The Grower

28/11/2025

Story by Karyl Dela Vega & Jazel Baguio, The Grower
Photos by Cherleen Decy Maque & Kenneth Prato, The Grower

28/11/2025

Story by Ashlea Maurice Amper & Jenny Rose Canturna, The Grower

Photos by Cherleen Decy Maque, Nayeli Ramos, & Rizza Palabrica, The Grower

28/11/2025

via Jenny Rose Canturna & Gian Carlo Bernaldez

𝙌𝙐𝙊𝙏𝙀 𝙆𝙊 '𝙏𝙊

Chief of the Curriculum Learning Management Division (CLMD), Dr. Mary Jeanne B. Aldeguer, emphasized the student researchers' crucial role in forging a progressive and sustainable future through youth-led innovation during the opening of the Regional Science and Technology Fair (RSTF) at Sto. Tomas National High School, Davao del Norte, on November 28.

via Jenny Rose Canturna & Gian Carlo Bernaldez, The Grower

21/11/2025

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐒, 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒.

The Grower proudly presents a special newsletter for the 1st Regional Inclusive Education Celebration, held last November 17–19 and hosted by the Schools Division of Davao del Norte. This issue highlights the diverse learning pathways across the region, featuring stories from IPED, Madrasah, ALS, and SNED.

Through these narratives, we celebrate how inclusive education continues to uplift and empower every learner in every community.

20/11/2025

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 |The spirit of inclusion shone brightly during the first-ever Regional Inclusive Education Celebration, a vibrant three-day event held from November 17 to 19. Jointly hosted by Sto. Tomas National High School and Sto. Tomas Elementary School SPED Center, this gathering affirmed human dignity and equitable learning for every member of the region. The celebration centered on four diverse groups enriching the educational community: Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) students, Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners, Special Needs Education (SNED) students, and Muslim Learners (Madrasah Education Program).

The venues became a cultural hub where stalls offered windows into different worlds. Guests explored heritage, admiring crafts, sampling delicacies, and witnessing indigenous and Muslim attire. Participants engaged in traditional practices, including sumpit/papana, kalisong, and lul'ot, alongside modern activities like poster making and painting. This immersion fostered mutual appreciation, showing diversity is a source of strength. This pioneering event was a testament to the work of the organizers, CID personnel, and participating schools. It also paid tribute to the leadership of the hosts, whose commitment transformed the schools into powerful, inclusive centers for the entire region.

20/11/2025

𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍 | Bringing together diverse voices and cultures, the Regional Inclusive Education Celebration gathered divisions and communities from across Davao Region including Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd), Special Needs Education (SNED), the Madrasah Education Program (MEP), and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners.

Held from November 17 to 19, 2025, the event highlighted our shared commitment to nurturing an inclusive and respectful learning environment— one where every learner’s identity, story, and contribution is valued. During the celebration, different areas of the venue blossomed into lively showcases: displays featuring handcrafted pieces and traditional clothing, stations where guests could try cultural activities such as sumpit/papana, kalisong, and lul’ot, and corners dedicated to creative arts like painting and poster-making. These engaging setups gave learners and visitors the chance to experience various traditions firsthand, turning the Regional Inclusive Education Celebration into a meaningful space for cultural learning and shared appreciation.

19/11/2025

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗜𝗨𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗞𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗔

Indigenous People (IP) participants from various divisions of Davao Region engaged in traditional events during the IP Education (IPEd) Panaghiusa Festival, a multicultural approach during the Inclusive Education Celebration, which featured the rich heritage of IP communities held at Sto. Tomas National High School on Tuesday, November 18.

Crafts, such as bead making, mat weaving, painting, and Lul'ot, which involves cooking food in bamboo, showcased the resourcefulness and creativity of the community, as well as the beauty of inclusion and solidarity, through the delegates' featured work. IPEd learners crafted their wooden bows, adjusted their aims to hit the gold in the Sumpit, also known as Papana event, together with Totho, where they try to hit the bullseye by blowing a wooden stick, and Kalisong, where learners compete who create the fastest fire from nature, all tracing back to their legacy of strength and continuous fight for survival.

IPEd students and visitors receive opportunities to learn more about culture and take a glimpse of the practices and customs among tribes, serving as an avenue to preserve and bolster its rich history, artistry, skills, and unity.

| Via Jenny Rose Canturna, news editor
Photos by Cherleen Decy Maque, junior photojournalist

18/11/2025

𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗘

Rich and diverse colors filled the Santo Tomas Cultural Gymnasium as the 11 Divisions of the Davao Region gathered during the opening program of the 1st Regional Inclusive Education, which united learners from different cultures, talents, and abilities.

With four major events in one, Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd), Special Needs Education (SNEd), Madrasah Education Program (MEP), and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners echoed their enthusiasm through their cheers.

Moreover, the region also honored the leaders behind the best implementers of the ALS, which provides second-chance education, through the ALS Assessment of Good Performances of Fantastic Education Leaders (AGF) Award.

| Via Jenny Rose Canturna, news editor
Photos by Cherleen Decy Maque, junior photojournalist

08/11/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵.

This issue delves into the casualties of corruption. In the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from the watchdog, the Philippines ranked 114th out of 180 countries, reminding us that corruption is not a trifling political issue but a human tragedy. Behind every structure of power are the casualties of corruption: the fathers and sons enslaved by addiction, the farmers abandoned by promises of reform, the students begging for coins beneath the shadow of their schools, and the youth peddling food to keep their education alive. These are the lives diminished by deceit. The real cost of corruption is not counted in stolen pesos, but in stolen people, stolen dreams, and stolen dignity.

Congratulations to the fearless men and women of The Grower publication!

