How Nutrition Month 2025 Brought Out the Best in Us

It all started with confusion, chaos, and a last-minute scramble for ingredients. Who would've thought that from the stress of rescheduling and the rush of early morning preparations, we'd walk away not just with lessons—but with pride, unity, and even a championship?

Every July, Ilocos Sur National High School celebrates Nutrition Month—a meaningful initiative that encourages students to learn the value of proper nutrition and food security. This 2025, we embraced the theme, “Food at Nutrition Security, Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin!” Throughout the month-long celebration, the school came alive with creativity, competition, and community spirit as students explored what it truly means to eat well, live well, and care for one another’s health.

One of the most unforgettable experiences we had was the Food Festival. Our class originally planned to sell Clubhouse Sandwiches and Egg Sandwiches for our scheduled Grade 10 Food Fest. As class president, I led the preparation—from collecting ideas and budgeting, to dividing tasks and guiding the class through buying and food-making. Everything was going well, until we were suddenly informed that the Grade 10 Food Fest was moved earlier than expected—from Thursday to Wednesday. We hadn’t bought any ingredients yet and had to act fast. We split the class into two groups: one for the clubhouse and one for the egg sandwich. Each group had to bring ingredients early the next morning so we could prepare the food before our classes started. Despite the stress and rush, we pulled through and gained ₱222, which we split accordingly—50% for the club and 50% added to our class fund.

But just when we thought the surprises were over, another problem arose. We were told there would be an overall Food Fest the next day (Thursday). Thinking this was a second chance, we planned to sell something new—Ube and Cheese Turon—for this round. We had already bought the ingredients and were excited to try something different. However, on Wednesday afternoon, it was announced that only the top sellers from the Wednesday Food Fest would participate in the overall event. And based on our earnings, we knew we didn’t make the cut.

It was a mess—we already had the ingredients for the turon and no official venue to sell them. But we didn’t give up. The next day, we got creative. We made the Ube Turon early in the morning before class and cooked it using an air fryer, right at school. Then, during our first subject, we started selling it around the campus—classrooms, hallways, anywhere we could find willing customers. And to our amazement, it sold out immediately. That single item earned us ₱500, which we added entirely to our class fund. What started out as a disaster turned into one of our most successful food sales of the month.

Aside from food-related events, I also represented our class in the Nutri-Quiz alongside Princess Drexelle Tadeo. The competition was intense, covering questions of varying difficulty. With teamwork and focus, we proudly placed 4th, and walked away with not just a certificate but also newfound knowledge about health and nutrition.

We also rallied behind our three classmates who competed in the Fruit or Vegetable Salad Making Contest. They used nearly ₱1,000 worth of ingredients, and our class willingly contributed some of our funds to support them. Their dedication and creativity in preparing a healthy, fresh, and beautifully plated salad made us proud, win or lose.

And then came the highlight of Nutrition Month: the Nutri-Jingle Contest. Our section, Martinelli, teamed up with Marcov—the other Grade 10 Special Math class—to form one powerhouse team called Marconelli. Together, we created an energetic, original performance that celebrated the Nutrition Month theme with catchy lyrics, enthusiastic delivery, and meaningful messages. Whether onstage or backstage, every student contributed something. And all the effort paid off—we were crowned CHAMPIONS.

All of these moments—the panic over turon ingredients, the rushed morning sandwich-making, the quizzes, the contests, the cheers and teamwork—proved that Nutrition Month 2025 wasn’t just about nutrition. It was about character. It was about the strength to adapt, the courage to lead, the creativity to solve problems, and the heart to keep going even when plans fall apart.

In the end, Nutrition Month reminded us that health is a right, not a luxury. That food security matters, and students have a voice and a role to play in promoting it. And most of all, that with unity and effort, even the most chaotic moments can turn into victories.

This year, we didn’t just celebrate Nutrition Month.
We overcame it. We grew from it. And yes—we championed it.

 🌍 Let’s Clean-Up!

Caring for the Earth

September is National Clean-Up Month, and as students, we are reminded that protecting the environment is not just a duty, but a responsibility we should carry with pride. Every small action we take contributes to a bigger change for our community and our world.

🧹 My Role in Caring for the Environment

A clean environment means a healthy life. Garbage that piles up can cause floods, pollution, and diseases, especially during disasters. By helping in clean-up activities and promoting eco-friendly practices, we prevent greater damage to nature and to ourselves.

