“Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan”

Mahigit isang taon nang kinakaharap ng ating bansa ang pandemyang COVID-19. Dahil dito, hindi matapos-tapos ang mga lockdown na lalong nagpapahirap sa kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan. Maraming nawalan ng trabaho at nagugutom hanggang sa ngayon. Bilang tugon sa mga problemang ito, umusbong ang bayanihan na kung tawagin ay community pantry.

Ang community pantry ay naglalayong makapagbigay-tulong sa mga nagugutom mula sa mga donasyong pagkain ng mga miyembro ng komunidad. Nabuo ang pinakaunang community pantry sa Pilipinas sa Maginhawa, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City sa pangunguna ni Ana Patricia Non.

“Yung area po namin, sarado kaya po nahirapan din akong ituloy ang negosyo kong maliit. Hindi po matanggal sa isip ko na paano kaya yung mga taong nakadepende yung livelihood nila sa pang-araw-araw na paglabas,” sabi niya sa kanyang interview mula sa One News PH noong Abril 20, 2021.

SIMULA. Ang unang community pantry na matatagpuan sa Maginhawa, Sikatuna Village. Photo Credit: ANA PATRICIA NON

Hindi kalaunan, kumalat sa social media ang kuha niyang larawan ng proyekto na nagsilbing inspirasyon para sa iba upang magtayo rin ng community pantry sa kani-kanilang mga lugar. Halimbawa nito ay ang community pantry sa Krus Na Ligas (KNL). Limitado ang supply ng kanilang mga donasyon kaya naman naisipan nilang ianunsyo na lamang sa kanilang Facebook page kung sinong grupo ng mga tao ang makakukuha ng donasyon sa espesipikong araw.

Isa sa mga organizer nito ay si Danna Sumalabe, isang alumni ng University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) mula sa Batch 2018. Ayon sa naging karanasan ni Danna Sumalabe bilang tagapagbantay ng pantry, nakaramdam siya ng pagkabilib sa pagtutulungan at espiritu ng bayanihan na taglay ng community pantry.

“Noong araw na nagbantay ako, mga tricycle drivers ang prayoridad. May binuo kasi kaming sistema na kung saan, kada araw ay may mga grupo kami ng mga tao na binibigyang prayoridad tulad nga mga tricycle driver. Kahit na dapat sila ang inuuna at binibigyan, sila pa mismo ang nagbo-volunteer na mag-repack, mag-marshall ng social distancing, at mismong namamahagi para sa iba pang nakapila. Ibinibigay nila yung plastic na para sana ay sa kanila dahil baka raw mas kailangan iyon ng iba. Ayos na raw sila basta’t nakatulong sila,” ayon sa naging interbyu namin sa kanya.

Pagkain sa araw-araw ang nais tugunan ng mga community pantry, ngunit sa paglaganap nito, tila tinutugunan din ng mga ito maging ang iba pang pangangailangan ng mga kabilang sa komunidad. Tulad na lamang sa isang barangay sa Davao na kung saan ay nagbibigay sila ng iba't ibang contraceptives upang magbigay kamalayan sa mga isyu ng Teenage Pregnancy, STD, at HIV-AIDS. Hindi rin naman nagpahuli ang isang barangay sa Santa Maria, Laguna na nagawa pang ipagdiwang ang Mother’s Day. Sa pamamagitan ng “Buntis pantry” ay nakapag-abot sila ng mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng sanggol at buntis, kagaya ng diaper, baby oil, bimpo at iba pa.

BUNTIS COMMUNITY PANTRY. Paglulunsad ng community pantry para sa mga ina kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Mother’s Day sa Santa Maria, Laguna. Photo Credit: MICHAEL ALCANTARA BARAL

Hindi lamang tao ang nakatanggap ng tulong sa mga pantry na ito, maging ang mga alagang hayop ay mayroon din. Sa Kalayaan Avenue, Makati, halimbawa ay may tinaguriang “paw-ntry” na ang layunin ay mag-abot ng tulong para sa mga ligaw na aso at pusa. Namamahagi sila ng mga libreng tubig, dog at cat food para sa mga hayop na walang nagmamay-ari. Nais nilang ipakapon (“neutered”) ito at bigyan ng maayos na tahanan. 

PAW-NTRY. Isang community pantry sa Makati na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga alagang hayop. Photo Credit: AVIEN ROSETE

Nasa gitna tayo ng isang krisis at ipinaalala ng mga community pantry na patuloy nating pairalin ang malasakit sa isa’t isa, na walang suliraning ‘di malalagpasan ang bayan kung tayo'y magtutulungan.

‘Ika nga ni Danna Sumalabe sa aming naging interbyu, “Tandaan din dapat na walang tulong na maliit, nakakahiya, o di kaya’y kulang. Basta’t may isang taong bubuti ang kalagayan at matutulungan ng pantry na iseset-up nila, ipagpatuloy lamang nila. Tayo-tayo na lang ang aasahan natin sa panahon ngayon kaya naman ibigay natin ang tulong na kaya nating ibigay.” // nina Gabby Arevalo and Jonas Dula

Art has always been that one thing that no one thinks of seriously. At most, it’s a hobby. It’s something you do only for fun. It’s one of those fields that people don’t want to take in college because, well, what would you gain from it? It’s not like those other fields that can actually provide an answer to other people’s dilemmas, right?

But what if you were told that art was capable of that? Would you believe it?

Probably not. So instead, let yourself witness it with your own eyes.

Meet Jiboy Oseo, Magan Basilio, and Bianca Amurao, three artists from UP Integrated School. While they come from different grades and backgrounds, they have the same goal━to help Filipinos struggling in quarantine using the magic of art.

Bianca’s artworks are like love letters, and it’s easy to adore them. Every person she draws feels realistic━it’s as if an admirer drew them. Their faces are easily distinguishable and their emotions clear. She plays a lot with shadows and lights, giving off a quiet and peaceful mood. Every piece feels... personal.

A melancholy artwork of a girl in the dark, drawn by Bianca Amurao.

A realistic drawing of Rose of Blackpink in Lovesick Girls, drawn by Bianca Amurao.

Bianca’s previous proceeds went to fundraisers for typhoon Ulysses victims. Current proceeds of upcoming commissions will be donated to help the community pantries all over Metro Manila.

Ever dreamed of seeing yourself through the eyes of an overdramatic and true lover? Or a painting you still can’t believe isn’t a photo? Request a piece over at Bianca’s Twitter and Instagram account, @blerpmerp!

Jiboy’s art feels like a dream because of how imaginative they are. People don’t normally encounter tikbalangs or babaylans. Because of that, they may seem scary or unapproachable. However, after looking at how he portrays them in his artworks, it’s not ridiculous for someone to think it’ll actually be awesome to meet them. He doesn’t just draw people and mythical creatures from the Philippines. He also drew one of his friends as the subject of Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. It’s gorgeous, and the reflection in the earring gives off this... mysterious feeling.

Jiboy Oseo’s take on a Filipino babaylan.

Jiboy Oseo’s artwork of his friend as the Lady with the Pearl Earring.

All of Jiboy’s earnings from past commissions were donated to charities for the victims of typhoon Rolly and Ulysses. A part of present earnings from requests are set aside for charity organizations.

Want to see yourself as the all-mysterious Mona Lisa? Or maybe as a hip manananggal? Now you can! Head on over to Jiboy’s art account, @artbyjiboy and @oseojiboy on Twitter. Future tikbalang havers can also contact Jiboy through his email, johnbenoseo@gmail.com.

If there was a word that could describe Magan’s art, it would be animated. The faces of each subject are easily likeable due to how animated and expressive they are. The colors she uses are also pleasing to the eyes. They’re like the wind-- light, and won’t ever bring you down. She also paints phone cases and honestly? They’re aestheticcc.

   A collection of Magan Basilio’s digital art.

A sample of a phonecase decorated by Magan Basilio.

Project Ngiti and the typhoon victims were the recipients of Magan’s previous profits. Nowadays, she is helping out several youth organizations with their advocacies through the power of her art.

Need a stylish case that can protect your phone? Or maybe a cute icon with your bestie for your Twitter account? Check out Magan’s insta, @maganpb! You can also send her a DM via Facebook Messenger, facebook.com/maganpb.

Filipinos are currently going through tough times. Our problems have become increasingly more difficult over the past few months. To some, it may even seem like there is no way of solving them.

These three artists have shown us today that the things we thought of as “just for fun” can actually be the answer to our struggles. Through their paintings and craft, they were able to contribute to a solution for our fellow countrymen.

We can also be of help to our kababayans. Consider requesting a commission from these students. Not only would you be receiving personalized artwork, but you would also be aiding the Filipinos who benefit from these drives.

Now truly, we can say that art is more than just a hobby. // by Dia Pasia

As thousands of new COVID-19 cases are reported in our country every day, millions of people continue to suffer from the government’s poor management and response to this pandemic. Poverty-stricken families and individuals have little-to-no access to food and other basic necessities. Businesses are shutting down, frontline health workers are risking their lives to save others, and employees, teachers, and students are hardly keeping up with the new setup of working from home and online education.

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced last year that schooling must continue. So, they imposed remote learning where students and teachers do not meet in a traditional classroom, but instead connect virtually and learn together like in a face-to-face class. Now, almost a year into it, both students and teachers have observed and experienced firsthand that it is probably not the most effective set-up. This has been taking a toll on their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing—serving as an obstacle rather than a bridge for continuous education.

Students have been ardently voicing out their thoughts on remote learning through the power of social media. This is why we are already more than familiar with how students are coping in this situation.

Now, it’s time to sit down and listen to our teachers! Shhhhh—we’re starting!

For this article, we interviewed three of our dearest teachers from UPIS, each with different years of experience and different fields of expertise. First off is Sir Arjay “Ey” Calso, a teacher from the Health and Physical Education Department. Next is Ma’am Michelle “Mich” Molinyawe, a teacher from the Practical Arts Department. Last but not the least is Professor Ma. Lourdes Vargas, a teacher from the Communication Arts - English, Music and Art Department.

Transitioning to remote learning has been a struggle for every one of us, which is why these three teachers found similar ways to prepare for the start of the school year. According to them, they realized that practicing how to use technology in remote learning is a must. One thing they needed to do was learn how to navigate all the necessary learning platforms, such as Google Classroom, Zoom, and Gmail, as well as how to modify their teaching methods and deliverables accordingly.

They've since discovered, though, that even with their preparations, several challenges still await. For Sir Ey, some of these difficulties are having fewer students who attend online classes and the fact that there are students being left behind due to the lack of resources for remote learning. Back in face-to-face classes, Sir Ey was the kind of teacher who would do anything to see his students’ faces light up. Now, with this new setup, it’s been a struggle for him to grasp the interest of his students and receive the same reactions from them as he did back then.

Ma’am Mich, on the other hand, highlights the personal challenges of working at home. For instance, long hours of work in front of a screen is nothing short of stressful. It harms our physical states because it lessens the movement of our bodies and may affect our eyesight and damage our posture. Ma’am Mich also points out the hassle of having different distractions at home, which hinders her productivity. This is a common problem brought by this pandemic because not everyone has a comfortable environment to work and study in.

For Ma’am Vargas, one of the biggest and most common challenges that she and most students encounter is unstable internet connection. Although she seldom experiences this, it’s one of the reasons why it is much harder to communicate with one another in this new setup.

Making sure that the students still get the maximum learning experience with the limited kinds of activities and learning methods is also a hurdle for both Ma’am Vargas and Ma’am Mich. The preparations are a great load of work for the teachers, and they have to show utmost consideration to their students because they could be having a hard time at home due to various reasons.

Aside from the difficulties of remote learning, teachers are also facing personal struggles during this community quarantine.

Having to isolate yourself for a long period is immensely saddening. Sir Ey worries about whether or not quarantine impacts him and his loved ones psychologically. He says, “I just wanted to see a good rationale for why it’s [community quarantine] being done way longer [in the Philippines] than other countries.”

Ma’am Mich is also upset by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country. “I personally feel worried about the threat of this disease to me and my family,” she states. The difficulty of balancing other responsibilities in her home also adds to the stress she experiences.

Ma’am Vargas comparably worries for her family’s safety, since her siblings are frontliners or go to work physically. Unfortunately, she is not able to spend time with them, or even see or hold them. She says she feels “helpless and inadequate because of the limitations brought about by the pandemic.”

Amidst all these challenges, our teachers have found numerous coping mechanisms to ease said difficulties.

Sir Ey stresses the importance of having compassion in this unfortunate situation. He always reminds himself to be more compassionate towards his students and towards himself because he knows everyone is struggling.

“Compassion is a natural instinct within us all and we just have to be mindful to translate that intent into actions,” he quotes.

As for Ma’am Mich, instead of focusing on the things that stress her out, she tries to relieve her stress by spending time with her family and listening to music.

Ma’am Vargas also has her ways. She mentions that the whole UPIS community coordinates with one another and participates in different webinars to address the challenges they are facing. She extends deadlines, holds consultations, and keeps lines of communication open for her students. During synchronous classes, she tries her best to ensure that the students fully understand the lesson and feel her concern through the screen. She learns from her everyday experiences and strives to get the hang of remote learning.

Facing such problems and coming up with different coping strategies have led them to having certain lifelines in this quarantine. Lifelines are things or people that help you cope and make life more bearable during challenging times. They help you stay sane and motivate you to keep going when you feel like giving up.

Sir Ey, Ma’am Vargas, and Ma’am Mich all share one common lifeline—their families. Spending time and talking with their loved ones about their thoughts, worries, and problems has helped them cope with their struggles.

To go more in depth, Sir Ey tells us about more of his lifelines, which he calls his why’s. These are the mere reasons why he should and must, the “get-up-and-go” that motivates him to get moving each day.

