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Teacher's Pen, Angeles City (2026)

21/08/2026

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟭, 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠

𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱.

𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟭, 𝟭𝟵𝟴𝟯.

A plane carrying Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. arrived in Manila.

After years away from the country, Aquino was coming home from the United States, where he had gone in 1980 for medical treatment. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines records that he remained there for three years before making his historic return.

𝗛𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀.

𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹, 𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.

At the then-Manila International Airport, Aquino stepped off the aircraft under military es**rt. Within minutes of his arrival, he was assassinated on the airport tarmac.

𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸.

Forty-three years later, August 21 arrives differently.

It appears on our calendars.
It appears on our timelines.

A portrait is posted.
A quotation is shared.
A tribute is written.

𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻.

Perhaps at 3:00 PM.

Then we scroll.

Another notification.
Another video.
Another headline.
Another day.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁.

Today, we can summon Ninoy’s name in seconds. We can watch archival footage, read his speeches, share his photographs, and type Never forget beneath a commemorative post.

But 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁.

𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿.

Because remembrance is not measured by how often a name appears on our screens. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲?

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲?

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿?

The answers cannot be reduced to a caption.

Aquino’s assassination became a watershed moment in Philippine history. His death sparked widespread protests and intensified opposition to the Marcos dictatorship, contributing to the mass movement that culminated in the 1986 People Power Revolution.

But history is not merely a collection of dates to memorize.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀.

It asks us to look beyond the photograph.

Beyond the quotation.

Beyond the hashtag.

Beyond the holiday.

Because the danger to history is not always forgetting.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.

A photograph without context.

A quotation without its circumstances.

A hero reduced to a name we recognize but a story we no longer question.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

For student journalists, remembering is more than looking backward. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆, 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲.

We live in a time when information can reach thousands before the truth has even had time to catch up.

So we must learn to pause.

𝗧𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸.
𝗧𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸.
𝗧𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻.
𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆.

Because someday, those who witnessed August 21, 1983 will no longer be here to tell us what it felt like when the news spread, when grief became anger, and when ordinary Filipinos began to recognize the power of collective action.

What will remain is the record.

The photographs.

The testimonies.

The archives.

The stories.

And 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀.

We cannot change what happened on August 21, 1983.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆.

We can choose to ask harder questions.

We can choose to verify before we share.

We can choose to speak when silence becomes convenient.

We can choose to remember not only the man, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱.

So today, August 21, perhaps the question is not whether we have seen Ninoy’s name.

𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲.

The question is:

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁?

Because a notification can tell us that something appeared on our screen.

𝗜𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

A post can tell us to remember.

𝗜𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀.

𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱.

Remembering means looking again.

Questioning again.

Learning again.

And when the world tells us to scroll past,

𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆.

𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟭.

𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠.

The screen may eventually go dark.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼.

𝗔𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸.

20/08/2026

𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 | 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲

A school must be a student’s second home, a safe place that a child can enter. But on August 18, violence entered the vicinity of a school in Zamboanga City when a Grade 9 student from Ateneo de Zamboanga University carried out a campus shooting, killing a fellow student and injuring others. Authorities are now investigating the incident, including how the firearm entered the campus.

But this devastating tragedy raises a difficult question: 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹?

For Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro, part of the answer pointed toward educators. Following the shooting, Castro said that some teachers, instead of instilling proper conduct, teach students “kung paano maging walang modo” (GMA News, 2026). She later clarified that she did not intend to blame or insult teachers, saying she was merely reminding them of their role in shaping young people.

But even with that clarification, the timing and framing of the statement deserve scrutiny. The issue is not whether some teachers can fail in their responsibility to shape students’ behavior. They can, just as professionals in other fields can fall short of their duties. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. When violence enters a school, accountability must extend beyond one profession and turn to more urgent questions: How did the firearm enter the campus? Were existing security measures sufficient? And what systems were in place to protect the students and school personnel inside?

