Teachers Always Matter: REX and PEAC Reaffirm Commitment to the Teaching Profession, Launch Year 4 of Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan

 The education sector needs the best and brightest to lead the way. With this vision, Rex Education and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) united in 2020 to launch the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan, a scholarship program dedicated to championing and advancing teacher education by inspiring top learners to pursue the teaching profession.

Four years later, the mission remains steadfast: to cultivate the country's brightest minds into champions of education—integral members of the Edukampyon community. Teachers, being closest to learners, are the ultimate Edukampyons, wielding the power to significantly impact Filipino learners and guiding them toward creating a better future for themselves, society, and nation.

On Teachers’ Day, October 5, Rex Education and PEAC reaffirmed this commitment with the formal launch of Year 4 of the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan, in a virtual event titled “A Commitment for the Future of the Teaching Profession: PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan Year 4 Launch.”

“I am deeply grateful and excited to be celebrating yet another meaningful milestone with all of you. Parang ang bilis ng panahon. I can hardly believe we are already launching the fourth year of our PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan Program,” said Don Timothy Buhain, Chief Executive Officer of RexEducation and Co-Chair of the scholarship program, during his keynote.

In his speech, Buhain highlighted the pressing need for meaningful change in the quality of education in the country, especially in light of the recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 rankings, where Filipino learners ranked 77th out of 81 countries. This alarming statistic underscores the need for education stakeholders—parents, school administrators, teachers, academic publishers, government, the whole nation—to intensify their initiatives, deepen their actions, and unite in uplifting education in the country.

According to Buhain, this enhancement in education quality hinges on improving teacher quality, which is a primary goal of this scholarship program. “Looking back, this all began with a shared recognition of a vital need. We knew that if we truly wanted to see meaningful change in the quality of education, particularly in teacher quality, we had to act swiftly,” Buhain stated. “In PEAC, we found a partner whose aspirations for learners and educators aligndeeply with ours. I truly believe we could not have asked for a more fitting collaborator and partner in this endeavor.”

This initiative will soon celebrate its first graduating class—14 of the country’s top scholars—who are set to enter the teaching profession next year as the pioneer batch of the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan program. For Year 4, PEAC and Rex Education are proud to welcome 25 scholars—the most in the program’s still short but fruitful history—in this continuing investment and commitment tothe teaching profession.

“Through this program, we aim to advance teacher quality by recruiting the best and brightest first-year students who want to pursue the teaching profession—especially in math and science—and grant them scholarships. This is our investment in the future of the profession. What an incredible journey it has been so far. We faced challenges, celebrated triumphs, and shared so many heartfelt moments along the way. Look how far we’ve come,” Buhain remarked.

Indeed, the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan program has come a long way and made remarkable strides in just four short years It only continues to grow stronger and has so much more to give, be hopeful for, and accomplish in years to come.

An excellent host for an excellent show

 

It was in 2017 when she shot a video about TV reporting along Cuyab River, (now known as Tunasan-Cuyab River), a river system in the Philippines. That particular video, where she almost perfectly impersonated award-winning broadcaster Karen Davila in her reporting style, became viral and thus gave birth to a name that will soon resonate in the Philippine entertainment and news industries.

 

The woman in the viral video was Jervi Lisaba, who later became Mrs. Jervi Wrightson, and now more popularly known as award-winning actress, writer, endorser, impersonator, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) rights advocate, television personality and radio host “KaladKaren.”

 

As soon as the video exploded and brought KaladKaren to local and international consciousness, it certainly opened doors of opportunities for the young talent, where many lauded her flawless impersonation of the “real” Karen Davila in both reporting style and body language. But being famous because of the video, she was not bereft of bashers and haters, who branded her as having her “15 minutes of fame” and simply a “flash in the pan.”

 

Anchored on Excellence

 

But she was unperturbed because Jervi, now Mrs. Wrightson, has seen to it that all that she does in life are anchored on excellence. With all the challenges in life that she experienced, she knows that being at her excellent best is the only way that she will be noticed.

 

That is why she worked hard starting with her studies, where she graduated with Latin honors (Magna cum Laude) at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communications.

 

But her achievements did not end there but actually, more followed.

 

KaladKaren was lauded as a leading figure in promoting awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community in the country, where she was seen as a positive symbol. She upped the ante when she became the first transgender woman news anchor in the country, and became the first transgender woman to win “Best Supporting Actress” at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) summer edition for the movie “Here Comes the Groom,” and is also a resident judge of reality TV competition series Drag Race Philippines.

 

Online presence

 

To further promote her ideals and other advocacies, many of them on LGBTQIA+ issues, Jervi once again will make her online presence felt as she will be handling hosting chores of the newest game show in town, “Bee Excellent,” organized by Taiwan Excellence under Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs. “Bee Excellent” is an online quiz show where questions will focus on general knowledge on innovation and environmental sustainability.

 

Of course, it was a no-brainer that given her hosting expertise, Jervi was tapped to host the show, her first time to experience such an assignment.

“I have never hosted a game show yet that’s why I’m quite excited to be the host of this very new online quiz bee. I also have never been to Taiwan that’s why it’s even more exciting that this show is organized by Taiwan Excellence,” Jervi said in her YouTube vlog about the show.

