DepEd statement addressing the accusation of misinforming the President about the K to 12 Program

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The Department of Education (DepEd) strongly objects to the accusation that DepEd officials and other agencies are feeding President Benigno S. Aquino III with wrong information on the readiness of the government to implement the K to 12 Program. The Department maintains fidelity to the Filipino people and assures them that we continue to be transparent and accountable 

We reiterate that the government is on track in the implementation of the K to 12 Program. In fact, DepEd has built 86,478 classrooms and hired 128,105 teachers from 2010 to 2014. DepEd has already requested funds for the construction of 27,499 classrooms, and will be hiring 37,000 teachers in 2016 for Senior High School alone.

As part of our rigorous preparations for the nationwide implementation of Senior High School, DepEd has identified and mapped over 5,800 public schools set to offer Senior High School (SHS) in 2016. There are also 2,199 non-DepEd schools cleared to offer Senior High School and over 200 more applications being processed. DepEd also released the partial list of schools that will offer Senior High School in 2016. It may be viewed through www.deped.gov.ph/datasets. 

We urge those who have concerns to provide specific details so we may address the issues at hand and provide immediate actions, as effective governance requires. We continue to work together with our education partners from different sectors to ensure the successful implementation of this program for the benefit of the Filipino learners.

*www.deped.gov.ph

Vigan officially inaugurated as a New7Wonders City

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The Historic Vigan in the province of Ilocos Sur was officially inaugurated as The New7Wonders City recently held within the precincts of St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral.

Vigan, established in the 16th century, represents a fusion of cultural elements from the Philippines, China and Europe, creating a city that is without equal in Asia.

The Philippines Vice President Jejomar Binay was the guest speaker at the inauguration. Binay said that the event should serve as an inspiration for how heritage preservation can be best harmonized with urban development.

“In our quest to become strong competitors in the ASEAN and global economies, we cannot be too quick to tear down the old to build the new without serious deliberation and debate,” he said.

“As Vigan has proven, prosperity is not always measured by a city’s skyline. And it is not just malls that can bring in tourists and trade,” Binay add.

Binay urged the people of Vigan to remain committed to promoting their culture and share their best practices to other regions. 

“Billions of dollars have been spent in cultural preservation and restoration. These costs would not have been incurred if peoples — past and present — had been mindful of their actions, if they had had more respect for their own and other peoples’ cultural legacies and for our own earth,” he said.

Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders (left), with Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders (right), holding the specially-commissioned bronze commemorative plaque for Vigan at the Official New7Wonders Cities Inauguration

Vigan is the first of the New7Wonders Cities been officially inaugurated, the same moment during the unveiling of a specially-commissioned bronze commemorative plaque, which was cast in the Kunstgießerei München, a famous foundry in the heart of Munich, Germany.

One of the 7 that represent the global diversity of urban society, Vigan, is joined in the “canon of 7″ byBeirut (Lebanon), Doha (Qatar), Durban (South Africa), Havana (Cuba), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and La Paz(Bolivia).

7-Eleven kicks off expansion into Mindanao

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Davaoeños can now enjoy 24/7 convenience of 7-Eleven everyday!

Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), the country's largest convenience store chain operator, launched its business expansion in Mindanao on May 8, 2015 with the grand opening of its first 7-Eleven store in "The Land of Promise."

As part of 7-Eleven’s strategy to maintain market share, the company continues to protect and expand its leadership by continuing to grow its store expansion rate. Aside from securing its foothold in Luzon and Visayas, PSC aims to capture a new market in Mindanao. 

“We’re excited to be in Mindanao, especially since it’s a very attractive market and we look forward to seeing its potential, which is why we’re committed to jumping in with both feet,” said Jose Victor Paterno, PSC President and CEO.

Located within Abreeza Mall in Davao is the first of the 50 targeted 7-Eleven stores to be opened in the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro this year. 

7-Eleven aims to open 30 stores in Davao and 20 in Cagayan de Oro respectively by year-end. And by June, PSC will have 4 other operational stores to be followed by 12 more sites by September in both Davao City and Cagayan de Oro.

Following 7-Eleven’s Mindanao opening on May 8, will be a series of store openings at Ulas Crossing in Davao and George Town Cybermall and Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro. PSC targets to open 120 stores in Mindanao in the next 3 years.

7-Eleven aims to lead the convenience store industry in Mindanao, beginning in the two cities that have been experiencing an increase in tourist arrivals and per capita income in the past few years. 

Among the other potential key cities PSC is eyeing for future expansion include General Santos, Bukidnon, and Iligan. 

Expanding into Mindanao also marks a vision realized for the late PSC Founding Chairman, Vicente T. Paterno – for 7-Eleven to go national. With Mindanao having been close to his heart, the first store in Mindanao is being dedicated in his honor. 

Mr. Paterno was an ardent advocate for Mindanao’s development and worked tirelessly to further its growth. He had been named “Adopted Son of Mindanao” for prioritizing policy supporting Mindanao's development over his two decades in government.

Party with the Founder of Zumba - Beto Perez Live at Circuit Makati this Sunday!

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It’s a Party with Beto Perez, the Founder of Zumba!

Beto Perez will host a 90 minute Zumba Fitness-Concert with his team of Zumba Celebrity Instructors, musicians and international DJs on May 10, 2015 at the Globe Circuit Events Ground. 

“Zumba: Let It Move You”

Beto Perez explains that the exercise fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout. Coined as “fitness-parties,” Zumba classes blend upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography to provide effective, total-body workouts for groups of all ages.

The dance party work-out was stumbled upon accidentally. He was set to teach a class back in the 90s when he realized he had forgotten his regular music and had to use a tape of Latin songs instead. A few samba moves and salsa grooves were tossed into the routine and the lively and incredibly fun workout the world now knows as Zumba was born. 

