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Across the waves, our islands proudly rise,

With laughter echoing beneath blue skies.

From Luzon's peaks, where the eagles soar high,

To Mindanao's shores, where the spirits lie.

With festivals bright, the streets come alive,

Dancers in motion, where our dreams arrive.

Sinulog beats echo through bustling streets,

A melody rich where our tradition meets.

In lively markets, where colors do blend,

With laughter ringing as the spices send.

Adobo steaming, lechon’s crispy crunch,

A symphony of flavors in each lunch.

From north to south, we extend a warm hand,

United in spirit, across every land.

In harmony’s call, together we thrive,

A colorful archipelago, alive!

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Fiesta Vibes: A Cultural Quest with Friends

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Fiesta Vibes: A Cultural Quest with Friends

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One afternoon in the colorful town of San Isidro, there were four friends: Anna, Leo, Mia, and Kai. They gathered to plan a school project about their culture. “We should show how colorful our festivals are!” Leo suggested excitedly. “And don’t forget the food,” Mia added with a smile. “It’s the best part!” Anna nodded. “We could talk about the Pahiyas Festival and its bright decorations, and the Noche Buena feast, filled with all our favourite dishes.” Kai added in, “Plus, we can perform the Tinikling dance!”

The group soon dove into their research, eager to share their culture. But one of their classmates Andrew overheard and scoffed, “Who cares about your boring traditions? I’d rather watch a kids’ show than your presentation!” Mia felt hurt. “What if we’re not good enough?” Anna stepped up to encourage her friends. “We’re doing this because our culture is amazing. Let’s show them what we’ve got!” Together, they worked hard gathering materials, preparing decorations, cooking food, and practicing the Tinikling dance.

On presentation day, they wore traditional outfits and proudly shared their culture. “We’ll start with the Pahiyas Festival,” Leo said, showing colorful and vibrant photos of the celebration. “It’s a harvest festival with beautiful kiping decorations,” he explained. “And here’s a taste of Noche Buena,” Mia said, presenting lechon and bibingka. “It’s a feast that brings families together.” Kai enthusiastically added, “Now, we’ll perform the Tinikling dance!” Kai and Mia took the stage, skillfully demonstrating the traditional dance with bamboo poles.

When they finished, Anna smiled and said, “Today, we not only shared our culture, identity, and traditions, but we also strengthened our friendship. Our traditions are truly something to be proud of, and we aren’t afraid to show it.” The class clapped, and even Andrew looked impressed.

As they packed up, Kai said, “I’m so glad we didn’t give up, guys!” Anna nodded. “Me too! We really showed them how wonderful our culture is, and together, we’re unstoppable.”

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The Lonely Tree

The tree stood silently and whispered with the wind. Its branches reached out as if it were arms and it waved with emotion and sorrow. The tree became a survivor of time, its age is evident in its roots. All of the others have passed and became victims. But, the tree who stood there all alone remained cold, still, and emotionless.

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In an age where many of us spend more time gaming or scrolling on our phones than moving, sports offer an incredible alternative. While technology has its benefits, it can’t replace the physical, mental, and social advantages of sports. So, let’s compare, would you rather be stuck staring at a screen, or out there getting stronger, sharper, and more connected with others? To our English teacher, Mrs. Guinto, to my fellow classmates, goodmorning!

Let’s face it, sitting all day isn’t great for our health. The World Health Organization states that obesity and inactivity are major risk factors for global mortality. I was once a "victim of obesity," hating how I looked. Have you ever felt that way, judged just for your appearance? But sports changed everything for me. Before discovering my passion, I was more into video games, running in a simulator instead of real life. Sports brought me joy, confidence, and a purpose I had been missing. So, if we’re going to invest time in something, why not our health?

While watching shows feels relaxing, nothing beats the mental boost of physical activity. Exercise releases endorphins, our natural stress relievers. When you play sports such as volleyball, don’t you forget your worries? Our school offers clubs like IPSA Volleyball, Badminton, and Tennis, all promoting fitness. There are also external clubs outside of school, such as the Desert Smashers Club, SEMVG, and many more. Instead of stressing over Instagram likes, wouldn’t it feel better to score a goal like Ronaldo, shoot a three like LeBron, or just know you’re improving?

Finally, sports don’t just train our bodies, they train our minds for success. Unlike solo activities like scrolling through endless TikToks, sports require teamwork, communication, and perseverance. In the real world, employers value people who can work well with others, lead a team, and handle setbacks. So, would you rather master a skill that helps in life, or just master another level in a game?

In the end, sports win every time. They make us healthier, sharper, and more prepared for life than passive entertainment ever could. Instead of spending hours staring at a screen, why not spend time improving ourselves, making friends, and having fun? The choice is clear, get active today and be stronger tomorrow. Thank you!