DepEd Does Not Hear the Call for an Academic Freeze, Instead Follows President's Order to Move Opening of Classes to October 5

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sec. Leonor Briones announced that
DepEd is moving the school opening to October 5 from August 24.

Briones said "We will now implement such decision to defer school opening to Oct 5 pursuant to RA  11480. It will be recalled that the law specifically states that the President can decide on the opening of school classes upon recommendation of DepEd secretary."

"We hope that this will be the final adjustment of the school opening. We look forward to a much prepared opening of classes."

"We trust that this is the final schedule of school opening."

Instead of moving it, why don't you just cancel the whole school year?

The Philippine government doesn’t know the meaning of #AcademicFreeze, just like mass testing lmao

Ang inorder namin: #AcademicFreeze

Pero ang dumating: "DepEd moves school opening to October 5 from August 24, Sec. Leonor Briones announced"

It didnt have to take this long for Briones to realize.

DepEd really needs to have a Secretary who realistically became a Public School Teacher or became part of the Public School sys. Someone who really knows the plight of the teachers and the needs of the students.

Most of these officials are not having internet, financial and transportation problems. In the end they are not the one who will be affected on the outcome of this problems. These officials will stay rich no matter what will happen.

Is it really that hard to admit that we are all not ready? Don't make education possible only for privileged people.

Academic freeze is a MUST.
It's not just what we WANT.
It's what we NEED.

Some private schools have started their online classes, but I would say #academicfreeze because online class is not effective. It's more tiring than face-to-face classes.

I'm so proud to those students who are also in favor sa #academicfreeze despite of having a stable internet connection at complete sa needs for online class kasi they all know na not everyone has the same good situation as them. Thank you for considering the struggles of the majority.

Yes to #AcademicFreeze, Yes we have stable connection, Yes we have access on wifi. But what about those students who can't afford load? Those parents who can't afford wifi connection for their children? na imbis na ipangkain nalang nila sa araw araw, ipang babayad pa nila sa wifi.

This modules, mga parents ang kukuha ng module and sila din ang magpapasa, seriously? It's risky. Hindi natin alam if safe na lumabas ngayon, because the virus is widely spread 120k+ covid cases. Please we need academic freeze. The school and the students can wait. Our safety and heath must prioritized.

For those private schools na wala pa ding binabawas sa tuition ng mga students, like hello??? Pandemic exists, covid exists. Hindi lahat ng trabaho ngayon maganda ang takbo.

I just dont get it. What’s the purpose of moving the opening of classes? Are we expecting na on Oct 5, all students will have a stable internet connection? Enough educational resources? Na pag gising natin sa Oct 5, lahat na tayo may laptop?

Students struggling to get gadgets for online classes fall victim to abuse and sexual exploitation. There are also reports that students allegedly sell nude photos to earn for online classes.

Academic freeze is possibly the best solution to our problem right since it is very unfair for those who aren't able to go to school and for those who don't have the means to support their children financially for this school year.

Even the most privileged of students want academic freeze not for convenience’s sake, but because they stand by their belief that no one should be left behind. Even if everyone were privileged enough, not all homes are conducive for learning.

DepEd knows well that this has been a concern since June but no actions were made instead they make excuses just to justify that education is a must. Yes it is but we are in a middle of a pandemic. A PANDEMIC I think you all know better what a PANDEMIC is.

DepEd states blended learning is existing already even in 1940s.

In the midst of exponential technological advancements, we are nailed in a 1940-kind of education, brought to us by a 79-year old secretary of education.

Still, the best solution is #AcademicFreezeNOW.

By the way, college students are handled by CHED, so it means they have regular classes?


#YesToAcademicFreeze
#AcademicFreeze

Sheraton Manila Bay Now Offers Duck a l’orange and Chicken Pot Pie

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sheraton Manila Bay offers classic French cuisine Duck a l’orange and savoury Chicken Pot Pie on its Gourmet Takeaway menu.

While traveling, as we know it, may still be limited, you can still embark on a gastronomic journey around the world with our Culinary Courier. Sheraton Manila Bay’s new food-to-go offers brings the classic and familiar flavors of French cuisine with Duck a l’orange and all-time family favorite Chicken Pot Pie to the comfort of your homes.

A delightful and filling treat for those working from home or celebrating special occasions with your loved ones, our crispy and tenderly roasted Duck a l’orange available in whole portion at Php 2800 net and in premium breast cut at Php 2900 net is served with luscious, sweet, and tangy orange sauce come with steamed rice and good for sharing up to 4 persons. Meanwhile, our classic Chicken Pot Pie available in medium size at Php 950 net and large at Php 1400 net, is baked to perfection with its flaky, buttery crust, creamy sauce and hearty mix of chicken.

