"Hello friends! Welcome to the Office Site of Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta."
Sep 21, 2008
Councilor Mabel is currently the President Pro Tempore of the 15th Council of Davao City and is the Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Arts. She is also an advocate of good governance, women and children's welfare, sustainable development, ladies football, and practical and defensive shooting. She also rides with the Davao Agila Riders, shoots with the Mindanao Defensive Shooters Association, co-anchors Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa n ABS-CBN TV4, 10am Sundays with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and anchors her own radio program Mabel At Your Service, 6to8pm, Sundays, at DXAB 1296." Cheers! Team MABEL (Yvette, Janice, Jeffrey, Donna, Lala, Kiwi, Jez, Mimz, and Mabel) Visit our office: Rm. 19, Sangguniang Panglunsod Bldg. San Pedro St., Davao City Tel. No.(082) 2220855 loc 218/418 Email us at: mabelacosta.citycouncil@gmail.com
Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, family and staff would like to CONGRATULATE the following Mindanawon scholars who passed the LET Exam last October 2009
JUN MARK AMBAN BSED Major in English Ateneo de Davao University
LOVELY MAE CALIG-ONAN BSED Major in English Holy Cross of Davao
SAHARA MARIZ ANTA BSED Major in Mathematics Holy Cross of Davao ____________________________________________________________
5 Davao Light-supported lumads get college degree
Davao City (15 April) -- Five (5) indigenous people or Lumads who were supported by Davao Light for their college education through the Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue completed their respective degrees and graduated in ceremonies held late last month and early April.
In an advice made by the Mindanawon Initiative to Davao Light the new college graduates are identified as:
Jun Mark Amban, Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Major in English, Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU); Gumatao Dadong, Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) Major in Social Studies, also of Ateneo; Lovely Mae Calig-onan, BSED - English of Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC); Sahara Mariz Anta, BSED - Mathemathics also of HCCC; and Ergie Lantong, BEED - General Science, of HCCC also.
Of the five, Amban of Ateneo graduated with Cum Laude honors. The four others were also among the top of their batch.
Amban who came to Davao Light to submit some documents on the Lumad scholarship program of Mindanawon, told Vic N. Sumalinog, Manager of the company's Community Relations Dept., he and the rest of the Lumads provided the educational support, are very thankful to their sponsors.
Specifically, Amban said, they are most grateful to Davao Light because it is the one subsidizing their books and other research material requirements. For himself, the Bagobo scholar from Wines, Baguio District, Davao City told the Comrel Manager that he could not have gotten the cum laude honors if not for the books and other reading materials made available to him by Davao Light. He added that he echoes the same sentiment of the other scholars - graduates and those who are still to finish their respective course.
Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue is based at the Ateneo de Davao with Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ, as its Executive Director.
Since its organization close to a decade ago, it was able to support a number of Lumad students and seen through a total of 26 Lumad graduate with college degrees including the five who finished their studies last March. (DLPC)
Ateneo de Davao Law is really catching up with top law schools in Manila.
Thus said former Defense Secretary Atty. Avelino “Nonong” Cruz, Partner of CVC Law Firm, before declaring Ateneo de Davao Law Debate Team as Champion in the second season of ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) Square Off Law Debates on August 12, 2009 at ABS CBN Studio, Quezon City. This season’s tournament was participated by top 16 law schools in the country.
After beating University of the Philippines Law in the International Humanitarian Law Debates in May 2009, AdDU Law has once again excelled by winning against Ateneo de Manila Law this time. The team is composed of Therese Xyza Gemelo – IV Law, Vincent Juan – II Law, Mariness Ledesma – IV Law, with Atty. Israelito Torreon as their coach and the moderator of the Ateneo Forensic (AdDU Law’s Debate Team). Juan and Ledesma were awarded Judges’ Choice and Audience’s Choice for Best Speakers, respectively.
