mY lAsT sCi-tEcH wEek iN UP hiGh...

Last February 21- 23, UP High celebrated its annual Sci- Tech week. It features a lot of activities such as the Science Olympics, the Geometry displays of the sophies, the titration exhibits of the juniors and of course the research displays of the seniors.

The Science Olympics is a common activity in the Sci- Tech week. Each year level must have representatives that will compete and will join the activities. I felt that it was quite an advantage for the fourth years because most of the contests in the Science Olympics were already our physics activities. I was part of the Bridge Building Activity because our bridge during our Physics activity was not ruined and it was also able to carry a lot of weight. My other classmates also joined other contests.

The Science and Technology week started with a program. The flow of activities were announced and the venue for the activities were also announced during the program. The first activity was the paper airplane contest. It was in the open court that's why everybody was able to witness the whole activity. After a lot of eliminations, the fourth years emerged victorious. It was a good start because the first activity was won by the seniors. I think everyone was inspired to win because most of the games were won by the seniors.

The day ended and the fourth tears won almost every activity in the Science Olympics.

The next day was the day the seniors really fear. It was the day wherein we'll all defend our research study. We were going to defend the study that we did for months. This is like the "Last judgment". Even though we were not the first group to defend, I was still very nervous because I don't know what to do during the defense proper and how to defend our project properly so that we will be able to present our project clearly and properly to the panel and to the lower years who were then present. I think the other groups had a hard time defending their projects because they were like "gisado" during the defense. But fortunately, they came out alive and were not eaten live by the panelists.

Our turn came and I really felt nervous. My hands were already sweating and cold. I also felt a bit shaky but I guess the other groups also felt the same way as I did. When we were already in the stage and presented our study, my nervousness went away and I only focused my attention to the panelists. I did not look at the audience because I do not like to be bothered by the comments they might be sharing. But anyways, everything turned out to be fine and like the other groups, we were also able to survive during that defense and I felt really happy because at last, the research defense has come to an end.

During the next days, our displays were featured. The lower years were our first guests. they then asked questions about our projects because it will also be part of their incoming Science examinations. Of course as their ates and kuyas, we answered their questions with full honesty and provided them with the information that they needed. we also explained to them clearly and concisely our projects so that they would be able to understand it better.

I was not able to see the projects of the lower years because we were also busy with our displays but I guess it was also fun like our experience during our freshman, sophomore and junior years.

The awarding ceremony was held in the open stage during the final day of the Sci Tech week. The awarding for the Science Olympics were first announced and the seniors already proved to be victorious because we won almost all of the contests. The awards for the projects of the lower years were also announced. And then the moment the seniors have been waiting for, the announcement of the winners for the research defense. I was thankful because our project placed third. Though we did not rank first, it was still fulfilling because at least our hardships and hard work paid off with that award. I was also happy because at least we were able to celebrate our last Science and Technology week successfully and I can also see that the fourth years became happy and enjoyed a lot.

The Science and Technology week taught us with a lot of Physics concepts and it also taught us how to enjoy with these concepts even in the minor things that we usually do. i learned that Physics is really everywhere and you'll be able to learn more with activities like this being prepared by the UP High faculty and students. I still hope that this tradition will not end but instead will be able to improve as the years go by.

dOinG rEsEaRcH: fUn oR nOt?

As I remember the months that have already passed, I remember how our group struggled each day on how to go about our research. We even started meeting summer last year just to plan out everything that we have to do to be able to make a successful research study.

It all started during the last part of our junior year when our teacher, Mr. Jover Nuñez asked us to make a research proposal. Each one of us had to make a research proposal and defend it at the end of the semester for clearance purposes. The Science teachers will then choose the top sixteen projects that will be executed in the next year.

And so, after months of preparation, doing a lot of research work and defending for the panel, the top 16 projects were chosen. We were also informed after the school year about our groupings and to whom we'll share the project with. Our project is about the worms and is like a continuation of the project made by the previous batch. I found out later that my group mates were Arvin, Jann and Daisy. First, I did not know how to react or how to mingle with Arvin and Daisy because we did not become classmates before. But after our first meeting, I already knew that making this project will not be as hard as I thought.

