Unfortunately, we were not able to be together and complete during the Foundation Week due to certain circumstances. So we decided to improvise…
Well, it does not have to be Foundation Day to have a little fun, right?
The RQW Crew. From the left: Judiel Edward Villones, Johann Mark “jo” Vistal, Gabriel Jenthre Fernandez, Jennycel Kate Colipano, Marycris Israel.The RQW Crew Jumpshot (we actually suck at this hahahaha).The RQW Crew smiling with the Senior High School Principal, Dr. Richard E. Pilapil, Ed.D.The RQW Crew with drawing labelled as Sir Clyde, the crew’s class advisor (we could not find him).
Unfortunately, our dear Sheerah Abigail Ybañez was not around during the photoshoot, so here is a photo of her to make up for her absence:
Sheerah Abigail Ybañez during one of the market trips the DSPC delegates made at Balamban, Cebu.
Despite the fact that we formed this group as a performance task, we have grown to be fond of one another. To be honest, this whole ordeal has been a pain at the bum but this activity has also been something that we needed. We have always wanted campus journalism to have some form of exposure.
This is the exposure it needed (though it really came at a really, REALLY bad time).
Miss Lisa, if you’re reading this, we just want to say thank you for giving us this opportunity.
San Roque College de Cebu celebrates its 26th Founding Anniversary last February 8-11, 2018. A lot of things had happened on this week; students, the faculty, school administrators, parents and guests alike have enjoyed themselves during the event with its numerous and interesting activities.
Booths, food stands, field demonstrations, the most anticipated Talent’s Quest and Battle of the Bands and Family Day are some of the major events everyone has been looking forward to.
Below is a gallery of photos taken during the events of Foundation Week.
One of the school buses that transports families from SRCDC to D’Family Park and vice versa during the Family Day. (Photo by: Jennycel Kate Colipano)The Israel Family strikes their pose and was having a good time during Family Day (Photo by: Marycris Israel)These grade 11 students are having a good time while singing during their trade fair. (Photo by: Gerlie Antolijao)The instrumentalist of the choir, RQW’s very own Marycris Israel, during the mass at D’Family Park is willing to serve for the greater glory of God. (Photo by: Jennycel Kate Colipano)Strike a pose and have a picture with Milford Chan at the Tam-is ni bai stall located in front of the TLE room. (Photo by: Gerlie Antolijao)These three primary students are having fun by playing with water guns and bubbles during the family day at D’ Family Park. (Photo by: Marycris Israel)These senior high students are spending their last Foundation Day here in SRCDC by having a good time and making memories out of it. (Photo by: Jennycel Kate Colipano)The Grade 7 students are getting ready for their field demonstration at the D’Family Park grounds. (Photo by: Jennycel Kate Colipano)These two primary students are having a great talk while walking by the pool during the Foundation Day. (Photo by: Jennycel Kate Colipano)The facade of the Junior High School Building, the largest building in the campus. (Photo by: Jennycel Kate Colipano)
Most Philippine schools are so focused with nurturing the academic intelligence and potential of students with the curriculum and the educational system that center around the said type of intelligence. However, this system isolates those who excel in other disciplines such as the arts, sports, music, dance and the like but struggle with the fields of mathematics and science or just academics in general. There are only few opportunities for other intelligence as the system prioritizes academically excellent students. It creates this division among students where the academically excellent are considered the ideal and smart students while the rest are mediocre.
This is an injustice as the division can cause cases of discrimination on those who are academically challenged.
We believe that there should be equal treatment and opportunities for students in this demographic. The Philippine’s educational system needs to change into one that is inclusive for all students with other intelligence aside from academics.
