Seven raise TNHS flag in 10th Reg'l SSYS

By Joshua Alex Binza

Seven of the 28 participants hailing from Tabaco National High School (TNHS) bagged two awards during the recently conducted 10th Regional Congress Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS) last March 7-11, 2016 at Penang, Malaysia.

The group of Vince Gabriel Alado, Rica Nikki Bilasano, Jade Edward Biron and Kristine Caye Dy bagged the Outstanding Award for Presentation of Exhibit while the group of Pauve Sofia Banadera, Jezreel Icaranom and Thomas Anthony Ortiz bagged one of consolation prizes in the Science Exhibits category.

Embarking on the theme, "Youth Innovation for Sustainability," the congress involved contests and workshops including the Educational Games and Quiz, Workshop on Basic Engineering, Low-Cost Toys and Networking, Penang Island Tour and the Research Congress itself which was subdivided into three categories: Mathematics, Science and Science Exhibits,

The congress involved 10 researches under the Mathematics category, 28 for the Science category and 12 for the Science Exhibits category. TNHS participated in two categories, Science and Science Exhibits, presenting five for the former and six for the latter.

The winners received a certificate, a medal and a cash prize amounting to 500 Malaysian ringgits while the other qualifiers received a certificate and a cash prize worth 100 ringgits.

The participants of the congress were accompanied by their Research Adviser, Mr. Ronaldo Reyes, the school's Science Department Head, Mrs. Fidelina Oscillada and the school principal, Mrs. Elena Tasic.

TNHS researchers competed with other students from nine other countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

TNHS holds NAT dry-run

By Lurd Synell Najarilla

With the goal of increasing Tabaco National High School's (TNHS) National Achievement Test (NAT) results, Principal IV, Elena B. Tasic has implemented the conduct of the mock NAT to be held on February 15 and 16, 2016 in accordance to School Memorandum No. 8 s. 2016.

In the previous years, the school was not able to produce an average result of more than 50% with last year being the lowest hitting only an approximate of 44%.

Due to insufficient supplies, the Grade 10 population of over 1500 was divided into two batches; the first half will take the test on February 15 while the other half will take the test on February 16.

"With this mock NAT, we will be able to know the current standing of the school and whether the students are ready for the coming NAT. We can also determine the areas to improve on and the strategies to implement so that this school year's and the following year's results will be of passing rate," said Supreme Student Government President, Jade Edward Biron.

With regards to her strategies in improving the school's NAT results, the principal has ordered that the students' mock NAT results be recorded as part of the quizzes in the five core subjects namely Araling Panlipunan, English, Filipino, Math and Science. 

The Grade 10 National Achievement Test will be held on March 2, 2016. 

Four join National Children's Science Congress

By Jade Edward Biron

Four Grade 10 student-researchers of Tabaco National High School (TNHS) joined the recently conducted National Children's Science Congress held last January 31 - February 3, 2016 at La Vista Pansol Resort, Calamba, Laguna with the theme, "Nurturing Creative Minds."

The four participants include individual researchers  Jade Edward Biron, Physical Science, of 10-Einstein and Joshua Alex Binza, Life Science, of 10-Newton and team researchers Angelie Nicole Bordas and Jewel Diamante, Physical Science, both from 10-Newton. They were accompanied by their Research teacher, Mr. Ronaldo Reyes.

The congress involved contests namely the Science Quiz, Science Journalism, Science Trivia, Odyssey of the Mind, Extemporaneous Speech, Robotics and Science Investigatory Project (SIP) which was participated in by the four students.

The contestants were required to submit three copies of their research write-ups, bring their own 3x4 display tarpaulins and defend their researches for five minutes in front of the judges and their co-participants. 

In the end, Joshua Alex Binza was awarded first place in the Secondary Life Science Individual contest where he received a medal and a certificate of recognition. 

Ecalnir is new SSG prexy

By Joshua Alex Binza

Garnering a total of 3190 votes, Lida Victoria Ecalnir of Praxis partylist was named the new Supreme Student Government (SSG) President after the SSG elections held on February 5, 2015 at Tabaco National High School.

Ecalnir beat Students' Ideology towards Noble and Attainable Governance (SINAG) party representative Roldan Brutas who garnered a total of 2895 votes. 784 from Grade 7, 1009 from Grade 8, 641 from Grade 9 and 461 from Grade 10.

