educNEWS July 2012 by DepEd Philippines

educNEWS

VOL. I NO. 7 / JULY 2012

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Health is a choice

R O F E

T L O N A

brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brew

This month we put into center stage two very important topics: nutrition and disaster preparedness. July is traditionally Nutrition Month where we are reminded of the importance of what we put into our mouth and its effect on our well-being. Studies have shown that a well-fed child is more capable of absorbing lessons and has greater chances of completing basic education. On the other hand, this month also highlights the need to be prepared for any eventuality that may arise, be it natural or man-made disasters. In the past few years, the Philippines was listed as the country which suffered from the most number of natural calamities worldwide. This is unfortunate and made even worse by the number of fatalities which could have been avoided or reduced to minimum. While we cannot stop natural disasters, we can at the very least, considerably lessen the loss of limbs and lives if our schoools are active in promoting safety and in handling

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emergency situations. Japan is one case in point of how a wellprepared citizenry can well respond to emergencies. Nutrition is everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business, but how many really are taking it seriously? Healthy, nutritious food are within reach. In the provinces we have many choices of healthy food. We have also institutionalized school-based practices to ensure that fruits and vegetables are accessible to our school children. All we need is for the parents , teachers and students to take this to heart . Wala dapat nagugutom na bata sa gitna ng malawak na espasyong pwedeng taniman at sa biyaya ng araw at ulan na ipinagkaloob sa atin. Kahit daw ipukol mo lang ang isang buto sa lupa ay malaki ang pag-asa nitong mabuhay. Sa pag-oobserba ng mga banyaga, mapalad tayo dahil maaari tayong magpatubo ng gulay at prutas sa loob ng isang taon hindi kagaya nila na limitado ng apat na pagpapalit-palit ng panahon. Subalit bakit marami pa ring nagugutom? Isa itong magandang tanong na pwedeng pag-isipan sa buwan na ito ng nutrisyon.

July 2012

educNEWS EDITORIAL TEAM

contents

ANNA CRISTINA M. GANZON editorial adviser MARIBEL P. CABASAL associate editor MELINDRE B. EGLORIA FLORELYN M. MORADA LEMUEL C. VALLES LAWRENCE D. CRUZ JASON O. VILLENA staff writers LEMUEL C. VALLES creative director ELINETTE B. DELA CRUZ layout artist JASON O. VILLENA graphic artist EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION DIVISION EDUCATIONAL AUDIO-VISUAL DIVISION photography

educNEWS

VOL. I NO. 7 / JULY 2012

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Health is a choice

R FO T LE NO SA

July 2012

Jerico A. Baran is a Grade VI pupil at Oranbo Elementary School, Pasig City. This Nutrition Month, DepEd is focused on smart food choices and balanced nutrition among schoolchildren as well as in instilling in them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

02 brother’s brew 04 editorial Health is a choice 05 feature A barrier-free society 06 flagship program Creative ways to stop school drop-outs 08 banner story Good nutrition improves school performance 10 feature LGUs get recognition for ALS advocacy 12 regional currents Success comes to those who dare 14 feature ‘Your Gift of Learning, our Tool for Nation Building’ 15 pluma ng diwa Tamang Nutrisyon Ngayon!

EducNews welcomes contributions from the DepEd community. Materials may be submitted to the Educational Information Division, Room B-110, Ground Floor, Bonifacio Building with telefax number (02) 6341169 or email eid.deped@yahoo.com.

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editorial

Health is a choice

he month of July marks the annual celebration of Nutrition Month all over the country, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 491 issued in 1974. This year, the theme is,”Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, arawaraw itong ihain,” DepEd is focused on smart food choices and balanced nutrition among schoolchildren as well as in instilling in them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

The School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) reported that in School Year 2010 to 2011, 11.40 percent of public schoolchildren and 10.1 percent of high school students are undernourished. Hence, aside from encouraging school canteens to serve 4│