We met in the summer and we had constructed a plan on how to go about our research study. At first, we had some arguing and debating and we then agreed to have researches and to study the project more before starting the whole project.

When the classes started so did our project. We were even asked to have a notebook for our journal which will be a record of our research procedure, plans and findings of our study. For me, it was a very useful notebook because it also served as a daily account of what's happening on our research study.

Doing research is never easy. You have to be patient enough and be extremely vigilant on taking care of your subjects so that you would not have to start all over again. You also have to bond with your group so that cooperation in the group will show. You also have to do the procedure promptly so as to prevent biases in the study. And lastly, you must also love your work because if you show love for your work, everything will just come out so well.

I never saw research a difficult task or even treated it as a burden. I have always thought of it as a time for our group to bond and to have fun. Although there occured a lot of shortcomings during the whole research project and also involved a lot of money, I still thank God that this research project only made our batch closer and also made our batch enjoy every research period we have. It showed that every little thing that you do, also affects another in some other way. It also showed the cooperation we have in the senior batch because even though we have to think about our project, we still manage to help other groups even in a minor way. I'm also glad that even though we had a lot of misunderstandings and a lot of arguing about some stuffs, our batch were still able to come out alive after this war- like challenge. It only showed that the seniors are survivors: never giving up and never quitting.

aFriCaN NiGhTcRawLeRs....wAnT sOme??

The Science week is already over. Our Science Congress, more popularly known as the defense has already ended. And I am so happy because around 80% of the things to be done in our research subject is already done. I am proud to present the rationale behind our study about Vermiculture:

As the human census increases, so does the wastes they produce. This causes various environmental problems. There is an answer to this problem and at the same time, it could also generate income. This solution is the technology called Vermicomposting. It reduces organic trash and produces efficient fertilizer through growing earthworms.The Philippines is known as a tropical country and most people earn their living through farming. Farming is an essential industry in the Philippines for it supplies the country’s food supply and consumption. Farmers use chemical fertilizers, which may be a health hazard because of its chemical components. In fact, the Philippines import millions of dollars worth of chemical fertilizers annually. Unfortunately, the country cannot meet the annual demand of metric tons of fertilizers.

With the recent scrapping of the fertilizer subsidy more and more farmers are setting their sights on the use of organic fertilizer like the earthworm castings.Earthworm castings are said to be five times more fertile than ordinary soil mixture. It contains nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and calcium. One of the ways of gathering earthworm castings is through vermicomposting.Vermicomposting is the process by which all kinds of biodegradable wastes are decomposed through the action of microorganisms and annelidic consumption.

Wastes include a variety of organic materials such as plant and animal wastes including paper and vegetable wastes. Through vermicomposting, earthworms reduce the volume of solid waste piles. The epigeic earthworm species are the ones being used in vermicomposting. Epigeic earthworms are found in the upper topsoil layer feeding on decaying matter.

This type of environment, which these species thrive on, can be duplicated in bin culture and it is certainly for this reason that it is the epigeic species are used in vermicomposting.African Nightcrawlers (Eudrilus euginae) are one of the most widely used species for vermicomposting.

Composting is environment friendly since earthworms feed on anything that is biodegradable and it also aids the garbage disposal problems. Vermicomposting does not need imported inputs and the required worms are now locally available and the materials for feeding are abundant in the locality as market wastes, grasses, used papers and farm wastes. Vermicompost is more effective as an organic fertilizer than ordinary compost. It has auxin, a naturally occurring growth hormone. It also improves soil health, no overdosage, turns trash to cash, and highly profitable both the worms and castings are saleable. Knowing the right conditions for the earthworm to survive is important in engaging in vermicomposting systems.

The researchers aimed to determine which kind of organic wastes is the most effective for fattening, lengthening African Nightcrawlers, and producing the most amount of worm castings.The study was conducted for five weeks from the month of August to September 2006 at the University of the Philippines High School Chemistry Laboratory.

SiNuLoG: tHe tALe oF tHe fEaSt...

