Palawan students bag top prize in 'Shell Pilipinas' NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge' for agri innovation idea

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Team FarmHer Innovators from Palawan National High School (Palawan)

Team FarmHer Innovators, a student team from Palawan brought home the grand prize in the recently concluded Shell NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge (TBIC) for their revolutionary agricultural innovation concept which seeks to address the three problems in agriculture – surplus, shortage, and supply of produce.

“Our project aims to solve three problems that we have identified through our ocular surveys and observations in our community” said Anna Leonora Rodriguez, a member of the all-women team FarmHer Innovators.

Team FarmHer Innovators’ project consists of the Veggie Crate Tracker that measures the weight and freshness of produce and the Mark-It App that notifies the market vendors about the description of the harvests and tracks the surplus and shortage in each cluster.

Shell NXplorers TBIC - Photo Op

Shell NXplorers 2023, a platform for young talents to be positive agents of change, gathered ten teams that were identified as finalists out of the 30 teams that sent their proposals. Each team is focused on solving food, water, and energy problems through innovative projects that are made sustainably. The top five student teams who proposed the most innovative projects that can help solve the country’s issues were also recognized in the culmination activity last May 12 at Makati City.

Shell NXplorers TBIC - Conversations With CCT

Among the panel of judges were Business Advisor for the Office of the Country Chair of Shell companies in the Philippines, Paulo Gavino, Sustainability Manager for Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Stanley Siahetiong, Senior Education Program Specialist of the Department of Education (DepEd), Eliza Peralta, Program Director of the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev), Zen Dimalanta, and the Senior Science Research Specialist of Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Engr. Marvin Dela Cruz.

“To our participants today, you are this country’s next generation of scientists and engineers. Equipping yourselves with strength in these subjects is tantamount to possessing the power to change the world. Serge Bernal, Vice President for Corporate Relations of Shell Pilipinas Corporation said. “I look to you to use that strength to become changemakers that help the Philippines and the world move forward.”

For this year, the grand winner of The Bright Ideas Challenge (TBIC) Team FarmHer Innovators, won Php 100,000 and their school also received Php 50,000 for the improvement of the institution’s STEM program.

The other winning teams

The first runner-up, Team Maomag from Tagbilaran City Science High School in Bohol won Php 70,000 and their school also received Php 35,000.

Team Maomag from Tagbilaran City Science High School (Bohol)

Team Maomag’s Project Sawod-Lawod converts seawater into drinking water through a solar-and-wind-powered desalination technique. This prototype incorporates rotating mesh panels inside the container to increase the rate of condensation from the water vapor, providing the residents of Batasan Island with clean, safe drinking water.

The second runner-up team, Team Portabio from Gusa Regional Science High School in Cagayan de Oro took home Php 50,000 and their school also received Php 25,000.

Team Portabio from Gusa Regional Science High School (Cagayan de Oro)

The team’s project Portabio aims to provide renewable energy on the go. Through this project, wasted food is utilized to become the energy source for portable power banks.

One of the teams that received the Merit Award who received Php 20,000 are Team Intellihenyo from Philippine Science High School- Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya.

Team Intellihenyo’s IntelliOutlet is a device that can be used to remotely control electrical appliances at home, anywhere and using any gadget with Internet access. The project can measure how much electricity is being used by an appliance and can turn it on or off remotely using a messaging app called Telegram.

Another team given the Merit Award is from the province of Palawan, Team Thinkerbells from Puerto Princesa City National Science High School.

                 Team Thinkerbells from Puerto Princesa City National Science High School (Palawan)

Team Thinkerbells’ Seament: Seashells as Cement Powder aims to help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills by utilizing seashells.

The product Seament involves crushing discarded seashells and using them as replacements for the raw materials, such as limestone, used in traditional cement production.

On an international platform

Shell NXplorers also opened opportunities to winning student teams to present and be part of the Shell NXplorers Student Carnival, the international platform where Filipino STEM students can stand side-by-side with their global counterparts.

The 2022 Student Carnival, held last November 17, marked the first time that international Shell NXplorers student groups from six countries and from the previous workshops came together to showcase their projects to create a long-term impact on industries like agriculture, energy, and sustainability.

The two Philippine representatives were both from Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus” Team Agriserve, the grand winner of the 2021 Philippine Shell NXplorers; and Team El Terratix, the second-place winner who also received an Award of Excellence in the Global Bright Ideas Challenge.

