Among the subjects taught in Casa del Nino Science High School, as in every Philippine Secondary School, Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) is one of the more practical learning areas that help prepare students in many aspects of life including independence and entrepreneurship. 

During the 1^st Quarter of the Grade 8 Curriculum, Casans are taught to bake and cook delicacies that can either be consumed or sold, as they are taught to treat this knowledge as a means to start a business.  This gives them ideas as to what they may concoct, bearing in mind the expenditure, processes of production and the measurements necessary to come up with a product that has the most potential for business.

TLE equips the students with practical knowledge that they can use at home to help in their household so they become adept at chores that they can use immediately or later in life in situations where their parents or helpers are not around.  Thus, this subject also teaches them to be independent to a certain degree.

As an example, for their 1^st Quarter Examination, the Grade 8 Baltimore Casans under Tr. Mennie Aquino were tasked to come up with the most delectable Chicken Empanada which will then be graded according to Taste, Nutritive Value, Visual Appeal and Cost.  Upon tasting at the end of their baking examination, the finished product “Baked Chicken Empanada” was crispy on the outside, well cooked and tasty in the inside.  Good enough to be sold as a business.

As Health officials in the Philippines declare a “national dengue alert”, CDNSSI responds by fogging and cold misting the campuses in San Pedro, Laguna as its initial action today, August 3 and on August 10.  Executive Vice President Dr. Mark G. Acierto announced that this is a system-wide charge to battle the virus-carrying mosquitoes and that other branches will soon follow.

He said that about 100,000 cases of the deadly disease have already been reported across the Philippines in the first six months of 2019 alone which is an increase of 85% on the same period last year.  This has prompted the national government to declare Epidemics   in four of the most affected regions of the country — Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao — which between them are home to more than 20 million people, or roughly 20% of the Philippines population. Although Southern Luzon has not reached that status yet, several San Pedronians have already been affected by the virus and that in itself is quite alarming.

Officials of DOH are also observing the situation in nine other regions which have outbreaks of the disease but stressed that dengue remains “localized” as opposed to a national epidemic.

Dengue fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. These viruses are related to those that cause West Nile infection and yellow fever.  Although it is deadly, the disease can’t be spread directly from one person to another person.

Symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after infection and last for up to 10 days, may include

• Sudden, high fever
• Severe headaches
• Pain behind the eyes
• Severe joint and muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever
• Mild bleeding (such a nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising)

Sometimes, symptoms are mild and can be mistaken for those of the flu or another viral infection. Younger children and people who have never had the infection before tend to have milder cases than older children and adults. 

To fight this disease, Casa del Nino is doing its share through the most effective preventive measure by destroying possible breeding places around the campus. There are also some things that ordinary citizens can do to prevent the mosquito from inflicting its deadly virus like wearing protective clothing (long pants, socks and long sleeves) and applying government-approved insect repellents.  The public is also advised to seek early consultation when the first signs and symptoms of the disease strike.

Parents of Casans are also encouraged to be proactive and to take precautionary measures keeping in mind that the mosquitoes bearing the dengue virus can be found anywhere.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is more than a pound of cure.

*With some facts gathered from WebMD and CNN Health.

Grade 7 students Kent Philippe Lagasca and Mikaela Vargas won the titles of Mr. & Ms. Freshman 2019 last Saturday, July 27 held in conjunction with the school’s Acquaintance Party “Mag ImaJEAN CA SA Denim Party” at the CDN Gym, Pacita Complex 2, San Pedro, Laguna.

Organized by the CDN Student Council and the Student Affairs Office, the party signalled the start of the school’s Social Calendar wherein Grade 7 students and transferees bonded with Grade 8 to 12 Casans in a party that lasted from 5 in the afternoon to 11 pm.

Mr. Bennie Casas, our Guidance Counselor begun with a prayer of blessings followed by the Opening Remarks of OIC Principal Mr. Herbert San Pedro who welcomed the guests comprised of students, parents and other supporters of the candidates.  Vice President for Academics, Dr. Mark G. Acierto was also on hand as presiding officer during the Oath-Taking Ceremonies of the School Clubs and Student Council Officers who reminded them of their responsibilities as role models of their followers.

Aside from the pageant, Grade 7 students  also participated in a dance competition won by 7 Ptolemy under Ms. Ezra Casas.

Aside from Lagasca and Vargas, other winners were Lance Daguno and Regine Lore (1^st Runners Up), Roen Fucanan and Mika Padilla (2^nd  Runners Up), Jeosh Libao and Lei Dacanay (3^rd Runners Up) & Elijah Nunez and Feona Hermogeno (4^{th t} Runners Up). Eman Karpat of Grade 7 and Rhianne Ibe of Grade 8 were respectively proclaimed King and Queen of the Dance Floor while  Grade 10 John Gilbert Escorial and   Angel Mayordomo of Grade 9  were adjudged Male and Female Fashionista of the evening.  New students Alejandro Anton Bautista  and  Althea Balmes both of  Grade 8 were declared New Faces of the year.

The event went on smoothly and according to Ms. Mellicent Siblag, SC Adviser, the group was able to sell enough tickets to fund their projects for this school year. The Director for Student Affairs, Mr. Chito Maramag who directed the show,  thanked Sean Salaguinto of Grade 7, Senior Student Ethan Aseoche and Grade 7 adviser Vincent Reyes for gamely hosting the event from start to finish. 

