SONA 2023: PBBM shares renewed hope for basic education in DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Reiterating his hope to give the best for the Filipino youth, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday mentioned key initiatives under the MATATAG Agenda of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and the Department of Education (DepEd) in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City.

“The MATATAG Agenda for basic education has been launched, focusing on relevance of curriculum, rapid and responsive delivery, and the welfare of both learners and teachers,” President Marcos Jr. said.

“Ang ating butihing Bise-Presidente, na Kalihim din ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, ay tumutulong upang tiyakin na ang bawat batang Pilipino ay mabibigyan ng nararapat at kalidad na edukasyon. We have renewed hope in giving the best to our next batches of students, especially the 28.4 million learners who returned to school this year,” he added.

Citing education as foundation of a strong nation, President Marcos mentioned that learning recovery will be at the forefront of the administration’s education agenda, with the help of VP and Secretary Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child will receive proper and quality education.

VP Duterte thanked the PBBM for his unwavering commitment in the education sector.

“His unremitting support of the reforms introduced by the Department of Education to the education system through the MATATAG Agenda will benefit not only our learners but also the teaching and non-teaching staff of the department,” the Vice President said in a statement.

The country's Chief Executive likewise noted that the government continues to exhaust all efforts to ensure the availability of formal education, alternative learning, non-diploma courses, and technical-vocational education and training to guarantee the betterment of the life of young Filipinos.

In addition, President Marcos emphasized that the DepEd’s K to 10 Curriculum has been recalibrated to ensure its relevance and responsiveness to international standards. The new K to 10 curriculum is set for launch in August, while the Senior High School curriculum is still under review.

PBBM also highlighted the Department’s move to fill up newly created teaching positions and hire additional administrative personnel to augment the school workforce and unburden the teachers of extra administrative tasks.

Furthermore, the President shared that schools facilities are being retrofitted for hybrid and high-tech learning, as well as climate-ready and disaster-proof. He also noted the significance of the DepEd Partnership Assistance Portal, where private sector partners can continue their assistance in the rehabilitation and improvement of schools.

Odd One Out Productions' “LIMBO"

“Welcome! Alamin! Alamin! Alamin ang buhay namin!”

Produced by Odd One Out Productions (OOOPs), “LIMBO”, by playwright Elrod Chris P. Cuesta, and director Kiefer Sison, is set to step foot in the Design and Arts Campus Building of De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde.

"LIMBO" is a one-act play written by Elrod Chris P. Cuesta. Limbo is a story of hope in the center of a village called Waka-waka. In this village, we see the past; in the form of long time couple, Mang Erning and Aling Mema, the present in cousin and co-presidents Don Asyong and Don Pepot, & the future, in Bebang with the "bagong salta'' Carding and Tisoy in the hopes of keeping afloat whilst avoiding eviction.

Featuring actors Ethan Wong as Don Pepot, Karl Navela as Don Asyong, Samantha Tinsay as Aling Mema, Jack Gaza as Mang Erning, Boom Gonzales as Carding, Dave Palomo as Tisoy, Aleks Alibusa as Bebang, Aki Resurreccion as Kapitana Tina, Ysabel Suaybaguio as Tekla, and Michael Hilao as Malou Ang.

“LIMBO” will be staged at the 6/F Black Box Theater of D+A Campus, with shows running from July 28 to July 29 and August 1 to 2, showtimes 11:00AM and 3:00PM.

Stay connected with Odd One Out Productions through their social media pages, listed below, to stay updated on the latest information, exciting updates, and promotional offers.

Facebook Page: Odd One Out Productions

Instagram: ooo_productions

TikTok: ooo_productions

Happy Green Run at Vermosa delighted fun and serious runners, dogs and their owners too

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Competitive athletes, fun runners and doting dog owners had the time of their lives running in the pollution-free, abundant green surroundings of the Vermosa Estates in the yearly Green Run staged inside Ayala Land’s 740-hectare property in Imus, Cavite recently.

Two thousand five hundred humans and 256 dogs of various breeds participated in the multi-level run dedicated to pushing physical and mental health, saving the planet and celebrating the wonders of nature and its creatures.

Elite athletes, athletes in training, beginners, young and old and doting fur parents took up the challenge of the Green Run in various categories: 21K, 10K, 5K, 3K and the newly introduced 1K Dog Run.

Fur parents ran, walked and skipped along the picturesque route, with cute Yorkies, Poodles and ShihTzus, small to medium sized Beagles, Jack Russells and Aspins running alongside Belgian Malinois, German Shephereds, Retrievers and giant Mastiffs.

The Dog Run was a welcome addition to the Green Run – Vermosa Estates’ very own running event that features different running distance categories to suit individual runners’ fitness levels. Established in 2022 to serve as an inspirational, feel-good event after the pandemic to celebrate life, good health, fitness and the great outdoors, this 2023 edition introduced a Dog Run for pet lovers and their fur babies.

The Dog Run slots were the first to be filled up, showing how much Filipinos love their dogs and that the four-legged runners are very much a part of the family.

Pet parents and fur babies showed up dressed in their Green Run running gear -- a Green Run bib for the human and a fetching dog bandana with a bone ID tag for the fur baby.

Some dogs ran with the wind, while dogs with shorter legs ran gingerly alongside their fur parents. Some dogs tried to make friends with other dogs along the short trail, while some dogs asked their humans to carry them to the finish line.

“Thank you, Vermosa for introducing a Dog Run to the Green Run this year. This heartwarming activity gave us great moments to remember with our pets. It was a super experience and I’m so happy that my dog’s happy. Looking forward to the Dog Run again next year,” said lawyer Marco Lozada who ran with his retriever Carter.

“We were overwhelmed with the response to the Green Run this year. There was a big increase in runners and it was so delightful to see many dog lovers and their dogs along the trail. We are proud to say that Vermosa’s beautiful, natural surroundings and feet-friendly streets and walkways made the experience fun and safe for everyone. This is really a safe, healthy environment for humans and animals alike,” said Lani Tan, Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub General Manager.

“Vermosa is all about promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. A healthy, well-balanced life is not just physical wellness but also mental wellness. A feel-good activity like the Dog Run has so many physical and mental benefits for both dog owners and their pets that keeps both of them in tip-top shape. We will keep on staging the Green Run each year because we are committed to promote a healthy lifestyle and a love of the environment,” said Moses J. Aragones, Vermosa Estates Development Manager.

Part of the Green Run proceeds will go to Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-A-Seedling Program to support its long-term mission of protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.

The Green Run 2023 was supported by FPG Insurance, MILO Philippines, SunLife, JGO Mart, Doggo Flask, Alaxan, Seda Hotel Nuvali, Merrell, Fitbar, Runnr, Toby’s, Pocari Sweat, Oishi, Equal Sugar, Healtway Qualimed Hospital and Immuntab Multivitamins.