Since its inception in 2019, Shell NXplorers has trained 1839 high school students and 269 teachers from 75 schools. To learn more, click here: https://www.shell.com.ph/energy-and-innovation/make-the-future/what-is-nxplorers.html

World Vision brings sponsors and former sponsored children together for the first appreciation event this year 2023

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The life you touch may just be the one sitting next to you. World Vision in the Philippines recently brought together over 100 sponsors and donors in a joyous and emotional gathering - the first face-to-face Loyal Donor Appreciation Event since the pandemic.

Held in Quezon City and hosted by World Vision Education Technical Program Manager Geomel Jetonzo and GMA news anchor Mav Gonzales, the event celebrated the generosity and loyalty of sponsors who have and are still supporting World Vision’s child sponsorship program. Over 50 sponsors were recognized for their exceptional support, having sponsored children for five, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years!

World Vision team and loyal child sponsors proudly stand together for the children

Marie Demafelis - a child sponsor for 25 years and former Strategy Management Director of WVDF – feels grateful for the opportunity to help transform the lives of the most vulnerable children. “Over the years, I’ve attended many Loyal Sponsors events. I encourage other sponsors to join as you can listen to the moving testimonies of all the children. You can see firsthand how you’re able to help them and make a difference in their lives,” she shared.

World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte shares their recent success with the presentation of their annual report

In its 2022 Annual Report, World Vision shared that it reached 3,243,854 children. “We at World Vision are truly humbled and blessed to have received our sponsors and children’s unwavering trust, confidence, and loyalty as we implement our programs, projects, and advocacies through the Philippines, especially in the most difficult and vulnerable places,” shares Rommel Fuerte, National Director of World Vision in the Philippines. “This event is a very special one as we'd like to take this time to express our sincerest, heartfelt thank yous’ and gratitude to our dearest sponsors and partners for their amazing commitment to child sponsorship.”

In a moving segment of the program, children who are registered under World Vision’s child sponsorship program as well as former sponsored children, led by Rear Admiral Armand Balilo of the Philippine Coast Guard, shared their stories of success and resilience, further inspiring guests.

“The Lord’s plan for us is to give us hope and a future. This is what World Vision’s program – as well as my sponsors – have given me. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for extending your grace and love to these children. Looking back, I can say with certainty that the Lord has, indeed, given me a future and hope,” shared Richard Supat, one of the organization’s former sponsored children.

 

To date, World Vision in the Philippines has an operational presence in 28 area programs with more than 56,000 registered children. If you’d like to become a sponsor and use your blessings, you can do so by simply donating Php 25 a day or Php 750 a month. Your generosity can help advance initiatives that focus on children’s education, health and nutrition, child protection, disaster preparedness, economic development, and more.

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes expresses his gratitude to loyal donors and sponsors.

In his closing remarks, Resource Development Director Jun Godornes emphasized how paying it forward benefits not only the sponsored children but the child sponsors as well. “If you are here, you are blessed. Thank you for being a channel for more blessings.”

Watch the event highlights here: https://youtu.be/Gz1Mjl0zDrQ

Become a proud World Vision Sponsor and read more about our initiatives at www.worldvision.org.ph.

Coca-Cola PH continues to empower micro-entrepreneurs, celebrates 500 graduates of training program with TESDA

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(MANILA, Philippines, 28 March 2023) – 500 micro-entrepreneurs were awarded Certificates of Completion for finishing the iSTAR Program in a graduation ceremony held at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City last March 22, 2023.

Launched in 2021, the iSTAR Program is the digital adaptation of the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, an enduring partnership between Coca-Cola Philippines and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which provides free access to training, resources, and peer mentoring to micro and small business owners to help them grow their businesses. The iSTAR Program has removed the limitations of in-classroom training and diversified its trainees by opening it to existing and start-up micro-retailers of all genders.

TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz (left) and Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario (right) also met during the iSTAR graduation ceremony to discuss plans to further expand and strengthen the training program.

Aimed at providing entrepreneurial training, sari-sari store owners and micro-entrepreneurs will be able to enhance their business knowledge such as online selling, inventory control, and planning; and gain access to microloans that will enable them to build their businesses further.

The iSTAR Program is one of the efforts of Coca-Cola Philippines in sustaining the economic empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. For over a decade, Coca-Cola's initiatives in this area have reached more than 270,000 women entrepreneurs in the retail sector across 17 regions and 81 provinces of the Philippines.

Chevron sponsors AmCham Foundation ScholaRun to help send youths to school

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To help send disadvantaged youths to school, Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, together with its shared services center, Chevron Holdings Inc., sponsored the recent 9th AmCham Eat and Run ScholaRUN at the Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

The run-for-a-cause is an annual event by the American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ACFPI) to help raise funds for its scholarship program. ACFPI supports underprivileged youth through various development and education initiatives.

