Samsung launches Solve for Tomorrow 2024, invites STEM students to share innovative ideas to solve local and sustainability issues

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Samsung Philippines’ Solve for Tomorrow is back for another innovation-packed season and is calling for Filipino students to showcase their tech solutions to reimagine the future.

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Now on its 2nd year in the PH, Public Science High School Students can win 

PHP 2 Million worth of cash prizes and Samsung devices by sharing 

tech solutions to help communities

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With the support of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Science High School System (PSHS), Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation continues their commitment to shaping the country’s next-gen heroes through the initiative by once again inviting public science high school students nationwide currently in grades 8 to 10 to showcase their best innovative ideas through the Solve for Tomorrow 2024 competition where they can get a chance to win PHP 2 Million worth of cash prizes and Samsung devices for their school, teams, and teacher adviser.

How to Join Solve for Tomorrow

Solve for Tomorrow 2024 is open to Grades 8-10 students of government-managed Science High Schools. They should form a team with a maximum of four (4) students each, and choose one faculty adviser from their respective schools. Each faculty adviser can coach up to three (3) teams.

Teams formed should identify a local community or environmental sustainability problem they want to solve with technology and AI and come up with a design proposal presented via a slides presentation (5 slides max with 2,500 words only) or word document (7 pages with Arial 11 font size). Once entry is finalized, they should submit the file via the Solve for Tomorrow registration form at https://www.samsung.com/ph/solve-for-tomorrow-2024/. Deadline for entries is on October 25, 2024.

Entries will be evaluated based on design innovation, relevance to the community, feasibility, STEM integration, sustainability, and clarity of proposal.

The entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts who will select the top 10 finalists to be announced on November 13, 2024. Finalists receive expert mentoring to improve their solutions and present their final proposals to the distinguished board of judges on December 3, 2024 to determine the top 3 winners.

The Grand Prize winner will take home PHP 500,000 worth of Samsung devices for the school, PHP100,000 cash prize for the team members, PHP20,000 cash prize for the teacher, and Samsung phone and tablets for team members and their teacher.

Meanwhile, the Second Prize winner will take home PHP 320,000 worth of Samsung devices for the school, PHP 70,000 cash prize for the team members, PHP 15,000 cash prize for the teacher, and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.

Finally, the Third Prize winner will receive PHP 175,000 worth of Samsung devices for the school, PHP 50,000 cash prize for the team members, PHP 10,000 cash prize for the teacher, and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.

The rest of the top 10 finalists will receive PHP 15,000 for their team and PHP 5,000 for their teacher.

For more information on Solve for Tomorrow and complete contest details, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/solve-for-tomorrow-2024/.

Empowering the Next-gen Heroes

Solve for Tomorrow is a program under Samsung’s global corporate social responsibility vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’ which aims to empower and support the next generation of innovators to achieve their full potential and pioneer positive social changes. Through this initiative, Samsung provides opportunities for up and coming STEM leaders to craft ideas and drive positive change in their communities through tech, encouraging them to approach problems in new ways to find innovative solutions.

Since its global launch in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow has successfully provided an avenue to top students, helped over 2 million people, and reached 50 other countries. The program was first launched in the Philippines in 2023 where science high school students across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao shared sustainability solutions for their community.

In 2023, Solve for Tomorrow received over 200 entries with the first-ever Grand Prize winner, Team Intelllimeter, creating a proposal that aims to improve energy efficiency through their smart electric management system. Meanwhile, second prize winner Project O.A.S.I.S, proposed a filtration system to remove oil and microplastics from the ocean while third placer TomPost focused on waste management for the agricultural sector by repurposing tomatoes and other agricultural waste into compost and other products.

Samsung is committed to expand its sustainability and educational programs in the Philippines with Solve for Tomorrow that is now in its 2nd year in the Philippines, “At Samsung, we are committed to empowering communities – now, and for the future. Solve for Tomorrow is a testament to this, which manifests our global CSR vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People.’” SEPCO President, Chu Min Su shared.

“It is our goal to always find opportunities to support providing education for future generations, and we want to empower future innovators to achieve their full potential.”

*DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-201238 Series of 2024

Back-to-school vivo phones you must have this SY 2024-2025

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As the school year 2024-2025 approaches, students are gearing up for another exciting year of learning, socializing, and achieving their goals.

