PBA: LA improves math and plumbing skills during lockdown
Being forced to stay home for three months has allowed PBA players to discover new skills and hobbies. For some, it's finally getting into cooking, while others are finding out more about their artistic side. For Ginebra star LA Tenorio, he's become a "Jack of all trades" during this quarantine period, doing everything from being a master plumber or a math wiz. "I'm a plumber right now, a carwash boy, and professional cleaner," Tenorio said during the PBA's Kamustahan session. "I was so stressed, my drainage in the garage overflowed. Imagine that no? Oh my goodness. Yun boy namin tsaka ako, we did it. We cleaned it," he added. When he's not cleaning his busted drainage system, Tenorio is trying to keep his kids in check. In doing so, LA has recalled all the forgotten math lessons from before. "Gumaling ako sa math by teaching my kids. I'm very good at math right now," Tenorio said. "With regards to family time, ang dami mo naiisip eh. You have to think out of the box, especially sa kids. Doing different things everyday, instead of playing video games or watching on the iPad the whole day. But you can't do anything about it, iPad pa rin. Para tumahimik lang and we can have peace in the house for one hour lang," LA added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Make public schools local
It is obvious that we need more than the million plus DepEd bureaucracy to fast track the resurrection of our international reputation badly tarnished by results of recent international tests placing our children at the bottom of a list of many countries in terms of reading and math skills. More than our bruised national ego, our learning poverty of 90 percent dooms the economic future of our country......»»
High expectations from winners (4)
Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio took very seriously the job given to her by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to prepare a curriculum relevant to producing competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens. In her report on basic education in the Philippines, she revealed in detail the problems confronting it, the teachers, and learners; and crafted means to overcome them, guided by the Constitution and the convention on the rights of the child, reaffirming our country’s commitment to improving the quality of basic education in the Philippines. “The four learners at home — one in kindergarten, one in Grade 4, one in Grade 7, and one in Grade 9 — enable me to see different kinds of problems being experienced by learners every day.” “In my work as Secretary of Education, I am in the company of 28 million Filipino learners throughout the country. I can see numerous problems faced by them every day.” “Four learners at home, plus 28 million more throughout the land, these, my countrymen, make my interest in the future of Philippine education a very personal matter.” “Filipino learners are not academically proficient. In time, Filipino learners experience emotional abuse and exhaustion. Some of them suffer from psychological fatigue. And being academically insecure, many of them may fail to meet the standards of a demanding and competitive world. These are caused and triggered by conditions present at home, in our communities, and even in our schools as a result of problems ingrained in our system. This is the truth. This is our future. But this is a future that we can change. That is why we are here.” “We have to take good care of our teachers. They are the lifeblood of the Department of Education. Without our teachers, our mission to carve a better future for our children will fail.” “And to empower our learners with the relevant skills and knowledge, we shall focus on upscaling their knowledge and capacities as public servants. The assessment of the K-12 curriculum revealed the weak teaching methods of our teachers in addressing 21st-century skills. Studies done by the Research Center of Teacher Quality, the World Bank, and UNICEF showed that our teachers need further support, particularly in explicitly and strategically teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills.” “While critical thinking was the most evident in the curriculum, it was also the least taught to students by the teachers. Instead, lessons leaned towards conceptual or content-based teaching. And lessons lacked in-depth processing to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving. Finally, there appears to be insufficient knowledge on developing 21st-century skills, including higher-order thinking skills among learners. This is not the fault of our teachers—whose dedication, integrity, and commitment to serving Filipino children and the country strengthen our collective effort to achieve our shared dreams for our learners. The sad reality is that the system has failed them.” “This is the system that burdens them with backbreaking and time-consuming administrative tasks, a system that provides no adequate support and robs them of the opportunity to professionally grow and professionally teach, assist and guide our learners.” “Our teachers must return to our classrooms and they must teach.” Studies and tests were conducted to measure the literacy of the learners. It was discovered that the issue of literacy is alarming in our basic education. We must address it appropriately and effectively. The 2018 study results showed that 81 percent of Filipino learners could not deal with basic math problems, 81 percent had trouble understanding texts of moderate length, and 78 percent could not recognize correct explanations for scientific phenomena or draw valid conclusions from given data. “We can do better than this,” Sara said. “We are better than this. Studies like these are opportunities for us to thoroughly examine our system and defects that hurt our children’s abilities.” (To be continued) The post High expectations from winners (4) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos unfazed by education quality slide
