Lifestyle

From left to right – Mr. Bong Abela (Business Consultant), Mr. Ermelo Rañola (COO of eDRIS Inc.), Mr. Joshua Wahiman (Subway Marketing Manager), Dr. Annabelle S. Alob (Public Schools District Supervisor – Bantayan II), Mr. Victor S. Ungod (School Head of Patao National Highschool), Mr. Lorenzo Cañares

One school in Bantayan Island, Cebu, is a step closer to achieving Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s goal of modernizing the educational system by utilizing technology.

Patao National High School in Bantayan Island, Cebu received the School in a Box digital system from Subway® Philippines in collaboration with e-DRIS Inc. One of Bantayan, Cebu’s remote barangays is Patao. One of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) last mile schools, it takes four hours by land, an hour by ferry, and an additional hour by car to get to it from Bantayan’s main port.

The School in a Box system is a micro-cloud system that can provide for the creation, selection, curation and distribution of tens of thousands of updated relevant content to thousands of users at a time. For teachers and students alike, it is also embedded with the Foundation Learning Management System to make the e-learning process a productive and quantifiable process. Moreover, these e-learning content and modules are made accessible to students and teachers online or with intermittent connection or no internet connectivity at all. This innovative platform is definitely a game changer for the last mile schools and those located in internet – challenged areas.

EDRIS emphasize that the program will allow access to educational modules, interactive lessons, simulated videos, reference materials comprising of a vast array of knowledge for Grade 1 to Grade 12 students through online and offline connectivity.

From left tp right – Joana Gersale ( Project Coordinator – Estrat ), Mr. Bong Abela (Business Consultant), Mr. Ermelo Rañola (COO of eDRIS Inc.), Mr. Joshua Wahiman (Subway Marketing Manager), Dr. Annabelle S. Alob (Public Schools District Supervisor – Bantayan II), Mr. Victor S. Ungod (School Head of Patao National Highschool), Mr. Lorenzo Cañares, Ms. Elisa Sarabia (Teacher of Patao National Highschool)

 “Content in the form of texts and other resources can be centrally curated in the C3 Cloud Control portal by those responsible for curriculum and distributed to any authorized C3 Micro-Cloud, “ explained Ermelo Ranola COO of e-DRIS Inc.

During the turnover ceremony, Patao National High School Principal Victor S. Ungod said the arrival of the system was very timely and that it would help fill in the gaps for students who are behind in their lessons.

“The School in the Box program can enhance the learnings of the students and in fact we or the students have benefitted from this because we are in the process of exploring the contents of this device. We are very thankful for this because we are the very first recipient of this program,” Ungod said.

For his part, Subway® Philippines Marketing Manager Joshua Wahiman reaffirmed Subway’s promise of being the better choice for everyone, not just in serving fresh and healthy foods but also in amplifying the importance of education and how a healthier approach in learning can maximize the potential of students regardless of their location.

“We are delighted that we are able to empower the community and this last mile school with this School in a Box device. As we want to highlight all the better for your meals from Subway, we also want to highlight or bring about a healthier approach and, in terms of their studies, would be better in their field before they go out into the real world,” he said.

The following people should be contacted for more details about the project: Through [email protected], contact Mel Ranola, COO. [email protected]

SM Foundation and Maxeon Solar Technologies formally held the community launch of the Sinag Schools Program at Lemery Pilot Elementary School in Batangas.

Through the Sinag Schools initiative, the SM Foundation (SMFI), the SM group’s corporate social responsibility division, and Maxeon Solar Technologies recently powered up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas. This socially beneficial partnership between SMFI and Maxeon intends to install solar panels on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses, in order to deliver clean and renewable energy to schools in grassroots areas.

In addition to the solar panel installation which intends to power positive change in the way energy is consumed in public schools, the program also aims to enhance the understanding of students in terms of energy management and the need to transition to cleaner energy alternatives with lower environmental impacts.

Through the Sinag Schools program, SMFI and Maxeon installed 21 solar panels— estimated to produce 6510 watt-p—on an SM school building in Batangas.

