SSG Tree Planting Project Takes Off in Capas!

The Supreme Student Government (SSG) of Tarlac Province conducted a Tree Planting Program at Sta. Lucia,  Capas, Tarlac last October 07, 2011. The activity will be spearheaded by Mr. Lamberto F. Gamurot, the Education Program Supervisor I of Social Studies together with the President of the SSG Advisers President Pops P. Macalino, and the SSG President ------------. Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) help the group make the activity possible. ----- also provided -- seedlings planted by -- SSG officers and advisers with their desire to be part of the solution in the worsening problem of environmental degradation.

Student leaders were able to make a difference through preserving the environment and performing tasks not only inside the school campus, but also to the community.

Read More

GITNANG LUZON, NAI-DEPENSA ANG KORONA SA NATIONAL POPQUIZ

ni Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

LUNGSOD NG TARLAC, Abril 18 (PIA) -- Matagumpay na naidepensa ng Gitnang Luzon ang korona sa National Population Quiz (POPQUIZ) matapos manalo ang pambato nito na si Jose Mari G. Agustin sa 2011 edisyon ng kumpetisyon na ginanap sa lungsod ng Tarlac.

Ayon kay Commission on Population (POPCOM) Region 3 information officer Rose Baluyut, tinalo ng 16-anyos na si Agustin ng Tarlac National High School (TNHS) ang 16 na iba pang regional champions matapos makakuha ng 23 puntos sa pagtatapos ng difficult round.

Anim na katanungan na may tig i-isang puntos ang itinanong sa Easy round, pitong tanong na may tig-dalawang puntos sa Average round, at pitong tanong na may tig-tatlong puntos sa Difficult round.

Si Agustin ay nakakamit ng sampung libong piso at tropeo habang ang mga hindi naman nagwagi ay nakakuha ng tig-dalawang libong piso at plaque of recognition.

Si Agustin ang ika-apat na tiga Gitnang Luzon na itinanghal na National POPQUIZ champion matapos sina Mary Grace Teofilo ng Bataan National High School (1995), Alvin Gaspar ng Honorato C. Perez Memorial Science High School sa lungsod ng Cabanatuan (1999), at Imee Rose B. Estrada (2009) na nagmula rin sa Tarlac National High School.

Ang POPQUIZ ay nasimula noong dekada 70 sa Gitnang Luzon bilang isang barangay-based activity ng “Gintong Butil” - ang radio program ng POPCOM at National Media Production Center na predecessor ng Philippine Information Agency.

Ang mga residente ang nagsilbing mga contestants nito kung saan ang mga tanong ay base sa mga isinagawang lecture patungkol sa population at family planning.

Pormal itong inilunsad bilang paligsahan para sa mga 4th year high school students noong 1981 sa tulong ng noo’y Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) at Provincial & City Population Offices.

Ang mga mag-aaral ay nagpapautakan sa apat na lebel: school, division, regional, at national.

Paliwanag ni Baluyut na ang edisyong ito ng National POPQUIZ ay nakatakda sanang isagawa noong Nobyembre, 2010 subalit napagdesisyunan ng DEPED na ilipat ito sa Abril upang sumabay sa kauna-unahang National Festival of Talents.

Bukod sa quiz proper, nagkaroon din ng mga parallel sessions patungkol sa population, health and environment at mga on-the-spot poster, essay and jingle making contests. (WLB/CLJD PIA 3)

Information courtesy from http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=28085&y=2011&mo=04 

Read More

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL POPULATION QUIZ

Brief History

The Population Quiz (POPQUIZ) was conceived in the late 70's by POPCOM Region 3. It started as a barangay-based activity in support of the radio program "Gintong Butil", where residents were invited to listen to lectures on population and family planning and answer questions related thereat.

In 1978, the first Regional POPQuiz was held in Barangay Dolores, Tarlac, Tarlac. Representative from the Commission on Population (POPCOM) Central Office and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) witnessed the emergence of Cabanatuan City as the first Regional POPQUIZ champion.

It was a one-hour variety show hosted by POPCOM Region and National Media Production Center of Region 3.

POPQUIZ was opened to all fourth year high school students of both public and private schools only in 1981 and was national in scope. The contest was undertaken by the Commission on Population in coordination with the Provincial and City Population Offices, Department of Education with support from USAID, and later from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In the early 90’s, POPQUIZ was institutionalized under the Population Education program (POPED) of the Department of Education Culture and Sports supported by the Commission on Population.

Objectives


POPQUIZ is an advocacy tool primarily aimed to increase awareness and interest of the youth on population issues and concerns that affects their lives. It also helps them to rationally decide and become responsible and productive members of the community. POPQUIZ also seeks to generate wider support and participation for the Philippine Population Management Program..


The Content


Thru POPQUIZ, the youth and the public in general are informed of the importance and how the following affect their lives: Family Planning and Reproductive Health, Family Life and Responsible Parenthood, Resources and Environment Sustainable Development, Gender Equity and Equality and Responsible Sexuality.


Content Levels


The contest has four (4) levels: Divisional, Provincial, Regional and National Winners at the lower contest level advances to the next higher level. Regional winners then, vie for the National POPQUIZ Champion.


The Prize


POPCOM institutional Trophies, cash prizes and Certificate of Appreciation are presented and awarded to regional and national winners.


LIST OF PAST NATIONAL POP QUIZ CHAMPIONS

1982	Araceli Alterado Noel	Region 9
1983	Lilian Suan	Region 12
1984	Emmanuel Barrios	Region 2
1993	Bon Bandoquillo	Region 6
1994	Viberson Cale	Region 5
1995	Mary Grace Teofilo	Region 3
1996	Vernie Jay Ramos	Region 9
1997	Roberto Entoma	Region 5
1998	Milette Tappa	Region 2
1999	Alvin Gaspar	Region 3
2000	Sylvia Mae Ailanga	Region 11
2001	John Byron Jake T. Lasam	Region 2
2002	Olive dela Victoria	Region 12
2003	January Faith Santiago	Region 12
2004	April Louigie M. Meorom	Region 4-A
2005	Rojae Marie Braga	Region 12
2006	Ivanna R. Ungajan	Region 2
2007	Krizza Rae Jabonillo	Region 7
2008	Mark Joshua Tan	CAR
2009	Imee Rose B. Estrada	Region 3
2010	Jose Mari G. Agustin	Region 3

Information courtesy of http://www.popcom.gov.ph/POPQUIZ%202010-2011/index.html

Read More

Brief History of Monasterio de Tarlac

Brief History
By: Rev. Fr. Moses Angelo, SRC

Our humble beginning...
It is only when we realized that God's plan is the "only plan" after many plans been tried and yet failed thus all things are arranged according to His will and design.  Rev. Fr. Ronald "Archie" Thomas A. Cortez of Bamban, Tarlac, a newly installed pastor in Diocesan Shrine of St. Therese Ramos, Tarlac, received the instruction by his ordinary bishop to have further studies in Rome.  But days before his departure, a group of young men, sought his assistance and discernment in living a life of silence, prayer, contemplation and adoration following the spirituality of the Risen Christ.  The Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community an apostolic-contemplative community of religious men who consecrated themselves to a life of prayer and work (Ora et Labora).  The charism of the new congregation is to give hope to the hopeless; an Easter message of hope and joy.  The New congregation officially received the diocesan blessing and approval from their bishop-protector, Most Reverend Florentino F. Cinense, bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac, on September 14, 1998, on the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. Ramos town became the cradle of the SRC Community.

But the old cliché’s "many are called but few are chosen," of the first batch of more than half dozen only Frt. Thomas Mary Lawrence, SRC who is from Albay Bicol Province persevered until the present.  From the community of religious men and women who have ardent desire for holiness followed the charism of the Prior-Founder and joined the family of Risen Christ Monastic Community, extending its members to the second order and third order:  the Contemplatives Sisters, the Oblates Sisters, the Handmaids Sisters and the Tertiary - Lay and Clergy.  Fr. Prior would always say: " it is not merely coincidence... it is the hands of God working in this Community."

Mt. Resurrection, San Jose Tarlac...Our new home...a journey into solitude with nature...

The necessity of a place where the new community can truly dedicate itself to a life of prayer and solitude was a dream of Father Archie, our Prior.  Trusting in Divine Providence, one early morning of December 1999 in Tarlac, Governor Jose "Aping" Yap attended the Simbang Gabi at the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Ramos, Tarlac.  During the  homily of Father Archie A. Cortez, shared with the faithful the life of his new community as an illustration of a life dedication patterned after the Gospel.  This caught the attention of the governor of Tarlac.  After the Mass, over a cup of coffee, a conversation between Governor Yap and Father Archie, Father Archie expressed the need of the community for a place where they can truly live as monks and subsequent offer of a piece of land by the Governor to the Servants of the Risen Christ was made.

Believing in the vision and mission of the Congregation, Governor Yap shared and offered Father Archie his on-going project and invited him to build them a monastery at the Eco-Tourism Park in Brgy. Lubigan San Jose, Tarlac.  After seeing the place, the Brothers saw that this was soon become the birth place of the Monasterio de Tarlac.  Laying on the foundation of the Monasterio de Tarlac was in the end of 2000, where the firs Mass and the erection of the first cross was held.  On March 07, 2001 was the blessing of the Prior's Hermitage took place, coinciding the birthday of the Prior.  A year after, on December 2, 2002 was the blessing of the 30-foot high statue of the Risen Christ was blessed by His Excellency, Bishop Florentino F. Cinense, D.D and was attended by Governor Yap and other visitors.  In 2003, was the completion of the hermitages for the monks.  This was followed by the blessing of the chapel and the 12-room dormitory in 2004 which was attended by Mrs. Teresita Wilkerson, from Angeles City, a generous donor, together with the other guests.  In confirmation of God's working in this humble congregation, on January 30, 2007, the relic of the True Cross of Jesus was enshrined in the chapel dedicated to it by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, His Excellency Fernando Filoni, D.D.

Information courtesy of http://monasterio-de-tarlac.weebly.com/

Read More