The scholarship enables students in high school, college, and vocational courses to fund their tuition fees and school supplies and provides allowance and guidance all to way to their on-the-job training. At least 2,000 former AmCham scholars were able to finish their studies since the program started which Chevron has always supported.

About 175 employees from CHI and CPI joined the run in support of the AmCham Foundation's cause. The event registered over 3,000 runners.

“We have been a long-time partner of AmCham and its initiatives and programs. Through this activity, we were able to further strengthen our relationship and commitment to the foundation as well as our support to their scholars. We trust that through our collective efforts, students get a chance to have a better life and more opportunities to succeed,” shared Chevron Human Resources Regional Manager Mark Quebral.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that your mere presence and participation is already helping underprivileged students in their studies. As added bonus, you also get to do something good for yourself through exercising and staying active. Chevron believes in AmCham’s cause of contributing to the community and helping people in need, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them and supporting their other events and activities,” CHI General Manager Ethan Flowers shared.

At the awards ceremony after the run, CHI Corporate Affairs Manager Arlita Narag accepted a plaque of appreciation as AmCham’s co-presenter of the 9th ScholaRUN. Hammering on its unique eat-and-run concept, participants got to taste American favorites such as pizza, burgers and donuts upon reaching the pit stop. The 9th Eat and Run ScholaRUN featured categories in 200M, 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K.

“We are very happy with the turnout and the general mood of the run. We are, after all, doing this for students and youth in need, so we are beyond grateful to all who participated. Currently, we have 50 scholars studying vocational technology at Don Bosco Makati. All the proceeds from our fundraising events, including the ScholaRUN - Eat & Run, go to our scholarship programs. So as always, we appreciate our sponsors, partners and participants who made this event possible,” said Edwin Feist, President of ACFPI.

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About Chevron

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and growing lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

Globe Sparks Hope with Heroes of Learning Awards: Submit your Entries and Nominations Now

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When schools closed and the pandemic pushed education to remote learning, we knew that students would pay a heavy price. True enough, a 2021 research showed that 86% of students believed that they learned less under remote learning. 66% of those who attend classes virtually and 74% under hybrid learning were also no better mainly because of one reason: lack of innovative and technology-driven solutions to support these set-ups.

This troubling reality didn’t cause learners to falter, because Globe believes that it brought out the best of us, and we can see these inspiring stories every day.

As part of its commitment to uplift education through technology, Globe launches Heroes of Learning Awards, a search to honor modern-day heroes who shined bright or became a light for others amid obstacles. The awards will spotlight their inspiring journeys and support them further by equipping them with the relevant e-learning tools they need.

Students, educators, and parents are eligible to join, to be judged according to the following criteria: students must exemplify academic excellence, courage, and innovation. Parents must epitomize courage and innovation as well, while educators must demonstrate excellence in teaching, courage, and innovation.

More than just a trophy, chosen Heroes of Learning will be hailed as Globe for Education ambassadors and will take home Php 50,000 in GCash credits, Samsung Galaxy AO3 Blue 64GB loaded with P5,000 worth of Globe Prepaid credits, 12-month subscription to GFiber Unli Plan, Globe MyFi LTE, and on top of that, KodeGo full course scholarship worth Php 80,000, free 8-session tutorials with Edventure, and two e-passes to Ayala Museum.

Nominations and entries will be accepted on or before April 30, 2023. Announcement of winners will be via a private Zoom event on May 18, 2023.

Submit your entries or nominations now. Visit www.glbe.co/heroesoflearning for more details. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-161107 Series of 2023.

Let our inspiring students, teachers, and parents shine bright! Nominate them at 

the Globe Heroes of Learning Awards now.

Teleperformance supports youth education for talent-building

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Teleperformance Philippines employees with senior high school students from PHINMA Southwestern University during ACCESS--their site tour as part of the TP Launchpad Program where TP opens its doors to graduating students to give them an idea of their work environment.

Teleperformance, the global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management and related digital services, recently announced the annual results of its sustainability initiative to support children’s education. Over 50 countries where Teleperformance Group operates were responsible for this effort, where more than 60,000 children in situations of vulnerability were supported as part of its proprietary corporate social responsibility program Citizen of the World.

“Teleperformance is always fortunate to give back to the communities through our CSR program, especially to support vulnerable children and their families,” said Clémentine Gauthier-Medina, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Teleperformance Group. “We are ready to help and happy to contribute to building a future where they can thrive and reach their full potential, independently of challenging initial life conditions. Our company is grateful for partnering with committed and reputable NGOs, local governments, universities, and other stakeholders devoted to improving people’s lives worldwide.”

