The Awakening: Parenting Congress 2015

Wazzup Pilipinas!

United Ministers Aiming for Gospels Advancement (UMAGA), composed of 15 Christian churches from Valenzuela, Malabon and Quezon City and in partnership with RLTV Entertainment production, Asian Television Content (ATC) and IBC 13 is producing, the first ever advocacy program in Valenzuela City titled: The Awakening Parenting Congress 2015. 

The event is to be held at the Amphitheatre, Peoples Park, Valenzuela City on December 12, Saturday from 9am to 12 noon,  for the Medical Mission and other Pre-activities (Indigents Christmas Sharing), and from 1pm to 5pm will be the Program Proper, which will focus on the major issue on Social Media, Early Pregnancy, Peer Pressures, Financial Matters and others.

To reach the goals on the above event, the organizers has invited known personalities and celebrities that are experts on parents-teens communication and beyond, namely Pastor Willie Basilio and Chinkee Tan.

In our current issues relevant to teenage problems, it is of great importance that a gathering of parents through the initiatives by some Christian churches and its leaders must be addressed immediately to our kids in order to come up with a solution that is beneficial in curtailing teenage problems.

This parenting Congress will be aired and televised via IBC 13 on December 29, 2015 8pm to 9pm as a Family TV Special, for the parents and their children.

FrontLearners BlendEd Box Deployment at 2 IP Schools in Barangay Maruglo of Capas, Tarlac

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For the past 8 years, the performance of Philippine students on the National Achievement Test was below the national target of 75 mean score. The High School students' performance remained at around 50%.

This is why FrontLearners, an e-learning content developer and solution provider, promotes the use of BlendEd Mastery Learning Method in the country to help teachers improve the student competency. They cover Math, Science, English Grammar and other K-12 subjects.

Below are some photos during their deployment at two (2) Indigenous People (IP) schools located in Barangay Maruglo of Capas Tarlac.

Site 1

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE goes BlendEd
(Sitio Flora, Barangay Maruglo, Capas, Tarlac) 

They are off-grid, off-cell-site, speak 5 languages, 90 minutes away from nearest barangay by fastest mode of transport, many aspire to be a teacher, nurse and engineer someday. The 77 students of Sitio Flora Elementary School and their three teachers are not far behind from the rest with their use of leading edge technologies in classroom. They are equipped with solar power and lighting, Samsung tablets and laptop computers, and FrontLearners' BlendEd Box. FrontLearners' BlendEd Box contains WiFi router and a Web Server containing thousands of DepEd K12 aligned e-learning modules to help teachers implement Blended Mastery Learning Method in their classes.

Tamang Panahon for Free and Confidential HIV/STI Testing

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The steady rise of HIV infections, with an average of 22 Filipinos daily now get infected, signifies the right timing to strengthen the advocacy that LoveYourself, Inc., among other groups, has been crusading to prevent the epidemic from blowing out of proportion.

On 29 November (Sunday), LoveYourself, in partnership with Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM), held its second HIV Screening Day for this year dubbed as “Ito ang Tamang Panahon: Free and Confidential HIV Test” at Victoria Court, North EDSA in Caloocan City.

“Testing is the first line of defense to curb the spread of HIV and it is just the right time to grab opportunities like this free and confidential HIV screening of LoveYourself,” Ms. Queen International 2015 Trixie Maristela said. She also said that this has been one of her advocacies even before she became beauty titlist to support anti-discrimination and erase stigma to and within the LGBT Community.

Apart from capability to detect strains of HIV, the LoveYourself testing also includes results for other sexually transmitted infections (STI), such as, Hepatitis B and Syphilis. Likewise, counselling and peer education will also be conducted during the screening day to raise awareness about sexual health, particularly about knowing the basics of how HIV is transmitted and acquired.

Kaye Morales: Rebel on the Runway at Philippine Fashion Week

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Kaye Morales is the eponymous brand that offers clothes ranging from avant-garde gowns to off-the-rack pieces with a unique style statement that stays true to the brand’s vision of dark as enlightening, the rocker chic trend as sophisticated, and the odd as extraordinary. Her collections have been featured in both local and international shows, most notable of which are the LA Style and Vancouver Fashion Weeks. British Vogue has also penned a designer profile published in its Jan. 2014 issue.

Kaye Morales embraces men and women of all backgrounds with ‘Rebel,’ the designer’s collection for Spring/Summer 2016 set to hit the historic runway on Nov. 28, 2015 at Philippine Fashion Week – now on its 20th season. Dedicated to people of edgy yet chic sartorial inclinations, the latest line features tailored and wearable pieces that come in bursts of neon, fun prints, and playful embellishments.

Drawing inspiration from her own struggles as a woman, Morales shared, “I’m a lesbian and I want to (be) open (about) myself while making the fashion industry a welcoming place for all types of people. I want (others) to understand the different types of sexuality, especially mine, as I come out in this industry.”

Morales’ latest collection serves as a throwback of sorts to her humble beginnings as a student at the School of Fashion & the Arts (SoFA), during which she made her first serious foray into the industry with ‘Schizo,’ a ready-to-wear line for the young fashionable set inclined to making punk style statements.

This season, she wants to “let the audience feel that I haven’t lost (touch with) that side of myself (as a designer) and with what I’m really good at.”

Loan Agreement Signing for North-South Commuter Railway Project of DOTC

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Finance Secretary of the Philippines Cesar Purisima together with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative of Japan Noriaki Niwa signed the US$ 2 Billion Loan Agreement for the North-South Commuter Railway Project (Malolos-Tutuban) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on November 27, 2015 at the Mezzanine Floor Lobby of the Robinsons (JG) Summit Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Also attending the signing were DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Department of Finance National Treasurer Roberto Tan, JICA Senior Representative Tetsuya Yamada, and JICA Section Chief Keisuke Fukui.

The project supports the expansion of a mass transportation network which is recognized as one of the priorities in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan aiming to improve the efficiency of land transportation capacities in Metro Manila. It also seeks to provide a more environmentally sustainable mode of transport through the construction of about 37 km new elevated commuter railway from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila, procurement of rolling stock, and installation of electro-mechanical systems.

3rd International Gamefowl Festival Now Scheduled on January 8 to 10

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The game fowl industry is a billion dollar industry that keeps growing to ensure veterinarians, breeders, caretakers, grafters, handlers and other forms of game fowl and cockfighting-related employment and businesses, benefit generously from the perks and privileges brought about by the caring, feeding and fighting activities and events. 

It may still be considered barbaric by some due to the horrific deaths of game fowls involved in the cockfighting, but those who perceived it as a taboo sport are slowly realizing the greater benefits. 

After years of importing parent stocks and breeding excellent game fowls, the Philippines is now considered the mecca of the game fowl industry.

The 3rd International Gamefowl Festival is now scheduled on January 8 to 10 at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

A press conference was held on November 26, 2015 at The Blackboard by Chef Michel located at The Podium in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

We Owned Christmas As Early As November

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The holiday season always means busy days fro many especially those who will prepare gifts and goodies for their loved ones and special friends. This includes the task of wrapping gifts and cooking all kinds of dishes for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Thanks to Top Pick Advertising and their Pre-Holiday Bloggers Workshop, held at Green Sun a week before December (November 25, 2015), we get to have additional ideas to improve our Christmas preparations.

They invited bloggers for an evening of Christmas-related demonstrations which included gift-wrapping and pasta cooking - activities that can help the attendees to really own Christmas using the skills learned at the workshop they dubbed as "Own Christmas!"  Some bloggers were also invited to join the demos onstage so they can personally experience the fun.

Upon entering the event venue, you'll be amazed at the many holiday-themed decorations, cakes, cookies and other holiday delights from Goldilocks. The booth from El Real were giving away a cool pack of spaghetti enclosed in a plastic container, and La Filipina's booth were offering samples of their pork tuna for tasting. myPhone gave away a smartphone to one lucky participant in a contest.

PH, Spain Sign MOU on Madrid Fusion Manila 2016

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The Philippines is confirmed to host the second year of Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) scheduled to take place on 7 - 9 April 2016. This was formalized in a signing ceremony between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and ICEX España Exportacion e Inversiones, the public export promotion agency under the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Kingdom of Spain, held on 26 November 2015 at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. and Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade Jaime Garcia-Legaz. Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Calvo; Deputy Director for Trade Policy with Europe and Asia, Maria Aparici; Advisor to the Secretary of State for Trade, Mar Casanova; Cultural Affairs First Secretary, Guillermo Escribano; Economic and Commercial Counsellor of Spain, Enrique Feas, with Joji Gregorio of Tourism Promotions Board and DOT Market Development Group Officer-in-Charge Director Verna Buensuceso witnessed the intimate ceremony.

“No event deserves repeated celebrations than Madrid Fusion Manila. Not only because it was expertly executed, not only because it was well attended, not only because it was roundly applauded, but more because it was a journey of rediscovery, a renewal of friendship, and of kinship,” Tourism Secretary Jimenez said during the signing ceremony which elicited rounds of applause from guests that include Filipino chef Margarita Fores, representatives of the Philippine Association of Convention / Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS), and members from the media.

Celebrate Global Learning Through Microsoft Skype-a-Thon

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Educators around the world are invited to participate in Microsoft’s annual two-day Skype-a-Thon, an event aimed at connecting classrooms around the world and showcasing how technology can be used to enhance the learning experience. Starting on December 3 and going through December 4, Microsoft's Global Skype-a-Thon will attempt to travel a million virtual miles during the two-day event.

For this year’s global Skype-a-Thon, educators can choose from thousands of activities including speaking with an expert guest speaker on a topic their class is studying. They can also choose to take their class on a virtual field trip. Skype in the Classroom offers these virtual trips that spark imagination, from learning about sea turtles to exploring cultural perspectives in Western American art - and nearly everything in between. Educators can also connect with classrooms in other countries with #Mystery Skype, a global guessing game that teaches kids geography, promotes cultural understanding and broadens perspectives.

Participants may be selected as one of 10 classrooms to be featured in the global Skype-a-Thon highlights video, which Microsoft will produce and share with their global educator community and beyond.

Globe and Huawei to Expand Mobile Network for Elevated PH Internet Experience

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Globe Telecom and Huawei Technologies signed a 5-year partnership deal to further enhance and expand the leading telecommunication provider’s mobile network to elevate the state of Philippine internet and strengthen its position as purveyor of Filipino digital lifestyle.

Specifically, the partnership involves planning and design of a mobile broadband network utilizing latest state of the art technology trends aimed at creating a wonderful digital world for its customers.The project also involves the creation of a “mobile innovation center” to yield innovative products and solutions that would ensure Globe maintains its competitive edge and leadership in the intensely competitive local telecommunications industry. The partnership is provided for in a memorandum of understanding signed by Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu and Huawei Rotating CEO and Vice Chairman Eric Xu November 23.

“Globe is committed in investing in and developing its mobile broadband network, understanding the needs of a growing chunk of our customers for high-speed data connectivity on their mobile devices as they continue to build their lives around a digital lifestyle,” Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu said.Cu said the partnership will deliver a more robust mobile network as well as innovative market-driven solutions to help hopefully ensure the company’s success in growing the mobile market.