The new set of SSG officers include Yvette Margallo of Praxis, Vice President; Diana Grace Belen of Praxis, Secretary, Ciane April Bon of SINAG, Treasurer, Camille Burac of SINAG, Auditor, Pauline Belbis of SINAG, Public Information Officer and Rafaela Berces of Praxis, Peace Officer.

For Grade 8 representatives, front runner was Ashley Nicole Borlasa of Praxis with 1162 votes followed by John Mark Concepcion, an independent candidate, with 892 votes, Czarina Nicole Borlasa of Praxis with 844 votes and Rechie Baltazar of SINAG with 711 votes.

Grade 9 representatives are Joshua Onsay of Praxis with 1009 votes, Lienel Navidad of Praxis with 912 votes, Trishia Micole Cruza of SINAG with 869 votes and Ainah Mari Saba of Praxis with 827 votes.

For Grade 10 representatives, Carla Jane Avila of SINAG led with 785 votes followed by Jessy Mae Bogtong of Praxis with 754 votes, Ramon Carlo Banzuela of SINAG with 654 votes and Angelika Mae Cleofe of Praxis with 645 votes.

Currently, the SSG is headed by Jade Edward Biron with advisers Mrs. Julma Cargullo, Mr. Christian Bue and Mr. Bernardo Volante.

Computer Club holds Media Camp 2015

By Joshua Alex Binza

The campers did not go home empty-handed, that is for sure. 

With over 200 participants from Grades 9 and 10  of Tabaco National High School (TNHS), the 2nd School-based Media Camp was held last November 6-8, 2015 at TNHS with the theme: "Focus + Vision = Design." 

Said camp involved lectures on Photography, Web Design, Social Media and First Aid which were also the topics for the camp's team-building activities and contests all throughout the first and second days of the camp.

During the 2nd night of the camp, the Search for Mr. and Ms. Media Camp was held where Vince Gabriel Alado and Mitzi Rexine Martirez were hailed as Mr. and Ms. Media Camp respectively. They were followed by Krysdane Berana and Marc Gerald Saba, 1st runner up; and Angelie Nicole Bordas and Gerard Bata, 2nd runner up.

By the 3rd day, the awarding ceremony was held. Subcamp Instagram bagged the Best Subcamp award. 

"We joined the camp with only our own personal things with us but when we left the camp, we gained things. We left with new-found knowledge and we made new bonds with other students of the school and that is enough to say that the Computer Club succeeded in making this camp enjoyable and knowledge-filled," said Gavin Raymond Briones, leader, Subcamp Instagram.

The school's Computer Club is headed by Cyrus Christian Lee and advisers, Mrs. Julma Cargullo and Mr. Nathaniel Bongat. 

The Vanguard, Ang Tanod dominate DSPC 2015

By Mitzi Rexine Martirez and Maria Vina Montino

Tabaco National High School's school paper publications in English and Filipino, The Vanguard and Ang Tanod respectively, dominated wins in the recently concluded Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) held last October 29-30, 2015 at San Lorenzo Elementary School, San Lorenzo, Tabaco City.

Embarking on the theme, "The Role of 21st Century Campus Journalists in Upholding Good Governance, Leadership and Transparency," the press conference included eight individual events and two group events for both English and Filipino.

The results for the individual events for The Vanguard and Ang Tanod are as follows: Trisha Faith Alaiza, 2nd place and Charles Calais, 1st place, news writing; Amina Rose Alghamdi, 2nd place and Jamaica Blancaflor, 1st place, feature writing; Lurd Synell Najarilla and Cyrus Christian Lee, 1st place, editorial writing; Ronel Rabe and Anthony Alcoriza, 2nd place, editorial cartooning; Romela Bragais and Selene Brondial, 1st place, Science and Technology writing; Jan Angelo Bermas, 3rd place and James Vincent Lorio, 2nd place, sports writing; Neil Ivan Bellen, 1st place, Regine Bualoy, 2nd place, copyreading and headline writing and Jade Edward Biron of The Vanguard, 1st place, photojournalism.

For collaborative publishing, the groups representing The Vanguard and Ang Tanod both bagged 1st place beating two other groups from San Antonio National High School and San Lorenzo National High School.

