SSLG of Agay NHS Holds First Meeting for SY 2025–2026: Plans Set in Motion for a Promising School Year

 Agay National High School Library, June 27, 2025 — 8:00 AM

The Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) of Agay National High School (ANHS) successfully held its first meeting for School Year 2025–2026 on June 27, 2025, at 8:00 AM in the school library. With Adviser Sir Jayson Patalinghug providing support and guidance, the meeting covered important updates and strategic plans for the year ahead.

Treasurer Jean Emerald Morado opened the session with a detailed report on the organization's financial status. She also outlined the steps required for the change of bank signatories, a necessary process to ensure the proper management of SSLG funds moving forward.

Next, Public Information Officer Kizzie Millor presented the proposed layout for the school ID lanyards, featuring a design that reflects the school's identity and student pride.

Vice President Sheena Lingeras shared her insights from a recent meeting with the Local Government Unit (LGU), where she had the opportunity to speak about the SSLG’s accomplishments and present upcoming plans. Her participation in the meeting highlighted the growing presence and involvement of Agay NHS student leaders in the wider community.

SSLG officer Rico Cawaing shared plans to join the school’s leadership team in welcoming the incoming school principal on Monday, June 30, 2025. He also proposed organizing a courtesy visit to formally introduce the SSLG officers to the new principal—a step aimed at building rapport and aligning student leadership goals with the school’s new administration.

The SSLG President facilitated discussions on the upcoming Acquaintance Party, a key event designed to promote friendship and unity among students, especially those new to the school.

Rounding out the meeting was a discussion on the Leadership Training and Peer Health Navigators Training, which will be participated in by selected students from both Agay NHS and Balang-Balang NHS. These initiatives aim to build leadership capacity and promote student wellness through peer-driven advocacy, all under the active supervision of their adviser.

As reflected in the meeting’s dynamic atmosphere, the SSLG officers are off to a strong and organized start. With clear objectives, teamwork, and guidance from their adviser, the SSLG of Agay NHS is prepared to lead meaningful and student-centered activities in the school year ahead.

Agay NHS Kicks Off SY 2025–2026 with Whole-Day Orientation on Student Welfare and Safety

 June 16, 2025 | Agay National High School

Instead of the usual classroom instruction and subject introductions, Agay National High School opened School Year 2025–2026 with a full-day orientation designed to empower and inform its learners. Held on June 16, the entire day was devoted to delivering four essential modules covering student services, school rules, legal protections, and online safety. The orientation sessions were conducted in each classroom, facilitated by the learners’ respective advisers and subject teachers, as part of the school’s YOLO Program led by coordinator Jayson Patalinghug.

Module 1: School Overview and TEEN Center Services

The day began with teachers introducing the students to the school’s vision, mission, and core values. Learners were also oriented on the various services offered by the TEEN Center, such as academic support, peer counseling, health referrals, and youth development programs. The TEEN Center was emphasized as a safe and supportive space where students can seek help, guidance, and opportunities for growth.

Module 2: School Rules, Regulations, and Learners’ Rights

Advisers guided students through an in-depth discussion of school rules and regulations, including attendance policies, classroom conduct, proper uniform, and disciplinary procedures. Teachers also highlighted the learners' rights, emphasizing the school’s commitment to child protection and safe learning environments. Through meaningful classroom conversations, students were reminded that they are not only expected to follow rules but are also protected by them.

Module 3: The “Bawal Bastos” Law

In the third module, subject teachers introduced the key provisions of Republic Act No. 11313 or the “Safe Spaces Act,” commonly known as the Bawal Bastos Law. Using examples and situational roleplays, they helped students understand the importance of mutual respect, proper conduct, and the consequences of gender-based harassment. The session aimed to raise awareness and promote a culture of dignity and equality among learners.

Module 4: Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Campaign

The final module tackled a pressing global issue—Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). Teachers explained how digital platforms can be used to exploit children and provided practical tips for online safety. Learners were encouraged to report suspicious online behavior and were informed about the available school and community support systems.

A Meaningful Start to the School Year

By the end of the day, students left their classrooms with more than just knowledge—they gained a deeper understanding of their responsibilities and protections as learners. The orientation fostered a sense of security and belonging, equipping students to make informed decisions throughout the school year.

YOLO Coordinator Jayson Patalinghug expressed his gratitude to all teachers for facilitating the sessions with sincerity and commitment. “This orientation wasn’t just about rules—it was about showing our learners that we value their well-being and that they are never alone in their journey,” he shared.

With a strong foundation laid on the first day, Agay National High School sets the tone for a school year anchored in awareness, respect, and holistic development.

SSLG Officers Lead Joyful First-Day-High Celebration at Agay National High School

Agay National High School was filled with cheer and excitement as students were warmly welcomed on their first day of school for School Year 2025–2026. Leading the opening day festivities during the flag ceremony were the dedicated officers of the Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG), who prepared a heartwarming program to kick off the academic year on a high note.

The SSLG officers, standing proudly in front of colorful balloons and festive decor, greeted fellow students with enthusiasm and school spirit. In a special initiative to promote punctuality, the SSLG awarded school supplies to the Top 3 Early Birds, while the first 300 students who arrived early received tickets for free ice cream—a sweet way to encourage timeliness and participation.

Adding to the significance of the day, guest speakers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) addressed the students on the importance of safety and security both in and out of school. Their messages centered on staying alert, reporting threats, and maintaining a culture of discipline.

The school's clinic in-charge, Mr. Uldarico Dequilla, also took the stage to share vital health information under the Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd (OK sa DepEd) program, promoting hygiene, nutrition, and basic health practices among students.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jayson Patalinghug, the school’s Youth Formation Coordinator, inspired the crowd with his advocacy on Adolescent Reproductive Health and Mental Health. He encouraged students to seek help when needed and reminded them that their physical and emotional well-being are crucial to their success in school and life.

The vibrant and meaningful celebration, led by the SSLG, not only welcomed the students but also laid the foundation for a safe, healthy, and student-empowered school year ahead.

Welcome back, Agay NHS students—your first day high was indeed a day to remember! 

"Will Anyone Ever Truly Love Me?"

I don’t know how many times I’ve asked myself this question — quietly, in the dark, when no one is around to hear me: “Will anyone ever truly love me?”

It’s not something I say out loud. I wear confidence like a jacket in public — people see me laughing, talking, maybe even thriving. But inside, in the silence of my soul, there’s a gnawing question that lingers. A question I’m both afraid to answer and desperate to resolve.

Because what if the answer is no?

I look around and see people holding hands, falling in love, being chosen. I wonder if that kind of love — the deep, unconditional kind — is something reserved for others. People better than me. People with less baggage. People more lovable. I start comparing, as if love is some sort of prize I’ve failed to earn.

I replay moments in my life: the ones where I opened my heart and felt it crack, the ones where I loved but wasn’t loved back, or worse, wasn’t even seen. There’s a loneliness that doesn’t go away just because I’m surrounded by people. It’s the kind that sits in my chest, cold and quiet.

But in the middle of that ache, I find myself opening the Bible — not because I’m expecting a miracle, but because I’m looking for a whisper. Something to remind me that I’m not invisible.

And I read:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Everlasting love. Not temporary, not conditional, not based on my performance or personality. Just… love. From a God who knew everything about me before I knew myself and still chose to love me.

Then I read again:

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

This hits different. Because if I’m honest, I often feel like I have to be better to be loved. More put-together. Less messy. But God didn’t wait for me to clean myself up. He loved me right in the middle of the mess.

And then this:

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Lavished. Not rationed. Not given in small amounts. Lavished. Poured out generously, freely, personally.

I won’t lie and say these verses erase all my doubts. I still long for that human kind of love — someone to hold my hand, to choose me in a crowd, to say, “You are enough, just as you are.” But what I’m learning is this: I’ve already been chosen. Already loved. Already seen.

The love I long for does exist. Maybe not yet in the form I imagined — maybe not in a relationship or a perfect love story. But it is real. And it started with the One who created me.

So I keep asking the question, but now with hope rather than despair: Will anyone ever truly love me?

And God whispers, “I already do.”

Empowering Through Literacy: Peer Educators Society Leads “Brigada Pagbasa” at Agay NHS

Agay National High School, June 9–13, 2025 — In a heartfelt demonstration of leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to education, the Peer Educators Society of Agay NHS, under the proactive leadership of Rico Cawaing Jr., played a vital role in the successful implementation of the Brigada Pagbasa program during the school’s enrollment week.

As part of the Department of Education’s nationwide Brigada Eskwela campaign, Brigada Pagbasa serves as a reading remediation initiative aimed at improving the literacy skills of Filipino learners. This year, its integration into the enrollment period made it especially impactful, welcoming both returning and new students with engaging, purposeful literacy activities.

Under the guidance of Rico Cawaing Jr., the Peer Educators Society assisted teachers and
school staff in facilitating reading sessions that focused on two essential components: oral reading and reading comprehension assessment, conducted in both English and Filipino. These structured activities aimed to evaluate the learners’ current reading levels and identify areas for support and improvement.

“Our mission is to empower not just our fellow students, but also the younger learners who look up to us,” said Cawaing. “Through Brigada Pagbasa, we’re showing that literacy is a shared responsibility—and one that we are proud to take part in.”

Throughout the week, Peer Educators engaged directly with learners by guiding them through oral reading exercises, helping assess fluency and pronunciation, while also facilitating reading comprehension tasks that gauged understanding of texts. Their involvement allowed teachers to reach more students efficiently and provided a supportive peer-to-peer learning environment.

Parents and guardians present during enrollment expressed appreciation for the added value of the program, noting how it created a nurturing and educational atmosphere that set a positive tone for the school year.

Agay NHS faculty members praised the Peer Educators Society for their initiative and commitment, emphasizing how their efforts significantly contributed to both the smooth conduct of the enrollment process and the educational growth of students.

With Rico Cawaing Jr. at the helm, the Peer Educators Society continues to prove that student leadership can drive meaningful change. Their active participation in Brigada Pagbasa reaffirms Agay NHS’s dedication to fostering a culture of reading, learning, and community involvement.

Agay NHS Empowers Teachers Through HEEADSS Assessment Orientation

 

June 4, 2025 | Agay National High School, Agay, Philippines

In a significant step toward strengthening student support and well-being, Mr. Jayson Patalinghug, the dedicated YOLO-ARH (Youth Optimizing Life Opportunities - Adolescent Reproductive Health) Coordinator of Agay National High School (NHS), spearheaded a vital orientation for faculty members on the proper conduct of the HEEADSS assessment.

Held on June 4, 2025, at the Agay NHS Covered Court, the orientation gathered the school’s teaching staff for a focused session on the HEEADSS framework—an evidence-based psychosocial screening tool used to identify the challenges and support needs of young people. HEEADSS stands for Home, Education/Employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, and Suicide/Depression—a comprehensive approach aimed at early identification of at-risk students.

Mr. Patalinghug’s session was both informative and hands-on, equipping educators with the knowledge and confidence to implement the rapid version of the assessment during the second day of classes. Teachers were guided on how to ask sensitive but essential questions in a respectful and youth-friendly manner, fostering trust between them and their students.

“Our goal is to ensure that no student falls through the cracks,” Mr. Patalinghug emphasized. “By empowering teachers to detect early warning signs of distress, we can provide timely support and interventions.”

The orientation also emphasized the importance of confidentiality, empathy, and appropriate referral protocols. Teachers were trained to identify red flags and complete internal referral forms for students who require further counseling or assistance.

This proactive initiative reflects Agay NHS’s strong commitment to holistic education—nurturing not just academic excellence but also mental, emotional, and social well-being.

As the school year begins, Agay NHS stands prepared not only to teach but also to care, thanks to leaders like Mr. Patalinghug and a faculty ready to make a difference in their students’ lives.

