Support HWH’s Pencil Project for the benefit of DTC’s Klasrum Kariton

The fight against illiteracy and poverty never stops as Efren Peñaflorida takes home the CNN Hero Awards last 2009, but his quest continues and encourages everyone takes part on this challenge. HoterlWithHeart.com (HWH), an online hotel booking website who is also promotes charity and advocacy among their clients and now they answers on this challenge with their Pencil Project in support of Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) who headed the Kariton Klasrum Project in Cavite.

World Vision targets 11,000 kids back to school with “Count Me In” project

Up to date, over 112, 000 Filipino children return to school through World Vision child sponsorship. At the same time, their families continue to receive livelihood assistance and their families are now closer to self-sustainability than ever before. Everything was made possible by supporters and sponsors of World Vision as they join the fight against poverty and giving the children a better future by bringing them back to school.

Bring a child back to school with World Vision’s Kaagapay sa Kinabukasan Project

As another school year opens today, only half of the child population in the country will have that chance to continue their studies. The rest, they are forced to help their parents to earn for a living for their family which is most of them belongs to the large population of families under poverty. Up to date almost 11 million Filipino children live in poverty without access to life’s basics, some of them are now orphans, while others go through childhood without the guidance and support of their parents. Instead going to school for proper education and better future, they need to work just to earn and live for the following day, sadly this is the reality that most of the children in poverty facing right now. But of course, we can make difference in our own special way.

Lessons from Brigada Eskwela…

Last May 28, I was invited by my Coca Cola Live Positively family for their annual Brigada Eskwela and this time their target school was Pasig Elementary School. With Coca Cola employees and volunteers, everyone participated the “general cleaning” includes sweeping the floor, wiping the dirt and marks from the classroom wall, blackboards, windows and chairs. The activity started at 8am and ended at 11am, and everyone was happy on the results.

Auction for Action: A UNICEF Fundraising Online Auction Project

UNICEF, a United Nation agency that focuses on child education and protection against violence, exploitation and AIDS will launch a fundraising program in partnership with EBay Philippines, Ayala Malls and Cibo which they called Auction for Action. This online engagement will raise funds for UNICEF by means of auctioning artworks, furniture, paintings, jewelry, photography and other experiential packages from reputable artists, celebrities and organizations that support the agency and advocates for children education and protection. TV Personality Daphne Oseña-Paez headed the said fund raising. The online auction for UNICEF will happen at the on www.ebay.ph/unicef beginning May 25.

Discover the benefits of StudyPoint ACT tutorial

It’s been almost 8 years since my niece entered school, now aside from her two of her siblings is on kinder garden and first grade. But unlike my eldest niece, her mom was there to support her in her study almost everyday, while today her remaining daughters had their tutorials by their mother once or twice a week and mostly weekends. With the growing demand of mothers taking jobs in order to help their husbands in supporting the financial needs of their family sometimes missed the moments of having time for their kids in monitoring their studies. It may be minor concerns here in the Philippines, but in other country like in US its very obvious concern.

Right now, the mother of my nieces hired someone who can tutor them in case they need some mentoring for school and homework. For those parents in US, I saw this website that focus on tutoring it called StudyPoint. The website offers tutorial to children including SAT Tutoring, ACT Tutoring, Math Tutoring and Academic Tutoring. The company will assess first the children on his or her weakness and strength so that they can focus more on the weakness and later develop their strengths.

PLDT-Smart Foundation launches Gabay Guro Campaign

It’s been almost six years since I graduated from college, and looking back to the 15 years (including kinder) in the academe, it may not be blissful like with others but all I can say is I learn a lot from what was thought inside the classroom. I have to be honest, I am not a teacher’s pet instead I am in the rebel side and argue a lot with my professors which I considered as “tormentors”. Tagging them as tormentors didn’t mean that they’re considered as enemies, but a mentor who didn’t spoon feed you with information and learning but it challenges you to win that including the merit.

In reality, some teachers are changing their careers to a more profit driven profession in order to live. Sadly, despite of devoting their time and lives for teaching and workers in election they’re salary is not that big to feed their families. This is what happening now in public schools, teachers leaving their vocation for a greener pasture because of low salary and lack of motivation because of insufficient educational facilities and classrooms especially in rural areas. With the existing problem like this, PLDT-Smart Foundation introduces Gabay Guro campaign to help teachers in some of their needs inside and outside school.

The Gabay Guro project gives away educational grant to the selected students that excels in class but could not afford to pay tuition. As of now since it was launch there are already more than 200 scholars and most of them came from Visayas and Mindanao. Aside from the educational grant, PLDT-Smart Foundation offers educational training and livelihood program for the teachers who need educational motivation in terms of handling classes and new teaching techniques. Also with the livelihood program Gabay Guro will help them in financial empowerment that will be additional financial resources for their family without leaving their vocation. And lastly for the academe, the program will donate computers and broadband connections to the schools that will join the campaign.

