Pluma Lahug ES

SPECIAL PROGRAM IN SCIENCE ENTRANCE EXAM FOR SY 2026-2027

| EDITORIAL

The Power of a School Cooperative

When a cooperative flourishes within a school, its impact ripples far beyond the walls of the canteen or the aisles of the cooperative store. Students, teachers, and support staff all become stakeholders in a system that turns everyday purchases into a source of communal profit. That profit, in turn, funds the very activities that enrich school life—field trips, guest speakers, graduation celebrations, and the countless small gestures that keep the campus running smoothly. In short, a well‑managed cooperative turns “spending” into “earning” for the whole school community.

Public schools are often constrained by rigid budget lines, especially the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) that dictate what can be officially funded. When teachers need modest supplies for classroom projects, when a visiting speaker requires refreshments, or when an impromptu student‑led event calls for extra materials, the school’s central budget may simply not allow for those expenses.

A cooperative store fills that gap. By pooling a modest portion of the revenue generated from snack sales, school‑branded merchandise, and other low‑margin items, the cooperative creates a flexible micro‑budget. This “extra” fund can be tapped quickly, without the lengthy approval process that typically accompanies formal school spending. It becomes a financial safety net that lets educators focus on teaching rather than on paperwork.

One of the most visible demonstrations of the cooperative’s value occurs after the grueling final weeks of the academic year. Our graduation ceremony is more than a rite of passage for the seniors; it is a moment of collective gratitude for the faculty that has endured the same challenges day after day.

When the cooperative’s profit is allocated to a post‑graduation gathering, the benefits are twofold. First, it provides a modest yet meaningful reward for teachers who have given their all—recognizing their dedication while reinforcing a culture of appreciation. Second, it cultivates camaraderie among a large and diverse faculty body. In a setting where teachers can relax, share stories, and bond over a simple meal, the cooperative helps transform a professional network into a supportive community.

The cooperative is more than a modest revenue generator; it is a cultural statement. It says that our school values collaboration over competition, that we view every stakeholder—students, teachers, staff, and even parents—as partners in a shared mission. When the profit from a snack bar can fund a teacher’s professional development or a celebration that honors a year’s hard work, the abstract notion of “community” becomes a tangible reality.

In a world where budgets are tight and demands are high, the school cooperative stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we choose to give back to the very community that sustains us.

Let us continue to nurture this model, protect its integrity, and expand its reach. By doing so, we ensure that every bite taken in the canteen, every notebook purchased at the cooperative store is an investment in a stronger, more connected school—one that thrives not because of external funding, but because of the collective generosity of its own members.

-coachfairy

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FEATURE |

Beyond Caps & Gowns

The sun over the IEC Convention Center glimmered on a crisp March noon as 755 smiling faces gathered for a ceremony unlike any before. For the first time, Lahug Elementary School PTA-Grade 6 level, and parents chose the spacious halls of IEC to host its graduating class, and the result was a seamless, sweat‑free celebration that proved the power of careful planning and community spirit. The stage, awash in soft lighting, became a canvas where years of laughter, lessons, and lingering doubts were painted into a vivid tableau of achievement.

A textbook can be bought, but the knowledge that now lives in these children’s heads cannot be purchased in any store. As the high honor student, Hyacinth reminded the assembled families, “You can buy a textbook, but you cannot buy the knowledge in your head.” The graduates have spent countless afternoons hunched over worksheets, mastering multiplication tables, and decoding the mysteries of the natural world. Their certificates are more than paper—they are the distilled result of curiosity, perseverance, and the guiding hands of teachers who turned questions into revelations.

Equally priceless are the medals that will soon dangle from the necks of those who earned them. “You can buy medals from a shop, but you can never buy the heart and the years of hard work it took for us to actually earn the ones we are wearing today,” Hyacinth emphasized. Those shimmering symbols now represent not just academic excellence, but the countless early‑morning rides, the extra‑credit projects, and the quiet moments of self‑discipline that forged each student’s character.

Parents, teachers, and community members watched with pride as the students received their diplomas, their eyes shining with a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. The smooth flow of the program—no technical glitches, no missed cues—reflected students’ discipline that involved not only the school staff but also volunteers from the surrounding barangay. It was a testament to Lahug Elementary’s collaborative ethos: when a community invests its time and heart, the celebration becomes a shared triumph rather than a solitary performance.