It can be observed that schools prefer to measure student capabilities via academic performance simply for the ease of grading students. As physical and artistic performance tend to be deeper and as such harder to grade since the educator should have enough credibility to even do so in the first place. This is unfair and the core injustice of the whole issue; academic performance is indeed important but thinking long-term, multiple activities like music, art, or self-developed talents are as important as these help students in their spatial reasoning, artistic expression, etc. These are also more practical and useful than stored academic knowledge in daily activities that are most likely to be forgotten and even unused in their professions years after learning them.
Though we cannot deny the fact that there are specialized schools (such as A. Salonga Music Center in Cebu for music and Adamson University in Manila offering an athlete program) that offer such opportunities, they do not justify the inclusiveness of the educational system as a whole. Not everyone can afford going to these kinds of schools as not everyone has the finance to do so. The system needs to allocate those who are musically, artistically, and athletically excellent (to name a few) in all schools, especially public schools. This is because of the fact that most students suffer at school because they are struggling and failing at succeeding in the fields of conventional academics. Although conventional academics are indeed essential as it is considered basic education, there should also be modules of the system that dedicate time for learning and practicing the arts, music, dance, sports and the like. Though the current system has Physical Education (PE) and Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) subjects integrated, it still does not justify anything as the time allocated for these fields could not top up to the time dedicated to conventional academics.
As mentioned earlier, there are cases of discrimination associated with students excelling in other fields but not academics. The change is necessary because students of this demographic are slowly losing their confidence and motivation to study and to learn. These students feel isolated and left out by the system because they could not express their specializations and unique skills at school to compensate for their academic shortcomings. There are people, even parents, that berate these students for struggling in academics and the praises for their other crafts are lacking, minimal or half-hearted and unconcerned. This leads to the deterioration of their morale and motivation to excel because what is the point of excelling anyways if they feel discriminated by the system? They also develop self-esteem issues and the sense of inferiority because they feel like they’re never going to be good enough for the educational system. However, they should be proud and appreciated for their unique talents but the system puts them down if they do not excel in academics.
To wrap this up, we believe that the academic-normative system should change in a way that is accommodating to students who excel in other fields other than academics because the system is unfair and discriminating and it lacks the opportunities and inclusiveness for all students of all intelligence. The educational system of the Philippines is not perfect but with changes, reforms and considerations made, we believe that it will indeed improve the quality of education in the country.
After all, we are all unique in our own different ways and we should uphold and express our uniqueness without the fear of discrimination and rejection from society.
The Department of Education (DepEd) established a program that gives the school an option to let all students in the K to 12 program to undergo Work Immersion. This program allows the students to temporarily work or expose themselves to companies and work environments that will help them gain experience in the workplace to be used in their future jobs. San Roque College de Cebu (SRCDC) supports this and lets their students take part in this program.
The institution stated did well in partnering with companies that complement the chosen courses of their students. They contacted each company professionally and with utmost respect and majority of the students were placed in their desired workplaces. Although they successfully placed their students in their desired field, the institution still have some lapses that have to be addressed.
SRCDC failed to plan a specific time that would not interrupt any schedules for the Immersion program for the other departments. Students were not deployed at the same time, allowing some to miss classes, learn different topics and even skip class just to finish the program before the deadline. Students who were deployed in late January had to skip 2-3 weeks of class while students deployed in December had the freedom to get in class or their company any time they wanted.
“A group of STEM students being immersed at Shemberg Marketing Corporation listening to their instructor. They are one of the last batches of students to be immersed.”
This puts students in a learning disadvantage and could risk their chances of graduating. Grade 12 students are already stacked with workloads, assignments, thesis, performance tasks and especially the upcoming finals exams. The bad schedule of the work immersion affects the students’ work and study habits.
This problem does not only affect the students though, this also affects the teachers. Teachers have been complaining that no one gets inside their class anymore because of the immersion. The students can’t be blamed for this due to the fact that they have a deadline to catch and that they don’t have any other choice but to get inside their designated companies. It affects the teacher’s academic plans for the students and it requires a lot of adjusting for both the student and the teacher that may be impossible to make.
