Bisumi X-Press

22/01/2025

School Paper Heads Man BLYS Command in First Division-Wide Election

Following more than a year of its establishment, the Batanes League of Young Scribes (BLYS) leadership has filled in the roster for a new term, formally relieving its interim officers.

The province-wide youth organization settled the face of their leadership via online election, Tuesday, January 21, wherein the Editors-In-Chief and Associate Editors of each school paper across Batanes took part.

Moreover, among those present were envoys from Batanes National Science High School (BNSHS), Itbayat National Agricultural High School (INAHS), Raele Integrated School (RIS), Sabtang National School of Fisheries (SNSF), Itbud Integrated School (IIS), Batanes General Comprehensive High School (BGCHS), Ivana National High School (INHS), Valugan Integrated School (VIS), and Saint Dominic College of Batanes Incorporated (SDCBI).

Election Outcomes are as follows:
Chairperson: Gian Gabrielle A. Gonzales (BISUMI X-Press)
President: Andrea Nicole C. Velayo (BISUMI X-Press)
Vice President: Anthony E. Horlina (The Verdant)
Secretary: Christian P. Gonzales (The Verdant)
Treasurer: Mico G. Agressor (The Aquinian)
Auditor: Keira Mae Castaño (The Southern Breeze)
Business Manager: Althea Ezra A. Cobico (Alapad Echo),
Brent Xavier Barios (The Northwavian)
PIO: Kryzten Zheena Moro (The Northwavian)
Asst. PIO: Jizel Arca (Alapad Echo)
Peace Officer: Lex Cristoff Tapang, Ashley Acebes (The Blue Crystal)
Sanitary Inspector: Izabel B. Intervalo (Raleya Bulletin)
Asst. Sanitary Inspectors: Mirlaine Gabilo (The Boulders), Sheryl Hostallero (The Aquinian)
Adviser: Nicanor C. Batin Jr. (BISUMI X-Press)

Article by: Willa Ballon
Photo by: Sir Nicanor Batin Jr.

21/01/2025

We are wanderers, hold on

The door to endless pain, fear and other sufferings have long been known to never quite close, it is always slightly ajar – peering into our vulnerabilities and testing our resolve. Like a ghostly breeze that is unseen but unarguably felt.

One problem we have in our society is we view illness and wellness as a binary system. People are always perceived as either well or ill, sane or insane. And that’s when we know how great of a liar depression and other mental health issues are. Because while these feelings themselves were real, the things that led people to believe in were not.

The reality of health, particularly mental health, is often unclear and ambiguous. It is not quite one thing or another. We have thousands of labels for various conditions – all from mild to severe. But reality isn’t something we can neatly label. And nor is our mental health, it is also not something we can solve once and for all, but rather something we will always have to attend to, like phone batteries that need constant recharging, a garden that needs nurturing, and like breathing that requires monitoring.

Darkness may indeed persist but so does hope. When one door of despair creeks open, an opposite door to knock on for help exists just around the corner. It’s just that we often overlook it just as our minds might make prisons but also give us keys to unlock it at the same.

So, hold on. Allow yourself to be reached because silence is pain. But pain is the exit route. When we can’t speak, we can write. When we can’t write, we can read. When we can’t read, we can listen. And when we can’t listen, we act. We seek for help. Because language – in whatever form, body or oral – will drag us back to our dear life over, and over again.

This is a friendly reminder to give yourself some love. Stay alive for the people you will meet, sure, but more importantly, stay alive for the person you will become.

You are enough. And to feel hope, you don’t need to be in a great situation, nor do you have to believe that you are a bad person in order to become a good one.

In Touch: Crisis Line
(02) 893-7603 (Landline)
0919-056-0709 (Smart)
0917-800-1123 (Globe)
0922-893-8944 (Smart

Hopeline
(02) 804-4673 (Landline)
0917-558-4673 (Globe)
0918-873-4673 (Smart)

Written by: Nicole Velayo
Pubmat by: Peter Baletin

19/01/2025

16th Pista a Iyanib di Sto. NIño de Basco 👑

Join us as we celebrate 16 glorious years of faith and devotion to Sto. Niño de Basco! This feast is an opportunity to pay homage to His grace, ☝🏻 in which we thank Him for His blessings in unifying us as one community through colorful processions, prayers from the heart, and jubilant traditions. 🌾

May the Holy Child inspire us to live with humility, compassion, and hope. Viva Sto. Nino! ❤️‍🔥

08/01/2025

With every obstacle that comes our way, we must not forget that these problems shall pass. Take these burdens off your shoulders and take a moment to partake in counselling if you need somebody to talk to.

