DepEd, Albay ink MOA for 2016 Palarong Pambansa

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The Department of Education (DepEd) signs an agreement with the provincial government of Albay—the host of the2016 Palarong Pambansa in Legazpi City—stipulating the duties and responsibilities of both parties to ensure a well-managed and professionally-run annual national sporting event.

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said this year’s staging of the Palaro will have many “firsts.” “I want to highlight that this is Albay’s first ever hosting of the Palaro. This is also the first time that 18 regions will take action -- not the usual 17 regions --because of the participation of the Negros Island Region,” he explained.

Luistro added that this is also the first time that the Palaro will be conducted following very specific provisions of the law.”

Based on the Republic Act No. 10588 also known as the Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013, the elementary level would have to compete in 15 games and the secondary with 17 games and four (4) demonstration sports, namely Futsal, Wushu, Billiards and Wrestling. In addition, four special games will also be conducted for our special athletes.

Participated in by elementary and secondary students from public and private schools nationwide, the annual sporting event will be held at the Bicol University, Legazpi City from April 10 to 16, 2016.

“We are institutionalizing this sports program to ensure that we are developing athletes that are of international caliber,” Luistro pointed out. Together with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the provincial government of Albay, DepEd will see to it that the standards are at international level and that the coaching staff, the technical officials as well as the playing venues conform to international standards,” the education chief said.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda responded by stating the province’s readiness and eagerness to host the Palaro.

“We want to show that it will be a joyful Palaro. It's something that celebrates the spirit of national unity, especially in Albay. Siguro kung mayroon isang bagay to define Albay, it is our resiliency or ability to recover from adversity—na kahit may bagyo ngayon, paggising mo kinabukasan, ni-isang pirasong kahoy wala kang makikita sa daan. Gusto naming ipakita na ang isang bayan, no matter how modest, no matter how limited its capacity, will still have the unity and ability to host the Palaro,” Salceda shared.

No more ‘burning of midnight oil’ for studes in Misamis Oriental

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Thanks to free solar-powered lamps, hundreds of learners in Misamis Oriental can now extend their study time without burning the midnight oil.

Under the “Ilaw ng Pangarap Mo, Sagot Ko” project, the Department of Education (DepEd) Misamis Oriental Division has generated enough funds through various activities to provide solar-powered lamps in 368 homes that are either un-energized or are in remote and off-grid areas in Misamis Oriental.

According to DepEd Misamis Oriental Schools Division Superintendent Cherry Limbaco, division personnel and teachers organized a rummage sale and sold second-hand clothing and products. They also offered fresh vegetables and fruits at the Schools Division Office and at various schools. This fundraising campaign has lasted from October to December 2015.

The said project by DepEd Misamis Oriental Division is an offshoot of DepEd’s “One Child, One Lamp” campaign, which seeks to raise funds for the purchase of solar lamps that will then be distributed to students in off-grid areas.

Through the collective efforts of DepEd Misamis Oriental Division personnel and teachers, students in the community received solar-powered lamps to help them study at night.

“One Child, One Lamp” is a component of LightEd PH Campaign, an umbrella campaign also by DepEd, which provides solutions through conventional and alternative sources of energy to schools that have no power.

“Students in off-grid barangays have limited time to study at night. Providing them electricity or solar lamps will help them extend their study time, thus increasing the chance to improve their academic performance,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Partnership and External Linkages Mario Deriquito.

As of School Year 2013-2014, there are at least 1,101,051 students who have limited access to technology due to unavailability of electricity 

“The health of these students is also at risk from using kerosene lamps that emit harmful fumes, which is the only means for them to study at night,” Deriquito added.

‘Christmas gift’

The “Ilaw ng Pangarap Mo, Sagot Ko” project benefited 76 learners in Impadiding, Claveria; 38 learners in Lacbangan, Claveria; 101 learners in Malunsagay, Claveria; 92 learners in Kamansi, Lagonglong; 40 learners in Gumpot, Balingasag; and 21 learners in Lapu-lapu, Balingasag. In total, 368 solar-powered lamps were purchased with the profits from the said campaign.

Gracey Faith Masisti, a grade six pupil from Malunsagay Elementary School, said that she could now extend her study time until during the night because of her new solar-powered lamp. She expressed that it helps not only her schooling, but her family as well.

Masisti added that she is even more excited to study at home because it is brighter now with the help of the solar-powered lamp. 

“Salamat kaayo sa solar-powered lamp, isipon nako ug sa akong pamilya kini usa ka Christmas gift, amo gayud kining ampingan. Daghan kaayo salamat (I am very thankful for the solar powered lamp; my family and I think of it as a Christmas gift, and we will really take care of it. Thank you very much).”

Ramer Tangkal, another grade six pupil from Impadiding Elementary School said that, “mas ma-inspire pa gayud ko karon sa pag-study kay hayag na ang palibot ug mas maningkamot pa gayud ko aron makatibawas sa pag-skwela aron pud makatabang ko sa ako pamilya (I'm even more inspired now to study because it is brighter and I will work harder to improve my schooling so that I can help my family).”

Luistro: next biggest educ reform will come from ARMM

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In his visit to Jolo, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said he is confident that the creativity of Muslim Mindanao will create the next biggest educational reform in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The most colorful Filipinos are Muslims. There are so many colors seen in a Muslim gathering. They wear colors from head to toe... People who love colors are the most creative people,” Luistro said during the K to 12 Summit held in Jolo, Sulu.

Luistro added that the most creative solutions will come from the Filipinos in ARMM. He said that, “If we walk together, we will be able to outshine the other provinces... the next biggest reform in education will come from here.”

The K to 12 Summit was held last January 20 at the Notre Dame of Jolo College. There were over 300 education stakeholders—students from public and private schools, parents, teachers, and superintendents—who attended the event and pledged their support for the full implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

“My trip here is actually a vote for Mindanao. Dahil sa palagay ko po, hindi uusad ang Pilipinas kung hindi tayo sabay-sabay. Kailangan kasabay natin ang Mindanao,” Luistro said.

Luistro even asked not to call him “Secretary” because “it does not mean anything. Call me ‘Brother’ because I came here as your brother.”

‘No one gets left behind’

During the said summit, Luistro discussed several prevalent issues in the education sector of ARMM—chief among them was the disparity between the number of children who enroll and complete schooling in elementary and secondary education.

According to Luistro, out of 636,000 enrollees in 2014, about 35.28% or 224,000 completed their elementary education. In the same year, around 72,476 students or almost half of the 148,000 enrollees completed their secondary education.

“This is our mission: the enrollment and completion rate in Sulu must be at the same level. This is because our overall target is that no Filipino learner must be left behind. That is what we must all achieve together,” Luistro said.

Luistro added that education is not only done through formal schooling, emphasizing that Department of Education (DepEd) has other programs that provide alternative options to existing formal instruction, such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Managed by ALS learning facilitators, the ALS education is delivered outside the classroom, usually conducted at community learning centers, barangay multi-purpose hall, libraries, or at home.

“We have students whom we should reach out to. We need to strengthen our ALS program and provide more mobile teachers. We will make sure that they are part of our program,” Luisto said.

Luistro further cited the number of participants for the Senior High School (SHS) Early Registration in ARMM.

“There are 19,658 Grade 10 completers who participated in the SHS Early Registration in ARMM, out of the 28,915 students who enrolled in 2015. Look for that Grade 10 student who has not enrolled yet in SHS,” he said.

He added that the government will aid Grade 10 completers who will pursue SHS in a non-DepEd public or private school through the SHS Voucher Program.

Starting School Year 2016-2017, the SHS Voucher Program seeks to subsidize a partial amount of public and private Grade 10 completers’ tuition fees in a non-DepEd public and private schools licensed to offer SHS Program. These include private schools, State Universities and Colleges/Local Universities and Colleges, and Technical and Vocation Schools.

Educ stakeholders

The said event was likewise attended by DepEd ARMM Assistant Secretary for Special Projects Alfhadar Pajiji, Notre Dame of Jolo College President Fr. Romeo Saniel, OMI, and Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada who represented Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.

“We are one with the government in ensuring the success of this educational reform (K to 12 Program). I challenge everyone to dream of change and lasting peace in Jolo through the education of our children,” Estrada said during the summit.

For his part, Samiel said that, “Wai kita niyu piyasaran sin parinta natuh (Hindi tayo pinapabayaan ng ating gobyerno).”

Pajiji noted that without the full support of DepEd Central Office, DepEd ARMM would have a hard time employing educational reforms in the region.

“Patuloy po tayo sa pagsuporta sa mga programa ng National (DepEd Central Office) at hindi po tayo napapabayaan,” Pajiji ended.

PLDT introduces game-changing broadband plan with mobile data sharing

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Leading telecom and digital services provider PLDT has introduced the country’s first broadband plan that cuts across home and mobile broadband subscriptions with the launch of PLDT HOME DSL Speedster Fam Plan 1299.

The country's first data sharing feature by the PLDT HOME DSL Speedster Fam Plan strengthens family connections even further as it lets them share their most meaningful experiences even beyond the home.

