Winning Drives @ 1st Open

             Participants show off their wiinning drives in the 1st Toribia Teodoro Castaneda Pingpong Open held on October 20, 2007. Teacher Francie officially opened the tournament on behalf of the Lola of THE LEARNING TREE.

              Cheers to all the winners!

Lower Grades

Upper Grades

Beaten, but Not Broken: The PSO National Finals

By JM Estrella, 5-Molave and David Laureta, 5-Tindalo Sad to say, we lost in the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC) 2007 Finals. It was consolation to note that reaching the National Finals and being neophytes in this competition make us winners already. It was, of course, painful, but it is the experience and lesson learned that matters the most. It is good to understand a defeat as a positive force that is giving you an opportunity to improve one’s self and use it for everybody’s benefit. Besides, there is still a next time and a next year.             The Finals was composed of a theoretical oral exam and a practical exam. The oral exam is worth 70% of the total score, while the practical exam is worth 30%.             The theoretical oral exam was composed of three rounds: easy, average, and hard. There are ten questions per round. The ten questions are divided into: Health, Biology, Astronomy, Earth Science, and Physics. The practical exam is composed of eleven stations. Each station has different questions based on the five mentioned topics of science. There were two rest stations. The membes of TLT Team, namely,  Axel Bondoc, JM Estrella, and I thank you very much for your support and your prayers. It helped us a great deal. Thank you very much!

THE IPO DAM FIELDTRIP

By: Erika Morales, Sabrina Espiritu and Ally Publico, 6-Lauan The 6th graders went to Ipo Dam to have a tree planting experience. We were among the group and it was an exciting fieldtrip. We left at 5:45 in the morning (most of us slept in the van). It took us two hours of dizziness to finally reach Bulacan. The sun was burning hot. Sweat must have excreted fifty times more than usual. We took only our water jugs because heavy luggage is bad for the health especially since we were going on a hike. Hiking was fun! Of course, the ground was muddy, sticky and full of dead leaves, despite that. . . THE VIEW WAS INCREDIBLE! So practically, the hike was worth it. Most of us enjoyed it, others are just too afraid to walk and some were injured on the way. When we arrived at the tree planting site, (all tired and sweaty) Mr. Vince Solomon, our tree planting coordinator taught us how to plant properly. The holes were already done for us (no one brought shovels anyway). We were covered with dirt. We had to plant more than 2 trees. Some holes that were dug were deep. The tree planting site was near the water (with boats). There, we washed our hands. After planting we went to the Ipo Elementary School for our performance. We think the performers did a good job with “Tubig: Ugat ng Buhay” play. The audience was very interested in the presentation. They clapped and we think they were overjoyed by the fact that we performed for them. After the performance, we shared our food with the Ipo children. We felt happy that we were helping them and showing them that we really care. We went back to the parking and ate in front of the mini waterfall. Mr. Solomon informed us a few things about water while we gathered. We were all tired, yet, it was a good experience and most of us enjoyed it.  We should go back there one day...again, to see our wonderful full grown seedlings.

Parent Interaction Hour

By Pauline S. Tiosin, 4-Anislag The first Parent Interaction Hour (PIH) held last June 30, 2007 was a welcome meeting for new parents in the school. It started with a prayer by our Math teacher, Teacher Joji and was followed by Teacher Francie’s discussion of the School Philosophy and Distinctives. Each teacher also talked about the subject area and grade level curriculum plan. Updates on school rules and some announcements were given and light snack was served. The meeting ended with a closing prayer by Dr. Mark Reysio-Cruz, 2nd and 6th Grade parent.

Five new teachers are also joining the school. Let’s get to know them a little!             Marifi S. Navarro, or T. Mari, finished AB Christian                 Education in Febias Bible College and M.A. in Special             Education in U.P. She teaches  Science, Hekasi, and             English in 4th Grade. Ryan M. Noleal, or T. Ryan, finished B. Elementary Education, Science and Health in U.P. He handles Science for 5th and 6th Grades and Math for 4th Grade (Anislag). Romel Diño, or T. Rommel, finished B. Music Education in Flute and Secondary Piano at the University of Santo Tomas. He teaches Music to for the Lower Grade (1st Sem.) and the Upper Grade ( 2nd Sem.).  Filomena B. Del Rosario, or T. Mena, finished B.S. Chemistry in Adamson University and M.S. Chemistry in Philippine Women’s University and received her Cetificate of Teaching Profession from the Philippine Normal University. She will handle the Science and Math Inquiry Learning Exploration (SMILE) with Teacher Benji. Last but not the least, Jocelyn D. Enriquez, or T. Joy, finished B.S. Nursing in Unciano Medical Colleges and College of Midwifery in Iligan Medical Center College. She is our new School Nurse and Librarian. We are excited to learn together with all of you!

     THE LEARNING TREE placed 2nd and 4th in the MABUHAY WORD FOR WORD CHALLENGE Scrabble Tournament held on September 27, 2007 at the TriNoma Mall, Quezon City.

 Children participants in the tournament are:

4th Grade
Minette Marquez
Alex Cagaoan
Jessey Cortez (top 3 player)
Jack Gutierrez
Ara Mariano (top 4 player)

5th Grade
Luis Poe

6th Grade
M2 Bilan (highest scorer in a game)
Trixie Miraflores (top 2 player)
Hannah Palima
Matthew Reysio-Cruz
Kim Rubina (top 1 player)
Chynna Salazar (top 5 player)
Celine Villanueva

By: David G. Laureta, 5-Tindalo
A rainy day it was on the first of September. It was the PSYSC (Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs) Science Olympiad (PSO). We went to University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) for the competition. The TLT team was composed of Axel Bondoc, JM Estrella, and I.

The exam that we took was the elimination round of the said Olympiad. It was taken by member schools nationwide in eleven testing centers: six in Luzon; two in Visayas, and three in Mindanao. The pen and paper exam was composed of one hundred items and a ten-point clincher (ten anonymous questions for to be used in case of a tie). It had five divisions: health, biology, physics, astronomy, and earth science at twenty points each.

We waited for the outcome along with our parents and Teachers Gracel and Ryan for more than two hours of nervousness and excitement.

When it was time for the results we did not expect to be in the finals since we are first timers in this competition. But TLT was second in the whole Luzon area.  The other schools were: U.P.I.S. (1st), University of Perpetual Help, Rizal (3rd), Collegio de San Agustin (4th), San Beda, Alabang (5th).

We all were overjoyed with such an unexpected result. It was a wonderful blessing that the Lord has bestowed upon TLT. I thank you for your prayers! Though, I still ask for your prayers for our coming September 29 Finals. Thanks again!                     

By Angela N. Rivera & Aiah G. Santos , 4-Kamagong

            September was tree planting month at THE LEARNING TREE! The lower graders (1st-3rd Grs.) had their tree planting activity last September 21, 2007. Some of them planted eight to nine trees! It was also fun for them just as it was for us.

            The fun experience of 4-Kamagong and Anislag are combined with the 5-Molave and Tindalo‘s joy and excitement when it was our turn. The activity was a special way of getting to know each other more. We were like real environmentalists. After a hard day of planting seedlings even if we were so tired,  we still had to continue our classes in the afternoon.

            As of the month, THE LEARNING TREE has planted a thousand trees in our adopted watersheds in Ipo Dam, Norzagaray and Balara Filtration Plant, Balara Quezon City. We started three years ago, and our tiny seedlings are now little trees.

We all had so much fun. We just wished that the planting ground was less muddy and that we had no classes afterwards. But then, we thank the Lord that it was when we were on our vans on the way back to school that it rained hard. I thank God also that our school can be a large help in saving the environment

LG Focuses on Nutrition
By Alina Aficial, 5-Molave

The Lower Graders had a convocation showcasing eating healthy and nutritious sandwiches. This was held last July 27, 2007, the last day of the Book Week. They had games like sandwich stacking and sandwich relay which was really fun just to watch and even better if you were the one playing! The lower graders clapped and cheered. This event was a good way of teaching us how to eat healthy and nutritious foods so that we could become stronger!

UG Dresses up Doors
By Hannah Ysobel M. Palima, 6-Almaciga

The Book Week......Full of colorful costumes, convocations, and best all....BOOKS!BOOKS!BOOKS! But, our Book Week won't be complete without another exciting event... our Dress Up Your Door! The beautiful and creative designs told the viewers a very important message, that we all should take care of the environment, and we can help save it from further destruction.

Winners of the event are:

4- Kamagong came in as first place, showing us a scene of the rivers, lakes and seas being polluted. They had many colorful signs encouraging everyone to save and take care of nature.

In second place, the 6- Almaciga 's door, entitled Half- Life. It showed a tree, half-alive and half- dying. The live part showed a clean river, a healthy tree, and lively animals. The dead half, however, showed a person smoking cigarettes, dead flowers and dirty air. It is telling us that if people continue to pollute the world, we will also suffer the consequences.

 4- Anislag, third placer, entitled their door HELP. This displayed animals that seemed to be asking for help, help to save their homes. And we can help, by stopping illegal logging, so that these animals can still have a home.

Congratulations to everybody, for doing a great job on your doors! Everyone worked hard. All the classes did their best. Till next Book Week!!!!

The Colorful Costume Parade
By Aiah Santos, 4-Anislag

This year’s theme for the costume parade is “Rainforest”. The UGs prepared their creative costumes. They paraded around the Forest Floor (play area) before the judges, namely, Teacher Rhoda Cuevas, Miss C.J. De Silva, and Mrs. Carol De Silva.

