Valenzuela City Grade 2 mentors grasp teaching methods beyond chalk and blackboard

After the City of Valenzuela notched a banner year in 2009 with the most number of classrooms built, students and teachers stand to gain from yet another shot in the arm in uplifting the quality of basic education in the city.

The "WIN ang Edukasyon Program" recently completed a three-day seminar-workshop for grade two public school teachers in partnership with NGO partner Synergeia Foundation, a consortium of individuals and institutions committed to work together in improving the quality of basic education in the country.

TEACHER FOR TEACHERS. Valenzuela City public school teachers grasp new ways of teching from a facilitator at the recent Win ang Edukasyon Program's seminar workshop. Photo by Valenzuela City YSL Office.

The program gathered some 250 English and Mathematics teachers for a three-Saturday course held in Parada National High School.

Fifteen lecturers and resource persons invited by Synergeia from the Ateneo de Manila University and the DepEd Division of Bulacan facilitated the training that promotes information and communications technology as an essential component in today's classroom teaching methods.

Workshop facilitators used the English and Mathematics workbooks provided for free by the city government for the students as basis for their training modules.

"We must better prepare our elementary school teachers, not only with their mastery of the subject, but also in the ways they can motivate their students to begin appreciating the lessons and its applications, Valenzuela City Local School Board Chairman Mayor Win Gatchalian said.

WINNING FORMULA. City Mayor Win Gatchalian stresses the importance of a multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts in uplifting the quality of education in the country.

 

"Times have become more technology driven and students have gotten more attuned with modern conveniences, our teachers should likewise learn to update and adopt by integrating multi-media approach with their traditional ways," he added.

The teachers however drew mix reactions citing the multi-media approach was particularly new to them and access to technology was limited.

In light of this development, Valenzuela DepEd Division Superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari, however said, the Local School Board is strongly committed to capacity building measures for the teachers with their transition phase.

She said the city government has already bankrolled the development of computer laboratories in Valenzuela's public schools and would provide all the necessary help that would improve the performance of teachers through systematic reforms and other processes.

PGMA Groundreaks Valenzuela City Housing Project for Ondoy Victims

After Tropical Storm Ondoy left their families in Tullahan River homeless last year, these children will soon find a better and safer place to live in once the Valenzuela's Disiplina Village is put up for around 900 families.

Amidst swirling cloud of dust and late morning sun, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came over Valenzuela City on February 12 to groundbreak Disiplina Village in Bgy. Ugong, a housing project for 900 families whose homes were swept by the raging waters of Tullahan River at the height of last year's Tropical Storm Ondoy.

An initial 100 families are temporarily sheltered there on makeshift houses to participate in the construction phase that exemplifies the spirit of 'bayanihan."

Being in the profession, it's my third instance to cover an event where the Chief Executive is the leading figure of interest. The first two assignments were held in a rather confined environments (a BPO facility in Alabang and in Malacañang) but this is the first time to document her engagement outdoors.

With my white polo being embraced by the dusty wind, an old-timer who lives near the area told me the vicinity used to be a quarry site for adobe during the Marcos administration. Even though the landscape is barren (which reminds me of Barrio Cupang straight from Ishamael Bernal's "Himala"), if seen with eyes wide open, the promise of a better life for the recipients is hard to miss.

For full report: http://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/press.php?id=200900615&tbl=press

Citizen documentarists in Iran poll protest awarded journalism prize

You've seen her looking at the camera as she bled to death at the height of protest rallies after the allegedly rigged presidential elections of June 2009 in Iran.

Authorities tried to clamp down access to information and news coverage. But vigilant -and nameless- citizen journalists proved to wield more power than censorship.

And they are commended for their work and giving the world a heads up. This visual evidence of a dying protester, Neda Agha-Soltan, was awarded a George Polk Journalism Award in New York.

New York Times' John Darnton, the curator of The 2009 Polk Awards said the recognition underscores the "increasing importance of user contributions to journalism in an era where cameras are commonplace."

"This award celebrates the fact that, in today's world, a brave bystander with a cell phone camera can use video-sharing and social networking sites to deliver news."

From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/feb/16/george-polk-awards

Combo image taken from: www.nytimes.com

To know more about Neda Agha-Soltan: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/world/middleeast/23neda.html?_r=1

Fly with the Firefly Brigade

Start:	Jan 24, '10 08:00a
End:	Jan 24, '10 2:00p
Location:	169 Kamias Road corner Langka St., Kamias, Quezon City

Check this out...

Firefly Brigade Activities this weekend, January 24

Happening at 169 Kamias Road near corner Langka St., Kamias, Quezon City

1) Membership Orientation Workshop, January 24, 9.00am-1.00pm

You've been joining our rides, you're already online members...
it's about time you take your Firefly Brigade support to the next level...
Be a Firefly Brigade Core Member!


The Firefly Brigade is now inviting interested applicants for the

Basic Firefly Flight Training (FFT), a 3-Sunday workshop on Bike Safety, Bike Maintenance, Road Etiquette, and the Firefly Brigade work which will start on Sunday, January 24, from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Registration: 8.30am
Venue: Firefly Brigade Headquarters, 169 Kamias Road near corner Langka St., Kamias, Quezon City.