A reliable smartphone is essential to navigate academic challenges and stay connected with friends and family.

Leading smartphone brand, vivo, offers a range of models tailored to meet the diverse needs and budgets of students.

Explore the four must-have vivo phones for this school year: the vivo V30 Series, Y100, Y18, and Y03.

vivo V30 Series for memory-keepers

The vivo V30 Series is designed for those who prioritize camera quality and overall performance. This series is packed with advanced features and technology, making it perfect for students who love capturing every moment in stunning detail.

vivo V30 Pro

vivo V30

vivo V30e

The vivo V30 Pro, co-engineered with ZEISS, boasts a triple 50MP rear camera setup. Meanwhile, the vivo V30 has dual 50MP rear cameras while the vivo V30e has a 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera.

The entire vivo V30 Series also has an Aura Light 3.0, which is like a built-in mini ring light that helps you capture studio-quality portraits.

A top-notch camera is essential for students who enjoy photography, creating content for social media, or documenting their school life. Whether capturing memories at school events, working on creative projects, or taking selfies with friends, the vivo V30 Series ensures you always get the best shot.

vivo Y100 for fun yet hard-working students

The vivo Y100 stands out with its impressive fast-charging capability, making it an excellent choice for hard-working students who need a phone to keep up with their busy schedules.

vivo Y100

It features an 80W fast charge technology, allowing the battery to go from 0% to 100% in just 30 minutes. This ensures minimal downtime and maximum productivity.

The vivo Y100 is also for fashionista students. Enhance your personality and stand out in the crowd with vivo Y100's photochromic effect. When the phone hits the sun, it changes color in just seconds!

In a hectic school environment, having a phone that charges quickly but does not compromise style is a game-changer. Students can charge their phones between classes or during short breaks, ensuring they are always connected and ready for any task, be it academic, social, or entertainment-related.

vivo Y18 for budget-conscious memory-keepers

The vivo Y18 offers an excellent balance between affordability and camera quality, making it an attractive option for students on a budget.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the vivo Y18 does not compromise on camera performance as it has a 50MP multi-style portrait night camera.

vivo Y18

For students who need a good camera phone without spending too much, the vivo Y18 is the perfect solution. It offers great value for money, allowing students to capture memorable moments and complete photography-related school projects efficiently.

vivo Y03 for thrifty students

The vivo Y03 is an excellent choice for students who need a reliable smartphone on a tight budget. It offers impressive performance without compromising on essential features.

The Y03 is powered by an octa-core Helio G85 processor and sufficient RAM of up to 8GB, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks.

vivo Y03

For students who cannot spend much but still need a dependable phone for academic and personal use, the vivo Y03 is a perfect choice. It ensures good performance for running academic apps, staying connected with peers, and enjoying entertainment during breaks.

As you prepare for the school year 2024-2025, choosing the right smartphone is crucial. Whether you prioritize camera quality, fast charging, or affordability vivo offers a model that fits your needs.

The vivo V30 Series, Y100, Y18, and Y03 each provide unique features that cater to different student requirements, ensuring you stay connected and productive throughout the school year.

Explore these vivo models further to find the perfect fit for your needs. Visit the vivo website to learn more about each model.

Get hands-on experience at vivo concept stores or kiosks to make an informed decision and ensure you are ready for an exciting and successful school year ahead.

Step Up Your Back-To-School Game Check Out The CHERRY x GCASH to SCHOOL LUCKY QR

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As students gear up to head back to school, CHERRY is excited to offer some amazing back-to-school deals at CHERRY x Gcash to School Lucky QR.

Catch it only at Glife; promo runs from July 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023.

Don't miss out on these incredible deals, whether you're a student, parent, or teacher, we've got everything you need from smartphones, laptops to tablets and more.

Going outside or attending face-to-face classes requires extra protection measures. To ensure continuous safety, aside from wearing a face mask, you can use the CHERRY Ion Personal Air Purifier. This device emits 200 million/cm3 of negative ions or healthy anions that can act as a shield against germs, viruses, dust, and molds in the air. It is highly recommended for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, coughs, and colds. You can choose from a variety of colors and designs. Buy one and get one FREE for P1,499.

· Enjoy a quad camera system featuring 13MP + 2MP front and rear cameras with the Flare S7 3GB that comes with a FREE CHERRY lon Personal Air Purifier, available for only P2,999.

