Marawi
By Joshua Pacete and Justynne Keigh Dano

TIE THAT BINDS. Members of the Philippine army receive the goods donated by the
students. © Jaymar Liaging

Brotherhood knows no distance.

As a venue for sending message of friendship to the affected people of Marawi incident,
the student government of La Filipina National High School gathered non-perishable goods
sent to Lanao province through the Philippine Army on June 9, 2017.
Supreme Student Government Jackharry Taturo said that this gesture would be a big
encouragement for the suffering Mindanaoans and a big advocacy among students in
promoting the value of peace though brotherhood.
“It’s not enough to just pray for them. Let our action be the manifestation of our concern,”
Taturo stressed.
Jaserah Rascal, a transferee from Iligan City had also contributed since she could attest to
the need of the evacuees.
“I have contacted some of my friends and they said that their supplies are dwindling. It’s
hard when they simply rely on relief goods,” Rascal said.
This charity work is in response to the donation drive organized by the One Tagumenyo
Youth Movement of the local government unit and Philippine Army 10th Infantry Division
which was participated by four high schools and six elementary schools in the city.
“The relief goods you have contributed is a sign of a Tagumenyo spirit. May you
participate in the next wave of donation drive in the future,” said Organizer Mary Jean
Soriano.
Never detour from duty, vocational immersion partner tells senior high students
By Justynne Keigh Dano

FRIENDLY ADVICE. Big 8 Hotel Human Resource Director Atty. Rachel Guinan reminds
the teachers present of their responsibility during immersion. © Harley Aglosolos

As the first graduating students of the Senior High School of La Filipina National High
School will undergo an 80-hour immersion training this year, technical-vocational business
partner urged students to properly act as future employees expected of them.
“There are rules that we need to follow in our establishment. These must not be violated
especially that our immersion students are very playful since they are still young,” said Atty.
Rachel Guinan, Human Resource Director of the Big 8 Corporate Hotel during the
Stakeholders Forum on July 13 at Veranda, Tagum City.
 According to Guinan, common violations committed by students include carrying
cellphones during duty, bringing an amount of money with them which could be lost, and
using equipment without permission.
“There was even an incident where a student has almost burned one function room
because of carelessness. That is why the teacher in-charge must find to visit them and not
just leave them with us” Guinan added.
To avoid further responsibility on their part, Guinan told the teachers present to remind
the parents not to inquire from them whenever students are absent during immersion since
it is not their role to monitor their whereabouts, and their Memorandum of Agreement is
with the school and not with the parents.
“Although we are not bound to pay for their service, we have to take extra effort in
looking after their performance. If no one will accept these students, then who else will?”
said Guinan.

‘One death is enough’

Transportation agencies caution students vs overloading of single motorcycle
By Ivan Joshua Pacete
THRILL THAT KILLS. A single motorcycle driver takes three passenger students even if it is
beyond the normal load capacity of the vehicle. © Haren Pula

Driver casualties 30
Passenger casualties 16
Pedestrian casualties 15
No. of Operation involved
Minor injury 46
Serious injury 21
Killed 4
Cause of Accident
Human Error 192
Others 141
Vehicle Defect 5
Bad overtaking 2
Source: PNP Traffic Accident Statistics
After the accidental death of a Grade 8 student of La Filipina National High School due to
overloading of six passengers and driver’s error in riding a single motorcycle, students should
learn to weigh things between safety and practicality, Land Transportation Office (LTO)
head said.
According to LTO Tagum District Chief Marietta Piccio in an interview, although most
students who lived in far-flung areas have no choice but to ride a single motorcycle from
home to school and vice versa, they must consider their safety over saving money.
“What’s the use of saving when students are risking their lives. The death of one of your
students should be enough for everybody to learn to value life,” Piccio said.
She furthered that students should go home early so that they could ride on the last trip of
the public utility jeepney, thereby, sparing them from overloading these single motorcycles
since only one rider is allowed as a back rider according to RA 4136 known as the Land
Transportation and Traffic Code.
Parent’s Collaboration
Based on the Traffic Accident Statistic Report from January to June 2017 from the Tagum
City Traffic Management Office (TMO), 114 of the total 529 recorded accidents are of the
motorcycle vehicles which is the reason why the TMO conducted road safety seminar in
different schools and barangays in the city.
“We urge the parents to attend the scheduled seminar so they would give prime
importance on the safety of their children. After all, they have the greatest influence in
warning them not to ride single motorcycles,” said Senior Police Inspector 4 Paulos
Abresaldo.
Barangay Assistance
Because of the limited personnel of the TMO, Abresaldo urged the La Filipina Barangay
Council to designate barangay workers who will help in the implementation of traffic rules.
“If the council decides to assign workers, then we would be very willing to deputize them
and give them proper training,” Abresaldo said.
Constant Reminders
School Principal Mrs. Virginia Maningo said that it is important that both parents and
teachers should keep on reminding the students of the hazards of overloading.
“This incident proves that it’s the thrill that kills because these teens were having a
joyride maybe because they are still very aggressive. They often tend to forget the reminders
of their parents so I hope that even friends can remind other students of the precautions,”
Maningo said.
Barangay council intensifies monitoring of internet cafes during class hours
Owners warned on the revocation of license to operate if caught accommodating students
By Joshua Pacete and Mariene Salva