Francisco Lara, Teleperformance Philippines Chief Executive Officer, shares, “It is our mission at Teleperformance to provide development support and career opportunities to those with potential, regardless of their status, gender, or orientation. We will continue to uphold these worthy causes to enable underserved communities, improve people's lives, and provide access to opportunities that will one day reward them with life-long success in their chosen fields.”

In the Philippines, among these partnerships are with universities, student organizations, and government and industry institutions to help develop and hone around 10,000 young people on their flight to become future business services professionals.

Their most recent initiative is their partnership with Life Project for 4 Youth (LP4Y), a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional and social integration of young adults living in extreme poverty and exclusion. Teleperformance employees participate in volunteer opportunities to help youth participants at LP4Y centers, including mentorship programs and contact center skills training. Teleperformance also donated five million pesos in 2022 to sponsor 75 young people who will undergo the six-month LP4Y program of professional integration and character formation.

Teleperformance likewise donated to Project Angel Tree, a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) program under its Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. This project aims to aid victims of child labor, and Teleperformance provided shoes, clothes, bags, and office supplies.

To help Filipinos looking to upskill to increase their job market competitiveness, especially after the lockdowns, Teleperformance also launched the English Communication Webinar Series, which were live virtual sessions about various English and grammar topics. With English being a basic requirement for Teleperformance customer service agents, the sessions were taught by Teleperformance communication experts that benefited not just their employees but the general public.

In addition, Teleperformance partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and industry organizations such as the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to focus on promoting talent development in the countryside by providing training opportunities for locals. In 2022, Teleperformance inked a partnership with the Negros Occidental Language Information Technology Center (NOLITC), wherein graduates of NOLITC and its associated institutions would be given priority in job application, screening and recruitment processing.

Moreover, Teleperformance formed the TP Launchpad, the company’s university relations program that helps build students’ capabilities and prepares them for future careers through mentorships and seminars, internships, mock interviews, and campus job fairs. The company also supported conferences that recognize and foster talent development and innovation among the youth. For instance, Teleperformance partnered with the Philippine Marketing Association to stage the StratMark Strategic Marketing Conference for Students and the Agora Youth Awards, which recognizes exemplary students in a marketing case competition.

Teleperformance employees continue to dedicate their time for education causes by participating in Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education’s annual nationwide volunteer activity. Teleperformance volunteers visit public schools to do school maintenance and repairs in preparation for the opening of classes.

Teleperformance Citizen of the World aims to improve people’s lives worldwide by implementing various local social work initiatives. Learn more about Teleperformance’s philanthropic projects in different countries here.

From Chalkboard to Screen: How Educators Championed Teaching Through Technology

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Know the inspiring stories of this year's Quipper Super Teachers and how their passion enabled them to achieve technology-driven education

Teacher Alcher Arpilleda of St. Paul University-Surigao with his OPPO Pad Air and OPPO Enco Buds while preparing for his hybrid classes with Quipper.

Technology helped significantly bridge the gap between quality and conducive education before and after the pandemic. It allowed students to expand their knowledge and helped educators increase their efficiency.

To celebrate this feat and in accordance with National Teacher's Month and World Teachers' Day, Quipper, one of the leading edtech and LMS platforms in the Philippines, conducted the first-ever Quipper Super Teachers awards last October 13.

Among all the teachers who submitted their entries, three Quipper Super Teachers were selected—Alcher Arpilleda of St. Paul University-Surigao, Joselle Quizon of The Refiner's Christian School, and Eliza Balaoro of Lyceum of Alcala. These teachers showcased excellent performance in utilizing technology and Quipper and upheld good relations with their students and the school's stakeholders.

Their teaching experience helped shape who they are now and withstand challenges, making them Quipper Super Teachers.

Discovering passion in teaching

The recognized Quipper Super Teachers went on a long journey before becoming successful educators. Despite their differences in upbringing, they all had the same goal: to teach and inspire. Alcher Arpilleda, a Mathematics teacher for Grade 9 and handling various subjects for Senior High School (SHS) and College, his dream started because of his mother, sister, and some relatives, who are teachers.

Aside from that, he has always been fond of Mathematics since his elementary years. He even met great Mathematics teachers who also served as his role model in teaching the subject that every student avoids. He wants his students to realize the subject's importance and make it easier for them to understand mathematical concepts.

He shared how his parents became instrumental in his decision to be a Mathematics teacher. They told him to share all his knowledge with the youth and inspire them to become successful someday. Now, he has been teaching for six years and has tirelessly made efforts to make Mathematics enjoyable for all his students.

