DepEd releases SHS permits to over 1,100 private schools

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In gearing up for the full implementation of the K to 12 program, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued provisional permits to 1,122 private schools that will offer Senior High School (SHS) last Tuesday, March 31. 

In an interview, Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “DepEd is doing everything it can to make sure that all the anxieties and fears will be addressed in the next 11 or 12 months.” 

After years of planning and engaging with education stakeholders, DepEd, through its field offices, has identified and mapped more than 5,800 public schools set to offer SHS along with these private schools and other institutions in 2016. DepEd estimates that 1.2M to 1.6M public school students will enroll in SHS in 2016. Of this range, approximately 0.8M to 1.1M will proceed to DepEd SHS and the remaining 0.4M to 0.5M will enroll in non-DepEd SHS. Public school students and Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees who will enroll in a non-DepEd SHS of their choice shall receive a subsidy from the government covering school fees through the proposed SHS Voucher Program of DepEd. 

In an interview, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) national chairperson, Benjo Basas recognized the need for the educational reform, saying, “We are not against K to 12. Alam naman natin lahat na sa kasalukuyan, tayo na lang yata ang bansa na hindi nag-e-employ ng ganitong sistema, and of course in the preparation for lifelong learning ay ibibigay ito sa K to 12.” Basas, however, expressed concerns over government’s preparedness to implement the said program. 

Luistro emphasized that DepEd has been preparing for this reform since 2010. On the fifth year of the K to 12 roll-out, DepEd continues to gear up for full implementation. He said, “We are building close to 30,000 classrooms at the second quarter. We will be hiring around 30,000 teachers by 2016. For all of our textbooks, as early as now, we have done a call for 2016, para wala na kaming issue.”

He added, “On this last leg, what we need is a little encouragement, support and for them to say, “Kakayanin iyan!” DepEd plants seeds and the harvest will happen in the next generation. I can only show where it’s leading.”

LG Music Flow set to make waves in the local music scene

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New WiFi-capable speakers bring seamless music experience wherever you go

Global technology innovator LG Electronics is set to amp up the summer with memorable music experiences at it brings to the country the Music Flow P7 Bluetooth Portable Speaker from their new collection, the LG Music Flow WiFi Series.

Bluetooth Capability

With the Music Flow P7’s Bluetooth capability, users can enjoy pure, uninterrupted wireless music streaming for that seamless music experience wherever they go.

Dual Play

Simultaneously connect one smartphone device to two Music Flow P7s at a time and amp up the music and fun with louder acoustics anytime, anywhere.

Multipoint

The Music Flow P7 has multi-phone pairing capability that allows up to three Bluetooth-ready smartphones to connect at the same time. The function also allows switching between phones just as easily, making music-sharing a better experience for everyone.

Rechargeable Battery

Unlike other Bluetooth-enabled portable speakers, it boasts of a powerful 20W audio output and an outstanding continuous battery play of 10 hours.

TV Sound Sync

Users can connect up to two Music Flow P7s to their compatible LG TVs and enjoy clear, full-range, surround sound at any listening level.

Superior Sound

Exceptional sound performance and smart experience come together in the compact design of the LG Music Flow P7. Despite its size (184 x 55 x 63mm, 680g), it has the capacity to produce full-range and clear sound quality.

“The LG Music Flow Wi-Fi Series ups the ante in revolutionizing what is expected from a smart audio entertainment system of today,” said Hoony Bae, vice president of LG Philippines Home Entertainment division. “Our LG Music Flow Wi-Fi Series is the actuality of a rich listening experience like no other.”

The LG Music Flow P7 is set to hit the local market with a competitive retail price of PHP 6,890 and will be available in the following participating LG dealers nationwide: Avant Greenbelt, Abenson Glorietta, Electroworld Glorietta, Avant Trinoma, Electroworld Trinoma, Robinson’s Lipa, Robinson’s Novaliches, Robinson’s Pampanga, Robinson’s Bacolod, Robinson’s Dasmarinas, Robinson’s Pioneer, Robinson’s MetroEast, Robinson’s Ilocos, Robinson’s Ermita, and Robinson’s Galleria.

To learn more about LG’s Music Flow Wi-Fi Series, visit www.lg.com/ph; like LG Philippines’ Facebook page; or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

FOX Sports unveiled 'The G.O.A.T. ' premieres on April 16

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FOX Sports has unveiled a new show called The G.O.A.T.,  a new magazine show that will comprehensively cover all the relevant and most talked-about topics in the world of sports.

The G.O.A.T, in short for The Greatest of All Time, that will premiere on April 16, 2015 and celebrate the Filipinos’ undying love for basketball. 

The G.O.A.T takes an entertaining and talent-driven approach to programming with the aim of becoming the most engaging local sports program on cable TV, catering to both casual and hardcore sports fanatics. It provides sharpness, wit and humor that transforms conversations into opinionated discussions on sports. 

Show hosts KC Montero, Suzy Gamboa and Nikko Ramos with FOX International Channels PH SVP and General Manager Jude Turquato at the media launch of The G.O.A.T. at the Treehouse at A Venue, Makati City.

This weekly 40-minute show that mixes taped segments, relevant news stories, interviews with local and international personalities, and animated discussions on the hottest issues in the NBA, PBA and other sports relevant to the Filipino audience. Viewers of The G.O.A.T.can anticipate clever panel discussions on the hottest new topics of the week, featured in a segment called “Goatie of the Week”.

This exciting new basketball show is presented by four diverse talents who are armed with proficiency and expertise in the world of basketball and other sports. 

KC Montero is a veteran host of TV and radio, and has always been an avid follower of NBA and PBA as well as all things basketball. 