With the proposition “Let it be resolved that Maximum Drug Retail Price (MDRP or Executive Order No. 821) Should be Scrapped,” AdMU Law argued on the affirmative side while AdDU on the negative. The AdMU Law Team primarily argued that MDRP should be scrapped because we have existing laws, which address the problem of drug accessibility, particularly to these five most prescribed drugs under MDRP. As an alternative, said team proposed that the government should strengthen the Generic Drugs Law, among others, and not impose price ceiling.
On the other hand, AdDU Law Team showed their prowess in legal argumentation by defending the cause of MDRP and how it operates as immediate response to the urgent problem of drug accessibility, while better legislation and law enforcement are still works-in-progress. Backed up by relevant laws and recent research findings, they argued that since the issue involves a continuing problem in public health, there should be a balance between immediate response and long term solution.
On the way to this all-Ateneo Finals, AdDU Law routed University of the East in the eliminations, Far Eastern University-La Salle Law in the Quarterfinal, and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in the Semifinal.
The winning debaters won prizes such as brand new laptop-notebooks and free subscription to online law encyclopedia and jurisprudence. Juan was given free flight and vacation package for two to Nami Beach in Boracay while Ledesma was given vacation package in One Place Tagaytay and SM gift certificates.
The Ateneo Forensic, thru the leadership of Kristine Ferrer – IV Law, expresses its appreciation to its members, alumni-barristers, alumni-lawyers, and law school professors for their very valuable support.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/01 August) – Corazon Aquino, she who said upon arrival in August 1983 to bury an assassinated husband, that “courage, like cowardice, is contagious,” and proved this to the Marcos dictatorship by running for President in the snap elections of 1986, passed away peacefully at 3:18 a.m. at the Makati Medical Center, surrounded by her children praying the Holy Rosary.
Fr. Eliseo Jun Mercado, executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) said, “she remains a powerful icon of freedom and courage.”
Mercado says President Arroyo’s legacy for Mindanao is that “she was not afraid to personally come and talk to rebels. Remember Jolo with Nur Misuari.”
Against the advice of her military and defense advisers, Ms Arroyo broke protocol and met with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari in Maimbung, Sulu, on September 5, 1986. The meeting resulted in an agreement to hold formal negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Southern Philippines.
Irene Santiago, executive director of the Mindanao Commission on Women, said “here was a woman who, when country called, pulled herself out of her private space to become our public beacon of hope. Her fight was moral. It was for God and Country and People. We bless such a woman!”
Aveen Acuna-Gulo, who writes the column, “The Voice” said “I think Cory made sure she waited for August that she may rest, the same month her husband Ninoy died 26 years ago. I shed tears of joy, feeling so blessed to have had her as my President. I believe her legacy is already with us – the people she had served. It’s only a matter of time.”
For Datu Michael Mastura, historian, former Maguindanao congressman and now senior member of the peace panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), “Cory’s demise is the end of our post-colonial era.”
“Her legacy is her own Freedom Constitution. The 1987 Constitution crafted by her Constitutional Commission is but a means for transforming the national wedge to an unfinished new national consensus,” he said.
Fr. Roberto Layson, parish priest ofKulaman in Senator Ninoy Aquino town in Sultan Kudarat, told MindaNews Ms Arroyo was “a true mother.”
“Even in her old age she continued to nourish our motherland with her selfless commitment to freedom and democracy,” he said.
MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said he is still awaiting the official statement of the MILF leadership but told MindaNews his view is “Cory is an epitome of patience and reconciliation.”
Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta said Ms Aquino “had strength of character and showed a lot of fortitude as the supportive wife of a prominent senator, as a devoted mother, and as the first woman president of our country that suffered long years under martial rule. She will be sorely missed and always be fondly remembered as an icon of People Power at EDSA and as a symbol of hope and democracy.”
Acosta recalls she was “there at EDSA when I was a student at UP wearing a yellow shirt with the battlecy ‘Di ka nag-iisa.’ Cory as Ninoy’s widow was practically the embodiment of an antithesis to all that is Marcos. She was like a beacon of light at the end of a dark and dreary journey, a respite for a weary nation desperate for change. She is well loved and highly admired and respected even in the international community.”
