DepEd advances PBBM administration’s learning-recovery efforts with NLC launch

Under the stewardship of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, the Department of Education (DepEd) adopted the National Learning Recovery Plan (NLRP) to immediately address regressions in basic education brought about by the pandemic.

As a critical step towards learning recovery, DepEd welcomed around 28 million learners for School Year (SY) 2022-2023, as the agency directed the mandatory conduct of full in-person classes. Blended learning or other alternative modes of delivery are only being implemented during natural or man-made calamities to ensure learning continuity.

Being part of the NLRP, the department is also set for the National

Learning Camp (NLC) kickoff on July 24. It is an end-of-school year (EOSY) voluntary program aimed to provide enrichment, consolidation, and intervention sessions for learners.

With a two-fold purpose of improving learning outcomes and supporting teachers to teach better, the initiative aims to create a camp-like atmosphere by integrating fun and engaging activities to foster learner interests, socioemotional skills, personal growth, and character development.

NLC will have phased implementation starting with Grades 7 and 8, with focus on English, Mathematics, and Science. Schools are also encouraged to conduct other EOSY break activities for Grades 1 to 3 and enrich - ment activities in other grade levels to support learning recovery across grade levels. In addition, national programs on Reading, Mathematics, as well as Science and Technology are also targeted to be rolled out starting SY 2023-2024.

Fulbright Phils. circulates Global UGRAD contingent

THE Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), or Fulbright Phils., has announced the newest batch of outstanding Filipino students and graduates for the 2023 to 2024 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD).

The international exchange is funded by the United States Department of State and administered by PAEF—the longestrunning Fulbright commission in the world, and the Philippines’s oldest international scholarship program.

The opportunity provides a diverse group of youth leaders with extensive exposure to American society, culture, values and education through substantive engagements in US colleges and universities.

The grantees, which represent various disciplines that include architecture, engineering, biochemistry, literature and the arts, can champion their respective country’s traditions with their foreign contemporaries.

Out of 519 applicants, 21-year-old Mcaine Andrei Carlos who is majoring in Multimedia Arts (MMA) under the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s (DLS-CSB) School of New Media Arts (SNMA), is one

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of the nine successful Filipino students.

Carlos has become the college’s first and sole delegate in PAEF’s 75-year history, fueled by various citations for his servant leadership and academic acumen.

While in senior-high school, he was granted the “Strand Excellence Award” for having the highest General Weighted Average and outstanding extracurricular performance. He is likewise the first in his batch in Benilde to receive the “Gawad Benildyano” award, which is conferred on exceptional students or individuals.

The MMA student is part of a team that created a mobile app for educating hardto-reach coastal areas in the Philippines on ways to address plastic trash problems.

His key role in “Student Trainers,” the Benilde Student Involvement Unit’s volunteer arm, also allows him to organize formation, orientation and communitybuilding projects.

“[Mr. Carlos’] impressive academic accomplishments and credentials…have made possible his selection as a principal candidate,” Executive Director Julio S. Amador III of PAEF wrote in the acceptance letter addressed to DLS-CSB President Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC.

“The application process was tedious, competitive and challenging, but I feel fortunate to have been chosen to represent the Philippines and the Benildean-Lasallian identity on the international scene,” Carlos shared.

“Out of the thousands of undergraduate applicants from top-performing Philippine colleges and universities, it is a great pleasure to be the sole art student to have made it to the cohort,” he added. “As a multimedia artist, it is my joy to carry the multitude of stories of the communities I have worked with, and share them with the global society.”

Come August, Carlos will be enrolled full-time for one term at Emporia State University: the third-oldest public learning institution in the State of Kansas. It is committed to “preparing students for lifelong learning, rewarding careers and adaptive leadership.” There, he will be taking 12 units related to marketing communications, leadership, public dialogue and advocacy concentration, as well as multimedia design. His international travel, tuition, room and board, insurance, monthly stipend and funding for books will likewise be covered.

They will be implemented across the governance levels from Central Office, Regional Offices, School Division Offices, schools, and community learning centers, with the coordination of external partners and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Mapúa joins 3 Philippine universities in THE Asia Rankings breakthrough

MAPÚA has debuted in the 601+ bracket of the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2023—which the university considers a “landmark feat.”

This achievement has made the institution one of only four Philippine higher education institutions (HEI) that were included in the prestigious list. Mapúa’s research capability and output was the most significant pillar that contributed to its stellar THE Asia University Rankings performance, where it secured second among the four local universities. This strong showing, according to a statement, is “a result of Mapua’s efforts to inspire and push both faculty and students to undertake and publish relevant research for the past five years.”

It can be further attributed, said the university, to the collective effort of the institution’s students, faculty, support staff, administrators and its leadership team in working toward achieving the school’s mission statement of becoming one of the world’s best universities.

Dr. Josephine German, director of the newly established International Rankings Management Office (IRMO) of the university, was upbeat on Mapúa's THE Asia University Rankings breakthrough, and the recognition’s positive influence on the university’s reputation.

“Our post in this year’s [THE] Asia University Rankings will give Mapúa greater leverage and cement its status as one of the best universities in the Philippines and in the world. On a global scale, this recognition will enhance our reputation, entice more students and employees to join our community, and enable our graduates and alumni to become even more professionally competitive,” said Dr. German. “I am also optimistic that we can sustain our rank and climb higher in the next few years.”

The evaluation process for THE Asia University Rankings 2023 incorporates five performance indicators: teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income. Mapúa’s consistent focus in these areas has contributed greatly to its improved standing and recognition in the global higher-education landscape.

The Philippine delegation includes Mark Virgil Jamer (Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship: University of the Philippines-Los Baños), Phil Justin Pangilinan (Chemistry: UP Diliman), Jessica Jamimah Lopez (Psychology: Polytechnic University of the Philippines), Franz Erick Calanio (Social Sciences (major in Anthropology, minor in Political Science): UP-Baguio), Rachel Mecaela Baxal (Accountancy, PUP-Maragondon), Nicolle Kelly Puspus (Psychology: Cebu Doctors’ University), Monique Granaderos (Special Needs Education-Generalist: Holy Cross of Davao College) and Dinah Ross Degorio (Civil Engineering: University of Mindanao).

The IRMO was established to ensure the university’s consistent inclusion in global education rankings and sustain the highest quality of education. It will strengthen the HEI’s teaching, research and international outlook to guarantee that Mapúa's high-quality instruction results in highly employable and globally competitive graduates.

NOT many fabrics can truly represent Filipino culture and identity as the piña can.

The most resplendent among Philippine textiles, piña served as a symbol of femininity, sophistication, honor and independence. Yet, there is still much to be said about its future in a world of technological innovations.

In line with this, Far Eastern University (FEU) has partnered with HABI: The Philippine Textile Council to jointly publish Piña Futures: Weaving Memories and Innovation. It is written by Randy M. Madrid Ph.D who is a prolific educator, researcher and known advocate of cultural-heritage conservation and safeguarding, with specific interest in Central Philippine textiles.

Drawing inspiration from the 1990s book “Piña” published by Chair Emeritus Dr. Lourdes Montinola of FEU, the sevenchapter, 280-page quintessential sourcebook weaves into the proud story of the one and only “Queen of Philippine Fabrics.” It offers fresh insight into piña’s role as an artisanal fabric, a trade commodity, a garment of honor and identity, as well as a treasure of the world.

“I am proud to see that after two decades, another book has come to fruition. ‘Piña Futures…’ honors the…cloth’s past, present and future. It celebrates the history and the promise of design possibilities,” said Dr. Montinola. weaving pinoy memory, identity “PIÑA: From Island Textile to World Treasure” offers a glimpse of the piña industry’s advent on the island of Panay. the rare th E s tory of “piña” tells of memories and innovation. versatility and durability, which Madrid’s book spoke of as highly representative of the Filipino character. preserving culture via innovation

Madrid’s book tackles the textile’s evolution, along with the flow of Filipino history: from symbolizing the memory of colonization, to representing the fight for freedom and independence.

It then walks readers through the careful and demanding process production: from the scraping and stripping of the pineapple fibers, to the weaving and embellishment of the fabric.

The imagination and hard work that the weavers, who are described to be “constantly knotting broken threads [to make] this exquisite fabric,” openly speak about the generally creative and hardworking culture of the Filipinos.

Today, the piña cloth typically acts as the main fabric for most traditional Filipiniana dresses, wedding attires, and the Barong Tagalog. It is also used for tablecloths, mats, and other clothing items.

HABI chair and founder Maria Isabel Ongpin was exceptional in highlighting the core concern of Madrid’s book: the piña’s future.

Ongpin rhetorically posed on the cover of the book: “In a world of modern products made of manufactured, artificial materials, how will piña keep its place as a reigning queen of Philippine fibers turned into coveted fabric?”

Piña has established itself in history and in the present, it proves to be a valuable fashion and cultural emblem. However, there is no lack of thought and effort into preserving its art and function for the future.

Committed to promote local wear and textile heritage for the Filipino youth, FEU is known to host annual textile events such as the “Hibla Fashion Show” and the “Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition,” which Madrid made sure to feature in the book.

Last October’s contest, which took place in-person once again after going virtual for two years, saw many young piña weavers under 30 years old excelling in their craft. Further, the tilt saw not just the revival of traditional weaving methods, but also the introduction of new innovative techniques.

FEU aspires to create a community of socially aware Filipino designers, and the hope is for them to continue weaving piña in a way that adapts to modern innovations without sacrificing its authenticity and the culture it represents.

“Piña Futures: Weaving Memories and Innovation” is a book born from this hope, according to the publisher. It presents piña not just as a treasure of the present world, but also as the queen fabric of the future.

AMBASSADOR Huang Xilian witnessed the final round of the 22nd “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students in the Philippines, as he saw “the passion and fun of learning Chinese with teachers and students.” Huang shared that in recent years, the competition has become an important platform for Chinese-language learning and exchange among Filipino students, while testing the achievements of its teaching in universities. This, he said, has “attracted more and more students interested in the Chinese language to [join].”

According to his Facebook post, a student from the Angeles University Foundation’s School of Business, who took a Chinese language course, became interested in learning Chinese and actively participated in the competition.

“We look forward to seeing more [students] learning Chinese, understanding China, and being brave enough to compete with the best Chinese-language learners in professional competitions such as Chinese Bridge, to challenge themselves and showcase their Chineselanguage skills and overall quality,” said Huang.

T he young students, the diplomat noted, have taken the first step to communicate with the Chinese people and dialogue with Chinese civilization: “We hope…young talents will use Chinese to showcase themselves, use [the] language to build bridges of friendship, use communication to promote civilizational convergence, use their Chinese-learning experience to tell the story of China-Philippines friendship, and let more people understand the real, comprehensive and three-dimensional contemporary China.”