Sa ilalim ng madilim na ulap, nariyan ang liwanag ng pag-asa. 🌧️✨

Habang tila tahimik at malamlam ang panahon, huwag kalimutan na hindi ka nag-iisa. Ang Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. (PMHA) at ang MLGU Basco ay nag-aalok ng libreng counseling session para sa mga nais magbahagi ng kanilang nararamdaman o makahanap ng suporta.

💡 Good news! Magkakaroon ng counseling schedule bawat buwan, kaya maaasahan ninyo ang tuluy-tuloy na suporta. Sigurado rin ang pagiging confidential ng bawat session—ang inyong tiwala ang aming priyoridad.

📩 Handa ka na bang magpa-reserba? I-message lang ang aming page at kami na ang bahala sa'yo.
🤝 Sama-sama nating harapin ang hamon ng bawat araw.

07/01/2025

SPORTS TRIVIA: 🏒 DID YOU KNOW THE FIRST HOCKEY PUCKS WERE MADE OUT OF FROZEN COW DUNG? 💩

Here’s a surprising and quirky tidbit from the history of ice hockey: back in the 1800s, players didn’t have the luxury of rubber pucks like we do today. Instead, they used frozen cow dung! 🐄❄️

Yes, you read that right—cow manure 🐮. It was compact, solid, and could withstand the icy ❄️ temperatures of outdoor rinks. Players would shape the dung into small, puck-like discs for their games. While these makeshift pucks got the job done, they didn’t last long, often needing to be replaced after just one game. Soon after, wooden pucks 🪵 came into play, and eventually, the iconic rubber puck ⚫ we know today became the standard.

So, next time you watch a game 🏒⛸️ and see the puck gliding smoothly across the ice, take a moment to appreciate how far hockey has come—from frozen cow dung 😷 to modern-day perfection! ✨

Written by: Anna Redondo
Pubmat by: Peter Baletin

31/12/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎊! Here's to another chapter in our life. Time to make our New Year's resolution, make some noise and feast with our family 💝. As we move forward, we face a year of new opportunities, dreams, challenges and successes.

Say goodbye to 2024, store all those memories while nurturing and cherishing them. So let’s inspire one another, aim for greatness, and continue to practice the values that make us proud to be Maroonians this year ✨. Let 2025 be a gateway to more memorable moments ahead as we greet the year with love 🫶🏻, joy 🙌🏻 and hope 💪🏻.

Caption: Ayesha Puño
Pubmat by: Kairo Tabuso

25/12/2024

Seasons of Change

Most of us wait for the Christmas like it’s the culmination of the year’s celebrations - is it not?

It is again the season of giving when gifts are all packed, and the kids are all around the tree waiting for the Christmas eve.

While everyone else is excited about extravagant gifts and grand meal on the table, as I age, things have changed and I want to take you to my viewpoint.

When I was younger, I used to attend mass and meet the rest of the family members at my grandma’s place - oh yeah, the merriment, I remember it so vividly.

The “dancing and prancing” vibe when we went carolling! I can still remember every household that welcomed us with warm smiles and sweet treats.

The night walks with my classmates made the streets noisy and jolly! The endless laughter we have shared and so with the stories.

You know, they say, change is the only constant thing in this world, it is inevitable.

What used to be the grand celebration at my grandma’s changed after her demise in 2014. We rarely saw family members come home to light up the home with the colorful feast.

My Christmas carolling mates, after high school went to different schools and we get to see each other not as often at it was - and it must be good to say that we are now connected by heart but we celebrate the season apart.

I am not telling this to show you that Christmas is lonely - I am not “The Grinch” who once hated the yuletide.

I am manifesting that during this season, we must always keep in our hearts the people whom we are celebrating it with. We do not know who are we celebrating the next Christmas with, so take pictures and tell them how much you are grateful to them, and how much love you have for them.

After all these years of fun and blessed Christmas, do you know who’s my constant buddy aside from my papa? It has always been Jesus!

Have a blessed Christmas! May we all be gifted with abundant love and sufficient grace. And forget not, that Jesus is the reason for this season. 🎉

Article by: Sir Nicanor Batin Jr.
Pubmat by: Lara Andrea H. Elacion

24/12/2024

It’s Christmas Eve! 🎄Ready to celebrate the birth of our Lord with your loved ones? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 We bet you are! Just one sleep away until the big day 🛌, so gather around, share the joy, and let the spirit of love and hope fill your hearts tonight ❤️‍🔥

Caption by: Nicole Velayo

23/12/2024

Just 2 days before Christmas! 🎄 The house smells like cookies, the tree’s twinkling brighter, and the countdown feels so magical 🪄. We’re almost there, Maroonians - we hope you feel it, too! 🎅

Caption by: Nicole Velayo
Pubmat by: Peter Baletin

22/12/2024

Three days left till Christmas! I bet your ampaos from ninongs and ninangs are waiting for you to unravel🧧 and indeed the excitement is real! Ready your hands for wrapping gifts 🎁, your mind for finalizing plans 🎇, and your mouth to sneak bites of the sweetest holiday treats 🍪

Caption by: Nicole Velayo
Pubmat by: Kairo Tabuso

21/12/2024

Just 4 days to go until Christmas! 🎄✨ The countdown to joy, laughter, and festive cheer is on! How are you getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year?

Caption by: Nicole Velayo

17/12/2024

YES-O Rallies Maroonian Orgs in Kanyuyan Coastal Sweep

In collaboration with the Supreme Secondary Learners Government (SSLG) and other school organizations, Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) fronted its coastal clean-up drive held in Kanyuyan Beach this December 17.

It targeted the maintenance and promotion of environmental cleanliness in public spaces while fostering unity and teamwork among their participants.

Envoys from each organization,
faculty, as well as some from homeroom classes converged in the collection and segregation of the wastes.

The drive became part of the school-based organization’s push for youth engagement in environmental awareness and protection.

Article by: Zoe Bueno
Photos by: Jastin Salengua

15/12/2024

🎶 Simbang Gabi na naman
Tayo gising na, patulog pa lang ang buwan ~ 🎶

10 days before Christmas, and it feels just like the warmth of bibingka on a cold December night. 🎄✨ Let us all hold onto our simple wonders - cherish this season wildly with fierce affection amidst communal warmth.

Caption by: Nicole Velayo
Pubmat by: Peter Baletin

14/12/2024

First-ever Paskong Sci High Unveils Maroonian Christmas Lights Display

Batanes National Science High School
(BNSHS) has launched its first ever Paskong Sci High: Christmas Lighting Program, officially opening its decorations to students.

Initiated by the Supreme Secondary Learners Government (SSLG), the display was opened at the school’s front lawn, December 13.

The said program aims to bring joy and happiness to every learner this holiday season by lighting up the Christmas decorations inside the campus.

"Nawa'y magkaroon tayo ng patuloy na inspirasyon na mag-move forward at mag-achieve ng better para sa ating minamahal na science high school,” School Principal I, Mr. Jeffrey Medina said.

Furthermore, the SSLG also fronted its donation-driven gift-giving operation to selected students.

Through Project SLAY, gift packages filled with items collected from student and teacher donations were given out.

Article by: Albert Calagui
Photos by: JV Fitero, Jastin Salengua, Ralphael De Guzman

14/12/2024

Maroonians Flaunt Dance Skills in Culminating Activity

Batanes National Science High School’s (BNSHS) Grades 9, 10 and 12 students showcased their Quarter two MAPEH culminating activity in demonstration of their skills in the various fields of dance.

Held at the school’s front lawn on December 13, the performances included a social cotillion dance by Grade nine, a zumba presentation by Grade 10, and a cheer dance routine by Grade 12.

The event was spearheaded by MAPEH teachers in-charge, Mrs. Eleonor C. Hubalde, Mr. John Paul Apostol, and Sir Kelvin Caluttong.

The post-examination dance exhibition showed off weeks of practice and also became a prelude to Friday’s Paskong Sci High Christmas Lighting Ceremony.

Article by: Antonette Mina
Photos by: Willa Ballon, JV Fitero

10/12/2024

Tis the season to be jolly… 🎶

Admit it—you just sang that in your head! 🧑‍🎄

With 15 days before Christmas 🗓️, there’s still time to turn those ‘next year’s plans’ into a dash of ‘last-minute holiday magic.’ 🪄

Caption by: Nicole Velayo
Pubmat by: Peter Baletin