Kate Bernice

The 2025 National Children's Month (NCM) theme,  “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!”  (End Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials: Fight for the Safety and Rights of Children!), is a timely and critical call to arms. This theme, shaped by consultations with Filipino children themselves who highlighted the pervasive risks of social media, underscores that the threat to children's safety and dignity has fundamentally shifted to the digital space. The focus on  OSAEC-CSAEM  recognizes that the internet, while a tool for learning and connection, has become a frightening new frontier for abuse and exploitation. This observance is vital for mobilizing not just government agencies but also parents, educators, and the private sector into a unified front to dismantle the infrastructure of online child abuse. The Philippine government's commitment to protecting children's safety, dignity,...

  Stepping onto Calle Crisologo is like walking into a meticulously preserved 16th-century masterpiece; the cobblestone path instantly silences the modern world and transports you to the Spanish colonial era. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is defined by its iconic ancestral Bahay na Bato houses, which fuse Filipino, Chinese, and European architectural styles into a magnificent display of history and wealth. The street is a cherished pedestrian zone, where the rhythmic clip-clop of the kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) is the loudest sound, enhancing the authentic, old-world charm. Beyond its stunning architecture, the street pulses with the vibrant energy of Ilocano culture, serving as a hub for local crafts and famous regional cuisine. Wander through the heritage homes, many of which now house quaint souvenir shops offering abel hand-woven fabric and antiques, or stop to indulge in the crispy, flavorful Vigan Empanada and Bagnet. While the daylight offers clear views of the capiz-she...

The 2025 Teacher's Month theme, "My Teacher, My Hero," serves as a vital recognition that our educators are true heroes—not the kind celebrated in movies, but those who perform daily, selfless acts of courage. They stand on the frontline of progress, pouring their patience, emotional energy, and personal resources into nurturing young minds. Often unseen and undervalued, they are the tireless nation-builders who consistently work beyond their assigned tasks, driven by an unwavering commitment to ensure every student, regardless of background, has the light of opportunity. This celebration is our chance to finally place them on the pedestal they have always deserved. Expressing our gratitude demands more than a simple ceremony; it requires a genuine recognition of their sacrifices. We must touch their hearts with simple yet powerful gestures: a heartfelt note detailing how their guidance shaped us, active engagement in their lessons, or a sincere check-in on...

 The Philippines, made up of many islands, is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Filipinos often face serious problems like stronger typhoons, longer droughts, and rising sea levels. To build resilience, it's important to understand what causes these changes. While the country’s location makes it prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and storms, human activities, both local and global, make things worse, affecting people's lives and livelihoods. The main cause of climate change worldwide is the increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly from burning fossil fuels, industrial activities, and deforestation. Developed countries, which have been industrializing for a long time, are largely responsible for these emissions. However, even though the Philippines contributes very little to global emissions, it suffers greatly from the effects of global warming, including stronger weather events. Locally, things like deforestation, illegal m...

  INTRAMURALS 2025: In her lens The Intramurals 2025 is a very memorable memory for me, not as an athlete but as a journalist. I was part of this year's Documentation team along with Mrs. Mary Angeline Gorospe and Mr. Ryan Villanueva.  For the first day, I documented the Dance Sports. It was so fun to watch and document. The dancers danced gracefully and enjoyed every minute of it.  The people in the photo actually won. I already knew they would—not because they are older and more experienced but it's because of their passion and how they dance gracefully.  The second day, I actually covered 3 to 4 events.  Basketball, E-Sports, Chess, most fun event I covered was boxing. You can hear the loud cheers of the audience for their bets, how we try to capture every moment that would look good and memorable, and how every punch signifies strength and courage.  Each punch did not signify hatred and anger, but rather hope and courage to fight for their teams—to brin...

  A small trash can have a big impact to the environment. Even the littlest wrappers of candy, tiny packets of biscuits, and many more can already contribute in damaging the environment. And just like how important a small trash is, our small actions to the environment, for the environment is also important. Even simply bringing home  your trashes or putting it in your pocket when there's no garbage cans in the surrounding can have a lasting—big impact to our environment.  As students, it is just right for us to learn the different ways of taking care of our environment. We are the 'future',  and the future depends on us.  We have the power to change what our world is today. We have the power, we hold the power towards an eco-friendly, safe, and sustainable environment.  What we do in the present, will surely  have a lasting impact on the future.  Think before you throw.