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affordable but nutrient-rich foods through DepEd Order No. 8 series of 2007, the department came up with Memorandum No. 293 series of 2007 entitled, “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project requiring all schools to plant at least 50 malunggay trees within the school premises, and also legumes, root crops leafy green and yellow fruits and vegetables. Another project, the “Breakfast Feeding Program (BFP), given through DepEd Order No. 80 series of 2011, was initially launched in 1997 to address the short-term hunger syndrome among the public schoolchildren. Short-term hunger is a condition experienced by children who do not eat breakfast and walk long distance to reach school. As the program progressed, it shifted to address the more serious problem

of undernutrition, a global public concern because it commonly causes death among children. The Breakfast Feeding Program consists of hot meals following the developed standardized recipes using malunggay and a 20-day cycle menu utilizing locally produced or grown foods. The DepEd efforts are intensified through poster and sloganmaking contests, nutrition fairs and integration of dietary concepts in classroom discussion. To be healthy is an option open to all of us. What we put into our mouth is our choice. With the abundance of space to plant, lots of sun and rain to nourish and grow fruits and vegetables, there should be no reason why there are still malnourished school children especially outside Metro Manila. July 2012

feature

A barrier–free society by Lawrence Cruz

he Department of Education (DepEd), as member agency of the governing board of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) is enjoined to conduct relevant activities as part of the weeklong celebration of the 34th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week on July 17 to 23. For this year’s celebration, the department along with other government agencies will conduct the “Paligsahan ng may ‘K’ sa Kasaysayan at Kultura ng Pilipinas” at the National Historical Commission in Ermita, Manila. The contest is for high school students with disabilities enrolled in any public or private school in any the National Capital Region (NCR). The contest is divided into three groups; first group is for the blind and orthopedically handicapped; second group is for the deaf; and the third group is for students with autism. The questions cover Philippine History with focus on Filipino struggles for freedom, Philippine culture, life and works of Apolinario Mabini and on disability related programs in the country.

“All SPED Centers and public and private schools with special education programs are encouraged to undertake activities relevant to the theme of this year’s celebration,” Chit Singayan, Senior Education Program Specialist of SPED-BEE said. Currently there are 276 elementary and 153 secondary SPED Centers for some 242, 826 in-school children with special needs in the country. They include PWDs with learning disability, hearing impairment, visual impairment, intellectual disability, behavioral problem, orthopedically/ physically handicapped, autism, speech defect, chronically ill and cerebral palsy. July 2012

NATIONAL DISABILITY PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION WEEK. Special Education (SPED) students of P. Gomez Elementary School, Sta. Cruz, Manila, join the festivites. “The disabled in the Philippines are more fortunate than most of their counterparts in other countries because the government and some non-government organizations have embarked on programs that provide access to education for the young and appropriate employment for adults,” Singayan added. Aside from established SPED schools nationwide, there is also the Child-Friendly School System (CFSS) that caters to the needs of disabled students. The CFSS is a project of UNICEF in collaboration with DepEd that seeks to create a movement among schools and their communities so that children’s rights can be promoted and protected and so that every child will be encouraged to be in school, to stay there and learn. Julio Martinez, a polio stricken fifth grader in Quezon City can attest to the value of CFSS. “Sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng kapansanan, hindi ko naramdaman kahit minsan na naiiba ako sa aking mga normal na kaklase pagdating sa pagtrato sa amin ng aming mga guro,” Julio said. The CFSS enhances school effectiveness through capacity building-activities to enable teachers

and school heads to have a better understanding of child development “Teachers in child-friendly schools know the child better and understand his or her strengths and barriers to learning. It also permits teachers to identify children at risk (non-readers, absentees and potential dropouts, physically and sexually abused students, students with learning disabilities and attention deficits) and intervene appropriately,” said Teacher Miriam Ocampo, a SPED educator in Manila. DepEd and UNICEF’s CFSS respond directly to articles in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which was signed 21 years ago and has been ratified by almost all countries in the world. The CRC states within it’s purview that every child has the right to an education which should develop his or her personality and talents to the fullest and that every child has the right to have his or her voice heard. Children’s rights are based on their need to thrive as human beings. It is up to adults – whether parents, teachers or community members – to ensure that there will be no barrier to the full fruition of their God-given potential.

