𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐆𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐖𝐅 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐧 2026

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 







Gagawaran si Dionisio Soliven Bulong ng KWF Dangal ng Panitikan 2026 sa Kategoryang Indibidwal ngayong pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Panitikan 2026.

Sa loob ng ilang dekada, si Dionisio Soliven Bulong, manunulát, nobelísta, at editor ay naging haligi ng panitikang Ilokano sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang mga nobela at akda na sumasalamin sa búhay, kaisipan, at damdamin ng mga Ilokano. Kabilang sa kaniyang mga kinikilalang akda ang Fighting Pogi 1 at 2 at Matayakon Rosing, na patuloy na minamahal ng mga mambabasa sa loob at labas ng bansa. Naging mahalaga ang kaniyang papel sa larangan ng publikasyon bilang Punong Patnugot ng Bannawag Magazine mulâ 1978 hanggang 2005, kung saan hinubog at itinaguyod niya ang maraming manunulat. Nagsilbi rin siya bilang Tagapangulo ng Patnugutan ng Liwayway Publishing, Inc., at naging Pangulo ng GUMIL Filipinas.

Ang Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan ay ang pinakamataas na pagkilala sa naiambag sa panitikang Pilipino o lifetime achievement award. Binibigyang-pagpupugay nito ang natatanging manunulat na nagpakita ng pagpapahalaga sa kultura, kaakuhan, at kayamanang pamana, bukod sa pambihirang pagkasangkapan sa Filipino at iba pang katutubong wika. Ang gagawaran ay makatatanggap ng busto ni Balagtas, plake, at medalya.

Ang KWF Araw ng Parangal 2026 ay gaganapin sa 29 Abril 2026.

DepEd expands summer programs to help struggling learners catch up

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 





MAKATI CITY, 21 April 2026—From May 6 to June 3, 2026, learners at risk of falling behind will be given a critical chance to succeed, as the Department of Education (DepEd) rolls out its expanded summer remediation programs to help learners recover foundational skills and put every learner back on the path to grade-level readiness.



Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the urgency and purpose of this initiative: no learner should be left behind.



“Tungkulin nating siguruhin na ang bawat mag-aaral ay may sapat na suporta. Narito ang DepEd para alalayan ang ating mga mag-aaral na mapaghusay ang kanilang kaalaman,” Angara said.

“Sa suporta ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, tinitiyak natin na ang ating mga programa ay may sapat na kalinga at direksyon para sa ikagaganda ng kinabukasan ng ating kabataan,” he added.



At the heart of this effort is the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, a flagship intervention that aims to sharpen the Reading and Mathematics skills of about 3.7 million incoming Grade 2 to 11 learners.



For those nearing graduation, the Senior High School Remediation program delivers support to around 2.1 million incoming Grade 12 learners, ensuring mastery of essential competencies in English, Filipino and Mathematics.



Meanwhile, the Summer Academic Remedial Program provides targeted assistance to around 141,000 learners across all grade levels who did not meet the required grade level requirements in one or two learning areas, giving them the support they need to move forward with confidence.

The results of these targeted interventions are already clear and compelling. Comparisons between the Beginning-of-School-Year (BOSY) and End-of-School-Year (EOSY) assessments reveal significant gain: literacy gaps have narrowed by an average 33 percentage points in Grades 1 to 3; 16 percentage points in Grades 4 to 6; and 28 percentage points in Grades 7 to 10.

These gains affirm a powerful truth when given the right support, struggling learners can recover, progress and thrive.

To support this massive undertaking, Angara said DepEd is mobilizing around 607,000 DepEd teachers and volunteer tutors nationwide, ensuring learners receive the personalized attention, guidance and encouragement necessary for effective learning recovery.



Beyond academics, the summer programs adopt a holistic approach which includes providing teaching and learning resources, incentives for educators, and critical health support like vision and ear care screenings along with free meals, to remove physical barriers that hinder learning.



Angara emphasized that the success of the undertaking relies on a unified front between the school and the home.



“Nananawagan tayo sa ating mga magulang at guro na magkaisa sa mahalagang adhikaing ito. Ang ating pagtutulungan ang magsisilbing matibay na pundasyon upang maging matagumpay ang balik-eskwela ng ating mga kabataan,” said Angara.

A long-time champion of education reform, Angara brings this initiative full circle. As a key proponent and co-author of Republic Act No. 12028 or the ARAL Program Act during his Senate tenure, he signed its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) in December 2024 in his capacity as DepEd Secretary, transforming policy into real and tangible support for learners.

Under his leadership, DepEd is not only expanding intervention programs; it is institutionalizing a system that ensures every struggling learner is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed.

Under RA No. 12028 (Section 7), tutors under the ARAL Program may be: teachers teaching at the elementary and secondary levels, provided they shall not be tutors of their own learners; para-teachers or those who have taken the licensure examination for teachers but were unable to quality and have been issued a special permit by the Board for Professional Teachers; and pre-service teachers who are students enrolled in a teacher education degree program.



Under the law, DepEd may also hire as tutor other individuals deemed qualified, competent and of good character.



Meanwhile under the IRR (Section 12), tutorsa hired for the ARAL Program must meet minimum qualifications in professional or educational background for teachers, para-teachers, pre-service teachers and non-licensed education graduates; retired professional teachers; other licensed professionals; college graduates; and others as may be identified by DepEd.



Tutors must also demonstrate competency in the subject areas they will handle, as well as proficiency in the use of various teaching methods.

From brush stroke to fluidity of movement in two-artist exhibition “Convergence”

Wazzup Pilipinas?!



A landmark two-artist exhibition entitled “CONVERGENCE: Bridging Generations and Creativity” brings together the distinct yet complementary worlds of Aaron Virata Mempin and Ronna Manansala.

Set within the Monteverdi Room of Altro Mondo Creative Space, the show invites viewers to witness a profound creative dialogue that transcends individual mediums.

“Convergence” is a space where the stroke of a brush meets the precision of geometry, and where the echoes of Philippine art history find a new, modern pulse.

An artist-entrepreneur and geometric abstractionist, Aaron explores the intersection of calm and motion. His practice is rooted in a background of marketing and community-building through Katha Pilipinas, resulting in a visual language of line and structure that bridges classical discipline with contemporary energy.

Meanwhile, Ronna, carrying the storied legacy of her grandfather, National Artist Vicente Manansala, reinterprets her heritage through a deeply emotive and personal lens. Her work captures the quiet strength, grace, and fluid movement of her subjects, breathing new life into traditional themes.

At its heart, their collaboration is about the fluid boundaries of inspiration. Through both individual pieces and rare shared collaborations, Aaron and Ronna explore the meeting point of heritage and innovation.

This exchange of perspectives reflects a shared commitment to patience, precision, and purpose, proving that creativity is a continuous thread connecting the past to the present.

Visit the exhibit until April 25 at the Monteverdi Room, Altro Mondo Creative Space, 1159 Chino Roces Avenue, San Antonio Village, Makati City, from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.