Why continue?

          Cavite National Science High School is a prestigious institution. It is the home of refined, intelligent, industrious, hardworking students and the epitome of successful professionals. Studying here, even just passing the 3 entrance tests, is an honor. So asking myself, why do I need to continue studying here? Is it because of the honor? The title? The praises I'll receive once people knew I study here? Of course not.
          Settling on where to go to high school is a life-changing decision. So why Cavite National Science High School? It is because I opted to. It was never just the decision of my parents, but mine as well. I will continue my studies here because I've already worked hard for what I have and where I am now. Those two years I’ve spent are already part of the reason of why I think I should continue studying here. I’ve started my journey already, why end it? All the efforts, time, hard work, and even all the sleepless nights and headaches I've had, they’re all worth it. I would not give up the chance graduating at a very prestigious institution where I've already spent everything. This is my dream. Why would I give it up?

          Cavite National Science High School made me a better person. I am not that little naive girl anymore whose ideas are only within her box. I came out of that box. Because of Cavite National Science High School, I've learned to work to my limit, to be open to anything good or bad, to accept and be grateful for every opportunity and to acknowledge those negatives as lessons to strengthen me and not to destroy me. Cavite National Science High School helped me conceal my emotions especially in times when I badly needed to. Here, I've also learned to value people's trust and to reserve mine for worthier people. I've also learned to appreciate even the littlest things. I became a better person here in Cavite National Science High School.

          So why continue studying here? Because I've worked hard for it and it is worth it.

For the Country

'Ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo...' ♪♫

          The final line of the Philippines' national anthem. I never thought that this line will be for real. I know it's not an empty promise, but I hoped, deep in my heart, that it won't happen again- Filipinos sacrificing their lives for our country's sake like the times when we were under the Spaniards' control. Now, they fought for peace, against our fellow Filipinos.

          The Fallen 44 did their part. 12 hours of continuous fighting and the mere mission itself was suicidal. But don't you think it is now our turn to seek justice for them and continue the fight for peace without violence?

          Where are you, President Aquino? What will you do? Where are the other officials? What will they do? What will WE do?

          To the Fallen 44, we wanted you to feel our heartfelt gratitude and salute to each and every one of you. For sacrificing yourselves, even when you had the idea of what the results will be.  For fighting for peace. For fighting for our country.

          Saludo kami sa inyo!

Inferno: The CNSHS Way

            Students of Cavite National Science High School, though more refined and disciplined, violate policies once in a while. We were asked to do our own version of Inferno from the violations in CNSHS, and here's mine.

            Upon entering, the disciplinary officer of the school will assign the circle of violation and will assess its degree. Each violator will have their corresponding disciplinary measures, corresponding to their violation and its degree.

9 CIRCLES OF HELL: CNSHS VERSION

1.      Littering

            Everyone has committed this once or more in their stay. This includes leaving wrappers or plastic bottles anywhere most especially in the canteen and the room or ignoring the trashes seen around. The disciplinary measure would be extra time in cleaning a certain area to help the violators realize the importance of cleanliness.

2.      Being Boisterous

            The school implements a no-shouting policy so unnecessary noise should also be reduced. The violations in this circle include shouting and being stubborn in following orders to maintain peace and order in the school premises. The disciplinary measure would be an oral warning.

3.      Wrong or Incomplete Uniform

            A uniform is the representation of the institution the students go. It is an identity. Violations include: (girls) no ribbon, wrong length of skirt, rolling up of sleeves; (boys) wrong pants, wrong polo; (both) no patch, wrong shoes. The disciplinary action that would take place is the request for a written explanation and to be excused from class due to the wrong uniform, an excuse letter would also be demanded.

4.      No ID

            The identity of the individual student and the school depends on the Identification Card. It helps other people recognize the student and the school at the same time. If the student went to school without his / her ID, whether forgetting it at home, or lost, or intentionally leaving the ID at home, an oral warning would be given, with a request of excuse letter from the parent / guardian and a written warning stating the reason why the student went to school without an ID as disciplinary measures.

5.      Not punctual

            A person should be punctual at all times. If a student arrives late at any moment in the school day, whether in the morning, at lunch time or in any subject, he / she will be considered absent for the subject he / she attended late. But, this would only happen if there is no valid reason and proof. If there is no valid reason, aside from being considered absent, a written explanation and an excuse letter signed by the parent would be requested. The guards for this circle are the student officers.

6.      Not punctual in submitting homework or projects

            Punctuality should also be observed in submitting homework and projects. A deadline is given to mark the end of the submission time. If proven late without any valid reason, the project or the homework will have deductions depending in the teacher.

7.      No Parents’ Signature on Homework or Project

            Another CavSci trademark is the obligation to have a parents’ signature on every homework or project passed. The signature testifies that the student did the work at home and not at school where there are chances of copying from other classmates. If a work is passed without a PS, corresponding deductions would be given. But if there is a PS but is forged by the student itself, a deduction would be given together with a request for a written explanation with the parent’s signature.

8.      No Homework or Project

            Every student is obliged to comply with all the works given to them. If a student was not able to submit, a written warning would be sent to the parents and the student may get a 0 or only 50% of the grade for that specific homework or project, according to the teacher.

9.      Skipping Classes

            Skipping Classes is a very serious offense. Whether it was a whole section, a circle of friends, or even just a student, who skipped classes without any valid reason is considered a very grave offense. The students involved will be marked absent for the class, gaining a 0 score for every activity done, and will be given a written warning calling the attention of the parents regarding the matter.

                        Somehow in a students’ life, one had already violated policies once or more. Everyone knows what their violations and mistakes are and knows where they belong in these 9 circles of hell.

Unity in Him

            The greatest influence the papal visit left us Filipinos is the unity and stronger faith. It was well observed from the beginning of the preparation until the last day of the visit. From the works done to the arrangement of security measures and to the events held, the Filipinos unquestionably proved that we are united. This Papal visit wouldn’t be a success if there is no unity.

            The greatest example to show unity is the last mass of the Pope held at the Quirino Grandstand. The Pope was able to gather a crowd of 6, 000, 000 and more. And even with this massive number, the number of crimes was less than that of the usual number of crimes with the usual number of people in the Metro Manila.

            A lot of people also expressed their thoughts in having stronger faith because the Pope visited our country. Not because they treat him as God, but because of the messages he left. He was able to help every single person in the Philippines to understand and feel God’s love for us. Even the non-Catholics were amazed by the Pope’s message.

            The Pope is a great man, excluding him being the Pope. He was capable of uniting a massive crowd of not only Catholics but also the non-Catholics and leaving heartfelt messages to everyone. The influence his visit left us isn’t to be identified by one, but everyone. The Filipinos know themselves what the Pope left us and I think, it should be long-terms. We should also remember that the Pope is not next to God, nor the representation of God. He is just a normal person like us, but the highest leader of the church.

Modern Heroes

            Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs, our modern heroes. Their title as modern heroes can’t be denied because it is what they really are. They raise the economy of our country and in their own way, help decrease the levels of poor people through their own families, but little did we know, they suffer a lot abroad.

            Not because they stay in a far modernized country means they live lavishly. What they earn can’t be obtained just by staying in a country but they work hard for it and endure all the pain and the homesickness. From common conversations with OFWs, they said that homesickness is their greatest foe. To support their families is the only thing that makes them bear the feeling of being away. They endure the sad thoughts of what will happen to the family they left. Not all cases of working abroad go down to success, some results to abuse by the foreign employer- whether physically, financially or emotionally and worse, broken families. Some were badly treated by the people in that foreign country. Setting aside the compliment that Filipinos are hardworking and industrious, most of the foreigners think of our OFWs as low-lying people and inferior to them. We must see all the struggles, the hardships and the pain they experience for the sake of supporting their families left in their hometown.

            For me, our OFWs are truly the heroes of our modern times. But, we couldn’t let more OFWs sacrifice their lives abroad. Our government doesn’t provide sufficient efforts to help our modern heroes. And also, the number of skilled workers in our country is badly decreasing because they go abroad to earn more and because of this, our country will suffer 'brain drain'. According to http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/brain_drain.asp, brain drain is “A slang term for a significant emigration of educated or talented individuals. A brain drain can result from turmoil within a nation, from there being better professional opportunities in other countries or from people seeking a better standard of living.” Yes, OFWs may help raise our economy in a way but don’t you think that the working for the rise of our country is better?

Romeo and Juliet: An alternative ending

Romeo and Juliet

"The After-Journey"

            After Romeo killed himself, Paris stirs, waking up from his pretend death. He looks into the tomb and sees Juliet awake, mourning the death of her husband. Paris sensed a movement from behind the trees so he stood up and looked for a place to hide. From there he saw Friar Lawrence and his struggle to convince Juliet not to kill herself too. Juliet follows the Friar out of the tomb and they went to the Capulet’s home.

            The Capulet’s were astonished to see Juliet alive. With Friar Lawrence and the Nurse’s testimonies, the whole story was told to the Head of Capulet. Soon enough, Paris followed to the mansion and everyone rejoiced at seeing the both of them alive.

            On the other side, the Montague’s are grieving for Romeo’s death. They decided to leave Verona and go to Mantua to stay there for good, with all of their servants. No trace of the Montague’s was left in Verona. This action made way for peace.

            Paris and Juliet were married soon after.  Just weeks after the marriage, they found out that Juliet was pregnant. The Capulet’s held a grand party for this event. When the time came that Juliet was about to give birth, she had a hard time and died shortly after giving birth to a baby boy.

            “Why is it that the boy doesn't look like you, Count Paris? He doesn’t look like my Juliet either.” The nurse exclaimed upon seeing the baby. This was ignored by the Capulet’s for they are too happy about the baby, but also grieving for Juliet’s death. Years passed by and the little boy is growing up. The unnoticed fact can’t be overlooked now. The boy sure looks like Romeo!

Just for you, our hero and inspiration

      She may be the toughest, the strictest, and somehow the most terrifying teacher I've met, but she will still be my inspiration.

      The first time we met wasn't the meeting I wanted to. She was our last period teacher and the first day was dreadful. From all of the news we've heard about her, it was somehow alright if we were parrying to her.

      But as soon as the classes started, we saw her true intentions to leave a legacy to us her students through teaching us by the heart. Even though no one escapes her strictness, she still shows the purpose behind these. She cares and is concern that's why she corrects our mistakes. The lessons she taught us are the lessons I'm keeping until I grow old.

      Sadly, she isn't our teacher anymore. But, at times that my classmates and I remembers her, our deepest gratitude will forever be there and we won't forget her.

      We may be scared and all, but Ma'am Pareja, please do remember us and our love and thanks to you. You're our hero and inspiration.