"Dili lang ni yuta. Gasa ni para sa kaugmaon sa among mga kabataan."
("This is not just land. This is a gift for the future of our children.")
— A member of the Japos family

In the heart of Barangay Piso, Banaybanay, those words have become more than just a sentiment—they have become a living truth. What once was a quiet piece of land lined with coconuts has been transformed into a home for dreams, determination, and the hope of an entire community: Leandro G. Japos National High School.

Established in 2008, the school stands on land generously donated by the Japos family, who believed that the best use of their property was to invest in education. Today, the school bears the name of Leandro G. Japos, honoring the man whose land became the foundation of a legacy.

Before classrooms rose from the soil, this land provided livelihood through coconuts—a vital part of the community’s story. That story is etched in the school’s logo, which features the coconut tree, a mountain, and a stream. These aren’t just images; they are reminders of what once was, and of the people who gave up something valuable so the next generation could gain something even more lasting.

Now a thriving rural school with nearly 400 students, Leandro G. Japos NHS has become more than a structure—it’s a safe space for young minds to grow, especially for students from Kagan and Bisaya families whose cultures and languages weave a rich, diverse tapestry within its walls.

Its impact reaches far beyond its size. Many of its graduates have carved out successful paths in various fields, but perhaps the most touching success stories are the ones that returned home. Two of the current teachers are alumni—former students who chose to come back and teach in the same school that shaped their journey. Their return is not only a point of pride; it’s proof that the school is doing exactly what it was meant to do.

Beyond academics, the school is also rooted in compassion. Programs like Paskomunidad, a yearly gift-giving drive, and Project Tabang Kabataan, a literacy outreach initiative started in 2021, reflect the school’s deep commitment to uplifting others—echoing the same generosity that brought the school to life.

Surrounded by fruit-bearing trees and a quiet tributary that winds through its grounds, Leandro G. Japos National High School stands as a symbol of what can happen when a community believes in something bigger than itself. It is a place where giving isn’t just remembered—it’s paid forward, every single day.

Here in Piso, education is more than a goal. It’s a promise kept, a legacy honored, and a future unfolding—one student at a time.

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Amid stiff competition and the nation’s top campus journalists, The Tributary, the official student publication of Leandro G. Japos National High School, stood tall as the lone victor from Davao Oriental in the recently concluded 2025 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) held in Vigan City on May 21, 2025.

The publication clinched third place in the Best Editorial Section under the School Papering Category, marking a historic milestone not only for the school but also for the entire Division of Davao Oriental, which had only one qualifier in this year’s national contest.

“We are immensely proud. This is not just a win for our school, but for the entire province,” said Marbin Gesher Jay Deniega, school paper adviser of The Tributary, who was present during the awarding ceremony alongside assistant adviser and Assistant Principal II Rustom P. Clemente and Loreleh A. Oquinan, one of the editorial mentors.

This year’s win is a culmination of months of rigorous preparation, sharpened by the publication's outstanding performance in the 2025 Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), where The Tributary brought home four plaques of recognition. It topped the Editorial Section, placed fourth in Science and Technology, and landed ninth in both News and Features categories, securing its place in the national competition.

“This victory proves that hard work, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence pay off,” said Clemente. “Our young journalists have shown they can compete at the highest level.”

This was not the publication's first foray into the NSPC. Last year, The Tributary qualified for the national stage in Cebu City but failed to land a spot. This year’s win, however, marks a redemption that made the victory even sweeter.

“This time, we promised ourselves we wouldn’t go home empty-handed,” said Grade 12 editor-in-chief Sitti Quibo. “We poured our hearts into every article, every layout. We wanted this not just for us, but for all aspiring writers back home.”

With only one winner from the entire division, the triumph of The Tributary shines even more brightly, becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration for other campus journalists in the province.

“We hope this achievement inspires other young writers from small schools like ours. Great things are possible with passion and perseverance,” said Mr. Deniega.

The win has stirred pride across the Davao Oriental community and highlighted the importance of campus journalism in empowering youth voices and promoting truth, critical thinking, and creativity.

What started as a simple classroom idea has now become one of Banaybanay’s most inspiring youth-led outreach initiatives. Project Tabang Kabataan (PTK), now on its fourth year, continues to prove that young people, when empowered and united, can become powerful agents of change in their communities.

Back in 2022, in the middle of a classroom discussion on contemporary social issues during an Araling Panlipunan class, a spark of an idea was born. It was a time when the world was just starting to recover from the isolation of the pandemic.

The goal was simple: to give students a chance to step out of the four corners of their classroom and see for themselves the realities faced by other young people in marginalized communities.

But as with many great stories, what began as a class project grew bigger than anyone could have imagined.

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒇𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒔

Project Tabang Kabataan’s first mission targeted 36 young learners from Bucana and Mapanga. Aside from providing school supplies, the initiative also conducted a clean-up drive in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Piso. It was modest in scale, but huge in heart.

By its second year, PTK expanded its reach to 123 students from E. Angala Sr. Memorial Elementary School. More student organizations such as YES-O, WATCH Club, and Barkada Kontra Droga came aboard, along with a growing list of partners like the SK Federation, LGU-Banaybanay, Telepreneur Corp, the Local Youth Development Office, and the One Hand for Everyone Foundation led by Mr. Jerome Porcadilla.

The donations skyrocketed to over 150 packs of school supplies, books, toys, and other essentials — an effort amounting to more than P30,000.

𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔

By year three, the project ventured farther — both literally and figuratively. This time, their destination was San Roque Elementary School, known as the farthest school in the Banaybanay district. PTK was now joined by the Senior Scouts and their advisers, adding to the growing army of volunteers.

They served 158 young learners, bringing with them not just goods but also stories of compassion, kindness, and youth leadership.

Their motto — “For the students, by the students” — was no longer just a slogan. It had become a living truth, shaping not only the beneficiaries but also the student-leaders behind the project.

Through PTK, these youth volunteers were learning the deeper lessons of responsibility, generosity, and community service.

𝑷𝑻𝑲 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒓: 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆

This year, Project Tabang Kabataan marked another milestone as it reached Dinagsaan Elementary School on April 9, 2025, coinciding with the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan. The activity was nothing short of symbolic—a fitting tribute to heroism, not only of the past, but of the present generation of young leaders who continue to serve selflessly.

A total of 156 students from Dinagsaan Elementary School became the latest beneficiaries of the ever-growing program. True to its evolving tradition, PTK Year Four went beyond giving donations. The morning was dedicated to a Clean-Up Activity and Tree Planting, instilling in the participants a deeper sense of environmental responsibility.

The afternoon featured the much-awaited donation program filled with performances, inspirational messages, and the distribution of school supplies, toys, books, and other goods.

Public Schools District Supervisor (PSDS) Vanessa T. Duot, who graced the event, praised the student-led initiative saying, “Project Tabang Kabataan is a beautiful testament that even in the simplest ways, young people can become heroes of their own generation.”

“It’s very inspiring to see students lead such a noble cause with so much dedication and love for others," she added.

Adding to the program’s growing roster of supporters, five more partners signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the event, further strengthening the sustainability and future of PTK.

𝑨 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

Four years since it was born out of a classroom discussion, Project Tabang Kabataan stands today as a undeniable proof to the power of youth, community, and heart. It has become more than just an outreach activity; it is now a tradition of kindness passed from one batch of student-leaders to the next.

For its founders and pioneers, the hope is simple — that long after they have graduated, the spirit of PTK will live on in the hearts of future student volunteers.

As the organizers said: “We are no more than a bridge to help others.”

And for the hundreds of young students whose lives have been touched by PTK — perhaps that bridge has already led them to a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow.