Little Me Academy to Launch Academe Philippine Online High School in Cagayan de Oro

CDO-based school Little Me Academy will launch the Academe Philippine Online High School (APOHS) on October 23rd. This is the first online open high school in the Philippines, catering to learners in grades 7 through 10.

APOHS has partnered with a Japan-based, e-learning platform called QUIPPER, which gives learners a challenging and engaging digital curriculum that is also aligned to Philippine's K-12 Basic Education Curriculum.

APOHS students have the freedom to complete their 100% online coursework wherever they are in the world, ensuring accessibility for Filipino students from around the globe. Because lessons are modular, learners can work whenever they want and at their own pace. This is helpful for students who have fallen behind, optimal for those who want to get ahead, and accessible for any Filipino learner.

"Filipinos seeking high school education come from all sorts of backgrounds - local talents engaged in outside pursuits, children who frequently travel with their families, housebound or working students, and so much more," noted Little Me Academy's Chief Education Officer, Teacher Ram Olandesca. Such situations can make it difficult for these students to be accommodated in traditional classrooms; however, in an online learning environment, limitations arising from location, physical ability, availability, or age are overcome.

"The faculty and staff at APOHS are highly qualified educators passionate about teaching, having undergone rigorous training for years at Little Me Academy," enthused Teacher Ram. "Little Me teachers are known throughout CDO for their dynamism, creativity, and outstanding communication skills. They'll bring that and more to the online school setting with tutoring, live instruction, corrective feedback, daily reminders, and check-ins." 

Socialization is also taken into account at the school. Personal connections and communications are made possible through mandatory, weekly online meetings and in-person meet-ups. "With this," Teacher Ram said, "the APOHS learner gains not just the intellectual profits of a high school education, but the social and emotional growth of a complete high school experience."

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Big thanks, bigger perks on Globe 917 Day

Globe says thank you to its customers with a celebration that begins this weekend!

The number 917 is turning out to be the most favored number of the year as Globe celebrates its iconic 917 prefix with a day overflowing with gratitude for all its customers.

Inspired by last year’s massively successful celebration, the country’s leading mobile brand commemorates the wonderful connections it has made by rewarding its customers with upgraded offers, surprise treats, and not-to-miss events leading up to September 17 (9/17).

Now on it’s third year, 917 Day is all about giving back and letting loyal customers and partners feel the love and gratitude that everyone at Globe has for them. 917 Day is one big thank you from Globe for being part of our family all these years. We are #GratefulEveryday for allowing us to create and share experiences with you.

The countdown to 917 Day begins with a weekend of sweet deals and giveaways. On September 15, Saturday, dine at KFC or shop at Bench or Marks & Spencer stores nationwide. Use your Globe Rewards points as cash and receive delightful surprises from these partner establishments!

It’s the VIP treatment for long-time Globe customers. As a little extra thank you for those who have been with us through the years, Globe is giving exclusive perks like free data for longtime TM and Prepaid customers, at least 100 Rewards points for Postpaid and Platinum customers depending on tenure, free volume/speed boost, Rewards points and other goodies for Globe At Home, Globe Business, and Globe myBusiness customers.

Have fun, get pampered on the best 917 Day yet!

From September 17 to 23, Globe Prepaid will visit select schools nationwide and will bring fun booths, movie screenings and free snacks for students.

Want to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends instead? TM has you covered at its tambayan nooks in public parks for film screenings and free bags of chips to enjoy.

Globe Postpaid also gets in on the 917 fun. True to its promise of delivering extra value, The PLAN PLUS customers will get a special coffee surprise on September 17.

Stock up on cool accessories and exclusive merch from Globe Lifestyle with the various flash sales at the Globe Online Shop! Get exciting discounts on powerbanks, phone cases, speakers, and screen protectors. Own a pair of exclusive 0917 shirts for only P917 for purchases made on September 20. 

Stay tuned for the complete list of promos by visiting shop.globe.com.ph/happy-917. Learn more by following Globe on Facebook and Twitter.

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KBP and NTC to Crackdown Illegal Broadcast Stations for 2019 Polls

The Kapisanan ng mg Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the National Telecommunications Communication (NTC) are working together in driving out illegal broadcast stations across the country in view of the coming midterm elections.

“This year 2018 and there’s usually a proliferation of illegal broadcast stations leading to election day in May next year”, said Erwin V. Galang, head of the technical committee and trustee of the KBP.

