DepEd, UNESCO unveil latest EFA Global Monitoring Report

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) presented the results of the 2013-2014 Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report Tuesday.

“We are talking about education not just as Filipinos but as global citizens as well,” Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, adding that education for all shouldn’t be an issue of competition. Luistro also highlighted DepEd’s goal that “no Filipino youth shall be left behind in basic education.”

Ed dela Torre, co-chair of EFA committee, said that while milestones were important in education, it was also crucial to “sustain the momentum” in reaching the EFA goals.

Based on the global monitoring report, DepED has strengthened the universal coverage of out-of-school youth (OSY) through Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Abot-Alam Program.

“Adopt-a-school program was able to generate 6B pesos in private contributions in 2012 alone and five billion in 2013,” DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo said.

While the Philippines has challenges in terms of male participation compared to female participation, there has been an increase in the former’s participation rate in the recent years due to technical educational pathways.

Mateo explained that since the legislation of the Kindergarten Act in 2011, there has been an “increase of 97% in participation rate of Grades 1 to 3.” He added that universalizing kindergarten education as part of basic education prepared the learners for formal education.

As of 2011, the Department was at 72.1% for elementary education and 75.1% for secondary education in terms of completion of the full basic education cycle with satisfactory annual achievement levels. The EFA target on education quality is at 75% mastery – as of 2011, the total elementary National Achievement Test mean percentile score (NAT MPS) was 68.2% and 47.9% for secondary.

Mateo said that the Department is looking forward to the “2016 horizon” where it would expand GASTPE, develop IT systems, and continuously address the special needs of learners with programs such as Special Education (SPED), Indigenous Peoples education (IPed), and address OSY.

“The Department is looking forward to alternative delivery modes (ADM), learning resource portals, and learner reference number to continually be developed,” Mateo added.

Dr. Mee Young Choi of UNESCO Jakarta office said that “human resources were as essential part of national growth” coupled with infrastructure and strong partnership with civiil society.

“Teachers are a key driving force for making sure human resources are developed through education as was the case in Korea,” Choi said. The recent report stated that “an education system is only as good as its teachers.”

To address the teacher needs, DepEd has created more than 61,000 teacher items in 2013, and has opened more than 30,000 items to be filled this year. The Department has also provided continuous K to 12 trainings for teachers and school administrators.

Anya Resorts and Residences: Golden opportunity in PH’srobust 2014 real estate market

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“ANYA” is a Sanskrit word that means, “boundless” – and true to its name, Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay offers its residents and guests relaxation, pampering, and luxury set in a place of great natural beauty.

NATURE’S BOUNTY. From fresh fruits to vegetables grown on-site,  Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay serves international cuisine that’s both delicious and healthy.

FOCUS on what’s truly important:  real wellness and well-being. A stay at Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay puts matters in perspective while you relax, enjoy nature’s beauty, reward and pamper yourself.

FLOWERS simply be:  they bloom in their own time, drink in the sunshine, and bring beauty and life into the world.  On its own, a flower is an image of serenity—this is the same serenity you find in Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay which is peacefully a-bloom the whole year.

THE ROAD to Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay is your entrance to wellness, relaxation, and pampered luxury like no other.  Guests, residents, and investors find all that they need and more when they arrive: Anya is not just a great place for finding health and rejuvenation; not just an awesome place to live in; but also a smart investment that gives comparatively quick, sustained, higher-than-usual returns.

ANYA RESORT AND RESIDENCES in Tagaytay provides quiet spaces for rest, relaxation, and introspection. All of its amenities are designed for wellness, rejuvenation, and pampering. It is open to visiting guests and vacationers, as well as to investors who wish to purchase their own residential units with the option to have these leased.

STONE PATHS weave through pocket gardens that dot Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay. The property’s 5.7 hectares are landscaped to flow with the terrain, so that the development remains environmentally- friendly and enhance the surroundings’ natural beauty. Anya is open to vacationers, would-be residents, and investors.

POCKET GARDENS throughout Anya Resort and Residences create small, relaxing spaces that are ideal for meditation and wellness activities like yoga, tai chi, etc. Anya is nestled in a secluded area in Tagaytay and provides luxurious pampering and wellness treatments to guests, residents, and investors.

“IF YOU HAVE A GARDEN AND A LIBRARY, you have everything you need,” said the Roman philosopher Cicero.  Anya Resort and Residences in Tagaytay provides both to its guests, residents, and investors. Anya has pocket gardens all around, as well as a Borderless Library where a guest can chose whether a printed book or an e-book to bring anywhere in the property. There are also secluded, private conference and functions areas that are ideal for business meetings and social gatherings.

