BingoPlus parent company, DigiPlus, registers big gains after one year in operation

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DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (formerly Leisure & Resorts World Corporation or LRWC), the mother company of BingoPlus is set to expand its site operations by acquiring new machines and expanding its game offerings for the rest of 2023.

The bullish outlook was prompted by the tremendous revenue growth registered by the company in 2022 which grew to PhP 8.91 billion from PhP 2.81billion in 2021.

The biggest revenue contributor was its Retail Games business, which amounted to 91.7% or Php8.16 billion of the total revenue. This segment is driven by the traditional on-site bingo operation, remote BingoPlus platform operations and e-game services. The retail business is expected to keep its profitable operations as it gains the favor of social gamers and bingo-loving Filipinos. BingoPlus continues to be the leading bingo operator in the country.

“What we accomplished in 2022 is remarkable. The Company re-aligned its new business strategy and returned to profitable operations. We believe that there is strong momentum in our future business growth and the outlook is positive.” said Andy Tsui, President of DigiPlus Interactive Corp.

The significant turnaround was due to the resumption of the majority of its site operations and the launching of its own technology platform.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. is one of the leading providers in the gaming and leisure industry. Its 20-year expertise has led to its dominance in the retail gaming market where it provides world-class multi-gaming platforms with a strong distribution network of entertainment sites in key locations in the Philippines.

The name change from Leisure and Resorts World Corp to DigiPlus went into effect on February 28, 2023. DigiPlus functions as a holding company for all its subsidiaries in various gaming and entertainment sectors.

Films on nationalism, community development highlighted in DOST-SEI's video-making competition

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In the hopes of showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholars in filmmaking and furthering advocacies to empower the youth in various scientific and societal pursuits, the DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) through its The Filipino Patriot Scholars Project held its first Video-Making Contest featuring films on patriotism and volunteerism for community development

With the theme, “Malasakit ng Kabataan Para Sa Bayan,” the scholars, through their films, tackled a wide range of entries from music videos, vlog-like outputs, short films, documentaries, and experimental movies on climate change, education, agriculture and livelihood, and social justice.

A virtual film showing and awarding ceremonies were held by the Filipino Patriot Scholars Project team last April 14, 2023 via Zoom and Facebook Live to culminate the event.

The competition, which began with the submission of entries last June 27, 2022 until April 3 of this year, culminated in a virtual Film Showing and Awarding of Winners last April 14, 2023, via Zoom and Facebook Live.

DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo welcomed everyone by thanking those who joined the competition. “Through [their] craft, we can say that [they] have embodied the core values of a Patriot scholar and understood [their] role as change-makers in society—an imprint of a true DOST scholar,” Dr. Biyo affirmed.

Hijo, Hija, a film by a group of DOST scholars from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) led by Julius Calleja centering on the role of the youth in nation building, particularly in terms of voicing out their concerns regarding the country’s current state was recognized as the champion of the competition and received a PHP50,000.00 cash prize.

Bugsay: Stronghold of Change, Maneuvers of a Better Future, a film made by scholars from Region IX about the organization-led initiative to empower island communities in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte addressing locale’s pressing issues through collective action, was awarded the second-best film with a cash prize of PHP40,000.00. On the other hand, Lakaw, a film by scholars from Region VII, which narrated the journey of DOST scholar alumnus Junel Cayetano who chose to serve as a teacher in his hometown in Negros Oriental despite obtaining a plantilla position at the Department of Education (DepEd), was recognized as the third-best film, receiving a cash prize of PHP30,000.00.


Other entries were also given consolation prizes.

The winning movies were determined through a set of criteria, which include 1) relevance to the theme, 2) creativity and originality, 3) visual impact, and 4) the number of heart reactions on the posted output.

These were judged by a panel consisting of DOST-SEI Science and Technology Scholarships Division Chief Peter Gerry P. Gavina, Central Philippine University Associate Professor Engr. Bernie C. Cangrejo, Mindanao State University Main Campus Department of Mathematics Chairperson Dr. Nestor G. Acala, and Accenture Instructor Analyst Ms. Rosejelynn C. Bulante.

Engr. Cangrejo applauded the participants’ presentation, conceptualization, creativity, format, style, and technique, as well as their ability to interpret and connect their outputs to the theme.

“Malasakit” was also a resounding theme for all the videos, according to Ms. Bulante. She was impressed seeing that all outputs committed to showing such a theme in their visual medium. “In all the videos we saw, isa lang pinakita niyo: respect and love,” she affirmed.

Taking the highest placement in the contest is “Hijo, Hija” from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, followed by “Bugsay: Stronghold of Change, Maneuvers of a Better Future” from undergraduate scholars from Region VIII, and “Lakaw” from Region VII’s undergraduate scholars.

Concluding the event, DOST-SEI Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Mariño emphasized the value and significance of participating in the video-making competition. “Remember that this contest was not just about winning or losing, but about pursuing growth and excellence. May this contest serve also as a reminder of the incredible potential that you all possess to create something meaningful and impactful.”

The DOST-SEI The Filipino Patriot Scholar Project’s Facebook page’s event stream can be replayed at https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoPatriotProject/videos/183505237892713.


By Ramon David Castañeda

STEM Teach: Learning the Basics of GeoGebra as a Tool in Teaching Mathematics

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In partnership with the University of the Philippines - National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED), the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute held its third face-to-face training for science teachers this year in Panglao, Bohol, focusing on the basics of GeoGebra, an interactive geometry, algebra, statistics and calculus application used for teaching Mathematics

Fifty mathematics teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Bohol participated in the three-day training, Learning the Basics of GeoGebra as a Tool in Teaching Mathematics. The teacher-participants were mentored by Dr. Allan M. Canonigo, Ms. Haidee P. Rosete, and Ms. Abigail B. Gonzales from the UP NISMED

The training session is composed of three modules designed to enhance the proficiency of the teachers in using GeoGebra. Dr. Canonigo introduced the course by giving an overview of the GeoGebra software and demonstrating its basic functions and interface. After which, he discussed how to construct geometric figures using point, line, line segment, and circle tools.The teachers also investigated the properties of geometric objects using distance, angle, and slope tools, and modified properties of mathematical objects using the Setting and Style bars.

Dr. Allan M. Canonigo explains the basic functions of GeoGebra

In the morning of the second day, Ms. Rosete led the discussion on using and modifying the number, angle, and integer sliders to construct dynamic objects. The teacher-participants were also able to use the input bar to plot points, graph circles, and perform calculations. The day continued with the discussion on graphs in GeoGebra. The teachers graphed different functions-- from polynomial functions to piecewise functions. Theyalso used the previously discussed tools to format the color, size, and style of the graph and points. Applying the different tools, the teachers used sliders to investigate the effect of parameters of functions to its graphs.

Ms. Abigail B. Gonzales assists the participants in graphing various functions.

After the lecture sessions, the participants developed their GeoGebra applet while the resource persons helped them enhance their applets before the group presentation.

Ms. Haidee P. Rosete facilitates peer-to-peer discussions among engages the participants.

All ten (10) groups presented their GeoGebra applets and from these, the experts identified three teams with the best GeoGebra applet. The team with the best applet focused on Trigonometric Ratio (https://www.geogebra.org/m/kwba8hpn), while the second centered on visualizing Tangent and Secant Functions (https://www.geogebra.org/m/kqxuzxaq), and the third applet covered the properties of Parallel Lines.

At the end of the training, participants expressed their gratitude to the DOST-SEI and to the resource persons as this training gave them an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in using GeoGebra.

Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Mariño, through his closing message, expressed his hopes that the teachers will be able to translate their learnings and apply them to their respective classes.