Ang Tanglaw

25/11/2025

It's been a while since we've seen you, our dear readers.

The Characters We Pretend We’re Not

Every November, Reading Month shows up again with the usual book corners, library contests, and teachers reminding us (for the hundredth time) to read more. But if you look past all the noise and decorations, there’s something more personal hiding underneath it all. How stories somehow mirror parts of us, even if we don’t admit it.

Whether we say it or not, every reader has that one character they quietly relate to. Maybe it’s the awkward kid who ends up saving the world even though they can barely survive their own problems. Maybe it’s the villain with a sad backstory that no one bothers to understand. Maybe it’s the girl who wants a calm, normal life, but life decides to throw her into the spotlight anyway.

These characters feel familiar because in their fictional struggles, we find bits of our own. We recognize ourselves in their bravery, their mistakes, their loneliness, or their hopes, even if we don’t talk about it.

Reading Month tells us to pick up books and explore different worlds, but it doesn’t always remind us that we’re living out our own stories too. We’re the drafts full of scribbles, the plot twists no one sees coming, the chapters still unfinished. Every book we read leaves something behind, an idea, a feeling, a new way of looking at things.
A story isn’t just there to entertain us. Sometimes it teaches us something about the versions of ourselves we don’t show people. It helps us understand who we are slowly becoming. That’s the quiet magic of reading, it makes us meet ourselves without even realizing it.

So as Reading Month moves along, don’t just search for a book to kill time. Look for the one that makes you think, or makes you feel something, or reminds you of yourself in ways you didn’t expect. Those are the ones that stay with you. Those are the ones that matter. Eventually, those are the stories that help shape the next chapters of your own.
#

📝Lee-Ann A. Manalo
💻 Chloe T. Panizales

08/11/2025

07/11/2025

Global icons come alive at UN celebration

Philippine School Bahrain (PSB) celebrated United Nations Month with the UN Impersonation: Voices of Peace, Faces of Unity competition held on October 27.

The program transformed the venue into a live gallery of world icons whose stories embodied unity, equality, and hope. Designed as a literary pageant, the activity inspired students to personify global leaders and advocates of peace through speech, costume, and performance.

During the event, participants introduced their chosen figures, shared key accomplishments, delivered notable lines, and shared lessons. They were evaluated in Characterization, Content, Costume and Props, and Mastery and Impact for a total of 10 points.

Throughout the event, contestants aimed to reflect the mannerisms, expressions, and ideals of the figures they represented while maintaining the educational intent of the activity.

In the Cluster 7-9 category, Ruben Jr. II N. Laguidao of Grade 9 - Mapagpunyagi secured 1st place for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr., Rojan Raine J. Pinto of Grade 9 - Makatarungan, earned 2nd place as José Ramos-Horta, while Chance Jarvis Alexander A. Buensuceso of Grade 7 - Maalalahanin placed 3rd with his depiction of Alfred Nobel.

In the Cluster 10-12 category, Carl Khalid M. Santos of Grade 10 - Mapagkawanggawa attained 1st place for his portrayal of Lee Kwan Yew, Jazrylle Bheldandy F. Maribbay of Grade 11 - Mapaghinuha followed in 2nd place as Michelle Bachelet, while Mariam Sameer Ahmed Majeed Al Saffar of Grade 11 - Mapagsiyasat earned 3rd place for portraying Sara Mardini.

Maribbay said, “As I portrayed Michelle Bachelet, the president of Chile, within that experience, I discovered that true leadership is also within empathy and courage. Peace isn’t just about resolving conflicts; it's about giving everyone a voice, especially those who are unheard.”

Spearheaded by the Social Studies department, the event emphasized PSB’s four core values of competence, creativity, commitment, and compassion, and strengthened the school’s advocacy for unity and peace. #

📝 Zane Angeles De Asis
📷 Zoe Rae L. Canlas

04/11/2025

SG holds first-ever MUN at PSB

In celebration of United Nations Month, the Student-Government (SG) organized its first-ever Mini Model United Nation (MUN), bringing together delegates from Grades 7 to 12 to stimulate global diplomacy and cooperation.