            Here are the winners (and their short dialogue):

1st place:

Hannah Palima, 6-Almaciga
“Hello! I’m a butterfly. I flitter here and flutter around. I help you grow flowers through pollination.”

Pauline Tiosin, 4-Anislag
“I, a tiger, live in the rainforest which people are trying to destroy. People hunt me for my fur.”

Kitty Abenojar, 5-Molave
“Hi! I’m a sssnake. And asss you know, sssnakes live in the rain foressst. And now people are polluting and dessstroying the foressst.”

2nd place:

 Allysa Publico, 6-Lauan
“I’m a raccoon! I’m a scavenger who hunts for food every part of my day.”

Joseph Remollo, 5-Tindalo
“Hi, I’m Snappy, the worm. I eat your garbage. And you know, I fertilize your garbage to protect you from pollution.”

Justin Savet, 5-Molave
“I’m  Kabunian, a supreme god, a protector of the rainforest. As a god, and protector it’s my duty to take care and look over my creations. For that, I made man to help me. But as the years passed, man himself has destroyed my creations and now I’m asking you to help me rebuild a better future.”

3rd place:

Trixie Miraflores, 6-Almaciga
“Hi, I’m Tree, the source of many products like paper. I help lessen erosion in the province and even in the cities…”

Other Book Week Winners

Top Book Borrowers for SY 2006-2007

1st        Pauline S. Tiosin, 4-Anislag
2nd       Leizel Guerero, 2-Ipil-Ipil
3rd        Julianne Ruz, 4-Anislag
4th        Vica Fajardo, 4-Kamagong
5th        Angela Rivera, 4-Kamagong
6th        Clarissa Tongson, 3-Mulawin
             Ana Isabel Sta. Isabel, 3-Mulawin
7th        Regina Tongson, 4-Anislag
             Anna IsabelT. Echavez, 3-Yakal
8th        Hiromi Nishikawa, 2-Ipil-Ipil

Top Class Borrower – 1st Grade Narra SY 2006-2007

Diligent Readers and Children Who Use Library Well

Katrina Abenojar, 5-Molave
Mary Agnes Espina, 5-Molave
Sara Isobel Castañeda, 4-Kamagong
Angela Rivera, 4-Kamagong
Aianah Faye Santos, 4-Kamagong
Tracy Louise Carreon, 3-Mulawin
Caitlin Dominique Crisostomo, 3-Mulawin
Anna Isabel Echavez, 3-Yakal
Zion Cruz, 3-Yakal
Mikayla Shalom Fabian, 3-Yakal

Class with the Highest Scholastic Book Purchase

Lower Grade             Mulawin
Upper Grade             Anislag

 Storytelling with Melody Remorca
By Alina Aficial, 5-Molave

Salaysayan National Storytelling grand prize winner, Ms. Melody Remorca was our guest storyteller during the bookweek program. She rendered a theatrical narration of the legend of the mosquito from the series of Lola Basyang. She told the story by acting and getting some actor volunteers from the audience to do the story with her! She made us learn and laugh.

Ms. Remorca is a professional storyteller. Currently, she is a storytelling performer for different public, private schools, and international schools, She is also a seminar speaker, a workshop facilitator and a DepEd resource speaker. Ms. Remorca won the grand prize in the 1st Duyan Awards last Mothers’ Day, May 2002.

by David G. Laureta, V-Tindalo

Our 1st Convocation had two guests: Sen. Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan and Mr. Reuben Laurente. It was a joint upper and lower grades program. Though it lasted for at least one hour and a half many children and parents enjoyed the convocation.

Sen. Pangilinan talked about good habits for success in school and some  of his life experiences when he was a young child. He shared to us most of his habits that helped him in his studies. Some of the habits that he enumerated and explained to us were: reading many books, knowing about great people, being punctual, listening well, writing your thoughts, and being participative. Also, he mentioned about his being an active leader during most of his years in school.

There was a question and answer portion in the program. Many asked questions about his life, his activities as a politician, and his dreams for a better Philippines. I got the chance to get his response in my two questions:

Q: What kind of Philippines do you want to see even long after your term as a senator? What will you do to make it happen?

A: “I want a good future for the next generations. I want our economy to prosper even more. I want higher pay for workers so that there will be less Filipinos leaving our country. This will happen if all the people would strictly follow and obey the laws. I will work for laws that will greatly benefit the masses.”

After his short message, the School Chaplain, Rev. Ariel C. Jornales, prayed for him.

            Also guest during the program was the Philippines bet for World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), Mr. Ruben Laurente. He sang, “Lift Me Up.” We sent him off with a prayer and gifts from the children. (more about Mr. Ruben Laurente, see Zoom-in Rising Star Ruben Laurente)