AFPI: New P5 coin will be accepted at LRT / MRT Ticket Vending Machines by March

Wazzup Pilipinas!

AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), the company behind the Automated Fare Collection System beep™ and the supplier of the self-service Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) in LRT1, LRT2 and MRT, has begun the calibration needed for TVMs to accept the new five peso coins released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) late last year.

The calibration work will be conducted in Germany where the supplier of the coin acceptor unit used in the machines is based. AFPI’s partner in Germany is one of the leading suppliers of vending machine coin acceptors in the world.

Taking into consideration any unforeseen delays in the process, the new coins are expected to be usable at all TVMs across the three elevated railways (LRT 1, LRT 2, and MRT 3) this March.

“For the protection of our consumers and the train operators we serve, we only work with experienced and reputable suppliers who have the capability to perform this type of sensitive system upgrade” said Agnes Padilla, spokesperson for AF Payments, Inc.

In the meantime, AFPI advises the commuting public to double-check their five peso coins before inserting them into the TVMs to avoid any inconvenience. It also reminds passengers that they can opt to buy Single Journey Tickets and even replace their new coins for old ones at the station tellers.

Lastly, the company reminds the public that they can purchase and reload the tap-and-go beep™ cards at FamilyMart, Circle K, SM Bill Pay, Robinsons Business Center and Bayad Center outlets as well as at the stations.

DepEd Receives Training Course Manual for Child Protection Specialists

Wazzup Pilipinas!
As part of its continuing efforts to promote the Child Protection Policy, the Department of Education (DepEd) received 1,500 copies of the manual entitled “Breaking the Chain of Violence Against Children: A Specialized Training Course for DepEd Child Protection Specialists” from Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation on January 9.

The donated training course manuals will be given to all the trained and designated child protection specialists (CPS) of DepEd, and will be used by the participants of the second level training, to help them gain expertise on providing technical advice and referring child protection cases, advocating for the protection of children, and disseminating information to their respective schools and offices.
On behalf of the Department, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Alberto Muyot received the manuals officially turned over by Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation’s Managing Director, Atty. Carmela Andal-Castro.

In his foreword message for the manual, Muyot expressed the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for learners; “DepEd recognizes that for a teaching-learning environment to be truly beneficial and meaningful for learners, it should promote all their rights, especially their right to be protected from all forms of abuse.”

Castro also expressed her hopes that the publication of the CPS training manual would help teachers, school officials, and even parents combat abuse, neglect, and exploitation of learners.
The training course manual contains the training program, materials for the training modules, and the references used such as the DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012 or the DepEd Child Protection Policy and the Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

Pursuant to Department Order No. 131, s. 2016, and to further boost the implementation of its policies on child protection, DepEd shall train and designate CPS who will provide technical guidance to the schools and their respective schools divisions on complex or serious cases of child abuse brought to their attention, and recommend actions to address the same based on existing Child Protection-related laws and pertinent DepEd issuances.

The CPS shall also assist in referring cases to concerned government, non-government, or other agencies for appropriate interventions or further case management.
There are two levels of training for CPS: (1) National Training of Trainers on Child Protection; and (2) Child Protection Specialist Training.

To date, there are 290 trained and designated CPSs in Regions 1, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and National Capital Region (NCR). There will be additional three batches for the Second Level Training in February and March, with participants from Regions 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.

“We hope that this training course can adequately address the needs of our child protection specialists. It is our goal to train individuals to be knowledgeable on the holistic approaches to child protection,” Muyot concluded.


Photo caption: DepEd Undersecretary Alberto Muyot receives 1,500 copies of training course manuals for Child Protection Specialists (CPS) donated by Consuelo Zobel Alger

Celine Dion Announce Live 2018 Tour to Play in Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tickets Go On Sale To The Public Beginning 18 January 2018

World-renowned singer Celine Dion has announced she will head overseas this summer with her highly anticipated LIVE 2018 Tour to perform in seven cities across the Asia-Pacific region. Scheduled to kick-off 26 June in Tokyo, the CELINE DION LIVE 2018 Tour will see Celine return to cities she hasn’t performed in for ten years, including Tokyo and Macao, and cities she will perform in for the first time ever, including Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Manila and Bangkok.

Tickets for CELINE DION LIVE 2018 in Manila will go on sale to the public beginning 18 January at 10 a.m. Members of TeamCeline will have access to purchase tickets before the public through an advance pre-sale from 16 January to 17 January. The tour is produced by AEG Presents and co-produced by Ovation Productions in Manila.

Tickets for CELINE DION LIVE 2018 Tour in Manila will go on-sale to the public beginning 18 January.

For tickets and information visit celinedion.com and smtickets.com.



CELINE DION LIVE 2018 Tour Dates:

26 June
Tokyo
Tokyo Dome

29 June
Macao
Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macao
3 July
Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom

4 July
Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom

7 July
Jakarta
Sentul International Convention Center

11 July
Taipei
Taipei Arena

13 July
Taipei
Taipei Arena

19 July
Manila
Mall of Asia Arena

23 July
Bangkok
Impact Arena

One of the most immediately recognized, widely respected and successful performers in pop music history, Celine Dion has sold almost 250 million albums during her over 30-year career. She has earned five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards and seven American Music Awards.

In 2004, Celine received the Diamond award at the World Music Awards recognizing her status as the best-selling female artist of all time. In 2016, the Billboard Music Awards presented her with the lifetime achievement Icon Award.

Celine continues to break records with her ongoing Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace which has played over 1,000 shows to more than four million fans.