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The Spear, Quezon City (2026)

29/11/2025

L O O K | Second Squad emerges champ in squavyball tilt

THE SECOND SQUAD emerged champion, beating the other six teams that participated in the Squavyball Mini Competition or SMC at the Belarmino Sports Complex of Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School or VLBSHS, Nov. 21.
According to Mr. Norman M. Garcia, sports teacher, the event aimed to improve the students' volleyball skills and prepare them for upcoming tournaments.
Carried out off-class on Fridays, sports activities like the SMC shall be participated in by all Belarminians.
Following the best-of-three rule, the Seventh Squad crushed the Second Squad in the first set, but the latter team bounced back twice, snatching the championship.
The Second Squad consisted of four students, to wit, Kurt Enzo S. de Dios, Lance Kristopher A. Ardaniel, Angelica Z. Carbonel, and Ivan Bernal.
Meanwhile, the four Grade 12 champions savored their prize at McDonald's sponsored by Mr. Victorino S. Apostol Jr., language teacher.

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By Kurt Enzo S. de Dios
Photos: Dennzel Jim Lingasin

27/11/2025

L O O K | Studes watch "Magellan"

TOGETHER WITH QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte, students from select schools of the city took advantage of watching an international film that featured the discovery of the Philippines at Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City, Nov. 21.
Three students of Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School (VLBSHS) - Einjell Jhelan Ducusin, Janessa Uriel G. Catubay, and Pauleen Savannah Enriquez - and their language teacher, Victorino S. Apostol Jr., participated in the special movie screening sponsored by the local government of Quezon City.
Reviewed by the Cannes Film Festival, Lav Diaz's "Magellan" has been adjudged by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as a meticulously slow and mesmerizingly beautiful rejection of a larger-than-life historical figure.
Set in the 16th century, the film highlights Ferdinand Magellan, a young and ambitious Portuguese navigator, who rebels against the power of the King. Since the King doesn't support his dream of discovering the world, Magellan persuades the Spanish Crown to fund his bold expedition to the fabled land of the East.
The voyage is exhausting beyond expectation, with hunger and mutiny pushing the crew to their limits. Upon reaching the islands of the Malayan Archipelago, Magellan's mind changes. He becomes obsessed with conquest and conversion, which sparks violent uprisings beyond his control. This is not the myth of Magellan, but the truth of his journey.
For everyone interested in understanding his roots, Magellan is a must-see.
Five stars!

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By Einjell Jhelan Ducusin, associate editer
Photos: Janessa Uriel G. Catubay, photojournalist

26/11/2025

LOOK | Belarminian smashers bag gold anew

AFTER PULVERIZING THEIR opponents from both public and private schools of the other districts of Quezon City, the Belarminian smashers of Congressional District or CD 3 went gold anew during the Division Meet badminton secondary girls doubles at Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School, or VLBSHS, Nov. 16.
VLBSHS' Fatima Bhein C. Barzana and Pauleen Savannah R. Enriquez of CD 3 took the plum against Reese Samantha Arca and Trixie Figueroa of CD 5, 9-21, 6-21, in the quarter finals.
"Basic," commented Enriquez when asked about the game by The Spear.
Barzana and Enriquez, however, admitted their match in the semifinals with their opponents from a private school of CD 7 was not an easy one.
The Belarminian Smashers won the first set against CD 7's The Strikers of University of Santo Tomas Angelicum College Senior High School (UST AC SHS), 27-25. After their defeat, The Strikers Ayen Gel Estrada and Ayzhea Savannah Kiyumi Feria struck back in their favor, 26-24, in the second set.
The intensity grew stronger among the players and the cheering audience in the third and last set. The Strikers hit deuce with The Smashers, 20-20, in the latter part, where a point from The Strikers was called 'in' by one of the line judges, but the umpire ruled it out, giving the point to The Smashers, 21-20.
The game went on with Barzana serving, and, in a desperate attempt, The Strikers failed to defend the shuttle, making Barzana and Enriquez the victors, 22-20.
In the finals, Aslie Tabang and Daniela Faith Pulig of CD 2 met the same demise as CD 5 did, with the Belarminian smashers winning both games with a huge advantage: 9-21, 11-21.
"Nahirapan kami especially sa semifinals with UST Angelicum College," admitted Barzana when asked about her reaction to the games.
Mr. Elmer B. Ariate, Jr., VLBSHS head and the event's technical director, had this to say of the event: Ang gagaling ng mga players, especially The Smashers and The Strikers. It is the first time that private schools joined the event of badminton, and those from UST Angelicum College Senior High really struck their best. Congratulations to everyone who participated, played, and won, especially the champions - Belarminian Smashers.
"Masaya ako," commented Cherry B. Gallo, coach of Barzana and Enriquez. "At nawala ang sakit ng ulo ko," she quipped.
Barzana and Enriquez will represent the Schools Division Office of Quezon City (SDO-QC) during the National Capital Region Palaro early next year.