In the days leading up to the event, the two chosen delegates from each class were selected to represent their sections. They participated in a series of workshops designed to familiarize them with MUN procedures, country assignments, and the fundamentals of international discussions.

During the culminating activity, outstanding delegates and blocs were recognized for their exemplary performance. Bloc 2 of the United Nations Environment (UNEP) Council emerged as champions with a rating of 4.71. The bloc represented Luxembourg, Switzerland, Bosnia, Australia, Cyprus, and Canada.

Bloc 2 of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Council followed closely in second place with a rating of 4.40, represented by the countries of Belize, Latvia, Cyprus, Nigeria, Canada, Paraguay, and Belgium. Taking third place was Bloc 1 of the UNEP Council, earning a 4.31 rating with delegates representing the Netherlands, Latvia,Belize, Belgium, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, São Tomé & Príncipe, and Saint Lucia.

Individual delegates were also honored for their remarkable performance. In the UNEP Council, the delegate of Luxembourg ranked first with a score of 9.125, followed by the delegate of Switzerland with 8.25. The delegate of Switzerland received the Most Diplomatic award, while the delegate of Luxembourg earned Best Delegate.

Meanwhile, in the UNHCR Council, the delegate of Switzerland topped the rankings with an 8.75 rating, followed by the delegate of Paraguay with 8.63. The delegate of Bosnia and Herzegovina was named Most Diplomatic, while the delegate of Switzerland once again secured the Best Delegate award.

The success of PSB’s first Mini MUN reflected the growing interest of students in international relations, diplomacy, and global issues—embodying the United Nations’ spirit of cooperation and dialogue.

By Sophia Roxanne D. Valencia
📷 Chrysaberyl Reyes, Zoe Rae L. Canlas, and KD Lacson

04/11/2025

Take a Step ForHERward
by Reign Yra M. Fernandez

✍️Nathaniela Vera C. Garcia
👩‍💻Doniel Aminitziel L. Chavez

03/11/2025

BINGO is out, MUNDO is in!

High school students at Philippine School Bahrain participated in an educational game called "MUNDO" as part of their recent United Nations Month celebration, replacing the traditional game of Bingo with a geography-based challenge.

The game, whose name means "world" in several languages, required players to identify capital cities based on the name of the country called out by a game master.

Students used MUNDO cards featuring grids filled with capital city names. When a country was announced, participants located the corresponding capital on their card and marked the square. The objective was to achieve a specific pattern, typically five points in a row—diagonally, vertically, or horizontally—to win the round.

The activity was integrated into the school's UN Month agenda to promote global awareness and test students' knowledge of world capitals in an interactive, competitive format.

📸 Rejie Luis M. Ladrica, KD Lacson, Joerily F. Buenaventura, Chrysaberyl Reyes, and Zoe Rae L.Canlas

03/11/2025

Elementary Dep't Parades in Colorful UN Month Celebration

The Elementary Department of Philippine School Bahrain (PSB) marked United Nations Month with a vibrant parade, as pupils and teachers showcased diverse traditional attire on October 23 inside the RCC building. The event highlighted cultural diversity and global awareness.

📸 Rejie Luis M. Ladrica
👩‍💻Doniel Aminitziel L. Chavez

02/11/2025

Music Without Borders: How K-Pop and P-pop Unite Cultures

📝Lojine L. Etayyem
👩‍💻 Doniel Aminitziel L. Chavez

28/10/2025

Across the globe, many nations uphold virtually similar values within their cultures. These values guide our stories—our mythology—representing what we hold the closest to our heart and mind. They shape generations, influencing how they interact with and think about the world around them. Many cultures represent these values through the use of creatures who personify these characteristics, the most common of which is the dragon. Which dragon and their value do you think you are most connected to?

