UMALOHOKAN: A Revolutionary Movement for Voters’ Education, Truth, and Environmental Action

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

They say history repeats itself, but in the digital age, history is rewritten—often by those with the loudest voices, the most viral content, or the deepest pockets. Misinformation spreads faster than the truth. Environmental destruction accelerates while leaders look the other way. And the youth, the very ones who will inherit this nation, are too often left disillusioned, disengaged, or deceived.

But what if they fought back?

Enter UMALOHOKAN: Para sa Kaalaman, Kalikasan, at Kinabukasan—not just an event, but a movement, a battle cry, and a rallying point for those who refuse to be silenced.

This groundbreaking initiative, led by Ross Flores Del Rosario, the visionary founder of Wazzup Pilipinas and UMALOHOKAN Workshops, is a direct response to three of the most pressing crises of our time: disinformation, voter apathy, and environmental collapse.

On April 13, 2025, from 2 PM onwards at Simbayanan ni Maria Community Foundation, Taguig City, digital influencers, thought leaders, and change-makers will converge—not as mere spectators, but as warriors for truth and sustainability.

REVIVING THE HERALDS OF TRUTH

Before colonizers rewrote our history, the Umalohokan were the lifeblood of our communities—heralds of truth, messengers of critical information, the guardians of discourse. They did not peddle lies for profit; they spoke for the people.

Today, their spirit is reborn in the digital warriors of this generation: vloggers, bloggers, content creators, and social media influencers who wield their platforms not for vanity, but for veracity.

A POWERHOUSE OF EXPERTS AND ADVOCATES

UMALOHOKAN 2025 will be a battlefield of ideas, with some of the nation’s most respected voices leading the charge:

🔹 Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, The Voicemaster of Creativoices, delivering the opening remarks to energize the audience as they are about to be empowered and inspired by the succeeding speakers

🔹 Ellen Tordesillas, founder of VERA Files, exposing the anatomy of fake news and how the powerful manipulate information to stay in control.

🔹 Chino Penserga of PPCRV, unraveling the weaponization of misinformation in elections and how voters can fight back with discernment.

🔹 Atty. Ryan Jay Roser of LENTE, distinguished lawyer and tireless advocate for electoral integrity and legal empowerment.

🔹 Social media personalities like Eric Teodoro of Big Boy Eric, Jenny Medenillla of The Transport Queen, Nestor Lim of News Media Nest, on a panel discussion moderated by Adae Cano-Ang of Adae to Remember tackling topics related to the proliferating fake news on social media and how they combat against it and avoid being victims themselves

🔹 Another panel full of environmental advocates - Jayson Noveda of Ecowaste Coalition, Thony Dizon of BAN Toxics, Eric Raymundo of Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan Movement, Eman Balani of Gift of Nature, taking the stage to dismantle the corporate and governmental failures behind environmental destruction—and what we can do to resist. Moderated by Nic Satur Jr of Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE)

Special Keynote by David D'Angelo of The Green Party of the Philippines 

These aren’t just speeches. These are calls to arms.

THE BATTLE LINES: FIGHTING FOR TRUTH, DEMOCRACY, AND SUSTAINABILITY

🔹 VOTERS’ EDUCATION & AWARENESS

The 2025 elections could define the fate of the Philippines. The youth, the largest voting bloc, have the power—but only if they use it wisely. UMALOHOKAN will arm them with critical thinking, discernment, and the ability to separate propaganda from policy.

🔹 FIGHTING DISINFORMATION

Fake news isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a weapon, designed to manipulate, mislead, and control. With media literacy experts and social media watchdogs, attendees will learn how to fact-check, analyze, and resist digital deception.

🔹 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

While world leaders talk, the planet burns. This isn’t just climate change—it’s climate collapse. The environmental panel will provide tangible solutions and avenues for action, because the time for debate is over.

BEYOND TALK: A CALL TO ACTION

This is not another academic seminar. This is a movement.

Through interactive workshops, networking with advocacy groups, and a commitment-signing ceremony, UMALOHOKAN ensures that attendees do not leave empty-handed—they leave as agents of change.

As Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of WazzupPilipinas.com and the Umalohokan Workshops, puts it:

"We are at a defining moment. The youth must realize that their voices matter, their votes count, and their actions can shape a better world."

At 5:30 PM, UMALOHOKAN 2025 will conclude not with goodbyes, but with a vow—a covenant, signed by all speakers, NGOs, and participants, to carry forward the fight for truth, sustainability, and democracy.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.

This is your moment. If you believe in truth over lies, action over apathy, and a future worth fighting for, then UMALOHOKAN is your battlefield.

SAVE THE DATE: April 13, 2025

WHERE: Simbayanan ni Maria Community Foundation, Taguig City

SPREAD THE WORD. TAKE A STAND.

For inquiries:

rossdelrosario@gmail.com

09473820042

Follow the movement:

🔗 #UMALOHOKAN2025 #EmpowerTheYouth #FightFakeNews #SustainabilityNow #EveryVoteMatters

The battle for truth, democracy, and the environment begins now. Will you answer the call?

