The Search is on for Education Ambassadress 2013

Model: Jamie Joy A. Bantigue
Miss Kagay-an Tourism 2011

Education Ambassadress 2013

1.25.13 II 3PM II SM City Event Center

Qualifications

·         Female Education student

·         16 to 24 years old

·         At least 5 feet and 3 inches tall

·         Has no failing grade/(s) since first year

·         Has the heart to influence, inspire and serve the College of Education.

Mechanics and Guidelines

·         This competition is open to all female Education students of COC-PHINMA

·         Must be endorsed by the Organization President and Moderator

·         Aspiring candidates must fill out an application form available at the College Secretary’s office

·         Deadline for submission of application form is on or before January 12, 2013.

·         Aspiring candidates shall undergo screening which will be held on January 12, 2013 at the College of Education Learning Center, 4PM.

·         A screening committee shall determine the Top 10 official candidates who will compete during the Grand Coronation on January 25, 2013 at SM City Event Center.

·         The official candidates will be notified via phone call a day after the screening.

Criteria for Judging

BEST IN PRODUCTION NUMBER                       BEST IN TEACHING ATTIRE

Beauty of Face                     20%             Beauty of Face                    20%

Poise & Projection        30%              Bearing                               40%

Gracefulness                        30%            Poise & Projection                30%

Execution                             20%           Audience Impact                   10%

BEST IN EVENING GOWN                     SELECTION OF TOP 5 FINALISTS

Beauty of Face                    20%       Beauty                                  30%

Bearing                              40%       Intelligence                           40%

Poise & Projection               30%       Poise & Projection                  20%

Audience Impact                 10%       Over-all Impact                      10%

SELECTION OF TOP 3 WINNERS

Beauty (Face, Skin, Teeth, Body Proportion and Stance)                        50%

Intelligence (Communication Skills, Clarity of Thoughts & Intelligibility)  50%

Ayala Foundation Inc. sets out LEADCOM in Mindanao

Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), the social development arm of the Ayala Group of Companies and Active Aid Partnerships (AAP), an international non-profit organization formally launched the Leadership Communities (LeadCom) program in Mindanao last April 17, 2012 at the Mallberry Suites Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

LeadCom is the recent youth leadership development program of AFI which was launched on November 3, 2011 in Manila. Right then, it collaborated with AAP to bring about the said program to nine (9) priority areas all over the Philippines. Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Camiguin and Bukidnon are the initial target areas in Mindanao where the program is set to stage.

LeadCom program aims to develop, inspire, empower and nurture the leadership skills of young Filipinos and promote key leadership values to student leaders in various parts of the Philippines. With this program, the Ayala anticipates to see more youth leaders rise up and actively engaged and committed to serving their respective communities.

Maria Lourdes Heras – de Leon, AFI President together with Frederik Mellentin and Rolf Andersen, AAP founders welcomed and appreciated the guests for gracing the event. “Our hope is that you will take to heart the mission of youth leadership in working together to develop leaders in your respective areas. Remember that our country needs leadership and service,” Heras-de Leon said. She also stressed out that Mindanao is very close to their hearts and that the youth are the hope and promise of the region.

Organizers from Oriental Mindoro, one of the first LeadCom camp areas, inspired the guests as they munificently recounted stories and imparted lessons learned from the experience.

In the culmination of the event, Mario Deriquito, AFI Senior Manager, challenged the audience to take part in building the nation one community at a time. It was also in the said event where the TEN Moves! campaign was launched which advocated for providing common folk with the opportunity to help address the current classroom shortage of public schools in the country.

LeadCom program works in six (6) interrelated phases – Formation and Launch; Camp preparations and Facilitators Training Workshop; Leadership Camp; Formation of Facilitator Network and Planning Uniform School Program; Uniform School Program and Small Projects Grants; and Evaluation and Planning for Year Two.

In partnership with AAP, the program identifies and brings together partner schools, colleges and universities from a defined area in the city or province to form an initial core group that will commit to champion youth leadership development in their respective schools and to work together so the program spreads to all higher learning institutions in their area.

