Not One Child More

The 2025 National Children’s Month theme, “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!”, reminds us that children today need protection not only in the real world but also online. With many kids using phones and the internet, they become more vulnerable to strangers who may harm, deceive, or exploit them. This theme encourages everyone to speak up and take action so that all children can enjoy a safe and respectful online environment.

The government has taken important steps to protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation. One of these is the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act (Republic Act No. 11930), which clearly defines crimes related to child abuse online and gives stronger punishments to those who commit them. Government agencies like the DOJ, DSWD, and PNP also work together to investigate cases, rescue victims, and provide support services. These efforts show that the government is becoming more active and organized in safeguarding children’s rights.

But laws alone are not enough. Keeping children safe also requires educating families about online dangers, teaching students how to protect themselves online, and giving victims proper emotional and psychological support. Parents must be aware of their children’s online activities, schools should include digital safety in their lessons, and communities need to stay alert and involved. As technology continues to change, our awareness and actions must grow with it.

Another important part of this advocacy is empowering children with knowledge and confidence. When children understand their rights, they can better recognize unsafe situations and know when to ask for help. Schools, youth groups, and online communities can create safe spaces where children feel heard and supported. Giving them a strong voice in discussions about safety helps build a generation that is more aware, responsible, and ready to protect themselves and others.

In the end, protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. The government can lead the way, but families, schools, and even online platforms must work together to end OSAEC and CSAEM. The 2025 theme encourages us to stand united and ensure that every child lives with safety, dignity, and respect—both offline and online.

Reference:

Republic Act No. 11930 – Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act. Philippine Official Gazette.

The Roots That Strengthened a Growing Nation

“A nation is great not because it is big, but because its people are great.” 

— Elpidio Quirino

President Elpidio Quirino’s story is one of perseverance, discipline, and a genuine desire to uplift the Filipino people. Born on November 16, 1890, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, he grew up in a humble family and experienced firsthand the hardships of ordinary Filipinos. Despite these challenges, he showed remarkable determination—walking long distances to attend school and dedicating himself to learning. His early struggles shaped his empathy, especially toward marginalized communities, and helped form the leadership qualities he would later bring to the nation.

Quirino’s career began in public service long before he became president. He worked as a teacher, reporter, and later a lawyer after graduating from the University of the Philippines College of Law. His entry into politics was marked by service in the Philippine Assembly and eventually the Senate. During World War II, he suffered tremendous personal loss when Japanese forces killed several members of his family. Despite this tragedy, he returned to public service determined to help rebuild a war-torn Philippines. This resilience became one of the trademarks of his presidency.

As the sixth President of the Philippines (1948–1953), Quirino played a major role in post-war reconstruction. His administration focused on stabilizing the economy, rebuilding infrastructure, and strengthening diplomatic ties—especially with the United States. One of his notable programs was the Social Security Study Commission, which laid the groundwork for what we know today as the Social Security System (SSS). He also pushed for housing programs for the urban poor, land reform, and rural development. Although his administration faced controversies, his long-term contributions to nation-building are still recognized today.

In the end, President Quirino’s legacy can be summarized as that of a resilient leader who chose service over comfort and responsibility over personal grief. His life reminds us that true leadership is built on compassion, persistence, and a deep love for one’s country.

References:

• Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines – Biography of President Elpidio Quirino

• National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) – Elpidio Quirino Profile

• Britannica – “Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines”

Roar of Unity

The air buzzed with excitement on September 4, 2025, as our school burst to life with energy, music, and laughter. It was finally the day we had all been waiting for — Intramurals 2025! From the moment we stepped on campus, we could feel the thrill in the air. Students wore their team colors proudly, banners waved high, and the sound of cheers echoed through every corner of the school.

Intramurals have always been more than just a series of games. It’s a celebration — a time for students to come together, to compete, and to show the true meaning of sportsmanship and unity. It gives everyone a chance to take a break from academics and enjoy the fun side of school life.

As Grade 10 students, we were not official players of the Red Falcons, but we were proud to be considered part of their family. We may not have been on the court or the field, but we made sure our presence was felt through our cheers and support. Every shout, clap, and chant we gave was our way of lifting our team higher — of showing them that we were with them all the way. Our voices blended with the rest of the crowd, creating a wave of encouragement that kept the Falcons’ spirits soaring.

One of the most unforgettable moments was the dance sports competition. The atmosphere was electric as each team took the stage, showcasing their creativity and precision. Every step, turn, and lift drew gasps and cheers from the audience. It was amazing to see the passion and effort each dancer poured into their routine — you could tell they practiced hard to make every move count.

In the end, whether our team won or not didn’t matter as much. What mattered was the unity, the sportsmanship, and the memories we created together. Intramurals taught us that victory isn’t only about trophies — it’s about teamwork, respect, and giving your best.

To the Red Falcons, we’re proud to have stood by your side. You played with determination and heart, and we cheered with pride and joy. Together, we made Intramurals 2025 a celebration to remember. Until next year — let’s keep that spirit alive! 

Vigan’s Timeless Treasures: Heritage, Nature, and Craft

These photos show the iconic Calle Crisologo, where cobblestone streets, Spanish-era houses, and calesas create a timeless scene. It’s the heart of Vigan’s heritage, offering visitors a nostalgic walk through history.

Baluarte is a famous Vigan attraction where guests can see and interact with animals up close while enjoying nature and scenic views. It’s a fun and educational stop for families and animal lovers.

Hidden Garden is a lush sanctuary filled with tropical plants, pottery, and local food. It’s a peaceful place where visitors can relax, dine, and experience Vigan’s green side.

Cristy’s Loomweaving showcases the artistry of Abel Iloco, Vigan’s traditional handwoven fabric. Tourists can watch local weavers at work and buy beautifully crafted textiles that preserve Ilocano heritage.

Reference: Blogger.com 

Tagged with Growth

Throughout the second quarter, I have learned many new lessons in ICT 10, especially about the different tags, font attributes, and other basic elements. I discovered how these tags work together to format text, change styles, and improve the overall look of a document. These lessons helped me understand how technology and proper formatting make digital tasks more organized and professional-looking.

One of the challenges I encountered this quarter was the lack of time to finish the given activities. Some exercises required careful attention and multiple steps, and balancing them with other schoolwork was sometimes difficult. I often found myself rushing to meet deadlines, which made it harder to focus and produce my best work.

To address these challenges, I learned to manage my time better by setting specific schedules for each subject and working more efficiently. I also tried to concentrate fully while doing my ICT exercises so I could finish them faster and with fewer errors. This approach helped me reduce stress and improve the quality of my work.

Moving on, I will be more focused and disciplined in doing my activities. I plan to avoid distractions, start my tasks earlier, and continue practicing what I have learned in ICT. With better focus and time management, I believe I can improve my performance and accomplish more in the next quarter.

Reference: Blogger.com

Through the Ocean’s Veil

Title of the Article: New MIT Tech Sees Underwater As if the Water Weren’t There

The color-correcting tool called “SeaSplat” shows underwater features in colors that appear more true to life. The ocean is filled with life, yet much of it remains hidden unless observed at very close range. Water acts like a natural veil, bending and scattering light while also dimming it as it moves through the dense medium and reflects off countless suspended particles. Because of this, accurately capturing the true colors of underwater objects is extremely difficult without close-up imaging.

Researchers at MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have created an image-analysis system that removes many of the ocean’s optical distortions. The tool produces visuals of underwater scenes that appear as though the water has been removed, restoring their natural colors. To achieve this, the team combined the color-correction tool with a computational model that transforms images into a three-dimensional underwater “world” that can be explored virtually.

The team named the tool “SeaSplat,” drawing inspiration from both its underwater focus and the technique of 3D Gaussian splatting (3DGS). This method stitches multiple images together to form a complete 3D representation of a scene, which can then be examined in detail from any viewpoint.“With SeaSplat, it can model explicitly what the water is doing, and as a result, it can in some ways remove the water, and produces better 3D models of an underwater scene,” says MIT graduate student Daniel Yang.

The researchers applied SeaSplat to images of the sea floor taken by divers and underwater vehicles, in various locations, including the U.S. Virgin Islands. The method generated 3D “worlds” from the images that were truer, more vivid, and varied in color, compared to previous methods. The researchers note that SeaSplat could become a valuable tool for marine biologists studying the condition of ocean ecosystems. For example, when an underwater robot surveys and photographs a coral reef, SeaSplat can process the images in real time and create a true-color, three-dimensional model. Scientists could then virtually “fly” through this digital environment at their own pace, examining it for details such as early signs of coral bleaching.

“Bleaching looks white from close up, but could appear blue and hazy from far away, and you might not be able to detect it,” says Yogesh Girdhar, an associate scientist at WHOI. “Coral bleaching, and different coral species, could be easier to detect with SeaSplat imagery, to get the true colors in the ocean.” Girdhar and Yang will present a paper detailing SeaSplat at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). Their study co-author is John Leonard, professor of mechanical engineering at MIT.

Light behaves differently in water than in air, altering both the appearance and clarity of objects. Over the past several years, scientists have tried to design color-correcting methods to recover the original appearance of underwater features. Many of these efforts adapted techniques originally developed for use on land, such as those used to restore clarity in foggy conditions. One notable example is the algorithm “Sea-Thru,” which can reproduce realistic colors but requires enormous computing power, making it impractical for generating three-dimensional models of ocean scenes.