Same with the collaborative publishing contest, the groups of The Vanguard and Ang Tanod won 1st place in radio broadcasting and script writing along with other special awards.

For radio broadcasting and script writing English, Best Anchor was Al-vi John Jerfvin Corpuz with Mitzi Rexine Martirez taking the 2nd spot; Best Reporter was Maria Vina Montino followed by Jezreel Icaranom in 2nd place and Ashwell Donne Bobier ranking 3rd. The Vanguard also bagged the Best in Technical Application award which was received by Gean Marie Celestial, Best Script award and Best Infomercial Award.

For the Filipino contest, on the other hand, it was Roy Rebancos who managed to bag the Best Anchor Award with his co-anchor Nichelle Buenconsejo placing 2nd; Best reporter was Iseabel Bue with Kobe Dionela placing 2nd and Micah Angelu Buela placing 3rd. Ang Tanod also bagged the Best in Technical Application courtesy of Nel Erin Joy Fajut, Best in Script writing and Best in Infomercial.

The Vanguard's collaborative publishing team was coached by Ms. Desiree Canicula while the broadcasting team was coached by Ms. Gene Maria Calingacion.

Ang Tanod's broadcasting and collaborative publishing teams were coached by Mrs. Emily Braceno , Mrs. Linda Bruto and Mrs. Asuncion Bola.

Winners of the DSPC will be heading to Sorsogon National High School, Sorsogon City on January 13-16, 2016 to represent the Tabaco City Division for the Regional Schools Press Conference.

Batch '81 donates welding shop for SHS

By Trisha Faith Alaiza

For Tabaco National High School (TNHS) to be equipped with the materials needed for the Senior High School (SHS) Technical-Vocational Track, which will be offered next school year, the TNHS Alumni Batch '81 constructed a welding shop supplied with welding tools and machines for the incoming SHS students.

Mrs. Elena B. Tasic, Principal IV, together with the Administrative Staff received the donation from the head of the batch, Mr. Arnaldo Bragais, during the turn-over ceremony last October 22, 2015.

The welding shop was already constructed last June, this year, and is now being utilized by the students of TNHS.

"Being a faculty teacher of TNHS, I recognized the need of much preparation of the school for the K-12 Curriculum, that's why I appealed to my batch mates and they were positive upon this matter," Mrs. Rebecca V. Bobier said.

According to Mrs. Bobier, Mr. Renato Bocaya and Mr. Arnaldo Bragais led Batch '81 in conducting the fundraising activities for the construction of the welding shop.

SSG leads Drug Awareness Symposium

By Neil Ivan Bellen

To raise awareness on different topics regarding illegal drugs, the Supreme Student Government spearheaded the Symposium sponsored by the Philippine Medical Association which was held last October 21, 2015 at the Lagman Gymnasium, Tabaco National High School (TNHS).

The said event had speakers from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and was attended by Grade 10 students of TNHS.

Ms. Cotton Yuson, Chief of Preventive Education Community Involvement Branch, was the first speaker of event and tackled the concepts involving illegal drugs such as the reasons of drug abuse, the profile of drug abuser, the classification of these drugs and more.

“In order to not be a part of illegal activities such as drug dealing, whenever somebody asks you to be a part, tell them, I’m too busy working on being better.” She said on her talk.

She also added that whenever someone is acting a little bit strange, you have to go and ask what is wrong and be always ready to lend a helping hand for this deed may prevent any unwanted in involvement in such cases.

The second speaker of the symposium is a drug user alias Coco who had decided to stop using drugs specifically Shabu. He told the crowd about how his experiences changed his outlook in life and led him to live a drug-free lifestyle.

Coco also imparted them with wisdoms about the proper decisions in life in order to not be led astray. He said that the greatest decision you could ever make is to say no to something that doesn’t even assure you of your safety.

After the two talks, the symposium had an open-forum to answer and clarify some questions regarding drugs.

“This is one of those symposia that is very much needed to be held in every school in order for the students to be filled with knowledge about the effects of drug abuse and this will also serve as a stepping-stone that will help pave the way for a better future for each and everyone.” Ma. Resel Balla, one of the attendees, said.