· Bring the Flare S8 out of your pocket and you’re sure to turn heads with colors that swear to complement your style. It also highlights a 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM paired with a 6.26" HD+ TrueView Teardrop Display. Grab yours for P3,499 and get FREE LoveMarie Powerbank 5k mAh.

· For those who are looking for a sleek and simple smartphone, the Flare S8 Deluxe is the one for you. It goes with colors that swear to complement your aesthetic. Additionally, it highlights a 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM paired with a 6.26" HD+ TrueView Teardrop Display for simple mobile gaming. Grab yours for P3,999 and get LoveMarie Powerbank 5k mAh for FREE.

· You're lucky the Flare S8 Prime has 64GB ROM and 4GB RAM that can store all of your wonderful moments because a social butterfly must also be a memory hoarder. A 3300 mAh battery capacity also matches your days’ worth of energy. Now you may add this to your cart with LoveMarie Powerbank 5k mAh as a freebie for P4,499.

· For study breaks and game time, the Flare S8 Max is perfect for you. It has a 6000mAh battery, a 16MP main camera with a 2MP sensor for depth screening, and an outstanding 13MP front camera. With its large screen, MediaTek Helio P23 CPU, and 4GB of RAM, it is the greatest device for multitasking and doing multiple online activities at once. Don’t miss the chance and get this for P4,999 with FREE Game Controller and Tempered Glass.

· The Aqua Tab S1 comes with an 8” HD IPS Display paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage–the latter being expandable via MicroSD up to 256GB. Get Aqua Tab S1 with FREE Screen Protector and CHERRY Portable Desk Fan for P6,999.

· The Fusion Aura 3S is designed portable featuring 7-inch display, quad core processor, 1GB of RAM, Android Oreo (Go Edition) operating system and a built-in 2400mAh battery. It offers great power and wireless connectivity for all important tasks. It’s also equipped with a 2 Megapixel rear camera and a VGA front camera. Cap this for P1,499.

· For writing notes, storing files, and attending virtual classes the Flare Tab Ultra can be your ideal study buddy. It has a large 10.1" FHD IPS display and runs on a 1.6GHz octa-core SC9863 processor. The device is also LTE ready and can accommodate a single SIM card, which means you can use it to browse the internet even without a Wi-Fi connection. You can purchase this amazing device and get a FREE Rugged Case & CHERRY Portable Desktop Fan for only P8,999.

· Looking for a go-to laptop? The AVITA Essential 14” is It is sleek and fashionable. It is a 14-inch laptop with an Intel® Celeron N4000 CPU that is perfect for finishing reports and conducting simple research. It also has a cloth-like cover that comes in three distinct colors: Matt Black, Concrete Gray, and Matt White. You may get yours for P16,000 with FREE CHERRY Flask, CHERRY Cutlery Set, and Laptop Backpack.

For the visual learners, upgrade your studying set up with CHERRY’s Smart TV line-up:

With three sizes and priced attractively, CHERRY Aqua Smart TV is a smart choice to give you entertainment while learning. Choose from a sweet spot selection of 55-inch model with a 4K UHD resolution and a more recent version of the Google TV operating system. Get these exciting features plus FREE CHERRY Air Circulation Fan, CHERRY UV Dust Mite Vacuum, CHERRY Smart Appliance Controller, & CHERRY Smart Multi-color Bulb for P29,999.

On the other hand, there is also a 43-inch model with Full HD resolution and 74W power output. Cap this and get FREE CHERRY UV Dust Mite Vacuum, CHERRY Smart Appliance Controller, & CHERRY Smart Multi-color Bulb for P19,999. 

If you want to save some space, you can purchase the 32-inch model, an Android TV OS-powered that has HD resolution and a 60 Hz refresh rate. Get all these perks plus and FREE CHERRY UV Dust Mite Vacuum for P11,999.

Take advantage of these amazing deals to showcase your unique style and elevate your productivity this school year. Explore more products from CHERRY, visit the Cherry Gcash App through this link:

CHERRY GCash App: https://gcashapp.page.link/Cherry

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Cosmic Technologies Incorporated is a Philippine-based company that carries the brand CHERRY which offers a comprehensive selection of products from Internet of Things (IoT), home, personal and wellness essentials, pet needs, travel necessities to mobile phones. Since 2009, CHERRY continues to build an equilibrium to create one ecosystem.

