• “Batang baklas” are what kids who scavenge for discarded appliances are called
• The job requires strength and patience
• One batang baklas dreams of becoming a lawyer to defend the innocent who are wrongly accused

“Batang baklas” are what kids who scavenge for discarded appliances are called. They break down the appliances to get to any copper in it which they sell to junk shops.

A batang baklas named Jumong Narvez had his life story featured on GMA News TV’s ‘Front Row.’ In the documentary series, they detailed his struggles being a batang baklas which he does in order to save enough money to pursue his studies.

“Nagkakalas po, ang mga gamit ko po martilyo, lagari, kung ano-ano po. Tapos po nag-iipon po ako para sa pampa-aral ko,” he said.

Sometimes, he is called in to disassemble broken appliances. Other times, he’s the one who goes house-to-house looking for appliances to scavenge.

This isn’t an easy job for Mong because it needs strength and patience. At the age of 12, Mong is already doing this labor intensive job.

“Nakakapagod po. Sumasakit yung kamay ko tapos napapagod ako parang hinihingal,”

Mong started working when his grandmother got sick and he needed to help his father earn some money. But one of his main reasons was to save money so he could go to school to get a better life for himself and his family.

“Kailangan ko po kasi para makapagpaaral ako. Gusto rin ng magulang ko na makapagtapos ako,”

Mong was earning 50 to 500 pesos, depending on the copper, metal, and aluminum he can gather within a day.

“Tinutulungan ko po siya kahit hindi niya ako bigyan [ng pera], kasi po magulang ko po yun eh. Nilalagyan po niya ng pera [yung alkansya ko] para po makapag-aral ako.”

At the end of the program, Mong became emotional when he was asked about his mother. Mong is the one who takes care of his siblings due to the absence of their mother.

His mother is in jail for using illegal drugs which Mong believes to be untrue.

“Nakausap ko nga po siya kagabi eh. Umiyak nga po ako eh. Kasi nami-miss ko na po kasi siya. Gusto ko po sana makabalik na siya. Miss ko na siya eh. Miss ko na yung nanay ko,”

He also shared his dream for his mother and for his future.

“Pag nakapagtapos po ako. Pangarap ko nga pong maging abugado eh. Para po makatulong ako sa mga wala namang kasalanan na kinukulong nila.”

Unfortunately, Mong’s savings weren’t enough to buy the school supplies he needed.

“Kahit ano pong bag o notebook. Basta lang po makapag-aral lang ako. Gusto ko lang pong makapagtapos.”

Mong is only one of the thousands of Filipino children who want to pursue their studies but lack financial support. Here’s hoping that children like him would help soon.

• The DENR has discovered 200 acres of marine resources during the rehabilitation of Manila Bay
• A new species of sardine, coral colonies, and other high-value fish were discovered
• The government aims to have swimmable beaches in the bay before the year ends

Manila Bay is still a 770-square mile stretch full of garbage, but the government already has plans on to change this.

For the next three years, the government will be spending over 6 billion pesos to clean up the bay and 36 billion pesos to relocate families living along the shore.

The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte plans on making the bay ‘swimmable’.

With the ongoing rehabilitation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has discovered 200 acres of marine resources in the bay.

PTV4’s ‘Sentro Balita’ showed these photos during their newscast:

This means that the goal of having swimmable beaches is getting closer and closer. The different agencies involved in the rehabilitation are becoming more optimistic about saving the bay.

The rehabilitation was able to discover seagrasses, live corals, and—although limited or low in number—high-value fish like lapu-lapu in the area of Maragondon, Corregidor, and Cabalio Island.

A new sardine species was also discovered which could be sold in the market.

The bay is still filled with plastic and other kinds of garbage, which destroys coral colonies. To keep it cleaner, President Duterte has ordered establishments that dispose of their dirty water in the bay closed.

In January alone, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) collected 45 truckloads of garbage from the bay.

• PHINMA Education has partnered with musician Jose Villanueva III, also known as Quest
• Quest’s new song “Sasamahan Kita” talks about keeping dreams alive in the face of challenges
• It was Quest’s passion for education and desire to pay it forward that inspired PHINMA Education to link up

PHINMA Education, a network of schools fast emerging as a leader in providing accessible quality education, has partnered with musician Jose Villanueva III, also known as Quest, for a campaign to inspire young Filipinos to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.

PHINMA Education has launched the campaign with Quest’s new song “Sasamahan Kita,” which talks about keeping dreams alive in the face of challenges and counting on a support system to achieve a brighter future. This supports the company’s longstanding mission of “making lives better through education.”

In writing “Sasamahan Kita,” Quest took inspiration from his own childhood. Battling poverty, Quest found his first mentor in his grandmother, a teacher, who taught him the value of education and the importance of having a strong role model.

“My grandmother took care of us from the start. I placed myself in her—a teacher’s—shoes and wrote about the experience. I saw how much she dedicated her life to her profession. I saw her dedication and hard work,” shared Quest. “She inspired me to work hard and never give up.”

For Quest, his grandmother’s example led him to value education and seek people who would support him and his dreams.

“I’m a big advocate of getting an education and having the right mentors. I had to learn that I needed to surround myself with the right people,” he added. “The people in my life gave me the confidence I needed to dream and achieve, no matter how small.”

It was Quest’s passion for education and desire to pay it forward that inspired PHINMA Education to link up with the artist.

“When the opportunity to work with a passionate partner like PHINMA Education was presented, I gladly accepted. Through this anthem, we aim to raise the spirits of the Filipino youth, remind them of the value of education, and even pursue their educational opportunities with PHINMA Education,” said Quest.

“At PHINMA Education, we believe that education is key to creating a better, brighter future,” shared PHINMA Education President Chito Salazar. “We share Quest’s advocacy giving Filipino youth a strong support system. Working on ‘Sasamahan Kita’ has given us the chance to highlight how education has changed the lives of our own students and those of young Filipinos from households with limited income across the country.”

Quest’s music video for “Sasamahan Kita” features PHINMA Education institution Araullo University (Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija) and the stories of three of its students: Harry Bibat, a BS Criminology student who moonlights as a tricycle driver; Aldrin Aquino, a BS Civil Engineering student who works as a student assistant; and Erika Balaoing, a BS Civil Engineering student who makes a living as a farmer to help support her family and her studies.

With PHINMA Education, students like Harry, Aldrin, and Erika have access to an education that focuses on active learning; provides an industry-relevant, skills-oriented curriculum; and encourages them to develop their soft skills and leverage their motivations to create tangible results. They also have access to scholarship programs without a grade retention component, making it easier for students to stay in school and complete their degree programs.

To date, PHINMA Education’s network covers Araullo University (Nueva Ecija), Cagayan de Oro College (Cagayan de Oro), Southwestern University (Cebu), University of Iloilo (Iloilo), University of Pangasinan (Pangasinan), and Saint Jude College (Manila).

PHINMA Education’s structured, gritty approach to education has already started to bear fruit. More than 80% of its graduates find employment within a year of their graduation. In addition, the PHINMA Education schools have recorded a 100% passing rate for first-time examinees in 40 different board examinations, including nursing, civil engineering, accountancy, criminology, and education.

For more info on PHINMA Education, visit www.phinma.edu.ph. Stream “Sasamahan Kita” on Quest’s official Spotify channel and watch the official music video on PHINMA Education’s official Facebook page (@phinmaeducation) and YouTube channel (PHINMA Education).

• Kris Aquino’s interview that was interrupted by an earthquake had gone viral
• She was very much concerned with her sons who stayed at home
• She felt dizzy as the earthquake continued shaking, which made her feel vertigo

An earthquake shocked the people in Manila, and so with actress and TV host Kris Aquino who was in the middle of an interview, that has now gone viral online.

Aquino’s sons, Joshua and Bimby, stayed at home in Quezon City when the earthquake happened. As a mother, her first reaction was to check on her children, as she noted that their house’s location is near a faultline.

Netizens react

I don’t know about you ha pero T*NGINA TAWANG TAWA AKO SA REACTION NI KRIS AQUINO SA LINDOL HAHAHAHA! sana all ready at sobrang chill sa end of the world HAHAHAHA i kennot! Must watch till the end, made my day! HAHAAHAHAHA pic.twitter.com/36YIu2vpp1

— Zeke Martin (@zekemartinx) April 23, 2019

https://twitter.com/virgiliomanuelj/status/1121644177819758596

https://twitter.com/eunkwangee/status/1121694010068721664

Tularan si Kris, pag may Lindol, Helooo https://t.co/luHOAnwjjO

— Ari Cabello (@CabillonAriel) April 26, 2019

Kris Aquino lindol reaction is just pricelesssss yoh gurl is my spirit animal hahahhaahhah

