Poetry society holds first national tilt amid pandemic

<h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-jxNcNZkOK3zyvz9moxhGvdtwU-amm2Y-szH4aL9oIUywWLXkuI-lFHTNwWUNpuy5SwWs0QO6wdASZpyY_ucadMYobdPCOiMoKDXitSqfRbYpoLiN2i91MqyuWwyDP7GOrTAeWJjPZGq/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-jxNcNZkOK3zyvz9moxhGvdtwU-amm2Y-szH4aL9oIUywWLXkuI-lFHTNwWUNpuy5SwWs0QO6wdASZpyY_ucadMYobdPCOiMoKDXitSqfRbYpoLiN2i91MqyuWwyDP7GOrTAeWJjPZGq/w318-h320/1.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>Hoping to provide a creative outlet to millions of Filipinos in these trying times, The Next Poets Society conducted its first-ever national poem writing contest online from May 15–27, 2020.</h1><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">With the theme Life and Love, more than 500 participants penned their chances of submitting entries from all over the country.</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbpxX3p7rfitQ744oclCpxzzZibDjViwErE1lrDfDxzZoaoOmXLXq1afMn5ZRwmXeQ1yZmVQHipWemq84LUHeufzVRr71wLlUQFMQTDFXXHWSX8BEcbGn9QFBmO746yI31u6OKDkBLZRj/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="713" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbpxX3p7rfitQ744oclCpxzzZibDjViwErE1lrDfDxzZoaoOmXLXq1afMn5ZRwmXeQ1yZmVQHipWemq84LUHeufzVRr71wLlUQFMQTDFXXHWSX8BEcbGn9QFBmO746yI31u6OKDkBLZRj/w200-h198/The+Next+Poet+Society+Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Days after the grueling judging followed by online voting, <font>𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 </font>During these trying times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Next Poets Society aimed to provide a creative outlet to millions of Filipinos through its first-ever national poem writing contest held online from May 15-27, 2020. With the theme "Life and Love," more than 500 participants from all over the country submitted their entries in hopes of winning the top prize.</div><div><br /></div><div>After days of grueling judging followed by online voting, Angel Allen Montejo Son from Cavite emerged as the champion with his poem "Larong katoto, di nahahapo." Patrizsa May Alfonsso of Zamboanga City followed closely in second place with her entry "Philautia," while Charles Werrold Fernandez of Pangasinan took the third spot with his poem "SILA."</div><div><br /></div><div>For Son, poetry helps him balance his thoughts and provides him with a medium to explore different perspectives, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Aside from the top three winners, three other hopefuls also made it to the finals: Kim Angelo P. Umayam from Quezon City (4th Place, Entry: "Paano Magmahal ng Isang Uod?"), Arnold C. Gatus from Valenzuela City (5th Place, Entry: "My Quarantined Love Amid Quarantined Life"), and Marc Morric Arayan from Las Piñas City (6th Place, Entry: "Ang Natuto"). The contest was a success in terms of providing a creative platform for Filipinos to express their thoughts and emotions during these challenging times.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdteSZD17akD8o-xfVLSxdRKS8kdwEH-8gbkDWN3OncwjSC0Zo-dgTPmz8pD1qJlj6DVbHRyETXc0ymwMn-xbTFYg0wfoEaAwuvtlBEBDv_rhlPyj_GjljoPGJkNfKaWGYcbyfQ9WV9XQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdteSZD17akD8o-xfVLSxdRKS8kdwEH-8gbkDWN3OncwjSC0Zo-dgTPmz8pD1qJlj6DVbHRyETXc0ymwMn-xbTFYg0wfoEaAwuvtlBEBDv_rhlPyj_GjljoPGJkNfKaWGYcbyfQ9WV9XQ/w640-h365/First+Winner.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInrblGln85MHmCH-cqzOb-wrkVO7o3y95hja1-HgAm9yxwkUexZPdcVbVT0OZmcGFWSZ1s6UyZBtzmmoUWhjc-4Un6XbeXHAFznHGMwj9u7ZXNE4tVID9_aTHqQKTyR-CiTKQ5jYxN1ua/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInrblGln85MHmCH-cqzOb-wrkVO7o3y95hja1-HgAm9yxwkUexZPdcVbVT0OZmcGFWSZ1s6UyZBtzmmoUWhjc-4Un6XbeXHAFznHGMwj9u7ZXNE4tVID9_aTHqQKTyR-CiTKQ5jYxN1ua/w640-h364/Second+Winner.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeupFjRxXTDennZGi8HZweUqX3ONG1zAZhLVo8VHjXPNri5Ommp-KB5bBSPcAy3oS8XVRvgFsJnrsHaaQYwdxvqJTUwI2TViNK7dj1KAckETOeuunIlVKo6wLZGNb59zj7h9csUcj3AUi/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeupFjRxXTDennZGi8HZweUqX3ONG1zAZhLVo8VHjXPNri5Ommp-KB5bBSPcAy3oS8XVRvgFsJnrsHaaQYwdxvqJTUwI2TViNK7dj1KAckETOeuunIlVKo6wLZGNb59zj7h9csUcj3AUi/w640-h364/Third+Winner.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div>Here’s the link to the video: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/110165790698123/posts/120608502987185/">The Next Poets Society</a> on Facebook Page.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

awareness Education Health and Wellness philippines social media trending update viral Poetry society holds first national tilt amid pandemic

