SDOIN Chronicles

17/09/2026

It was a joy to personally deliver today our latest issue of SDOIN Chronicles to SDO Ilocos Norte which I have served as EPS in English for 10 years. This special issue is my last as Editor-in-Chief of the publication which I initiated in 2017. May this humble innovation be a legacy for the succeeding years.
I am forever grateful to the whole SDOIN family especially the dedicated staffers of SDOIN Chronicles. Praise God!

13/09/2026

Thank you for this tribute, Mark Angelo Damo.

13/09/2026

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞

In schools, sports are often measured by wins, losses, and championship titles. Yet their true value extends far beyond what appears on the scoreboard. In today's generation, where learners face academic pressures, excessive screen time, and health concerns, sports have become more than a game. They are a lifeline that keeps young people active, motivated, and connected. They are also a forge that shapes character, resilience, and leadership. Recognizing this reality, the Department of Education continues to strengthen school-based sports programs and learner participation nationwide.

The most important lessons in sports cannot be counted in points or reflected in medals. They are found in the discipline of attending training sessions, the courage to rise after defeat, and the determination to improve despite challenges. Through sports, learners develop teamwork, perseverance, respect, and responsibility, qualities that remain valuable long after the final whistle has blown.

For many learners, sports also serve as a lifeline. They provide an avenue for self-expression, stress relief, and meaningful social interaction. In a world increasingly dominated by gadgets and virtual spaces, athletic activities encourage learners to move, collaborate, and build healthy relationships. Sports create a sense of belonging and give students opportunities to discover their strengths while staying away from negative influences.

This is why the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte deserves recognition for promoting the Operational Sports Program through Active Sports Clubbing as one of its fortified key initiatives. More than simply identifying athletic talent, the program champions holistic learner development. By encouraging active participation in sports clubs, it creates opportunities for learners to improve their physical fitness, develop essential life skills, and pursue excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Such initiatives align with the national vision of making sports accessible, inclusive, and transformative for all learners.

Indeed, sports are a forge where future leaders are molded. Every challenge strengthens determination. Every setback teaches humility. Every victory inspires greater responsibility. Through these experiences, learners emerge not only as better athletes but also as better individuals prepared to contribute positively to society.

Beyond the scoreboard lies the true purpose of sports - transforming lives. As schools continue to strengthen athletic programs and initiatives such as Active Sports Clubbing, they invest not only in champions of competition but also in champions of character. For in the end, sports are a lifeline for learners and a forge for the future.

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📝𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐅. 𝐋𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬
📷 Cartoon shared by 𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐅. 𝐋𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬

13/09/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫!

The 𝐒𝐃𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 is now available. Catch up on the latest news, inspiring stories, and timely updates from across SDOIN.

In this special issue, you can also explore the history of SDOIN Chronicles and learn how the publication was established, tracing its journey from its beginnings to becoming a trusted source of information for the SDOIN community

Read, engage, and keep up with what matters most!

11/09/2026

𝑬𝑫𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑹𝑰𝑨𝑳

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

2026 runs daily with loads of information that spread fast like a speeding train, sudden wind torrent, flash of lighting or roaring floodwater.

It is exigent to take account of these pieces of information in whatever form, mode or portal they are shared.

SDOIN Chronicles keeps track of events and relevant issues just as what it initially pounded on in its first issue in 2017. It continues to do so and has stepped up its level of online and printed presentations. Through its pages, the achievements of learners, teachers and personnel are celebrated. Stories inspire. Columns and opinions trigger logical discussions and debate. The editorial reflects the over-all sentiment or opinion on an issue.

This publication aims to ensure inclusion. Has it really been included as vital to the Division?

It acknowledges triumphs and unique challenges. Has it been acknowledged as a unique voice?

It fortifies the bond that holds us together. Will that bond endure more years of journalistic collaboration?

SDOIN Chronicles keeps readers and the SDOIN community well-informed with reliable, undistorted and inspiring content. Thus, with the current leader’s approval and acknowledgment of its impact and distinctive service, it shall continue through online platforms and printed copies. This parallels a merit or commendation no size of a physical plaque or certificate can match.

It’s 2026 and this publication is ours to keep. We hold on to the connection. SDOIN Chronicles powerfully matters.

