The Filipino is basically of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab blood. The Philippines has a population of 76.5 million as of May 2000, and it is hard to distinguish accurately the lines between stocks. From a long history of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, evolved a people of a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance and culture.

The Filipino character is actually a little bit of all the cultures put together. The bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality is a common denominator in the Filipino character and this is what distinguishes the Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient Oriental people today. Pilipino is the official national language, with English considered as the country's unofficial one.

The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central islands, and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago. The Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups.

The country is marked by a true blend of cultures; truly in the Philippines, East meets West. The background of the people is Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The history of American rule and contact with merchants and traders culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both in the appearance and culture of the Filipinos, or people of the Philippines.

Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these people legendary in Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such 

hospitable people who enjoy the company of their Western visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.

The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population belongs to the Roman Catholic faith.

The American occupation was responsible for teaching the Filipino people the English language. The Philippines is currently the third-largest English speaking country in the world.

                 

                                                                                                      By : STEPHANIE SOLOMON 

Christmas in the Philippines

People in the Philippines like to celebrate Christmas for as long as possible! The playing of Christmas carols in shops can start in September! The formal Christmas celebrations start on 16th December when many people go the the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses. The last mass is on Christmas day. The Christmas celebrations continue to the First Sunday in January when Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated.

In the Philippines the early masses held before Christmas are called the 'Misa de Gallo' or 'Simbang Gabi' in Filipino.

Most Filipinos are Christians with about 80% of people being Catholics. It's the only Asian country with so many Christians. Because of this, Christmas is the most important holiday in the Philippines. December is actually one of the 'cooler' months of the year in the Philippines. The Philippines only has two real seasons, wet (June to October) and dry (April and May). December is one of the months in between the wet and dry seasons.

Christmas customs in the Philippines are a mixture of western (USA and UK) and native Filipino traditions. So people in the Philippines have Santa Claus (or 'Santa Klaus'), Christmas trees,Christmas cards and Christmas carols from western countries!

They also have their own Christmas traditions such as the 'parol' which is a bamboo pole or frame with a lighted star lantern on it. It's traditionally made from bamboo strips and colored Japanese paper or cellophane paper and represents the star that guided the Wise Men. It is the most popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines.

Christmas Eve is very important in the Philippines. Many people stay awake all night into Christmas day! During Christmas Eve evening, Christians go to church to hear the last 'simbang gabi' or the Christmas Eve mass. This is followed by a midnight feast, called Noche Buena.

The Noche Buena is a big, open house, celebration with family, friends and neighbors dropping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Most households would have several dishes laid out and would normally include: lechon (roasted pig), ham, fruit salad, rice cakes (bibingka and puto bumbong are traditional Christmas foods) and other sweets, steamed rice, and many different types of drinks.

The Philippines has eight major languages, here's how to say Merry Christmas in some of them! In Tagalog, Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Maligayang Pasko'; in Ilonggo it's 'Malipayon nga Pascua'; in Sugbuhanon or Cebuano it's 'Maayong Pasko'; in Bicolano they say 'Maugmang Pasko' and in Pangalatok or Pangasinense they say 'Maabig ya pasko' or 'Magayagan inkianac'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

  By: John Marius R. Catalan 

Importance of Education

Education is about far more than the marks you receive. It’s about understanding right from wrong and having the knowledge you need to stay afloat in today’s society. It helps to develop your perspective on the world around you and pushes you to think both creatively and conceptually about many different subjects. Without education, sensory information would simply be lost. Education allows us to process the information we receive on a daily basis and make conclusions and inferences based on what we already know.






                                                                                                      BY:   ARJAY B. BATALLER
                                                                                                         

My Dream

DREAM

I have many dreams for my future , As well as many hopes and goals. After all life is all about happiness and to be happy, I have to try to meet my goals . My first goal is to build my own house that i dreamed to live .If I grow up to be a responsible POLICE, Which is another one of my goals, I think I would get enough money to buy at least one of these cars at some point of time in my life. My last goal is to meet certain people, I work hard and I will have bought the cars that I wanted and met the famous people that I wanted to meet, and hopefully.