For Eliza Balaoro, a teacher of Araling Panlipunan for Junior High School (JHS) and other general education subjects for SHS, becoming a teacher has always been her dream. Her initial plan was to teach music, but due to some circumstances, she chose to redirect her goals and teach Araling Panlipunan.

She was inspired by her Araling Panlipunan teacher, who taught her to not only learn the subject but also strive harder and do well in every challenge she encounters. From thereon, she studied hard and sought to become the best teacher she could be. As she enters her third year of teaching, she only wishes nothing but to improve her skills and continue to nurture her students.

The third Quipper Super Teacher, Joselle Quizon, has been an educator for almost six years of Sciences subject. Since she was a child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher. Everything that happened in her life led her to be the educator she is now. Despite moments when her surroundings pressured her to take other courses and venture into a new path, the world created ways to make her realize that teaching is her true calling in life.

Teacher Joselle Quizon of The Refiner's Christian School receiving her OPPO gadgets and Quipper merch as part of the prizes from Quipper Super Teachers award.

She had to come to terms with reality. For her, teaching is an everyday hardship that she needs to surpass. "Every teaching day is a challenge because it gives you the burden of asking yourself, 'Am I giving my students what they deserve?'" Quizon said.

Arpilleda, Balaoro, and Quizon began their journey differently, but they all share the same aspirations: to provide conducive and effective learning for their students. Gladly, aiming for technology-driven and innovative teaching became their tool for reaching this goal.

Technology as their teaching companion

For the new Quipper Super Teachers, being an educator is their sworn duty they need to fulfill no matter what. To do that, they had to constantly adapt to changing times and learn to use helpful tools that could elevate their teaching methods. These tools, powered mainly by technology, became their companion and lifeline.

For Arpilleda, the online platform's various features helped him improve his instruction methods and even personalize learning for all types of learners. For instance, the study guides are available offline and can be used for independent learning, allowing his students to study at their own pace.

He also uses ready-made presentations and integrates them into his lesson plan. He maximizes the QCreate Portal to create and upload his own content and activities to built-in resources and documents. The free worksheets from the platform also helped him elevate his teaching techniques, as these were used for enrichment and remediation activities.

"It was harder for me to create activities for different types of learners. However, the platform and technology helped lessen the burden of preparing learning exercises for the students," Arpilleda said.

When the recent Typhoon Odette hit the province of Surigao del Norte and other parts of Mindanao, he also used the Quipper worksheets and study guides as his tools. It helped ensure that education remains unhampered, making learning possible in a modular distance learning modality.

Meanwhile, Balaoro, just started her teaching journey at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. It was challenging for her, especially since she had to recalibrate everything she learned and apply it to online learning setup. The good thing is that edtech tools helped her to continue providing effective and innovative education for her students.

Teacher Eliza Balaoro of Lyceum of Alcala receiving her OPPO Pad Air, OPPO Enco Buds, OPPO A57, and exclusive Quipper merch.

"At first, my colleagues and I were reluctant. We had doubts that technology or even an LMS platform could provide conducive online learning for students. But we were proven wrong and were able to cater to the needs of the students. This also allowed us to provide quality education to the students amid the pandemic," Balaoro shared.

These educators believed in the power of technology and how it can serve as a tool and a catalyst of change for education. Teachers will always be there for the students, and edtech tools can never replace their capabilities. But technology is shaping contemporary education that caters to all types of learners.

"For me, technology helped shape students to become the best 21st-century learners. With these tools, they will be ready to explore the world," Balaoro added.

Navigating the future of technology-driven education

The first-ever Quipper Super Teachers' recipients hope to continue their sworn duty despite challenges. As they navigate their way to the education sector's uncertain future, edtech providers like Quipper will be there to support them so they can give effective learning.

In partnership with OPPO, the awarding ceremony was conducted to recognize outstanding, innovative, and creative teachers who utilized technology and the Quipper LMS platform as a teaching tool to provide an engaging learning environment to their students. To further support the Quipper Super Teachers, they received an OPPO Pad Air, an OPPO A57, and OPPO Enco buds. The Quipper LMS, together with the OPPO devices will continue to provide an innovative and technology-driven education that will help elevate their teaching journeys and guide more students with future-ready skills.

The Quipper Super Teachers program culminates Quipper's signature event called eQuippED, which celebrates teachers on National Teachers Month and World Teachers Day, for their passion for teaching and dedication to learning.