There are two options on how everyone can take part of the Gabay Guro (2G) campaign. Teachers can fill up the form in www.gabayguro.com to avail the tribute card or attend the 2G training in their areas and apply for the personalize card onsite. Aside from the big benefits that PLDT-Smart Foundation will give to the 2G beneficiaries, card holders will also have freebies and discounts to all the partners of the campaign and can avail 25% discount in applying for the PLDT myDSL Plans. And for those who wanted to help in the 2G project they can send their donations by depositing it to Banco de Oro branch with the account name: Gabay Guro, Savings Account No.: 5310-15168-1. For more information, please call 101-GG (24) or visit www.gabayguro.com and join the Gabay Guro Facebook Page.

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Be a Bannister Academy scholar

Bannister Academy is situated within Circulo Verde, a new residential community being developed along Calle Industria in Quezon City. It’s one of the first buildings in the area, a state-of-the-art modernist structure. The subdivision was selected as an ideal learning environment that’s both safe and convenient for students and parents

John-D Borra, the school’s Headmaster, explains that Bannister gives parents three promises. “First, we focus on practical education,” he says. “We want students to become street-smart, to be kids who can, figuratively speaking, be dropped in Divisoria and not only find their way back home but are also able to make friends with the vendors. Second, through our mentoring program, we keep pace with the kids, and we can be as crazy and fun as they need us to be. Third, we encourage parents to be involved with their child’s education, to share the responsibility and help their child explore and develop their social intelligence.”

“Social intelligence involves the ability to use your knowledge and adjust your behavior to a situation to achieve a goal,” John-D says, adding that people with social intelligence become influencers, shapers, and builders of society. They can rally people around them to achieve a goal. It’s not necessarily the smartest people who are able to do this. It’s people who have the skill to analyze situations properly, understand the problem, and come up with solutions in order for as many as possible to benefit who are able to do great things.

“If there is one thing contemporary society has illustrated very clearly to us,” John says, “it is that ‘sharing’ is a good way of making a living. Just look at Facebook.”

To illustrate the value of sharing, Bannister is giving two deserving children the chance to a unique high-school experience through its scholarship program.

Please see mechanics below:

MECHANICS:

Bannister academy is giving out a 4-year full financial scholarship to deserving high school students. One (1) boy and one (1) girl will be selected.

Who is qualified?

· Anyone who is eligible for transfer to 1st or 2nd year high school*;

· Demonstrates good moral character;

· Has a strong drive to excel

*It is necessary to present supporting documents of eligibility

How many entries can be nominated?

· You can nominate only one (1) entry.

What should the entry contain?

All entries should include the following:

1. Your name and your relationship to the nominee

2. Basic Information of the student:

- Full Name

- Address

- Date of birth (date-month-year)

3. Contact details: Landline number, cellphone number and e-mail address

4. A 300-word essay by the student, answering the question, "How can I change the world?”


Where should I send my entry?

· All entries should be e-mailed to changetheworld@bannisteracademy.com on or before March 9, 2011.


When will candidates be selected?

· 10 finalists will be selected, 5 girls and 5 boys. The Names of finalists will be announced on March 11, 2011. They will be contacted personally and through their registered guardians.

· All finalists have to take an entrance exam and interview on March 14. Winners will be awarded on March 19, during the Bannister Open House.

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Live Positively with Coca Cola’s Nutri Juice and Little Red Schoolhouse

Being an avid follower of Coca Cola brands, it amazed me when I saw their commercial on Live Positively campaign. The commercial is currently airing on television along with the brand bags in various shows in different TV network. I am talking about the Community Involvement of Coca Cola under their Live Positively campaign. Under their community involvement are so many activities and advocacy which really surprised me and I wanted to focus first on two things; NutriJuice and Little Red School.

Being a profit based company Coca Cola somehow manages to create a product that is not for sale but has big production. I am talking about the Nutri Juice, a product manufactured by Coca Cola which is an orange juice drink fortified with iron, zinc, lysine and vitamins A and C that will address the high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia. According to the studies 37.4% of children aged 6-12 years old in the Philippines are iron deficient, with the main causes including poverty, insufficient dietary intake and poor availability of iron-rich foods, among others. The study came from the survey of Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2003. Iron-deficiency anemia or IDA reduces the child’s ability to learn as it slow down their physical and mental development. With this problem Coca Cola and FNRI-DOST officially launched the NitriJuice project in 2007.

The product is distributed in selected schools in both rural and urban areas like in Quirino province, Tacloban, Bukidnon, Zambales, Quezon City, Pasig and others. The NutriJuice program of Coca Cola is in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), local units of the Department of Education and local government units. Right now there are already 60, 000 children who benefit from this project and soon the number of the beneficiaries will grow as Coca Cola is taking a stand on fighting IDA.

From NutriJuice, the second Community Involvement of Coca Cola is the Little Red Schoolhouse (LRS) which is the flagship education program of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI). The project was launched in 1998 in support with the Department of Education's Multi-Grade Program that will benefit the public elementary students in the remote areas. LRS was created to improve access to primary education by building three-classroom buildings fully equipped with chairs, tables, blackboards and comfort rooms. With the help of the fully equipped teachers that undergo workshops that upgrades the quality of teaching and skills that is required in handling multi-grade classes. Right now there were already 240 classrooms built for the 81 Little Red Schoolhouse around the country.