The UP High School in Cebu joined the International Cyberfair contest. The fourth year students were requested to join this contest. The fourth year students were asked to make a website about Cebu's local man made and natural tourist attractions. Well, personally this project really required a lot of our time and effort but I guess it was worth it because now, this site can be viewed by people from all over the world. I am glad that me and my batch mates have already made something in which we can be truly proud of and in which we can say that it was a fruit of our labor and hardwork. My group mates were Arvin and Mary Chris and I admit that we really had a lot of fun during the whole duration of this Cyberfair project. I knew a lot of thngs with them and discovered a lot of things and I had fun being with them. So to prevent from further ado, here is the article of our group. If you have time, visit the website of our cyberfair project. (Just refer from Sir Elmer's site, ok?)

Philippines is known to be a happy country full of festivities and celebrations in honor of patron saints. One of which is Sinulog. Sinulog is a famous festival in Cebu. It is in honor of the Child Jesus, Sto. Niño. It shows a dance ritual of the Filipino’s acceptance of Christianity in the past and on how thankful they are for the miracles and help the Child offered. This is done gracefully by using the Sto. Niño’s image being worshipped. It may be one, if not the most colorful lively festivity here in the Philippines. It uses a lot of splendid costumes and props that would surely mesmerize the audience. In addition, its lively beat of drums, trumpets and native gongs would surely make you dance and groove. This celebration, held every 3rd Sunday of January, involves a lot of people; those in charged of the preparations, the venue, and of course, media. This also showcases the talents of many schools, organizations, and other contingents in moving their bodies and crying out those chants. There is also Sinulog for the youth, the Sinulog sa Kabataan, done a week before the grand parade. The Sinulog contest is traditionally held in the Cebu City Sports Complex, wherein most of the major provincial events are held. The festival traditionally lasts for nine days. A Fluvial Procession, a water-parade, is also held the day before the parade, carrying the image of the young Jesus with lots of candles and flowers from Mandaue to Cebu City’s wharf. It ends by a re-enactment of the Christianity of Cebu at the Basilica. On the feast day, the Cardinal together with several bishops of Cebu celebrates a Pontifical Mass. “Sinulog” originates from the Cebuano adverb sulog which is “like water current movement”, which describes the dance, its “forward-backward” movement. The dance consists of two forward steps and one backward step, done to the beat of the drums. It is categorized into Sinulog-base, Free-interpretation, and lately, a Latin category. Historians noted that the natives, in honor of the anitos, their wooden idols, already danced Sinulog. Fernando de Magallanes, a Portuguese navigator arrived in April 7, 1521 and planted a cross on Cebu’s shores. He then presented the image of the Sto. Niño as a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, Rajah Humabon of Cebu’s wife. Hara Amihan was then named Queen Juana in honor of Juana, Carlos I’s mother. With some rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also Christianized. Beginning 1980, the Cebu City government organized the Sinulog Mardi Gras and gave opportunities to some dance troupes. David S. Odilao Jr, former Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development (MSYD) organized the first Sinulog. The Cebu City Historical Committee became responsible for the conceptualization of the Sinulog as one of the province’s major events.Filipinos all over the country visit Cebu just to witness this marvelous celebration. Even foreigners get to use in watching Sinulog. And because of such a large crowd, people engage in selling foods, drinks and some products that shall serve as memorabilia of the said event.Indeed, having such a prestigious celebration would somewhat help the economy. It could generate income. This is also a way of preserving the religion and the unique culture of the Filipinos. By practicing Sinulog, the people’s faith could be strengthened even more. So the government of Cebuanos must preserve this culture for the future. It is also one of the trademarks that make Cebu City a must-seen place in the Philippines.

lOvE: aN aCt oF tHe wiLL nOt oF tHe hEarT...

Love is a word that could never be defined but rather a feeling that has to be felt in the heart. Try as we may, we will never really find the real meaning of it unless we try to open our hearts. Its a feeling most people feel when they're in love. But is love an act of the will and not of the heart?

For me, love is something that should also be felt by the heart. It is something in which you share with the person you feel for. When you love, you try to give everything to the one you love without even realizing and thinking about your personal happiness or desires. When you love, all you care for is the person you love. You don't care about anything else except that person who truly love the most.

But even though you try your very best to love a person with all your heart you still wonder why that person still chooses to leave you and tells you to forget everything you have shared.