Circuit Makati

As a city that continues to bring well-rounded, holistic urban experiences to its denizens, Perez arrives in the country to give an exclusive peek into the unique lifestyle and entertainment opportunities that the city holds. 

Much like how Perez’s creativity and ingenuity paved the way for exercise to be transformed into something more exciting, Makati is now giving everyone a glimpse into what they can expect with its latest development: Circuit Makati. This 22-hectare integrated, mixed-use development will highlight the diverse opportunities for entertainment and lifestyle within Makati.

Beto Perez Live in Circuit Makati

Perhaps no other event can encapsulate the ideals behind Circuit Makati more than the entertainment factor and the uniqueness of the first outdoor fitness concert in Makati. 

Registration will start at 2PM. VIP tickets are still available at SM Tickets.com. 

Fitness enthusiasts can look forward to an invigorating workout in the city that makes it happen.

Zumba, founded in 2001, now became the largest branded fitness program in the world, with more than 15 million weekly class participants in 200,000 locations across more than 180 countries.

Zumba is a global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout. Coined “fitness-parties,” Zumba classes blend upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography to provide effective, total-body workouts. 

The Workout 

The Zumba workout provides long-term physical and emotional benefits through exhilarating, high calorie-burning fitness parties, and its simple dance moves from around the world increase the fun factor, making it feel like exercise in disguise. Zumba classes feature routines set to fast and slow rhythms that successfully tone and sculpt the body while burning fat. A person can burn up to 1,000 calories in a one-hour class depending on the intensity of the workout, and will leave the class with a huge smile. 

Music is Zumba’s special motivational ingredient. The score, created with specific beats and tempo changes, transitions the workout seamlessly to encompass toning, strengthening and cardio, thus targeting every major muscle group in the body. The program blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy-winning producers, with contagious choreography from dance styles including: salsa, merengue, cumbia, samba, belly dance, bhangra, hip-hop and other world rhythms. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit zumba.com, and find us on Facebook and Twitter

McJim Dreams Get Real champions are rocking the OPM scene

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BARELY a year after they were declared the champions of the first McJim Classic Leather “Dreams Get Real: The Search for the Next OPM Star,” three emerging recording artists have stamped a mark in the local music industry already.

With chart-topping and viral hits; malls, bars and corporate gigs across the country; and radio and television guest appearances, last year’s triple-tie winners—Fifth Dynamics, JBK, and Neo Domingo—are already rocking the music scene after McJim took a chance on them and helped them with the direction of their careers.

JBK

Much sought-after boy band JBK, composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan Del Rosario, and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio, is making everyone’s heart melt. The group’s R&B-infused ballad,“Anong Meron Ka,” gets major airtime on popular radio stations nationwide and in music channels.

The group readily acknowledges how McJim has been instrumental in chasing their dreams. “Because of the McJim Dreams Get Real talent search, doors of opportunities were opened, helping us land different shows,” says Bryan Del Rosario of JBK. “We also released our single with the help of McJim, which is a huge deal for us. Plus, seeing people recognize and support us is priceless.”

On the other hand, Fifth Dynamics, led by former The Voice of the Philippines contestant Mark Cordovales and members John Peterson Leyva, Wence Escabas, Aldrin Condat, and Jhay Santos, has released two chart-topping singles titled “Anyare” and “Pogi Kame”. 

Fifth Dynamics

“Before, we just listen to our favorite bands in the radio, but now we hear our own songs being requested. That’s crazy!” said Cordovales.

Cordovales added that McJim supported them and other winners in a number of ways that resulted in a stable career for all three of them. McJim’s support includes series of shows across the country, music video sponsorships, bus advertisements, posters, and the over-all creative direction of the band.

The third winner, Neo Domingo, also topped national and local charts with his debut single “Pagbigyan Mo Na”. It was likewise named as the Most Wanted Song of 97.1 Barangay LS FM. 

The rising pop balladeer is also expanding his horizons by reviving the late ’90s and early 2000s novelty genre. His follow-up novelty single “Kaching-Kaching,” featuring his fellow McJim dreamer Fifth Dynamics, is now heavily played on different stations and is currently one of the soundtracks of GMA’s hit sitcom, “Ismol Family”.

Neo Domingo

“McJim Dreams Get Real has been a huge help in launching my career. Seeing my name and my singles on different top charts together with those of big names in the music industry is a dream come true,” Domingo avers.

“My newest single is very different from my genre but I’m thankful that fans still like to listen to my music. I grew up in a generation where novelty songs are like a national anthem and I want this generation to experience that kind of music,” says Domingo.

The talents are likewise in the process of completing their debut albums produced by award-winning arranger and composer Jonathan Ong of SonicState Studio.

But there is no stopping what McJim has set out to do, which is to open more doors of opportunity for aspiring artists and to give them a platform from which they can showcase their talents.

Banking on the success of last year’s competition, McJim is renewing “Dreams Get Real: The Search for the Next OPM Star” for a second season, which is open to all unsigned male and female solo artists, aged 15 to 35 years old, with Filipino lineage.

To all aspiring artists who want to follow in the footsteps of the three McJim Dreamers, McJim Classic Leather extends this invitation: send your video recording or a Youtube link of your performance/s (you may opt to submit a cover or an original song of any genre of your choice) together with the filled-out application form on or before May 15.

“We aim to make Dreams Get Real talent search even bigger, brighter, and better this year. We now offer a full album and music video grant; P100,000 in cash prize; artist marketing support; and a talent management contract to the sole winner!” Chris Cahilig, Dreams Get Real project head, proudly declares.

Like the official McJim classic leather facebook page at www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM and get more information on how you can be the next OPM star.