Educators are often expected to act as surrogate parents, counselors, disciplinarians, and, at times, first responders in situations far beyond their duties. Yet, when violence occurs, responsibility can once again find its way back to them. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺. Their responsibility is real, but so are the responsibilities of the institutions and professionals tasked with keeping schools safe.

Linda and Acidilio Sison were among those killed in a shooting in Pangasinan in 2014. In 2025, teacher Danilo Barba Jr. was fatally shot outside Balabagan Trade School in Lanao del Sur; police said a Grade 11 student admitted to the killing after receiving a failing grade. These incidents show why the conversation cannot be reduced to teacher discipline alone. This does not mean teachers should be beyond accountability. Teachers, like any professionals, can commit serious lapses. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Teachers themselves can be victims of the violence that schools are expected to contain. To make educators part of the explanation for violence without equally examining the systems surrounding them risks overlooking the dangers they face alongside their students every day.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has condemned Castro’s remarks, arguing that they unfairly place responsibility on educators who are already dealing with heavy workloads, unrealistic demands, and inadequate compensation. The criticism deserves consideration, not because teachers should be beyond accountability, but because 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. If the government wants safer schools, it must look beyond individual classroom discipline and confront the systems responsible for keeping campuses safe. Let us start by asking: How do schools secure their campuses? Are there enough trained guidance personnel? Are mental-health services accessible? Are existing regulations being effectively enforced? And are schools given the resources needed to implement security measures?

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆, 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.

The government and concerned departments should strengthen security protocols, ensure that schools have sufficient guidance and mental-health personnel, improve access to support services, and strengthen existing laws governing fi****ms. These measures cannot eradicate every form of violence, but they can address the conditions that allow violence to reach school grounds. 𝗡𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗿, 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲. 𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁.

Teachers have the utmost responsibility in shaping the character of their students. But they cannot be expected to compensate for every weakness in a system designed to keep children safe. An educator can guide a student, but cannot independently secure an entire campus or decipher every social, psychological, and institutional factor behind violence. 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺.

Whatever the intent behind Castro’s statement, its effect risks shifting attention away from the questions that demand answers. The government must explain how the firearm reached the campus, whether existing security measures were sufficient, and whether schools have the resources and support needed to protect both students and educators.

𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗮 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿, 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱. If the administration wants safer schools, it must go beyond identifying someone to blame. It must identify what failed, determine where responsibility lies, and take action to correct those failures.

𝗔 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀.

Until then, the government and its administration’s grade will remain failing.

18/08/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐉𝐬 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐏𝐄𝐍! 🖊️💙

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿. 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳!

From the voices behind the stories to the eyes behind the lenses, these are the student journalists who will be bringing you the latest news, stories, perspectives, and moments from the AUF College of Education.

As we begin a new publication year, we invite everyone to get to know the people behind the bylines, headlines, photographs, and pages of The Teacher’s Pen.

Here’s to a new roster, new stories, and a new year of campus journalism.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗻
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

Photo | John Alfred Garcia, John Warren Lansangan and Yunice Basas
Layout | Carry Carlos and Jasmine Khayle Niedo

16/08/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑’𝐒 𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕

The Teacher’s Pen officially welcomed its new and returning members for Academic Year 2026–2027 through its General Assembly held on August 15, 2026.

The gathering served as an avenue to introduce the organization, its members, and its plans for the academic year, while also formally welcoming the students who will become part of the publication’s continuing work in campus journalism.

Despite several changes in schedule and challenges brought by the weather, the General Assembly successfully pushed through with the support and participation of its members.

As a new publication year begins, The Teacher’s Pen looks forward to another year of stories, ideas, and voices that inform, represent, and serve the AUF College of Education community.

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗻, 𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳!
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.

14/08/2026

𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 | 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝘆—𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆

Rain rain, go away. We are not here to play today~

Early in the morning, the usual sounds of busy vehicles and roosters’ crowing are replaced by the relentless sound of rain. As the rain continues to pour, eyes are drawn not only to the falling droplets outside, but also to the screen of their phones where they patiently wait for an official announcement. A few minutes of waiting turned into an hour—so with a heavy heart, students are left with no choice but to leave their home with nothing but themselves as a shield amidst the harsh conditions. What makes the situation more infuriating is not merely the rain itself, but the uncertainty that comes with waiting for a decision. Students are not stepping outside to play in the rain; they are trying to get to school safely. Thus, a late class suspension only fails its duty to protect and becomes a nuisance instead.

A delayed announcement carries consequences more than it should. In this case, time becomes a crucial factor—in fact, every minute matters. People need sufficient time to assess whether it is safe to travel, especially considering that students and even school personnel have varying distances and routes to school. Additionally, heavy rain can make travelling and transportation difficult. Some areas might be flooded, which exposes people to great risks and hazards while for others, the announcement may come only after they have already begun their ride to school. Unfortunately, the decisions of attending a class during inclement weather are passed to the students themselves.

Another issue arises when classes are suspended only in the middle or later part of the day, so students are forced to leave school at a time when the weather may already be worsening. With hundreds of students heading home at the same time, transportation becomes more difficult to access, while traffic may further prolong their journey. What should have been a measure of protection may instead expose students to another set of risks.

Hence, the role of the authorities are highly significant in ensuring that students are not left to bear the problems alone. Yet, this responsibility does not fall solely on national authorities; local government units and school administrators in private institutions also play an important role. They also have the duty to assess weather conditions and determine whether they pose a significant risk to students and school personnel. While this responsibility allows them to avoid premature suspensions that may unnecessarily disrupt classes, it should also come with the obligation to communicate their decisions clearly once conditions requires a suspension. Silence will not make the uncertainty disappear, nor will waiting for the sunlight to appear guarantee that students remain safe.

Most importantly, it should be emphasized that the goal of a class suspension is to act as a precautionary measure, not a reactive remedy. There is little to lose in prioritizing timely decisions and announcements, especially when the safety of students and school personnel is at stake. A suspension announced before students leave their homes can prevent unnecessary exposure to hazardous conditions and inconvenience. Students are not here to play today. But if the rain chooses to stay, the announcement should come before students make their way.

09/08/2026

𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬 | 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬

Sa bawat hibla ng hinabing tela, himig ng katutubong awit, at kuwentong ipinapasa mula salinlahi hanggang salinlahi, nananatiling buhay ang kasaysayan ng mga Katutubong Pilipino. Hindi lamang sila bahagi ng ating nakaraan, kundi mga buhay na tagapangalaga ng kulturang humuhubog sa ating pagkakakilanlan bilang isang bayan. Sa kanilang lupain, wika, tradisyon, at kuwento, nakaugat ang mga bahaging hindi dapat kailanman mabura sa ating kasaysayan.

But honoring Indigenous Peoples must go beyond celebrating their culture. It means recognizing their rights, listening to their voices, protecting their ancestral lands, and standing against the threats that continue to endanger their communities and traditions. This National Indigenous Peoples Day, let us remember that their culture is not a decoration of our identity, but a living legacy that deserves respect, protection, and justice.

Igalang ang ugat. Pahalagahan ang kultura. Ipaglaban ang karapatan.

09/08/2026

𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗡 | 𝗕𝗔𝗛𝗔-𝗛𝗔-𝗛𝗔-𝗛𝗔: 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼, 𝗨𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝘀𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻

“Pumapatak na naman ang ulan…sa aking mukha, sapagkat wala namang yerong sumasangga,” pabiro kong sambit habang ako’y nakatingala sa langit at sumasabay sa umaalingawngaw na ingay mula sa kapitbahayan.

Kung gaano kalakas ang pagbuhos ng ulan, ganoon din kalakas ang kwentuhan at tawanan ng ilan. Para sa iba, ang malamig na hanging dala ng ulan ay tila pahinga mula sa init ng araw, dahilan upang maglabas ng payong, magsalo sa meryenda, at magbiro sa bawat patak.

Ngunit sa kabilang panig ng parehong ulan, may mga pamilyang hindi naghihintay ng lamig, kundi nangangamba sa pagtaas ng tubig.

Kaya, isang katanungan ang paulit-ulit na bumabagabag sa isip: 𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗸𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗽 𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝘄𝗮, 𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗶𝗯𝗮, 𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗮 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝘂𝗵𝗮’𝘁 𝗱𝘂𝘀𝗮?

Narito na naman ang siklong kahit gaano tayo kumaripas ng takbo nang matakasan, sa huli’y lagi’t lagi pa ring kabiguan ang tatahaking daan. Sa bawat buhos ng ulan, muling nabubunyag ang isang katotohanang matagal nang kinakaharap ng maraming Pilipino: hindi pantay ang bigat ng kalamidad.

Kung susuriin natin nang mabuti, sa Pilipinas, hindi na rin bago ang maging biktima ng ganitong eksena. Bilang isang bansang hinahagupit ng unos at hanging walang humpay, patuloy nating pinapasan ang bunga ng nga desisyong kapos sa pag-iingat at aksyong hilaw sa kaalaman. Sa halip na makaramdam ng seguridad, lalo pang nagdulot ng panganib at sugat. At sa bawat pag-apaw ng tubig sa kapaligiran, ang higit na naapektuhan ay yaong nasa laylayan.

Makikita ito sa panawagan ni King David Danseco sa TV Patrol patungkol sa palpak na flood control sa kanilang lugar. Hiling niyang kaagad itong maaksyonan sapagkat idinikit na ng tubig-baha sa lupa ang kabuhayan ng kanilang buong komunidad. Aniya “sa paghupa ng baha, wala ng mapapakinabangan sa mga pananim ng mga magsasaka.”

Sa ganitong sitwasyon, ang baha ay hindi lamang tubig na kailangang hintaying humupa. Para sa mga magsasaka, maaari itong mangahulugan ng pananim na ilang buwan nilang inalagaan ngunit sa loob lamang ng ilang oras ay mawawala. Para sa mga manggagawa, maaari itong mangahulugan ng araw na walang kita. Para sa mga pamilyang kapos na nga sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, bawat nasirang gamit ay panibagong gastusing mahirap punan.

Hindi rin naiiba ang sitwasyon sa lalawigan ng Pangasinan na nagdulot ng paglubog ng 52 barangay dahil sa tumataas na tubig-baha, na nakaapekto sa 25,000 pamilya. Sa katunayan, ayon sa residenteng si W***y Untalan, umabot sa limang talampakan ang taas ng tubig sa kanilang lugar kaya napilitan silang gumawa ng sariling balsa upang makatawid lamang at makapunta sa nais na paroroonan.

Iilan lamang ito sa libo-libong sigaw ng mga mamamayang pilit na pinapatikom ang bibig ng mga nasa kapangyarihan. Sa katunayan, mga boses ito ng taumbayang binabalewala kapag ang tulong at suporta nila’y tapos nang pakinabangan. Dahil dito, sa panahon ng kalamidad, malinaw kung sino ang may kakayahang makaligtas at kung sino ang napipilitang makipagsapalaran upang mabigyan ng laman ang kumakalam na tiyan.

Dito higit na nakikita ang mukha ng kahirapan sa panahon ng kalamidad.

Sapagkat ang baha ay maaaring pantay na dumaloy sa bawat kalsada, ngunit hindi pantay ang pinsalang iniiwan nito sa masa.

