It’s raining umbrellas and computers!

Heavy rain that started at midnight continued to flood the streets. It was only 5:00 in the morning but most Bicolanos were up and were eagerly waiting for a signal whether to prepare themselves for work or school or to go back to their beds. But no words yet from PAGASA as to the weather update. Cellphones of the CICT-iSchools Team scattered in the different parts of Albay kept on ringing, telling one another to prepare for the worst that might happen because of the heavy rain.

But thirty minutes later, the nine members of the team headed by Mr. Erwin Rayel, the Project Manager, were all together on a truck bound to the six schools in Camarines Sur.

The Team was scheduled to deliver a total of 132 computer units, 6 LCD projectors, 12 computer printers, and 12 airconditioning units from the iSchools Project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) to the six recipient public high schools which are located in the suburbs of Camarines Sur.

While on their way to the six schools, Mr. Rayel feared about many things during the deployment. Computer units might be damaged. And school principals and barangay officials might not be around to receive the computers. It was February 21, 2008, at the height of heavy rains and floods. The classes were already suspended although there was no impending typhoon.

Rain lashed the truck as it slowly inched its way to the knee-deep flooded streets of Barangay Veneracion, Pamplona, Camarines Sur, where Don Mariano C. Veneration National High School was located. It was the first stop of the deployment.

As the truck slowly parked in front of the gate, the team was surprised to see hundreds of umbrellas lined up from the gate to the computer laboratory to protect the computers from the rain.

“The long wait is over,” said Mr. Fernando Macaraig, school principal, as he warmly greeted the team together with the barangay officials, faculty members and students of Don Mariano C. Veneracion National High School.

The next five schools in Camarines Sur were very much ready to receive the computers despite the heavy rain. Just like Don Mariano C. Veneracion National High School, they had with them hundred umbrellas lined up to protect the computers.

“Nothing to fear after all, people will find ways to make things easier in a difficult situation,” said Mr. Rayel, feeling relieved after the deployment. *******

Bicol's libraries available on the Internet

Twenty-five high school libraries in the Bicol Region have organized their resources and made readily available to the public through the Internet.

This was the outcome and continuing commitment of the twenty-five librarians from the fourteen recipient high schools in the region who participated in the Library Management Training held on January 23-27, 2008 at Bicol University, Legazpi City. The fourteen schools are recipients of the iSchools Project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) which integrates computer and internet education in public high schools.

We adapt to the demands of the time by starting to build an organized, readily accessible materials, and user-friendly library,” said Professor Neria E. Gomez, the trainer and University Librarian of Bicol University.

Guided by the Anilag Library Management Module, each of the librarians at the end of the five-day training had already catalogued one hundred books in their school libraries and posted them in the Internet. They also pledged to catalogue a minimum of five books per day until their library resources have been made available in the Internet for public use once they go back to their respective school libraries.

This training is the last part of the series of Educators’ Training conducted by the CICT-iSchools to ensure sustainability of the project. The other two trainings that were already conducted in the recipient schools were the Laboratory Management Training and the Teachers’ Training on ICT Literacy.

As part of the iSchools package, the library is provided with two computer units with internet connection, one for exclusive use of the librarian to guide the students in search of library materials and the other one for students’ use.*******


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Related Topics
· The Importance of the Library in the 21st Century
· Bringing Back the Glory of the Librarians
· What is the Anilag Library Management Module?

Global Bicolanos thru CICT-iSchools

The CICT-iSchools Project is more than just bridging the digital divide but responding to the flat world phenomenon described by Thomas Friedman.

To adapt to the flat world phenomenon and become Global Bicolanos is what the CICT-iSchools Project ultimately aims to realize for Bicolano high school students, teachers, and the community.

The phenomenon

“The world is flat” according to Thomas Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer Prize Awardee, is a global phenomenon of change brought about by technology and innovations. What Friedman means by “flat” is “connected” or “level” in terms of commerce, competition, and opportunities across the planet because of modern technology such as the Internet.

The Bicolanos, if they will not keep up with this global digital revolution, will surely be at a loss.

The response

This is what the CICT-iSchools Project all about. It is more than just bridging the digital divide but responding to the flat world phenomenon described by Thomas Friedman.