“Being mindful about my ‘why’s’ definitely helps me fathom why I do the things I do (...) I always find a reason to smile. I nurture it and use it as a driving mechanism to do good, feel good and be the best version of myself amidst the unending life challenges we all have to go through,” he preaches.

Having these unique lifelines contributes greatly to his everyday life. Sir Ey never lets himself feel alone, so he always chooses to surround himself with people he loves and people who further encourage his resilience.

Aside from her family and friends, Ma’am Mich also has another lifeline: the famous boy band BTS. According to her, the group's songs spread so much positivity that she feels like she needs to keep on going, and this lifeline has helped her everyday life by reducing the stress she carries.

Ma’am Vargas has also expressed her gratitude to her lifelines. “I am thankful to have my colleagues and friends who are always ready to help me—pre-pandemic and pandemic—whenever I have concerns with both professional and personal life.”

She describes them as understanding and generous. Ma’am Vargas has also mentioned that she and her family do funny video calls and send each other messages every now and then. They do daily routines such as cleaning the house and leisure activities like listening to music and watching YouTube videos, waving at their neighbours, and buying from their neighborhood magtataho and magma-mais—all of which help her survive and feel a sense of normalcy.

Ma’am Vargas’ last lifeline is God; praying to Him takes away her fears and uncertainty, and the current situation makes her cling to Him more as she knows that God is just around.

Being in this situation has not been easy. Fortunately, our dearest teachers have pieces of advice for everyone.

“With all the unfortunate things that are happening around the world, people are more prone to experience depression and anxiety. I will definitely advise everyone to practice open and honest communication because we are stronger when we listen and smarter when we share. Basically, normalize being vocal because it will help you release emotions you have pent up inside and will help you feel better. Don’t ever let life shut you up,” Sir Ey says, finishing with a winking emoji.

Ma’am Mich emphasizes the importance of taking care of our mental health. “Do not give up. Always find time to rest because mental health is something that we should not ignore.”

Lastly, Ma’am Vargas promotes the strong bond of the UPIS community that she believes has been a great help to her and fellow members of the community. “UPIS has a very strong support system—coupled with His guidance—so there’s nothing to fear.”

Each one of us surely misses the old ways of learning. Like Sir Ey says, “No amount of online instruction can substitute the power of student-teacher relationships and the learning that happens in that perspective.”

Looking back, this pandemic has brought us struggles that affect every aspect of our lives. But hopefully, like our teachers, we can learn to appreciate our lifelines that help us get through this pandemic—one day at a time. // by Karla Concepcion, Kyle Mararac, and Lui Mendoza

Are you angry at how things are going on in the country? Are you tired of the incompetencies of our leaders? One of the easiest things we can do as a step toward change is to vote. The 2022 Election is just around the corner. Are you ready to exercise one of your rights as a Filipino citizen? Here is the step-by-step guide to help you navigate your way to being an active citizen.

Registering to vote is the starting point towards putting into practice our duty as Filipino citizens. It is a requirement to undergo this process if you plan to choose our country’s next leaders. Voters’ registration for the May 2022 Elections started on September 1, 2020, and will end on September 30, 2021. While this date seems far away, it’s better to start preparing early, especially with the coronavirus scare.

Before following this step-by-step guide, you must know if you're eligible to exercise your democratic rights. To be a qualified voter, you must:

It is important to plan your registration especially with the pandemic still in our midst. Planning your registration helps you avoid the possibility of forgetting important documents, Multiple trips, long lines, and crowded places. 

For first-time registrants, the COMELEC requires at least one of the following IDs listed below and its corresponding photocopy for identification. 

As a safeguard against any possible complications, bring more identification cards than the number required; and bring IDs that reflect your current address. For applicants turning 18 on the 2022 elections, you must also bring the original and a photocopy of your birth certificate.

Download the application form from the COMELEC website and print it on a long bond paper (8.5”x13”). Remember not to use A4 or legal size papers. Fill it out before you register, but don’t put your signature and thumbprint yet; this must be done in front of the election officer. 

The form can be found on this website: https://comelec.gov.ph/?r=VoterRegistration/ApplicationsForms 

Following the pandemic protocols, COMELEC offices limit the number of people coming in per day to reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible. COMELEC offices in the Philippines that are under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) are still suspended and will only resume once the restrictions are downgraded to a General Community Quarantine's (GCQ) guidelines. If appointment protocols are not present at your local COMELEC office, try to come as early as possible for more comfortable accommodation. You may go to the COMELEC offices from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. 

We have to take excess measures to ensure our safety from the virus. To do that, we must follow the protocols to protect ourselves and each other. 

Now that you have learned what and how to prepare before the registration, the actual process of registration is going to be a breeze. Here’s what you need to do: 

With these easy steps, we will have the chance to choose leaders who will be responsible for shaping our nation. Freedom to choose your favored party or administration is both a privilege and a right. Voting allows us to exercise our country’s democracy. Remember that your vote matters when it comes to investing in a better future for our country, so plan your registration carefully and vote wisely. //by Jelena Evangelista

Sources:

COMELEC Registration 2020 for Overseas and OFW Voters. (2020, September 11). Retrieved January 10, 2021, from Moneymax website: https://www.moneymax.ph/government-services/articles/comelec-registration-2020

Ghaz, S. (2019, February 27). Voter Registration: Steps On How To Register As Voter In Philippines. Retrieved January 10, 2021, from Philippine News website: https://philnews.ph/2019/02/27/voter-registration-steps-register-voter-philippines/

Government PH (2018, July 2). Voter Registration Application Procedures | COMELEC Guidelines. Retrieved January 10, 2021, from Government PH website: https://governmentph.com/voter-registration-application-procedures/ Rappler.com. (2020, November 6). How to register to vote in the time of a pandemic. Retrieved January 10, 2021, from Rappler website: https://www.rappler.com/hustle/adulting/ways-register-to-vote-philippines-covid-19-pandemic

January na pala? Sadyang ‘di pa rin talaga kapani-paniwalang mag-iisang taon na tayong nasa lockdown. Ang bilis nga naman ng takbo ng panahon. Ngayong buwan ay nagpapraktis na dapat ang mga mag-aaral para sa darating na Powerdance. Nagpaplano na sana ang ilan na ipakasal ang kanilang kaibigan sa marriage booth. Naghahanda na sana ang mga musikero para tumugtog sa Battle of the Bands. Pero ngayon, hanggang pagbabalik-tanaw at pagtingin sa mga litrato na lamang muna ang magagawa natin.

Hays, sarap balikan ‘no? Ibang-iba talaga ang mga nakagawian noon—pagdagsa sa food court, pagtambay sa stone benches, tulungan para sa promposal, at kung ano-ano pang trip na gawin ng mga Isko’t Iska. Ito kasing si Ms. Rona biglang sumingit kaya’t naging online learning ang klase. Oo, ikaw ang may sala kung bakit hindi na namin naririnig ang bell tuwing 6:30AM ng Martes at kung bakit wala nang intrams at spelling bee!

Simula noong nawala ang mga bagay na nakasanayan nating gawin, para bang may kulang na piraso sa ating pagkatao.