Application Fee: Php100.00

Bring: pen, paper or notebook, personal snacks & drinks, own bike (if you don't have one yet, please inform us)


For inquiries, please contact:
Rosar Crisostomo
VP & Membership Head
rosar_c@yahoo. com
9225616

Multiply: tourofthefirelies. multiply. com
Twitter: fireflybrigade
Website: fireflybrigade. org

-----------------------------------

2) Garage Sale - Firefly Brigade Merchandise and Members' Garage Sale P20 up
January 24, Sunday, 8.00am-2.00pm

Firefly Brigade Tour & Advocacy Shirts - P100-250
Firefly Brigade Tour & Advocacy Jerseys - P100-250
Deuter Bags, Firefly Lighting Bulbs, Spyder Shades, Zefal Pumps etc.

Please pass on this bulletin to your cycling friends :) Thank you!

“Global World: Through the Lens of Human Rights” photo contest

Start:	Feb 1, '10
End:	Feb 5, '10
Location:	Slovenia

DEADLINE: Ekvilib Institute's (Slovenia) international photo contest “Global World: Through the Lens of Human Rights.”

Topic 2009: The topic of this year’s contest are economic, social and cultural rights, which, in spite of massive violations, are still being neglected in human rights debates and are often represented in ways that lead to stereotypes and generalizations.

Prize for the winning photo or photo story: Reimbursement of travel and living expenses in a selected developing country in the total amount of 1.000 EUR, with ensured contacts with Ekvilib’s Institute partner organisations working in the field of human rights in the chosen country.

Who can participate: both professional photographers and other interested individuals, who share the vision and passion to contribute to a more just and balanced global development, and to a socially responsible representation of global development challenges.

Jury: Adriana Zehbrauskas (Polaris Images), Murad Sezer (Reuters Turkey), Jože Vogrinc, PhD (Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana), Max Zimani (The Association African Center, Slovenia), Anita Ramšak (Ekvilib Institute).

Deadline: February 1st 2010

More information available at: http://www.ekvilib.org/en/photo-contest-2009 or alma@ekvilib.org.

Speak your mind without uttering a word

Start:	Dec 26, '09 9:00p
Location:	Las Brisas Hotel, Antipolo City

Pogi ako.

Wanted: Textmate.

Vote for Me!

Lucky Me!

Sex Instructor.

Fuentes Trading... for all Your Aluminum Needs.

PUP: Pataasan ng Utak, Pababaan ng Matrikula.

Sans Frontieres.

Tunay! Palaban! Makabayan!

Manila Dog.

Pinag-aral Din Ako ng NanayMo.

The Filipino is Worth Dying For.

Pagbabago Ngayon Na!

Wala Na Bang Iba?

Kapuso.

Kapamilya.

Kapugad!

Celebrate Christmas and end the year with a hushhush she-bang!

Wear your coolest statement shirt at dumalo sa pinakaaabangang piging ng Antipolo National High School Pugad 99ers.

Ang patrying walang pilitan, hatid lang ay kasiyahan!

We also welcome sponsorhips/small tokens for games. Please address all your concerns to our Event Coordinator, Noel Gallardo (+639276003570).

Happy Christmas, Kapugad!

Valenzuela school children nix drug abuse thru art

Elementary pupils raise a fistful in support of anti-drug abuse initiatives of the local government.


An interesting play of colors and words jazzed up by Valenzuela City elementary and high school students conveyed powerful messages against drug abuse at the recent jingle, slogan and poster making contest organized by the DepEd Division of City Schools of Valenzuela.

The contest was done in collaboration with the Valenzuela City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) chaired by City Mayor WIN Gatchalian to drum up public support for the anti-drug abuse initiatives of the city.

VADAC Action Officer Antonio Espiritu said having anti-drug abuse advocacies the youth can actively participate in will help empower them with the right set of information and attitude. Authorities have claimed awareness and firm acceptance to these set of principles will deliberately keep people off the risk, thus effectively curbing the prevalence of drug dependency.

This cycle reflects on the recommendations made by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) to emphasize campaigns aimed at values formation among the youth.

Presidential Proclamation No. 124 of 2001 declares the second or third week of November of every year as Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week to promote public awareness against the evil effects of illegal drug use, as well as encourage public cooperation in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

With this development, participating students from public and private schools were able to produce effective materials that will be officially incorporated in VADAC creative communication campaigns.

For the high school category, Sitero Francisco National High School was handed first place and a P10,000 prize money for its jingle penned by Virgilio Santos. The composition that carries the lines “gobyerno man eskwelahan at ating pamilya, tayo’y magtulong-tulong puksain natin ang droga” also bagged additional P3,000 for originality.

Parada National High School meanwhile claimed first place and P3,000 cash prize for its slogan “Walang lugar ang droga sa pamayanang may disiplina at nagkakaisa.” An interpretation of war on drug abuse as a community effort from the Canumay East High School capped the top prize for the poster making contest with P3,000 prize money.

Top prizes for the elementary category on the other hand went to Bignay Elementary School for the jingle making contest with an original composition titled “Kilos Mamamayan, Droga ay Labanan” by Rodel Azana. The entry won a total of P10,000 plus P3,000 for originality.

A slogan from Gen. T. de Leon National High School made the cut with a P3,000 prize for the line “Ipinagbabawal na droga ay hindi papasa sa mamamayang nagkakaisa.” An illustration from the Lingunan Elementary School made it to the list with a P3,000 prize.

Dr. Bryan Ilan, Program Supervisor-in-Charge, described the initiative against drug dependency as “herculean” but called on all sectors to remain vigilant and undaunted by “institutionalizing collaborative efforts.”

Speaking before a young audience at the SM Valenzuela Supercenter, DepEd-Valenzuela City Division Superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari called on everyone to stand against drug abuse and adopt it as their own personal battle.

Text and Photos by Mark Lester S. Cayabyab for the Valenzuela City Public Information Office

http://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/press.php?id=200900588&tbl=press