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flagship program

Creative ways to stop school drop-outs by Maribel P. Cabasal

im did well in school at first. Then, he hit a plateau, and soon sizzled like a wet firecracker. The reason? His school was too far from his house, and his transportation fare was too costly for his daily-paid dad.

The Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) data show that school distance from students’ residence, family problems, sickness, child labor and high poverty incidence significantly contribute to the growing school leavers. To reduce the threat, the DepEd DropOut Reduction Program (DORP) through Orders 33 and 44 series of 2009, was developed by the BSE to reduce, if not totally eliminate dropout rate and increase the achievement level of Students at Risk of Dropping Out (SARDOS). School Initiated Interventions (SIIs) are developed by the schools to address specific dropout problems and the escalating juvenile delinquency. The end goal is to keep students in school until they finish basic education. 6│

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Here are some of the best DORP practices:

Bahay-sagip Project Kabasalan National High School (KNHS) in Zamboanga, Sibugay is home to over a hundred students who are not only burdened with economic difficulty but whose residences are far from school. Hence, a pattern developed: habitual tardiness, cutting of classes and absenteeism. Others simply lost their interest in school. It was at this point that the school’s Bahay-sagip was put up to provide a “home” to the SARDOs in 2011. Bahay-sagip, located within KNHS grounds looks like a bahay kubo with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a small study area and a mini-library. For bathroom needs, the bahay-sagip “housemates” use the two school comfort rooms nearby. “Piling-pili ang mga SARDO na tinanggap namin sa Bahay-sagip. Kailangan, malayo talaga ang mga bahay nila at hindi nila kayang umupa sa labas. Hindi kasi funded ng KNHS ang Bahay-sagip, ito ay galing sa July 2012

“In school year 2009 to 2010, there were 1,009 schools nationwide with zero drop-out rate. In school year 2010 to 2011, the zero drop-out rate in schools increased to 1,261.”I’d like to see the numbers increasing further.” Prudencia Sanoy, DORP-Open Program, national team leader

mga kawanggawa at donasyon ng komunidad,” said Estelita “Es” Pena, DORP team leader, master teacher and 2010 Metrobank Outstanding Teacher of the Philippines, who has gained popularity for “saving” SARDOs. Take the case of Angel Bert Gaan, 15, a Bahaysagip “housemate” who narrated: “Kalulgan man gad ko sa eskwelahan kay kapoy kaaya, pag-abot nako dri sa Kabasalan, mao mu absent nalang ko kay layo kaayo amoa.” (I was so sleepy in school because I was so tired upon reaching Kabasalan, that is why I also absent myself in school).Today, Angel Bert is doing well in school. As noted by the class advisers at KNHS, in School Year 2011 to 2012, all nine Bahay-sagip housemates were saved and promoted to the next level.

Produkto at Serbisyo ko, Ibenta mo Tess Tongia, Antique Division’s Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) coordinator, tells about “Produkto at Serbisyo ko, Ibenta mo,” another SII project that caters to the entrepreneurial skills of students at Antique National High School (ANS) San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. “Our students have many skills that they can use to start small businesses to finance their projects, laboratory needs, food and transportation. Thus, they cook and sell nutritious kakanin, cookies and brownies, sew garments and do manicure, pedicure and foot spa to students and teachers.” July 2012

High

School

Looking back, Tongia added, “nakakatuwa ang simula ng ANS Beauty Salon and Spa kasi nagkakaroon kami ng P20,000 initial capital mula sa Netherlands at P20,000 din mula sa aming local government unit (LGU) na ipinamili namin ng mga gamit.” Today, the school is able to purchase and stock supplies. The business has grown considerably. Records show that as of March 2, 2011, there were 493 students under the supervision of seven Home Economics teachers who have Income Generating Projects (IGP) starting September 2010 who gained a net profit of P15,522. Moreover, 287 students had savings deposit of P57,946 with the Antique National High School Teachers and Employees Cooperative (ANSTEC). A proof that Produkto at serbisyo ko, ibenta mo works is that in School Year 2005 to 2006, there was a 10.64 percent dropout rate at ANS. Now, the school has further lowered its dropout rate to 2.5 percent. The target of the DORP team is to have a zero dropout in 2015 to meet the MDG and EFA. The project has become a continuing program of the school.

