PLUMA: What it takes to be a student?

I. D E S I R E S and B E L I E F S

Public Vs. Private

Cadandanan National High School

Cadandanan, Bulan, Sorsogon

Immaculate Conception Academy of Bulan, Inc.

Immaculate Subdivision, Pawa, Bulan, Sorsogon

Desires… Beliefs… Every one of us deserves it. Just like an ordinary high school student in Bulan, Sorsogon, they have many dreams to conquer. In order for them to achieve it, education is the key to unlock their long lost dreams. Journeying in these random world hindrances is inevitable.

In the past decades, private and public schools continue evolving a life changing views in life of students. Is there a resemblance between them?

Travelling almost 30 minutes from the vicinity of Bulan, Sorsogon, a far plung area composed of rocky roads, green environment and stiff mountains a government highschool stands (Cadandanan National High School).

Can you imagine students from other barangays of Bulan and Magallanes, Sorsogon walked almost a mile a day just to study. Despite the distance, the students make sure that in every footsteps stamping the dusty and rocky road, a bigger dream at the end of every journey.

Optimistic believing that even a free education from the government there’s a big possibility and hope I can simply change their ordinary lifestyle.

Marydin Desabalya (running for valedictorian) and Elyn Grajo (class achiever), both 4^th year students beliving that “The only way to succeed in life is through education.” Interesting isn’t it? Having an interview with them we realize that our guardian or parents serves as inspiration, giving supports, affections and strengths to continue to conquest their undying dreams to fulfill. Though there is a misconception that public schools are less privilege, they still believe that the backbone of one’s success, student himself decides to continue survive and make wise decision guided with their desires in life.

“The only way to succeed in life is through education.”

--Marydin Desabalya and Elyn Grajo

They Walk a Mile

By: Ramilie Faith de La Torre Goyala

(A tribute for the students of Cadandanan National High School)

Over the fields and valleys, they walk a mile

Whistling a song of journey as the sun shines.

There they are gallops like a horse

Rushing to the school with all their force.

Do you feel their burden?

Just to make their lives be enlightened.

Travelling not in a pretty aisle

Yes! Over the mountains they walk a mile.

Upon reaching a four corner room

They start flipping through their books.

Learn what they need to learn

Hardship is within the paths they walk.

Then what does it takes to be a student?

Diligence and hardships belongs to its’ rudiments

Distance and poverty is not a hindrance after all,

Guided by their dreams, they walk a mile.

Outside the rural place, is a more modernized area where we can find big establishments essential to us such as fast food chains, pharmacies, supermarkets, hospitals, banks and others.

Travelling in more or less 10 minutes from the vicinity of Bulan a private school is located. Immaculate Conception Learning Center which is now Immaculate Conception Academy of Bulan Inc. has a complete learning facilities and a secured learning environment.

Looking beyond the smiles of the students is a hidden meanings of their beliefs and desires in life. Besides their sophisticated lifestyles they are also down-earthed believers.

“Education opens many doors, specially opportunities in life’s success” April Rose Grabillo (class achiever) and Mary Joy Guelas ( running for Valedictorian) exclaimed proudly. How fascinating? A non threatening atmosphere encloses us while having a personal interview with them. Bearing in our minds that state in life doesn’t define what kind of future you will have. But continue believing that perseverance and dreaming are the rudiments for a successful life.

“Education opens many doors, especially opportunities in life’s success.”

--April Rose Grabillo and Mary Joy Guelas

What it takes to be A student?

By: Ramilie Faith de La Torre Goyala

W hat does it really takes to be a student? A question left hanging on my mind since the day I visited two different schools. Are the students in private schools differs from that in public schools? Or they’re just the same? In terms of their desires and beliefs, do they come up with the same idea?

G iven an opportunity to see and be with their situations, I think I am able to share to you if what it takes to be a student.

D esire…. As the book defines it… it is a sense of longing for a person or object or hoping for an outcome. But a typical student defines it as what they want in their lives, it maybe a material, education, love, fame or success. Then what is belief? Flipping through the dictionary, belief is the psychological state in which an individual holds a conjecture or premise to be true. And the students agreed with it.

A s I enter this private institution, Immaculate Conception Academy of Bulan, Inc. creates different perceptions on my mind, negatives and positives. High tuition fee which not all of the families in Bulan can afford it, high-level students, not approachable, I cannot befriend, they all belong to my negative perceptions. While positive perceptions, it has bright students, it provides a quality education, has good learning environment. But being there has change some of my perceptions.

G oing to Cadandanan National High School it proves me how simple the life in a barrio was. Though far from the civilization, still it provides a quality education just like in the schools in the vicinity of Bulan.

C onducting an interview in these two schools they all end up with the same desires and belief. Both, they all aim to have a good life, they all want success, and struggles to conquer their dreams.

B eing a student is not all about studying and looking for knowledge, rather it is about how you push harder through life consequences. It is on how you put hardship in what you do. It is more about being determined by what you desired. It is not merely on intelligence but it is more about your beliefs and desires in life, your confidence that you’ll make through it whatever obstacles and hindrances you may encounter.

A nd whatever kind of road you are taking, it may be a gold path, a red aisle with falling petals of flowers, or maybe a thorny, narrow way or a rocky road, still there is a finish line that is waiting for you with a prize called “success”. Just like with the tag line of a reality T.V. show that reads, “DREAM… BELIEVE… and SURVIVE…”

T hen what it takes to be a student? It is about DREAMING… BELIEVING… and SURVIVING...

II. Home Environment

Reymar Mapoy's house

Laarni Raymundo's house

Home is an inevitable element in this world. It is one of the unusual phenomena occurring in one’s life. It is also one of the basic needs of an individual in order to become a wholesome being. Without it, human like us cannot survive nor exist longer .It is a place where essentials like food, shelter, education, health, love and belongingness are found.

Students whether in a private or public can experience different aspects of life inside the home. They said that one of the biggest factors that affected an individual growth is the environment. Home considered as an environment encloses the smallest component of the community that is family. Family molds an individual depending to its atmosphere. Some were poor but happy, rich but full of sadness and some came from a broken family. Such scenarios can build a mark to one’s physical, emotional, and moral aspect in their life.. The effect of these factors can result to some circumstances like rebelling, loses one’s direction, success in life and have a happy contented life.

Let and give children the privilege to have a loving atmosphere with full of understanding from our family. Support and respect them whatever decisions they make. Give them the best home environment we can give. From that, we can produce a better person building a pleasant world to live in. Just like Whitney Houston’s song The Greatest Love of All with lyrics “I believe the children our future, teach them well and let them lead the way……..”

By: Deric R. Sy

Family Picture

By: Deric R. Sy

A picture portrays thousand of meanings. Each meaning shows expressions and emotion every one of us undergoes. A family picture is one good example of it.

It was 12 in the afternoon, and the rain pours all over the place of G. del Pilar (commonly known as Tanga) Bulan, Sorsogon. Luckily we arrived there safely. Walking slowly we track the home of Mapoy family. Five meters away from where we stand, a nipa hut was build. There is a small carenderia where viands like “gulay na puso ng saging at kalabasa” and fried fish were sold. A woman in the mid -50’s was busy arranging when we arrived the place. She smiled to us and asked what our intention was.

Upon hearing our goals, she hurriedly called on her youngest daughter and instructs to look for her brother. She is a mother of 8 siblings. After 5 minutes of waiting our target interviewee arrived. Happily he accepted our invitation for a short personal interview.

Reymar G. Mapoy, 16 years old, a third year student of Alcoba National High school fearlessly shared the background story of his family. He is the third to the youngest child of Mr. Mario Mapoy and Mrs. Domingga Mapoy with 7 siblings. But sadly, his older sister died six years ago. His face is like an ordinary Filipino student. The exception is the sparks within his eyes.

Proudly saying that his father was a tricycle driver and his mother owns a small carenderia. Even though their money was enough for their daily necessities, he assures that he will pursue and continue his studies. “We maybe lack of money sometimes but it will never stop me believing that I can be someone someday” he exclaimed inspiringly.

