Jul 28, 2022

How Flexible Learning Can Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential

How Flexible Learning Can Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential


The Filipino school system has been the same for 100 years, with children boxed into traditional classrooms and rigid class schedules. But as we’ve observed since the beginning of the pandemic, learning does not have to be restricted to the boundaries of a classroom.

Each child is unique. They differ in how much time they need to learn something, what sparks their interest, and what tools and resources work best for them. So why pigeonhole all students into one outdated learning setup? For many children, flexibility is key to helping them reach their full potential. This is exactly what APEC Schools’ SmartClass offers. An innovative e-homeschooling program, SmartClass is designed for independent, curiosity-
driven learners. 

Limitless learning

While the traditional setup might work for some, many students today require more breathing room to grow. As a home e-schooling program, SmartClass allows the Filipino child to learn from the comforts of their homes.


Whether they want to breeze through a lesson or to slow down for more in-depth understanding, students can go at their own pace. This way, they no longer have to adjust to their classmates’ learning needs, ensuring that they completely understand the lesson.

Instead of revolving around grades and tests, SmartClass focuses on honing problem-solving skills. Independent learners are tasked to conduct research and work on case studies across two or more subjects. This way, SmartClass students are empowered to take control of their education and develop critical thinking and creativity. 

A solid support system

Aside from improving the traditional homeschooling paradigm, SmartClass also lets parents be more involved in their child’s education. Unlike most traditional homeschooling curricula where the parent is the child’s primary and only educator, SmartClass parents receive support from professional teachers, coaches, and coordinators through one-on-one consultations.




Such a support system ensures that the student is on track and that they’re inspired to learn, so parents can rest assured that they’re giving their child quality education. In fact, SmartClass has the seal of approval from Ayala Corporation and the Yuchengco Group — two formidable conglomerates that partnered to create APEC in line with their commitment to nation-building through affordable but quality education. 

An adaptive, future-ready curriculum

With the advent of technological tools, children now have more access to resources that previous generations could not even imagine. Embracing the ever-changing digital world, SmartClass is an innovative learning system that’s built for the future.


As the Filipino child’s educational needs change, so too should the learning systems adapt and evolve. With SmartClass’s flexible learning, the next generation will be empowered to take control of tomorrow.

To learn more about how SmartClass can enable your child to learn without limits, watch this video.

Parents determined to enable their children’s success with adaptive learning institutions may reach APEC Schools at apecschools.edu.ph, email admissions@apecschools.edu.ph, or contact (02) 7720 2620.
Jul 20, 2022

Innovators for the Planet: UPLB and Nestlé PH Name First Set of IdeaNation Champions

 
The University of the Philippines Los Baños, together with Nestlé Philippines, celebrates youth innovation with its Net Zero IdeaNation competition.

Innovators for the Planet: UPLB and Nestlé PH Name First Set of IdeaNation Champions

Nestlé Philippines in partnership with the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) has launched the Net Zero IdeaNation, a program where ABME10 (Foundations of Entrepreneurship) students were challenged to ideate innovative business concepts and solutions centered on Nestlé Philippines’ three net zero focus areas. 

From 90 teams, 18 were selected to advance to the Net Zero IdeaNation Grand Finals that was held virtually on July 15, 2022. Before this, the finalists first underwent a mentoring session led by experts from Nestlé Philippines to help them further develop and polish their ideas for the pitching competition that took place from July 13 to 14.

In the end, three teams were named as the first set of IdeaNation Champions.

The Coffee Cubes concept of Team Cris’ Angels, composed of Aneka Abarrientos, Mahonri Alquisalas, Justine Faith Deverla, Angel Vi Manong, Ma. Jhoanna Zapico, clinched the 2nd runner-up award.  Their product offers the beloved Filipino commodity, coffee, in a compact, travel-friendly form, which comes in 100% plastic-free packaging. This aims to uphold sustainable material packaging and reinforce coffee plantations in the Philippines.

BayanBiogas, a community-based generation of sustainable and alternative LPG from manure and food waste, bagged the 1st runner-up award. This concept by Crizza Rodolfo, John Jayme, Justine Zamora, Ashley Anyayahan, and Roque Banzon aims to fuel the community through more affordable and eco-friendly resources while promoting solid waste management.

Arianne De Goma, Neel Farson Angeles, Carmila Villaseran, Eljon Geroleo, Veronica Parreño, whose initials form their team name ACENV, emerged as the very first IdeaNation Champion. From the crisis of increasing gas prices experienced by the nation these days, their concept takes off by combining solar power and electric vehicles that delivery riders can utilize as a more sustainable and economical alternative to motors.

Aside from the champions, Nestlé Philippines has selected Hijo Hija Enerhiya! as the team with special citation for their concept about innovative playgrounds and parks that can generate electricity through tiles and equipment with built-in Piezoelectric Transducers. The innovation is conceptualized by Abbey Jimenez, Mariellen Silab, and  Leara Varquez.

