SMCL Updates

Eleven foreign volunteers from Pepsi Company known as PepsiCorps visited the community center of Saint Michael’s College of Laguna at Sitio Balimbing, Bgy. San Antonio, Biñan, Oct. 23. Pepsi Corps Volunteers from United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, and USA went to the Milagros Limaco Community Center to observe the mothers of Lingkod at Pagmamahal (Lingap) ng SMCL. Lingap mothers of Sitio Balimbing taught the visitors how to weave bags, rugs, and coasters. Pepsi Corps also interacted with the LINGAP weavers and mentored them in developing materials and product stories for social media and digital publishing. Foreign visitors learned about personal experiences of the mothers, and listened to the challenges in marketing and branding the products. The event was in partnership with Gifts And Graces Fair Trade Foundation Inc and Pyxera Global. (c) The Michaelean Herald

High School Central Student Council (CSC) president won 3rd place in the Department of Education (DepEd) regional Robotics competition, Oct. 15. Jazmin Tan, Grade 10, was adjudged as one of the best contenders in the individual category for her robot named “AideNi” (short for Automated Instructor’s Device for Efficient and eNgaging Instructions”. “AideNi”, which Tan calls as “Aide ni Sir/Ma’am” or Teacher Aide coveted the third prize at the Regional Science and Technology Fair and Congress held at Bacoor National High School. “AideNi” has features intended to help teachers in classroom instruction. It has a media player and a portable projector for presentation of lessons. Also, it has motion sensor and voice command features intended to make it walk around the classroom. Tan’s robot ranked first in the individual category and third overall. The Michaelean student leader was first place in the division level, besting entries from private and public schools in Biñan. M

Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) with support from the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) conducted the K-12 regional dialogue at Saint Michael’s College of Laguna, Oct. 13. Held at SMCL’s St. Theodore Hall, the event was attended by parents, students, administrators, and teachers from different public and private schools in CALABARZON region. Speakers were Dr. Diodado San Antonio, Director of DepEd Region4-A and Atty. Joseph Estrada, Legal Counsel of COCOPEA and Executive Director of Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Unviersities (PAPSCU).  Said regional hop served as information drive for key stakeholders  such as parents and school owners on all viable solutions offered during the  first transition years of K to 12. Talks focused on senior high school implementation. There were several questions raised on the floor after each talk. Regional Director San Ant

About one out of eight women are affected with breast cancer. As years pass, more young girls are at risk due to unhealthy lifestyles among other factors. Due to the impact of breast cancer, especially to young women, Saint Michael’s College of Laguna has an advocacy to inform the students and employees on the prevention and early detection of the illness. Part of the annual breast cancer prevention advocacy was the OKtober (Check Yourself) Forum. Hello Philippines! OKtober project was staged simultaneously nationwide for the first time.  Said forum was a partnership between SMCL and Icanserve Foundation, Inc. headed by Kara-Magsanoc Alikpala. OKtober, which featured a lecture on self-breast examination and survivor stories, was held at St. Theodore Hall, Oct. 8. Before the forum, the Z and Golden Z Clubs and the Zonta Club of Laguna led the SMCL community in doing two human formations to raise public awareness on the prevention of breast cancer through early detection