Education Chief Adjusts 2016 A&E Test Cut-Off Score; Raises Examinees’ Hope in Life, Faith in ALS

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In the interest of fairness for out-of-school youth and adult (OSYA) learners whose hopes and dreams for better opportunities are anchored on the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones adjusted the passing score of the 2016 Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test conducted last November 2017 from 75% to the generally accepted passing score of 60%.

The decision was made by the Education chief, in consultation with concerned officers and personnel of the Department, following a thorough evaluation of factors that contributed to the dismal result of the test, such as change in language of assessment, difference in design between the previous and the present tests, and length of time between intervention and conduct of test.

With the change in passing score, the passing rate jumped to 46.8% from 16.49% of the 15,845 elementary level examinees and to 62.08% from 15.58% of the 168,167 junior high school level examinees. 

The Division Testing Committee (DTC) of School Division Offices are, therefore, instructed to accommodate the November 2017 A&E takers who still did not reach the adjusted passing score as walk-in examinees on March 4 (Luzon) and 11 (Visayas and Mindanao) despite non-presentation of required documents (e.g. Certificate of Rating or COR). 

The same adjusted cut-off score shall be implemented, but only to the aforementioned tests.

DTCs shall prepare and facilitate the registration of these walk-in examinees at the testing center from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. prior to the pre-test activities. Only the examinees who took the A&E Test last November 2017 but did not make it to the adjusted passing score and the learners who earlier registered for the March 2018 test are qualified to take the exam. 

Photocopying of answer sheets is allowed only for the March A&E Test administration to ensure that all qualified examinees will be able to take the test.

Moving forward, the Secretary has instructed concerned officers and personnel to conduct a comprehensive review of the A&E examination standards, including its alignment to the existing learning resources and instruction delivery. She also ordered the suspension of the provision in DepEd Order No. 55, series 2016 that sets 75% as the passing score until further notice.

ALS, as the administration’s flagship program, has the full commitment of the Secretary. True to the learners’ byword, “Sa ALS may pag-asa,” the Department continues to expand and intensify ALS projects and partnerships so that more OSYAs may be provided with options, either through skills training or higher education, to improve their lives and to contribute to nation-building.

Questions and concerns about the A&E Test may be addressed to the Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) at (02) 631-2591 or (02) 631-2589, or at nelia.benito@deped.gov.ph.

The Globe Philippine Pro Gaming League 2018 Grand Finals

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines' biggest multi-platform league this year reaches its climax

The Globe Philippine Pro Gaming League 2018 Grand Finals is heading to Glorietta 2 Activity Center on March 24-25, 2018 from 11:00AM to 10:00PM. MET continues its tradition of organizing the country’s biggest leagues as the grand finals of the Globe PPGL 2018 gathers the absolute best competitive gamers in the Philippines.

The Globe PPGL 2018 is dedicated to the hundreds of Filipino esports hopefuls that dream of making it to grandest of stages. The Pro Gaming League serves as the bridge for amateurs to reach the professional level and compete with top players to achieve their dreams of becoming full-fledged esports athletes.

The Dota 2 teams will be fighting for lion’s share of the 500,000 PHP prize pool while the Arena of Valor grand finals will be for the 200,000 PHP prize pool. The eight Tekken 7 finalists will be battling it out for the 100,000 PHP prize pool.

A total of three champions will be crowned after the 2-day event for Dota 2 (PC), Arena of Valor (Mobile), and Tekken 7 (Console). Budding esports professionals that hail from barangays all across the Philippines will gather at Glorietta 2 for a weekend full of exciting esports action.

Come celebrate the true Filipino spirit of esports in the grand final of the biggest Philippine tournament of 2018. Catch all of your favorite esports talents!

The event in Glorietta will also feature giveaways for all the lucky fans supporting the local teams, and a press conference area where bloggers and media personnel can get a chance to talk to the players and the teams. The event will also feature a Globe Booth on-site with activities, giveaways, and other Globe services.