“This partnership with UPLB was an avenue to help mold future entrepreneurs who prioritize social responsibility, critical thinking, and innovation by providing them a platform to come up with solutions that help address climate change and first-hand industry knowledge through the mentoring sessions,” said Jose “Joey” Uy III, SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs of Nestlé Philippines. “When it comes to mitigating our environmental challenges, innovation is really important. We, as organizations and as individuals, must explore new ways to become more sustainable for the sake of our planet and the future generations.”

“It is fulfilling to witness our students get involved in our shared journey towards Net Zero through innovations that will be beneficial to the world. We are grateful that this partnership with Nestlé Philippines has brought them beyond the four walls of our classroom and beyond the screens of their devices,” said Prof. Chip de Guzman, from the UPLB DAME-College of Economics and Management.

Through initiatives like the Net Zero IdeaNation and Klimathon: Our Race Towards a Net Zero Reality, Nestlé Philippines continues to empower the youth in embracing their crucial role in ensuring a greener, more livable future in the planet they will inherit.

CSMC partners with Netherlands’ OTTO for nursing career development program


Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) adds Netherlands-based employment agency OTTO Work Force to its roster of global partners for its Nursing Development Program. An agreement between the two organizations was signed last June 27, Monday.

 CSMC partners with Netherlands’ OTTO for nursing career development program


Present at the signing were CSMC President and CEO Raul C. Pagdanganan and OTTO Founder and CEO Frank van Gool. CSMC’s Vice President and CFO Marivic Mabuti, Director for Nursing Leona Paula Macalintal, Head of Human Resources Maria Louzel Diaz-Tiozon, Chief Medical Officer Zenaida Javier-Uy, Head of Business Planning and Development Shirard Adiviso, and OTTO Project Managers Sophie van Hoenselaar and Kirsten van Gool were also in attendance.
CSMC’s Nursing Development Program was created in line with the hospital’s mission of providing world-class training to its medical practitioners. The program’s goal is to give Caring Cardinal nurses opportunities to gain international experience and become globally competitive professionals.

“The health innovation landscape in the Netherlands boasts of state-of-the-art advancements that are recognized by global institutions,” said Pagdanganan. “Along with our mission of providing patient-centered care, this opportunity for our Filipino Caring Cardinal nurses will allow them to enhance their skills and jumpstart their global career.”

Through the agreement with OTTO, which is the Netherlands’ largest international employment service organization, CSMC nurses will be able to help alleviate the country’s current shortage of healthcare workers in Dutch hospitals.

Additionally, the program ensures that participants will be able to share their newfound knowledge and lead their fellow nurses upon their return, promoting growth and advancement within CSMC.

“We see very good, motivated, well-qualified people in the Philippines,” said van Gool. “That means that these people are really fitting [not just to the] Dutch but also to [other] European countries.”

CSMC is also currently partnered with US-based employment agency ADEX Medical Staffing for a similar program.

For more information about CSMC’s Nursing Career Development Program, as well as other programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.
Jul 18, 2022

Mapúa students assured of safe learning spaces on campus

Mapúa holds limited face-to-face classes in lecture and laboratory courses. Students follow the University’s health and safety protocols, which includes wearing of facemasks and observing physical distancing inside the classroom.

Mapúa students assured of safe learning spaces on campus


Although face-to-face classes have resumed at most schools early this year, some students and parents are still hesitant about in-person learning. One of the possible reasons for their hesitance is continuing, even if diminished, presence of the COVID-19 virus. In the case of Mapúa University, the leading engineering and technological school in the country, it has established its own set of rigorous community health and safety guidelines to allay any worries that students and their families might have. 

Apart from abiding by the protocols set by the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health, Mapúa ramped up its campus-wide health guidelines to prevent outbreaks from happening on the school grounds. 

“Coming from a two-year stay-at-home period because of the pandemic plus the unpredictability of the virus, we understand the apprehension and concerns of some students and parents when it comes to in-person classes. However, we also know that some students absorb complex educational concepts better by attending face-to-face classes. To address both concerns, we at Mapúa continuously strive to provide safe learning spaces for our students to help them achieve optimal learning. This way we can respond to their educational, physical, and emotional needs,” said Mapúa president and chief executive officer Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea.

To make Mapúa a conducive and secure space for learning, students, as well as the faculty and staff, are enjoined to abide by certain guidelines while on and off campus. 

“Mapúa has always had the welfare of its students its number one priority. That is why it has done all the required and necessary COVID-19-related preparations for the start of face-to-face classes. All safety and health protocols set by the national government and the local governments have been complied with,” said Dr. Julius S. Bonifacio, Mapúa’s resident physician.

Even before they step foot in school, students are asked to comply with individual precautionary measures during their personal time. Mapúans are tasked to monitor their health on a regular basis and accomplish the daily health checklist before they report to school. Only students who are fully vaccinated are allowed to participate in limited face-to-face classes. 

The Mapúa Main Library implements a reservation-based access to its spaces and resources for students to use for their research and reviews. 

Once inside the premises, the students, faculty, and staff are assured of a safe and healthy environment through the university’s routine infection control measures. All areas of the school are sanitized frequently. Restrooms and high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and handles are disinfected every two hours, while classroom and office furniture and equipment are disinfected at the start and end of the day.

