Wednesday, December 28, 2016

DOST-SEI announces 2,196 qualifiers under JLSS program


A total of 2,196 third year college students passed the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI) 2016 Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) Examination administered nationwide on 16 October 2016 and in areas affected by Typhoon Karen on 13 November 2016. There were 7,102 third year students in various S&T courses who took the examination.

The JLSS is a scholarship program of the DOST-SEI under the Republic Act No. 7687 or the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994”, Republic Act No. 10612 or the “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013”, and the Merit Scholarship Program.


Qualifiers of this scholarship program will get to enjoy a 2-3 year S&T scholarships. Those who qualified under RA 7687 and RA 10612 will be entitled to subsidy in tuition fee and other school fees, monthly living allowance, book allowance, among others, in the last 2 or 3 years of their undergraduate studies. Scholars under the Merit scholarship program will likewise receive the same benefits except for the pro-rated monthly stipend based on the scholar’s family socio-economic status.

The implementation of the JLSS supports the goal of the DOST-SEI to substantially increase the number of scientists and engineers needed to boost economic productivity and knowledge creation in the country. Meanwhile, the R.A. 10612 supports the execution of Section 8 of the K to 12 law by providing a pool of scholar-graduates which can competently teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the basic education.

“The program is aimed at producing more science, mathematics and engineering human resource, which we still lack. It is also important to have content-rich teachers in these critical fields to help us develop stronger science and mathematics foundations among our youth,” Dr. Josette T. Biyo, SEI Director, said.

Upon graduation the S&T scholars will be required to render service to the country, preferably in their home region, for a period equivalent to the number of years they enjoyed the scholarship. The RA 7687 and Merit scholars are expected to work along their fields of specialization while those under RA 10612 shall serve as STEM teachers in any public or private high school in the country. 

Dr. Biyo believes that by fast-tracking graduates in STEM courses, the JLSS under RA 7687, RA 10612, and Merit Program will strengthen the country’s science and technology; and hopes to inspire more scholar-graduates to pursue a career path in science and mathematics teaching.

The new JLSS scholars will get to enjoy the scholarship effective the First Semester of AY 2016-2017.


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Get smart and stylish this holiday season with Acer




Today’s generation of technology-oriented individuals will spare no expense to go and achieve their dreams in the swiftest of manners. And they will even do it in style.

Go chic and stylish this holiday season as global tech titan Acer unleashes its latest holiday promo for people who love to #GoSwift and in style and go beyond trends. Acer offers cool freebies every time you buy your favorite Acer laptop, 2-in-1, All-in-One, or projector until December 31, 2016.

For the stylish set, imagine having the best laptop around and wearing a good-looking watch at that while inside your favorite coffee shop and you’ll surely grab attention. The smart Acer Liquid Leap Active Smartwatch is just for you, not just to keep you abreast of time but also as an attractive personal digital companion. Its   1-inch OLED (128 x 32) touchscreen display is a joy to look at, and is perfectly compatible with Android 4.4 systems and above, iOS 7 and iOS 8 and Windows 8.1. It is IPX4 waterproof certified and a full charge can last you 5-7 days. Just buy any Acer laptop with i3 processors or Acer 2-in-1 devices and this nifty gadget worth P850 is yours for free.

The Tomiko DigiBox is a cool addition to your home entertainment system and when watching your favorite TV shows and movies in superb digital format. And pairing this with an Acer projector or desktop makes it a truly excellent multimedia combination. The Tomiko DigiBox supports 1080P high-definition video, comes with a Multimedia Playback function (MPEG 1/2/3/4, MKV, MOV, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG) and multiple OSD language, with Auto and Manual Search Functions and powerful program edit capabilities. Best of all, you can get this home entertainment buddy worth P1,200 absolutely free when you buy Acer projectors or Acer All-in-One desktops with i3, i5 or i7 processors inside.


For those who want uninterrupted power and not lose their productivity at work and/or at play, just buy Acer desktops with i3, i5 or i7 processors or Acer Veriton desktops with i3 and i5 processors and get the Emerson UPS worth P1,400 for free. The Emerson UPS guarantees constant and non-stop power during outages for your desktop with high reliability, protection from power surges and overloads and best of all, the Emerson UPS comes in a compact and lightweight form factor. From hereon, no more worries about losing important work in your Acer desktop just because the electricity went out.

