NEWS WRITING
Topic: DepEd wants Reforms in Education
Source: Inquirer.net
Date: July 2025
Key Facts:
1. The Philippines ranked 74th out of 177 countries in the Global Education Futures
Readiness Index (GEFRI) 2025.
2. The country obtained a GEFRI score of 56.32 out of 100, placing fifth lowest among
Southeast Asian nations.
3. GEFRI measures education systems’ readiness in areas such as:
○ Governance
○ Infrastructure
○ Innovation
○ Equitable access
4. The report noted that while the Philippines performs close to the global average in every
GEFRI dimension, it lacks the ambition needed for future success.
DepEd's Response and Reforms:
● DepEd is implementing reforms to address future demands in education.
● A key initiative is the establishment of the Education Center for Artificial Intelligence
Research to integrate AI and data science in:
○ Teaching
○ Planning
○ School management
AI-Driven Tools and Programs:
● “Sigla” — a mobile app for automating growth monitoring of learners.
● “Talino” — a geospatial mapping tool to guide private sector support for schools.
● “Dunong” — a dashboard for analyzing school leadership data and succession
planning.
● “SALIKSeek” — a chatbot system under development to improve internal data access.
● “Sabay” and “Ligtas” — tools being tested for cognitive screening and geohazard
tracking.
Other Reform Projects:
● Project Bukas — an open-data initiative aimed at enhancing:
○ Monitoring of school-level enrollment
○ Resource inventory
○ Learning outcomes
PAGSULAT NG BALITA
Pamagat: DepEd Nagsusulong ng Reporma Matapos Magsakat 74th ang Pilipinas sa
Education Readiness
Pinagmulan: MANILA, Philippines
Petsa: Hulyo 2025
Mahahalagang Datos:
1. Pumwesto ang Pilipinas sa ika-74 mula sa 177 bansa sa Global Education Futures
Readiness Index (GEFRI) 2025.
2. Nagtamo ang bansa ng GEFRI score na 56.32 mula sa 100, na ikalima sa
pinakamababa sa Southeast Asia.
3. Sinusukat ng GEFRI ang kahandaan ng mga sistemang pang-edukasyon sa mga
aspekto ng:
○ Pamamahala
○ Imprastruktura
○ Inobasyon
○ Pantay na pag-access sa edukasyon
4. Ayon sa ulat, bagamat malapit sa pandaigdigang average ang Pilipinas sa bawat
dimensiyon ng GEFRI, kulang pa ito sa ambisyon para sa hinaharap.
Tugon at Reporma ng DepEd:
● Inihayag ng DepEd na nagsasagawa ito ng mga reporma upang matugunan ang
mga hamon ng hinaharap sa edukasyon.
● Itinatag ang Education Center for Artificial Intelligence Research upang gamitin ang
AI at data science sa:
○ Pagtuturo
○ Pagpaplano
○ Pamamahala ng mga paaralan
Mga AI-Driven na Programa at Inisyatiba:
● “Sigla” — mobile app para sa awtomatikong pagsubaybay ng paglaki ng mga mag-
aaral.
● “Talino” — geospatial mapping tool para gabayan ang suporta ng pribadong sektor sa
mga paaralan.
● “Dunong” — dashboard na sumusuri sa datos ng school leadership para sa tamang
pagsasalin ng pamumuno.
● “SALIKSeek” — chatbot system na binubuo upang padaliin ang pagkuha ng datos ng
DepEd.
● “Sabay” at “Ligtas” — mga tool na sinusubukan para sa cognitive screening at
geohazard tracking.
Iba pang Programa ng DepEd:
● Project Bukas — isang open-data initiative para mapabuti ang:
○ Pagsubaybay sa enrollment ng mga paaralan
○ Resource inventory
○ Learning outcomes ng mga mag-aaral
SPORTS WRITING
ALEX EALA vs VARVARA GRACHEVA
Philippines vs France
Women’s Tennis Association
Single Match Semifinals
Lexus Eastbourne Open
Eastbourne UK
ALEX EALA
-- Philippines
-- 20 years old
-- will be the first Filipina tennis player in history to reach a WTA final if she prevails over
Varvara Gracheva and will climb up to world’s no. 56
-- reached the semis via a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over world no. 42 Dayana Yastremska in
the quarterfinals.
