DepEd affirms: We are ready for K to 12!

Tweet

"On this 5th year of K to 12 implementation, we are running a marathon and I can already see the finish line. We are on our last mile," said Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC after presenting a midterm report to the 16th Congress on the K to 12 Basic Education Program. 

In his presentation, Luistro outlined developments in the implementation of the K to 12 Program, specifically, the provision of fundamental education inputs from 2010 to 2014. He asserted that, “All 220 divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd) have finished planning and have figures on enrolment a year in advance. Plans were reviewed per division and against national figures then we [took results and] consulted with industry representatives.”

Since 2010 to 2014, DepEd has filled 128,055 new teacher items and constructed a total of 88,805 classrooms. DepEd expects 1.2M to 1.6M students from public high schools to enter Grade 11 in 2016 and 2017. 

Of the 7,914 public high schools, DepEd identified 5,020 as potential Senior High Schools that are expected to accommodate 1.6M to 2.2M students. The remaining 800k to 1M students are expected to go to non-DepEd schools such as private high schools, private HEIs, SUCs and LUCs offering Senior High School.

Amid criticisms, the education chief encouraged openness to dialogue and extended gratitude to partners in the legislative who were instrumental in creating the Enhanced Basic Education Act and ensuring that no learners are left behind.

“The curriculum is done and it is the first time in history that it can be accessed in its entirety in the DepEd website,” Luistro said. He added that while it is complete, the Department welcomes feedback from the public. He maintains that education is everyone’s responsibility.

Commenting on the strengths of the K to 12 Program, Luistro said, “We looked at the exits (of the K to 12 curriculum). Each Filipino should have skills in Information Technology, Learning and Innovation, Communication, and Life Skills. Mas importante po ang life skills, hindi lang ang nakukuha sa libro. Every Filipino will have the skills to be able to go to school, start their own businesses or be employed.”

Amid claims that a number of teachers stand to be unemployed because of the K to 12 Program, Luistro gave his assurance saying, "The situation is manageable. We will be hiring an estimated 30,000 to 41,000 high school teachers for 2016 and 2017 and we will give priority to the displaced teaching and non-teaching staff."

In his closing remarks, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. vowed to block attempts by Congress to suspend the K to 12 Program’s implementation saying, “We in Congress have given them the law and it cannot be suspended. Based on the discussion today, I think they [DepEd] are on the right track.”

As of March 5, there are 1,116 private schools that applied for SHS permits for SY 2016. Luistro said, “By the end of March, we will be able to issue actual probationary permits (for these applicants).”

Robin Padilla, newest brand endorser of organic cough medicine

Tweet

Robin Padilla is the newest brand endorser of organic cough medicine ASCOF Lagundi, as presented yesterday (March 12) to the media, held at 55 Events Place Inc., Quezon City. 

With Robin Padilla’s new organic lifestyle, there is no better time than now for him to be the newest brand endorser of natural cough medicine, ASCOF Lagundi. 

Robin embraces organic lifestyle and promotes use of natural cough medicine. At first, the award-winning actor was hesitant about the project because he thought he would be endorsing a synthetic product, something he tries to avoid because he prefers to use herbal medicines in real life.

“Nung unang pinitch sa akin ‘to, sabi ko ayaw ko ng mga gamot kasi hindi ako uminom ng gamot kasi kami ni Mariel organic [living]… pero ‘nung nakita ko na organic talaga ang ASCOF Lagundi [pumayag na agad ako],” says Robin in an interview when he visited LAC Farms, one of the country’s biggest OCCP (Organic Certification Center of the Philippines), GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-certified organic farm owned by Pascual Laboratories, the maker of ASCOF Lagundi.

Robin and wife Mariel Rodriguez believe that one should choose herbal medicines because it is natural unlike synthetic ones that may cause liver deterioration.

“Marami po tayong gamot na maiinom na available over-the-counter na gagamutin ‘yung sakit mo pero sisirain naman ‘yung liver mo,” says Robin.

Cough being one of the most common sicknesses in the Philippines resulted in the increase in number of cough medicines, all with claims to be the most effective in addressing it. While this is true, not all brands can claim that they are natural and organic.

ASCOF Lagundi, an herbal medicine, is one of the few that can claim that it is natural, organic, and effective against cough. It has a luwag-tunaw combo action against cough—a bronchodilating effect that widens inflamed/constricted air passageways in the lungs, giving relief to the patient, and a mucolytic action that melts phlegm for easier expectoration. 

“Yung Chairman ng aming company, si Dr. Abraham F. Pascual, ay may advocacy na mag-develop ng natural products kasi marami talaga sa Philippines na halaman na may medicinal properties so it’s his advocacy to develop products that will be good for the consumers. We find that we are aligned with Mr. Robin Padilla’s own advocacy kaya naman siya ang kinuha namin as endorser for ASCOF,” says Ayne Rili, ASCOF’s Senior Brand Manager.

“Ang maganda sa ASCOF ay sila ‘yung unang brand na gumamit ng Lagundi. Iyong ASCOF, 19 years na sila,’yung iba sumunod na lang,” says Robin.

Having produced Lagundi leaves from its own certified-organic farm, you can only expect that PascualLab uses the best ingredients, coupled with strict quality standards and modern technology.

With the couple’s newly shared interest and practice, Robin says that it brought them to different countries to really study the lifestyle. While Robin says that explaining this kind of living will be a long discussion, he says that his biggest takeaway is feeling lighter and more at ease with his body every day.

Practicing this way of living for almost three years now, the action star feels responsible to share his discovery to everyone because it is good for one’s overall wellness.

“Meron tayong moral obligation sa mga taong naniniwala sa atin na dalhin natin sila sa tama. Ito ang paraan natin to give back, [to only endorse] the truth. Itong organic medicine is the best na maibibigay natin sa tao,” says Robin.

“Kahit saan man ako makarating, hindi naman kami siguro bibitaw sa Pascual (ang makers ng ASCOF, Lagundi), siguro kahit hindi naman kami nagkita ng Pascual o kahit may Ascof o wala, tuluy-tuloy ako sa organic revolution,” Robin adds. 

Robin said that being the endorser for cough medicine is their answered prayer. “Araw-araw nagdadasal kami ni Mariel na sana may produktong organic. Ito na pala ‘yun.”

Visit the Philippines Year 2015 carves a spot in the furniture world

Tweet

The Philippines International Furniture Show is expected to draw buyers from around the world.

The Philippines International Furniture Show (PIFS) is all set to assemble the best names in Filipino design and manufacturing to showcase their latest offerings to the local audience and foreign buyers. As part of the Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)’s year-long campaign to raise the country’s international profile, PIFS is working together with manufacturers to respond to international trends in terms of color and style.

From March 13-16, local and international exhibitors will showcase their latest furniture, lighting systems and other products related to interior design and decoration at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

“Another highlight of Visit the Philippines Year 2015, the Philippines International Furniture Show is a boon to tourism for it unites all regions to capture the eyes of international design enthusiasts. The craftsmanship of our local designers also tell the stories of their hometowns, which could entice everyone to travel and discover the ingenuity of the Philippines,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III.

PIFS is one of the largest furniture exhibitions in the Philippines. For exhibitors, the fair is an excellent marketing tool to introduce new products, to establish business contacts, to strengthen their own brand and to maintain existing relationships. PIFS is also showing its support to the VPY 2015 initiative by creating their own photo and video series, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines - Furniture Campaign.”

For more design and trade events happening this Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015, check out the VPY 2015 microsite (www.visitph2015.com).

DepEd, Embassy of Spain, and Fundacion Mapfre Initiates Turnover of Road Safety Teaching Aids for Public Elementary Schools in PH

Tweet

The turn-over of Road Safety Teaching Aids for Public Elementary Schools to the Department of Education (DepED).

DepEd together with the Spanish Embassy in partnership with Fundacion Mapfre through Mapfre Insular are working together for an advocacy on Road Safety Awareness. Together, their goal is to make available educational materials for 47,000 public elementary and high schools nationwide.

Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Luis Antonio Calvo, with DepEd Undersecretary of Programs and Projects Dina Ocampo, and Mapfre Insular president and CEO, Javier Warleta, initiated the turnover of Road Safety Teaching Aids for public elementary schools in the country, between Fundacion Mapfre and the Department of Education (DepEd). 