Common areas, particularly classrooms, lounges, study areas, and offices, are always well-ventilated and equipped with cooling fans to maintain optimal air flow. Air purifiers and air filters are also installed in high-traffic areas to reduce the probability of airborne infections.


While universities can hold face-to-face classes at full capacity under Alert Level 1, Mapúa only allows 25% to 30% of the total enrolled students per lecture or laboratory class to report on campus. The rest of the class may opt to be in remote learning mode. This system reduces the student population’s risk of exposure to the virus and gives them ample time to rest and recover should any of them fall ill. The university also imposes a “one-entry and one-exit” policy to decrease the probability of students catching (or spreading) any illness outside the school premises.


In the event that a student gets sick or exhibits COVID-19 symptoms while in school, he is immediately isolated, assessed, and assisted by the Health Services Department. The student will be placed in one of the available isolation rooms, evaluated by the school physician or nurse, and will undergo COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing. The Health Services Department also ensures that the student is attended to by his family or transferred to a hospital, if needed. Once recovered, the student is expected to submit a Fit to Study certificate, medical clearance, and a negative RT-PCR test before being allowed entry into the university.


Efforts like these not only ensure students’ and their parents’ peace of mind but also give them an assurance that their children’s education and safety are always top-of-mind for the university. 


Jul 14, 2022

Tackling solid waste: Nestlé PH turns over materials recovery facility in Lipa City

Ribbon cutting and turnover of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Brgy. Bagong Pook from Nestlé Philippines led by Lipa Batangas City Mayor, Mayor Eric B. Africa, Nestlé Lipa factory Manager, Eric Angulo,  Nestlé Sustainability Lead, Christine Ponce-Garcia, Nestlé Public Affairs Executive Atty. Degee Anastacio, City Environmental and Natural Resources Office, Kap. Lope Lina with the local barangay functionaries and barangay officials of Brgy. Bagong Pook

 Tackling solid waste: Nestlé PH turns over materials recovery facility in Lipa City

 

The growing solid waste management (SWM) problem in the Philippines can be attributed to factors such as improper waste disposal, inefficient waste collection, and the lack of disposal and recycling facilities in many cities and municipalities. While the solid waste collection rate varies across the country—ranging from 40 percent to 85 percent, it’s still evident how a sizeable portion of uncollected trash end up in the environment. In fact, out of the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste that the Philippines generates annually, an estimated 20 percent of these seep into the ocean.

 

Helping to shape a waste-free future as a top priority, Nestlé Philippines, one of the country’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, is tackling solid waste, especially plastics, with a holistic approach. The company is developing the packaging for the future, increasing collection and recycling efforts, and driving new behaviors and understanding through solid waste management (SWM) education.

 

In its latest initiative, Nestlé PH turned over a new materials recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Bagong Pook in Lipa City, as part of its program to support the construction of MRFs in barangays. The turnover was attended by Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa, barangay officials and residents, officers from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and company representatives.

 

MRFs are essential for more efficient collection, segregation and recycling of wastes. As mandated by R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, each barangay or cluster of barangays in the country is required to establish an MRF.

 

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR), and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), only 35 percent of barangays nationwide have MRFs. The lack of an MRF is one of the challenges that barangays face in implementing their SWM programs.

 

Mayor Africa congratulated Barangay Bagong Pook officials and residents during the turnover. “My wish is for everyone to work together to maintain this structure so you can maximize its purpose for your barangay. Not only will this help the environment, it’s also a way to encourage discipline among residents and to learn more about the importance of proper waste segregation and recycling,” he said.

 

“Our old MRF was already too small to accommodate all the recyclable materials from our barangay. This new MRF is a great help because it can lessen the volume of waste we currently deliver to the city,” said Lope Lina, barangay chairman of Bagong Pook. “Our aim is that alongside our existing collection and recycling programs, this MRF will enable us to become a model barangay for solid waste management.”

 

“At Nestlé PH, it is important that we partner with local government units or LGUs in addressing solid waste management problems. We explore different opportunities for plastics to be recyclable in the country.  Through the construction of this MRF, the community will be able to generate value through recycling and reduce the volume of plastic waste that goes to the landfill and oceans,” said Christine Ponce-Garcia, Sustainability Lead of Nestlé PH.

 

Nestlé Lipa Factory Manager Eric Angulo underscored the long-term partnership between the company and the barangay: “During our presence of 30 years in this community, we have formed a strong bond with its residents. We have been there for each other through thick and thin, especially in times of calamities and crises. Today, we sincerely hope that this MRF will help Barangay Bagong Pook to better manage their solid waste.”

 

Among its SWM milestones, Nestlé PH is the first multinational fast moving consumer goods company in the country to achieve plastic neutrality, recovering the equivalent amount of plastic it puts out in the market. From August 2020 to May 2022, it collected 48 million kilos of plastic waste. Another of its initiatives is the development and rollout of SWM education modules that reaches grades 1-10 students in 20,000 public schools nationwide under the Nestlé Wellness Campus program. Recently, DENR, NSWMC, and Nestlé PH also launched the No Time To Waste: Climate Change and SWM Talks for officials of LGUs and government agencies, and community leaders.