History Club conducts Dance Drama contest, Grade 9 wins

By Tricia Regine Bermillo

In celebration of the “History Week,"  with the theme: “History: An Instrument and Inspiration in the Political, Social, and Cultural Aspects in the Lives of Filipinos,"  the History Club Officers along with the advisers of the said club, held the Dance Drama competition in Tabaco National High School's Lagman Gymnasium last October 19, 2015.

There were two entries from the Sophomores who were the first two that performed followed by the Freshmen, then the Juniors and lastly by the Seniors.

The event started off with a doxology, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Afterwards, a ballet intermission number was performed by Aira Jane Abagatnan of Grade 7-Venus, which was followed by the parade of the contestants and the Historic Men.

The  opening remarks was addressed by Mrs. Salome Barbadillo, the Araling Panlipunan Department Head,  emphasizing the significance of history in our lives.

The two entries from Grade 8 were tied for 3rd place while the performers from Grade 7 managed to bag the second place and the Best in Costume award. Grade 10 bagged the 1st place and the performers from Grade 9 were named the overall champion of the contest.

To conclude the program, the closing remarks was given by Mrs. Judy Bongon, History Club adviser. 

TNHS researchers win big in Division Science Fair

By Joshua Alex Binza

With the main objective of helping the community through scientific researches, 13 researchers from Tabaco National High School (TNHS) bagged wins in three categories during the Division Science Fair held on October 21, 2015 at the Division Office, San Lorenzo Elementary School, San Lorenzo, Tabaco City.

For the Applied and Physical Science category, John Emmanuel Brotamante, Ian Arvin Bellen, John Marc Carlet and Cyrus Alexander Vizon, all in Grade 9-Dalton, bagged the first spot while Jewel Diamante, Angelie Nicole Bordas and Alyssa Mae Benitez of Grade 10-Newton and Einstein, grabbed the second place for the team category. Jade Edward Biron of 10-Einstein was named the 1st placer in the individual contest with Jezreel Icaranom trailing behind at second place.

For the Life Science category, the first placers for the team contest were Lida Victoria  Ecalnir, Micah Atondo and Angelica Calibo while Joshua Alex Binza of 10-Newton brought home the first place in the individual contest.

First and second placers of the said Science Fair will represent the Tabaco City Division in the upcoming Regional Science Fair on November 18-20, 2015. 

They were all coached by their Research adviser, Mr. Ronaldo Reyes who accompanied them during the contest along with Mrs. Aurea Biron. 

Biron is new RFSSG treasurer

By Joshua Alex Binza

Jade Edward Biron of Grade 10-Einstein was recently elected as this year's Regional Federation Supreme Student Government (RFSSG) Treasurer last October 13, 2015 at the Regional Educational Learning Center (RELC), Rawis, Legazpi City.

Said election was participated by over 60 Supreme Student Government (SSG) presidents all over the Bicol region with Biron representing Tabaco National High School (TNHS).

All representatives were divided into two parties namely the Astig and Leader parties; Biron being part of the latter. 

He was Leader party's representative for the position of Treasurer while the opposition sent Carmela Gonzales. Biron won with a total vote count of 28 while Gonzales earned 22 votes.

Biron, upon winning, said that he feels honored that not only the school, but also the whole Tabaco City Division and Bicol Region leaders, trusts him. According to him, this win will motivate him even more in serving the student body of the school and his fellow students from other schools in Region V.

With regards to his plans as RFSSG treasurer, he said, "I will give my 100% support to the projects we, the regional officers, decide to execute; I will also take part in spearheading our organization's activities. Our platforms focus on student development and empowering the youth to become future leaders of our country."

Biron has been a part of TNHS' SSG for three years now: a representative in his first year, the Vice-President in his second year and the President for his third year. 

SSG gives tribute to TNHS teachers, faculty staff

By Joshua Alex Binza

In line with the 2015 World Teachers' Day Celebration, Tabaco National High School's (TNHS) Supreme Student Government (SSG) gave tribute to the school teachers and faculty staff through a program last October 5, 2015 at the TNHS ceremonial grounds.

With the theme: "The Filipino Teachers: Mirror of Heroism, Cradle of Excellence," the SSG, headed by Jade Edward Biron, together with Computer Club, led by Kenneth Aldrin Bon, launched activities which aim to give thanks to the teachers. Said activities include the Giant Thank You Card Making, Song Writing, and "Hugot Pa More." 