Tuwing Martes ay sinisimulan ng mga mag-aaral, guro, at mga staff ang linggo sa pamamagitan ng isang Flag Ceremony. Pinamumunuan ito ng mga estudyante mula sa seksyong nakatakdang mamuno para sa nasabing araw. Katuwang nila ang mga Scouts na nagbibitbit ng mga bandila. Pagkatapos ay...paalala. Bilang ito ang unang aktibidad sa buong linggo, hindi maiiwasan ang mga lutang moments kung saan nagkakamali ang iba sa pagbigkas. Syempre hindi natin puwedeng kalimutang ang iconic na mahabang pila sa driveway para sa mga hindi nakarating sa paaralan sa wastong oras.

Oh 'di ba new year, “new me” lang ampeg. Ang mga estudyante’y labas-pasok sa C.R para lang makapagpraktis sa salamin kung paano ang tamang pagngiti kapag haharap na sa kamera. Sa paglalakad papuntang Registrar hanggang sa pag-upo at pagpila ay makakakita ng mga nagchichikahan at nag-aayos pa rin ng buhok. Nagpapabango pa yung isa, ‘kala mo naman maamoy sa camera. Gusto 'ata mag-artista. 

“Good morning visitors!” Ito ang karaniwang paraan ng pagbati ng mga mag-aaral sa mga bumibisita taon-taon sa UPIS. Sila ay nagmula sa iba't ibang malalaking unibersidad sa ibang bansa partikular na ang Japan. Gamit ang wikang Ingles, sinusubukang ituro ng mga Japanese students ang paksang Agham sa mga Isko’t Iska habang nakikinig at nag-oobserba ang kanilang mga propesor sa likod. Ang masaya rito ay may mga hatid din silang groupworks at palaro. Kadalasan pa nga ay ibinabahagi nila ang kanilang mga laruan at hobby mula sa Japan. Pagkatapos ng kanilang pagbisita, kadalasa’y nagbibigay sila ng mga souvenir. 

May picture taking din ang buong klase. Arigato gozaimasu! 

Tuwing papalapit na ang C.A EMA week, may isang event na talagang pinaghahandaan ng lahat. Ano pa nga ba? Syempre, ang Literally Literary Day o LLD. Ang mga at estudyante mga guro ay kinakailangang magsuot ng isang karakter na mula sa libro, palabas, o comics. Minamarkahan ng mga guro ang kanilang mga estudyante sa pagsusuot ng costume sa araw na iyon. Minsan ay ibabahagi pa sa klase ang napiling karakter. Minsan din naman ay nagiging pangkatang gawain ‘to. Nag-iisip ang mga estudyante ng nakakatawang performances na ibinabahagi nila sa klase. Pagsapit ng lunch o uwian ay pictorial naman! Kinikilig pa ang iba dahil inaaya nila ang crush nilang makipag-picture. 

Ang UPIS Days ay ginaganap tuwing Pebrero. Unang araw pa lang ay pasabog at bigay-todo na ang mga K-12 students. Paangasan at palakasan ng cheer upang ma-hype ang audience at ma-impress ang judges. Pagkatapos ay biglang yayanigin ng napakalakas na speaker ang UPIS grounds at magsisimula nang humataw ang mga Iska’t Isko. 

Nakamit ang kampeonato at umaabot sa langit ang kaligayahan na nadarama. Ang oras na ginugol para sa praktis ay worth it! Ang mga runner ups naman ay nagpapasalamat pa rin dahil kahit papaano ay nagawa nila ang buong makakaya para makapagtanghal nang bongga.

Proud na proud din ang mga magulang at guardians na nanonood para sa pagsisikap na ibinuhos ng kanilang mga anak. 

Sa ikalawa at ikatlong araw ng UPIS Days ay napakaraming aktibidad. Mainit na laban ng intrams, basaan at hulihan sa Jail booth, at kiligan sa Marriage booth. Kapag gutom na, diretso na lamang sa driveway para mamili ng gustong chichain. Mahaba man ang araw, umuuwi ang lahat na may baong masasayang alaala.

Sa huling araw ng UPIS Days, nagkalat sa mga koridor at mga silid ang mga nag-eensayong bandang maglalabanan para sa gaganaping Battle of the Bands. Cover man o composition ang kanilang pambato, nais nilang makamit ang championship at lalo na, ang mapasaya ang mga audience.

Punong-puno naman ng emosyon ang mga Grade 12 students dahil ito na ang kanilang “Huling Sayaw”. Kasiyahan at lungkot ang nangingibabaw dahil panibagong yugto na ang haharapin, malalayo sa mga malalapit na kaklase at ang diwa ng UPIS na tumatak sa kanilang pagkatao ay maaaring maging isang "nostalgic feeling" na sa hinaharap.

Ilan lamang ito sa napakaraming diwa ng pagiging estudyante ng UPIS. Ito ang normal na UPIS. Sa darating pang panahon, ang diwa ay maipapasa sa susunod na mga henerasyon. Maaaring mapanatili o magkaroon ng mga pagbabago, ngunit tiyak na pareho pa rin ang magagawa nito. Iyon ay ang magbigay ng mga natatanging alaala. //ni Gabby Arevalo 

FRESH START. Goals for the new year are being written down. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/01/heres-how-to-crack-your-new-years-resolutions

New year, new me? New year, new me. 

Although we’re nearing the end of another January, it’s not too late to add a few resolutions for the year ahead. This last semester took a toll on a lot of us because of the new learning set-up that we are still getting used to. But thankfully, with the coming break, we’re facing some much-deserved rest--as well as a chance to adopt some productive habits in preparation for next semester’s new, exciting lessons. Not sure where to start? Well, here are a few ideas for kicking off the second half of this school year and the rest of 2021. 

When you wake up in the morning, it’s a good idea to plan out and envision how you want your next twenty-four hours to go. Knowing what you want to do makes it so much easier to actually do these things. Think about what goals you have for the day, or even for the week or longer, and draw up a to-do list or schedule. 

In the next few weeks, it would be nice to set “goals” for relaxing and fun activities with family and friends online. For example, you could schedule a night for movies with your siblings or arrange an online chess match with your friends. When classes come back around, your goals would be more school-oriented and centered around what assignments you have to finish or what lessons you want to review. 

The next thing to do would be to find ways to stick to your plans and accomplish every goal you’d thought of. For example, a long-term goal could be accomplished by being cut up into manageable tasks to be incorporated into a day-to-day schedule. This schedule and your other daily tasks could be accomplished by setting realistic goals and managing your time wisely. 

There are a lot of ways to learn self-discipline for this. Personally, I have found the Pomodoro technique to be very effective as it turns everyday tasks into little challenges: for this, you work in twenty-five-minute intervals and rest for five minutes after each one. Four Pomodoro sessions are usually done before a longer fifteen-to-thirty-minute break; and you simply repeat this until you’ve accomplished your tasks. Ready, set, and start your timers to get the process going, or turn to countless applications and websites created specifically for practicing Pomodoro. 

Yes, it does feel good! Before settling down and starting your tasks, consider soaking up some sun. Studies have shown that there may be links between exposure to sunlight and the production of the mood-stabilizing hormone serotonin. Sunlight is also thought to help the regulation of melatonin, a hormone for managing the body’s circadian rhythms (for the body’s internal clock). And you can’t forget about vitamin D, which is known to help protect against certain diseases like cancer and osteoporosis. 

Experts say that even a few minutes under the sun can already benefit your health. But, do be careful, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that too much time out in the sun’s rays--around fifteen minutes--can damage your skin. So, don’t stay for too-too long and make sure to put on sunscreen. Remember to wear your face mask and face shield, too. 

It’s not a secret that water is essential for our bodies. Sadly though, we frequently forget to drink enough of it. Let’s try to change that. Harvard Health Publishing puts the right amount of water for a generally healthy person at four to six cups a day (this differs for some scenarios, like when you’re exercising or for people with certain health conditions). 

There are many ways to ensure you’re drinking enough water. Examples are putting a water bottle right where you work so it’s accessible and counting how many cups you’ve drunk by using markers like rubber bands around your bottle. You could also set a few alarms on your phone to remind you or download some applications designed specifically for that. 

A great, fun way to stay productive and motivated during school is studying with other people. You can meet through Zoom calls or social media. Schoolwork and learning become a lot easier when done with other people. It also makes you feel like you’re back in the UPIS library hanging out with friends, a sure-fire way to lift your spirits.

Another habit we should start this year is exercising. Its benefits aren’t just related to physical health; it also reduces stress, gives us more energy, and helps boost our concentration and creativity. MedlinePlus says children and teens should “get 60 minutes or more of physical activity every day”, mostly composed of moderate-intensity aerobic exercises like walking, biking, and running. 

It’s not always going to be easy to do this, but changing it up to adjust to your schedule and preferences will help. You can also motivate yourself by first doing exercise routines you are curious about or interested in.

This habit is one of my favorites, and I’m sure it’ll be one of yours, too! Quality sleep is so important for our bodies, brains, and productivity. SleepFoundation.org recommends that those aged 6-13 years old get 9-11 hours of sleep, and those aged 14-17 get 8-10. 

To rest well, it’s important to practice sleep hygiene. Examples of this are sleeping at around the same time every night and steering clear of sources of blue light, like your phone and other screens, a few hours before bed. Light at night can suppress your body's melatonin secretion, thus possibly disrupting your circadian rhythms, but blue light specifically is thought to do this to a greater extent. 

A neat thing to do before bed would be to read books. According to DeskTime, reading may help your ability to concentrate and relieve stress. Reading literary fiction may even make you more empathetic. As much as possible, stick to physical, non-digital books so you don’t get exposed to blue light. Additionally, research shows that you are more likely to remember what you read from a physical book, since your brain also receives signals about your tactile response to the book. 

If you don’t really feel like reading, why don’t you try journaling? Before bed would be a great time to reflect on everything you did during the day as a way of catharsis and de-stressing. You could also relive some of the fun moments you had. A nice practice would be writing down the things that you were grateful for for that day, which could help you build optimism. If writing isn’t really your style, you could draw or doodle to express yourself. Whichever way you do it though, there’s always the added bonus of journaling that, through the years, you can come back to a certain page, a pocket of time in the past, and reminisce. 

These are just a few of the things we can start doing as we prepare for the next semester. Try these out to make each day a little bit more productive. Do remember, though, to not be frustrated if you don’t get these exactly right the first time. Building habits isn’t easy: it’s made up of everyday baby steps, and keep in mind that these habits are meant to suit your preferences. As such, always be patient with yourself and be flexible; find what works for you. Little by little, we’ll work towards our goals and get closer to claiming those new me’s. //by Pam Marquez

Sources:

Sinong makaka-forget sa problem ni Conyo Girl towards the one she likes?

Ang sagutan ni Ms. Takes at Dimasawi ang isa sa mga lits na nakapukaw ng maraming atensyon sa kauna-unahang edisyon ng #MCPakisabi. Sa unang bahagi, malalaman natin ang saloobin ni Conyo Girl tungkol sa kanyang crush, kung bakit siya naging “so so conyo”, at kung bakit siya “unlucky”. Sinagot naman ng kanyang crush ang kanyang mga pag-aalinlangan sa ikalawang bahagi ng lit.

Balikan ang kanilang nakakakilig na kwento sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2014/08/literary-submission-confessions-of.html.

2. Oo* - Bella Swan

Narinig mo na ba ang kantang “Oo” ng Up Dharma Down?

Ang kuwentong ito ni Bella Swan ay kanyang hinango sa nasabing kanta. Ito ay tungkol sa isang normal girl na “just there” at sa kanyang knight-in-shining-armor. Ikinuwento ni normal girl kung paanong ang simpleng pagkahulog ng Gtec ay nagdulot daw ng “sparks” sa kanila. Hanggang sa nagtuloy-tuloy ito at ang pag-irap at hindi niya pag-intindi sa mga GM ay nauwi sa hindi na siya makapag-concentrate kaaabang sa mga text ng kanyang knight-in-shining-armor. Ngunit kalaunan, nalaman niyang ang pinoprotektahan pala ng shining armor ay isang chickboy.

Maki-sing along at samahan si normal girl na masaktan nang so much sa kanyang pagsesenti sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2014/10/literary-submission-oo.html.

3. Prom? Prom. - Faber Castell 0.7

Anong kaya mong gawin para mapasagot ng “oo” ang nais mong maka-date sa prom?

Ang tulang ito ni Faber Castell 0.7 ay nagsilbing pasasalamat sa pagsagot ng “oo” ng kanyang promdate. Dito, ibinahagi niya kung paano siya naghanda para sa kanyang promposal. Mautak si Faber na nagpaalam muna sa magulang ng nais niyang maging ka-date dahil alam niyang kokonsulta rin muna ito bago pumayag.

Alamin ang paghahanda ni Faber sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2015/02/literary-submission-prom-prom.html.

4. Two-Sentence Stories - Various Writers

Nasubukan mo na bang gumawa ng Two-Sentence Stories sa C.A. English?

Ang mga two-sentence stories, katulad ng pangalan nito, ay mga kuwentong binubuo lamang ng dalawang pangungusap. Kadalasan itong ipinagagawa sa mga estudyante sa Grado 10. Ang mga compilation na ito ay tatlong beses nakatanggap ng pinakamataas na views mula sa sampung edisyon ng #MCPakisabi, noong Agosto 2015, Oktubre 2016, at Oktubre 2017.

Basahin ang iba’t ibang maiikli ngunit malaman na kwento sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2015/08/literary-two-sentence-stories.html.

5. Walang Kalalagyan - emrys

Nahihirapan ka bang bumuo ng tula na ipapasa para sa #MCPakisabi?