Students are expected to finish their immersion before the final semester ends. Hopefully in the following years, SRCDC would implement a specific time, whether it may be a month or weeks for students to accomplish their work immersion; that way the teachers can teach at the same time and the students can learn at the same time.
Being a student involves doing a lot of work and tasks, usually all at the same time. This creates a lot of tension, pressure and stress for students as they are bombarded with works and activities. However, this is also necessary for them to undergo such stress to be prepared for what is to come in the future. This practice of immersing students with multiple tasks and works is said to train their multitasking, time management and task prioritizing skills.
However, many of us can say that all the tension, pressure and stress experienced are too much. They are debilitating to the point that most students are not able to function properly or are weakened to the point of exhaustion. This system of constant stress and exhaustion is an injustice to the student body.
Educators argue with the notion that this system is necessary training for us students. We completely agree with this; we indeed do need to be well prepared to face the real world. However, what is the point of doing this if the training and the exposure to academic works are too complicated and extreme for most people?
What is the point of subjecting students to stress that is too much for most of them to handle, leading them to experience several complications in their bodies and minds?
Educators also have a point stating that ever since the change on the national curriculum, adjustments and trials must be made, but this does not justify why students have to suffer a lot more than usual. There is always a threshold or a limit for everything and everyone. Unfortunately, most school tasks and systems go beyond what is required and how much work an average student is capable of finishing in a set period of time and in a given set of circumstances.
Everything is too much.
What is there to expect from a student who has three major projects, two reports and loads of paper works to be accomplished on the same week aside from a stressed, exhausted and mentally drained individual? Instead of complying with what is required, educators should focus on how capable students are in accomplishing the task along with other tasks. Their physical, mental and emotional health should also be considered.
Students are humans, not machines that are expected to function well under stressful and chaotic circumstances and conditions. As humans, we have a lot of things to focus on in life; family life, social life, work life, personal life, academic life and so much more. We also have our own needs since we are high-maintenance beings. Where one’s priorities lie also depend on their circumstances and situations.
One’s academic life should not and should never overshadow the other aspects of one’s life. There should be a balance to be achieved. How can balance be achieved if one aspect overweighs the rest? Yes, we must compromise but what is the point of compromising and sacrificing other parts of our lives if we’re to be left exhausted, unhappy overwhelmed in the end? Do all the potential benefits of being subjected under such stress justify the sleep deprivation, health issues and complications and mental deterioration of most students?
The system needs to change. There is time for everything. Not everything has to be about and has to be centered on academics. There should be time allocated for the students to unwind and focus on other things. Being imprisoned in a long cycle of irresponsible and insensitive academic works is not good for one’s physical, mental and emotional state.
In regards to this, it can be observed that grades are more prioritized than actual learning. Grades, along with their behaviors and demeanors, are what label students into different kinds. The academically smart ones excel while the rest at the other end of the spectrum are left to eat their dust, wondering why they are not good enough. The system of grades defining one’s status as a person should never lead one to discrimination, attacks on character and the constant feeling of never being good enough. This defeats the notion of “education for all”, praising the ones who excel and condemning those who could not. There should be equity and fairness for all students. The system should have focused on real actual learning rather than a demoralizing merit system that divides students into labels.
The educational system right now is really damaging for students because it’s too much; it compromises students’ other priorities and their own physiological and psychological health, and subjects them to extreme stress. It also divides students into labels that present opportunities for discrimination and cases of ad hominem. As a group that believes in justice and fairness, we believe that the system needs to change. The system needs to conform to students’ needs, capabilities and work capacities, as well as their individual strengths, weaknesses and circumstances. We need a system that is sensitive, considerate and competent towards the training of the students and likewise their health and circumstances.
As the ones, who are entrusted with the future, we, the student youth, need to be alive, capable and sane to even live through the future in the first place, how much more work to make it better for everyone.
On February 10, 2018, the Sitio Orchids left home with the title as first placers for the Full Band category in the Battle of the Bands which was held in San Roque College de Cebu, Main Campus.
Sitio Orchids strike a pose . From the left: Patrick Joel Mag-asin (vocalist), Jaymar Saso (vocalist), Ian Sean Delos Santos (bassist), Dawrin Ferdienick Galan (rhythm guitar), Jericho Louis Tampos (lead guitarist) and Nicholas Brent Luardo(drummer). (Source: Jericho Louis Tampos-Facebook)
They are an ensemble of grade 12 boys and their members include Patrick Joel Mag-asin and Jaymar Saso (vocalists), Jericho Louis Tampos (lead guitarist), Darwin Ferdienick Galan (rhythm guitarist), Ian Sean Delos Santos (bassist), and Nicholas Brent Luardo (drummer).
Even though they were the last contestant for the Battle of the Bands, they easily brought the audience’s energy back to full charge with their outstanding performance. The songs they presented were all OPM specifically Noypi by Bamboo, Palagot sa Kontra by Phylum, and an additional song requested by the audience themselves which was Hallelujah by Bamboo.
In an interview, the band stated that they wanted to join Battle of the Bands because this was their last year in SRCDC and they simply wanted to make people happy with their performance.
The Sitio Orchids emphasized that they will play OPM upon their performance, but why OPM? “Because Filipinos nowadays forget what it’s like to listen to their own music.” replied Jericho Tampos, “ We also want to raise awareness through this competition because we want to make a difference in maintaining and restoring the culture of OPM.”
They were then asked what they thought brought them to the fruit of their glory. Vocalist Patrick Mag-asin says “Maybe our togetherness because in a band, we must work as a team. Without cooperation, the music we play would sound bad. That is why we believe cooperation and teamwork made us win the competition.”
It was obvious that the Sitio Orchids made a great impact with their music and lifted the hearts of many. It is always important to enjoy the music you play and share your talents.
A message they would like to dedicate to the other bands and future contestants would be to never settle for basic. You should work hard and practice until you got it right. No band would be successful without going through hardships and great effort.
Students from different grade levels in the high school department engaged in friendly competition for the annual Science Quiz Bowl last January 24, 2018 held in San Roque College de Cebu – Main Campus.
YATI, LILO-AN – The month of January is also known as the “Math and Science Month.” This month invites all kinds of activities from both subjects. The Science Quiz Bowl is one of the highlights during this month. For the event, there were 4 teams that competed and these teams composed of six members spanning from Grade Seven to Grade 12 students.
Teams are required to work together to grab the victory. The teams are tasked to answer the questions asked by the emcee correctly and the team with the most points brings home the bacon. The event starts off with an Easy round, this round features basic and fundamental lessons and is expected to be an ease for the contestants. It is then followed by the Average or Medium round, this round emphasizes on questions often known by the contestants. The last round is the difficult round, this round requires teamwork and communication within the teams to come up with an answer.
“It was thrilling and at the same time enjoyable since it feels like I am evaluating myself if I still remember the topics” said Jyca Therese Livelo, a Grade 12 – Advertence student and one of members of the winning team.
The culminating activity finished with other activities for the month like the “Math-Sciyaw.” These types of activities help the students become motivated to learn and engage in more academe-related activities.
San Roque College de Cebu will soon celebrate its 26th founding anniversary this coming February 8-11, 2018.
YATI, LILO-AN – This celebration serves as a thanksgiving event for the prosperity & success of the school throughout the years. It starts with two-day founding anniversary celebration within the school premises then ends with a family day that is to be held at D’Family park at Talamban, Cebu.
It starts with a thanksgiving mass that is to be held at the San Roque Parish Yati. One of the most exciting events of the Foundation day is the opening of different booths like jail booth, movie booth and etc.
This celebration will also showcase the different talents of the Roquenian students which will only show how competitive & versatile they are. The different contests are singing dancing & the most awaited contest of all: the battle of the bands. The winners of this showcase will receive a cash price & will have a repeat performance during the family day at D’ family park.