Senator Rodolfo Biazon, the first military officer President Aquino met with after People Power in 1986 and who would later be appointed superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy and later Armed Forces Chief of Staff,” said “you and I know the grief of the nation. She fought for restoration of democracy in our county and up to her last breath she maintained her vigil to protect that democracy.”
Biazon was commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Davao City when People Power broke out in 1986.
Davao would have been where Ms Aquino would have set up aprovisional government if Marcos had held on. She was in Cebu attending a rally on February 22 and was supposed to leave for Davao City for another protest action on February 23 but then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Philippine Constabulary Chief Fidel Ramos bolted the Marcos dictatorship,Jaime Cardinal Sin and Butz Aquino called on people to proceed to EDSA and the rest is history.
“She should serve as inspiration to us that there is one housewife who never thought of possessing the powers of the Pesidency, who fought for the restoration of democracy, the maintenance of democracy and who continues to fight even beyond her term..” Biazon said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)
Jerome, a 53-year-old high school teacher, was in the hospital awaiting amputation of his left leg. He'd been receiving IV antibiotics to treat a diabetic ulcer, a wide, oozing open wound on his ankle, but this didn't halt the steady advance of gangrene, and he was told they had no choice but to take his leg.
About five hours before he was scheduled for surgery, Jerome talked to the teacher who was substituting for him to tell him he'd probably be out for the rest of the year. The substitute had heard about the Whitaker Wellness Institute and the work we do here, so he suggested that Jerome check us out. Jerome immediately phoned his wife, who called the clinic and asked if there was anything we could do to save his leg. I said we would certainly try. Figuring he had nothing to lose, Jerome left the hospital-against strongly worded medical advice-and came to my clinic that same day.
Movement for Good Governance in partnership with Makati Business Club Management Association of the Philippines YouthVote Philippines Rotary International District 3830
Talakayan 20.10 Leadership Forum for the 2010 Elections An opportunity to listen to the candidates address issues on the Economy
Thursday, 6 August 2009 3:00 - 5:00 pm SGV Hall, AIM Conference Center Benavidez Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
For reservations, please text, call, email - 09209061148 or wedeservebetter.ph@gmail.com
Media Partners : www.philstar.com www.politicalarena.com Radio Veritas GMA 7
Twitter keyword : #Econ2010
Registration fee : P200 per person with 50% discount for students, free for bloggers*
The MGG Talakayan is the first empowered, interactive, and issues-based forum to enable national leaders to share their vision, programs, and positions by engaging key opinion leaders and voters through a live audience, online community, and global reach.
* Free entrance and free internet access will be provided for participants who will cover the event live on their blogs and social networks.
"In technical education and skills training, we have invested three times that of three previous administrations combined. Narito si Jennifer Silbor,isa sa sampung milyong trainee. Natuto siya ng medical transcription. Now, as an independent contractor and lecturer for transcriptions in Davao, kumikita siya ng P18,000 bawat buwan. Good job."
Amidst the thunderous applause that resonated in the Batasan, jubilant over the accomplishments of President Gloria Macapagal during the 9th State of the Nation Address for the 3rd Regular Session of the 14th Congress, it could not be discounted that there too were many exchanged sarcasms.
But what is resounding to the world of Medical Transcriptionists and Dabawenyos, if not the entire nation in general is the name “Jenifer Silbor.” Just exactly who is Jennifer Silbor, the SONA Honoree mentioned by GMA? If FVR has Mang Pandoy, is Jenifer Silbor his counterpart? Is her success story a laurel to one of the many PGMA projects?
Jenifer Aileen B. Silbor was among the SONA Honorees invited by the President through the Presidential Management Staff and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). But to us, she is more than what was presented last July 27. She is an MTC Academy – Davao alumni, a recipient of the PGS scholarship program under TESDA. She graduated last November 2008 and because of her exemplary performance, she was then immediately accepted in December 2008 as a home-based medical transcriptionist for MTC Academy – Davao’s sister company, ZipIT Solutions Inc. . Further was hired as a medical transcription mentor for MTC Academy-Davao.
The honor, the accomplishment, the financial independence gained marked the many facets of who Jenifer Silbor is. Dedication, hard work, determination and perseverance were attributes that Jeni possessed…traits that earned her a place not only for her family, her workplace but the entire country as well.
A feat that any diligent, spiritually driven and emotionally motivated Filipino can achieve.
Ateneo de Davao College of Law debate team won against Xavier University in the Semi-finals of ABS-CBN News Channel Square Off Law Debates – Season 2, last July 22, 2009 at the ABS-CBN Studio, Quezon City.
The team composed of Therese Xyza Gemelo, IV-Law, Vincent Juan II-Law, and Mariness Ledesma, IV-Law and coached by Atty. Israelito Torreon, got its sure ticket to the final round of the competition on August 5, 2009, which will be aired live on ANC Channel. Ledesma was adjudged as the viewer’s choice for Best Speaker.
With the proposition “Let it be resolved that Abu Sayyaf Group should be granted amnesty,” the team was assigned to propose the affirmative position. The team primarily argued that before resorting to an all out war against the ASG, the government is called upon to exhaust legal and non-violent means provided by law such as granting amnesty to those which have committed offenses in furtherance of political cause. They further argued that such move will be the government’s calibrated response to the fight against terrorism and insurgencies in the country as it will serve as a filtering process in distinguishing those who have political causes and those who are plainly terrorists.
The team from Xavier University argued on the negative side by stressing the nature of ASG as terrorist group and as such, should not be “forgiven” by granting them amnesty.
“The affirmative side (AdDU) defended an inherently difficult stand. Despite that, they were able to establish a very good case with novel and excellent arguments, which I never heard in the halls of Congress,” says Senator Franklin Drilon who chaired the judges’ panel.
On Wednesday, July 29, 2009, Ateneo de Manila will debate against University of San Carlos in another semi-final round. Whoever wins between these teams will face Ateneo de Davao in the Championship round on August 5, 2009.
Said championship round will be one of the highly celebrated events in the law and debate community as this tournament has been the top-rater since its first season in November 2008. Co-sponsored by CVC Law Firm, the tournament has been participated only by the Top 16 law schools in the country. It is also worth noting that last year, AdDU Law Team was also a finalist in this tournament.
Alinsunod sa Proklamasyon Blg. 1041, s. 1997, taunang ipinagdiriwang ang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa tuwing Agosto 1-31 na pinangungunahan ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF). Para sa taong 2009, ang tema ng pagdiriwang ay "Wikang Filipino: Mula Baler Hanggang Buong Bansa" bilang pakikiisa sa Taon ng Baler na ipinahayag sa bisa ng Proklamasyon Blg. 1696.
Ang mga layunin ng pagdiriwang para sa taong kasalukuyan ay ang mga sumusunod:
1. Pahalagahan ang wikang Filipino bilang pambansang wika; 2. Itampok ang kahalagahan ng wikang Filipino para s pambansang identidad ng wika at kultura; 3. Itaguyod ang wikang Filipino bilang midyum ng komunikasyon; 4. Gamitin ang Filipino bilang wikang panturo sa wika at panitikan; 5. Gamitin ang wikang Filipino sa talakayang Kultura; at 6. Pagpapahalaga sa Wikang Filipino bilang epektibong wika para sa katatagang pangkabuhayan ng sambayanang Pilipino.
Para sa isang buwang pagdiriwang, ang sumusunod na paksa ay hinati-hati sa bawat lingo ng Agosto ay:
* Agosto 1-7 = Ang Wikang Filipino: Mahalagang Kasangkapan sa Pagpapamalas ng Kagitingan , Kagalingan at Kasipagan para sa Kalayaan * Agosto 8-15 = Wikang Filipino: Susi sa Pambansang Identidad * Agosto 16-22 = Wikang Filipino: Instrumento sa Mabisang Komunikasyon at Panturo sa Wika at Panitikan * Agosto 23-31 = Wikang Filipino: Mula Baler Hanggang Batanes at Tawi-Tawi
Upang magkaroon ng makabuluhang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, ang lahat ng punong lalawigan at punong bayan ay inaatasang makipag-ugnayan sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon at sa KWF ng inyong lokalidad para magsagawa ng iba't ibang programa na naaayon sa pangangailangan ng mga paaralan.