The sight symbolized more than a rite of passage; it marked the launch of 755 young minds into a world that will test both their intellect and their compassion. The school’s motto—“Kaalaman at Karunungan, Puso’t Pagsisikap” (Knowledge and Wisdom, Heart and Effort)—will travel with them, echoing in classrooms, boardrooms, and community projects for years to come.

In the days that follow, the halls of Lahug Elementary will feel a little emptier, but the legacy of this graduation will linger in every chalkboard scribble, every whispered encouragement, and every future success story that begins with a single, well‑earned medal. The real celebration, as the ceremony reminded everyone, is not the applause that fades, but the enduring values that the graduates will carry forward—attitude, academics, and an unshakable heart.

-coachfairy

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|FEATURE

Tears of Triumph: The Final Curtain Rises on Six Years of Science Dreams

When the sun slipped behind the school’s modest flagpole yesterday, a hush fell over the gymnasium that felt more like a reverent pause than a routine end‑of‑day. The Grade 6 cohort of the Special Program in Science (SPS) stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder, their faces a mosaic of anticipation, pride, and the bittersweet ache of goodbye. For six long years they had lab‑tested, problem‑solved, and chased the same curiosity that first lured them into the program’s bright, white‑boarded corridors. Now, maroon sashes that marked their journey, they were ready to step out of the laboratory and into the next chapter of their lives.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was a living testament to what lay ahead. Mr. Lugsanay—once a shy, wide‑eyed student in the very same lineup—returned as an alumnus whose own path had taken him far from what he dreamed. The students listened, eyes glistening, feeling the weight of his journey settle alongside their own hopes.

Parents sat at the back of their kids, some clutching crumpled programs, others wiping away sudden tears. As each child’s name was called, a wave of applause surged through the hall, followed by a gentle, ceremonial drape of the SPS sash over their shoulders. The sash—woven in the program’s signature maroon—symbolized more than academic achievement; it stitched together late‑night study sessions, the camaraderie forged over shared experiments, and the relentless pursuit of answers. For those who had also cleared the competitive entrance exam for junior high, an extra burst of recognition echoed, a nod to the next hurdle they were now prepared to conquer.

But the true heart of the afternoon lay in the tribute staged by the graduating class themselves. With trembling hands, they unfolded a performance—a choreographed song number that mimicked the elegant swirl of electrons around a nucleus. Each act was a love letter to the teachers who had guided them, the parents who had endured countless “why does this happen?” questions, and the classmates who had become a second family. When the final curtain fell, a hush gave way to an outpouring of emotion.

Students approached their teachers with a simple, handwritten token: a small black box, polished to a shine, filled with folded letters. Inside, words of gratitude fluttered like fragile butterflies—“Thank you for believing in me when I thought I’d never understand,” “Your patience turned my fear into fascination,” “You taught me that failure is just a stepping stone.” Parents, too, received heartfelt notes, some laced with humor, others with raw vulnerability. Hugs were exchanged, some tight and lingering, others brief but loaded with unspoken promises to stay connected despite the inevitable distance that junior high will bring.

As the final applause faded and the lights dimmed, the graduating students lingered a moment longer, eyes fixed on the empty lab benches that had witnessed their growth. A soft, collective sigh escaped the crowd—a mixture of relief, nostalgia, and the quiet excitement of what lies beyond. In that instant, tears fell not as symbols of sorrow but as affirmations of a journey well‑traveled. The Special Program in Science had given them more than knowledge; it had gifted them a community, a mindset, and the courage to chase the unknown. And as they stepped out, sashes trailing like banners of triumph, the world beyond the school gates seemed a little brighter, a little more discoverable—just as their teachers and mentors had always whispered.

-coachfairy

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Blessing the Grade‑6 Learners: Baccalaureate Mass Celebrates Future Graduates of Lahug Elementary

A spirit of hope and reverence filled the gymnasium of Lahug Elementary School yesterday as the school’s Grade‑6 cohort gathered for their annual Baccalaureate Mass. The solemn ceremony, presided over by Rev. Fr. Gamaliel Simbajon of St. Therese Parish, marked the spiritual culmination of the students’ elementary journey and offered a collective prayer for the paths that lie ahead.

In his homily, Fr. Simbajon urged the young listeners to “dream positively and align their aspirations with God’s will.” He cautioned against “the lure of fleeting ambitions that stray from a God‑centered life,” encouraging the children to seek purpose, integrity, and service in whatever future they choose. “A dream rooted in faith becomes a compass that guides you through life’s challenges,” the priest remarked, earning nods and smiles from the attentive audience.

After the homily, the students took turns reciting personal prayers for their futures, families, and the broader community. The moment was particularly moving as the children lifted their eyes toward the altar, expressing gratitude for the support they have received from teachers, parents, and parish partners.

The culmination of the rite came when Fr. Simbajon solemnly blessed the diplomas, medals, and certificates that symbolize each learner’s academic milestones. He laid his hands upon the stack of documents, invoking the Holy Spirit to “infuse these achievements with purpose and to protect the hearts of these young scholars as they step into the next chapter of their lives.”

“Seeing my child receive this blessing fills my heart with peace,” said a mother of Grade‑6 student. “We pray that God’s light continues to guide her, especially as she prepares for junior high school.”

As Lahug Elementary’s Grade‑6 students embark on the next phase of their educational journey, the mass’s message reverberates: faith‑anchored dreams are the strongest foundation for a hopeful future.

-coachfairy

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Science and Technology|

A Campus-wide Celebration of Inquiry

On February 26, 2026, Ms. Cantila, the school’s Science Coordinator, inaugurated an immersive, campus‑wide celebration of inquiry for every student enrolled in the Special Program in Science (SPS). The event was designed to showcase learners’ investigative work, promote peer‑to‑peer teaching, and highlight the collaborative spirit that defines the school’s science community.

The centerpiece of the celebration was the Grade 6 Investigatory Projects. All Grade 6 SPS scholars defended their research before a three‑member panel composed of Mrs. Uy, Mrs. Monton, and Mr. Oyong. Each project was displayed on a professionally designed board in the gymnasium, allowing judges and visitors to scrutinize methodology, data, and conclusions in depth. The panel offered constructive critiques that emphasized scientific reasoning, experimental design, and clear communication, turning the defense into a rigorous learning experience that sharpened research skills and sparked excitement about applying science to real‑world problems.

Complementing the senior scholars’ presentations, Grade 5 SPS learners organized a “Science‑in‑Action” showcase for a broad audience that included kindergarten, Grade 1‑6 regular‑class students, and SPS peers. The fifth‑graders led hands‑on demonstrations ranging from simple chemical reactions to physics‑based experiments, and they also presented robotics projects under the guidance of Mrs. Monton and Mr. Hortel. Science teachers from all grade levels participated by displaying exemplary projects from their own classrooms, reinforcing interdisciplinary connections and fostering a vibrant learning atmosphere. Younger students left the event inspired to ask “why,” while older learners deepened their mastery of concepts by teaching them to others.

The significance of this campus‑wide celebration extends beyond the immediate excitement of experiments and presentations. By requiring students to defend their investigations and teach peers, the program moves learners away from rote memorization toward authentic inquiry, nurturing creativity and critical thinking. Involving teachers, younger learners, and parents creates a supportive network that values scientific literacy and community building. Moreover, the event cultivates future‑ready competencies—effective communication, data analysis, and collaborative problem‑solving—that are essential for success in the 21st‑century workforce.

Looking ahead, the SPS community plans to expand this model, integrating more interdisciplinary projects, extending outreach to families and local organizations, and embedding inquiry‑driven assessments across the curriculum. By continuing to champion an environment where curiosity is celebrated and scientific skills are honed, the school positions its students to become innovators and informed citizens ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

-coachfairy

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Pluma Campus Press Earns Multiple Honors in Regional Competition

Over the course of one week (March 2‑7,2026), the Regional Schools Press Conference convened in Danao City, bringing together student journalists from across the region. Pluma’s campus press team distinguished itself by securing top placements in both the school‑paper and individual categories.

School‑Paper Contest

Section Placement
🏅Editorial 2nd Place
🏅Science & Technology 5th Place

Individual Contest
🏅Photojournalism (English) – 5th Place
Awarded to: Marsheilla De Alba, Campus Journalist
Coach: Coach Fairy

“These achievements reflect the dedication of our student journalists and the unwavering support of our teachers, parents, and the entire Pluma community,” said Coach Fairy. “We are proud to see our members excel and look forward to building on this momentum in the coming year.”

The Pluma Campus Press extends its sincere gratitude to the school administration, the families of our journalists, and all supporters who have contributed to these successes. Their encouragement has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant culture of student media excellence.

-coachfairy