#NEWS | Batch 2028 celebrates first HumsFest
by Vyan Abella, Kat Dela Rama, & Mikko Salvador
The Philippine Science High School–Main Campus (PSHS–MC) celebrated the first face-to-face Humanities Festival within the past two years, themed “Truth or Consequence: A Call to Critical Thinking and Positive Action” last December 19 to 21, 2022.
With that, plenty of activities were prepared for one of Batch 2028’s many firsts this school year.
Day 1
After the opening ceremony, the freshmen then proceeded to the 4th-floor auditorium of the Science and Humanities Building (SHB) for “floUrish,” a talk by Dr. Pia Garcia on the importance of self-esteem and identity.
Next, the students had a parallel session at the gym, wherein Ma’am Maybeline Pacia, one of the school’s guidance counselors, debunked several common myths about mental health. She encouraged students to spread acceptance and support instead of these misconceptions.
The session was then followed by the Human Libraries held at the SHB 3rd-floor classrooms.
Ma’am Camille Barquilla from the Filipino Unit talked about her experiences as a K-pop fan of groups ranging from Super Junior to Exo, as well as the benefits and struggles of being a K-pop fan.
Sir Daryl Wyson from the English Unit narrated how he became a teacher and his experiences as a teacher-trainer. He also shared how schools were like through the years, as well as tips on teaching a person and whether teaching and leadership are similar.
Sir Edwin Del Rosario, also from the English Unit, shared encounters that led him to achieve his childhood dream of teaching, as well as some details about teaching as a career.
Meanwhile, Ma’am Kim Favor from the Social Science Unit discussed her experiences as an exchange student in Japan and as a graduate student taking up Japanese studies as a minor. As a member of Pisay’s Leadership and Exchange Committee, she encouraged students to join and apply to exchange programs of the school as well.
“It was good and entertaining, and I’m looking forward to [having] more Human Libraries next school year,” Keith Crisostomo of 7-Diamond commented.
A showing of the 2011 film “Hugo” was also held in the library alongside the Human Libraries.
Gab Patriarca from 7-Opal pointed out that the truth was manifested in the movie by Papa George’s narration to the main character of his life story, on how he went from being a stage magician to a film director, and then to being a toy store owner who lost an automaton that he built and sold his films due to bankruptcy.
Day 2
The second day featured the SQuID Game, which comprised four simultaneously held competitions hosted by the English Unit with Grade 12 SCALE volunteers.
The event consisted of a spelling bee, a quiz bee, an impromptu speaking contest, and a declamation contest. The following students won their respective competitions:
Spelling Bee:
- 3rd — Oracle Michael Ariel Geraldez of Garnet
- 2nd — Liam Lucas Panganiban of Sapphire
- 1st — Jhundee II Guillermo of Jade
Quiz Bee:
- 3rd — Raygranth George Froyalde & Kaiser Travis Chan of Garnet
- 2nd — Cedric James Sigua & Samuel Leonardo Zantua of Emerald
- 1st — Maize Asher Gan & Jose Benjamin Aquino of Opal
Impromptu Speaking:
- 3rd — Trisha Gabrielle Atanoso of Opal
- 2nd — Ysabella Caubalejo of Diamond
- 1st — Angel Danielle Lavilla of Ruby
Declamation:
- 3rd — Frances Ylisha Villadarez of Sapphire
- 2nd — Riane Audrey Catsuela of Opal
- 1st — Aron Francis Dela Cruz of Emerald
Batch 2028 then attended a Music and Dance seminar workshop at the gym. Sir Ryan Anthony Cruz from the Music Unit and Sir Jade Mark Alvarez from the PE Unit presented lectures on folk music and dances, respectively.
In addition to Philippine folk music in general, Sir Cruz’s presentation focused on traditional Philippine instruments and how they are used in folk contexts. The Main Campus Chorale, composed of staff and faculty members and conducted by Ma’am Melody Hernandez of the Music Unit, performed “Si Pilemon” as an example of a folk song.
During Sir Alvarez’s talk on folk dances, Sagala performed “Pandanggo sa Ilaw” with select students from Grades 10 and 12, while Grade 12 Dance Fitness Class students staged “Galaw Pilipinas.” He also taught the students some Pandanggo movements and other basic folk dance steps.
Following the lunch break, the “Pag-usapan Natin ang Katotohanan” forum was held at the 3rd floor auditorium. Speakers Mrs. Maria Cristina Bawagan, Prof. Aaron Viernes, Prof. Vijae Alquisola, and Prof. Jose Monfred Sy took turns giving presentations on misinformation and disinformation within and beyond the context of Martial Law.
Mrs. Bawagan started off the forum by sharing her and other’s experiences as activists during former Dictator Marcos’s Martial Law, emphasizing: “Teaching about martial law . . . is not an option. Rather, it is an obligation.”
Prof. Viernes then proceeded with a short lecture on the myths made during Martial Law, followed by Prof. Alquisola’s presentation on literature and the duty of writers in revolution.
Prof. Sy was the last to speak, ending the forum with his talk on using Filipino in academic writing to help fight against waves of disinformation.
“Kung hindi tayo kikibo, sinong kikibo? Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sinong kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan?” quoted Prof. Alquisola from Abraham “Ditto” Sarmiento during his lecture.
(If we will not react, who will react? If we will not move, who will move? If not now, when?)
Meanwhile, SaGala club members shared a dance routine with the Grade 7 and 8 students and taught it to them at the Creativity Day. After practicing the dance routine with and without music, a Grade 7 section was paired with a Grade 8 section to perform the dance routine together at the center of the gym.
“It was really fun. The dance was confusing, but I got the hang of it,” Brie Frias from 7-Jade shared.
Day 3
For the final day of the festival, Batch 2028, together with Batches 2024 and 2023, witnessed the Pisay Debate Open Grand Final at the gym.
Team China Boyz from Batch 2027 won over Team Carmichael from Batch 2025 with the motion: “The house believes that (THBT) it is in the interest of the scientist to publish the research.” Cary Malana from Batch 2025 was awarded as the final’s best speaker.
Following the Pisay Debate Open Grand Final was the closing ceremony, wherein the winners of the different contests and activities were awarded.