Tempting as it is to save these gustatory offering for only special occasions, we make it easy for foodies at home order these for your daily indulgence by calling +632 5318 0788, 09175837294, 09175837326 or email sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com.

24 hour advance order is required. Diners shall arrange pick-up with their courier of choice. Cash and credit card payments are accepted. The hotel will strictly implement a No Mask, No Pick-up Policy and has designated a pick-up point at the hotel main entrance canopy area to ensure social distancing measure are followed and health and safety precautions are met.

For a full listing of gourmet takeaways menu, please visit http://bit.ly/ccmnlsb

Sheraton Manila Bay is located at M. Adriatico cor. Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay.

Youth Redesigns a Resilient and Sustainable Future for their City

Wazzup Pilipinas!

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines staff trains students to think about sustainability back in December of 2018. The Education for Sustainable Development framework trains students to be young leaders for the environment.

Just in time for this year’s International Youth Day and amidst the ongoing pandemic, selected Quezon City high school students and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners have released their final vision statement detailing their dreams and aspirations for a more inclusive, healthier and livable future for their home city.

A total of 293 youths from Balingasa High School, Judge Feliciano Belmonte Sr. High School, Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma Senior High School, and the Alternative Learning System who are participants of the Our City 2030: Youth Visions and Solutions project helped conceptualize their own vision for Quezon City by the year 2030. Inputs from two batches of students and learners from 2018 up to present were gathered and consolidated through a series of workshops

ALS learners arrange their concerns with Quezon City in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals during a workshop held in March 2019. The Our City 2030: Youth Visions and Solutions project seeks to have students contribute to the sustainable development of their home city. Photograph © Debby Sy / WWF-Philippines

Focusing on youth and the city, visioning workshops were held last December 2018, March 2019 and February 2020, with a final online series in July of 2020. These included interactive lectures, group activities, and individual reflections. Through these activities, the participants’ perception of the interest, identity, and issues of the youth were identified. They were also asked to assess and rate the status of Quezon City on its life, work, and play dimensions, which were later paralleled to the pillars of sustainable development – people, progress, and the planet.

"If I can describe this visioning workshop in one word, it will be 'new'. Almost all of the things I experienced there were new—new learning,” said Kian D. Canapit, a student participant, on his experiences with the Our City 2030 project.

The workshops also aimed to broaden their knowledge on Climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals, Disaster Risk Reduction, and the 1.5C Global Warming. It also introduced the concept of ESD or the Education for Sustainable Development to help in developing the skills, knowledge, attributes, and values of the youth.

The Our City 2030 project team joins students and educators for an online visioning workshop, held in July 2020. Due to the restrictions set in place to combat the pandemic, the vision statement was formed through online meetings. Parental/Guardian consents were asked before the training was conducted. Photograph © MK Amador / Plan International Philippines

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, the youth is considered one of the vulnerable sectors but they can also be mobilized to respond to these kinds of risks. That is why the project team from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and Plan International Philippines continue to engage the youth participants virtually through various webinars and online training.

Part of the discussion on their recently concluded 4-day virtual training last July 2020 was the youth’s vulnerabilities to disasters and other risks. Participating students were also provided with a platform to share their observations and experiences on how their school administration, community officials, and city government respond to the current health crisis. From these learnings and discussion, a vision and roadmap/action plan were then produced towards the end of the online series.

Incorporating these outputs into the vision of the previous batch, the youth group devised an updated vision statement summarizing their concerns, priorities, and aspirations for the future of a “new” Quezon City:



“Kami ay nangangarap ng isang bagong Quezon City na maayos, maunlad at mapayapa, na pinamumunuan ng pamahalaang tapat sa tungkulin, may malasakit at pinahahalagahan ang boses ng kabataan; kung saan ang mga mamamayan ay may respeto, disiplina, pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan at lahat ay malayang natatamasa ang malinis na kapaligiran, maaasahang serbisyong pangkalusugan, epektibong sistema ng transportasyon, ligtas na pamayanan, sapat na pampublikong pabahay, matatag na kabuhayan at napapanahong teknolohiya na makakapagbigay ng makabuluhang impormasyon at makakatuwang sa kalidad na edukasyon pagdating ng 2030.”

As the Our City 2030 project enters its third year, it strives for this vision to be recognized by the city government and for the action plans of these young people to be included in the future plans of Quezon City. At the same time, the project continues to find larger platforms for the youth to speak out and inspire others to be involved in the planning for the future of their home city. Support WWF-Philippines, and help us #ChangeTheEnding as we build a sustainable future for all.

*Written with the help of the student facilitators of the Our City 2030 project.

Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines