The Torch

𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | CPAR culmination highlights history, funds education
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‎More than a celebration of art and culture, this year’s Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions (CPAR) Culmination served as both an eye-opener to Philippine history and a way to support the Grade 12 curriculum, Manolo Fortich National High School (MFNHS) Gymnasium.
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‎The two-day “Dayaw Dos: Our Pride, Our Heritage” on February 19-20, 2026, showcased student performances, exhibits, and creative presentations that reflected the country’s rich cultural heritage through Timetawid (exhibit), Foodlikha (food), Relikha (fashion), Dokyuganap (documentary), and Ugat, Agos, at Anino (dance).
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‎The event also raised funds to strengthening the senior high school program, as approved by the school principal Vergilia Pancho, with proceeds from 10-peso Timetawid tickets supporting speakers, and 30% of Foodlikha sales used for clothing and decoration for the Grade 12 curriculum.

‎‎“I am very proud of them since I have seen from the very start, I have been quality-assuring everything from the beginning down to the final presentation of everything, so I couldn’t be more prouder than anyone else because I have seen the worst and the best of these students,” Leo Tan III, Chairman of Dayaw Dos: Our Pride, Our Heritage, said.
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‎Aside from this, he stressed that the main objective of the culmination is aligned with the competencies for the final quarter, which require students to produce actual works in the different art forms.
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‎The presentations highlighted pre-colonial traditions, the Spanish, American, and Japanese periods, as well as post-war and contemporary societal issues, all reflected through contemporary art forms, allowing the audience of students, and faculty members to witness how art becomes a powerful medium for education and reflection.
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‎“Ang pinaka-importante nga akong nahibaw-an kay ang value sa teamwork ug responsibility. Nakita nako nga dili lang talent ang importante, kundi disiplina, cooperation, ug respeto sa ideas sa uban,” Princess Charmel Socito, Grade 12 student, noted.
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‎She also shared that working under pressure and managing time taught her patience and resilience, and that collaborating with another section showed her the true meaning of unity and cooperation despite different ideas and personalities, adding that, it helped her grow as a person.
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‎She concluded that the culmination was more than a performance, it was a way to preserve culture and history, creating lessons and memories that she will carry into future challenges.
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‎By combining cultural appreciation and fundraising, the CPAR Culmination allowed students to celebrate Filipino art while making a meaningful contribution to their academic community.
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𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 Keilah Marie S. Lusica
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Juliana Y. Mancobihon | Quelzon D. Abragan | Bob Daven A. Madula | Drexel John R. Ricafort | Olen Eunice M. Tesio | Sofia Izabelle A. Aldeguer
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Quelzon D. Abragan

The voices of the people remain at the heart of every story we tell and every milestone we reach.

This achievement goes beyond awards and honors the stories and work that give purpose to every page of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗵. Each recognition reflects our commitment to honest, responsible journalism in service of the school and its students.

𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | ‘25 Teachers’ Day Celebration Brings Dreams to Life

What if the teachers who shape our future had walked a different path?

Manolo Fortich National High School’s (MFNHS) 2025 Teachers' Day celebration highlights how educators stepped into the shoes of their dream jobs, showcasing professions they once dreamed of pursuing, on October 3.

This year's unique "Career Swap: When I’m Not A Teacher" celebration gave students a glimpse into the many passions and talents their teachers hold beyond the classroom.

“Teaching is an act of optimism, even when the teacher is down and out, he/she still manages to face the class full of hope and encouragement for the young learners,” Senior High School Curriculum Implementation Division In Charge Elizabeth Eala conveyed.

The event was designed to honor the dedication of teachers while featuring the dreams that inspired them before they chose the teaching profession.

“We will do the best we can because we are called to serve our students,” Secondary School Principal II, Vergilia O. Pancho said.

According to her, despite not walking the path they might have chosen, their calling was to be a teacher, quoting ‘A no to someone is a yes to someone better.’

Moreover, the celebration shows that behind every great teacher is a dreamer who chose to make a difference.

“This appreciation is just a smaller faction of the immense value you bring to our lives every single day. You are the architects of our futures,” Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) President, Kim Jhon M. Mahinay shared.

This year's celebration was more than just costumes and fun; it served as a reminder that teachers are also dreamers who made a choice to shape the future through education.

𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 Mary Louise Danielle B. Gallarde
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle A. Aldeguer | Jahzeel Rane C. Llanto | Juliana Mancobihon | Miel Margaux Banono
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬 | Praise For the Sovereigns of Wit and Wisdom

The day emerges from dust in the darkness,
white, weightless, and warm,
as it drifts from the tip of chalk like snow
that remembers
every question that has ever escaped every mouth.
The blackboard stretches for miles and miles
as dense as the sky laced in obsidian,
scratched and patient in its er****on
and as you write into those chasms—
those letters yawn into lingual doors
and the numbers spread forth in staircases of equations.

