by: Poimen Agnila & Zenas Agnila || Photo Credit: Nathalia Canlas

On a Wednesday, in a Zoom Meeting, we watched it begin again.

Behind the glare of monitors, students of Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) welcomed the new school year with nervous anticipation and high hopes, ready to take on the perils and joys Pisay life has in store. 

After three days of rigorous orientations and enlistments, the Virtual Opening Program of PSHS – EVC, held through Zoom from August 23-25, 2023, has officially drawn to a close.

Here is everything you need to know and more about what happened in the past three days.

Day 1 (August 23, 2023)

Starting the morning off with a bang, Pasidungog 2023 recognized the efforts of last school year’s Director’s Listers and called on students to give this year their very best. 

Afterward, it was the school personnel’s time to shine as their names and designations were introduced one-by-one to the student body, offering scholars a chance to meet the staff who would guide them through their arduous journey at Pisay. 

In the afternoon, the orientation program was set in motion with talks from the different school divisions: the Student Services Division (SSD), the Curriculum and Instruction Division (CID), and the Finance and Administration Division (FAD).

The day’s Zoom meeting concluded with orientations for the different school services: the Guidance and Counseling Unit (GCU), the School Laboratory, and the Discipline Office (DO), among others, which aimed to enlighten students as to which offices to approach should they have a specific need to address. 

Day 2 (August 24, 2023)

Scholars kickstarted the first half of the second day with the long-awaited Alternative Learning Activity (ALA) Orientation. FAYP students were offered to join the existing school ALAs, which consisted of Maker’s Movement, Musikanta, Pisayaw, Rondalla, Sikatala, and SUGA. However, new additions were made, much to the delight of the ecstatic students. The latest set of ALAs making their debut were Alquemie, Amateur Astronomy, Basketball, Malay, Mulat, Mamamahayag, Mapa Pisay, Planet Lemniscae, and Reel Talk. The Echo ALA also made its electrifying comeback this school year. 

The rest of the day was dedicated to online ALA registration and Club and Organization Orientation. The students were introduced to PSHS-EVC’s Red Cross Youth (RCY), Booklover’s Club, and our campus’s very own Model United Nations (MUN) Club.

The multiformity of these ALAs and clubs alike is one striking manifestation of the diversity and inclusivity that PSHS-EVC upholds. For a system that prides itself on creating globally competitive Filipino scientists, Pisay is a safe space to practice both science and the humanities. Whether you’re a scholar with an affinity for writing, a dancer, an athlete, an astronomy enthusiast, a language buff, or a coding prodigy, Pisay has a place for everyone on campus.

Day 3 (August 25, 2023)

On the opening program’s third day, homeroom orientations for Foundation and Advancement Years (FAYP) and Specialization Years (SYP) were held.

Juniors were sorted into designated breakout rooms per section, with some electing classroom officers while others opting for face-to-face nominations the following week. Homeroom advisers also briefed the thrilled scholars on what to expect this school year and the general ethics in the classroom. Students were introduced (and reintroduced) to the classmates they would be calling home for the next ten months. 

For SYP students, both SCALE and Homeroom orientations were moved to next week whenin-person classes officially begin. 

Wrapping the final day up, the last set of Organizational Meetings commenced. Scholars were acquainted with PSHS-EVC Organizations such as the Society for the Advancement of Research in Science (SARS), CAFÉ Pisay, Innovators Club, and the Pisay Math Circle. 

New Beginnings

Although the festivities were slightly less vibrant owing to it being held online, the estranged setup did not dampen the students’ resolve to remain hopeful for this school year. 

When asked what they anticipate the most, scholars emphasized the unique student culture at Pisay, highlighting both the hardships and pleasures of high school life in EVC. 

“As a freshman within the esteemed halls of Pisay, the anticipation centers around an immersive experience. The prospect of engaging with new and diverse subjects, forging connections, and plunging head-on into the rich tapestry of curricular and extracurricular pursuits paints an exciting canvas for the school year. It’s an eagerly awaited chapter promising personal growth not just as a writer but as a person aspiring to change the world”, shared incoming freshman Zoe Quibranza. 

“I look forward to our batch hosting this year’s Sports Fest because it’s going to be our first time organizing a school-wide event. Not to mention the fact that our first face-to-face SF experience was just last year“, stated Batch 2026’s Samantha Macabit.

“With last school year not setting a good entry for the beginning of face-to-face classes, I’m looking forward to this school year’s improvement. I’m excited about the lessons and hardships that are to come. In terms of finally reaching the Specialization Years Program, I’m looking forward to the different activities that SCALE and the new electives can offer, and of course, the free time that comes with our new schedules. I’m also looking forward to what the Grade 10 students can offer this school year, especially with Sports Fest, after having been the batch to host the event last year”, remarked 11th grader Kyle Nase. 

Indeed, the first few days have been a mix of frustration and excitement. Over the week, there have been concerns raised and expectations not met. However, it is the unwavering tenacity the scholars have shown despite the setbacks within that makes this year something truly remarkable to look forward to.