While surfing the net, Coca Cola Live Positively campaign that focused on Community, there are also efforts in other countries on economic impact that focus on job offers for manual distribution of their products, HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in Africa and China, environmental initiatives and disaster relief and recovery. Those where the things I am hoping to discuss in the future for the Live Positively Campaign of Coca Cola.

To know more about the campaign join the Facebook Page of Coca Cola Live Positively visit http://www.facebook.com/LivePositivelyPhilippines.


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Join the McDonald's McHappy Day Fun Run and support Ronald McDonald House Charities

On November 28, Mc Donald’s will be celebrating McHappy Day with a Fun Run at the Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. The Fun Run aims to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), where its front line program is the Bright Minds Read (BMR) that partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd). The target is to raise 1 Million that will help to provide public schools with reading toolkits that will help grade 1 students to learn beginning reading. Right now there are over 2, 500 public schools nationwide that is under the BMR program.

For those who wanted to join this advocacy of McDonald’s, individual registration cost P350 and for a group of four (4) runners the registration fee is P1, 250. Categories include 3K (individual and family category), 5K, 10K or the 500 meter dash for kids 7 years old and below. For the 3K family category it requires 4 members on each team that comprises of 2 adults and 2 kids that are 12 years old and below. The fun run also includes other surprises like games, booths and more prizes that family and friends will enjoy.

Registration for the McHappy Day Fun Run will be on October 15 to November 21 at selected McDonald’s stores in Metro Manila or visit www.mcdonalds.com.ph for more details. Join the McDonald’s McHappy Day Fun Run and help public school students learn beginning reading and help them shape their future.

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Project EcoKids Imparts Climate Change Solutions to 15,000 Students

The high-pitched chatter of children drowns out all sounds in the tiny, bustling school. Driven by the promise of lunch and the lure of playtime, over 1000 kids pour out of their classrooms to race and skip towards the school gate, where a crowd is forming. Jostling to find the cause of the commotion, Mack-Mack and Cecil make their way up front – where a most unusual sight greets them.

A huge blue van, airbrushed with butandings, pawikans, dugongs and other endangered Philippine critters, is pulling into the school driveway. Onlookers pile on as the van halts, unloading six smiling adults.

Islands in a sea of children, the team cheerfully brings out numbered plastic crates, whose possible contents arouse even greater curiosity. Two more cars pull into the driveway to disgorge six more grown-ups.

Once students, these adults will soon become teachers. Today, each will come full-circle, for they are the dedicated volunteers of Project Ecokids, WWF-Philippines’ largest and most successful environmental education programme.

Finally, a Climate Change Programme for Elementary School Kids

Launched in 2008, Project Ecokids stands for environmentally-conscious kids and is the pet-project of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). While climate change lessons are not yet fully integrated into the public school curriculum, HSBC teamed up with WWF to design and implement an education drive to teach children about climate change and the simple solutions they can adopt to prepare for its effects.

“We believe in empowering the youth to become future stewards for the environment. One good way is to make them realize that climate change is not some complex concept for grown-ups. Rather, it’s something they can understand, something they themselves can act on,” explains Project EcoKids team leader Obel Resurreccion.

Project EcoKids is the evolution of past WWF educational drives which concentrated on increasing awareness on ecosystem and endangered species protection. It draws on years of accrued experience to effectively tackle a subject long regarded as ‘too technical’ for kids. Now it is fully endorsed by the Department of Education, with further initiatives aimed at infusing climate modules directly into the school curriculum.

Since its launch, the programme has trained over 15,000 students in 50 schools throughout Luzon. Grade 3 pupils were identified as the best group to train as introduction of science-oriented subjects begins at this stage. By starting them young, these students will hopefully form environment-friendly habits and consequently live environmentally-conscious lifestyles.

Project EcoKids consists of four 60-minute modules, each delivered weekly. Climate Change is the first and explains the causes and effects of global warming and how human impacts accelerate or slow down its effects. Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy shows the various types of renewable energy sources in the Philippines and shows simple tips on how to reduce household energy consumption.

Waste Management enlightens kids about the impacts of pollution and its best solution – the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. The fourth and final week integrates all lessons into a personal roadmap to minimize each child’s consumption of resources.

Children are given a climate change workbook entitled Kid, Panahon Na! (Kid, it is time!), an interactive exercise book to make kids realize that now is the best time for climate solutions.

“The lessons are imparted unto children, but it is their parents who will feel immediate benefits,” explains Project Officer Maye Padilla. “For example, when we convince kids to lessen their electricity usage, their household bill is reduced. There’s no better teacher than experience – and positive experiences are what’s in store for our students.”

A Pool of 500 Dedicated Volunteers

A typical school tour begins when WWF’s now-famous LIFE van pulls into a school driveway. The multi-hued van, airbrushed with a plethora of endangered Philippine species, never fails to attract droves of onlookers. “Then the volunteers pile out,” says Resurreccion with a laugh. The programme relies heavily on volunteers, never in short supply due to the enthusiasm of both HSBC employees and freelancers. Almost 500 people have volunteered thus far.

Resurreccion is a nine-year veteran of WWF and has led WWF’s various environmental education drives since 2005. Along with Resurreccion are the core members of the team: Ruel Bate, Dino Calderon, Dada Macusi and Maye Padilla.

The project is unique for being fully interactive and wholly immersive. Children are given opportunities to engage in role-playing, song and dance skits, arts and crafts, word games and math challenges. So aside from learning the actual lessons, children also come to realize that taking care of the environment is fun. “Masaya pala ang pagtulong sa kalikasan!” says a happy third-grader.

The results of the drive have been very encouraging: in one section of the T. Paez elementary school, climate change awareness levels doubled from 42% to 84% after four sessions. Shares Resurreccion, “When we first taught at the San Jose Elementary School in Makati, we were ushered into an AVR with over a hundred incandescent bulbs. After teaching them our four modules, we came back to find every single incandescent bulb replaced with energy-saving CFLs!”

Resurreccion echoes the undying passion and dedication of the project volunteers, many of whom take leaves off from work. One volunteer was inspired enough to shift college courses – from science to education. While touring with the team, he apparently found his true calling.

* * *

Back at the elementary school, classrooms again brim with the laughter of students. Led by the six volunteers, 200 children watch a charade staged by their own classmates. Mack-Mack and Cecil, now sporting elaborate costumes, attempt – hilariously – to act as carbon dioxide emissions covering planet Earth. Both the crowd and the adults, including elementary school teachers, roar with delight. Another day, another batch of children successfully inculcated with climate change solutions.

Adds Resurreccion, “We hope that the success of Project EcoKids can be replicated in other areas – especially outside Metro Manila. With the need to act on climate change becoming more and more crucial, we just can’t sit around any longer. It’s high time for us to train a new generation of climate warriors. Panahon na!”

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Nomination is now open for 2011 Study of the United States Summer Institutes for educators

United States Embassy-Manila is pleased to announce that the nominations for the 2011 Study of the United States Summer Institutes (SUSI) for educators is now open until November 12, 2010. SUSI recipients for 2011 will have their six week intensive, post level academic programs which involve understanding American society, culture and institutions. The six-week program is divided in to two parts, four weeks in a classroom based study in an American university and the last two weeks is a study tours in other parts of the United States.

The main objective of SUSI is to strengthen the curricula and improve teaching quality of teachers who handles American related subjects in other countries like the Philippines. The seven summer institutes are as follows:

1) The Study of the U.S. Institute for “Secondary Educators” for English teachers, secondary teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Department of Education officials or other related professional with responsibility for secondary education who are seeking to introduce or enhance aspects of U.S. studies into their curricula. This program will have a strong component in U.S. Studies. Through a combination of traditional, multidisciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, the program will elucidate the history and evolution of U.S. educational institutions and values. The program also serves to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society. The institute site will be held at the Institute for Training and Development at Amherst, Massachusetts.

2) The Study of the U.S. Institute on “U.S. Culture and American Society” will provide participants a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The program will examine the ethnic, racial, economic, political, and religious contexts in which various cultures have manifested themselves in U.S. society, and the ways in which these cultures have influenced both social movements and historical epochs throughout U.S. history. The program will draw from a model of how a local university might approach the study of U.S. culture and society. The institute will take place at New York University.

3) The Study of the U.S. Institute on “American Politics and Political Thought” will provide participants with a deeper understanding of U.S. political institutions and major currents in American political thought. The institute will also provide participants insight into how intellectual and political movements have influenced modern American political institutions. The program will provide an overview of political thought during the founding period (constitutional foundations), and the development and current functioning of the American presidency, Congress, and the federal judiciary. The examination of political institutions will be expanded to include the electoral system, political media and think tanks, or the welfare/regulatory state. The institute will also address modern political and cultural issues in the United States (including, but not limited to, civil rights, women’s rights, immigration, and other issues), and the significance of public discourse in the formulation of public policy. The institute site will be determined at a later date.

4) The Study of the U.S. Institute on “Contemporary American Literature” will provide participants a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of contemporary American literature. Its purpose is twofold: to explore contemporary American writers and writing in a variety of genres; and to suggest how the themes explored in those works reflect larger currents within contemporary American society and culture. The program will explore the diversity of the American literary landscape, examining how major contemporary writers, schools and movements reflect the traditions of the American literary canon. At the same time, the program will expose participants to writers who represent a departure from that tradition, and who are establishing new directions for American literature. The institute site will be determined at a later date.
5) The Study of the U.S. Institute on “U.S. Foreign Policy” will provide participants a deeper understanding of how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented with an emphasis on the post-Cold War period. This institute will begin with a review of the historical development of U.S. foreign policy and cover significant events, individuals, and philosophies that have dominated U.S. foreign policy. In addition, the institute will explain the role of key players in the field of foreign policy including the executive and legislative branches, the media, public opinion, think-tanks, non-governmental and international organizations and how these players debate, cooperate, influence policy, and are held accountable. The institute will be determined at a later date.