Hoping to provide a creative outlet to millions of Filipinos in these trying times, The Next Poets Society conducted its first-ever national poem writing contest online from May 15–27, 2020.With the theme Life and Love, more than 500 participants pen…

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Public school teachers to get salary increases; asked to wait a bit

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Duterte asked the teachers to wait for the Salary Increase<br /> <br /> President Duterte has appealed to public school teachers to “wait for a little” longer for the increase in their salaries he proposed this year.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TJ_SxW_Z5bcP8Sf7gJBYFUezVGH02lyclp6KNVtdg19gfD5gtTFHZWhnTN2gVTYRBouFV8Vud-2A75vhcQiP6gjDVD7cvZx_EH2EDM_UOQzgEy17MKHX5xsbRZfnGRd8iFj2BS78kAKX/s1600/RTVM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="750" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TJ_SxW_Z5bcP8Sf7gJBYFUezVGH02lyclp6KNVtdg19gfD5gtTFHZWhnTN2gVTYRBouFV8Vud-2A75vhcQiP6gjDVD7cvZx_EH2EDM_UOQzgEy17MKHX5xsbRZfnGRd8iFj2BS78kAKX/s640/RTVM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>Photo Credits to RTVM </i></div> <br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">During a recent campaign rally in Cebu City, Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that there was no sufficient budget yet to fund his plan of doubling the wages of public school teachers, but assured that their salaries would eventually be doubled just like the police. He added that he had talked to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno about the funds needed for the proposed salary adjustment for public school teachers, but had given priority to doubling the pay of government troops since they were in the frontline in addressing national security threats.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">It can be recalled that last January, the President pledged to raise the salaries of public school teachers this year after approving the pay hike to soldiers and policemen. According to Diokno, government workers are expected to get a pay increase as part of the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law. Once the budget bill is signed into law, the salary adjustment will be applied retroactively from January 2019.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div> Source: <a href="https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/26/public-school-teachers-to-get-salary-increases-asked-to-wait-a-bit/" target="_blank">Manila Bulletin</a> </div>

Education Public school teachers to get salary increases; asked to wait a bit

Duterte asked the teachers to wait for the Salary Increase President Duterte has appealed to public school teachers to “wait for a little” longer for the increase in their salaries he proposed this year. Photo Credits to RTVM  During a recent campai…

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Duterte ready to shut down PLDT if anti-graft hotline doesn’t improve

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> President Rodrigo Duterte said he will not think twice on shutting down the business of PLDT Inc. if it fails to improve the government’s anti-graft hotline.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Rx3EUq60YbH0yK6TG3qPE2sCVVmyoRR4JKop956yeiOA23nvbc9J4S6VMhyzx4E7hcZh9w8DXYCEdCVN1eeAAPW0qiQHTmjFoYNBLu4-tdbfGvIDUY0gHHDXhcxgMXsX_9eKq7DaQm-N/s1600/Virtual-Pinoy-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Rx3EUq60YbH0yK6TG3qPE2sCVVmyoRR4JKop956yeiOA23nvbc9J4S6VMhyzx4E7hcZh9w8DXYCEdCVN1eeAAPW0qiQHTmjFoYNBLu4-tdbfGvIDUY0gHHDXhcxgMXsX_9eKq7DaQm-N/s640/Virtual-Pinoy-2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Image by Presidential Communications via Facebook page</i></div> <br /> While in Cebu, the President mentioned his efforts in fighting corruption in the government. Part of the President’s campaign is the establishment of an anti-graft trunkline, where the public can easily report any acts of corruptions and complaints from any government agency by simply calling 8888.<br /> <br /> However, Duterte complained that the 8888 hotline isn’t accessible because it’s always busy. He instructed former Special Assistant to President Christopher “Bong” Go to add another trunk line. The President said, “If you see corruption, tell me. Call 8888. Bong, add another trunk line. The present setup can’t accommodate all the calls. It’s always busy.”<br /> <br /> Duterte continued that if not, he will not hesitate in stopping the telecommunication giant’s business. He said, “Tell PLDT. If not, I’ll shut down their business.”<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfm_Ml3QYmgh80F2X-YhwvhKjQt8fxllEWVpbV6BOVXqSOLitrlw874iOtKXxvPTO088Wgb8C8wHqDG9TGUWjKQXtb1KsskGv7rmMBnSFHKQMYZnnz9nTbnWdFaMcQWNM-YnYlZJ5EfCS/s1600/pldt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="768" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfm_Ml3QYmgh80F2X-YhwvhKjQt8fxllEWVpbV6BOVXqSOLitrlw874iOtKXxvPTO088Wgb8C8wHqDG9TGUWjKQXtb1KsskGv7rmMBnSFHKQMYZnnz9nTbnWdFaMcQWNM-YnYlZJ5EfCS/s640/pldt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The President added that the PLDT still owed the government money and he is very willing to ask for it in time. He said, “Oo, that’s true. I don’t want to brag, but they owe the government eight billion [pesos]. No President has ever asked for payment. But when I became President, I said…”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, PLDT has issued a statement that they are now working at improving their services. Following the President’s remarks,  PLDT spokesman Ramon Isberto said, “We are currently taking steps to address the concern expressed by the President to improve the public’s access to the Citizen’s Complaint Center 8888 hotline number.”<br /> <br /> The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Hotline was launched in August 2016. It is a 24-hour national citizens’ complaint hotline. Complaints will be referred for immediate action to concerned agencies, which are expected to respond within five working days.<br /> <br /> Source: <a href="http://virtualpinoy.com/" target="_blank">Virtual Pinoy</a></div>

