Want a Free Trip to Indonesia? This Vocational Camp Will Cover Your Stay!"

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Ever dreamed of an all-expense-covered cultural and educational trip to Indonesia? The Vocational Inter-Cultural Camp (VICC) 2025 at Universitas Negeri Malang is offering international students an exclusive opportunity to immerse themselves in Indonesian culture, gain hands-on vocational skills, and participate in meaningful community projects—all while enjoying a fully arranged stay in the beautiful city of Malang! But hurry, registration closes on March 25, 2025—secure your spot before it's too late!

Vocational Inter-Cultural Camp (VICC) 2025

"Building Bridges: Connecting Skills to Community Needs"

Course Schedule:

📅 April 30th to May 6th, 2025

📍 Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia

(Participants are expected to arrive on April 29th, 2025, a day before the course starts.

🟠 Activities included in this course:

Malang city tour and historical exposure

Introductory to local market (Indigenous ingredients, and social realm)

Field trips to local orchards, local business, and/or local NGOs

Afternoon camp and cross-cultural understanding

Batik-making workshop

Case study

Exhibitions

Community services

About VICC

The Vocational Inter-Cultural Camp (VICC) 2025 is the third international short course held by the Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia.

This immersive course helps participants understand the real needs of communities through exposure to local environments in Malang and provides opportunities to use their skills, careers, and passions to create meaningful change.

Through tailor-made case studies and real-world community service projects, students will explore how to address pressing challenges while considering cultural dynamics and sustainable practices.

By the end of the course, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how community engagement plays a key role in shaping impactful careers in the future.

This Program Covers:

✔ Accommodation (provided within walking distance in the main campus)

✔ City trip and cultural exposure

✔ All local transport for scheduled agendas only

✔ Travel from the Juanda International Airport to Universitas Negeri Malang on April 29th, 2025

✔ Travel from Universitas Negeri Malang to Juanda International Airport on May 6th, 2025

Who Can Join?

Eligibility and Requirements:

✅ Must be at least 18 years old at the time of the course

✅ Not a citizen of Indonesia and residing outside Indonesia

✅ Must be a university student outside Indonesia

✅ Must be able to satisfy the immigration requirement to travel to Indonesia and return to the home country

Registration Details

📅 Registration open until March 25, 2025

🔗 Registration Link: https://bit.ly/VICC2025-Registration

📞 Contact Person:

Meirna Puspita Permatasari

Coordinator of International Partnerships

Faculty of Vocational Studies

📧 Email: meirna.puspita.fv@um.ac.id

📞 Phone: +62 852-3383-7548

🌐 Website: https://vicc.um.ac.id

📱 Social Media: @viccfvum

Explanation of the Image:

This is an informative flyer about the Vocational Inter-Cultural Camp (VICC) 2025, organized by Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. The camp is a short-term international program for non-Indonesian university students to gain hands-on experience in community engagement, cultural immersion, and vocational skills development.

The program covers accommodation, transportation, and cultural trips, providing participants an opportunity to explore Malang, Indonesia, and interact with local businesses, NGOs, and communities.

Comelec Slaps Cyberlibel Case Against Vice Mayoral Bet Over Alleged Election Hacking Post

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a bold move to defend the integrity of the upcoming 2025 national elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has filed a cyberlibel complaint against Jeryll Harold Respicio, a vice mayoral candidate from Reina Mercedes, Isabela.

The case stems from a viral video allegedly posted on Respicio’s Facebook page, “Alvin & Harold,” showcasing methods to hack the election system, manipulate automated counting machines, and alter the local source code. The videos, originally uploaded on January 24 and 25, 2025, were taken down on February 10, 2025—but not before causing widespread alarm.

Comelec Fires Back

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia minced no words, calling out the post as a dangerous attack on public trust.

"We cannot allow false information to spread and condition the public to believe our elections are rigged before a single vote is even cast," Garcia stressed. "This is not just about one video; it’s about protecting our democracy."

Beyond cyberlibel, Comelec is also gearing up to file a disqualification case against Respicio, citing a violation of Section 261 (z)(11) of the Omnibus Election Code—which strictly prohibits the spread of false information meant to disrupt the electoral process.

From Politics to Professional Fallout

The repercussions for Respicio could extend far beyond the election race.

Comelec has hinted at filing a disbarment case against him, along with moves to revoke his accountancy license from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The commission insists that individuals in positions of influence—especially political aspirants—must be held accountable for their words and actions.

A Wake-Up Call for Candidates and Netizens

This case highlights Comelec’s firm stance on digital election misconduct.

Last year, the commission mandated all candidates to register their social media accounts, enabling authorities to track online campaigns more effectively and crack down on misinformation, deepfakes, and AI-generated fake news.

While negative campaigning is permitted as part of free speech, Comelec draws the line at defamatory statements and fabricated allegations that erode public trust.

"Candidates can criticize, but when they cross into libel and cyberlibel, they will be held accountable," Garcia warned.

What’s Next?

With election day fast approaching, this case sends a clear message: Comelec is not taking election security lightly. As the digital battlefield becomes just as critical as the physical polls, the commission is doubling down on efforts to ensure transparency, security, and public confidence in the 2025 elections.

For candidates and netizens alike, this is a stark reminder—spreading misinformation is not just irresponsible; it can land you in serious legal trouble.

₱1 Billion Bridge Collapses Weeks After Completion—What Went Wrong?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The recent collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, raising pressing concerns about infrastructure integrity and public safety. This catastrophic event has not only disrupted the daily lives of local residents but has also ignited a broader discourse on construction standards, project oversight, and accountability within public works.

A Promising Infrastructure Turned Tragic

Spanning 990 meters, the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge was a significant infrastructure project designed to connect the municipalities of Cabagan and Santa Maria over the Cagayan River. Construction commenced in November 2014, with an initial budget allocation of ₱639 million and an expected completion date in 2019. However, unforeseen delays extended the project's timeline, culminating in its completion on February 1, 2025, at a total cost of ₱1.22 billion. The bridge featured 12 arch spans, each measuring 60 meters, and nine pre-stressed concrete girder spans. Its completion was anticipated to enhance regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth. 

Tragically, on the evening of February 27, 2025, just weeks after its inauguration, the third span of the bridge collapsed. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. when a dump truck, reportedly carrying approximately 102 tons of boulders—substantially exceeding typical load limits—attempted to cross. The excessive weight is believed to have precipitated the structural failure, causing the bridge to give way and sending four vehicles, including two SUVs and a motorcycle, plummeting into the riverbed below. Six individuals sustained injuries, among them a young boy who suffered severe head and body trauma and was subsequently transferred to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center for advanced treatment. 

Immediate Response and Ongoing Investigation

In the aftermath of the collapse, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 2 promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the root cause of the failure. Recognizing the complexity of the situation, the regional office has enlisted experts from the Bureau of Design and the Bureau of Construction from the DPWH Central Office to conduct an in-depth evaluation and assessment. Preliminary reports suggest that the dump truck's load significantly surpassed the bridge's designed capacity, but officials emphasize the necessity of a thorough investigation before drawing definitive conclusions. 

The construction firm responsible for the bridge, R.D. Interior, Jr. Construction, has expressed its commitment to full cooperation with the investigative process. The company asserts that all construction procedures adhered to the project's specified standards and protocols. As the probe progresses, the DPWH has advised motorists to utilize alternative routes and has implemented measures to ensure the safety of the commuting public in the affected area.

Political Repercussions and Calls for Accountability

The incident has reverberated through political corridors, prompting calls for accountability and stringent oversight of public infrastructure projects. Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Works, has vocally demanded that responsible parties be identified and held accountable. He emphasized the urgency of blacklisting negligent contractors and ensuring that remedial measures are undertaken without imposing additional financial burdens on taxpayers. Senator Revilla also underscored the imperative for the DPWH to enforce rigorous quality control and oversight mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies. 

Broader Implications for Infrastructure Development

The collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of meticulous planning, stringent quality assurance, and unwavering adherence to safety standards in infrastructure development. As the nation mourns the injuries sustained and the disruption caused, there is a collective resolve to scrutinize existing practices and implement reforms that will safeguard the integrity of public works. The outcomes of the ongoing investigation are poised to influence future policies, aiming to fortify the resilience and reliability of the country's infrastructure network.

In the interim, the community remains resilient, with local authorities and residents collaborating to navigate the challenges posed by the bridge's collapse. As alternative routes are established and plans for reconstruction are deliberated, there is a shared commitment to ensuring that such an incident does not recur, upholding the safety and well-being of all citizens.