As the story of their lives continues, I was shocked seeing him crying. Reymar cried because he can’t stop thinking of the moment together with his late sister. “I will never forget my beloved sister for she took care of me when I was young. All my perseverance in studies, I offer to her with all my heart.”

Lastly, I asked him what is home. He answered sincerely “home is a place where everything happens, the happy and sad moments, the ups and downs. An obedient boy is now heading his track to the new chapter of his life. And I saw his full potential to become successful someday. His home is also his own being. His family and his environment makes who he is yesterday, today and tomorrow. Looking to their family picture reminds me that money, fame and fortune can’t buy happiness and love. But home environment can give it…

And he said “I am motivated!”

By: Ramilie Faith T. Goyala

“I am motivated!” said by this young believer

“I will be someone, a successful, either.”

These are the words that shows how determined he is.

By his parents guidance and supports, impossible are less.

16 years old, yet dreams are already molded.

In their life now, with the word “enough” he is contented.

Sooner or later he believes that their life will be fine.

And the word “much and more” will soon reign.

I admired him for he is dignified.

Inspiration is rooted from his family for they are unified.

“I will be the hero of my family’s burdens”, he added.

And whatever it takes, he said “I am motivated!”

Home is Everything!

By: Jafet E. Golloso

Home is considered as one of the greatest place in the world. People always say that there’s no place like home. Is home really the best place? How does it affect one’s life? Does it give all our necessities?

Walking around Bulan, Sorsogon , we encountered this young girl named Laarni Raymundo. She is a 4^th year student of St, Louise de Marillac School.I greeted her and asked “Excuse me can you please define home?” Without any hesitation she answered quickly “Home is everything. Everything I need in life is here”. After she answered, I asked a favor if we can conduct an interview with her family. “Yes!” jocundly she said.

A 2 storey antique house with a small sari-sari store and a mini garden surprise us. She and her 9 housemates live together in that house. Her uncle and parents supports their daily living. They all have a job that’s why she is blessed. Unfortunately not all children can have that kind of lifestyle where she was financially and morally supported.

Speaking of a private student, I was wondering how her family supports her studies. “Studying in one of the most prestigious Catholic school here in Bulan is not an easy life especially in the part of my family. My tuition fees, “baons” and other school expenses were given to me rightly. Every parent is obliging in giving all the necessities a child needs either material or moral aspect.

In terms of financial (baon, tuition fee), school support (books, projects) and educational assistance (researching, field trips, school activities) Laarni exclaimed proudly. Also she is morally supported by her industrious parents, supportive uncle and loving sister her studies and lifestyles were maintain.

Psychologists and researchers stated that environment is one factor affecting the development of an individual. It will reflect of who we are physically, emotionally and morally. Just like Laarni’s situation she kindly said “I’m contented and happy with my family. They make me of who I am today. Cause for me home is my life …..” That’s what home environment affects student’s life…….

Dwelling Place

By: Ramilie Faith T. Goyala

“Home is a place where everything begins, isn’t it? A place where laugh trips and dramas are shared. A place where we can call our sanctuary… LOVE bounded… cemented with great ACCEPTANCE… surrounded by pebbles of RESPECT. This kind of home seems to be perfect, right?

But in other cases, home is just a house… lived by GRIEVANCES… ANGER… no acceptance… no respect… and no love can be found. Poor foundations that sooner or later it will breakdown. This is said to be a BROKEN HOME.

Home environment is just one factor that affects a student.

To where the students should get first the acceptance, respect and love is at home. How will the students be pushed to their best if in home they are being pulled down?

Having a concrete house, a palace or a mansion perhaps is not meant to be a a good home always. And having a four-cornered house is not meant as not a good home all the time. What it visible in our eyes is just the physical phase of a home.

How is a life of a student in a home where in there is no love in the first place? Of course, this might cause a student to rebel. Then how is a life of a student living in a simple house but bounded by love? Possibly, a student will be motivated to stive harder and be inspired by love found at home.

Every student should be provided a home where they can call their own DWELLING PLACE. A dwelling place constructed with the mixture of acceptance, respect and love. Planned and made by the great architect… our Lord.

III. Needs in Life

Nowadays, people can’t stop complaining their own life. All I can hear is their NEEDS.... Their unstoppable sentiments in life keep echoing in my mind. Are those needs really matters to them?

Browsing the pages of the dictionary, NEEDS means something required or wanted; necessity and obligation. Probably every one of us even the high school students have their own needs. Those things contribute and complete to the development of an individual.

Man in nature seems materialistic all the time. We always want material things like food, shelter, clothes, money and etc. these things can make us nourished well and look better. But how about the psychological aspect which is more concern in emotions and behaviors. Most of the time this aspect was neglected most. Love, care, guidance and affection are very essential in the development of human.

All of these are the basic needs of a student.

Let’s find out what are these needs…

8 Needs of a Student

1.H E A L T H C A R E

Every student is entitled to have a proper nutrition and health despite his/her social status. Medicines, vitamins and proper hospitalization. Hospitals, clinics and pharmacists are the establishments taking care of a student’s health. Community, family and peers are responsible in assuring our conditions physically, mentally, and psychologically.

2.S E C U R I T Y and P R O T E C T I O N

All of us are longing for a safe and peaceful place to live in. and every students must possess it. Inside our home, parents and siblings create an environment with a sense of belongingness and safety. Also, community members like police, soldier and other task force (brgy. Tanod) promotes security among students whether it is a private or public one.

3. F O O D

Food is one of the basic essentials in man’s life in order to survive and maintain our body functioning. Fruits, vegetables, meat, bread and water are the best examples. There is an uneven distribution of foods in our society. Some suffers scarcity in foods and some are abundant enough. No matter what it takes students should be supplied with sufficient amount.

4. S H E L T E R

Human like us needs shelter to live in. it protects us away from danger of nature and wild animals. A good structured shelter like concrete houses, strong nipa house, semi-concrete house are the best one to live in. Make sure that every students own a quality shelter provided with a loving environment.

5. E D U C A T I O N

Every child has the right to be educated. Every child should be send to school from pre-school up to college. A student is like a plant that needs to be watered in order for it to grow. And sending them to school is letting them grow meaningfully.

16. F I N A N C I A L

Expenses in school are so inevitable. In most cases, problems dealing with parents of the students is something to do with MONEY. Sometimes, being incapable to provide this need caused the other parents to stop their children with their studies. But there are also parents who take the risks just to provide this need. Your parents work hard for the money they are giving to you. So students, better use it wisely. Study harder and be thankful!

17. S P I R I T U A L

Nowadays, some of the students are more concerned with material things than spirituality. Spiritual aspect is one is one that contributes to human development of an individual. Since we are now in the modern age, other students in the teenage years gives more time to the new trends of technology. Instead of being active in any religious activity they are more confide with computer games, facebook, and the like. And because of the explosion of new technology the need for spirituality is hindered.

Immaculate Conception Parish

Bulan, Sorsogon

18. L O V E , G U I D A N C E and A C C E P T A N C E

Every students need love. Every students need guidance from the elders. Every students wishes for acceptance. It’s in their parents and family where they seek guidance and acceptance. And it’s through their parents where they first learn the lessons about LOVE. Their needs for these from home turns inside their class or school. Their need to be belong and to be accepted with in a group or peers. Every students need love to be inspired. A guidance to know what is right from wrong. Acceptance, to let them be the one who they are and what they desired to be.

Reymar Mapoy together with his mother Domingga Mapoy and his father Mario Mapoy

Laarni Raymundo and her mother

Dealing with your needs

By: Ramilie Faith de la Torre Goyala

Each of us has a lot of needs in life. Our needs develops from birth and progresses onward.

Needs as define by the book is “the necessities being required”. Lacking of something desired is need.