Your classrooms rejoice in their minuteness,
Chairs. Tables. Lined like gardens and green trees. Ants. People.
Yet what others do not know is
the expanding of continents in that room
with lands running deep, waters ebbing in currents
the maps of the world and testimonies burning into the minds of your pupils.
The square of a sum:
of a and b is equal to a squared
plus two ab plus b squared
clicks into place like covert locks opening,
where even silence learns to listen.

Your hands are steady rulers
measuring patience in academic kingdoms,
not in inches, but in the inflation of hours
sixty-minutes stretched across eternity,
pacing in heartbeats
ba-thump, ba-thump, ba-thump,
echoing through rows of restless, feeble bodies,
with a gaze pointed like the tip of a pencil
and soft as paper worn away by use.

You are the eraser,
built not to undo,
but to clear and to mend;
to make space for new beginnings.
For every mistake brushed away is a quiet absolution,
a whisper, beckoning: “try again, begin again.”

You are the apple,
awkward sweetness in a child’s hand
bruised from the journey but bright with intent.
A fruit offered to the sun,
to the giver of light.

You are the clock that never resents its ticking;
the book whose spine never breaks through
the pages flapped and turned endlessly.
You are the voice that lingers after the roar of the bell,
woven into the choirs of cicadas and hushed voices,
folded into the laughter spilling down the halls.

Dearest teacher, you are not marble nor monument.
You are bridge, breath, lantern.
We walk across you unknowing.
We inhale you and forget.
And yet, years later,
in the dim corridors of past lives,
your words return—
small fires blazed anew,
chalk-dust still fresh in our lungs,
still in our veins,
still in our becoming.
To the emperors of erudition—
I love you,
across the distance of years and stars that have long departed,
across the dust that falls between us, your second children.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 Lance S. Tamayo
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Quelzon Abragan

Hats off to The Torch campus journalists for earning their well-deserved win in the 2025 Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) held last August 29 and September 5 at Manolo Fortich Central Elementary School and Manolo Fortich National High School. Your dedication, passion, and hard work have truly set you apart and brought pride to our school. This achievement truly reflects the unique talents you have.

Let this victory serve as a source of encouragement as you prepare for the Regional Schools Press Conference, a reminder to share stories that truly matter.

Keep shining bright, future leaders of the press!

𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Golden Stallions, Pink Dragons triumph in ’25 MAPEH Day Quiz Bee

In a thrilling competition that showcased quick thinking and exceptional knowledge of young students, Grade 8 Golden Stallions in category A and Grade 12 Pink Dragons in category B emerged as the top winners in the 2025 MAPEH Day Quiz Bee, on September 12.

The Golden Stallions, representing the Grade 8 curriculum, dominated category A, securing their championship title with a strong performance across all rounds.

“I was very glad and very thankful that we won,” Grade 8 Golden Stallions representative Elijah Miguel Luna stated.

According to Luna, he and his teammates had studied mathematics, science, history and language, which helped them clinched victory and demonstrated their commitment to learning and teamwork.

Moreover, in category B, the Pink Dragons of the Grade 12 curriculum demonstrated a remarkable win, sealing the top spot after a thrilling final round.

“I’m very happy because we prepared for this and nag-bilar gyud mi last night for this, so I feel happy, joyful ko kay worth it ang sacrifices,” Grade 12 Pink Dragons representative, Chad Lucino conveyed.

Lucino shared that through this event, their knowledge and awareness could be enhanced, citing a question from the competition about how government agencies like the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) function in society.

“I am grateful that they really studied and we really did have great teamwork,” he added, thanking his teammates for their collaboration and teamwork throughout the event.
The quiz bee not only encouraged academic excellence but also promoted the importance of a well-rounded education and awareness among the youth.

Furthermore, the Grade 9 Blazing Tigers were awarded first runner-up and the Grade 7 Howling Wolves were awarded second runner-up for category A, while the Grade 11 Wildcats were awarded first runner-up and the Grade 10 Mighty Eagles were awarded second runner-up for category B.

𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 Mary Louise Danielle B. Gallarde
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Mary Louise Danielle B. Gallarde
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Chad Lucino | Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer

𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | MFNHS celebrates MAPEH Day ’25 promoting physical fitness, well-being

Manolo Fortich National High School (MFNHS) commenced the celebration of MAPEH Day 2025, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness, wellness, and active learning, on September 12.