STAUNCHLY FOR SEX EDUCATION!

          For years now, sex education has been one of the most debatable issues in our country. The disputes revolve around the notion: sex education must be included in the curriculum both primary and secondary. This is in fact, one of the dire needs of the society – sex education or reproductive health education that must be carried out. This must be viewed by the people and church open-mindedly.

          Sex nowadays has become an ordinary practice for Filipinos from all walks of life. Married or not, everyone is engaging into this supposedly “sacred practice”. What is apparent today is that sex is made for fun, pleasure, leisure and arts. How about that? Try to imagine a 15-year old girl laboring a child in a certain hospital. This is not a normal labor but a very risky one. Her and of her child’s life alike are in jeopardy. Now, what could be the reason why this young and innocent girl led her very own life to a upsetting situation as that?  Here’s another disheartening situation: a 17-year old youngster is sent to a prestigious school by her parents. The youngster got involved in a relationship, explored things and presto! A new creature was made just in no time. How do you think the parents would react? What about the youngster’s future? Palpably at risk – juvenile fatherhood is his profession.

          Out of these discouraging situations encountered by mostly young people, is it fair enough to just tarry behind and let these things happen over and over again? No matter how hard parents would impose discipline among their children in the family, still, this is useless if this would not be fortified in school, being the second home of the children. In this light, the Catholic Church should know its limit and should not interfere with whatever the state endeavors for what is deemed to be beneficial for the majority.

          Seemingly, it is for this very reason that the government has taken enormous strides to address this growing issue and concern. That is by incorporating reproductive health education or sex education in the curriculum. This will instill in the minds of the pupils and students at an early stage, the consequences of this action. This is not to teach them to become promiscuous but for them to be aware that sex is not and should not be an ordinary activity but requires a lot of responsibilities, preparation and perfect timing.

Sex education will lessen early pregnancies and early sex, reduce maternal mortality and decrease the high incidence of induced abortion. This will also help in alleviating the expanding population of our country.

          Thus, sex education should be incorporated in the curriculum. 

December 17 Thought: Lessons Learned

           On a taciturn midnight of December 17, 2011 where everyone was peacefully sleeping, hoping to regain one’s strength after the day’s arduous work. A tough and robust typhoon struck the City of Golden Friendship leaving every Kagay-anon devastated because of a loved one’s death and loss of properties. Who would have thought of Typhoon Sendong flutter into the City very unexpectedly?

A bird's eye view of Cagayan de Oro City after being hit by Typhoon Sendong.

            Cagayan de Oro which was a blooming, blossoming and booming City, has now turned into a nightmare. Most of its barangays have been badly hit and affected by Sendong. This catastrophe was too much of a cost to many Kagay-anons as it curtailed many lives and enormously damaged properties. But have we ever thought of it as a consequence of what we have toiled against nature? It was perhaps, nature’s own way of showing its wrath to us.

            On the account of Cagayan de Oro City’s history, it was on the year 1916 that a heavy rain poured out the City, but just enough not to spill into every Kagay-anon’s property line. Over many periods, Cagayan de Oro River showed its furious torrents on downcast days, but never cruel enough to engulf the community. Subsequently, another heavy rain showered last January 2009 but that did not surpass what happened on 1916. Every Kagay-anon stood still, remained calm taking it very easy until such time that Typhoon Sendong finally walloped the City.

            Isn’t this too much familiarity?

            Palpably, this is what every Kagay-anon should realize “TOO MUCH FAMILIARITY BREEDS IGNORANCE”.  We have been warned not just once but twice that the nature is going to take its revenge against us. But we become so complacent paying no heed of her warnings. And now, we’re pointing fingers. We were blaming people, finding faults to our government officials for being unmindful of what may have not happened. We all are responsible for what had transpired. Thus, we should not have put all the pressures to people.

            It is but timely to remind us all that in times of calamities, we should not be pointing fingers but instead, help one another to uplift our situations. And be sure that next time, we should be vigilant enough and be expectant of whatever nature may instigate us.

            The City is now recovering. And what had happened last December 17 should be lessons learned for every Kagay-anon and the rest of the Filipinos.

Scrutinizing the 'Anti ‘No Permit, No Exam' Bill

One of the basic rights of Filipinos according to Article XIV Section1 of the Philippine Constitution is the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. Education is indeed a right of every Filipino and failure to have primary and secondary education today is probably another side of personal concern because if you will dig the Philippine Constitution dipper in Article II Section 17, it says there that “The state shall give priority to education and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.” Plus Article XIV Section 2 par. 3 provides that “the state shall establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loans programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.” Therefore, everything has been given, and it’s everybody’s duty to utilize and employ such rights, the question is, are these rights realistic in college?

Students are craving to graduate to secure better jobs in the future. Parents are working very hard to send their offspring to college given the even fact that some can’t constantly send them to school because of loose compliance of the private and public schools to an existing policy that allows students with pending arrears to take their final exams. Without any protests, parents just let their children stop their studies temporarily for monetary reasons. This is what Kabataan Party list representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino is trying to put remedy of.

Section 99 Article 20 of the Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education Institutions drafted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with private school administrators themselves, contains a provision which clearly states that “No higher education institution shall deny FINAL exams to a student who has outstanding financial obligations, including unpaid tuition and other school fees corresponding to the school term.” That’s according to Kabataan Party list Representative Raymond Palatino.However, what’s happening in reality is that, some of the private universities and colleges are confidentlydefying this code which results to the failing grades of the students. What is worst is that, the most troubled of this scenario is the graduating students; they can’t march up on the stage like an honored man, feel the breeze of an hour of satisfaction, and feel the fruit of hard work and agony because of the unpaid arrears. Is it right? How can this condition support the basic right of Filipino to quality and accessible education?This unfair fact actually pushed Raymond Palatino to action.

“The giant leap in our anti-‘no permit, no exam’ campaign was achieved primarily due to the unity of students and parents and the quick action of Congress to boost the passage of the bill into law. This is good news and it sends a message to schools to desist implementing the ‘no permit, no exam’ policy,” Palatino said. But even before the passage of this law, private higher educational institutions must allow students to take their final exams including those who fail to pay their tuition fee as clearly mandated in the Section 99 Article 20 of the Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education Institutions to avoid legal sanctions. However, as Palatino said, schools are able to implement the ‘no permit, no exam policy’ despite existing guidelines so “The need for the bill’s immediate passage arises. Palatino furthermore added that “It should be clarified that the bill is not against our schools. We hold in high esteem our private schools as partners in creating the best education practices. And it is precisely for this reason that I urge them to forgo the ‘no permit, no exam’ policy and uphold the right of all students to take exams, and “that the implementation of the “anti-no permit, no exam” policy will not financially hurt schools since students are required to pay at least 30% of their tuition upon enrollment and complete the remaining amount during clearance. And for safety net, schools may charge up to 6% interest rate of fees due to them by students. Schools may also withhold the records of students but should release them once the pending arrears are settled.

House Bill No. 4791, “ An act penalizing the imposition of a ‘No Permit, No Exam Policy’ or any such policy that prohibits students of post-secondary and higher education from taking their midterm or final examinations due to unpaid tuition and other school fees’ was  unanimously approved by the House of Representative on August 4, 2011. The House Bill No. 4791, sanctions the act of prohibiting the student from taking his or her final exams, HEIs should not fear of non-payment of the outstanding bills as the law also provides that the school has the right to hold the student’s records, for example, the Transcript of Records and diploma of the student, until the payment has been settled, Palatino explained.“The bill is clear in its principle that no student shall be denied from taking his/her examination because of unpaid fees. Students should be able to focus on studying for their examinations and not worry if they cannot pay the school fees on time,” he added. To some up things, with this law, education is indeed our right!

The FEAT of a FILIPINA

“If I had to change my religious beliefs, I will not marry the person that I love because the first person that I love is God, who created me. And I have my faith, my principles, and this is what makes me who I am. And if that person loves me, he should love my God, too.”