Suzy Gamboa, a radio and events host, considers herself a true basketball fanatic and brings a unique perspective to the group’s discussions. 

Nikko Ramos is a commentator of the PBA and has been witness to historic local games that further fueled his passion for knowledge about basketball. 

Mo Twister rounds out the team of four by serving as an offsite promoter for The G.O.A.T. and will give standalone segment reports mixed with his frank opinions and witty retorts.

With its engaging and knowledgeable hosts, The G.O.A.T. presents a fun, entertaining package of must-knows and current events that every hardcore basketball and sports fan needs to have. By tapping into social media and networks, The G.O.A.T. promises to be on the pulse of the worldwide sports community to keep the Filipino sports community updated and abreast of global trends in the country’s most-beloved sport.

The G.O.A.T. premieres on April 16, Thursday, at 9PM on FOX Sports. 

Follow FOX Sports on Twitter and Instagram at @FOXSports_PH and join the conversation with #TheGOATonFS.

SPOTTED ON LAZADA: Samsung S6 now available at Lazada.com.ph!

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Effortless shopping just becomes simply exciting as the recently launched Samsung S6 models are now available in the Philippines through Lazada.com.ph.

The early debut of the Samsung S6 models comes in with a jaw-dropping price tag that would definitely not break your bank accounts. The Samsung S6 32GB currently carries a price tag of PhP 31,999 while the Samsung S6 EDGE 32GB is currently at PhP 36,999 and the Samsung S6 EDGE 64GB is being sold at PhP 42,999 – all of which could be purchased via Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, and Megalink Affiliated Cards. However, if you are a BDO Credit Card holder, you may have the option to pay via instalments for as low as PhP 2,000 per month!

So sound the alarm and get the latest Samsung S6 phones from Lazada.com.ph via http://www.lazada.com.ph/samsung-galaxy-s6/ if you are using desktop or laptop. If you are on the go, you can quickly shop via the Lazada Mobile App which is available both on AppStore and Google Play. 

Do not be left behind and spread the hottest piece of news! Be sure to subscribe to the official fanpage of Lazada Philippines via www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines for the latest deals and offers.

Repertory Philippines brings sexy in new theatrical comedy

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Repertory Philippines returns for its second show of the year, with the sexy comedy Run For Your Wife. The West End hit by Ray Cooney follows John Smith, a taxi driver who secretly has two wives. The play premiered in London’s West End in 1983, and had a successful nine year run in the UK. After that, the show has been staged most notably in New York, Paris, Stockholm, and Manila.

“This is a timeless classic. Even if it’s an old play, it’s such a funny and well-written play,” shared Miguel Faustmann, who directs Rep’s third run of the show. “Ray Cooney is amazing with his comic humor. It’s just so funny.”

Run For Your Wife is a departure from Rep’s previous offering, 4,000 Miles. While 4,000 Miles is a dramatic examination of a young man’s relationship with his grandmother, Run For Your Wife is a hilarious tale of a man who has two wives and two households.

The play’s humor relies on the subject and a precise schedule of entrances and exits. This means pressure on theater veteran Jamie Wilson as Smith, who has to literally run across the stage throughout the entire show, with only two exits. As Faustmann described it, “timing is of crucial importance in this play.”

“John Smith is a pretty normal guy,” shared Wilson. “He just basically falls in love with two women, and sees the possibility of maintaining both of them. He loves the both of them for different reasons.”

His wives are portrayed by actresses Goldie Soon and Mikkie Bradshaw. Soon plays Mary, the motherly wife, while Bradshaw plays Barbara, the bombshell.

“She’s very prim and proper, like a proper Englishwoman,” said Soon. “She takes her duties or obligations as a wife seriously. She’s almost motherly towards John. Because she’s very proper, anything scandalous really shocks her.”

Soon reveals that the role is different to her as a person, and to prepare for the role, had to think about the woman Mary would be and slowly imbibing it. Bradshaw, on the other hand, only needed to be comfortable with her co-actors.

“I’ve been cast a lot in sexy roles, that involve very little clothing. If it’s a loud and promiscuous character, it’ll probably be given to me,” she said. “I don’t know how much preparing you could do for a role like that if it’s in you to be that vixen.”

Run For Your Wife hits Philippine theater at a time when mistresses have become a pop culture phenomenon. But while the films and teleseryes focusing on mistresses and second wives are dramatic, the play takes on a different approach: comedy.

“Despite all our conservatism, I think this kind of situation happens more than we know and more than we would like to admit,” shared Soon.

“It’s such a taboo subject here,” admitted Wilson. “But putting on a play and inviting people to watch it will shed some light and humor on what that kind of life is. With our teleserye culture, where’s the humor? There’s got to be humor there. There’s got to be some ridiculous situation that you can laugh at.”

“We’re not necessarily trying to make people think here. We’re just trying to give everyone a good time,” Bradshaw added.

During its West End run, The Daily Telegraph called it a triumph, while the New York Post promised “virtually continuous laughter.” Even Faustmann agrees. He said, “When we were reading it, we were dying of laughter. What more when you actually see it? It’s going to make your stomach hurt because of laughing too much.”

Joining Wilson, Soon, and Bradshaw are Jeremy Domingo as John’s best friend Stanley Gardner, Steven Conde as the flamboyantly gay neighbor Bobby Franklin, James Stacy as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Troughton, Paul Holme as the easygoing Detective Sergeant Porterhouse, and Mara Javier as the inquisitive journalist.

Run For Your Wife will be staged from April 10 to May 3, 2015 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Ticket prices ranges from P400 to P800. For more details regarding Run For Your Wife, call Repertory Philippines at 843-3570 and book tickets through TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph.