Baguio, Dipolog, Makati, and Tagum cities join global We Love Cities campaign to promote sustainable cities

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




The cities of Baguio, Dipolog, Makati, and Tagum are joining the global We Love Cities (WLC) Campaign organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire citizens to support their cities’ sustainable urban development initiatives.

Coming from the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2023-2024, a biennial global competition that helps cities meet their climate mitigation and adaptation goals, Baguio, Makati, and Tagum were named National Finalists for OPCC 2023-2024, granting them the opportunity to participate in the WLC Campaign. Dipolog City, the former OPCC 2021-2022 National Winner, is categorized among the "All-Star" cities, allowing them to rejoin the public engagement campaign.

“Filipinos across the country are very eager to support initiatives towards sustainability, and these four cities participating in this global engagement are role models for other local governments to follow,” Imee Bellen, project manager of the OPCC, said.

The We Love Cities campaign will run for the whole month of October 2024 and will encourage the citizens of each city to post on social media channels about the sustainable initiatives of their city that they love and support.

Baguio City has been focusing its efforts on roads and vehicles to cut emissions and create a cleaner environment. They also implemented vehicle-free Sundays on the Session Road, allowing residents and tourists to stroll and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and cafés.

As a signatory to the Cities Race to Resilience initiative, Dipolog City is part of a global movement that is driving ambitious climate adaptation actions and ensuring that the voices of cities like Dipolog are heard at the highest international level of climate change negotiations.

Makati City strengthened its commitment to addressing climate change with the declaration of a climate emergency in 2022. Since then, the city has aligned itself with the 1.5°C target for both 2030 and 2050 and has been implementing comprehensive and diverse climate actions.

Meanwhile, Tagum City envisions a sustainable and resilient future. Thus, to align its citizens with its sustainability goals, the city organizes community forums to raise awareness about climate change, emphasizing the significant impact each individual can make in mitigation and adaptation efforts.

“Cities are on the frontlines of climate mitigation and adaptation with their innovative solutions and strong public engagement. Their success in implementing policies and programs hinges on the support of the people they serve. That’s why the WLC Campaign promotes and recognizes the efforts of the city to make a positive impact on the environment while also providing an opportunity for their local citizens to be heard and give suggestions,” Bellen said.

The WLC Campaign will run from October 1 to 31, 2024. The city that receives the most number of website votes, social media posts, and suggestion submissions by the end of the campaign period will be declared the We Love Cities 2024 global campaign winner.

Campaign for your favorite Philippine city on your social media platforms by using the hashtags #WeLoveBaguio, #WeLoveDipolog, #WeLoveMakati, or #WeLoveTagum. For more information and updates about the We Love Cities 2024 campaign, visit welovecities.org

Angara visits 5 Northern Mindanao schools, leads first DepEd Management Committee Meeting in CDO

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



As part of ongoing efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd) to address on-the-ground concerns, Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited five schools in Northern Mindanao and spearheaded the agency’s first out-of-town Management Committee (ManComm) meeting under his watch in his two-day official visit.

Secretary Angara visited the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) and City Central School in SDO Cagayan de Oro; Kinanao Pamalihi Elementary School and Opol National Secondary Trade School in SDO Misamis Oriental; and Sinaloc National High School in SDO El Salvador City.

Sec. Angara personally checked in on teachers and learners and assessed the conditions of classrooms and facilities. He also took the opportunity to discuss DepEd's current programs, emphasizing key initiatives being implemented under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“We are here to assist you and I think with good coordination, mas marami rin tayong solusyon,” Sec. Angara said.

A key highlight of Angara’s stop at Kinanao Pamalihi Elementary School was the turnover ceremony of a Last Mile School building, a significant project dedicated to the indigenous Higaonon community. At City Central School, Angara also inaugurated a newly established Inclusive Learning Resource Center (ILRC). The state-of-the-art facility includes a hydrotherapy room, speech laboratory, computer laboratory, drone simulation facility, and a Madrasah classroom, catering to the diverse needs of the student population.

Angara also presided during the DepEd ManComm meeting, which focused on updates on the preparation of the agency in the upcoming international large-scale assessments including PISA and the Early Procurement Activities to be conducted this year. Additionally, the rollout of the Alternative Learning System – Senior High School (ALS-SHS) program was also discussed.

Joining Angara were other top DepEd officials, including members of the Executive Committee, as well as Bureau, Service, and Regional Directors from across the country. Some Executive Committee members also visited various schools, including Cagayan De Oro National High School, West City Central School, Gusa Elementary School, and El Salvador National High School.



Angara also attended the 53rd National and 14th International Convention of the Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE). Addressing participants, he laid out the department’s vision for advancing teacher education and professional development, underscoring the vital role educators play in shaping the nation’s future.

23rd PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival: Premio del Público Winner Announced!

Wazzup Pilipinas!!?



Instituto Cervantes is thrilled to announce that the winner of this year’s Premio del Público (Audience Choice Award)! of the 23rd PELÍCULA>PELIKULA Spanish Film Festival is Casa en llamas (Dani de la Orden, 2024). The award-winning film will be shown once again on October 13 at 5:00 PM at the Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, as a special closing feature of the festival.

Casa en llamas follows Montse, a determined woman set on reuniting her distant family for an ideal weekend at the Costa Brava. However, what begins as an attempt at familial bonding quickly unravels into chaos, as her dream of togetherness spirals out of control. This darkly comedic film, filled with humor and heartfelt moments, resonated strongly with PELÍCULA’s audiences. It has earned acclaim for its witty portrayal of family dynamics, capturing both the light and dark aspects of familial relationships.

The 23rd edition of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA is presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, Embajada de España en Filipinas, Shangri-La Plaza, and Red Carpet Cinemas. The festival is held in collaboration with MTRCB, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Teatro Real, Embajada Argentina en Filipinas, Embassy of Brazil in Manila, Embajada de Colombia en Filipinas, University of the Philippines Film Institute, De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, CMB Film Services Inc., University of the Philippines Department of European Languages, Far Eastern University - Institute of Arts and Science, Ateneo de Manila University - Modern Languages, Meridian International College, CIIT College of Arts and Technology, Mapua University School of Media Studies, i-Academy Makati, Asia Pacific Film Institute, Kinoise PH, and SINEGANG PH. The Festival is proudly sponsored by Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc., Arthaland, Ayala Corporation, BOYSEN, Fundador, Terminal Six, and Barcino.

All screenings are free of charge, and films will be shown in Spanish (or their original language) with English subtitles.

For more information and updates on the festival, including the full schedule, please visit the Instituto Cervantes de Manila website at https://manila.cervantes.es or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila .