MATATAG: DepEd’s new agenda to resolve basic education woes

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Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte on Monday launched MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa, to set the new direction of the agency and stakeholders in resolving basic education challenges.

Addressing around 400 education stakeholders, led by no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in attendance, VP-Secretary Duterte laid down the challenges and recent accomplishments of DepEd, before unveiling the new battle cry of the basic education sector.

“We will rally for an improved learning system in the country. Together, we will rally for every Filipino child. Para sa isang MATATAG na Bayan. Para sa ating mahal na Pilipinas," Duterte emphasized in her Basic Education Report (BER) for 2023.

According to Duterte, MATATAG will have four critical components:


•MAke the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready, active, and responsible citizens;

•TAke steps to accelerate delivery of basic education facilities and services;

•TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment; and

•Give support to teachers to teach better.

"We know that the road will be bumpy, but our direction is clear. We know that the challenges are vast, but we Filipinos are resilient. We will overcome,” Duterte added, noting that her interest in the future of Philippine education is very personal.

In her BER, VP-Sec. Duterte also provided the specific directions and initiatives that will comprise the four components, including improving the curriculum by focusing on foundational skills and embedding peace competencies, building more resilient schools and classrooms, strengthening inclusive education programs, advocating for teachers’ additional benefits, and providing professional development programs, among others.

In addition, Duterte reiterated her commitment to give ample support to the thousands of teachers in the country.

“We thank you for your sacrifices. Maraming salamat po sa inyong dedikasyon. Hindi po namin kayo pababayaan,” she said.

Duterte also urged the stakeholders to join DepEd in building a MATATAG nation.

“Improving access, equity, equality, resiliency, and well-being will not happen overnight, nor it can be done by DepEd alone. We need a national commitment and sustained effort from all sectors of the society,” she stressed.

After the launch of MATATAG, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, VP-Sec. Duterte, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Rep. Roman Romulo, and other education partners penned their commitments and support for the new basic education agenda.

Hilton Opens First Hotel in Japan’s Hokuriku Region with the Debut of DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama

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Located in the centre of Toyama, DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama takes inspiration from the beauty of the surrounding mountains and sea

Hilton announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama, the first Hilton hotel in Japan’s Hokuriku region. Located on the coast of the Sea of Japan, Toyama offers convenient access to and from the major cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. With direct international flights from several Asian countries expected to resume in summer 2023, Hilton anticipates a growing demand for Toyama from international travellers.

"We are thrilled to mark the debut of DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama, our first Hilton hotel in the Hokuriku region. This opening illustrates our strong commitment to continually expand our footprint in Japan across key secondary and tertiary cities,” said Timothy Soper, area vice president, head of Japan, Korea & Micronesia, Hilton. “We anticipate a further recovery and strengthening of travel demand in Japan this year, and we look forward to providing our warm hospitality and thoughtful service to our guests here in Toyama.”

DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama is conveniently located within a three-minute walk of Toyama Station and a 20-minute drive of Toyama Kitokito Airport. The city of Toyama offers an ideal staging point for various popular day-trip destinations, including the Kurobe Alpine route, famous for massive snow walls; the traditional villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama; and the Noto Peninsula.

The 13-storey, 201-room hotel features contemporary guest accommodations with five room types, ranging from 26-square-metre layouts for up to three people to a 79-square-metre premium suite that can comfortably accommodate up to four people. The hotel’s interior design and artwork take inspiration from the natural beauty of Toyama, including Toyama Bay and the Tateyama Mountain Range.

The all-day restaurant, korare WINE AND DINE, takes its name from the Toyama dialect’s word for “welcome.” It features 78 seats and a private room that can accommodate 10 seats, a buffet and dining area and an open kitchen serving breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood from Toyama Bay, beef and red snow crab from the Toyama Prefecture, and a wide selection of offerings from the on-property sommelier’s wine selection.

At korare Bar, guests can enjoy light meals, such as pastas and hamburgers, that feature local ingredients, while also taking advantage of a selection of more than 20 wines by the glass, original cocktails and sake. Meanwhile, the GRAB'n'GO Coffee & Deli offers takeout coffee, sandwiches, soups, cakes, muffins and other snacks for guests looking for fuel on the move.

Guests will have access to a variety of facilities and services, including inspiring banquet and meeting facilities that can accommodate up to 100 people, a 24-hour fitness centre, and a public bath with a sauna.

“We are delighted to open DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama and look forward to welcoming both domestic and international travellers and inspiring them with feel- good moments, whether through our comfortable accommodations, elevated amenities, or signature, warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie welcome,” said Vincent Ong, vice president, Full Service Brands, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing global brand, and we look forward to continuing its expansion across Asia Pacific.”