A need may serve as a motivation for what we want in our lives. It can be emotional needs, spiritual needs, moral needs, financial needs, intellectual needs, etc. Needs of a person changes and differs in some ways.

As a student we have some needs to be met. But for some reasons, some of our needs are not provided. As a student, how do you feel when what you is not given to you? Or let’s say, beyond the reach of your hands? You may say it’s alright. But admit it or not, it knocks you a little bit, right? Because needing something, means you desired that so much. You are wishing for that certain things to be right in your palm. And sometimes, it even makes you eager that causes you to imagine that there’s a fairy or a Genie who can give you what you need for an instant.

Hey students! True life is not like that. Wake up from that fantasy land and start acting on your real world. It’s in your hands and yourself where your needs depend on.

You need to feel belong in your class? Then show them who you are. Show them that you can befriend them. You don’t need to be like them, rather show them the real you. And let your uniqueness stand out!

You feel unloved by your parents? Your family? And you need to be loved by them? All you need to do is to let them see how lovable you are and how worthy you are to be loved and appreciated. Maybe your parents are just not too showy with their affection. Just continue loving them… and one day you will see….

Financial needs? Material needs? Then work for it. Look for some alternatives. Be creative. Those are just secondary issues in human’s life.

Remember our needs depend on us. Learn how o manage yourself. After all, what matters is how you deal with your needs. Think! Think! Think! Is it truly warranted? Is it really what you need? Or just something you want? Go on with what you really need and not with what you want. Because maybe one day after getting what you want you will come to the point realizing that it’s not what you really need.

Just study harder! Be creative! You are bigger and even greater than your needs. What you need can be in your hands. Just work for it. You don’t need a wishing well, a fairy or a Genie in a bottle. As long as God is in you, by His will, He will give to you what you really need.

Iv. School Environment

A typical scenario in a private school environment.

Classroom that promotes conducive learning.

A CCTV camera for the protection of the students.

A public high school up hill.

A recreation place for the youth in the school .

School, a place or institution with its’ building , etc, for teaching and learning. It is considered as the second home to students. Does it really matters the quality, facility, population, buildings and teachers in the learning and the development of an individual? What is the impact of this to the students? Does it make senses at all?

The advancement of technology, completeness of the facilities and equipment structure of building and quality education are the characteristics of a good school, students especially in high school can become a well-equipped individual if all these characteristics are present.

Indeed this place molds an individual become intellectually and ethical person. All the things that surround his/her can affect one’s learning. So it connotes, a good school environment can bring out the best individual could be that is the power of learning plus education.

Usual school policy .

Quotation that creates a good learning environment.

Students properly going down the stairs.

School environment possess the great obligation for a child’s quality development in more or less 35% of a student’s time was consumed at school.

Entering high school not so cool for everyone, where as it’s about dealing with the changes in the school ambiance. Considering, variety of students can be met. New teachers and staff, a different atmosphere from elementary and an intense competition may occur then bullies are inevitable. But somehow, it can be reduced by policies and school rules.

Cooperation and collaboration makes a worthwhile learning.

Students hurry to go home after the school hours.

A good school and its’ environment will reflect to the life of students studying there. Wherein, high school learners starts aiming high and maturating their values and behaviors.

V.Social Life

By: Deric R. Sy

“No man is an island” as the saying goes. No one can leave alone and everybody needs someone to lean on. Just like students in high school, socializing with other is a natural setting.

Social means living with others. Others can be considered as family, friends, relatives, classmates and peers. Not only those person can give social life but also the environment that surrounds us. Best example of this are parks, churches, malls, computer shops and others.

Such things give pleasures and enjoyment especially the youth nowadays. The wisest thing to do id give them and lead them in the right track of life. Not all the time, parents are there to escort young ones morally, intellectually and spiritually.

Youth’s today expressions “Live life to the fullest!” Make sure that everywhere, everything and everybody knows where they are and them with.

What does a high school student usually do during weekends?

By: Arjay Geranco

1. Jamming with friends

The ff. are the places in Bulan where the students usually go.

a. Sabang Park ( Zone-2)