6) The Study of the U.S. Institute on “Journalism and Media” will provide journalism faculty and other related specialists a deeper understanding of the roles of journalism and the media in U.S. society. It will examine major topics in journalism, including the concept of a free press, First Amendment rights, and the media’s relationship to the public interest. The legal and ethical questions posed by journalism will be incorporated into every aspect of the institute. The institute will cover strategies for teaching students of journalism the basics of the tradecraft: researching, reporting, writing and editing. The program will also highlight technology’s impact on journalism, addressing the influence of the Internet, the globalization of the news media, the growth of satellite television and radio networks, and other advances in media that are transforming the profession. The institute site will take place at Ohio University.

7) The Study of the U.S. Institute on “Religious Pluralism in the United States” will provide participants a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of religious pluralism in the United States and its intersection with American democracy. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on fields such as history, political science, sociology, anthropology, law and others where appropriate, the program will explore both the historical and contemporary relationship between church and state in the United States; examine the ways in which religious thought and practice have influenced, and been influenced by, the development of American-style democracy; examine the intersections of religion and politics in the United States in such areas as elections, public policy, and foreign policy; and explore the sociology and demography of religion in the United States today, including a survey of the diversity of contemporary religious beliefs and its impact on American politics. The institute site will be determined at a later date.

Candidates for the eligibility for the said nomination includes the age requirements is from 20 to 50 years old that is highly motivated and experienced professionals from institutions of higher educations. Participants must have at least graduated with a degree and has substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the institute.

The US Embassy will provide the chosen participant with a roundtrip international air fare, domestic travel and ground transportation, program administration, housing and subsistence, and books, mailing and incidental allowances, all expenses will be covered. Aspiring nominees must submit the form and must be critical in providing informations. There will be two screening process; first in the Philippines and second on Washington, USA. Email the form to Tony Perez, Cultural Affairs Specialist for American Studies, at PerezAS@state.gov or call 301- 2520.

Download the form here.

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Exclusive: DOH Sec. Esperanza Cabral on Sex Education and other health concerns

Department of Health Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral gives her opinion regarding the growing issue of implementing Sex Education in elementary and school. In a short interview with the most controversial cabinet secretary of the Arroyo administration, Dr Cabral fearlessly answers some issues concerning public health and what people love to debate now – Sex Education.

According to Dr. Cabral DOH is in a support role in terms of the implementation of Sex Education where Department of Education (DepEd) is the lead implementing of the said program is schools. Therefore, the details of the program with regard to its implementation, the curriculum, materials to be used etc. will be better directed at them (DepEd). However, if allowed, as health officials, they will help to explain the rationale behind the program and the need to implement it. 

(Photo: Department of Health Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral during my first interview at Bo's Coffee in Glorietta 5)

With the large influence of the Catholic Church and with the help of conservative group, the protest continues to stop the implementation of the said program. Dr. Cabral mentioned that the criticism of the program stems mostly from the wrong appreciation of what sex education really means. She also adds that they should look at the curriculum and the materials first; many have instantly condemned it as a tool that will teach our children how to have sexual intercourse. According to her that the allegations of those of who protested to stop the program is not true. “A rational and objective approach will reveal that the teaching of sexuality through age-appropriate modules, which can be tailored even for very young children, is a beneficial program.” Dr. Cabral added.

“The program (sex education) seeks to empower our children by helping them become aware of the concepts of sex and sexuality in a manner that is consistent and compatible with each stage of their development, and thus be able to better protect and appreciate their private rights, as well as make wise and intelligent decisions,” she affirms. Dr. Cabral sees it to defend children from abuse and for teenagers it will teach them to make mature decisions and avoid such problems as early and unwanted pregnancies. The empowerment and concrete benefits to society that this knowledge brings far outweigh the many vague and irrational fears being spread around by its critics.

Aside from Sex Education, I ask three more questions to Dr. Cabral which includes population control, tobacco control and disaster preparedness. According to her DOH does not have a population control program, the more appropriate term being a “reproductive health program”. “We advocate education, information and awareness on such concerns as fertility, responsible parenthood, artificial and natural family planning methods, adolescent health, women’s health and others.” answering the topic on population control.

Second, on tobacco control, Dr. Cabral says that the DOH recognizes the huge public health impact of unabated and poorly regulated tobacco consumption in the country. It is estimated that the direct and indirect costs of ill health caused by tobacco use amounts to almost P200 B a year. “That is why the DOH has stepped up its campaign to help reduce these detrimental effects despite the opposition of our very powerful tobacco industry.” Recently DOH signed an Administrative Order mandating the use of graphic health warnings on the packaging of tobacco products, a method that has proven to be effective in reducing tobacco consumption in many countries. One of the countries that implemented the said graphic health warning is Australia where according to tobacco control advocates it decreases the number of smokers compare with the usual text based warning on cigarette packs.