On October 5, 2015, the teachers and the faculty staff gathered at the Saint John the Baptist Church for a short mass and afterwards, they paraded from there to TNHS. 

During the program, the winners of the Song Writing competition, along with Nonilo Cuesta and Denise Beguiras, performed a song to express their gratitude towards the educators.

As the highlight of the program, the SSG conducted a raffle draw where Mrs. Nyren Belen won the grand prize which was a sofa bed.

Division YES-O Camp held

by Joshua Alex Binza

Embarking on the theme: "Empowering the Youth towards a Cleaner, Greener and Safer Environment," Tabaco City Division's Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) launched the 2015 YES-O Camp on October 2-4, 2015 at Tabaco National High School.

This 3-day camp featured the following events: Symposium on Environmental Protection, Logo, Poster and Slogan Making Contests, Environmental Crafting,  Environmental and Science Quizzes, Torch Parade, Fun Run, Coastal Cleanup Drive and Mangrove Planting, Film Showing, Team Building Activities, TugSayAwit Contest and the 2015 Search for Lakan and Lakambini ng Kalikasan.

Said camp was participated by public and private elementary and secondary schools from the Tabaco City Division.

The participating Elementary Schools (ES) were: Nagsipit ES, Cobo ES, Basud ES, Mayon ES, Pawa ES, Basagan ES, Magapo ES, Tabaco Northwest Central School, Pinagbobong ES, Matagbac ES, Tabaco North Central ES, San Lorenzo ES, San Vicente ES, Tabaco Fundamental School of Tabaco, Achievers' School of Tabaco, Tabaco Pei Ching School and Tabaco South Central ES.

The following secondary schools also participated in the camp: Tabaco Pei Ching School, Bantayan National High School, San Antonio National High School, San Lorenzo National High School, San Miguel High School, Fundamental School of Tabaco, Mariroc High School, Daniel B. Pena Memorial College Foundation, Comon High School and Tabaco National High School.

During the camp's opening program, the participants were enlightened regarding the camp activities and camp rules. They were also given the camp's official t-shirt which is a yellow round-neck shirt with "I love Yes Camp" printed on it.

"Since this my first time joining the YES-O Camp, I expect to gain lots of knowledge while having fun and I hope that I meet a lot of new friends here," said Rica Mae Borjal, camper from Tabaco National High School.

Tabaco High welcomes PBB Teen Big 4

by Jade Edward Biron

In compliance with their task in Pinoy Big Brother (PBB), which is to raise three million pesos for their chosen charities, the PBB Teen Big Four namely  Ylona Jade Garcia, Bailey Thomas May, Jimboy Martin, and TNHS Alumni Thomas Franco Rodriguez came back to their hometowns to do the said task.

Last September 15, 2015, the Teen Big Four visited the Province of Albay, which is Rodriguez' hometown. A motorcade was held from Legazpi City going to the Tabaco City Plaza for the Courtesy Call.

By exactly two o’clock in the afternoon, the Teen Big Four was welcomed by the Unity Dance performed by the students of Tabaco National High School  which was followed by the Words of Welcome given by Supreme Student Government (SSG) President Jade Edward Biron. Selected Tabaco Northwest Central School students also performed their Champs Dance and to conclude the welcoming program, TNHS’ pride Thomas Franco Rodriguez performed with the TNHS Brass Band and extended his sincerest gratitude for the support given to him and to his co-housemates.

A payment of Php. 100 shall be given to the PBB staff for every picture taken with the Teen Big Four in order to raise a total amount of 3M pesos. 

**Readers, stay tuned for Ashwell Donne Bobier's exclusive interview with the Teen Big 4!**

Grade 7 reign supreme in 2015 Wellness Dance

by Val Jinsen Buela

                            The grade 7 students prepare for their performance of the 2015 Nestle Wellness

                                        Dance during TNHS's Intramurals on September 10, 2015. (Johanna Belesta)

The Grade 7 students can be defeated in terms of their sizes but not definitely in terms of dancing because of what they showed in the 2015 Wellness Dance Competition with their colorful and attractive costumes and their fascinating moves that blasted all the remaining year levels during the Mass Demo in connection with the 2015 Intramurals held at Tabaco National High School (TNHS) on September 10, 2015.