The materials were given to improve the teaching-learning process in schools so that students may be aware of how to safely navigate Philippine roads, particularly the busy streets of the metro.

Soft copies of the program’s materials will be stored in the DepEd Portal to provide easier access for the teachers. Ultimately, the goal is to reach out to 47,000 schools nationwide—both in the elementary and secondary levels. 

On top of raising awareness among the youth, DepEd, Mapfre, and the Spanish Embassy would like to extend road safety consciousness to adults as well, since they are the members of society who use the roads more often. DepEd recognizes that changes will come faster if adults lead by example. 

As a start, teachers must be able to learn from the program and share it with their students and families.The Spanish Ministry of Education and Embassy have worked closely with DepEd on special programs, and are thus very supportive of the project. 

The collaborators would like to emphasize safety as a way of life. They believe that values and health education are as important as traffic and car safety principles.

Fundacion Mapfre, the corporate social responsibility arm of MAPFRE S.A., a leading Spanish insurance multinational company, operating in the Philippines through Mapfre Insular, has been working with the Department of Education since 2011, developing modules in two learning areas: Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao. 

Since then, road safety has been taught in at least two thousand schools nationwide. Beginning this March 2015, teaching aids will be distributed and used in schools.

Transcending the generation gap

Tweet

Filipinos are family-oriented. That is the story of our culture. A fact woven into the very fabric of our existence. 

From our first hours on earth to the very last, we are surrounded with family. We celebrate birthdays, fiestas, countless Christmases and reunions together. Truly, we value our family ties. 

From our parents and siblings, to our lolos and lolas, Pinoys are known for putting a premium on what matters most.

That’s why the cast of Rep’s latest offering believe that Filipinos can relate with the story of 4,000 Miles, a play about an widowed old woman and her grandson who suddenly drops by after a cross-country bike ride.

“It’s about understanding. It’s about our journey towards growth and wisdom. That’s what makes it so universal. I think by the end of it, we’ll all walk away just a bit wiser about the dynamic of human relationship,” Bart Guingona, the play’s director said.

Jeff Flores, who plays the role of Leo in the stage play, says that Filipinos would be able to identify with the characters in this adaptation of Amy Herzog’s masterpiece. “Leo and Vera have a very untraditional dynamic...there are things in their relationship that is very universal, and that is something that Filipinos should watch,” Flores added.

Flores will be sharing the stage with one of the most veritable names in Philippine theater, Baby Barredo, who will be playing the role of Vera. Her castmates and director were all praises for Barredo, who they say is quite a joy to work with.

Flores also feels very privileged to portray the role of Leo. A character he says he finds so easy to identify with. “Leo is a manchild. He has a habit of running away from the stress, which works for me in my life. Being Leo has forced me to admit a lot of things that are childish about myself.”

The play will be shown on March 6 to 29 at the Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. And as early as now, the cast of 4,000 Miles is more than excited to bring this story to Pinoys. Guingona, describes the material as one of the best-written plays he has handled. He excitedly shares that a monologue delivered by Flores’ character is destined to be a classic. “What I love about this play is it is a quiet play. There’s no histrionics and high-drama,” Guingona added.

Caisa Borromeo and Cara Barredo will also join the cast as Bec and Amanda, respectively. 

In its various runs across America, 4,000 Miles has received praise for its story. It has been heralded as the Best New Play by the Obie Awards in 2012 and was a Finalist for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. Amy Herzog was also recognized as an outstanding playwright by the New York Times.

4,000 Miles will be shown starting March 6 and will last until March 29 at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Theater veteran Baby Barredo will play the role of Vera, while Jeff Flores will portray Leo.

About 4,000 Miles

After suffering a major loss while he was on a cross-country bike trip, 21 year-old Leo seeks solace from his feisty 91 year-old grandmother Vera in her West Village apartment. Over the course of a single month, these unlikely roommates infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately reach each other. 4,000 Miles looks at how two outsiders find their way in today's world.

4,000 Miles will be staged from March 6 to 29 at ​Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Ticket prices ranges from P400 to P600. For more details regarding 4,000 Miles, call the RepertoryPhilippines at 843-3570 and book tickets through Ticketnet at 891-9999 or visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph​