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| (Image Source: UNICEF Philippines) |
UNICEF, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Fundación Educación y Cooperación (Educo), and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), turned over “School in a Bag”, a portable digital classroom package, to 50 multigrade schools in Northern Samar and Samar. It includes a laptop and Smart LTE Pocket WiFi for teachers and 10 tablets for students, educational apps in local languages, teachers guides, USB and flash drives among other technological gadgets.
Multigrade schools are located in isolated, underserved, and sparsely populated areas and serve as an important means to ensure access to good quality education in remote communities. This distribution is part of DepEd, UNICEF and Educo’s programme, “COVID-19 Recovery Programme for Children in Multigrade Schools in the Philippines” to improve access to education. UNICEF complements this with capacity building in multigrade teaching, mentoring, and supervision as well as advocacy for parents and communities. “We hope that the School in a Bag will support the DepEd’s distance learning modality and motivate students to keep learning despite a challenging context brought by the pandemic,” UNICEF Deputy Representative Behzad Noubary said at the handover ceremony.
The technology-based learning package is preloaded with digital educational materials to make learning more engaging, such as gamified Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) and #Learn Smart apps for mother-tongue-based literacy and numeracy learning. The School in a Bag will support DepEd’s distance learning modality in the midst of the pandemic. Students are expected to bring home the tablets pre-installed with learning materials to supplement their learning activities. Teachers will use the laptops to download digital learning materials and engage in online professional development training including the use of Learning Action Cell (LAC) session guides produced by DepEd with UNICEF’s support. Together with 50 schools that received the Bag in May 2019, 100 multigrade schools in Northern Samar and Samar are now equipped with this digital learning package.
UNICEF has been supporting schools in Northern Samar and Samar to help improve children’s learning in multigrade education. Since 2017, more than 5,000 students and 300 teachers from 100 multigrade schools as well as 140 parents and community stakeholders in Northern Samar and Samar have benefited from the UNICEF initiative.
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MOR Entertainment, ABS-CBN Regional Offer Own Christmas Tribute For Inspiring Filipinos
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The kindness, bravery, and selflessness of Filipinos were in full display again in MOR Entertainment and ABS-CBN Regional’s Christmas music video shown last December 1 after “TV Patrol” that also showcased the different regional languages in the country. In their own version of “Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa’t Isa: Ang Christmas ID ng Pilipino,” MOR and ABS-CBN Regional shared the stories of Filipinos from different parts in the country who continue to fight and serve others and their families. They also gave the song a new twist by translating some of the lyrics to Bisaya, Waray, Ilocano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Bicol, Chavacano, Hiligaynon, and Cebuano.
Among the Filipinos featured is a member of the Philippine Air Force who trained as a swab testing officer to returning soldiers. The video also shared the stories of nurses, a fish vendor, and school teacher who did not let fear stop them from doing their jobs. Viewers also got to listen to the story of a pedicab driver who let go of his vices for his loved ones and the story of a mother who walked miles to sell corn and support her family. “This is the story of Filipinos who attain success with the help of God and each other. A story that we won’t forget this Christmas and FOR LIFE,” said Dennis “David Bang” Ba-ang, MOR creative lead and the music video’s editor and producer. ABS-CBN Regional officer-in-charge Kiby Bosque shared that current and former ABS-CBN Regional employees, who still live out the slogan “in the service of the Filipino,” worked on the Christmas video. “Our sincerest gratitude goes out to everyone that helped put together this music video. Your unwavering love and support from our Kapamilyas in ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN Regional, and MOR fill our hearts,” she said.
Joining David Bang in the video are MOR Entertainment on-air talents who sang along and danced to the new Christmas theme. Present were Erick D (Naga), Jeri B (Dagupan), Tito Son and Bong Bastic (Baguio) of Luzon; Daddy Sarge and Maninoy (Ioilo), Jacky G and James Spider (Cebu) and Macky Kho (Tacloban) for Visayas. Representing Team Manila were Chico Martin, DJ Onse, DJ Bea, DJ Popoy, Chanitalakera, and Chinaheart, while David and Mary Jay (Cagayan de Oro), Betina Briones (General Santos), and Kokoy Martin (Davao) were there for Mindanao. Also sharing their talents in the music video were regional pride Dreamboard artists, Dhassig band, USTP Gintong Amihan Dance Troupe, and Lexter Taganas of WEE Viral. Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam and Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Faye Obeñita also imparted messages of hope for them.