Bida moments: Why Redmi A1 is the ideal student phone

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From online classes to “barkada” hangouts, the Redmi A1 can be every student’s phone companion

From doing well at tests to performing at school events, young highschoolers love sharing their so-called Bida moments. This is why they need a reliable phone that can help them with academics, document memories, and also be able to entertain themselves on weekends.

Enter the Redmi A1, the newest entry-level phone from Xiaomi. It is a powerful and practical phone that is ideal for the daily tasks of high school students. With its handy specs and features, #KayangBumida in any situation. Here’s how high school students can use of them:

Online class ready

While many high school students are already going back to face-to-face classes, some are still taking online classes at home. So, it is important to have a phone that supports wi-fi and 4G LTE, and has a spacious screen to see class notes. The Redmi A1 has a 6.52” HD+ Dot Drop display, which is big enough to read slides during and after class. This also makes reviewing much easier to help students ace their quizzes and exams.

Adding flair to video projects

High school students need to show off their Bida side when creating creative video projects for school. Whether it’s performing a dance activity for PE class or doing a mini documentary for Hekasi class, the Redmi A1’s 8MP dual camera and 5MP front camera can help them shoot clear videos. They can also add flair to them with the phone’s time-lapse mode.

Capture memories worth keeping

Whether it’s hanging out at the mall or during special school events, highschoolers will always pull out their phones to take photos and even shoot TikTok videos with friends. They can capture all the best memories with the 8MP dual camera and 5MP front camera. They can also use Portrait Mode to make photos look clearer and sharper when uploaded on social media to rake in a lot of “heart” reactions.

Bida sa social media and gaming

Of course, when they’re not doing assignments, high school students are endlessly scrolling on social media and playing mobile games. Having a big HD+ display is key to see text clearly and play games without straining their eyes. It also helps to have a lightweight phone that is easy to hold and carry around. Luckily, the Redmi A1 only weighs 194 grams and can fit most pockets.

Students can get a lot of things done and more with the Redmi A1. Parents don’t need to worry about the price point as it only retails for P4,499.

Visit the nearest Xiaomi offline stores near you to buy the Redmi A1 now until November 13, and get it at a special promo price of P3,999. The price will go back to P4,499 by November 14 onwards, and it will come with a free bluetooth speaker until supplies last.

#KayangBumida ang Gen Zs in school and in life with Redmi A1. For more details, visit Xiaomi’s official website.

Shopee continues its pursuit of upskilling young tech talent through the Ultimate Case Challenge

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Innovative Filipino students can win up to ₱50,000 by joining the Shopee Ultimate Case Challenge

This August, Shopee Philippines will be launching its first ever Ultimate Case Challenge, a business case competition open to Filipino undergraduate students from across the globe. Finalists of the competition will get the chance to win up to ₱50,000. Throughout the duration of the case challenge, each team consisting of 3-4 members will be asked to pitch their own unique ideas and solutions to a real-world challenge included in a business case brief.

Karen Perez, Head of People at Shopee Philippines, said, “We’re thrilled to support Filipino tech talents from all over the world by providing them with opportunities to develop their skill set. Through the business case competition, we aim to hone their analytical and process improvement skills, preparing them to be proactive problem solvers in the fast-paced tech industry. We hope to inspire a new generation of talents who will continue to drive the tech industry forward.”

Apart from the opportunity to put their skills to the test, teams will also receive mentorship from leaders at Shopee and the chance to fast-track their careers in tech through Shopee’s career development programs: the Global Leaders Program, Shopee’s 2-year flagship graduate program for young professionals, and the Apprentice Program, Shopee’s specialized internship program.

The regional business case competition has already garnered over 4,000 participants across four other markets including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Shopee Ultimate Case Challenge’s pioneer run in the Philippines. Ready your teams and sign up at careers.shopee.ph/succ from August 22 to September 30.

PLDT Home, Google launch Be Internet Awesome online series

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New kid-oriented show aims to teach kids how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online

Be Internet Awesome’s lead characters - Sam Elora (L) and Robo-berto

Following its partnership announcement to further strengthen efforts in educating Filipino kids and families about internet safety and digital responsibility, the Philippines’ leading home broadband and digital service provider PLDT Home and Google joined forces in creating a kid-oriented video series online.

