In Sitio Saybuan, Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet, Grades 1 to 4 students share a single classroom and one teacher. Students do not mind walking miles on muddy terrains just to reach school. Their uniforms are the work clothes they also use when they attend to their vegetable plots. Resources like textbooks, pencils and notebooks are scarce, yet they continue to be filled with hope.

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In Sitio Saybuan, Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet, Grades 1 to 4 students share a single classroom and one teacher. Students do not mind walking miles on muddy terrains just to reach school. Their uniforms are the work clothes they also use when they attend to their vegetable plots. Resources like textbooks, pencils and notebooks are scarce, yet they continue to be filled with hope.

Though reachable two hours by foot from Itogon town proper, the school seems to be separated from the rest of the world, especially when aid is concerned.

Upon learning this story, a group of mountaineers organized an outreach program called Trails to Empower Kids (TREK) and approached Diwa Learning Systems with a plea for help.

Diwa Learning Systems has been supplying textbooks and scholastic enhancement materials (SEMs) to top schools nationwide for more than 25 years. Together with Bato Balani Foundation, the educational publisher fulfills its vision of a better Philippines with quality education for all.

One of its projects is Tulong sa Paaralan, Tulay sa Kaunlaran (TSP-TSK), which provides deserving schools in underserved communities access to quality textbooks and other reference materials.

Bringing with them Diwa's textbooks and SEMs, plus donations from other good citizens, the mountaineers trekked to Sitio Saybuan and thus began a series of outreach programs to other isolated areas in the country.

The students showed up early in their best Sunday clothes during the turnover of the donation. The village elders joined them in welcoming their first ever visitors, who organized a fiesta style party, complete with food, games and prizes.

"At first, the children were very shy but they responded positively soon after" say Myrla Punongbayan, one of the TREK organizers.

After Sitio Saybuan, TREK reached out to the Dumagat students of Sentrong Paaralan ng mga Agta (SPA) in Casiguran, Aurora, then to the village of Lubo in Kalinga.

"While some students take for granted textbooks, there are students who haven't even touched or owned one. Textbooks are very prized possessions for students from the schools we visited and delivering them gives us much joy" says Punongbayan.

The TREK experience with each school is a unique and heartwarming story.

"SPA students go home on weekends and their return are not assured because of the long travel. Hopefully the aid we brought them would encourage them to keep on striving," explains Jong Navarro, also a TREK organizer.

In its most recent project onto the village of Lubo in Tanungdan, Kalinga, the TREK organizers were not daunted by the size of the project, which is their biggest so far. Though a 6-hour bumpy mountain ride from Tabuk City plus a steep hike, the mountaineers proceeded with vigor. "Even if we encountered difficulties like walking extra eight hours after our truck carrying our supplies broke down, it was still a good experience for all of us," says Ms. Punongbayan.

The students of Lubo used to consistently top the schools in the province of Kalinga. The children had to walk long hours each day to get to school. But they were determined to learn. Many of them grew up to become judges, engineers, and leaders of that province.

But, their tradition of excellence is becoming more and more difficult for them to maintain as they are deprived of the resources available to other students.

Again, with the assistance from Diwa and Bato Balani Foundation, the students of Lobo found new lease on life.

Since its implementation in 1993, the BBFI's TSP-TSK program has benefited more than 1,200 public schools nationwide, with a total of almost 69 million worth of donations spread across the duration of the program, now reaching even the most remote areas of the country.

For information, log on to www.batobalanifoundation.org.ph and www.diwa.ph.

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Imagine a classroom where teachers use an LCD projector instead of blackboards, where you hear clicks instead of screeching chalks, or where students press enter to send completed tests, instead of passing papers. Picture also students mixing chemicals, dissecting a frog or learning about angles, online.

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Imagine a classroom where teachers use an LCD projector instead of blackboards, where you hear clicks instead of screeching chalks, or where students press enter to send completed tests, instead of passing papers. Picture also students mixing chemicals, dissecting a frog or learning about angles, online.

It is a totally different picture and this paints the classroom of the future, which is taking place right here, right now.

The classroom of the future is a learning environment that uses innovative education programs that leverage on the use of technology across all aspects, from classroom management to teaching. It is a place where empowered teachers and learners reap the limitless possibilities of being part of a superior learning environment.

These classrooms are more relevant, providing a learning environment that enable students to compete in the 21st century workplace and at the same time, engage them in learning.