Under the dazzling heat of the sun, the blue grade 10 performers started the Mass Demo by first entering the pavement full of energy wearing their blue hand props and white caps that made the cheers from the crowd louder, added with their clean and well-practiced moves and freestyles during their performance from the beginning up to the end part of their presentation.

That made the next performers, who were the red grade 9 performers, to enter the pavement with high fighting spirits as they walk towards the pavement wearing their red hand props. They showed their fierceness during their performance by delivering their well-organized freestyles and clean dance moves added with their loud shouts “Grade 9 Wellness” at the end part of their performance.

The yellow Grade 8 performers proceeded after the Grade 9’s performance. The cheers from the crowd maintained its loudness as they showed what they had practiced together with their gloves as hand props and their moves full of energy and excitement.

Last to perform were the green Grade 7 performers wearing their colorful hand props made from plastics that made their performance more interesting together with their unique and original freestyle. They fought the other year levels with confidence and with strong fighting spirits that served as their weapon to achieve the 1^st place in that competition and they’re now the new champions in the 2015 Mass Demonstration.

Seniors dominate wins in 2015 Search for Mr. and Ms. Intramurals

by Mitzi Binamira

Neil Antoni and Angelica Marie Camu, both seniors, won the title of Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2015 during the Search for Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2015 held on September 9, 2015 at Lagman Gymnasium, Tabaco National High School, Tabaco City.

Lienel Navidad, grade 8 and Aaron Rey Bonaobra, grade 10, were hailed as the 1st runner up, Alphabeth Brutas, a sophomore and John Paul Balingbing, from 10th grade, were the 2nd runner up while Dazelle Barrion, grade 7 and Dominic Cruza, grade 8, bagged the 4th place.

Camu was awarded seven out of 15 minor awards namely: best in production number, best in production attire, best in futurista attire, best in sportswear, best in ramp, glamour shot, and lastly, the pormang campus.

Michaela Shenna Delfin, Ms. Intramurals 2014, passed the crown to Ms. Camu after her Farewell walk.

Being the school's Intramurals symbols, Camu and Bobis both carried the school's Intramurals banner during the opening parade held last September 10, 2015. 

Grass flares up in TNHS track field

by Yvette Margallo 

Summer may be over but extreme heat is still striking the city of Tabaco.

A recent grass fire happened between 12:00-1:30pm which consumed a portion of Tabaco National High School's track field last September 9, 2015.

Students occupying the Temporary Learning Spaces near the grandstand field immediately evacuated the area after seeing thick layers of white smoke emanating from the grass fire happening in the school's track field. These huge billows of smoke also distressed students and teachers of the school while two fire trucks arrived at the said destination to stop the fire from further spreading.ss

"It all started with a small speck of fire which later extended on the dried grass from the field causing it to spread like wildfire; extreme heat possibly helped in the fire's fast distribution," said Fire Chief, Ed Borito.

According to an eye witness, a teacher [name withheld] asked one of her students to burn a clump of dried leaves near the said field. He added that the teacher did not expect the fire to spread throughout a large scale of land resulting to the grass fire.

Three fire trucks all in all, two from the government of Tabaco and one from a volunteer organization, helped in sloshing the fire with water.

After the said fire died, Borito said, "All fire troop members did their best to stop the fire; it only took them an estimate of 10 minutes for the fire to eventually stop."

In addition, other than the a portion of the field consumed by the fire, no further casualties were reported to the school's office.

TNHS keeps "Overall Champion" title in 2015 National PSYSC Summit

by Joshua Alex Binza and Tricia Regine Bermillo

TNHSians return back from Sorsogon City with a two-peat in the bag!

After being last year's overall champion, Tabaco National High School (TNHS) was once again hailed as the overall champion in the Mathematics, Science at Kapaligiran (MATHSCIAKA) contests during the 2015 Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC) National Summit held on September 5-6, 2015 at Sorsogon National High School, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

This two-day camp featured contests such as the MATHSCIAKA Engineering Science and Interactive Challenge, Philippine Science Olympiad, subcamp quiz bee and photo-sprinting contests, team-building workshops, I Teach Science Seminar and Workshop for teachers and the 2015 Regional Council election in relation to the theme:"MATEREALIZE: Synthesizing Ideas, Extracting Knowledge, Forging Science Clubbers as Agents of Innovation."