UNBROKEN VOW. Barangay La Filipina Captain Rudy Corpuz explains how the barangay
council carries out their plan to monitor the internet cafes. ©Cathy Florida

After the consistent prompting of the La Filipina National High School administration,
the barangay council has finally vowed to intensify its monitoring of the internet cafes
operating near the school.
In an interview, Assistant to the Principal Michelle Dano said that six students were
caught playing games in the two internet cafes near the school during class hours which is a
violation to the City Ordinance 227, series of 2006.
“The student’s absenteeism due to this internet cafes is one of the main reasons why most
students failed or dropped out of school. That’s why are very thankful for the move of the
barangay to monitor the operation of these businesses,” Dano said.
On the part of the barangay council, the business owners were called to a consultative
meeting on August 25, 2017 where they were reminded of the existing ordinance prohibiting
them from admitting minors especially students from 8 AM to 5 PM and after curfew hours
by 10 P.M.
“If they will be caught still violating the provisions of the ordinance, then we will
recommend for the cancellation of their permit to operate. If we will report them to the city
government, they may not be able to renew their license,” said Barangay Captain Rudy
Corpuz.
The City Ordinance states that on the third offense by the owners, they shall be fined
P3000 and their business permit shall be revoked by the City Mayor.
“Students have no choice but to stay in school where they are supposed to be, because our
internet café owners promised to refuse students and we will do daily monitoring to make
sure they fulfill their promise,” Corpuz added.
PDEA: La Filipina is drug-free
Barangay council strengthens community-based awareness program to maintain status
By Joshua Pacete and Mariene Salva

VALUES REDEMPTION. Parents embrace their

problematic sons and daughters as an expression of love during the Values Formation
Seminar.
© Haren Pula

It takes a barangay to safeguard a drug-user.

Instead of disposing the identified drug-users, Barangay La Filipina ensured the security of
the drug surrenderees including youth and students as they underwent months of
community-based reformation program resulting to the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency’s (PDEA) declaration of the barangay as Drug-Cleared on August 9.
“We felt elated and at the same time anxious to maintain the status quo but with the
continuing support of our constituents, we may be able to safeguard especially the young,”
Punong Barangay Rudy Corpuz said in an interview.
Based on the profile submitted by the barangay council to the PDEA and the Philippine
National Police, 195 surrenderees were able pass the series of values formation program,
community service program among other requirements of the PDEA, and they were also
tested negative with drugs.
 “Seventy-eight (78) of these surrenderees are youth from different schools whom we will
continue to monitor because PDEA continues to monitor the barangay surenderees within 60
days from the declaration to be fully declared drug-free,” Corpuz added.
The barangay council also continues to hold meetings among residents so that whenever
they witness drug-related activities, they may report directly to the barangay captain’s
personal phone number.
“Everybody needs to get involved in this advocacy. They may directly call or text my
number – 09464623527 for help and assistance,” Corpuz said.

