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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa/Uniservitate Asia & Oceania) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) sent a delegation to the Uniservitate Asia & Oceania Regional Events, held last September 22-27, 2024 at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. DLSL’s involvement underscored its dedication to promoting social responsibility through Service-Learning (SL) and reaffirmed the institution’s unwavering dedication to integrating SL into its core educational mission. The event convened Catholic Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs) from across the region to advance SL practices and institutionalization, aiming to foster holistic education. DLSL's Vice Chancellor for Mission Wenifredo Angeles and Community Involvement Manager Michelle Lalunio have actively participated in the conference's workshops and discussions, all of which aimed at integrating SL into curricula and practices within CHEIs.
The Uniservitate Asia & Oceania Regional Events commenced with a Service-Learning Community Partner Site Visit last September 23 which allowed participants to engage with the Taiwanese aboriginal community in the Fuxing District, providing firsthand insight into the intersection of education and social impact. The next day (September 24), the session featured University of Minnesota's Director of the International Center for Research and Community Engagement Dr. Andrew Furco who shared strategies for SL institutionalization, fostering collaboration among member institutions, including DLSL, to share best practices and overcome regional challenges in embedding SL into educational frameworks. The following day (September 25) highlighted the Uniservitate Awards 2024 Regional Awarding Ceremony, which began with Romina Eloisa Abuan leading an overview of the Uniservitate Global and Regional Awards. This event emphasized the importance of service-learning in Catholic education. In the afternoon, the Uniservitate Regional Meeting featured keynote talks by Dr. Stephen Chan and Dr. Carol Ma, focusing on aligning regional SL research with global agendas, offering participating institutions, including DLSL, valuable insights for future collaboration and research opportunities.
The participation of Angeles and Lalunio at the Uniservitate Asia & Oceania Regional Events conference in Taiwan was a testament to De La Salle Lipa’s unwavering commitment to embedding service learning (SEL) in its educational framework, highlighting DLSL’s proactive stance in shaping the future of Catholic education. By aligning its programs with global SL standards and fostering partnerships with other institutions, DLSL aims to lead the way in transformative education that bridges academic excellence with community service and real-world experiences to achieve sustainable positive impact.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
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SM Group, Mastercard Advance Digital Education In PH
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| Students of Macasandig Elementary School in Cagayan De Oro making use of the Digital Learning Hubs by SM Foundation Inc. and Mastercard Philippines (Image Source: Manila Standard/SM Foundation Inc.) |
SM Foundation and Mastercard have successfully launched Digital Learning Hubs in select public schools across the Philippines, pursuing their shared mission of bridging the digital divide in education. These schools, which have been equipped with the said learning hubs, are Lemery Pilot Elementary School in Lemery, Batangas; Tuba Central School in Tuba, Benguet; Jugan Elementary School in Consolacion, Cebu; and Macasandig Elementary School in Cagayan De Oro City. Each of the schools have been equipped with 20 computer desktop sets and LCD TVs, providing students with the opportunity to develop their digital skills through hands-on experience with various computer programs and tools.
Mastercard Philippines Country Manager Simon Calasanz remarked that the partnership will help the students develop their tech proficiency so they can more confidently navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape, saying, “As a global payments technology company, part of Mastercard’s mission is anchored in driving an inclusive digital ecosystem. This initiative with SM Foundation is timely as it provides students access to essential equipment, enriching their learning experience and honing their digital literacy, which will be helpful as they continue their academic — and eventually career — journey." The initiative’s funding was bolstered by the Shop & Share with Mastercard program which ran last November 10-12, 2023. During the period, Php100 was donated to SM Foundation for every minimum Php3,000 single-receipt purchase made with a Mastercard card at SM Stores. SM Foundation Inc. Executive Director Debbie Sy, meanwhile, shared that the latest project builds upon the partnership’s previous efforts in educational empowerment of the youth, saying, “We are happy to have Mastercard and The SM Store as our partners in bringing technology-driven initiatives to underserved communities. These Digital Learning Hubs equip students with essential digital skills that will empower their education and future careers. From providing tablets to over 1,200 scholars during the pandemic to supporting STEM scholarships for young women, our commitment to accessible education remains strong. It is through shared values and a collective vision for social good that we are able to create lasting, meaningful impact."