Youth Savings Program Equally impressive is the Youth Savings Program (YSP) of Antique National High School that provides its members with source of funds for their emergency needs like school projects and contributions for activities. This is how it works: the YSP members set aside a portion of their allowance for savings. A P10 maintaining balance is required from each student. Members could borrow from this fund on terms set by the group. The club members are required to present their passbook every month to the club adviser. According to Prudencia “Ka Prudence” Sanoy, DORP-Open High School Program national team leader, as of March 1, 2011, the number of YSP savers totaled to 2,291 and the total savings deposit has amounted to P1,914,248.45.Thanks to its excellent repayment rates. As word of the YSP spread, other schools have replicated it. In school year 2009 to 2010, there were 1,009 schools nationwide with zero drop-out rate. In school year 2010 to 2011, the zero drop-out rate in schools increased to 1,261.”I’d like to see the numbers increasing further,” Sanoy said.

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banner story

Good nutrition improves school performance by Florelyn Cherry Morada

tudies show that proper health care and good nutrition improve the school performance of children. It is in this light that the Department of Education (DepEd) has annually joined the nation in celebrating Nutrition Month. This year’s theme “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain” focuses on the promotion of vegetables consumption and its nutritional benefits.

Based on the School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) data for school year 2010 to 2011, the problem of undernourishment is prevalent among 15.59 percent of public elementary

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schoolchildren and 12.7 percent among high school students. One of the priority thrusts of DepEd which is also a part of Education for All (EFA) goals is to promote and maintain the health and nutritional status of students through various health programs and services. These initiatives include the following:

Breakfast Feeding The Breakfast Feeding Program (BFP) was initially launched in 1997 to address the short-term hunger syndrome among public schoolchildren. It targets to rehabilitate 70 percent of undernourished beneficiaries at the end of 100 to 120 feeding days. The BFP specifically aims to ensure 85 to 100 percent attendance

of schoolchildren and improve their health and nutrition. Magdalene Portia Cariaga, officerin-charge, Nutrition Division, SHNC said for school year 2011 to 2012 the BFP was piloted in three divisions which include Pangasinan 1, Bohol and Lanao del Norte for forty days from February to March. “The results of the pilot testing of the BFP in the three divisions showed a decrease of undernourished students by 56.27 percent. It recorded an improvement of the nutritional status of the beneficiaries by 72.91 percent,” Cariaga emphasized.

Gulayan sa Paaralan The Gulayan sa Paaralan was implemented in public elementary and secondary schools across the

July 2012

IT’S MEAL TIME. Elementary pupils start their day with a veggie meal in their school canteen.

country in 2007 to address hunger and malnutrition among children of poor families which force them drop out from school. The Gulayan sa Paaralan also enjoins schools to intensify production of selected varieties of fruits and vegetables that are rich sources of protein, calorie, vitamins and minerals to improve child nutrition. According to Maria Corazon Dumlao, officer-in-charge of SHNC, the vegetable garden in schools serve as food basket and a ready source of vegetables for the school feeding program. This was validated by Secretary Armin Luistro when he said, “One of the ironies in our society is the fact that children go hungry when food can be grown here year round. Wala sanang bata na undernourished kung lagi tayong nagtatanim at kumakain ng gulay at prutas.” Dr. Juan Araojo, Jr, officer-incharge, office of the assistant director, SHNC reported that a total 26,113 or 58.03 percent of schools nationwide have gulayan sa paaralan. In schools under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino

July 2012

Program (4Ps), there are 17,689 or 47.62 percent gulayan project. DepEd’s goal is to establish a sustainable vegetable garden in all the country’s 42,076 public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

“Asin” Law

Pursuant to Republic Act 8172 otherwise known as “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and for Related Purposes” mandates the iodization of salt for human and animal consumption. DepEd integrates salt iodization and food fortification in the elementary and secondary curriculum. “Iodine deficiency among schoolchildren affects their cognitive development. There is a 13.5 point average reduction in intelligence quotient (IQ) for iodine deficiency disorder,” Cariaga emphasized. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) causes deaf mutism, squint, poor growth and mental retardation among infants and children. Fortification through salt iodization is recognized

as the cheapest, safest, efficient and long-term intervention that would address IDD effectively.