For inquiries about the HEEADSS program or internal referrals, faculty may contact the Guidance Office or the YOLO-ARH Coordinator's Desk.

“Trust in Your Heart”: A Beautiful Lie That’s Leading a Generation Astray

In a world driven by hashtags and self-empowerment mantras, few phrases are more popular—or more misleading—than “trust in your heart.” It’s on posters, Instagram captions, graduation cards, and echoed in countless songs and speeches. The message is clear: “Your heart knows the way. Follow it.”

It sounds inspiring. Comforting, even. Especially to young people trying to figure out life in the midst of pressure, uncertainty, and emotional chaos. But what if this feel-good advice is actually one of the most dangerous deceptions of our time?

What if “trust in your heart” is the very thing that’s pulling this generation away from truth, purpose, and God?

The Gospel According to Emotions

At first glance, “trust in your heart” feels innocent. After all, it encourages authenticity, individuality, and emotional expression—values that resonate deeply with today’s youth. But the phrase rests on a flawed foundation: the belief that our hearts are trustworthy guides.

And that’s where the deception lies.

The Bible tells a very different story. In Jeremiah 17:9, we read:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (ESV)

This is not poetic exaggeration—it is a divine diagnosis. The human heart, apart from God, is not just misguided; it is deceitful above all things. That means it’s not merely unreliable—it’s actively misleading. And yet this is the very thing our culture tells us to follow?

Young people today are growing up in a world where emotion is often treated as truth. If you feel it, it must be real. If your heart wants it, it must be right. But God’s Word warns: what we feel isn’t always what’s true.

Satan’s Old Lie, Repackaged

The lie of “trust your heart” is not new. It’s simply the 21st-century version of the original deception in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, Satan tempts Eve by twisting God’s words and appealing to her desires:

“You will not surely die… you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4–5)

The core message? You don’t need God. You can be your own guide.

That same lie is now repackaged in emotional language:

“Your heart knows best.”

“Don’t let anyone tell you how to live your truth.”

“You’ve got to follow your own path.”

But Proverbs 28:26 exposes the danger of this thinking:

“Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” (ESV)

Following your heart without submitting it to God doesn’t lead to freedom. It leads to foolishness, and often, to deep pain.

A Better Way: Trust in the Lord

If our hearts are broken and deceptive, what can we trust?

The Bible gives us a beautiful and simple answer: Trust in the Lord.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

(Proverbs 3:5–6)

Notice what this verse does not say. It doesn’t say “trust your heart.” It says “trust the Lord with your heart.” That’s not self-reliance—it’s surrender.

God never intended for our hearts to lead us. They were designed to be led by Him.

The Cost of Misplaced Trust

When young people trust in their emotions over God’s truth, the consequences are real. They enter toxic relationships, compromise morally, chase careers that leave them empty, or follow lifestyles that bring regret.

This isn’t about being overly cautious—it’s about being anchored in truth. God warns us about our hearts not to control us, but to protect us.

Because He sees what we don’t. He knows where the path leads. And He loves us too much to let us walk blindly into destruction.

A New Heart, A New Way

Here’s the good news: the gospel doesn’t just warn us—it transforms us.

God promises in Ezekiel 36:26:

“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.”

When we surrender our lives to Jesus, He doesn’t just forgive our sin—He renews our hearts. The Holy Spirit reshapes our desires, refines our thinking, and redirects our emotions to align with God’s will.

Only then can we begin to walk in freedom—not by following our hearts, but by following the One who created them.

Final Thoughts: The Freedom of Surrender

“Trust in your heart” may feel empowering in the moment, but it’s a shallow kind of freedom—one that quickly turns into slavery to emotions, confusion, and sin. Real freedom is found in trusting someone greater than ourselves.

If you’re a young person trying to navigate life, hear this: Don’t trust your heart. Surrender it. Because only in the hands of God does the heart become what it was meant to be—a vessel of His will, His love, and His truth.