Kung kaya’t marahil, ang tunay na tanong ay hindi kung kailan hihinto ang ulan, kundi kailan matututong huminto ang sistemang unti-unting niyuyurakan ang mga tahanang ang tanging hiling ay liwanang ng magandang kinabukasan. Gayunpaman, ang masaklap na katotohanan—tila walang angal ang ilan kapag hindi sila ang natatamaan. Samantalang ang mga oras na tanging kalungkutan ang nadarama ay katumbas ng halakhak ng mga taong walang habas na nagpapasasa sa perang galing sa madla.

Hindi sapat na hintayin lamang ang paghupa ng tubig. Kailangang tanungin kung bakit taon-taon ay may mga komunidad pa ring kailangang gumawa ng sariling paraan upang makaligtas. Kailangang pakinggan ang mga tinig na umaalingawngaw kasabay ng ulan, lalo na ang mga tinig na kadalasang naririnig lamang kapag malaki na ang pinsala.

Sapagkat ang tunay laban ay hindi natatapos sa pag-agos ng tubig sa ilog at dagat. Nagsisimula ito sa panahong pinipili nating huwag nang hayaang maging normal ang pagkalunod ng parehong mga komunidad sa bawat pagdating ng unos.

Sa gitna ng baha, maaaring magkakaiba ang tahanang ating pinagmumulan, ngunit iisa ang dapat nating hangarin: isang kinabukasang hindi kailangang isugal ang buhay upang makaligtas lamang sa kalamidad.

𝐇𝐮𝐰𝐚𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐰. 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐰, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐢𝐬𝐚, 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐰𝐬𝐚𝐰.

Dahil kapag muling bumuhos ang ulan, sana’y hindi na luha ang unang sasalubong sa bawat patak.

Sana, sa pagkakataong iyon, ang ulan ay maging ulan lamang.

(Lathalain ni Nicole Calicco; Inilapat ni Carry Carlos/TPen)

06/08/2026

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗡 | 𝗦𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗪𝗶𝗸𝗮, 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼?

Hindi salapi ang umiikot sa pamilihang iyon.

Mga pangarap.

Mga ambisyon.

Mga pangakong ang tagumpay ay nasusukat sa wikang kayang ipangalan sa sarili.
Sa bawat pasilyo ay nagsisiksikan ang mga tindahang nagtitinda ng iba't ibang wika. May wikang ipinangangakong magbubukas ng mga pintuan sa ibayong dagat. May wikang sinasabing susi sa matatayog na gusali at mas mabibigat na suweldo. May wikang isinusuot na tila medalya ng mga makapangyarihan.

Mahahaba ang pila.

Mabilis ang bentahan.

Punô ang mga supot ng pag-asang mababago ang kinabukasan.

Ngunit sa pinakadulo ng pamilihan, may isang tindahang halos nilamon na ng katahimikan.

Walang ilaw.

Walang sigawan.

Walang karatulang nag-aalok ng diskuwento.

Sa ibabaw ng lumang estante ay iisang salita lamang ang nakasabit.

FILIPINO.

Nakapatong sa mga estante ang mga aklat na unti-unting nilalamon ng alikabok. Mga diksyunaryong tila matagal nang hindi nabubuklat. Mga tulang wala nang bumibigkas.

Mga kuwentong hindi na halos naaalala.

Paminsan-minsa'y may humihinto.

Hahaplusin ang isang aklat.

Bibigkasin ang ilang salita.

Ngunit bago pa man tuluyang maunawaan ang kanilang bigat, marahan din nila itong ibabalik sa pinagkuhanan.

Parang nagsusukat lamang ng kasuotang alam nilang hindi nila isusuot. "Hindi ito ang kailangan ko."

Iisa ang sinasabi ng karamihan.

May isang matandang araw-araw na nagbubukas ng tindahan.

Hindi siya sumisigaw upang makahikayat.

Hindi siya nanghihikayat ng mamimili.

Hindi rin niya ibinababa ang halaga ng kaniyang paninda.

Naghihintay lamang siya.

Isang araw, lumapit ang isang bata.

"Bakit po hindi ninyo gawing mas mura para may bumili?"

Napangiti ang matanda.

May lungkot sa ngiting iyon.

"Anak," marahan niyang tugon, "ang wikang ito ay hindi ipinagbibili."

Naguluhan ang bata.

"Kung ganoon po... bakit tila walang nag-uuwi?"

Hindi agad sumagot ang matanda.

Dinampot niya ang isang lumang diksyunaryo at marahang pinunasan ang makapal na alikabok na wari'y mga taong lumipas na rin ang pag-alala.

Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali, tumingin siya sa mga taong nag-uunahan sa kabilang mga tindahan.

"Matagal na nilang pinaniwalaan," aniya, "na ang halaga ng isang wika ay nasusukat sa laki ng sahod na maibibigay nito."

Natahimik ang paligid.

"Kapag salapi ang naging sukatan, laging matatalo ang sariling wika."

Itinaas niya ang aklat na hawak.

"Ngunit kapag ang sukatan ay alaala..."

"...kapag ang sukatan ay kasaysayan..."

"...kapag ang sukatan ay pagkakakilanlan..."

"...kapag ang sukatan ay ang mismong kaluluwa ng isang bayan…”

Huminto siya.

At sa unang pagkakataon, tila nagsalita ang katahimikan.

"Walang wikang dayuhan ang kailanman makapapalit sa wikang unang tumawag sa atin bilang anak ng bayang ito."

Unti-unting lumabas ang bata sa pamilihan.

Wala siyang dalang anumang paninda.

Wala siyang supot.

Wala siyang resibo.

Ngunit may isang bagay siyang iniuwi na hindi mabibili ng kahit gaano kalaking halaga.

Ang pag-unawang ang wikang Filipino ay hindi panindang naghihintay ng mamimili.

Ito ang tahanang matagal nang hinihintay na balikan ng sarili nitong mga anak.

(Isinulat at Inilapat ni Carry Carlos/TPen, Dibuho ni Celine Liu/Tpen)

03/08/2026

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦 | 𝗛𝗘𝗥-𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗖! 𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗗𝗖 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡, 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥-𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗧𝗔 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

Philippine tennis star Alex Eala etched her name into history after capturing her first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles title, overcoming world No. 3 and tournament top seed Jessica Pegula in a thrilling 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory to rule the Mubadala DC Open on Monday (Philippine time).

After dropping the opening set, Eala displayed remarkable resilience and composure, gradually taking control of the match before completely dominating the decisive third set. The 21-year-old Filipina overwhelmed Pegula with aggressive baseline play, consistent shot-making, and relentless pressure to seal the biggest victory of her professional career.

The triumph marks Eala’s maiden WTA 500 singles championship, making it the most significant title of her career to date and another milestone for Philippine tennis on the international stage. The victory also caps off an extraordinary tournament campaign that saw her eliminate a string of world-class opponents, including former Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, former Wimbledon semifinalist Elina Svitolina, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, and ultimately the tournament’s top seed, Pegula.

Originally scheduled to conclude on Sunday, the championship match was interrupted and delayed due to persistent rain in Washington, D.C., with play resuming the following day. Despite the disruption and trailing by a set, Eala returned to the court with renewed determination, completing a memorable comeback that showcased her poise under pressure.

Eala’s historic championship is expected to further boost her standing on the WTA Tour while inspiring a new generation of Filipino athletes to pursue excellence on the global stage.

With her breakthrough title, Alex Eala has not only reached a new milestone in her career but has also delivered another proud moment for Philippine sports, proving that Filipino talent can compete and triumph against the world’s best.

via, Carry Carlos/TPen

02/08/2026

𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬.

Every byline has a beginning, and every story starts with a shared purpose.

As we open another chapter for Teacher’s Pen, we gather once again to welcome new faces, strengthen old bonds, and prepare for another year of responsible campus journalism. Together, let us continue to pursue the truth, amplify meaningful stories, and uphold the values that define our publication.

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗻
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

Teacher's Pen

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