DepEd underscores inclusive, equitable quality education in IDE 2023

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Ahead of the agency’s Basic Education Report 2023, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday observed the annual International Day of Education (IDE) by highlighting initiatives to realize Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 (Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education).

“This year’s theme ‘To Invest in People, Prioritize Education’ affirms that the new administration is on the right track. At the UN Transforming Education Summit in September last year, President Marcos announced our commitment to recover the learning losses from the pandemic and rebuild our education to be more inclusive, relevant and resilient to future shocks and disruptions,” Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte said.

“Let us work together to ensure that our education system empowers our young people to navigate lives, challenges with 21st century skills, resilience, leadership, and strength of character as they join us in reshaping and rebuilding a better and stronger Philippines,” VP-Secretary Duterte added.

The said activity is primarily envisioned to generate visibility from local to global level on prioritizing education to reach the SDGs ahead of the SDG Summit, building on the outcomes of the United Nation’s Transforming Education Summit.

2022 Global Student Prize Finalists Ms. Leah Angela Cioco and Mr. Zanti Alfonso Gayares discussed their respective perceptions on “Unmuting the Youth: Seeing Philippine education in the eyes of this generation.”

Meanwhile, grade school learner Mithi Chua, and ALS high school learner Richard A. Roces expressed their hopes for education sector to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z., Duterte, and the Department.

The Department’s celebration of IDE was participated by United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres, Director of UNESCO Office, Jakarta Mr. Mohamed Djelid, and SEAMEO Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Specialist Dr. Kamaleswaran Jayarajah, among others.

DepEd has likewise recognized the Institute of APEC Collaborative Education (IACE), KOICA, Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Global Peace Foundation, World Bank, UNICEF, and JICA for their continuous support to promote quality education.

As proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), IDE is celebrated yearly on January 24 to promote the role of education in peace and development. This year, the UNGA invited all Member States to observe the IDE in support of the efforts of all Member States relevant to the realization of SGD 4.

BingoPlus amps up Sinulog Festival 2023

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BingoPlus amped up the celebration of the Sinulog Festival 2023 by joining the Sinulog Grand Parade and co-presenting the concert of Asia’s Phoenix and Cebu songbird Morisette Amon at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on January 14.

The first and only live-streaming Bingo in the Philippines threw its support behind one of the country's most popular and colorful festivals that brings millions of tourists yearly to the Queen City of the South. The festival and Bingo Plus’ contributions were hailed by revelers as a fitting revival of the liveliness and vigor of the Festival that had to be momentarily sidelined due to the pandemic. BingoPlus provided buses at multiple flash points in the city to ferry merrymakers from their localities to the center of the Sinulog celebrations.

Out to fulfill its mission of providing joy and positive vibes by providing worthwhile and profitable leisure entertainment to Filipinos, the brand went all out to support the festivities this year which was like a coming-out party for the City of Cebu.

“Fiestas are part of the Filipino culture and BingoPlus has consistently supported the various local festivals in different parts of the country. The Sinulog is a special day of celebration and an outpouring of thanksgiving to the Santo Niño for His protection and abundant blessings. It is a day for food, parade, dance and party,” said Jasper Vicencio, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. president.

“BingoPlus is a champion of local talents, thus who best to entertain fellow Cebuanos at this Festival but their most admired performer, Morisette? Rest assured BingoPlus will continue to honor Philippine tradition and culture through music, sports, camaraderie, and festivities. As a promoter of entertainment we will continue to be present in major leisure events and activities nationwide,” Vicencio added.

BingoPlus is licensed by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the flagship brand of Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC)’s subsidiary, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (ABLE).

A Complete Success: Face-to-face Dinagyang exceeded expectations

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With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

A “complete success” was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas.

Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.

 

Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others.

“I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions in the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilonggo. Ang tanan nga ini bangud sa inyo kag para man sa inyo. Your strong support in all our activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival,” said Treñas.

The festival’s top sponsor was SM City Iloilo; it also served as venue for many Dinagyang activities, including the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination on Jan.21, Batchoy Festival, festival costumes exhibit, and concert of various performing artists including Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

The festivities were graced by no less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos and some prominent government officials including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others. YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap were also there to join the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.

Several dignitaries form foreign embassies attended the festivities as well: Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache ; Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Agus Widjojo and his wife, Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines HE Tull Traisorat; Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas Lyster; Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Polland Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz ; Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ms. P.G.P. Kaushalya; Consul General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji; and Embassy of the United States in the Philippines Chief Consuls Kristofer Graf and Leo Balantac;

Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or "merrymaking." The festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country.

Two of the many foreign dignitaries who graced the festival were full of praises.