“Through this program, we want to power up the learning and development of young people. We want to help teach young people about solar energy, about renewable energy. We want to power up the next generation to help save our planet,” Maxeon Fab4 General Manager Glenn Everett said.

The SM school building at the LPES, which was donated by SMFI in partnership with SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) in 2017, now boasts 21 solar panels—estimated to produce 6510 watt-p. With the savings on electricity, the school may realign their budget to more efforts and other innovations that will give the students an environment more conducive to learning.

It takes a village to raise a child

SMFI executive director Debbie Sy underscored the importance of collective efforts in advancing the learning experience of every student in the country: “We believe that collaboration can drive growth and become a force for good in addressing societal challenges. CSR partnerships can create solutions that improve society by fostering learning, promoting innovation and gaining access to new technologies, such as the Sinag schools program. CSR collaboration can pool resources, both financial and human resources – between multiple organizations which can amplify social good impact.”

“The establishment of an ever-evolving CSR strategy and partnerships will help companies and non-government organizations in developing and implementing crucial social good programs over decades while having procedures in place that integrate social and environmental priorities into CSR core strategy – all in close collaboration with stakeholders,” she further added.

Moreover, Everett mentioned how SMFI and Maxeon share the similar set of values and interest when it comes to helping Filipino learners: “We have this concept of powering positive change in the world. We are happy to be working together with SM Foundation to power up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School.”

“Individually, we can do so much. But together we can do actually more. For us to bring our solar technology and SMFI to bring in their schools, these things are much better together than they would be apart,” he concluded.

Spreading social good all the way

SM Supermalls employee volunteers led the distribution of donations from SM Foundation to the students of Lemery Pilot Elementary School.

SM Foundation made sure to truly touch the lives of the learners and teachers of LPES as it donated eight desktop computers, 200 bags with school supplies, and more than 160 pcs brand new kinder and elementary books to further promote the love for reading among the students. Clothing items for parents were also distributed.

For more information about this initiative, follow SM Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube: @SMFoundationInc.

The headquarters of Maxeon are in Singapore. Maxeon® and SunPower® brand solar panels are created, produced, and sold by the business. Maxeon operates sales activities in more than 100 nations, some of which operate under the SunPower brand outside of the United States. With products that cover the global rooftop and solar power plant markets, Maxeon is a leader in solar innovation. It does this through a network of more than 1,700 reliable partners and distributors. Maxeon, a leader in environmentally friendly solar manufacturing, benefits from a +35-year heritage in the sector and multiple accolades for its innovation.

Through its School Building Program, the SM Foundation actively participates in DepEd’s Adopt-a-School initiative. By constructing classrooms across the country, this social good program seeks to promote high-quality public education. It has handed over more than 100 school structures to local communities thus far.

(From left to right) SM Prime Energy Consultant Jaime Patinio, AboitizPower Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations Sandro Aboitiz, SM Engineering, Design and Development President Hans Sy, Jr., SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rubio, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement David Aboitiz, AboitizPower Vice President for Retail – Commercial Operations Business Unit James Byron Yu, and SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng Ong gather for a luncheon on Thursday, August 4, after sealing a long-term partnership with the commitment to helping build a cleaner and brighter future.

One of the top property developers in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), achieves its aim of raising the percentage of renewable energy in its portfolio to more than 50% by signing a long-term agreement with AboitizPower for Cleanergy supply. This is in support of the Department of Energy’s plan to increase the share of renewable energy in the nation’s energy supply to 35% by 2030.

According to the deal, AboitizPower will be able to provide energy from the Tiwi and MakBan Geothermal Power Plants, as well as PV Sinag’s Power Plants, which are run and managed by a subsidiary of AboitizPower called Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI). By the end of 2022, SM Prime properties under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), including malls, vacation homes, offices, hotels, and other institutions, will be powered by this long-term contract.

“This partnership with AboitizPower is aligned with our unwavering commitment to being a catalyst for economic growth and steward of nature. We will continue providing world-class amenities within our sustainable lifestyle cities that have been beneficial and inspirational to millions of Filipinos,” said Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s President.

SM Prime builds legacy communities based on its core sustainable pillars: Economy, People, Environment, and Community. It is dedicated to generating value sustainably through its diverse business segments.

“AboitizPower is thrilled to be SM Prime’s partner in building sustainable lifestyle cities. We thank SM Prime for trusting us to be their partner in their transition to clean and renewable energy. It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to power various SM Prime properties with our renewable assets”, said Sandro Aboitiz, Senior Vice President of the Commercial Operations Business Unit.

“We consider it a great milestone for our group to be in support of SM’s transition to renewable energy and are working to rapidly expand our renewable portfolio as the demand for Cleanergy grows. We have supported a growing number of corporations transitioning to clean and renewable energy and we are excited at the prospect of seeing a future where Cleanergy is the norm.” said David Aboitiz, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI) Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement.

In order to support the government’s goals to grow the nation’s renewable energy industry, the top provider of renewable energy intends to increase the size of its Cleanergy portfolio over the course of the next ten years. By 2030, AboitizPower hopes to have a mix of thermal and clean energy capacity that is roughly 50:50.

Find out more about SM Prime and the SM Green Movement

From Left: Dr. Tyronne Lariego, Pediatric Intensive Care, ARC Hospital; Dr. Pearl Joy Sendaydiego, Pediatric Neurologist and Director of Medical Administrative Affairs, ARC Hospital; Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train PH; Dr. Larissa Ang-Lim, Pediatric Dentist; Dr. Alex Alegrado, Medical Director, ARC Hospital

After opening the first Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) center in Cebu a year ago, Smile Train is still working to increase the number of people in the province and the Visayas who have access to cleft treatment. The first CCC in Cebu has treated more than 120 patients thanks to its collaboration with Allegiant Regional Care (ARC) Hospitals and the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, more than 100 of whom underwent life-altering cleft surgery.

Additionally, speech therapy sessions were offered, ensuring that patients had access to this crucial component of their ongoing care. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including nutrition counseling and orthodontic care, to patients who travel from as far away as Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Negros Oriental.

“Our partnership with Smile Train has allowed us to offer many Filipino patients hope and a chance to experience life-changing treatment for free. With the first comprehensive cleft care center in the region, we are able to cater to more patients and help them learn more about Smile Train’s programs of holistic care for those with cleft,” said Melody Ledesma, Country Director, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation.

According to Dr. Alex Alegrado, Medical Director of Allegiant Regional Care (ARC) Hospitals Inc, many patients have also approached the hospital inquiring about the process for receiving treatment. “Contrary to the notion that services are paused due to the pandemic, we are happy to share the cleft team at ARC continues to provide life-changing treatment for those in need.  We are happy that many of our beneficiaries continue to and are eager to go through the process of treatment. By partnering with Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, we are able to help Filipinos experience the global standard of comprehensive cleft care,” he said.

“We have reached another milestone in our goal of providing care for every cleft-affected individual, and a year full of smiles is just the beginning. We are confident that we will be able to reach more Filipinos affected with cleft and help provide them with access to the necessary comprehensive cleft care support they need,” said Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train Philippines.

Smile Train promotes comprehensive cleft care, recognizing that an untreated cleft can cause various health complications such as malnutrition, difficulty breathing and speaking, hearing loss, mental health challenges, and even premature death. Leveraging on its telehealth network, Smile Train brings the services of a multidisciplinary team of specialists to promote programs that include nutritional support, orthodontic care, psychosocial support, and speech therapy, with pilot programs in dental care and ENT services.

Through its programs, Smile Train’s goal is to connect all patients to the care they need. Relying on its network of more than 50 partners, Smile Train has managed to reach more patients across the country, bringing the multiple benefits of free comprehensive cleft care to patients who need it most.

Smile Train has launched several comprehensive cleft centers with its partners, such as the Philippine Band of Mercy and Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital in Metro Manila. Through the help of its partners, Smile Train has been able to support more than 68,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines to date.

Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives and to make a donation. And visit smiletrain.ph/get-help to find out more about the local programs offered by Smile Train in the Philippines and to suggest a patient who needs aid. Like Smile Train Philippines on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines and follow us on Instagram at @SmileTrainPh.