Maaari rin kayong dumulog sa website ng KWF sa www.kwf.gov.ph para sa iba pang karagdagang impormasyon.
Kaugnay nito, inaatasan ko rin ang lahat ng Direktor Panrehiyon ng DILG na dagliang ipalaganap ang direktibong ito sa kani-kanilang nasasakupan.
KUDOS!!! Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta First District, Davao City
Close to their first anniversary celebration this July, the Kaya Natin! Movement welcomed four firsts in their group Thursday afternoon. The second “Launching of New Faces of Good Governance and Ethical Leadership” brought together six of the current Kaya Natin leaders to welcome the group’s first legislators to the movement. Kaya Natin is a national movement that was initially convened by the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG).
Councilors Bolet Banal of Quezon City and Mabel Sunga Acosta of Davao City, Congressman TG Guingona of Bukidnon, and former congressman Neric Acosta, also from Bukidnon, were inaugurated last Thursday as Kaya Natin’s newest “Champions of Good Governance,” government leaders who espouse effective, ethical, empowering leadership.
The launch marked the first time that the movement espousing good governance has selected legislators to be Champions. Before yesterday, Kaya Natin had twelve Champions, all local chief executives from provinces in Luzon and Visayas.
Besides being the first lawmakers, the four newest leaders also have the distinction of being the first representatives from their region. Banal is the first Champion from Metro Manila, while Acosta, Guingona, and Sunga Acosta all hail from Mindanao.
“It is definitely good that we have these inspiring leaders from Metro Manila and Mindanao be a part of Kaya Natin. We hope that they will serve as an inspiration to many Filipinos that there is indeed much to hope for in our country despite all the negative news about our present administration that people hear about.” Harvey Keh of the ASOG and lead convenor of the group, said of the four.
Kaya Natin Co-Founder and Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio agrees. “This just goes to show that there are indeed many good people in our government, whether in the executive or legislative branch,” he commented.
The four new Kaya Natin Champions were introduced one by one by the current Champions, former mayors Baby Congco of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija and Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando, La Union; Mayor Florante Gerdan of Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, and co-founder Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City. Sunga Acosta, Banal, Guingona, and Acosta were each given a Kaya Natin shirt and baller ID band to welcome them to the group.
“I’ve been a fan of Kaya Natin for a long time,” Banal said in his response. “These people are my idols, and I feel so blessed to be a part of their group now.”
The three other Champions echoed the same sentiment, adding their hopes that the group’s advocacy will continue to grow in all areas of government, including more legislators and more champions from all over the Philippines. After their formal induction, the new champions all signed the KN Covenant of Good Governance pledging to promote transparency, social accountability and effective delivery of basic services to their respective constituents.
With the inauguration of the four lawmakers, Kaya Natin’s Champions of Good Governance now number sixteen, and the movement shows no sign of stopping their search for outstanding, inspiring Filipino leaders. Sonia Lorenzo, also one of the co-founders of the movement and mayor of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, said in her closing statement, “We hope that we continue to build a critical mass of effective, ethical, and empowering leaders who will govern the country in the best way possible.”
For more information about Kaya Natin and its Champions of Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, please visit our website at http://www.kayanatin.com or you can contact us at (02) 4265657.
Congratulations to Dr. Ronald "Ronnie" V. Amorado (AB Eco 1990, Ph.D. Development Studies 2005 and part-time faculty member, AdDU Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Business and Governance)
on his designation as a Hubert H. Humphrey fellow
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in theUnited States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world. Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector.
Dr. Amorado is the author of "Fixing Society: The Inside World of Fixers in the Philippines" published in 2007 by the Research and Publication Office of the Ateneo de Davao University. Dr. Amorado's book was awarded the 2008 Outstanding Book Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology.
