FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2016
Energy firm extend support to senior high school
VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No 10 (DOLE-10), together with its Regional Coordinating Council-10 (RCC-10) hosted the visit of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz to its various assisted livelihood projects in Camiguin Province on 10-11 May 2016.
With this development, there are now 215 students getting financial and material support through the company’s Steag Power Students Award. The educational assistance include provision of school supplies and monthly financial support to academically excellent grade school,
junior high school, senior high school, and college students from Villanueva. SPI power plant manager Dr. Carsten Evers led the ceremonial send-off of the additional Steag Power Student Awardees in a recent courtesy visit to SPI’s power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. (SPI)
University, Spanish Embassy tie up for lecture course in Spanish language, culture by Stephen J. Pedroza
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In consonance with the move to internationalize the curricula of Mindanao universities to include foreign languages in specific programs, Xavier University and the Embajada de España en Filipinas jointly organized a 30-hour lecture course for professors and students of Spanish titled, “Talleres de Formación para Professores de Español.” Participants from various schools and organizations in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon came to enrich their awareness and understanding of the Philippines’ Hispanic heritage and to attain a level of linguistic competence (A1-B1) in the Spanish language. Fernando Zapico of the Consejeria de Educación de la Embajada de España en Filipinas gave a detailed lecture on Actividades y Estrategias Comunicativas (Activities
and Communication Strategies) and Lengua y Cultura Española en el Mundo (Spanish Language and Culture in the World), and gave the participants some classroom projects to work on. Sharing the discussions with Zapico were language instructors from Xavier. Spanish language Professor Catalina Gaite taught topics on El cortometraje: desarollo de materiales didacticos (Developing teaching materials in Spanish) and Enfoques
metodologicos (Methodological approaches in teaching and learning Spanish) together with fellow language instructor Gleford Lagcao. Reynante Casiro, an AB History instructor from Central Mindanao University, considers learning another language as a potent quality in a globalized setting. “It’s important to learn a second language, in this case, Spanish, because we are moving towards globalization,” Casiro said. “We need to be competitive particularly in communicating with other people and many countries speak Spanish.” Casiro also cited that educators, like him, need financial support from the government, private entities and the university administration to improve and better equip themselves and their programs, and to build linkages with related institutions. “This event is relevant and significant, especially to our AB History program, where 15 units are allotted for learning Spanish, as required by the Commission on Higher Education.” Spanish was, in SY 1950-1951, a subject included in the last two years of high school but was later removed. In higher education, it was compulsory, as a language requirement consisting of 12 units, which in 1957, was increased to 24 units. In later years, it was reduced to 18, then to 12 units, until in 1987, it became optional. Historical and cultural nuances Language training is considered an imperative not just in the national
capital but also in the provinces, particularly in Mindanao. At Xavier, Spanish, in particular, is not just an elective course but a requisite for several programs, such as AB History and AB International Studies. Simon Vergara Gutierrez, an American Field Service (AFS) exchange student from Colombia shared interesting stories, personalities and festivals from his home country. During his talk, the 16-year-old foreign student, related similarities between Colombia and the Philippines in terms of climate, culture, values, and religion, among other facets. Spain colonized Colombia in 1525 until 1819 when Simón Bolivar’s movement defeated the Spanish forces at Boyaca. Likewise, the Philippines was a colony of Spain until 1898. Spanish influence on Filipino culture, especially in national and local languages and traditions, persists to this day. Spanish is the primary language of more than 20 countries worldwide. It is estimated that the combined number of Spanish speakers is between 470 and 500 million. It is also the second most natively spoken language in the world and in international communication. The Office of International Cooperation and Networking offers Spanish language courses and can be reached at oicn@xu.edu.ph.
Women devt federation accredited in special bodies CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The 17th City Council during its regular session Monday adopted Resolution No. 123532016, accrediting the Federation of Cagayan de Oro City Barangay Women Development Council, Inc. for purposes of its membership in the Local Special Bodies (LSB). This is pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-70 and Article 64, Rule XIII of the Rules and Regulations implementing the 1991 Local Government Code. As a member of the LSB, funding for its projects can be sourced from the city or other sources.
The accreditation of the women’s council was reviewed and favorably endorsed by the committees on women and family relations and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Edna M. Dahino and Ramon G. Tabor, respectively. (CdeOSP)