Mag-Nomina para sa Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan 2025: Pagkilala sa Kahusayan sa Panitikang Pilipino

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Ang Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan ay isang prestihiyosong parangal na ipinagkakaloob ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) upang kilalanin ang mga natatanging indibidwal at institusyon na may mahahalagang ambag sa pagpapayaman ng panitikang Pilipino. Ang parangal na ito ay itinuturing na isang lifetime achievement award na nagbibigay-pugay sa mga manunulat at organisasyon na nagpakita ng pagpapahalaga sa kultura, kaakuhan, at kayamanang pamana ng bansa.

Mga Alituntunin sa Nominasyon

Bukas ang nominasyon para sa Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan 2025 sa mga sumusunod:

Mga Indibidwal at Institusyon: Ang nominasyon ay bukas sa mga indibidwal at/o institusyon—lalaki man o babae—na nakapag-ambag sa pagpapayaman ng panitikan ng Pilipinas. Ang mga ambag ay dapat na nagpapakita ng pagpapahalaga sa kultura, kaakuhan, at kayamanang pamana, bukod sa pambihirang pagkasangkapan sa wikang Filipino at iba pang wikang panrehiyon o panlalawigan.

Kwalipikasyon ng Nominado:

Indibidwal: Kinakailangang may gulang na hindi bababa sa apatnapung (40) taon.

Samahan, Tangapan, Ahensiyang Pampamahalaan, at/o Pribadong Sektor: Kinakailangang naestablisa nang hindi bababa sa limang (5) taon.

Mga Kinakailangang Dokumento:

Pormularyo sa Nominasyon/Entri form.

Liham nominasyon na nagsasaad ng buod ng kwalipikasyon ng nominadong indibidwal o samahan at nilagdaan ng nagnomina.

Curriculum vitae (kung indibidwal) o profile ng organisasyon (kung samahan).

Mga pruweba sa katipunan ng mga akda na nagpapakita ng pagpapahalaga sa kultura, kaakuhan, at kayamanang pamana, bukod sa pambihirang pagkasangkapan sa wikang Filipino.

Paraan ng Pagsusumite:

Ihanda ang limang (5) kopya ng mga dokumento at ilagay sa isang expandable envelope.

Ipadala ang mga dokumento sa sumusunod na address:

Lupon sa Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan 2025

Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino

2/P Gusaling Watson, 1610 Kalye J.P. Laurel,

San Miguel, Lungsod Maynila

Huling Araw ng Pagsusumite:

Ang huling araw ng pagpapasa at pagtanggap ng nominasyon ay sa 7 Pebrero 2025, 5:00 ng hapon.

Seremonya ng Pagkilala:

Ang tatanghaling Dangal ng Panitikan 2025 ay tatanggap ng naturang gawad sa iginagayak na programa ng Gabi ng Parangal sa alinmang petsa sa Abril 2025.

Para sa Karagdagang Impormasyon

Para sa karagdagang detalye, maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa KWF sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag o pag-text sa 0928-844-1349 o magpadala ng email sa timpalak.gawad@kwf.gov.ph.

Ang Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan ay isang mahalagang hakbang sa pagpapahalaga at pagpapalaganap ng panitikang Pilipino. Ang mga nominasyon ay isang pagkakataon upang kilalanin ang mga natatanging ambag sa ating kultura at kasaysayan. Hinihikayat ang lahat na magsumite ng nominasyon at maging bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng ating mayamang pamana sa panitikan.

PHLPost Unveils Special Year of the Snake Stamps for 2025, Celebrating Wisdom and Prosperity

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched a vibrant new set of stamps to commemorate the upcoming Chinese New Year, unveiling the "2025 Year of the Wood Snake" postage stamp at Robinsons Manila. This limited-edition stamp, a symbol of transformation and renewal, marks the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Snake and coincides with the opening of an exciting stamp exhibition, in partnership with the Philippine Philatelic Federation Inc. and Robinsons Malls.

