
About 8 kms. from the barangay proper of Guiljungan in Cauayan lies Sitio Mantukdo, an upland community that sits on a plateau. Mantukdo is located about 1,700 feet above sea level.
When then Schools District Supervisor Gaudencio Rivera visited the place decades back, he was impressed by the pastoral upland scene that he thought of an apt name for the school that would serve the community.
Upon seeing the scenic terrain, Sir Rivera, a man of deep faith, was reminded of a Biblical place – Jerusalem, a mountainous city located about 2,500 feet above sea level which became the central point of the final ministry and passion of Jesus Christ.
Thus, he recommended the school to be named after that mountainous community.
The account on the name of the school was shared by Cauayan Councilor Ernie ‘To-an’ Magbanua who said he learned about it from a retired public school teacher.
Learners of Jerusalem Elementary School were the recipients of school supplies donated early this month by the Cauayan Trail Riders, a motorbike group led by Romeo Copia, president, and Ian Alipoon, vice president.
SB Member Magbanua, who serves as consultant of the group, said about 120 schoolchildren received the various school supplies given by the riders’ group, which raised funds for the purpose.
The distribution was held in a July 3 program organized by Teacher-in-Charge Mharvy Alfonso and PTA President Lorena Aggravate.
At the program, Councilor Magbanua thanked donors Ryan and Ian De Leon, Ar Ar Tortosa, Gene Cordova, Sergio Esmores Jr. and Aldric Chua.
The association also thanked the school management and faculty for their cooperation as it also expressed plans to expand the assistance to other areas in the near future.
We are privileged to be of help especially to underprivileged young members of our community, Magbanua said.
***
From 48, the World Cup 2026 teams are down to the Final 4.
Defending champion Argentina prevented an all-Europe semifinals with its 3-1 extra time triumph over Switzerland in the last match in the Round of Eight on Saturday.
Prior to the Argentina-Switzerland game, England prevailed over Norway in a similar 2-1 outcome in extra time play.
France was the first to barge into the Final Four via its 2-0 win over 2022 semi-finalist Morocco with Spain grabbing the other slot via a 2-1 victory over fellow UEFA squad, Belgium.
France will play against Spain in the first semifinal match to be held on Wednesday, July 16, whilst England will face Argentina in the other game set on July 17. Both matches are scheduled at 3 a.m. Philippine time.
The Spain-France game will be held at the Dallas Stadium in Texas while the Argentina-England encounter is set at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.
The championship game will be held on Sunday, July 19, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Among the four semi-finalists, France, the losing finalist in 2922, is predicted by sports analysts and bookmakers as the heavy favorite to win the title. Spain is the second choice, if it advances to the titular match.
Argentina and England are kicked having the third and fourth chances to win.
Let’s not forget what German football legend Sepp Herberger popularized, thought: “The ball is round” – and anything can happen.
For World Cup followers, three more 3 a.m. TV watch times.
***
The generous will themselves be blessed… (Proverbs 22:9) | NWI