📝Sophia Roxanne Valencia
💻 Sebastian Aerol C. Mendoza

25/10/2025

The Vibrant Tapestry of Pre-Colonial Filipino Life
A Glimpse Into the Days Before 1521

Before the Spanish galleons appeared in the horizon in 1521, Philippines thrived with its own colourful and lively rhythms. Imagine waking up in a close-knit barangay, where everyone knew each other’s name, and the datu, or village leader, guided the community. Houses made of bamboo stood on sturdy stilts, keeping floods—and, of course, curious chickens—at bay. Life bustled with activity as people worked together, whether planting rice in the paddies, fishing in the rivers, or setting out in balangay boats to trade pottery, jewellery, and woven cloth with nearby islands and faraway merchants from China and the Malay region.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. Evenings were alive with the sound of the kudyapi, a native guitar, and the steady beat of drums, as families and friends gathered around to share stories of ancient heroes, legendary spirits, and clever tricksters beneath the starry night sky. The seasons brought lively festivals, where people feasted on roasted boar, sweet sticky rice treats, and fresh tropical fruits. Culture and celebration were woven into the fabric of everyday life, making each day feel a little bit special.

Deep respect for nature shaped their beliefs. The babaylan, wise shamans of the community, guided people through matters of health and the spirit, and it was also common to offer thanks to ancestors and nature spirits—just as natural as eating rice for breakfast. Superstitions added a hint of magic to daily routines, and every mountain, river, and tree seemed to hold its own story.

So, before any foreign sails were spotted, the people of our islands enjoyed a rich, meaningful life full of laughter, kinship, creativity, and tradition. Their days were busy, joyful, and always connected to the world around them. If you listen closely, you might just hear the echoes of their ancient songs and stories still floating in the breeze.

📝 Axl Cadiente
🧑‍💻👩‍💻Sebastian Aerol C. Mendoza and Zylin Roce L. Pura

19/10/2025

Asia’s Youth in One Stage

Can a sporting event bring together an entire continent? There are many things to consider when thousands of young athletes from various Asian countries are preparing to gather in one place. This October 22, Bahrain Asian Youth Games will be held at the Bahrain National Stadium, uniting cultures through the spirit of sportsmanship.
In this event, every match, goal, and win will serve as a reminder of Asia's enduring unity and diversity. Bahrain Asian Youth Games will feature a range of unique sports that young athletes can participate in, allowing for the bridging of cultural relationships through the language of sports. A unique range of sports will be featured, including the newly added events such as camel racing, triathlon, futsal, judo, kurash, along with popular games such as basketball, badminton, and volleyball. This event will not only showcase the athletic abilities of the youth, but also highlight the continent’s diversity, resilience, and cooperation. Aside from igniting competitive spirit, this event will deliver connections among the people built on shared memories.

As the preparations proceed under the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, excitement continues to grow throughout the continent. Many athletes will be making their international debuts, proudly representing their respective countries. Every competitor has devoted days of preparation and sacrifice for the dreams that will unfold Bahrain's arenas.

As the Bahrain Youth Asian Games draws closer, one thing is for certain: it will not only crown champions but also award friendships, morals, and bonds, providing the participants something to look forward to when the whistle blows. Let us all anticipate and watch, as participants perform in a wonderful event that promotes peace, passion, and unity.

📝 Lloyd Lucas B. Bermas
💻 Chloe T. Panizales

13/10/2025

We are proud to announce the official distribution of Ang Tanglaw Volume 18: Issue 2! Students and faculty received their copies on October 9, marking another milestone for the official student publication of the Philippine School Bahrain.

Thank you to the editorial staff, writers, and contributors for their hard work in bringing the latest news and compelling features to the community. Read it today!

💻 Doniel Aminitziel L. Chavez
📸 Clarisse R. Ramiro, Zane De Asis, Lee Añel Manalo, Mica Ella S. Mendoza, and Chrysaberyl Reyes