DOJ has filed a tax evasion case against Ever Bilena through the Run After Fake Transactions Taskforce of the BIR ; Warrants of Arrest to be issued against its President & Treasurer

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reported that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has ruled in favor of the complaint filed by the Run After Fake Transactions Taskforce (RAFT) of the BIR against Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. (Ever Bilena) for the latter's use of Ghost Receipts in its tax declarations. The DOJ has filed  four (4) criminal Informations before the trial courts in Quezon City against Ever Bilena, which included criminal charges against Dioceldo S. Sy, President, and Miami S. Siytaoco, Treasurer, for tax evasion and failure to supply correct and accurate information in its tax returns. 

"The BIR once again commends the illustrious men and women of the DOJ in ruling in favor of our complaint against Ever Bilena. This shows that even the largest corporations in the Philippines should not use Ghost Receipts in their tax declarations. Warrants of arrest are expected to be issued against the responsible corporate officers of Ever Bilena." Commissioner Lumagui stated.

The BIR and the DOJ continue to make strides in their fight against Ghost Receipts. Even the largest corporations have been audited, prosecuted, and its responsible officers subsequently arrested as long as there is a finding by the RAFT taskforce that the corporation used Ghost Receipts to illegally lessen their taxes.

Recently, the DOJ ruled in favor of the BIR complaint against Hilmarc's Construction Corporation, one of the largest government contractors in the country. Ever Bilena will be included in the list of large companies that will be prosecuted in court for its use of Ghost Receipts. 

DepEd Doubles Down on Literacy: FLEMMS Survey Sparks Renewed Education Drive Across the Nation

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a powerful reaffirmation of its commitment to uplift Filipino learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) has vowed to intensify literacy efforts nationwide, as results from the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) reveal both promising gains and pressing opportunities.

The survey, conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), shows that basic literacy in the country remains strong at 93.1% among individuals aged 10 to 64. This figure signifies that a vast majority of Filipinos possess the foundational ability to read, write, and compute—skills considered the bedrock of education and empowerment.

Yet, beyond the basics lies a deeper challenge: functional literacy—defined as the capacity to understand and apply information in real-life situations—stood at 70.8%, indicating that nearly three in ten Filipinos still struggle to make meaningful use of written information in daily tasks.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his statement during the Ceremonial Signing of the Joint Circular on the Establishment of Child Development Centers, underscored the importance of foundational learning:

“Reading to children improves their language, develops their cognitive skills, and allows them to appreciate learning... Early high-quality education supports children’s physical and emotional development, which they need for school readiness.”

DepEd has taken this directive to heart, pledging to bolster its Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and National Reading Programs—cornerstone initiatives designed to cultivate not only literacy but lifelong learning habits.

A Tale of Two Literacies: Basic vs. Functional

While the high basic literacy rate serves as a beacon of progress, the relatively lower functional literacy rate signals an urgent call for transformation in how literacy is taught and applied.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized this dual narrative:

“These figures affirm our ongoing efforts to strengthen foundational education while also highlighting areas where we can further enhance our learners’ skills. With a strong literacy base in place, we are poised to expand our programs to ensure that every Filipino gains the ability to think critically and engage meaningfully in society.”

Regional Triumphs and Challenges

The survey offers an insightful look into the nation's educational topography. The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) emerged as a leader in functional literacy at 81.2%, reflecting robust regional strategies that bridge learning and application. Meanwhile, Central Luzon posted the highest basic literacy rate at 92.8%, reinforcing the efficacy of targeted educational frameworks.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities between regions, prompting DepEd to develop localized interventions and differentiated instruction models tailored to the specific needs of each area.

Rewriting the Literacy Playbook

In response to these findings, DepEd is rolling out curriculum enhancements that prioritize critical thinking, analytical skills, and real-world comprehension over rote learning. Teachers will be equipped with innovative pedagogy, and schools will implement strategies that make literacy education more interactive, inclusive, and culturally relevant.

“We are continuously innovating our approaches to ensure that literacy education remains dynamic, engaging, and accessible to all,” Secretary Angara noted. “By integrating comprehension and analytical thinking into our programs, we aim to produce learners who are not only literate but also highly competent in navigating real-world challenges.”

A Collective Mission for a Literate Nation

Fostering literacy, DepEd reiterates, is not the task of a single agency. It is a shared responsibility—a collective mission that requires the synergy of government agencies, local communities, private institutions, and Filipino families.

“We celebrate these literacy milestones while also committing to continuous improvement,” said Angara. “Functional literacy is a powerful tool for national development, and we invite all sectors to join us in this mission.”

The 2024 FLEMMS surveyed 177,656 households and 572,910 individuals aged 5 and above, offering one of the most comprehensive snapshots of the country’s literacy landscape in recent years.

The Road Ahead

In an age where information is currency and knowledge the ultimate empowerment, literacy remains a pillar of national progress. As the Department of Education rises to the challenge, guided by data, bolstered by policy, and inspired by purpose, the dream of a fully literate and critically-thinking Filipino society inches closer to reality.

The battle for literacy is not just about teaching people to read and write—it’s about arming them with the tools to think, decide, and shape their own futures. And that is a cause worth fighting for.