Watch MOR Entertainment and ABS-CBN Regional’s version of “Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa’t Isa: Ang Christmas ID ng Pilipino” on the Facebook pages of ABS-CBN Regional, MOR Entertainment, and ABS-CBN Entertainment, as well as in the MOR Entertainment YouTube channel.
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Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, De La Salle University Join Celebration Of 500 Years Of Christianity In The Philippines
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| (Image Source: The City Roamer/Cebuana Lhuillier) |
Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of micro-financial services provider Cebuana Lhuillier, has partnered with De La Salle University (DLSU) in solidarity with the National Quincentennial Committee and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to commemorate 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines alongside the country's valuable part in the first circumnavigation of the world by Ferdinand Magellan.
The event was held online with the theme, "Inspiration in Mission: A Commemoration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines," which celebrates the long-standing linkages between the Philippines and Spain in culture, history and faith. It was attended by religious and academic institutions, including those represented by members of the Association of Catholic Universities in the Philippines (ACUP) as well as various diplomatic missions in the country. The event was part of the National Quincentennial Celebrations commemorating the historical milestones that led to the discovery of the Philippines and the start of Philippines-Spain relations. The online festivity centered on the historical aspect of the culture of the two countries and how religion became an integral part of the Filipinos' identity.
Kicking off the festivities were welcome messages from Cebuana Lhuillier President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jean Henri Lhuillier and DLSU President Bro. Bernard Oca, followed by messages from Jorge Moragas Sanches, Ambassador of Spain in the Philippines and his counterpart Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier, Philippine Ambassador in Spain. Both cited the productive and progressive relations of Spain and the Philippines going on for five centuries now. “Today, we commemorate the beginnings of a significant and profound relationship between the Philippines and Spain. The first-round-the-world voyage resulted in a shared history and friendship that has existed for the past 500 years. This relationship has led to important traces of Spanish influences in our culture that make up our Filipino identity,” Ambassador Lhuillier mentioned.
Featured in the online event was the launching of PJ Lhuillier Museum Virtual Concierge, displaying the vast collection of religious relics and artifacts of Ambassador Lhuillier. A series of webinars and learning sessions were also conducted during the event that discussed the development of Christian faith in the country, based on the research of key subject matter experts. “We believe that it is important for us to look back on our rich history and know the origin of our faith, for us to have a progressive future. Celebrating this momentous event is a big step to further broaden our knowledge and understanding of our values and culture as Filipinos,” CLFI First Vice President and Group Head Jonathan Batangan said.
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NCAA South Commences 23rd Season Hosted By De La Salle Lipa
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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
The 23rd season of the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) South kicked off with a virtual opening ceremony hosted by De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) last November 24, 2021 via its official Youtube and Facebook pages. This is the third time that DLSL hosts one of the most prestigious athletic events for schools in the country. The first was the 6th season in 2004 and the second was the 15th season in 2013. This year’s theme is “Reimagine Sports: Engage. Empower. Enable”.
The ceremony started with the parade of the NCAA South flag and those of its member-schools - De La Salle Lipa, First Asia Institute Of Technology And Humanities (FAITH), Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Batangas, University of Batangas, San Beda College Alabang, Emilio Aguinaldo College Cavite, Trace College, Colegio De San Juan De Letran Calamba, San Pablo College, and the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Laguna. Members of the Policy Board and Management Committee as well as administrators of the different member-schools were introduced after the parade.
DLSL President Bro. Dante R. Amisola FSC delivered the welcome remarks and welcomed all the schools that will take part in the various athletic events. According to him, “The holding of this cooperative endeavor in the middle of the pandemic is indicative of our strength and resolve that together we will not allow the sordid situation to deter our holding of the cooperative competition.” DLSL also showcased its online athletic activities, a tribute to all the coaches, and oath of sportsmanship by the players. This season’s guest speaker was former Green Stallions athlete, former De La Salle University Lady Spikers player, and current member of the Philippine women’s national volleyball team Dawn Macandili. This was followed by the declaration of the opening by DLSL Chancellor and NCAA South Policy Board President Dr. Erickson Martinez.
Participating schools’ athletes will take part in various sports events that are projected to take place until July 2022. These include Chess, Taekwondo, eSports (Mobile Legends Bang Bang), Badminton, Table Tennis, Football, Basketball, and Volleyball.
