The ECHO

𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 | 𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

On March 19, 2026, Aquinas de Escolar Academy successfully held 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒓 3.0, an event where STEM students from both grade levels of the Senior High School department showcased their self-created models and innovations. The fair featured two sections highlighting different branches of science. The first part, facilitated by Grade 11 students, focused on Biology, while the second part, presented by Grade 12 students, featured innovations in Physics and Chemistry.

The Biology section presented topics such as cells and human and animal anatomy. The models included plant, animal, and bacterial cells, as well as specific microorganisms like yeast cells and bacteriophages. It also featured biological processes such as spermatogenesis and oogenesis, along with systems like the animal, plant, and human circulatory systems, the human urinary system, and the structure of DNA. These exhibits enabled students to gain deeper insights into how their bodies and other living organisms function.

On the other hand, the Chemistry and Physics exhibits showcased various innovations that sparked the same level of enthusiasm and curiosity. Models such as simple circuits, filtration systems, and other functional prototypes allowed students to explore electronics and basic chemical processes, inspiring them to develop similar innovations in the future.

Programs like this empower and enlighten young minds. By exhibiting the work of STEM learners, their efforts are recognized and celebrated. Events like Sci-Task-Tic Fair 3.0 continue to inspire future generations of scientists, innovators, and leaders.

✍️ Ghale Chloe De Guzman

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀! 🧬✨

We are thrilled to invite you to 𝐒𝐜𝐢-𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤-𝐓𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 3.0 at Aquinas de Escolar Academy! Come witness the incredible innovation, exploration, and inspiring inventions brought to life by the STEM Senior High School students. 🌟

📍 Where: New Building, 2nd Floor, Grade 12 Room
📅 When: March 19, 2026 | 8:00 A.M.
🎟️ Entrance Fee: ₱5

Don’t miss out on the future of science! See you there! 🚀🔬

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲

Aquinas de Escolar Academy, led by Directress 𝑫𝒓. 𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒂, together with its YORP-registered organizations and in collaboration with the LYDO Santa Maria, successfully hosted an Anti-Drug Summit at the school gymnasium last March 13, 2026. The event aimed to educate students on the dangers of drug use and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure.

The entire Aquinas community was filled with excitement as 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒓 𝑶𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒔, 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒐 𝑺𝒕𝒐. 𝑫𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒐, 𝑺𝑲 𝑭𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒏𝒐, and 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒆𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑳𝒐𝒖𝒊𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒂 personally visited the campus to join the youth summit. The event featured informative talks from guest speakers, including 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒆𝒂𝒛𝒂𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂, who discussed the negative effects of drugs on individuals, families, and communities.

This was followed by a spiritual discussion with 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒔 of JIL Church, who emphasized the importance of protecting one's body as a temple of God and choosing friends based on biblical teachings.

The event also included fun activities, prizes, and a raffle, making the summit more engaging and interactive for the students. Supported by the local government of the Municipality of Santa Maria, the initiative empowered students to remain drug-free and make responsible choices for their future.






✍️ Erin Joyce Eugenio
📸 Francheska Francisco

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝘾𝙝𝙡𝙤𝙚'𝙨 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 📰🎉

Happiest birthday to our Science & Technology Editor, 𝐆𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐥𝐨𝐞 𝐃𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐳𝐦𝐚𝐧! The Echo family celebrates you today and we thank you for the effort, time, and heart you pour to make our publication stronger and brighter with your presence.

May this year bring you more reasons to smile, countless stories worth telling, and success in every chapter of your journey. Keep echoing positivity and excellence, Chloe! 💙✨





🎨 Jarvis Borcena

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙋𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚'𝙨 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 📰🎉

Happiest birthday to one of our Photojournalists, 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐨! The Echo family celebrates you today and we thank you for the effort, time, and heart you pour to make our publication stronger and brighter with your presence.

May this year bring you more reasons to smile, countless stories worth telling, and success in every chapter of your journey. Keep echoing positivity and excellence, Pauline! 💙✨





🎨 Jarvis Borcena

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬-𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬

In line with 𝑹𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉, students gathered at the Aquinas de Escolar Academy gymnasium on March 11, 2026 for an informative anti-rabies seminar organized in partnership with the Municipality of Santa Maria, Bulacan.

The seminar carried the message “𝑹𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒔-𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒏𝒂 𝑷𝒖𝒔𝒂’𝒕 𝑨𝒔𝒐, 𝑲𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒐!” and emphasized the campaign slogan “𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒂𝒌𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒐, 𝑷𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒌𝒕𝒂𝒅𝒐.”

Among the invited guests and speakers from the municipality were 𝑫𝒓. 𝑨𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒍 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂, 𝑴𝒓. 𝑹𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑺𝒂𝒏 𝑫𝒊𝒆𝒈𝒐, 𝑴𝒔. 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑮𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒐, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒔. 𝑬𝒍𝒊 𝑳𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒈, who discussed the causes of rabies, how it spreads, and the proper steps to take in case of animal bites or scratches. They also highlighted the importance of vaccinating pets and maintaining responsible care for animals to ensure the safety of families and communities.

The seminar served as an important reminder that awareness and proper action can help protect both humans and animals from the dangers of the disease. By educating the youth, the initiative hopes to strengthen the community’s commitment to a rabies-free and healthier environment.






✍️ Jhoanna Custodio
📸 Yvo Caleb de Asas

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡: 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

“Feminism: The radical notion that women are people.”

An advocacy that preaches louder, especially in the month of March. Happy Women’s Month — a time established to honor and celebrate the contributions of women in society, inventions, and culture.

To further brighten the honor of this month, let me share some inventions and milestones created by empowered women. Let’s be honest — women were not always given the opportunity to contribute freely. It was only during the late 19th century that women’s suffrage began to be recognized in parts of the world. When universal rights stop at women’s rights, progress itself stops working. Yet these women show exactly how they can be just as great as men — sometimes even greater.

Let me mention some Filipino women who made great impacts on society.

Fe del Mundo, the first woman to study at Harvard Medical School, was also the first female National Scientist of the Philippines. With a lifelong mission of improving pediatric healthcare in the country, she established the Philippines’ first pediatric hospital. Shaping the future of medicine, she created a safe environment dedicated to children’s health and well-being. Young patients in need of medical care received treatment in a place built on compassion and trust. She made a significant impact on the country’s healthcare system, leaving an even greater footprint in history. She remains a huge inspiration for women in STEM and aspiring medical students.

Pura Villanueva Kalaw — remember how I mentioned women’s suffrage? While women’s suffrage movements began gaining ground in Europe and America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Pura Villanueva Kalaw fought for women’s rights in the Philippines. Her activism contributed to Filipinas securing the right to vote in 1937. She was also a powerful voice for women. Through her projects and writings, she empowered women to actively participate in shaping the future of the nation.

With women like these as part of our history, I hope this writing, just like Pura Villanueva Kalaw’s advocacy, also empowers women. Because we, as women, can do great things. Do not let misogyny tell you otherwise — history itself proves it wrong.






✍️ Kyleii Jazs Aeyvin C. Diola
🎨 Althea Caballero

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 2026

On February 13, 2026, the school gymnasium transformed into a vibrant celebration of love and friendship as students and teachers gathered for this year’s Heart’s Day event.

Organized by all school organizations, the event featured creative and interactive booths that brought excitement to everyone who attended. From the playful Jail Booth and lively Karaoke Booth to the fun-filled Marriage Booth, each station offered a unique experience. Students also enjoyed expressive activities like the Heartstrings and Echoes Booth, Confession Booth, and Inside-Out Anonymous Letter Booth, where they could share messages straight from the heart.

Laughter echoed through the gym during engaging games such as Heart Hunt, Human Slot Machine, Kapaan Booth, and the Doodle Booth, where students were able to get a drawing of themselves. Meanwhile, booths like Tatak ng Halik, Send a Song Booth, The Cupid’s Corner, and Heartstrings Karaoke added a romantic and musical touch to the celebration

Gift-giving also became one of the most meaningful parts of the event. Students exchanged flowers, letters, chocolates, and small tokens of appreciation as symbols of friendship and affection..

More than just a festive gathering, Heart’s Day 2026 served as a meaningful reminder of the value of friendships, relationships, and the strong sense of community within the school. The event successfully brought everyone together — proving that love, in all its forms, truly makes the school spirit shine brighter.






✍️ Jhoanna Custodio
📸 Pauline Desquitado
🎨 Jarvis Borcena

IN PHOTOS | 𝐌𝐑. & 𝐌𝐒. 𝐀𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐒 2026 (Part 2)

📸 Shann San Victores & Pauline Desquitado
🎨 Althea Caballero

IN PHOTOS | 𝐌𝐑. & 𝐌𝐒. 𝐀𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐒 2026 (Part 1)

📸 Shann San Victores & Pauline Desquitado
🎨 Althea Caballero

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝐌𝐫. 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐬. 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬 2026: 𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭

On February 6, 2026, the search for Mr. and Ms. Aquinas 2026 officially commenced with a ceremony held at the school gymnasium as part of the 16th Founding Anniversary celebration of Aquinas de Escolar Academy. The event brought together candidates from preschool to senior high school, each showcasing their talents, intelligence, and charm.

The celebration was divided into two sessions: the morning session featured preschool to elementary level candidates, while the afternoon session highlighted contestants from junior high to senior high school. The program included lively production numbers, as well as casual wear, school wear, and elegant formal wear segments that emphasized the candidates’ poise and style. The audience was further impressed as contestants displayed their unique talents and demonstrated their wit and confidence during the Q&A portion.

As the ceremony concluded, the candidates left a lasting impression with their talent and intelligence. The newly crowned Mr. and Ms. Aquinas were announced, marking the culmination of a memorable event that reflected the true spirit of Aquinians. The celebration continued the following day with a lively motorcade featuring all Mr. & Ms. Aquinas candidates.

✍️ Erin Joyce Eugenio
📸 Shann San Victores & Pauline Desquitado
🎨 Althea Caballero