Jade Edward Biron and Jewel Diamante, from 10-Einstein and 10-Newton respectively, placed first in the MATHSCIAKA Engineering Science contest after battling with three more high schools from Region V.

On the other hand, Trisha Faith Alaiza, Joshua Alex Binza, Nichelle Buenconsejo, Leon Ricardo Fernandez and Johann Niccolo Ocampo landed the 3rd place in the MATHSCIAKA Interactive contest after competing with 12 other teams of five from high schools participating in the said summit.

With the Engineering Science contest given 60% weight and the Interactive Challenge given 40% weight in determining the overall champion, the 1st and 3rd place wins in both MATHSCIAKA contests helped TNHS in keeping the overall champion title.

Furthermore, three other students from TNHS namely Neil Ivan Bellen, Romela Bragais and Leon Ricardo Fernandez brought the school a 3rd place win in the Philippine Science Olympiad contest.

Grade 9-Mendeleev student and current Grade 9 PSYSC President, Al-vi John Jerfvin Corpuz, was elected as this year's Marketing Officer which makes him part of PSYSC's Region V Regional Council.

After winning 3rd place in the MATHSCIAKA Interactive Challenge, Nichelle Buenconsejo exclaimed, "All things considered, the best part of this year's summit is the MATHSCIAKA Interactive Challenge where my friends and I won 3rd place. It is indeed the most nerve-wracking, patience-testing and honestly, the most exciting and most memorable experience I have in this camp."

All contestants were coached by Mrs. Elizabeth Bongala and Ms. Tina Ang, PSYSC advisers, who also accompanied them along with 96 more students from TNHS in the said summit.

Saint John the Baptist Parish' bell tower undergoes restoration

by Joshua Alex Binza and Maria Vina Montino

After more than 200 years of standing beside the Saint John the Baptist church, the parish' lighthouse-turned-bell tower has finally undergone restoration which started last May 18, 2015 and is expected to be finished after six months.

Said restoration is headed by Architect Anna Lorilla together with her apprentice, Jade Peñaflor, under the funding of the National Museum, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

"Due to the destruction brought by natural calamities, especially earthquakes, we had to ensure that all historical landmarks here in the Philippines can stand strong against the possible damages the calamities may bring and that the landmarks are in their greatest condition," said Peñaflor.

When asked about what they did to the 25-meter-high bell tower, Peñaflor stated that the first thing they did was to rid the tower's surface of cement and replace it with a mixture of lime and sand. Noticing that most of the figures inside the tower are broken and distorted, she added that they will be coating the figures' surface with the lime mixture to strengthen them and at the same time, make them look new.

"The bell tower restoration is indeed a great idea for it reduces the chances of it crumbling to the ground and maybe, after the restoration process, it can attract more people to go to the church," said Resel Balla, a regular Saint John the Baptist church-goer.

TNHS joins 2015 Nutrition Month Celebration

by Blessie Lynette Concina, Angelica Callo and Joshua Alex Binza

To promote awareness on the roles of proper nutrition and physical activities in preventing obesity and malnutrition in the community, Tabaco National High School's (TNHS) TLE Clubs under the school's TLE Department with Mrs. Dolores Notario as the head, spearheaded the 2015 Nutrition Month Celebration all throughout July focusing on the theme, "Timbang Iwasto sa Tamang Nutrisyon at Ehersisyo."

Said celebration featured contests such as essay writing, jingle, slogan and poster making, cooking camp and with the Search for Mr. and Ms. Healthy Teen 2015 and Zumba Dance Competition as the month's highlights.

Winners of the aforementioned contests are as follows: Shane Therese Aguado and Romela Bragais, essay writing; Grade 10-Einstein and Newton, jingle making; Ninna Alessandra Santiago, poster making; Grade 9-Chlorine, slogan making; and the Grade 10-SPA students for the zumba dance competition.

Darryl Faith Balanon of 10-Einstein and Joshua Buendia of 10-Newton were hailed as this year's Mr. and Ms. Healthy Teen. Furthermore, they represented the school in the Division Search for the A1 Child where they bagged the 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

"I do hope that with the activities we have prepared and conducted, the students of TNHS have learned the importance of proper nutrition and the role of physical activities in keeping their bodies fit and free from diseases," said Joshua Alex Binza, president of the Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines (STEP) Club.