In December 2022, Hilton debuted its 50th DoubleTree by Hilton property in the Greater China and Mongolia region with the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Kunming Airport, and will soon launch the brand in South Korea. In Japan, DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama will open this summer, while DoubleTree by Hilton Osaka Castle will open in 2024.

DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 19 world-class hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check in, choose their room and access their room using a Digital Key.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama.

Read more about DoubleTree by Hilton on Stories From Hilton.

6th Indie-Siyensya Film Festival returns to the big screen, now streams on JuanFlix

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The campaign to celebrate film as a medium to communicate science and create positive change continues and remains strong as the Indie-Siyensya Film Festival returns to various Cinematheque Centres across the Philippines and streams online via JuanFlix, courtesy of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Almost three years after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, the DOST-SEI, in partnership with FDCP, finally brought back Indie-Siyensya's on-site film festival with a two-day film screening of science-based creative films at the Cinematheque Centres in Manila, Nabunturan, Davao, and Negros from January 21 to 22, 2023. Cinematheque Centre Iloilo also joined the celebration as it followed with the screening on January 26 to 27.

The film festival kicked off at the Cinematheque Centre Manila with a brief opening ceremony conducted to formally welcome everyone to the film screening. Present during the program were officials of DOST-SEI and FDCP, namely, Engr. Albert Mariño, DOST-SEI's Deputy Director; Mr. Randolf Sasota, DOST-SEI's S&T Manpower Education Research and Promotions Division's Officer-in-Charge; Mr. Daniel David Morales, FDCP's Executive Director; and Ms. Rica Arevalo, FDCP's Education and Development Support Division Head and one of the 6th Indie-Siyensya jurors.

Directors, scriptwriters, and members of the featured films' production team also graced the event. They all showed gratitude for being a part of the Indie-Siyensya’s movement to use films to communicate science and contribute to building ripples of change for communities. They also expressed delight to learn how passionate Filipinos are in creating films that mirror the realities of society and how the Indie-Siyensya has inspired and nurtured this passion among them as filmmakers.

“Being with these people, looking at the films, nakakaiyak kasi I know na hindi lang ako, hindi lang ako yung passionate about this. Everyone is. And [I am] super grateful. This competition is just doing many things for many,” said Kyle Carlo Lasala, director of one of the featured films, when asked about his experiences in joining the 6th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition during the festival's talkback.

The filmmakers all expressed hope to tell more stories, create more documentary films, and join more science film festivals with the aim to inform, educate, and enrich the knowledge of the public about a certain issue, and eventually move them to action. Such is the issue of the climate change crisis.

Through the Indie-Siyensya Film Festival, DOST-SEI pledged to continue to harness the potential of films in communicating science, building awareness on critical issues, and driving action for the betterment of the country and the world.

DOST-SEI's Deputy Director Engr. Mariño thanked FDCP for sharing in the advocacy of bringing science closer to the Filipino people through competitions like Indie Siyensya and helping spark the interest of the youth to join the science community.

Meanwhile, FDCP Executive Director Mr. Daniel David Morales commended the DOST-SEI for successfully cultivating creativity and innovation, as well as creating a means to highlight meaningful content through the Indie-Siyensya Film Festival. He pointed out how films are not only a visual treat but also an excellent vehicle for science communication, social change, and advocacy.

Mr. Morales added that the FDCP will continue to support the DOST-SEI by making Indie-Siyensya an Inter-Agency Partnership Program under the leadership of its new chairman, Mr. Tirso Cruz III.

Just like the previous Indie-Siyensya Film Festivals, this year’s event featured the ten (10) finalists of the Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition. With the theme “Communicating Climate Change,” the festival screened short documentary films and explainers that confront environmental challenges and advocate solutions to climate change.

The film entries are also available on JuanFlix until February 5, 2023. Viewers must register first at juanflix.com.ph to watch the entries for free.

Formerly known as the FDCP Channel, JuanFlix is a streaming platform that features classic Filipino films and special selections from recently conducted local film festivals. It aims to offer educational entertainment for all learners and film enthusiasts through homegrown films that inspire, enrich, and challenge perspectives.

For this year, the 6th Indie-Siyensya's Viewers’ Choice Award will be given to the film entries with the highest number of votes per category from the combined on-site and online voting results. The winners of the Viewers’ Choice Award will take home the Php 20,000.00 cash grant. Online voters are highly encouraged to watch all the Indie-Siyensya film entries on JuanFlix.

The Awarding Ceremony will be held on February 25, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

To know more about the finalists of the 6th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition, you may read:

 https://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news-archive/408-young-filipino-filmmakers-focus-lens-on-climate-change-awareness-in-6th-indie-siyensya-film-festival