Anchored on the theme of promoting a healthy lifestyle, the event reflected the school’s commitment to strengthening both the physical and mental well-being of its learners.

“We always dream that if we are physically fit, learning will also be active. They say in line that fitness and wellness day is designed. Today, march not the end but the beginning of staying fit and well all the time,” Junior High School Curriculum Implementation Division In Charge Rosanna D. Dalmento said during the program.

Her words emphasized that the celebration is not merely a day-long event but a reminder to make wellness a daily habit.

The event has ranging activities from sports competitions: Arnis, Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, and more to creative performances such as Mass Dance and Artistic Field Demonstration showcasing rhythm, motion, teamwork, and artistry of the learners.

Both teachers and students expressed their excitement, seeing the event as an opportunity not only to highlight student talents but also to instill discipline, cooperation, and school spirit.

More than just a showcase of skills, the celebration underscored the crucial role of MAPEH in producing well-rounded learners by balancing academics with physical fitness, creativity, and social growth.

Through MAPEH Day 2025, MFNHS reaffirmed its dedication to creating a learning environment where health, wellness, and creativity flourish, nurturing students to become active, capable, and responsible members of society.

𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 Wendy Love Que-e
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Jahzeel Rane C. Llanto | Leerah Louisse Albarece | Sofia Izabelle A. Aldeguer | Eunice Concepcion | Miel Margaux Banono | Juliana Mancobihon | Czarina Temperance Orpilla
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Ralph Noah Gabitano

Warmest congratulations to The Torch student-journalists for their remarkable success in the Municipal Schools Press Conference held last August 18 at Manolo Fortich Central Elementary School and Manolo Fortich National High School. This achievement speaks not only of your skill, commitment, and perseverance, but also of the wisdom and guidance of the Almighty that has been with you throughout this JOURNey.

As you advance to the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC), may you continue to write with purpose, uphold integrity, and inspire through the stories you bring to life.

Kudos, Torch scribes! May your light continue to shine for His glory.

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | Northern Bukidnon upskilled School Paper Advisers (SPAs) and teacher-coaches through a two-day training on August 8–9, 2025, aimed at strengthening journalistic competencies, bridging coaching gaps, and fostering ethical campus journalism. The initiative empowered participants with updated knowledge, effective strategies, and technical expertise to guide young campus journalists toward excellence in upcoming press conferences, while promoting a strong community of practice among educators.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer | Jahzeel Rane Llanto
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Ralph Noah Gabitano

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | Manolo Fortich National High School commemorated its 62nd founding anniversary on August 1, 2025, through a series of vibrant activities celebrating creativity, culture, and community. Spotless Jewels showcased their talents in a singing competition, a K-pop performance contest, spoken poetry, and Laro ng Lahi. At the same time, teachers took part in separate parlor games that fostered camaraderie among the faculty. The celebration reflected the school’s continuing legacy of excellence, unity, and joyful learning.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer | Juliana Mancobihon | Leerah Louise Albarece | Eunice Concepcion | Jahzeel Rane Llanto
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Hazza Alcos | Ralph Noah Gabitano

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | Manolo Fortich National High School honored its exemplary teaching and non-teaching personnel during the 2025 ZEAL Awards on August 1, 2025, in celebration of their dedication, exceptional service, and meaningful contributions to the institution. The recognition highlighted individuals whose daily efforts continue to uphold a culture of excellence, integrity, and learner-focused service, reflecting the true spirit of public education.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer | Juliana Mancobihon
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Chad Lucino

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | From Then to Now: A Look Back At Manolo Fortich National High School’s History

“𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥.”

Brick by brick, the aging walls of this garden of wisdom have absorbed not just knowledge, but the very essence of those who walked its path— their potential unlocked and dreams realized.

In the rolling hills of the countryside of Bukidnon, where lush green landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, and like memories not yet forgotten, lies a heritage of crucible minds that has battled through time, survived numerous storms, and now stands strong against any challenges. It has left behind a legacy of the perseverance, hardships, and enduring strengths it encountered during all the adversity of its development. The footprints of its undeniable tenacity uphold the values of serving the youth, serving the town, and striving for the spotless jewels—its students—who carry the torch of knowledge.

Founded during a period of uncertainty, the school served as a ray of hope for a community committed to education. Its will and dedication to teaching, in spite of obstacles, have made it a pillar of the community, benefiting the town's youth and making dreams come true.

𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

At the beginning of the 1960s, the local community was challenged by an unpleasant, difficult and significant situation. Higher education was only available for the rich; many intelligent intellectuals were bound to the earth, their potential was never developed due to the circumstances. However, in this greatest difficulty of need, a vision began taking shape. Sixty-two years ago, on a fateful day of August 3, 1963, a pillar of educational advancement and community growth that was once a dreamer’s imagination came to reality.

It all started in a place not meant for learning but for selling. With the fervor of a town council led by the late Hon. Eustaquio P. Domingo and Councilor Socorro Valdueza transformed the bustling, vibrant, and diverse colorful stalls of the municipal market into developing, striving, and evolving buildings with bright classrooms of the secondary school. It was where once the noise of trade echoed; the dreams of children soon filled the air. Where hope sprouted from the most unlikely of places, but is now the haven of the dreamers—the Manolo Fortich National High School.

Mr. Moises Aquino, the school’s first principal, steered this ship through uncharted waters, his leadership serving as the paddle in the stormy seas of uncertainty. The pioneering teachers—Mrs. Luz Maquilang, Mr. Arturo Bautista and others with chalk-stained hands and hearts full of passion—were not just educators; they were architects of dreams, molding the minds of students who had long yearned for the opportunity to soar. As the school continues to improve, countless opportunities and endless dreams emerge.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘀

Hence, it is not all sunshine and butterflies, for when it was under the control of the municipal government, it faced numerous challenges and discouragements. The school faced threats of closure, marked as a losing investment for the government. But the school’s faculty members and dear spotless jewels united and stood their grounds, they remained loyal, eager to learn, and determined to achieve greater things. Strong hearts, determined to succeed, never yielded.

Three years later, in 1966, the first batch of graduates marched forth, proud and hopeful, with Mrs. Lorna Enderes Flores leading as the valedictorian—a moment that forever etched the school's name into the annals of history.

In 1967-1968, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) transformed the traditional Two-Two Plan into the Academic/Vocational Curriculum, transforming learning into an artistic medium for students to envision their future, where the thing that was once considered a duty of ours became the means of our growth.

Furthermore, under the guidance of Mrs. Conchita C. Dagunlay, the school's official organ, "The Torch," printed and published its inaugural edition in 1968. It was not only a simple school paper but also a center for artistic and brave actions, which shade the minds and talents of young journalists, which made their voices more outspoken and distinct.

“When I arrived in MFNHS year back in 1995, the school was very far from the status of today; buildings were just a few, and during that time teachers were also less than a hundred, so because it was less than a hundred, almost all of the teachers were visible to the administration, and you were given different responsibilities,” Junior High School (JSH) Curriculum Implementation Division Rosanna D. Dalmento shared.

From a small area where only a few classrooms can be seen, with makeshift buildings that have no floor and no wall, and where classes were sometimes held under the shade of the mango tree, now there are buildings full of classrooms that can accommodate students and new learning spaces for another stepping stone for the dreamers, where their small steps lead toward larger goals.

“The school was progressing, and many projects and opportunities came,” she conveyed.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

As the school swings open its gate to the dawn of 2000, it welcomes a new chapter drenching in the shimmering light of possibilities. The school expanded beyond education to serve as a launching pad for futures beyond Bukidnon. Implemented by the K-12 Law, students were introduced to academic tracks, arts, sports, and technical-vocational pathways, presenting endless experiences and growing opportunities.

It may have been withered by challenges, yet its roots have only gathered greater strength. MFNHS successfully fosters student growth through a diverse curriculum and experiences, shaping students into their current selves and creating a masterpiece of learning. With each diploma bestowed, the town's pride bloomed anew, as graduates stood taller, their eyes alight with possibility—for the school's true legacy wasn't etched in fading memories, but in the future dreamers it has yet to create.

“I am very happy that during the development of the school, I was here and already part of Manolo Fortich National High School as faculty,” Special Program in Arts Coordinator Mavyzel Oblina Alecer conveyed, expressing her happiness in teaching in her alma mater and being able to work with her previous teachers.

While the dark also surrounds the certain scenario, the wind will change. Back then, education seemed like a distant dream for many. Yet in the midst of that humble beginning, seeds of change were planted. The golden years will always follow the storm, as long as they hold on to the spirit that built it from the ground up.

Engrossed, she flipped another page of the old and dusty school paper she discovered in the library, a smile etched on her small face, she pondered: They fought not just for a building of dreams but for a future they believed in—one where knowledge would continue to bloom, even in the face of adversity. The legacy of Manolo Fortich National High School lives on, a testament to the resilience of its community and the unwavering spirit of its dreamers.

𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 Mary Louise Danielle B. Gallarde
𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Sara Eunice Lugatiman
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 Sofia Izabelle Aldeguer