Honor students split over new ranking system

Majority tags it ‘unfair’
By Keigh Dano

Nineteen of the 30 perennial honor students of La Filipina National High School

expressed their dismay over the new ranking system since they will no longer be recognized
according to their degree of labor and performance, The Harbinger Online Survey revealed.
In an interview, consistent honor student Diana Rose Gozon of Grade 11 Mt. Banahaw
said that the competition among students is not so stiff this time since one can qualify as
student with With Honors so long as he can get an average of 90 percent.
“It’s unfair because our efforts would not be recognized. Imagine if I get an average grade
of 94, I will have an equal award of With Honors with those who will get just an average of
90,” Gozon said.
Elmarson Mula of Grade 12 Rizal added that recognition must be given to a student
according to his degree of performance.
“We strived hard but we did not get the recognition we deserve. What does that make of
us?” Mula exclaimed.
 On the other hand, first-time honor student Faith Abegail Sajulga of Grade 10 Narra who
is one of 11 students in favor the New Policy Guidelines on Recognition said that it gives
equal opportunity for learners to excel.
“The new guidelines focused more on developing our performance rather than promoting
competition among students,” Sajulga said.
Ryan Lumagalan of Grade 9 Emerald said that the guidelines also give academic-oriented
students chance to excel even if they do not join extra-curricular activities.
“I am more motivated this time because everybody has an opportunity to excel. It gives us
less pressure since there is less comparison with the brightest or with the most active,”
Lumagalan said.
Unlike the previous guidelines that gives 30 percent weight on co-curricular activities and
70 percent weight on academic performance, the new DepEd Order No. 36, series of 2016
gives separate recognition for the active students excelling in competitions, and awards based
on grades alone with brackets of average grades for With Highest Honors (98-100), With
High Honors (95-97) and With Honors (90-94).

‘Immorality at its worst’

Church condemns thrown aborted child, advices students to value life
By Joshua Pacete and Mariene Salva
TRASHED LIFE. Rev. Father Carmelito Redondo (left) stresses to the campus journalists that
life should not be thrown like the fetus thrown on the grassy backyard (right).

Margie Corpuz, a kindergarten parent, just thought that the offensive smell that
disturbed both the kids and parent during a feeding program on August 5 came from a rotten
rat, but she was shocked to discover that it was from a sunburnt and rotten fetus thrown at
the back of the preschool.
“It’s heart-breaking to discover that the source of the foul smell was a five-month old
fetus of a baby boy. Probably this was dumped four days already, perhaps by a pregnant
student,” said Corpuz in an interview.
When presented with this story in an interview, Rev. Fr. Carmelito Redondo of St.
Michael Parish stressed that abortion is the worst form of immorality which is simply a result
of wrong decision especially of teens.
“This is the fruit of a love at the wrong
time since most teens do not listen to their parents’ advice anymore. They must learn to put
prime importance to life and weigh that enjoyment has an attached responsibility,” Fr.
Redondo said.
To counter this, Fr. Redondo counted the role of the parents in giving love and attention
to students as equally important.
“It’s not enough to send children to school and give them money. Parents should provide
a loving atmosphere so teens won’t be looking for attention from friends who may be a bad
influence,” stressed Fr. Redondo.
After the monitoring by the barangay council, Brgy. Captain Rudy Corpuz concluded in
an interview that the mother may not be from the nearby community since there was no
pregnant women on the record.
“If mothers with unwanted child cannot support the baby, they may ask assistance from
the Department of Social Welfare and Development since the agency has programs that take
care of them,” Corpuz advised.
Math Department advocates deposits from allowance
Online gamers divert extra money to savings
By Janric Velasco

Saving money is a long-forgotten culture.

That is why the Mathematics Department of La Filipina National High School revives
savings by urging students to deposit their extra money of the day at LFNHS Cooperative
which can be withdrawn at the end of the year.
According the Mathematics Master Teacher Adelina Cerbo, the Savings Mobilization
Program is a big help for students to value savings and reap its rewards when the amount
will be withdrawn at the end of the year.
“The four percent interest to the amount deposited encourages students to save through
their class presidents. They will not only receive incentive in grades but it’s an assistance so
they can purchase their personal needs at the end of the year,” Cerbo said in an interview.
Because of this, Cerbo noticed that more of the avid online game player students
confessed to have redirected their waste of money from the internet café to the savings.
Glinner Glinogo of Grade 10 Guijo said that this program was life-changing and
rewarding at the same time.
“This project taught me a lot of things including self-discipline and thriftiness,” Glinogo
said.
As the only school in Davao del Norte Province that implemented this program, Cerbo
added that LFNHS will continue to change lives.
“I have witnessed how this project in my class helped some of my students who were able
to buy new shoes during graduation. Now, it’s institutionalized,” Cerbo added.
Poverty yields non-reader elementary graduates – reading specialists
School appeals for parent’s collaboration
By Cathy Florida and Keigh Dano

Number of Non-Readers from Elementary Feeder Schools

Catalan ES 10
La Filipina ES 5
Mesaoy ES 2
Libuton ES 1
Mankilam ES 1
San Agustin ES 1
Source: Phil IRI Result

How could they graduate in elementary when they are non-readers?