Nutrition month celebration in schools “During nutrition month we hold nutrition programs and invite speakers who talk on proper diet, health, and the avoidance of diseases. We also conduct cooking festivals,” said Elizabeth Borja, first year teacher at Sanchez Mira National High School, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan. Myrna Visaya, principal at Maybunga Elementary School Annex, Pasig has lined up various activities for nutrition month. “We conduct Parada ng mga Gulay for grade one pupils, acrostics that symbolize vegetable consumption, dances related to the theme, drama by grade six students, poster and slogan making contests, essay writing contests and cooking festival out of malunggay.” “Ang mga prutas at mga gulay na niluto sa cookfest ay pinakakain sa mga bata,” Visaya added.

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feature

LGUs get recognition for ALS advocacy by Lawrence Cruz

o bring education where it is most needed, to reach out to learners who are otherwise unreached by the formal system, to come up with creative and innovative strategies to make education wholly inclusive – these goals prompted the DepEd’s Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems to stage the 2011 Search for the Most Efficient Provincial and City Divisions that support ALS which recently had its conclusion at Teachers Camp, Baguio City.

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The search was based on DepEd Memorandum 245, series of 2011 under the Project “Usapan at Aksiyon sa ALS Ngayon” (USAPAN) of the BALS. For this year’s national search in the provincial level, Davao del Sur grabbed the top spot; La Union came in second; Siargao third; followed by Camarines Norte and Quirino placing fourth and fifth places respectively. For the national search in the city division category, Tagum City emerged as the grand winner followed by Cagayan De Oro City; Butuan City third; and the fourth and fifth spot going to Naga City and Tuguegarao City respectively.

The contenders were judged based on human resources management which carries 25 percent; learner management, 25 percent; program implementation management, 25 percent; material resource management, 10 percent; financial management, 10 percent; and stakeholder and community management, 5 percent for a total of 100 percent. Some of the programs implemented by the winners were the Basic Literacy Program (BLP), Accereditation and Equivalency Program (A&E) elementary and secondary, RadioBased Program (RBIP), Family Basic Literacy Program (FBLP), eSkwela/

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CHEERS. Dir. Carolina Guerrero of the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems gives a trophy to the division winner during the 2011 Search for the Most Efficient Provincial and City Divisions at Teachers Camp, Baguio City.

eLearning, ALS Mobile Library, Indigenous People’s Education (IPEd) Program, Balik Paaralan Para sa Out-of-School Adults (BPOSA) and the ALS Gabay-Aral sa Pamayanan (AGAP), among others. These are just some of the common programs being implemented by all the participants nationwide. These learning schemes were tailored-fit to such learners as OSYs, illiterate individuals and their families, the elderlies, indigenous communities, inmates or parolees etc. One prime example of innovation is in the area of the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Program. Some of the strategies made were the regular conduct of A&E learning sessions and the introduction of varied activities such as the holding of games to encourage learner’s attendance and develop friendship among learners. Further, there were other significant activities which enabled the integration of livelihood trainings to attract the participation of learners and to introduce means for them to earn additional income; conduct of home visit to monitor the progress

July 2012

of learners especially those who need immediate help; thorough review and writeshop to improve the learners’ ability in composition writing; and linkage with the local government unit or the non-government organization to generate additional budget for the implementation of the program. “ALS is a very laudable program of the department which must be implemented with optimum efficiency so that we can reach as many learners as possible,” said Br. Armin.

National Congress for Out-ofschool Learners Coinciding with the awarding of the most efficient Provincial and City Divisions, the Philippine Association of Non-formal Educators, Inc. (PANFEI) in collaboration with BALS held the National Congress for the Out-ofschool learners recently. The congress, which was attended by some 605 ALS learners and implementers nationwide, aimed to highlight the common concerns of ALS learners while promoting

connectivity among the ALS learners and their community. “Marami kaming napulot na magagandang ideya at stratehiya sa mga kapwa namin learners kung paano pa namin mapalalaganap ang ALS sa aming komunidad,” says Colleen, a participant learner. The participants were also taught to be business savvy through a lecture on livelihood and entrepreneurship by Go Negosyo. There was also a lecture on health and fitness as well as discussion on reproductive health by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Finally, a lecture on self life management through an inspirational true success story of Mr. Jovencio Tacio Jr. “Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa lahat ng nag-organisa sa pagtitipon na ito, ‘di lang dahil sa mga natutunan namin kundi pati na din ang mga di namin malilimutang sandali kasama ang mga kapatid namin sa ALS mula sa ibang rehiyon,” said Carlo, an ALS learner from Region 3.

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regional currents

Success comes to those who dare by Lemuel Valles

5 years ago, Pembo Elementary School (PES) was just like any other public school in the country. Today, it is one of the schools to look up to. In 1997, PES ranked 23rd in the division achievement test out of a total of more than 50 public and private schools in Makati City. Dropout rates approximate that of national averages and the school went though administrative and scholastic difficulties. Nonetheless, as the years went by, things began to look more promising. By school year 1999 to 2000, PES improved its division ranking to 9th place and in 2006 it catapulted to number one spot. PES began to be considered one of the best schools in the city as it ranked second in the division as of fourth quarter of school year 2010 to 2011. Furthermore, dropout rates have been reduced and as a result of these accomplishments, the DepEd accredited the school as a level 1 institution, making PES one of only 15 public schools in NCR to be recognized with such distinction. Many of the school’s successes could be credited to the stewardship of its principal, Dr. Teresita Arriola. Since her appointment in 1997, Dr. Arriola has led the design and implementation of several programs and projects which significantly contributed to the school’s development. These achievements led to its recognition during the First Excellence in Educational Transformation Awards (EETA).

The First Excellence in Educational Transformation Awards (EETA) ABS-CBN Bayan Academy, Rex Book Store and The Knowledge Channel recently launched the Excellence in Education Transformation Awards (EETA) to recognize efforts of schools that innovate and achieve expected outcomes leading to improvements in the quality of their education programs.

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According to Dr. Eduardo Morato Jr., ABS-CBN Bayan Academy president, the EETA motivates schools to pursue academic excellence and efficient school administration. “The winners exemplify transformation in the sense that it refers to the ability of the school to innovate and manage changes, improve and turn around a difficult situation and upgrade or uplift education standards,” Morato said. The first EETA recognized seven schools which included PES as the lone public school awardee. PES was cited for innovations in learning methodologies and delivery systems, and in administrative systems and processes for the government schools category.

Fits into the mold of private schools Upon knowing that PES has been chosen, Dr. Arriola asked herself why a public school like PES is pitted in a search seemingly intended for private schools. She admitted, though, that she is pleased and ecstatic with the recognition. “I would like to think that our school fits into the mold of private schools, and we are happy and proud about this award” Dr. Arriola said.

Academic and social interventions

In 2002, Dr. Arriola launched the Revitalized Enthusiasm of Assistance for Children of Humanities or Project REACH. This project was perhaps Dr. Arriola’s crowning achievement since 1,300 students benefited from the program leading to the school’s near zero drop-out rate. Project REACH intends to help at least one child per classroom, particularly those in peril of dropping out. Beneficiaries of the project are provided with a comprehensive support system that is a nurturing network of relationships connecting the child to the teachers,

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LONE PUBLIC SCHOOL AWARDEE. Dr. Teresita Arriola (middle) of Pembo Elementary School receives the EETA trophy for innovations in learning methodologies and delivery systems, and in administrative systems and processes for the government schools category.

principals and other stakeholders. The support that the student receives enables him to overcome personal difficulties and perform better in school. Dr. Arriola herself adopted six students since the inception of the project. One of them is Mark Anthony, who has the most inspiring story among them. “Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Ma’am Teresita Arriola sa pag-adopt niya sa akin. Ang tingin ko po noon ay wala nang pag-asa ang buhay ko pero dahil po sa mga tulong at payo ni Ma’am Tet, natuto po akong tumayo sa sarili kong paa at nagkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan,” said Mark Anthony. The most highly recognized of all PES’s projects was the Pembo Angels Magic Spot or PAMS. Angels refer to environmental steward-student volunteers while magic spots are the different locations scattered around the barangay such as dumpsites or empty lots converted by the students into vegetable gardens. PAMS was cited by several organizations like Cartoon Network, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, and Smart Philippines Inc. for showcasing July 2012

the school’s substantial impact on its immediate community. Another program that significantly contributed to PES’s success is the Concentrated Language Encounter (CLE), a free summer program aimed at improving the reading skills of Grade 1 students who had problems in reading simple English. Another program, the Concentrated Learning in English, Math, Filipino, Science, and Hekasi (CLEMFISH), focused on preparing Grade 3 and 6 pupils for the National Achievement Test (NAT). A hundred to a hundred-twenty of the poorest performers were chosen for each subject and were advised to stay past dismissal time for one and half hours everyday for two months to increase their proficiency in their problem subjects. “I believe every public school in the country can achieve the recognition we got from EETA and from other organizations. I encourage them to follow the best practices we did in our school or adopt the programs and projects we launched that benefited students and the community as well,” Dr. Arriola concluded.

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feature

‘Your Gift of Learning, Our Tool for Nation Building’ by Janna Isabel D. Santos A&E passer, Bangkok

y fellow graduates, our beloved parents, teachers, visitors, and to our respected Ambassador, Her Excellency Linglingay Lacanlale, Good afternoon!

First of all, in behalf of my fellow testtakers, I’d like to thank the Department of Education, the Philippine Embassy, The ARK Bangkok Schoolhouse, and of course, God for giving us the opportunity to take the A&E outside the Philippines. It’s such a blessing for me, and for most of us here, to be able to take the exam and pass it. I was very happy when my friend informed me about taking the test here in Bangkok. Because at that time, I was desperately trying to find a way to finish high school. I’ve already started reviewing for the General Education Development (GED) tests before I learned about A&E. GED are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills. In short, GED is somewhat similar to A&E but the focus is more on academic subjects rather than life skills. Plus, it’s far more expensive than A&E. Thank God someone invented A&E! Back then I didn’t know what to do with my life. I was turning 19 and I haven’t finished my secondary education yet. I can feel the pressure from my relatives, friends, and especially from my mom. I know she was disappointed because I, myself, was already disappointed. I wanted to skip high school so bad. I wanted to sleep through it and wake up when I’m finally in college. It was tough being homeschooled. Maybe not to everyone else, but for me it was a torture. I had 14 │

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to study on my own. No teachers, no classmates. The only advantage was that I studied anytime I wanted to. Too bad I lack self-discipline. I’d rather sleep or waste my time on Facebook than face my books. There were times when I just stared on empty space because it suddenly became more interesting than solving math problems. My dad, an OFW like most parents here, earns a decent salary but he had to send money to our family back in the Philippines, so we had to be careful when it comes to budgeting. We both decided to try homeschooling because it wasn’t that expensive compared to going to an international school or to a local school, and it looked interesting. Then I realized how wrong I was when I started doing it. Clearly, it didn’t work out for me. But when I think about it, being homeschooled taught me a lot. I learned that there’s more to life than memorizing the periodic table or finding that x in algebra. I learned how to live having only a few friends who are always there through the good times and the bad. It taught me how to enjoy my life and strengthen my relationship with God at the same time. But most of all, it taught me to never give up no matter how hard life gets. The world needs people with good education. Education is an important component of every nation’s development. The Philippine economy is now starting to pick up even as the western world battles their state of recessions. Passing A&E even puts us closer to attaining our dreams of finishing college, have a decent job and start contributing further to our country’s economic success. This is already a good motivation for me to

strive in finishing my college education. Again, I’d like to thank everyone and congratulate everyone. I’d like to thank our parents for the unending love and support. Thank you, teachers, for sharing your knowledge to us and for the patience. Congratulations, fellow graduates! We have made our parents proud. This is not yet the end. We’re still going to face a lot of challenges in life. But always keep this achievement with you, and let this be a reminder that with patience, determination, and faith, we can get through whatever adversity life throws upon us.Always remember that God is just a prayer away. He is the source of all blessings!

Let’s hear from our readers The articles are relevant and timely. They are very informative for all DepEd workers. -Isagani S. Dela Cruz SDS, Division of Koronadal City The magazine is a very good reading material for educators. We request for more copies so we could give each school district. -Fely C. Lattao Division of Cagayan Keep up the good job of publication! -Evelyn R. Fetalvero OIC-SDS Division of Surigao del Norte July 2012

pluma ng diwa

Tamang Nutrisyon Ngayon! Ni Jason Villena

Ito ang palaging inuulit-ulit baleng walang pera huwag lang magkasakit. Puno man ang bulsa’t Makapal ang wallet kung sa karamdaman ay namimilipit. Basura at junkfoods pareho lang sila walang idudulot sa iyong maganda. Ang pagkaing kalye, softdrinks at tsitserya pag ika’y sumobra’y sakit din ang dala. Sa burger at hotdog ay di ka lulusog di gaya ng prutas at sariwang itlog. Di lang masustansiya sure pang mabubusog iwas sa heart attack pati highblood at stroke. Ang gatas ng baka, green leafy vegetables. Bukod sa masarap titibay pa ang bones. Bangus, maya-maya, Tilapya’t, galunggong bigay ay protina na nakakatulong. At ugaliin din ang mag-ehersisyo. At mag “healthy’ living umiwas sa bisyo. Sapagkat ang alak, puyat, sigarilyo dala’y karamdaman at sakit ng ulo. Sa tamang nutrisyon dapat lang magpundar. Sapagkat sa ngayon ang gamot ay mahal. Iwas sa processed food at sa artipisyal. Nang di maya’t-maya ay nasa ospital. July 2012 July 2012

Tungkol sa tulang “Tamang Nutrisyon Ngayon” Tunay na ang “kalusugan ay yaman” kaya’t dapat itong pangalagaan hindi lamang ng mga matatanda, lalu’t-lalo na ng mga batang isinilang sa mundong ito na talamak na ang polusyon sa ating kapaligiran. Iba’t-ibang sakit na noo’y wala naman ang sa ngayon ang nagdaragdag pasakit sa ating bayan at maging sa buong mundo. Kaya’t ang magagawa nalang natin ay mag-ingat at gumawa ng mga paraan upang mas mapalakas ang ating katawan. Ito halos ang laman ng tulang ito, ang kumain ng gulay, prutas at masusustansiyang pagkain upang may laban tayo sa anumang sakit, noon pa man ito na ang laging sinasabi ng ating mga magulang at guro na di nagbago sa pagdaan ng mga taon. Totoong malaki na ang pagkakaiba ng uri ng pamumuhay ng mga kabataan noon at ngayon, noon ang mga bata’y madalas nakakakain ng mga gulay at lutong ulam na ang magulang mismo ang nagluto samantalang

ngayon mas madalas na “street foods” at lutong karinderya ang pinagsasaluhan sa hapag-kainan ng mga pangkaraniwang pamilya lalung-lalo na sa siyudad. Naaalala ko rin noong bata pa ako bananacue, maruya at binatog ang aming meryenda sa hapon, samantalang ngayon kundi hotdog at hamburger ay fishball at squidballs ang kinakain ng mga bata bukod sa hindi mo alam kung paano ginawa ay tunay namang walang bitamina na makukuha sa processed at artipisyal na pagkain. Noon pagtungtong ng alas-otso kailangang mo nang matulog, ngayon ang mga kabataan alas-dose na ng gabi nasa lansangan pa o kaya nama’y nagpupuyat sa kaka-internet. Sa murang gulang din,ang mga kabataan sa ngayon ay may mga bisyo na nakasisira sa kanilang kalusugan, umiinom,naninigarilyo at ang iba’y gumagamit pa ng mga ipinagbabawal na gamot. Tulad ng yaman, ang kalusugan kapag naipundar ng maayos at napangalagaan ay magdudulot sa atin ng masaya at masaganang pamumuhay. Aanhin mo ang pera kung nakaratay ka naman sa banig ng karamdaman?

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