Out of 204 pupils this school year, different stories of success, struggles and sometimes failures can be heard. These stories are pieces of puzzle that once put together tells us the 0f our humble school. Each pupil has their own story to tell, they are part of the pages of the book which tells the legacy of our school. They are the writers and actors who write and play their own stories.
Man of Few Words
There are about hundreds of pupils in Liputan Elementary School. Of these, many have outstanding stories to tell. Most of these stories are inspiring but one caught my attention. He’s tagged as ’Justin ‘by his friends. I have never heard his name dragged in any trouble.
The son of Mr. Noel Esteban, a factory worker who usually earn 1000 pesos weekly and Mrs. Roshelle Esteban, a housewife who sometimes work as helper.
At his young age, he knows how to value and use his time wisely. Most of his time is spent on his studies and helping his mother in their household chores during weekends.
As early as 5:00 in the morning he wakes up to fix himself before going to school. Unlike other pupils who usually ride to school or walk a few steps, this young man walks for almost an hour over two barangays before reaching the school.
Indeed, a simple life he has, but all of us knew that there’s a bright future ahead of him. He almost excels in all his subjects especially in English and Mathematics gaining him the respect he deserves from his classmates. He is a consistent honors in their class.
A friend not only to his peers but also to his teachers who he openly helps in little ways he could. The pupil that I had introduced to you is Neil Justine I. Esteban, a Grade VI pupil- a Role Model to his fellow pupils.
Man of Steel
A person who is strong enough to stand all forms of bullying from the people around him just to pursue his dream of finishing his studies is indeed worthy to be called, ‘Man of Steel’.
He may be different from his classmates but his determination to learn made him stand out from his class. With the love and support of his parents, it seems that everything is possible for him. Truly, everyone from the school is really amazed with his determination and his innocent smile is indeed contagious
I’m talking about Micko Frinz A. Dumalay, a Grade One learner who was born with cleft palate. This is also the same reason why he is often victim of bullying by his friends. Despite all of his bad experiences while growing up, Micko became a happy and playful child. You will always see him playing around with his friends during recess. His face is always filled with the sweetest smile you’ve ever seen.
Providing a friendly school with open minded people around him truly helped Micko felt that he is just like everyone of his age. A second home that is free from discrimination and full of understanding hearts that will accept him whole heartedly. After all, he may be the ‘Man of Steel’ that we’ve known, but sometimes even heroes cries and get hurt.
Partners for Life
No one can deny the powerful connections of twins. Individually they are amazing, what more if these two offspring produced by same pregnancy work as one, they are unstoppable!
In school there are several twins in the Intermediate level; one of those has an interesting story that caught our hearts and attentions. They are the Perez Twins – Ehren Caedmon D. Perez and Denzel Cairy D. Perez. Both of them are in Grade Four and they are really inseparable whether at home or in school.
Ehren and Denzer were both premature babies. They are identical twins, They are both incubated for several weeks until they were allowed to go home. This is also the reason according to their mother and grandmother why both of them are hyper and moody. They switch their moods easily, now their happy and easy to be with then all of a sudden they get mad. Both of them also wanted to play the whole day even during school hours. Chaotic isn’t it? But let see how their family, teachers and classmates helped the Perez Twins overcome their behavioural problems.
Acceptance, this is the key to fully accept their conditions. By understanding what they feel and what they wanted to do will really help them feel that they are loved and accepted by the people around them. Their parents and teachers observed that Ehren and Caedmon both love to play and draw. They decided to support the twins on what they wanted to do. Recently, Ehren and Caedmon just won in the school poster making contest during the celebration of Nutrition Month. They also noticed that the two improved a lot in dealing and playing with their classmates. They are now more sociable and fun to be with.
OUT of the Box
Gender has nothing to do with someone’s ability, regardless if you are a boy, girl or member of the third sex, as long as you excel from the path you chose, indeed you are worthy to be respected!
In the world of campus journalism, Liputan Young journalists have proven themselves countless times after winning in group and individual categories from cluster to national level. This recent Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) we saw the struggle and success of the only Liputan Young Journalist who made his way to the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC).
Russel I. Relente made it to RSPC after winning 3rd place in Pagsulat ng Lathalain after beating different schools in the Division of Meycauayan during DSPC. Ignacio, a Grade Six Pupil has been competing in campus journalism for three years, but it was only this year when he finally won.
Ignacio also experienced bullying because of his sexual orientation. But instead of giving up and listens from what other people say, he study hard and work on his talent and eventually been part of the school campus journalist.
Nowadays, everyone is pushing for gender sensitivity and equality. We must appreciate everyone’s worth and flaws. And remember, sometimes those people who wear ‘pink’ clothes are the ones who are really tough and strong.
An Ordinary Boy with an Extraordinary Story
According to studies, poverty is on top of the list why many Filipino children stop their schooling and work at their very young age. But for some, determination is the key against poverty and road to success.
One of the returnee learners in the school is Paolo Lucero. He is now in Grade Six at the age of 16. Despite of his age and financial problem, he decided to continue his studies for he knows that this is the only way for him and his family to break free from poverty.
Paolo stopped for almost four years to help his father in his work as a fisherman to earn for their living. That was a tough decision for him since studying is his priority but there nothing he can do.
At present, Paolo still help his father in his work but from Saturdays and Sundays only. He also do some part time works after school such as pag-iigib ng tubig and pagkakargador to earn extra money to support his daily needs in school.
According to his Class Adviser Mrs. Minerva L. Siongco, Paolo is a fast learner. He can easily understand the lessons and even help his classmates in their school works. He is also the ‘kuya’ in class, the one that everybody can lean on and ask when they need advices. Paolo is now fully adapted and accepted by his new classmates, the main reason also why he performs well during class discussion.
There are millions of Filipino who suffered from poverty, the government designed different programs to address this problem. But it is our main responsibility to help ourselves from the massive effects of poverty. Let us learn from Paolo, a young boy who’s willing to do everything to fulfil his dream. Not even poverty had stopped him to continue his studies, a leaving testimony that we have to work and fight for our dreams. Indeed Paolo is a hero from a small islet barangay, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary story worth listening for.
Iron Lady
In a society being dominated by men, it is always nice to hear women names occupying high positions in the government and muti-billion companies. From the First Philippine Woman President, Pres. Corazon C. Aquino up to the First Woman Chief justice, Maria Lourdes Sereno, indeed women play essential role in our society today.
Women power can be observed in our school since it is headed by women – Ma’am Maria Gracia R. Victoria, School Head Teacher and Ashley Roan D.C. Legaspi, Supreme Pupils Government (SPG) President.
Ashley, SPG President spearheaded several school programs such as Clean-Up Drive, Tree Planting and Feeding Programs. Her dedication and determination paid off as she gained the support and trust of her fellow learners. In every program initiated by the SPG, massive supports from her fellow pupils and stakeholders can be seen, a solid proof of his strong and credible leadership.
Credibility, determination and love to his fellow learners, these are the good qualities that Pres. Ashley possessed that gained the respect of everyone in the school and community. Despite being an effective SPG President, she is also a constant class honors from Grade One to present. On top of these, she is also an award wing school journalist. Ashley also won in Cluster Based Schools Press Conference (CBSPC) 2016 as she landed 1st spot in Photojournalism in Filipino Category- a strong manifestation of being a tough leader, and also an outstanding learner.