A Symbol of Wisdom and Transformation

The Snake holds significant symbolism in Chinese mythology, representing wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and creativity. It is also associated with prosperity, fertility, and longevity. Renowned for its ability to shed its skin and regenerate, the Snake is a powerful metaphor for transformation and rebirth—qualities that are celebrated in the Year of the Wood Snake.

PHLPost's Postmaster General, Luis D. Carlos, expressed his hopes for the Year of the Wood Snake, emphasizing its potential for prosperity and progress. "We wish everyone peace, prosperity, and luck for the coming New Year. Like the serpent's wisdom and resilience, good governance is about adaptability, foresight, and the ability to build trust with the people we serve," Carlos said in his speech at the unveiling event.

He also highlighted the promising developments at PHLPost, including the establishment of Barangay Postal Stations nationwide, which will bring postal services closer to the public. "We promise the public that mail and parcel delivery will be more efficient with the establishment of new services, such as the seven-digit alphanumeric Zip Code PH system to standardize addressing across the country and the opening of next-day delivery hubs to better support small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he added.

Celebrating Filipino-Chinese Heritage Through Philately

The launch of the Year of the Wood Snake stamp was part of a grand celebration of Chinese New Year, intertwined with the ongoing Prosperity Trail at Robinsons Malls. The stamp exhibition, which showcases Chinese Zodiac-themed stamps, is a collaborative effort between Robinsons Malls and the Philippine Philatelic Federation Inc., designed to honor the cultural significance of the Chinese New Year in the Philippines.

The exhibition is a visual feast for collectors and the public alike, offering a chance to explore the deep roots of Chinese culture through the lens of philately. Following its debut at Robinsons Manila, the exhibition will make its way to Robinsons Magnolia (January 24-26), Robinsons Galleria (January 28-30), and back to Robinsons Manila (January 31-February 2), allowing visitors at multiple locations to experience this cultural display.

Additionally, on January 29, 2025, the celebrations will continue at Lucky Chinatown, as part of the wider Chinese New Year festivities. These events will further reinforce the unity and collaboration between the Filipino and Chinese communities, showcasing the timeless values of prosperity, wisdom, and peace that the Snake symbolizes.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening PHLPost's Role in the Community

As part of its commitment to fostering community and connectivity, PHLPost has laid out several exciting plans for 2025. Postmaster General Carlos emphasized that the Year of the Wood Snake will be a time of renewed focus on innovation and customer service. Along with the expansion of local postal services, PHLPost is also aiming to increase efficiency in mail and parcel delivery. The improvements, including the implementation of the new alphanumeric Zip Code system, promise to bring smoother, faster, and more reliable services to customers across the nation.

These forward-looking initiatives, combined with the cultural significance of the Year of the Snake, signal a promising future for PHLPost, as it continues to serve the Filipino people and enhance connectivity in the Philippines and beyond.

Join the Celebrations

Whether you're a stamp collector, a cultural enthusiast, or someone simply looking to learn more about the rich traditions surrounding Chinese New Year, the 2025 Year of the Wood Snake stamp launch and exhibition is an event not to be missed. With the exhibition traveling across Robinsons Malls and the special activities lined up for the Chinese New Year festivities, there are plenty of opportunities to participate and immerse yourself in the excitement.

This year, the Philippine Postal Corporation is not just celebrating a new lunar cycle, but also reaffirming its role as a key player in uniting people through communication, cultural exchange, and innovation.

For more information on the Year of the Snake stamp and PHLPost's ongoing initiatives, visit the official PHLPost website or contact their Corporate Communications Division.

Seal of Good Local Governance Expands Focus on Biodiversity and Environmental Protection

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As climate change accelerates, its effects are becoming increasingly evident in the Philippines. The summer of 2024 brought scorching temperatures, with Metro Manila experiencing a sweltering 45° Celsius heat index in April, as the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year ever recorded globally. With predictions pointing to another hot year in 2025, local governments must find ways to protect their citizens and the environment. One such initiative, the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), is now evolving to include stronger environmental protections, marking a significant step in the country's commitment to climate resilience.