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𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑦 Levi A. Bayudan
📝𝗥𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲

11/09/2026

11/09/2026

Let's trace the emergence and continuous growth of SDOIN Chronicles! Thank you to all the staff members who have dedicated their time and expertise to help me with my innovation which started in 2017. Read on! I dedicate this article written by a friend and writer ( we were just 2 writers for the 1st issue which I alone laid out and published online and in printed format) to all of you, especially to SDO Ilocos Norte which I have served as Education Program Supervisor in English for 10 years (2016-2026). I give honor and glory to God, for without Him, this innovation would not have been possible!

08/09/2026

𝑭𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑼𝑹𝑬 | 𝑨𝑩𝑵𝑲𝑲𝑩𝑺𝑵𝑷𝑳𝑨𝒌𝒐?!
𝙒𝒉𝙚𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝙝𝒊𝙡𝒅 𝒅𝙞𝒔𝙘𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙧𝒔 𝒕𝙝𝒆 𝒋𝙤𝒚 𝒐𝙛 𝙧𝒆𝙖𝒅𝙞𝒏𝙜 𝙩𝒉𝙧𝒐𝙪𝒈𝙝 𝙩𝒉𝙚 𝙎𝑫𝙊𝑰𝙉 𝙋𝒖𝙡𝒍-𝑶𝙪𝒕 𝑹𝙚𝒂𝙙𝒊𝙣𝒈 𝑷𝙧𝒐𝙜𝒓𝙖𝒎

There is a special kind of courage in a child who keeps trying to read a word that seems impossible. The child looks at the letters, pauses, tries again, and sometimes gets it wrong. Around them, others may already be reading with ease. While others see a difficult word, the child sees a mountain worth climbing. But the child keeps trying. In that quiet struggle is a powerful truth: every child can learn when someone is willing to inspire and believe.

During the 2025–2026 Division Reading Validation, 341 learners or about 0.45% of those assessed were identified as needing reading intervention. The number may look small on paper. But 341 is never just a number. It is 341 young minds waiting for their chance to shine. Behind every number is a child who deserves not only intervention, but the opportunity to experience the pride of becoming a reader. The SDOIN Pull-Out Reading Program was built around that chance.

In the program, progress begins with little things. A child recognizes a letter. A sound is read correctly. A word is pronounced without help. Then comes a sentence. To an ordinary reader, these may be small steps. To a struggling reader, they are giant leaps. What may take only seconds for a fluent reader can represent days or weeks of effort for a child learning to find meaning in print. Every word conquered becomes a little victory. Every victory plants a seed of confidence.

The magic happens when school heads and teachers, our pull out warriors, choose patience over pressure. Yes, they sit beside the child. They listen. They guide. They let the child try again. No wrong answer is the end of the road. Every mistake becomes a stepping stone. Every attempt becomes a reason to keep going. For these children, the most powerful lesson may not be found in a reading material, but in the reassuring presence of an adult who says, in words and actions, “Try again. You can do this.” Slowly, fear gives way to courage. Silence gives way to a voice. Hurray, warriors!

And then, one day, something changes. The child picks up a book without being told. The eyes move across the page. The lips begin to form the words. The voice, once filled with doubt, becomes steady. Then comes a smile. It is a small smile, but it carries the weight of a mountain conquered. It is the kind of smile that tells a story without words, a story of persistence, patient teaching and a child finally discovering, “I CAN.” In that moment, reading is no longer a burden. It becomes a discovery. At last!

This is why the 341 learners are more than statistics. They are 341 stories waiting for a brighter chapter. They are 341 voices waiting to be heard. They are 341 doors waiting to open. Behind each door is a world of knowledge, imagination and possibility. And when one child learns to read, the victory reaches far beyond the page, it touches a family, inspires a teacher and opens a future that once seemed out of reach. Every teacher who stays, guides and believes becomes a key that helps open it.

Perhaps this is the beauty of reading. At first, letters seem like strangers. Then, little by little, they become words. Words become sentences, and sentences unfold into stories. And stories can change not only the way a child sees the world, but also the way a child sees oneself. For every struggling reader, there comes a moment when the letters that once seemed like a puzzle finally begin to make sense, a moment of pride and quiet triumph. It is a moment captured in Bob Ong’s playful and iconic title, a phonetic expression of a child’s joyful realization that what once seemed impossible is now within reach: “Wow, I can actually read now?!” Read phonetically as “Aba, nakakabasa na pala ako?!” or, in its most delightful form, simply…

ABNKKBSNPLAko?!

