Paldak at Pulayi Fundraiser for Angeles Church

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Back-to back events aimed to raise funds for the continuing conservation of the Holy Rosary Parish (Angeles Church)

Now in its third year, PALDAK AT PULAYI will be held again this coming October 29. 

“Paldak at Pulayi '' is a community event with more than 500 runners and bikers expected to participate. It aims to raise funds for the continuing conservation of the Holy Rosary Parish or Pisambang Maragul while raising awareness on this important cultural heritage site.

The fundraiser will have 3 components, namely: Paldak (bike ride), Pulayi (fun run) which are both scheduled on October 29, and a pre-Christmas bazaar which will simultaneously open from October 28 to 30, from 6am to 9pm. The fun run will commence at: 4:00 am to be followed by the fun ride at 6:00 am. The Church grounds will be the starting point for both activities and will be the venue of the Christmas bazaar.

The event also aims to promote Angeles City by featuring the areas to be used for the event routes (bike stops) as well as to promote running and cycling as a healthy lifestyle, and cycling as a sustainable means for transportation.

According to Rev. Fr. Nolasco Fernandez, parish priest of Holy Rosary Parish, “our goal is to raise resources to fund what is needed for the current restoration of the church. While it is a fundraiser, the event also encourages a sense of community and camaraderie, and the meeting of people from different parts of our parish. Paldak at Pulayi manifests the initiative of the people to strive for the restoration of the Holy Rosary Parish, beloved not only by Angeleños but by Filipinos from different places and walks of life."

The Holy Rosary Parish Church, a towering landmark in the middle of Angeles, has been declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP) and is recognized as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines. The conservation currently being done by the Parish and Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation Inc. began in September 2019 to address the damage and deterioration of the masonry walls, including those of the bell towers.

This fundraiser is organized by AdCentral Consulting and Smoke 10 Events Management, in partnership with Curia Sancti Rosarii, the city government of Angeles and the Angeles City Tourism Office.

DOST-SEI, QUT sign pact for STEM teachers’ scholarships in Australia

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the Philippines gets a much-needed boost as 28 STEM teachers obtained full scholarships for postgraduate studies in Australia.

This is the highlight of the International Cooperation Agreement (ICA) signing between the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), held on October 21, 2022, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. and DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo signed the accord for the DOST-SEI, while QUT School of Teacher Education and Leadership Head Prof. Dann Mallet and QUT International Projects Unit Director Dr. Nelson Salangsang represented QUT.

The ICA signing was witnessed by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu who outlined the partnership’s significance.

“We all know that science, technology, and research doesn’t happen by itself. It all starts in a classroom with students inspired by teachers who create a sense of fun and excitement around STEM. How exciting that we got excellent teachers going to QUT to become even better experts,” she said in a well-applauded speech at the ceremony.

An economist, Amb. Yu, reiterated how science and technology leads to economic growth. She also cited that the ICA is an opportunity to welcome Filipino STEM educators to the dynamic Australian alumni community, and a means to emphasize the remarkable ties of Australia and the Philippines.

FROM DOST SCHOLARS TO WORLD-CLASS STEM EDUCATORS. The first batch of PROJECT SASE qualifiers pose with the leaders behind the scholarship opportunity. Photo by Mark Gerard Bailon, DOST-SEI.

Project SASE: from STEM teachers to education leaders


The partnership will fuel DOST-SEI’s “Scholarship for the Advancement of STEM Education” or Project SASE.

The first batch of scholars are from the Philippine Science High System (PSHS) System. Sixteen teachers will take Master of Education specializing in STEM Education, while 12 will pursue Doctor of Education at the QUT in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, to commence in January 2023.

“This is another milestone for the DOST-SEI, one that is so special to us because it is an outcome of our recent Executive Leadership Training in Australia,” shares Dr. Biyo. She credits SEI Scholarship Division Chief Peter Gerry Gavina for conceptualizing and leading the project.

Biyo and Gavina led the DOST team who attended the training in May 2022. They developed six re-entry plans for implementation in 2023, including the League of Developers Initiative (Project LODI), which aims to engage DOST scholars in DOST’s digital transformation; the DOST-National Youth Science, Technology, and Innovation Festival; and Project SASE.

Project SASE is a capacity building program under DOST-SEI’s Foreign Graduate Scholarships (FGS). To date, the Institute has 101 FGS scholars pursuing their graduate studies in 23 different countries, mostly in fields of study not yet offered in any higher education institute in the Philippines.

The DOST-SEI spearheads the country’s science scholarship programs, including the S&T Undergraduate Scholarships which recently awarded more than 10,000 scholarship slots to incoming college students.



Scholars heed call to improve STEM education

Project SASE scholars are challenged to develop innovative STEM teaching strategies and lead the transformation of STEM education in the country.

Ph.D. scholar Erika Eunice Salvador shared that in June 2022, she was among those nominated and shortlisted for the program. She then submitted her application, credentials, and research proposal.

After a rigorous screening process conducted by PSHS Campus Directors and Executive Director, she took the English Proficiency Test where she and many fellow SASE scholars received the highest possible marks.

“This priceless experience comes with a high cost from the taxes of the Filipino people. We are determined to earn our keep as scholars and give back through our service to the Filipino learners,” Salvador said.

She vowed they will “come back better, brighter, bolder STEM educators and doctors,” affirming PSHS Executive Director Lilia Habacon’s call for them “to be a model of excellence and make the scholarship program a success.”

Dr. Biyo, who also served as PSHS Executive Director, underscored the scholars’ responsibility to share their knowledge with STEM teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd). The PSHS is an attached agency of the DOST.

BETTER, BRIGHTER, BOLDER STEM EDUCATORS. Ph.D. scholar Erika Eunice Salvador speaks on behalf of Project SASE scholars, assuring everyone that their research studies will contribute to STEM education and make an impact in the lives of Filipino learners. Photo by Aaron Esguerra, DOST-SEI. 

 

“This is another milestone for the DOST-SEI, one that is so special to us because it is an outcome of our recent Executive Leadership Training in Australia,” shares Dr. Biyo. She credits SEI Scholarship Division Chief Peter Gerry Gavina for conceptualizing and leading the project.

Biyo and Gavina led the DOST team who attended the training in May 2022. They developed six re-entry plans for implementation in 2023, including the League of Developers Initiative (Project LODI), which aims to engage DOST scholars in DOST’s digital transformation; the DOST-National Youth Science, Technology, and Innovation Festival; and Project SASE.

Project SASE is a capacity building program under DOST-SEI’s Foreign Graduate Scholarships (FGS). To date, the Institute has 101 FGS scholars pursuing their graduate studies in 23 different countries, mostly in fields of study not yet offered in any higher education institute in the Philippines.

The DOST-SEI spearheads the country’s science scholarship programs, including the S&T Undergraduate Scholarships which recently awarded more than 10,000 scholarship slots to incoming college students.



Scholars heed call to improve STEM education

Project SASE scholars are challenged to develop innovative STEM teaching strategies and lead the transformation of STEM education in the country.

Ph.D. scholar Erika Eunice Salvador shared that in June 2022, she was among those nominated and shortlisted for the program. She then submitted her application, credentials, and research proposal.

After a rigorous screening process conducted by PSHS Campus Directors and Executive Director, she took the English Proficiency Test where she and many fellow SASE scholars received the highest possible marks.

“This priceless experience comes with a high cost from the taxes of the Filipino people. We are determined to earn our keep as scholars and give back through our service to the Filipino learners,” Salvador said.

She vowed they will “come back better, brighter, bolder STEM educators and doctors,” affirming PSHS Executive Director Lilia Habacon’s call for them “to be a model of excellence and make the scholarship program a success.”

Dr. Biyo, who also served as PSHS Executive Director, underscored the scholars’ responsibility to share their knowledge with STEM teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd). The PSHS is an attached agency of the DOST.

One DOST for you

For Science Chief Renato Solidum, Jr., the SEI-QUT partnership will strengthen the country’s S&T human capital and exemplify the Department’s new slogan ‘One DOST for you’. The DOST is refocusing some of its programs to align with the government’s economic agenda.

“We wanted science, technology, and innovation to address challenges faced by key sectors. But to accomplish that, we must build our human capital,” he said.

Sec. Solidum highlighted the importance of qualified STEM teachers in producing competent researchers, engineers, and scientists, especially amid a pandemic and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

COVER PHOTO

MAKING STEM HAPPEN. DOST and QUT officials sign partnership in a bid to make STEM education in the Philippines more engaging and inclusive. (L-R) DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, QUT School of Teacher Education and Leadership Head Prof. Dann Mallet, and QUT International Projects Unit Director Dr. Nelson Salangsang. Photo by Aaron Esguerra, DOST-SEI. 

BingoPlus adds smiles to MassKara Festival celebration with Bacolod Yuhum Foundation team-up

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



BingoPlus, the first live streaming bingo in the Philippines, added more life and gaiety to Bacolod’s MassKara Festival, one of the country’s biggest festivals that came back with a vengeance after an absence of two years.

From October 1 to 23, BingoPlus was in the mainstream of the celebrations as sponsor of the Festival. With the celebration theme of “Balik Yuhum” (comeback), BingoPlus joined hands with the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation to pull out all the stops in staging a memorable and super-fun return to revelry in Bacolod City.

BingoPlus brought its signature feel-good mission to the month-long celebration of food festivals, beauty pageants, concerts, racing competitions, football games, and dance contests capped by a colorful, glittering night parade and street party, making this a Festival to remember for a long, long time.

The brand’s presence was felt in major events such as the Electric MassKara, the MassKara Street Dance & Arena Competition, the Miss Bacolod MassKara beauty pageant, and the Dance Off Competition. The competition where participants donned colorful costumes and smiling masks while dancing to festive music was the highlight of the Festival.

From October 1 to 22 BingoPlus also ran the MassKara Raffle Campaign and awarded Php100,000, Php 75,000, and Php 25,000 to lucky winners.

The annual festival, first held in 1980, showcased the Bacolodnon’s joyful spirit and creative talents. MassKara made Bacolod the “City of Smiles”, which became a catalyst for the city’s development in tourism, crafts, arts, and services. It eventually became one of the major annual tourist attractions of the Philippines.

“We see the passion shared by MassKara and BingoPlus in bringing entertainment that gives rewarding experiences and added value to participants and audiences,” said Jasper Vicencio, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (ABLE) President. “It is for this reason that we find our support of Masskara as a very meaningful CSR initiative for BingoPlus.”

Since its launch, BingoPlus has supported numerous local talents and sports events. It is the official bingo partner of the PBA’s 47th season, and is the official gaming partner of the Premiere Volleyball League.

In September, Bingo Plus held BingoPlus Day, an online celebration for its loyal supporters where Maine Mendoza was introduced as its newest celebrity endorser who will work alongside its first endorser, the most sought-after host, Luis Manzano.

BingoPlus also plans to grant scholarships to lucky dreamers who will be given a chance to take a technical course in one of the schools in Metro Manila.

BingoPlus is licensed by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the flagship brand of Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC)’s subsidiary, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (ABLE).