Or if you want a cool, light and groovy bag to carry your laptop around safely and securely, just buy qualified Acer laptops (Celeron and Pentium-powered) and you can get the Acer laptop bag worth P300 for free. You’ll get peace of mind knowing that your precious Acer laptop is with you all the time inside your green-and-black Acer laptop bag that you can carry anywhere.

To get the Acer Liquid Leap Active Smartwatch, Emerson UPS, Tomiko DigiBox, or Acer laptop bag, simply buy the qualified Acer products from any Acer participating stores and fill out all necessary information in the Promo Claim Form. Present this together with the Official Receipt, cut-out of Box Serial Number, plus two (2) valid IDs at any authorized Acer redemption area.

When claiming via email, simply submit a clear scanned copy of the Promo Claim Form, Original Receipt, Cut-out of Box Serial Number and two (2) valid ID cards to aphi.promos@acer.com. Follow up on your claim via email through (02) 815-3388 local 100.

Other authorized Acer redemption areas are the Acer Service Center along 1651 Paz Guanzon Street, Paco, Manila, Acer Service Center along F. Cabahug corner Almendras Streets in Mabolo, Cebu City, and Acer Service Center at the ground floor of Ateneo de Davao University, 8016 Roxas Avenue, Davao City.

For more about the Acer holiday promo, #GoSwift and in style and other Acer Philippines’ products, go to www.acer.com.ph, follow Acer via Twitter (twitter.com/acerphils) or www.Facebook.com/AcerPH.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Christmas and More at Club Balai Isabel


Christmas time is here once again! Christmas a we know is the most celebrated holiday among Christians all over the word.  And we Filipinos are known to celebrate it the longest number of days.  As soon as the 'ber month set in that's when we begin to hear christmas carols being played all around - on the radio, shopping malls, jeepneys, tambayans, among others.  Houses and establishments likewise started to decorate to complement the festive mood.

Christmas is the most awaited time of the year for friends and families to gather, celebrate and of course eat together.  Even as we do it within our homes or at outside eating places.

Christmas came in early with my group of blogger friends as we gather to enjoy the year-end at Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas.

Club Balai Isabel is a favorite place for us because of its lovely scenery, comfy accommodations and delicious food.  Located right at the shores of the world-famous Taal Lake and overlooking across is Taal volcano.  Its a great place to relax and enjoy their various amenities.  Other than taking a dip in their refreshing pools, there are also water sports activities like kayaking and sailing.  What I like most is the personalized body massage you can have right at the comfort of your own room. You can also opt for a boat ride and be brave to go up near the volcano's crater either on horseback or on foot.


There are many rooms and villas you can choose depends on how many you are in a group.  Fully-equipped with queen-sized and single-beds; there are also cooking options and kitchen utensils that are available; flat screen televisions; set of basic toiletries; complementary coffee/tea and drinking water.

Our group stayed in a 2-room villa with loft that served as additional room, can fit at least 14 persons; with three (3) toilets and bath; with complete amenities and our very own veranda overlooking the Taal Lake.

While enjoying our stay, we also feasted on the best of their local and international cuisines.  Famous in this area of Batangas is the "Bulalo" (boiled beef shanks) and the Crispy "Tawilis" ( a small fish that can only be found in the water of Taal Lake.


And because its the festive season, Club Balai also has special something for the holiday season, the "Lakeshore Buffet" beginning on December 16.  After you hear "simbang gabi" at the Spousal of Mary and Joseph Chapel (located within the premises of the resort), take time to feast on their dishes especially prepared by Terraza Cafe.  And on December 31, join them in the New Year's Countdown and be amazed with the fireworks display.



As a preview of the upcoming love month in February 2017, Club Balai Isabel also has its "Romantic Dinner for 2" offering a full course meal composed of pumpkin soup, imperial garden mango salad, Belmont steak, chocolate volcano and home made ice cream and a choice of red wine.


There's more than just a holiday staycation at Club Balai Isabel. For more details follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.