breaking news lifestyle Politics Telecommunications Duterte ready to shut down PLDT if anti-graft hotline doesn’t improve

President Rodrigo Duterte said he will not think twice on shutting down the business of PLDT Inc. if it fails to improve the government’s anti-graft hotline. Image by Presidential Communications via Facebook page While in Cebu, the President mention…

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Permanent Mobile Number, Approved by Duterte

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYMwKNaHHzON9KzFfPZ4aw1cb5rTQlMmx2C6oRmIhcF4n7DQBNFaFIADI44kEdW2rehHo6dInAR8e9CSSuZ1o4AiJJOM7IZY0gDwzs8IfsJKHidtPzpHnClzN2eo20cbNotH0j6swfCOi/s1600/1000x-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1000" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYMwKNaHHzON9KzFfPZ4aw1cb5rTQlMmx2C6oRmIhcF4n7DQBNFaFIADI44kEdW2rehHo6dInAR8e9CSSuZ1o4AiJJOM7IZY0gDwzs8IfsJKHidtPzpHnClzN2eo20cbNotH0j6swfCOi/s640/1000x-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> In other countries in the West like Canada and the United States of America, they can port their numbers into other carriers or providers if they wish to do so. In our country, however, that’s yet to be approved until last year, when the House of Representatives approved House Bill 7652 or also known as the Mobile Number Portability bill.<br /> <br /></div>

lifestyle news Telecommunications Permanent Mobile Number, Approved by Duterte

In other countries in the West like Canada and the United States of America, they can port their numbers into other carriers or providers if they wish to do so. In our country, however, that’s yet to be approved until last year, when the House of Re…

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Duterte signs universal healthcare bill into law

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday signed into law a landmark bill that guarantees all Filipinos equal access to quality and affordable goods and services in healthcare.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk7jG8E2j2dDlPP3RGlKl-CXjuvuQot4O0abnyA29wekyR8TnD2rHY7UGRi_cQvmA0Q1W8Q36noBkfz_gDWWuLVXubzvm4Asd0LRFFWEzdGOC5_w0djax0w1ftF9vgQ2ZY6enENThi0Dw/s1600/National+Health+Care.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk7jG8E2j2dDlPP3RGlKl-CXjuvuQot4O0abnyA29wekyR8TnD2rHY7UGRi_cQvmA0Q1W8Q36noBkfz_gDWWuLVXubzvm4Asd0LRFFWEzdGOC5_w0djax0w1ftF9vgQ2ZY6enENThi0Dw/s640/National+Health+Care.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Duterte signed the Universal Health Care Act during a ceremony in Malacañang.<br /> <br /> Under the law, all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled into the National Health Insurance Program as direct contributors or those who have the capacity to pay premiums, and indirect contributors sponsored by the government such as indigents and senior citizens.<br /> <br /> It has a funding requirement of P257 billion but was given appropriations of only P217 billion under the proposed 2019 national budget.<br /> <br /> Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the funding gap of P40 billion would mean not all hospitals or health centers as envisioned under the law would be constructed.<br /> <br /> The construction of barangay health units in fourth to sixth class municipalities would be prioritized, so patients would not have to visit hospitals for minor ailments, Duque said.<br /> <br /> The law also mandates the expansion of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage to include free consultation fees, laboratory tests, and other diagnostic services.<br /> <br /> PhilHealth was created in 1995 to implement universal health coverage in the country. As a government-owned and controlled corporation, PhilHealth is tax-exempt and attached to the Department of Health.<br /> <br /> Filipinos who are not enrolled in PhilHealth could still benefit from health care services since the premium subsidy will be gradually adjusted and included in the General Appropriations Act.<br /> <br /> The law also calls for an improved doctor-to-patient ratio as well as an upgrade of hospital bed capacities and equipment and the establishment of hospitals in remote areas. —VDS/ LDF, GMA News<br /> <br /> Source: GMA Network</div>

lifestyle news Politics Duterte signs universal healthcare bill into law

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday signed into law a landmark bill that guarantees all Filipinos equal access to quality and affordable goods and services in healthcare. Duterte signed the Universal Health Care Act during a ceremony in Malacañan…

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