 The twenty Grade 7 assessed non-reader students of La Filipina National High School
alarmed the school administration prompting an investigation on the interventions given by
the six elementary schools where they come from.
In an interview with Catalan Elementary School Principal Daniel S. Tababa which
produced the highest 10 non-reader students, he pointed the lack of assistance at home as the
reason why these students did not show progress.
“Although we have programs like ProjecTeen Basa that allows reading recipients to bring
books at home, parents who belong to the poverty line did not find time to teach their
children because of work, or they themselves do not have the ability to teach,” Tababa said.
Tababa, however, assured the school that they will implement this year the “No Read, No
Pass Policy” as stipulated in the K to 12’s Early Language Literacy and Numeracy Program.
Likewise, Mesaoy Elementary School Reading Specialist Arcelie Mesolis attributed the
non-reading ability to financially-unstable families whose students were frequently absent
because parents may require them to work.
“The two recorded non-readers were probably children of poor parents who do not have
stable job or those who lack positive outlook towards education. Unlike our financially-
stable parents, these parents did not even go to school for a conference,” Mesolis said in an
interview.
LFNHS Reading Coordinator Khristal Therese Aguilar confirmed the same behavior of
non-reader students who do not attend regularly in the reading remediation program.
“I urge our parents to get involved by spending time with their students at night for
follow-up reading. If they can’t, the least that they can do is require their children to
religiously join the remediation schedule,” Aguilar said.

News Analysis
Clubs, student services suffer from school donation deficit
Leader calls for parents’ collaboration
By Joshua Pacete and Bernard Dayon

Total Deficit – P25,000

Araling Panlipunan 24%
School Publication 29%
Voxunito Chorale 34%
Dance Troupe 13%
Source: PTA Statement of Accounts

Since the implementation of the five hundred peso-ceiling for Parent-Teachers

Association (PTA) contribution of La Filipina National High School, services to the students
was decreased evident by the deficit in the collection of four clubs.
Based on the PTA Statement of Accounts, four clubs have a total deficit of P25,186.00
while the Development Fund together with other basic services suffered a P242,013.00
deficit.
“It has been years that we have joined the division competitions yet we were never given
a budget even for the fare and food. We have to shell out from our pockets but we
understand,” said The Harbinger Editor Leslie Tajale.
Likewise, Brass Band Trainer Emmanuel Riña lamented that the music group continued
their training last year even without the hired trainer whose budget was scrapped since the
implementation of the guidelines.
“It was difficult on our part because we have to utilize some of our best students to train
the neophyte music players. What the professional trainer could give is far different from
these students,” said Riña in an interview.
PTA Bookkeeper said that the deficit caused juggling of funds in the collection just to
grant the request coming from the clubs.
A big bulk of the collection comes from the payment of the city and barangay scholars
prompting the PTA President Ruben Bagood to urge the parents to do their obligations as
agreed in the assembly.
“I encourage the parents to take part in the development of their students by contributing
financially to the PTA. This is one way of showing our support to them,” Bagood said.
The P500-ceiling in PTA contribution, stipulated in DepEd Regional Memorandum 102,
s. 2017, was implemented to regulate the voluntary contributions
Due to non-production of paper
Scribes fail to join regional writing tilt
School heads urged to increase PTA collection
(student who was disqualified)
It was a talent wasted.
Due to insufficient funds from the Parent-Teachers Association collection, one school
signified not joining the Regional Schools Press Conference while another school is still
uncertain since producing a school publication would entail large amount of budget.
Laureta National High School School Paper Adviser Shany Lou Gamas said in a phone
interview that it has been three years since they competed up to the division level only.
“Two of our qualifiers were very sad since it was their dream to join the higher
competition but we cannot comply with the regional requirement of producing a paper. The
PTA collection is not enough and our Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)
Fund is also unstable,” Gamas said.
Jose Tuason Jr. Memorial National High School Adviser Felisa Montalban also expressed
uncertainty in joining the RSPC citing the same reason.
“We want our qualifiers to compete this time unlike last year. We hope that our PTA and
school head will find a way to augment the amount needed for the publication,” Montalban
said.
Division Campus Journalism Coordinator Cristy Agudera said…
Concrete fence demanded to curb cutting classes
Accidents loom as students jump over the fence
by Joshua Pacete
CAUGHT IN THE ACT. A student jumps over the fence during class hours despite the danger
of getting hurt. © Jaymar Liaging

Why wait for the inevitable?