The Ateneo Law Forensic, the debate team of Ateneo de Davao College of Law won against De La Salle-Far Eastern University Law School in the quarter finals of the ANC Square Off Law Debates held in ABS-CBN Studio, Quezon City on July 1, 2009. The team was composed of Therese Xyza Gemelo, IV-Law, Vincent Juan, II-Law, and Mariness Ledesma, IV Law. Gemelo and Ledesma tied as Judges' Choice for Best Speaker, while Juan was Audience's Choice for Best Speaker. The team coach and moderator is Atty. Israelito Torreon.
The proposition was "Let it be resolved that Cezar Mancao should be given immunity." The DLSU-FEU Law Team was on the affirmative side, arguing that it was necessary, beneficial, and practicable to grant witness immunity for Mancao, one of the accused in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. Citing RA 6981 (Witness Protection Program), said team argued that Mancao holds the "key" to unveiling the truth about the case, which allegedly included top leaders in the government as the masteminds.
On the negative side, Ateneo de Davao Law Team argued that since said immunity means automatic and irreversible exoneration from his criminal liability as co-principal to the crime, it should be taken with caution, citing Sections 17 and 18 of Rule 119 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure and relevant jurisprudence. The team tackled the legal non-necessity of Mancao's testimony as well as it being questionable for being conflicting, not corroborative, politically schemed, and merely a malicious afterthought to easily escape from criminal liability.
By a unanimous decision, the Ateneo de Davao Law Team emerged as winners. They will advance in the semi-finals of the tournament, which will be held in two to three week's time.
The team specially mentions and thanks the brilliant lawyers-faculty members and law students who backed them up in the preparation and case-building.
Happy 95th Founding Anniversary to all members of IGLESIA NI CRISTO on July 27, 2009 Davao City Celebration will be held atTionko Field, Quimpo Boulevard
The Iglesia ni Cristo; Church of Christ; also known as INC, or Iglesia, is the largest entirely indigenous Christian religious organization that originated from the Philippines and the largest independent church in Asia.Felix Y. Manalo officially registered the church as a corporation sole with him as executive minister on July 27, 1914 and because of this, most publications refer to him as the founder of the church. However, the official doctrines of the church profess that Jesus Christ is the founder of the INC and that Felix Manalo was God's last messenger, whom he sent to re-establish the Christian Church to its true, pristine form because the original church was apostatized. They believe that the apostatized church is the Roman Catholic Church, and proclaim that Catholic dogmas, such as the Trinity, are proof of this apostacy. The organization does not believe in the Trinity, nor that the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are Biblical.
Last June 7, 2009, the Mabel at your Service Public Affairs Program featured The Philippine Eagle Week Celebration (June 4-10, 2009 at the SM City Davao Entertainment plaza) to encourage more people to get involved in the preservation of the Philippine Eagle and the environment and to promote community accountability to increase awareness on how we can help keep our endangered eagles, and how our efforts can mean a lot to the sustainability of our ecosystem.
Featured guest is biologist Jayson Ibanez, field research coordinator for the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) who helped in explaining the importance of greening the environment and protecting the forests in improving the birds habitat.
According to Mr. Ibañez, despite the Philippine Eagle’s Foundation’s conservation efforts, the Philippine eagle was doomed due to the government’s ambivalent forest conservation policies. Ibanez also believes that there is hope for the bird. “The Philippine eagle can inspire communities,” he says. “We are using it as a flagship—and we’re not only saving the species, we’re also improving the lives of Filipinos.”
The Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, also known as the Great Philippine Eagle, Haribon, or Monkey-eating Eagle. It was named the national bird of the Philippines in 1995 by former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos through Philippine Proclamation 615. This eagle, because of its size and rarity, is also a highly desired bird for birdwatchers all around the world.
Now on its seventh year, the search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO 7) is hailed as the country's leading search for outstanding groups of young Filipinos that are instrumental in the development of the country through simple, worthwhile and notable projects implemented in their communities.
The search is open to all groups, organizations, clubs or societies composed of at least 15 members. Members must be 15 to 30 years old. Organizations shall be judged based on their project entry that made an impact in their schools or communities. In an effort to improve the search and allow for more viable entries to the search, the organizers have come up with a new format for the requirements and a streamlined process to come up with the finalists.
A copy of the entry form and the application briefer are attached to this email. They may also be downloaded through the TAYO Awards Foundation website (http://www.tayoawards.net/) and the National Youth Commission website (http://www.youth.net.ph/). A grand prize of P50, 000 and a specially-crafted trophy await the lucky organizations chosen as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations.
The adage “It takes a village to raise a child” is never more true than when the Brigada Eskwela (National Schools Maintenance) Program is put into operation nationwide every year. Given that Filipinos place a high value on education, almost everyone is willing to offer his/her assistance in ensuring that our kids stay in school by providing a safe and healthy academic atmosphere. During the National Schools Maintenance week, most Brigada supporters dole out construction materials to their selected schools, while others offer only their time and industry; some, however, contribute both...like the Davao Agila Riders.
On May 22, 2009, the Davao Agila Riders, in cooperation with the Office of Council Mabel Sunga Acosta, went to Gov. Vicente Duterte National High School in Bangkal, Davao City and did their share of civic duty in participating in this year’s Brigada Eskwela. They donated bags of cement, hollow blocks, steel bars, and the like in support of the fencing project of the school which the principal, Mr. Romeo Camilotes, is endeavouring to complete in order to curb the truancy incidents of the students. They likewise gave gallons and gallons of paint which the Riders and Team Mabel themselves utilized in painting several classrooms inside out.
The Davao Agila Riders is a motorcycle club founded on 2002. Its current president is Engr. Ohmar Peñalosa and it has a membership of around 30 bikers.
School Year 2009-2010 officially opened in public schools nationwide yesterday, the first of June.
Councilor Acosta, as chair of the Committe on Education and a member of the Local School Board, on June 1 visited two (2) schools around the city and assessed for herself the conditions of these schools in catering the educational needs of the local youth.
In line with the annual implementation of the Brigada Eskwela Program of the Department of Education, the Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta visited two (2) public schools last May 18, 2009 to contribute their time, supply and labor in improving the physical condition of the schools with the aim of providing a more conducive learning environment for our schoolchildren.
First stop was J.P. Laurel Elementary School along Bajada, which is headed by the school administrator, Mr. Rogelio Gargar. Armed with paintbrushes, paint rollers, gallons of paint, broomsticks, and a dustpan, Team Mabel painted white the area immediate to the school stage and cleaned as well the surroundings around it and the school gate.
Afterwards, Team Mabel went to Communal Elementary School in Buhangin District. After being warmly welcomed by the principal, Ms. Olivia dela Rama, Team Mabel proceeded to toil under the harsh sun together with some parents of the students and a few faculty members: cutting errant grasses, sweeping the school grounds, and painting the flagpole, bust of Rizal, and the school’s inner fences.
Councilor Acosta herself placed a visit to Communal Elementary School to check on the state of the said school. Earlier that day, the Councilor went to Buhangin Elementary School to join in the Brigada Eskwela caravan spearheaded by the DepEd Regional Office. The caravan jumped off from Calinan Central Elementary School and made short stopovers at Tugbok Elementary School, Tugbok High School and Buhangin Elementary School. Its last stop was at T.V. Fernandez National High School in Indangan where the official kick off for this year’s Brigada Eskwela was made.
From Buhangin Elementary School, Councilor Acosta dropped by at Don Francisco Dizon Elementary School in Bacaca where she roamed around the school grounds and mingled with the parents. Subsequently, she went to T.V. Fernandez National High School to participate in the formal launch of the Brigada Eskwela Program in the city, before heading towards Communal Elementary School, her last stop for the day.
Special thanks are extended to the following entities for the success of the Brigada Eskwela: Davao Agila Riders, Davao Horseriders Club, Amon Marketing, DabaweGnu, and Tau Mu Sorority.