Majority of the administrative cases the NTC handles under its mandate are cease and desist and show cause orders against illegal broadcast stations, and according to Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios, the NTC’s previous cooperation and coordination with the KBP has led to the crackdown of fly-by-night broadcast stations, mostly in the provinces, who had victimized unsuspecting candidates to buy airtime for their political advertisements. These illegal broadcasters usually disappear after they received payment for the political ads. “Historically, we can see a steep increase in the number of cases in broadcast services in relation to unlicensed broadcasts leading to the election campaign period. What we do is we immediately issue cease-and-desist and show-cause orders against these illegal operators, forcing them to shut down their stations, while others simply disappear,” Cabarios said. 

In the 2017 report by the Commission on Audit (COA, majority of the cases were administrative complaints initiated by NTC for violations of erring radio stations with almost 2,054 cases in the broadcast services division. According to Auditor Ma. Jocelyn Factora, COA’s 2017 resident auditor in the NTC, majority of the pending administrative cases represented cases filed by NTC against illegal broadcast stations, and not cases from telco consumers. “The pending telco-related cases from consumers are very minimal.” As of 31 December 2017, there are only 148 telco consumer cases pending before the NTC’s Legal Office which are now subject of review and resolution.

Source: 

Manila Bulletin

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NTC Memorandum Circular on Interconnection Charges for Short Messages Services and Voice Service

On the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte to make goods and services affordable and accessible to consumers, particularly the marginalized, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez has immediately put forward the proposal to reduce the telco interconnection rates to the New Major Player Oversight Committee. 

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) then issued Department Order No. 002 directing the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to study and formulate the guidelines that will bring down the cost of interconnection . 

In the draft Memorandum Circular (MC) drafted by the NTC following a study, interconnection charges were reduced to P 0.50 per minute from P 2.50 per minute for voice service and P 0.05 per text from P 0.15 per text for SMS. 

A public hearing was conducted to enable telecommunication companies to comment and submit their position papers pertaining to the MC. 

On July 19, 2018, the final MC was issued by the NTC. 

The reduced interconnection rates are expected to benefit consumers across socio-economic classes, making voice call and SMS services between networks more affordable. This will also allow telcos to attract more subscribers and offer a wide variety of unlimited plans and services. 

Significantly, the MC will benefit landline subscribers and users of basic 2G mobile phones nationwide, majority of whom belong to the marginalized sectors of society.

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Piolo Pascual: Keeping His Promises

Relationships are built on promises: the promise to love, to care, to secure, to protect, and to provide. This is something that Piolo Pascual knows all too well, committed as he is to the promises he has made to his family as a son, a sibling, and a father. 

But when financial troubles arise, bringing such promises to life becomes a challenge. 

“Like any other person, I want to give my family the best life possible. I am a man of my word, that’s why I work hard and seize every opportunity that comes my way,” But more than just earning money, it’s how you manage your finances that makes a difference. Fortunately, I have the guidance and help of one very special lady: my very own sister, Chiqui Pascual-Gonzales, who also happens to be my Sun Life Advisor.” 

According to Piolo, Chiqui has been instrumental in ensuring that his dreams for his family will all come true. “It’s a partnership through and through. With her help, I’ve been able to make it all happen while still pursuing my own passions and advocacies,” he said. 

Piolo and Chiqui’s story is but one of many in Sun Life Financial, where lifetime partnerships are developed and nurtured through the years. In fact, this has inspired Sun Life’s latest campaign, at the forefront of which is a new TV commercial highlighting Sun Life’s presence in a client’s life throughout the different stages of her life. It represents the many promises that Sun Life has helped bring into fruition for the past 123 years of its existence. 

Sun Life hopes that the campaign, as well as Piolo’s own story, will inspire more people to take the same path in their financial journey. “As the longest-standing life insurance company in the Philippines, we have witnessed many promises being fulfilled throughout the years and have served generations of clients. It is an honor for us to serve all our clients and help them secure their future and those of their loved ones” Sun Life Chief Marketing Officer Mylene Lopa said. 

“The promises we make to our loved ones are sacred, and Sun Life knows this. That’s why it’s committed to helping its clients achieve their goals, no matter what happens,” Piolo said. “You can’t ask for a better lifetime partner than that!”

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