-- have won all 5 previous matches before reaching the semi-finals
VARVARA GRACHEVA
-- 24 years old
-- France
-- has a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 39, achieved on 8 January 2024
BEFORE THE MATCH:
-- Eala and Gracheva had met just two weeks ago in the first round of Nottingham qualifiers,
where Eala prevailed in three sets.
DURING THE GAME:
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
-- Eala initially took a 2-1 lead in the opening set before Gracheva mounted a rally to seize a 4-
5 advantage.
-- The Filipina ace made adjustments and pocketed the first set, 7-5.
-- The second set saw the two locked in a 2-2 deadlock before Gracheva upped the ante to
secure a 2-4 advantage before eventually taking the set 2-6.
-- Eala opened the third set with a 2-3 lead, until Gracheva caught up again and leveled the
scores 3-3.
-- But Eala maintained her composure and gained the upper hand to reclaim the advantage, 5-
3.
AFTER THE MATCH:
Set Scores:
SET 1 SET 2 SET 3
EALA 7-5 2-6 6-3
GRACHEVA
-- It is Eala’s longest winning run (6 winning streak) since the Miami Open where she slew three
former Grand Slam champions in Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek.
-- Eala will face Australian teen Maya Joint in the final set Saturday, June 28.
QUOTES:
-- “No, I’m like super, super happy because like it was a tough match,”
-- “There were really tough moments where she was playing well and like sometimes couldn’t,
you know, didn’t know like how to get out of it. So, yeah, I’m really happy with, you know,
winning.”
-- “Yeah, it was a challenge for both of us physically and mentally,”
-- “You know, we both came from qualis and, you know, she’s a really solid player. And had
some moments where she was really dominating. So, you know, the fact that I was able to stay
there and wait for my opportunity is a big achievement for me today.”
-- “Happiness, hunger, tiredness… there’s so many things going on in my head, just primarily
trying to enjoy the win,” she said.
-- “It gave me a bit of stability,” she explained. “Last week was in the first round qualis and now
the semifinals — it’s a different story each with their own challenges. And it was just as tough as
the last time.”
-- “I think just focusing on myself. Whoever wins the semis today is going to be a great player.
Both of them have a lot of experience and a lot of skill, obviously.”
PAGSULAT NG ISPORT
ALEX EALA vs VARVARA GRACHEVA
Pilipinas vs France
Women’s Tennis Association
Single Match Semifinals
Lexus Eastbourne Open
Eastbourne, UK
ALEX EALA
— Pilipinas
— 20 taong gulang
— Siya ang magiging kauna-unahang Filipina tennis player sa kasaysayan na aabot sa
WTA final kung matatalo niya si Varvara Gracheva at aangat sa world ranking na no. 56
— Nakapasok siya sa semifinals matapos ang isang dominanteng 6-1, 6-2 na panalo laban
kay world no. 42 Dayana Yastremska sa quarterfinals
— Nanalo sa lahat ng limang (5) laban bago makarating sa semifinals
VARVARA GRACHEVA
— 24 taong gulang
— France
— May career-high WTA singles ranking na No. 39, na nakuha noong Enero 8, 2024
BAGO ANG LABAN:
— Nagkaharap na sina Eala at Gracheva dalawang linggo pa lang ang nakalilipas sa first
round ng Nottingham qualifiers, kung saan nagwagi si Eala sa tatlong set.
HABANG NAGLALARO:
HIGHLIGHTS NG LARO:
— Nakuha ni Eala ang 2-1 na kalamangan sa unang set bago bumawi si Gracheva at
lumamang ng 4-5
— Gumawa ng mga adjustment ang Filipina ace at nakuha ang unang set, 7-5
— Sa ikalawang set, tabla ang dalawa sa 2-2, bago binilisan ni Gracheva at nakuha ang 2-4 na
lamang at tuluyang tinapos ang set sa 2-6
— Binuksan ni Eala ang ikatlong set sa 2-3 na kalamangan, ngunit nakahabol si Gracheva at
tinabla ang iskor sa 3-3
— Sa huli, nanatiling kalmado si Eala at muling nakuha ang lamang hanggang makuha ang
laban sa 5-3
PAGKATAPOS NG LABAN:
Mga Set Score:
SET 1 SET 2 SET 3
EALA 7-5 2-6 6-3
GRACHEVA
— Ito ang pinakamahabang winning streak ni Eala (6 sunod-sunod na panalo) simula pa
noong Miami Open kung saan tinalo niya ang tatlong dating Grand Slam champions na sina
Ostapenko, Madison Keys, at Iga Swiatek
— Makakaharap niya sa final si Australian teen Maya Joint sa Sabado, Hunyo 28
MGA PAHAYAG:
— “Hindi, sobrang saya ko talaga kasi ang hirap ng laban,”
— “Ang daming pagkakataon na ang galing ng laro niya (Gracheva) at minsan parang hindi ko
alam kung paano ako makakawala. Kaya oo, sobrang saya ko na nanalo ako.”
— “Oo, naging hamon ito para sa aming dalawa — pisikal at mental.”
— “Alam mo, pareho kaming nagmula sa qualifiers, at siya, isang solid na manlalaro talaga.
May mga sandali na talaga namang dominado niya ang laro. Kaya para sa akin, ang manatili
doon at maghintay ng tamang pagkakataon ay isang malaking tagumpay na.”
— “Saya, gutom, pagod… ang daming gumugulo sa isip ko, pero ang iniisip ko lang ay i-enjoy
ang panalo,” sabi niya.
— “Nagbigay ito sa akin ng kaunting katatagan,” paliwanag niya. “Noong nakaraang linggo
nasa first round qualifiers ako, ngayon semifinals na — ibang kwento, ibang hamon, pero
pareho ring mahirap.”
— “Ang iniisip ko lang ay i-focus ang sarili ko. Kung sino man ang manalo sa semis ngayon,
siguradong magiging mahusay na manlalaro. Pareho silang may maraming karanasan at
talento, malinaw 'yan.”
PAGSULAT NG EDITORYAL/KOLUM
Babala ng mga grupo: Online gaming, cybercrime maaring maging talamak dahil sa
connectivity bill
MANILA, Philippines — Nagpahayag ng pag-alinlangan ang Citizens Crime Watch
Internationale (CCWI) sa mga posibleng epekto ng Konektadong Pinoy Bill (KPB), na umano’y
maaaring magbunsod ng pagdami ng online gaming o e-gambling sa bansa.
Ayon naman sa Scam Watch Pilipinas, maaaring maging daan ang panukala sa mas matinding
cyber fraud at panganib sa digital security ng Pilipinas.
Nag-ugat ang mga pahayag ng dalawang civil society advocacy groups matapos lumabas ang
mga ulat ukol sa umano’y pangamba na maaaring magpaluwag sa regulasyon ang nasabing
panukala at magbukas ng pinto para sa mga kahina-hinalang digital service providers, kabilang
na ang mga pinopondohan ng dayuhang puhunan.
Ayon kay Michelle Botor, tagapagtatag at pambansang tagapangulo ng CCWI, maliban pa sa
banta sa pambansang seguridad ay ang posibilidad ng paglago ng access sa mga online
gambling platforms na maaaring hindi sinasadyang mapalaganap ng panukala.
“Kung walang matibay na mekanismo para sa pagsusuri at pagsala, maaaring maging daan ang
batas para sa mga hindi regulated na e-gaming operator upang makapasok sa merkado sa
pamamagitan ng bagong digital infrastructure na walang sapat na bantay,” paliwanag ni Botor.
Dagdag pa niya, “Layunin ng Konektadong Pinoy na ikonekta ang mas maraming Pilipino sa
internet, ngunit kung hindi bibigyang-pansin ang cybersecurity, nagbubukas ito ng pintuan para
sa seryosong banta – lalo na mula sa mga illegal online gambling platform.”
Binanggit din ni Botor na ginagamit na ng mga ganitong platform ang internet upang hikayatin
ang publiko sa mga mapanlinlang na gawain, na nagreresulta sa digital addiction,
pagkakautang, at pagkakasangkot ng kabataan sa ilegal na sugal.
Giit pa niya, kung maisabatas ang KPB nang walang sapat na proteksyon, maaari nitong “i-
normalize” ang pagsusugal sa kabataan at mga maralitang sektor dahil sa mas malawak na
digital access pero mahinang regulasyon.
Samantala, ipinahayag din ng Scam Watch Pilipinas na bagama’t sinusuportahan nila ang
layunin ng KPB na palawakin ang access sa internet at i-modernisa ang digital infrastructure ng
bansa, may mga probisyon umano sa panukala na nagbubukas sa mas mataas na panganib sa
cybersecurity, at paglabag sa data privacy.
Partikular nilang kinuwestiyon ang tatlong taong “grace period” para sa mga bagong Digital
Technology and Infrastructure Providers (DTIPs), kung saan papayagan silang mag-operate
kahit hindi pa sumusunod sa buong cybersecurity at data privacy standards. Anila, ito ay isang
“mapanganib na bintana ng kahinaan.”
“Binubuksan ng grace period ang pintuan para sa mga hacker, scammer, at posibleng
dayuhang state-sponsored actors upang lusubin ang kritikal na imprastruktura at makuha ang
sensitibong datos ng mamamayan,” babala ng grupo.
Ibinunyag din ng Scam Watch ang pag-aalala sa posibilidad na magkaroon ng dayuhang kontrol
sa mga kritikal na imprastruktura tulad ng satellite gateways at cable landing stations—nang
walang mahigpit na national security clearance. Ito ay maaaring magdulot ng panganib ng cyber
espionage at strategic infiltration.
Dahil dito, nananawagan ang grupo na tanggalin ang tatlong taong grace period at agad
ipatupad ang umiiral na cybersecurity at data privacy standards bago pahintulutang mag-
operate ang kahit anong DTIP.
Kabilang sa kanilang rekomendasyon ay ang sumusunod:
• Isang komprehensibong risk assessment na may pagsasaalang-alang sa cybersecurity,
privacy, at pambansang seguridad.
• Obligatoryong background check at clearance mula sa mga ahensyang responsable sa
cybersecurity at national security.
• Mas mabigat na parusa sa mga lalabag o magiging pabaya sa pagpapatupad ng mga
proteksiyong panseguridad.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagsama ng mga mahalagang probisyong ito sa panukala, mas maaayon
ito sa umiiral na batas ng Pilipinas ukol sa cybersecurity at data protection — at masisiguro ang
ligtas na digital na kinabukasan ng bansa,” ayon sa Scam Watch Pilipinas.
EDITORIAL/COLUMN WRITING
‘No sweet escape for contraband’: Jail officers find tobacco hidden in turon, maruya
By Jeline Malasig
“A surprise in a sweet treat.”
Jail officers in the City of Manila discovered 12 plastic sachets of tobacco hidden inside turon
and maruya brought by a visitor on Sunday, July 13.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-National Capital Region (BJMP-NCR) reported
that authorities at the Manila City Jail Annex intercepted a female visitor, identified only as “Jen,”
who attempted to smuggle contraband using Filipino snacks.
The bureau added that Jen has been officially banned from entering the facility, in line with the
policies of the visitors’ regulatory board.
“No sweet escape for contraband in turon!” the BJMP-NCR said in a Facebook post.
“BJMPRO-NCR is sending a stern warning: if you’re planning to smuggle illegal items into our
jail facilities, think again,” it added.
“Our personnel are highly vigilant, and we have strict protocols in place to ensure no contraband
gets through. Violations will always lead to immediate and serious consequences, including
permanent visiting bans or even criminal charge,” the BJMP-NCR said.
The incident reached a Philippine Reddit community, where some Filipinos shared their
comments about the smuggle.
“Respeto naman sa turon, grabe sila!” a Redditor exclaimed.
“True. Ang sarap tingnan ng pagka-caramelize niya. ‘Di lang [talaga] siya niluto para lagyan ng
tobacco. Marunong [talaga] siya. Hahaha,” another Reddit user said.
“That’s a great hiding spot and a funny one,” commented another Pinoy.
“Minatamis na tabako,” a Reddit user said.
“Naiinis ako, mukang masarap pa naman [‘yung] turon,” another Redditor commented.
“Off topic, sayang naman ‘yung mga turon, mukhang masarap pa naman. Nag-crave tuloy ako.
LOL,” a different Reddit user wrote.
Turon is made by coating ripened bananas rolled in brown sugar into lumpia wrappers and then
frying them in caramelized sugar.
In 2020, the BJMP reminded the public that tobacco products like cigarettes are considered
contraband under jail policies.
Science and Technology Writing Category – Campus Journalism Screening Test
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WRITING
Title:
TIP, DOST Developing Ethical Sex Identification Method for Ducklings
Source:
Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP); Department of Science and Technology –
PCAARRD
Date Project Started:
2024
Project Name:
EGGIOTYPE
Lead Institutions:
● Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP)
● Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and
Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD)
Project Type:
Technopreneurship and Collaboration Applied Research (TechnoCoRe) Innovation
Purpose of the Project:
To develop a non-invasive, ethical, and efficient method to determine the sex of duck
embryos before hatching, without breaking the eggshell or interfering with its growth.
TIP Quotation on Benefits:
“This alternative reduces the possibility of wasted resources and additional costs. It
also increases efficiency in hatcheries, as farmers can make informed decisions
from the get-go,” TIP said in a statement.
Technology Features:
● Uses advanced, non-invasive technologies
● Allows early identification of embryo sex inside the egg
● Avoids manual post-hatch sexing (e.g., vent sexing)
● Reduces stress on newly hatched ducklings
● Prevents unnecessary culling of excess male ducklings
Current Common Practice:
● Vent sexing: manual inspection of a duckling's cloaca after hatching
● According to TIP:
“Newly hatched ducklings frequently experience stress as a result of vent sexing.”
● Farmers typically maintain a 1:7 male-to-female ratio
● TIP added:
“Once sorted, farmers check the number of males and females, aiming for one male for
every seven females. When there are too many males, they are usually culled to
maintain this ratio. While this practice is widely accepted in the industry, it continues to
raise ethical concerns related to animal welfare.”
Alternative Use of Male Ducklings with EGGIOTYPE:
● Redirected into balut production
● Used for animal feed or other agricultural purposes
● TIP stated:
“With EGGIOTYPE, the excess male ducklings are saved from culling and instead
repurposed into becoming balut or utilized for animal feed and other agricultural
applications.”
Current Stage of Development:
● Advanced research and development stage
● Undergoing technology testing and validation to assess accuracy, reliability, and real-
world readiness
Industry Collaboration:
● In constant collaboration with ItikPINAS breeder farms from Luzon and Mindanao
● To ensure the technology is practical and industry-aligned
● TIP said:
“TIP TechnoCoRe is in constant collaboration with ItikPINAS breeder farms from Luzon
and Mindanao to validate the practicality of the technology and to ensure it remains
aligned with the needs of the industry.”
Expected Impact:
● Enhanced animal welfare practices
● Improved hatchery efficiency and resource use
● Reduction in economic loss through informed breeding and allocation decisions