 

She likewise mentioned that her excitement is also fueled by the fact that her long-time partner and now-husband, Luke Wrightson, used to work in Taiwan, and that she has many friends who go there frequently and always points out that going to Taiwan is always a fun-filled experience.

 

To express her obvious anticipation and generate more excitement about the show, she made a behind-the-scenes vlog on her YouTube channel regarding her adventures in shooting the “Bee Excellent” episodes. In her vlog, she showed where they shot the episodes, and even had fun interacting with the show’s production staff after their arduous taping through a mini game show.

 

"Bee Excellent" consisted of three episodes, and the first episode was aired last October 14. Contestants are asked to answer questions related to general knowledge about Taiwan, including trivia and cultural topics. The answers were submitted via Google Forms or in the Comments Section.

Five participants per episode won P5,000 each, along with bragging rights as winners of the first online game show in the country.

The show is supported by well-known Taiwan brands such as D-Link, Acer, Asus, ROG, MSI, Derma Angel, and PC Express, all of which have been long-time partners of Taiwan Excellence.

Winners were already announced on Taiwan Excellence’s social media platforms.

With trivia and general knowledge challenges centered around Taiwan, "Bee Excellent" offered both fun and exciting prizes, including products from top brand partners like Acer, Asus, D-Link, MSI, ROG, Derma Angel, and PC Express.

 

Link to Kaladkaren’s Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShEldbWzd3k

 

For more updates on Taiwan Excellence and Bee Excellent, like and follow Taiwan Excellence on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph/ and Instagram:                      https://www.instagram.com/taiwanexcellence_ph/?hl=en.

San Miguel Foods launches the holiday season with the Home Foodie Madalicious Christmas Kickoff Event

 

San Miguel Foods officially rang in the holiday season last October 29, 2024, at the San Miguel Foods Culinary Center in Pasig City with the exclusive Home Foodie Madalicious Christmas Kickoff. This influencers-only gathering, held at the creatively decorated Culinary Center, brought together over 40 influencers for an afternoon designed to spread festive cheer and build momentum for the San Miguel Foods Home Foodie platform as a top go-to recipe hub.

The event featured a three-hour program filled with interactive activities that highlighted San Miguel Foods’ iconic brands and inspired social engagement. Attendees participated in games such as 4Pics & Words for product recall, as well as the Home Foodie Passport activity, where influencers completed promotional tasks for a chance to win prizes, including a smart digital oven, digital slow cooker, deep fryer, griddle pan, and Masflex cookware. The tasks 1) Encouraged the guests to promote Home Foodie on their social channels and 2) Boosted downloads of the new Home Foodie e-cookbook.

The event showcased three main attractions:

1. Launch of the Home Foodie Madalicious Celebrations: Flavors for the Holidays e-Cookbook. The event debuted the new e-cookbook featuring 17 easy and delectable recipes, from appetizers to desserts, all created with San Miguel Foods products. These recipes were incorporated into the event’s holiday-themed menu, providing a delicious preview of the upcoming season.

2. Cooking demo and holiday hacks by restaurateur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu: Special guest Happy Ongpauco-Tiu delighted the crowd with tips on elevating the holiday classic, Purefoods Fiesta Ham. She also demonstrated a crowd-favorite recipe: Quick & Easy Pandesal Ensaymada with Christmas Ham. The cheese-sugar encrusted pandesal with savory ham filling was a memorable treat that captured the flavors of the season.

3. Culmination of the Home Foodie Madalicious Cookoff Influencer Edition: Ten influencers who participated in a previous cooking challenge in October were recognized for their creations, with each contestant crafting a dish with a mystery San Miguel Foods ingredient. Each was required to prepare and finish the dish in just one hour. Using sponsored equipment from Reyna Gas Stove and Fiesta Gas cannisters and pans by Masflex Cookware & Kitchenware, the participants showcased their culinary creativity. Three standout winners were awarded personalized Home Foodie knives and cooking appliances:  

• Grand winner of 20-L microwave oven: Roanne Tadina with “Lime Oriental Wings” using Magnolia Chicken Timplados Oriental Wings  

• 1st Place winner of a 6-liter digital airfryer: Charisse Espinosa with “Beef Tapa Shepherd’s Pie” using Purefoods Beef Tapa  

• 2nd Place winner of an electric hotpot barbeque griller: Karina Ramos with “Ginataang Manok Inasal” using Magnolia Chicken Timplados Inasal  

Among those who awarded the winners were San Miguel Foods (SMF) Culinary Services Manager Llena Tan Arcenas, SMF Great Food Solutions AVP Sales & Marketing Manager Leah Golez, special guest celebrity chef and Masflex ambassador, Gene Gonzalez, Masflex CEO Hiren Mirchandani, and Masflex Senior Marketing & Creatives Manager Jannel Camba.

Each non-winning participant also received a dinnerware set courtesy of Masflex.

The Home Foodie Madalicious Christmas Kickoff succeeded in enhancing San Miguel Foods’ connection with influencers and consumers, celebrating the joy of cooking and the convenience of creating #Madalicious meals. San Miguel Foods invites everyone to continue the celebration and join the Home Foodie community on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and its official website where easy-to-follow recipes and inspiration are just a click away.