"Our current situation requires us, teachers, to be flexible. It measures our heart as to how far we can go with our profession and how much we are willing to sacrifice and give. This is a big responsibility. That is why feeling a bit lost is okay. However, we must have an open heart and mind to accept changes. There is no such thing as failure if we keep pushing forward," Quizon reiterated.

To learn more about Quipper Philippines and its other programs and initiatives, visit https://www.quipper.com/ph/.

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About Quipper

Quipper Philippines is a leading global education technology company with a mission to bring the best education to every corner of the world. Quipper aims to provide, improve, and distribute quality education, through technology, to create a world where every child is given an equal opportunity to learn and gain knowledge.

Secure your child’s future with the gift of education through AXA MyLifeChoice

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When it comes to securing the future of your children, one of the best gifts you can give them is a good education. This is especially true for Filipino parents who believe that being able to send their children to top schools in the country or abroad is a legacy that they can leave to help them achieve their full potential in life

But there’s no denying that costs for education continue to rise every year, especially with inflation at an all-time high. If you are wondering how much you need to save to send your child to their dream school, here are a few of the things you’ll need to consider:

Tuition fees – while some colleges offer free tuition under the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, many of the country’s top universities are private institutions whose tuition fees can cost PHP 100,000 or more, according to a recent report. You also need to account for inflation. According to CHED for AY 2021 - 2022, the national average rate of increase in tuition per unit is 4.74 percent, while the national average rate for other school fees is 10.61 percent per semester. For example, if a parent wants their six-year-old to study in a private university 10 years from now and their preferred university’s tuition is currently at PHP 110,000, it would then be around PHP 285,311 by the time they enroll. When compounded by the time the child reaches their 4th year in college, this would amount to PHP 379,749 per year.

Residence and Transportation – If you are sending your child to a college abroad or far from where you live, you’ll need to consider their daily transportation allowance or even renting a dorm room or condo unit near where they’ll be studying. Dorm rent for sharing with three to four other housemates can go as high as P6,500 around the university belt area.

Gadgets – In today’s digital age, students consider laptops and mobile phones as must-haves for learning. While it’s possible to get a good budget mobile phone for around PHP 10,000, laptops for online classes and other schoolwork can range from PHP 20,000 to 30,000. You’ll also need to allocate budget for your child’s Wi-Fi or data connection.

Books and School Supplies – Finally, allot around PHP 20,000 to 25,000 annually for books and supplies such as notebooks, writing materials, and special equipment that your child will need every semester, as these have also been affected by the rising prices. Take into account as well that not every field has the same amount of expenses. For example, if you’re raising a future doctor, they will take longer to finish their pre-medical course and their medical school education, while science courses may have additional laboratory expenses.

Putting all these costs together, you will easily end up with a budget of over six figures in a year – which is not a sum that can be saved quickly or easily for most. Furthermore, there are considerations that need to be factored in such as unplanned emergencies or in case you pass on. That’s why having a financial solution that protects you from life’s uncertainties is needed so you can focus on working your way to your goals such as securing your child a bright future.

One of the ways to secure your child’s education is to get a comprehensive insurance plan like MyLifeChoice for Education, AXA Philippines’ most flexible insurance and investment plan designed to ensure your child’s education until college no matter what happens. MyLifeChoice empowers customers by enabling them to customize their own plan according to their unique needs and priorities, budget, desired payment term, and protection coverage.

MyLifeChoice for Education ensures your child’s education through Bright Rider Plus, which provides guaranteed payouts in case of the insured’s untimely demise. These payouts will start immediately upon the passing of the insured and can help cover your child's education expenses until graduation. You can also personalize your protection coverage from 7x up to 25x of your basic annual premium.

MyLifeChoice also includes waiver of premium and accident coverage benefits, which means that future payments are waived in case of disablement and cash benefits will be received for injuries due to accidents, respectively. Your plan can also be further enhanced with supplementary benefits to further strengthen your protection coverage depending on your current financial needs.

Available in a 7-year payment term, MyLifeChoice for Education enables you to select from a range of professionally managed funds that are invested locally and globally to create a personalized portfolio that suits your investment profile. Your potential investment earnings can be added on top of your child’s education fund, which he or she can use for his or her future college expenses. To further support you in securing your child’s education, this policy includes a start-up bonus equivalent to 70% of your first-year basic annual premium in an AXA fund of your choice.

“Education is something you can leave behind for your child that they can keep with them forever, but inflation coupled with rising prices of goods requires careful planning from parents now more than ever. Protecting your child’s education fund is possible with the right partner, such as AXA Philippines. With the help of MyLifeChoice for Education, seeing your child march onstage with their diploma need not be a pipe dream,” said Nandy Villar, AXA Philippines Chief Customer Officer.

For more information or get a personalized quote, visit axa.com.ph/mylifechoice/education.

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao celebrates its 7th Foundation Anniversary

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On December 4 - 7 and 9, 2022, a new milestone was hit for Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) as it held the first-ever week-long celebration of its foundation anniversary after seven years since its establishment with various activities to be enjoyed and shared among the whole Mapúa MCM community. Said celebration is in observance of the institution’s achievements since its incorporation in 2015.

The week-long foundation celebration is open to all students, parents, as well as friends of the community and features exciting events such as the institution’s first fun run, the unveiling of its new rebranded logo at the school’s front gate, dancing and singing competitions, battle of the bands, a Mr. and Ms. MMCM student pageant, e-game tournament, tree-lighting ceremony, and a community-run bazaar among many other activities to enjoy.

During this time, Mapúa MCM commemorates its achievements since its establishment and how it has pioneered blended learning in Mindanao to provide quality education by creating a progressive learning environment for students to hone and use to their full potential. Being a subsidiary school of Mapúa University, the institution is poised to deliver the same academic and technological excellence to its community in Mindanao.

In further establishing its ties with Mapúa University, the institution also recently rebranded from Malayan Colleges Mindanao, a Mapúa School to Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) earlier this year. The rebranding signifies their continued commitment to delivering world-class excellence in education by providing modern facilities, training their faculty, and continued collaboration with local and international institutions to better cater to the learning needs and demands of every 21st-century student.

Aligned to their mission in striving towards educational excellence, Mapúa MCM, through Mapúa University and alongside Malayan Colleges Laguna, A Mapúa School, has joined in collaboration with Arizona State University to expand the access Filipino students will have to high-quality international education in both business and health sciences. This collaboration aims to provide students with highly differentiated instruction centered on three core pillars – international exposure, real-world experiential learning, and digital expertise.

“With what we have accomplished in the past seven years,” shared Mapúa MCM’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Alejandro H. Ballado Jr. “...we believe our institution is poised to make its mark in the global community through research, innovations, and ranking.

Throughout the years, Mapúa MCM has continued to consistently strive towards its mission of providing access to effective education and an efficient and innovative learning experience to its students.

Mapúa MCM is currently open for applications for SY 2023 - 2024. You may go to mcm.edu.ph to learn more or visit the campus at General Douglas MacArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City.

Meralco unit MPower ramps up support for K-12 education

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MPower, the local retail electricity supplier of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and its partners have poured in over P8 million for various education programs that benefitted some 3,000 kindergarten students in 19 schools in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

As part of its Back-to-School Donation Drive, MPower and One Meralco Foundation turned over school supplies to the teachers from Lagundi Elementary School in Plaridel, Bulacan.

In line with the resumption of face-to-face classes this year, MPower recently donated worth P875,000 of school supplies to seven beneficiary schools which include printers, hard drives, as well as hygiene products and antigen test kits.

Amid modular and blended learning during the height of the pandemic, 12 schools received P1.2 million worth of school items, including headphones and microphones to help teachers in their transition to online distance learning set-up.

The Back-to-School Donation Drive was an extension of MPower’s flagship Kinder Classroom Project which started in 2015 in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) requirement to have kindergarten included in a child’s formal schooling.

Since the inception of the Kindergarten Classroom Project, MPower already turned over nine kindergarten classrooms to beneficiary schools with the help of donations from partners worth around P6 million.

The beneficiary schools are Lagundi Elementary School in Plaridel, Bulacan; Malabon Elementary School in Malabon; San Antonio Elementary School in San Pedro, Laguna; Dela Paz Main Elementary School in Biñan, Laguna; and Halang Elementary School in Naic, Cavite.

One Meralco Foundation, the social development arm of Meralco, has been MPower’s principal partner in the procurement of items, facilitation of constructions of classroom and their turnover.

With OMF’s support, MPower continues to make a lasting impact to the lives of Filipino children by supporting quality education and nation-building.

In 2021, MPower received the 2021 Gold Award from Zuellig Pharma Corporation and the 2020 Outstanding Partner of DepEd City Schools Division of Biñan for its Kindergarten Classroom Project and back-to-school program initiatives.

MPower was also recognized by local governments of Plaridel, Bulacan and Malabon City for its innovative and integrated approach in support of public education.

#GirlsCan make a difference as World Vision culminates initiative for young Filipina

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As the world celebrated the International Day of the Girl last October 11, World Vision Philippines successfully mounted its #GirlsCan campaign which highlighted the need to support and empower girls for a brighter future. The advocacy was able to gain over 700 sponsorships since its launch last August, with the help of various celebrities, partners and sponsors.