Stage Decoration was handled by Ms. Kristine Yatco, adviser of the 4H Club who was ably assisted by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the SC Officers.  Mr. Ramir Almeida and Mr. Warren Nucum of the IT Department assisted in the technological aspects of the party while the Casan Emergency Medical Service students under Mr. Ramon Belizario helped manage the incidents that needed their first aid knowledge.

Overall, the party was a success and the attendees went home tired but satisfied.

Nobody is ever prepared for calamities but it is very important to be ready for when they strike.  This is why Casans are ordered each year to participate in a drill to get them primed for natural disasters such as an earthquake.  Today, the 20^th of June 2019, the Casans were practiced on what to do in case a tremor strikes and they quickly gathered in the school quadrangle of the Casa del Nino Science High School campus in Pacita 2, San Pedro, Laguna, as the evacuation area of safety in case of a disaster.

Mr. Ramon C. Belizario of the Casa Emergency Medical Service has always spearheaded this yearly activity in line with the school’s mandate for Disaster Preparedness.  CEMS is a special course in school where students who are planning to study in the medical field are trained on emergency service and first response.

Despite the heat, the students gamely sat it out under the blazing sun and listened to Mr. Belizario make some observations and statements about the practical event.  High School teachers led by OIC/Principal Mr. Herbert San Pedro helped in the supervision of the Earthquake Drill.

Members of Team Varsity strike a pose with SDO Head Mr. Dennis Cabanban after receiving the Championship trophy of the just concluded CDN Alumni Basketball League at the CDN Gymnasium of Phase 6 Campus, San Pedro, Laguna last June 15, 2019.

A team composed of recent basketball varsity players prevailed over the defending champions, Batch 1998 in a nail biting final game held at the CDN Gymnasium, Elementary Campus, Phase 6, San Pedro, Laguna tonight, 15 June 2019. The young players rendered a fast paced 4th quarter and managed to squeeze past the veteran alumni players in the last few minutes of the extension to go 4 points ahead at 80-76.

Batch 1998, defending Champions of the sports league settled for 1st runner up after the final game of the CDN Alumni Basketball League won by Team Varsity with a score of 80-76.

Throughout the final game, the defending champions were ahead with the young guns going past them from time to time but the veterans proved too tough as they led most of the 4 quarters. After they tied at 71 all, the vigor of Team Varsity prevailed over the experience of Batch 1998 during the extension as they sunk in successive points in the last minute to overcome their opponents.

Mythical 5 pose with Season MVP. From L to R, Ralph Soliman (Batch 2002), Julius Inid (Batch 2015), Adrian dela Cruz, Season MVP (Batch 2012), AJ Lopez (Team Varsity) and Errol Papas (Batch 1998) pose during the half time of the CDN Alumni Basketball League finals last June 15, 2019.

Adrian dela Cruz holds his Season MVP trophy during the half time of the CDN Alumni Basketball Final Game held last June 15, 2019.

Joben Tamonte of Team Varsity holds aloft a trophy after being proclaimed the Finals MVP of the CDN Alumni Basketball League.

Declared Mythical 5 were Julius Inid (Batch 2015), Ralph Soliman (Batch 2002), Errol Papas (Batch 1998), Jan Jason Malumay (Batch 2004) and Angelo Lopez (Varsity Team). Adrian Dela Cruz of Batch 2012 was the Season MVP while Joben Tamonte was acknowledged as Finals MVP.
Mr. Dennis Cabanban, the Head of the CDN Sports Development Office which organized the whole affair, proclaimed the season league a success. Meanwhile, the alumni players affirmed the affectivity of the event in bringing Casans closer together in a sport that they love. Without the league, there would be no other way for them to get together in a wholesome manner.
The next season will be planned soon as the clamour for another league is strongly felt by the CDN administration. The CDN officers support the sports endeavour which is in keeping with the mission of the school to foster active alumni participation in the activities of the institution.

With the beginning of the school year drawing near, the CDNSSI Administration gathered the members of the faculty of its Laguna Branches last Monday, 27 May 2019 with the INSET dubbed “Breakfast with the President” at the CDN Auditorium of its Phase 6 Campus, San Pedro, Laguna.

The School President, Dr. Rosario G. Acierto together with EVP Dr. Mark G. Acierto and VP for Finance Ms. Milagros G. Asiddao had a close and informal get together with the teachers who were pepped for the forthcoming first day of school and were reminded of Casa del Nino’s reason for being.

As it was billed “Breakfast with the President”, the event started off with the teachers lining up for the morning buffet prepared by the Human Resource Department head, Ms. Michelle Asiddao.  That set the tone for the short gathering that was buoyant, enlightening and fruitful

Dr. Acierto reminisced about the early stages of the school when she, like the members of the faculty, was just a regular classroom teacher who wanted to better herself while helping others by establishing this institution.  She said, “I never thought the small school I founded would grow big and remain strong for as long as it has despite all the obstacles”.  Inspiring her audience of teachers, she motivated them to also strive for their own betterment;  that if she achieved her present status, they could too, with hard work, courage and dedication.

It was a productive gathering that achieved its purpose to inspire, invigorate and encourage the teachers for their enormous task in the upcoming school year 2019-2020.