Cordillera - A dedicated teacher from Abra province is going home with a
brand new car after winning grand prize from the Department of Education
(DepEd) and CBS China Bank during the celebration of the National and World
Teacher's Day 2022 in Abra.
Teacher Simona Parañal, a first grade teacher for 13 years at the Supo
Elementary School was the lucky winner of the brand new Toyota Innova which
was given as a token of appreciation for her dedicated service as a
teacher.
This year's celebration of the World Teacher's Day was hosted by
DepEd-Cordillera at the Abra Sports Complex in Bangued.
Photo Courtesy || CBS China Bank
Thousand of teachers gathered during the occasion to have a chance to win a
brand new car, motorcycle and laptops.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte led this year's
celebration of Nat'l and World Teachers.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was also in the event as Guest of Honor. She
delivered a motivational and inspirational speech to all dedicated Filipino
teachers nationwide.
“You have remained steadfast in mentoring the learners, you have built
their foundation, and honed their skills. We are all grateful to you,”
Araneta-Marcos said.
“To all the teachers out there, please know that we all recognize your hard
work and all the sacrifices that you have made to make the art of learning
possible,” she added.
Cordillera - The Department of Education - Cordillera Administrative
Regions congratulates Mr. Marcelo Otinguey for being the Philippines
Pride.
Mr. Otinguey who hails from Besao, Mountain Province was recently awarded
the Princess Maha Chakri Award (PMCA) 2021.
The PMCA is given once in two years to one teacher from each of the 11
SEAMO member countries (10 ASEAN countries and Timor Leste) to celebrate
excellence in the teaching profession and recognize teachers for their
contribution to the future generation.
He had received many certifications of recognition/appreciation from
various organization.
Recently, he obtained the Certification of Recognition as School Brigada
Skwela Coordinator by the DedEd-Cordillera, the Certification of
Appreciation by Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMO)
on the video produced for the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Teach On:
Keeping the Passion Alive.
Photo Courtesy || DepEd Tayo Bucay North Elemtary School
Cordillera - To produce quality and noise free instructional videos for the
pupils, these creative teachers in Bucay North Elementary School in Abra
used the comfort room as a recording studio.
According to Mary Hazel Ballena, Principal II of the said school, the
comfort room is a perfect venue to record videos because it is free from
noise coming the outside and the voice is clearer.
"Gapu ta adda kami iti igid kalsada, naariwawa ti aglawlaw isu nga inpanmi
ti recording studiomi iti banyo tapno nalawlawag ken maymayat ti timek ken
uni dagiti video a maaramid (Because we are located beside a road and the
surrounding is noisy we moved our recording studio in the bathroom so that
we can produce videos that are clearer and have quality sounds.)," Ballena
wrote on Facebook.
She added that instructional videos they made is one way the teachers used
to show and explain to the kids about their modules.
The teachers were able to record six instructional videos using the comfort
room and students can view them in their Facebook Page DepEd Tayo Bucay
North Elementary School.
Cordillera - The writer of the erroneous learning materials portraying
Igorots having curly hair and look different from ordinary Filipino in terms
of appearance has sent an apology letter to the Department of Education
(DepEd).
The teacher-writer who sent an apology letter to DepEd said she had no
intention to degrade the Igorots in the learning materials.
She further added she was unaware of the impacts it caused to the Igorot
people and assures that it will not happen again.
The region where the learning materials were distributed admitted they were
not able to check into the examples used in the materials during the quality
assurance process.
Recently Congressman Dalog, Jr. of Mt. Province has sent a letter to DepEd
secretary Briones to look into some learning modules which apparently
contain discriminating portrayal of the Igorots.
The Department of Education has come into mass barrage of criticism on
social media for not fact checking of the learning materials and its
apparent lack of knowledge about the Igorots.
A trending proud Igorot challenge with a hashtag
#i_am_proud_igorot_challenge has been posted and shared by proud Igorots to
show the real real appearance of Igorots as opposed to what it described in
the erroneous learning modules.
Cordillera - Benguet Legislative Representative Congressman Eric Yap has called on the
Department of Education to conduct massive review of some of the modules
containing discriminatory remarks about the Igorots.
Yap said he will file a House Resolution in Congress and summons DepEd
officials to explain the inaccuracy and sign of incompetency in the learning
modules of students.
Here is the full message of Congressman Eric Yap:
I strongly condemn these photos circulating online. It is unbelievable that
these made its way to the learning modules of our students. Nakakagalit.
Nakakadismaya. It is not clear whether it forms part of a textbook, a module
or a test sheet, but regardless of its form and context, this is an insult,
an obvious form of discrimination and a mockery of our rich culture in the
Cordillera.
What message are we sending our students reading these? Okay lang na
ma-bully ang bata dahil sa kanyang anyo? Okay lang ma-discriminate dahil sa
kasuotan? Sa murang edad ng mga estudyante, ito ang ituturo natin? If we do
not act on this, the day will come that our heritage and culture in
Cordillera will die a natural death because it will be perceived as
something that should be ashamed of. We will not allow that to
happen.
I call on the Department of Education to undertake a massive review of its
textbooks and other materials used in schools. I urge Secretary Briones to
issue a Department Order instructing teachers nationwide to forbid them from
using discriminatory statements such as those shown in photos in preparing
their modules. This is not the first time that this happened and at this
point, the Department should take responsibility. The buck stops with
you.
This is an issue that we will definitely raise in Congress through a House
Resolution that I will file and we will summon DEPED officials to shed light
on this matter. Not only for this incident, but for every inaccuracy and
sign of incompetence in our learning materials.
Cordillera - “When a wrong concept keeps repeated, this might be accepted
as the truth that is why we need to respond to it right away and for those
responsible to correct it immediately.”
This was stressed during DepEd CAR’s Convocation yesterday by DepEd CAR
Regional Director Estela L. Cariňo relative to the issue on some modules
circulating on social media over the past few days maligning,
discriminating, and wrongly depicting Igorots.
As an Igorot herself, Director Cariňo urgently called on the attention of
the regions and schools division offices using such modules to make the
necessary and urgent changes.
The DepEd official added that Cordillerans may contribute to the wrong
concept and incorrect depiction of Igorots if they keep silent.
“I am an Igorot and proud of it and we need to respond to such issues and
not keep mum about it,” Cariňo said.
She further called on all education stakeholders to help in creating
awareness on indigenous people and to be part of the system that correct
these learning materials not by bashing or ignoring it but by calling the
attention of the basic education department through its proper channels like
the DepEd Error Watch, the official Facebook Pages of DepEd, and even her
Office directly.
“Not all can be seen or monitored by the Learning Resource personnel or the
Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) especially for
self-learning modules developed locally in other places,” said the
Director.
Anyone can send errors on modules to DepEd through bit.ly/DepEdErrorWatch
or by email through errorwatch@deped.gov.ph, text and messaging through
Viber at 0961-6805334; Facebook messaging through DepEd Error Watch account
and the DepEd Tayo Cordillera page.
Netizens are also encouraged to use hashtag #depederrorwatch when posting
complaints on social media sites. The hashtag will help monitor the
complaints.
“We are disheartened that these errors circulate nationwide but we hope our
collective efforts will change wrong concepts of indigenous people like us
especially in areas that Igorots are not the majority,” she added.
As of press time, through the swift action of DepEd CAR officials, the
regions and school division offices that have wrong and bias depictions
of Igorots are complying with the urgent requests to rectify their
modules.
Cordilllera - Lt. Leonardo G. Visaya Jr. was among the 8 Cordillerans who
graduated the Military Pilot Training of the Philippine Armed Forces Most
Elite Flying School.
A proud Cordilleran who traces his roots from Pinukpuk, Kalinga, Visaya
told how he transitioned from being a Math teacher of the Department of
Education to a military pilot of the AFP.
"Everytime I look back to where I was before, I’m still in awe to what
had become of me now. Imagine, a person who never dreamed to become a
soldier had just graduated from the most elite schooling in the Philippine
Air Force – the Military Pilot Training. Perhaps, what Jeremiah said in
his book truly is a manifestation of the great power of the Lord for those
who believe in Him – that God has plans for us, plans of prosperity and of
a great future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I was a high school Math teacher before my unplanned entry to the
military service. A good math teacher loved by his students. Hehe. And in
all honesty it never came to me the idea of leaving my beloved profession
for the life of soldiery. Never. Not once.
But change is inevitable and it has come. It was 2016. We attended the
graduation of our high school batch mate in the Philippine National Police
Academy – our batchmate was Top 3 of his class. When we had the time to
exchange conversation, he encouraged me to enter the uniformed service
through the Officer Candidate Course in the Philippine Air Force. First, I
did not consider it because I was already in a stable job as a public
school teacher in Tabuk City National High Shool. Yet when we went back to
Kalinga I made a turnaround decision, accepted the challenge and took the
qualifying test as a walk-in examinee at TOG 2, Cauayan City. Well, I am
thrilled in the idea of taking examinations. Hehe.
Later on May of 2016, the result was published and out the examinees in
TOG 2, I was one of the 2 who passed the examinations. The next challenge
was to hurdle the Physical Fitness Test – push ups, sit ups and a 3.2 Km
run. Honestly, I cannot even do twenty repetitions of sit ups during those
times but again I challenged myself. It was the 1st of June. While the
school was having its Brigada Eskwela Program in preparation for the Class
opening, I went to Clark Air Base to have my PFT. During D-day, I was
already exhausted after tangent score in the push ups and sit ups and when
we had the run, I almost surrendered seeing female runners ahead of me.
Nonetheless, I finished the 3.2 Km run almost out of breath but within the
passing time. Later that day, they announced the name of those who will
continue to the next phase of selection.
June 2016. A big crossroad. Huge dilemmas. The processing for the medical
examination was scheduled at the beginning of classes in the school. It
was the time I was really in deep thoughts whether to pursue what I
started or stop it right there. Added to the challenge was that I had to
report to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for the medical in undetermined
dates. I remember having my class in a Monday, board the bus in the
evening and the next day in Air Force General Hospital for a laboratory
test. Afterwards if there were no scheduled medical tests, I had to go
back to Kalinga immediately so as not to neglect my classes in the school.
I was very lucky and blessed I had a very understanding principal that
time and will always remember what she told me that I’m still young and
she will support my decision to enter the military adding that I can
always go back to teaching anytime I want as being a teacher does not
require age limit compared to the uniformed service. That’s how I
processed my medical, “lagari” between Kalinga and Manila. I passed the
medical with negative findings. Later in the middle of July 2016 I faced
the board interview for the final phase of the selection and after
interview had sealed the processing stage. Last week of July 2016, I
received a text message that I made it to PAFOCS and immediately I filed
my resignation letter.
01 August 2016. I turned back from my civilian life and took oath as a
military man in a reception ceremony I will never forget. I almost run to
the gates of Fernando Air Base to escape from that unprecedented
indescribable moment yet I was too exhausted to do it. Beast barracks was
hell that I opted to resign from the training but the insistence of my
upperclass was a key factor I was not able to leave. Civilian life was
very different from the arduousness of training – uncomfortable, far from
family and almost no freedom. Yet in the turn of events I managed to adopt
to the difficult environment, survived the rigors of training and slowly
adjusted to the military routine. On the 10th of November 2017 and after
15 months of training, I graduated from the Philippine Air Force Officer
Candidate School (PAFOCS) as the Class Number 1.
While inside PAFOCS, I already knew that I can no longer qualify to
become a military pilot because of age limit. And honestly, I never knew
beforehand that there’s a pilot career after PAFOCS. I just knew that I’ll
be commissioned as a second lieutenant after the training. That’s why I
aligned myself to other specialization in the Air Force and subsequently
after a certain schooling was assigned as an intel officer in
Cebu.
Mid of year 2018 was turning point. My name was in a list of qualified
officers to take the Military Pilot Aptitude Test. Later I found out that
the age limit was adjusted and putting me into the roster of probable
officers for pilot training. I passed the written exams, cleared in the
medical and hurdled the board interview. In March 2019, the order for the
composition of Military Pilot Training Class 2020 came out and in God’s
another miracle, my name was on the list. We reported to the Philippine
Air Force Flying School on the same month and started the most difficult
training in the Philippine Air Force both physically and mentally. There
were gargantuan challenges in this new journey especially on the soloing
phase yet what God had planned and prepared will always be the best route
to follow. Our class also had faced many ups and downs from Taal eruption,
COVID pandemic to numerous typhoons yet we finished the race safe and
victorious. And on this day, the 9th of November 2020, just a day before
celebrating my third year as an officer in the Philippine Air Force, I am
adding another achievement which is not my own but among the many plans
God had prepared for me. Graduating as military pilot was already enough
yet God put a twist and He made me the Class Number 1. Truly, God’s
mysteries in my life are testimonies of how He turns impossibilities into
great realities. His words in Jeremiah 29:11 for his ultimate plans in our
lives, to give us hope and a future, are words that are proofs of His
unquestionable promises for us.
My military journey is an unexpected turn of events, unplanned and not in
the schedule. I never dreamed to be a soldier, moreso to become a military
pilot. However, God really works in mysterious ways and it was His
ultimate plan to transform the simple Math Teacher into a Military
Aviator.
I dedicate this achievement to my family, the source of all inspiration
in hurdling one of the most difficult trainings in the Air Force and
perhaps the most fulfilling one. There is nothing more I could ask for but
to be forever grateful to God Almighty for bringing me in this journey, a
journey that I will fulfil for the country and for God’s greatest honor.
THANKS G." - Lt. Leonardo G. Visaya Jr. - PAF PAFOCS CL 2017
Cordillera - Access to the internet and phone signal was not a hindrance
for teachers in Kalinga to continue educating their students.
They came up with a solution of using walkie-talkies to provide
instructions to almost 154 students from Magnao Elementary
School.
Alain Pascua, one of the teachers in Magnao ES posted a message on his
Facebook account. He said:
"Walang internet? Walang problema!
Narito kami sa Brgy. Magnao sa Kalinga at bagamat walang signal dito,
naisip ni Teacher-In-Charge Rafael Gonayan ng Magnao Elementary School na
hanapan ng solusyon.
Ang 2-way radio system ang ginagamit ngayon ng may 154 na mag-aaral,
samantalang 7 guro ang pumupunta sa Magnao ES upang "magturo" gamit ang
walkie-talkies.
Photo Courtesy || Alain Pascua
Nakilala namin ang ilang mga mag-aaral hawak ang kanilang mga 2-way radio,
maputik man dahil sa dumaang mga bagyo.
Wala pang maayos na daan papunta sa Magnao ngunit hindi ito balakid upang
makapag-aral nang mabuti ang ating learners.
Using 2-way radios as an alternative method of teaching to underprivileged
students without access to the internet and television is encouraged by the
government so that kids would no longer present to school to avoid being
expose with the virus.
Similarly, some teachers in Abra had been been using walkie-talkies to
their pupils to relay instruction on how to go with their
module.
Cordillera- An Igorot cowboy teacher broadcaster is now on DepEd TV
Benguet.
Jason Manuel Osong is doing an epic innovation in his teaching style to
inspire, motivate and connect with his students in a virtual classroom, the
DepEd TV, with a much bigger audience.
For teacher Jayson, being a teacher-broadcaster is an honor.
Though challenging as it may on his part, it's an amazing experience
for him.
Photo Courtesy || Jayson Osong
"Music literature ng Medieval, Renaissance at Baroque times ang aking
itinuturo sa mga eksenang ito. Minabuti kong magsuot ng adventurer's attire,
o para sa iba, mukha akong cowboy! Unang episode ito kaya't anuman ang
makakatulong makapagbigay sa akin ng mas lalong lakas at inspirasyon ay
ginawa ko," he said via DepEd Tayo.
The grade 9 music teacher Jayson, together with his production team, make
scenes about his subject matter as a way of teaching his lessons.
Photo Courtesy || Jayson Osong
They were able to capture the glorious sunrise and other spectacular scenes
from the famous Kalugong Ecopark and Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad.
Behind these amazing scenes, this awesome teacher together with his
dedicated production team, have to hike up the mountain at dawn, wait for
the right timing to capture the sunrise with the sea of clouds around them
and make sure to stay dry from sudden drizzles or rainfall as they only work
outdoors.
Teacher Jayson is currently employed at Cordillera Regional Science High
School in Benguet. Being a music lover, he became a Music teacher while
being an artist, he's being creative and innovative in teaching.
We would like to have more teachers like him, that when given an
opportunity, they willingly bring and give out the best in them.
Kudos to you master Jayson!
Watch out for the first episode on DepEd TV and learn from his interview
about music.
Cordillera - With 22 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no
abstention, the Senate on Monday, November 9, 2020, passed on the third and final
reading of a bill institutionalizing and increasing the teaching supplies
allowance for public school teachers starting next year.
Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., chairman of the Senate Committee on Civil
Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, said Senate
Bill No. 1092, or the Teaching Supplies Allowance Act of 2020, once signed
into law, will benefit more than 800,000 public school teachers.
SBN 1092, under Committee Report No. 14, is a substitute bill for SBN 42
introduced by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto; SBN 75 introduced by
Revilla; and, SBN 957 filed by Sen. Sonny Angara.
Under the measure, each classroom teacher will receive P5,000 for the
school years 2021 - 2022 and 2022 - 2023. The allowance will further
increase to P7,500 for the school year 2023 - 2024; and P10,000 for the
school year 2024 -2025 onwards.
Revilla said the government could not afford a drastic increase given the
present situation.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who was co-author of the measure,
introduced the amendment spreading out the proposed increase of teaching
supplies allowance to enable the government to shoulder the additional
cost.