Sa tulang inilaan ni emrys sa taong laging nasa kanyang isipan, ibinahagi niya ang kanyang hirap sa pagbuo ng tula upang masabi ang kanyang damdamin. Sa pagpili ng tamang pamagat, dami ng saknong, at salitang magkatugma, napagtanto niyang, “may mga bagay na hindi maibibigay.”

Tuklasin kung paanong isinatula ni emrys ang kanyang nais sabihin sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2016/02/literary-submission-walang-kalalagyan.html.

6. Ikaw ang Unang Nag-chat - GT

Naranasan mo na bang ang taong nagpapakilig sa iyo ay naging partner mo… sa project?

Sa tula ni GT, inilahad niya kung paano siya nakatanggap ng isang hindi inaasahang chat, mula sa hindi inaasahang tao, sa kalagitnaan ng pagsasagot niya ng kanyang IPSA. Bukod sa kopya ng pagpapalitan nila ng mensahe, ipinarating din niya sa atin ang nais talagang sabihin ng kanyang utak at puso.

Magbalik-tanaw sa hindi malilimutang araw ni GT sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2016/10/literary-submission-ikaw-ang-unang-nag.html.

7. Prom? - Tigerlily

Kung may pagkakataon kang mamili sa pagitan ng kaibigan at ng taong gusto mo, sino ang nais mong maging promdate?

Ang napakasaklap na kuwento ni Tigerlily ay tungkol sa promposal sa punto-de-bista ng tatlong magkakaibigan. Nagsimula ang kuwento sa punto-de-bista ni “Friend” na nag-iisip kung paano niya tatanungin ang kanyang kaibigan upang maka-date ito sa nalalapit na prom. Tumalon ang eksena sa promposal ngunit nasa punto-de-bista naman ito ng nais maka-date ng unang karakter. Nagtapos ang kuwento sa paglalabas ng saloobin ng pangalawang karakter sa kaibigan ni “Friend” dahil sa pagka-guilty niya sa kanyang pagre-reject.

Alamin kung bakit niya ni-reject si “Friend” sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2017/02/literary-submission-prom.html.

8. Parati na Lamang sa Huli - 00101

Sanay ka ba na mag-cram ng iyong mga requirements?

Sa sulatin na ito, malalaman natin kung bakit sa kabila ng pagbibigay nang maaga ng guro ng panuto para sa isang gawain, pinili pa rin ng karakter na palampasin ang dalawang buwan bago ito gawin.

Tuklasin kung bakit una niyang sinagot ang taong kanyang gusto kaysa sa ipinagagawa ng kanyang guro sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2017/10/literary-submission-parati-na-lamang.html.

9. Bukang Liwayway - Faith

Nasaksihan mo na ba ang pag-angat ng araw?

Isang malikhaing pagsasalarawan sa bukang-liwayway ang tema ng tula. Bukod sa pagsasalawaran, binigyan din ni Faith ng kahulugan ang tagpong ito.

Halika’t ipinta ang bukang liwayway sa ating isipan sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2018/10/literary-submission-bukang-liwayway.html.

10. Ray - China Oil

Ray pa nga ba ang tawag kung patungo na ito sa iba’t ibang direksyon?

Sa tulang nilikha ni China Oil, inihalintulad niya sa isang ray ang taong kanyang nagugustuhan. Kung saan ito nagsimula, paano ito nagtagal, at hindi naglaon, natapos. Kanyang ikinuwento ang mga dahilan ng kanyang pagkahulog, ang kanyang napagtanto, at kung saan na siya patungo.

Unawain kung ano ang punto ni China Oil sa: https://upismc.blogspot.com/2019/10/literary-submission-ray.html.

Tunay ngang isang mabisang paraan ang #MCPakisabi sa pagbabahagi ng mga estudyante ng kanilang nararamdaman. Tungkol man ito sa pag-ibig, personal na problema, isang natural phenomenon, o kahit pa tungkol sa isang konsepto sa Geometry, maaari itong ibahagi sa #MCPakisabi. Mamaya, ano naman kayang kuwento ang makapupukaw sa atensyon ng karamihan at magsisilbing dahilan upang ipagpatuloy ang #MCPakisabi? //ni Reneil Grimaldo

Has your Facebook notifications become flooded with requests to like pages of certain small businesses? Mine certainly has. 

Small businesses usually rely on social media to serve as a bridge between them and their customers. Many of the Facebook invites I received have come from fellow UPIS students who recently started businesses with the help and support of their family.

If you’ve never heard of their businesses before, you may find them in this article. If you’ve heard about them but are hesitant to buy, let me shed a little light on what you’re missing out on. Not only will we learn about their products, but also the stories behind how they came to be. Maybe their stories and wise words of advice will even inspire you to start your own business.

COOKIES & MILK. Chelo’s Homebaked Cookies’ Blanca de Leche is served on an elegant plate along with a glass of milk. Source: Rain Tiangco

After a week of hard work, treat yourself with Chelo’s Homebaked Cookies. I guarantee that you won’t regret it!

Chelo’s Blanca de Leche cookies are chunky dense thick palm-sized golden indulgences sent from the heavens. Upon opening the box, the faint sweet scent of caramel immediately excited me. As a cookie lover (or should I say “cookie monster”), I’ve always been a fan of soft and chewy but not rubbery textured cookies. Chelo’s cookies are exactly that—the type of cookies that makes you want to keep on biting and pinching into. The batter itself was very buttery, and along with the caramel fillings and white chocolate chips, created a wonderful sweet and salty mix. The white choco chips also had their own soft texture in contrast to the rougher cookie base which made each bite more exciting. What I also found worth noting was that the mix-ins were not concentrated in particular areas but evenly spread throughout the cookie. 

The butter plays a big role in the cookies success but it is also its downfall. Though I love Chelo’s Blanca de Leche cookies, my older family relatives found the savory taste to be a little too savory, and joked about feeling their arteries clogging. The rich taste of the cookie is five-star for me, but to others, it may be a little overwhelming. If you're not much for savory tastes or if you’re a bit health-conscious, you might want to find a friend or relative to split it with (but if you're a cookie monster like I am, you would definitely enjoy keeping the whole cookie to yourself). Washing the sweetness down with milk is also something that can lessen the umay.

Make sure to consume these cookies when they are at room temperature or after microwaving if coming from the fridge so that you get the ultimate cookie heaven sensation with each bite.

Chelo’s Homebaked Cookies’ products are quite expensive but I can say that their quality is at par with similarly priced products from bigger businesses. If you are as much of a cookie enthusiast as I am and don’t mind paying an amount of money as long as it gratifies your need for exquisite food, Chelo’s is definitely for you.

Chelo’s Homebaked Cookies is a small business started by Maria Consuelo “Chelo” Neri of Batch 2023 and her older sister. Baking has been a hobby of Chelo ever since she was young and she took lessons to further enhance her baking skills. With extra free time brought on by the quarantine, she was able to start experimenting on recipes and send the goods to close friends. With encouragement from friends and family members, and the initiative of earning a little more income for the household, she started to make money out of her passion for baking.