By : Jimmy Ando

Importance of Family Bonding

 Family Bonding 

Amazing things can happen when a family comes together to do things better . A family that can bond together will be a family that is united forever. Example is to try eat dinner together with no distractions , such as television or phones . Eating a family meal together no only  better eating habits , but also gives family members time to discuss their day. 

And there is nothing better than having a place you can call home , where  you feel loved appreciated and safe . A strong bond family creates a feeling of unity and safety it is important to do all you , can to create these family bonds to ensure a happier and healthier family.

"Family like branches  on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one. "

By : Rosechel B. Formalejo 

MARIJUANACANNABIS                 By: JOHN ANGELO H. DELACRUZ

Cannabis induces a state of intoxicated relaxation, euphoria and dreaminess for users. It is considered a "soft" drug, and can pave the way for experimentation with other substances.

It is quick acting. When smoked, the pot's first effects are usually felt within seconds. The peak follows within minutes and then declines sharply after about forty five minutes, with a ninety minute tail-off.

                              

                                         

You feel a general sense of well being and relaxation, giddiness and euphoria. You may also experience introspective dreaminess, increased appreciation of music, sleepiness and time distortion. The effects can be subtle. First time users often detect little or no effect.

The first sensation that using Mary Jane may produce is a sense of euphoria. The initial high evolves into a sense of calmness. The individual then feels very relaxed. In this state, a short time can seem like an hour. During this time, the pot smoker's senses are heightened and everything he or she sees, smells and tastes is different than normal. The change in color perception is aided by the dilation of the user's pupils.

Cannabis is also famous for stimulating the appetite (especially, it would seem, for Wheat Crunchies and chocolate flavored milk). These short bursts of extreme hunger are known universally as the "munchies" and sweet things are especially craved during this phase of the experience.

Along with the munchies, cannabis users are also prone to experiencing fits of uncontrollable giggling. Anything and everything is amusing at this time.

Some pot smokers report that their mood before lighting up a joint affects their mood while they are high. A person who is feeling happy may find that using marijuana intensifies those good feelings. Conversely, someone who is not in a good frame of mind who smokes weed may find that it acts more like a depressant.

                                 

The experience the pot smoker has will also be affected by the amount smoked. The method of ingestion (smoking or eating) also plays a role in the length and intensity of the high.

Physically, bloodshot eyes and a dry mouth are common symptoms, as well as a slight increase in heartbeat and impaired short term memory.

Cannabis increases heart rate but decreases blood pressure, like a car changing down a gear. Regular users gain tolerance to this effect.

In the Brain

                                 

Marijuana has over 400 different chemicals. Cannabis has two powerful active ingredients - THC and CBD (cannabidiol). Both substances are classed as cannabinoids - they produce psychoactive effects by binding with special receptors which are extraordinarily abundant all over the brain and body. Your brain makes its own cannabinoid - anandamide - which is thought to be involved in pain sensations, memory regulation and the immune system.

The ratio of these two substances determines the character and strength of the effect. Like fine wines, different strains of cannabis can have their own flavor and complexity, plus their own distinct high.

When pot is smoked, the body absorbs between 10-25 percent of the THC that it contains. The amount required to experience a high is relatively small, at only 10 mg. THC doesn't leave the body immediately after the joint is smoked. A certain amount (approximately 30-40 percent) of the THC is stored in the individual's body fat. It takes between four and six weeks for the THC to be undetectable in the marijuana user's bloodstream. 

                               

A Note on Eating Cannabis

If you take it orally, you could be in for quite a ride. The liver metabolizes THC into 11-OH-*9-THC, a compound three times more psychoactive. Oral cannabis is a powerful, almost psychedelic experience, very uncomfortable if you're not expecting it. The effects are slower to come on (1 to 2 hours) and last considerably longer (around 4 hours).

