Lacson to reduce poverty through education

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson plans to solve the country’s serious poverty problem by providing more people the opportunity to get an education.

In his latest video, the presidential aspirant, who has battled government corruption throughout his career in public service, points out that many young people are forced to drop out of school because of the need to help their families and because being in school is proving to be a heavy financial burden. Thus, they remain mired in poverty because without a good education their prospects are limited so they often have to settle for jobs that do not pay much.

He will launch an innovative Edukasyon Plus program if elected President that will provide free education and institute a government internship program. Each family will receive a P5,000 monthly allowance during their family members’ internship. Lacson believes that this arrangement will allow students to focus on their studies as they will not be under pressure to help their families.

“Even if education is free, young people cannot finish their studies because they have to help their families. If this vicious cycle continues, when will they be able to lift themselves from a life of poverty?” he says.

Studies show that among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines have the highest school dropout rate.

Lacson is convinced that education is the only way to give people the chance of a better future and to improve the lives of Filipinos, many, if not most, of whom still live below the poverty line. People remain mired in poverty, unable to get better-paying jobs, for lack of education, he stresses.

With Edukasyon Plus, young people can avail of free education and participate in a government internship program that will pay their families a monthly allowance. “They won’t have to choose anymore between education and work to help their families,” Lacson says. He believes the program will help many people leave behind lives of poverty.

“Edukasyon Plus is the real solution to the problem of poverty,” Lacson adds.


Lacson and his running mate, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto, are running on the slogan “Aayusin ang gobierno, aayusin ang buhay mo.” (They will fix the government and put your life in order.)



For more info on Ping Lacson, follow https://www.facebook.com/PingLacsonOfficial.

STEM careers urgently needed post-pandemic, say former DOST-SEI scholars

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

 

Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) can be fulfilling and purposeful endeavors, according to graduate scholars of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) who are now working at the forefront of COVID-19 research in the Philippines. 

 

Dr. Sheriah de Paz-Silava and Dr. John Carlo Malabad kicked off the 2021 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration with an online STEM Career Talk on November 22 entitled “Building A Future of Resiliency Through Health Research and Development” under the DOST-SEI’s #Push4Science initiative.  

 

Both Scholar-Graduates are products of the University of the Philippines (UP) –Manila’s Doctor of Medicine - PhD in Molecular Medicine (MD-PhD) double degree program under the ASTHRDP, which shaped their careers in the disciplines of virology and infectious disease epidemiology. 

 

“Hindi ko na-imagine maging scientist, but DOST molded me into one,” said Dr. de Paz-Silava. An alumna of the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus, Dr. de Paz-Silava graduated magna cum laude with a BS Biology degree from UP Diliman on a DOST Merit Scholarship. She then became an ASTHRDP scholar at the UP Manila College of Medicine, where she obtained her MD-PhD in 2019 with support from the DOST-PCHRD. Currently, she is an Associate Professor at the UP College of Public Health (UP-CPH) and serves as the laboratory manager of its Virology Laboratory. She is currently working with the UP Manila COVID-19 Research Initiative, and also serves as a technical reviewer in several clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines.  

 

“It’s one thing to live, and another thing to live with purpose… It’s an opportunity to serve the Filipino nation,” said Dr. Malabad. He is now an Assistant Scientist at the DOST Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). When the pandemic hit, he volunteered as a responder and laboratorian at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. He was among the first batch of doctor-scientists in the MD-PhD program. He was also a runner-up in the BPI-DOST Science Awards and a recipient of the DOST-SEI Career Incentive Program (CIP). 

 

“I hope you find that joy and purpose in living not just for yourselves but for the country,” Dr. de Paz-Silava concluded. 

 

The DOST-SEI STEM Career Talk is anchored on the 2021 NSTW’s theme, “Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon.” 

 

TEMBO Beach Club & Resort Brings an Exciting New Vibe to Samui's Fashionable North Coast

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The new TEMBO Beach Club & Resort on Koh Samui's renowned Bangrak Beach on the island's vibrant north coast, promises a deliciously playful experience for those who appreciate the good things in life, be they visitors or island residents.

The plantation-style resort, which sits on a powder white-sand beach with dazzling views across azure blue seas to neighbouring Koh Phangan, is the perfect destination for travellers looking to enjoy a glamorous, fun adventure on one of the world’s most beautiful paradise islands.

Life at TEMBO (which means ‘elephant’ in Swahili) revolves around the pool, where guests can relax on the terrace or on the beach, enjoy a refreshing cocktail at the swim-up bar, dine al fresco at the all-day restaurant, or simply enjoy the views from the welcome shade of the bar. Beachside tapas and small bites are available throughout the day, complemented by a tempting choice of exotic cocktails and mocktails, carefully selected wines and ice-cold beers.

TEMBO Restaurant, with its signature teal and pale wicker palette, cooling overhead fans and friendly staff, is the place to sample the Mediterranean and Asian-inspired menu that reflects the personal culinary journey of Executive Chef, Vladimir Siljegovic (‘Chef Vlad’) who started his career at his family’s restaurant, the eponymous Café de Flore in Paris, and whose cuisine has been influenced by his travels around the world.

Within the main restaurant is JOURNEY, an intimate, air-conditioned 12-seat dining space scheduled to open in early 2022. Here, Chef Vlad will prepare a regularly changing menu of international dishes, as well as host visiting chefs.

TEMBO Deli, with its prime road-side location, promises to be the best place on the island to pick up sandwiches and paninis made to order, salads and other savoury treats. An excellent selection of charcuterie, cheeses, olives, pastes and dips is complemented by fresh bread, cakes and pastries, made daily in the resort’s own bakery. Explorers heading out for some island-hopping can order a picnic basket to go.

TEMBO Style, the resort’s chic lifestyle boutique, is an Aladdin’s Cave of vibrant resort wear, fun accessories, cool homewares, and all manner of trinkets and gift ideas that have been lovingly hand picked by the owner, Susan Field, from her travels to various countries. Shoppers can find gorgeous, affordable beach and resort wear in sizes XS-XXL for women, men, and children, as well as jewellery and other accessories. A selection of colourful homeware includes soft furnishings, Balinese boxes, Turkish beach towels, and many other collectibles.

Those looking for some ‘me time’ can escape to TEMBO Spa, (opening soon) which offers a small, carefully curated spa menu. All-natural products are used for body treatments, whilst beauty rituals, such as facials, feature the pure Siam Botanicals product range which is made locally to the highest ethical standards.

Guests wishing to stay at TEMBO can select from nine delightful double bungalows (seven king size beds and two twin-bed rooms) and a spacious beachside villa, just steps from the beach, which has its own private garden and is perfect for romance!

The bungalows and villa, all with aircon and ceiling fans, are decorated in a relaxed, coastal style, designed to reflect a true beachside vibe. Beautiful, intricately carved whitewashed furniture has been created by artisans in Northern Thailand, and in the beach villa, a bespoke four-poster bed with a romantic canopy is the highlight.

The nine bungalow feature large hand-carved bedheads from Chiang Mai, which create a central artistic art focus. All rooms have balconies or terraces, as well as tropical gardens off the bathrooms.

High thread-count bedding and premium mattresses promise optimal comfort, and all rooms have internet-ready flat screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, Indian cotton bathrobes, safety boxes, jasmine-scented amenities, ceiling fans and air-conditioning.

The magical beachside location, the stunning views and the whimsical, romantic design make TEMBO the ideal venue for weddings and other celebrations and the venue has a professional in-house events team.

Room reservations can be made through rsvn@tembo-samui.com, with rates starting at THB 3,000 (+17% tax and service) per night. Restaurant and spa enquiries can be made through info@tembo-samui.com.

 TEMBO CARES

TEMBO is committed to adapting best practices for the environment and the community wherever possible, aiming for zero single-use plastics and recycling as much as possible.

 To help support the planet’s precious resources, TEMBO general practices include:

• Using eco-friendly cleaning products throughout
• Strict protocols on personal and resort hygiene
• Encouraging guests to re-use guest towels
• Sustainably sourced, all natural room amenities and spa products
• Purchasing food products from local growers and producers of organic products
• Beach clean ups and other community activities

 TEMBO proudly supports the following through events, special programs, income from recycling and other endeavours:

• Save Elephant Foundation: This non-profit organization provides care and assistance to Thailand’s captive elephant population through a multifaceted approach involving local community outreach, rescue / rehabilitation programs, and educational ecotourism operations. Our co-founder, Susan, works to increase awareness of the plight of elephants in tourists’ camps and has lobbied Thailand’s Parliament to provide much needed financial support.

• Samui Street Dogs/Spay & Neuter Program: A group of volunteers works tirelessly to keep the island’s stray dog and cat populations under control. Susan has co-created an active group to support sterilization days and other important animal welfare initiatives.
• Sisters on Samui is another favourite local cause; it supports many important initiatives on the island, including feeding many stricken communities whose livelihoods have been severely affected by Covid,

 For more information, please visit our website, www.tembo-samui.com