LRMC partners with Binhi English Literacy Foundation for learning program

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In keeping with its advocacy of supporting nation-building through various initiatives, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has announced a new partnership with Binhi English Literacy Foundation, a non-profit and non-governmental organization, to aid struggling children in learning to read and write.

Marcelo Marcela Elementary School in Pasay City receives learning kits from Light Rail Manila Corporation and Binhi English Literacy Foundation

Through the partnership with Binhi Foundation, LRMC is adopting a Grade 2 class from Marcelo Marcela Elementary School in Pasay City and supporting the Beginning Reading Program for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. The school is located close to the LRT-1 EDSA station.

The Beginning Reading Program is an entire learning program for six (6) months designed to support children struggling to read and write at a relatively advanced age. The program aims to keep the children in school by improving their literacy skills, to foster a love for reading and improve comprehension skills, and to inculcate a love for learning that will inspire them to do better in school and subsequently improve their economic situation. The components of the curriculum include teaching tools (modules, activity sheets, various school supplies, instructional USB flash drive); assessments (pre-test, mid-test, post-test); monitoring of the students; inputs on lesson plans; evaluation and recommendation. It has also been modified and maximized for the online and modular learning setup required by the Department of Education given the pandemic situation.

 LRMC Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Head Jacqueline Gorospe, Marcelo Marcela Elementary School Principal Norma Jamon and representatives from Binhi Foundation distributes Beginning Reading Program Kits to parents/guardians of Grade 2 students

“This English literacy support is a greatly-needed intervention program for our struggling readers. The effective strategies and learning kits provided by Binhi and funded by LRMC will surely bring the pupils’ much-sought enhancement in their English and reading skills,” said Marcelo Marcela Elementary School Principal Norma P. Jamon.

“At LRMC, we value learning and support an open culture where we are after developing our team members to reach their potential. In the same light, we are glad to help young Filipino children achieve their fullest potential and overcome learning challenges through our partnership with Binhi English Literacy Foundation. All of us can make a difference in whatever work we do, and this is our way of supporting the next generation by inculcating the value of education,” said LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Jacqueline Gorospe.

Binhi English Literacy Foundation is an NGO founded in 2008 to help out-of-school children and students who are at risk of not completing their primary education due to absence of learning support in their homes and communities. Inspired by PRATHAM, an NGO in India which was responsible for helping more than 21 million underprivileged children, Binhi designed an intervention tool to improve reading and comprehension skills to achieve its vision of “Every Filipino Child in school and learning well.”

LRMC is a staunch supporter of education, spearheading previous initiatives such as the partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation’s Gabay Guro program in celebration of Teacher’s Month every year.

A look into education’s new normal : DepEd shares insights on the first weeks of classes

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Various industries in the Philippines are already on their slow but steady path to recovery and that includes the education sector. Despite the compromises and major changes made in the educational system to navigate through the now normal, the Department of Education (DepEd) has successfully opened classes for SY 2020-2021. 

“DepEd recognizes the challenges of the school year ahead, but if we opted for an academic freeze, we would have lost many months of the childrens’ learning,” said DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones. “The opening of the school year has generally been very successful, and we will continue to face any challenge that lies ahead with great resolve to continue education in the country.” 

For the first few weeks of classes, the Department has been focusing on the proper implementation of the alternative learning delivery modalities and providing the necessary psychosocial support for the academic community. 

Learning in the new normal 

Following the DepEd’s successful implementation of the different learning modalities across the country, Regional Offices (ROs) are working hard to continuously provide students with learning materials. 

With the vision of making education accessible to every student in the country, DepEd reports that 690,578,576 Self Learning Modules (SLM) have already been printed. Distribution of the said learning materials has also been successful, with 465,225,636 SLMs being distributed to students nationwide for the first quarter of the school year. 

Learning materials for Online Distance Learning students have already been prepared in time for the first quarter of the academic year, with 3,841,474 digitized SLMs, e-books, online video lessons, and the like ready for rollout. 

The DepEd also shared that 7,740 Radio-based instruction (RBI) learning materials are ready for roll out across all regions in the country. These materials include teaching scripts and learning episodes, which will help educate and engage with students in far-flung areas. Currently, DepEd has partnerships with 309 radio stations all over the Philippines. 