Students, the 'digital natives,' have natural inclinations in the use of technology. They multi-task and want everything fast. They make their assignments in their computers, while updating their social networking site profile and sending instant messages to friends, or even while gaming.

With this scenario, it is harder for teachers to capture and retain students' attention with traditional visual aids. They want animations, graphics and sound in learning their subjects. They are enticed to learn using games and immersive virtual environments.

With computers, even notebooks for students, becoming more affordable and e-learning solutions available, schools are now able to take the leap.

Diwa Learning Systems has been providing e-learning programs to elementary and high school in the country. It already has several versions introduced in the market, the latest of which, Genyo Version 5, is a partnership with Learning Edvantage of Singapore. This is the same group that provides e-learning solutions to 65% of the primary and secondary schools in Singapore.

"Schools are now realizing the need to upgrade to an ICT integrated teaching and learning. They know that they cannot be left behind if they are in the business of producing globally competitive graduates. The hurdle right now is just the investment portion, but they know that this is something they need to get in, sooner or later" says Diwa Executive Director Jose Maria T. Policarpio.

The company shared their experience on how e-learning helps create independent learners and empowered teachers for their clients.

Because Genyo is delivered online, the classroom is virtually anywhere. Students can log in anytime to do some advanced readings or catch up on previously discussed lessons inside the classroom. That makes them independent learners.

In this classroom, teachers can teach pupils as individuals, from the A student to those who need more encouragement, in just one classroom. Further empowering teachers, Genyo also allows teachers to upload their own lesson plans and modules.

The e-learning program also facilitates interaction and collaboration between teachers and students, and even parents, as they are better involved in their children's education.

This forward-looking set-up is now being experienced by 14 schools in the country, including Canossa School of Sta. Rosa, Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Calamba, Colegio de Sta. Rosa of Makati, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities, Hope Christian High School, Juan Sumulong Memorial School System, PAREF Woodrose, San Sebastian College Recoletos Manila, and St. Paul College of Makati.

For schools which are still gearing up for this set-up, Diwa gives them a peek into the experience through its Superior Learning Experience (SLE) program. This is a collaboration of different Diwa products and services (textbooks, scholastic enhancement materials, teacher training and online resource center for educators – www.diwalearningtown.com.)

With Diwa Learning Town, students, teachers and parents have access to resources over the net like e-dictionary, e-thesaurus, teacher's manual, e-pages of Diwa's scholastic enhancement materials, online reviewers and even professional development resources. Diwa's teacher training program, on the other hand, trains teachers on how to integrate ICT in education.

For more information, log on to www.diwa.ph.

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Years of research have proven that parents' involvement in their children's education results in better school performance. That involvement is much more than membership to parent teachers associations or attendance to parent conferences.

With increasing work and home responsibilities for parents , Diwa Learning Systems, the country's leading educational publisher, has thought of ICT to make parenting easier. This is through its new product strategy, Superior Learning Experience or SLE.

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Years of research have proven that parents' involvement in their children's education results in better school performance. That involvement is much more than membership to parent teachers associations or attendance to parent conferences.

With increasing work and home responsibilities for parents , Diwa Learning Systems, the country's leading educational publisher, has thought of ICT to make parenting easier. This is through its new product strategy, Superior Learning Experience or SLE.

SLE results from the collaboration of the company's ICT integrated products -- Diwa's textbooks, SEMs, Genyo Online Learning Program, Teacher Training and online portal – Diwa Learning Town.

The latter is a website for users of Diwa products that hosts valuable resources and information such as reading materials, lessons, activities, references, and the like which are in line with curriculum.

The site enables parents to participate actively in the education of their children. It is loaded with a newsletter and articles that give parents tips on how to rear young Einsteins.

With Genyo, which is Diwa's online learning management program, parents' get more.

They can log on to monitor their child's school performance, so they don't need to wait for report cards at the end of each grading system or for the next meeting with teachers. Aside from that, they can also access the site to see their child's lessons, assignments and examinations.

Woodrose School, the very first school established by PAREF, an organization of parents who want to be fully involved in their children's education, is one of the subscribers of Diwa's Genyo Online Learning Program.

Ms. Monette David, PAREF Woodrose technology integration in-charge, shared that its different stakeholders appreciate how Genyo can provide opportunities for parents to know more about what their kids are doing in school through their access to the Genyo portal.