Offering five times faster speeds of up to 10 megabits per second (Mbps), the Speedster Fam Plan has shareable monthly data allowance of 50 gigabytes (GB).

“To enjoy the Speedster Fam Plan’s data sharing feature, subscribers can get a Smart mobile line that comes with a free smart phone for an additional P299 per month or with a free iPhone for P799 per month,” said PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Director Gary Dujali.  

“Subscribers can share 6 GB of the 50 GB monthly data allocation to up to four mobile phone lines, which they can use even outside the home. Bundled with the Speedster Fam Plan, these are all conveniently billed under one subscription.” 

“Internet today is not just about high-speed connectivity,” Dujali added.  

“More importantly, it’s about sharing and nurturing the connections that matter most in this digitally-driven world. This data sharing offer from PLDT HOME DSL, in partnership with Smart, is only the beginning of more game-changing innovations that we’ll be unveiling this year.”

Aside from giving subscribers access to an array of multimedia entertainment options from iflix, Fox and Netflix, the Speedster Fam Plan revolutionizes the way subscribers can share data. For instance, parents can share data with their children so they can book an Uber going home or check up on their kids while they’re out through video call. This feature can also be used to plan an impromptu dinner with the family or make travel plans with loved ones despite being away from each other.

The Speedster Fam Plan, which is powered by the PLDT Group’s robust and resilient fixed and wireless networks, will also allow subscribers to access and enjoy exclusive offers from PLDT HOME and Smart’s other digital lifestyle partners such as Zalora, foodpanda and Airbnb, whether at home or on mobile.

To get started on this pioneering way to share data, watch https://youtu.be/36MtKKQBsoQ and log on to pldthome.com.

Confidently beautiful with a heart, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach advocates for HIV awareness and testing

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The Filipino pride, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach answered the Standard question during the Miss Universe Grand Pageant - Why should you be the next Miss Universe:

"To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you."

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach called for Filipinos’ increased awareness on HIV as she winds up the Bb. Pilipinas Charity Day during her homecoming. The new Miss Universe continued her HIV advocacy in the Philippines by speaking with advocates and young people living with HIV. 

“It is shocking that the Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. Many of those who get infected are young people. I want to use my voice to help lift up those who are living with HIV and to bring awareness to young people who do not know how to protect themselves against this virus,” Wurtzbach says. 

The Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. The country is one of only nine countries globally where the number of new HIV cases has increased by over 25 per cent. Also, new HIV infections among 15-19 year old Filipinos have risen by 50 per cent over four years from 2010-2014. According to the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) only 17 per cent of young people in the Philippines demonstrated correct knowledge about HIV and AIDS and 70 per cent of young people’ sexual interactions are unprotected.

“We welcome Pia as a new champion for children and young people who are at risk of HIV. Her influence can help end the silence against this ‘hidden epidemic’ that is happening in our midst. Young people have the right to health and survival, and that includes giving them information that they need to prevent HIV,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander says. 

In the Philippines, UNICEF is helping in the HIV response for adolescents through gathering of data and strategic information, advocating for laws that are responsive to the needs of children and young people, giving adolescents life skills and leadership trainings and helping the government, NGOs and youth networks improve service delivery to respond to the crisis.

Ms. Wurtzbach during her HIV session shared experiences and stories with young people involved in the HIV response, as well as those who have acquired the virus. By spending time with them, Ms. Wurtzbach also hopes to end the stigma against people living with HIV and encourage people to talk about HIV openly. 

“What we can do as a country is to talk about what is happening and what this means for our country and for our children. We should encourage discussion and come together to find solutions. Ordinary Filipinos like you and me have the power to stop the spread of HIV. Change should start from ourselves by knowing what HIV is, how to prevent it and knowing our status by getting tested,” Wurtzbach added. 

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) supports the current Miss Universe’s call to increase awareness on the rapid increase of HIV cases. Mrs Stella Marquez Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas Charities Chair believes that Wurtzbach is an excellent communicator and will be an effective agent in relaying information regarding this global issue.

“Pia can use her good communication skills to raise the alarm over the issue on HIV. She is a social figure to whom the youth can relate to easily especially in this age of social media. With all the trainings she went through when she joined Binibining Pilipinas, I am confident that she is the perfect voice for this cause,” Marquez Araneta says. 

Founded by Stella Márquez Araneta, BPCI has been a key partner in nation-building for over four decades. BPCI pursues its mission of spreading peace and love across the nation and is a fund-raising activity for projects that would benefit orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of Philippine society.