It may be really sad but it is evidently true, isn't it? Whether we like it or not, we don't hold a person's heart. We try many ways (even crazy ones..) to make a person stay with you hoping that that person will be the person whom you'll share your precious moments with.

When we love, its either we experience great happiness or extreme pain and loneliness. Being in love with someone is not always like a chocolate coated candy in which you always feel and taste the sweetness of the relationship. When you love, you also experience harsh falls. In other words, loving has a great consequence. When you already learn how to love truly, you must not expect too much and be always ready for the thing called pain. When you fall deeply for a person, you'll understand what this word truly means most especially if the person you love doesn't love you.

In loving, you might experience "hard falls" but with that, you must not give up. Those falls will really aid you in your next experiences and in your next relationships as well. When you fall, you should just stand up. Time will heal the wounds and time will also come that you will be able to open up your heart again and be able to love again.

Loving is already an act of will. You yourself already decides whether or not to let a person enter your heart. You are the one responsible whether or not to let a person go in or just walk away from your life.

In loving, no one decides for you whom to love but rather you choose the one you love yourself. No one has the right to tell you or command you whom to love. Its you, yourself who decides for yourself. After all, you're the one who's loving the person, aren't you?

In love, you also learn how to make important decisions in your life. Sometimes, love demands a lot from you. It may demand you your time, family, friends or even yourself but it's still up to you if you'll give up the demands of love.

It doesn't matter how many times you fell in love and how many times you stumbled in love. What matters is that you already learned a lot of things about love in which you may use to improve your life. A quote even says, "Its better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all."

Even though loving someone may hurt you, you must not let yourself always be hurt. Even though if you hurt yourself once, twice or many times, surely you will be able to find the one who's really meant for you.

hOw dO i wAnT tO bE rEmeMbErEd aFtEr gRaDuAtiOn???

Many people say that high school life is the best. I guess it's true. So far, from all I have experienced during my four years in UP, I have already experienced how to laugh, how to cry, how to have real friends, how to express my true self and most especially how to love.

I guess everybody really wants to be remembered by the people or by the school they have graduated right after they graduate in high school. Admit it. Who doesn't want to be remembered after graduation? I mean, whether they may be remembered as the black sheep of the batch or as the popular guy it is not really that important. But the most important thing is to leave some imprints or remembrance for the people to remember.

I'm not the type of girl who's really popular, nor am I the girl who is active in student affairs or whatsoever. I am also not the type of girl who is a nerd, nor the girl whom everyone considers as the silent or shy type. I am just a simple student. A student who finds happiness in every little thing she does. I am also the type of student who just like other students who talks loudly sometimes and laughs most of the time.

I know that with this description that I have, I don't think people will really remember me. I don't even think they will remember the things that I have done while I was still in high school. But despite that, I also think that I have already left some important imprints of myself and I have already touched the lives of other people in some ways. With that, I am already contented but there are still more things that I want the people to remember me.

First of all, I want the people to remember my name. (obviously!) Well, it may be funny but I want them to at least remember my name because I want them to remember who I am.

Secondly, I want the people to remember the things that I have done for them. I want the people to remember the things I have done for them because I also want to leave something about me which they will remember forever. Though I may not be an official adviser of anything or whatsoever but I want them to remember the advices in which I gave them and remember the things which I shared to them. In short, I want to let the people remember how I touched their lives even in little ways.

Next, I want the people to remember me as the person who usually composes songs for the batch. Composing is one of my hobbies. I compose songs usually for presentations and for requirements. I also compose songs for no particular reason or whatsoever. Sometimes when I compose songs, I see to it that people could relate to it and I also make sure that it could be easily sang by the people so that they could jam with me. I don't know if many people likes and appreciate my compositions but I hope they do. For me, the most important thing about a song is how you relate it to people and how it will touch them in any way. As a composer, that has also been my goal but I don't know yet if I have already achieved that goal.

Lastly, I want the people to remember me as their friend. The friend whom they usually ask for advices about love, the friend whom they lean on when they have problems. The friend whom they usually laugh with and the friend whom they love for who she truly is. For me, having a friend is important because they are the people whom you could share your true feelings and also your secrets. They are also the people whom you can truly trust. No man is an island and I believe that a person will grow more if he or she has a lot of friends.

Being remembered in high school is not really important. What's important is how you spent your high school days and how you touched other people's lives during that short span of time. I know many people don't agree with this but we are getting old. As we grow old, we will still be able to meet a lot of people a long the way. And as we grow older with time, I know many people will especially me will never ever forget their high school years.

a wOnDeRfUl eVeNiNg...

Weeks of preparation has passed and finally last February 9, 2007 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City, the annual JS Prom took place and I guess the senior and the junior batches and the UP High faculty and staff really had a great time during that wonderful evening of laughter, prophecies, legacies and dances.

Every year, the University of the Philippines High School in Cebu holds its annual JS Prom. Usually, the juniors and the seniors allot some of their time for the afternoon JS Prom practices. Two weeks before the big day, (that is, two weeks before February 9, 2007) we had the pairing session where the juniors will have to be paired with the seniors and the seniors with the juniors. It was raining that day so I could barely remember the date. (for me, it was not so memorable) But during that pairing I was glad because my pair was handsome and most of my batch mates would like to have him as their partner. Lucky me, I was one of his pairs. (April D. and I were his partners for the prom).

At first, I thought it would be difficult to bond with him because I've never talked to him before and for me, bonding with the partner is important so that somehow the shyness will go away during the big day. And I was glad because he was not a mean person (as I presumed..)and I was able to befriend him because of the constant afternoon practices.

During those weeks of practices we were taught by our teachers on how to walk slowly and be lady like even once in awhile. (we were even made to wear sandals with heels!) We were also taught on how to act with our pair and how to dance for the dancing proper.

The day before the big day, we had a general rehearsal at the Waterfront Hotel. The juniors went there earlier than us and we soon followed in the afternoon. There we had to do the things we have practiced at school and try to do them the way they should be during the big day. We still had our sandals then and so we practiced there on how to walk with our sandals. We ended the afternoon by saying our goodbyes and with the hope that all will be well during the big day.

Then the big day came. I was surprised to see my playful, childish and noisy classmates in their long gowns and tuxedos looking so elegant and prominent. When I came at the place, I immediately took the opportunity to be with my classmates and share some moments with them through having our pictures taken. For me, it was important to have our pictures taken that day because it was our last prom and sad to say, it will be the last time that we'll share that night together at that wonderful place.

I really took the chance to bond with my classmates and batch mates because I know it will be one of the most memorable times of our lives. When the program started, we all walked through the stage with our partners and flaunted our gowns so that the judges (the teachers were the judges) will be able to see our poise and we were hoping that we might be able to get a spot at the senior prince or princess or even the prom king or queen!

We soon had our dinner and I honestly ate heartily because I was also hungry during that time. After that, the tribute followed. I was glad because I can really see that the juniors really gave their best in performing the tribute to the seniors. Then the prophecy followed. I think the seniors were happy to hear their names and seeing how the juniors prophecized the senior batch. The legacy followed and then the announcement of the junior prince, junior princess, senior prince, senior princess and ofcourse the prom king and queen..

The most awaited part of the program came. (the dancing part!) for me, this is the most awaited part of the prom because this is the time when the juniorsnad the seniors bond with each other and perform silly stuffs. (Despite the gowns and the suits og the guys! take note!) We all danced wildly and we really had a wonderful time. I was even surprised because this time, the faculty joined the fun. It was really fun seeing all of us having a great time and laughing all the time.

The fun stopped when the last dance was announced. I had no special someone to dance with so we, all the singles of our batch gathered and danced together. We all danced with happiness and enjoyment. I thought that time that I should just enjoy the moment and be with these people because I might miss this people someday. I also watched the couples as they dance with the people they consider special to their hearts.

All in all, I was glad about our last JS Prom. Despite the fact that this will be our last JS Prom, I'm still glad because I had the whole night enjoying with my batchmates and ofcourse the juniors. I'm also glad to know that the juniors and the seniors are getting along well. I'm already contented now knowing that we had a great batch and that we really had a wonderful relationship with the younger batches.