With an average of six to ten students jumping over the fence everyday just to escape
from their classes, La Filipina National High School student government leader expressed
fear over the safety of fellow students prompting him to call for action from the school
administration.
“Since our office is located near the fence, we witnessed the looming danger that awaits
our students. We hope that the school will do something because they could either be
injured by the pointed bars of the fence grills or they could be hit by vehicles on the nearby
road when they run for fear of being caught,” Supreme Student Government Jackharry
Taturo said in an interview.
As an answer, School Principal Virginia Maningo said that the administration plans to
request funding from the Special Education Fund of the city government for the replacement
of grills with concrete blocks but is uncertain whether the request will be granted.
“We also plan to request from the PTA probably next year since their priority project this
year is the makeshift building to solve congestion in the classroom,” Maningo explained.
Though the school have roving guards, their number would not be enough to monitor all
the areas in the school during class hours, Maningo said.
“The best thing we could do for now is to urge teachers to constantly remind their
students of staying in school. They can also make learning enjoyable so these students would
not be tempted to escape,” Maningo said.
Follow up Report
Local gov’t concretes gym’s flooring
Students bid goodbye to dusty performance rehearsals
By Joshua Pacete

WISH GRANTED. Workers from the Local Government of Tagum City starts working on the
layout of the flooring of the gymnasium. © Harley Aglosolos

The long wait is over.

After the local executive expressed positive response, in an interview last year, to
complete the flooring of the gymnasium project at La Filipina National High School, the
Local Government of Tagum started fulfilling its promise.
“We are very thankful that this project has started and will supply the concrete flooring
which was not included in the provincial government project last year. The good thing is our
city government has also constructed concrete bleachers,” Maningo said in an interview.
Sheena Mae Mariano of Grade 9 Jasper was very thankful since the students no longer
have to suffer from performing on the uneven ground during the practices for different
activities.
 “We noticed that after an hour period at the gym, our shoes become dusty. Some even
stumbled because of the bulges on the ground,” said Mariano.
According to Maningo, this project is also the answer to the students’ clamor for safety
every time there is a program because they either have to travel to the adjacent elementary
school gym or to cross the risky street for the use of the nearby barangay gym.
“This will also keep our students intact because we already have this facility that we could
call our own. We even plan to purchase, in the future, a big television so that students don’t
have to loiter during lunchtime while waiting for the first period in the afternoon,” Maningo
added.

DEFIED ADVISORY
Motorists play ‘blind’ on speed limit advisory
Speed gun believed to decrease accidents due to over speeding
By Joshua Pacete and Leslie Tajale
MANUAL SPEED GUN. Campus journalists take video of vehicles on a highway to ascertain
if they are following the traffic advisory or not with calculations using speed formula.
© Harley Aglosolos

Accidents from January to June 2017

Brgy. Magdum 30
Brgy. Canocotan 20
Source: PNP Traffic Accident Statistics

Speed Limit Violators by Vehicle Type

Single Motorcycle 54
Car 45
Truck 21
Van 18
Bus 10

One hundred forty-eight (148) of the ____ vehicles were recorded violating the speed
limit despite the traffic advisory as evident by the ten-minute recorded video by The
Harbinger staff on highways of the two barangays of Tagum City on September 21.
When presented with this fact obtained using the formula for speed, Traffic Management
Office Head (TMO) Police Superintendent Cesar Azares admitted, in an interview, that the
advisory was not implemented, so far, due to the absence of speed gun.
Need for Speed Gun
 “Unlike in Davao City whose speed limit is already well implemented, we are on the
process of purchasing four speed guns and we are still waiting for the availability of the
equipment. This is the only way to identify vehicles that overspeed,” said Azares.
Although the budget for speed gun worth P640,000.00 each is already available, Azares
furthered that it takes time since the item will still be purchased abroad.
Work in Progress
The Harbinger recorded surveillance reveals that single motorcycles top the number of
violators with 54, followed by cars and trucks with 45 and 21 violators, respectively.
Despite the number of violators, Azares said that the traffic enforcers cannot fully
implement the speed limit since they are still drafting the Traffic Code.
“The best that we can do right now is information dissemination through signage,” Azares
added.
Risk for Student Commuters
Shiela Mae Tamin of Grade 12 Rizal, a resident along Brgy. Magdum Highway, shared her
fear for her life every time she rides on a single motorcycle whenever tricycle is not
available.
“We have already witnessed too many accidents along the highway and we don’t want to
be the next victim. I hope that speed of vehicles will be regulated,” said Tamin.
Based on the TMO records, Barangay Magdum has a total of 20 accidents recorded from
January to June 2017 while Barangay Canocotan has 30.
Limited Enforcer
Part of the failure, Azares admitted, is the limited number of traffic personnel and there
are also cases when violators may be exempted due to emergency situations like seeking
medical attention.
“The presence of the speed gun has a deterrent effect on drivers. I hope that student
drivers in your school will also follow the speed limit, or else their license would be
revoked,” Azares advised.
Local Exec: Loveless home leads to gangsterism
Teachers urged to be confidant to spare students from hazing
By Leslie Tajale and Cathy Florida
 “Hazing has always been a part of gangsterism. If teachers will just give our students a
loving environment where they are free to share their burdens, then our students may be
spared from harm.”
This was the analysis of Tagum City Allan Rellon in an interview on October 10 when
asked on the city government’s move with regards to gangsterism.
According to ______, _____ gangster groups were identified in La Filipina National High
School and one Grade 9 student, who doesn’t want to be identified, admitted in an interview
with The Harbinger staff that he was subjected to hazing where his body was hit with
slippers upon joining one group.
“This starts at home when students are scolded by parents because of their wrongdoing.
When they go to school, they are still reprimanded by teachers because of low scores in tests.
Only a gang welcomes them that’s why they join,” Rellon said.
Underscoring the importance of teachers, Rellon urged the teachers to play their role as
guidance counselors where students can freely share their burdens.
“If they see students misbehaving, they should talk to them intimately about their
problems. In this way, they would feel being loved in their ‘second home’,” Rellon added.
As for the part of the city government, Tagum City has allocated one million pesos for the
symposium so both students and parents will be educated about their roles.
“Aside from education, the City Social Welfare and Development has created a group that
will roam around the city at night to rescue them and be ferried to their home. Counselling
the parent is equally important,” Rellon said.
Jobs, small-scale business await drug surrenderees
Local gov’t ensures productive life after reformation
By Leslie Tajale and Cathy Florida

(surenderee employment training)

Drug dependents who opted for a new life were not left in vain after undergoing the
rehabilitation program, the local executive said.
According to Mayor Allan Rellon in an interview, after the drug surrenderees have
graduated the five-phase reformation program, they are provided with free skills training so
they will be added to labor force of the city to work in masonry, carpentry and other
infrastructure projects.
“This would encourage the drug users including suspected students in your school to
surrender and choose to be helped. The government will also help those qualified for a small-
scale entrepreneurship through the After Care Program,” Rellon said.
The city government is now on its second phase where about 2,000 enrolled in the
training while those who need serious attention were subsidized by the city government in
the Luntiang Paraiso Rehabilitation Center.
“While it is true that some of them went back to drug pushing and using, and others were
killed where the killer was not yet identified, we do not tolerate the idea that these people
should not be given another chance to life. This is what the intervention program is for,”
Rellon stressed.
With the goal of lessening, if not eliminating the supply of shabu in the city, the local
government strengthened the enforcement of the law through a buy bust-operation.
“We understand that taking drugs is a weakness, that’s why we are doing our best to help
the users. In fact, some of our employees were reappointed after undergoing the program,”
Rellon said.
Local gov’t-funded mini-hotel ensures mastery of skills for employment
Nearby hotel assures job for quality Senior High graduates
By Joshua Pacete and Marienne Salva

REAL WORLD. Food and Bevarage

One of its kind in Tagum City, the newly-constructed mini-hotel in La Filipina National
High School will ensure that the skills needed to land a job for Technology and Livelihood
tracks will be mastered by students, the local executive said.
According to Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon in an interview on October 10, this project
of the local government is a manifestation of partnership and commitment of the local
executive for the K to 12 curriculum.
“This P2.5 million-worth project from the Special Education Fund will give your students
an edge because they will get acquainted with the actual environment where they will work
in the future,” Rellon said.
 In an interview, Golden Palace Hotel Operation Superintendent Manuel Virgilio Navas
said that the mini-hotel will empower students on the basics of Housekeeping, and Food and
Beverage Services.
“Your facility is very helpful because it serves as training ground. When they excel in
skills and they have the right attitude, I’m sure we can offer them a slot in our workforce,”
Navas added.
Jerson Montaos of Grade 11 Sierra Madre said that the facility has given them venue for
their hands-on activity.
“Before, we were just imagining when we have our workshop. Now we already practice
how to do it in the actual working place,” Montaos said.