The iSchools Project, one of the flagship projects under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), equips public high school students and teachers ICT literacy skills and competence so that they can be at par with the rest of the world. It provides to its beneficiary public high schools 21 computer units with one year free Internet connectivity, a 3-in-1 computer printer, an LCD projector, and an air conditioning unit. Thus, it had provided various trainings to the stakeholders for the uniform implementation of the project; and more trainings will be conducted to ensure its success and sustainability.

The iSchools in Bicol

Bicol Region is generally described as slightly undulating to rolling and hilly to mountainous. At a glance, introduction of whatever modern technology seems impossible because of this topography. But it is not what it seems to be. Almost all of the 14 beneficiary high schools, though quite a distance from the city or municipality, have satisfied the requirements and criteria of the project.

The recipient public high schools are the following: (1) Albay: Malilipot National High School, Malabog National High School, Paulba National High School, and Bicol University Integrated Laboratory High School; (2) Camarines Sur: San Jose Municipal High School, Cararayan National High School, Sta. Justina National High School, Sta. Lutgarda National High School, Don Mariano C. Veneracion High School, and San Isidro National High School; (3) Camarines Norte: Froilan Lopez National High School, and Alawihaw National High School; (4) Catanduanes: Catanduanes National High School and Catanduanes National High School – Annex.

These schools have electricity and possible internet connectivity. But none dared to an impossible feat such as Internet provision in these schools until the CICT-iSchools Project came into the scene. Prior to the introduction of the project, Bicolano high school students, teachers, and the community seemed to be forever disconnected to the rest of the world.

Towards Global Bicolanos

The iSchools Project was launched in the 14 recipient public high schools in October 2007. And in February 2008, despite the region-wide flood and heavy rains, the project’s package was finally deployed to the recipient schools. It brought tremendous and overwhelming excitement and anticipation to all the students, teachers, and the community. For them, what seemed to be an impossible and elusive dream such as the Internet in their school and in the community will forever remain a dream. Now, it is their time to see the world without necessarily leaving their place.

The high school students and teachers are the immediate beneficiaries of the project which provides a web-enabled platform so that knowledge will be shared despite the time, distance, geography, and identity. Through the Internet, they will have easy access to the huge various sources of information, the same sources accessed by students from first to third world countries. The teachers will likewise have access to relevant digital content and applications in education for effective learning.

But it is not only the students and the teachers who will reap the benefits of the project, it is the community as well. The members of the community can make use of the computer facility after school hours so that they too will not be left behind in terms of knowledge and change. However, a minimal fee shall be asked from the community for the sustainability of the project, especially if it is finally devolved to the recipient school.

The project truly makes a difference in their lives. It empowers them to be responsible members of the community who will ensure the success of the project.

But ultimately, the iSchools Project will make them Global Bicolanos whose knowledge is at par with the rest of the world. The Global Bicolanos who will never be left behind in terms of knowledge of technology and innovations and job opportunities and privileges.

Indeed, this is how the iSchools Project responds to the flat world phenomenon happening globally.

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Where are the Computers?

This is the question that has been bombarded to me (texts, calls, and e-mails) either by the principals or the ICT Coordinators of the 14 recipient public high schools in the region ever since we conducted the community mobilization and project briefing for CICT-iSchools October 2007.

The burden of answering this question lies on me as the Project Manager. I could not answer them with a definite date so this question has also been answered with a question, ‘Have you already set up a computer laboratory for the 22 computers we will deliver soon?’ At least, it is the safest reply I could think of at the moment.

Of course the principals and anyone working in the government are aware of complex matters like RA 9184 or General Procurement Act, DBM, etc. But how would you explain such matter to an excited, anticipating first year high school student? How would you answer a student who could not contain his excitement for an Internet, for something that he has probably only heard of. I can’t blame them for I know I have roused their interest during the orientation about the components of the CICT-iSchools Project like 22 computers with free one year Internet connection, LCD projector, 3-in-1 printer, etc.

However, looking at the bright side of the question, it makes me think that it is more than just a question ‘of exactly when can we have the computers?’ but a manifestation of how eager they would like to sustain the project. It is not only because they want to experience the excitement in the cyberworld but perhaps so they could start planning schemes as to how they would sustain the project with the help of the community. For now I would like to believe it that way.

Now, about the computers: the CICT has told me that the computers are ready for delivery to the recipient public high schools anytime soon. However, the locations of these schools would not warrant an easy delivery so we would have to come up with plans regarding the schedule of delivery and identification of the mode of transportation. (Erwin P. Rayel, Project Manager)

A nosebleed seminar

Nose bleed. That is the only word I was able to think about the training/seminar on Online Writing Techniques I attended held at Hillside Resort, Puerto Princesa City from November 14 to 16, 2007. The participants came from SUCs all over the country who would document the different activities of the CICT-iSchools Project.

I’d like to believe the other participants may have other words for it, but they would all boil down to one thing – nose bleed. The series of activities were done under extreme time pressure which I didn’t see a problem at all but indeed a challenge for all of us. The Internet connectivity was not very cooperative and friendly though.

The topics that were discussed, like news and feature writing, photojournalism, and blogging were not new at all; but just like a feature story, it was presented in a new perspective, in a new angle, with the use of the modern media. The trainers, Luz Rimban and Yvonnee Chua, have impressive track records in their fields which add more pressure to the event. Indeed, they are very good trainers. From them we learned how traditional we had been when it comes to news and feature writing, and writing captions for photos. As what Ms. Yvonne Chua would always say about past events, ‘back from nineteen tralala.’ True, our knowledge about some aspects of the topics were really back from nineteen tralala. Now we know which should de done and should not be done…

I was excited on the first few hours of the first day of the training. I liked how the topics were presented or discussed but as the hours went on and the activities in each topic started pouring on I started to feel as if there were blocks of ice or matches lit under my seat. I was battling against time and Internet connectivity. I was not able to connect anyway on the first and second days of the training. Its consequence: late submission of output 2 for photojournalism and for feature writing. The trainers, in fairness, were very willing to share their laptop, but of course I could not take advantage of it all the time because I was not the only participant they attended to.

As I’ve said, the biggest hindrance to much better outputs I and the other participants have encountered is the Internet connectivity. For blogging alone, it took me five to ten minutes just to be able to upload a single photo. Obviously, much as I would like to give it my best in blogging, I simply can’t for some reasons beyond my control.

Given the problems we have encountered, we expect that in future undertaking like this sufficient time will be allotted for each activity.

Anyway, thanks to CICT for this very meaningful training/seminar.

It's more than just a Pop Cola

Pop Cola. Pop Cola here and there.

Pop Cola became ubiquitous just like the majestic Mayon Volcano in all the community mobilization and project briefing the CICT-iSchools Team conducted in the 14 public high schools in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and the island province of Catanduanes in October 2007.

These 14 recipient public high schools, remote or not so remote, showed us the best hospitality they could offer, in simple or in lavish ways they could. So whether the orientation was held in the principal’s office, in the faculty room or in the classroom, one thing was always present – Pop Cola.

The snacks the schools offered to us, which ranged from the simple native turon or skyflakes to the mouth-watering macaroni or buko salad were espoused with the best drink in town, Pop Cola. Hehehe!

I missed the first five days of the orientation of the CICT-iSchools Team composed of Mr. Erwin P Rayel, the Project Manager, Dr. Amelia S. Dorosan, the Dean of the College of Science, Ms. Marnie B. Arellano, the Training Manager and other staff that’s why I also missed the six bottles or more of Pop Cola. Whew!

Thist Pop Cola thing reminds me of the famous Philippine short story ‘Visitation of the Gods’ by Gilda Cordero-Fernando. In it, visitors composed of heads of schools visited Pugad Lawin High School for some rounds of evaluation which in fact was just to deplete whatever goods the school and the community have. The teachers of Pugad Lawin welcomed the visitors with such embellishment fit for ‘gods.’ Of course the expenses were slashed from the teacher’s pay envelopes.

Hospitality even to a fault, that’s how Filipinos show it anyway.

And that’s also how the schools welcomed us. But of course we did not go there to deplete their goods but to bring some good news.

Now about that seven or eight peso-Pop Cola … admittedly, we had a hearty laugh about it, we joked about it that it had become the most abused issue all throughout our free moments.

Why Pop Cola all the time? Why not Coca Cola, Sprite or Royal? I do not like to attribute Pop Cola’s ‘popularity’ to effective promotion in these schools. I am tempted to say that it is the cheapest (though it’s the truth) but I do not want to think it that way.

If we look at it closely, the two-peso difference in the prices of Pop Cola and Coca Cola spells a lot of difference. Obviously, a lot of difference especially if some people deserve to receive more than to give; but whatever the circumstances are, Pinoy hospitality is still shown at its simplest yet the best anyone could ever imagine.

Honestly, had these schools offered us lavish foods, minus Pop Cola, I would have doubted their sincerity. They may have the capability to spend more than the usual thing and think it’s not an everyday event anyway but it is not it, really. It was nice to know they did not spend that much just to show us their best hospitality. Yes, the expenses for the snacks they serve to us might have been slashed from their pay envelopes, yet I am sure it wasn’t that too much in their pockets.

I could say that this Pop Cola experience is one of the most unforgettable moments of my life in the last five years. So guys when we do the roll out in November and December, expect that bottles of the ubiquitous Pop Cola would be served again to us. Cheers to Pop Cola!

iSchools: Making a difference in the life of an OFW’s wife

By Viveth N. Gonzales


Seven kilos of rice or three and a half kilos of pork every month are the additional provisions Tiya Ning have for her family of seven children. This is what the three hundred pesos each month she could save for a twenty minute-call or nineteen text messages to her husband working in the hot and lonely land of the Arabs.

Luningning Resontoc or Tiya Ning in her barangay is a wife of a plumber working in Saudi Arabia since 2003. She is a woman who, just like any ordinary woman, could not have a goodnight sleep without receiving a call or text message from her husband or she calling or sending text message, at least twice a week. With this little caprice, she would spend at least eight hundred pesos cellphone load each month which is quite a big slash in the family budget of P7,000.

What makes a three-hundred peso saving extraordinary? How could Tiya Ning save such amount intended for calls to her hardworking and loving husband?

“Thanks to the iSchools Project,” says Tiya Ning beaming with joy.

Before the iSchools project came to their barangay, Tiya Ning’s only acquaintance with information communications technology is to her 3310 cellphone. If she could only see computers on television, how much more of the Internet? The iSchools has made a difference in their families!

iSchools’ impact

Paulba National High School in Paulba, Ligao City is one of the fourteen recipient schools of the iSchools Project chosen in October 2007. It received 22 computer units with one-year free Internet subscription for use by the students, faculty, principal, and the community after school hours.

The iSchools is one of the projects of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology that aims to strengthen classroom learning and instruction by expanding access to various sources of information like the Internet. Foremost, it aims to bridge the digital divide.

The project likewise involves the participation of the community in ensuring the safety of the computers after school hours and the use of the Internet for a minimal fee, to better ensure the sustainability of the project.

PNHS and the community agreed that any member of the community can use the Internet for a minimal fee of P15 per hour.

This is when Tiya Ning took advantage of the project. Among others, she is the most benefited since she is a wife longing for her OFW husband.

A challenge

They say it’s hard to teach old dogs new tricks. But not Tiya Ning. She would learn everything if it’s worth it.

At first, she was too frightened to even try touching the keyboard. It was an entirely new experience for her. Also, it was like trying to reach the crater of Mount Mayon and looking at the scenic spots down after a dangerous climb. Finally after two weeks, she was able to learn surfing the net and chatting with her husband abroad.

“It was all worth the effort,” says Tiya Ning.

Making a difference

The iSchools has strengthened Tiya Ning’s family bond. She could spend quality time with her children while chatting with her husband since they would accompany her in the Computer Laboratory for hours. She does not have to worry about time constraint since a P15/hour chat twice or thrice a week with her husband is more than enough to express her longings for her husband.

Tiya Ning’s life is like any other woman in the barangay who is a beneficiary of the iSchools. But the great impact of the project in her family is all that makes the difference.


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