The Hundred Islands

PNHS to put up SPJ; visits ACNHS to benchmark
‎By Nika Minimo

Pangasinan National High School (PNHS) Language Department Heads and School Paper Advisers (SPAs) visited Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) for a benchmarking activity focused on the implementation of the Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) on May 19.
‎
‎The event was led by Mr. Rey B. Pascua, Officer-in-Charge (OIC), School principal IV , Mr. Jose Radoc Jr., Head Teacher IV of the English department, Mrs. Sheilah Decano, Head Teacher III of the Filipino department, Dr. Eliza G. Abelon, Master Teacher II and SPJ Coordinator, and Mrs. Virgina O. Estrada, Head Teacher VI of the Filipino department in PNHS.
‎
‎The activity served as a venue for educational leaders to observe and learn from ACNHS’s established SPJ best practices as PNHS prepares to launch and strengthen their own journalism program.
‎
‎Subsequently, the activity highlights ACNHS’s program framework, curriculum integration, student development strategies, and co-curricular activities designed to develop responsible, skilled, and ethical student journalists.

ACNHS SPJ coordinators also presented planned requirements involved in fully implementing the program curriculum and sustaining program operations and needs.
‎
‎“Offering this special curricular program is quite a challenge,” PNHS HT VI in Filipino, Mrs. Virgina O. Estrada said.
‎
‎During the discussion, SPAs and HTs learned about how ACNHS runs its SPJ program.

They were also acquainted to the procedures on how students are selected, trained, and guided in different journalism activities.

Furthermore, ACNHS also shared experiences and practices that helped make the program successful and aligned within the curriculum set.
‎
‎Both ACNHS' and PNHS' SPAs and SPJ coordinators had the chance to exchange ideas and strengthen their efforts in developing student journalists.
‎
‎Meanwhile, ACNHS expresses its anticipation for the progress of PNHS as it moves toward the implementation and strengthening of their own offering of SPJ.

Dive into the stories that matter!
Explore the digital edition of The Hundred Islands here:

Online Flipbook Created with the Heyzine flipbook maker

Alaminos City National High School Receives Major Educational Boost from SM Foundation

By Chanel Angela Viray and Zion Clyne Ofrey Garcia

Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) is poised to receive a significant upgrade to its educational infrastructure as SM Foundation steps forward with a generous donation of computers, furniture, and other essential learning materials in January.

This contribution is part of the foundation's nationwide school-building program, aimed at enhancing the learning experience across the country.

In addition to state-of-the-art digital devices, the SM Foundation will also provide a two-storey building to accommodate the growing needs of ACNHS.

The second floor will house a cutting-edge computer laboratory, named the "DigiHub," exclusively dedicated to special programs.

The DigiHub's location on the upper floor ensures both the safety of the equipment and the preservation of the facility for future generations.

The turnover of the ICT equipment will take place one week after the building's formal turnover.

This is a key milestone in SM Foundation's ongoing education initiative, which has already contributed 117 school buildings to the Department of Education (DepEd) in various communities across the nation where SM operates.

Juris U. Soliman, Consultant and Head of the School Building Program, alongside Project Assistant Jaycee Garcia, confirmed that the latest donation will include 20 ACER computers, new chairs and tables, a 60-inch television for educational purposes, and protective grills for added student safety.

Soliman elaborated on the foundation's meticulous approach to selecting classroom furniture, ensuring that even the smallest details are considered.

“For example, if we provide 200 armchairs, 10% of those are designed for left-handed students,” she explained, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of every classroom.

While the initial plan was to donate a building with four classrooms, the project faced a slight delay due to a typhoon that disrupted the contractor’s office operations.

Soliman acknowledged this challenge, explaining, “The typhoon impacted the contractor’s office, but we are now moving forward with the project.”

ACNHS is the fifth school nationwide to benefit from the SM Foundation’s generosity, following a series of similar initiatives that began in Iloilo.

The foundation is already planning to expand its reach next year, with schools in Surigao, Negros Oriental, and Nueva Vizcaya slated to receive donations.

