In a time of great difficulty and challenges not just for the education sector but for the whole country, many schools and educators rose to the task to continue providing holistic and enriching learning for students throughout the country. It’s time for these heroic efforts to take the spotlight and be acknowledged.

The Gawad Edukampyon Awards 2021 was created for this very purpose: to celebrate innovations and excellence by higher education institutions (HEIs) during the most challenging time in recent history, and bring together educators and institutions to create, refine, and implement innovative programs suited to create better and sustainable learning in the 21st century’s new normal of education.

Launched in January 30, 2021 by Rex Education and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Gawad Edukampyon Awards 2021 is driven by CHED’s #WeLearnAsOne Bayanihan efforts and Rex Education’s Edukampyon advocacy.

“I encourage all HEIs to join the Gawad Edukampyon and showcase your innovations. It is during these challenging times that we must empower and inspire each other, draw strength and learn from one another,” said CHED Chairperson Prospero “Popoy” De Vera.

Flexible learning is here to stay

Rex Education has always rallied behind the Edukampyon advocacy, which calls for the involvement of the whole community and all education duty-bearers to ensure all students are Filipino Whole Learners—healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented inside and outside their learning environments. This has become especially important and relevant given the context and changes in education in the new normal, where flexible learning has become a more viable modality for the years to come.

“[There is] no going back to the traditional, full-packed, face-to-face classrooms. The Commission has adopted a policy that flexible learning will continue in the school year 2021 and thereafter,” said De Vera. This statement comes after the release of CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 04, series 2020, “Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Learning,” which also presents

flexible learning as a sustainable system that should be part of every school’s Learning Continuity Plan (LCP).

Given the new investments of many HEIs in technology, teacher training, and retrofitting of facilities to adapt with flexible learning, and with this modality already long-adapted by many universities across the globe, it only makes sense for institutions to embrace the new landscape that flexible learning brings. This adaptability and learner-centered approach to education has always been at the core of Edukampyon, which—through the many studies and real-world applications it draws from—argues that learning should not just be delivered from the classroom curriculum, but from the whole community and through every possible learning moment.

“The Edukampyon agenda lobbies that as members of the community, everyone is part of this learner-centered solution, and are thus duty bearers morally obliged to support initiatives that will benefit our learners. We acknowledge that the efforts to realize the vision of Edukampyon is continuously growing. We may be at the very first steps of this years-long movement. But taking the first step is always the most crucial moment in every revolution. With the help of every HEI and of everyone, we hope that this first step leads to a march where we create more programs and campaigns that would allow us to be champions for the Whole Filipino Learner. And we hope Gawad Edukampyon Awards 2021 will lead that way,” said Don Timothy Buhain, CEO of Rex Education.

Award categories and prizes

There are four categories under the Gawad Edukampyon Awards. Each category will be awarded to the school who has implemented a project or initiative that best exemplifies excellence in the particular field and has been demonstrated during the pandemic.

The Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible and Responsive Management is an award to be given to HEIs who created policies or specific projects and practices that ensured the continuity of education, as well as the health, safety, and well-being of students, faculty, staff and school-community during times of disruption. This includes efforts that set a clear framework and system for the transition and integration of flexible learning approaches, excellent and strategic leadership and management, and innovative management approaches that provided tangible support to the staff and students’ well-being especially during pandemic.

The Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible Teaching and Learning Innovation is an award to be given to HEIs with exemplary innovative and adaptive learning approaches and solutions, including innovative platforms, tools, pedagogies, and appropriate learning assessments; efforts to promote learner-centered teaching; technology-enhanced or arts-based learning; setting up mobile open online courses (MOOCs); or creating significant reforms in the curriculum to accommodate the changes in the delivery of learning.

The Gawad Edukampyon for Responsive Research and Development is an award to be given to HEIs with outstanding research and development of products that significantly contributed to the community through research and materials dissemination to other LGUs or other HEIs, as well

as researches that have been used as an input to public policy or adopted into a local community project, and case assessments or action-research that can improve the government’s COVID-19 response.

The Gawad Edukampyon for Public Service and Community Engagement is an award given to HEIs with outstanding outreach projects that alleviated challenges experienced by their community because of COVID-19. This includes those that have increased community resilience or improved response to the pandemic and communication campaigns that have engaged the community or resulted to transformative decision-making.

Two winners will be awarded for each category—one from the public sector and another from the private sector. Each award category winner will receive a cash prize and an educational resources package worth P200,000. The narratives of all winners will be featured in the Rex Education-led publication, Padayon.