Through this activity, I realized that taking care of the environment does not require grand efforts—it starts with discipline, responsibility, and awareness. If each of us takes part, no matter how small, together we can build a cleaner and greener Philippines.

I commit to continue practicing proper waste management, using resources wisely, and inspiring others to do the same. Caring for the Earth is not just for one month—it is a lifelong responsibility we owe to future generations.

A Letter to the President

Hon. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace, Manila

Dear Mr. President,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you not only as a student, but also as a young Filipino who deeply cares about the future of our country.

First of all, I want to acknowledge your efforts in leading our nation. I see how heavy your responsibilities are, and I recognize the challenges you face every day as the one leading the Philippines through both local and global struggles. I know that improving our economy and handling crises are not easy to carry the weight of more than 100 million citizens on your shoulders.

However, as a Filipino youth, I also want to express my worries. Many of us feel anxious about the rising cost of living, poverty, and the struggles of ordinary workers and farmers. We often hear promises of development, but in our daily lives, we still see hunger, unemployment, and inequality. My heart aches for those families who can barely meet their basic needs. I also worry about the future of our education system, because students like me dream of becoming professionals one day, but sometimes, the resources we are given are not enough.

I do not write this letter out of anger, but out of hope. What I truly wish is for you to give greater attention to the poor, to prioritize honest and sustainable governance, and to inspire us, especially the youth, to continue believing that change is possible.

Mr. President, history has already placed you in a very important position. My plea is simple: please lead us with empathy, fairness, and courage. Please remember that every decision you make affects not only this generation, but also the generations to come.

As one of the Filipino youth, I want to see a Philippines where no child is hungry, where education is excellent, and where citizens feel proud and secure in their own country. I still hold on to the hope that under your leadership, we can move closer to that vision.

With respect and sincerity,

Miel Keif Lyan Abalos 
10 Martinelli ISNHS

Reflection

The first quarter of ICT has been a good journey. As I look back, I can say that my learning experiences have truly improved not only my knowledge but also my appreciation for the role of technology in our lives.

This quarter, I discovered how the Internet evolved over time through the Internet Timeline. I learned about the important dates, events, and people who contributed to its development, which gave me a deeper understanding of how far technology has come. I also gained practical knowledge about Internet access, browsers, search engines, and web blogs, which are all tools I use almost every day but never really thought about in detail before. These lessons made me realize how powerful and essential the Internet is in connecting people and sharing knowledge across the world.

One of the challenges I faced was remembering the many dates and events in the Internet Timeline, especially when preparing for quizzes. At first, it was also confusing to differentiate between terms and functions of browsers, search engines, and blogs. Sometimes, I also struggled with answering certain test types like crossword puzzles because they required both accuracy and speed.

To overcome these struggles, I tried to use study techniques that worked for me. For the timeline, I created simple notes and practiced recalling them through short quizzes with my classmates. When it came to terms, I searched for examples online and connected them with my daily use of technology. For the puzzles, I practiced by reviewing key terms and treating the activity as a fun way of reinforcing lessons instead of just another test.

I will continue to improve my study habits and find creative ways to remember important concepts. I will also make use of the Internet not just for entertainment but also as a tool for learning and productivity. Most importantly, I will carry with me the lessons of the first quarter and stay motivated to face the new challenges in ICT with confidence.

Behind my Quiet Eyes

 Behind my Quiet Eyes

People see me quiet, but they don't see what's loud inside me. I carry so much pressure, expectations, dreams that feel too big, and a heart that never stops hoping. This isn't just about being a student. This is about surviving days where I feel invisible, and still showing up my whole soul. I want this essay to speak for the parts of me that words can't always express.

My name, Miel Keif Lyan Abalos symbolizes "honey." I am someone who loves deeply, stays loyal, and breaks silently when hurt. I lead in school, win competitions, and carry the weight of being the "smart one," but still I wonder if I'm enough. I try to smile even when I feel like falling apart. I care for others more than I care for myself sometimes. I may be strong, but I'm healing from pressure, from silence, and from the fear of never being truly seen.

But I have a dream. I want to become a neurosurgeon - someone strong enough to hold lives, but soft enough to still feel. I want to prove that even someone like me, who cries silently at night, can change the world. My plan is to fight every day, study harder, and never stop believing in the purpose behind my pain. Because one day, I'll not just survive - I'll save lives!