Notably, in the entire province of Pangasinan, only two schools—Alaminos City National High School and San Carlos City—have received donations thus far.

The selection process for beneficiary schools is rigorous and includes identifying institutions near SM Malls that have valid land titles and are current on tax obligations.

Following this, SM Foundation works closely with DepEd and the respective Schools Division Superintendents.

Before construction begins, SM Foundation engineers conduct thorough soil assessments to ensure the stability and safety of the buildings.

In addition to its infrastructure contributions, SM Foundation continues to support educational growth by offering scholarship programs for Grade 12 students.

This further strengthens its commitment to improving access to quality education and empowering future leaders.

Photos by: Chrisha Denelle Abarra

ACNHS holds 3-day School-Based Press Conference

Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) conducted a three-day School-Based Press Conference on September 3-5 in accordance with the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 which seeks to hone students' journalistic skills, critical and creative thinking, and moral character among City Highians.

During the opening program, Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) Chief Orlando I. Guerrero shared his message by inspiring the young journalists to strive for excellence up to the national level, highlighting the active role of journalism in strengthening and shaping an informed society.

Meanwhile, Dr. Edna Caserial, Education Program Supervisor in Filipino, served as one of the speakers, emphasizing the continued relevance of journalism in a rapidly evolving world where artificial intelligence is increasingly prevalent.

“Bilang isang mamamahayag, tungkulin nating ilaban ang katotohanan sa mundong laganap ang Artificial Intelligence,” Caserial emphasized.

Further, Mr. Abdulbassit Hadji S. Abdullah, Youth Development Officer I of LGU Alaminos City, served as a keynote speaker and delivered his inspirational message to City Highians.

"Ang pagiging journalist ay hindi lamang para sa eskuwelahan o pang-clout chasing. Ito ay tungkulin, responsibilidad, at obligasyon. Tungkuling ilahad ang katotohanan. Responsibilidad na maging boses ng nasa laylayan. Obligasyon na kailanman ay hindi natatapos-dahil ang bawat datos at detalye ay laging nagbabago, at nararapat malaman ng bawat tao," Abdullah stated.

Mr. Jose Radoc Jr., Head Teacher IV in English, Mrs. Sheilah R. Decano, Head Teacher III in Filipino, and Mr. Leomar Abarra, SHS Assisstant Principal were also acknowledged at the said event.

On September 3, students competed in individual categories such as News Writing, Editorial Writing, Column Writing, Sci-tech Writing, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Feature Writing, Cartooning, Sports Writing, Mobile Journalism, and Photojournalism.

The following day, September 4, was dedicated to group events, including Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting, TV Broadcasting and Scriptwriting, Online Publication, and Collaborative Desktop Publishing.

The training was further enriched through the guidance of School Paper Advisers who acted as speakers and evaluators. Among them were Dr. Eliza Abelon, Master Teacher II and Division English Coordinator; Dr. Juvilou Boling, Master Teacher I and ACDASOA President; Miss Irish Jial Ginez; Dr. Diana Rose Purganan from Ildefonso Quimson Community High School; Mr. Vincent John Garcia; Mrs. Rizalina Necesito; and Mr. Leovanny Aglibot.

The culminating activity took place on September 5 with the awarding ceremony, where the most outstanding student-journalists and teams were recognized for their exemplary performances throughout the press conference.

📝Princess Jana Credo
📸Nathan Esteban, Rhann Legaspi

📢𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲!

Calling all aspiring campus journalists — let your voices be heard and your stories be told✨. Passionate about news writing, photojournalism, column writing and more?✒️ Take the stage, showcase your talent, and join the thriving world of campus journalism at ACNHS.

Your eyes, your voice!

Join the opening program on September 3, 2025, Wednesday, 8:00AM at the ACNHS Gymnasium.

See you there!

📌Interested participants may register in advance to the adviser-in-charge.
📌If you want to join, get you parent’s consent at the journalism room, braganza building.

For more details, see the information below⬇️.





Layout by: Eliana Fernandez, Elishia Abby Edu, Aiyana Uson
Caption by: Elishia Abbh Edu