Down a secluded road in Barangay  Mag-asawang Ilat, Tagaytay City is Anya Resort and Residences: a 5.7 hectare property dedicated to wellness, relaxation, and luxurious pampering for vacationers as well as those looking for a second home. Investors will also find Anya to be an attractive prospect because of its comparatively quick payback periods thanks to a combined cash yield and realistic capital appreciation return.

There’s no better time than 2014 for investors to acquire properties in the Philippines—experts are projecting continuous and robust growth for the real estate sector for the rest of the year. For example, the Urban Land Institute’s survey ranks the Philippines as fourth in Asia-Pacific property investment prospects, after Tokyo, Shanghai, and Jakarta. Such attractive property investment prospects in the country include office, industrial, retail, residential, and leisure.

In the residential and leisure property sector, Anya Resorts and Residences in Tagaytay represents one of the prime investment opportunities. It combines a boutique resort sanctuary with luxury residential units; and offers investors not only luxurious vacation homes with a wellness component, but also the opportunity for ROI and profit. Some of the advantages that an investor in Anya will enjoy include:

Liquidity. Anya provides investors cash on an ongoing basis. Its world-class resort facilities assure a steady and growing client base among wellness travelers, keeping an investor’s share liquid. It’s like earning cash while you sleep.

Highest capital appreciation. As a branded, full-service, and managed development, Anya is expected to rise in value fast, with higher cash returns compared to other types of real estate. This is due to excellent maintenance and world-class facilities that inspire trust and loyalty among its customers.

Managed asset. Anya is fully managed by world-class experts. These experts are there to ensure that Anya’s investors continue to earn from their investment. With their investment under Anya’s management; investors can continue focusing on their main business as their money grows.

Co-ownership. Investors become co-owners of Anya, which is the Philippines’ first luxury residential resort brand designed to attract top global clientele. Health and wellness is the world’s fastest growing sector, so Anya will be at the center of the action and is expected to bring in a lot of revenue for its owners.

Marketed asset / SLH. Anya is a marketed asset. The team behind Anya has the expertise for marketing luxury resorts, both domestically and internationally.

Anya Elite Program. Through the Elite Program, Anya’s investors enjoy luxury benefits that are unique and unmatched by other wellness, residential, and resort developments. Members of Anya’s Elite will also enjoy other luxury destinations through Anya’s various tie-ups.

Strategic exit. Investors have an attractive buy-back option for their shares at Anya. This, combined with frequent and ongoing cash returns, provide investors everything from a high-earning investment to an easy exit strategy when necessary.

Anya is located in a most ideal place for a luxury retreat: lush, cool, and verdant Tagaytay. It’s just 75 minutes away from Metro Manila, making it ideal for spur of the moment wellness day trips or weekend getaways. Weekend guests enjoy the resort hideaway facilities while residents are privileged with 24/7 personalized service right in their very own homes, plus unlimited access to resort facilities, amenities, perks, and services. 

For more information about Anya Resorts and Residences and its investment opportunities, please go to their website at anyainvestments.com; or email infor@roxaco.com, or call 0917-888ANYA(2692).

Anya Resort and Residences is developed and managed by Roxaco Land Corp., the property development arm of Roxas and Company Inc. Roxaco Land Corp. is also the developer of projects like Fuego Hotel chains and several subdivisions in Batangas and Cavite since 1988.

DPWH readies for Holy week, clears road barriers

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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson ordered Regional and District Offices nationwide to direct contractors with on-going road works to clear the national highways of barriers including idle equipment in anticipation for influx of travellers this Holy Week, a statement said.

Singson earlier directed the activation on April 13 to 19, 2014 of the Department’s “Lakbay Alalay” Motorists Assistance Program in the observance of the 2014 Lenten Season.

Moreover, DPWH field units were instructed to conduct road check including the installation of directional signs, resealing of damaged pavements, and application of thermoplastic pavement markings before the Holy Week.

Singson cited the various on-going road activities at Manila North Road between Carmen, Pangasinan to La Union which will greatly affect vehicular flow for motorists headed to Ilocos and Cordillera Regions.

Major on-going road improvement projects expected to slow down traffic along Manila North Road are the Urdaneta-Binalonan-Pozorrubio-Sison Section and Villasis in Pangasinan; widening works at Km 265 to 269 in La Union; Bantay Section in Ilocos Sur; and on-going construction of Banban and Baruyen Bridges in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Also, with Baguio City as one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines for local and foreign pilgrims and vacationers, the on-going pavement rehabilitation works at Kennon Road particularly at km 236+500 which is open one lane only and at Km. 238+400 will affect mobility of motorists who are advised to take Marcos Highway.