The Be Internet Awesome online series combines animation and live action — featuring Gen Alpha whiz Sam and his trusty friend Robo-berto in fun-filled yet enlightening adventures on how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online. The series is based on the values of Google’s Be Internet Awesome global program and is directed by Manny Angeles, an award-winning director and producer of kid-oriented and animated shows.

Available in both English and Filipino in the Philippines, Be Internet Awesome aims to teach children the fundamentals of leading a digital life which includes what kind of information to post on social media and how to deal with cyberbullying among others. This is part of the many efforts of Google to help keep people safe online.

(L-R): PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business Home Group, Jeremiah de la Cruz; Google Philippines Marketing Head, Gabby Roxas; First Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Product Management and Marketing, John Henri Yanez

“Our children are true digital natives. They grew up with the internet and everything the digital world has to offer. But as they broaden their horizons for discovery and learning, it also exposes them to risks and dangers,” said Jeremiah de la Cruz, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Home Group, PLDT Inc. “Through this original series, we at PLDT Home want to translate the teachings from Google’s Be Internet Awesome program into an entertaining and practical show that children can enjoy watching while learning about online safety early on.”

“PLDT Home’s partnership with Google for Be Internet Awesome aligns with our larger group-wide commitment: to strengthen customer-centricity. At PLDT, we not only find ways to simplify technology and experience for our customers, but we also strive to do business responsibly by putting their safety and well-being at the forefront of all our products and services,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT Inc. And Smart Communications, Inc.

In 2021, PLDT also invested over P2 billion in cybersecurity and protection filtering. The country’s largest integrated telco has since been very active in detecting, responding, and preventing both domain and content-level access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) within the network. PLDT’s Child Protection Platform has blocked almost 300,000 URLs linked CSAM by the end of May and prevented more than a billion attempts to access these illegal sites from November last year to May this year.

“After launching Be Internet Awesome in 2021 in the Philippines, we are glad to have found a like-minded partner in PLDT who champions the same values when it comes to protecting kids online. Through PLDT and more potential partners in the future, we hope to scale Be Internet Awesome and provide more families with a practical way of teaching digital safety and wellness to their children so they can become responsible, confident explorers of the online world,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines.

Actor and TV host KC Montero and family

Stratworks PR Director Mark Christian Parlade and sons

Edu-preneurs and media personalities Edric and Joy Mendoza with their family

(L-R) Actor, singer and writer Franco Laurel and daughter with PLDT Assistant Vice President and Head of Marketing PR

The Be Internet Awesome online series will premiere on the PLDT Home YouTube channel on July 8, 2022.

Shopee launches Career Jumpstart Series to help accelerate tech careers of students, young Filipinos

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A curation of virtual open houses designed to equip young tech leaders with career-building skills

By 2025, the Philippine internet economy is expected to grow by 30% annually to reach USD28 billion . In order to sustain such sizable growth, developing young, tech-driven talents will be key. In fact, the DTI has recognized the increasing need to upskill and reskill Philippine talent as one of the main priorities for the 2022 Philippine E-commerce Roadmap. As a means to support the digital economy boom, this April 2022, Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, is launching its first-ever Career Jumpstart Series, a curation of virtual open houses designed to train young tech leaders with career-building skills.

The Shopee Career Jumpstart Series aims to equip leaders of tomorrow with the necessary skills to find success in the tech industry’s workplace setting. The open house learning series will be spaced out across three seminars scheduled on April 5, 7 and 9. Penultimate and graduating students, as well as young professionals with less than two years of work experience, are invited to join this event.

Each seminar will be held virtually and focuses on relevant career-building topics such as effective resume writing, essential interview skills and case interview mastery. This presents the perfect opportunity for students and budding professionals to polish their skillsets before immersing themselves in a tech company setting.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said “We are committed to developing young talent - from the initial interview stage, all the way up to securing a job and furthering one’s career. Through the Shopee Career Jumpstart Series, we believe that we can not only help young talent fulfill their potential, but also help contribute to the Philippines’ growing digital economy. We look forward to creating even more opportunities to hone the skills of young Filipinos and support local digital growth.”

Apart from the Career Jumpstart Series, Shopee also offers other programs and initiatives centered on polishing the skills of young talent. Shopee’s Global Leaders Program, for example, is a 2-year graduate program consisting of four 6-month local and overseas rotations that is open to final-year students or young professionals with up to two years of working experience. On the other hand, the Shopee Apprentice Program is an internship program designed to expose interns to the e-commerce and digital finance industry and allow them to participate in the different end-to-end processes of large-scale projects and initiatives.

