The Achiever

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛 𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗦! 🚀

The 5 new photojournalists who will board The Achiever are finally here!

Armed with their cameras and fresh skills, they’re ready to capture moments, tell stories through images, and shine a new light on campus life. 🌟

LiNHS Young Scientists Win Division Festival of Talents, Advance to Regional Competition

STO. NIÑO, South Cotabato – Libertad National High School's (LiNHS) young scientists, Chester Khyle Toledo, Cedric James Samson, and Jude Lance Pueblo, clinched the top prize at the Division Festival of Talents. Their victory in the STEMAzing AGHAMAzing category was supervised by their coach, Chester Ian Pineda. As a result of this triumph, the team advanced to the Regional Festival of Talents, which will be held in M'lang, Cotabato Province.

Among 14 schools in the Division of South Cotabato, LiNHS emerged as the champion, with Tupi National High School securing 2nd place and Poblacion Polomolok National High School finishing in 3rd place. A total of 42 student researchers participated in the competition.

The team’s proposal, ARAS: Automatic Raceway Aquaculture System, earned them not only the championship title but also a special award for Best in Paper. Their outstanding performance in the competition, achieved within just three hours of preparation, demonstrates their skill and innovation in the field.

𝙎𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛!

Soar to new heights with passion and purpose! Our junior campus journalists are ready to take the lead, bringing you news that informs, views that challenge, and stories that inspire. Join the call for responsible journalism—rooted in truth, driven by dedication, and guided by compassion. Whether it's writing hard-hitting news, sharing inspiring features, or delivering sports highlights with flair, there's a place for you in our team.

If you're eager to be part of this mission, connect with Chester Khyle Toledo, our Editor-in-Chief, Pearl Anne Catap, our Associate Editor, or Angel Grace Dimayuga, our Managing Editor. Together, let's shape the future of campus journalism!

𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚘𝚞𝚝—𝚓𝚘𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎, 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚒𝚐, 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜!

𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆
— 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘒𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘦 𝘏. 𝘛𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘰

Crunchy… Munchy… Healthy... A play of his name and science biodiversity, Christian Castañeda, 42 years old from Koronadal City, started his journey of bridging the gap between farm and table, offering a unique blend of education, sustainable practices, and immersive experiences. He owns the OrganiKian, an organic urban farm in Koronadal City at South Cotabato. The Philippines has become an emergent organic agriculture market, a testimony to this is Kristian’s story of waves from Marine Transportation Officer to a fireman and now as an agripreneur.

Imagine planting without soil… Vertical farming that incorporates hydroponics to increase the production of plants by 3 to 10 times, with 90% more efficient use of water. Sprinklers and drip system irrigation techniques, optimizes water usage through nutrient reservoirs because the same water can be reused over and over, and there is no need to worry about having a plot of land, weeds, pathogens living in dirt, or treating the crops with pesticides. “We have to plant the best vegetable,” Christian’s 400 square meters farm has turned into a 1,500 square meter traction for learners today as the Department of Science and Technology and its Science Journo Ako advocacy let campus journalists from around South Cotabato witness botanical innovations.

𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨

Even eagles never wasted this opportunity, as last April 15, 2024, a juvenile Philippine Serpent Eagle (Spilornis holospilus) landed on the perimeters of the farm, and it was found by Ronnel Marcelino and James Salandron. “Upon discovery, the eagle appeared to be tired and panting and so we decided to feed it with meat to help regain its strength”, Mr. Marcelino stated. However, ensuring the long-term viability of this sector requires a steadfast commitment to sustainable development, fueled by continuous innovation.

Active engagement in social media furthered the news of the OrganiKian, listings in Facebook, Restaurant Guru, Food Panda, Sluurpy, and YouTube advertised it even more. By leveraging digital platforms and local partnerships, organic agritourism businesses effectively market their offerings and attract visitors from near and far places. Their active response in mitigating challenges concerning health deepens their connection in the community. The farm-to-garden trend started in January 2020 and in March the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak started, ImmunoBooster Juices, a mix of vegetable shakes from the yard became a way out to a healthy lifestyle.

𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨
OrganiKian also hosts educational programs for students to learn about agriculture and healthy eating. Philippine Science High School - SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus students visited the farm and generated an innovation in which every hour the sprinkler is turned on for a minute and then the fan will continuously cool the humidity of the greenhouse. It has developed a diversified income stream through farm sales, agritourism activities, and accommodation services.

Ed Justine B. De Adio, an employee at OrganiKian, highlighted the variety of unique plants grown in the farm, including kale, lettuce, and basil. He also mentioned that the healthy lifestyle promoted by OrganiKian inspires him to work in the field of transforming farm produce into delicious treats.

OrganiKian partnered with different agencies to enrich his knowledge of organic farming. Organikian Agriventures Corp in partnership with DSWD Region 12, Koronadal City, South Cotabato has aligned its missions to facilitate opportunities for the development and management of resource-based, culturally sensitive, market and economically viable micro-enterprises. Also, they conducted intensive training on hydroponics and entrepreneurial mindset on how to sustain this simple yet very effective project. Beneficiary, Brgy. Griño Farmers SLP Association received all the necessary inputs and materials to produce hydroponically grown lettuce for the next 5 croppings and so on.

𝘼𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚

Organic agritourism offers a path to creating a thriving business that benefits the environment, educates the community, and fosters a deeper appreciation for food and nature. By embracing sustainable practices and creating a welcoming environment, you can cultivate a successful organic agritourism venture that flourishes for generations to come. This unique model allows you to be not only a steward of the land but also a bridge between farm and table, fostering a deeper connection to our food system and the natural world. Through continuous innovation, collaboration, and dedication, organic agritourism businesses can lead the way towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

— Libertad National High School's official entry in the 'Science Journo Ako' workshop, held in Koronadal City on April 29-30.

DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region XII
OrganiKian Urban Farm