The SGLG, which has been awarded annually by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) since 2014, recognizes Local Government Units (LGUs) that meet quality standards across ten governance aspects, including sustainable budgeting, social protection, and environmental management. The SGLG’s core goal is to encourage continuous improvements in governance, and this year, it is taking a big step forward with new provisions aimed at strengthening environmental safeguards across all LGUs in the Philippines.

Strengthening Environmental Governance in the Face of Climate Change

As Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo of Dumaguete City points out, LGUs play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of natural calamities, including the stronger storms and droughts brought on by climate change. To ensure that cities and municipalities are better equipped to handle these challenges, the SGLG’s environmental management section has expanded to include provisions focused on protecting local green spaces, wetlands, and ecosystems.

The new focus of the SGLG includes requirements for the establishment and maintenance of public parks and green spaces, alongside the sustainable management of vital wetland ecosystems such as coasts, rivers, and lakes. These provisions are designed to make LGUs active stewards of the natural environment, helping to absorb carbon dioxide, reduce urban heat, and enhance biodiversity. With the Philippines’ cities experiencing rising temperatures, preserving these natural spaces has never been more urgent.

UNDP BIOFIN and Key Stakeholders Lead the Charge

The United Nations Development Programme's Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN) has been at the forefront of this effort, working with the DILG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to mainstream biodiversity conservation in local governance since 2019. A major focus of the initiative is to close the funding gap for biodiversity conservation projects by integrating environmental management into LGUs' development plans and encouraging investments in green infrastructure.

From January 23-28, 2025, stakeholders from the DENR, UNDP-BIOFIN, DILG, and LGUs across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor will participate in workshops to further discuss how to integrate environmental safeguards into the SGLG. These workshops aim to provide LGUs with the tools and resources needed to meet the new environmental standards. Participants will also learn about the potential for securing financial support for biodiversity projects through a special budgetary allotment for LGUs that meet the new SGLG criteria.

The Path to Greater Financial Investment in Biodiversity

Anabelle Plantilla, UNDP-BIOFIN Philippines National Project Manager, highlights that the workshops will focus on helping LGUs comply with the SGLG’s new biodiversity requirements. "We hope these workshops will allow every LGU in the country to meet SGLG standards, greatly enhancing their capacity to protect their respective natural resources,” she says. "As a bonus, LGUs that meet the new SGLG standards will be rewarded with a special budgetary allotment."

These efforts are part of a larger strategy to ensure that biodiversity conservation is properly funded and integrated into both local and national development plans. Through campaigns like the Year of the Protected Areas and advocacy for increased congressional financing, UNDP-BIOFIN has successfully helped raise over USD 84 million for the protection of 107 Legislated Philippine Protected Areas.

A Commitment to Sustainable Development

The Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), which was adopted by the DENR in 2016, laid the groundwork for many of the initiatives that are now being integrated into local governance. While PBSAP faced challenges in securing adequate funding, it has successfully pushed for the mainstreaming of biodiversity into the development programs of national agencies, local governments, and the private sector.

As Lisa Paguntalan-Marte, Executive Director of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc., puts it, “These SGLG learning workshops are a welcome development for our LGUs. We hope they will enhance the LGUs' understanding of the unique biodiversity of Negros and our other regions.” She emphasizes that these efforts will help local governments develop programs that make cities and towns more resilient to the ever-growing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

Looking Ahead: A Greener, More Resilient Future

With the expansion of the SGLG to include environmental protection measures and the increased focus on biodiversity, the Philippines is setting an example for other nations. The country is taking steps to ensure that local governance plays an active role in addressing climate change, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainability. As LGUs across the country rise to meet these new standards, they will be better equipped to protect their natural resources and foster more resilient communities.

In a year when climate change effects are increasingly visible, the push for stronger environmental safeguards is more crucial than ever. The efforts of the DILG, DENR, UNDP-BIOFIN, and local governments are laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future, one where communities are equipped to thrive despite the challenges of a warming world.