Registration for the Career Jumpstart Series will be open to all interested individuals. Registrants are not required to be applicants of Shopee’s other key talent programs such as the Shopee Apprentice Program or the Global Leaders Program.

Those interested in learning how to stand out among other applicants may apply for the Shopee Career Jumpstart Series here: https://shp.ee/yz3c5n3.

Shell's RestART aims to rebuild dreams through art, Shell's long-running student art competition call for entries nationwide

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From last year's "Hope in Our Art" creations that depict hope through art, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation's Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) takes on an equally relevant theme this year – restART, which encourages young artists to come up with art works that inspire and contribute to a stronger and better country.

As Pilipinas Shell’s unwavering commitment to Philippine art, we introduce Juan Art Nation, a campaign that aims to broaden programs for our growing community of artists, through the 54th edition of Shell NSAC, one of the most prestigious art competitions in the Philippines for more than five decades. The 54th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) is one of the longest-running student art competitions in the country. It is one of the programs under JUAN ART NATION which enables the youth and art community to convey their imagination into a tangible art form and serve as inspiration for Filipinos.

Recognizing the importance of art as a guide to the future, PSPC President and CEO Cesar Romero, said that “we encourage the youth to actively take part in shaping the future of the Philippines, using art as tool and guide. Shell is committed to help shape the country’s leaders of tomorrow; we therefore ask the youth to continue to bring inspiration through art and use that as a platform to keep the Philippines moving forward.”

Participants need to bring forth their dreams, ideas, unique perspectives, and novel insights and foresights through art.

They get to choose from various art categories, including: Oil/Acrylic, Watercolor, Sculpture, and Digital Fine Arts.

Shell's NSAC, which last year saw the participation of 1,500 art hopefuls, has been an enabler for artists to showcase their talent and vision, producing established artists like abstract National Artist of the Philippines awardee Jose Joya, expressionist painter Ang Kiukok, applied sculpture practitioner Leeroy New, realistic oil painter Ivan Roxas., and National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera.

Winners of the 54th Shell NSAC can win these prizes:

• FIRST PRIZE: Php60,000 cash, a limited Shell NSAC shirt and jacket, a gold medal, and a plaque

• SECOND PRIZE: Php40,000 cash, a limited Shell NSAC shirt and jacket, a silver medal, and a plaque

• THIRD PRIZE: Php30,000 cash, a limited Shell NSAC shirt and jacket, a bronze medal, and a plaque.

The deadline for entries is on October 1, 2021. Winners will be announced through a virtual awarding ceremony via Zoom on November 24, 2021. 

For more details, please visit https://www.shell.com.ph/energy-and-innovation/make-the-future/national-students-art-competition-juan-art-nation.html

OPPO, Save the Children Philippines Provides Support to Public School Students for Online Distance Learning

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OPPO, in partnership with international children’s organization Save the Children Philippines, has recently completed the turnover of 100 brand new sets of OPPO A12e smartphones, Rock Space Torch Bluetooth Earphones, and special online learning kits to select students from public schools in Navotas City, namely Tanza Elementary School, Tanza National High School, Bagumbayan Elementary School, and Navotas National High School.

Save the Children Philippines’ turnover of donations to the recipients in Navotas City.

Parents attended to claim the A12e smartphones, Rock Space Torch Bluetooth Earphones, and online learning kits.

 

 Filipinos on Online Distance Learning

Securing better access to online distance learning is challenging, especially for those who have lesser means to provide for themselves. This is a common concern among the parents and students of Teacher Claudine of Tanza Elementary School, a Special Education (SpEd) teacher with six years of experience. 

“Nagka-virtual orientation kami ngayon kung paano mangyayari ang modular learning…You really have to do everything and explore all means. Hindi ito normal na may problema lang, may pandemya kasi,” Teacher Claudine shared. “Sa SpEd [students] kasi they need immediate feedback. Kailangan din nila ng individualized na approach. Pero ang parents hindi sila trained to do that. Kung hindi ganoon ka-strong ang foundation and follow-up sa bahay, magiging malaki ang regression.” she added.