MET continues its commitment to Filipino gamers by delivering a true Filipino League along with Globe Telecom, Mobile Esports Arena, and PlayBook Esports. Join as us we culminate the first season of the biggest league of the year at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center on March 24-25, 2018 from 11:00AM to 10:00PM. See you there!

Reviving Small Boat Sailing with Simple Boxy Boats

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sailing has become so affordable and user-friendly it is drawing more Filipinos to join a growing international interest in taking up the hobby and sport that is virtually a perfect fit for the country’s archipelagic environment.

International and local collaboration of companies and individuals involved in sailing and boatbuilding, including Hyde Sails International a British company that makes sails for sailboats whose main factory is in Cebu, Duckworks Boatbuilder’s Supply of the U.S, Broadwater Marine of Australia., local boatbuilding materials suppliers such as Zamboply Marine plywood, Pioneer Epoxy and Polymer Products, Inc. has brought about the popularity of the Oz Goose sailboat, designed by Batangas-based Australian designer Michael Storer,  has broken down the myth that sailing is only for the rich.

This collaboration was brought about by the Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club or PHBYC, a group of boating enthusiasts that promote affordable boating and sailing through do-it-yourself wooden boats. 

So far, over  40 Oz Goose sailboats have been built in the three island groups of the Philippines from scratch using boat plans, built to order from authorized builders, and most of the produced during Family Boatbuilding Weekends (FBW), the signature event of PHBYC, wherein families or groups assemble an Oz Goose from a prefabricated kit.

The boxy looking boat is easy to build and sails well with 3 persons, but is best sailed with one or two people onboard, making it a great platform to learn how to sail. Its shape gives it a lot of stability and is empty of water when righted from a capsize, (To find out more when the next FBW would be, feel free to follow PHBYC’s facebook group page and the Open Goose Sailing Boat Group).

Long time sailing enthusiast, Peter Capotosto, Commodore of the Taal Lake Yacht Club said, “The cost to build 10 Oz Geese, is the same as the cost of bringing in two Olympic class sailboats (Laser dinghy) and surprisingly it performs just as well especially for new sailors. Without a doubt the Oz Goose has more bang for the buck.” Mr. Capotosto said.

The unique coming together of international and local boating experts and suppliers leading to the rising popularity of the Oz Goose class in the Philippines is unprecedented, And could be the hope for the future of Dinghy sailing here, According to Mr. Capotosto; “We organize monthly races at TLYC and the increased participation of old an new sailors in the Oz Goose class has increased exponentially after we had an FBW there last month” Mr. Capotosto added.

Sailing clubs around the world are trying to emulate what PHBYC has done to revive interest in small boat sailing. According to boat designer Michael Storer:  “We still have a long way to go to get mainstream interest in small boat sailing in the Philippines, but PHBYC is making progress, schools have expressed their interest having sailing as a varsity sport and our maritime academies that produce sailors that know little about sailing are beginning to appreciate how small boat sailing and boatbuilding can significantly add to the seamanship knowhow of their cadets.”

The Oz Goose is made from 5 or 6mm marine grade plywood, and lumber, assembled with epoxy. While the sails that move the boat can be made by the builder from materials like polytarp or tyvek, professionally made dacron sails can also be purchased locally from dealers such as Las Pinas based Monsoon Marine.


Please check Wazzup Pilipinas Facebook fan page for more photos.

Safety on the Water
Anyone can learn how to sail, and PHBYC has always been an advocate of safety on the water by wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) being responsible and respectful to the environment and advising people when to expect you back when going on extended boating trips.

About PHBYC
The Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club (PHBYC) is a local community sailors, boaters and amateur and professional boatbuilders that help people get into boating and sailing economically through boatbuilding. Plans for building all kinds of boats are available online and the materials to build them are readily available locally. Established in 2006 PHBYC helps its members by giving advice on sourcing materials and boatbuilding techniques, all they ask in return is for people to pay forward what they’ve learned to help grow the fleet of homebuilt boats.

Contributed By: Roy Espiritu /PHBYC