Multi-awarded actress and World Vision Ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith, together with Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate and fashion entrepreneur Ericka Evangelista and content creators Janina Vela and Lyqa Maravilla led in voicing out that empowered girls, empower girls.

The Women Business Council of the Philippines (WomenBiz) along with the other partners – Globe Kmmunity, Ever Bilena, Hello Glow, Lazada, Shoppee, Club of Marikina North Rotary, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Hera and Plus Network, made it big for the campaign. Adarna House pledged part of their sales to aid programs for girl empowerment.

Papemelroti paved the way for International Day of the Girl by offering an exclusive and personalized #GirlsCan articulated paper dolls as freebie when you visit their stores! You can collect the rest of the dolls each time you donate Php1,000 to World Vision’s #GirlsCan campaign.

Today, various issues surrounding girls in the country remain and violence against children is one of the major concerns, in fact there is an increase of 264% cases in online sexual exploitation. In education, over 2 million girls drop out from school while more adolescent girls get pregnant and give birth every day.

“Despite the many advances that we have achieved over the years in promoting the rights of children, unfortunately, there are a lot of issues still affecting girls around the world. The harsh realities faced by girls underpin the necessity for us citizens to advance their rights,” said Ms. Vanessa Retuerma, World Vision Director for Strategy Management, Impact and Learning.

While poverty remains to be the leading cause of these alarming problems, there are always ways on how to empower girls to break free. Just imagine what #GirlsCan do if we give them a better future ahead. They can be an influence for good and they can change lives.

To know how you can support #GirlsCan, visit https://t.co/RAUn2HPxP7 or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

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About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Learning Systems for Poverty Takes Center Stage at Education@theMargins

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How do you tailor education to serve those who need it the most? To tackle this pressing global issue, multinational partnership Education@theMargins (E@TM): A Global Alliance invites aspiring and current educators, policymakers, and representatives of like-minded organizations to come together for a two-hour discussion on learning systems for poverty on October 28, 6 p.m., Philippine time.

PHINMA Education Chief of Corporate Affairs - Buen Bontigao

In its second year, this year’s conference, “Serving the Underserved: Learning Systems for Poverty,” seeks to discuss what makes teaching students in circumstances of poverty different, and what pedagogical shifts can be taken to serve their learning needs.

“We believe that education experts and industry stakeholders must come together to discuss hard questions and encourage others to take part in creating solutions,” said PHINMA Education Chief of Corporate Affairs, Buen L. Bontigao.

The conference, spearheaded by PHINMA Education, will feature panelists from around the world. These resource persons include Dr. Nene Guevara, President of Synergeia Foundation (Philippines); Sujatha Muthayya, Vice-President of Policy and Partnerships-Asia of Bridge International Academies (Kenya); Jessica Rees-Jones, Founder of AfricaX Academy; and Dr. Charles Prince, Chief Higher Education Officer of Global Education Executives, Inc.

“When we launched E@TM in 2021, we envisioned a world where underserved youth are given access to quality education at prices they can afford, using the resources they have access to,” Bontigao explained. He noted that the world is still very far from reducing learning poverty, and by 2030, 43% of children will be learning-poor. The E@TM: Global Alliance hopes to drastically change that.

“We’ve already forged meaningful partnerships which show that many organizations across the world share our advocacy,” he added. Last year's conference featured  Christopher Bernido and the late Ma. Victoria Bernido of Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF), Rafael Oliveira de Ávila of Ânima Educação (Brazil), Amanda Kelleher of Luminus Education (Jordan), Sandeep Aneja of Kaizenvest (India), Edna Novak of Teach for All, and Aape Pohjavirta of mobile learning app Funzi.

“We believe that country experts, global thought leaders, and technology pioneers together can positively impact more youth across the world, towards a future that is sustainable for all. That is why we hope to welcome more people to our Global Alliance,” Bontigao concluded.

Want to attend E@TM: A Global Alliance? Register for FREE at tinyurl.com/EATM2022 or visit the website https://www.educationatthemargins.org/.

 

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About Education@theMargins (E@TM)

Education@theMargins (E@TM): A Global Alliance envisions a world where underserved youth are given access to quality education at prices they can afford, using the resources they have access to. We believe that education experts and industry stakeholders must come together to discuss hard questions and encourage others to take part in creating solutions. Country experts, global thought leaders, and technology pioneers, together, can positively impact more youth across the world, towards a future that is sustainable for all. PHINMA Education serves as the Secretariat. For more information, visit https://www.educationatthemargins.org/