For land travellers heading south using the Daang Maharlika (Manila South Road), the following projects will slow down movement of Holy Week travellers: on-going road widening works at Tabugon-Sta Elena Section and construction of Labo, Bulala, Cabuluan and Laniton Bridges in Camarines Norte; construction of San Jose Bridge in Pili, Camarines Sur; Bascaran, Cabangan and Oas Diversion Bridges in Albay; and Daang Maharlika improvement project in Sorsogon.

Volumes of vehicle utilizing the Manila North Road and Manila South Road which form part of the Philippine Japan Friendship Highway is usually at its peak during Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

Dream Young, Dream Big

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"Our children are our future." This is what we know and believe. 

We always ask our children or little kids we meet,  what they want to be when they grow up. 

Does your kid want to be a chef? a painter? Perhaps even a scientist?

Listening to them is one thing, but believing in them is another! Find out how encouraging your children to dream big can help with their development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm3N0xKEE1o

Little Children’s School recognizes and accepts the uniqueness of each child, including those who are learning- challenged. All children are given opportunities to develop themselves fully.

You may contact Little Children’s School of Manila at 731-1520/ 579-7884 and 0915-3720607

Visit their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlechildrenschool and  Website: http://lcsm.com.ph/

Live, Love and C-Lium for Inner Health

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C-Lium Fibre, the all-natural fiber supplement that helps you live healthier and live more, took part in the “LIVE. LOVE. PARTY” held at SM Aura in Taguig City last March 1 as celebration of International Women’s Month and attracted over 300 participants in a Zumba fitness party led by Zumba star sensation Melissa Chiz. She was invited by Karl Edward International and Zumba Wear Philippines to showcase the latest fat-burning moves.

Inside the Samsung Hall of Mall of Asia, another C-Lium Fibre booth was located to offer free taste and sample product to the participants of “Live. Love. Party.”

“We are proud that C-Lium was able to participate in this worthwhile event,” says Catherine Reyes, Senior Brand Manager. “The event is very much in line with our vision of letting people achieve sound inner health through a combination of good diet, exercise and fiber supplementation.” 

“Live. Love. Party.” participants got to have their pictures taken with the gorgeous models manning the C-Lium Fibre booth at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura.

Chiz, who was flown from the United States, was surprised with the hospitable reception accorded to her by the Filipinos. “There is so much warmth and excitement here in the Philippines that I will definitely come back,” she said. People are so fabulous and kind. The participants are simply spectacular!”

Some of the participants included big-name celebrities who are apparently big Zumba fans. Jessica Soho, Amie Austria, Alma Concepcion, Regine Tolentino and her better half Lander Vera Perez (together they are dubbed the “King & Queen of Zumba”), were some of the more notable participants. Prizes were also given to those who exemplified terrific Zumba energy. Richard Cayabyab and Ina Quintanila were proclaimed Zumba King and Queen while Leo Feca and Gold Fuentes ZIN King and Queen.

C-Lium Fibre had a booth set up and gave away free samples for people to try the product. Product Ambassadors likewise encouraged the Zumba participants to learn more about and discover the benefits of daily fiber intake.

Treated to the healthy goodness of C-Lium Fibre during the “Live. Love. Party.” event, participants indulged on some photo-op with the C-Lium Fibre models.  

According to the US-based National Fiber Council, fiber promotes a healthy digestive system and assists in weight management. It also helps to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which may contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

C-Lium Fibre models were ready to welcome the participants of the “Live. Love. Party.” a Zumba fitness event that coincided with the start of International Women’s Month.  

“Live. Love. Party.” participants did rhythmic, fat-burning Zumba moves as they followed the lead Zumba star sensation Melissa Chiz. C-Lium Fibre was one of the major sponsors of the event. 

Moving in unison and led by Melissa Chiz, the “Live. Love. Party.” participants felt an adrenaline-rush as they did the Zhumba moves that combined aerobic exercise with elements from dance.

For those who missed this event, SM Aura and Karl Edward International will be hosting a monthly Zumba Fitness Party at Samsung Hall. Zumba fanatics now have another venue where they can sweat and dance it out to keep fit.

“For sure, C-Lium Fibre will be there to support this event,” Catherine Reyes said. “Being healthy and staying healthy is a continuous process and we will always be on hand to encourage those who have this goal.”