PARKonversations Live! "Pag-aaruga sa Luma: Safeguarding Our Built Heritage”

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Calling all architects, heritage workers, students, educators, and anyone interested! We invite everyone to attend the FREE seminar on Built Heritage Conservation, in celebration of the 452nd founding anniversary of Manila.

This PARKonversations Live! session titled "Pag-aaruga sa Luma: Safeguarding Our Built Heritage” will be held at Paco Park on 27 June 2023 (Tuesday), 2:30 p.m. Our guest speaker is Mr. Jeffrey “Foom” D. Cobilla, a conservation architect. He has been with Escuela Taller for 13 years where he helped manage its projects and activities such as the conservation of Malate Church, San Pablo Cathedral, Maintenance of Fort Santiago Front Wall, Paco Park, and skills development and short course programs, to name a few. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Architecture at the same institution, specializing in the conservation of architectural heritage.

Join us as we learn how we can actively safeguard and promote the nation's cultural heritage! See you in Paco Park!

*Participants who will join the seminar and answer the evaluation form will receive a certificate.

DepEd maintains ISO Certification for Quality Management Systems

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Department of Education (DepEd), under the leadership of the Vice President of the Philippines and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte, has maintained its ISO Certification for Quality Management Systems (QMS) during the Surveillance Audit on its National QMS Pilot Offices performed earlier this month.

The Surveillance Audit was conducted on June 6-7 to determine if the established QMS of DepEd pilot offices was implemented, maintained, and sustained for continual improvement.

The TÜV NORD, being one of the world’s largest Inspection, Certification & Testing organizations, conducted the surveillance audit, has yielded no nonconformities for the DepEd NQMS Pilot Offices, namely, Central Office (CO), Regional Office (RO) IV-A CALABARZON, Schools Division Office (SDO) of Biñan City, Biñan Elementary School (BES), and Biñan Integrated National High School (BINHS).

The surveillance was for the ISO 9001:2015 Certification received by the Department in 2022 for its NQMS Pilot Offices that certifies the improvement of systems and processes and consistency in delivering quality services of DepEd.

For this year, Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Michael Wesley T. Poa led the Executive Committee in the audit for Top Management, together with the Quality Management Representative Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil-Mercado.

Undersecretaries Annalyn Sevilla, Revsee Escobedo, Nolasco Mempin and Omar Romero, and Assistant Secretaries Alma Torio, G.H. Ambat, Dexter Galban and Noel Baluyan were also in attendance as the agency’s representatives for Top Management.

Meanwhile, the pilot offices in RO IV-A (CALABARZON) were led by Regional Director Atty. Alberto Escobarte, Division Superintendent Manuela Tolentino (SDO Biñan), and School Heads Ms. Pilar De Castro and Mr. Oliver Caliwag (Biñan Elementary School and Biñan Integrated National High School).

Be a better LGBTQIA+ ally

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



An 'ally' is a person who is associated with another as a helper. An ally can be a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle. An ally is also someone with privilege who stands up for the fair and equal treatment of others. In recent years, the term has been adopted specifically to a person supporting one or more marginalized groups.

As decent human beings, we can help advocate for the rights of others and create a positive change in society. Being an ally of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more) community, you are capable of inspiring long-term change.

Allies are crucial in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment since the LGBTQIA+ community is not a majority of the population or workplaces. They can’t do it alone.

It’s important to remember that being an LGBTQIA+ ally shouldn’t stop once Pride Month is over because the fight for acceptance and equality continues. Despite the progress made toward LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines, challenges remain. It’s time to take steps to become a better ally. 

To show one's pride, here are things you can do to become a better LGBTQIA+ ally:

1. Question Your Own Biases
It takes time to overcome deeply rooted beliefs. Be willing to challenge societal norms and the heteronormative lens through where we see the world. Reflect on yourself and challenge your own opinions. You can develop a more inclusive attitude by consciously addressing your biases and stereotypes around gender and sexuality.

2. Be Informed
Understanding LGBTQIA+ terms, challenges, and history is crucial for you to be a successful ally. Recognize the many struggles and experiences endured by the community. Recognize that everyone's journey is different and that members of LGBTQIA+ have no responsibility to educate others.

3. Promote Diversity
In both personal and professional settings, promote diversity. Speak up if you witness opinions or behaviors that are homophobic or transphobic. Give your support to LGBTQIA+ artists, companies, and entrepreneurs. You contribute to a more inclusive society by establishing environments where everyone feels appreciated and respected.

4. Fight Discrimination by Speaking Out
Defend against discriminatory behaviors in businesses, public places, and schools. Be a proactive bystander. If you see an individual being subjected to discrimination or harassment, safely intervene, assist, and report cases as needed. By taking action, you firmly state that these kinds of behavior won't be tolerated.

5. Support LGBTQIA+ Rights
A powerful tool for change is advocacy. Encourage the groups promoting LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines. Share their experiences and stories on social media to strengthen their voices.

You may help end ignorance, which results in problems and actions that negatively impact the everyday lives and livelihoods of LGBTQIA+ individuals, by becoming an ally and demonstrating your support for them.

Let's continue the journey beyond Pride Month by collaborating to create a future in which LGBTQIA+ individuals may live genuinely and succeed without worrying about discrimination.