How to join

All HEIs who wish to participate in the Gawad Edukampyon Awards can now submit their letter of intent (LOI) signed by the HEI head or authorized representative to edukampyonsecretariat@gmail.com with the subject heading “The Screening Committee, Gawad Edukampyon 2021”. The deadline of submission of LOI is on June 4, 2021.

For the full mechanics on how to join, and to access the forms, application information, and other updates, you may visit Gawad Edukampyon on Facebook, head to the link bit.ly/GawadEdukampyon, or contact the Gawad Edukampyon secretariat at edukampyonsecretariat@gmail.com or 0956-812-3896.

 Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association, Inc. (PCTA), together with its members, continue to support the government efforts in improving communications and connectivity services for the public. The pandemic increased the need for stable internet access for social, economic, and educational needs and over 150 internet service provider (ISP) members of the PCTA are at the forefront to help the communities they serve transition into the new normal.

“Providing adequate bandwidth allocation and ensuring that internet service and signals are accessible to our communities are among PCTA’s priorities to support more Filipinos during unprecedented times. We doubled our efforts to improve internet services even in underserved areas,” Joel Dabao, president of PCTA said. Cotabato Cable Television Network Corporation, one of PCTA’s active members, has put in a lot of work to deliver high quality service and bring the world to the homes of their subscribers in Cotabato City. It has earned the trust of government offices and became the city government’s official internet provider.

Cotabato Cable empowers its community of 3,200 households by providing convenient subscription plans and bundling cable TV with Internet of up to 12mbps in speed for subscribers who shifted to Fiber To The Home (FTTH) system. At the peak of the pandemic, they ensured that they lay out good signal and cable programs that would entertain the elders, help employees who work from home and students who attend their online classes. Cotabato Cable also gave the Department of Education free cablecasting of their modules from Mondays through Fridays.

Bongao Cable TV Network, Inc., one of PCTA’s member operators, has been providing internet service in the Salug Valley Province since 2016. At the start of the pandemic, Bongao Cable extended their services and upgraded their system, availing a higher bandwidth to cater to the needs of their subscribers.

They help schools and learning communities to set-up their online learning by providing a higher bandwidth and reasonable packages. They also support their local government units, specifically the Mayor’s office, to integrate and offer their services online that extends aid to the people in the municipality.

With their constant effort to provide internet services even in the farthest municipalities of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, subscribers no longer need to relocate as they can confidently work from home. Bongao Cable TV Network, Inc. offers the highest internet plan speed of up to 20mbps using the FTTH technology

 Bongao cable continuously looks for more ways to upgrade their system to serve their ever-growing number of subscribers without increasing their basic rate for cable TV, at the same time not compromising the quality of their service. In addition, they exercise leniency in the collection of monthly payments understanding the challenges of these unprecedented times.

“As our nation moves forward to recovery, PCTA and its member operators will continue to serve reliable internet connectivity that will empower Filipinos especially in far-flung areas to accelerate and thrive in the digital transformation era,” Dabao added.

For more information about the PCTA and its members nationwide, visit www.pcta.org.ph

SM Foundation together with its partners and sponsors congratulated 219 scholars for graduating college during their virtual presentation last May 26.

 With the theme “Stand with Grit”, which was inspired by Mr. Henry Sy Sr. who said, “I knew I had the drive and determination to make something of myself”, SM Foundation celebrated the achievements of its scholars and continue to provide inspiration as they open another chapter of their lives.

Of the 219 scholar-graduates, there are nine magna cum laudes, 25 cum laudes, and 4 graduated with academic distinctions from their respective schools. There are also 11 graduates from the province of Bulacan, whom three of them are with Latin honors.

Jasmine Dominique Araniego graduated magna cum laude from the University of the East-Caloocan, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Caroline De Guzman graduated cum laude from Bulacan State University, Bachelor of Elementary Education. Charles Serrato also graduated cum laude from Baliuag University, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.

On the other hand, the scholar-graduates expressed their overwhelming gratitude to SM Foundation and its executive, to the Sy family who are all present, and most especially to the late Mr. Henry Sy Sr. whom they call ‘Tatang’, by sending messages through the zoom meeting’s chat box and flashing ‘thank you’ cards throughout the event.

Aside from full tuition fee and financial assistance, they also received other privileges such as part-time jobs during breaks, enrichment activities, leisure entertainment perks, as well as job offers from SM Group after graduation.

Ms. Debbie Sy, the executive director of SM Foundation likewise expressed her gratitude to their partners who help spread social good through the scholarship program, and she acknowledged the scholars’ milestone as they completed their academic journey during a global pandemic “That is quite an achievement” she said.

“Take note that grit is very vital as it is a major driver of achievement and success. Keep in mind that being smart and talented are okay, but to do well and thrive in your chosen field, you need the ability to persevere. You need to have grit,” she added in her closing remarks.

Aspiring SM scholars may visit SM Foundation’s official website at https://www.sm-foundation.org/ and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SMFoundationInc/. Bulakeños can also visit the SM Bulacan Malls Facebook pages for more announcements, SM City Marialo at https://www.facebook.com/SMCityMarilao/, SM City Baliwag at https://www.facebook.com/smbaliwag/, and SM City San Jose del Monte at https://www.facebook.com/SMCitySanJoseDelMonte/.

Looking forward to a lazy, relaxing weekend? Snuggle up in bed, light some scented candles, grab your favorite snacks, and pick out a show or movie! 

This weekend, find comfort in rewatching your old faves or joy in discovering new ones. Whether you’re into comedy, action, sci-fi, or fantasy, you’ll definitely find a show that suits your taste on streaming service HBO GO. 

We understand decision paralysis, so we’ve narrowed it down for you. Below, we’ve got six of the best shows and movies to stream this weekend: 

For sitcom lovers

For a fun, lighthearted fare, you can’t beat Friends. This beloved series, which ran for around a decade, features six twenty-somethings trying to navigate adulthood, career, and relationships. Now, 17 years after the last episode aired, watch Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross as they join celebrity guests in this one-off reunion special. Stream with the rest of the world starting May 27.

For parents looking for a family-friendly movie

Is your whole family staying in for the weekend? Keep kids and adults alike entertained with Tom & Jerry. This animated movie brings these two nemeses and their silly antics to modern-day New York. Kids will definitely enjoy this slapstick animated film, while kids at heart can reminisce about their childhood days by watching along. Stream starting June 4. 

For DC loyalists

With theaters closed last year, Wonder Woman 1984 made its Philippine debut exclusively on HBO GO. This superhero film follows Diana’s journey to learning more about the human world and of course, defeating supervillains—this time, the nefarious Cheetah and Maxwell Lord. Eighties babies will enjoy all the throwbacks referencing the colorful decade. Stream now. 

For fantasy fans

You can’t call yourself a proper fan of the fantasy genre if you haven’t seen Game of Thrones! This show tells the story of noble families—the Lannisters, Starks, and Targaryens, to name a few—warring to win sovereignty over the fictional land of Westeros. Throw a lot of drama, romance, dragons, and monsters into the mix. You can now stream all eight seasons, a reunion special hosted by Conan O’Brien, and its feature documentary, The Last Watch.

For genre bender aficionados

If you like mixing your genres, check out The Nevers. This show combines sci-fi and drama in Victorian era-London and follows a band of women with special abilities, called the “Touched.” Tune in to watch these superwomen battle their enemies with grace and panache, hoop skirts and all.

For sci-fi enthusiasts

Christopher Nolan’s latest Academy Award-winning movie, Tenet, is a thrilling sci-fi adventure. Its nameless protagonist is a CIA agent who manipulates complex rules of time travel to prevent global destruction. This is definitely a cerebral film, so it may require several viewings to fully digest! 

To watch Friends: The Reunion, Tom & Jerry, Wonder Woman 1984, Game of Thrones, The Nevers, Tenet, and other cool shows and movies, get your HBO GO subscription on Shopee: https://shopee.ph/hbogoofficialstore. 

Don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay for more deals! This June 6, enjoy up to 66% coins cashback when you use ShopeePay.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Get ready for a night of soaring anthems and classic sing-alongs as kumu live and GNN hold a virtual concert featuring some of the finest Filipino singer-songwriters of all time.

Dubbed ALPAS, the digital show not only aims to bring live performances for the streaming public, but also promises music fans to experience a semblance of ‘concert’ normalcy in an intimate, stripped-down setting.

Renowned alternative/pop-rock/folk icons Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Ebe Dancel, Johnoy Danao and Bullet Dumas mark their first time to co-headline a show together, performing as both solo artists and collaborators. The six music acts are also set to perform as a group in a special medley number arranged and produced by award-winning musical director, Ronaldo Tomas.

With new security and health protocols in place, the virtual showcase will be shot at the outdoor area of Conspiracy Garden Café, an iconic music venue that is home to several music greats and independent bands, and in Madrid, Spain where Kitchie Nadal is currently based.

As expected, Nadal is excited to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration, and has all the great words to say about the upcoming online show. “I’m excited to work with the artists that I admire in the music industry. It’s an opportunity that I wouldn’t want to miss.” Barbie Almalbis explains that this is as close to playing for a live audience, and that performing in Conspiracy again makes her feel nostalgic. “I’m more than happy to share the stage with the artists that I look up to, and hopefully, the energy and enthusiasm would resonate with the music fans once they see it on the virtual screen. It’s something that we’ve worked hard for.”

Aia, Barbie and Kitchie (ABK) have staged a sold-out, collaborative concerts at the Music Museum in 2016 and 2017, and held a benefit online show in 2020 to raise funds for the employees of indie music venues in Metro Manila. Ebe, Johnoy, and Bullet (3D) on the other hand, have performed as 3D, and went on to headline three, sold-out concerts: twice at the Music Museum in 2015 and 2016, and at the Kia Theatre in 2018. These concerts were organized and produced by GNN.

Bullet Dumas admits that he missed performing, and that ALPAS came at the right time when everyone needs a source of entertainment to keep them going while public life is on lockdown. “I haven't performed in an actual show since early pandemic,” the young music virtuoso shares in a statement. “People in the live events industry are barely surviving, so this opportunity from KUMU and GNN means a lot to me. And I know how a simple show can move people especially in this crazy era of our lives.”

Johnoy Danao admits that this is the very first time since 2020 that 3D will be reunited together, and he wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. He’s also looking forward to working with Aia, Barbie and Kitchie on this special project. “It’ll be the first time that all of us are performing together, so I think that’s something to look forward to.”

When asked about what makes ALPAS worth watching despite the lack of an actual “live” audience, Aia De Leon takes pride in what the virtual concert stands for especially in the time of pandemic. “ALPAS is your connection to something real. When the songs hit home, this is your connection to the memory as well as the future promise of the live gig experience.”

Ebe Dancel echoes Aia’s sentiments, stressing the importance of music in forging a sense of community amidst the most challenging of times. “People, in my opinion, will always need music. As much as we miss the live audience, this will have to do for now. Someday, somehow, we will all see each other again.”

ALPAS: A Digital Concert is set to premiere on June 5, 2021 from 6pm onwards. Tickets to ALPAS are now available for purchase via kumu, with a price of P499 for general admission. For details on how to buy tickets, go to this site: www.kumu.live

Through this public-private partnership, the DOTr-SM bike manual aims to promote safety, courtesy and etiquette on the road among cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. It is based on the Active Transport Guidelines, spearheaded by the DOTr, with the support of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Move as One Coalition.

Copies of the passport-sized manual have been published by SM Cares in English and Filipino, and will be distributed for free in all SM Malls nationwide.

DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade led the virtual launch together with MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, DILG Assistant Secretary Odilon Pasaraba, DOH Director Beverly Ho, and Move as One Coalition Lead Convener Dr Robert Siy. They were joined by SM Engineering, Development, and Design President Hans Sy Jr. and SM Retail Assistant Vice President Mara Sy Coson, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.

The biker’s manual, which provides biking basics and safety tips for cyclists, forms part of SM’s information campaign to complement the roll out of bike-friendly infrastructure and facilities in SM Malls nationwide. This includes the production of video materials to promote road safety for cyclists and the importance of supporting a cycling culture.

Since the launch of SM’s Bike-Friendly initiative at the Mall of Asia in September 2020, SM has rolled out more than 500 bike racks and over 80 repair stations across its malls nationwide to provide a convenient, safe, and enjoyable experience for the bike-riding public. 

Highlights of the initiative include: SM Mall of Asia’s bike lanes covering 18 kilometers, SM Seaside Cebu’s 1.6 kilometers of bike lanes, a 2.1-hectare bike trail at SM Center Pulilan, SM City Marikina’s bike lanes and free vehicle parking for customers with bikes, and SM City Iloilo’s partnership with its local government unit.

The Bike-Friendly SM initiative is SM Cares; community-based advocacy to support inclusive and safe mobility and promote a culture of cycling. The project is part of a comprehensive plan to make communities where SM malls are located, more inclusive, livable, and sustainable.

