Sabado, Abril 28, 2012

K+12 program will prepare children to be globally competitive, says school official

Generally, for parents, providing good education for their children is definitely a good investment.

Thus, the thrust of the Department of Education’s K+12 program, a flagship education program of the Aquino administration which requires the mandatory implementation of Kindergarten and an additional two years of senior high school to the current 10-year education cycle in public schools nationwide, is viewed to be good for school children.


The two years of senior high school is aimed at providing students time to consolidate acquired academic skills and competencies relevant to the job market.

While some parents may oppose the DepEd's reform plan, others, especially for a mother who has a child who went through extra-curriculum in school, may find it as a necessary tool that would enable the Filipinos to compete in the global scene.

“To succeed in the global economy, one must be equipped with the necessary tools to compete and build solid business ties. Only those who are poised to take advantage of these emerging and progressively transforming global opportunities will fully realize success,” said Monet P. Ibanez, school directress of the John Robert Powers in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Ibanez’s only child, Jenina, is now a college student in an exclusive school in Muntinlupa City that has long been implementing Kindergarten and Grade 7 curriculum. She observed that the children who underwent through these additional grade levels become more matured individuals who are certain of what particular course to pursue in college.

“Mas matured ang bata... Yung di dumaan (in Kindergarten and Grade 7), hindi sigurado kung anong course ang gustong kunin sa college (The child is more matured… The one who did not go through Kindergarten and Grade 7 is usually undecided what course to take in college),” Ibanez said, adding that she is in favor of the government’s K+12 program.

She said that it would be an advantage for Filipinos if the program would be implemented “para maging globally competitive din yung mga bata. It’s an investment; magandang paglaanan na ng mga parents yun (so the children would be able to compete in the global scene. The parents should invest on it.)”

Nevertheless, she explained that getting a job after graduation from college does not solely depend on the number of years a child spent in school. The secret? “Getting a college degree, graduating at the top of your class, and then (improve on) how you present yourself to other people and your ability to interact,” the school directress averred.

Meanwhile, DepEd has pointed out that the K+12 program aims to better prepare early learners in Kindergarten, decongest the elementary and high school curricula into six years of elementary education and four years of junior high school (Grades 7 to 10), and introduce specialized training in vocational skills, agriculture, sports, music, arts, and more within the two additional high school levels (Grades 11 to 12).

DepEd Assistant Secretary for Programs and Projects Elena Ruiz disclosed that in June, the incoming first year students in public high school would be the first batch of students to take the additional years of senior high school.

Ruiz expressed optimism that the program would improve the quality of high school graduates in the country by providing them ample time to learn.

As per DepEd’s record, the Philippines is among the only three countries in the world that continue to have a 10-year basic education cycle. The other two are Angola and Djibouti in Africa.

On the other hand, some groups are apprehensive about the program. According to the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), there is the possibility that students from poor families might opt to become semi-skilled workers for multinational corporations and be exploited to render cheap labor. As such, these students’ qualifications would be diminished instead of boosted, the CEGP pointed out.

Martes, Abril 10, 2012

Lenten recollection highlights healing of self, family, relationship with God

MANILA, April 8 (PNA) -- A number of prominent personalities in church, politics and entertainment took time out and gathered in a Lenten Recollection on Black Saturday to reflect on the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ and for the healing of self, family, community and relationship with God.

The event, dubbed as “Lenten Recollection 2012: Healing and Transformation” and spearheaded by the Healing Eucharist of Christ the King Mission Seminary, was held at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

It was attended by San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez and San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, who each delivered inspirational messages; Fatima Soriano, the 18-year-old blind visionary, healer and Marian devotee, who rendered an inspirational song; and Viva artist Anja Aguilar, who also rendered an inspirational song.

Other highlights of the event were the inspirational talks given by four popular healing priests -- Fr. Agerico "Jerry" M. Orbos, SVD, who dwelt on the “Healing of Self;” Fr. Joey Faller, SVD, on the “Healing of Family;” Fr. Glenn Paul Gomez, SVD, on the “Healing of Community;” and Fr. Fernando Suarez, on the “Healing of Relationship with God.”

“I’ve been giving talks and recollections (this Holy Week) and when people laugh and people smile again, there’s a lot of healing already,” said Fr. Jerry, brother of former Cory Aquino Cabinet Secretary and Pangasinan Governor Oscar M. Orbos.

Fr. Jerry admitted that he is not much into physical healing and pointed to Fr. Fernando who, he said, is known for that. ”Mine is the healing of memories, spiritual and emotional, healing of mindsets, healing of values and healing of relationships,” he explained.

Fr. Jerry has written eight books based on his personal stories, anecdotes, jokes and reflections. These books are "Moments," “Shared Moments,” “Simple Moments,” “Light Moments,” “Inquirer Moments (Cycle A, B and C),” “Candid Moments,” and “Just a Moment,” a collection of his best moments which readers may find inspiring.

He also writes a regular Sunday column in a daily newspaper. “I always start with a joke so that people will just open up, ease up… humor is very important in healing,” Fr. Jerry said.
Fr. Fernando, on the other hand, delivered a talk on the “Healing of Relationship with God.” Since his ordination to the priesthood in 2002, Fr. Fernando has found that the gift of healing has become more pronounced in him. He is a recipient of the 2007 TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) award for religious service and is known for the healing of sick people and the revival of a Canadian woman who was declared dead for eight hours.

Fr Glenn, who talked on the “Healing of Community,” is the chairman-president of Healing Eucharist Inc. He produces a TV Mass, entitled The Healing Eucharist, together with Fr. Jerry.
Fr. Glenn holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Ateneo De Manila University and as such, he develops a therapeutic approach appropriate for Filipino clients. He is the founder of the Center for Wholeness and Holiness: An Integral Approach to Healing, Growth, and Transformation.
As for Fr. Joey, who is regarded as “a highly gifted and anointed instrument of God,” he said he felt that through this vision, God was leading him to build a Healing Center for those who are sick physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.

He said that at first, he did not know how he would be able to realize this vision since he had no financial means, and was not sure if Bishop Ruben T. Profugo of their diocese would approve of. But after Fr. Faller asked for the bishop's approval, the latter even offered a piece of land in Lucena City as site for the healing center. They also formed The Kamay Ni Hesus Ministry Foundation to help raise funds not only for the construction of the healing center, but also of the church and the renewal center for the Diocese of Lucena.

Fr. Jerry gave a sample of his sense of humor for his parting message: "Don't worry, be happy; our God is in charge. Our God is a God who loves us and we're not obliged to be miserable in life. Gaano man kahirap ang buhay, kung ang pananaw po natin ay positibo [despite the difficulties in life, we should still have a positive outlook] which happens if we have God, if we have a big trust in the Lord.” (PNA)
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