Teacher Claudine’s students were some of the selected recipients of the OPPO A12e smartphones and Rock Space Torch Bluetooth Earphones for online distance learning which are useful tools in helping the SpEd students to get the attention and support needed while doing online classes.

Another true experience was shared by Nanay Rosalinda and her daughter Filchriz, who has been diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay. Filchriz is one of the recipients of the OPPO A12e and online learning kit including pencils, pens, crayons for her art classes. “Hindi man niya masabi na miss niya ang school, minsan kapag pinalabas siya dumidiretso [sa daan] papunta sa school,” said Nanay Rosalinda. At home, she mentioned that they do not have a table for Filchriz to study while doing the online classes but the family is doing their best to provide what they could for her to continue classes despite the pandemic situation.

Aside from the smartphone and Bluetooth earphone donations, OPPO and Save the Children also set up a fundraising initiative through the Back-To-School campaign, which started last August. The effort resulted in funds to purchase more online learning kits for other students in need. Each learning kit includes art materials and basic safety and sanitation kits, like alcohol and face masks, for the kids.

“With the joint efforts of OPPO, Save the Children Philippines, and the kind-hearted Filipinos who have participated in this fundraising initiative, we were able to extend help to students most in need of support. We are optimistic that together we can do more for everyone if we continue to band together and lend a helping hand to each other as we overcome these trying times,” OPPO Philippines Marketing Director Raymond Xia.

To learn more about the latest news and programs of OPPO, visit the official website at www.oppo.com/ph or via official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.

 

Keeping kids safe even with increased online exposure during pandemic

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Every day, parents confront various concerns with regard to their children. But with the pandemic where children become more exposed online for learning, entertainment, and socialization, one important issue that has to be addressed immediately is how to keep the young ones safe from the dangers that lurk in the internet while allowing technology to work for them.

To deal with the apprehensions being faced by parents during these extraordinary times, the “Gabay Bahay: An Online Parenting Series” discussed different ways that can guide the parents, including how to navigate the Internet safely. The online series is established by the Department of Education Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DepEd DRRMS)  with Globe Telecom as a major partner.

Atty. Irish Salandanan-Almeida, Data Protection Officer of Globe and one of the webinar speakers, underscored the importance of keeping children safe online. Almeida, who has two kids, emphasized that parents should  ensure the protection of their children’s personal information while using the internet.

“While the internet offers countless benefits for our children, it can also expose them to risks and dangers. If we don’t monitor their online activity or educate them on responsible online behavior, they may be vulnerable to harassment, discrimination, blackmail, cyberbullying, and even identity theft or fraud,” she said.

Almeida also shared a few reminders for parents to guide their children on the responsible use of the internet: 

• Ask the children not to post or share personal information publicly, or with strangers, as those with ill intentions could easily take advantage of this. 
• Make it a point to read the privacy policies and terms and conditions of the websites and applications that your children use.
• Set your children’s privacy settings with them. This way, you have some control over who can see their children’s posts, and who can contact them.
• Remind them not to chat with people they don’t know, and to report them to you or their teachers immediately.
• Educate them about the harmful effects of clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources. These could be viruses in disguise and may be used to steal personal information, which hackers can use to take advantage of.
• Ask them not to give out their username or password to anyone except their parents.

As much as possible, she said, parents should monitor their children’s use of the internet, and provide proper guidance.  In the event of a violation of their children’s data privacy rights, parents may file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission at complaints@privacy.gov.ph.

In another episode of the series, Francis Pugeda, Head of Emerging Technologies at Globe, related how technology can help children discover their creative side and explore things they want like music, movies/TV series.

As parents, Pugeda said they should exercise some control over their children’s use of the internet to establish discipline but not too much that would curtail their desire to learn new things. “Being responsible is key when using technology. With our daughter, we allow her some leeway, but we also make sure to guide her properly, especially on her choice of content, what is beneficial and what can be harmful. Good thing is that because she is guided, she already knows her limits,” he said. “ We shouldn’t force them but let them discover things on their own but with proper guidance to make their technology and internet use a pleasant experience.”

In another session which talked about positive discipline, Ginger Arboleda, a Mom-preneur and popular blogger (Mommyginger.com), Chief Executive Officer of Manila Workshops and co-founder of Taxumo, said she and her husband practice a more positive way of disciplining their seven-year-old daughter. They start by being more actively involved in helping her learn how to handle situations more appropriately while remaining calm, friendly and respectful of their child’s feelings.  