The founding anniversary is not complete with its annual Field Demonstration Contest that is to be participated by the Intermediate Department (Grades 4-6) & the high school department (Grades 7-12). The dance presentation for each grade level will last for about 3-4 minutes & is to be judged by a set of professional dancers & P.E teachers. The one who will be held champion per department will have a chance to be exempted in their P.E periodical exams & will automatically receive a perfect score during this quarter.
To end the founding anniversary celebration, the school holds an annual bingo segment on family day & everyone is encouraged to join for there will be a big cash prize for the winners.
The Department of Education (DepEd) asserts graduating senior high school (SHS) students to undergo ‘Immersion’ for them to be work-ready.
YATI, LILO-AN – Grade 12 students are now given the chance to entirely enhance their skills in their chosen track through the K to 12 Work Immersion Program as a middle ground to develop their competence all throughout. The immersion is done outside the school premises in a “Workplace Immersion Venue” that includes offices, hospitals and other immersion sites.
The Grade 12 students of San Roque College de Cebu has started their work immersion program given only 80 hours minimum per student.
Inquiry, Investigation and Immersion is an applied key subject from the SHS curriculum guide to be conducted by the SHS learners for their Work Immersion Program. The subject includes research studies, understanding ways in collecting data, summary of findings and different work ethics that will guide the students in their immersion.
“This work immersion provides learners with opportunities to learn about the workplace, as well as the authentic work environment. Work Immersion is a key feature in the Senior High School program. Guidelines have been formulated based on the experiences of technical-vocational schools,” said Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan in a news article, “Senior High students to do work immersion”.
Other employment industries and the senior high schools have agreed that 80 hours is not enough for the students to be fully immersed and enhance their skills and must be at least 640 hours, but according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), students are only allowed to immerse in their perspective workplace from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day following an 80-hour minimum term. Students who are below 15 must have a parent’s consent and shall only be in their workplace for about four hours daily.
Because of the limited time being given, the daily immersion of the students is highly monitored by different agencies and with this, they will be able to supervise the students during their work immersion.
The K to 12 Curriculum marks its peak that aims to produce good quality students for them to be work-ready. This is also for the betterment of the country, which its has been highly anticipated by many.
Grade eleven campus journalist Katrina Colibao advances to the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) this coming February after winning first place with the Collaborative Desktop Publishing Team she was part of during the Regionals Schools Press Conference (RSPC) last December 8-12, 2017.
YATI, LILO-AN – Katrina Colibao, an ABM student from Grade 11-Reliability and a Filipino editorial writer of Ember, won first place along with her team during the RSPC last December 8-12 in the collaborative category.
She worked together with other delegates from the Cebu Province as a collaborative team with individual roles to compete at the RSPC held at Cebu City.
Last January 17-18, Colibao and her team had their regional training at the Applied Nutrition Center in Banilad, Cebu City together with the other winners of the RSPC competition from Region VII provinces and cities.
“We had some various workshops and we write for almost the entire time there. We also had the chance to hear the outputs from the radio and tv broadcasting. The whole experience was amazing,” said Colibao regarding the activities during the training.
RSPC campus journalist representatives Jose Preben William Layola, Johann Mark Vistal and Colibao were the first batch since 2005 to have represented the school at the regionals. Colibao is also the first since 2005 to have reached the nationals level of the press conference.
“I feel really excited and honored to represent SRCDC and to be one of the participants for NSPC 2018. It’s a huge honor for me to represent our school and to show other people that our school can produce competent young individuals who can excel in their fields of choice. I am also proud of myself for going this far in the competition and I am beyond excited to experience new things and meet new people that will come in this said press conference,” commented Colibao.
She along with the other winners of Region VII will be competing at the NSPC this February against other campus journalists of other participating regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Roquenian Weekly 