EDITORIAL

Don’t Be Stingy, We’re Already Drowning in Poverty

December 06, 2025 | 11:00 AM | PHT

BY: Leandro Leviste

These days, 500 pesos is already too little for people to spend for their everyday needs, now Sec. Cristina Roque, the secretary of DTI that people can have their Noche Buena in using only a budget of 500 pesos. People are enraged as 500 is already hard enough to get by everyday but Cristina thinks otherwise.

A lot of people were frustrated after the statement of Cristina to fit 500 pesos for Noche Buena for a family of 4. The budget suggested by Roque was already bad enough for just 1 person, let alone 4 and yet she still expects people to agree to her absurd idea.

As people were already mad, they were burning with rage by the statement of Cristina. “The Noche Buena celebration or Noche Buena handa will depend on the number of family members or even extended relatives that will be joining the Noche Buena celebration.”

Cristina thinks that since people are already struggling with money, they can cut the budget for their Noche Buena because she thinks they can manage it. She might’ve even stated those things as she wants more money to go onto the poloticians.

She might even want the money all to herself. She said that no prices last year were increased this year, she even estimated the total prices of the items. Christmas ham costs around 170 pesos, 78.50 for the spaghetti, 152.44 for the macaroni, 48.50 for the sauce of the spaghetti, 55 pesos for the mayonnaise, 56.60 for the cheese, 98.25 for the fruit salad, 61.75 for the fruit cocktail,36.25 for the all-purpose cream and finally 27.75 for 10 pieces of pinoy pandesal, bringing the total to 526.

Because of poverty and how people normalize low budgeting nowadays, some reluctantly agrees to the condition as they can’t do anything about it. They are forced to agree even though they know deep down that it’s wrong and it’s over below the original budget meant for the holiday.

People need to be observant of the living conditions of their country, mostly to politicians as they force things they know people can barely say yes to as they have no choice. They will live poorly forever if they keep pushing people to do things barely anyone can do. Budgeting is nice but sometimes over budgeting can affect the people.

Follow Your Heart, Choose Art

December 06, 2025 | 11:00 AM | PHT

BY: Leandro Leviste

Rodel Margaux Hilado, a known actor and a CEO of a company represented as the guest speaker of the DSPC press conference. He discussed about things in his life and his company and how it helped him to get to where he is in life now. Even when asked questions, he perfectly answered the questions accurately, confidently and with ease.

Margaux was once a campus journalist and used to participate in some events involving journalism but due to his love for photography, he chose art over journalism. He used his knowledge in photography and turned it into a business and overtime, his small business expanded worldwide. Once a kid with big dreams and a big heart, now is a successful CEO, an actor and now working for the government.

He is also the type of person to not stress out so much as he said he is born in this world “cool”. He even goes to say that he didn’t care about his grades and often failed some of his subjects. He is one of the craziest yet smartest people I’ve ever met.

When he was 6 years old, he got his very first DSLR camera that sparked his interest in photography. And due to his love in photography, he slowly became very successful, not only in the field of business but also in the field of arts. He is also well known in this town as he served this place for over 9 years.

He said he came back to the Philippines just for the mini press conference held for the DSPC. It was honorable to have such an important, smart and talented person be the speaker of the press conference. Him making time just for this event is rare as he is often busy with government work.

His success was not only because of his hardwork, but because he followed his heart. Following what he loved led him to become very successful in life, he became successful in his own way. He didn’t want to be ordinary, he wanted to be seen, to be known, to be remembered.

Filipinos are said to be the most creative people in the world and yet the country isn’t as progressive as you think. A lot of students are indeed creative and smart but because of their laziness and because of older people holding back their potential, their creativity cannot be seen or expressed for the world to witness.

Filipinos potential is severely held back because of their surrounding, often unable to express their imaginations to other people as it is considered to be “childish and dumb”, that’s why as time passes, children are scared or are unable to express things that are in their mind as they are scared they’ll be judged once more. When that child grows up, they might have trouble expressing their own opinion on things because they are so used to being turned down whenever they are trying to express their ideas.

Rodel Hilado even stated himself that Filipinos are the most creative people in the world yet they are held back due to their laziness. that’s not the only reason as it could also come from their own family because some families barely talk or interact with their children, making the kids paranoid talking to anyone.

People have shown just how powerful the imagination can be as all the designs and things people have today is all thanks to the amazing work of the mind. Yet people still hold back their kids as some parents are even jealous of their own kids and due to this, they manipulate a child’s mind into thinking they are not smart.

Filipinos aren’t the only ones that is being held back as millions of children all across the world are experiencing the same thing as Filipinos. it is held back because out of jealousy, spite or even just because they can. the world might be a better place if people didn’t let each other down and instead encourage them to strive even higher and dream bigger.

People shouldn’t be holding kids down as they are the future of mankind and if their potential or skills aren’t discovered, the world will progress slower and slower until the world stops progressing altogether. People should be let the kids strive and express their imagination as maybe one day they’ll be able to save or create something world shattering.

Don’t let kids fall as they’re the future of all

December 06, 2025 | 11:00 AM | PHT

BY: Leandro Leviste

Knowledge: Use Wisely not destructively

December 06, 2025 | 11:00 AM | PHT

BY: Leandro Leviste

During the mini press conference held at T’boli NHS for the DSPC, guest speaker Rodel Hilado stated something that made people happy. He stated that most of the students in this area is smart. Receiving such a nice compliment from him someone as talented and smart like him is rare.

Tboli people are indeed smart and they’ve shown it through countless things, whether it’s dancing or singing, they showed just how talented they are. even their young campus journalists are talented as at such a young age, they are able to create their very own school paper with the help of their school paper advisers. They are also able to bring home awards from the contests they’ve won.

During the opening of the DSPC at the municipal gym of T’boli, teachers and the students of T’boli NHS showcased their talent through dancing, singing and a lot more. They not only proved Rodels point, but also to the teachers and students from other schools that they are talented.

Despite the fact that they are all busy, they still keep their classrooms neat and tidy and dispose of any trash left in their rooms. When the other schools arrived, they were happy to see that the rooms and even the bathrooms were clean. They were exceptionally happy when they found out that there is running and clean water in the school.

There are also bad sides of the students as some can abuse their knowledge and devise a perfect plan to cheat or lie when needed. They can also use their skills to hide things that would go unnoticed that they can use to cheat. But students are also responsible with their actions and knows the difference between right and wrong.

Students in this school are indeed smart but they must not abuse their knowledge as it was given to them for a reason, and that reason is to do their best to teach others what’s right and to make not only the Philippines, but the whole world a better place to live.