Expanded mental health services to better support students in schools, with parents as partners

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

MAKATI CITY, 12 January 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) is expanding school-based mental health and anti-bullying support by formally involving parents, guardians, and caregivers as partners in learner protection through the implementation of the Kaagapay Program, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to strengthen learner well-being and child protection in public schools. 

Under the DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026, the Kaagapay program is tapping parents and guardians as co-educators who help reinforce values formation, positive discipline, and learner well-being at home, in direct support of classroom instruction and school-based guidance programs.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the reform strengthens the support system around learners by bringing families into the process.

“Bilang magulang din, alam natin kung gaano kabigat na responsibilidad ang pag-aalaga at paggabay sa bata. Kaya kapag magkakasama ang pamilya at paaralan sa paghubog ng asal at pag-unawa sa pinagdadaanan ng anak, mas napapangalagaan ang learners at mas gumagaan ang trabaho ng mga guro,” Angara said.  

With an allocation of Php100 million nationwide, Kaagapay is being implemented through parent engagement sessions and advocacy campaigns designed to translate school policies into practical, everyday actions within families. These sessions use participatory and experiential methods such as sharing of best practices, guided reflection, and action planning, enabling parents to better understand learner behavior, socio-emotional needs, and the early signs of bullying or distress.

The sessions are structured to help parents situate their role within DepEd’s curriculum and learner development priorities before moving into learning discussions on socio-emotional and values support, positive discipline, bullying awareness, and home–school–community partnership. Parents are encouraged to reflect on their own family contexts and develop simple home action plans that align with school objectives, with the goal of sustaining positive practices beyond the sessions.

To ensure wider participation, schools may conduct face-to-face, modular, and asynchronous delivery modes, taking into account parents’ schedules, backgrounds, and circumstances. The program is open to all parents and caregivers of learners in public elementary and secondary schools and is designed to ensure representation across different family structures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Participation is voluntary, and safeguards are in place to protect privacy and prevent stigma  

Implementation of the Kaagapay Program is already underway, with coordination and engagement activities continuing within School Year 2025–2026 through schools division offices.

The rollout of Kaagapay coincides with broader government investments in learner well-being, including a Php2.9-billion allocation for the School-Based Mental Health Program. The allocation supports the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which mandates the strengthening of school-based mental health services, including suicide prevention in schools.

With Kaagapay, DepEd is strengthening learner protection and well-being by ensuring that parents are not bystanders but active partners in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments.

WVSU tops ForeSTAR 2025 short film competition

 

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

 

Student filmmakers from West Visayas State University recently bagged the grand prize in ForeSTAR ng Pasko: A Short Film Competition, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Forest Management Bureau in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

“Handong” by Sine-Mariit of WVSU also won Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Cinematography during the awarding ceremony held at the BGC Central Square Cinema.

DENR-FMB Executive Committee members led by Assistant Director Atty. Ray Thomas F. Kabigting, FDCP Project Development Officer Gaby Velazco, judges Dr. Joselito Delos Reyes and Seymour Sanchez, and faculty and students from participating colleges and universities, graced the event.

“ForeSTAR continues to be one of our most meaningful initiatives because it gives students a platform to express their connection to nature and to share stories that inspire action for our forests,” Kabigting said in his welcome message.

“This competition reminds us that environmental stewardship can be expressed in many ways – and that storytelling is one of the most powerful. Through film, our young participants have shown us their perspectives, their hopes, and their commitment to protecting our forests for future generations,” Kabigting added.

ForeSTAR ng Pasko was a celebration of environmental advocacy and student creativity, proving that the best holiday stories are the ones rooted in nature. After screening films that placed forests at the heart of the Filipino Christmas spirit, major awards were handed out to the young filmmakers.

“Pamasko ng Gubat” by Commerkadas of Leyte Normal University was awarded second prize.

“Bisperas” by Lucky 8 Media Entertainment from Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila took home the third prize trophy and the Best Poster award.

“Monito” by Pelikulang Daluyong Productions of Laguna University got fourth place while “Paskong Nilala” by Beda.Comm of San Beda College-Alabang came in fifth.

The DENR-FMB’s partnership with FDCP marks a new chapter for the ForeSTAR competition.

While past years focused on parol-making, on-the-spot banig-painting, bamboo belen-making, digital art, Christmas tree-making, fashion shows, and chorale competitions, the short film contest allowed students to explore the connections among forests, forest-dependent communities, and Filipino Christmas traditions on a grander scale.

“ForeSTAR opened a critical avenue for short films that mainly tackles the delicate balance of environment and our modern existence. It provides us with a panoramic window of talents presumably confined in urban-centric universities. I hope DENR-FMB ForeSTAR will continue to be a platform for budding filmmakers and communicators,” Delos Reyes shared.

Ross Flores Del Rosario and Wazzup Pilipinas: The Voice That Leads the Machine

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The Social Architect, Digital Synergy, and the Human Heart of Media

Every media revolution redraws the map of influence. But only a few individuals ensure that the map leads back to the community.

In the landscape of the Philippine digital era, that role belongs to Ross Flores Del Rosario, the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas. Not just as a blogger. Not as a digital marketer. But as a social architect who understands that technology is a megaphone, and a megaphone is only as valuable as the truth it amplifies.

Community as Responsibility in the Digital Age

For over a decade, Ross Del Rosario has championed a singular vision: Digital presence is not just about reach. It is about impact.

When the wave of Artificial Intelligence began to reshape journalism and content creation, he did not retreat into traditionalism. He leaned into the future with a sense of stewardship. Instead of fearing the "machine," he sought to lead it, ensuring that as Philippine media becomes more automated, it remains fundamentally Filipino.

That commitment became the bridge between the old guard of blogging and the new frontier of AI-driven media.

Wazzup Pilipinas: From Blog to Digital Institution

Wazzup Pilipinas was born out of a desire to give the "little guy" a voice. It transformed from a community blog into a multi-awarded national platform by staying grounded in the grassroots.

In the context of the AI revolution, Wazzup Pilipinas serves as the ultimate laboratory. Ross Del Rosario uses the platform to demonstrate that AI should not be used to create "fake" content, but to scale "real" stories. By integrating AI tools into the Wazzup Pilipinas ecosystem, he has empowered a new generation of creators to compete on a global scale without losing their local soul.

The Architect of Digital Synergy: Humans + AI

Ross Del Rosario’s philosophy is built on the concept of Digital Synergy. He views AI not as a replacement for the writer's hand, but as a propellant for the writer's reach.

The Curator’s Eye: While AI can generate text, Ross insists on human curation to maintain ethical standards and cultural nuances that an algorithm cannot feel.

The Intelligence of Connection: He utilizes AI to analyze trends and sentiments, not to manipulate the public, but to better understand what the Filipino community truly needs to hear.

Through his leadership, Wazzup Pilipinas has become a beacon for "Responsible AI in Media," proving that the machine works best when a human heart is at the controls.

Leading the Machine: Beyond the Screen

Ross’s influence extends beyond the digital page. As a frequent speaker and community leader, he has taken on the role of an educator for the "AI-Curious."

He demystifies the complexities of the digital shift for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), showing them how AI can level the playing field. To Ross, the "Machine" isn't an elite tool for big corporations; it is a ladder for the Filipino entrepreneur.

His mission is clear: No Filipino storyteller or business owner should be left behind by the pace of technology.

One Vision, Infinite Connections

Wazzup Pilipinas amplifies the Filipino voice.

Digital Synergy bridges the gap between human intuition and machine speed.

Community Advocacy ensures technology serves the marginalized.

Ethical Innovation protects the integrity of digital journalism.

All of these are connected by one belief: The machine needs a leader, and that leader must be human.

Why Ross Del Rosario Matters Today

The digital world is becoming increasingly automated. Algorithms decide what we see. Bots write what we read. Data dictates how we live.

But algorithms have no conscience.

Ross Flores Del Rosario matters because he reminds us that behind every "like," "share," and "prompt" is a human being. He stands at the intersection of technology and community, ensuring that as we move toward a high-tech future, we do not lose our high-touch humanity.

In a world where machines are learning to speak, we need leaders who know exactly what needs to be said.

The voice that leads the machine is the one that speaks for the people.