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By: Emsie V. Deasis, sports editer

24/11/2025

LOOK | Belarminians join anti-bullying drive

IN SUPPORT OF the anti-bullying and discrimination campaign by the department of education and the Quezon City local government, three adjacent schools of Quezon City took a unity walk around Project 4, Nov. 24.
Learners and teachers from Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School, along with those from Jose P. Laurel Sr. High School and Pura V. Kalaw Elementary School, demonstrated their disapproval of bullying and discrimination in schools through a unity walk in the streets of Barangays Milagrosa and Marilag.
Dubbed "Bullying At Diskriminisyon: B.A.D. Yan," the event aimed to promote a safe and child-friendly learning environment, as well as address and prevent incidents of bullying and discrimination in such academic communities as VLBSHS, JPLSHS, and PVKES.
In cases of bullying and discrimination, victims or witnesses must report any incidents to the school authorities or via the QC Helpline 122.
"Bullies are so ugly," said Kurt Enzo S. de Dios, a twelfth grader and president of Supreme Secondary Learner Government or SSLG, when interviewed by The Spear. "'Kala nila siguro nakaka-cool or sikat sila kapag nambu-bully sila, pero hindi," he concluded.

23/10/2025

AT THE MOMENT | Studes disaster-ready while taking test

THE BELARMINIANS ARE all set not only for the final examinations scheduled today and tomorrow, but also for any form of disaster with their go-bags and helmets on the side.
The examinations for Grades 11 and 12 shall start at 7 AM and end at 12 noon on both days.
The go-bags were donated by the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Quezon City (DRRMO-QC), while the helmets, by the School Parent-Teacher Association (SPTA) and Red Cross-Quezon City. A few other helmets were purchased from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, or MOOE.
Mr. Elmer B. Ariate, Jr., principal, said that all learners, including school staff, should always be disaster-ready. "We are the only ones with complete sets of preparedness and protective gear," he concluded.

13/10/2025

LOOK | BLSS conducts career guidance training

IN COLLABORATION WITH the Learning Strand (LS), the Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS) conducted the Career Guidance Training (Phase 4) cm Capacity Building for Career Advocates, at Axiaa Hotel, North EDSA, Quezon City, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3.
Simultaneously, another group of teachers attended the same training at Manila Science High School, or MSHS.
Teachers from different regions of the country attended the event in the aforecited venues.
Speakers from the National Educators' Academy of the Philippines, or NEAP, shared such topics on the history and legal bases of career guidance; guidance principles, goals, and other related concepts; guidance services; theories of career choice and development; work immersion guidelines; and career guidance program action plan.
Two teachers from Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School (VLBSHS), Norman M. Garcia and Victorino S. Apostol, Jr., attended the event. Garcia was sent to MSHS, while Apostol went live-in at Axiaa Hotel.
"This is a perfect opportunity for us to guide our students on what they want to be in the future," opined Garcia when asked about his plans after the training.
Apostol, as a research coordinator, commended the bureau and the NEAP for this gesture of training more plantilla teachers to serve as guidance advocates in their respective schools and divisions.

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Photos: Victorino S. Apostol Jr. and Norman M. Garcia

08/10/2025

LOOK | BBM graces NTD '25

HIS EXCELLENCY, FERDINAND "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. graced the National Teachers' Day celebration at the SM-Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, Oct. 6.
"Teachers can only fulfill their calling if the government supports them," claimed Marcos before the teachers all over the Philippines.
The President cited some acts of the government that motivate the teachers, like the signing of the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which grants a tax-free teaching allowance for public school teachers; this year's 10,000 allowance for classroom needs; DepEd Order 005 to ensure fair teaching load (not exceeding six hours); reduced paperwork by 57 percent; and RA 12288 or Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act which has opened wider and clearer career pathways for all teachers.
Many major and minor prizes were given to lucky winners. The lone representative of Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School (VLBSHS) - Mr. Victorino S. Apostol Jr. - won a portable fan.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Secondary Learner Government or SSLG hosted a school-based celebration of Teachers' Day at the Sports Complex, Oct. 7.
"Nagpapasalamat kami sa aming mga titser sa pagtuturo at pagtitiyaga nila sa aming pag-aaral (We thank our dear teachers for teaching and bearing with us in our studies)," expressed Kurt Enzo S. de Dios, SSLG president, before the entire community of VLBSHS.
Mr. Elmer B. Ariate, school head, also encouraged the teachers by gifting them food for both the brain and the brawn.
Miss Braynalyn P. Cano, the School Parent-Teacher Association president, also joined the celebration.
"We would like to thank everyone for your presence, participation, and support for our dear teachers," expressed Mrs. Joan Marah J. Andaya, SSLG adviser.

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PHOTOS: Dennzel Jim S. Lingasin

28/09/2025

JUST IN | ITO, 9 studes officiate district meet athletics

THE INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL Official (ITO) for athletics, Mr. Gilbert M. Pajara of Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School (VLBSHS), brought his team of nine students who officiated the athletic events during the District Meet, elementary division, at ULTRA, Pasig City, Sept. 26.
The nine students who served and assisted the technical officials of the different track and field events were Dennzel Jim S. Lingasin, Emsie V. Deasis, Daryl John L. Chan, Angellac G. Jeremias, James Russel M. Mallari, Tyron James S. Fronda, Kurt Enzo S. de Dios, Orlando P. Reyes Jr., and Cyrus R. Manuel.
"It is a good start to develop their confidence in officiating," said Pajara during a chance interview by The Spear.
When asked about the performance of the student-officials, the head official admitted that the student-officials still need to learn the basics of officiating, inculcating in them the commitment and passion required for the tasks assigned to them.
"Still in the process of sowing the seed. A long way to go for the Belarminian technical officials," expressed Pajara.

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By Emsie V. Deasis, sports editor
Photos: Dennzel Jim S. Lingasin, Kurt Enzo S. de Dios
Caption: Janessa Uriel G. Catubay, photojournalist
Layout: Jomel Navarro, layout artist

28/09/2025

LOOK | Anti-child trafficking seminar held

TO RAISE THE community awareness of the evils of human trafficking, a seminar on the establishment of a mechanism for anti-child trafficking was held at Aberdeen Court, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Sept. 18.
Attended by the Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) and School Parent-Teacher Association (SPTA) presidents, the city-wide event aims to empower the new generation of student-leaders to speak up against child trafficking through creative narrations, public information, and social media, hoping to inspire their fellow youth and enhance their perspectives in the fight against trafficking in person.
Kurt Enzo S. de Dios and Braynalyn P. Cano, SSLG and SPTA presidents, respectively, represented Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School, or VLBSHS, during the event.
The roster of attendees included the Barangay Councils for the Protection of the Children (BCPC) focal people, representatives of Civil Society Organizations or CSOs from the urban poor, solo parents, and religious or faith-based sectors, the hotel and restaurant association of the Philippines, and women's desk officers from QC police stations.
In line with the local government's actions to fulfill Mayor Joy Belmonte's 14 Point Agenda, specifically in the areas of human and social services (Nos. 5 and 6), the event also achieved its goal of empowering citizens of every gender and social class, and building a safer and more resilient city.
Human trafficking takes such forms as child trafficking, child labor, and domestic slavery.
The SSLG president exhibited some gratitude for having witnessed the event. "At least, naging aware kami sa mga nangyayari sa ating lungsod. Maaari pa namin itong ipamahagi sa aming mga kakilala upang mahikayat ang lahat na makiisa sa pagpuksa sa child trafficking," stated de Dios in a chance interview with The Spear.