— Paulin Jean Del Puerto (@PaulinSonza) April 23, 2019

https://twitter.com/jiro_pena/status/1120510779906826242

"Yes, may lindol."
— A very calm and collected Kris Aquino, April 22, 2019

— ˗ˏˋ Kisty ˎˊ˗‏ (@kistymea) April 22, 2019

kris aquino's reaction sa lindol is a fucking mood akkskksks pic.twitter.com/Cwxc4AA9rE

— adi (@nicoleadii) April 23, 2019

As seen on the uploaded YouTube video during her interview with showbiz journalist Leo Bukas, as the light flickered because of the earthquake, Aquino immediately said “Umuwi na tayo. I want to go home. My sons!”

With all her concern toward her sons, he asked the staff to call their home. Aquino managed to stay calm and joked about her luxurious bags collection.

“It’s the end of the world na, I’m telling you. Buti na lang binili ko lahat ng Chanel na gusto ko bilhin. Buwisit, ang laki pa ng tax na binayaran ko!” she said.

The actress felt dizzy as the shaking continued and asked for her oral medication as said she felt “vertigo.”

“Utang na loob, mahihimatay yata ako. Ang pangit nito. At iyon na ang kuwento niyo — ni-rush sa ospital dahil nahilo. Ang chaka!” she said.

Aquino’s interview was to discuss her personal issues which include her health condition, political stance, and future projects.

• His brother bought a goat just as he promised him
• Alwytz Robiniol Gaoiran is an animal lover who would prefer animal than toys or gadgets
• With his creative mind, he created his own play station out of recycled materials
• His brother granted his wish to motivate him to reach his dream to become a mechanical engineer in the future

Most graduating students would likely request for a new cellular phone, tablet, gadget accessories, and even money as graduation gift but here was this young boy who asked for a goat, which you would never expect.

A Facebook user, Alvin Gaoiran Robiniol, posted a photo of his graduation gift for his favorite brother, Alwytz Robiniol Gaoiran, who recently graduated from elementary schooling. As graduation gift, his brother bought a goat just as he promised him.

It is very unusual for a young boy to request an animal for a gift, but Alwytz is an animal lover who would prefer animals than toys or gadgets. With his creative mind, he created his own play station out of recycled materials.

Alwyts is from Laoag City, and is the sixth among eight siblings of Ronnie and Brigada. His father is a farmer from Buyong Village, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte while his mother works as a domestic helper in Kuwait.

Alwytz’s brother Alvin is the only college graduate in the family and currently working in Manila. Though Alwytz is kind of shy and “makulit” (annoying), his brother still granted his wish so as to motivate him to reach his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer in the future.

During Alwytz’s graduation at Buyong Elementary School, his brother Alvin finally granted his long-time wish. Holding his graduation certificate is a goat that he would be taking care of.

“So heto na yun. Tinotoo ko yung promise ko. Alagaan mo yan, paramihin mo. Buntis yan. Simula pa lang yan ng pagpaparami nating mga alaga.”

Alvin also congratulated his brother as he also hoped that all his siblings would also finish their studies.

• Volunteers speak up about the amount of garbage they have gathered from the path of the Black Nazarene’s Traslacion.
• There was a total of 44 trucks of trash that were gathered from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo.

Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene has left a number of trash from Quirino Granstand to Quiapo in Manila. It totaled 44 trucks of garbage.

According to Daniel Alejandre of EcoWaste Coalition, their campaign for a trash-less Translation has “fallen on deaf ears”.

“Many people unashamedly threw their garbage anywhere turning the parade ground fronting the Quirino Grandstand into a dumping ground.”

He added that it really could not be helped as it’s also the feast of Quiapo.

“Piyesta rin kasi ng Quiapo, so hindi natin maiiwasan ‘yung basura.”

Among the trash gathered at the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo were cardboard boxes, plastic sheets, food containers, plastic boxes, and slippers. Food leftovers, plastic bottles with urine, cup noodles, instant coffee, sachets, cigarette buts, and a lot of plastic objects were also noted.

“People seem to have no qualms about littering, a prohibited act under our local and national environmental laws that is more often disregarded than enforced. Littering, especially in godly activities, is totally unacceptable. Devotion should not lead to pollution.”

He added that the volume of trash will been lessened in future Traslacions if there will be designated dining areas near the route, with trash bins for the devotees.

“Natatakot kami na pupwedeng gamitin itong mga basurahan na ito na lagyan ng explosive.

“We hope that our people’s devotion to the Black Nazarene will also find its expression in the way we act toward our shared environment – with care and respect.”

• A netizen shared an adorable incident she witnessed during her flight to Manila.
• She praised the cabin crew who helped a little boy calm down during the plane ride by carrying him while doing his duties.

A Facebook user named Jumaya Guiabar shared an adorable and heartwarming incident she witnessed during a Cebu Pacific flight from Pagadian to Manila.

The little boy was with his grandmother in the plane when he began crying as soon as the plane took off. Despite his grandmother’s efforts, the kid refused to calm down and his loud crying was beginning to disturb the other passengers.

The boy cried for a while and still didn’t calm down. This is when a cabin crew, Renz, had to step in. He began to help the grandma make his grandson calm down and even offered to carry the kid.

And guess what? He actually stopped crying as soon as he got out of his seat.

Renz carried the boy around the plane while he did his work.

This touched the passengers who were also relieved that the boy finally calmed down. But when the crew tried making the child sit again, he began tearing up, making the guy carry him again.

The netizens said that the boy must have been scared as it may be his first flight ever. The post has now reached more than 1,200 shares on Facebook.

• President Rodrigo Duterte met Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Grey.
• According to Salvador Panelo, the President has thanked Grey for bringing the crown.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Grey has “exchanged pleasantries” with President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, December 20, before she headed to New York.

Grey was in Manila for a quick visit just days after her victory in Bangkok, Thaland on Monday, December 17.

She is the 4th Filipina to win the crown and title.

The President and the beauty queen met at the Villamor Air Base around 6:20pm on Thursday as she was set to leave the country after.

According to Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, the President expressed his gratitude to Grey for winning the prestegious competition.

“They are just exchanging pleasantries. He thanked her for bringing the crown. He said everybody is euphoric about her win.”

Grey will be based in New York during her Miss Universe reign. She is scheduled to return to the Philippines early next year for a formal homecoming celebration.

• Australian media outlets have reported about Catriona Gray’s Miss Universe win.
• Gray was born and raised in Queensland, Australia.

Aside from the Philippines, the impact of Catriona Gray‘s Miss Universe 2018 win has reached a wider range even to her first roots.

The media outlets from Australia have taken pride in Gray’s achievement as well as she got included in the front page of The Courier Mail.

The words “Miss Universe Philippines” is written and underneath the photo of the beauty queen but they have crossed out the country’s name and put in “Queensland“, where she was born and raised.

A radio station has also posted about the win on Monday, December 18. Hit published an article with the title: “An Australian Girl Just Won Miss Universe But She Wasn’t Miss Australia.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrfYbK5gb0D/

It included her background of her being born in the country and transfer to Manila to become a model.

“So while she is most definitely Filipino, she’s also Australian!”

Grey’s influence is really undeniable as she has two nations proud of her feat.

• Warner Bros is said to produce a movie revolving around the story of Journey frontman Arnel Pineda.
• The movie will be handled by breakout director Jon M. Chu, the man behind the success of Crazy Rich Asians.

Arnel Pineda, vocalist of legendary band Journey, is honored and thrilled to be the subject of a planned biopic film project by Jon M. Chu, the director of Crazy Rich Asians.

In an interview with ABS-CBN, he said that he is yet to meet with Chu and the producers, Warner Bros. The meeting is set in the coming weeks.

He said that any detail regarding the project will be drawn out from the meeting. The director and the producers are eyeing his story, tracing back on how he became part of the revived Journey and as the front man, and his childhood in Manila.

Pineda expressed his eagerness for the project to push through.

“Personally, I want this to happen. Maganda ‘to para sa atin, eh. Maganda sa mga dreamer, sa mga nangarap katulad ko who want to make it big, or at least iyon bang ma-recognize man lang ‘yung talent nila. I hope kung mangyari man ‘tong movie na ‘to, mag-open ‘to ng mas malaki pang door para sa mga Filipino at Asians.”

He added that he also envisioned the film to cover his family’s struggles when he was just a little kid and how he surpassed those and focus on his dreams.