-       Shamcey Supsup, Ms. Universe 2011 3^rd Runner up

The decade-long drought of the Philippines for not placing in the Search for the most beautiful woman in the Universe was finally over when one more successful Filipina subsequent to Ma. Venus Raj’s win brought home another pride and prestige to the country. Looking back on the last year’s competition, it can be said that the pageant was really tough and rough to our Filipina candidate since she had been through a lot of trials that almost prevented her from carrying the Philippines’ banner to the international arena.

However, this year’s search for the most beautiful woman in the entire universe went totally and absolutely great. True to the encounter of the Philippines’ very own 25 year-old topnotch architect and bet, Shamcey Gurrea Supsup. By all means, she was able to make it to the competition very smoothly. Shamcey is indeed, a perfect epitome of a Filipina’s beauty and brains for having surpassed the preliminary of 16 up to the top 5 finish of the pageant.

At this juncture, let’s get to know more about this Filipina beauty who made another “tsunami” mark in the international arena.

All Eyes on Shamcey

Shamcey Gurrea Supsup was born on May 16, 1986. She was crowned as the Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2011 on April 10, 2011 and became the eventual candidate of the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2011 beauty pageant held in Sao Paulo, Brazil last September 12, 2011. She was born in Iligan City and grew up in General Santos City, Philippines. Shamcey was a total achiever. She graduated salutatorian from Makati High School. In college, she took up a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and graduated as Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.  After graduation, Shamcey took the Philippine Architectural Board Examination 2010 and eventually ranked No. 1 amongst all the takers nationwide with a grade of 86.60 percent.

On Being Novice

          Before joining the Binibining Pilipinas pageant early this year, Shamcey had no prior modeling or pageant experience. To recall, she was working as a construction architect when she signed up for the said competition. In her appearances on the television as one of the official candidates of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, Shamcey surprised her college friends, professors and even her workmates as her participation was really unexpected for them. Shamcey was noted as “boyish” way back then. And as far as they knew her, she would not even wear sleeveless blouses and skirt. But Shamcey made a vast transformation during the competition.

          Even with no prior experience, Shamcey was able to make it to the competition and bagged three (3) other awards. She was exceptional in her very own way and she knew how to carry herself very well – enabling her to outshine among the other candidates.

Once in a Lifetime Experience

          A couple of months before the most-awaited Miss Universe pageant, Shamcey had a personal development training along with other candidates where she was also able to build strong friendship with the ladies. She also spent time learning the Spanish language as she believed that this is the best way to communicate since most of the candidates are Spanish-speaking. During the competition, the Philippines’ bet was leading all the way to the online voting via the official website of Miss Universe. Shamcey then owned a spot in the Top 16 and boosted her all way up to the Top 5 finalists. She constantly ranked 2^nd in all exposures except for the Long Gown where she ranked 1^st among the Top 10 finalists. Shamcey became even known because of her “tsunami” catwalk during the pageant. Of course, her answer during the final interview also made a strike; it showed what a true Filipina is – a genuine believer of Christ.

          According to Gus De Castro, Araneta Group’s Training Manager that Shamcey Supsup’s triumph would translate to the Philippines’ continuous placement, and eventual win in the Miss Universe Pageant since it has been in the year 1969 that a Filipina brought home the crown.

          Meanwhile, Shamcey Supsup’s experience this year was indeed, remarkable. Aside from her beauty and her figure, she is also a woman of substance. And that is clearly depicted in all her achievements that she has had in her young life.

          Now, Shamcey’s back in the Philippines and was warmly welcomed by every Filipino and the natives of General Santos City. Shamcey Supsup is presently advocating for a quality education here in the Philippines. With high hopes and expectations, she promised to do all the dirty works just to uplift the image of education in our country.

          Surely, everyone is totally ecstatic as early as now to seeing the loom of the next candidates to the Binibining Pilipinas pageant following the success of those Filipinas who exerted a ton of effort just to grab a spot in the most prestigious pageant in the whole universe.  Let us all be hopeful for our next Filipina candidate and her another triumphant story to tell.