Side Effects of Pot Use

                              

Cannabis can leave you feeling a little groggy and forgetful but little else. Depending on how much you've smoked and its character and strength, these effects can linger for hours or days.

Fertility Issues and Weed

Marijuana use affects males by lowering testosterone levels. A man's sperm count goes down, and the potency of his sperm is also affected. Women who use this drug are more likely to have interruptions in the normal cycle of ovulation. For females, even using weed occasionally has a negative effect on her fertility. If both partners use pot, these issues make it more challenging for them to conceive.

Pot and Pregnancy

Pregnant women who either use marijuana or who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at a higher level of risk of miscarriage. They are more likely to have complications during labor and delivery.

While the best scenario is to stop using pot before conception occurs, not all pregnancies are carefully planned. Stopping pot use as soon as pregnancy is suspected, if not confirmed, can lower the risk of a negative outcome for a mother-to-be.

Long Term Side Effects of Marijuana Use

                                  

Using weed regularly over a long time can lead to a state called "burnout." A person who is in this pattern tends to be inattentive. They can be described as dull, and being burned out from marijuana abuse affects their performance at work or at school.

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Personal relationships suffer because the user just doesn't have the ability to fully participate in them. When burnout is especially pronounced, the pot user may not be able to respond to other people at all. They are in their own world.

        

Team Crimestoppers Members

 TEAM
 CRIME STOPPERS 

                                                          MEMBERS 

            Name: Rosechel B. Formalejo

            Nickname: Chel

            Age:16 yrs. old

            Birthday: April ,16,1999

            Address :Ph 1 Blk 40 Lot 35 SV III Poblacion Muntinlupa City

            Hobbies : Watching TV and Surfing the net 

            Role : I'm one of the  member but i do the responsibilities of  a                                                                            leader.

            Name: Precious Ann C. Laranang

            Nickname: Precious

            Age:17 yrs. old

            Birthday: July ,10,1998

            Address :Blk 9 Lot 59 GMA Cavite

            Hobby : Playing Badminton   

            Role : She  is the leader of the group but she didn't  do the  

                                 responsibilities of it .         

            Name:John Angelo H. Dela Cruz

            Nickname: Gelo

            Age:16 yrs. old

            Birthday: December , 29 ,1998

            Address :570 Cupang Muntinlupa City

            Hobby : Biking

            Role : A Member  that always  participate. 

           
            Name: Jimmy Ando

            Nickname: Jimm

            Age:18 yrs. old

            Birthday: August ,25,1997

            Address : Zone 4 Sitio Pagkakaisa Sucat Muntinlupa City

            Hobby : Playing League of Legends

            Role : Assistant Leader of the Group  and also the realible member.

            Name: Stephanie R. Solomon

            Nickname: Steffy

            Age:16 yrs. old

            Birthday: December,12,1998

            Address : 513 Prk 2  Sucat Muntinlupa City

            Hobby : Playing Badminton

            Role : A  Member  that always  participate and active to attend the group                                      meeting .

            Name: Arjay B. Bataller

            Nickname: Arjay

            Age:17 yrs. old

            Birthday: October ,16,1998

            Address : 217 St. Bukal Poblacion Muntinlupa City

            Hobby : Playing Basketball

            Role : A  Member  and the researcher of the group.

            Name: Emmanuel A. Recto

            Nickname: Emmz

            Age:22 yrs. old

            Birthday: February ,02,1993

            Address : Molino 2 Bacoor City Cavite

            Hobby : Playing Volleyball

            Role : A Member that always  participate. 

          
            Name:  John Marius R. Catalan

            Nickname: Jm

            Age:17 yrs. old

            Birthday: June ,26, 1998

            Address :#93 Sitio San Antonio Poblacion  Muntinlupa  City

            Hobby : Computer Assembling

            Role : A Member that always  participate and also  active to attend the  group  meeting and the researcher of the group.