At the same time, researchers have advanced the technique of 3D Gaussian splatting, which allows images of a scene to be combined and filled in to create a seamless three-dimensional reconstruction. These models support “novel view synthesis,” enabling viewers to explore a 3D scene not only from the original vantage points of the images but also from any other angle or distance.

But 3DGS has only successfully been applied to environments out of water. Efforts to adapt 3D reconstruction to underwater imagery have been hampered, mainly by two optical underwater effects: backscatter and attenuation. Backscatter occurs when light reflects off of tiny particles in the ocean, creating a veil-like haze. Attenuation is the phenomenon by which light of certain wavelengths attenuates, or fades with distance. In the ocean, for instance, red objects appear to fade more than blue objects when viewed from farther away. 

Out of water, the color of objects appears more or less the same regardless of the angle or distance from which they are viewed. In water, however, color can quickly change and fade depending on one’s perspective. When 3DGS methods attempt to stitch underwater images into a cohesive 3D whole, they are unable to resolve objects due to aquatic backscatter and attenuation effects that distort the color of objects at different angles. 

“One dream of underwater robotic vision that we have is: Imagine if you could remove all the water in the ocean. What would you see?” Leonard says. 

In their new work, Yang and his colleagues developed a color-correcting algorithm that accounts for the optical effects of backscatter and attenuation. The algorithm determines the degree to which every pixel in an image must have been distorted by backscatter and attenuation effects, and then essentially takes away those aquatic effects, and computes what the pixel’s true color must be. 

Yang then worked the color-correcting algorithm into a 3D Gaussian splatting model to create SeaSplat, which can quickly analyze underwater images of a scene and generate a true-color, 3D virtual version of the same scene that can be explored in detail from any angle and distance.  The team applied SeaSplat to multiple underwater scenes, including images taken in the Red Sea, in the Caribbean off the coast of Curaçao, and the Pacific Ocean, near Panama. These images, which the team took from a pre-existing dataset, represent a range of ocean locations and water conditions. They also tested SeaSplat on images taken by a remote-controlled underwater robot in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

From the images of each ocean scene, SeaSplat generated a true-color 3D world that the researchers were able to virtually explore, for instance, zooming in and out of a scene and viewing certain features from different perspectives. Even when viewing from different angles and distances, they found objects in every scene retained their true color, rather than fading as they would if viewed through the actual ocean.“Once it generates a 3D model, a scientist can just ‘swim’ through the model as though they are scuba-diving, and look at things in high detail, with real color,” Yang says. 

For now, the method requires hefty computing resources in the form of a desktop computer that would be too bulky to carry aboard an underwater robot. Still, SeaSplat could work for tethered operations, where a vehicle, tied to a ship, can explore and take images that can be sent up to a ship’s computer. “This is the first approach that can very quickly build high-quality 3D models with accurate colors, underwater, and it can create them and render them fast,” Girdhar says. “That will help to quantify biodiversity, and assess the health of coral reefs and other marine communities.”

Chu, Jennifer (2025, September 13). New MIT Tech Sees Underwater As if the Water Weren’t There. SciTechDaily. https://scitechdaily.com/new-mit-tech-sees-underwater-as-if-the-water-werent-there/

Guiding Hands, Heroic Hearts

The 2025 Teacher’s Month Celebration with the theme “My Teacher, My Hero” serves as a powerful tribute to the men and women who dedicate their lives to education. Teachers may not possess superhuman powers, yet their patience, perseverance, and devotion make them heroes in the truest sense. They light the path of learning, shaping not only our knowledge but also our character. 

A true teacher is more than a giver of lessons; they are mentors and role models who instill discipline, integrity, and compassion. Their influence extends beyond the classroom, inspiring us to dream, to strive, and to believe in our potential. Every word of encouragement, every lesson patiently taught, and every sacrifice silently made reflects the heroism embedded in their profession.

Expressing gratitude to our teachers can be done through both small and meaningful acts. Listening attentively, striving to do well in our studies, and applying their teachings in our daily lives are simple but sincere ways of honoring their efforts. Words of appreciation, a heartfelt “thank you,” or even the respect shown through good conduct are testaments to the value we place on their hard work. 

Equally important is our recognition of the countless sacrifices teachers make. Many devote long hours preparing lessons, guiding students individually, and even spending personal resources to ensure quality education. Acknowledging these efforts, not just during Teacher’s Month but every day, is a way of giving back the respect they so richly deserve. Their dedication is the foundation upon which our future is built. 

In conclusion, the theme “My Teacher, My Hero” is more than a slogan—it is a truth lived out daily in every classroom. Teachers mold us with knowledge, shape us with values, and inspire us to become the best versions of ourselves. Expressing gratitude and respect is the least we can do for those who dedicate their lives to ours. Truly, our teachers are heroes whose legacy will guide us for a lifetime. 

Reference: blogger.com