Lastly, now that it’s back to school and its also rainy season, Dr. Cabral mentioned that DOH is n active in advising the public to prepare for diseases prevalent during this time of year such as water-borne diseases (i.e. diarrhea), influenza, leptospirosis and dengue. We disseminate information on signs and symptoms, modes of transmission, prevention and control of these diseases. “DOH is part of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, is always ready to respond to disasters” Dr. Cabral ended. 

***

Editor's note: This is the second time that the author interviewed DOH Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral and he is grateful of the trust that Dr. Cabral had given him. His first interview is about Sec. Cabral's view and project related to on AIDS, Maternal Health, Child Mortality and Church which happens last March 27, 2010.

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Karen Davila investigates on the increasing numbers of students dropout on The Correspondents

Based on data from the Department of Education for the school year 2008-2009, one out of 17 elementary students stop schooling, while one out of 13 high school students dropout.

Join Karen Davila on Tuesday (June 22) as she finds out what’s keeping the Filipino youth out of school on “The Correspondents.”

In the province, children have to walk long distances, cross rivers and mountains in order to study, which explains why some parents no longer send their kids to school. But in urban areas such as Manila, many students still stop their studies.

Davila will follow student life to investigate the alarming growth of dropouts in the country. Don’t miss her report on “The Correspondents” this Tuesday (June 22) after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN.

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Population of working students increases and...

Last night (June 13) in TV Patrol World they reported the increase of population of working students by 8% or 216,000, this was the data presented by the Commission on Higher Education. Most of the working students are in the field of food service, entertainment/sales industry and assisting job (student assistant, library assistant and research assistant). Students are forced to work in order to support their education but according to CHED only 50% of the working students finish college because of the four (4) reasons; lack of time, lack of focus, financial issues and health problem. Here is the report of Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo last night in TV Patrol World:

Sadly, one of the major contributions to increase of the population of the working students is the inflation on tuition that affects much on the financial problems of families who can no longer afford to pay the cost of education. Some were forced to work to support their education while others were forced to drop out and work for their family. It alarming that aside from the issue of proper distribution of educational budget to public schools and quality education that affects much to the ability of the students is the dropping number of enrollees because of the financial problem.

I remember writing a blog entry before with a question Papasok ka ba ngayong Pasukan? (Are you going to school this year?), sharing my views on the drop of enrollment in schools because of families who can no longer afford to send their sons and daughters to school because of the increase on tuition, inflation on the prices school supplies and uniforms and even low salaries on teachers and lack of qualities on school facilities that also affects to learning of the students. The issue of education is long overdue and needs to be answered by the government. We saw what happen in Polythecnic University in the Philippines last March and April same in University of the Philippines, and it happened in other schools unfortunately it was not covered by media. But the idea I wanted to imposed on what happen to PUP and UP is that there should not be this kind of violence if only the government listen to the needs of the students that it is not time to increase tuition with the growing numbers of drop outs and families who cannot afford the tuition hike.

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Join The Bottle School Run on June 13 at the Bonifacio Global City

Last year, a million young school children’s education was disrupted and about 2,800 pre-school classrooms were destroyed due to the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

This year, through the pioneering efforts and innovative solutions of MyShelter Foundation, spearheaded by the country’s noted social entrepreneur Illac Diaz, in partnership with the Department of Education, City of Taguig, Pepsi, Insular Life and Cecon, a one-of-kind run-for-a-cause dubbed as The Bottle School Run will be staged at Bonifacio Global City on Sunday, June 13, 2010, 5AM. All proceeds of this noteworthy race will be used to replace and rebuild a damaged school in Taguig using a ground-breaking architectural model—school classrooms mainly made of soda PET bottles. Visit http://www.bottleschoolproject.org to download the form and how you can help.

Now, runners of all persuasions are invited to actively take part in a unique racing event to create a community-based, people-empowered solution which starts with building ecologically-sound and architecturally-revolutionary classrooms for children aspiring to pursue a path of literacy and knowledge.

The Bottle School Run is a distinctive race for seasoned and beginner runners alike, as it provides them an opportunity to become advocate runners who could champion an honest cause, a solution that can change the world. It sets a symbolic backdrop where the chase of each participant runners for individual personal record enables beneficiary children chase their dream of obtaining education. 

Distance categories are 3k, 5k, and 10k. All participating runners are requested to bring two bottles with a 1.5 or 2 liter size of any soda brand on race day. Gunstart times are 5:30am (10k), 5:45am (5k), and 6:00am (3k).

Other event partners include: the Department of Education, Bluethumb Communication Design Consultancy, the National Geographic Channel, The Bull Runner.com, and ExtendYourself.org.

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TOUCHBOOKS: The Tactile Textbook Project - “MAKABAYAN: Sibika at Kultura * Hekasi

A pioneering project that provides the marginalized sector of our school-children with an improved opportunity for basic educational instruction as enjoyed by regular students.

A core advocacy of the Rotary Club of San Juan del Monte, R.I. District 3800, headed by Special project Chairperson PP Annette Esparaz; is to provide participative opportunities for the blind and the visually impaired section of our society.

