DepEd, IP groups strengthen commitment to Indigenous Peoples education

Tweet

Baguio City—The Department of Education (DepEd) and indigenous peoples (IP) groups nationwide gathered together today, November 12, to strengthen partnership for IP education (IPEd) through the symbolic signing of affirmation of commitment.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “Ang ating ipinagdiriwang ngayon ay isang lakbayin na hindi pa tapos. Hindi ito madali dahil kailangan nating umakyat, at sa ating pag-akyat, walang maiiwan. Kailangan sabay-sabay, tulung-tulong at walang bibitiw para masigurado natin na ang ating inumpisahan ay matatapos.”

Inauguration of a pakedlan at the Baguio Teachers Camp with Indigenous elders and other community representatives. 

“Kailangan nating siguraduhin na buhay ang katutubong kaalaman sa loob ng sistema ng edukasyon,” he added.

Part of the affirmation of commitment to IPEd is the inauguration of a pakedlan, an indigenous space for coming together among the Kankanaey peoples of Benguet, at the Baguio Teachers Camp, where a ritual was conducted together with the IP community representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to culminate the gains of IPEd. The inauguration of a pakedlan symbolizes the recognition of indigenous learning systems within the education system.

Luistro also said that the gains of IPEd are not DepEd’s milestones alone, adding, “Ang tatlong DepEd Orders ukol sa IP education ay galing sa inyo [IP]. Ang sumulat niyan ay kayo. Ang IP education guidelines at curriculum framework ay galing sa sama-samang mungkahi at karanasan [ninyo] sa mga nakalipas na taon ng pagsusulong ng IP education.”

Andres Ngao-i, chairperson of IPEd council of elders in the Cordillera Administration Region, said that DepEd’s commitment to IPEd is evident in the agency’s efforts to make education culture-sensitive, culture-responsive, and learner-centered.

“We are all happy that we are true to our IP curriculum; but we did not do it alone. We did this in partnership with DepEd and the local government units, too,” Ngao-i said. He also added, “Our job is not yet done. Let us continue the implementation of this historic Indigenous Peoples education. This is historical in our regions and our country.”

Luistro said that it is vital for the country to strengthen its IP education, especially with the 2015 ASEAN integration, adding:

“Mahalaga na naka-angkla ang ating kurikulum sa ating kulturanng Pilipino dahil may papasok na ibang kultura. Kapag wala ang katutubong kaalaman na nakapasok sa ating kurikulum, mawawalan tayo ng kaluluwa.”

Apple Deleva, the Grand Champion of Season 2 McJim Classic Leather's "Dreams Get Real: The Search For The Next OPM Star"

Tweet

Apple Deleva of Cabuyao, Laguna emerge as the champion during the concert-like finals night of the second season of McJim Classic Leather's "Dreams Get Real: The Search For The Next OPM Star."

Deleva receives a full album and music video grant; P100,000 in cash prize from McJim Classic Leather; artist marketing support; and a talent management contract.

With their aspirations for stardom at stake, McJim Dreams Get Real Talent Search’s Top Six gave the search their best shot—and their best performance ever—during the epic grand finals nights on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Music Museum in San Juan City.

From ten strong contenders, only six standout acts moved to the final round of the competition. Three of the six finalists were chosen by producers based on their overall performance and star quality, while the other three were people’s choices.

Deleva, a 19-year-old Communications student of University of Perpetual Help in Las Piñas, is a power belter who usually sings ballad and pop songs—and names Whitney Houston, Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez, and her mom as her musical influences. Deleva quite expectedly aspires to be a professional and famous singer someday—a lofty goal that surely within reach. Her array of awards, after all, come from numerous singing competitions here and abroad. One that stands out was the Karaoke World Championships 2014 in Stockholm, Sweden. Deleva was also a semi-finalist at GMA 7’s popular show, “Bet Sa Kantahan”.

The producer’s picks include Laguna native Apple Deleva, and both Rizal natives Zsarina Concepcion and Carmela Ravanilla, while the people’s choices were Erickson Malabanan from Batangas, Micah Llona from Taguig, and Trix Casauay from Caloocan.

What makes this season even more exciting is that five of the six finalists are outstanding female vocalists who inspire each other to shine. But Malabanan, the lone male contestant, vows that he will go into the competition with his strongest performance ever. 

Through the Dreams Get Real Talent Search, gentlemen’s brand McJim Classic Leather affirmed its image as an advocate for fresh new Filipino talents and Original Pilipino Music (OPM). 

After launching the careers of some of the most in-demand acts today, like vocal trio JBK, pop-rock band Fifth Dynamics, and Neo Domingo, McJim continues to enliven the local music by giving aspiring artists the opportunity to kick-start their own musical journeys.