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Story: Kurt Enzo S. de Dios, president, Supreme Secondary Learner Government
Photos: Braynalyn P. Cano, president, School Parent-Teacher Association
Layout: Jomel Navarro, layout artist

26/09/2025

LOOK | 2 Belarminians bag gold for badminton doubles

FATIMA BHIEN C. Barzana and Pauleen Savannah Enriquez of 11-Endurance bagged a gold during the district meet for badminton doubles division at Vito L. Belarmino Senior High School (VLBSHS), Sept. 15.
The badminton champions have been pushing themselves hard to train under their private trainers, in addition to the coaching they receive from two international technical officials, or ITOs, of VLBSHS - Elmer B. Ariate Jr. for badminton, and Gilbert M. Pajara for athletics.
It was Ariate, the school principal, who encouraged the two badminton queens to join the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD), where champions like them compete with others.
"Our next goal is another gold for the division level," expressed Enriquez with a smile.
Barzana admitted that they are training harder this time, especially for the regionals, because it was at this level last year when they lost to Manila and consequently settled for silver.

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By: Emsie V. Deasis, sports editor
Photos and layout: Jomel Navarro

23/09/2025

LOOK | VLBSHS holds no-smoking, anti-littering seminar

BELARMINIANS ATTENDED A seminar on no-smoking and anti-littering at the campus gym, Aug. 29.
Jose Carlo F. del Rosario and Cristina S. Quirioso of the Automobile Association Philippines, or AAP, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, or MMDA, respectively, talked about the consequences of smoking on everyone's health.
The event raised the students' awareness of the bane of cigarette use, including vapes and e-cigarettes as alternatives.
"Di nakaka-cool ang paninigarilyo," shared Del Rosario before the eleventh and twelfth graders who attended the event.
Quirioso, on the other hand, tackled the effects of littering. "Munting basura, ibulsa mo na," she concluded.

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Story: Raven Mark P. Quicoy, editor-in-chief
Photos: Dennzel Lingasin
Layout: Jomel Navarro, layout artist

18/08/2025

LOOK | SSLG president to hold SSDD head post

SUPREME SECONDARY LEARNER Government (SSLG) President Kurt Enzo S. de Dios will act as the chair of the Social Service Development Department (SSDD) from August 26-29, 2025.
This was revealed by the SSLG head during an interview with The Spear, Aug. 18.
SSLG presidents from different schools across the city were chosen as counterparts of local elective and appointive officials, including the heads of national offices or agencies, during the Linggo ng Kabataan (LnK) meeting at the Carlos Albert Hall, Legislative Building, Quezon City Hall Compound, Aug. 13.
Republic Act No. 10742, also known as the SK Reform Act of 2015, provides, “The observance of the Linggo ng Kabataan shall include the election of the counterparts of all local elective and appointive officials, as well as heads of national offices or agencies stationed or assigned in the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit.”
The event aimed to allow student leaders of the city to experience the daily operations and responsibilities of their elected official counterparts.
Moreover, the SK Reform Act of 2015 states that the pool of youth counterparts includes 13-17-year-olds living in a specific local government area, including those in school and the community.
The Junior Officials Program will be launched from August 26-29.
“Excited na ako para sa August 26-29, and at the same time, kinakabahan, kasi first time kong maranasan ang ganitong klaseng extra-curricular activity,” expressed de Dios. “Baka ma-late ako sa first day.”
The SSLG president also expressed gratitude to the Quezon City Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation for organizing the junior officials program.

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STORY AND PHOTOS: Kurt Enzo S. de Dios, SSLG president
LAYOUT: Jomel Navarro

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