Realizing the critical role of Arts and Culture in molding well rounded citizens who are aware and proud of our rich Filipino heritage, we began our push for Art Education Opportunities for the blind. In partnership with Metropolitan Museum of Manila, we developed and launched TOUCH THE ARTIST VISION, a pioneering program in Philippine Arts that provided Tactile Drawings and Audio Guides of select artworks in the Museum like those of Fernando Amorsolo, Juan Luna, Hidalgo, Manansala etc. now for the first time in the Philippines, the blind enjoy a meaningful experience inside a Museum. The response to this was very positive that this project is ongoing to date, with other Museums joining the bandwagon.

Our numerous encounters during this endeavor bore another challenge we boldly undertook, with the goal of furthering our commitment to enhance the lives of our marginalized brothers.

Working closely with SPED teachers (with decades of experience in teaching the blind), we embarked on another FIRST in Philippine History: Touchbooks: The Tactile Textbook Project.

In the 100 years history of teaching the blind in the Philippines, this is the first visual standardized instructional material that SPED Teachers can use. The sad reality is that basic education opportunities for this sector are highly compromised due to lack of teaching tools that teachers for the blind could use. Finally, visually impaired children can now ‘visualize’ correct images of their lessons; instead of merely relying on the verbal description of their SPED Teachers.

With Touchbooks, we developed standardized, tactile illustrations of key images and concepts taught in basic education that will maximize learning during given school hours. Touchbooks come with audio narratives that allow simultaneous instruction of blind students.

Our first Touchbooks project is Makabayan: Sibika at Kultura • Hekasi, which provides select lessons covered from Grades 1 to Grade 4. These three volume books utilize a special Swell Paper Tactile material for the blind child to “see” picture images for the first time.

The three volume book with 72 Tactile images and audio narrative in the Filipino language cost P18,688.00 a set. The materials are imported from England, the printing and testing of each page is done manually.

The four authors: Annette L. Esparaz, M.A. Cultural Heritage Studies, May Lyn L. Cruz, Education Programs Manager of Metropolitan Museum of Manila, together with multi-awardees SPED trainor for High School Evelyn B. Caja, M.A. and Elementary SPED trainor Julia R. Capulong, M.A. gave their services for free.

There are currently a total of 409 SPED Centers including Public Schools catering to the blind and visually impaired children nationwide. Some centers may have 3 to 50 blind/visually impaired students who are mainstreamed (the visually impaired students studies with sighted students). To equip each school with just one “Makabayan” book set will cost a staggering Php 7,643,392.00.

A book launch and successful fund raising was conducted in Metropolitan Museum of Manila and radio announcements brought in generous donors for the book. When school opens on June 15, a hundred schools will be using this new technology. It is going to be exciting to hear from teachers and students how the book had helped them. Check us out in facebook “Touchbooks” and for inquiries you can email us: touchbooks@gmail.com.

We praise God for allowing this project to come to its completion.

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Quality education lacks...

February 27| MAKATI CITY – In the fourth part of Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD) and the Probe Foundation’s Mulat Pinoy Kapihan Series, Dr. Zelda Zablan, University of the Philippines Population Institute, Willie Prilles, Planning and Development officer of Naga City and Trustee of the Synergia Foundation, Dr. Leonor Tripon-Rosero, former chairperson of the Professional Regulations Commission and Bangon Pilipinas Vice Presidential candidate Atty. Perfecto “Jun” Yasay joined the discussion on population and education.

Education plays a vital role in economic development, but in the case of some developing countries like the Philippines the idea of education compliments with the term privilege rather than rights. Aside from the problem on children going to school is the issue of deteriorating state of education where according to the Mulat Pinoy research the mean achievement test scores at the primary level is 50 percent, ten points below the passing grade of 60. On the physical aspect of education the growing population of the students can no longer contained by classrooms where its capacity is fifty students maximum and others were forced to study under trees or sheds inside the school premises which also includes shortage on educational facilities like books and visual aids. Problem on education is a major issue that everyone must be aware of it is alarming that despite of the high literacy rate of the country the number of drop outs increases along with the number of graduates vs the number of job opportunities available.

In line with the growing population is the mindset of most parents thinking that their children will help them to ease their current status, unfortunately they didn’t know that the bigger number of children in their family another issue arises aside from providing them proper education is they need to answer the initial needs and that is fulfilling the demand of a hungry stomach. Sometimes the family decides to let the eldest go to school while others wait for the support of the eldest once it finishes his/her studies and finally hired for a job. Here is the statement of Dr. Zelda Zablan connecting population with education.


In terms of quality education Dr. Leonor Tripon-Rosero emphasize that there is no problem in the numbers of teachers in the Philippines, there are lots of teachers in the country and the only problem is the quality of teaching, and there are incidents in some regions there are teachers who are not licensed but they are appointed by the local government to teach in public schools which sacrifices the quality of teaching. She also mentions that she is not against with the idea of brain drain in the country because other countries are doing the same. Here is the statement of the former PRC chairperson on quality education and brain drain in the country.