To make the measure responsive to the needs of the teachers, the bill
mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to conduct a periodic review
and recommend the necessary increase based on the current prices of the
materials.
The bill also provides that "the amount necessary for the grant of teaching
supplies allowance per teacher shall be charged against the appropriations
of the DepEd under the General Appropriations Act (GAA)," Revilla
explained.
Revilla expressed hopes that the lower house adopts the Senate version and
that the President immediately sign the same despite uncertainties of its
funding because of the pandemic.
Currently each public school teacher receives P3,500 a year or P16 a day.
(Senate PRIB)
Cordillera - To continue teaching their pupils in the new normal, teachers
from this little town of Abra had came up with this innovative idea of using
walkie talkie two-way radio as a means to teach their students since
internet is not accessible in the area.
Teachers from Danac Elementary School opted to use walkie talkie to be able
to assist pupils and parents in learning and answering their Self Learning
Modules, according to DepEd Tayo Abra.
Each grade level is allotted an hour of On Air Class Discussion from
Monday to Friday.
In a video posted by DepEd Tayo Abra, a teacher is using hand-held
two-way radio to relay instructions to the parents and kids on how to answer
their modules.
Parents and kids on the other end carefully listen to the teacher's
instruction via walkie-talkie.
Meanwhile, a grade 6 teacher from Ifugao went extra mile just to help one
of her student whose living in the mountain learn from his
module.
Teacher Helen Omela of Ayangan Elementary School in Mayoyao, Ifugao even
followed her student when he went to their 'kaingin' to guard their rice
plant against Maya birds.
Photo Courtesy || DepEd Tayo Ifugao
The kids together with their parents were pleased with the concerns and
love shown by the teacher Omela.
Cordillera - At least six La Trinidad National High School (LTNHS) teachers
were honored by the DepEd Benguet as 'Spot' and ‘Heroic Deed’ awardees during
the Management Committee (Mancom) meeting via webinar on April 30.
No other than Schools Division Superintendent Benilda M. Daytaca and Assistant
Schools Division Superintended Nestor L. Bolayo awarded the virtual
certificates of recognition to Glenda T. Eckman as 'Spot' awardee while Tilma
L. Delio, Glaiza Rose T. Agwilang, Marices S. Pacya, Victoria N. Palsiyeng,
and Merve P. Kudan as 'Heroic Deed' awardees together with other recipients
from the different schools in Benguet.
“Let us honour them because they did something worthy to the community.”
Bolayo said.
The certificate bares, “For embodying the Deped Core Values through the her
(recipient) commendable and selfless acts of kindness by donating goods to
less fortunate families during the Enhanced Community Quarantine;
demonstrating further that in this time of crisis, ‘no act of kindness, no
matter how small, is ever wasted.’”
Eckman utilized her skill in tailoring that she had sewn 275 face masks which
she donated to La Trinidad town frontliners during the height of ECQ due to
Covid-19.
Just after delivering her hand-made face masks, Eckman learned the scarcity of
face masks among frontliners in hospitals and at the checkpoints so she bought
more materials for more face masks that she could sew.
Pacya, Kudan, and Basalong accepted the challenge of giving back to the
community during crisis like Covid-19. Pacya and her friend, Angelica
Pad-ay—Vidor, took the courage of knocking at the hearts of good Samaritans
from the Philippines and abroad via online communications. Kudan and Basalong
joined in the challenge that reinforced the mission.
As a result, they were able to provide food packs to 25 students of LTNHS and
50 residents of barangay Lubas in La Trinidad. Since donations keep pouring
in, the group chose to continue the operation.
On the other hand, Delio, Palsiyeng, and Agwilang decided to contribute cash
amount from their salaries just to buy food packs of 10 students and a school
utility worker, who were badly affected by the ECQ.
Mana C. Estakio, LTNHS school principal, said that the said teachers deserve
their award because they were able to contribute to the community in times of
crisis.
Cordillera - The Department of Education Cordillera (DepEd - CAR), School Division of Benguet has announced its job vacancy for elementary and secondary administrative staff position. In a note published on DepEd Benguet website (http://depedbenguet.com/publication/) vacancy positions to be filled are for Administrative II and Administrative Assistance III.
The note also said that "application letter shall be filled at the DepEd CAR, SDO Benguet located in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet (see map below) through the Records Section before the [specified] deadline". Applicants should bring with them the following documents:
– Personal Data Sheet (PDS) – Service Records – Transcript of Records – Performance Ratings for the last three(3) rating periods – Certificates of Trainings/Seminars attended – Certificate of Eligibility – Other Pertinent Documents