Chelo takes care of all aspects of the business—from finances, to social media, to the recipes. With Chelo’s Homebaked Cookies’ steady growth, the number of orders had dramatically increased and couldn’t be handled by Chelo and her sister alone. Her supportive parents and other older siblings started to help with the mixing processes and packaging. As Chelo is a student-athlete who has early morning trainings which she balances alongside school requirements, baking from noon ‘til evening and the next day had started to wear her out. The willingness to help and the support of her family members always uplifted her and made her efforts worth it.

Chelo shares that having your own small business is actually quite fun, “especially if you enjoy what you’re doing.”

“It’s super fulfilling when they (customers) send you their kind yet honest reviews because you always want your business to grow.”

Chelo’s Homebaked Cookies sells Blanca De Leche cookies, Classic Chocolate Chip cookies, and Chocolate crinkles, with prices ranging from P220 to P475.

Facebook: Chelo’s Homebaked Cookies

Instagram: @chelosph

GOLDEN DESSERT. Cream n’ Crumble’s Sans Rival Cake sits upon a golden platter. Source: Cream n’ Crumble’s Instagram

A birthday, graduation, or even the simplest celebration of life calls for good cake and therefore calls for Cream n’ Crumble’s Sans Rival!

Majestic, elegant, simple. These are the three adjectives that come to mind when staring at Cream n’ Crumble’s Sans Rival Cake. Sitting upon a gold cake platter, the 6-inch cake is neatly topped and lined at the bottom with cashew bits, perfect for a small semi-formal or casual gathering.

Living up to the business’s name, the cake was indeed “cream” and “crumble”. Let’s talk about the “cream” first. The buttery taste of the Sans Rival’s cream was delightful—not too strong, not too faint. The nutty taste was also prominent as it was evenly distributed throughout the cake. The flavor is suitable for those with more “mature” taste buds, like parents, aunts, and uncles who aren’t too fond of sweets.

Unlike many Sans Rival cakes that scratch your tongue or make your throat itch, this wasn’t too dry. The amount of buttercream was just enough to balance out the dryness of the meringue layers.

Now, here comes the “crumble”. I have to admit, slicing the cake was quite tricky. The cake’s layers quickly dismantled and broke apart. I was not able to enjoy a slice that remained intact and aesthetically pleasing. Nonetheless, this Sans Rival was a treat for my tastebuds.

Like most Sans Rival Cakes, it is best served cold or straight from the fridge, but even if it’s been out on the table for a while, it can still be satisfying.

Cream n’ Crumble is owned by Zemirah Aragones of Batch 2021. With the help of her mother and older sister, Zemirah started this business during quarantine, while there were no classes yet and therefore more time and less stress. Baking became her hobby and coping mechanism which kept her busy during these trying times. Instead of keeping her favorite desserts all to herself, she decided to sell them to others.

Zemirah shares that proper time management is very important in running a business. She found it challenging to get things done when there was more than the usual amount of orders, especially when classes had resumed. Zemirah learned to be more mindful of time and to be more productive.

Zemirah urges aspiring business owners to not be afraid and to not let your doubts and worries keep you from reaching your goal. She says that it is better to make mistakes than to not try at all because these mistakes will help you grow and improve. She stresses that business is not always only about earning a profit, but also about doing the things you love and that make you happy. 

Cream n’ Crumble offers Sans Rival Cake for P250 and P500 (varying sizes), Red Velvet Cake for P400, and Thin Chocolate Chip Cookies for P150.

Facebook: Cream N’ Crumble

Instagram: @creamncrumble.ph

CREAMY GOODNESS. Sweets by PB Bakes’ cup-sized Oreo cheesecake invites you to have a bite. Source: Sweets by PB Bakes’ Facebook page

Satisfy your cheesecake cravings with Sweets by PB Bakes’ Oreo Cheescake Cups!

Served in a box of six, these cheesecake cups are really the cutest, each with its own colored cupcake liner. The tangy and slightly salty taste of the cheesecake balances the sweetness of the Oreo cookie piece at the bottom and the chocolate button on top. Add to that the creaminess of the cheesecake and you end up with a masterpiece. Personally, I would enjoy this delicacy more if extra Oreo cookie pieces were topped on the cheesecake for added texture and greater intensity of the chocolate cookie flavor, but that would probably interfere with the aesthetic of the dessert.

What I find highly commendable is the cheescake’s consistency: not at all lumpy, but smooth and firm. I find that a number of big businesses sell cheesecakes that are too soft—the kind that feels more like pudding instead of cake. Sweets by PB Bakes really knows what they’re doing.

Though they recommend that we consume these Oreo Cheescake Cups cold, I advise you to not consume them right out of the ref. Let them sit in room temperature for a few minutes in order to soften the Oreo cookies at the bottom. If you skip this step, a scoop into the cup won’t go too smoothly. The Oreo will still be too stiff to scoop and you’ll only get a piece of cheesecake without the cookie crust.

Sweets by PB Bakes offers sweets baked by Pamela “Pam” Beatrice Marquez of Batch 2021. Pam had started baking even before entering high school. Despite her early failed attempts when starting out, she kept on learning and practicing because she found herself having a lot of fun.

“It was one of the first times I felt really passionate about the actual act of doing something,” Pam shares.

Her father used to pay her to bake sweets for his business colleagues. The idea of starting a baking business had been with Pam then but she later on found less time to bake and eventually stopped. Now that we have more time and are advised to stay at home 24/7, the idea of making a business out of her passion had seemed to be perfect. It was an opportunity to earn extra income and gain new learning experiences.

At first, Pam had been putting the idea off. Her fears and doubts later on subsided when she found that many others were also taking the risk of setting up their own businesses. Pam had finally started Sweets by PB Bakes with the encouragement and guidance of her business-oriented family. 

Pam bakes the products herself and manages the business’ social media accounts and finances. Her family is very supportive. Her eldest sister gives feedback on product quality and her other older sister helps with the photography of the products. Her mother also assists her with keeping track of the finances and ordering ingredients. 

Sweets by PB Bakes started off on a rocky path. Pam had gone through many sleepless nights—she wasn’t used to baking in bulk and she was also encountering problems in packaging. She did not give up though. She later on learned to bake more skillfully and quicker, and she found the very supportive community of Facebook baking groups. She posted an inquiry regarding her packaging problem and received very helpful advice. She found many others who were also struggling with their own baking and business problems and was touched by the genuineness of her fellow bakers.

Her advice for those interested in starting their own businesses is to build it around something you honestly enjoy doing so that you will be more motivated to work on it. In relation to this, she highlights the importance of time management: “...even if you do enjoy something, you're gonna start to hate it if you get sleep-deprived over it!” she says.

Pam also advises to be meticulous with managing and recording expenses and sales. Lastly, she mentions the need to ‘take care’ of your customers.

“So many people help you and support you by buying or promoting your products even when they absolutely do not have to; it's so great and heart-warming, and it makes you feel so grateful. You wanna make sure you give that back to them by putting your best efforts into making your product and making it good.”

Sweets by PB Bakes serves desserts that can make your day and that will leave you wanting more (I ordered twice!). A box of their Oreo Cheescake Cups costs P270 and a box of their Salted Caramel Cookie Bars (which I also love) costs P230. 

Facebook: Sweets by PB Bakes

Instagram: @pbbakes_

SUNSET SNACK. Sun shines upon The Pow Bakes’ Oreo Nutella Bars. Source: Rain Tiangco

Had enough of typical brownies and revel bars? The Pow Bakes certainly has a treat for you!

The Pow Bakes’ Oreo Nutella Bars tempt anyone who lays eyes on them. The oozing Nutella is especially an eye-catcher! Surprisingly, the chocolate hazelnut taste isn’t too sweet as it is balanced out by the mellow taste of the bar’s base, making the dessert not at all difficult to eat. Though there are Oreo cookie bits mixed in the bar, I couldn’t really notice their taste because of the distinct and stronger taste of Nutella. Nonetheless, these bars are sweet treats, especially for Nutella-lovers. Also, since these bars aren’t too sweet, they can be served not only as a dessert but also as a snack.

The Oreo Nutella Bars aren’t moist, but they aren’t too dry either. They are firm and do not crumble when bitten into. These bars are most enjoyable when heated up because the Nutella becomes gooier and the bar itself becomes chewier.

The Pow Bakes is a baking business run by Alicia Christine “Tin” Silleza of Batch 2022 and her parents. With not much to do during the first months of quarantine, Tin had started baking. It then became a hobby and a mechanism to cope with the stresses and worries brought on by the pandemic. After experimenting with recipes she found online, Tin developed recipes of her own that were loved by her family members who then encouraged her to sell her baked goods. By selling the products of her baking, Tin could share these delicacies with a larger audience and she could improve her products based on the feedback of the customers—a definite win-win.

Tin shared that on the first day she accepted orders, she accepted too much. She found it hard to manage the time on her hands and was very stressed out. From then on, she learned to divide the workload more properly and to accept only a certain amount of orders per delivery day.

She advises those who want to start their own businesses to “Go out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to take risks but always know your limitations. Always be mindful of your financial management and find people you trust and you know will help you grow. Manage your time properly and be flexible because there will always be hindrances along the way.”

The Pow Bakes sells Oreo Nutella Bars for P220, S’More Cookies for P180, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Overload (my personal favorite from The Pow Bakes) for P200, prices that are very student-friendly! They’re the perfect snacks to share with your family on game nights and the perfect “pasalubong” for a friend who unexpectedly swings by your home just to say “Hi”.

Facebook: The Pow Bakes

Instagram: @powbakes

RISE & SHINE. The day starts with a good breakfast brought by Daddy Mikks Garlic Crunch topped over garlic butter rice. Source: Rain Tiangco

Getting bored of your everyday plain rice? Spice up your meal with Daddy Mikks Garlic Crunch!

These garlic bits are very versatile and are recommended to be topped on or mixed in rice, pizza, soup, and vegetables. I was hesitant to buy from Caleb’s Store because the products come in 130gram jars—I couldn’t possibly finish all of that, especially because I am not fond of adding extra herbs or spices into my meals. You can imagine my surprise when I found the jar to be 1/3 empty by the end of the week of my purchase.

From the strong aroma of garlic, salt, pepper, and spices in oil that greets you upon opening the jar, you are sure to make a plain meal quite exciting. The flavor is not too strong and the golden-reddish color of the bits confirm that they were not overcooked nor burnt. If you are fond of garlicky food, you might find this Garlic Crunch to be quite mild. If that’s the case, you can always use a larger serving of these bits to add some more flavor.

My mother made buttered rice in which she mixed in some of Daddy Mikks Garlic Crunch. I topped the garlic buttered rice with more Garlic Crunch bits and ate it with sweet longganisa and egg. I also tried it with a tapsilog meal. The bites were really versatile and I found myself adding them to different meals. Daddy Mikks Garlic Crunch grew on me—they were quite addictive! 

As the garlic bits are cooked in oil, you can expect that they aren’t quite dry, but despite this, they aren’t too wet either. They give just the right amount of crunchiness, the kind that doesn’t scratch your tongue and gums and makes you want to keep chewing. They are also crushed into just the right size that won’t get stuck in between your teeth. Make sure to store these garlic bits at room temperature to maintain this quality and have a satisfying meal.

Though Caleb’s Store is only a distributor of Daddy Mikks’ products, it is owned and all-around managed (including social media and delivery) by Simon Caleb Delfinado of Batch 2021. Caleb’s Store was made possible because of the prompting and support of Simon’s mother who encouraged him to start his own business. She believed that it would be a great learning experience for Simon. His mother had become his mentor and provided him with the required capital for the initial purchase of the products and also assisted in getting Caleb’s Store Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) registered.

Hesitant and with little knowledge about handling a business, Simon was worried that he would not be able to sell the products they bought. To his surprise, their investment returned in no time and he is now selling his second batch of products.

This business has become a great learning experience indeed. Through becoming a business owner, Simon had learned that business is “not just a simple concept of buy and sell,” but very hard work. He mentioned the need to monitor the inventory of products, calculating how much profit you’ve earned (or if you didn’t earn at all), and the delivery which he personally found to be most exhausting. He also learned to “harness technology in e-commerce businesses”.

“I alternately used on-demand logistics providers such as Grab and Lalamove. I also used fintech providers to receive payments thru GCash and BPI,” Simon shares.

Simon encourages aspiring business owners to not be afraid and to do their best. His advice is to “sell products you actually like.” Since Simon is fond of spicy foods, he is more enthusiastic in selling spices because it feels more like sharing what he likes with others rather than selling them.

Caleb’s Store offers Daddy Mikks Garlic Crunch for P180, Chilli Crunch for P220, Chilli Shots for P100, and a box set of these three products for P500.

Facebook: Caleb’s store

Mobile No.: 09369522021

Small businesses, unlike big enterprises, have more limited resources and can only reach a much smaller scope. They mostly rely on their social media pages/accounts as a venue for advertising and communication. Simply liking, following, and sharing their social media pages are great ways to help these businesses because their posts will be able to reach more people. Small businesses rely on the support of the people close to the business owners and are sustained by the kindness of enthusiastic customers who also give constructive feedback and spread word of the businesses.

Hopefully by now, any hesitations you might have had before reading this article have been set aside. By purchasing from our fellow UPIS students, we can support their passions, help them practice business-related skills, and even help them out financially.

A few more food businesses of UPIS high school students are Baked by Achi (Lizzie Dela Rosa, Batch 2023), bakeitbakeit ph (Erielle Arceo, Batch 2023), and Click Bake (Jade Niegas, Batch 2023). There are also dry goods businesses such as Amigas Boutique (Raven Lilo-an, Batch 2023), Rayleigh Cases (Lorraine Beltran, Batch 2023), and verdé (Kelzia Castroverde, Batch 2023). Some UPIS students also do art commissions, so watch out for their social media posts and announcements.

Support small businesses by UPIS students! //by Rain Tiangco