Students clamor for efficient traffic management during rush hours

P60 million traffic light project to lessen vehicle congestion
By Leslie Tajale and Cathy Florida

Demand for Traffic Light

Yes No
80% 20%
Source: The Harbinger Online Survey

Unsatisfied with the way the traffic personnel managed the traffic during rush hours, La
Filipina National High School students wanted the government to establish traffic lights on
strategic intersections, a survey said.
In an online survey conducted by The Harbinger on October 16, 2017, 354 students of the
444 students believed that it is a high time for the local government to replicate nearby cities
on managing traffic with the use of traffic lights.
“We have noticed that traffic officers were not consistent with their job. Even if there
were already congestion, we witnessed that some were just chit chatting at the corner
causing us to be late in school,” ________ lamented.
When presented with the result of the survey, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon in an
interview bared its plan to allocate P60 million for the traffic light on seven intersections in
the city.
“These traffic lights will prevent accidents and make the flow of the traffic orderly,”
Rellon said.
Traffic Management Office Head Police Superintendent Cesar Azares said in an interview
that the proposed traffic lights are installed with CCTV so they can implement no contact
apprehension.
“Even if we have the traffic light, we still need our traffic personnel in cases where there
is power interruption. They may also be assigned in school to protect our students in crossing
the streets,” Azares added.
Girl scout empowers community with livelihood
Jobless parents start their own candle-making business
By Cathy Florida and Leslie Tajale

PAYBACK TIME. A girl scout demonstrates to the parent how to make a candle as a source
of income. © Leslie Tajale

It is time to give back.

To keep the fire of the scouting advocacy burning, a girl scout of La Filipina National
High School pioneered a livelihood program in the community to empower unemployed
parents.
Scout Justynne Keigh Dano of Grade 10 Narra taught the community parents of LFNHS
students of Purok 2B, Barangay La Filipina which is near the public cemetery, on how to
make a candle.
“I always believe that knowledge is power. By giving our community parents the
knowledge and skills for livelihood, there is no reason they cannot support their family
financially,” Dano said in an interview.
 According to Simplesia Rivera, 60, grandmother of a Grade 12 student, this livelihood is a
great help because she learned how to start her own micro business.
“I am really selling candles at the cemetery but I just purchased candle before. This time I
have bigger income since I am the one making the product with cheaper raw materials,”
Rivera said in an interview, ____ months after the first conducted training.
With 375 pieces of candles as an output per session, Rivera, among the 25 beneficiaries of
the training, can earn P2000.00 to P4000.00 every production
“I hope that the beneficiaries can sustain the project,” Dano remarked.
This project is one of the advocacies of the Girl Scout of the Philippines to develop the
leadership of young girls.

Grethchen Ho to campus scribes: Aim for the heart, more than the gold
By Janric Velasco
PRACTITIONER’S VIEWPOINT. Broadcast Journalist Gretchen Ho shares to the campus
journalists how sports contributed to her present job. © Harley Aglosolos

Athlete-turned-journalist Gretchen Ho advised the campus journalists of La Filipina

National High School to develop the heart for producing the best stories, more than winning
in the competition.
“Your job as a journalist will develop your heart to aim for excellence in what you do.
Developing this character is more than winning gold in the competition,” Ho said in an
interview of The Harbinger staff during the 2017 Palarong Pambansa coverage in San Jose,
Antique.
As a lesson from being a successful volleyball player, Ho added that the secret to success is
constant practice, humility and admitting ones’ mistakes.
“Look for stories that inspire our fellow Filipinos so they will have the hope to succeed
just like the people we featured in our stories,” Ho advised.
She added that the coverage of young journalist to the national event is a good training so
they could reach their dreams.
“With this experience, both the athletes and the journalists will have the opportunity to
assess their own strengths and weaknesses. This is the basis for choosing their track in the
future and I’m sure they will reach their destination,” Ho furthered.
The 2017 Palarong Pambansa is the first national sporting event that invited campus
journalists, who are winners of the National Schools Press Conference, to cover the different
events together with professional journalists.
Outputs from the student writers such as articles, video blogs, photo essays and live
reports were featured in RapplerX, an online page developed by online news agency Rappler.
Follow-up Report
Students still smoke despite ordinance
City gov’t assures penalizing erring stores

HARMFUL FREEDOM. Caught in a surveillance camera, students bravely display their

smoking despite city ordinance prohibiting smoking near school vicinity. © Jaymar Liaging

The implementation of the ordinance was still a failure.