Interactions are also made possible through the site, so parents can get immediate feedback from teachers on their querries. Even distance for OFW parents is bridged enabling them to be involved in their children's schooling.

For details, log on to www.genyo.com.ph and www.diwalearningtown.com.

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Beyond competition in news and ratings, seventeen media bowling teams flocked to the SM Bowling Center at the SM Mall of Asia on February 28 for the 1st SM Bowling Media Invitational Tournament.

Yielding a good mix of media winners, the fun tournament heralded RPN 9 as champion, followed by 90.7 Love Radio, BusinessMirror and the Philippine Daily Inquirer teams as first, second and third runners-up, respectively.

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Beyond competition in news and ratings, seventeen media bowling teams flocked to the SM Bowling Center at the SM Mall of Asia on February 28 for the 1st SM Bowling Media Invitational Tournament.

Yielding a good mix of media winners, the fun tournament heralded RPN 9 as champion, followed by 90.7 Love Radio, BusinessMirror and the Philippine Daily Inquirer teams as first, second and third runners-up, respectively.

To add more than just real, live action, members from the RP Pool joined the media teams to coach and to give more fire power to the teams.

Other participating teams bitten by the bowling bug were GMA 7, IBC-13, UNTV 37, Philippine Star, Business World, Mirror, Malaya, Manila Times, Abante, Abante Tonite, PBS-BBS Sports Radio, MBC – DZRH, and 96.3 WRock.

Using the Bakers’ format, 6 games were played by all teams to determine the top 4 teams who will advance to the semis. Both RPN 9 and Love Radio triumphantly closed the semi-finals. But come deciding match, RPN 9 yet again proved their worth when they secured the winning title with a 179-113 scoreline, leaving Love Radio in 2nd place.

All top 4 teams received plaques of recognition, gift certificates from the SM Bowling Center and the SM International Skating Rinks and gift accommodations from the Quantum Hotels and Resorts.

Jimmy Castaneda, also from RPN 9, was declared Best Media Bowler while Best Import went to Biboy Rivera, who was also assigned as bowling guru of RPN 9. The Highest Team Game was awarded to Love Radio, who had young and talented Dyan Coronacion onboard as its RP import.

Supervising the tournament were SM Bowling division head and resident bowling master Bonifacio Solis, and SM Bowling marketing officer Camille Aquipel. Ric Camaligan, vice president for SM Leisure group delivered the opening remarks.

Most of the participants particularly liked the idea that an RP import was given to each team. Malou Talosig-Bartolome, senior desk editor for GMA News, said it added dimension to the game and sort of became their competitive leverage.

The competition was organized by the SM Bowling Center and RubyComm-K.Austria PR Consultants. It was held in cooperation with Quantum Hotels and Resorts, Pepsi-Cola Philippines - "Sarap ng may pagpipilian," San Miguel Corporation, Growers, Hizon’s Catering Services and Next Gen Pose-It Photobooth, the portable photobooth that pumps up any kind of party.

The SM Bowling Center is the finest place for bonding and happy sporting events. The SM Bowling Center provides the best venues for all bowling enthusiasts and also offers bowling lessons from skilled and certified bowling instructors.

For further details about the SM Bowling Media Invitational Tournament, contact RubyComm-K.Austria (02-892-7631). For more details about the SM Bowling Center, dial (02-556-1534) for SM Mall of Asia branch, SM Megamall (02-633-7051), SM Fairview (02-939-5025), SM Cebu (032-232-0295) or visit www.smbowling.com.

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The Fernando C Amorsolo Art Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Harbour Centre Batang Pier Foundation launched on March 25, 2009 the book “Maestro Fernando C. Amorsolo: Recollections of the Amorsolo Family,” a collection of essays mainly focusing on the life and works as dearly remembered by the family of the Philippines’ first National Artist.

The book sprung from stirrings among Amorsolo’s heirs to preserve and share the National Artist’s legacy to the general public.

Amorsolo’s daughter, Sylvia Amorsolo Lazo, fondly recalls her father to be a “man who left behind not only a collection of exquisite art works, but also a legacy of good values: love, beauty, simplicity, humility and honesty.” “A simple person with a God-given gift, he opened our eyes to the realization that beauty is everywhere and that good will eventually come out of everything,” Sylvia states in the book’s foreword.

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