Meantime, preparations for Television-based learning have also been successful. The Department reports that 9,207 Television-based instruction (TBI) learning materials like video lessons and learning episodes have been prepared for students in all 17 regions in the country. A total of 259 television channels are partaking in TBI, making education more accessible and easier to consume this school year. 

Recently, DepEd also announced the DepEd Error Watch initiative. The goal of this initiative is to receive and collate reports of errors found in different learning materials so that the DepEd can forward these to the appropriate offices for validation and correction. The initiative allows the Department to be more open to public feedback in order to further improve the learning experience of every student in the country. 

Parents and students can use various platforms such as email (errorwatch@deped.gov.ph), Facebook messenger (@depederrorwatch), and text message (0961-680-5334) to report any discrepancies, and are also encouraged to use the hashtag #depederrorwatch when submitting reports. 

Training has also been conducted nationwide to help equip teachers and parents for the changes that are bound to happen this school year. The Department has trained 804,272 teachers, and they have also reached out to 14,944,593 parents in all 13 regions. In total, 45,321 schools have helped the Department in conducting seminars to educate both teachers and parents. 

Putting emphasis on mental health 

The mental health of the academic community also continues to be one of DepEd’s top priorities for this school year. Prior to the opening of classes, DepEd trained teachers to provide support to students who may be struggling to cope with education’ new normal. 

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) program gives learners the necessary support they needed during the first week of remote learning. Likewise, DepEd’s stakeholders also enjoy wellness checks to also help them cope with working at such a peculiar time. 

DepEd also issued the Parents’ Handbook for the New Normal in Basic Education to serve as a guide for SY 2020-2021. The handbook helps parents further understand the alternative learning modalities and provides information on where parents can seek help should they encounter difficulties in understanding the learning modules. Practical tips for parents of learners with disabilities and positive parenting and discipline tips when facilitating home learning are also included in the handbook. Parents can secure a copy of the handbook by downloading it online. 

“The millions of learners who are doing their best to learn despite the pandemic are truly inspiring and encouraging,” said Secretary Briones. “The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to provide all learners with the quality education they deserve, and we will continue to work hand in hand with our stakeholders to continue education for Filipinos across the country amid these trying times.” 

About the Department of Education 

The Department of Education (DepEd) formulates, implements, and coordinates policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education. It supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private; and provides for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development. 

Jake Cuenca and Ivana Alawi summon bad omens in "Sitsit's" back-to-back horror flicks on iWant TFC

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Jake Cuenca and Ivana Alawi will give us back-to-back horror flicks, on iWant TFC starting on a movie series “Sitsit”.

Virtual media conference for iWant TFC's Halloween offering "Sitsit" with Jake Cuenca and Ivana Alawi, and producer Paulo Avelino with directors Ato Bautista and Erin Pascua .

Jake Cuenca and Ivana Alawi’s desire for money and sex will corrupt their minds and summon evil into their lives in the back-to-back horror flicks for the movie series “Sitsit,” streaming on iWant TFC on October 31.

“Sitsit” presents two different stories in “Scorpio” and “Aswang” about people who, out of desperation to escape their misery and turn things around, take the easy way out and end up attracting evil elements that will manipulate them and could tarnish their souls completely.

In “Scorpio,” named after the Zodiac sign, Jake and Dido Dela Paz portray Danny, a lustful aging photographer who fears living a lonely life with no one to love. To get the woman he loves and is obsessed with, he takes a mysterious potion that will turn him into a young handsome man to win her heart.

“Aswang,” on the other hand, follows a money-hungry prostitute named Joyce (Ivana) who is desperate to escape her life after being used and abused by different people. One day, she meets Nala, a stray dog who becomes her companion for life and ends up turning all her insecurities and worries into life-changing opportunities.

In Filipino myths, the word “sitsit” or “pssst” signifies a calling of an individual or object that is usually accompanied by a bad omen when one responds to such call. The two horror flicks, however, provide a darker twist and a modern take on Filipino folklore elements “aswang” and "gayuma,” as the characters summon evil spirits due to their selfish desires.

“Scorpio” is directed by Ato Bautista, while “Aswang” is directed by Erin Pascual. 

Actor Paulo Avelino, meanwhile, co-produced "Aswang."

Catch “Sitsit” on the iWant TFC app (iOs and Android) or on iwanttfc.com starting October 31. 

For updates, like www.facebook.com/iWantTFC, and follow @iwanttfc on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/iWantTFC. For inquiries and concerns about the service, users can also send a message on iWant TFC’s Facebook page or e-mail support@iwanttfc.com.

World Vision ensures a bright future for the most vulnerable children thru Give Hope campaign

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Months have passed since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and it is still a great risk to a lot of lives today. But even though children have not been significantly affected by the virus, they continue to be extremely vulnerable to the negative impacts. 

Last May 2020, World Vision conducted a rapid assessment and the study revealed that 92% of the household respondents’ livelihoods were disrupted, with the daily or casual laborers as those severely affected. This resulted to 60%-68% of the households being unable to meet their family’s daily requirements to survive.

The assessment showed that food security has worsened during the pandemic as their average food spending was further reduced from Php 1,797.06 to Php 1,184.82. This shows the importance of immediate planning and implementation of projects/ activities that will cater to our kababayans in need. 

World Vision launched “Give Hope” campaign last June to appeal for school kits for the children in its assisted communities. Spearheaded by World Vision Ambassadors Joyce Pring and Leia Valenciano, the goal of the campaign was to make continued learning possible for the children despite the interruption of classes in the formal education setting brought about by the pandemic. 

Through initiatives like “Give Hope”, World Vision continues to advocate the welfare of the most vulnerable children as among the priorities today. The organization invites its constituents and the public to keep on engaging in opportunities that will not only spark hope but change the lives of more children and their communities. 

Through the generous support of its individual donors and corporate partners, 14,549 children from World Vision assisted communities have received school kits in time for the opening of the school year. The contents of each school kit are appropriate to the grade level of the children. 

“On behalf of the thousands of children who received their school kits, thank you very much. This noble endeavor is a strong reminder that no matter what the situation is, hope that is found in the Lord will find its way to our hearts and minds, and ultimately allow us to enjoy helping one another. God bless you a hundredfold”, said World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte. 

World Vision would like to acknowledge the generosity of its corporate partner, Robinsons Supermarket Corporation, for sponsoring 400 school kits. The organization would also like to recognize all the individual donors who contributed so that thousands of children today are inspired to keep pursuing their dreams and live life to the full. 

For updates, like and follow World Vision Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit their official website www.worldvision.org.ph. 

About World Vision 

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. 

Brave New Horizon:Teleperformance marks newest milestone with first business site in Cavite

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In the recent virtual launch event called “Brave New Horizon”, Teleperformance announced that they will be opening its first business site in Bacoor, Cavite, after 24 years of operations in the country, 

Teleperformance’s newest site, officially called Teleperformance Molino, is located in Bacoor City. Its recruitment center in Vista Mall has already opened its doors to applicants while the operations site will open the first week of November.

The Teleperformance Molino recruitment center located in Vista Mall Molino has begun accepting applicants for their newest site.

During the “Brave New Horizon” event, Teleperformance took guests on a virtual tour of its newest Recruitment Center. There was also a preview of the soon-to-open BPO operations site, which will have complete facilities from sleeping quarters, gender-neutral bathrooms, lactation rooms, a clinic, and entertainment rooms, all of these free and available for use by their employees to encourage health and safety, fun, and camaraderie in the workplace.

The Teleperformance Molino recruitment center is complete with equipment for efficient and effective testing of applicants.

Teleperformance Molino, the company’s 22^nd site in the country, comes at a time of an ever-increasing need for an economic boost and career opportunities due to the pandemic. Teleperformance’s entry into the province known as the Land of the Brave Heroes is a signal of the company’s optimism in the Philippines’ IT-BPM industry and in the potential of Cavite, as the investment encourages job generation and industry advancement in the region.

Teleperformance will be opening over 2,000 full-time jobs once the site is at full capacity. The site will be servicing various companies in the finance, services, and telecommunications industries.

Considering the ongoing pandemic, these positions will be a strategic blend of work-at-home and safe onsite work. Teleperformance has implemented various policies and programs to adapt to the new environment – including strict physical distancing and health and sanitation measures in the workplace.

The Teleperformance Molino recruitment center features colorful and relaxing waiting areas for visiting guests and applicants. Safe social distancing is part of the design

Teleperformance has also thoughtfully designed a space that is more flexible and geared for both face-to-face and virtual delivery – such as virtual training facilitation and coaching, while expanding areas to allow safe physical distancing among employees working onsite.

Teleperformance Philippines Chief Operations Officer Mike Lytle expressed his excitement over the company’s newest site. “Even with the ongoing pandemic, Teleperformance remains optimistic in the country’s growth and continues to believe and invest in Filipino talent. Our new site in Molino marks another milestone for the company. We are excited to be in Cavite as we see it as one of the fastest growing provinces in the Philippines, with great potential to become a regional growth hub. We believe that this new venture during this period can contribute to the country’s push for provincial development and to the overall recovery of our economy.”

 

The Teleperformance Molino recruitment center adheres to strict physical distancing protocols such as barriers and floor markers.

Since they began operations in the country in 1996, Teleperformance Philippines has grown to be a preferred offshore contact center outsourcing option for some of the world’s largest companies, as well as local brands. Its wide portfolio of customer experience solutions, all of which will be offered in their Molino site, is a testament to the company’s passion for innovation and use of state-of-the-art technologies, especially now with the push for digitalization in the country and the need for businesses to adapt to the new working environment. Combining these solutions with the right human resources and safety measures, Teleperformance implements a high-tech and high-touch transformation strategy that delivers a differentiated customer experience.

One of its solutions, the Teleperformance Cloud Campus, allows agents to remain connected and collaborative, while telecommuting through a centralized command center that can even allow clients to interact with their workforce. This was instrumental in helping the company quickly adjust to the lockdown earlier this year and transfer over 50 percent of its workforce to a work-at-home arrangement within a few weeks.

Interview rooms in the Teleperformance Molino recruitment center are decorated with fun and vibrant colors.

Teleperformance is the leading global group in digitally integrated business services, recently winning the Frost & Sullivan 2020 Asia Pacific Services Provider of the Year Award and, earlier this year, its third consecutive Great Place to Work® certification. Currently, the organization has around 47,000 employees from business sites located in Metro Manila, Antipolo, Baguio, Cebu, Bacoor, Bacolod, Davao, and Cagayan De Oro.

 

ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE

Teleperformance (TEP – ISIN: FR0000051807 – Reuters: ROCH.PA – Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in outsourced omnichannel customer experience management serves as a strategic partner to the world’s largest companies in a wide variety of industries. Its customer care, technical support, customer acquisition, consulting and analytics, digital integrated business service solutions, and other high-value specialized services ensure consistently positive customer interactions that are reliable, flexible and intelligent. The company has established the highest security and quality standards in the industry and uses proprietary deep learning technology to optimize flexibility on a global scale.

The Group’s 300,000 employees, spread across 80 countries, support billions of connections annually in 265 languages and enhance the customer experience with every interaction. In 2019, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €5,355 million (US$6 billion, based on €1 = $1.12).

Teleperformance began operations in the Philippines in 1996 and has grown to become a preferred offshore contact center outsourcing option. The company employs over 47,500 people in the country and operates over 30,000 workstations in 21 business sites located across Metro Manila, Antipolo, Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

From 2012 to 2018, Teleperformance received the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Contact Center Outsourcing Service Provider of the Year Award for its significant performance in revenue management, market share, capabilities, and overall contribution to the contact center industry. In addition, Teleperformance Philippines was awarded in 2017 as Outstanding Employer and Outstanding Community Project of the Year by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Top Employer of the Year at the Asia CEO Awards, and the Outstanding Volunteer by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

This 2020, Teleperformance Philippines was again certified as a Great Place to Work® and is the only organization in the country to receive this certification from the Great Place to Work® Institute for three years in a row. This year, Teleperformance celebrates its 24th year of continued excellence and leadership in the country. This milestone highlights the company’s commitment to steadily provide the best employment experience for Filipinos, proactively support the nation’s ICT-BPO sector, and uphold its socio-civic engagements to create a difference in the lives of the Philippine community.

 

For further information, please visit the Teleperformance website at teleperformance.ph.