Alternative education became rampant in the society as support to the traditional education, socio civic groups that works on rural areas to extend help and teach children who could not afford to go to school, at the same time the birth of e-media came in where it helps the students in public schools, most in the countryside to understand their lessons well by means of visuals and other media platforms. Sometimes alternative education became an excuse of ailing state of traditional education.

Based on the report of United Nation Development Program (UNDP) where education is included on the UN Millennium Developmental Goal where it is number 2, the literacy rate of the country stands on 93.9 percent but only 70% of those who enrolled grade 1 reaches grade 5. Universal Primary Education may increase 7% with 20 years but on the way to 2015 as projected by world leaders during the development of Millennium Goals it is only half of what should be achieved.

With the proposal of adding to years in the curriculum of either primary or secondary education, will it answer the issue on quality education? Or we are missing the point here Dr. Zablan states that there is a connection in the mindset of Filipino family under poverty line that they need to prioritize the eldest to go to school with a hope that he or she will be helping his or her siblings in the future, it will take 16 years for the next sibling to wait if he or she can go to school. Dr Leonor assures that there is no shortage on teachers; the only problem is we are lacks good teachers to teach students properly. How about revisiting the budget allocation for education to provide proper classroom along with one book one student policy in all public schools, there are lots of news telling that some books have errors in information I think Department of Education should look on it. With thousands of schools in the country that needs decent classrooms, educational facilities and on time salary for teachers but with a not so big percent from the national budget maybe Dept Ed should rethink a proper allocation of funds to schools along with effective and useful projects that students would benefit.

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Lopez Memorial Museum: Bridging traditional and digital

March 6, Lopez Memorial Museum, Benpress Building, Ortigas Center, Pasig City - It's been awhile since I visit a museum aside from the gallery and exhibits in malls and other activity centers. "After The Facts" exhibit at the Lopez Museum is the theme of LMM's 50 years celebration, combining the works of the famous painters like Juan Luna and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo with the works of the National Artists like Vicente Manansala, J. Elizalde Navarro, Botong Francisco and others. Juxtaposition, this is the idea of the After the Facts exhibit at the Lopez Museum, combining the works of the traditional painters with the non-conventional to create a connection of different generations of the artist and how their works can communicate to present times. LMM is divided to different major rooms, including the gallery of maps, Luna and Hidalgo's collection, Rizaliana section, national artist section and the Filipiniana Library. Here are some paintings and visual arts shown in the LMM exhibit.

El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante y su Hijo by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (1853)

Flautista by Juan Luna (1883)

Espana y Filipinas by Juan Luna (1886)

Untitled by J Elizalde Navarro (1975)

Centennial Flag by J Elizalde Navarro (1998)

Crucifiction by Vicente Manansala (1971)

Soldiers (Heroes of the Past) Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera

Recuerdos by Benedicto "Bencab" Cabrera (1985)

The Lopez Memorial Museum was founded in February 13, 1960 was by Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. in honor of his parents Benito Lopez and Presentacion Hofilena. The primary goal of the museum is to reach out to students in providing them an access to the large collections of Filipiniana books, paintings, maps, manuscripts and artifacts which are personally owned by the Lopez’s. From the usual collection of the Lopez’s, LMM is now open for other artist to share their works from paintings to visual arts to expand the museum’s collection, works of Fernando Zobel, Nena Saquil, Macario Vitalis, Jose Joya and Romeo Tabuena, here are the samples of their works displayed at the Lopez Museum:

Flotsam by Ann Wizer

A Flying Machine for Icarus by J Elizalde Navarro (1984)

Musmos by Imelda Cajipe Endaya (1990)

Spanish Steps by Leon Pacunayen (1966)

La Vision by Fernando Zobel (1961)

Topless Victorian by Jose Tence Ruiz (2009)

But the Lopez Memorial Museum is unique from other museum where it offers both traditional and digital arts that will encourage appreciations from all ages. According to Claro Ramirez, the curator of LMM he says they are working on collections that will cater in all visitors of the Lopez Museum. At the same time they wanted to instill challenge in the minds of their guests on how they mix collections in different rooms, also they wanted to combine traditional to digital by offering the Lunas and Hildalgos back to back with the works of National Artists and other modernized visual arts. Watch the full interview of Claro Ramirez, LMM’s curator:

Claro Ramirez with his work where he called it Totem

For as low as 100 pesos for adults, 80 pesos for high school and college students and 60 pesos for elementary students, they can access the Lopez Museum and Library, where the library has over 19, 000 Filipiniana books.

In its 50th anniversary they launch Unfolding: Half a Century of the Lopez Memorial Museum and Library is a limited coffee table book that contains information about the history of the Lopez Museum, painting, visual arts and book collections. The book only cost P2,500.00 without a box and P2,800.00 with a box.


Lopez Memorial Museum is locates at the ground floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center Pasig City and operation time is from Mondays to Saturdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except holidays for more info please call 635-9545 (Museum) and 631-2417 (Library).

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