“Determination and hard work, keys to success” – Luistro to Pantawid Pamilya graduates

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“Kapag tinitignan nila sa pag-aaral kung sino ang talagang nagiging tunay na successful sa buhay, sabi nila iyong mga nagpupursigi, iyong may pangmatagalan na lakas at patuloy na nangangarap at hindi sumusuko,” Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said to more than 4,000 Pantawid Pamilya high school graduates who attended the post-graduation celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on April 9, 2015.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor households, primarily of children aged 0-18, has produced its first batch of high school graduates this year.

The education chief told the graduates that their lives do not stop at graduation saying, “Pwede pa kayong matulungan na mabigyan ng scholarship ng TESDA para may choice kayo. 

Pwede pa kayong mangarap at pumasok sa pamantasan. Merong mga scholarships, kung kayo'y magpupursigi at magpapatupad ng inyong mga pangarap.”

“Sa ating pagtatapos, mahaba pa ang ating lakbayin sa buhay, marami pa tayong mga paghamon, at maraming mga pagkakamali, marami tayong makalilimutan. Kung ang kasama natin ay tatawanan tayo, baka mahirapan tayong tumawid; pero kung sama-sama tayo at sabihin sa ating sarili, “Kaya natin yan, hindi tayo susuko!” At kung may mga panahon na binabatikos tayo, makipagtulungan tayo sa isa't-isa. Kayang-kaya iyan ng Pilipino,” he added.

Luistro said that 4Ps has helped DepEd to reach out to more Filipino children and deliver to them quality basic education.

“Ang enrollment sa high school sa buong Pilipinas sa public schools ngayon ay 5.9 million. Malapit na tayo sa six million. Pero noong nakalipas na panahon, ang enrollment lang natin sa high school ay 5.4 million. Dumami ang ating enrollment sa high school ng half a million. At dahil dyan, kailangan natin mag-hire ng mga panibagong teachers, magtayo ng mga panibagong classroom, at siguraduhing ang programa ay makausad,” said Luistro.

This year, DepEd will build more than 40,000 classrooms and create over 39,000 teacher items as it continues to gear up for the K to 12 full implementation in 2016.

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Café France Petron NLEX new store opening

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Café France continues to deliver delight to even more food lovers, as it unveiled its 40th branch located at the Petron NLEX station. The new store sports a modern and up-to-date design, providing an enjoyable and comfortable dining experience for travelers hankering for the brand’s signature gourmet sandwiches, best-selling breads, savory pastas, and other tasty offerings. 

Present during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies were (from left): Café France Executive Vice President Raymond Yap, Fr. Eduardo Lleva, Operations Manager Jon Llaet, and Store Manager Almir Miranda. Café France also has branches across Metro Manila, Laguna, Bulacan and Davao, including at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay, AUF Medical Center and AUF Sports Center in Angeles City, Pampanga, and Davao Doctors Hospital.

Sports. Education. Opportunities.

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These are some of the best words that describe Palarong Pambansa. One of Palaro’s highlights over the past years is the Special Games category where children with special needs (CSNs) are able to showcase their sporting talents to the community.

The Special Games are composed of Athletics (100M, 200M, 400M, 4X100M, Shot put, Running & Standing long jump), Swimming (50M Backstroke, Breastroke, Freestyle), Goal ball and Bocce – a ball sport closely related to bowling.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC presents Palaro as a means to support the Department’s commitment to provide equal educational opportunities for all learners. “Ang Palarong Pambansa, kagaya ng edukasyon, ay inclusive o bukas sa lahat. Wala itong pinipili, wala itong itinatangi. Ito ay para sa lahat na may pusong handang magpunyagi upang sa dulo ay magwagi” he said.

Athletes with intellectual disability, visual impairment and those who are orthopedically handicapped will have a chance to be scouted to compete in international events. Among the notable Palaro Special Games athletes are Merill Jean Derama, John Brian Menosa and Lizamel Dayon - all of whom competed in the 2011 Special Olympics held in Athens, and swimmers Jonalyn Hernando and Marco Tinamisan – both with no limbs.

Amidst the sea of 10,000 Palaro participants are the 850 Special Games athletes, set to be welcomed by the province of Davao del Norte. 

Palarong Pambansa has also been a gateway for CSN’s to prove that they can exceed expectations with their athletic capabilities. Their perseverance and dedication to their trainings serve as an eye-opener that breaks down barriers of marginalization.

Jose Cuervo Launches Search for the DONS OF TEQUILA in PH

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Join Dons of Tequila, the global search for the next hero of tequila who can continue the legacy of Jose Cuervo, a 250 year old brand.

The prize of a lifetime can be yours: fly to Tequila, Mexico to harvest your own crop of agave on the Jose Cuervo estate, blend it into a unique tequila and win the batch, labelled under your own name.

Jose Cuervo’s Dons epitomize the expert craft, passion, and bravery required to make the world’s most popular tequila. Their unwavering belief in quality keeps the brand’s 250 years of heritage fresh and relevant.

Jose Cuervo’s Dons epitomize the expert craft, passion, and bravery required to make the world’s most popular tequila. Their unwavering belief in quality keeps the brand’s 250 years of heritage fresh and relevant.

The Philippine leg of this worldwide hunt has begun. Aspiring Dons can join by uploading a photo of their signature tequila-based cocktail or shot serve at DonsOfTequila.com. 

Ten (10) bartenders will be selected to compete in the National Finals in July 2015. 

See details on How to Join below.

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“Becoming a Don of Tequila is the ultimate accolade awarded only to those who truly deserve it,” shares Charles Wright, Senior Commercial Manager – Southeast Asia and India for Jose Cuervo International.

Mentors

The local finalists will be guided by Jose Cuervo’s Dons of Tequila Mentors – veterans in their field and true Instigators – Prive Luxury Club’s cocktail bartender and Diageo Reserve World Class 2014 winner Jerry Miranda, T.G.I. Friday’s Genrev Bacasno, who recently bagged second runner-up honors at the 23rd Annual World Bartender Championship, and celebrated personality Divine Lee.

Bootcamp

Jerry, Genrev, and Divine will lead a Bartenders Bootcamp, designed to prepare the ten for the National Finals, where their creativity, technical knowledge, and personality will be judged by the Instigators, together with the Jose Cuervo Brand Ambassadors. The winner will hold the title Don of Tequila in the Philippines, and will represent the country in the Jose Cuervo Dons of Tequila Global Finals for a chance to follow the footsteps of some of the world’s legends of tequila.

Final Showdown

The Dons of Tequila Global Finals is a showdown of the best-of-the-best from each country, set against the Jose Cuervo distillery, La Rojeña, in the town of Tequila, in Mexico.

COMPETITION PRIMER

How to Join

1. Visit www.DonsofTequila.com and create a new Jose Cuervo shot serve – a new way to serve a shot of Jose Cuervo Gold, or an innovative shot-size mix using Jose Cuervo Silver.

2. Entrants must enter their details along with a name for their serve, an explanation of how they made the drink, and how it captures the spirit of the Dons.

3. Entrants must upload a photo with the online form.

4. Shortlisted entrants will be notified via email.

Format

1. Ten (10) finalists will be selected from all Philippine entries.

2. The finalists will undergo the Bartenders Bootcamp with the Dons of Tequila Mentors.

3. The National Finals will be held on July 6, 2015.

4. The finalists will be judged against the following criteria:

a. Creativity
b. Technical Know-How
c. Personality
d. Tasters Votes

5. One (1) finalist will be named winner. He or she will receive:

a. The title of Don of Tequila – Philippines
b. Jose Cuervo products and premium items
c. All-expense paid trip to Mexico to represent the Philippines in the Global Finals of Jose Cuervo Dons of Tequila.

For more information, visit www.DonsofTequila.com. The website features the stories of the current Dons of Tequila, as well as a selection of drinks fit for a Don, crafted and demonstrated by head barmen from La Rojeña.

About Jose Cuervo

Jose Cuervo is the world’s most popular and oldest tequila brand. It has been produced in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, in Mexico since 1795 and is exported worldwide. The full portfolio comprises of Jose Cuervo Reposado, Jose Cuervo Silver, Jose Cuervo Tradicional 100% Agave Reposado, Jose Cuervo Tradicional 100% Agave Silver, Jose Cuervo Platino, Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia and Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix.

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.”