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday said the new K-10 curriculum unveiled last week by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte should help arrest the continuing deterioration in the quality of education in the country. Mr. Marcos said the overhauled K-10 curriculum was designed to improve the Philippines’ global education rankings. “We want our students to be competitive in the global market,” the President, who visited with Duterte on Monday the V. Mapa High School in Manila, said. “We want them to be able to get the best jobs and contribute to our country’s development.” The DepEd clarified last week that the Kinder-to-Grade 12 program will continue after the launch of the K-10 curriculum caused confusion as to whether or not the K-12 program would be discontinued. The K-12 had been codified with the passage of Republic Act 10533 in 2013. Another law must be passed to modify, scrap or replace the K-12 program of the Noynoy Aquino presidency. “This new curriculum is the legacy of the Marcos administration to our country’s basic education,” Duterte said. “We’ve addressed many problems identified by international and local education experts in this new K-10 program.” The K-10, or Matatag Curriculum, will be implemented in phases, starting with Kindergarten and Grades 1, 4, and 7 in the 2024-2025 school year. By 2028, it will be fully implemented in all public and private schools in the Philippines. Below global average In the 2022 Global Knowledge Index, which measures a country’s proficiency in education, innovation, economy, technology, and research and development, the Philippines came in 77th. The nation scored 44.1 out of 100, lower than the global average of 46.47. Nonetheless, the British group behind the study said plus factors that are going well for the Philippines include government support for primary education, college attendance and career training. A separate 2022 report by the World Bank, on the other hand, showed that nine out of 10 Filipinos aged 10 struggle to read simple texts, making the Philippines one of the countries with the highest rates of “learning poverty.” When compared to its neighbors in the region, the Philippines’ rate of learning poverty was 56.4 points higher and more than twice the average of 34.5 percent for the region, WB added. Among lower middle-income countries, the Philippines did even worse, with a gap of 80.5 points between it and its peers, the financing organization added. “In the Philippines, 5 percent of primary school-age children are not enrolled in school. These children are excluded from learning in school,” WB pointed out. Notwithstanding the bleak prognosis of the World Bank, Marcos expressed confidence the quality of education in the Philippines would improve. “This is a major undertaking, but we are confident that it will be worth it,” said the President. “We are investing in the future of our children, and we are confident that they will make us proud.” A key feature of the new K-10 curriculum is the reduction in the number of learning competencies from around 11,000 to just 3,000, a move intended to ensure that students are able to master the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed at school and in life. For key stages, Grades 1 to 3, the Matatag Curriculum reduces the number of subjects from seven to five, with a focus on Math and Reading. Science will be introduced in Grade 4. The post Marcos unfazed by education quality slide appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Top three ways to improve well-being through music
With or without lyrics, music is the universal language of the soul. It transcends forms and boundaries and speaks within our deepest humanity. To be in sync with harmony calls for self-reflection, self-regulation and self-expression. It increases motivation and happiness. When shared through experiences, it even harnesses meaningful relationships. [caption id="attachment_171002" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Janine Marie Flores,part-time faculty under the Music Production Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Arts, Culture, and Performance.[/caption] Janine Marie Flores, a professor in the Music Production Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP), stresses how music can enhance one’s mental, emotional, physical and social well-being. “It has many therapeutic effects,” she states. “It can assist, manage and reduce stress, decrease anxiety. It may increase self-esteem, strengthen coping skills and more.” Through music therapy, a clinical and evidence -based treatment, individuals can maximize the power of the art to improve their holistic wellness. With the guidance of a credentialed professional, objectives are tailored and specific needs are met. To further encourage the general public to utilize the wonders of melody for their overall health, Flores, who is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Music, major in Music Therapy, at Saint Paul University Manila, shares the top three tips one can explore in their day-to-day life. [caption id="attachment_171001" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Choose songs that resonate with your current state or can influence your desired state. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DLSC-SB[/caption] Create a playlist. Specific types of music bring out certain emotional responses. This may be similar or different from one person to the other. Some may feel calm listening to rock or pop music, others find solace in ballads or jazz. Identify feelings brought by particular genres. Use these to manifest calmness, improve the mood, spark creativity or inspire movement. If you want to shift from being upset to feeling happy, start with sad songs. Then, add happy-themed songs to change the mood into a more positive one. Sing. Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, the “feel-good hormones.” It helps relieve pain, alleviate anxiety and stress, and boost mood. It also eases muscle tensions, corrects posture and refines breathing. It improves our lung capacity as we need to take deep breaths in order to sing properly. The act may even sharpen mental alertness, boost our confidence, increase our socialization skills and develop more friendships. [caption id="attachment_171004" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Songwriting helps us process and regulate our emotions, boost self-expression, relieve stress and increase self-esteem.[/caption] Write songs. Interpreting difficult circumstances through music fosters self-expression, stress relief, and self-esteem. You can write music with or without words and improvise with various sounds and rhythmic patterns. This allows one to acknowledge, process and regulate emotions. Substitute your own words for lyrics. Play an instrument with an unplanned melody. Create a new tune. The post Top three ways to improve well-being through music appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Game-changer? ‘Matatag Curriculum’ aims to fix educational woes