“The six last acts gave us an extraordinary show! Each one of them has something distinct to offer, which result in an epic finale,” says Chris Cahilig, Dreams Get Real project head. “It wouldn’t surprise me if all of them attained success after this competition because their talents are mind blowing.”

With each having different reasons for joining the competition, the finalists would rather let their performances on stage decide who the best really is come finals night. However, the contestants, who had found a new family during the talent search, say that no matter what happens, they will always be grateful to McJim for the wonderful opportunities given them.

Considered as the biggest threat in the competition, Deleva is humbled by the recognition but still feels nervous about performing on a big stage. The19-year-old Communications student of University of Perpetual Help in Las Piñas declares with confidence: “They can look forward to getting more from me as a performer.”

Like the official McJim classic leather facebook page at www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM to be updated on all the happenings in the competition. 

Cherry Mobile and Globe Telecom launch the CHERRY PREPAID SIM and phone bundles

Tweet

Cherry Mobile and Globe Telecom launch the CHERRY PREPAID SIM and phone bundles held at The New world hotel, November 11, 2015.

“This year marks another milestone for the company. After dominating the market with its hip entertainment-on-the-go TV and multimedia smartphones, Cherry Mobile gets even better as it partners with Globe to provide Filipinos with the newest and most diversified prepaid mobile service – the game-changing Cherry Prepaid powered by Globe,” says Cherry Mobile Chief Executive Officer Maynard Ngu.

Cherry Mobile, leading Philippine mobile phone company  has entered into a co-branding partnership with the country’s number 1 mobile brand and purveyor of the digital lifestyle Globe Telecom to launch the new Cherry Prepaid SIM and phone bundles.

The prepaid service, dubbed as Cherry Prepaid powered by Globe, aims to be a game-changer in mass market mobile connectivity that combines high quality mobile phones and prepaid service into one affordable package.

With flexible starter options like the Cherry Prepaid SIM and phone bundles for as low as P399 and a SIM-only option for only P29, users can immediately call, text, and surf the Internet.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu noted that the co-branding agreement forms part of the telco’s commitment to enable the digital lifestyle of the mass market segment, leveraging on Cherry Mobile’s strong foothold in the prepaid market with its compelling device offerings.

“With competition in the mobile industry getting more intense and cutthroat, this co-branding agreement will allow us to explore business models that will generate new revenue streams as well as strengthen our position in the prepaid segment and as the network of choice for smartphone users,” Cu said.

What makes Cherry Prepaid more exciting is the bonus Load feature exclusive to all Cherry Prepaid subscribers. Depending on your starter package, you can receive P10 to as much as P300 Bonus Load monthly which you can use to surf the Internet, text all networks, and call and text any Cherry Prepaid subscriber.

Users can choose between a P399 Lite Bundle that comes with a CP1 Bar Phone, a 999 Big Time Bundle that comes with a Cherry Mobile Astro Smart Phone, and P1699 Partner Bundle that comes with two mobile phones: a Cherry Mobile Comet Smart Phone and a CP2 Bar Phone. All Cherry Prepaid Phone Bundles come with a Cherry Prepaid SIM and freebies so one can immediately enjoy using the service.

With as little as P10 of your Bonus Load, you can enjoy an entire day of Clash of Clans, 1 day chat on Facebook Messenger, 3 minutes on Youtube, 10 texts to any network, 20 texts to any Cherry Prepaid subscriber, OR a 30-minute call to any Cherry Prepaid number. Enjoy more text, more calls, more chat and surfing. In addition, the Bonus Load is not a one-time perk, but an exclusive privilege enjoyed by all Cherry Mobile users.

“We are constantly trying to push and redefine what it means to be connected, and Cherry Prepaid’s unique offers like the Bonus Load; the CM365 option that allows the SIM to stay active for a year even without load which is perfect for OFW’s; as well as the CM399 which has the longest data validity of 60-days for data usage and other mobile internet offers that can be rollover; will empower more people than ever before,” Ngu added.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu

“This partnership with Cherry Mobile serves as a vehicle for us to provide mobile internet services for every Filipino to ultimately empower their digital lifestyle, further increasing smartphone penetration in the country and positioning the Philippines as the next digital lifestyle capital of the world,” expressed Cu.

Globe remained the undisputed leader in the mobile data segment with mobile browsing and other data revenues reaching P15.1 billion for the first nine months of 2015, up by a solid 48% from P10.2 billion a year ago. Mobile data users grew by 126% year-on-year, while mobile data traffic increased by 89% from previous year’s level.

In 2009, Cherry Mobile CEO Maynard Ngu envisioned Cherry to become the brand that has “Everything for Everyone,” providing handsets that cater to different age groups and match different lifestyles. In the span of six years, Cherry has already reached several milestones and has become the number one mobile phone company in the Philippines for the past two years.

Cherry Mobile CEO Maynard Ngu, Cherry Prepaid Ambassador Actor/celebrity Michael V, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

“We realized early on that in order to fully achieve what we sought out to do, we have to remain steadfast in our belief that real innovation happens when it helps to benefit the majority, and not just the few,” Ngu said.

He further added that: “When people can enjoy the fruits of the innovation that Cherry Mobile provides. When Cherry, the pioneer in mass market mobile connectivity can combine high quality mobile phones and prepaid service into one affordable package. We can then safely say that my dream, our dream is no longer just a dream, but a happy reality.”

As Cherry finally reaches its dream of providing “everything for everyone”, Ngu further said that: “In reaching this dream, one cannot help but dream some more – to provide the countless Filipinos access to data, of bringing the internet to the masses.”

Available starting DECEMBER 1, 2015 you can purchase the Cherry Prepaid Phone kit Bundle, the Cherry Prepaid Sim and Cherry Prepaid Load Cards at all Cherry Mobile Outlets. Reload for as low as P5 at all Cherry Mobile Outlets and from Globe AMAX retailers nationwide.

Techbox Christmas MegaSale!

Tweet

It's Holidays Shopping Season! Techbox Philippines is going all out with its Christmas MegaSale!

From November 13-15, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 80% on smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets from Lenovo, LG, Nikon, and Nokia. TIM Accessories and other surprise brands will also be offered.

The sale will take place at TAO’s new head office: the Tao Technology Group Bldg. at P. Antonio St. cor. F. Legaspi St., Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City.

“This megasale is perfect for people who want to avoid the Christmas rush – considering how nightmarish the traffic situation is bound to be. With the Techbox Christmas MegaSale, you can get the perfect gadget for your parents, your loved ones, even for yourself at incredibly low prices!” said Angela Gutierrez, Business Unit Head for Techbox Philippines. 

Aside from the impressive 80% discounts, customers can also avail buy-one-take-one deals and freebies for early birds. The sale would start from 10am to 7pm.

Techbox Philippines is the fastest growing gadget retail chain in the country. They offer trusted handset brands and cellphone accessories at affordable prices.

To get the latest Techbox deals, visit www.techboxhub.com.

FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS set for Manila in 2016! Auditions announced

Tweet

Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) is proud to announce that it will be bringing two Tony Award winning Best Musicals to Manila in 2016. After the recent success of the new International Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER and as it prepares to open the Tony Award winning musicalTHE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY starring Joanna Ampil and MiG Ayesa, ATEG has begun preparations for 2016. It will bring this year’s Tony Award winning musical FUN HOME, as well as the 2006 Tony Award winning musical JERSEY BOYS to Manila in 2016.

FUN HOME is the most awarded and acclaimed musical of the year, winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. FUN HOME is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.Based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir, FUN HOMEfeatures music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The New York Times calls it, “THE BEST NEW MUSICAL TO OPEN ON BROADWAY.” Both, Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron are scheduled to grace Opening Night of what will be the first international production of FUN HOME in Manila next year.

“TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!” raves the New York Post for JERSEY BOYS, the 2006 Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award®-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the true story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story -- a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” “THE CROWD GOES WILD!” cheers The New York Times.

Bobby Garcia, who will be directing both shows, says, “We are extremely honored to be producing the first international production of FUN HOME. It is a ground breaking and heart tugging musical that we believe in with all our heart and we are thrilled Manila audiences will get to experience it. ATEG thanks Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron for believing in us and we can’t wait to have them both as our guests on Opening Night. We are also excited to be staging JERSEY BOYS, an electric night at the theatre. JERSEY BOYS just celebrated it’s 10th Anniversary on Broadway and continues to be a worldwide phenomenon. We hope to see you all at these two fantastic musicals next year.”

ATEG producers Tony Tuviera and Bobby Barreiro say, “We are proud to be premiering FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS in Manila for the first time. These are two acclaimed and award winning Broadway musicals we know will capture the hearts of Manila audiences. 2016 will be a very exciting year for theatre in the Philippines.” 

Open call Auditions for FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS is on Thursday, November 26, 2015 at Opera Haus, 3657 Bautista Street (near the corner of Buendia), Makati City. Sign up begins at 10am with final sign up at 2pm. Please prepare 16 bars of a musical theatre song and 16 bars of an uptempo song from the 1950s/1960s. Please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Also bring a current resume and photo.

A special FUN HOME audition for KIDS aged 8 - 13 will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 1 - 4pm at Opera Haus. Please prepare one musical theatre song of your choice. An accompanist will be provided.

For more information about auditions and for a character breakdown for FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS follow ATEGasia on Facebook or call 650-5144. 

 Tickets to THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, which runs from November 20 - December 6, 2015 at RCBC, Makati, are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999.