National Teachers College and APEC Schools' Merger Marks New Chapter in Philippine Education

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In an ambitious move to reshape the educational landscape, the National Teachers College (NTC) and APEC Schools have officially merged to form a stronger education powerhouse.

Approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in late 2023, the merger combines the strengths and resources of both institutions to provide quality and accessible education to more students. NTC, with a 95-year track record of excellence in teacher education, will bring experience, while APEC, known for its innovative and progressive teaching methods, will bring fresh ideas and modern approaches to education. This merger has paved the way for NTC SmartClass, blending traditional wisdom with modern technology.

Introducing the NTC SmartClass Homeschooling Program

During the pandemic, many families opted for homeschooling as a safer alternative to traditional schooling due to concerns about health, flexibility, and personalized learning. As a response to the widespread adoption of homeschooling, NTC SmartClass was introduced in 2023. This program recognized the need for flexible and comprehensive educational solutions tailored to meet the needs of modern-day families. It builds upon the innovative foundations of online learning during the pandemic, retaining the core of progressive teaching methods while incorporating deep educational insights and expertise from NTC's long-standing tradition of excellence.

NTC SmartClass, the homeschooling program of the National Teachers College for Kinder to Grade 10, prioritizes each student's unique learning styles, paces, and interests. This approach is grounded in the understanding that a one-size-fits-all model of education is not only outdated but also ineffective in nurturing every learner's full potential.

The program offers flexible study schedules using a learning-by-doing approach. NTC SmartClass gradually forms skills, helping learners understand and retain information effectively as they develop a love for learning. To accelerate student learning and increase student engagement, NTC SmartClass uses a collaborative environment between Parents, Subject Matter Experts, and Academic Advisers — forming a “triangle of support”.

"During the first year, we observed that NTC SmartClass homeschoolers appreciate the additional layers of support that other homeschooling programs do not provide,” says Mark Sy, Chief Learning Officer at APEC SChools. “The triangle of support ensures that we support each homeschooler along the way and that no one gets left behind, which fosters a love for learning."

Inclusive Flexible Education for Filipino Learners

This merger has paved the way to a more inclusive homeschooling platform for wider socioeconomic classes nationwide, as NTC SmartClass aims to expand its target market.

In the Philippines, educational disruptions due to external factors like severe weather conditions, natural disasters, and health outbreaks are not uncommon. In these situations, homeschooling stands out as a solution that guarantees continuous education without any interruptions.

However, many Filipinos remain skeptical about the viability of homeschooling, largely due to perceived financial barriers. Many homeschooling programs in the Philippines have a base fee for basic services, then charge additional fees for essential elements like assessments, educational materials, and learner support services. These added costs can significantly increase the financial burden on families.

NTC SmartClass aims to break this barrier by offering a flat, affordable rate that ensures homeschoolers can access all the necessary resources and support to thrive academically. The program offers a range of curriculum add-ons at an extra fee, but they are entirely optional, allowing families to tailor the educational experience to their child's interests and needs without feeling pressured by mandatory costs. From comprehensive assessment tools to a wide range of learning materials and dedicated support services, SmartClass makes high-quality flexible education attainable for more Filipino families.

"Amidst the changing education landscape and increasing environmental hazards in the Philippines, homeschooling is an excellent alternative to traditional schooling,” says Pam Wu, Executive Vice President of NTC. “NTC SmartClass emerges as a beacon of personalized learning, offering flexible, safe, and accessible quality education parents seek for their children.”

Philippines named Sustainable Dive Destination at Asia Dive Expo, generates over PHP 197 million in sales leads

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The Philippines’ participation in Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) Singapore, known as Asia’s largest and longest-running dive expo, was a resounding success after a three-day business-to-consumer session, generating Php 197,219,062.09 in combined negotiated sales leads and actual bookings. This marked more than 300% increase from last year’s negotiated sales leads.

In addition to this feat, the country was named the Sustainable Dive Destination of the Year in recognition of its unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices in dive tourism.

"This recognition, alongside our long list of accolades celebrating the beauty of our nation, underscores our steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism practices,” said Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. “Participation in trade fairs like ADEX provides us a platform to promote the Philippines' diverse tourism products and experiences. Moving forward, we will continue to work hand in hand with local communities and dive operators to ensure sustainable practices are followed so that our country’s treasures will still be enjoyed by future generations in the years to come.”

As the event’s official country partner for the third consecutive year, the Philippine pavilion utilized a 90-square-meter booth space to feature some of the country’s finest dive sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, the famed sardine run of Moalboal in Cebu, and the marine and natural park of Apo Reef in Mindoro.

The Philippine delegation, led by the TPB, is composed of 16 exhibitors from the dive industry, accommodation, and tour operators, including Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Thresher Shark Divers, Infiniti Liveaboard Inc., El Galleon Resort/Asia Divers, Scandi Divers, M.Y. Resolute, Kasai Village Dive Resort, Logon Fish Buddies Diveshop, Earth Explorers Travel and Tours, Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Fun & Sun Dive & Travel, Boracay Adventures Travel N Tours/Fisheye Divers, Sea Explorers Philippines, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Bohol Beach Club, and Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards, who offered dive and liveaboard packages in the top and emerging dive destinations in the Philippines.

In a series of talks and panel discussions, Ram Yoro, a renowned underwater photographer, cave diving expert, Filipino scuba instructor, and author of Guide to Anilao, shared insights on the Best of Philippine diving to further establish and sustain the country’s reputation as one of the world’s best diving destinations. Other Filipinos also represented the country on several panel stages including renowned underwater photographers, Bo Mancao and Alex Santos, and distinguished sustainability advocates, Cat Trivino and Antoinette Taus.

The TPB has been participating in ADEX for more than ten years which has been significant in ensuring that Singapore remains one of the country’s top source markets.

World Intellectual Property Day: OPPO Maintains Top 10 Global IP Ranking for Fifth Consecutive Year

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●       In the “OPPO Innovation and Intellectual Property White Paper”, OPPO reaffirms its long-term commitment to innovation and its proactive defense intellectual property strategy.

●       OPPO is investing significantly in AI innovation and is committed to advancing and popularizing AI Phones.

Today, OPPO, a leading global technology company, released its "OPPO Innovation and Intellectual Property White Paper" on World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to innovation and intellectual property protection. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), OPPO ranked ninth globally in patents filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in 2023, making its fifth consecutive year in the global top ten. As of March 31, 2024, OPPO has filed over 101,000 patent applications globally, with more than 55,000 patents granted, and 91% of all patent applications are utility patents.

"At OPPO, we believe that technological innovation and intellectual property protection are fundamental to our company's past, present, and future success," said Feng Ying, Chief Intellectual Property Officer of OPPO. "Through our proactive defense IP strategy and commitment to fostering a healthy long-term IP ecosystem, we are fully committed to supporting the future of innovation as envisioned in the 'OPPO Innovation and Intellectual Property White Paper'."

OPPO's Commitment to Advancing and Popularizing AI Phones

Through extensive R&D investment in areas such as image processing, computer vision, speech technology, natural language processing, and machine learning, OPPO is pioneering AI technology development and widespread application in its smartphone products. As of March 31, 2024, OPPO has filed a total of 5,399 AI-related patents globally, including 3,796 utility patents in AI imaging. According to the “Artificial Intelligence Patent Ranking” published by intellectual property media outlet IPRdaily on April 22, 2024, OPPO ranked ninth in China with a total of 3,743 AI-related utility patents granted.

 

As part of its efforts to enhance smart life experiences for its users, OPPO is focused on transforming the latest technical innovations into practical, consumer-centric applications. This includes the introduction of over one hundred AI-driven features on the latest OPPO Find X7 series, while future plans involve integrating generative AI features such as AI Eraser and AI Magic Studio into more OPPO products.

Advanced Key Technologies through Open Innovation

OPPO's commitment to open innovation is driving the company’s efforts to build an intellectual property ecosystem based on key technological breakthroughs in high-value areas such as 5G/6G, AI, flash charge, and imaging.

To date, OPPO has deployed 5G essential standard patents in over 40 countries and regions globally. It has also filed over 6,100 families of global patent applications, declared over 3,300 families of 5G standard patents to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and submitted more than 11,000 5G standard-related proposals to the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In other areas, OPPO has applied for over 12,306 global imaging-related patents and has licensed its VOOC flash charge technology to more than 50 companies, enabling more electronic devices with fast charging capabilities.

 

Proactive Defense IP Strategy for Sustainable IP Ecosystem Development

Over the years, OPPO has signed licensing or cross-license agreements with dozens of patent owners globally^[1], resolving numerous intellectual property licensing issues through negotiations and cross-licenses that fully reflect the value of intellectual property rights from all parties. These steps echo the company’s wider belief in charging reasonable licensing fees and avoiding coercive patent litigation while defending its legitimate legal rights and interests where applicable.

Driven by its mission of "Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World", OPPO will continue to invest in innovation to create more industry-leading products and services while contributing to the development of the global intellectual property ecosystem through practical actions.

 

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The Final Stand: ‘Hightown’ Season 3 Marks the End of an Epic Journey

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Brace for a storm as the last chapter of the crime series Hightown streams on Lionsgate Play.

Hightown Season 3 is now on Lionsgate Play! The gripping crime series is an emotional rollercoaster that follows Jackie Quiñonez's (Monica Raymund), a National Marine Fisheries Service agent struggling to maintain her sobriety amidst the harrowing opioid crisis plaguing Cape Cod. 

In Season 2, viewers witnessed Jackie's pursuit to establish herself as a cop and seek justice for a tragic loss. In the third and final season, beliefs will be challenged, loyalties tested, and Jackie will navigate a path where she must learn to stand firm for her convictions.

On her initial thoughts on Hightown heroine Jackie, Monica Raymundo says, “I was really intrigued by how messy she was and how imperfect, flawed, and dark. I wanted to explore… these phases of life that all of us go through, these messy I-don’t-know phases… and like, living in that immaturity before we really start to sort of know who we are. So when I read the script I was intrigued by how she skirts the line of light and darkness. Who she is in private vs. who she is in public.”

Reflecting on his experience working on the show, Atkins Estimond, who plays ambitious lieutenant Osito Delgado, says,"One of the best cast and crews that I've ever had the opportunity to work with... Everybody here really cares about each other, but also, we really care about this project. We really care about this show... It's just been a real gift and a treasure to be on this show."

Santé: Leading the Game in Health and Wellness Scene Through Acceleration and Innovation

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Discover the company's journey to staying at the forefront of empowering people to live more, do more.

More and more people are focusing on taking care of themselves, and this has created a big market for health and wellness products. The thriving industry emerged to promote health and act as catalysts for innovation and acceleration. 

Among these, Santé, one of the fastest-growing distribution and direct-selling companies globally dedicated to helping people live better lives, stands out. Through transformative products and services, they help people live better lives.

Santé is a big player in the ever-changing health and wellness industry, especially for Filipinos, who are now putting more focus on their well-being. They're always striving to be the best, and this has set new standards and completely changed how Filipinos think about taking care of their health. Now, Santé is sharing their story of acceleration and innovation — from grass to glass.

Integrating high-quality processes into barley production. Santé's success starts with their commitment to high-quality ingredients. They get their barley from New Zealand's clean fields, where modern technology works alongside traditional farming methods. These fields, located in Canterbury, carry the perfect soil for growing barley.

All Santé's farms in New Zealand are manned by highly skilled farmers who use top-notch equipment to grow the barley. Even though New Zealand's climate naturally helps crops grow well, Santé's farmers carefully check on the barley using advanced tools. This ensures every plant reaches peak freshness before harvest. And because of their careful approach, Santé's barley has earned a special organic certification from BioGro. This means they don't use harmful chemicals and follow strict environmental guidelines.

According to Santé New Zealand Managing Director Peter Hope, Santé considers the fusion of high-tech processes with eco-conscious practices pivotal in its mission to achieve acceleration and innovation.

“By prioritizing cleanliness, environmental friendliness, and sustainability, Santé remains steadfast in its pursuit of elevating standards and reaching new heights in the industry,” said Hope.

Driving innovation and acceleration through business programs. More than just its products, Santé is renowned for offering business opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs. The company consistently pushes its boundaries through innovative programs tailored to adapt to the ever-evolving demands of the industry.

The Santé business program provides comprehensive education and training for individuals interested in starting their own business ventures. As a direct-selling company, Santé operates with a growth mindset, continuously striving to assist Filipinos in living better lives.

According to Santé CEO Joey Marcelo, innovation is the driving force behind Santé's relevance in the market, which is a philosophy that extends to their business owners. "This year, one of Santé's goals is to implement digital transformation across our processes and harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This initiative underscores our commitment to foster not only credibility but also paving the way for a brighter, transformative future in the health and wellness sector," Marcelo stated.

Presently, Santé actively engages with consumers through various platforms and strategies, with a primary focus on digital connectivity to reach a wider audience, particularly the younger demographic. This initiative is part of their global expansion strategy, as Santé has established its presence in 10 other countries, serving as a testament to their belief that transforming lives transcends geographical boundaries.

Extending health and wellness beyond the “glass”. While Santé Barley remains the company’s flagship product, Santé's commitment to wellness extends far beyond it. Santé offers a diverse range of health and wellness products and services tailored to meet the unique needs of its customers. From nutritional supplements and drinks enriched with barley such as Santé Barley Capsule, Santé Daily C, Fit N Trim, Fusion Coffee, Choco Barley, and Boost Coffee, to personal care products crafted with natural ingredients like Santé Natureal toothpaste and Moments sanitary napkins, Santé empowers individuals to live better lives.

Moreover, Santé has expanded its offerings beyond health and wellness products by establishing the Santé Leisure Club, Santé Fitness Lab, and they are now venturing into the food and beverage industry.

According to Santé Managing Director for the Philippines and Asia 1, Paul Caluag, Santé is continuously pursuing excellence, with acceleration and innovation at the core of their growth. “By offering holistic solutions that address the mind, body, and spirit, Santé goes beyond the traditional boundaries of wellness, inspiring a movement towards total well-being,” said Caluag.

Santé's journey serves as a testament to the power of innovation and acceleration in the health and wellness industry. Through its unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and consumer-centricity, Santé has not only redefined industry standards but also reshaped the way Filipinos approach health. Indeed, Santé continues to lead the way, proving that true acceleration and innovation know no bounds.

To learn more about the Santé and its health and wellness products and services, visit its website at mySanté.com.