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said the new K-10 curriculum would help align with Filipino schoolchildren's needs and would help address the issues that local and international education experts have noted. Both the high-ranking officials made the statement after the Department of Education launched the new curriculum, called the "Matatag Curriculum." "This new curriculum is the legacy of the Marcos administration in our country's basic education," Duterte said. "We've addressed many problems identified by international and local education experts in this new K-10 Program." President Marcos, for his part, said that the Matatag Curriculum is also designed to improve the Philippines' international scores, especially in STEM subjects. "We want our students to be competitive in the global market," said the Chief Executive. "We want them to be able to get the best jobs and contribute to our country's development," he added. The Matatag Curriculum will be implemented in phases, starting with Kindergarten and Grades 1, 4 and 7 in the 2024-2025 school year. By 2028, it will be fully implemented in all public and private schools in the Philippines. "This is a major undertaking, but we are confident that it will be worth it," said Marcos. "We are investing in the future of our children, and we are confident that they will make us proud." "Matatag" stands for "MAke the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; TAke steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and provision facilities; TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusiveness learning and positive learning environment; and Give support for teachers to teach better." One of the key features of the Matatag Curriculum is the reduction of the number of learning competencies from around 11,000 to 3,000. This is to ensure that students are able to master the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and in life. For the key stages Grades 1 to 3, the Matatag Curriculum also reduces the number of subjects from seven to five, with a focus on Math and Reading. Science will be introduced in Grade 4. The post Game-changer? ‘Matatag Curriculum’ aims to fix educational woes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BPI fair offers small firms money management tips
Bank of the Philippine Islands will conduct a financial wellness fair to share tips on building small businesses and money management. This event runs 20 to 23 July at Glorietta 2, Makati City and will include conversation sessions with owners of small enterprises who have benefited from BPI Foundation’s financial aid and business mentorship. Tips can be gotten from entrepreneurs manning the Sinag Sari-Sari booth where fair goers can purchase locally made food items, eco-friendly bags and home accessories. The public can also learn how to make gourmet tuyo and liquid soap in vocational skills sessions. Basic banking services BPI will also discuss basic banking services to help Filipinos without bank accounts. The majority, or some 53 percent of the population are without bank accounts, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. They include the less privileged residents of Makati and Pateros who are highly encouraged to participate in the fair. STARBOOKS To spark interest in entrepreneurship among Filipinos for wealth-building, the Department of Science and Technology will also set up a booth for STARBOOKS, an online library where the public can explore concepts in science, technology, engineering and math and use these to design their business ideas. The number of micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs has grown from 920,000 in 2017 to more than 996,000 in 2020, according to data from global researcher Statista. Post-pandemic, the government expects further growth in MSMEs as it aims to make the country a predominantly middle-income society by 2040, signaling higher consumption for goods and services among Filipinos. The post BPI fair offers small firms money management tips appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Surfin’ in Siargao
If everybody had an ocean, then everybody would be surfin’ like a Siargaonian. It’s very easy to fall in love with Siargao, a small, tear-drop-shaped island in the southern part of the Philippines. For years, the island has been attracting surfers from across the world, and more recently, honeymooners. Indeed, we met several couples spending their post-wedding bliss in Siargao. I visited Siargao in May upon the invitation of Kenneth Shaw, the owner of Siargao Town Center, to chronicle the redevelopment of the island after the twin devastations from the December 2021 super typhoon “Odette” and more than two years of strict lockdown brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. The visit was supposed to be all work, butt, no, no, no way. On our last day in Siargao, the Daily Tribune team — with me were Spaces editor Pauline Songco and creative director Alvin Kasiban — dipped into the waters and tried, of course, surfing. Rising a wave The term surfing refers to a person riding a wave using a board, regardless of the stance. It dates back to 2,000 B.C., according to research by the University of Hawaii, although the first evidence of bodysurfing event was recorded in 1899 when Australian Fred Williams learned of the sport after receiving training from Polynesian islander Tommy Tana. The Moche of Peru would often surf on reed craft, while the native peoples of the Pacific surfed waves on alaia, paipo and other such watercraft. Ancient cultures often surfed on their belly and knees, while the modern-day definition of surfing most often refers to a surfer riding a wave standing on a surfboard; this is also referred to as stand-up surfing. From a pastime, it gained popularity as a sport in the Western world and evolved significantly. It was originally called “Heenalu” by the Hawaiian natives. Courage and a board The sport of surfing involves riding waves in an upright or prone position. You need a breaking wave, courage and a board. Although the concept is simple, the practice is not. Surfers need to catch the waves and glide across the surface of the water until it loses energy or break. Often, surfers are towed in the surf line or paddle in the area of open water to catch the waves’ break. There, you have to sit on your board and take the opportunity when the waves roll into the shore. In Siargao, the best surfing spot is, of course, Cloud 9. The best time of the year to go there is between September and November or during the rainy season when waves can go as high as 12 feet. You will need to hire an instructor. Word of advice, listen to your instructor. Just listen and follow everything he teaches you. For P500, the instructor will teach you the basics of surfing, tow you to the surf line and guide you for an hour of in-person skills training. If you want to document your surfing experience, you have to shell another P500 to hire a “videographer/photographer” to capture your moments on the board. Truly, there is no word to describe the magic and beauty of Siargao. The island has so much more to offer than surfing. The wealth of serene beaches, crystal clear Maasin River, beautiful mountain landscape and some of the friendliest and most accommodating people. I can’t wait to book my next trip. The post Surfin’ in Siargao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tereso Panga: PEZA’s homegrown leader
By combining his excellent communication skills, commitment to serving his country, and his long experience as a government executive, Tereso O. Panga, director-general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, has distinguished himself as a public servant. His recent appointment to this top post in an agency that has contributed significantly to the coffers of the national government affirms the confidence of the current national leadership in his excellent record, high acceptance of his fellow workers in the bureaucracy, and, most importantly, his credibility in the trade and industry sector, the number one partner of PEZA in pushing development forward. Tereso joined the Philippine government armed with an educational background that has proved vital toward his understanding of human nature, whether he is dealing with executives of multinational companies that are locators in economic zones or their workers. At the University of the Philippines, he first graduated with a BA in Comparative Literature and then obtained his master’s degree in Industrial Relations. “Since my father was a judge, I wanted to take up Law. I was told that the best prelaw course was AB English since one needed to be both articulate and proficient in writing. I eventually majored in Comparative Literature.” Among his professors were the legendary masters of language like National Artists Franz Arcellana and Jimmy Abad, Thelma Kintanar and Nieves Epistola. He found UP both challenging and rewarding. He adapted to the rigors of academic life, he said, “owing to my strong educational foundation first at the Naga Parochial School, and then Ateneo de Naga.” Strong-willed in a quiet way The Pangas, he said, “are original families of Bicol, particularly Camarines Sur in Iriga town, where the superstar Nora Aunor grew up. He admitted to singing a little, but not with the same intensity as that of his golden-voiced townsman. Coming from Pili town, he swore by Pili being a favorite of his. The basic trait that stood him in good stead “in UP and in future challenges,” he said, “is my being a Bicolano. Born and raised in Bicol, I am strong-willed, resilient, and yet determined. But in a quiet way.” Asked if it also meant being feared, he said, “Well, just spicy, which can be fierce, but wonderful like laing (taro leaves stewed in coconut oil and garnished with red hot chili).” The fourth among eight children of a judge, six of whom graduated from the University of the Philippines, he recalled being a “playful child, but at a young age, I was already into music. I loved playing the guitar and keyboards, but it was all by ear or ‘oido.’” To balance his artistic inclination, he also engaged in sports — chess and table tennis. Not much of a student politician, he nevertheless became president of one organization. His twin brother and another brother were officers of the student government, “so it would not look good if I became an officer too.” In UP, he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi in 1986. He also became active in UP Ibalon, an organization of Bicolanos, and the Psychology Society of UP. When it came to campus politics, he supported the Tugon party. While he earned good grades, despite giving more than ample time to his extracurricular activities, he felt he could have done better. “By any standards, I don’t think I did well as a student because I extended my stay for another year.” “My Waterloo was Math,” he confided. “I had no need for Math in my BA English course but I was hoping to shift to Economics. The hardest subject for me was Math 17.” A good writer While he was exposed to creative writing, he learned more about how to do business letters. “Of course, I wrote my thesis,” he emphasized. Fast forward to the future, he joined an Aboitiz- sponsored pilot class at the Development Academy of the Philippines that was attended by undersecretaries and assistant secretaries where he was the most junior. To his credit, his capstone paper on aquamarine and renewable energy, a pioneering venture in ecozone development, was declared the best. It was an achievement that he attributed to his exposure to composition writing at UP. Not much of a student politician, he nevertheless became president of one organization. Later, he would make his own reports and speeches, while reaching out to the various publics of PEZA through Facebook and online media. To recall, he had begun his professional life in the office of then-Congressman Aping Yap of Tarlac. “I stayed for seven years and then moved to the office of his son, Victor, who was then Vice Mayor. We organized and managed social development projects benefitting families of former Hukbalahap commanders and foot soldiers.” It was while inspecting his company’s construction project, a bowling center along Roxas Boulevard, that he came upon the headquarters of the Export Processing Zone Authority. “I had heard already of this government office and its hardworking Director General, Atty. Lilia de Lima. She was the first DG. I walked in and I applied. They called me to take the exams and go through an interview.” In less than a month, he joined PEZA in 1998. Walking the talk He has been with PEZA for 25 years. While he describes his PEZA career as “going up through the ranks,” his rise had been quite swift. He started as a planning officer 3 and went on to become Assistant Division Chief for policy and planning. By then, he had earned units leading to his master’s degree at the University of the Philippines. In time, he passed the qualifications for the Career Executive Service office, one of the youngest of his rank, and soon went up to positions requiring more responsibilities. At age 30, became the zone manager for the Batangas Economic Zone. Next, he became Zone Administrator in Baguio where he stayed for four years. He was 34 years old. “It was the time when Texas Instruments was expanding. Our office facilitated the Big Ticket Project in Clark.” His next assignment was in Cavite where he occupied the concurrent positions of Zone Manager and Administrator. He was 38 and his post required dealing with 350 locator companies. It was not surprising that the Civil Service Commission included him as a finalist in its search for outstanding Civil Service Executives. He ranked second. Soon, he returned to the Manila office, this time as Deputy Director General of Policy and Planning in 2010. It was a post that would prepare him for the highest position in the agency. At first, he served in an OIC capacity until March this year, when he was appointed as Director General by President Ferdinand R. Marcos. Panga had the support of captains of industry, among them the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry bigwigs Sergio Luis Ortiz and George Barcelon, who expressed their belief in his leadership based on his accomplishments. It has indeed been a long way for the young man from Bicol who has preferred to be “low-key” and not one to make a spectacle of his career success. It is an attitude that, he said, “I inherited from my parents, who were both public servants.” His father was a provincial judge and his mother was a public school teacher. “My mother was particular about the discipline of her children.” In keeping with his unassuming attitude, his management style is anchored on “keeping it simple by walking the talk.” I would say it is more of a transformational leadership. Because I can walk the talk I don’t need to direct people. “So, when you want to achieve something, you lead by setting an example. The direction is also clear so there are no misunderstandings or misinterpretation of the goals and objectives of the agency.” “Let’s not get distracted. Let’s just focus on doing our work,” he once told the top officials of PEZA. “Even when I was the OIC, I was presiding over a board meeting composed of 10 full-fledged Undersecretaries. Thankfully, as an insider, and being home-grown, I know how to navigate. My edge is I did not need to have a learning curve.” As part of his job, he has been traveling to promote international investments in the country. “We are always on a trade mission, showing the rest of the world what we can offer. Many of those President Marcos talked to have signed up as locators.” Through it all, he has kept the lines between work and family life. He found a lifetime partner in a lady I met because we were both working in the same building on Quezon Avenue. Happily married He was 26 years old when he married his wife, Edna, a 23-year-old Bulakena who belongs to the politically prominent Pagtalunan family of Guiguinto town. At that time, she was working in an export company. “It was love at first sight,” he recalled. “I was the only suitor not afraid of her father who was a barangay captain. I’d bring a fighting cock for him when I was courting his daughter, even if I was not an enthusiast.” “As I got to know her better, I became more enamored because she was sweet and she knew how to cook. And to this day, she does soups very well, which I love.” All said by a man who has found fulfillment at home and in the office. He is special and has found his mission in life and for his country, which can be said of Panga. And this country, in turn, is fortunate to have such a man serving in an agency that contributes billions to the government coffers. Officials of such caliber, enthusiasm, zeal, and upright moral bearing make this country a better place to live in and a magnet for international investors. The post Tereso Panga: PEZA’s homegrown leader appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go wants Filipino seafarers’ protection
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go delivered a co-sponsorship speech on the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act during the Senate plenary session last Monday, 22 May. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers. In his speech, Go, as one of the authors of the bill, emphasized the importance of passing the legislation to safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers, who he referred to as the “unsung heroes” of the maritime industry. One of the key concerns raised by Go was the long working hours and limited rest periods experienced by seafarers. To address this issue, the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act includes clear guidelines on maximum working hours and adequate rest periods. “With this, we can address the issue of fatigue and enhance the safety and well-being of our seafarers,” he said. Additionally, the proposed legislation recognizes the importance of seafarers’ medical care and access to healthcare services, including mental health support. The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act also places emphasis on training and skills development. The bill promotes quality training programs that enable seafarers to acquire essential expertise and skills, thereby enhancing their competence and effectiveness in their profession. This provision, according to Go, not only benefits individual seafarers but also raises the global competence of the country’s maritime workforce. Go then emphasized that Filipino seafarers have long been in need of comprehensive protection and support. “It is high time that we pass this bill to establish a framework that guarantees their rights, improves their working conditions, and upholds their dignity,” he said. Go also welcomed the Senate approval on third reading of a measure institutionalizing teaching supplies allowance for teachers. Senate Bill No. 1964 or the proposed “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” was principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Bong Revilla, Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation. As co-author and co-sponsor of the measure, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go recognized the importance of supporting and improving the economic situation of teachers through the passage of the bill. “The passage of the ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act’ is a significant step towards promoting quality education in the country,” Go added. The post Go wants Filipino seafarers’ protection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Upskilling Filipinos helps bridge jobs gap
Filipinos should develop tech skills to secure future jobs. India’s Tata Consulting Services said Filipinos must expand skills from English proficiency to technology skills to secure jobs of the future. Shiju K. Varghese, country head for Tata Consultancy Services Inc. in the Philippines, said Filipinos speak more like native English speakers, unlike other races with mother tongue influence or obviously different pronunciation of English words. “When we started expanding, obviously, we wanted to leverage the talent pool that is available in the local market, which is language,” he said Tuesday on the Daily Tribune’s show Straight Talk. English useful for BPO Filipinos’ English skills have been useful in the firm’s voice operations for contact services or business process outsourcing. “But that was the story back in 2008 to 2010. We are less into contact centers now and we have more end-to-end solutions,” Varghese said. Tata has expanded to providing information technology or IT services to businesses, such as cloud, cybersecurity and data analytics. Varghese said these are used in manufacturing, infrastructure, telecommunications and banking industries. “The industry is moving from voice-centric industry to technology-centric industry. The Philippines is gearing up for that but there is a bit of a gap in terms of the pool availability for some of the skills,” he said. To address this problem, Varghese said Tata is working with the Department of Education to heighten interest of Filipino students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM. He said the Philippines has a big population of energetic workers and students to be tapped to help technology firms serve customers. “By promoting STEM education, we’re trying to bridge the gap between the pool which is available to be employed by the IT industry versus what’s really out in the market.” Half of the Philippine population are aged 25 and below, according to government data. For comparison, half of Japan are people 45 years and below. Applying STEM Varghese said Tata has approached at least 400 schools to teach students to apply STEM to various, actual problems. “We help them identify a problem within their community and find a solution for that problem. And we help them build applications, mobile apps and tools which can address those challenges.” Varghese observed many Filipinos are educated but somehow slow in turning knowledge to problem solutions. “I think the Philippines is the second largest producer of certified public accountants, but when they come to employer space and they will have to be hired, you’ll see their applicability of what they learn is low or not able to apply their theoretical knowledge into the practical world.” Still, Varghese is optimistic Filipinos can acquire IT skills as Tata helps build the proper training programs and conducive environments for the IT industry. “They can always be trained for something new and given a new opportunity, new environment for them to succeed. It’s never people who fail by themselves but because we have not probably given them the right opportunity.” The post Upskilling Filipinos helps bridge jobs gap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jobs in medicine, construction and IT in demand – DoLE forecast
The Department of Labor and Employment-Bureau of Local Employment, in its newly published Job and Labor Market Forecast for 2022-2025, projected 164 in-demand jobs across the country,. They are mainly in the field of medicine, construction and engineering, information technology and business process outsourcing, platform-based work, and tourism and services. DoLE-BLE said that the current number of in-demand jobs is much higher than the 95 occupations deemed in-demand in its previous report for 2017-2022, based on collated data from all regional DOLE offices. In Metro Manila alone, many of the listed in-demand occupations revolve around IT and BPO industries, such as customer service representatives, IT specialists, program developers, and virtual assistants, but medical practitioners, nutritionists, and therapists are also considered in-demand in the region. The agency also listed down jobs in IT and platform industries, creatives and even green industries as emerging jobs across the region. Citing online employment platform LinkedIn, these jobs have been seen as growing industries that could create more jobs in the region. “We see the green economy reinforcing its call to address climate change concerns with jobs requiring green skills and companies across sectors adopting environmentally sustainable practices; the digital economy with a growing demand as businesses develop more digital products and services building up their IT network and infrastructure; and the creative industry increasing activities driven by the generation and exploitation of knowledge and information,” the report reads. DoLE-BLE also noted a similar emerging growth in jobs under freelance or gig economy and digital economy, citing the adjustments that were implemented during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and how it improved work systems. Some of these jobs include virtual assistants, social media and digital marketers, IT specialists, software engineers, delivery riders, online sellers and call center agents. “The crisis has upended the traditional 9-5 working world and caused many blue- and white-collar employees to pursue digital and gig work for additional – or even primary – income during these unprecedented times. The gig economy offers job flexibility that is more appealing and becoming more and more necessary to workers,” the report