“We should never forget that in everything we do, we do it for our children. As parents, our goal is to make them grow up and become responsible and respectful members of society. We will not be always by their side forever so might as well start now by creating an ideal environment for them without worries or pressure and where they can thrive later on,” she said.

Arboleda shared that even though things are done mostly online, she still encourages their daughter to explore and expose herself to certain things around her while she is young, using tools like smartphones, computers, tablets. “But we also teach her right from wrong, good and bad based on family values to help her decipher or discern things. We do not dictate but only help her navigate.”

Globe is a strong advocate of digital citizenship and responsible use of technology.  Through its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), Globe introduced various modules to teachers and students aimed at increasing students’ knowledge of digital citizenship and cybersafety by taking a critical look at their online behavior and helping them develop insights into the influences of the online world and the choices they are making. With the push towards online education, Globe modified the in-class DTP workshop into e-modules to reach more people in their homes.

To learn more about Globe’s sustainability efforts, visit:

https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html#gref

Globe and Google for Education to transform digital learning in local schools

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As another academic year approaches, schools and universities are preparing to utilize and maximize distance learning following the government’s quarantine guidelines. Globe is partnering with Google for Education, to meet the growing demand for better academic services and transform the digital learning experience.

Google for Education is an ecosystem of products, programs, and training grounded on the platform’s innovative tools and resources. Through the partnership, Globe will provide a comprehensive onboarding process, tailor-made teacher training, and strong after-sales support for partner schools and institutions nationwide. 

“We have seen how technology has powered many industries amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe we can do the same for the education sector through blended or fully online learning. Together with Google for Education, we aim to boost the digital learning efforts of the Philippines’ educational system through more accessible, user-friendly, and interactive solutions for parents, teachers, and students,” says Mark Abalos, Segment Head for Education at Globe. 

Google for Education offers the following suite of services:

G Suite for Education. This platform offers best-in-class productivity tools built for the classroom, including Gmail, Classroom, Docs, Spreadsheets, Slides, and Drive. Cloud-based technology allows for collaborative learning, so teachers and students can work on lessons simultaneously.

Classroom. The Google Classroom makes the teaching experience more seamless for educators. Here, teachers can create and manage assignments with ease. Classwork pages organize assignments into modules, so educators can better facilitate discussions. They can also use built-in grading tools to sync test results and feedback in one location. Originality reports can analyze authenticity in papers and flag statements that need citations.

Meet. This service allows teachers to connect with students virtually through secure video calls and messaging. Each classroom can have up to 250 participants per call and up to 100,000 live stream viewers. Meet also makes it easier for both teachers and students to join a classroom, as each class can have a dedicated meeting space with a unique link.

Socratic. Google’s AI-powered tutor helps students navigate the learning process through high-quality videos, concept explanations, and online resources. The platform also offers curated subject guides for quick reference. When students need clarification, they can use the built-in voice and photo input to ask a question.

Read Along. Students can improve their literacy skills through this speech-based reading tutor. This platform provides an expressive and animated reading assistant to keep students engaged and help them in their reading journey. Educators can listen to a student read aloud and provide corrective feedback.

Google Forms. Teachers can create forms, surveys, and quizzes using Google Forms. Through G Suite Integration, they can import questions from Docs and Sheets. Grading is also now faster, easier, and automated as they can view results in a chart, graph, or spreadsheet format. To maintain integrity, locked mode prevents students from browsing other websites during a test.

Chromebook. This secure, simple, and powerful device is easy for schools to set up and manage. The Chrome Education upgrade unlocks the full capabilities of the device to help both students and teachers thrive in the new normal. The App Hub connects educators with Chrome-verified developers to access useful tips and content by grade, subject, and educational goals.

G Suite Enterprise for Education. Academic institutions can upgrade their digital environment with educational tools and security controls. G Suite Enterprise elevates both teaching and learning through an institution-wide email database using GMail, security and administration controls, and eDiscovery for emails, chat, and files. Schools can also access a 24/7 support platform via phone, email, and online.

With Globe myBusiness’ partnership with Google, academic institutions can improve the overall education experience for students and help them learn amid the new normal. 

Learn more how you can excel in the ever-changing landscape of 21st Century learning with Globe myBusiness via https://www.globe.com.ph/business/sme/education-offers.