 As more individuals start to adopt digital payment methods like mobile wallets, ShopeePay, Shopee’s mobile wallet, partners with ten lifestyle brands to provide users contactless in-store payments. Starting today, consumers can safely pay with ShopeePay at National Bookstore, Penshoppe, Sebago, Kipling, Digital Walker, MemoXpress, Puregold, Newstar Shopping Mart, OXGN, and Regatta. 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is happy to partner with these top brands to make it easier, safer, and more convenient for users to transition and embrace alternative payment methods such as ShopeePay. As the nation continues its fight against the pandemic, we want our users to feel safe by using cashless transactions even if they’re shopping in-store. We will continue to collaborate with top brands from different categories to provide quality digital payment services to the Filipino consumers.”

To make the experience more rewarding, users who pay with ShopeePay via QR for in-store purchases will get 20% coins cashback* up to a maximum of ₱500 coins until June 20, 2021. There are two easy ways to Scan and Pay using ShopeePay:

1. Partner merchant scans user’s QR code:

1. User opens Shopee app and tap the “Scan” icon

2. Click ‘Generate QR Code’

3. Enter ShopeePay PIN

4. Show the generated QR code for the cashier to scan and wait for confirmation of payment 

2. User scans the partner merchant’s QR code:  

1. User opens Shopee app and tap the “Scan” icon

2. Scan the QR code displayed on the shop’s tabletop card

3. Input the amount to pay and tap “Confirm”

4. Enter 6-digit ShopeePay PIN and wait for confirmation of payment.

ShopeePay users can easily top up their accounts using their debit card or other convenient methods to enjoy in-store payments. From May 24 - 27, users can also enjoy these 6.6 ShopeePay Cashless Festival deals on Shopee: 

• Free shipping vouchers with ₱199 min spend and daily 15% cashback deals

• ₱1 deals from your favorite brands such as Jollibee, McDonald’s, Chowking, Bonchon, and Domino’s

• ₱10 data for ₱1 for new digital buyers, and ₱5 load for ₱1 for all users

• Up to 25% cashback on Bills Payment 

For more information on how to Scan and Pay using ShopeePay, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopeepay-scan-and-pay. Check out the details about the 6.6 ShopeePay Cashless Festival here https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. 

Filipinos continue to favor e-commerce platforms, with 86% using mobile shopping apps each month.

Therefore, brands, online sellers, and MSMEs need to utilize online platforms to reach more consumers and strengthen their presence in the digital landscape.

As more consumers turn to online platforms for their needs, brands and micro, medium, and small enterprises (MSMEs) should know how to market their products and services in the digital landscape to achieve success. This is why Shopee wants to invite all entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to join the first virtual Shopee University Summit to understand the basics of e-commerce and how they can maximize the potential of e-commerce and succeed in growing their business online. In addition to in-depth discussions about e-commerce best practices and tips, participants can look forward to amazing prizes at the raffle draw from brands HP, Globe myBusiness, Mcdodo, Asus, Seagate, and Puluz:

At the Shopee University Summit, participants can gain insights on how to better maximize opportunities on e-commerce and hear from industry leaders on:

• DTI Supports MSMEs by Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco E-Commerce Lead at the Department of Trade and Industry 

• How to Onboard Your Business on Shopee by Raymond Caguin, Head of Marketplace  Acquisition at Shopee

• How MSMEs can Transition Easily to Digital: Tips and Trends by Joey Flores, Head of Strategic Services at AdSpark

• Facebook Tools MSMEs Can Use for their Online Business by Marty Buragay, Client Solutions, Emerging Verticals & Country Product Lead, Video at Facebook Philippines

At the event, individuals can also look forward to talks on how to transition and grow their businesses online, using marketing tools available on Shopee like Shopee Live to expand brand awareness and hear success stories from existing Shopee sellers. Participants can also learn innovation tips and best practices when selling online from Krie Reyes-Lopez, Founder and CEO, and Mavic Punay, Sales Director of Messy Bessy; Marvin Montes, Sales Head at Globe myBusiness; and Christian Reyes, Philippines & Pakistan Managing Director at HP Inc.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is excited to launch our first-ever Shopee University Summit to provide entrepreneurs with the right tools, platform, and knowledge to succeed in the evolving digital landscape. As consumers continue to turn to online platforms for their daily needs, business owners need to adapt their business strategies to widen their reach. Shopee is committed to helping make the transition online for budding entrepreneurs easy and efficient. We will continue to come up with initiatives to help brands and local sellers to reach their full potential in the e-commerce space.”

Interested participants can sign up on this link http://bit.ly/ShopeeUniSummit until May 26 May, 2021, and slots will be confirmed via email on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

Shop, buy load, and pay bills with ShopeePay. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.