𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 | 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆! 

by Reven L. 

Footprints of uncertainty, where we once stood

Masks of doubt shrouding our faces, carrying packs of papers

Till the normal mode has been restored

We still doubted ourselves, scared like we're carrying the world's weight

High school graduation feelin? just a ppt slide

College, I remember the days I'd question my choice

"Is this really what I want?" "Am I cut out for this?"

Maybe we're destined to fill the missing piece of a jigsaw

Then goes the sleepless nights, endless cups of coffee

The ache in my back carrying the loads of pressure and responsibility

Lots of questions if I can make it to graduation, lots of twist

How can I pass the LET if I'm dying in midterm test?

Four years of pushing limits, testing boundaries

During internship, we are driven by different spirit

You meet your students temporarily, then, change awakes

I want to ignite curiosity, nurture and shape young minds

We survived the grueling exams and outputs, the thesis defense

The countless revisions, the time of no-vacation

The friendships we've built, the memories, laughter and tears

That made the journey worth it, can't be bought by chest of gold

Graduation day arrives, emotions can't be fathom

Success is like an iceberg, a gem, tastes like honey

Badge of honor, symbol of knowledge and strength

We finally made it, we're no longer students, we're graduates!

Then I think of students I'll meet, the lessons I'll teach

New journey begins, to make a difference

Ready to take on the challenge and leave a legacy

I'll pour my heart, my soul, my everything for it's sake.

𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆: 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗮 𝗘. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘀

 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐍 | 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑨. 𝑨𝒅𝒊𝒐

As a first-year teacher education student, I've always wonder what it takes to pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). The weight of thinking how could I ace it with an enduring heart. I even doubted myself because every examination I take at school, feels overwhelming and I often see myself literally crying. And there comes the real question, how can I be brave under pressure? 

Taking the LET is often one of the most stressful experiences in the life of a teacher education student. From the very beginning, there is pressure from family, friends, and people who believe in them. Everyone expects success. At the same time, the student carries their own dream deep in their heart—to finally become a licensed professional teacher. Even with all this pressure, many students choose to stay strong. They continue working hard, giving their best, just to reach that one goal they’ve dreamed of for so long. 

Have you ever felt so tired, so close to giving up, but you kept going because of a dream? That’s how it felt to be preparing for the licensure examination. Many others feel the same way. They hold on not because it’s easy—but because they care about the future, and they want to make those who believe in them proud. 

This pressure doesn’t only affect how students study—it touches their emotions too. Many LET Takers feel scared, nervous, or even sick from stress. Some feel like the pressure is too heavy, especially when they think about the people waiting and hoping for their success. The fear of failing can be painful, and it can lower someone’s confidence or focus. But even with these heavy feelings, most takers continue the journey with hope and courage in their hearts. 

Moreover, preparing for the LET is not easy at all. It takes a lot of time, energy, and money. Many spend long nights reading books, joining review classes, answering practice questions, and sometimes even skipping meals or rest. They make sacrifices because they know how much the exam means. It’s more than just a test—it’s a key to the life they’ve always dreamed of. 

But even when things get really hard, these individuals still show bravery. They still get up in the morning, still show up for their reviews, still try their best—no matter how tired, anxious, or afraid they feel. That kind of courage is something special. It shows how deeply committed they are to becoming good teachers, the kind who will one day change lives in their classrooms. 

Some people say that LET brings too much pressure. They say it causes too much stress and becomes unfair, especially for those who fail. They believe the exam should be made easier, or that more chances should be given so that students won’t feel so overwhelmed. And it’s true—the pressure can sometimes feel like too much, and failing can break someone’s heart. 

But at the same time, this pressure can also bring out the strength inside a person. It pushes future teachers to prepare seriously, to become more patient, focused, and brave. These are not just skills for passing an exam—they are qualities that every good teacher needs in real life. So even though the road is difficult, it builds the kind of strength that lasts. 

The journey to pass the LET is not easy. The pressure is real, and the struggle can be very hard. But with bravery and strong determination, many future teachers are able to face their fears, overcome the challenges, and take one big step closer to their dreams. In the end, it’s not only about passing a test—it’s about becoming a stronger, wiser, and more passionate teacher, ready to inspire the next generation.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲: 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐚 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒. 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨, 𝙲𝚊𝚙𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝙴𝚌𝚑𝚘 𝙴𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚝

𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 | PRESS IN PERIL: AI AND THE FIGHT FOR TRUTH 

Cartoon by Renzel F. Luna 

Today, we commemorate World Press Freedom Day, with this year’s theme: Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media. As AI rapidly reshapes how information is produced and consumed, people face a new kind of threat, which is subtle, smart, and dangerously manipulative.

Manipulation using AI reveals the current dilemma in the society: AI technology has the power to deceive as much as it does to inform. In a country where freedom of the press is both cherished and challenged, the implications are profound.

We assert that while AI is a powerful tool, it must be regulated and critically engaged with. If left unchecked, AI can become a weapon that erodes truth, silences dissent, and manipulates public opinion, threatening the very essence of press freedom.

Primarily, AI enables the rise of disinformation, distorting public perception. In the Philippines, one clear instance is how AI-driven bots and fake content have been used to manipulate election narratives, spread propaganda, and smear legitimate journalists. This has led to confusion, polarization, and declining trust in media.

Furthermore, the integrity of journalism is in jeopardy.  Concerns are emerging that even respectable news organizations can unintentionally publish inaccurate or biased material as AI-generated articles and synthetic content become more prevalent.  Without human supervision, viewers and readers are susceptible to carefully constructed fakes.  

AI monitoring also runs the risk of stifling free speech. Issues about possible censorship and targeting of dissenters have been raised by the use of AI for surveillance and information monitoring, endangering journalists and media professionals in positions of authority.

Nevertheless, AI improves efficiency and expands access to information. True, but at what cost? Convenience should never come before conscience. Automated efficiency must not override the ethical and democratic responsibility of journalism.

At last, we must work together to create strong policies on the ethical use of AI. There must be transparency in how AI tools are used, accountability for disinformation, and digital literacy campaigns to empower the public against manipulation. Particularly, as student journalists, we also have a key role to play. We must use AI responsibly, verify information, uphold ethical standards, and raise awareness about AI's risks and benefits in our school and communities. 

AI is here to stay, but so is our duty to the truth. In this brave new world, we must remain braver. 𝙇𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙮𝙤𝙣. 𝙄𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙮𝙤𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙜. 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙝𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣.

𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗡 | AY, A.I?: WHY THE REAL ECHO MATTERS 

by Joshua Dela Torre

I remember the first time my story was published in our school paper. My hands were shaking as I flipped through the pages. There it was—my name under the headline, my words out in the world. It was not perfect, but it was mine. I had asked hard questions, stayed up late writing, and rewrote the same paragraph five times, and in the end, it mattered.

Now, that same kind of story can be written in seconds by a bot. Suddenly, I’m left wondering: If A.I. can do the writing, do student voices still matter?

Artificial intelligence is now part of our ever-shifting world. It writes essays, answers emails, and yes, even writes news articles. In some student publications, AI is already being used to write short reports, fix grammar, and make content “better.”

But “better” doesn’t always mean braver, and that’s where the danger begins.

Real journalism, is not about perfect sentences. It is about echoing the truth. It about sitting down with someone who’s scared to speak up and promising, “I will tell your story right.” AI doesn’t feel that. AI doesn’t care. But student journalists do.

Some people say A.I. is “just a tool,” that it helps make our jobs easier, and yes, tools can be helpful. Spellcheck helps. But what happens when we stop writing our own thoughts and just let AI do it all? We stop thinking. We stop feeling. We stop owning our stories. If A.I. writes our articles, who are we as campus journalists? We’re not here to copy and paste. We’re here to question, to investigate, to speak up when others stay silent. We write the stories others are afraid to write, and that can’t be done by a bot. It takes heart, it takes an echoing bravery.

In every newsroom, there will be nights when we’re tired, stressed, and tempted to let A.I. “just write it.” But remember this: a machine can write your report, but it can’t care if you have a "singko" grade. It can’t feel the fear in a student's voice after being silenced. It can’t choose truth over safety. It can’t be brave. 

Real echo—the one that shakes walls and sparks change—doesn’t come from a chatbot, it comes from students who relentlessly refuse to be quiet. We are not just writing for today, we are learning to fight for truth because lies will prevail if there are no journalists—good journalists.