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📝 𝐃𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐄. 𝐆𝐮𝐳𝐦𝐚𝐧

08/09/2026

𝑭𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑼𝑹𝑬 | 𝑭𝙧𝒐𝙢 𝙝𝒆𝙧𝒊𝙩𝒂𝙜𝒆 𝒕𝙤 𝙙𝒊𝙜𝒊𝙩𝒂𝙡 𝙬𝒐𝙧𝒍𝙙: 𝑷𝙧𝒐𝙟𝒆𝙘𝒕 𝑰𝙉𝒑𝙖𝒕𝙖𝒘𝙞𝒅 𝒃𝙧𝒊𝙣𝒈𝙨 𝑰𝙡𝒐𝙘𝒐𝙨 𝙉𝒐𝙧𝒕𝙚’𝙨 𝙘𝒖𝙡𝒕𝙪𝒓𝙚 𝙩𝒐 𝒍𝙞𝒇𝙚 𝙩𝒉𝙧𝒐𝙪𝒈𝙝 𝙫𝒊𝙧𝒕𝙪𝒂𝙡 𝙢𝒖𝙨𝒆𝙪𝒎𝙨

The stories of Ilocos Norte’s ancestors, the traditions handed down through generations, and the treasures of its communities have found a new home, not only in physical museums, but also in the digital world.

This vision has become a reality in the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte (SDOIN) as schools across the province take culture and heritage into the digital age through the Project INpatawid Virtual Museum Contest.

Initiated in April 2026 by Dr. Dennis Ramirez, Education Program Supervisor in Araling Panlipunan, the division-wide contest brought together elementary and secondary schools in an innovative effort to digitally preserve and showcase the history, traditions, practices, and cultural identity of their respective communities.

More than a competition, the initiative represents another milestone in SDOIN’s continuing mission to make heritage education more meaningful, engaging, and relevant to 21st-century learners.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬

The Virtual Museum Contest builds on Project INpatawid, launched to reestablish and restructure school museums across Ilocos Norte. Aligned with SDOIN’s TourEd INherited Project, it seeks to connect learners with their historical and cultural legacy by allowing them to experience learning beyond textbooks.

As education embraces technology, Project INpatawid evolved into the INpatawid Virtual Museum, enabling schools to digitally showcase their local heritage through virtual exhibits, storytelling, photographs, videos, and multimedia presentations.

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐓

Earlier, Dr. Ramirez also spearheaded Project RIMAT: Revitalizing Ilocos Norte’s Magnificent Ancestral Traditions, which encouraged schools to create video-based Araling Panlipunan learning materials featuring the unique culture and traditions of the different towns of Ilocos Norte.

Project RIMAT laid the groundwork for using technology to document local culture, while the Virtual Museum Contest takes this advocacy further by creating interactive digital spaces where learners can explore and preserve their heritage.

𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

The contest aims to sustain the gains of Project INpatawid through ICT-based heritage platforms, encourage teachers and learners to integrate local and indigenous knowledge, strengthen appreciation of local identity, and recognize schools and educators who champion cultural preservation and digital innovation.

Through the project, learners and teachers become researchers, storytellers, documenters, and digital curators. Local traditions, artifacts, practices, stories, and community experiences are transformed into learning resources that connect the past with the present.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬

The initiative responds to the need for more technology-integrated, culturally relevant, and contextualized learning materials, while addressing challenges in preserving and documenting local heritage.

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞

Nueva Era Elementary School emerged as rank 1 in the elementary level, turning local history, traditions, and cultural treasures into an engaging virtual experience.

In the secondary level, Santiago National High School claimed rank 1, showcasing how digital innovation can strengthen learners’ connection to their local identity and heritage.

Ultimately, the INpatawid Virtual Museum demonstrates that technology can become a powerful tool for cultural preservation. By transforming heritage into an interactive digital experience, SDOIN empowers teachers and learners to become cultural stewards while making education more relevant and engaging.

Through Project INpatawid and its continuing innovations, the stories, traditions, and identity of Ilocos Norte are not merely remembered. They are preserved, shared, and passed on to the generations of tomorrow.

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📝 𝐉𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐥
📸 𝐒𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧-𝐀𝐏𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐁 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