After The Harbinger reported cases of smoking students last year to the barangay captain
and promises were made, still ___ students were found smoking in a three-day surveillance
by the staff because ___ out of ___ stores within 100 meters still sell cigarettes.
 When asked about the problem, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said in an interview on
October 10, that the stores that are still selling cigarettes despite the city ordinance should be
penalized.
“If you witnessed that these store owners are selling cigarettes to our students, please
report them to the city government, so they will pay the appropriate penalty. Our students’
health should be protected,” Rellon said.
Based on the copy of the City Ordinance No. 703, s-2015 obtained by The Harbinger,
violators are penalized with P1,000.00 or one month imprisonment on the first offense,
P2,500.00 or two months imprisonment on the second offense, and P5,000.00 or four month
imprisonment on the third and subsequent offenses.
“Aside from the regular enforces of laws like the Philippine National Police, the Chief
Executive may deputize to enforce this ordinance by creating enforcement team for every
barangay,” Section 15 of the city ordinance states.
On the part of the barangay council, Barangay Captain Rudy Corpuz said that their team
were occasionally monitoring.
“I have already given my number to the public so any student can report any incident so
that I could direct my team to monitor,” Corpuz said.
Supreme Student Government Jackharry Taturo hoped that the barangay council will
regularly monitor the stores.
“It’s disturbing to see that our students smoke. One way of stopping this is paralyzing the
source, so we hope that these stores would be penalized,” Taturo said.

Community News Bits

ASEAN Scout Jamboree opens doors for inclusive education

By Leslie Tajale

Tagum City will open its doors to 25 countries for the exchange of ideas and best practices
in education as it hosts the 6th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Scouting Jamboree on
November 27 to December 2, the local executive said.
In an interview on October 10, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said that this is the best
venue to educate the ASEAN brothers of the Filipino culture and the Tagumenyo student
scouts will also learn of their culture.
“With the exchanges of ideas and the friendship to be fostered, students from other
countries may be compelled to study here and scouts from your school may also be
encouraged to study in other countries,” Rellon said.
New route set as billion-flyover project starts
Students advised to prepare early to school due to possible heavy traffic
By Joshua Pacete

As a means of solving the traffic on

Tagum City’s National Road, the proposed flyover project may give way to other provincial
roads as new route, which may cause heavy traffic as vehicles pass this way, the Traffic
Management Office (TMO) head said.
According to TMO Police Superintendent Cesar Azares in an interview, the P2.7 billion-
project from Quirante II to Lapu-lapu Extension may cause heavy traffic to Mankilam Road
to be utilized as the new route where most of La Filipina National High School students
reside.
“Students need to adjust their schedule if they do not want to be late in school.
Pointers in News Writing
 Maintain a one-sentence, one-paragraph structure
 No need to put quotation mark on quotation headline
Ex. “Mind-setting is the key to win”-Aglosolos
Instead:
Mind-setting is the key to win – Aglosolos

 Subject-Verb-Object Headline
Ex.
Journalism speaker urges writers to train hard
Journalism speaker urges writers to set mind to winning

Manunulat, hinikayat na ibigay ang lahat sa treyning

Manunulat, hinakayat na isipin ang pagkapanalo

 Use action words instead of be-verbs

 Use present tense verb in the headline but past tense verb in the body so long as it is
not statement of facts
 Use third person for indirect quote
 Numbers are always written in words when used as first word of the paragraph

Start with the verb in Filipino

Ex.
 Binigyang-diin ng isang batikang manunulat na ang pagkapanalo ay nag-uugat sa walang-
katapusang pag-eensayo at pananalig sa Diyos sa ginanap na Journalism Training and
Workshop sa Carmen Certral Elementary School.
Ayon kay Harley Aglosolos, tagapagsanay ng Harbinger, kailangang puspusan ang
treyning ng manunulat sapagkat dito lang mahahasa ang kanilang kasanayan.
“Nag-eensayo nga kami ng aming mga manunulat kahit Sabado at Linggo. Sana gawin din
ninyo ito,” sabi ni Aglosolos sa wikang Ingles.
Dagdag pa niya, kailangan ding matutunang tanggapin ng manunulat ang mga puna ng
mga tagapagsanay.
“Accepting corrections is a sign of maturity,” dagdag pa niya.

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