reads. Meanwhile, 20 occupations, ranging from chemical engineering technician, geologist, agriculturist, culinary, medical technologist and even lawyers are classified by DoLE-BLE as ‘hard-to-fill’ occupations, citing lack of qualified hires, access to transportation to its location, work schedule, and that applicants prefer working on these industries abroad. The report also notably highlighted the need to enhance the ‘soft skills’ of the workforce, with some of these soft skills even part of the list of 21st Century Skills under the Philippine Talent Map initiative, as discussed by DoLE Regional Offices. These include teamwork, decision-making, workplace ethics, planning and organizing, multi-tasking and creative problem-solving. Other needed skills include English and Math functional skills, English comprehension, and innovation. “While hard skills demonstrate a candidate’s technical ability to fulfill the job requirements, soft skills demonstrate a candidate’s work ethic and character, including how well of a fit they are for the company’s culture and goals,” DoLE-BLE said. The post Jobs in medicine, construction and IT in demand – DoLE forecast appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Southeast Asia rank: PH 2nd to worst in Grade 5 students’ reading, math skills
MANILA, Philippines—As most Grade 5 students in the Philippines and its poorer neighbors do not have the minimum reading and mathematical skills expected at the end of primary education, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) stressed the need to “harness the potential” of early childhood education (ECE). Through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN […] The post Southeast Asia rank: PH 2nd to worst in Grade 5 students’ reading, math skills appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Paolo Gumabao bares skin, shows off acting skills in gripping drama & lsquo;Lockdown& rsquo;
Young actor Paolo Gumabao is headlining the timely and relevant feature film, Lockdown, which tackles the reality of the pandemic and how it affects the people, their overall well-being, and livelihood. The film is written by Troy Espiritu and directed by Joel Lamangan......»»
Here s What Makes TikTok A Powerful Learning Tool
TikTok has become a great learning resource for everything, including useful lifehacks, unique science experiments, must-learn math tricks, quick and easy DIY projects, and motivational messages and advice. Because the app is so easy to use, creators have found it to be a convenient place to share knowledge and skills with a wide audience. Through this platform, educators have found a way to liven up lessons, making them more engaging, brisk, and easy to digest. At the same time, TikTok's short-form video format has made micro-learning appealing to users across all ages......»»
GMA 7 finds perfect chemistry in Kim & Lexi
With film and TV production work temporarily put on hold March of last year due to the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, Kim de Leon and Lexi Gonzales said they spent their work-free days improving their acting skills at home......»»
PSC vows no job layoffs despite financial woes amid pandemic
While unemployment has risen to an alarming rate amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Philippine Sports Commission assured its employees that there will no layoffs in the agency. Appearing on Tuesday’s online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum, chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez said that despite a meager budget with nothing more to spare, the PSC will continue to carry out its day-to-day operations. Even under these very difficult times, the PSC puts priority on the welfare of its workers Ramirez stressed. “Even before COVID, we have communicated with Malacanang that we will let go of some contractual employees,” said Ramirez, adding that it would have taken effect on Aug. 31. But the global pandemic made the PSC change its mind. “We in the PSC board made a collective decision that it will not happen. We will not remove anyone from the PSC unless there is cause. We are in very difficult times,” said Ramirez. The PSC has 250 regular employees and more than 250 contractuals. “Sa kahirapan ngayon, ano ang kakainin nila?” said Ramirez, currently staying with his wife at the athletes’ quarters at the PhilSports Complex (formerly ULTRA) in Pasig City. The agency months ago implemented belt-tightening measures, including a 50 percent ‘equity reduction’ on the allowances of the national athletes and coaches. But despite the financial difficulties, athletes and coaches continue to receive their allowances, and can expect to get their regular stipends once the situation improves or when the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) resumes its monthly remittances of close to P100 million to the PSC. Ramirez also added government sports agency is thinking beyond sports, and talked about “fortitude and sacrifice" during the Forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, PAGCOR, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and powered by Smart, with Upstream Media as official webcast partner. At the height of the lockdown, the national government channeled P1 billion of PSC money for COVID-19 purposes. The PSC has also allowed the use of its facilities like the Rizal Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the fight against the deadly virus. The PSC has also donated 350 beds and close to 500 laptops that were used during last year’s Southeast East Asian Games to various government offices during the pandemic. “The PSC is not only focused on sports now. We are adapting to the new environment,” said Ramirez......»»
Where in the Philippines would it be more fun to spend lockdown?
Lucky are they who got to spend the past lockdown months in places they hold dear in their hearts. Or new places where they could discover new thrills and skills......»»
Record 1,150 new cases sets total near 32k, UP team cites relaxed lockdown for surge
The relaxation in quarantine restrictions has brought about a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections nationwide, a University of the Philippines math professor said Tuesday......»»
Reawakening cooking skills during lockdown
It’s June 22, exactly 100 days since the Community Quarantine was implemented last March 15. But we’re not yet off the hook......»»
How Pinoy athletes kept winning during the lockdown
Sporting events may be suspended or canceled, but that won't stop your favorite Filipino athletes from inspiring or entertaining people as they spend their extra time off doing worthwhile activities during the lockdown period. From reaching out to affected communities to learning a new skill, here are what your idols are up to during the community quarantine. 1) Proudly serving the nation as frontliners Some athletes have taken their in-game dedication off the court, as they proudly serve the country as frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic. MPBL players such as Bacoor City's Eric Acuña and Bacolod-Master Sardines' Jopher Custodio are currently heeding the call as frontliners for the Philippine Army, as well as their fellow soldiers UST women’s volleyball coach Kung Fu Reyes and volleyball star Jovelyn Gonzaga. Pasay Voyager's Dhon Reverente also suited up for the Philippine Navy while his teammate Jesse Bustos is serving in the frontlines in another way, using his camera as a photojournalist for a daily newspaper. 2) Raising funds and holding donation drives Your beloved players continue to exemplify teamwork in these challenging times as they help the dedicated frontliners and affected households in different parts of the country. UST student-athletes joined former Golden Tigresses star Sisi Rondina in auctioning their jerseys for a cause to donate supplies to the frontliners of Barangay Luz in Cebu City. Meanwhile, volleyball legends Alyssa Valdez and Charo Soriano led a fundraiser called "Volleyball Community Gives Back PH," which aims to supply frontliners in the country with PPEs and other essentials—with celebrities like Kathryn Bernardo and Pia Wurtzbach joining their cause. Former DLSU Lady Spikers standout and Creamline utility spiker Michele Gumabao also provided relief packs and gave them personally to the affected communities in Pampanga with the help of the group Your 200 Pesos. 3) No days off for training and getting the gains Leagues and competitions may have been put on hold, but athletes won't be stopped from keeping themselves in tiptop shape. Observing quarantine, ONE Championship's heavyweight champion Brandon Vera took his workout to the forest, preparing for his upcoming bout against Arjan Bhullar, while Team Lakay fighters, such as Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, and Joshua Pacio improvised household materials as gym equipment. National athletes, such as karateka Junna Tsukii, wushu artist Agatha Wong, and Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz, did rigorous training sessions at home to keep themselves in form for upcoming tournaments. High-flyer Ricci Rivero also taught his fans some basic dribbling drills to improve basketball handles—as seen in an episode of "Upfront" on LIGA cable sports channel. 4) Unlocking new skills and focusing on fave hobbies Your fave sports idols also overcame boredom by learning new skills and focusing on their favorite hobbies. For instance, DLSU Green Archers guard Aljun Melecio learned to cook scrumptious lechon while taking a time-out from the hardwood. UAAP volleyball champion and national team player Rex Intal also reminded us that he is a dedicated painter with his mixed portrait of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, channeling his passion for sports and art into one. And did you know that top local setter Jia Morado is a talented photographer? Check out her Instagram and be amazed by her works. 5) Taking their talents to TikTok Athletes joined the trending TikTok craze as a source of entertainment during the lockdown. Former UAAP stars Kim Kianna Dy and Jema Galanza posted their dance covers of Young Thug's "Relationship," and Deanna Wong took on "The Weekend" dance challenge. UST Golden Tigresses' rookie Imee Fernandez also wowed the TikTok crowd with a pre-workout dance video, which garnered over 600,000 views online. For Ateneo Blue Eagles guard SJ Belangel, TikTok has also been his avenue to overcome his shyness, doing hilarious skits online. 6) Becoming stars online No live sports to entertain the audiences? It's not a problem for these athletes who continue to provide fun content to every sports fan, with the help of ABS-CBN Sports. Catch Shaun Ildefonso as he does an entertaining commentary about everything sports on "SRSLY." Also watch Cherry Nunag’s wacky chikahan with famous athletes in "Kalye Confessions: Stay-at-Home Edition." Lastly, the lockdown won't stop the basketball conversation as Beau Belga chats with your favorite hoop idols online, while still chowing down on their fave treats on "Extra Rice with Beau Belga." Watch all of these on ABS-CBN Sports' Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and YouTube channel. Also stay tuned for more new offerings from the sports arm of ABS-CBN. These athletes have proven they are truly winners in and out of the court. While waiting for live sports to return, you can rewatch the best games of these athletes on LIGA (SD channel 86 and HD channel 183 on SKYCable) and game highlights and special features on ABS-CBN Sports' social media pages and official YouTube account. ABS-CBN Sports will continue its commitment to providing a variety of world-class, exciting, and inspiring content to every Pinoy sports fan. Visit sports.abs-cbn.com and follow @ABSCBNSports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For updates, you may also visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom or follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram......»»