Editor-in-Chief | Catherine Jude Royo
Associate Editors | Jenny Rose Canturna and Rhyza Mae Ruiz
Managing Editor | Gweeneth Hillary Gador and Margareth Jude Royo

Layout Artists and Page Designers | Kristar Luchia Vicente, Juliana Monique Sacare, and Gian Carlo Bernaldez

News Editor | Jenny Rose Canturna
News Writers | Rhyza Mae Ruiz, Ashlea Maurice Amper, Brianna Gantuangco, Jouanah Eve Ferniz, Winonah Reign Reyes, Karyl Queen Zapirah Dela Vega, Niel Jazel Baguio, Teo Ubanan, Blezzah Bernardio, Francen Jane Postrano, Sophia Lacorte, Rafael John Iniong, Bryan Joy Baisac, Reu Drandreb Mancao, and Sofia Keith Catacutan

Opinion Editors | Dione Wong and Abbygail Serentas
Column Writers | Sophia Estimada, Dorothy Baguio, Zaira Libed, Charles Sordilla, Trixie Coronel, Amethyst Villafuerte, Freya Kuizzon, Mae Ann Malaya, Neil Rafael Arriesgado, Niña Gatillo, Sofia Rich Olandria, and William John Balasa

Feature Editor | Quesiah Remolino
Feature Writers | Catherine Jude Royo, Yvony Clauvin Maghari, Dimple Estipa, Marvin Frion Villance, Erlyn Gayle Amar, Karyl Kate Ampoloquio, and Jenny Rose Caturna

Science and Technology Editor | Nino Gabriel Bayawa
SciTech Writers | Elviro Belonio III, Naphtali Vasquez, Thea Samantha, Pucot, Trishia Parnaso, Vance Nicole Jumawid, Ibrahim Peroche, Chester Julz Salomon, and Princess Mariane Degorio

Sports Editor | April Jade Pineda
Sports Writers | Samrod Kudzo, Raflesia Hyacinth Morales, Johanna Sacare, Josefa Mae Avila Aguja, Jan Alexis Steven Villarino

Photo Editor | Rizza Palabrica
Photojournalists | Nayeli Bernadette Ramos, Cherleen Decy Maque, Dolly Rose Cubero, Kelly Chloe Velasco

Senior Cartoonist | Shakira Bartolome
Junior Cartoonist | Judy Gamale
School Paper Advisers | Ryan Poliran and Bernadeth Clarin

Assistant School Paper Advisers | Joy Sumacle, Karl Jose Ibarrientos, Marvin Asilo, and Sweet Joy Asilo

Consultants | Armado Olmedo, Principal IV and Jerome Mariano, Assistant School Principal II

PTA President | Ernesto Juegos, Jr.

With words, we cultivate truth!

06/11/2025

Congratulations to Catherine Jude M. Royo, editor-in-chief, for being hailed as the Most Outstanding Campus Journalist (MOCJ) in Davao del Norte during the Division Schools Press Conference held in Braulio E. Dujali on November 3–7, 2025.

Royo will represent DepEd Davao del Norte in the Regional Schools Press Conference in January 2026.

29/10/2025

[𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗬 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘]
DavNor track athletes snare spot in Batang Pinoy ‘25; claim silver in 4x400 event

Davao del Norte Pioneers of Sto. Tomas National High School (STNHS) Reydelle Divina and Cherry Ann Tangaro alongside with Marniel Baguioso and Samantha Martinez of Davao del Norte Regional Sports Academy (DNRSA) claimed silver medal in 4x400 Meter Universal Relay in the Batang Pinoy 2025, clocking a time of 3:55 minutes as they brought their raw prowess and sharp speed that storms General Santos City Sports Complex, held on Monday, October 27.

With their impressive start in the qualification round, they carved their names on the leaderboard early, leaving their opponent behind as they bagged first place and closed their time in 3:55 minutes, lifting their morale heading into the final round.

"We all worked hard and constantly prayed to the Lord because we know that without Him, we wouldn't be here today. That's why I'm grateful that He gave us blessings to reach where we are now,” Divina said after their win.

Moreover, at the start of the final round, STNHS field athlete Divina opened the first leg with remarkable power and speed, leading the track for DavNor and striving to outpace the opponents to secure an early advantage.

In addition, during the second leg, the DavNor Pioneers began to lose their momentum as their opponents surged ahead despite their effort to close the gap, gradually falling behind and slipping to fourth place, ultimately finishing the leg at a disadvantage.

Meanwhile, as the third leg began, the Pioneers maintained their composure and determination, gradually turning the tide in their favor and working their way back into contention for a podium finish.

In the final leg, the fourth runner of DavNor made a strong push for the podium, regaining the second-place position from the first leg and ultimately crossing the finish line to secure the silver medal.

Additionally, Coach Beverly Villarino shared that he had witnessed the athletes' unwavering dedication throughout their training. From the very beginning, he believed in their determination and knew they had what it takes to reach the podium.

“Cherry Ann and Reydelle, among 25,000 Batang Pinoy 2025 athletes, are driven by their dream to win a medal. With hard work, sacrifice, and discipline, they aim for a podium finish in the track and field events,” said Coach Villarino as he proudly shared after the event.

With the triumph, the STNHS athletes will now prepare for their upcoming match which will be held this year and will aim with greater heights throughout their career.

Story by April Jade Pineda
Photo by Coach Beverly Villarino
Layout by Gian Carlo Bernaldez

12/10/2025

𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬 | Face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private institutions are suspended tomorrow, October 13, to give way for structural integrity validation.

In a Facebook video announcement, Speaker Ernie Pamplona stated that the Office of the Local Chief Executive made the decision to ensure the safety of students and teaching personnel.

Schools are directed to implement blended learning.

Stay safe, Tomasians!