Amidst the completion of the recent collaboration, both Sy and Calasanz remain optimistic about exploring opportunities that support educational inclusivity and accessibility. The SM Group’s dedication to corporate social responsibility aligns with Mastercard’s commitment to empowering individuals, driving economic inclusion, and promoting sustainability. Focusing on SM Group’s education pillar, the partnership provides students with the tools and resources needed to fuel their passions and build brighter futures. To learn more about the collaboration for social good, visit www.smstore.com, www.sm-foundation.org, and www.mastercard.com.ph.
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UNIS Announce First PH Fancon "UNIS In CURIOUSland" With Stops In Manila And Cebu On October
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Universal Records Philippines) |
South Korean K-Pop sensation UNIS is set to thrill their Filipino EverAfters with their first-ever fan con in the Philippines. The special event, titled "UNIS in CURIOUSland" is set to be a double treat this October. Following the exciting announcement of their fan con in Manila, UNIS in CURIOUSland will also be making a stop in Cebu. Filipino fans can now catch the girls in two cities for their first-ever fan con in the Philippines, happening on October 25, 2024 at the New Frontier Theater in Manila and on October 26, 2024 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Cebu with both shows start at 7:00 pm. Fans in both cities can look forward to an unforgettable evening packed with surprises, games, and exclusive interactions with the members of UNIS. Lucky attendees will even get the chance to participate in photo-op sessions with the girls, making this fan con a truly special experience.
UNIS in CURIOUSland is presented by F&F Entertainment, Universal Records Philippines, SHOW Co. Ltd., GLXY Entertainment, and Kakao Entertainment. Tickets are now available exclusively at TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets nationwide and are priced as follows:
• SVIP Red – Php15,000 + TTC = Php16,008
• SVIP Orange – Php15,000 + TTC = Php16,008
• SVIP Yellow – Php10,000 + TTC = Php10,672
• SVIP Green – Php12,000 + TTC = Php12,807
• SVIP Blue Php12,000 + TTC = Php12,807
• SVIP Indigo – Php8,500 + TTC = Php9,072
• VIP Violet – Php7,000 + TTC = Php7,471
• VIP Pink – Php6,000 + TTC = Php6,404
• Loge – Php5,000 + TTC = Php5,336
• Balcony – Php2,500 + TTC = Php2,668
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Rakuten Viber Amps Up Stan Life With The Return Of Backstage Pass Live
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Rakuten Viber Philippines) |
Rakuten Viber is serving up an eclectic and electrifying lineup of proudly homegrown acts as it celebrates the growing Backstage Pass community with a free gig. Now in its second year, Backstage Pass Live is heading to Manila at the hip Brooklyn Warehouse, located at Recto Avenue in Sampaloc, on November 15, 2024 with your favorite artists — from P-pop icons Josh Cullen of SB19 and KAIA to popular indie bands The Juans and One Click Straight to dreamy pop-R&B star jikamarie. You can get a chance to score free tickets to the intimate event through the Backstage Pass Chatbot. Simply open Viber’s Backstage Pass Channel and tap the bot icon (the one with two dots) on the upper right corner to opt in to the Chatbot. Click the WIN BACKSTAGE PASS LIVE TICKETS button to join the daily raffle giveaway until November 10, 2024.
The event’s lineup promises a thrilling mix of genres and talents. Fans can look forward to P-pop royalty SB19’s lead rapper and vocalist Josh Cullen whose captivating blend of EDM, pop, and hip-hop in his solo debut single Wild Tonight looks to mesmerize both diehard A’TIN and new fans alike. Fast rising dynamic girl group KAIA will also take the stage with fierce anthems to get the audience grooving, showcasing their lineup of relatable yet uplifting pop hits. Pop-rock act The Juans, known for their emotionally resonant hugot anthems, will kick off the performances with powerful tracks that transform heartache into healing. One Click Straight offers a smooth blend of indie rock and synth-pop, delivering an emotionally charged sound that fuses pop-punk energy with electronic beats. Rounding out the lineup is jikamarie who recently opened for British rock icon Coldplay and will treat audiences to an ethereal mix of R&B and dream pop including her viral hit Lutang.
Backstage Pass Live’s first gig was in 2023. It’s meant to translate the Backstage Pass Channel experience into an in-person event and give music lovers a space to band together and experience their ults’ music in an intimate setting. The first-ever Backstage Pass Live featured the nation’s girl group BINI, acclaimed rock singer juan karlos, rising hip-hop act PLAYERTWO, and folk-pop ensemble Sugarcane. Launched in 2021, the Backstage Pass Channel lets fans stay in the loop for their favorite artists by sharing never-before-seen content and exclusive updates directly in their Rakuten Viber chat. Now with over 1.79 million followers, the Channel gives fans access to concert updates, exclusive giveaways, ticket discounts, and even the chance to chat with the artists themselves.
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PH's Elevate Makes History In Call Of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2024
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| (Image Source: Wazzup.PH/Garena) |
Elevate emerged as the winners of the Call Of Duty: Mobile (COD:M) World Championship 2024 which recently culminated at DreamHack Atlanta held last October 4-6, 2024 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The team’s triumph not only brings immense pride to the Philippines, which is now home to the best COD:M eSports team in the world, but also marks the first-ever COD:M World Championship win for the Garena regions. Representing Elevate were Kenneth "KenDy" Pimentel, Justin "Susanoo" Cecilio, John "Yop1" Manalang, Juan "kLo" Morales, and Patrick "Peejay" Sagudo headed by their coach Mark "Olea" Olea.
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| (Image Source: Wazzup.PH/Garena) |
The team’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary, having once been the underdogs during their Mamba LowKings stint in Garena. Their journey to the COD:M World Championship 2024 finals saw them overcome significant challenges, especially after finishing third in the group stage, which placed them in the lower bracket of the playoffs. The Grand Finals last October 6, 2024 saw Elevate face off against China's formidable Qing Jiu Club with the lion’s share of the staggering US$1M prize pool on the line. Elevate delivered a stellar performance, leading the competition from the start and leaving Qing Jiu Club with no chance for redemption. The Philippine team eventually secured victory with a clean sweep of all 4 Grand Final matches, breaking China's long-standing dominance in COD:M’s extremely competitive eSports scene.
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| (Image Source: Wazzup.PH/Garena) |
In celebration of this milestone, players across all Garena servers are taking part in “World Championship 2024 Victory - Claim Your Mark”, a 7-day login event happening from now until October 20, 2024. Players can simply log in to unlock free items, ranging from epic weapon skins to an exclusive 3 day weapon trial of the mythic tiered assault rifle, the Type 19 - Celestial Ink.
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ABS-CBN Launches "Spot The Scam" Campaign To Combat Online Scams
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN recently rolled out its latest public service advocacy campaign "Spot The Scam" featuring popular Kapamilya stars Andrea Brillantes, BINI, Kyle Echarri, Maymay Entrata, and Robi Domingo. The campaign, through a series of promotional videos aired on Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live, encourages the public to be more vigilant and discerning about online fraud, offering practical tips and reminders on how to safeguard their personal information and avoid falling victim to scammers.
Andrea highlights the risks of impersonation scams and shares ways on how one can verify the identity of individuals behind online accounts and transactions. The nation’s girl group BINI shares tips on how to stay safe from social media scams, providing safety tips that can help protect the public from scammers and other fraudulent entities. Kyle warns against the dangers of watching pirated content online, such as catching virus and malware, which may compromise the security of files and devices. Meanwhile, Maymay and Robi educate the public on how to detect and avoid deepfakes, they explain techniques for verifying the authenticity of the digital content such as observing the movement of the mouth and other inconsistencies.
